Meet the DUP: Northern Ireland unionists set to prop up Theresa May's Government

Kate Proctor10 June 2017
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Northern Ireland unionists look set to become the kingmakers of the hung Parliament.

The 10 MPs from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which is pro-Brexit and right of centre on many issues, could give the Tories a majority.

The DUP regularly sides with the Conservatives in Westminster and senior figures have ruled out an alliance with Labour because of Jeremy Corbyn’s historic links with Sinn Féin.

However, speculation immediately began on what the pro-Leave party would want in return for a formal deal with the Tories.

Ian Paisley Jr, North Antrim 
Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

In contrast with the Conservatives, the DUP manifesto retains the pensions triple lock and universal winter fuel allowance. But it is united around the issue of creating a “seamless and frictionless” border with the Republic after Brexit.

DUP leader Arlene Foster said: “It’s too soon to say what we’re going to do yet, I think we need to see the final make up of Parliament and then we’ll reflect on that.

"I certainly think that there will be contact made over the weekend but I think it is too soon to talk about what we’re going to do.”

The DUP increased its vote share by just over 10 per cent and gained two more MPs, as the rival Ulster Unionists were squeezed out.

It now finds itself facing two sets of talks — possible negotiations over a UK government and ongoing talks to try to revive power-sharing at Stormont, after Sinn Fein walked out over a public spending scandal on renewable energy.

Here are the 10 DUP MPs who could hold the balance of power in Westminster:

Nigel Dodds, Belfast North: The party’s deputy leader has also served in the Northern Ireland Assembly as a finance minister. His office was targeted by the Continuity IRA in 2003.

Ian Paisley Jr, North Antrim: Son of the Rev Ian Paisley, Northern Ireland’s former first minister and DUP founder. He is a vocal parliamentarian and a leading Brexit campaigner.

Gavin Robinson, Belfast East: 32-year-old barrister and former Lord Mayor of Belfast. Party’s youngest face in Westminster.

Emma Little-Pengelly, Belfast South: 37-year-old mother of three is a first-time MP and sole woman in the DUP’s Westminster line-up. She was a special adviser for Rev Ian Paisley and his successor Peter Robinson. Her father Noel Little was a member of the Ulster Resistance involved in a foiled plot to procure weapons for loyalist paramilitaries.

Sammy Wilson, East Antrim: Another former finance minister in the Northern Ireland Assembly, this 64-year-old courted controversy in 2016 when he was recorded allegedly agreeing with a member of the public who said “get the ethnics out”. He denied the claim.

David Simpson, Upper Bann: A Free Presbyterian, he has voted against same sex marriage stating: “In the garden of Eden it was Adam and Eve it wasn’t Adam and Steve.”

Gregory Campbell, East Londonderry: Received notoriety for mocking the Irish language during a meeting of the Assembly. He has supported bringing back the death penalty in the case of mass murder.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, Langan Valley: A major figure in Northern Irish politics, the nation’s longest serving MP and a member of the Orange Order. He was in the Ulster Unionists negotiating team for the Good Friday Agreements but walked out of the talks and later joined the DUP in 2003.

Paul Girvan, South Antrim: He was first elected in 1997 and hailed the deal with Mrs May as giving the DUP "more influence in a tighter Westminster".

Jim Shannon, Stangford: He is a member of the Orange Order. He has topped the Westminster expenses list and was ordered to repay £14,000 to Parliament in 2016 after an expenses investigation into his spending.

Democratic Unionist Party MPs (DUP) - In pictures

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