TRADITIONAL UNIONIST Voice leader (TUV) Jim Allister has called on First Minister Peter Robinson to “cut Sinn Féin adrift” from the powersharing Northern Executive.
Mr Allister told more than 200 delegates at his party’s annual conference in Belfast on Saturday that the current powersharing system involving “Sinn Féin/IRA” was unsustainable and that the DUP should bring the “expensive farce” to an end.
“It’s time for Peter Robinson to face reality: his coalition with IRA/Sinn Féin has failed and will not work. Sinn Féin has more than proved itself unfit for government; yet, Peter clings desperately to this sinking ship. It’s time he recovered some dignity and cut Sinn Féin adrift.”
Mr Allister added that a “sufficient bridgehead of traditional Unionists opposing “mandatory coalition” would force change.
He said he looked forward to challenging for the North Antrim Westminster seat, whichever of the Ian Paisleys was his main DUP opponent.
During his speech, the TUV leader also strongly criticised new PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott for deciding to phase out within 16 months the police full-time reserve.
Mr Allister predicted that in the next Assembly elections, the DUP would campaign with the warning that if they was not returned as the largest party, then Sinn Féin could take front position with Martin McGuinness in line for the First Minister post.
Mr Allister accused the DUP leader through the St Andrews Agreement of shamefully allowing a key change to the Belfast Agreement which “at least guaranteed a unionist First Minister”.
Under St Andrews the largest party is entitled to that post. “When in a future election the DUP try to play the fear card over their partner becoming First Minister, their hypocrisy will be vigorously exposed and they will be reminded that they were complicit and desirous of this appalling change,” he said.
Mr Allister told the delegates, which were predominantly middle-aged or older, that he expects the TUV to become a powerful force in the next Assembly elections and that he also looks forward to the British general election, which must be held by June at the latest when he will stand for North Antrim, currently held by the Rev Ian Paisley.
Against speculation that Dr Paisley could stand down in favour of his son, Ian jnr, as candidate, Mr Allister said of the DUP and the Paisleys: “The people have caught them on and nowhere more so than in North Antrim where I look forward to the challenge, whichever Paisley dons the armour of Goliath. Be it Chuckle One or the galactic one from Planet Junior. Bring it on.”
He said the TUV was a real “new force” in Northern Ireland politics and referring to the row over MPs expenses, which in the North has caused particular difficulties for the DUP, Mr Allister taunted, “Terrorists in government, spongers in parliament”.
Mr Allister said there was no doubt that Mr Robinson after a “phoney consultation” would sign up to the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Executive and the creation of a department of justice run by an Alliance Party “stooge”.
Former UK Unionist Party leader Robert McCartney told the TUV conference that Sinn Féin is pursuing a strategy to attack the very fundamentals of unionism through destroying Northern Ireland’s grammar school system.
Mr McCartney, who is not a TUV member, was invited to speak on education.