The politics of self-preservation
20 January 2010
Commenting on speculation about a closer alliance/merger between UUP and DUP, TUV Leader Jim Allister said:-"Once the DUP stole David Trimble's clothes and policies there really is little to distinguish the two parties: each support terrorist-inclusive government and so each may now find common cause in pursuit of self preservation.
"Equally, in the short term the badly shaken DUP desperately needs the figleaf of UUP support to cover its roll over on meeting Sinn Fein's demands on policing and justice. Hence, the immediate motivation for its conciliatory moves towards the Ulster Unionists.
"The spectra of a Sinn Fein First Minister is something entirely of the DUP's own making, because they were complicit in the legislative change of November 2006, believing it would enable them to duress unionists into voting DUP. To their shame no one DUP MP voted against the Bill which made this pro-Sinn Fein change. Now, hosted on that petard they seek rescue in the UUP cavalry. Many Ulster Unionists, I believe, will be wary of the self-preservation motivation which drives the DUP's new found bonhomie towards the party which they hitherto villified at every turn.
"As for TUV we will continue to offer representation for all who reject terrorists in government and the rigged system which put them there."
