Unionist leaders reject claims election results have weakened the UK - as DUP minister says NI is not led by a nationalist
Unionists have dismissed claims that the Union has been weakened by last week’s election results in Great Britain, which will return nationalist first minister in both Scotland and Wales.
Sinn Fein said the results show that the “desire for independence cannot be ignored”, with the First Minister saying she looked forward to “working closely with John Swinney and Rhun ap Iorwerth” to “continue the momentum towards constitutional change”.
Michelle O’Neill’s co-equal in the Executive Office, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, rejected the idea Northern Ireland is being led by a “pro-independence” First Minister – pointing out that it is “a joint role with a Unionist”.
The DUP minister said “it is Unionism that is the biggest grouping in the Northern Ireland Assembly, not nationalism” – and argued that a clear majority of ballots cast in the UK nations were for pro-Union parties.
In England, Reform UK made huge gains from Labour in local councils – with the left-wing Green Party having its most successful election yet.
The Scottish National Party (SNP) fell short of an overall majority in Edinburgh, however Holyrood now has a clear pro-independence majority after a good election for the Greens.
Labour, which has dominated Welsh politics for a century, was swept aside by Plaid Cymru who will now seek to form a minority government in the Senned. While the party’s long term goal is an independent Wales, it did not run its campaign on the issue.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows said the Union “is ever evolving” and has been for hundreds of years – and “unionism remains strong in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland alike”.
The North Antrim MLA said: “The elections on the mainland reinforce what we already knew: the four nations of the United Kingdom are stronger and safer together.
“In a fast-changing world of geopolitical threats, but also a shifting political landscape, we must strengthen our Union, not weaken it, working together to deliver greater prosperity, security and opportunity for all our people. I look forward to working with new colleagues across the United Kingdom.
“With regard to the Prime Minister and this Labour Government, this should serve as a serious wake-up call: delivery and trust matters, and it is clearly lacking.
“They must start listening. The King’s Speech this Wednesday will prove whether they have actually done so”.
The DUP leader said the results “reflect the fact people are fed up with non delivery and always being asked to pay more”.
Gavin Robinson said: “Labour has been punished for its failure to tackle illegal immigration and the consequences flowing from it, for failing to reward hard work, and for a growing sense that this Government’s record is one of the worst ever.
“Results in Scotland and Wales will inevitably be seized upon by those who seek constitutional change, but the success of the SNP and Plaid Cymru was primarily a vehicle for voters to register dissatisfaction with Labour. In reality it does not mean constitutional change is any further advanced”.
“Whilst Sinn Fein remains obsessed with chasing headlines and ever-changing promises around border polls, our focus is on making Northern Ireland work within the United Kingdom for the benefit of everyone.”
On Friday, the TUV said it welcomed the upsurge in support for Reform across Great Britain – saying it was “good to see a shake up of the old political order which has failed the public”.
In Scotland, the SNP won 58 MSPs – seven short of a majority and down from the 64 the party won in 2021. Reform UK were tied with Labour for second place, with 17 MSPs each. The Scottish Greens returned 15 MSPs, a record high.
In Wales, Plaid Cymru won 43 seats, Reform UK 34, Labour nine, the Welsh Conservatives seven, Greens two and one Liberal Democrat was returned on a turnout of 51.6% - the highest in Senedd’s history.
Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said his party will seek to form a minority Government – hailing the result as a “new beginning” for Wales.
He said no Prime Minister “can cast Wales aside or turn a blind eye to our needs” in a victory speech on the steps of the Welsh Parliament.