Tories may form coalition with DUP

[liberalpragmatist]

Ugh.

Northern Ireland MPs have indicated that they will formally back the Conservative leader if he protects the region from this year’s public spending cuts. The move would cost up to £200million.

The deal, which Mr Cameron will be under presuure to accept, would give his party another nine or 10 parliamentary seats.

<snip>

The Daily Telegraph understands that the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is willing to enter into a formal coalition with the Tories should Mr Cameron fail to win an overall majority.

Mr Cameron became the first of the main party leaders to visit Northern Ireland during the election campaign on Tuesday.

He indicated he wished to give Northern Ireland politicians ministerial positions — and see the province play a key role in the “mainstream politics” of the entire country.

> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/election-2010/7679278/General-Election-2010-unionist-deal-could-make-David-Cameron-prime-minister.html

First the EP grouping with far-rightists and Holocaust deniers from E. Europe, now ministries for Ian Paisley's RW loons and thugs?

[oldironside]

1. Fantastic.

So, it will cost the country a 200 million pound bribe just for the pleasure and privilege of having a Tory government that's hell bent on radical cuts. Oh, and Peter Robinson as Home Secretary? Save Ulster from sodomy!!!

[non sociopath skin]

2. ... plus the other non-Tory regions will have to take an even bigger pounding in Osborne's Zapfest.

Can ANY progressive truly vote for a party which sees common ground with the Paisleyites?

The Skin

[oldironside]

3. The obvious answer to that is no,

but most voters won't even consider thinking that deeply. As Churchill once said; "The best argument against parliamentary democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter".