DUP to hold first conference since Jeffrey Donaldson charges

One of his first challenges as leader was steering the DUP through the general election in July, which saw the party lose three of its seats at Westminster.

Robinson is expected to say that while the next assembly election is two and a half years away, the party “must use the season wisely”.

“What we plant now, we must be ready to harvest, not for the DUP, but for Northern Ireland. The work has already started and will continue in the weeks ahead,” he will say.

“The opportunity is great, but hope alone won’t secure it. Action is hope. There is no hope without action… and if we don’t grasp this moment who will?”

The Belfast East MP is expected to criticise those within unionism who have “thrived on attacking one another”.

“Let me say very clearly, I am not interested. Our electorate is not interested .

“For our part I am not prepared to be part of a cycle of pro-union in-fighting between people who should be working together and who say they share the same goal,” he will tell the conference.