We need new unionist leaders who are less weak, and will completely reject the Irish Sea border betrayal

The Boris betrayal can only be defeated with new unionist policies and new unionist leaders.

Both self-styled ‘unionist’ parties have accepted and been following the appeasement principles originally laid down by John Hume in his ‘Peace Process’ which in truth would be better described as a ‘United Ireland’ process as that is the final outcome which it has been designed to bring about.

The harm to justice, democratic principles and unionism over the years should be plain for all to see and the latest shattering consequence for the Union is the proposed creation of the sea border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.

This would align our economy with the Irish Republic and EU and will inevitably and progressively lead over time to the complete severance of NI from the UK.

No unionist can or should give any credence to this grave threat to the Union and should oppose it with all means at their disposal.

Yet what has been the reaction from Arlene Foster and Steve Aiken to what is staring us in the face? A very weak one.

Mr Aiken (‘Letter shows that Irish Sea border is now a certainty,’ May 14) does say that “it is unforgivable that we have ended up here” but then only says “we urgently need to hear from the government on how they are going to assist Northern Ireland in getting ready for this”!

Mrs Foster seems to be morphing into Michelle O’Neill as she merely welcomed the government’s apparent attempts to minimise the Brexit trade barrier (‘Foster urges no extra burden on industry,’ May 21) which cut us off from the rest of the UK.

Where was her outrage? What parallel universe do they both live in?

I am not a TUV member yet it was only Jim Allister who used the appropriate language, when he called it a “betrayal of the highest order”, and asked “how does this square with the DUP’s loud protests about an Irish Sea border?” and when he said “there is now a fundamental challenge faced by unionists ministers” (‘Confirmed: there will be an Irish Sea border,’ May 21) .

I believe two things need to happen and happen soon if we are to save the Union and our British birthright for our grandchildren and all the people of Northern Ireland whether they be Protestant, Catholic, Hindu, atheist or whatever.

First, these leaders must be replaced by those who are totally committed to the Union. This is primarily the responsibility of the members of their parties but the rest of us can continue to put the arguments using the platforms which are available to us through the media and in other forums.

Second, the failed appeasement policies which have been so destructive of the Union over the last 50 years must be utterly rejected.

There must be a return to unashamed and proud unionist and democratic principles and, growing out of them, a long-term strategy to restore and strengthen the Union.

Philip Black, Lurgan

Editorial May 21: The new Irish Sea border is a disaster and a betrayal