DUP distance themselves from Ian Paisley Jr over comments about a united Ireland | Belfast Live
He indicated to the podcast that he appeared on alongside former Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew in at times testy exchanges that he was open to “persuasive arguments”
The DUP has distanced itself from comments made by the son of one of the founders of the party over being “open” to hearing “persuasive arguments” around the potential of a united Ireland.
Ian Paisley, a former MP for North Antrim, also emphasised his British identity as he took part in new podcast series Borderland by BBC Northern Ireland.
He is the son of Ian Paisley, one of the founders of the DUP who went on to serve as First Minister of Northern Ireland and later became Lord Bannside.
“It’s who and what I am. I’m a Brit, I’m a British citizen, I’m a British person, my identity is British, my history is British and my emotions are British,” he said.
He indicated to the podcast that he appeared on alongside former Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew in at times testy exchanges that he was open to “persuasive arguments”.
“My mind is open, I’m a true believer in Britain and this place being British,” he said.
“But if you have got persuasive arguments please present them because to date I have not heard them.”
However, Mr Paisley also said: “My flag won’t fly in that country, the flag my wife’s great-grandfather perished for, and that’s a multi-generation thing.
“We have people who are living today who carry the bullet wounds for defending this country, their flag will not fly in that country, their sovereign will not be sovereign of that country.”
He also called for champions within the UK Government “who are prepared to recognise that Northern Ireland is an integral and essential part of the union”.
“I insist that a Cabinet and the Government has to make the case for the United Kingdom, otherwise why are they in this game?” he said.
In a statement on Tuesday, the DUP said they wished to “make clear that Mr Ian Paisley is appearing in this series in his own personal capacity and not on behalf of the Democratic Unionist Party”.
“As Ian is no longer in public office, he is entitled to give his own views but he is not appearing on behalf of the party,” they said.
“The Democratic Unionist Party is not interested in engaging or being persuaded on the so-called merits of a united Ireland or new Ireland or any other label those who want to pursue that aspiration might put on their latest project.
“We believe in the union and we are not open to taking part in discussions about a new Ireland and we will not be enticed by honeyed words designed to convey an impression that unionists would be welcomed and openly accommodated in a united Ireland.”
They went on: “A cursory examination of how unionists are treated when they find themselves in a minority tells us all we need to know and gives the lie to the narrative being pursued.
“Nationalists are trying to convince us that a united Ireland is inevitable.
“That is total rubbish. Leo Varadkar, whilst active in politics, did more to harm relationships between the Republic of Ireland and unionists in Northern Ireland than many of his predecessors and should learn from his mistakes rather than stirring up a divisive debate about a border poll.
“For us, we will promote the benefits of the United Kingdom and will not be diverted down the route of talking about any new Ireland or a divisive border poll that takes the focus away from the important ongoing real issues that people face on a daily basis.”
by Portal_Jumper125
25 comments
Amazing that this is what it takes for them to distance themselves from him and not all the other shite he’s got up to over the years
Appearing to be more closed minded than Ian Paisley Jnr is quite the accomplishment.
Would they ever just fuck up?
“British emotions”
*“We have people who are living today who carry the bullet wounds for defending this country, their flag will not fly in that country, their sovereign will not be sovereign of that country.”*
Their flag is currently flying at Dublin airport. The Union Flag is flying right there at the entrance, and would be able to be flown in a united Ireland in certain places at certain times when appropriate.
“Their sovereign” is dead. It’s King Charles now. I don’t see how that’s relevant. These people will still retain their British citizenship and therefore the British sovereign is still their sovereign.
Finally, the DUP distancing themselves from his comments are pathetic. He was being a perfectly reasonable unionist. He hasn’t heard any convincing arguments. If we have any, let him hear them. Fine. But the DUP don’t even want to listen? The DEMOCRATIC party don’t want to listen? Ok. Well done.
Loosely translated: A member of our party has shown a fraction of open-mindedness. We want to clarify that this will not be tolerated. We do not want progress. We do not want a better future for anyone. We reject any form of tolerance or acceptance of others.
Why do they all hate Varadkar?
That was close, there was nearly a whiff of progress. Quick lads, circle the wagons.
Also what are the bets that DUP statement was written by Sammy?
“My emotions are British”
Mr Paisley denied that he changed his mind after drinking a fantastic cup of [tea](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111958/mediaviewer/rm3987378689/?ref_=ttch_ph_3_3) in the south
The coward stuck with the party after they threw his Da under the bus, now they’re throwing him under the bus. Behold the price of cowardice.
‘My emotions are British ‘
If the 6 counties stopped being part of the UK the only thing will change from the UK perspective is that they’ve lost a dead weight. Now I love where I’m from. I love the people British, Irish or whatever makes no difference to me. Apart from the odd few we’re pretty dead on. Now the people in the rest of the UK think of it as Ireland so there won’t be any tears shed by any British except the British of the 6 counties.
The British that think their culture won’t be respected only think this because of how they have treated the Irish culture in the 6 counties. That’s not how it’s gonna happen. It’s not gonna be anti British it’s gonna be pro Irish. Bring your Britishness along with ya, everybody welcome.
Wee Ian knows the craic. He’s swindled as much out of the Brits as he can, a United Ireland could open up many new possibilities for foreign lobbying trips, hooky property deals, big expense accounts.
>“It’s who and what I am. I’m a Brit, I’m a British citizen, I’m a British person, my identity is British, my history is British and my emotions are British,”
Why did he leave out that his Passport is Irish?
You could pick a lot of things out of that DUP statement, and there’s a lot to be concerned about if you are a unionist (even if you don’t vote for them). This promoting the benefits of the UK craic, is this something they plan to do one day or are they that warped that they believe they are *already* doing that?
“Persuasive arguments” = couple of holidays
“I insist that a Cabinet and the Government has to make the case for the United Kingdom, otherwise why are they in this game?”
Lol the delusions! What about that time he was crying in Westminster feeling betrayed by the government. Has he selective amnesia? No. I put it to you Ian that you and your cohorts in hard core unionism know exactly the game you are playing which is basically playing to an audience of gullible bigoted voters while you live the high life. It’s all an act.
It’s so funny that they make out that Varadkar is some raging Republican for having the temerity to not roll over to everything the Brits demanded in a negotiation process he didn’t even want to be having.
Is Paisley not one of the many unionist politicians who fly under an Irish passport?
Sri Lankan hotel critic Paisley has his price …
They don’t seriously believe NI being british forever is a possibility do they?
Persuasive arguments is also what I say when I mean chunky bribes
I thought Unionists kept complaining that Nationalists weren’t doing enough to include them in discussions around a United Ireland? Lo-and-behold, when one suggests something as basic as being willing to “listening to persuasive arguments” they get Lundied….
It’s always been nothing more than a diversionary tactic to delay progress, they don’t care what the arguments are because when it comes down to it they just don’t see us as equally formed people.
Ye might be a Brit when you’re up der in norn iron, but ye will always be a paddy when you cross the sea to your beloved Britain. But hey, if you wanna live on your knee begging for little treats from your British master, knock yourself out wee man.
Comments are closed.