A shocking lack of leadership from the DUP and UUP over the Irish Sea border

I was dismayed to read in Saturday’s News Letter that the DUP and UUP leaders (‘DUP and UUP reject Robinson Stormont option,’ Feb 13, see link below) have dismissed Peter Robinson’s observation (‘Unionists face choice of scrap sea border or keep Stormont,’ Feb 12, see link below)that serious opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol may come down to a choice between the protocol and Stormont.

Dismissing the idea of playing the one serious card unionism holds in order to make Westminster take seriously the concerns not just of unionists about our constitutional future but businesses about the viability of their profession is nothing short of scandalous.

In spite of repeated challenges neither the DUP nor the UUP have explained why they voted to ban British soil from Northern Ireland.

In spite of saying they oppose the protocol they have failed to spell out what they will actually do to make London listen to our concerns.

The choice, as Mr Robinson spelt out in stark terms, is between sucking it up and resisting it seriously. There is no middle ground.

Unionists see that in increasing numbers and the DUP and UUP would do well to change direction soon or they may well find that leadership will be sought elsewhere come the next election.

In the meantime the lack of leadership from either of the two main unionist parties is shocking and leaves a dangerous vacuum in Northern Ireland.

Brian Thompson, Lisburn

• Peter Robinson: Unionists might face a choice between keeping Stormont or scrapping the Irish Sea border

• DUP and UUP reject Peter Robinson suggestion of collapsing Stormont

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