British PM turns to NI to save Tory government

| 09/06/2017 | 69 Comments
Cayman News Service

Theresa May narrowly retains her position as PM

(CNS): Prime Minister Theresa May will be depending on the ten DUP members of the British parliament from Northern Ireland to prop up the Conservative government after she lost the Tory majority in yesterday’s election by eight seats. May was hoping to shore up the previous slender majority and create a mandate for herself and what was looking like a hard Brexit deal. But despite having a massive lead in the opinion polls when she called the general election, it dwindled as the campaign went on.

It is now just ten days before she is scheduled to sit down and begin the real talks to extricate the UK from the European Union, but May now has to negotiate without the definitive backing she had hoped to get from the British public.

The Labour Party, led by Jeremy Corbyn, had been tipped to be decimated, but with a relatively high turnout at the polls boosted by younger voters, Labour made a significant recovery, picking up 31 seats to take 261 and well over 40% of the nationwide vote. The Tories meanwhile, ended up with 318 seats, down 12, despite having a significant recovery in Scotland at the expense of the Scottish Nationalists. To get a clear majority, they needed 326 seats.

However, speaking outside Number 10 Downing Street Friday, May said that, with the largest number of seats, the Conservative Party was the only one that could form a “legitimate” administration. She pointed to their “friends and allies” from the Democratic Unionist Party as being the members who would help her steer the UK through the Brexit talks. But there were no specifics about how she would work with the ten DUP members, only that it was the loosest of arrangements.

While the Democratic Unionist Party, which is the main pro-British union party in Northern Ireland, has historically tended to support Conservative governments, the small, but now powerful, party is not aligned with May’s policies. They will be seeking a much softer Brexit, as Northern Ireland voted to remain in the European Union and will be pushing for a soft border between the six counties and the Republic of Ireland.

But they also favour more centrist policies and had a manifesto that is at odds with the Tories on pensions and social support for the elderly.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Tags: , , ,

Category: Politics, UK, World News

Comments (69)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Anonymous says:

    May was convinced by the hard Brexit extremists, in particular David Davis, to call the election to push their agenda on the basis that the knuckle-dragging provincial Leave voter base would flock to May. Ironcially the outcome is perfect to ensure that hard Brexit is dead in the water and that the UK will pursue the softest of soft options. They did not work out how cruelly Theresa Maybe would be exposed as a vacuous coward.

    • Anonymous says:

      Apparently even Junker is claiming to have advised her to go for the election to “strengthen her position” (as reported by the Observer and Indy, based on “EU Sources”)

    • Anonymous says:

      Well I’d rather be a knuckle dragging leaver than a terrorist sympathising Trot.
      The trouble is that the liberal left have short memories, besides the mess that the last Labour government left behind, look at history and the glories of Labours disastrous 70’s tenure.

      And hey, think about what will happen to Cayman when comrade Corbiyn destroys the Off Shore sector. But you keep believing the economy destroying parasites that charade as Santa Claus, they have such a great record.

  2. Anonymous says:

    The whole world has gone crazy. Just look at the mess our Civil Service is in, with the carving up of Ministries by the new Government and the loss of what synergies that existed.

    It is a farce that the Civil Service is not political when this kinda thing is allowed to happen by the Deputy Governor who is apparently more concerned about creating his own DG this and that brand rather than doing what he is supposed to do, look out for Caymanians.

    Remember the Radio Cayman series Yes Minister? Well Franz Manderson is the best politician in the Cayman Islands and he surrounds himself with a bunch of yes men.Yes Minister

    8
    2
    • Cyril says:

      3:57. Stop crying and read the constitution the make up of Ministries is strictly a decision of the Premier.

      The DG and the Civil Service job is to deliver what the Premier wants.

      This has nothing to do with looking out for Caymanians. Stop complaining and do you job.

      • Anonymous says:

        I am doing my job in the private sector but people in the Civil Service have a right to complain with your attitude.

    • Alice says:

      3:57. But the Civil Service job is to do what the minister wants. You really should know this.

