Stormont powersharing that “delivers for everyone” is “essential” in securing Northern Ireland’s place within the UK, Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Jeffrey Donaldson has said.
Addressing delegates at the party conference in Belfast on Saturday, Mr Donaldson insisted he “still believes” in the devolved institutions and rounded on republicans who “perpetuate the myth that Northern Ireland is a failed and ungovernable political entity” requiring a “divisive border poll”.
“Having no say in our future will not a be a recipe for success,” he warned.
There has been no functioning government in the North for 20 months after the DUP effectively collapsed Stormont when its former First Minister Paul Givan quit the executive in protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements.
Negotiations between the UK government and the DUP have been ongoing for months to deal with the impasse.
Mr Donaldson confirmed progress had been made in relation to its concerns about the Windsor Framework, the agreement drawn up between the UK government and EU earlier this year to replace the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol.
However, delegates heard that there “remains more work to do” to protect Northern Ireland’s place within the UK internal market.
“I am hopeful that remaining concerns can be addressed as quickly as possible,” Mr Donaldson said.
One of the main parts of the framework deal – the green/red lane system for the movement of goods – became operational at Northern Ireland ports earlier this month.
Mr Donaldson said his party has repeatedly called for a “pragmatic approach” in dealing with customs arrangements but warned that “any new arrangements must be capable of commanding the support of unionists as well as nationalists”.
To loud applause, he added: “The rights of unionists cannot be diminished, sidelined, or treated in a way that is less important than those of nationalists.”
North Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris recently confirmed that the private negotiations between UK politicians and the DUP on the framework deal are in their “final stages” amid speculation that a resolution is in sight.
Referring to the talks, Mr Donaldson told delegates that there will “come a point” when the party will have to determine if “the outcome of the discussions measures up to our objectives…and whether there is a sustainable basis for moving forward”.
As a result, he said, the conference is taking place “when all eyes are upon us”.
“Not for the first time, London, other Northern Ireland political parties, and no doubt even those in Dublin, will be straining to hear what is said from our proceedings,” he said.
The DUP, according to Mr Donaldson, has a “proven track-record of saying yes and leading from the front when it’s right to do so.
“Equally, we will not be afraid to say no if we conclude that what is on offer does not adequately deal with our fundamental concerns and is not in the best long-term interests of our place in the Union.
“This party will not be bullied or threatened by anyone, whomever they purport to represent. We will take our own counsel and our own decisions.”
Amid the political deadlock, the DUP leader dismissed ‘direct rule’ by Westminster as a “better option” for governing Northern Ireland.
“Time and again, Westminster has imposed laws upon us that are not in tune with the needs or wishes of the people of Northern Ireland,” he said.
Pledging his support for the powersharing structures, he added: “This party still believes in having locally elected representatives take decisions in the best interest of our people.
“But more than that if we want to make the positive case for the Union then having local institutions that succeed in delivering for everyone in Northern Ireland is an essential element in building our case.”
