Could Sinn Fein swing any Brexit vote in Parliament?

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12















Half-informed American here so I apologize if this seems like a naive question on British politics.



Given the strong preference of many in Ireland to avoid a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and the UK, would the votes of the Sinn Fein make any difference in the outcomes of these very narrow votes in Parliament?



Of course any single vote could swing something; I am asking are the votes close enough on these issues that seven votes would make a difference on a resolution that the Sinn Fein would care about.



(I appreciate that taking a seat in Parliament would involve taking oath. I thought that the stakes might make it worthwhile.)



Edit update: I am not asking if they would vote for or against the current government and I appreciate participation in Parliament would rankle an SF member. However, if that participation could make the difference in a decision that will (1) have consequences for decades to come and (2) have an effect on both NI and the Republic of Ireland - could they and would they make a difference?










share|improve this question
























  • Not really an answer, but I think they might have their sight set on a United Ireland, which can be achieved by having no-deal, (the prospect of) trouble at the border and a vote on Irish unification.

    – JJJ
    Mar 17 at 15:23











  • You mean, the Sinn Fein should take their seats in Parliament on the off chance that the third meaningful vote will be defeated by a 7 votes or less?

    – Abigail
    Mar 17 at 15:40






  • 1





    Possible duplicate of Can Sinn Fein join a minority coalition in a no-confidence vote? and see also why don't sinn fein take their seats in the uk parliament

    – James K
    Mar 17 at 18:20












  • I see the potential for duplication, but I've heard this question asked elsewhere regarding Sinn Fein and this specific vote. Leaving open.

    – Rupert Morrish
    Mar 17 at 20:20






  • 7





    Could they? Yes, absolutely. Will they? No, absolutely not.

    – Valorum
    Mar 18 at 11:10















12















Half-informed American here so I apologize if this seems like a naive question on British politics.



Given the strong preference of many in Ireland to avoid a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and the UK, would the votes of the Sinn Fein make any difference in the outcomes of these very narrow votes in Parliament?



Of course any single vote could swing something; I am asking are the votes close enough on these issues that seven votes would make a difference on a resolution that the Sinn Fein would care about.



(I appreciate that taking a seat in Parliament would involve taking oath. I thought that the stakes might make it worthwhile.)



Edit update: I am not asking if they would vote for or against the current government and I appreciate participation in Parliament would rankle an SF member. However, if that participation could make the difference in a decision that will (1) have consequences for decades to come and (2) have an effect on both NI and the Republic of Ireland - could they and would they make a difference?










share|improve this question
























  • Not really an answer, but I think they might have their sight set on a United Ireland, which can be achieved by having no-deal, (the prospect of) trouble at the border and a vote on Irish unification.

    – JJJ
    Mar 17 at 15:23











  • You mean, the Sinn Fein should take their seats in Parliament on the off chance that the third meaningful vote will be defeated by a 7 votes or less?

    – Abigail
    Mar 17 at 15:40






  • 1





    Possible duplicate of Can Sinn Fein join a minority coalition in a no-confidence vote? and see also why don't sinn fein take their seats in the uk parliament

    – James K
    Mar 17 at 18:20












  • I see the potential for duplication, but I've heard this question asked elsewhere regarding Sinn Fein and this specific vote. Leaving open.

    – Rupert Morrish
    Mar 17 at 20:20






  • 7





    Could they? Yes, absolutely. Will they? No, absolutely not.

    – Valorum
    Mar 18 at 11:10













12












12








12








Half-informed American here so I apologize if this seems like a naive question on British politics.



Given the strong preference of many in Ireland to avoid a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and the UK, would the votes of the Sinn Fein make any difference in the outcomes of these very narrow votes in Parliament?



Of course any single vote could swing something; I am asking are the votes close enough on these issues that seven votes would make a difference on a resolution that the Sinn Fein would care about.



(I appreciate that taking a seat in Parliament would involve taking oath. I thought that the stakes might make it worthwhile.)



Edit update: I am not asking if they would vote for or against the current government and I appreciate participation in Parliament would rankle an SF member. However, if that participation could make the difference in a decision that will (1) have consequences for decades to come and (2) have an effect on both NI and the Republic of Ireland - could they and would they make a difference?










share|improve this question
















Half-informed American here so I apologize if this seems like a naive question on British politics.



Given the strong preference of many in Ireland to avoid a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and the UK, would the votes of the Sinn Fein make any difference in the outcomes of these very narrow votes in Parliament?



