TUV candidate launches attack on DUP over Irish Sea border and Stormont failures

TRADITIONAL Unionist Voice (TUV) West Tyrone Assembly candidate Stevan Patterson, has launched a blistering attack on the DUP, accusing the party of surrendering on the Union, misleading voters over the Irish Sea border and propping up a Stormont Executive he claims is failing the public.

Speaking at a TUV public meeting in Castlederg on Friday night, Patterson declared that “for far too long Unionism has failed the people of West Tyrone”, as he called for what he described as a return to uncompromising Unionism and renewed resistance to the Northern Ireland Protocol and Windsor Framework.

The Castlederg man was formally announced as the party’s candidate for West Tyrone at the well-attended meeting in Bridgetown Orange Hall, where his party's leader Jim Allister KC MP delivered an equally combative address, accusing the DUP of failing to hold Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O’Neill politically accountable.

Patterson said his selection was an “absolute honour and a privilege”, but warned that Unionism needed to change direction if it was to regain public confidence.

“For me Unionism comes from the heart, it cannot be compromised or bought by coin,” he told the gathering, arguing that the party’s strength lay in what he described as the “Equality of Union”.

He said he believed change could be delivered by “truthfully and resolutely speaking up for all the great things that Unionism brings and will continue to bring”.

Irish Sea border

Patterson made the post-Brexit trading arrangements a central theme of his speech, claiming the imposition of an Irish Sea border in January 2021 had undermined Northern Ireland’s constitutional position within the United Kingdom.

He argued that the arrangements had subordinated the Acts of Union and made EU law supreme over British law in Northern Ireland.

“Now, that internal border hardens by the day, reducing us to second-class citizens in our own country,” he said.

He accused the DUP of surrendering on the Union by implementing arrangements he claimed were designed to undermine Northern Ireland’s place in the UK.

“Untruthfully telling the people that the divisive internal border was gone when that was not the case, simply for a few selfies and pieces of silver,” he said.

Patterson insisted that the Northern Ireland Protocol and Windsor Framework would not be removed through their implementation at Stormont, arguing that only firm resistance could bring them to an end.

He called for the removal of what he described as “corrupt EU rule” and advocated mutual enforcement as the way forward, adding that the Irish Sea border “must go to restore democratic accountability”.

He also questioned why Northern Ireland should accept decisions made in Brussels, asking: “Why should we tolerate rule from Brussels - an alien jurisdiction where we have no vote, no voice, and no say?”

Stormont

The TUV candidate also turned his fire on the Executive’s handling of public finances and the cost-of-living crisis.

He accused Stormont parties of being detached from the everyday struggles of the people they represent and criticised ministers for failing to agree a budget.

“What has Stormont delivered during a crushing cost-of-living crisis?” he asked.

“Parties in the Executive are completely detached from the real lives of the people they claim to represent. Always blaming the British for not enough money to squander.”

Patterson also condemned the 27 per cent pay rise awarded to MLAs, describing it as deeply unjustifiable in the face of what he characterised as repeated failures in government.

“They can’t even manage the basics of government or agree a budget,” he said.

“Yet MLAs handed themselves a 27% pay rise for failure after failure!”

He further called for stronger adherence to law and order, insisting that the law must apply equally to politicians and the public.

Patterson demanded that Michelle O’Neill leave office, declaring: “Michelle O’Neill must go!”

He accused unionist politicians of remaining in an Executive alongside those he said glorified terrorism, and criticised the handling of disputes surrounding loyal order parades and the policing of cultural events.

His speech also included criticism of republican political positions on the Troubles and allegations of a failure to uphold the rights of the unionist community.

Patterson drew heavily on Ulster and unionist history, referencing the 1641 rebellion, the Siege of Londonderry, the Battle of the Boyne, the formation of the Orange Order, the Ulster Covenant and the sacrifices made during the First and Second World Wars.

He described the violence of 1641 as an “Ulster Holocaust” and presented the historical experiences of the Protestant community as central to his argument for maintaining the Union.

He also highlighted the impact of the Troubles on Castlederg, which he described as the most bombed town of the conflict.

Patterson accused the Irish state of having armed, financed and sheltered those responsible for violence along the border and criticised what he described as its failure to pass on life-saving intelligence before the Omagh bombing.

He also referred to the legacy of IRA violence within his own family and community.

Looking towards the future, he argued that the United Kingdom had brought economic and industrial benefits to Tyrone, pointing to the development of agricultural machinery, quarrying equipment and engineering innovations.

He insisted that the Union remained viable and could be restored through what he described as truth, justice, integrity and a commitment to the rule of law.

“This United Kingdom is far from finished,” he declared.

Patterson concluded by urging voters to support the TUV as the party capable of offering what he called “strength, not weakness”, and “the true voice of modern Unionism”.

Challenged

The meeting’s keynote speaker, TUV leader Jim Allister, also focused on the DUP’s relationship with Sinn Féin and the continued position of Michelle O’Neill as First Minister.

Allister cited what he described as recent revelations in the High Court concerning the continued existence of the Provisional IRA and the consideration given to its “feelings” during policing decisions relating to Drumcree.

He claimed the revelations raised serious questions about the upholding of the law in Portadown and accused those supporting the Stormont Executive of failing to take meaningful political action.

“There have been plenty of tough-sounding speeches but no action from those who prop up Sinn Fein/IRA in office,” he said.

Allister argued that the DUP could force a change in the First Minister’s position by withdrawing its deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, from office.

“O’Neill is First Minister only for as long as the DUP are willing to keep her deputy in office,” he declared.

He criticised DUP leader Gavin Robinson over what he described as a failure to provide political accountability for O’Neill, while praising Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart for her stance on the issue.

Allister claimed the DUP had lost political credibility by continuing to support the Executive and said O’Neill was confident the party would not act against her.

“It is time they acted!” he said.

Voters

Looking ahead to next year’s Assembly election, Allister said the TUV would offer voters an alternative to what he described as weakness and accommodation of Sinn Féin.

He urged the electorate to give Patterson their first-preference vote, highlighting the candidate’s lifelong connections to the Castlederg area and the impact of IRA violence on his family.

Allister said two members of Patterson’s family who served with the Ulster Defence Regiment had been murdered by IRA terrorists.

He concluded with a direct challenge to unionist voters and the DUP leadership:

“If the DUP won’t call time on the First Minister of Lawlessness it’s up to the Unionist electorate to call time on the DUP!”

The meeting began with a welcome from Charlie Chittic, chairman of the TUV West Tyrone branch, and was chaired by Donald Crawford, chairman of Fermanagh and South Tyrone TUV, who introduced Patterson.

Following the two speeches, those attending took part in a question-and-answer session. A vote of thanks was delivered before tea was served.