Speaking at an anti-Protocol rally in Conlig on Thursday evening, TUV leader Jim Allister said the biggest challenge facing unionism was securing the reunification of the United Kingdom, following the Protocol’s partitioning Irish Sea border and our abandonment to significant foreign rule.
“Yet, tragically, despite their solemn pledge of 28 September 2021, both the DUP and UUP were now implementing a project whose direction of travel and intended destination is the unification of Ireland!
“Make no mistake, that is the goal of the Protocol. By pushing the border from where it should be to the Irish Sea the Protocol achieved where the IRA failed. Little wonder Sinn Fein are its strongest cheerleaders.
“Its means of achievement are equally obvious. The ultimate manifestation of Irish unity is NI and the Republic ruled by precisely the same laws. That is what, under the Protocol, we now have in terms of our goods economy and agri-food industry. The 300 plus EU laws that govern these vital economic sectors – laws we can’t change – are exactly the same laws that apply in the Republic, because they as part of the EU are subject to its goverance and we, being treated as part of its Customs Union and Single Market, are equally subject to these laws. That is unification in action!
“Those who so blithely accept such Brussels rule could, alas, equally accept Dublin rule – the principle is the same, foreign rule!
“So, to now have unionists exalt in paying the single market price of EU rule must be a great comfort and encouragement to those whose purpose is to complete our detachment from the UK. Well done Gavin!
“And to complement this dismantling of the Union we now have the DUP leader tell us the ‘Red Lane’ doesn’t concern him! This is the EU customs lane through which all the raw materials from GB for our manufacturing industry must pass where they are subject to EU tariffs, EU checks and EU paperwork because they are deemed to be entering EU territory. Yet, Gavin Robinson shrugs off such surrender of sovereignty and partitioning of our nation as of no concern.
“Faced with such I’m glad in TUV and Reform UK we have those who do care about such things and whose goal is the reunification of the United Kingdom and repudiation of the now DUP owned Protocol which is building Irish unity.
“These are the issues on which unionist voters will declare themselves in coming months.”