Of course any single vote could swing something; I am asking are the votes close enough on these issues that seven votes would make a difference on a resolution that the Sinn Fein would care about.



(I appreciate that taking a seat in Parliament would involve taking oath. I thought that the stakes might make it worthwhile.)



Edit update: I am not asking if they would vote for or against the current government and I appreciate participation in Parliament would rankle an SF member. However, if that participation could make the difference in a decision that will (1) have consequences for decades to come and (2) have an effect on both NI and the Republic of Ireland - could they and would they make a difference?







united-kingdom brexit northern-ireland house-of-commons






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edited Mar 19 at 9:28









Martin Schröder

1,1671933




1,1671933










asked Mar 17 at 15:04









Kieran MullenKieran Mullen

22116




22116












  • Not really an answer, but I think they might have their sight set on a United Ireland, which can be achieved by having no-deal, (the prospect of) trouble at the border and a vote on Irish unification.

    – JJJ
    Mar 17 at 15:23











  • You mean, the Sinn Fein should take their seats in Parliament on the off chance that the third meaningful vote will be defeated by a 7 votes or less?

    – Abigail
    Mar 17 at 15:40






  • 1





    Possible duplicate of Can Sinn Fein join a minority coalition in a no-confidence vote? and see also why don't sinn fein take their seats in the uk parliament

    – James K
    Mar 17 at 18:20












  • I see the potential for duplication, but I've heard this question asked elsewhere regarding Sinn Fein and this specific vote. Leaving open.

    – Rupert Morrish
    Mar 17 at 20:20






  • 7





    Could they? Yes, absolutely. Will they? No, absolutely not.

    – Valorum
    Mar 18 at 11:10

















  • Not really an answer, but I think they might have their sight set on a United Ireland, which can be achieved by having no-deal, (the prospect of) trouble at the border and a vote on Irish unification.

    – JJJ
    Mar 17 at 15:23











  • You mean, the Sinn Fein should take their seats in Parliament on the off chance that the third meaningful vote will be defeated by a 7 votes or less?

    – Abigail
    Mar 17 at 15:40






  • 1





    Possible duplicate of Can Sinn Fein join a minority coalition in a no-confidence vote? and see also why don't sinn fein take their seats in the uk parliament

    – James K
    Mar 17 at 18:20












  • I see the potential for duplication, but I've heard this question asked elsewhere regarding Sinn Fein and this specific vote. Leaving open.

    – Rupert Morrish
    Mar 17 at 20:20






  • 7





    Could they? Yes, absolutely. Will they? No, absolutely not.

    – Valorum
    Mar 18 at 11:10
















Not really an answer, but I think they might have their sight set on a United Ireland, which can be achieved by having no-deal, (the prospect of) trouble at the border and a vote on Irish unification.

– JJJ
Mar 17 at 15:23





Not really an answer, but I think they might have their sight set on a United Ireland, which can be achieved by having no-deal, (the prospect of) trouble at the border and a vote on Irish unification.

– JJJ
Mar 17 at 15:23













You mean, the Sinn Fein should take their seats in Parliament on the off chance that the third meaningful vote will be defeated by a 7 votes or less?

– Abigail
Mar 17 at 15:40





You mean, the Sinn Fein should take their seats in Parliament on the off chance that the third meaningful vote will be defeated by a 7 votes or less?

– Abigail
Mar 17 at 15:40




1




1





Possible duplicate of Can Sinn Fein join a minority coalition in a no-confidence vote? and see also why don't sinn fein take their seats in the uk parliament

– James K
Mar 17 at 18:20






Possible duplicate of Can Sinn Fein join a minority coalition in a no-confidence vote? and see also why don't sinn fein take their seats in the uk parliament

– James K
Mar 17 at 18:20














I see the potential for duplication, but I've heard this question asked elsewhere regarding Sinn Fein and this specific vote. Leaving open.

– Rupert Morrish
Mar 17 at 20:20





I see the potential for duplication, but I've heard this question asked elsewhere regarding Sinn Fein and this specific vote. Leaving open.

– Rupert Morrish
Mar 17 at 20:20




7




7





Could they? Yes, absolutely. Will they? No, absolutely not.

– Valorum
Mar 18 at 11:10





Could they? Yes, absolutely. Will they? No, absolutely not.

