BS: From someone who rarely starts threads

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 May 15 - 12:39 PM

there is nothing pernicious about any nation, to say so is racist and stereotyping.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 05 May 15 - 04:56 PM

It isn't distracting or disproportionate to Scots! And let's face it the only reason it is disproportionate in the UK as a whole is because the Tory/UKIP lot have decided to make it so by suggesting, incorrectly, that Scottish members are somehow less legitimate than English members.


http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/may/05/election-death-of-the-union-snp-let-scotland-go?CMP=share_btn_fb

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: akenaton
Date: 05 May 15 - 05:32 PM

Don't forget Labour and Gordon Brown, Allan.....he doesn't like to be left out.....They don't call them the "red Tories" for nothing.

We can't trust any of them!

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 06 May 15 - 03:18 AM

I've seen Labour been cowed by the Tory/UKIP tactics and fail to stand up for the idea of "better together" but not really actually join in on it. Brown is campaigning for Labour and aiming his criticism at the SNP but he has every right to do that. As anyone has. The difference is the likes of Theresa May etc have been deliberately stirring up resentment against Scots and suggesting that SNP influence on any gvt would not be legitimate. That is the idea I am criticising.

For instance one of the recent polls had the result very close with the Tories only two seats in front of Labour with the SNP on about 53. So any reasonable person who claimed to believe in the union must concede that a combined Labour/SNP block would be legitimate in that scenario. It is not a two party system and the members from across the UK have the same rights etc. Of course there are other parties to consider too but that was an easy comparison.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: akenaton
Date: 06 May 15 - 03:26 AM

I would be interested in what you think of my view, that post election, the Westminster parties will close ranks and squeeze out the SNP voice.....This could be a formal, or informal arrangement, to stop any minority govt being voted down?

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Musket
Date: 06 May 15 - 05:06 AM

We are a UK. I have no issue whatsoever with MPs from Scotland or Surrey voting on national affairs. Neither are within 200 miles of me but conversely my local MP is the same distance to them.

The problem, as Tartan Tam pointed out years ago, is where legislation being voted on does not affect the constituency of the MP voting to the extent that completely different legislation may be in place where that MP sits.

It is a dog's dinner and to ensure Westminster is relevant, areas of England would need regional assemblies, which as tax payers know too well, judging by the size of the car parks in Leith, Cardiff and Belfast, not cheap...

In the meantime, mealy mouthed scare bollocks from Cameron, Akenaton and Farage are the cost of flawed democracy.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 06 May 15 - 07:14 AM

Mind though Musket the West Lothian Question is not what the issue is. Yes the devolution settlement is half cooked so needs sorting out. But some senior Tories have been saying, and using inflammatory language in the process, that SNP members would have no legitimate place in having any influence on a UK gvt. That is a different matter from the West Lothian Question.

Anyone can say "we don't want to work with a certain party" so there is no issue with that - but suggesting that certain parties have no legitimate place is attempting to disenfranchise half the population of Scotland.

Not that it matters in the scheme of things but my own mother-in-law, who is English but living in Scotland tried to tell me that Alex Salmond and other SNP members shouldn't even be allowed into the Houses of Parliament! The didn't want to be in the union so why should they be allowed into the UK parliament? She didn't seem to think there was anything undemocratic about taking that view - then wonders how she sometimes gets a frosty reaction from other people here! You've got to wonder sometimes?

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: GUEST,Bloody cookie crumbled
Date: 06 May 15 - 08:06 AM

I say a similar thing about UKIP and certain Tory MEPs. Why take the Brussels rake off if you have no intention of delivering a better Europe?

But, here's the thing.. The Salmond question is different. SNP may well wish to run an independent Scotland and have that as a key deliverable at some point in the same way The Conservative and Unionist Party wish to retain the union with the same passion and ultimate aim..

But SNP have made it clear that they are standing for Westminster as is their right as a UK party and their manifesto is based on UK politics.

I welcome the idea of SNP in Westminster in the same way as any other party that gets the most votes in an election, but on the basis they wish to be constructive, as SNP indicate they do in Westminster, as opposed to UKIP not wanting to be constructive in The EU.

Anyway. As the election gets nearer, I find myself wanting a Labour government supported bill by bill by other parties such as SNP and Lib Dem in order to ensure thorough debate before parliamentary division. A clear majority can lead to complacent dogma turning into law. In an ideal world, having to convince those not subject to your party whip should lead to better acts of Parliament.

The recent coalition got it wrong by forming a joint government, as both sets of whips may well have been one whip in a majority government for all the good it did. It also meant they could rip up both manifestos...

