Parliamentary Gridlock

Hi All,

A note of caution for those taking the DUP arrangement as a carte blanche for social conservatism (gay marriage , abortion ) or " hard "Brexit, or would suggest a political reality check .

Firstly the issue of gay marriage is a devolved matter, so they can veto this in Northern Ireland , but the DUP wouldn't be able to change gay marriage in the rest of the UK as there isn't the numbers in the house of commons (such matters as well as abortion legislation are not whipped and are on free vote ) .

In respect of brexit , the DUP wants an open border between the republic and the UK and access to the European markets. So not quite" hard " Brexit without any deal.

In reality the deal with probably involve financial bungs to Northern Ireland and maybe devolving or setting the corporate tax rate to 12.5% to compete with the republic. The Guido blog listed the areas that conservatives and DUP could find common ground. It didn't mention gays or abortion once. This is a hysterical thing brought up by liberal and left types to rally their troops.

I think a third reality check is that without a majority and even with DUP support , any legislation is subject to the whims and rebellious nature of Conservative MPs, who are already pissed at not winning the election. It will take only a dozen or more MPs to halt legislation. Then there's the house of peers. Therefore expect a lot of compromise or gridlock. I think one senator in America once quipped it took two days just to get a majority to flush the toilets . We're in that territory and it's already beginning go stink. May will quiver with the wind and  no one  will be happy.