‘Don’t do deal with DUP’
PROTEST IN AGAINST TORY TIE-UP WITH IRISH PARTY
Sunderland Reporter THERESA May’s attempts to form a government with the support of the DUP have been met with protest in Newcastle.
A rally at Grey’s Monument called on the Conservatives to disassociate themselves from the Northern Irish unionists because of their social policies.
The party, which has historic links with the region’s protestant community, has long held anti-abortion and anti-same sex marriage policies.
Concerns were also raised about the effect the arrangement would have on the Northern Ireland peace process at what is already a fraught time for the deal.
The power-sharing government in Stormont, which brings together both sides of the divide, collapsed in January and a new executive is yet to be agreed.
Theresa May is yet to strike a deal with the party but a confidence and supply arrangement is likely, securing the Conservatives a majority in Parliament on key votes.
Around 100 people met in the city centre for the protest organised by Newcastle City Councillor Dipu Ahad.
He said: “The DUP are a divisive, sinister organisation that we don’t know a lot about in England.
“Look at the peace process – John Major and Tony Blair’s governments put a lot of blood and sweat into it.
“This is totally going to destabilise that, they will be taking sides with the DUP.”
The DUP’s socially conservative stances have made the prospect of a government propped up by them unacceptable to many.
Young protesters held satirical placards with messages like “Theresa May is Gay For the DUP” and “Pray Away the DUP”.
Bill Corcoran, of the Tyneside Irish Cultural Society, said: “We can’t have 17th Century views in 21st Century politics.
“This protest would be just as appropriate if Sinn Fein were going to do a deal with the Labour party.
“The British government needs to oversee the talks so it cannot afford to be in cahoots with either side.
“Today’s situation in Northern Ireland is better than it was when people were dying and nobody wants to see a return to that, especially the Tyneside Irish community.
“At the Tyneside Irish Centre, we’ve always tried to bring both sides of the community together through things like displaying the Northern Irish flag when they’re playing football and having good relations with people from both communities on Tyneside.”
A deal with the DUP is expected to be announced in the coming days and the government have confirmed they will delay the Queen’s Speech to provide more time for talks.