The Price of Keeping Power

So there you have it…… Theresa May has made a pact with the Democratic Unionist Party (the DUP to you and I) to bring the total farce of a General Election to an end.

 

In short, the Tories have done a ‘deal’ in return for the DUP voting in line with the Conservatives at W1 and propping up the minority Government for the two years (which in theory is necessary to deliver Brexit).

 

Here’s the kicker……the Government has promised a sweetener for Northern Ireland to the tune of £1 billion (for investment in health and infrastructure). Or to put that another way……that’s £1 billion of our money to buy 10 DUP MPs voting rights.

 

Which begs the question……is this deal in the national interests?

 

The money that has been found down the back of the Number 10 sofa for Northern Ireland may be worth it for Theresa May as the price of holding power……for now.

 

What is very striking is that she has not signed the agreement with the DUP……it has been signed by her chief whip Gavin Williamson. The rationale for this? The deal will survive her resignation or eviction.

 

Which all leaves me feeling that democracy is deformed.