DUP leader calls for unionist parties to co-operate

The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party called for more political co-operation among unionist parties in his address following the Belfast Twelfth of July parade.

“When unionism splits, unionism loses,” said Gavin Robinson, who was the main speaker at the Belfast field.

He cited the loss of the Lagan Valley Westminster seat to Alliance in the 2024 general election as an example and called for talks between unionists on more political co-operation.

His views were echoed by the Orange Order’s deputy grand master Harold Henning, who called for “closer collaboration between the leadership” of unionist parties to “maximise unionist representation at all levels of government”.

Thousands of people took part in Orange Order parades across Northern Ireland on Saturday.

The annual marches commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

The event is also a celebration of Protestant traditions and Ulster-Scots heritage.

Robinson said the Twelfth was about “faith and freedom”, but told the assembled crowd some people dismissed the event and “would rather we keep our heads down”.

“It crosses class, it bridges geography and it cuts across party political lines,” he said.

He was also critical of the Labour government and the Windsor Framework, calling the Northern Ireland Protocol “a once in a generation act of self-harm to the union”.

He said unionists had received “broken promises” from the Labour government, adding that it was not prioritising Northern Ireland.

The framework is Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit deal which covers trade and human rights.

Speaking at the Twelfth event in Maghera, County Londonderry, Mr Henning said he wanted to send a message of collaboration to unionist politicians.

“Cooperation between our political representatives must be encouraged – more than that, it should be demanded and country should always come before party or individual self-interest,” he said.

Robinson’s party colleague, Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Emma Little -Pengelly said people wanted to see a “united front” within the Orange Order and political unionism.

“Within every hall, within every lodge, there are people from all different shades of unionism, all different types of political views within the unionist family, and yet they walk together, they are friends, they are brethren, regardless of those particular shades of unionism,” she said.

“That’s a big message for political unionism.”