– Valorum
Mar 18 at 11:10










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

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Sinn Fein's purpose is a united Ireland. They don't regard British rule over Northern Ireland as legitimate, and swearing the Oath of Allegiance would be anathema to them. They'd be no more willing to do it than members of ISIS would be to swear allegiance to the USA. They are very serious about their motives, and do not want to be seen as cynical politicians.



They have no reason to support the May Deal. A no-deal Brexit would enable them to blame the effects on Northern Ireland on the British and the DUP, which could incline some of the population of NI towards voting for Sinn Fein and a united Ireland.






share|improve this answer























  • Exactly this. SF voting in the UK parliament would be such a Pyrrhic victory that it could destroy the party from the sense of betrayal (even if they had some position or other on Brexit). Sinn Fein stand for the UK parliament on a ticket of illegitimacy of that election.

    – Dan Sheppard
    Mar 18 at 9:03






  • 4





    Indeed, if they are going to ever take their seats, it would be as part of an overall shift of principles/ stratagy, not a one-off vote that is not so clearly in their interests

    – Orangesandlemons
    Mar 18 at 10:43











  • Sinn Féin support the Withdrawal Agreement. They consider themselves an Irish party, and for the UK to leave without a deal would be very bad for Ireland, united or not. However, they support it from their perspective of a foreign observer.

    – gerrit
    Mar 19 at 16:31



















12














There have been a few close votes over the last couple of years on Brexit. Most recently, Sinn Fein might plausibly have voted last week to give Parliament control over Commons business to hold indicative votes on what forms of Brexit deal could command a majority. That amendment was lost by 2 votes so Sinn Fein would easily have swung it:



https://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2019-03-14&house=commons&number=362






share|improve this answer


















  • 2





    Upvoted for being the only answer of three (at time of writing) to actually attempt to answer the question.

    – Darren
    Mar 18 at 5:31






  • 4





    @Darren This SE is about politics, not arithmetic. Politically, the arithmetical answer is completely hypothetical.

    – alephzero
    Mar 18 at 11:28


















3














For all I know, Sinn Fein could take seven seats in the UK parliament, but they don't. I think the background is that to become an MP, you have to swear your support for the UK or something like that, and they just won't do that. No chance. Not going to happen. Ever. So Sinn Fein could vote in the UK parliament, but they never, ever will.



(Admittedly, never is a very long time)






share|improve this answer


















  • 2





    I suppose that Sinn Fein's members would be more than happy to support the UK as a neighboring foreign sovereign power. What they won't do is swear their allegiance to the UK or, more precisely, to the queen.

    – phoog
    Mar 19 at 12:58












  • @phoog In the unlikely event that the UK would become the UR, SF would still not take their seats...

    – gerrit
    Mar 19 at 16:34











  • @gerrit of course. In that case, there would still very likely be an oath of allegiance to the republic or the constitution or some such, but the oath is symbolic and the real stumbling block would be participating in the government that they regard as illegitimate. My point was not so much about whom the allegiance is owed to as about the difference between allegiance and support.

    – phoog
    Mar 19 at 17:13



















1














As other answers have said, they can blame the repercussions of Brexit on the British which suits them and they have never been willing to take the oath.



Other answers miss that they are elected on an abstentionist ticket, they have promised their constituents that they will not take their seats and doing so would break that and lose them votes.



Additionally, were they to ever do it in a close enough vote for their votes to matter, there would be enough MPs that would swap sides just to spite them in an "anything the IRA want is bad" way.



Basically, taking their seats and getting involved in the petty party politics in Westminster doesn't in any way serve them or their constituents so they will never do it.






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    4 Answers
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    active

    oldest

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    4 Answers
    4






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    24














    Sinn Fein's purpose is a united Ireland. They don't regard British rule over Northern Ireland as legitimate, and swearing the Oath of Allegiance would be anathema to them. They'd be no more willing to do it than members of ISIS would be to swear allegiance to the USA. They are very serious about their motives, and do not want to be seen as cynical politicians.



    They have no reason to support the May Deal. A no-deal Brexit would enable them to blame the effects on Northern Ireland on the British and the DUP, which could incline some of the population of NI towards voting for Sinn Fein and a united Ireland.






    share|improve this answer























    • Exactly this. SF voting in the UK parliament would be such a Pyrrhic victory that it could destroy the party from the sense of betrayal (even if they had some position or other on Brexit). Sinn Fein stand for the UK parliament on a ticket of illegitimacy of that election.