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 06 May 15 - 09:16 AM

The Times this morning reports the sighting of a rare black squirrel in the Hertford area - a boost for Farrage's arguments no doubt !!
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: GUEST,Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 May 15 - 09:17 AM

Almost a parody but very sadly similar to the Sun's leader yesterday. And still they fall for it...

Oh, and well said, crumbled :-)

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: GUEST,#
Date: 06 May 15 - 09:41 AM

The Province of Alberta has in its provincial legislature 87 seats. For the first time in 43 years Alberta voters have turfed the Conservatives (in Canada, a right-wing party) and installed a 53 seat majority government by voting in the New Democratic Party (center-left) under the leadership of Rachel Notley. On October 19, 2015, we hope to turf the federal Conservatives. They are crooks, liars and scum, although not always in that order. Change can come, but seldom as quickly as many would like. If I learned anything from the Alberta election it is this: Vote your conscience. The morning the polls opened (yesterday) the news/poll pundits still had no idea what to predict. By 8:00 PM the votes had all been cast. The result was a shock even to the NDP. The adage to remember is an old computer saying: GIGO. The only poll that matters is the one counted on election day. IMO and YMMV.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 06 May 15 - 09:54 AM

poem by Catherine Scott of Hull

There's a plot
The government expects the British people
To be law abiding, hard working people
To be unassuming, non complaining,
Ever modest, self effacing
Prepared to work until they drop
And not withdraw from the pension pot
The government knows your average Brit
Will shrug their shoulders and moan a bit
Then roll up their sleeves and get on with it
Smile and make the most of it:
There's a plot
We're told to work for charity
For the greater good of society
I notice the fat cats don't work for free
They happily charge an exorbitant fee
Telling us they're adding to the GNP
It feels to me like a conspiracy
They've closed the factories and the corner shops
So for normal folks there aren't any jobs
There's far less haves than there are have nots
Who are resorting to alcohol and betting shops:
There's a plot
Here's the plot:-
Make people feel grateful for having a job
And it really doesn't matter what
If they're off the dole and earning a wage
They can keep on working to a ripe old age
Keep the masses in their places
We can't have them getting airs and graces
And as for the old, unwell or plain exhausted
They're just a drain on the country's resources
We can't be doing with those who whinge
People like that they make us cringe
They should get stuck in and not make a fuss
Because frankly my dear we don't give a fuck
So the poor will pay a bedroom tax
Whilst the rich observe, sit back and relax
Chuckling with the bankers behind our backs
Conniving together for the next cut backs
And that my dear is the Conservative plot

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Musket
Date: 06 May 15 - 11:33 AM

Jim, this here squirrel...

Was it wearing a red beret it bought from a pound shop?

Did it only store nuts that are living, nutting in the last twenty years and are eminent in a tree like manner?

Did it squeak anti immigration rants re grey squirrels?

Did it claim "statistics" allow it to vilify dormice who can colour coordinate interior soft furnishings and make acorn soufflés?

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 06 May 15 - 12:54 PM

"Jim, this here squirrel..."
I believe it was heard muttering something like "Those feckin' reds are at it again".
Ask Keith - they're near neighbours.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 May 15 - 05:22 PM

We are a UK,"
well hardly united, judging from this "what about the squirrells, what about the squirrells indeed sir" to quote peter sellers

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Musket
Date: 07 May 15 - 02:58 AM

Just for the benefit of a singer too successful to live in The UK and presently in tax exile;

We are a United Kingdom. Constitutions do not rely on ignorant opinion nor are they swept away by a single word. "Hardly" is a difficult word to quantify or qualify.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 May 15 - 08:20 AM

hardly, united politically, judging from this thread and from anticipated results.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: GUEST
Date: 07 May 15 - 08:24 AM

Er, one of the reasons for agreeing to be united is that factional interests can be sorted out internally.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Musket
Date: 07 May 15 - 08:36 AM

Back of the net, guest.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 May 15 - 10:26 AM

All of you go vote. You have no business arguing here about all of this if you don't also go cast a vote.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Musket
Date: 07 May 15 - 10:52 AM

Voted by post last week. The thought of running the gauntlet of activists, pollsters and candidates down at the village hall isn't my idea of fun.

An old man, wearing his medals, a few years ago was arrested for whacking the BNP candidate over the head with his walking stick whilst walking out of the polling station last time round. I keep saying I am not political but my mate and I paid his fine and costs for him. The chairman of the bench who fined him, despite everybody expected it to be bound over to keep the peace was my neighbour.

