Unionists did not see Brexit betrayal on the horizon

I fail to see Peter McEvoy’s point (Out of the shadows, April 23) about my letter (It isn’t just Byrne who should think of going, April 16) in which I said: “Unionist politicians should consider their positions.”

See The NI Protocol was the best thing until polling came out

and It is not just the chief constable who should think of his position but unionist leaders too

If he read me correctly, Peter would realise I had already pointed out that unionists were exploring the lie that the Protocol was good for Northern Ireland: “Unionists dipped their toes in the water to see the temperature.” I maybe should have put it in plain terms, Peter, rather than use a metaphor!

One of the reasons they should consider their positions is the amount of consideration they gave to a border in the Irish Sea.

If Peter thinks that money is the only thing that is important in life for all unionists, he is mistaken – even though the Protocol was never going to make Northern Ireland richer. If Northern Ireland is a full part of the UK, we should be leaving the EU as such.

If this was never going to be, it should have been pointed out before the vote.

There is little doubt that many unionists did not see this betrayal coming.

Unionist politicians helped get us into this mess.

They should be leading to overturn this disgraceful situation and not leaving it to grassroots unionists and – as you said, shady figures.

The EU, as well as Republic of Ireland, British government, and unionist politicians, cannot wash their hands of the situation

The use of the threat that came from certain politicians of republican violence if there were to be any sort of border with the Republic was disgraceful. Did the British government see the Protocol as the easier option or is this another behind-backs deal?

John Mulholland, Doagh

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