Unionist consent needed to restore Stormont

Carla Lockhart MP • February 14, 2022

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has expressed her frustration at the lack of progress in negotiations between the UK and EU over new arrangements to succeed the current Northern Ireland Protocol, and said the decision by Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to withdraw the First Minister from post was one that was regrettable but necessary.

Carla Lockhart said:

“The DUP has given more than enough time for the European Union and our Government to respond to Unionist opposition to the Protocol. Sadly, they have failed to act.

Our Government has talked the talk, but failed to deliver on their commitment in New Decade, New Approach to restore Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market.

The EUs intransigence and arrogant dismissal of the unionist community has only served to reinforce the view that they have no regard for the cross community consent needed to sustain the institutions, so long as nationalism/republicanism is content. Unionists have had enough of being ignored. Furthermore, we have all had enough of the continued belligerence of Sinn Fein to our identity and culture.

There are some Unionists who favour a laissez-faire approach, a ‘do nothing’ tactic that is doomed to fail and only encourages further acts of hostility and ignorance towards the unionist family. If they truly believe this will make the EU, or Sinn Fein for that matter, change their approach then they have learnt nothing.

This situation can be fixed. The DUP desire is that it be fixed soon. But that will require comprehensive solutions that command unionist support, and a change in attitude from those who claim they want to share power with their neighbour. Nothing less will do.”

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