Jim Allister: The real choice is between the Northern Ireland Protocol and Stormont, and the matter must be brought to a head

If unionist ministers, or prospective ministers, are committed to the removal of the Union-dismantling Protocol, then they must see the imperative to counter the destruction of our vital economic East/West links by disrupting the institutionalised North/South processes.

Otherwise, they acquiesce in the implementation and intent of the iniquitous protocol and thereby encourage Brussels and Dublin to think opposition will blow over.

Any unionist who sees the overriding necessity of defeating the protocol, cannot, therefore, in good conscience serve in the Stormont Executive, because to do so all ministers must take a ‘Pledge of Office’ committing themselves to fully operate the North/South institutions.

I, therefore, respectfully suggest to the incoming DUP leadership that, in addition to challenging the surrender of devolved powers over the Irish language, they need to face up to the fact that if they truly believe North/South relations can’t continue as normal, because our East/West links have been trashed, then, on principle and in conscience they cannot take the Pledge of Office.

It is time for stands of principle. There is none better than one rooted in defending the integrity of our United Kingdom. Thus, the DUP, I believe, should refuse to nominate while the protocol remains, because to do so is to give up their greatest leverage and involves solemnly pledging to give up legitimate and necessary protest on the North/South front.

The most critical thing at present is to demonstrate to HMG that unionists are not going to lie down under the protocol and that far from sustaining the Belfast Agreement institutions it is destroying them.

The matter must be brought to a head politically. There is no better time to do so. Protocol or Stormont — that is the real choice.

Jim Allister TUV leader

——— ———

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor