Statement by TUV Strangford Assembly candidate Councillor Stephen Cooper:
“Leo Varadkar’s glee at the outworking of the Protocol should act as a wake up call for Unionists. His yardstick for judging it a success, namely its benefit to the all-island economy with north-south trade increasing dramatically, protecting the Republic’s place in the single market (while trashing Northern Ireland’s place in the UK’s internal market), and the absence of the internationally recognised border on the island of Ireland (while one has been erected in the Irish Sea) – should set the alarm bells ringing.
“On the one hand Nationalists treat Unionist complaints about the Protocol’s dismantling of the U.K. with contempt and patronisingly pat us on the head saying there is nothing to worry about, whilst on the other hand, Mr Varadkar openly gloats about how the Protocol is a driver towards Irish unity.
“As we enter a second year of the Protocol it is scandalous to think that it is a Unionist Minister who continues to implement the border which partitions the U.K.
“It is equally outrageous to remember that the North South Ministerial Council continues to operate by virtue of a DUP First Minister signing off agendas while our East-West relations are trashed.
“Small wonder Mr Varadkar can hardly contain himself. Who would have thought Unionists would make it so easy for him?
“It’s time for direct action to pull the plug on the implementation of the Union wrecking protocol by those who disingenuously claim to oppose it.
“Shame on them.”