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John,

Some of our political critics are attempting to claim the DUP is not opposed to the Northern Ireland Protocol. At a time when I am trying to encourage greater unity in opposition to the protocol, they are seeking to undermine such unity for purely party political reasons. They need to wise up and recognise that our strength is in our unity.

We have taken decisive action in our opposition to the Protocol. It is the actions of this party in withdrawing Ministers from the North South Ministerial Council, in challenging and attempting to frustrate the checks at ports and ultimately in the resignation of the First Minister, that has highlighted that the Protocol is not compatible with stable local arrangements.

It is this party that has made clear that if the long shadow of the Northern Ireland Protocol is not removed from Stormont then we will not have the stable basis, supported by both Unionists and Nationalists, to form an Executive.

Our seven tests are and will be the basis for judging any alternative arrangements that may replace the protocol. This includes full reinstatement of Article 6 of the Acts of Union and our place within the UK Internal Market.

When I addressed party members on Thursday 3rd February on the announcement of the resignation of the First Minister I said that if the Protocol is left in place, then the divergence between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom will grow and without a single vote cast, the Protocol will have re-oriented our supply chains and our economy away from Great Britain.

Laws will be made and implemented that impact every citizen without ANY local representative having shaped them or voted upon them.

There comes a moment when we have to take tough decisions if we are to build for the future. While others talk about what they will do the DUP took action.

On 9th September 2021 in a speech that was widely reported I said the following,

“Are we prepared to acquiesce in the undermining of our economic prosperity and the economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom, including the very Acts of Union itself?

For me and for my party the unambiguous answer is, no!

As leader of the DUP, I am not prepared to lend my hand to a protocol which so fundamentally undermines the Union and the economic integrity of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland’s position in it.”

The DUP was active in encouraging unionist co-operation resulting in the signing of the Unionist Declaration in September 2021. The declaration fully encapsulates our position.

“We, the undersigned Unionist Political Leaders, affirm our opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol, its mechanisms and structures and reaffirm our unalterable position that the Protocol must be rejected and replaced by arrangements which fully respect Northern Ireland’s position as a constituent and integral part of the United Kingdom”.

The UK Government in particular has a responsibility to deliver its commitment set out in New Decade New Approach to ensure Northern Ireland remains an integral part of the United Kingdom internal market.

It is possible that Northern Ireland’s position within the United Kingdom could be entirely restored and still be able to trade with our neighbours through the Trade & Cooperation Agreement without hindrance to our internal market arrangements.

We have made it clear that unless the Protocol is replaced by arrangements that restore Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom we will not give our consent and there will not be political arrangements that are supported by both Unionists and Nationalists.

That will then be the consequences of those who cheerled for the Protocol and who wanted its rigorous implementation.

The election battle is on and we are taking our case to every part of Northern Ireland. Unionists know who will lead them in this battle and those who have deserted them in the past.