Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister
“If Steve Baker’s adjuration of fidelity to the Windsor Whitewash represents HMG’s definitive position – and it probably does – then, for any principled unionist, Stormont is dead, and so it ought to be, because to operate it now is to implement the Union-dismantling Protocol in all its parts.
“Let no Unionist forget what the Protocol does: by putting us under the EU’s Customs Code it operates on the basis that GB is a foreign country – hence the EU controlled Irish Sea border to check its goods; by retaining us in the EU’s Single Market for goods it means our economy and trade are governed by foreign laws which Stormont, colony like, would have to implement; it forces economic divergence and detachment from GB in pursuit of building the stepping stone of an all-Ireland economy; and, as the Supreme Court confirmed, it puts the key pillar of the Union (Art 6 of the Acts of Union) in perpetual suspension.
“Thus, any unionist foolish enough to operate Stormont on these terms is inevitably assisting the dismantling of the very Union that they claim to profess.
“As for the disingenuous pretence that from within Stormont change could be wrought, such is so threadbare as to not even amount to a figleaf. Anyone tempted to listen to Doug Beattie disseminating such nonsense just needs to remember two critical realities: the Sinn Fein veto (aided by the other Protocol fanatics in Alliance) will guarantee no Protocol diluting proposals will ever emerge from Stormont, the ‘rigorous implementers’ will see to that; and Stormont itself has no say over U.K./EU negotiations, either now or in 2025.
“Thus, those who pretend change can be secured from within Stormont are peddling deception exceeded only by their disavowal of the solemn pledge of all Unionist leaders on 28 September 2021.
“It is only by staying out of Stormont that it affords any leverage, but even if it didn’t, going in is impossible, surely, for any unionist who recognises the Protocol for the Union-dismantling instrument it is.
“There is nothing impossible about the sovereign government of the U.K. exercising sovereignty over its own territory.”