Statement by TUV Ballyclare councillor David Arthurs:
“Last night in the Irish Parliament Labour TD and Deputy Prime Minister Joan Burton had a very clear warning for the electorate in the Republic which should also resonate with Unionists in Northern Ireland.
“Talking about the recently published assessment of paramilitary activity she said:
“It asks fundamental questions about our democracy if a party that is in government in the North and aspires to government in the South, continues to operate in this way. Vote Sinn Féin, get the Army Council.”
“Edwin Poots recently admitted that his party was in government with the IRA when he said “Sinn Fein and the IRA, we believe are largely the same thing.” Ms Burton’s comments echo those of Mr Poots but what remains to be answered by the Democratic Unionist Party is how they can claim that Stormont is even semi-democratic while the executive contains a party which is run by the leadership of an illegal and still armed terrorist organisation!
“Similarly, while the UUP are currently out of the Stormont executive they have repeatedly failed to rule out going back into partnership with Sinn Fein/IRA after the next Assembly election.
“We are therefore quite entitled to ask – is it a case of vote DUP or UUP and get the Army Council in your government?
“TUV, uniquely among Unionist parties, has published positive proposals spelling out how we can get away from the currently failing and immoral system with which we are currently lumbered. The public know that with us they will have a party which will stand up to Sinn Fein/IRA, not usher them into the heart of government.”