Opponents prosper with divided unionism, says DUP leader

"In his speech on Saturday, Robinson is expected to renew his calls for greater co-operation between unionist parties. The East Belfast MP will say that "no party or personality should ever trump our shared strategic aims". "Under my leadership, we will be strong, but we will not be selfish," he will say in his speech. Pacemaker Robinson will again express support for being part of Northern Ireland's devolved government, saying "things happen" when DUP ministers hold office."

"He is expected to say: "Those who argue we would be better off with Starmer than with Stormont cannot point to a single area, or a single policy, where it would be better without devolution." The DUP leader will also argue his party stands for "fairness" and "common sense". "For policies rooted in reality, not in radical ideology," he will say. The DUP was previously the largest party in Northern Ireland at Stormont, Westminster and in local councils. But it has been overtaken in recent elections"

Gavin Robinson argues that when unionism is divided, opponents prosper and urges greater co-operation between unionist parties. He acknowledges the Northern Ireland Assembly is far from perfect but rejects suggestions that people would be better off with Starmer than with Stormont. The DUP ended a two-year boycott after a deal with the UK government and now shares power at Stormont with Sinn Fein, the Alliance Party and the UUP. The party faces pressure from smaller rivals such as the TUV. Robinson emphasizes practical policies rooted in fairness and common sense and defends participation in devolved government as effective.

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