Reform UK–TUV alliance
- British unionism
- Euroscepticism
- Reform UK
- Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV)
The Reform UK–TUV alliance is an electoral pact for the 2024 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland between the right-wing, Reform UK party and the British unionist and national conservative, Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV). The two parties will stand mutually agreed candidates in up to 18 constituencies in Northern Ireland.[1]
History
The alliance between the two parties was born following the decision of Northern Ireland's largest unionist party, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), to re-enter devolved power sharing government at Stormont, ending their boycott over the Northern Ireland Protocol on 3 February 2024.[2] This led the TUV to label the DUP as "Protocol implementers." Former Reform UK MEP, Ben Habib, had previously launched a legal challenge against the NI Protocol alongside TUV leader Jim Allister in February 2021.[3]
Platform
The electoral pact was announced at the TUV party conference on 16 March 2024, accompanied with a speech from Reform UK leader Richard Tice. The leaders of both parties signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" which outlined a common platform:
- upholding and strengthening the Union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including the full restoration of Art 6 of the Act(s) of Union;
- equal rights for all citizens within the United Kingdom;
- rejection of the Irish Sea border and the subjection of Northern Ireland to EU law and the ECJ;
- the completion of a full Brexit so that the United Kingdom in all its parts enjoys full independence and economic freedom;
- robust immigration system and controls;
- a taxation system, both personal and commercial, which rewards effort.[4]
Reactions
It has been speculated that the alliance could lead to a splitting of the unionist vote and ultimately mean fewer DUP MPs are elected, due to the first-past-the-post electoral system used for Westminster elections.[5] The DUP MP for East Antrim, Sammy Wilson, highlighted this in a critical statement following the formation of the alliance, which he slammed as "absurd" and "self-destructive."[6]
References
- ^ "TUV conference: Jim Allister announces partnership with Reform UK". BBC News. 16 March 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ "NI powersharing government to return after DUP confirms end of boycott". The Irish Times. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ "Judge rejects all grounds of challenges arguing terms of NI protocol unlawful". The Irish Times. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ "TUV Conference 2024 – Memorandum of Understanding between Reform UK and TUV announced for General Election". TUV - Traditional Unionist Voice. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ "Wilson slams TUV's absurd & self-destructive plan". DUP. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
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Leaders |
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Chairman |
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Co-Deputy Leaders |
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representation
House of Commons (elected for the Conservatives in 2019) |
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Ninth European Parliament (elected in 2019 left Parliament Jan 2020) |
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Eighth European Parliament (elected on the UKIP list in 2014) | |
Senedd (elected on the UKIP list in 2016 or subsequently co-opted) |
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Scottish Parliament (co-opted on the Conservative list in 2016 not re-elected in 2021) | |
London Assembly (elected in 2024) |
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See also | Brexit Party/Reform UK election results, Reform Derby, Reform UK–TUV alliance |