Allister's by-election message
09 February 2008
Speaking at a public meeting in Dromore, Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister remarked how telling it was that the DUP’s pre-occupation in the by-election was to crush TUV.
“Why? Because our success threatens their cosy coalition with IRA/Sinn Fein. The carefully crafted propaganda that we are irrelevant and speak for no one, stands to be exposed. It used to be “smash Sinn Fein”, now its “smash TUV”. As for Sinn Fein, they’re not only congenial partners in government, but even their republican lexicon finds favour, as the First Minister waxes lyrical about “the north” and basks in great days for “Ireland”. How quickly the promise of “a battle a day” became “a chuckle a day”. Chuckling with a Chuckie, is that what 40 years of battle was all for?
The reality is that courtesy of DUP weakness and the squandering of negotiating leverage at St Andrews, we again have unrepentant terrorists at the heart of our government, Sinn Fein is still permitted to cling to its illegal Army Council and its military wing still murders, as in the case of Paul Quinn. Little wonder so many Ulster Unionists, who took so much abuse for less, in this election will give their second preference vote to TUV.
Though we start from nothing in this our first election, I believe we will see a vote to surprise many in support of traditional unionist values – a foundation which will give hope to concerned unionists across the Province and upon which we will build.”
