Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“Doug Beattie’s declaration at the launch of his party’s manifesto that “Regardless of what others are saying, there will be no fundamental change to the constitutional position of Northern Ireland within the UK,” reveals that he doesn’t get the Protocol and its dire constitutional consequences.
“Under and by reason of the Protocol there has already been constitutional change – Art 6 of the Acts of Union (the basis of the economic union of the United Kingdom) has already been “subjugated” by the Protocol, as confirmed by the Court of Appeal.
“Moreover, the transfer of sovereignty involved in subjecting us to foreign laws we don’t make and can’t change is itself constitutional change.
“Yet, the UUP continues sleepwalking, oblivious to what the Union-dismantling Protocol has actually done to diminish and undermine our constitutional position – and all that without consent.
“I’m glad that most unionists are more alert to the dangers than some of their present politicians.”