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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/09/tories-dup-grim-thought-theresa-mays-new-allies
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| 'The Tories shored up by the DUP is a grim thought': Guardian readers on the Conservative/DUP union | |
| (2 days later) | |
| Catherine, Derry: ‘Brexit and the impact is a huge question mark’ | Catherine, Derry: ‘Brexit and the impact is a huge question mark’ |
| The DUP does not represent me. I am embarrassed by its policies, including its pro-Brexit stance (counter to the wider Northern Irish vote), its anti-gay marriage views and its long-held opposition to women’s reproductive rights. I am horrified that it will share power in Westminster when it could not even strike a power-sharing deal on home turf. The only good thing about this coalition is that the DUP’s policies will finally make it into the mainstream media, and be subject to greaterscrutiny. | The DUP does not represent me. I am embarrassed by its policies, including its pro-Brexit stance (counter to the wider Northern Irish vote), its anti-gay marriage views and its long-held opposition to women’s reproductive rights. I am horrified that it will share power in Westminster when it could not even strike a power-sharing deal on home turf. The only good thing about this coalition is that the DUP’s policies will finally make it into the mainstream media, and be subject to greaterscrutiny. |
| I am originally from Derry and my family lives three minutes from the border. Brexit and its impact is therefore a huge question mark. None of the parties has answered the question because they just do not have an answer. The lack of mention of Northern Ireland in the EU debate indicated that few in Westminster gave much thought to little old Northern Ireland. They will now. | I am originally from Derry and my family lives three minutes from the border. Brexit and its impact is therefore a huge question mark. None of the parties has answered the question because they just do not have an answer. The lack of mention of Northern Ireland in the EU debate indicated that few in Westminster gave much thought to little old Northern Ireland. They will now. |
| Pól, 26, student, Belfast: ‘The DUP has halted social progress’ | Pól, 26, student, Belfast: ‘The DUP has halted social progress’ |
| The DUP is a conservative party that has halted social progress in Northern Ireland since it entered the executive with Sinn Féin in 2007. It has blocked legislation for equal marriage, despite the majority of the people supporting it. It has displayed, in its behaviour and rhetoric, a troubling contempt for the nationalist community, the LGBT community and ethnic minorities. | The DUP is a conservative party that has halted social progress in Northern Ireland since it entered the executive with Sinn Féin in 2007. It has blocked legislation for equal marriage, despite the majority of the people supporting it. It has displayed, in its behaviour and rhetoric, a troubling contempt for the nationalist community, the LGBT community and ethnic minorities. |
| The worry around the current arrangement between the Tories and the DUP is the effect it will have at home. The consequence of direct rule by a Tory party shored up by the DUP is a grim image for our future. Given the uncertain future of Brexit, which the majority of people rejected but the DUP supported, and the power the DUP now has over the Tories, the mood is one of trepidation. | The worry around the current arrangement between the Tories and the DUP is the effect it will have at home. The consequence of direct rule by a Tory party shored up by the DUP is a grim image for our future. Given the uncertain future of Brexit, which the majority of people rejected but the DUP supported, and the power the DUP now has over the Tories, the mood is one of trepidation. |
| Mac, farmer, Fermanagh: ‘The party has moderated its views over the years’ | Mac, farmer, Fermanagh: ‘The party has moderated its views over the years’ |
| DUP and Sinn Féin supporters are delighted. Those of us who desire moderate political representation are disappointed, but not surprised. Nationalist voters who no longer have representation at Westminister are concerned about the influence of the DUP on the Tories. I live beside the border, so Brexit is a huge concern. I voted remain but accept the result of the referendum and hope for an open border with the Republic post-Brexit. | DUP and Sinn Féin supporters are delighted. Those of us who desire moderate political representation are disappointed, but not surprised. Nationalist voters who no longer have representation at Westminister are concerned about the influence of the DUP on the Tories. I live beside the border, so Brexit is a huge concern. I voted remain but accept the result of the referendum and hope for an open border with the Republic post-Brexit. |
| I know people will focus on the more extreme individuals in the DUP, and their views. I have always disliked those as well and have never voted for them. However, the party has toned down its views over the years and has attracted more moderate members, and that is worth remembering when it is being demonised. | I know people will focus on the more extreme individuals in the DUP, and their views. I have always disliked those as well and have never voted for them. However, the party has toned down its views over the years and has attracted more moderate members, and that is worth remembering when it is being demonised. |
| Sarah, 18, student, Coleraine: ‘The politics of unionism and nationalism are a divisive issue’ | Sarah, 18, student, Coleraine: ‘The politics of unionism and nationalism are a divisive issue’ |
