Speaking in Ballymoney on Wednesday night TUV Leader Jim Allister said unionists have the right to expect the truth, the full truth, from their politicians, but instead for the last 10 days we have had an avalanche of deceptive spin and pretence.
“The sad truth is that the Donaldson Deal signs up to accepting a permanent recasting of the Union whereby the key pillar of Article 6 of the Act(s) of Union is to remain in perpetual suspension, foreign EU laws, including their sovereignty grabbing Customs Code, are to govern in perpetuity a key section of our economy and a partitioning Irish Sea border is to stay.
“Neither the Windsor Framework nor its reincarnation in the Donaldson Deal alter in the least the constitutional change which leaves NI no longer a full part of the United Kingdom. Rather the Donaldson Deal gives a stamp of approval to such fundamental and detrimental change and acceptance of economic alignment with the Republic.
“To find such change endorsed and concealed by the lead party of unionism is something upon which voters will have the opportunity to give their verdict in the next election, but meantime TUV will relentlessly oppose and expose this sell out.
“It is not the endorsement of their partners in Sinn Fein and every other rigorous implementer that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson needs, but that of the unionist electorate. His present mandate to stand firm he shredded, so if he’s so confident of unionist support, then, let’s have an Assembly election now.”