Jim Allister: TUV warns of deeper Irish Sea Border and EU controls in 2026

TUV leader Jim Allister MP

TUV leader Jim Allister MP has warned that Northern Ireland will enter 2026 facing tighter EU controls, increased costs for businesses and further divergence from Great Britain, as he delivered a hard-hitting New Year message criticising the Protocol, Stormont and unionist rivals.

Mr Allister said the new year would “begin where 2025 left off”, with what he described as the continued tightening of European Union restrictions under post-Brexit arrangements.

He pointed to significant regulatory changes coming into effect on 1 January, including a ban on veterinary and pet medicines from Great Britain and the introduction of a new customs regime at the Irish Sea border.

“On 1st January veterinary and pet medicines from GB will be banned and a new regime of tighter customs controls will be imposed at the Irish Sea border – called ICS2 (Import Control System 2), requiring more paperwork and costs, and at a stroke removing much of the proclaimed benefits of ‘the green lane’.”

Mr Allister said the changes exposed what he described as misleading assurances given during negotiations on the Windsor Framework and the restoration of Stormont.

“All of which is a reminder of the dastardly lies told to get the sell-out Donaldson/DUP Deal over the line. Remember ‘no checks, no paperwork’, ‘Irish Sea Border gone’! Sadly, every day since has underscored the audacity of these blatant lies.”

Economy and constitutional direction

The TUV leader argued that the cumulative effect of the Protocol was to fundamentally reshape Northern Ireland’s economic and constitutional direction.

“And, of course, the intended consequence of the Protocol takes shape before our eyes: the reorientation of our economy away from GB and the building of the stepping stone of an all-Ireland economy.”

He said responsibility for implementing the Protocol did not lie solely with Brussels and Westminster, but also with the Northern Ireland Executive.

“The Irish Sea border and Protocol is not just being imposed by Brussels and Westminster, but also by Stormont. You cannot be a Stormont minister without taking a pledge of office which includes implementing the Union-dismantling Protocol.”

Criticism of Stormont and Sinn Féin

Mr Allister was particularly critical of the current power-sharing arrangements, arguing that Stormont devolution was inherently flawed.

“In 2025 the only success of the Stormont Executive was to demonstrate its uselessness!”

He added:

“That Stormont devolution is failing is no surprise, because it can only exist if it has at its heart a party dedicated to the destruction of Northern Ireland.”

Referring to Sinn Féin’s role in government, he said:

“It’s not rocket science to work out that if Sinn Fein doesn’t even want NI to exist, then handing it the levers of power will not cause NI to succeed; quite the opposite!”

Unionism and future elections

Positioning the TUV as a consistent opponent of the Protocol, Mr Allister said his party had benefited politically from its stance.

“While some unionists have faltered and moved from Protocol opponents to Protocol implementers, TUV has stood firm. It is the clarity and certainty of our message that has produced our steady climb in the polls.”

Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, he issued a call to unionists dissatisfied with their current parties.

“As TUV gears up for the 2027 elections now is a good time for unionists who care to come on board.”

He added:

“There is a place for all, including the diminishing remnant of DUP and UUP activists who hold true to the principles of unionism – it’s time to align your conscience with your politics.”

Social and cultural issues

Mr Allister said constitutional matters were not the only focus for the party, highlighting opposition to what he described as a “woke agenda”.

“It is not just constitutional issues that matter. Fighting the woke agenda and particularly the aggressive transgender offensive also matters greatly to TUV.”

He predicted further legal and political challenges in the year ahead.

“2026 will see many such battles as NIHRC and others seek to reverse the effect of the Supreme Court’s acknowledgment of the primacy of biological sex.”

Concluding his message, Mr Allister struck a note of determination.

“We have a mighty job of work to do, but together, we can!”