      – Dan Sheppard
      Mar 18 at 9:03






    • 4





      Indeed, if they are going to ever take their seats, it would be as part of an overall shift of principles/ stratagy, not a one-off vote that is not so clearly in their interests

      – Orangesandlemons
      Mar 18 at 10:43











    • Sinn Féin support the Withdrawal Agreement. They consider themselves an Irish party, and for the UK to leave without a deal would be very bad for Ireland, united or not. However, they support it from their perspective of a foreign observer.

      – gerrit
      Mar 19 at 16:31
















    24














    Sinn Fein's purpose is a united Ireland. They don't regard British rule over Northern Ireland as legitimate, and swearing the Oath of Allegiance would be anathema to them. They'd be no more willing to do it than members of ISIS would be to swear allegiance to the USA. They are very serious about their motives, and do not want to be seen as cynical politicians.



    They have no reason to support the May Deal. A no-deal Brexit would enable them to blame the effects on Northern Ireland on the British and the DUP, which could incline some of the population of NI towards voting for Sinn Fein and a united Ireland.






    share|improve this answer























    • Exactly this. SF voting in the UK parliament would be such a Pyrrhic victory that it could destroy the party from the sense of betrayal (even if they had some position or other on Brexit). Sinn Fein stand for the UK parliament on a ticket of illegitimacy of that election.

      – Dan Sheppard
      Mar 18 at 9:03






    • 4





      Indeed, if they are going to ever take their seats, it would be as part of an overall shift of principles/ stratagy, not a one-off vote that is not so clearly in their interests

      – Orangesandlemons
      Mar 18 at 10:43











    • Sinn Féin support the Withdrawal Agreement. They consider themselves an Irish party, and for the UK to leave without a deal would be very bad for Ireland, united or not. However, they support it from their perspective of a foreign observer.

      – gerrit
      Mar 19 at 16:31














    24












    24








    24







    Sinn Fein's purpose is a united Ireland. They don't regard British rule over Northern Ireland as legitimate, and swearing the Oath of Allegiance would be anathema to them. They'd be no more willing to do it than members of ISIS would be to swear allegiance to the USA. They are very serious about their motives, and do not want to be seen as cynical politicians.



    They have no reason to support the May Deal. A no-deal Brexit would enable them to blame the effects on Northern Ireland on the British and the DUP, which could incline some of the population of NI towards voting for Sinn Fein and a united Ireland.






    share|improve this answer













    Sinn Fein's purpose is a united Ireland. They don't regard British rule over Northern Ireland as legitimate, and swearing the Oath of Allegiance would be anathema to them. They'd be no more willing to do it than members of ISIS would be to swear allegiance to the USA. They are very serious about their motives, and do not want to be seen as cynical politicians.



    They have no reason to support the May Deal. A no-deal Brexit would enable them to blame the effects on Northern Ireland on the British and the DUP, which could incline some of the population of NI towards voting for Sinn Fein and a united Ireland.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Mar 17 at 19:49









    John DallmanJohn Dallman

    2,2262622




    2,2262622












    • Exactly this. SF voting in the UK parliament would be such a Pyrrhic victory that it could destroy the party from the sense of betrayal (even if they had some position or other on Brexit). Sinn Fein stand for the UK parliament on a ticket of illegitimacy of that election.

      – Dan Sheppard
      Mar 18 at 9:03






    • 4





      Indeed, if they are going to ever take their seats, it would be as part of an overall shift of principles/ stratagy, not a one-off vote that is not so clearly in their interests

      – Orangesandlemons
      Mar 18 at 10:43











    • Sinn Féin support the Withdrawal Agreement. They consider themselves an Irish party, and for the UK to leave without a deal would be very bad for Ireland, united or not. However, they support it from their perspective of a foreign observer.

      – gerrit
      Mar 19 at 16:31


















    • Exactly this. SF voting in the UK parliament would be such a Pyrrhic victory that it could destroy the party from the sense of betrayal (even if they had some position or other on Brexit). Sinn Fein stand for the UK parliament on a ticket of illegitimacy of that election.

      – Dan Sheppard
      Mar 18 at 9:03






    • 4





      Indeed, if they are going to ever take their seats, it would be as part of an overall shift of principles/ stratagy, not a one-off vote that is not so clearly in their interests

      – Orangesandlemons
      Mar 18 at 10:43











    • Sinn Féin support the Withdrawal Agreement. They consider themselves an Irish party, and for the UK to leave without a deal would be very bad for Ireland, united or not. However, they support it from their perspective of a foreign observer.

