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Ulster In Tug-Of-War (for a change)
Local politicos argue over Ulster's links, but would either Scotland or the Republic be that worried about co-operation with Northern Ireland?
Not for the first time, our local politicians (of both hues) have today failed miserably to see the big picture. As noted at Slugger, the SDLP have released a document entitled "North-South makes sense" calling for closer co-operation between Northern Ireland and the Republic in many areas, including notably an all-island sex-offenders register and an all-island intellignce body.
Meanwhile the DUP have, novelly, if not unpredictably, called for closer co-operation with... Scotland. Citing "well-documented and irrefutable historical links" as well as common problems such as "poor transportation infrastructure, the decline of heavy industry and textiles and an underdeveloped tourism potential," MEP Jim Allister claimed such co-operation was more natural "than the unnatural and politically-motivated north-southery."
While what they both say may be true, both parties seem to fail miserably to grasp the concept that it will take a common British-Isles solution to really get to grips with some of these problems. The sex offenders register is an obvious example of where this would make sense. Why limit it to this island, when there is such free and frequent travel and relocation between it and it's closest neighbour?
Follow up:
So why the short-sightedness? Simple, it's what voters want. The SDLP know they could never sell closer co-operation with the evil imperialists and likewise the DUP would be wary of losing some of their hard-line image should they show anything less then revulsion at the idea of Dublin interference in Ulster's affairs.
Grow up lads, and think about this logically. Cut the tribal dance for a couple of minutes and do what makes sense for Northern Ireland.