JIM Allister's recent correspondence in which he engages in his usual tactic of attacking fellow-unionists is to be regretted.
At this time, when we have seen the value of closer unionist co-operation evidenced in the Enniskillen by-election, it is sad that Jim Allister should be found firing off yet more invective in the direction of others within the unionist community. Th
at his priorities lie in attacking fellow-unionists and trying to score silly points says a great deal about the purpose that the Jim Allister micro-party serves – to divide unionism and spread fear within the community.
The DUP position in relation to judicial appointments and indeed every facet of the policing and justice debate is perfectly clear. Not only will we not agree to the devolution of these powers until such time as there is sufficient community confidence – a position which Mr Allister, when he was a DUP member ascribed to – but we are not prepared to witness any Sinn Fein involvement in the operation of the functions of the ministry. We shall not give our assent to any Sinn Fein member having any say over judicial appointments.
Nigel Dodds has made this position clear on BBC's Talkback Programme, when he corrected Mr Allister's assertions in this regard, as have other senior members of the DUP. Mr Allister overestimates his own importance in believing that he had any role to play in the DUP holding that position other than endorsing the DUP manifesto in 2007 when he was a party officer.
Furthermore, Mr Allister denounces mandatory coalition government, whilst conveniently ignoring the fact that in his election manifesto, when he ran for a seat in the European Parliament, he said that mandatory coalition was a feasible form of government for Northern Ireland.
Did Jim Allister seek election to Brussels on a manifesto he didn't believe in?
Of course, in a recent Agenda NI interview he defended himself from this charge by claiming he didn't write his manifesto.
Surely, if he disagreed with mandatory coalition so vehemently he would have said something at the time, or did he neglect to read his election manifesto also?
So much for strong leadership from the TUV – such a laughable defence is not analogous with strong political leadership or basic principles.
Cllr Simon Hamilton MLA
DUP, Strangford
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