DUP must think 'long-term' to improve position - Robinson

Gavin Robinson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), has called on unionism to adopt a long-term perspective and utilize the ballot box as a tool following a challenging week for his party. In a letter to party members, Robinson expressed concern over the actions of Sinn Féin and Northern Ireland's First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, who supported an allegedly unlawful protest on the Garvaghy Road.

This protest has hindered the annual Drumcree Orange Order parade, which many unionists view with anger and disgust. Robinson cautioned that disbanding the Assembly could potentially bolster Sinn Féin's position. He emphasized that the DUP's subsequent actions will be determined by pragmatic decisions aimed at bolstering, rather than weakening, unionism during this pivotal period.

The recent events surrounding the Drumcree stand-off resulted in Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart's resignation from the DUP party but she remains a member. Additionally, a legal challenge against the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Bryant, on the ban of the Drumcree parade from the Garvaghy Road is anticipated to be decided in the coming week.

Meanwhile, O'Neill, Sinn Féin president Mary-Lou McDonald, and other party members have been participating in voluntary police interviews as part of the probe into potential violations of the Parades Commission ruling, which permits the parade along the Garvaghy Road for the first time in almost three decades.

Robinson underscored that justice must not only be administered but must also be perceived as being carried out. He recounted conversations with individuals across Northern Ireland who have expressed their anger and disgust at Sinn Féin and O'Neill's actions. Before Sinn Féin's dissolution of Stormont in 2017, the combined votes of the DUP, Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), and Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) totaled 45.2%.

However, their combined vote fell to 43.5% in the subsequent election, resulting in unionism losing its overall majority in the Assembly for the first time ever. At the 2022 election, unionism's overall vote dropped to 40.1%, and Sinn Féin became the largest party. Robinson affirmed that Sinn Féin's actions would not go unanswered, but he assured that his party will make decisions designed to strengthen unionism.

He stated that taking steps to prevent the Executive from functioning, without a budget and without a plan, would weaken unionism and Northern Ireland in the long run.

Despite acknowledging that Stormont is not flawless, Robinson stressed that the Executive cannot be dismissed merely because Sinn Féin has been given a mandate by the people who voted for them. He urged the UK government to introduce effective and meaningful sanctions, emphasizing that no one can be both the accuser and the judge.

Robinson addressed party members, stating that the upcoming Assembly election presents an opportunity for unionists to respond to O'Neill's arrogance. He called for unionism to put aside personal attacks and unite, emphasizing that every unionist representative desires Northern Ireland's prosperity. Robinson believes that all unionists can agree on the common goal of electing as many unionist MLAs and councillors as possible in the upcoming year.

He firmly stated that the decisions made in the coming weeks will significantly influence Northern Ireland's trajectory in the years ahead, and they will not allow lawlessness and arrogance to prevail.