Strange old world. My neighbour has a UKIP sticker in his car window. Needless to say, the local newspaper has been tipped off about a magistrate supporting UKIP. His freedom to support who he likes goes well with the newspaper's view that it might be in the public interest to mention it.

Yeah, enjoying this election.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Bill D
Date: 07 May 15 - 12:57 PM

mercy!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/robert-blay-ukip-suspends-parliamentary-5641537

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 May 15 - 01:05 PM

Er, one of the reasons for agreeing to be united is that factional interests can be sorted out internally."
ignorant comment?, how has it sorted out factional interest in northern ireland, it has not, has it?.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Musket
Date: 07 May 15 - 01:14 PM

Yeah, UKIP attract BNP, NF, skinheads, bigots, homophobes and those who disguise their hatred by hijacking serious concerns over how we work immigration.

But Farage said they had vetted them better this time...

It looks like it!

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: GUEST,#
Date: 07 May 15 - 01:24 PM

Does UKIP really stand for You Know It's Piss?

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 May 15 - 01:36 PM

My (formerly) local pub is still covered in UKRAP stickers - and the landlord is standing as a UKRAP candidate for Medway Council. What a shitfest.

Yes, I have valiantly held my nose and voted a straight Labour ticket (general election, Medway council, and Stoke Parish Council). In the latter I could have cast 7 votes amongst 10 candidates - but voted only for the 3 councillors who were Labour/Old Labour. Two I knew as Labour candidates in the other current elections, but there was no third such and I had to ring up the main Labour candidate to find out who else he approved of. I could eliminate 4 of the candidates straight off as I knew them to be con-servative or worse, or could see from their candidature papers that they shared proposers, seconders, or addresses with known con-servatives, but pretty well none of the candidates other than the two main Labour ones had made any open declaration of affiliation or intent, so if any were TUSC, Left Unity, Communist or similar, or Green, they missed out on my vote.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Musket
Date: 07 May 15 - 02:53 PM

Well done Bridge. That's one more of us and one less of them. 😎

Someone send Dick a link to The Good Friday Agreement, will they?

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 07 May 15 - 03:06 PM

just done it -

Labour for the general election, Labour for town centre, Liberals for the commuter belt and farmlands...


Lab and lib both posted us graphs showing they were ahead for winning the town centre...

one of 'em must nave been a bit dodgy with statistics, if not exactly telling fibs...???😕

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 07 May 15 - 03:06 PM

"You have no business arguing here about all of this if you don't also go cast a vote."
So not only do we have only Tweedledum and Tweedledee as alternatives, but we don't even get a chance to discuss it.
Voting is not an end in itself, but the maens to an end (or supposed to be) - if either "end" is going to screw you - why bother?
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 07 May 15 - 03:11 PM

Jim - if it's a choice between 10 hefty kicks up the arse.
or 8 slightly less vicious kicks...

I know which I'd vote for...😜

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: BrendanB
Date: 07 May 15 - 06:11 PM

Jim you have railed against voting vociferously, what you have not done is explain what you believe should take the place of the nearest thing to democracy we are likely to get. Do you want a dictatorship which embodies all your beliefs and principles and denies a voice to those who do not see the world as you do? That sounds dangerously like fascism to me. Perhaps you want anarchy, but would that not be a recipe for disaster? I know what you don't want but I just can't get a handle on what you do want. The other thought that occurs to me is that you no longer live in the UK, do you think you should be pontificating on how or even whether those of us who do live here should vote? I have close ties to Ireland but for me to attempt to tell anyone in Ireland how they should regard the democratic process in their country would, I believe, be presumptuous in the extreme.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 May 15 - 06:18 PM

ha ha , the good friday agreement, has not altered factionalism in northern ireland, you ignorant fool.it has not been sorted out internally. I agree that the situation is better now that the bombing campaign has ended, but you are kidding yourself if you think factionalism has been sorted out internally in northern ireland.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: GUEST
Date: 08 May 15 - 03:07 AM

Dick needs a link about democracy, or politics even.

