TUV North Antrim MP Jim Allister and party colleague Timothy Gaston MLA
In a New Year message that resonates with both criticism and a call to action, Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister has painted a grim picture of unionism's current state, attributing it to the "disastrous Donaldson/DUP Deal" with the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Allister's message begins with a somber assessment of unionism in 2025, describing it as "weaker than this time last year." He accuses the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of relinquishing critical leverage against the Protocol by re-engaging with Stormont, thus allowing for the implementation of EU laws which he claims are "prising us out of the United Kingdom."
The TUV leader specifically highlights the decision to allow Sinn Fein to take the First Minister position, suggesting this move was prioritized over resisting what he describes as "Stormont as a colonial Vichy regime in 300 areas of law."
According to Allister, this shift has not only emboldened unionism's adversaries but has also sapped the resolve among many MLAs to fight against the Protocol.
Further, Allister warns that the implications of the Protocol, now known as the Windsor Framework, continue to be as "pernicious and threatening as ever." He notes the increasing reluctance of Great Britain firms to supply Northern Ireland due to the burdensome border checks, predicting that "soon all parcels will be subject to the full red lane rigour of the ensconced Irish Sea border."
He criticises the claim by some that the Union's integrity has been restored, highlighting that Article 6 of the Acts of Union remains suspended. Allister argues that the Protocol not only weakens the Union but also strengthens the "all-Ireland dynamic" daily.
The TUV leader also condemns the recent vote in Stormont on December 10, labeling it as "gerrymandered," which he believes provides a false 'democratic' endorsement to the Protocol's implementation. He argues that as long as unionists participate in the Stormont Executive under these conditions, they lend credence to this claim.
Looking forward, Allister expresses his hope for 2025, envisioning "a return of strength in opposing the Protocol" and a potential "realignment" among unionists who recognise the dangers at hand. He calls for a united front to "undo the damage" caused by what he sees as both external impositions and internal political missteps.
Jim Allister concludes his message with a firm commitment from TUV to continue challenging both the advance of the Protocol and any unionist complicity in its enforcement, drawing a parallel between implementing EU laws and potentially those from Dublin, should the political landscape shift further.
As Northern Ireland steps into 2025, Allister's message serves as a rallying cry for unionists to reconsider their strategy and fortify their stance against what he perceives as existential threats to the Union.
TUV Leader’s New Year Message in full
Unionism embarks on 2025 weaker than this time last year, because of the folly of the disastrous Donaldson/DUP Deal which saw unionists give up their prime leverage against the Union-dismantling Protocol by returning to Stormont to implement the very foreign EU laws that are prising us out of the United Kingdom and building the stepping stone of the All-Ireland economy.
The moment the DUP decided enthroning Sinn Fein as First Minister, so that they could become deputy and reclaim ministerial office, was more important than refusing to operate Stormont as a colonial Vichy regime in 300 areas of law, was the moment our enemies rejoiced and the fight went out of many MLAs against the iniquitous Protocol.
Yet, the Protocol/Windsor Framework is as pernicious and threatening as ever. Now, increasingly, GB firms are stopping supplies to Northern Ireland and soon all parcels will be subject to the full red lane rigour of the ensconced Irish Sea border. Far from our place having been restored within the UK, as falsely claimed by the Donaldson acolytes, Art 6 of the Acts of Union remains in suspension and the Union is being weakened day by day as the all-Ireland dynamic strengthens.
Enforced damage is bad enough, but when it is aided by self-inflicted folly, then, it is even worse. Now, on the back of the gerrymandered vote in Stormont on 10th December, Protocol implementers will claim ‘democratic’ endorsement, which is given credence so long as unionists operate the Stormont Executive, and thus the Protocol, on this colonial basis.
Faced with such daunting circumstances, TUV will continue in 2025 to raise the standard against both the aggressive advance of the Protocol and weak-kneed complicity. The harsh reality is that those who can implement foreign laws made in Brussels could just as readily implement such laws if made in Dublin!
My hope is that in 2025 we will see a return of strength in opposing the Protocol and, if it takes it, a realignment so that all who truly see the dangers can work assiduously together to undo the damage.