      – gerrit
      Mar 19 at 16:31

















    Exactly this. SF voting in the UK parliament would be such a Pyrrhic victory that it could destroy the party from the sense of betrayal (even if they had some position or other on Brexit). Sinn Fein stand for the UK parliament on a ticket of illegitimacy of that election.

    – Dan Sheppard
    Mar 18 at 9:03





    Exactly this. SF voting in the UK parliament would be such a Pyrrhic victory that it could destroy the party from the sense of betrayal (even if they had some position or other on Brexit). Sinn Fein stand for the UK parliament on a ticket of illegitimacy of that election.

    – Dan Sheppard
    Mar 18 at 9:03




    4




    4





    Indeed, if they are going to ever take their seats, it would be as part of an overall shift of principles/ stratagy, not a one-off vote that is not so clearly in their interests

    – Orangesandlemons
    Mar 18 at 10:43





    Indeed, if they are going to ever take their seats, it would be as part of an overall shift of principles/ stratagy, not a one-off vote that is not so clearly in their interests

    – Orangesandlemons
    Mar 18 at 10:43













    Sinn Féin support the Withdrawal Agreement. They consider themselves an Irish party, and for the UK to leave without a deal would be very bad for Ireland, united or not. However, they support it from their perspective of a foreign observer.

    – gerrit
    Mar 19 at 16:31






    Sinn Féin support the Withdrawal Agreement. They consider themselves an Irish party, and for the UK to leave without a deal would be very bad for Ireland, united or not. However, they support it from their perspective of a foreign observer.

    – gerrit
    Mar 19 at 16:31












    12














    There have been a few close votes over the last couple of years on Brexit. Most recently, Sinn Fein might plausibly have voted last week to give Parliament control over Commons business to hold indicative votes on what forms of Brexit deal could command a majority. That amendment was lost by 2 votes so Sinn Fein would easily have swung it:



    https://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2019-03-14&house=commons&number=362






    share|improve this answer


















    • 2





      Upvoted for being the only answer of three (at time of writing) to actually attempt to answer the question.

      – Darren
      Mar 18 at 5:31






    • 4





      @Darren This SE is about politics, not arithmetic. Politically, the arithmetical answer is completely hypothetical.

      – alephzero
      Mar 18 at 11:28















    12














    There have been a few close votes over the last couple of years on Brexit. Most recently, Sinn Fein might plausibly have voted last week to give Parliament control over Commons business to hold indicative votes on what forms of Brexit deal could command a majority. That amendment was lost by 2 votes so Sinn Fein would easily have swung it:



    https://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2019-03-14&house=commons&number=362






    share|improve this answer


















    • 2





      Upvoted for being the only answer of three (at time of writing) to actually attempt to answer the question.

      – Darren
      Mar 18 at 5:31






    • 4





      @Darren This SE is about politics, not arithmetic. Politically, the arithmetical answer is completely hypothetical.

      – alephzero
      Mar 18 at 11:28













    12












    12








    12







    There have been a few close votes over the last couple of years on Brexit. Most recently, Sinn Fein might plausibly have voted last week to give Parliament control over Commons business to hold indicative votes on what forms of Brexit deal could command a majority. That amendment was lost by 2 votes so Sinn Fein would easily have swung it:



    https://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2019-03-14&house=commons&number=362






    share|improve this answer













    There have been a few close votes over the last couple of years on Brexit. Most recently, Sinn Fein might plausibly have voted last week to give Parliament control over Commons business to hold indicative votes on what forms of Brexit deal could command a majority. That amendment was lost by 2 votes so Sinn Fein would easily have swung it:



    https://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2019-03-14&house=commons&number=362







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Mar 17 at 23:48









    Ganesh SittampalamGanesh Sittampalam

    368110




    368110







    • 2





      Upvoted for being the only answer of three (at time of writing) to actually attempt to answer the question.

      – Darren
      Mar 18 at 5:31






    • 4





      @Darren This SE is about politics, not arithmetic. Politically, the arithmetical answer is completely hypothetical.

      – alephzero
      Mar 18 at 11:28












    • 2





      Upvoted for being the only answer of three (at time of writing) to actually attempt to answer the question.

