New Year Message from TUV Leader Jim Allister QC

01 January 2011

“2011 undoubtedly will be a tough year for many families. As recession bites the need for good and efficient government is greater than ever. Sadly, we don’t have it.

“With an Assembly election looming, 2011 will be a time to face facts. This Stormont is not working! It is a dysfunctional shambles, of which its lack of preparation for the current water crisis is but the latest example.

“Over the last 4 years it has cost the taxpayer almost £100m to fund 108 overpaid MLAs, huge expenses, 15 Ministers and a Joint First Minister’s staff bigger than that of the US President! In 4 years they’ve done nothing to reduce any of this. Unemployment and cut backs are being felt everywhere except among the political elite in Stormont. In addition, the Stormont Executive has poured £400m down the drain on funding useless north/south bodies and while money has been cut from frontline services millions has been wasted on needless promotion of the Irish language.

“The cost of Stormont’s failure is not just financial. On key issues, like education, endless deadlock and chaos has reduced parents, teachers and pupils to despair. This Executive has also failed in its stewardship of the economy; despite heady promises on jobs and investment we’ve seen lengthening dole queues. The deserving PMS savers have been strung along. Dither and discord saw loss of the Stadium and millions wasted on planning reform of local government which never happened, but millions can be found for a Shrine at the Maze! Just ask yourself, ‘What has Stormont done for me?’

“The failure of the Sinn Fein/DUP coalition is no surprise because there is no common cause, no common vision binding together the parties that rule. So misgovernment and hopeless deadlock are inevitable. The present system will never work. It defies the laws of workable government. Compulsory or enforced coalition, with a prohibition on voting a party out of government and a ban on an Opposition, guarantees the deadlock and failure we’ve suffered under the current Stormont regime.

“To break this cycle of failure we need real change. With no party having majority support, coalition is inevitable, but to work it must be voluntary, not mandatory. The present Westminster government is just such a voluntary coalition, checked and balanced by a vibrant Official Opposition. Those willing to share power and able to agree a programme for government proceed to govern, with those outside fulfilling the vital role of Opposition and, very importantly, the voters able to change their government at the next election.

“This is the modern and progressive way forward for Northern Ireland which TUV seeks: a vibrant Stormont, with Government built on a shared programme and a vigorous Opposition to hold it to account. This is the way to a better Northern Ireland.

“We want a Stormont that really works for you, not one that is the butt of ridicule because of its constant failure. All other parties want to hold to the present failed formula. So, in 2011 I will invite you to come with us and vote for real and hopeful change.

“In May others will ask you to re-elect those who have so lamentably failed to bring you good government. If you do, or stay at home, expect more of the same!

“Why should first class British citizens settle for a third rate Stormont? In 2011 TUV will give voters the opportunity to reject the failure of the last 4 years and vote instead for the positive change necessary to give us workable devolution. I urge you to take that opportunity. I wish all a prosperous and peaceful New Year, and may we together take the necessary steps towards better and workable government.”

NI politics