I suspect its more that people are somewhat afraid of what happens if they stop voting for them. After all, if Sinn Fein and the DUP lose relevance, what would their supporters do - pack up and accept their lot as being a historical relic of NI Politics. Both parties represent a very 'militant political view' and members.

And people are drawn onto that. If you're in a strong Republican area, you vote Sinn Fien, Protestant DUP - because maybe you realise that if you don't, they'll return to older ways.

Plus I think you have generations of people who aren't ever going to admit that they were wrong (both Green and Orange) or that their time has passed - and both parties seem to realise that, and spend so much of their political capital simply opposing the other side.

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
[Link]

Maybe those parties like the Tories, Labour etc think being involved will go against the good frieday agreement? (I haven't looked too much into it, but isn't it about allowing the NI people to have a choice between Ireland and the UK?). Having a British party there, would seem as though we are meddling with their politics. Or it would allow Sinn Fein to gain power and push through a move to unite Ireland, as those that mainly vote Sinn Fein will want that anyway and a Brit party would only really be taking votes away from the DUP.

I don't know, their politics is a head ache.

Loving this thread. The left having to make excuses for people they approve of saying things that they don't approve of. Similar to when Eric Clapton made racist statements and David Bowie called for a Fascist government. Also, of course their excuses for the various extreme ideas of the Islamic faith in regard to sexual matters.

We have now sunk to a depth at which the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men. [Orwell]

That's a bit unfair comparing Merkel to the DUP. Germany gave up their Nazi beliefs, the DUP hasn't.

We'll never die

Exactly, for many they're the only show in town and it certainly doesn't indicate that the public agree with their stance of gay marriage. All indications are that the NI public would support it given a referendum. In addition, same sex marriage passed a Northern Ireland Assembly vote, but was vetoed by the DUP. This matter has little to do with the will of the people and everything to do with the will of the DUP.

I'm not religious but certain aspects of the 'gay' marriage legal change annoyed me. If I had been forced to vote on it I would have still voted for it but with reservations.....it's annoying that if you have reservations...some people call you names...but that's for them.

I do believe that the original term referred to a man and woman. I found the easy adoption and adapting annoying....As I do with most language changes.

When civil partnerships were bought in the opposition said that this was a slippery slope to marriage. That was denied but they were in fact a hundred percent correct.

Small fry really....To have voted 'no' on gay marriage (once religious protections were accounted for) would have sent out the wrong message.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)