Double jobbing deception
16 March 2011
Coleraine speech by TUV Leader Jim Allister
Speaking in Coleraine to East Londonderry TUV, the Party Leader Jim Allister focused on what he called local MP Gregory Campbell’s “brazen abandonment of his solemn pledge on double-jobbing”.
In the course of his remarks Mr Allister said:-
“Politicians who say one thing and do the opposite is one of the things which most brings politics into disrepute. When that abandonment of an election pledge is overlaid with self interest, then it compounds the public disillusionment.
“Just last year, under pressure from the scandal of double jobbing, Gregory Campbell was re-elected to Westminster on a manifesto (p 70) which solemnly pledged:
“Following the Westminster election, successful DUP candidates will step down within weeks from the Northern Ireland Assembly…”
“Now, this solemn pledge is in tatters as Gregory Campbell decides his constituents in East Londonderry do not deserve promises to be kept, or a full-time MP. All the while as a double-jobbing, part-time MP he will nonetheless pocket the full-time salary from Westminster. Sadly, breaking its pledges has become an art form for the DUP.
“Recently, I debated this issue with Mr Campbell on Nolan. I have seldom heard such ducking and diving from a politician. The inescapable truth is that Gregory is saying to the people of East Londonderry, ‘never mind what I promised you, I know what’s best for you, and me. You don’t need or deserve a full-time MP, or a full-time MLA.’
“This is not an issue of tactics; it’s an issue of honesty and integrity.
“Thus in the upcoming Assembly election Mr Campbell’s blatant double jobbing, in face of his own pledge, will be a live issue, and so it should.
“Alas, it is not only on double jobbing that Gregory Campbell has somersaulted. He was, of course, one of the strong ‘No’ men who turned into Snowmen, first on terrorists in government and then on policing and justice. He once boasted its transfer was years away before meekly conceding such powers to the terrorist-inclusive Executive which he sustains in Stormont.
“I’m glad that on 5th May voters across East Londonderry will have a TUV candidate they can trust to say what he means and mean what he says, and to stand by his pledges.”
