16 November 2009
Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister QC:-
“Quite properly there is much concern within Unionism as to the future political alignment of our capital city under the RPA reforms. However, the truth of how this avoidable situation arose must be told.
“Accepting the ‘greening of Belfast’ was part of the price paid by the DUP to get Sinn Fein’s agreement to 11 councils. With Councils amalgamating the natural extension for Belfast was to embrace Dundonald and Castlereagh. The uninterrupted physical and socio-economic affinity between the two is overwhelming. Yet, bizarrely, Arlene Foster’s deal, when DOE Minister, was to artificially and absurdly link Castlereagh to Lisburn. What affinity has Ballybeen with Moira, none compared to its natural association, historic and actual, with East Belfast.
“That was the logical and proper way to extend Belfast and save us from a green capital city, but, alas, the DUP sold out on the issue as the price of winning Sinn Fein assent to 11 councils. That was when the real stand was required, what is happening now is a rearguard action in which, on past form, the DUP will blink. If Edwin Poots really wants to do something lasting for Belfast, then let him revisit the preposterous decision not to include Castlereagh within its local government boundary.”
NI politics
