So the other major headline from Thursday’s elections is in Northern Ireland. ‘The Province’. Where, for the first time in that sort-of-nation’s 101 year history, the majority vote went to Sinn Fein. What used to be called, back in the day, ‘the political wing of the IRA’. This could lead to that most extraordinary of events. Which is that one group of very loud, shouting, completely unintelligible people, will be replaced with another… who sound exactly the same! But they’re not the same. They’re not only different, they’re prepared to kill each other for that difference.

The Republicans have won. Those who wish Northern Ireland to be reunited with their brothers in the South, independent bit. The Unionists have lost their right to lead the Irish government. They’re the ones who are fiercely loyal to Great Britain, love the Queen, hate abortion and march through the streets of Belfast every year in parades which cause massive upset and inflammatory situations. In ‘marching season’. Where, like other animals in their ‘mating season’, they are driven by an almost unconscious imperative to pick up a bass drum, put on a bowler hat and march through the streets with all the other Protestants upsetting the Catholics. Generally, no-one minds anyone upsetting Catholics but this is on an industrial scale.

The cruel irony is that it really doesn’t matter who ‘won’ the election because their parliament can’t sit. Because the Unionists have not returned to Stormont since Brexit. Because of the ‘virtual’ border which now exists. And the law there says their parliament cannot sit without both sides represented. Its not good enough if a few nationalists stand on the other side and pretend, even though it sounds the same (loud, shouty, unintelligible). So the Unionists have their victory but its rather hollow, currently.

Spurs draw at Liverpool on Saturday did no favours to either team really. Sounded like a good result for us but just not enough. And Liverpool must accept that Man City just ain’t gonna lose a game. And we go into Thursday night’s Arsenal match uttering numerous prayers, most of which are dependent on winning that game. And that… yeah, well…

Everton’s win yesterday puts massive pressure on Leeds and Burnley. One’s going. The other will have to wait for next May to get relegated. But it does make for an interesting final couple of weeks.

Happy Monday

A xxxx