Sunak Needs to Proceed without the DUP

Sunak Needs to Proceed without the DUP – Tóibín

Aontú leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has called for Rishi Sunak to proceed with the EU Protocol deal without the DUP. An Teachta Tóibín stated:

“The DUP achieved just 0.7% of the 2019 Westminster election vote, yet their intransigence has erased the democratic institutions in the north of Ireland, led to political chaos in London for 7 years and has poured poison into EU/British relationships. The DUP is not interested to doing a deal. Their limited and narrow focus is on defending the Unionist vote from hardliners in the TUV”.

“All the while the North of Ireland is drifting along in political and economic chaos. Budgets for public services are on the floor and we are in the grip of Spring of discontent with much of the Public Service on strikes. Staff recruitment and retention in public services is becoming increasingly difficult. This is leading to the closure of services in Enniskillen, Daisy Hill and Causeway Coast Hospitals. The severity of the cost of living crisis is being ignored by a political class in paralysis”.

“The DUP are already changing the goal posts in terms of the latest deal. Jeffery Donaldson is looking for an exit, a method to refuse the Sunak deal without appearing like a refusenik. Remember that the majority of people in the north voted to remain in the EU. The majority of MLAs support the Protocol and the majority of business have said that the Protocol is good for businesses”.

“Sunak is at a crossroads. The DUP will not agree to Protocol deal. Sunak must proceed with the deal. Britain came close to financial disaster under Truss and Sunak wont risk EU trade difficulties. Also the Brexit vote has reduced in importance. If this comes to pass, the British and Irish government’s must not allow the Executive to remain shut. The DUP/SF veto must be ended. Stormont must be reformed and elected representatives must get about fixing the many crises besetting the people”. Crioch

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.