Jamie Bryson: Let me tell Steve Baker this - I wear the badge 'unionist hardliner' with pride

(Click here for a story about Mr Baker’s comments, in which he said unionist hardliners were trying to influence the DUP)

The comments of Steve Baker are yet another effort to bully unionists, and tell those of us opposed to the Protocol to sit down, shut up and swallow the misleading claims on the Framework.

On the footing that I presume I am one of the people Baker refers to as a unionist hardliner- and I wear that badge with pride- let me send a clear message back to him.

No self respecting unionist or loyalist will ever compromise, weaken or give in on the Union. Returning to Stormont requires implementing the subjugation of the Union, and that is something that no self respecting unionist will ever do.

Steve Baker needs to understand that he can engage in all the megaphone diplomacy he wants, but unionism isn’t for budging. Unlike him, some of us when we draw a line in the sand mean what we say.

If Baker wanted to further entrench unionism then he has done so with his patronising tones. He could well ignite a winter of discontent and a return to peaceful protests.

He seems to believe that unionists are incapable of forming their own views and instead are led by the nose by a few hardliners. How demeaning of the unionist electorate.

The sneering Steve Baker act ceased to be interesting or effective long ago. If he wants power sharing back then he should turn his mind to restoring the Union.

Jamie Bryson is NI Director of Policy Centre for the Union