It beggars belief Theresa May did not seek cross-party consensus before going to the EU to negotiate a deal once she took over from Dave. On the other hand, I can see why it didn’t happen – May could have been seen as weak by asking for help when she probably wanted to be the next Iron Lady.
Imagine Jeremy Corbyn putting his name to a proposal that could be potentially rejected and committing political suicide in the process. He wouldn’t have the stick to beat the Tories with and the DUP wouldn’t have anyone to blame for the backstop.
Yes, it’s time for a cross-party (aka common-sense) approach but, alas, it’s far too late in the process. The sharks are circling and smell blood in the water, and it would appear they would gladly let the UK crash out of the EU without a deal to try to further their political careers at the expense of the ordinary citizen.
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Kevin Dowling
Killiney, Co Dublin
Dark forces threaten dream of liberal Europe from within
The chief feature of Remainer discourse is the actual condition of the EU is hardly ever mentioned. Despite all the embarrassingly hackneyed investigations of the post-imperial English psyche by writers that litter the media, you will struggle to find any reference to the dark forces shaping European politics.
France is convulsed by rioting yellow vests every weekend in Paris, as elements in the Alternative für Deutschland are in the Reichstag for the first time since 1945, while Italy is governed by a coalition that includes heirs to fascism. Hungry and Poland are in the tightening grip of illiberal democracy, and the Czech Republic is ruled by a populist billionaire with close links to Russia.
Austria is run by a coalition that includes a party whose first leader was an SS officer. Sweden is struggling to keep the ultra-nationalist Sweden Democrats out of government. The far right has doubled its support in the recent elections in Estonia.
Memories of Franco’s tyranny seem to have faded as the far right is winning seats in the provincial elections in Spain.
Ireland could see our 100 years of neutrality on the line if we are to supply our quota for the European Army.
It is very likely, according to John Gray’s recent essay on the European problems, that after the European elections “the idea of a united liberal Europe will linger on but will be a fading apparition of a vanished future”.
Hugh Duffy
Cleggan, Co Galway
Wales’s overwhelming victory reveals the joy of six
Looking back on Ireland’s poor performances in the Six Nations, I suspect for Ireland to play so poorly, illness must have had a role. However, we were well beaten by England, who out-thought us. The loss to Wales was in a different category.
One of the first things the manager said after the match was that Wales’s Josh Navidi played very well. His position is at No 6 and he features in open play. I’m wondering whether there is a correlation between a win and a good performance by the No 6?
Should a team adjust its game if the opposition’s No 6 is having a field day?
Patrick Dillon
Address with editor
Would Dún Laoghaire like to show us all how to behave?
Liam Collins (Irish Independent, March 23) poses the question: “What harm can 82 refugees do a village the size of Rooskey?’’
As a native of Roscommon and having friends in Longford, Leitrim and indeed Donegal, one thing these people know all about is migration.
They have been migrating for over 200 years. These are the four poorest counties in Ireland but their people are generous, welcoming and love fair play.
Collins pulled the lazy racist card to partially explain the arson attacks in Rooskey and Moville. He barely mentions the lack of dialogue or dearth of facilities.
Perhaps in a follow-up he might consider the suitability of Dún Laoghaire, which has numerous empty buildings and facilities we in forgotten Ireland can only dream of, as a re-settlement area for, say, 8,000 migrants.
Surely the refined and genteel residents of Dún Laoghaire would give us a lesson in practical hospitality.
Sean Fallon
Portarlington, Co Laois
Murphy’s views on housing are depressing and sickening
Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy’s pious fatalism (‘Homelessness will never be fixed completely, says housing minister’, Irish Independent, March 23) is both depressing and sickening. Depressing that a holder of such views occupies high office, sickening as astute observers well know this type of guff is usually nothing but an excuse for keeping things the way they are.
