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Northern Ireland: DUP on course for gains that could help prop up Tories Northern Ireland: DUP on course for gains that could help prop up Tories
(35 minutes later)
The Democratic Unionist party looks set to make gains in Northern Ireland with a strong chance of taking 10 seats, which could prove vital in helping the Conservatives to form a government in a possible hung parliament.The Democratic Unionist party looks set to make gains in Northern Ireland with a strong chance of taking 10 seats, which could prove vital in helping the Conservatives to form a government in a possible hung parliament.
Sinn Féin, however, has ruled out ditching its historical policy of boycotting Westminster and instead lending its support to Jeremy Corbyn, a key long-term ally in parliament.Sinn Féin, however, has ruled out ditching its historical policy of boycotting Westminster and instead lending its support to Jeremy Corbyn, a key long-term ally in parliament.
In the first sign that the general election would bring a surge in the DUP’s fortunes, its Lagan Valley MP, Jeffrey Donaldson, was returned with a 26,762 votes – up nearly 8,000 on his majority in the last general election. In the first sign that the general election would bring a surge in the DUP’s fortunes, its Lagan Valley MP, Jeffrey Donaldson, was returned with 26,762 votes – up nearly 8,000 on his majority in the last election.
The DUP was on course through the early hours of Friday morning to make gains in South Belfast and South Antrim. Emma Little Pengelly looked likely to take the South Belfast seat off Alasdair McDonnell of the nationalist SDLP. The DUP was on course through the early hours of Friday morning to make gains in South Belfast and South Antrim. Emma Little Pengelly looked likely to take the South Belfast seat from Alasdair McDonnell of the nationalist SDLP.
The overall Northern Ireland result would end up with the DUP holding 10 seats, two more than last time, and possibly having a major say in the formation of the next Westminster government. A revised exit poll put the Conservatives on 322, four short of a majority – which would make the DUP’s support crucial.The overall Northern Ireland result would end up with the DUP holding 10 seats, two more than last time, and possibly having a major say in the formation of the next Westminster government. A revised exit poll put the Conservatives on 322, four short of a majority – which would make the DUP’s support crucial.
Speaking after his victory, Donaldson said the DUP “could be very influential” at Westminster once all the votes were counted. “Even if the Tories get a small majority or there is a hung parliament the DUP MPs this time around will have a big say in terms of national government,” he said. Speaking after his victory, Donaldson said the DUP “could be very influential” at Westminster once all the votes were counted. “Even if the Tories get a small majority or there is a hung parliament, the DUP MPs this time around will have a big say in terms of national government,” he said.
Donaldson stressed that the DUP “would not be parochial but would make decisions that would be beneficial for the whole of the United Kingdom”. On Brexit, he said the party would seek “the best deal possible” for both Northern Ireland and the UK as a whole. Donaldson stressed the DUP “would not be parochial but would make decisions that would be beneficial for the whole of the United Kingdom”. On Brexit, he said the party would seek “the best deal possible” for both Northern Ireland and the UK as a whole.
With the rival Ulster Unionists possibly losing all their seats, Donaldson said the outcome could “bring the day of unionist unity even closer”, which means a single party representing the pro-union position in Northern Ireland.With the rival Ulster Unionists possibly losing all their seats, Donaldson said the outcome could “bring the day of unionist unity even closer”, which means a single party representing the pro-union position in Northern Ireland.
The DUP leader and former first minister Arlene Foster got a euphoric reception from her supporters inside the Titanic Centre in Belfast at about 2am. The DUP leader and former first minister Arlene Foster got a euphoric reception from her supporters inside the Titanic Centre in Belfast at about 2am on Friday.
Asked about backing the Tories in a post-election deal, Foster said: “We have always said that we would put forward the strongest possible team in any Brexit negotiations. Obviously we want devolution back up and running again as quickly as possible so we can have a discussion about getting a distinctive Northern Ireland voice. It’s important we have that Northern Ireland voice in those Brexit negotiations.”Asked about backing the Tories in a post-election deal, Foster said: “We have always said that we would put forward the strongest possible team in any Brexit negotiations. Obviously we want devolution back up and running again as quickly as possible so we can have a discussion about getting a distinctive Northern Ireland voice. It’s important we have that Northern Ireland voice in those Brexit negotiations.”
Foster said the DUP’s resurgence after losing votes in the Stormont assembly election in March “underscored the fact that Northern Ireland remains British”.Foster said the DUP’s resurgence after losing votes in the Stormont assembly election in March “underscored the fact that Northern Ireland remains British”.
Sinn Féin was the other the big winner, with the party poised to wrest the Foyle seat off the SDLP MP Mark Durkan. The SDLP has dominated the Derry constituency for decades and its defeat there signals its terminal decline in the face of a post-peace process Sinn Féin surge.Sinn Féin was the other the big winner, with the party poised to wrest the Foyle seat off the SDLP MP Mark Durkan. The SDLP has dominated the Derry constituency for decades and its defeat there signals its terminal decline in the face of a post-peace process Sinn Féin surge.
The SDLP was in danger of losing all its seats at Westminster including Margaret Ritchie in South Down, where Sinn Féin’s Chris Hazard has mounted a very serious challenge. The SDLP was in danger of losing all its seats at Westminster, including Margaret Ritchie in South Down, where Sinn Féin’s Chris Hazard has mounted a very serious challenge.
Gerry Adams, the Sinn Féin president, ruled out any possibility that the party would reverse its traditional policy of boycotting Westminster. Adams said: “No. If we are fortunate enough to have candidates elected as MPs it will on the basis that we will not be going to take our seats in Westminster.”Gerry Adams, the Sinn Féin president, ruled out any possibility that the party would reverse its traditional policy of boycotting Westminster. Adams said: “No. If we are fortunate enough to have candidates elected as MPs it will on the basis that we will not be going to take our seats in Westminster.”