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TUV's Jim Allister a thorn in DUP's side
Monday, 8 June 2009
Jim Allister with his fledgling Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) grouping has delivered a heavy political blow to his former colleagues in the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
Mr Allister, the new voice of hard-line unionism, ran his campaign under a banner of experience, principle and integrity.
And at the heart of the former barrister's argument was a fundamentalist rejection of Sinn Fein "terrorists in government".
It has been a long but consistent journey from firebrand member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) at Queen's University Belfast to thorn in the side of the power-sharing Stormont regime.
Mr Allister, 56, was born of a farming family in Crossgar, Co Down, where the Rev Ian Paisley founded his breakaway Free Presbyterian Church in 1951.
Called as a barrister in 1976 he quickly developed an expertise in constitutional affairs and criminal law.
A former colleague said: "He was always very, very sharp, you could have seen him going places from an early age."
Married to Ruth, they have a daughter, Karen, and two sons, Graeme and Philip. They live near Ballymena, Co Antrim which provides the bulk of his electoral support.
He joined the DUP at its foundation in 1971 and served as European Parliament assistant to Ian Paisley from 1980-1982.
In 1982 he was elected member of the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont for North Antrim.
Following the signing of the Anglo/Irish Agreement in November 1985 by Margaret Thatcher and former Irish premier Garret Fitzgerald - which enshrined an Irish role in Northern Ireland affairs - he became one of its most trenchant critics.
But his departure from active politics in June 1987 followed a reported disagreement with Ian Paisley over a unionist voting pact with James Molyneaux's Ulster Unionist Party.
However Mr Allister returned to the fold in 2004 and was elected to the European Parliament that year for the DUP with 32% of the vote.
He left the party in March 2007 after it decided to enter government with Sinn Fein and later established the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) which also has councillors in Ballymena, Co Antrim.
In 2008 a by-election at Dromore, Co Down, saw TUV candidate Keith Harbinson taking almost 20% of first preference votes.
University of Ulster politics professor Henry Patterson said he had fought a good campaign and performed strongly as an MEP on issues like agriculture.
Mr Patterson said the aspiration to force the largest nationalist party out of government was unrealistic.
But he added a TUV electoral boost could hamper the DUP's ability to devolve policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Dissident republicans murdered a policeman and two soldiers in March, which prompted a united response from all the mainstream parties.
Mr Patterson added: "People will say I told you so but you have to think what does that mean, does that mean there is any other way of dealing with dissidents other than through the police?"
He said the DUP's tactics of embracing devolution had impacted on republicans.
"Sinn Fein is a shadow of its former self, the united Ireland strategy isn't going anywhere, there is real substance to the DUP's argument that devolution as it is being worked at the minute works in the longer term," he added.
He added younger people did not remember everything about people like Sinn Fein deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness's IRA past.
"There is a whole younger generation for whom that's all history."
Last month's murder of Catholic Kevin McDaid on a Coleraine, Co Londonderry, housing estate by a loyalist mob provided a horrific flashback of that history.
Mr Allister sold himself on his experience. Time will tell whether that reflects modern realities.
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I think if you ask most SF voters what they dislike about people who campaign about 'Smashing' SF - is their arrogance.
I mean the most recent election was about Europe but all we heard from the DUP / TUV was about SF! Mr Allister in particular was very forceful in his language. This from someone with limited support. That is arrogance.
Your language about a United Ireland is also of this nature - 'Get over it'.
Both sides have to live together - there shouldn't be winners and losers!
Posted by Stephen P | 12.06.09, 12:08 GMT
I accept your point about sf, but the simple fact is that most 'normal people' do not want to be governed by terrorists. I mean terrorists from either 'side'.I dont think that is arrogant, in fact, I resent the accusation strongly, as I have a right to my opinion as you indeed are.People have a right to vote for whoever they want, I just disagree with people voting for terrorists. That is my right, and I will exercise my democratic right to oppose them at every opportunity. Is this arrogance?
Posted by stephen | 12.06.09, 11:15 GMT
I accept your point about sf , but the simple fact is that most 'noral people' do not want to be governed by terrorists. I mean terrorists from either 'side'.I dont think that is arrogant, in fact, I resent the accusation strongly, as I have a right to my opinion as you indeed are.People have a right to vote for whoever they want, I just disagree with people voting for terrorists. That is my right, and I will exercise my democratic right to oppose them at every opportunity. Is this arrogance?