Jim O’Sullivan
Rathedmond, Co Sligo
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Home » Analysis & Comment » Letters to the Editor: 'Political sharks circle as May sinks under weight of Brexit'
Letters to the Editor: 'Political sharks circle as May sinks under weight of Brexit'
It beggars belief Theresa May did not seek cross-party consensus before going to the EU to negotiate a deal once she took over from Dave. On the other hand, I can see why it didn’t happen – May could have been seen as weak by asking for help when she probably wanted to be the next Iron Lady.
Imagine Jeremy Corbyn putting his name to a proposal that could be potentially rejected and committing political suicide in the process. He wouldn’t have the stick to beat the Tories with and the DUP wouldn’t have anyone to blame for the backstop.
Yes, it’s time for a cross-party (aka common-sense) approach but, alas, it’s far too late in the process. The sharks are circling and smell blood in the water, and it would appear they would gladly let the UK crash out of the EU without a deal to try to further their political careers at the expense of the ordinary citizen.
Please log in or register with Independent.ie for free access to this article.
Log In
New to Independent.ie? Create an account
Kevin Dowling
Killiney, Co Dublin
Dark forces threaten dream of liberal Europe from within
The chief feature of Remainer discourse is the actual condition of the EU is hardly ever mentioned. Despite all the embarrassingly hackneyed investigations of the post-imperial English psyche by writers that litter the media, you will struggle to find any reference to the dark forces shaping European politics.
France is convulsed by rioting yellow vests every weekend in Paris, as elements in the Alternative für Deutschland are in the Reichstag for the first time since 1945, while Italy is governed by a coalition that includes heirs to fascism. Hungry and Poland are in the tightening grip of illiberal democracy, and the Czech Republic is ruled by a populist billionaire with close links to Russia.
Austria is run by a coalition that includes a party whose first leader was an SS officer. Sweden is struggling to keep the ultra-nationalist Sweden Democrats out of government. The far right has doubled its support in the recent elections in Estonia.
Memories of Franco’s tyranny seem to have faded as the far right is winning seats in the provincial elections in Spain.
Ireland could see our 100 years of neutrality on the line if we are to supply our quota for the European Army.
It is very likely, according to John Gray’s recent essay on the European problems, that after the European elections “the idea of a united liberal Europe will linger on but will be a fading apparition of a vanished future”.
Hugh Duffy
Cleggan, Co Galway
Wales’s overwhelming victory reveals the joy of six
Looking back on Ireland’s poor performances in the Six Nations, I suspect for Ireland to play so poorly, illness must have had a role. However, we were well beaten by England, who out-thought us. The loss to Wales was in a different category.
One of the first things the manager said after the match was that Wales’s Josh Navidi played very well. His position is at No 6 and he features in open play. I’m wondering whether there is a correlation between a win and a good performance by the No 6?
Should a team adjust its game if the opposition’s No 6 is having a field day?
Patrick Dillon
Address with editor
Would Dún Laoghaire like to show us all how to behave?
Liam Collins (Irish Independent, March 23) poses the question: “What harm can 82 refugees do a village the size of Rooskey?’’
As a native of Roscommon and having friends in Longford, Leitrim and indeed Donegal, one thing these people know all about is migration.
They have been migrating for over 200 years. These are the four poorest counties in Ireland but their people are generous, welcoming and love fair play.
Collins pulled the lazy racist card to partially explain the arson attacks in Rooskey and Moville. He barely mentions the lack of dialogue or dearth of facilities.
Perhaps in a follow-up he might consider the suitability of Dún Laoghaire, which has numerous empty buildings and facilities we in forgotten Ireland can only dream of, as a re-settlement area for, say, 8,000 migrants.
Surely the refined and genteel residents of Dún Laoghaire would give us a lesson in practical hospitality.
Sean Fallon
Portarlington, Co Laois
Murphy’s views on housing are depressing and sickening
Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy’s pious fatalism (‘Homelessness will never be fixed completely, says housing minister’, Irish Independent, March 23) is both depressing and sickening. Depressing that a holder of such views occupies high office, sickening as astute observers well know this type of guff is usually nothing but an excuse for keeping things the way they are.
Jim O’Sullivan
Rathedmond, Co Sligo
Source: Read Full Article