| The Northern Irish people as a whole do not agree with the opinions of the DUP on matters such as abortion and equal marriage, hence its infamous abuse of the “petition of concern” to veto the concept, as opposed to permitting a referendum or allowing us to be in line with the rest of the UK. The reason it gains our parliamentary seats is its stand for unionism, but it is the least democratic and united party I have experienced in the UK. | The Northern Irish people as a whole do not agree with the opinions of the DUP on matters such as abortion and equal marriage, hence its infamous abuse of the “petition of concern” to veto the concept, as opposed to permitting a referendum or allowing us to be in line with the rest of the UK. The reason it gains our parliamentary seats is its stand for unionism, but it is the least democratic and united party I have experienced in the UK. |
| The issue of Brexit is a major one, as although the constituency in which I live has a DUP majority and has no border with the Republic, Northern Ireland as a whole is influenced greatly by the EU in both home and working life. Furthermore, the politics of unionism and nationalism are a divisive issue. We unfortunately have not had a devolved government since our last local elections due to the inability of the DUP and Sinn Féin to come to any sort of agreement. | The issue of Brexit is a major one, as although the constituency in which I live has a DUP majority and has no border with the Republic, Northern Ireland as a whole is influenced greatly by the EU in both home and working life. Furthermore, the politics of unionism and nationalism are a divisive issue. We unfortunately have not had a devolved government since our last local elections due to the inability of the DUP and Sinn Féin to come to any sort of agreement. |
| Aileen, County Down: ‘The thought of a coalition between the Conservatives and the DUP is great’ | Aileen, County Down: ‘The thought of a coalition between the Conservatives and the DUP is great’ |
| I am a working mother of three. I have spent a lot of my career in the armed forces. I think that Arlene Foster and her team in the DUP can do a great job for us after this election. The issues I’m concerned about are keeping Northern Ireland as part of the UK and clamping down on terrorism and immigration. I’m also concerned by the state of the NHS. | I am a working mother of three. I have spent a lot of my career in the armed forces. I think that Arlene Foster and her team in the DUP can do a great job for us after this election. The issues I’m concerned about are keeping Northern Ireland as part of the UK and clamping down on terrorism and immigration. I’m also concerned by the state of the NHS. |
| The thought of a coalition between the Conservatives and the DUP is great – two very strong ladies who can make Brexit work. | The thought of a coalition between the Conservatives and the DUP is great – two very strong ladies who can make Brexit work. |
| Colleen, 19, student, Derry: ‘Theresa May says she’ll work with the DUP for the benefit of the whole UK – but it’s not true’ | Colleen, 19, student, Derry: ‘Theresa May says she’ll work with the DUP for the benefit of the whole UK – but it’s not true’ |
| Personally I do not have a problem with parties based on their religious beliefs, but I know that isn’t the case with everybody in Northern Ireland. However, the DUP has some very extreme views that I cannot accept and they are not views that the majority of people in Northern Ireland have. | Personally I do not have a problem with parties based on their religious beliefs, but I know that isn’t the case with everybody in Northern Ireland. However, the DUP has some very extreme views that I cannot accept and they are not views that the majority of people in Northern Ireland have. |
| Maintaining a soft border between the north and south of Ireland is very important. The introduction of checkpoints or such measures would only bring back memories from the Troubles and may even cause uproar. As someone who lives on the northern side of the border, I would be very unhappy with strict measures being enforced, as I know a lot of people in the north spend a lot of time over the border for various reasons. | Maintaining a soft border between the north and south of Ireland is very important. The introduction of checkpoints or such measures would only bring back memories from the Troubles and may even cause uproar. As someone who lives on the northern side of the border, I would be very unhappy with strict measures being enforced, as I know a lot of people in the north spend a lot of time over the border for various reasons. |
| The legalisation of gay marriage is also a very important issue for me. In the past four years it has been blocked by the DUP, even when the majority voted in favour. The fact that Theresa May stated that she will work with it for the benefit of the whole United Kingdom is simply not true, and she probably knows that but has refused to acknowledge that she is supporting a party that does not represent all of the people of Northern Ireland. | The legalisation of gay marriage is also a very important issue for me. In the past four years it has been blocked by the DUP, even when the majority voted in favour. The fact that Theresa May stated that she will work with it for the benefit of the whole United Kingdom is simply not true, and she probably knows that but has refused to acknowledge that she is supporting a party that does not represent all of the people of Northern Ireland. |
| Some names have been changed. | Some names have been changed. |
| Democratic Unionist party (DUP) | Democratic Unionist party (DUP) |
| Opinion | Opinion |
| Conservatives | Conservatives |
| General election 2017 | General election 2017 |
| Brexit | Brexit |
| European Union | European Union |
| Northern Ireland | Northern Ireland |
| comment | comment |
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