Dup/tory Talks In Trouble?

[jim360]

I'm wondering if this is an example of Betteridge's law of headlines (as in the answer is always "no") but this flashed up on the BBC news feed:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40339330

Have to say I'm surprised at the possibility of the talks breaking down -- it seemed that the signs from last week were positive, and it also seemed rather too much in both parties' interests that they succeed.

And yes, that first question in the second paragraph -- "What does that mean for bigger negotiations [Theresa May] is involved in?" -- is one worth asking at this rate.

[jno]

it seems as if the Tories' main "negotiation" line has been "shut up and do what we say or you'll end up with Corbyn in power", which is I imagine a Tory nightmare more than a DUP one. But yes, negotiation will always be difficult (as in the current Brexit talks) when one party wants something so desperately that it's left itself with no room for compromise.

[fiction-factory]

It may mean TM isn't prepared to accept a deal at any price. Or it may just mean she can't negotiate. Ifa deal were accepted too quickly people would be suspicious as to what secret promises have been made. I'm not sure we can be certain of anything at this stage

[ichkeria]

This is really a sideshow in the grotesque comedy that has made the UK the laughing stock of Europe.
The DUP won't vote against the Queen's Speech and the govt knows this. Meanwhile the govt is almost certainly too weak and divided to give in to the DUP's demands for more spending for NI. So the fact they've agreed nothing is no surprise. As someone said, Mrs May's hamstrung administration cannot even do deals with a party which despite all the tosh about climate change and LGBT rights, should be its political soulmate, so what change a deal on Brexit??

[DTCwordfan]

tosh, ich....with due respect, the argument in favour of TM and her hordes is that Jesus Christ will sell one out to make Ireland all one, and meet his pro-pseudo-pacifist-sell-you-down-the-drain politics towards the IRA - in short, a united Ireland.

[Old_Geezer]

shrug
Both will be wanting to get ahead against tough negotiators, but the tail can not wag the dog. A modest increase in spending in NI perhaps on a valid project or so that might have been on the back burner otherwise; is a reasonable outcome for the DUP to say, "Look at what we got for NI". If they are trying to live up to their reputation as tough negotiators and holding out for more, then it's unlikely to be forthcoming. It is unlikely that, generally speaking, they will want to vote against the government anyway; and if they did, after a few of those another GE would be called and the public would have to decide whether to vote for another hung parliament or give the one that seems to want to get a decent Brexit deal a better shot at it; having given them (or maybe just the PM) a bloody nose last time. (Unless, of course, the country has a "Road to Damascus" type revelation and votes UKIP in.)

[Jackdaw33]

Whenever the next election comes, be it sooner or later, May will not be leading the Tories.

[DTCwordfan]

can't resist it, Jackdaw - "May be yes, May be no......." Just as well the Tories have no Dutch-born MP called 'Per Haps.'

[ichkeria]

"
tosh, ich....with due respect, the argument in favour of TM and her hordes is that Jesus Christ will sell one out to make Ireland all one, and meet his pro-pseudo-pacifist-sell-you-down-the-drain politics towards the IRA - in short, a united Ireland. "

Don't understand a word of that, DTC, but OG is right if I understand him correctly. Both parties rushed into talks that they are probably now realising that they maybe don't need for now. If push comes to shove for either of them then they WILL do a deal, but I'd suggest that the British government has more to fear from another election than the DUP if it comes to it, even tho the latter won't want to do anything to make it more likely for the time being.

[fiction-factory]

I think DTC's Jesus Christ may be the other well known JC

[Old_Geezer]

John Courage ?

[ichkeria]

I realise that ff but I still didn't comprehend :-)