Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“A Sinn Fein First Minister is only possible because at the time of St Andrews Agreement in 2006/7 the DUP foolishly sought and obtained a change to the Belfast Agreement provision that the First Minister must come from the biggest designated community in the Assembly. They had this changed to the First Minister coming from the biggest party, in the belief that would always keep the DUP in the ascendancy.
“Thus now, even though there are likely to be more unionists than nationalists in the Assembly, a Sinn Fein First Minister could be foisted on us.
“While technically and legally there is no distinction between First Minister and deputy First Minister – it being a joint office where neither can act without the agreement of the other – the symbolism of a Sinn Fein First Minister is seen as important to many, even for those who support the absurd Stormont system. But, the possibility only exists because the DUP wanted that threat to try and duress people into voting DUP.
“With the DUP seriously slumping in the polls, I wish to make a pan unionist offer to the DUP and UUP, even though I do not support their system of mandatory coalition. Believing there will be more unionists than nationalists in the next Assembly and therefore it would be undemocratic to allow a Sinn Fein First Minister, I suggest a pre-election pan unionist pledge that if faced with such a possibility no unionist will take any office until there is reversion to the First Minister coming from the biggest community.
“That would be wholly reasonable and compatible with democratic first principles.
“Only those who want to recklessly gamble, in the receding hope of electoral advantage, will reject such a considered and measured proposal.”