Speaking in Carrickfergus on Tuesday evening TUV leader Jim Allister said it was not those who continued to stand by the united unionist pledge against the Protocol who were causing division, but those who have disowned it by their contrary actions.
Extract from Jim Allister’s speech:-
“This is not a meeting to divide unionism but to alert unionism and ensure all understand exactly what has happened in consequence of the Donaldson deal.
“The allegation that I or others who’ve held our ground are dividing unionism is utterly spurious.
“It is those who have abandoned the agreed unionist platform against the Protocol that are the dividers.
“Unionism attained a very welcome unified stance on the Protocol in the joint Unionist Declaration of Ulster Day 2021.
“That solemn and unifying declaration was in these terms:-
“We, the undersigned Unionist Political Leaders, affirm our opposition to the NI Protocol, its mechanisms and structures and reaffirm our unalterable position that the Protocol must be rejected and replaced by arrangements which fully respect NI’s position as a constituent and integral part of the United Kingdom.”
“It could not have been clearer, unalterable rejection of the Protocol and replacement by arrangements fully respecting NI’s position as a constituent and integral part of the UK.
“It is not TUV that has disavowed and abandoned this solemn declaration. Thus, it is those that have chosen to become Protocol implementers that have divided unionism. They will not put the guilt of their volte face on me or any of us that continue to stand where they promised to stand.”