Thursday 27 May 2010

What an embarrassment

Margaret Ritchie, a so-called Irish nationalist:

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Joke.

I thought Mark Durkan once said they were allowed to take some sort of 'protest' oath?

Wiz said...

I hope she at least crossed her fingers as a symbol of protest.

Anonymous said...

I thought the same but obviously not:

http://www.parliament.uk/site-information/glossary/oath-of-allegiance/

half and half said...

Seeing it actually happen is quite sickening.
I have no doubt that footage will come back to haunt the stoops time and again.
Irish nationalist my arse.

bangordub said...

Is this the Shinners election broadcast for the next elecion?
I'ts all they need............

Horseman said...

This kind of nauseating display took place, of course, every time John Hume, Séamus Mallon, Eddie McGrady, etc, etc, took their seats. But, no doubt to their quiet relief, it was not made so excruciatingly public.

Ritchie (and Durkan and McDonnell) however, are taking their seats in the Youtube era, and it is no longer possible to do these kind of cringe-evoking things in semi-secret. It is now out in the open and will be seen, and re-seen for years, by everyone.

If ever a case needs to be made for abstentionism, this video makes it. And, as you rightly say, bangordub, this is manna from heaven for Sinn Féin.

Paddy Matthews said...

Horseman,

We all know at this stage that you detest the SDLP, but she comfortably beat the much-misunderstood Catriona Ruane.

Get over it.

Anonymous said...

I think you're over-egging it, lads. What was it Dev said about an empty formula? British republicans like Tam Dalyell, Dennis Skinner gritted their teeth, took the oath and got on with arguing for a Republic.

Anonymous said...

I think you're over-egging it, lads. What was it Dev said about an empty formula? British republicans like Tam Dalyell, Dennis Skinner gritted their teeth, took the oath and got on with arguing for a Republic.

Anonymous said...

Where's the protest? hearing and knowing the do this is one thing, but actually seeing her crawl while uttering those words, disgrace, this will haunt them, I have no doubt the Shinners will use this quite quickly.

Anonymous said...

To the above, at least to those politicians they were talking about the monarchy of their own nation, Ritchie is pledging allegiance to a foreign oppressor - how should the native irish of NI feel about that? How do you think a Kenyan would react, being asked to swear to the Queen upon being elected?

Anonymous said...

In this day and age, and in recognition of the agreements between Britain and Ireland with regard to parity of esteem, together with the choice of which passport to use by the populace of NI, you would think that an alternative choice of words for the oath could be found.
I do not think that the British could ever understand the difficuly for many if not most nationalists to utter those words.
Hopefully, the video will spark a debate with regard to this issue.
I recon SF will never sit in Westminster though, no matter the outcome!

MPG .....

Anonymous said...

'I recon SF will never sit in Westminster though, no matter the outcome!'

Thus sparing the cleaning staff from having to use disinfectant.

hoboroad said...

PETER Robinson last night laid out his "stepping stones approach" towards unionist unity.
While recognising that there would not be a single party in the foreseeable future, the DUP leader advocated an alliance similar to the current UUP-Conservative tie-up, with joint candidates taking the same party whip.

The move was given a cautious welcome by the Ulster Unionists, with a spokesman saying: "Peter Robinson's statement would indicate a step change with its recognition of the need to base cooperation on shared, inclusive values."

Speaking at the North Tyrone DUP Branch annual last night the DUP leader Rt. Hon. Peter Robinson MLA said,

"Following the Westminster election there has been some discussion of the potential for Unionist Unity.

"However, so far this debate has provided more of an insight into tensions within the Ulster Unionist Party rather than progress on the issue.

"For the DUP the concept of closer co-operation and the ideal of unity with fellow unionists is not a new one. Our willingness to work closely with other unionists, particularly the Ulster Unionist Party, was evident for all to see in past decades.

"Throughout the course of our recent election campaign we were to the fore of championing the notion that a unity of policies, principles and ideals was in the best interests of unionism as a whole.

"The DUP made its commitment to Unionist Unity crystal clear and acted accordingly by supporting an agreed candidate in Fermanagh and South Tyrone and trying to seek agreement on South Belfast until the close of nominations. That commitment remains. The DUP stands ready, willing and able to examine the full range of options for Unionist Unity.

"Any examination should be based upon common values, realism and a vision for Unionist renewal."

hoboroad said...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1189788/Cameron-took-maximum-taxpayer-funded-mortgage--paid-75k-loan-months-later.html#ixzz0pS5aV5qA

Anonymous said...

Sammy Mc Nally said,

Although the arithmetic is unlikely SF's abstensionist policy (which I agree with) would start to look very silly if it led to a government in Britain whose policies were clearly not in Ireland's interest.

hoboroad said...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/7742430/Huge-food-and-drink-tabs-run-up-by-MPs.html

Anonymous said...

and here is Mc Donnell and Durkan taking pledge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIaZaRmuU4Q