Free speech

[Zhivago]

Woman holds placard with "Fuck the DUP"

Is arrested and referred to prosecutor.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/201 ... dup-banner

[Digby]

If that's a hate crime and/or breach of the peace the days of the Orange men marching are well and truly over. Indeed the former residents of Grenfell Tower might need to watch their Ps and Qs

[Sandydragon]

Hmmm, looks bad until you consider the tight rules around parades in NI, which exist for a good reason. The DUP fella who complained seems to be a bit of a cnut, but his point that the law must be applied equally is a fair one.

She could have written 'Down with the DUP' or similar and not have caused herself any problems.

[Numbers]

Hmmm, looks bad until you consider the tight rules around parades in NI, which exist for a good reason. The DUP fella who complained seems to be a bit of a cnut, but his point that the law must be applied equally is a fair one.

She could have written 'Down with the DUP' or similar and not have caused herself any problems.

You've been watching too much Father Ted.

[Digby]

Hmmm, looks bad until you consider the tight rules around parades in NI, which exist for a good reason. The DUP fella who complained seems to be a bit of a cnut, but his point that the law must be applied equally is a fair one.

She could have written 'Down with the DUP' or similar and not have caused herself any problems.

If the DUP fella feels it important people be treated equally I look forward to the DUP handing back the bribe for propping up a minority government

[Sandydragon]

Hmmm, looks bad until you consider the tight rules around parades in NI, which exist for a good reason. The DUP fella who complained seems to be a bit of a cnut, but his point that the law must be applied equally is a fair one.

She could have written 'Down with the DUP' or similar and not have caused herself any problems.

If the DUP fella feels it important people be treated equally I look forward to the DUP handing back the bribe for propping up a minority government

And you know thats a very different thing. To my knowledge, both unionists and republicans have made complaints under this law in recent years.

[Digby]

Hmmm, looks bad until you consider the tight rules around parades in NI, which exist for a good reason. The DUP fella who complained seems to be a bit of a cnut, but his point that the law must be applied equally is a fair one.

She could have written 'Down with the DUP' or similar and not have caused herself any problems.

If the DUP fella feels it important people be treated equally I look forward to the DUP handing back the bribe for propping up a minority government

And you know thats a very different thing. To my knowledge, both unionists and republicans have made complaints under this law in recent years.

Different in a way yes, but it would also be morally consistent, which being DUP he likely isn't

[Mellsblue]

Hmmm, looks bad until you consider the tight rules around parades in NI, which exist for a good reason. The DUP fella who complained seems to be a bit of a cnut, but his point that the law must be applied equally is a fair one.

She could have written 'Down with the DUP' or similar and not have caused herself any problems.

If the DUP fella feels it important people be treated equally I look forward to the DUP handing back the bribe for propping up a minority government

Only if the Lib Dems go first.

[Digby]

Hmmm, looks bad until you consider the tight rules around parades in NI, which exist for a good reason. The DUP fella who complained seems to be a bit of a cnut, but his point that the law must be applied equally is a fair one.

She could have written 'Down with the DUP' or similar and not have caused herself any problems.

If the DUP fella feels it important people be treated equally I look forward to the DUP handing back the bribe for propping up a minority government

Only if the Lib Dems go first.

You're saying they haven't already?

[Mellsblue]

If the DUP fella feels it important people be treated equally I look forward to the DUP handing back the bribe for propping up a minority government

Only if the Lib Dems go first.

You're saying they haven't already?

In terms of collateral damage, maybe. If they give up the vast majority of their members of the House of Lords then I supppose we can call it even.

[Digby]

Only if the Lib Dems go first.

You're saying they haven't already?

In terms of collateral damage, maybe. If they give up the vast majority of their members of the House of Lords then I supppose we can call it even.

Perhaps, though I'm not sure they took a bribe in return for forming a government.

[Mellsblue]

You're saying they haven't already?

In terms of collateral damage, maybe. If they give up the vast majority of their members of the House of Lords then I supppose we can call it even.

Perhaps, though I'm not sure they took a bribe in return for forming a government.

Agreed, unless you call the demands for money for free school meals and everything associated with it a bribe. Which if you call the money for infrastructure in NI a bribe then you would have to. Rather, it's just how coalition/ supply and confidence negotiations work the world over. That it's the unpalatable DUP rather than the nice and fluffy Lib Dems makes sod all difference other than how certain people will spin it.

[Digby]

In terms of collateral damage, maybe. If they give up the vast majority of their members of the House of Lords then I supppose we can call it even.

Perhaps, though I'm not sure they took a bribe in return for forming a government.

Agreed, unless you call the demands for money for free school meals and everything associated with it a bribe. Which if you call the money for infrastructure in NI a bribe then you would have to. Rather, it's just how coalition/ supply and confidence negotiations work the world over. That it's the unpalatable DUP rather than the nice and fluffy Lib Dems makes sod all difference other than how certain people will spin it.

The demand for free school meals wasn't merely addressed at a local level. Had the DUP taken the extra money granted and seen that split equally on the basis of the Barnett Formula that would have been comparable to the Lib Dem's actions, but accidentally perhaps the DUP didn't share the money on an equal basis.

[Mellsblue]

Perhaps, though I'm not sure they took a bribe in return for forming a government.

Agreed, unless you call the demands for money for free school meals and everything associated with it a bribe. Which if you call the money for infrastructure in NI a bribe then you would have to. Rather, it's just how coalition/ supply and confidence negotiations work the world over. That it's the unpalatable DUP rather than the nice and fluffy Lib Dems makes sod all difference other than how certain people will spin it.

The demand for free school meals wasn't merely addressed at a local level. Had the DUP taken the extra money granted and seen that split equally on the basis of the Barnett Formula that would have been comparable to the Lib Dem's actions, but accidentally perhaps the DUP didn't share the money on an equal basis.

As far as I'm aware, it was only for English schools as it is a devolved issue. Regardless, I see the issue of where geographically the money is spent as a red herring.

[Digby]

Not just why but where money is spent seems rather apposite to me. I'd allow some flexibility beyond merely the Barnett Formula, but not in an instance like this, this is corruption of the purpose of a national government, not maybe corruption like Liam Fox likes to engage in, but pretty ropey nonetheless.