Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“Julian Smith’s suggestion that the next Assembly election be pushed back to 2023 is clearly wrong. The current Assembly has failed to deliver for the electorate. People haven’t forgotten that for three years it didn’t even meet! Additionally almost a fifth of MLAs currently occupying the benches have been coopted and therefore have no mandate from the electorate.
“If the election is pushed back to 2023 it will be six years since the electorate had their say on the makeup on the Assembly. That would be unacceptable and something which would cause deep resentment among the public who already hold Stormont in low esteem. I trust other parties will recognise this reality and join me in opposing Mr Smith’s suggestion.”