DUP campaign analysis: The DUP is determined to tackle Sinn Fein head on top the poll, but it is an approach that could backfire, writes Gerry Moriarty, Northern Editor
Mr Jim Allister certainly knows how to throw down the gauntlet, both to unionists and nationalists. What he wants to achieve in this European joust is very clear: to parade into Brussels after June 10th as the European Parliament poll topper in Northern Ireland.
And to attain that goal he has made it abundantly clear that the central issue of this campaign for him and the DUP is defeating Sinn Féin to secure the No.1 position that his predecessor, the Rev Ian Paisley, secured in the past five European elections.
That poses great difficulties for the Ulster Unionists and the SDLP. Should a substantial majority of the electorate accept that that is what this election primarily is about, then this could turn out to be the second round of the DUP vs Sinn Féin tussle, first fought in the Assembly elections of last autumn.
To be sidelined in this election is certainly not in the interests of the SDLP's Mr Martin Morgan, or of Mr Jim Nicholson of the UUP. But Mr Allister's ambition may paradoxically also serve Sinn Féin's ambition.
It is quite a challenge for the SDLP and Ulster Unionists to resist that strategy, particularly as Mr Allister appeared yesterday - intentionally or unintentionally - to almost taunt nationalists into voting Sinn Féin.
"If the people of Northern Ireland, particularly the nationalist community, are so foolish and short-sighted - and that is their prerogative - not to elect democrats to represent them, then consequences flow: detriment to the capacity of the three MEPs to work together," he said.
"Foolish", and "short-sighted" are incendiary comments that might not only ensure the highly-politicised Sinn Féin voters turn out on June 10th, but could also prompt waverers or floating SDLP supporters to switch to Sinn Féin.
Certainly, should Sinn Féin's candidate, Ms Bairbre de Brún, attract more votes than he does, it would be a "worldwide propaganda coup" for Sinn Féin, as Mr Allister himself said in his speech yesterday.
With both Mr Allister and Mr Nicholson conceding that there is a danger of unionist apathy assisting the nationalist cause, there is an element of gambling to this strategy. But Mr Allister and the DUP team seem confident this is the sure way to top the poll.
One thing is sure: Mr Allister will not co-operate with Ms de Brun if both are returned. "Let me make it plain," he said. "So long as Sinn Féin has its secret army, so long as Sinn Féin is mired in violence, so long as Sinn Féin equals IRA as the IMC reports shows that they do, then so long will I not treat them as democratic parties like the rest."
But he did not deviate from the new DUP policy that if the IRA goes out of business Dr Paisley and his party will deal with Sinn Féin.
"The DUP will not bestow executive power upon Sinn Féin before they are demonstrably committed to exclusively peaceful and democratic means and practices," he said, by implication conceding the DUP could work with Sinn Féin.
And that's some trick: hammering Sinn Féin while acknowledging it could go into an executive with republicans.
It's also interesting that he is seeking to work in Europe while being opposed to Europe. "If the United Kingdom could extricate itself from the tentacles of the European Union and establish itself viably and economically, then I would be the first to enthuse about that prospect," he said.
"But as long as we are part of the European Union, then I will bend all my efforts to extract for Northern Ireland the best deal we can," said Mr Allister, who believes, "on the whole", that "the EU has been negative" for Northern Ireland.