      Read the constitution please it’s clear on who decides the Subjects and make up of Ministries. I can’t see the DG mentioned anywhere.

    • Anonymous says:

      Errrr, yes, cod that is so UK election orientated. Problems with attention deficit?

  3. WhaYaSay says:

    If she had ANY leadership qualities she would step down!

    6
    14
  4. Anonymous says:

    Lord Buckethead was Britains last hope.

    16
    1
  5. Anonymous says:

    May has shown herself to be a psychopath with that crazy speech. Clock is ticking on her at No. 10. Hard Brexit is dead dead dead.

    13
    14
    • Anonymous says:

      A pact with the DUP is a pact with the devil.

      15
      13
      • Anonymous says:

        Not really true. I would suspect that the DUP would be saying the same thing about a pact with the soulless Tories.
        At least the DUP stand for something rather than fall for anything.
        No fake terrorism in N. Ireland. It’s all real, baby.

        5
        4
        • Anonymous says:

          It is a pact with the devil. They do not approve gay marriage and have very restrictive human rights policies! At least the tories in Scotland have come out and warned Theresa May that they will withdraw support if the conservatives down South support these backward homophobic policies!

          9
          7
          • Anonymous says:

            Strangely enough LGBT rights aren’t the main priority for the vast majority of the voting public.
            The DUP have no interest in influencing any other region of the UK, so Scotland will have no fear of anti gay marriage rhetoric. This was a piece of press nonsense and designed to cause panic.
            And just so we are clear, there were plenty of Labour, Tory and other MP’s who voted against Cameron’s gay marriage law, and there are millions around the world that agree with them.
            One day we will move on to politics about the real concerns of the majority not the vocal minority.

            6
            4
            • Anonymous says:

              Yeah and we can get back to oppressing the minorities again.

              Only the majority counts…..except everyone belongs to at least one minority group be it orientation, ehtnicity, geograph location or occupation.

              3
              1
              • Anonymous says:

                No one wants to oppress them, just fed up hearing them continually whining to the detriment of issues that really concern us all, even them.

          • Anonymous says:

            Sounds like a DUP coalition will be good for the majority in Cayman, who share the same no gay marriage views.

            1
            1
      • Anonymous says:

        The political parties in Northern Ireland have hatred and intolerance as their main center-piece.

        5
        7
      • Anonymous says:

        Don’t expect too many upvotes – many Caymanians would vote for a lot of the DUP policies. Especially the ones on religious bigotry, creationism, abortion, homophobia and curtailment of human rights.

        5
        2
    • Anonymous says:

      “We need stable government”…if I hear that phrase one more time from the unstable leader…no wonder she blew it…

      5
      1
      • Anonymous says:

        Ezzard and Arden do not preach hatred toward Catholics or Protestants. In Northern Ireland, people are taught to hate people of a different Christian persuasion from time they are small children. Yet some of the British try to call Caymanians xenophobic.

        2
        6
        • Anonymous says:

          How do you explain the anti expat rhetoric, Caymankind?
          Religious hatred isn’t xenophobia, the fear of foreigners is, so Ezzard and Arden perfectly fit.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Oh dear.

    Not a very stable country is it, the UK?

    Interesting how countries like Cayman are constantly berated and advised that security and stability is crucial to our survival yet hardly a peep in these regards as it concerns mommy dearest.

    Commence shitfting of goalposts …

    – Who

    25
    26
    • Anonymous says:

      One cannot compare a major world nation with the local governance of a micro-territory.

      21
      15
    • rollin says:

      You should turn in your British passport if you truly feel this way. Maybe move to Jamaica or your mother land Africa. No one is stopping you buddy.

      All talk no nerve.

      17
      9
      • Anonymous says:

        I am Caymanian, not British.

        Brits require permits and an immigration process to live here.

        You have no point.
        Go away.

        13
        10
        • Anonymous says:

          Really, but Caymanian isn’t a nationality is it, it’s a descriptive term for someone, anyone, who comes from the Cayman Islands.
          You are a British Overseas Territories Citizen, if you can, read your damn passport.

