TUV keeping the brakes on - Allister
15 August 2009
“It may be that following the DUP’s trouncing at the polls, Peter Robinson is looking for a way to row back on his commitments to Sinn Fein on policing and justice.
“Whereas backtracking by the DUP on policing and justice would be welcome and in the interests of Unionism, experience shows that holding the new line on all Assembly parties having to agree is unlikely to withstand the onslaught of renewed republican pressure. When the heat came on previous red lines about “political lifetimes” and Army Council disbandment were soon abandoned.
“But, there is an opportunity now for the UUP not just to do the right thing and hold out against such devolution to this Assembly, but to test the capacity of Peter Robinson to withstand the resulting republican blitz.
“Of course, pride prohibits Peter Robinson from officially taking any account of the views of 40% plus of his party’s previous voters who now support TUV, but everyone knows this is the reason for the DUP’s new position. TUV continues to apply the brakes and be Unionism’s best insurance policy.”
