Speaking at the formation of another branch of TUV in Bangor on Friday night Jim Allister said:
“The growth of TUV in recent months has been down to the fact that we have been crystal clear from the beginning about the dangers of the Protocol. For us it has always been a case of No Sea Border! In more recent times others who once talked the language of having the best of both worlds or the opportunities of the Protocol have, belatedly, fallen in behind TUV at least in what they say. Whether the actions follow time will tell but one thing is for sure – TUV will not need to modify its message in order to be in tune with the mind of ordinary Unionists when it comes to the constitutional dangers of the Protocol.
“In truth those who have been entrusted with the leadership of Unionism by the electorate have found themselves playing catch up with their voters who, long before the established Unionist parties, realised the dangers of the Protocol were alive to the threat posed to the Union.
“TUV is the real deal when it comes to opposing the Protocol tooth and nail.
“Of course there are others who went so far as to call for the “rigorous implication” of the Protocol. Strangely those folk seem to be backtracking somewhat.
“The MP for this constituency, Stephen Farry, has gone from being a rigorous implementer to looking to “mitigate the impact of the Protocol as much as possible”. Quite the change of tune!
“What hasn’t changed though is that Alliance remain the little helpers of Sinn Fein. Just last week they teamed up with Sinn Fein/IRA to protect Gerry Kelly’s place on the Policing Board and Paul Kavanagh’s place on the Education Board. Think of it! A bomber overseeing the police. A multiple murderer overseeing education. That obscenity will remain the case. Why? Because of the stance of the Alliance Party on my Bill the other week.
“I look forward to presenting the people of North Down with an opportunity to give their answer to Alliance in the upcoming election. They can best do so by sending a TUV MLA to join me on the benches at Stormont.
“Of course there are those who, for the sake of self-interest, warn of the danger of a Sinn Fein First Minister and claim that is a reason not to vote TUV. The reality is that TUV alone has made clear that we will never nominate a deputy to a Sinn Fein First Minister. The DUP and UUP have still to tell us what they would do. Make no mistake – there can be no Sinn Fein First Minister unless they can find a stooge Unionist to serve as deputy. If Unionists want to send a clear message that a Sinn Fein First Minister is unacceptable then the only party they can vote for is TUV.”