If N. Ireland is part of the UK why can't we vote for the government that actually makes the rules?

Question

When it comes to voting in N. Ireland we get to pick which bunch of terriorists we like best, that are supposed to work together to form N. Ireland's own parliment, however they spend all they're time arguing and refusing to sit down and actually do some work like looking after the citizens of N. Ireland. So instead we have all our laws and decisions made by the British government and we can't even vote Labour, Consertive or otherwise, kind of unfair don't you think? Why is this?

Answer 1

You are not quite correct - the Conservatives have run in a few NI seats (like North Down) but have done rather poorly, suggesting that NI voters prefer their local sectarian parties to mainstream UK ones. The Labour-SDLP alliance is an imperfect solution, as it leaves left-wing unionists (few as those may be) with nowhere to go. There was a court case a few years ago in which a NI man sought the right to join the Labour party. The Lib Dems tell their supporters in NI to vote Alliance.

Before 1973 the UUP was seen as the NI branch of the Tories and one NI MP, Robin Chichester-Clark, held office under Edward Heath. You are right that it is unfair that under the current set up no MPs from NI will be part of the UK government, and the UK can impose things like the new gay rights law on NI without even having to put it to a vote. But I think most UK parties know they won't do very well there and don't bother. I spoke to a NI Conservative during the 2001 election and she said they were barely getting any resources from Tory Central Office. Look at the link below to read about the only UK-wide political party.

Answer 2

Perhaps I am missing something as an Englishman, but at the most recent Northern Ireland Assembly elections more voters chose to vote for the Democratic Unionist Party than the Ulster Unionsit Party, or for Sinn Fein than the Social Democratic Labour Party, and many fewer for the Alliance Party compared to parties identified with one section of the Northern Irish community. It was your collective choice.

The British Government has to make the laws and decisions because your parties cannot yet agree on how to run the Assembly. The British Government would be only too glad to get rid of this detailed involvement.

Hitorically, the Conservative Party was a collection of constitutency associations, and was known in full as the Conservative and Unioniat Party. To vote Ulster Unionist was more or less to vote Conservative. There was a Northern Ireland Labour Party at one point, but it was overwhelmingly Protestant and voters preferred a sectarian party. But since the accession of the UK to the European Union, the Labour Party has been part of the European Socialist Group, as has the N. Ireland SDLP. So they do not stand against each other and the offical answer is that if you are a Labour voter you should back the SDLP.

The truth is that the British parties do not want to organise or run candidates in Northern Ireland as they do not want to repeat past history of becoming identified with either section of the NI community. Of course, there is nothing in theory to stop an independent Conservative or Labour candidate standing for election.

Answer 3

The SDLP is in election pact with Labour, and the UUP is associated with the Conservatives, at least that was the case a few years back. That's why neither of the big parties puts up candidates in NI elections.
So in the end you do get as much of a say as anybody else in the UK, but no chane to ever having a minister from "the province" in Westminster.

Answer 4

Well the best way to get rid of that is to protest to an insane degree. If those children in the Unionists and Sinn Fein are so petty they can barely agree where the parliament should BE they are not fit for government. Ever. If barely anyone votes in the election (like less than 5%) then that would force them to change, because they are nowhere even approaching an elected 'government'. Even better than not turning up is to spoil your ballot - that way you're not counted as one of those who didn't vote because they're lazy, but someone who doesn't WANT to vote.

Answer 5

The DUP is the fourth largest party in the British parliament. Scary thought, huh?

In fact, I'd rather be forcibly governed by Westminster than be run by the bunch of terrorists and religious theocrats that pass for politicians here.

In this "UK region", we just have a bunch of people who want to be part of the UK, regardless of whether or not it's good for us, and another bunch who want a united Ireland, regardless of whether or not it's good for us. That seems to be the beginning and end of political thought and discourse here.

Idiots.

Answer 6

its supposed to be like a devloved parliment, but they cant seem to stop infighting enough to actually make any decisions. There are also MP's but Sinn fien refuse to sit in the house of commons. Ian paisleys lot wont go coz of the anglo irish agreement. it just gets silly. So much potential of an otherwise wonderful place going to waste.

Answer 7

Because you haven't learned to seperate church and state. This problem is compounded by the Republic of Ireland declaring N.Ireland as it's own Vs. the Crown. First, you need to resolve this damned Catholic vs Protestant problem. Until that is resolved you will continue to spin your wheels, and you will be no smarter than the people of Iraq!

Take a look at Turkey and how they have resolved the sectarian problem, because for them it works and it could for N.Ireland too! Frankly, it could work in Iraq if the damned fools would let it.

Answer 8

You do get to vote in national elections. NI voters send MPs to Westminster, just like voters in England, Wales and Scotland.

I agree with you about the devolved parliament though. They are all really a bunch of tossers.

Answer 9

IRA ..is the bunch of terrorists who had the British Government beat and surrender to their demands ..

So called British Government .went to Iraq to deal with terrorists ..when they couldn't even catch the ones in there back yard ..and had to surrender to them ....
Weak nation..can't protect you from bunch of killers ..you are left to fend for your selves whilst the God Fathers are running Northern Ireland

Answer 10

Technically it's supposed to be an autonomous region of the UK with its own parliament. I do see your point about voting for which "terrorist" you want as your MP! Unfortunately too many people in your province still live behind iron walls..........