Conservative leader Theresa May has reportedly struck a deal with the Democratic Unionists Party in order to form a government.
There is yet to be any news about whether the deal will be a formal coalition or a “confidence and supply” deal, where Unionists will support a minority Conservative government on vital matters in return for support of some of their policies.
“We want there to be a government. We have worked well with May. The alternative is intolerable. For as long as Corbyn leads Labour, we will ensure there’s a Tory PM.” said a source from the DUP this morning.
“There are special circumstances in Northern Ireland and we will try to make sure these are recognised. As regards demands for special status within the European Union, no. Because that would create tariffs and barriers between Northern Ireland and our single biggest market, which is the rest of the United Kingdom” said Nigel Dodds, who was re-elected as North Belfast MP.
“While we will focus on the special circumstances, geography and certain industries of Northern Ireland we will be pressing that home very strongly. Special status, however, within the European Union is a nonsense. Dublin doesn’t support it. Brussels doesn’t support it. The member states of the EU would never dream of it because it would open the door to a Pandora’s box of independence movements of all sorts. The only people who mentioned this are Sinn Féin.” he finished.
Whilst the two parties may be natural allies, they do have several key opposing views, which could hinder a coalition.
The DUP are opposing a hard Brexit and have long opposed gay marriage in Northern Ireland. Senior figures in the party have called these issues a “red line” for power-sharing talks, which could pose barriers in forming a coalition between the two parties.