Statement by TUV Comber councillor Stephen Cooper:
“In recent days the devastating impact of the Northern Ireland Protocol on our businesses, consumers and our constitutional status as an integral part of the United Kingdom has become clear.
“The efforts of those who travelled to Dublin and implored the border to be moved unconstitutionally to the Irish Sea has resulted in economic hardship and excessive bureaucracy for imports and exports; all down to their fanatic insistence on an all-Ireland economy.
“It is incumbent on all Unionists to use all constitutional means at their disposal to see that the partition of the UK is short-lived and brought to an end forthwith.
“I am deeply disappointed and alarmed that, apparently contrary to DUP MPs, Arlene Foster declined to call for Article 16 of the Northern Ireland protocol to be triggered, the most potent weapon available to Unionism to remove the Irish Sea Border.
“For my part, I have proposed a motion in Ards and North Down Council calling on the Secretary of State to invoke Article 16 and take the necessary steps to rectify this unmitigated disaster for our economy and trading future with the rest of the UK.
“This should be the position of all Unionists, and I am calling for a united Unionist front on the issue.
“I would also call on Minister Poots to issue a ministerial direction immediately halting work on the Irish Sea border.
“I would urge him to consider if he really wants a line on the map separating Great Britain from Northern Ireland to be his lasting legacy as a Minister.
“All Unionists should consider bringing forward serious proposals on what they believe can be done.
“My party has proposed a new intertrade UK body to ease the passage of trade on an East-West basis, to and from our most important market.
“In our 100th year, the threat to the integrity of the UK has never been greater.
“Unionists at all levels of elected office have a duty to do all they can about it; the battle commences here and now.
“I hope Unionists of all shades will put their shoulder to the wheel.”
Note to editors
Councillor Cooper’s notice of motion reads:
That this Council abhors the Northern IrelandProtocol and its impediment on trade between GB and N.I.; the economic annexation of Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK, resulting in an Irish Sea border; and will write to the Secretary of State urging action under Article 16 of the said protocol to bring an end to this unfair and unconstitutional imposition on the people of Northern Ireland.