Posted by stephen | 12.06.09, 11:15 GMT
Stephen,
All I am pointing out is your arrogance. Jim Allister has the same arrogant demeanour, constantly shouting the odds about how he will smash SF. People vote for SF and have every right to be represented by them. If you don't like it TOUGH that's the beauty of democracy.
People like Mr Allister do more for Sinn Fein than any election / PR campaign ever could. You just don't get it, nationalists have heard this for generations. Shouting about smashing SF actually just makes them stronger.
Posted by Stephen P | 11.06.09, 15:13 GMT
leaving aside the oxymoron that is 'normal' people voting for sf , I do not think of myself as above anyone, although I do differentiate between voting for terrorists and voting for democrats. Voting for terrorists is an affront for democracy, and no, when a group has to threaten violence if it doesnt get its way, then that is the antithesis of democracy. the majority of people in ni do not want a united ireland. fact. that is democracy. get over it. why not join the rep join the uk? 1 into 5?
Posted by stephen | 10.06.09, 16:42 GMT
Stephen,
You seem to think you are a cut above Sinn Fein voters? Somehow your entitled to forget about the hundreds of thousands of people who DO want them to be in government.
What do you think NORMAL people who vote for Sinn Fein think of you? Do you think your stance makes them feel that you want them to have a say in how their country is run? NO it probably just makes sure they vote Sinn Fein at the next election.
Democracy is how they were elected? Are you not for democracy Stephen?
Posted by Stephen P | 10.06.09, 11:16 GMT
I and others will not be disappearing either, although thats probably a visit back to your mindset that anyone who disagrees with the elevation of terrorism should disappear.
'Normal folk' as you put it, I believe, want an end to paramilitary power, and justice for murderers, not having to watch them govern our country.If Mr Allister embarrasses you, then I really hope you are proud of the spineless wasters prepared to allow terrorist reps dictate everyday policies which affect us all - I am not
Posted by stephen | 10.06.09, 08:42 GMT
so, stephen,
you know what I wont do? Really? that is extraordinary. I was not saying that people do not have a right to vote for terrorists, its just that I have morals and I object to having people who directed terrorism for years, sitting in government directing how we should run our lives. I think that is both honourable and morally correct.
The days I yearn for have never been here, so I dont know what you mean, I yearn for peace, real peace, where we all live without the threat of violence
Posted by stephen | 10.06.09, 08:37 GMT
Is'nt it strange not to be hearing. from the current MP for N.Antrim
I expect he is comforting DUP members who are smellng the coffee inadvance of the Westminister Election We are delighted with the prospect of getting rid of the Paisley's never never never!!! and all the other empty words-the election results give us hope.
The expenses and all the Castle building by the Paisley's,Robinson's and Dodd's has been filed and saved by the electors. you can run but you cannot hide.
Posted by george young | 09.06.09, 14:48 GMT
Stephen,
It seems you are off the same Ilk as Mr Allister. What exactly is your master plan? We know what you wont do - anything useful.
What about all the people who vote for Sinn Fein do they not deserve to have their representatives govern us? Do they not have as much right as you to make their vote count?
The days you yearn for are gone - hopefully people like you will also disappear and let us normal folk get on with it.
Mr Allister drags us back 15 years - and embarrasses us.
Posted by Stephen P | 09.06.09, 14:44 GMT
why 'hardline'?
I would have thought principled would be more apt.
The dup are now the old uup, they should be ashamed to be sitting in government with terrorists.
Wake up and smell the coffee robinson!
no terrorists in government.
Posted by stephen | 09.06.09, 10:02 GMT
well done to jim and the tuv am very proud that for the first time i didnt waste my vote.
Posted by carol mcalister | 08.06.09, 23:10 GMT
Well done Jim. Onwards and upwards. The only politiician who makes a pledge and honours it. Keep up the momentum and shock the pundits again at the next elections. Just hope D Dodds doesn't embarrass herself as she did on the local TV debates.
Posted by Ex Dup Voter | 08.06.09, 23:06 GMT
Yes 'good ole Jim' has certainly given the DUP a a bloody nose. Off course he hasn't laid a glove on 'Scary Mary,' Bairbre de Brun and the rest of Sinn Fein.
They must be falling about laughing!
Posted by T J McClean | 08.06.09, 20:46 GMT
Well done the TUV, thats a mighty big shot across the heads of the dupers, bring on the local elections, the long walk starts with the first step and jim has took a mighty big one!
The days of the dupers is over.
Posted by markus | 08.06.09, 18:17 GMT