UK General Election 8th June: Shake it all about?

[Cain]

11 billion deficit, I believe?

Probably higher, once Unionist terrorism starts up again.

[Faust]

Yeah, the North is getting really worrying,Republicans are laying off violence, because they need a smily happy face on the prospect of reunification of a united Ireland, though aren't above it if things go sour.  I really feel bad for the unionists, they are digging their heels in, feel like they are under attack from the republicans and all the while letting slip comments like Arlene Forester cant get in contact with Teresa May or Westminster, they have been hung out to dry.

I don't see why England would do that though, what is there to gain by alienating the unionists, unless it really is nothing more then a money issue with them.

[Cain]

I really think they'd be happy to see the back of Northern Ireland and let it be the Republic's problem.  Westminster saves money, less seats in Parliament (meaning greater theoretical Tory majority), washing hands of the Irish issue...I could see it appealing to short term thinkers.

[Faust]

Makes sense, great that would result in problems here, unless it became it's own state, at least in the interim. What about Scotland then, I would have thought they would be more reluctant to see that go because of the military bases, Cameron certainly played the "Better together" song well to them a couple of years back, May doesn't seem as engaging, well, with anyone.

[Cain]

Yes, and the dispute over ownership of the North Sea oil deposits.

On the other hand, removing Scotland from the Union would mean 59 less seats in Parliament, only one of which is reliably Tory.  It lowers the bar for obtaining a majority considerably.

[P3nT4gR4m]

I love how finally, on the way out the door, the people of scotland would have some input into who governs the UK. We're dumb, tho. Never going to happen. Calling it now - they'll offer the same line in bullshit, More power to scottish parliament and a secure place in europe and we'll eat it up like cupcakes cos we're a nation of retards 

[Faust]

Yeah the waterford wispers news weren't all that that subtle about their upset over the original result:
http://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2017/03/13/scotland-given-second-chance-to-shit-themselves/

[Faust]

Martin McGuinness died, he was the former second in command of the IRA, who turned politician and was one of the biggest campaigners to the peace process in NI, it's a real shame because he would have been a good hand to represent stability up there through what will be a painful Brexit process.

[Cain]

Meanwhile, the scum are rising to the surface...

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/mar/20/jim-dowson-back-scottish-independence-patriotic-news-agency-far-right?CMP=fb_gu

A far-right millionaire with Ulster loyalist connections plans to use his international social media network, which backed Donald Trump, to support Scottish independence. Jim Dowson, a former financial backer of the British National party and former member of Britain First, confirmed on Monday that he will be deploying his "Patriotic News Agency" and other networks with their bases in Hungary and Serbia to promote Scottish separatism.

Dowson was unapologetic about his 180-degree turn on the union between Scotland and the rest of the UK. "I have been a fanatical defender of the union, but I am a pragmatist, and England is finished. It is not just finished because of the Muslim problem and immigration, but also because as of now we are looking at permanent Tory rule. There is no effective opposition to the Tories, so what do you want then – permanent Conservative rule for the next 30 years?"

A one-time member of the far-right Britain First organisation, which he resigned from three years ago, Dowson said he would be directing the pro-independence online media campaign from his bases in Hungary and Serbia as well as in Britain, including from an office in Stirling.

An unapologetic advocate of Christian nationalist anti-immigrant groups across Europe, the 52-year-old former evangelical preacher is also a strong proponent of Vladimir Putin. Dowson has spoken at a conference of far-right leaders in Russia and wants Trump to enter an era of cooperation with Putin.

[Faust]

He sounds like an oppertunist, he sees nationalism in Scottland and NI as a way to promote more of the xenophobic aspects nationalism has become associated with. Ironically and what should have been obvious is that Scottland and NI leaving the UK results in them keeping the free trade and movement of Europe so he may be hitching his trailer onto the wrong truck.

[Cain]

Oh it is opportunism, but never underestimate how a multi-millionaire with deeply held convictions can sway the parameters of debate.  Especially when Scottish nationalists can't even admit that there is a racism problem among them.

With regards to the EU, it's my understanding that Scotland would leave, then have to reapply.  Even though Scotland would be mostly compliant, on the legislative side that process could take years.  I imagine the idea is to sway people's opinions on the suitability of doing so in the interim.

[Junkenstein]

UKIP's only MP has quit UKIP.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39393213

Mr Carswell chose to announce the decision on his blog, saying: "I switched to UKIP because I desperately wanted us to leave the EU. Now we can be certain that that is going to happen, I have decided that I will be leaving UKIP."

Earlier this month, Mr Carswell vowed to "absolutely" fight the next general election as a UKIP candidate.

[Cain]

So just what is in the water in Clacton anyway?  I mean, voting for Carswell when he was a Tory was bad enough, but I can sort of understand it.   But now?

[Cain]

Less than 5 days since we triggered article 50 and we already have senior political figures suggesting war with Spain in the national press

[Faust]

What ho, what good is leaving the EU if you cant go to war with them?