      – Darren
      Mar 18 at 5:31






    • 4





      @Darren This SE is about politics, not arithmetic. Politically, the arithmetical answer is completely hypothetical.

      – alephzero
      Mar 18 at 11:28







    2




    2





    Upvoted for being the only answer of three (at time of writing) to actually attempt to answer the question.

    – Darren
    Mar 18 at 5:31





    Upvoted for being the only answer of three (at time of writing) to actually attempt to answer the question.

    – Darren
    Mar 18 at 5:31




    4




    4





    @Darren This SE is about politics, not arithmetic. Politically, the arithmetical answer is completely hypothetical.

    – alephzero
    Mar 18 at 11:28





    @Darren This SE is about politics, not arithmetic. Politically, the arithmetical answer is completely hypothetical.

    – alephzero
    Mar 18 at 11:28











    3














    For all I know, Sinn Fein could take seven seats in the UK parliament, but they don't. I think the background is that to become an MP, you have to swear your support for the UK or something like that, and they just won't do that. No chance. Not going to happen. Ever. So Sinn Fein could vote in the UK parliament, but they never, ever will.



    (Admittedly, never is a very long time)






    share|improve this answer


















    • 2





      I suppose that Sinn Fein's members would be more than happy to support the UK as a neighboring foreign sovereign power. What they won't do is swear their allegiance to the UK or, more precisely, to the queen.

      – phoog
      Mar 19 at 12:58












    • @phoog In the unlikely event that the UK would become the UR, SF would still not take their seats...

      – gerrit
      Mar 19 at 16:34











    • @gerrit of course. In that case, there would still very likely be an oath of allegiance to the republic or the constitution or some such, but the oath is symbolic and the real stumbling block would be participating in the government that they regard as illegitimate. My point was not so much about whom the allegiance is owed to as about the difference between allegiance and support.

      – phoog
      Mar 19 at 17:13
















    3














    For all I know, Sinn Fein could take seven seats in the UK parliament, but they don't. I think the background is that to become an MP, you have to swear your support for the UK or something like that, and they just won't do that. No chance. Not going to happen. Ever. So Sinn Fein could vote in the UK parliament, but they never, ever will.



    (Admittedly, never is a very long time)






    share|improve this answer


















    • 2





      I suppose that Sinn Fein's members would be more than happy to support the UK as a neighboring foreign sovereign power. What they won't do is swear their allegiance to the UK or, more precisely, to the queen.

      – phoog
      Mar 19 at 12:58












    • @phoog In the unlikely event that the UK would become the UR, SF would still not take their seats...

      – gerrit
      Mar 19 at 16:34











    • @gerrit of course. In that case, there would still very likely be an oath of allegiance to the republic or the constitution or some such, but the oath is symbolic and the real stumbling block would be participating in the government that they regard as illegitimate. My point was not so much about whom the allegiance is owed to as about the difference between allegiance and support.

      – phoog
      Mar 19 at 17:13














    3












    3








    3







    For all I know, Sinn Fein could take seven seats in the UK parliament, but they don't. I think the background is that to become an MP, you have to swear your support for the UK or something like that, and they just won't do that. No chance. Not going to happen. Ever. So Sinn Fein could vote in the UK parliament, but they never, ever will.



    (Admittedly, never is a very long time)






    share|improve this answer













    For all I know, Sinn Fein could take seven seats in the UK parliament, but they don't. I think the background is that to become an MP, you have to swear your support for the UK or something like that, and they just won't do that. No chance. Not going to happen. Ever. So Sinn Fein could vote in the UK parliament, but they never, ever will.



    (Admittedly, never is a very long time)







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Mar 17 at 17:36









    gnasher729gnasher729

    1,899415




    1,899415







    • 2





      I suppose that Sinn Fein's members would be more than happy to support the UK as a neighboring foreign sovereign power. What they won't do is swear their allegiance to the UK or, more precisely, to the queen.

      – phoog
      Mar 19 at 12:58












    • @phoog In the unlikely event that the UK would become the UR, SF would still not take their seats...

      – gerrit
      Mar 19 at 16:34











    • @gerrit of course. In that case, there would still very likely be an oath of allegiance to the republic or the constitution or some such, but the oath is symbolic and the real stumbling block would be participating in the government that they regard as illegitimate. My point was not so much about whom the allegiance is owed to as about the difference between allegiance and support.

