The week when push-over Unionism excelled itself

12 March 2010

Speaking to Coleraine TUV’s Annual Dinner, TUV Leader Jim Allister QC reviewed the events of the week, a week which he said would go down in the annals of Ulster as one in which push-over unionism delivered the Sinn Fein agenda by devolving policing and justice to a terrorist-inclusive Executive.  He reserved special mention for the role of East Londonderry MP, Gregory Campbell, whom he labelled “Chief of the Snowmen”.

In the course of his remarks Mr Allister said:-

“It tells you just how low the DUP has sunk when the UUP, with all its Belfast Agreement folly and baggage, takes a more principled stand, and is the only party in Stormont to vote against further empowering Sinn Fein.

“As the DUP renewed its vows this week with IRA/Sinn Fein, by gifting them their strategic demands on policing and justice, the air was thick with hypocrisy and deceit.

“Quite apart from all the pre-conditions so obviously discarded in the rush to placate Sinn Fein and keep terrorist-inclusive government going, the centrality of the dark art of dishonest spin was breath-taking. The tsunami of abuse and orchestrated propaganda which swept in through concocted polls and across the Atlantic was staggering. Everyone associated with that escapade should hang their head in shame, but, sadly, some, I fear, no longer have any shame.

“Where, for example, is Gregory Campbell’s shame? If ever a man should hide away it is Gregory Campbell. No one will ever take him seriously again. For weeks he beat his chest and talked tough about 6 years and more, but on Tuesday, without a whimper, he slinked through the lobby with Marty and Gerry to chalk up Sinn Fein’s greatest victory since he helped make McGuinness Joint First Minister, Gregory’s previous great climb-down. Chief of the snowmen, he melted into nothing, and with it his last remaining credibility.

“When Gregory Campbell won East Londonderry from William Ross in 2001 it was on the basis that the UUP was too weak to be trusted. 4 years later he was returned on a manifesto that pledged mandatory coalition with IRA/Sinn Fein was “OUT OF THE QUESTION”. 2 years later he was installing Martin McGuinness, a man whose infamy Mr Campbell’s knows very well, as Joint First Minister and , now, this week he’s feeding fresh concessions to keep Marty happy. I’m glad that in just another few weeks the people of East Londonderry will get their chance to give their verdict on the vacillating Mr Campbell. What a mistake East Londonderry made in swapping the durable, dependable, honest Willy Ross for the flexible, compliant, melting Mr Campbell.

“I tell you this Willy Ross wouldn’t have sat dumb in the House of Commons when the law was changed to allow Martin McGuinnes to become First Minister, but on 21^st November 2006 Gregory Campbell hadn’t a word to say, nor a single amendment to table to stop this dastardly change. Why, because he meekly went along with Peter Robinson’s scheme to let it happen as a means of then duressing unionists into voting DUP. Another ‘clever device’ from Mr Robinson; now a ticking time bomb for Unionism. Well done Gregory! I’m sure Marty is very grateful.  

“On the back of the DUP’s choice this week to keep faith with the IRA, rather than fellow Unionists, we then had the most audacious and hypocritical plea for unionist unity from the very party which on Tuesday gutted every other unionist for not giving them cover in their sordid deal with Sinn Fein. Jekyll and Hyde look stable and constant in comparison with the DUP.

“It is clear to most and especially to those of us who know how the DUP thinks, that the present pleas for unity are mere self-serving clichés and stunts. The DUP had the opportunity this week to unite with fellow Unionists in rejecting republican advancement, but instead they choose to partner Sinn Fein in the lobbies. Sinn Fein’s buddy in Stormont can never be their enemy outside.”

NI politics