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TUV set to hold annual conference Robinson 'clings to sinking ship'
(about 4 hours later)
Traditional Unionist Voice is to hold its annual conference in Belfast on Saturday. TUV leader Jim Allister has accused the Northern Ireland Executive of being the most "wretched, useless government anywhere in the western world".
The party was founded in 2007 by former DUP member Jim Allister, who opposed going into government with Sinn Fein. Mr Allister told delegates at its annual conference policing and justice would have already been devolved if it wasn't for the TUV's opposition.
A former MEP, he lost his seat to the DUP's Diane Dodds in 2009, but polled 66,197 votes. He said DUP leader Peter Robinson was "clinging to a sinking ship".
Among the motions to be debated is a call for the resignation of the education minister over the scrapping of academic selection. He pledged to give a voice to unionists who want to move towards voluntary coalition and an opposition role.
During this debate a keynote address will be given by former North Down UK Unionist MP Robert McCartney, speaking in his capacity as chairman of the National Grammar Schools Association. Mr Allister, a former DUP member, formed the party in 2007 based on opposition to power-sharing with Sinn Fein.
He hit out at what he called "the evil of mandatory coalition", the system set out by the Good Friday Agreement whereby any power-sharing executive must include all the major parties with both unionists and nationalists holding vetoes.
"TUV is certainly opposed to terrorists in government, but as we've often said we are not opposed to shared government through the democratic route of voluntary coalition," he said.
"After every election, those who can agree a platform and collectively command the requisite majority in the Assembly form the government.
"Those who cannot, form the opposition, challenging and affording voters an alternative at the next election."
He added: "Guarantee entry to government by right, rather than by merit and don't be surprised when you inevitably get bad government."
A former MEP, Mr Allister lost his seat to the DUP's Diane Dodds in the June European election, but put a significant dent in the DUP's vote.