I fully understand Jim Allister’s concerns about the NI Protocol and Windsor Framework. Indeed, I share some of those concerns.
And while I accept that Northern Ireland has, since 1921, been described as ‘a place apart’ within the United Kingdom – its own parliament, for example – it was, at least, a constitutionally integral part of the UK.
The protocol and framework have changed that status. How could they not, when they have left NI partly within the EU, albeit mostly in the UK.
TUV leader Jim Allister and loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson pictured in Parliament Buildings at Stormont presenting legal advice about the Irish Sea border. PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN
Fair enough, NI’s constitutional status cannot be changed without majority approval in a border poll; but most unionists do believe that the shift from integral status to granny flat status has undermined previous certainties.
Dear Michelle and Emma. You’ve done the PR. Now when are you going to tackle public services? – Patrick Murphy
Lay me down, in the hallowed ground, where my father waits...
The bigger problem, of course, is that the shift comes with the imprimatur of Parliament. With a whopping majority, too. A series of legal cases taken by a number of unionists, including Jim Allister, David Trimble, Arlene Foster and Kate Hoey, has failed to persuade a succession of judges that the protocol and framework are in breach of previous legal commitments on the union.
The DUP brought down the Assembly two years ago, determined to keep it in limbo until its demands on the ‘seven tests’ had been delivered. There have also been quite a few anti-protocol rallies organised by unionists and loyalists demanding a wrecking ball for the protocol.
Former First Minister Paul Givan, pictured with then Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill in 2021, resigned from the executive in early 2022, bringing down the power-sharing structures at Stormont
But what do you do when all of the available evidence suggests that you’re not going to get your way: that all of the strategies which you hoped would deliver for you have been exhausted? What do you do when supposed friends – like the Conservative Party and ERG – have clearly abandoned you (although throwing you to the wolves is probably a more accurate description)?
Well, your choices are limited. You can either accept uncomfortable realities and move on; or see if you can squeeze out a little more in your favour; or just throw out the baby with the bath water and wreck everything around you.
Unionism did all three. The UUP faced the reality and argued in favour of prioritising devolution and the assembly. The DUP kept on pushing, pushing and pushing; although it was clear from at least last summer that it would end up with a compromise deal. And the TUV climbed onto a purist high ground and has refused to descend.
What do you do when your supposed friends in the Conservative party have abandoned you?
The crucial point is that none of them has actually won a battle.
Jim may be proud of his consistency, even though it is a consistency centred on circumstances that haven’t existed for some time.
- Brian Feeney: Jim Allister’s act of madness could ensure no unionist seats in BelfastOpens in new window
- DUP’s awkward squad have accepted the world has moved on – Newton EmersonOpens in new window
- Chuckles over spades and sliotars will only get first and deputy first ministers so far – Alex KaneOpens in new window
Jeffrey will trumpet successes gained against terrible odds, even though the DUP’s own strategy lengthened those odds quite considerably.
Doug will say that the DUP has simply moved onto the UUP’s ground, even though the gains the DUP clearly made would not have been possible had it adopted the UUP’s original position.
(left to right) DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, UUP leader Doug Beattie and the TUV's Jim Allister pictured at a fringe event at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester in 2021
Meanwhile, a section of loyalism has been led into one cul-de-sac after another, with absolutely nothing to show for it.
The TUV’s decision to cut a deal with Reform UK has changed the dynamics a little; but not to the extent that there is the slightest chance of them being able to deliver what the UUP and DUP failed to deliver.
Yet that reality – and the key players in both parties know it, even if they’ll never say it out loud – won’t prevent another inter-unionist showdown at the coming election. Instead of collectively promoting the benefits of the union and appealing to a wider audience (which is actually possible), they’ll devote months to accusing each other of being wreckers, Lundies or ‘useful idiots’.
Instead of collectively promoting the benefits of the union and appealing to a wider audience, unionists will devote months to accusing each other of being wreckers, Lundies or ‘useful idiots’
Ironically, Reform UK, supposedly a pan-UK party, has now been properly ‘Ulsterised’. It has just become yet another party with an interest in NI unionism (and there have been lots of them down the years) which plans to contest elections in which its primary opponents will be other unionist parties.
Reform UK leader Richard Tice and TUV leader Jim Allister pictured during the TUV conference in Co Antrim after the two parties struck an electoral partnership that will see them run agreed candidates in Northern Ireland
Ben Habib has gone full-on ‘Ulster’, insisting that the DUP and UUP aren’t even unionist parties anymore. Mind you, I don’t think Reform recognises the Conservatives as genuinely Conservative anymore.
Hmm. I wonder how well this purism will go down in GB and NI in the coming general election.
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