          Your immigration and permits argument is purely a financial policy, it serves no other control measure.

          So until you ever have the guts to push for independence, you are British, live with it or go away.

          7
          5
          • Anonymous says:

            I am a Caymanian.

            – Whodatis

            1
            6
          • Anonymous says:

            Well I am a British expat and would 100% support the Caymanian people pushing for independence from buffoons like you and your regressive ideologies.

            5
            6
            • Anonymous says:

              Tell me, “British expat”; Do you have “expats” in Britain?

              Such a peculiar term it is. I believe I have read or heard of Australian and German “expats” in the UK – but never of a Nigerian or Pakistani expat.

              Why is this? Kindly shed some light if at all possible.

              In the meantime, do you agree to Cayman referring to you as an immigrant – as is the normal practise in your home country?

              Thanks.

              • Anonymous says:

                For a start, I have not identified myself as expat, (9:54).
                Secondly, if I where I would have no problem being called an immigrant, migrant or even expatriate, there’re just official classifications not derogatory terms.

                After all, one goes through an Immigration process, so what’s the problem with being an immigrant.

                If you are referring to colour being the defining term, well how sad are you?

          • Anonymous says:

            Btw, Re: “Your immigration and permits argument is purely a financial policy, it serves no other control measure.”

            I therefore suggest you and your buddies draw a big “X” through your PR application and staple a copy of that enlightened excerpt of yours above in its place.

            Let me know how it works out for you.

            – Who

            😉

            • Anonymous says:

              Why, that’ll serve absolutely no purpose if the qualification criteria is complete.
              Who the hell would want PR in this place anyway, we’ll just grab the money doing the jobs you can’t or won’t do and leave? Thanks.

    • Anonymous says:

      Let’s see: 32m votes counted in 12 hours; a coalition formed and a Government in place in another 2 – 3 hours; an orderly transition to the new Government (if Labour had won, Corbyn would be moving in to 10 Downing St today, so that he would be settled in and ready for Government business on Monday morning); the majority of the population voting for pro-Brexit parties; the resurgence of pro-Union parties in Scotland, and; IndyRef2 off the table is evidence of instability is it?

      Despite the hung Parliament, the Tories actually got more seats in than they did in 5 of the last 6 General Elections (2015 being the exception).

      OK = off you go – start moving the goalposts

      9
      3
      • Anonymous says:

        Cute, and nice try with the whole “focus on a single day” approach.

        Howsabout a 12 month review from current day – including political developments, market and industry reactions, currency shifts etc.?

        Actually, your strategy of whittling my original post to one day in the UK was in the spirit of the now inevitable goal shift so…never mind.

        • Anonymous says:

          Yup, as I expected, “I didn’t mean that, I meant…..”. Shift away, shift away.

          This was an article about the recent UK election and the formation of a new government. You made a comment on that article saying “Not a very stable country is it, the UK?”. I commented on the fact that the election and formation of a new government had gone very smoothly, with no evidence of instability, that the majority of population had voted for Brexit-supporting parties and that the Unionists parties had gained ground, further reducing the likelihood of of Scotland voting to leave – all evidence of increased stability.
          Basically, I stayed on-topic.
          You now want to go off-topic, move the goalposts, and cover the last 12 months.

          • Anonymous says:

            Ummm…no.

            The thought process of the original poster is what matters on every occasion – not the convenient misinterpretation of the respondent.

            Besides, why would one regard any sole election result as evidence of an unstable government / country?

            Feel free to try again though. We’re open till 5.

            – Who

            😀

    • Anonymous says:

      The Tories linking up with the DUP is like the PPM hooking up with the CDP.

      Politics = Expediency

      7
      2
    • london and minute hester vicrims says:

      Terrorist apologist. You have nothing to say on the subtleties of democracy when you support violent action against innocents.