      – phoog
      Mar 19 at 17:13













    • 2





      I suppose that Sinn Fein's members would be more than happy to support the UK as a neighboring foreign sovereign power. What they won't do is swear their allegiance to the UK or, more precisely, to the queen.

      – phoog
      Mar 19 at 12:58












    • @phoog In the unlikely event that the UK would become the UR, SF would still not take their seats...

      – gerrit
      Mar 19 at 16:34











    • @gerrit of course. In that case, there would still very likely be an oath of allegiance to the republic or the constitution or some such, but the oath is symbolic and the real stumbling block would be participating in the government that they regard as illegitimate. My point was not so much about whom the allegiance is owed to as about the difference between allegiance and support.

      – phoog
      Mar 19 at 17:13








    2




    2





    I suppose that Sinn Fein's members would be more than happy to support the UK as a neighboring foreign sovereign power. What they won't do is swear their allegiance to the UK or, more precisely, to the queen.

    – phoog
    Mar 19 at 12:58






    I suppose that Sinn Fein's members would be more than happy to support the UK as a neighboring foreign sovereign power. What they won't do is swear their allegiance to the UK or, more precisely, to the queen.

    – phoog
    Mar 19 at 12:58














    @phoog In the unlikely event that the UK would become the UR, SF would still not take their seats...

    – gerrit
    Mar 19 at 16:34





    @phoog In the unlikely event that the UK would become the UR, SF would still not take their seats...

    – gerrit
    Mar 19 at 16:34













    @gerrit of course. In that case, there would still very likely be an oath of allegiance to the republic or the constitution or some such, but the oath is symbolic and the real stumbling block would be participating in the government that they regard as illegitimate. My point was not so much about whom the allegiance is owed to as about the difference between allegiance and support.

    – phoog
    Mar 19 at 17:13






    @gerrit of course. In that case, there would still very likely be an oath of allegiance to the republic or the constitution or some such, but the oath is symbolic and the real stumbling block would be participating in the government that they regard as illegitimate. My point was not so much about whom the allegiance is owed to as about the difference between allegiance and support.

    – phoog
    Mar 19 at 17:13












    1














    As other answers have said, they can blame the repercussions of Brexit on the British which suits them and they have never been willing to take the oath.



    Other answers miss that they are elected on an abstentionist ticket, they have promised their constituents that they will not take their seats and doing so would break that and lose them votes.



    Additionally, were they to ever do it in a close enough vote for their votes to matter, there would be enough MPs that would swap sides just to spite them in an "anything the IRA want is bad" way.



    Basically, taking their seats and getting involved in the petty party politics in Westminster doesn't in any way serve them or their constituents so they will never do it.






    share|improve this answer





























      1














      As other answers have said, they can blame the repercussions of Brexit on the British which suits them and they have never been willing to take the oath.



      Other answers miss that they are elected on an abstentionist ticket, they have promised their constituents that they will not take their seats and doing so would break that and lose them votes.



      Additionally, were they to ever do it in a close enough vote for their votes to matter, there would be enough MPs that would swap sides just to spite them in an "anything the IRA want is bad" way.



      Basically, taking their seats and getting involved in the petty party politics in Westminster doesn't in any way serve them or their constituents so they will never do it.






      share|improve this answer



























        1












        1








        1







        As other answers have said, they can blame the repercussions of Brexit on the British which suits them and they have never been willing to take the oath.



        Other answers miss that they are elected on an abstentionist ticket, they have promised their constituents that they will not take their seats and doing so would break that and lose them votes.



        Additionally, were they to ever do it in a close enough vote for their votes to matter, there would be enough MPs that would swap sides just to spite them in an "anything the IRA want is bad" way.



        Basically, taking their seats and getting involved in the petty party politics in Westminster doesn't in any way serve them or their constituents so they will never do it.






        share|improve this answer















        As other answers have said, they can blame the repercussions of Brexit on the British which suits them and they have never been willing to take the oath.



        Other answers miss that they are elected on an abstentionist ticket, they have promised their constituents that they will not take their seats and doing so would break that and lose them votes.



        Additionally, were they to ever do it in a close enough vote for their votes to matter, there would be enough MPs that would swap sides just to spite them in an "anything the IRA want is bad" way.



        Basically, taking their seats and getting involved in the petty party politics in Westminster doesn't in any way serve them or their constituents so they will never do it.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited Mar 19 at 11:22

























        answered Mar 19 at 10:00









        user3342132user3342132

        112




        112



























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