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DUP conference: Donaldson to call for union support in speech DUP conference: Donaldson warns Liz Truss on Stormont
(32 minutes later)
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is addressing his first Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) conference as party leader shortly. DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has issued a warning to the prime minister over his party's future at Stormont
Members met in Belfast on Saturday for its first annual conference since 2019. Delays were caused by the pandemic. In his first conference speech as leader, he said if his party's demands on the Northern Ireland Protocol are not met "there will be no basis to re-enter Stormont".
Last year saw DUP infighting that led to Arlene Foster and Edwin Poots being ousted as party leader within months of each other. Members met in Belfast on Saturday for its first annual conference since 2019.
Last year, saw DUP infighting that led to Arlene Foster and Edwin Poots being ousted as leader within months.
Sir Jeffrey, who is the MP for Lagan Valley, became leader in June 2021.Sir Jeffrey, who is the MP for Lagan Valley, became leader in June 2021.
He is expected to tell the conference that "unionism should have no barriers to entry beyond a belief that Northern Ireland is best served as a part of the UK". In setting out his demands, he said: "Either the prime minister delivers the provisions of the Protocol Bill by legislation or by negotiation and ensures that our place in the United Kingdom is restored.
"In support of that union, I want us to build a better Northern Ireland, not just for those who share our unionism, but for all our people." "On this issue, it is not words but actions we need to see and we will judge any outcome on the basis of actions not words."
It is understood the DUP leader will call for the "broadest coalition of support" from across the community in support of the union. Sir Jeffrey said his party welcomed the resumption of negotiations between the UK and EU and wished both parties "well".
He will also say that coalition should include "those whose support for the union is based on a cultural, social and historic affinity with Great Britain", as well as "those whose support is grounded more in reason and realism and what is best for them and their families". The DUP leader also reaffirmed his party's long-term commitment to power sharing.
Sir Jeffrey has faced criticism from other political parties for blocking the formation of a new Northern Ireland Executive and assembly at Stormont. "For the benefit of those watching in London and Brussels," he said.
"If decisive action is taken on the protocol that restores our place fully within the United Kingdom, this party will take its place once again in a fully-functioning executive."
On the prospect of an early Assembly election, Sir Jeffrey said: "We are ready and we will take our case to the people as the lead party of unionism.
"We will campaign as never before to secure a further fresh mandate from the people."
NI Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has pledged to call an assembly election if an executive is not formed by 28 OctoberNI Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has pledged to call an assembly election if an executive is not formed by 28 October
He also warned delegates about the pressure his party will face over its refusal to re-enter Stormont.
"In the coming weeks we may be tested as never before," he said
"Let us not be found wanting but rather rise to the challenges ahead so that when future generations look back on this period, they will be able to say of us that our legacy was not based on short-term fixes but on the long-term solutions we secured for all the people in Northern Ireland."
The DUP leader also called for greater unionist unity in the aftermath of the last assembly election.
He blamed "splintered unionism" for seats lost to other parties.
"The outcome of May's election must act as a wake-up call to unionists across Northern Ireland."
He added: "It is vital that lessons are learned in its aftermath and before we return to the polls.
"As unionists, we must be honest with one another; it wasn't nationalists or others who caused the loss of several pro-union seats at the election.
"That was the direct result of a splintered unionism where seats were lost in Strangford, North Antrim and East Antrim."
Sir Jeffrey has faced criticism from other political parties for blocking the formation of a new Northern Ireland Executive and assembly at Stormont.
The party withdrew Paul Givan as first minister in February in protest over the Northern Ireland Protocol, which triggered the collapse of power sharing.The party withdrew Paul Givan as first minister in February in protest over the Northern Ireland Protocol, which triggered the collapse of power sharing.
The DUP wants checks between Great Britain and Northern Ireland to be significantly reduced and has insisted Northern Ireland's place within the UK internal market must be "fully restored".The DUP wants checks between Great Britain and Northern Ireland to be significantly reduced and has insisted Northern Ireland's place within the UK internal market must be "fully restored".
Following the recent assembly election in May, the party said its stance had not changed and that it would remain out of the institutions until "action" is taken on the protocol.
The UK government has been attempting to renegotiate the agreement with the EU, which set out post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland.The UK government has been attempting to renegotiate the agreement with the EU, which set out post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland.
Talks between both sides resumed this week, with British and Irish ministers suggesting progress could be made to reach a new deal.Talks between both sides resumed this week, with British and Irish ministers suggesting progress could be made to reach a new deal.
However, on Thursday Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney warned that a deal was unlikely before 28 October - that is the current deadline for restoring power sharing at Stormont.However, on Thursday Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney warned that a deal was unlikely before 28 October - that is the current deadline for restoring power sharing at Stormont.
The Northern Ireland Secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris, has repeatedly pledged to call an election if a new Stormont Executive is not in place by then.The Northern Ireland Secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris, has repeatedly pledged to call an election if a new Stormont Executive is not in place by then.
'The looming spectre of an election' You can watch Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's speech at the DUP conference on the BBC News NI website from midday and on the BBC iPlayer.
Gone are the DUP conferences when Conservative Party heavyweights were the star turn.
Expect a low-key event that looks and feels very different than other years.
The backdrop to today, of course, is the recent shift in tone between the UK and EU when it comes to doing a deal on the protocol - a deal that may not match what the DUP has been calling for.
Then there is the looming spectre of another assembly election if the DUP refuses to reform an executive within the next three weeks.
Sir Jeffrey spelled out the DUP's plan for exiting Stormont earlier this year, a shift that has curried favour with hard-line unionists.
His speech today therefore is unlikely to include anything resembling a plan for returning to Stormont soon.
You can watch Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's speech at the DUP conference live on the BBC News NI website from midday and on the BBC iPlayer.