Independent Media | Campaigning Journalism
The DUP has just threatened Theresa May. The Irish border is ‘blood red’.
DUP leader Arlene Foster has just threatened Theresa May’s Brexit plans. In an interview broadcast on 3 October on BBC Radio 4, Foster said a compromise on the Irish border crosses a “blood red” line for the DUP. Previously, Foster explained that a border on the Irish Sea, in any Brexit deal, is unacceptable to her party. Before her Radio 4 interview, she said it would be a “red line” issue.
But Foster upped the ante in this interview, as she strongly opposes any deal that sees Northern Ireland separated from the UK:
.@DUPleader says her red lines on the Irish border issue are "blood red" #r4today pic.twitter.com/82f6pSe0cM
— BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) October 3, 2018
Violent and dangerous
Northern Ireland was at war and soaked in blood for 30 years. As Foster suffered personally in that war, she must be aware of how dangerous her language is. And the reaction online was swift. Most posters picked up on the dangerous parallels between her language and Northern Ireland’s past:
Read on...
Questionable choice of words given history & prediction of Brexit turmoil
— taraconlan (@taraconlan) October 3, 2018
No surprise here. Disgusting choice of words. Now you are all seeing them in their true colours. Holding NI back in the dark ages and now holding UK to ransom too. She’s not interested in a good solution for Brexit. It’s all based on not breaking her precious Union. Nothing else
— NI Food Warrior (@NIFoodWarrior) October 3, 2018
Do these people not consider their choice of words? Almost like they are inciting the violence that will inevitably follow
— Dan King ?? (@dank615) October 3, 2018
So @BBCRadio4 now quite happy to promote “dog whistle” calls to terrorism – lovely, well done you.
— Darran Foxon (@DarranFoxon) October 3, 2018
Foster has no right to speak
Others recognised that the majority of people in Northern Ireland voted to remain. So they questioned Foster’s right to speak for them given that the DUP campaigned for Brexit. A recent survey showed that support for Northern Ireland to remain in the EU has increased:
Recent polls suggest 69% in NI are against Brexit, she doesn’t speak for NI
— Gary Boyle (@gaz_boyle) October 3, 2018
She’s not all about democracy. Remember, 56% of N Ireland (where she’s from) voted to remain.
— Lyricismist ?? (@maurbyrnemusic) October 3, 2018
What if Foster pulls the plug?
Theresa May is holding onto power by a thread. That means she needs the support of Arlene Foster’s 10 MPs. But if May crosses the “blood red” line, she loses Foster’s support.
In one fell swoop, that would rid us of both the Tories and the DUP. So if Foster follows through on her threat, she would be doing the British people a huge favour.
Get Involved!
– Support The Canary if you appreciate the work we do.
– Support a people’s vote on Brexit.
– Demand marriage equality in Northern Ireland.
– Stop paying politicians in Northern Ireland while Stormont is suspended.
Featured image via Влада на Република Македонија/Flickr & Northern Ireland Office/Flickr
We need your help to keep speaking the truth
Every story that you have come to us with; each injustice you have asked us to investigate; every campaign we have fought; each of your unheard voices we amplified; we do this for you. We are making a difference on your behalf.
Our fight is your fight. You’ve supported our collective struggle every time you gave us a like; and every time you shared our work across social media. Now we need you to support us with a monthly donation.
We have published nearly 2,000 articles and over 50 films in 2021. And we want to do this and more in 2022 but we don’t have enough money to go on at this pace. So, if you value our work and want us to continue then please join us and be part of The Canary family.
In return, you get:
* Advert free reading experience
* Quarterly group video call with the Editor-in-Chief
* Behind the scenes monthly e-newsletter
* 20% discount in our shop
Almost all of our spending goes to the people who make The Canary’s content. So your contribution directly supports our writers and enables us to continue to do what we do: speaking truth, powered by you. We have weathered many attempts to shut us down and silence our vital opposition to an increasingly fascist government and right-wing mainstream media.
With your help we can continue:
* Holding political and state power to account
* Advocating for the people the system marginalises
* Being a media outlet that upholds the highest standards
* Campaigning on the issues others won’t
* Putting your lives central to everything we do
We are a drop of truth in an ocean of deceit. But we can’t do this without your support. So please, can you help us continue the fight?
Support us