British PM nears deal to prop up minority govt

LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservatives have reached a “broad agreement” with the ultra-conservative Democratic Unionist Party to prop up her minority government, a source said on Thursday, a week after her election fiasco.

The Conservative source said talks with the small Northern Irish party were progressing well as meetings in Downing Street with all of the British province’s main political leaders got under way.

Conservatives and the DUP are committed to strengthening British unity, delivering Brexit, combating terrorism, and delivering prosperity but “at the moment there isn’t a deal,” the source said. The government meanwhile said the state opening of the parliament — when May’s government presents its legislation programme — will take place on June 21, two days later than planned.

A Conservative source said this meant the party was “confident” it had enough votes for the programme to be approved, after May suffered a disastrous setback in snap elections a week ago that saw her lose her majority in the 650-seat House of Commons, just ahead of crucial Brexit negotiations with Brussels.

The Conservatives, who have 317 MPs, are looking to strike a deal with the DUP, who have 10.

The state opening will be followed by days of parliamentary debate and a confidence vote that will be the first major challenge for the new government.