TUV Demands Stormont Opposition

"Stormont needs the shake-up that only TUV can give it", said the leader of one of NI's most vociferous political parties this week.

Speaking at launch of the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) manifesto, party Leader Jim Allister said: "TUV is in this election to make a difference.

"We can't go on as we are at Stormont, with serial failure, mammoth waste and trampling on basic democratic rights by denying even an Opposition and the ballot box opportunity to vote parties out of government."

Barrister, Jim Allister (pictured) said he is the Ulster politician who "put principle before power" by resigning from the DUP over its decision to take IRA/Sinn Fein into government.

He served Northern Ireland in the European Parliament 2004-09, where he was named by the Taxpayers' Alliance as the UK's best MEP.

Commenting in advance of the May elections to the Assembly he said: "The outgoing Stormont has been a huge disappointment, but there should be no surprise there because if you don't have to agree on anything before you go into government, then disagreement when you're there is inevitable.

"Hence the gridlock on education, the impasse on local government reform and a budgetary response which was shambolic and ineffective in tackling the massive rise of 150% in unemployment under DUP/Sinn Fein rule.

"Add to the mix the utter absence of ministerial accountability - such as we saw over the water crisis - and the failure of the last four years should surprise nobody," he fumed.

Turning to finance matters, he said: "Then there is the shameful waste of taxpayers money. £60m to the GAA and £30m more to football than they asked for, but there isn't enough money to open the cancer unit in Londonderry.

"£400m poured down the drain of useless North/South bodies while DETI has run out of money for future capital investment, though £21m can be found for the 'Provo project' at the Maze.

"Potholes can't be fixed, but [SF Minister] Murphy can pour £700m into the Dublin/Donegal motorway.

"And, all this by a bloated Assembly of 108 MLAs - when half would be adequate - 15 chauffeur-driven ministers, a 'White House' sized staff for the Joint First Ministers, and in case they'd have to put their hand too deep into their own pocket a £500,000 subsidy pa for the MLAs canteen!"

On the lack of any official opposition, he noted: "Now is the time for an opposition. Now is the time to throw off the shackles of failed mandatory coalition and have those who can agree what to do about education, the economy and health, in government and those who can't - whoever they might be – form an Opposition.

"Unless and until these fundamentals of democracy are re-established Stormont will never work," he insisted.

"We will be the catalyst for change in the next Stormont.

"The bigger the TUV team the quicker democratic change will come.

"And, whether official or otherwise, when TUV arrives in Stormont the DUP/Sinn Fein cabal will face the voice of Opposition," he concluded.

The TUV aims include, making the Stormont Executive a voluntary coalition so the executive can be held to account by an opposition; getting NI 'back to work' by focusing on employment; build East-West links with the "more vibrant" British economy rather than with the "bankrupt" Irish Republic and improve the health service and put patients' needs first as well as to support post-primary academic selection.

The TUV manifesto also seeks to cut North/South bodies, and stop financial waste at Stormont and crucially, to oppose Sinn Fein at every level within government.

In response, Simon Hamilton - and outgoing DUP MLA - said: "The TUV manifesto launch was nothing more than a litany of abuse directed at other people.

"Attacks and 'sniping' is all that the TUV wreckers have to offer: they pretend to be for business yet they oppose a cut in Corporation Tax, despite supporting it previously: they pretend to be for ordinary people, yet their Finance Spokesman referred to public sector workers as parasites.

"The TUV's sole purpose in this election is to spread negativity, fear and gloom. People are determined that we won't be dragged backwards," said Mr. Hamilton.

(BMcC/GK)