The loss of majority has forced the Conservatives to seek support from Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to form the government, bringing into focus a right-wing party that had been given typically little attention nationally.
The DUP, the largest unionist party in Northern Ireland, raised its number of seats to 10 from eight, potentially providing the Conservatives with the majority they would need in Parliament.
“We will enter discussions with the Conservatives about how it may be possible to bring stability to our nation at this time of great challenge,” said Arlene Foster, the head of the DUP.
Formed in 1971 by Ian Paisley, the party’s top priorities, according to its manifesto, include the restoration of a working assembly and executive in Northern Ireland, a rise in the minimum wage and a commitment to universal welfare benefits.
It pushes for new free trade deals globally as well as a “comprehensive free trade and customs agreement with the European Union”. On Brexit, it is pushing for an “effective immigration policy, which meets the skills, labour and security needs of the U.K.”
Cause of concern
However, some of the party’s other stances are raising concerns about where British politics could head now, with the party adopting a much more influential position. Northern Ireland is the only part of the U.K. where same-sex marriage is not legal, after the DUP exercised a veto.
It has also blocked attempts to change Northern Ireland’s strict laws on abortion. There are also concerns about the party’s stance on issues such as climate change, with the manifesto making little mention of any commitment to renewable energy.
“The DUP is stuffed with climate change deniers, homophobes and misogynists. May’s alliance is a dishonorable coalition of chaos,” tweeted the British environmental and political activist George Monbiot.