There are always factional interests.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Musket
Date: 08 May 15 - 05:50 AM

He needs a link about non sequiteaurs for that matter. His logic is often difficult to fathom, let alone his barking at trees he has never come across before.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 08 May 15 - 05:52 AM

"take the place of the nearest thing to democracy we are likely to get"
If you believe that what we have got at present in any way resembles democracy, there seems little point in going into the question.
Working people fought hard to win the right to vote, to win the right to be represented in their work place, to improve their existence and their health.
All these moved were resisted fiercely by the right and when they became a reality, were accepted reluctantly and eventually incorporated into the system in a limited fashion as a con - the old Lampedusa philosophy that "Things must change if they are going to remain the same".
I was proud when I put my first cross on a ballot paper but I stopped voting with the advent of Blair and never did again in the UK.
Over here, I wouldn't vote for Burton and her Quislings in a thousand years, but at least we have an alternative and a degree of say with P.R., referendum and the willingness to put bankers on public trail - not much, but something.
Looks like the Tories have taken the election in Britain and are claiming to have done so with a working majority - another five years ago then "we started all over again" as the song says.
Would it have made that much difference to the working man and woman (the wealth providers) if Labour had won, or if it wins next time, or the next or the next...?
The ballot box hs become a meaningless exercise in changing things for the better - who trusts a politician nowadays?
As far as I can see, the fight lies elsewhere.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Musket
Date: 08 May 15 - 08:47 AM

If we had PR here Jim, UKIP would have more seats than SNP, Lib Dem and all the Northern Ireland MPs put together... Instead of one, and one that disagrees with Farage on all fronts anyway. (Make that ex leader Farage.)

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 08 May 15 - 09:05 AM

"As far as I can see, the fight lies elsewhere."

elsewhere ?????

..personally I'm getting a bit too old and fat for storming parliament with sickles and molotovs..
and my irritable bowels and swollen feet might be a bit of a problem
what with any running street battles with the well trained heavily armed defenders of the capitalist monarchist state..

..do you mind if I just sit this one out at home, watching all the action and posting comments on the internet...😜

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 08 May 15 - 09:20 AM

"If we had PR here Jim, UKIP would have more seats than SNP"
Not sure if that's the case, but quite honestly, it's a risk worth taking.
PR has struck a balance her so we don't have a Government that is totally unanswerable to the people - even if we don't always like those answers.
It is only one aspect of the differences.
Thousands of people here took to the streets to protest water charges - changes were made (not enough) in Government policy and now, with the threat of continuing protests and non-payment of water bills, those who refuse to pay will not be jailed, as threatened.
Remind me what happened when at least a million people took to the streets in protest of the W.M.D. invasion which led to the loss of British lives and a long term military commitment in the area - more lives and a growing threat to Britain's security   
A public enquiry is taking place here at present into the financial shenanigans of the Irish banks.
Public pressure, following clerical abuse, is slowly loosening the grip of the Church on Ireland.
The laws have been changed on pregnancy termination following the death of a young woman who was refused appropriate treatment
We are about to hold a referendum on same-sex marriage.
None of this has been given out of the good of the Establishment's heart.
Irish politics is far from perfect, but it's streets ahead of the unassailable position British Governments have, once in office.
s I say - five years in office - lorra-lorra promised - re-election on policies that don't differ oe from the other to any great extent, then back on the roundabout.
At least here, you can use your vote tactically, once you've got your head around the system.
Not the only shake-up needed by any means - just a necessary reform, IMO
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 08 May 15 - 09:34 AM

no Jim - Farage is very bad news.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Musket
Date: 08 May 15 - 10:13 AM

Ex bad news.

Although he said he might stand in the leadership election.

Look on the bright side, they could elect someone credible sounding and then we are stuffed, judging by how many people put self interest before community.

Jim. It is the case. Share of vote.

Anyway, you have had a few "interesting" governments over there, with Taisochs running guns to ones that made sub prime look a safe deal. There was a reason Cowan was called BIFFO.

I managed to sell my house in Blackrock just before it lost 60% of its value over the course of a month. Poor bugger who bought it must be suicidal. Don't rattle on about good government over there. Just be grateful Osborn found the cash to bail Eire out when he can't find it for his own people.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 08 May 15 - 10:52 AM

"Farage is very bad news."
Absolutely aware of this Al - but he would be bad news anyway.
Level out the playing field a little and there may be a chance of discussing the real issues of what makes our lives miserable and not be blaming the immigrants and other foreigners.
Leave things as they are at present and they win - use Farage as an excuse for not improving the system and he has won.
Before Farage, we had other scum, like Powell (remember the Dockers' march in support of "our Enoch" and his 'Rivers of Blood' speech?)
I'm sure there are bunches of wannabe Fuehrers lining up to take his place.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 08 May 15 - 11:57 AM

There is the point that people will not have used their votes in the same way under PR as they have done in this election. It isn't really valid to extrapolate this result into a PR scenario. Around 20% of voters did not vote for their first choice candidate, voting tactically instead. Under PR that would have happened very differently as people made their hierarchies of choices. Then you have the other 80% giving candidates they wouldn't have voted for this time a look-in. Apples and pears.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 08 May 15 - 12:19 PM

A majority Tory government! Disaster!!!