      4
      4
      • Anonymous says:

        Unlike you and your colleagues, I possess the humanity to recognise non-Western, non-White, non-Christian victims of Western-militarised terrorism.

        When you manage to do the same – get in touch.

        – Who

        • Anonymous says:

          Arrogant much?

        • Anonymous says:

          many do recognise it, but do not celebrate it where ever it is.

          Sad

          • Anonymous says:

            Where was the celebration?

            Please stop making up stories – it’s really not a good look.

            – Who

        • Fred says:

          You recognise the right to kill innocent victims as a tit for tat response to other innocents dying. Even though the Isis based killings are more about fundamental differences in theology, not retaliation. But even if they were retaliation, you think it’s OK to then kill other innocents in response. More about you supporting the non Western, non white based on my enemies enemy is my friend perspective . Basically a man blinded by his own hatred of Western colonialism to the point where you find it acceptable for people to knife completely innocent passers by, and blow up kids. Sad.

          2
          1
          • Anonymous says:

            Call me crazy, but yes – I prefer to examine and consider both perspectives as it concerns major conflicts.

            Unfortunately, others opt to be led by arrogance, propaganda, and knee-jerk reactions.
            In that spirit, I guess it makes perfect sense to believe a continuation of more of the same is the solution.

            – Who

            • Anonymous says:

              Don’t try and sound as if you know what the hell youre talking about. You’re not as smart as you think you are, and definitely not experienced enough of the fear that terrorism brings to a society, black or white.
              Idiot.

        • Anonymous says:

          Do you recognise the millions of Muslims killed by their own, or the Africans murdered by their own governments, tribal factions and criminal society.
          Convenient to make this about colour when the argument fails.
          Hard luck Who.

    • fred says:

      Stopped listening to you when you decided to justify the killing of innocents.

      • Anonymous says:

        Evidently not.

        Anyway, kindly CC yourself on my reply to your colleague above.

        Cheers mate,

        – Who

    • Anonymous says:

      You piece of slime, how dare you insult the bravery of Brits and other nationalities who fought and died so valiantly against Islamist cowards.
      But then sitting on a small rock in the middle of no where, you can afford to make equally cowardly claims behind the wall of security we give you.
      Go to hell.

      4
      5
      • Anonymous says:

        Eh?
        Ah boy.
        Ok buddy, do your thing.

        – Who

        P.S. “You” haven’t GIVEN “me / us” a god damn thing – so eff’ you and the disease-infected horse you rode in on.

        I suggest you learn actual history before you even fix your mouth to utter such bullsh*t ever again.

        4
        4
        • Anonymous says:

          Fool. You really are that stupid.

        • Anonymous says:

          Really. Because your Immigration, Customs and Police do such a good good keeping law and order, or rather braking it themselves.
          Try travelling around a bit and find yourself in trouble, guess who gives you assistance diplomatically, militarily or medically as a British Citizen. Let’s see what ‘I’m a Caymanian’ gets you outside of this island.
          You have no clue.

      • Anonymous says:

        10:02 am, if we are sitting on a rock in the middle of nowhere, what are you doing here, please go home and shut up, just go home.

        3
        2
    • Datisme says:

      Probably not in your lifetime but one day they will find a cure for stupid.

    • Anonymous says:

      Right on cue. Awesome.

  7. Anonymous says:

    This is the best thing that could have happened. May was totally anti-Brexit and then it was a mystery as to how she was selected to lead Britain through it.
    There was skullduggery involved in removing opposition to her bid for the leadership of the Tory party. I had never seen such smear campaigns in a long time.

    Anyway, she pretended to support Brexit as “the will of the people”, but her heart was clearly not in it.

    She was more at ease during the confusion of the “terror” incidents and had no problem putting 5,000 armed police on the streets and subsequently called for the Internet to be regulated.

    It was at this point that she displayed her true colours as an unashamed globalist. Well, she has been weighed in the balances and found wanting.

    I would suggest that we have a respite on our hands and we should use it wisely.

    22
    3

Leave a Reply to Anonymous Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.