Hardline DUP agrees principles of 'confidence and supply' deal to back Tories in Parliament

Partnership: the DUP's leader Arlene Foster with Theresa May
PA
Chloe Chaplain10 June 2017
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Theresa May has edged closer to a deal involving the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) as she attempts to rule without a Commons majority following her disastrous election results.

Downing Street announced that the controversial DUP had agreed, in principle, to a "confidence and supply" arrangement to back the Tories in Parliament.

The outlines of the proposed agreement - which would prop-up Mrs May's minority Government - will be put to the Cabinet for discussion on Monday.

The 10 MPs from the Northern Irish party could prove crucial in supporting the Tories on key votes after Thursday's election saw Mrs May fail to win a majority in the Commons.

They regularly side with the Conservatives in Westminster and senior figures previously ruled out an alliance with Labour because of Jeremy Corbyn's links with Sinn Fein.

A Number 10 spokesman said: 'We can confirm that the Democratic Unionist Party have agreed to the principles of an outline agreement to support the Conservative Government on a confidence and supply basis when Parliament returns next week.

'We welcome this commitment, which can provide the stability and certainty the whole country requires as we embark on Brexit and beyond.

"The details will be put forward for discussion and agreement at a Cabinet meeting on Monday."

Controversial: Protesters march on Downing Street against DUP
AP

The announcement came after thousands of anti-DUP protesters marched on Downing Street againt the "hateful" alliance between Mrs May and the socially hardline party.

Protesters chanted outside Downing Street, blasting the Conservative Party for uniting with the DUP, which has drawn criticism for its right-wing stance on issues such gay rights and abortion.

People carried placards reading anti-DUP and pro-Jeremy Corbyn messages, while chants of “Tories out, refugees in” echoed across Parliament Square.

The DUP opposes gay marriage and Northern Ireland remains the only part of the UK where women cannot access abortion unless their life is endangered by the pregnancy.

Democratic Unionist Party MPs (DUP) - In pictures

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An online petition has also gathered almost 500,000 signatures, with the political party branded “dangerous” on the page.

A "confidence and supply" arrangement is a far looser deal than a formal coalition or pact.

It would mean the DUP backing the Government on its Budget and prevent it being brought down by motions of no confidence, but could potentially lead to other issues being decided on a vote-by-vote basis.

The development comes after Mrs May sent her Chief Whip Gavin Williamson to Belfast for talks with the DUP after the election left the Tories eight seats short of the 326 required for a majority.

She needs to establish her position in Parliament because the Queen's Speech – which will set out the Government's programme – is scheduled for June 19.

Petition: Hundreds of thousands of people have backed the call
Change.org

Following the speech there will be a few days of debate followed by a vote on its content.

Mrs May called the election claiming she wanted a stronger hand in the forthcoming Brexit negotiations, due to start on June 19.

Without a majority, she could be forced to seek consensus on the approach she takes.

Amid reports senior Tories were sounding out potential replacements for Mrs May, prominent Conservative MP Heidi Allen said the Prime Minister had six months at most left in Downing Street.

But former leader Lord Hague, writing in the Daily Telegraph, warned against a leadership contest, saying: "Voters do not want further months of uncertainty and upheaval."

But ex-minister Lord Barker told BBC's Newsnight: "There's clearly not going to be another election with Theresa May at the head.

"We have discovered that she is a competent minister, potentially a tough negotiator, but a terrible campaigner."

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson said Mrs May was personally responsible for the election result, which saw her party fall short of a Commons majority.

He tweeted: "The adviser takes the fall but Theresa May is the one responsible for her own defeat."

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