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The upcoming annual conference of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) will be the stage for leader Gavin Robinson to address the importance of unity within unionism. Robinson is set to highlight the challenges faced by the Northern Ireland Assembly while emphasizing that division only serves to benefit their opponents. He will acknowledge the imperfections of Stormont but reject the idea that an alternative like Starmer would be preferable to the status quo.
This conference marks Robinson’s second as DUP leader and since the restoration of devolution in 2024 following a two-year hiatus, during which the DUP had boycotted the institutions in protest over post-Brexit trade rules. The party’s return to power-sharing with the Irish republican party Sinn Féin, the Alliance Party, and the Ulster Unionist Party has placed them under increased pressure from smaller rivals like the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV). Robinson is expected to advocate for greater collaboration among unionist parties, emphasizing shared strategic goals over individual interests.
Robinson will reiterate his support for Northern Ireland’s devolved government, citing the positive impact of DUP ministers in office. He will argue against those who suggest that the region would be better off without Stormont, emphasizing the party’s commitment to fairness and common sense policies rooted in reality. With Sinn Féin overtaking the DUP in recent elections, including securing the first minister position in the Northern Ireland Executive, the upcoming conference holds significance as the first since Michelle McIlveen assumed the role of deputy leader.
Political correspondent Gareth Gordon draws parallels between the TUV’s relationship with the DUP and Reform UK’s position with Labour and the Conservatives, highlighting Jim Allister’s continued influence since departing the DUP to form his own party. While the TUV has struggled to translate voter support into assembly seats, recent polling indicates a potential challenge to the DUP’s dominance. Attacks on Sinn Féin are expected to feature prominently at the conference, with the Alliance leader suggesting that the DUP’s election campaign for 2027 has already begun. The dynamics between the DUP, TUV, and other unionist parties remain fluid, setting the stage for a potentially transformative period in Northern Irish politics
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