[Brillopad]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

The entire crux of the Good Friday agreement is that both "sides" will share power, with Westminster able to step in with (supposed) unbiased judgement if there is a disagreement. The DUP having any sway over the government completely undermines the basic principles of the agreement to the extent that I would say it makes it effectively void. It's hugely worrying.

In fact it's so precarious that I would say, now having looked into the potential consequences, that the DUP (and Sinn Fein, but I doubt they ever would anyway) should simply not be able to enter into a formal or informal agreement like this in Westminster. Even that means the SNP and Plaid also not being eligible to do so as a consequence, then so be it. The consequences are just not worth it for the sake of political chess.

But why wasn't this ever brought up before the situation arose - especially from the DUP and Sinn Fein. Didn't anyone think what would happen if either party was called to join an alliance with the government. All seems odd.