It's a good job that we haven't got chimneys any more because the evil bastards would be sending poor children up them! But I guess they'll find an alternative ... ?

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Greg F.
Date: 08 May 15 - 12:46 PM

Sending immigrants up them, perhaps?

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 08 May 15 - 01:01 PM

"Sending immigrants up them, perhaps?"
What will they do with the indigenous out-of-work electricians, plasterers, plumbers, nurses..... and al the other tradesmen thrown on the dole in order to give bankers a bonus - don't be silly
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 08 May 15 - 01:25 PM

Scotland will come back to bite Cameron on the arse. He's not going to get away with all that vilifying and scaremongering, an extremely effective campaign tactic that probably lost it for Labour, without the SNP ramping up the threat of partition, unless they get what they want, far more than would have happened with Labour. And if we choose to leave the EU via his extremely ill-conceived referendum, Christ knows how Scotland will react to that. 56 out of 59 MPs mean that Scotland can't be ignored any more.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Jack Campin
Date: 08 May 15 - 01:40 PM

PR has struck a balance her so we don't have a Government that is totally unanswerable to the people - even if we don't always like those answers.

So let's compare with what the authoritarian British system gave us:

Thousands of people here took to the streets to protest water charges - changes were made (not enough) in Government policy and now, with the threat of continuing protests and non-payment of water bills, those who refuse to pay will not be jailed, as threatened.

Didn't happen in Britain because even the Tories didn't threaten to jail people for not paying water bills.


A public enquiry is taking place here at present into the financial shenanigans of the Irish banks.

We've had those too. I doubt if yours are going to lead to any more effective a result.


Public pressure, following clerical abuse, is slowly loosening the grip of the Church on Ireland.

No church has such a grip in Britain.


The laws have been changed on pregnancy termination following the death of a young woman who was refused appropriate treatment

She would have been allowed the abortion fifty years ago in Britain.


We are about to hold a referendum on same-sex marriage.

Already allowed under English and Scottish law, we don't need no steenkin referendums.


Irish politics is far from perfect, but it's streets ahead of the unassailable position British Governments have, once in office.

Looks like you're saying Irish civil society is doing a great job at bringing about reforms that only a mediaeval theocracy needs. Give us a call when you reach the Enlightenment.

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 08 May 15 - 02:07 PM

"Looks like you're saying Irish civil society is doing a great job at bringing about reforms that only a mediaeval theocracy needs."
Yes I am sort of - I am no fan of what has happened in Ireland and I and my family has suffered from its backwardness (don't believe for one minute that the church holds no power in Britain - it's still there to send us to war if necessary and it still an unelected integral part of a political system capable of kicking changes of law into touch).
The point I was making was that P.R. has played a part in bringing about important changes in life here and it has provided us with a greater spectrum of choice - never had that back home in Britain - but I thought I did when I first voted for 'Harold the Bootblack (MacColl song).
I'll vote here, whereas, could never bring myself round to doing so ocer the last 20-odd years in Britain
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 08 May 15 - 02:10 PM

Missed a bit
Don't forget - Ireland stayed where she was at the behest of 7 - 8 centuries of British colonisation (the aftermath of which still retains 6 of the wealthiest counties - a fact that is still stunting development)
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: From someone who rarely starts threads
From: Teribus
Date: 09 May 15 - 03:14 AM

"Don't forget - Ireland stayed where she was at the behest of 7 - 8 centuries of British colonisation (the aftermath of which still retains 6 of the wealthiest counties - a fact that is still stunting development)"

Complete and utter bullshit. Ireland stayed where she was because of a marked failure to learn from others, mainland Britain on the other-hand learned and advanced from every single one of her invaders and absorbed and assimilated them into her "native" population - odd isn't it that the six counties you mention were James Ist & VIth's "Plantation Colonies" where along with the people he "planted" there he also inadvertently introduced one of what Naill Ferguson referred to as the six "killer apps" that ensured the global success of "western civilisation" - The Protestant Work Ethic" - the other five were:

- Competition
- Science
- The property owning democracy
- Modern medicine
- The consumer society

As to skilled tradesmen being thrown on the dole? Really? I do not somehow think that those forming queues at Job Centres up and down the country are packed out with "out-of-work electricians, plasterers, plumbers, nurses", etc, etc.