Sammy Wilson MP MLA

“Wilson: DUP do not fear early election”

East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson, in response to comments from Jim Allister, has said that the DUP does not fear an early Assembly election.

Mr Wilson said:

“Why would we fear the electorate? We have stood up to Sinn Fein bullying over the devolution of policing and justice and we will not allow it to be devolved until there is sufficient confidence in the unionist community. This does not currently exist so there will be no devolution of these powers.

Sinn Fein has stated that one of the reasons for their unhappiness is because the DUP is effectively using the powers that we obtained through negotiations at St Andrews to prevent a Republican agenda being pushed through the Assembly. Sinn Fein had no problem pushing this through during the Trimble years, but they are unable to do this now.

Should we fear the unionist people because we have successfully stopped Sinn Fein from imposing an Irish Language Act?

Should we fear the unionist people because we have stopped the balkanisation of Northern Ireland into 7 super councils, 3 of them Sinn Fein dominated?

Should we fear the unionist people because we refuse to allow devolution of policing and justice before there is sufficient confidence within the unionist community?

Or should we fear the unionist people because we have prevented Caitroina Ruane from abolishing academic selection?

Whilst we do not fear an election, neither do we want to precipitate a costly and pointless one. If there is an election, we will of course work hard for every vote and will take nothing for granted. But we simply want to get on with the job of governing Northern Ireland and preventing the return of direct rule, which seems so beloved by Sinn Fein and Jim Allister, and as we know would result in Sinn Fein finding it easier to push its republican agenda through the House of Commons with its comfortable Labour majority.”

ENDS

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