Statement by TUV European candidate Jim Allister:
“An internal DUP document containing guidance on how to answer questions from the public on party policy reveals a substantial shift by the party on EU membership. While many people may assume that the DUP favours withdrawal from the European Union it is clear that the party has now moved onto the ground occupied by David Cameron and the Tories in Great Britain. Their manifesto confirms this softening of their position.
“On the issue of EU membership the canvassing guidance states: “The DUP believes the EU needs to change. We support renegotiation to bring about that change. Then it’s the choice of the people through referendum.” It goes on to say: “The PM has promised to renegotiate our relationship with EU and we wish him well” and tells canvassers to parrot the Tory line that “Unless substantial powers are brought back to Westminster, we will be saying it is time to go.”
“The truth is that the EU is fundamentally anti-democratic with key decisions originating with and being essentially made by the unelected EU Commission. Indeed, the European parliament is the only parliament in the world which cannot propose legislation!
“It’s unreformable.
“The UK cannot afford the one million pound hourly price tag of being in the European Union. EU membership is robbing us of the right to make our own decisions on such vital matters as immigration, trade agreements and social policy.
“TUV has a clear message on the EU – we are better off out. Others may seek to peddle Cameron’s con. We will not.
“It is sad to see the DUP go native in Brussels. TUV will neither go native in Stormont or Brussels.”