Sinn Fein accuses the British government of 'holding Northern Ireland to ransom'

Sinn Fein has accused the British government of holding Northern Ireland to ransom by delaying the formation of an executive to govern the country.

Michelle O'Neill stands to become the First Minister of the Stormont Assembly if a government can be formed, and urged Westminster to get the executive "up and running."

[bigcourts]

The unionists think the tories actually care about them it’s laughable 🤣

[michaelanthony]

There is an old saying, it takes a wise man to act the fool.. Boris knew exactly what he was doing when he shafted the DUP he doesn't care about northern Ireland or anything as long as he is in charge

[whaleymom]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but, unlike DUP refusing power sharing in Stormont, Sinn Fein not sitting in Westminster does not prevent the government of Northern Ireland from functioning. Isn't that correct? (Please don't scream at me. This is an honest question. I am truly trying to clarify my rudimentary understanding of the political structure as it exists in Northern Ireland. )

[viper_fan]

For over 100 years, Sinn Fein accepted democracy.
Now it is time for the DUP to accept it.

[PtolemyJones]

So DUP's response is, Ireland hasn't participated because they resent being invaded, so the DUP isn't going to participate because they resent being resented?

[jojokeavy]

"It's' Called Democracy 🇮🇪"

[lordmurray]

Colonialism and imperialism make good fellows for Westminster, all abusers Hate change or being challenged by Democracy.

[lucabrasi]

England couldn't care less about northern Ireland or Scotland

[desmneylon]

Time for the DUP and the British government to accept the democratic will of the people of NI and accept the protocol.

[billballbuster]

I am sure the English tax payer would be pleased if Ireland unites and we can save 15 Billion Pounds per year in subsidies.

[heybabycometobutthead]

Time to end the special relationship with Ireland, no more visa free travel in the UK, no more visa free work in the UK for Irish citizens, no more voting in UK elections for Irish citizens, no more Irish travellers committing a mobicrime wave across Britain.

[NiskaMagnusson]

as a brit i must say we need to stop meddling with the north and let them decide their own fate

[paulmartin]

Sinn Fein have very short and selective memories. They held the people of NI to ransom when they brought down Stormont for 3 yes over an Irish language act. Hypocrites

[lennon]

The People of Scotland, Wales and the British Occupied 6 Counties of Ireland, all gave the Unionist/Tories a damn good thrashing, so much so It's no longer the Disunited Kingdom, its the DisemboweledUnited Kingdom. Well Done Sinn Fein, The SNP and Plaid Cymru. FREEDOM FOR ALL CELTIC NATIONS! SAOR ALBA! SAOR EIRE!

[stuartmorganbmx]

WELL IF ONLY THEY COULD JUST GET ALONG WITH THE NEIGHBOURS AND WE WOULDNT HAVE EVEN HAD TO STEP IN IN THE FIRST PLACE

[Maidaseu]

When the unionists vote for Irish nationalists it really shows how bad the tories are.

[stephenorourke]

Is it time for Ireland to be ONE again?

[Rheinmeister]

Exactly...enough of the old and someone like the Alliance party to represent a new more modern Northern Ireland.

[vatsmith]

Why would anyone hold Nor'n Iland to ransom? Nobody would ever pay to get it back.

[dashund]

Shows what the DUP’s problem is. They have more loyalty to England than Northern Ireland itself. Them doing the equivalent of Sinn Fein, would be not to sit in Dáil Éireann. Which, likewise, wouldn’t have anyone is Dáil Éireann bat an eye.

The Alliance party seem to be the biggest victors here and with the best of intent. They seem to put Northern Ireland first, not just as a part of the UK, nor as a (very unlikely) potential part of the ROI.