If only the Government hadn't rewarded violence
08 January 2013
Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:
“The Secretary of State says Northern Ireland is being held to ransom by the flag protests and she rightly condemns violence. The problem, however, for the British Government and others is that they set the template which has bred the belief that in Northern Ireland violence sadly pays.
“I say this not to excuse violence, which I utterly abhor and condemn, but to indicate the difficulty which I as a politician have in countering the grassroots contention that violence can work. The tragic reality is that it patently worked for the murderous IRA, causing the British Government and others to pay the notorious price of terrorists in government and release of prisoners through the iniquitous Belfast Agreement, not to mention the after effects of endless concessions for the sake of "the process". The Belfast Agreement, contrary to how it proponents like to protray it, is living testimony to the triumph of terror.
“It is in the context of this hideous legacy of "the peace process" that politicians such as I have to try and convince those frustrated by the outworkings of the Belfast Agreement that violence is not only wrong but counter-productive, which it patently is.
“Though hampered by the destructive example of how government appeased IRA violence, I still resolutely say to any tempted to ape their tactics, by producing violence on our streets, that such is not only wrong in itself but that the cause of the Union flag is far more noble and honourable than the grubby rebellion of the IRA and must not be sullied or betrayed by being brought down to their level. Though politics has been demeaned by "the peace process", it, along with peaceful protest, is the correct road to travel.”
