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The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) addressed the annual party conference, stating that “when unionism is divided, our opponents prosper.”
Gavin Robinson conceded that the Northern Ireland Assembly was “far from perfect,” but countered assertions that the public would be “better off with Starmer than with Stormont.”
The conference, commencing on Saturday morning, marks his second as DUP leader and since the restoration of devolution in 2024, following a two-year suspension.
The DUP had previously blocked the institutions in protest of post-Brexit trade regulations, ultimately ending its boycott after reaching an agreement with the UK government.
The DUP currently shares power at Stormont with Sinn Féin, the Alliance Party, and the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).
However, the party has faced increasing pressure in recent elections from smaller rival factions, including the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV).
In his speech on Saturday, Robinson reiterated his call for increased collaboration among unionist parties.
The East Belfast MP emphasized that “no party or personality should ever trump our shared strategic aims.”
“Under my leadership, we will be strong, but we will not be selfish,” he affirmed.
The DUP conference, held in a hotel just outside Belfast, is the first since Michelle McIlveen assumed the role of the party’s deputy leader.
On Saturday morning, members of a prominent evangelical Christian family staged a protest outside the conference venue.
On Friday evening, Martina Burke and her son Josiah confronted Education Minister Paul Givan, accusing him of promoting LGBT rights in schools. They engaged in similar behavior with the Education Authority chairman, Mervyn Storey, last month.
Robinson voiced support for Northern Ireland’s devolved government, noting that “things happen” when DUP ministers hold office.
“Those who argue we would be better off with Starmer than with Stormont cannot point to a single area, or a single policy, where it would be better without devolution,” he stated.
The DUP leader also asserted that his party advocates for “fairness” and “common sense.”
“For policies rooted in reality, not in radical ideology,” he added.
The DUP formerly held the position of the largest party in Northern Ireland at Stormont, Westminster, and in local councils.
However, it has been surpassed in recent elections by Sinn Féin, with the latter party assuming the first minister post in the Northern Ireland Executive for the first time last year.
By Gareth Gordon, BBC News NI political correspondent
Recurring themes dominated the conference speeches.
Attacks on Sinn Féin: Check.
Attacks on the TUV and Alliance: Check.
The DUP as the party of “common sense”: Check.
Devolution good, any other form of government bad.
Or as DUP figures reiterated, “Stormont not Starmer.”
This message is aimed at both internal and external audiences.
The two-year Stormont boycott over the protocol will not be repeated, which somewhat diminishes the impact of the consistent attacks on Sinn Féin.
There were also customary appeals for unionist unity to maximize unionist representation in the next assembly election in 2027.
However, one of the target parties – the TUV – would readily collapse Stormont, which is contrary to Robinson’s agenda.
Read the live coverage of Robinson’s speech here.
The DUP assembly member spoke after chairing a meeting focused on addressing abuse directed at politicians.
Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly appeared before a Stormont assembly scrutiny committee.
Steve Aiken requested that Nuala McAllister apologize for calling him “patronizing,” but she declined.
The Army withdrew from a jobs fair in Londonderry following objections from nationalist councillors.
The DUP leader stated that his party will not permit “discrimination” against individuals pursuing a career in the armed forces.
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