Irish Independent Interview With DUP Leader

The Irish Independent interviewed recently the Leader of the DUP, u/PaxBritannicus.

The interview touched on the issues of Northern Irish identity and Brexit and all the issues affected by it.

Note: Bold is the question put by the reporter.

Ok, so Pax, thank you for agreeing to do this interview with the paper. Why should Irish Catholic Nationalists vote for the DUP at this election?

First of all, thank you for speaking to me and for giving me an opportunity to make my case to voters who are not the DUP's traditional constituency. In our manifesto, released just last week, the DUP set out our plan for Northern Ireland, and this is a plan which absolutely involves and benefits members of all communities. The union aside, I believe that many Irish Catholic Nationalists will find themselves sympathetic to our stance on issues such as same sex marriage and abortion, as well as our pledge to fundamentally protect traditions and the right to assembly, regardless of whether or not it concerns a 12th of July Parade or St. Patrick's Day March. The fact is, the only way that Northern Ireland can move forward is with a healthy respect for one another's traditions, and the DUP absolutely pledge to uphold and protect those events, traditions and customs which are near and dear to Irish Nationalists.

Do you think that this election so far has been a traditional orange v green election? Or more of a right v left election and why?

I think that thus far, and though it is something of a cliche, this has been an election of right vs. wrong. I stood on a platform with the leader of the Green Party just a few days ago, because he and I agree that environmentalism is absolutely vital. Now, I would describe myself as a unionist, as you may have gathered, and the leader of the Northern Ireland Greens is a soft nationalist and an ardent left winger. However, we managed to find common ground on the issues that matter, and I absolutely think that this election could show us that the people of Northern Ireland are moving slowly but surely away from voting along the "orange vs. green" lines that you mentioned in your question.

How will the DUP react to the possible realisation of a hard border between the North and the Republic?

The DUP will, fundamentally, oppose the imposition of a hard border between the North and the Republic, which would damage businesses and border communities. This is our policy, and under my leadership, has always been DUP policy, and it is important to realize that - whilst I seek to avoid a United Ireland - the Common Travel Area between the North and the Republic is integral to the economy of both countries.

How does the DUP plan to use its influence in the government to ensure that the hard border does not become a reality as a result of Brexit?

In my capacity of Secretary of State for Business, Industry and Trade, I will have some say over the negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union, and I will use this opportunity to ensure that a hard border is avoided, and that the Common Travel Area can be maintained.

As of yet, however, the British people have yet to vote on whether or not they wish to remain in the Single Market. Remaining in the Single Market would mean that a hard border with the Republic would no longer be an issue on the table, and I would like to wait for the results of this referendum before discussing in detail our plan for a Brexit deal for Northern Ireland. The composition of this deal fundamentally relies on whether or not the British people wish to leave or remain in the Single Market.

In the event that the people vote to leave the single market, what will the plan be to keep the border open?

The Common Travel Area has existed since 1923, well before the European Union, and I see no reason for this to change in a post-Brexit world. The CTA agreement is seperate from our place in the European Union, and a frictionless border with the Republic can continue to exist well after our exit from the EU, regardless of whether or not the British people vote to leave the Single Market.

But won't leaving the single market mean customs posts and a hard border? It's either that or having your hands tied to EU legislation?

Leaving the single market does not necessarily have to mean a hard border, and whilst the European Union views customs checks as an important part of policing standards of food and goods, the fact remains that the Common Travel Area already has irregularities within it, such as the fact that some nationalities are visa-free in the UK but not in the Republic. To my mind, it is absolutely viable to remain a part of the Common Travel Area whilst leaving the single market.

The EU have to be flexible on this issue, just as the government intends to be. Neither the British nor the Irish government wants a hard border, and the EU has absolutely no mandate to prevent the maintenance of the Common Travel Area.

Thank you for answering the question What do you make of recent rumours that a Unionist Party may be running in the South?

This is certainly an interesting rumour, given that the Republic has had a history of opposition to the United Kingdom. Whilst I do not believe that a Unionist Party in the south would be highly popular or viable in the modern day, I am always interested to see the public reaction to ideas which are considered fringe by some.

If the DUP were in a situation to take the office of First Minister, would you? And if so, what difference would it make?

If the DUP polled well at a Stormont General Election, I would relish the opportunity to take the role of First Minister. I believe that one of the most significant things that the DUP could bring to the table as a part of the Northern Ireland Executive are our positive cross-party relations, which would make reforms all the more likely and much more viable, Similarly, I think that - as the effective head of state of Northern Ireland - a DUP First Minister would act effectively to enact change within the UK and to maintain Northern Ireland's relationship with the rest of the United Kingdom.

I pride myself on my ability to be able to talk to anybody, and I believe that this is a virtue that any First Minister must have.

Thank you, why should people vote DUP?

The DUP have, this term, a record as stellar representatives. Over 40% of legislation before Stormont this term has been written by a member of the DUP, and it is always our aim to represent voters with pragmatic solutions to problems such as education, health and the environment, and with a healthy respect for tradition in all communities on the social issues.