DUP infighting interesting, but real issue is how and why threat of Sinn Fein First Minister exists
20 September 2010
Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:-
“The fact that Sammy Wilson, Peter Robinson’s most trusted lieutenant within the DUP, has had a swipe in his News Letter column at Ian Paisley’s ‘not on my watch’ boast is a powerful indicator of just how much Mr Robinson is smarting over the comment. It also confirms that despite the façade all is not as cosy within the DUP ‘family’ as they would have us believe.
“I must also say that considering the extent to which the Robinson faction pushed and encouraged Paisley to do the deal with IRA/Sinn Fein, while they bided their time in the slipstream, it is somewhat rich for them to now talk about Robinson ‘having to deal with the backlash’ and the threat of a Sinn Fein First Minister.
“In truth what they have to deal with is an effort on their own part to be too smart by half. I refer to the change in the law which now presents the nightmare scenario of McGuinness as First Minister. This is a monster of their own creation, designed and endorsed by both the Paisley and Robinson factions, at a time when they’d common cause, as a ‘clever device’ to force unionists to vote DUP.
“The facts are these:
- The terms of the St Andrews Bill, which included the change whereby the First Minister now comes from the biggest party – and which changes what the St Andrews Agreement itself said - were thrashed out, after the St Andrews Conference, at secret proximity talks in London between HMG, Sinn Fein and hand picked ‘yes’ men from the DUP;
- When the Bill came to the Commons (21/11/06) not one DUP MP tabled a single amendment to remove the offensive change permitting McGuinness to become First Minister (at the least UUP MP did), not one DUP MP forced any vote in the Commons, including a vote at second reading on the principle of a Bill containing such an obnoxious clause, though every DUP MP spoke in the debate not one of them spoke against or even mentioned the proposed empowerment of Sinn Fein, not even to protest the change from what the St Andrews Agreement had said! Why?
- When the Bill moved to the Lords, whereas UUP peers voted against Clause 8, which made the iniquitous change, DUP peers voted for Clause 8!
“So, no matter how much the DUP would now like to kick up dust to conceal the full picture, it is clear that the DUP was content to see the change which permits McGuinness to be foisted on a unionist majority in the Assembly. A calculated decision was taken that creating the threat of McGuinness as First Minister would be a useful electoral tool to duress unionists into voting DUP!
“How the unionist title deeds to the office of First Minister were sold is one of the most shameful episodes in the history of roll-over Unionism.
“Make no mistake about it, obtaining DUP consent to the process was so pivotal that the Bill could not have proceeded without DUP acquiescence.
“I am glad that, despite the anger which it brought upon me from the DUP leadership, on 17 November 2006, when the Bill was first published, I exposed and publicly opposed this monstrous clause which empowers an IRA commander to be First Minister. This I will continue to do.
“For anyone wishing to read the full facts on this vital issue I recommend this web document: http://www.jimallister.org/uploads/Fact_sheet_on_how_McGuinness_could_become_First_Minister_308.pdf
