The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has said it will consider an invitation from Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Gavin Robinson to take part in talks on unionist co-operation.
Mr Robinson told DUP members in an email he had invited UUP leader-elect Jon Burrows to discuss areas of co-operation.
The invitation came a day after the former senior police officer emerged as the sole contender to succeed Mike Nesbitt as UUP leader.
In the past, some parties have agreed to step aside in specific constituencies in a bid to maximise the unionist vote and secure seats.
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Under that approach, the UUP’s Tom Elliott won the Fermanagh and South Tyrone seat in 2015, narrowly defeating the Sinn Féin candidate.
Sinn Féin has the most MLAs in the Assembly, entitling the party to nominate a first minister, while the DUP nominated the deputy first minister.
Sinn Féin also secured the highest number of votes of any of the Northern Ireland parties at the 2024 election, securing seven seats, ahead of the DUP’s five.
On Saturday, a UUP spokesperson said its new leadership team will consider any request to meet, “judged against what is best for Northern Ireland and its people”.
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“We remain committed to advancing the interests of the Union through constructive dialogue that benefits all,” the party said.
It said the party has, over the years, “engaged in previous talks on unionist co-operation with our unionist colleagues, repeatedly in good faith”, adding: “We know all too well when others are engaging in good faith or when self-preservation is on their mind.
“We are also mindful that decisions taken over the last 20 years by some within unionist leadership have failed to deliver for the union but rather have championed the largest of strategic mistakes. That history informs our desire to offer the electorate a clear choice.”
In his email to DUP party members, Mr Robinson referred to what he called Sinn Féin’s “fervent desire to bring about the removal of Northern Ireland from the UK”.
“As leader of the largest unionist party, I am determined to make every effort to ensure that unionism does not squander the narrow window of opportunity that exists to prepare for the future,” he said.
“I support and want to reflect the desire across the grassroots of unionism to see unionist representatives and their political parties working together to promote the union, to stand up for all those who want to get on with their lives and who want to see our country prosper.”
Mr Robinson said unionism’s collective voice and clout “will be stronger” if it works together, and he cautioned against a divided movement. – PA
