Statement by TUV Bannside councillor Stewart McDonald:
“Reports in the press in recent days confirm what anyone with their ear to the ground already knows. Public anger and frustration with the lack of a response to the sea border is growing. E-petitions, statements and press releases all have their place but now is the time for action. Unionists who read of plans to ban British sausages from Northern Ireland in the coming days can see the ties which bind us to the rest of our nation being severed before our very eyes. What we have not seen is the robust, sustained and determined political response from Unionist elected officials necessary to oppose this.
“Unionist see the sense in Peter Robinson’s comments – you cannot claim to oppose the Protocol while operating it. It is a case of oppose it properly or “suck it up”.
“With the North South Ministerial Council operating as normal thanks to Unionists attending, Unionists voting to ban British soil from Northern Ireland and a Unionist Minister staffing the sea border it is time for everyone, at every level of politics, to decide if they think that is good enough.
“As grassroots Unionists flock to TUV, as hundreds of new members can testify, the political ground is shifting.”