Timothy Gaston: ‘Unionism stronger with variety, not one party’

North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston taking part in a debate at Queen’s University

North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston has said unionism is “stronger with variety” and warned that calls for a single unionist party would “weaken us in the long term.”

Mr Gaston was reflecting on his participation in a Queen’s University Belfast Literific Society debate earlier this week on the motion “A Single Unionist Party.”

The MLA said it was his first time at Queen’s and his first experience of speaking at a debating society event.

“I had the pleasure of speaking first on behalf of the opposition and speaking from a place of where I believe and want unionism to go,” he said.

Mr Gaston said while there is frequent discussion about “unionist unity,” few agree on what that means in practice.

“Is it about throwing everyone into one party, or is it about working towards having only two parties? I believe unionism will become stronger with two, a liberal party and a traditional party,” he said.

‘A single party would weaken unionism’

The North Antrim representative argued that the idea of merging all unionists into one political party is misguided.

“Having one unionist party is the romantic idea touted to solve all our ills, but it simply won’t,” he said.

“History tells us that one party won’t last. The last time we had unionist unity was with the 2021 joint Ulster Day Declaration for unalterable opposition to the Protocol. When the sniff of a return to Stormont came along, both the DUP and UUP moved ground, leaving the TUV and PUP holding firm that the Protocol must go.”

Mr Gaston said that while one party might create a “short-term bounce,” it would ultimately damage unionism in the long run.

“Variety gives choice and increases turnout,” he said.

“Variety safeguards against scandal. Variety has allowed the TUV to bring strength to unionism.”

‘Guided by Christian values’

Mr Gaston described himself as a “conviction-led politician” guided by his Christian principles, which he said form the foundation of his approach to politics and unionism.

“I believe Northern Ireland is still a Christian and conservative country. Since coming to the Assembly I’ve ensured TUV have continued to be a leading force in the Assembly, standing up for our traditional values,” he said.

He said he was proud to stand up for single-sex spaces, working-class communities, and farmers, adding:

“Proud to stand up for the protection of single-sex spaces. Proud to stand up for our working-class communities, which have been changed without consent through both legal and illegal immigration. Proud to stand up for our farmers, who are being attacked through the wokery of the Environment Minister.”

He added that disagreement on such values only reinforces his belief in the need for diversity within unionism.

“If you don’t agree with me on these basic points, well, that’s the best argument for why we need more than one unionist party,” he said.

‘Encouraged by debate at Queen’s’

Mr Gaston said he left the debate “encouraged,” praising the quality of contributions from students and fellow speakers.

“I left encouraged on Thursday night. I found I agreed with something in everyone’s speech,” he said.

“The students spoke exceptionally well, with Jay Basra, David Bingham, Grant Warren and Jack Steele articulating strong arguments and showing the very able Moore Holmes, Jeff Dudgeon, Peter Martin and myself how it was done.”

He also praised the debate’s chair, Baroness Hoey, describing her as “excellent and articulate.”

Concluding, Mr Gaston said events like the Literific debate could mark the beginning of a wider discussion about the future direction of unionism.

“Events such as these could well be the start of the conversation,” he said.