Reform UK’s Prominent Presence in Northern Ireland Politics
Despite not fielding candidates in Northern Ireland, Reform UK has maintained a notable presence this weekend. Robert Jenrick, a Reform UK MP and chancellor hopeful, was a special guest at a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) dinner. He also participated in the party's podcast and accompanied DUP leader Gavin Robinson on a walk through Belfast's Shankill Road.
Simultaneously, another Reform UK MP, Danny Kruger, was the guest speaker at the annual conference of the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV), a rival unionist party to the DUP.
Kruger’s appearance at the TUV conference in Cookstown is somewhat unexpected. Previously, when Reform UK figures spoke at a TUV event, Richard Tice and Jim Allister announced an electoral partnership ahead of the 2024 general election. This was followed by Reform leader Nigel Farage publicly endorsing two DUP candidates, Sammy Wilson and Ian Paisley, the latter defending his North Antrim seat against Allister.
Jim Allister expressed disappointment at Farage’s support for Paisley but it did not hinder his campaign. He defeated Paisley in what was considered the most significant upset in Northern Ireland during that election. Allister considered taking the Reform UK whip at Westminster but ultimately chose to support the party on shared interests such as opposition to the Irish Sea border.
Trust Issues and Political Realities
Regarding Nigel Farage, Robert Jenrick addressed a past comment suggesting a united Ireland would happen "one day."
"I've heard people mention that comment," said Jenrick. "I've had many conversations with Nigel. That is not his view I can assure you."
The DUP, meanwhile, had strongly supported Boris Johnson’s 2018 conference statement that no British prime minister could ever agree to a border in the Irish Sea. However, a year later, Johnson’s government agreed to such a border, a move the DUP did not anticipate.
Jenrick commented on the DUP’s approach to alliances:
"You love many, trust few and always paddle your own canoe and that's exactly what the Democratic Unionist Party does."
He noted the challenge for smaller local parties when partnering with larger ones, as it often means relinquishing some control. Nonetheless, these parties continue to pursue such alliances.
Alliance and SDLP Host Andy Burnham
Andy Burnham, the Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, recently addressed the Alliance party conference in Belfast. Opening with a pointed remark, he said:
"It's nice to feel wanted by a political party."
This was a subtle critique of his own party’s National Executive Committee, which had blocked his candidacy in the Gorton and Denton by-election. Burnham was warmly received by two Northern Ireland parties. The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) had previously hosted him with a tour of St George's Market.
Following SDLP leader Claire Hanna’s social media post featuring Burnham, former Ulster Unionist leader Steve Aiken responded with a jest:
"I thought @allianceparty had paid for his [plane emoji] ticket!!! Quality trolling from @ClaireHanna & @MatthewOToole2 - credit where credit is due!!"
Regarding Aiken’s party, the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), it is worth recalling the Ulster Conservatives and Unionists - New Force (UCUNF) electoral pact with the Conservative Party for the 2010 General Election. This initiative aimed to offer Northern Ireland voters a pro-union party capable of competing for power at Westminster. However, it failed to secure any seats, and Lady Hermon, the UUP’s sole MP before the election, resigned over her refusal to stand under the UCUNF banner.
Historical Attempts at Cross-Party Cooperation
Another example of cross-party cooperation was "Vote Mike, Get Colum," an initiative by Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt encouraging his party’s voters to give second preferences to then-SDLP leader Colum Eastwood. The goal was to align the UUP and SDLP on shared interests, but the effort was widely misunderstood and ultimately unsuccessful.
Reflecting on this, Nesbitt recently remarked:
"That ship has sailed a long, long way away."
Eastwood himself pursued a partnership with Fianna Fáil in the Republic of Ireland, which did not come to fruition. SDLP leader Claire Hanna later revealed that this initiative almost led to her and some colleagues forming a new party in 2019.
Despite the risks associated with such cross-party collaborations, Northern Ireland’s political parties continue to explore these avenues. This is evident in Danny Kruger’s participation at the TUV conference and Robert Jenrick’s engagements in Belfast.
