GettyI’m sure by now you all know the bizarre outcome of last night’s election. A hung parliament. No majority government. A Conservative minority win.
And while we all try to slot together the pieces of this puzzling puzzle, the most probable outcome of this election is that the Tories will form a coalition with Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
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At the time of writing, negotiations are ongoing between the Conservative Party and the DUP as they try to figure out a deal that suits them both. But just who are the DUP?
The DUP are the largest unionist party in Northern Ireland, meaning their party is founded upon unionist ideals.
GettyUnionism is predominantly a protestant ideology which believes in retaining the ‘union’ between Britain and Northern Ireland. Nationalism, the opposite, is predominantly a Catholic ideology which believes in a United Ireland.
Although you’ve definitely heard a lot in the news about Jeremy Corbyn’s links to the IRA, it’s also definitely worth mentioning the the DUP too have just as much of a link to the UDA (Ulster Defence Association) and LVF (Loyalist Volunteer Force).
Hell – just days ago, the DUP leader, Arlene Foster, defended meeting a UDA chief just 48 hours after they allegedly murdered a man in front of his three-year-old son, according to the Belfast Telegraph.
GettyBut of course Corbyn’s the guy who gets bad press for trying to aid a peace agreement in Northern Ireland – that makes sense.
Before we get carried away with tales for another time (and probably a time in the very near future), let us remind ourselves of the DUP’s policies.
Thankfully – quite a lot of them were posted onto Twitter in a thread called the DUP’s ‘Greatest Hits’.
For everyone on the mainland: The Tories will most likely try to form a government with the help of the DUP.
Some of their greatest hits:
— Stuart Gibson (@stuartgibson) June 9, 2017
They have blocked a women's right to bodily autonomy. You can't have an abortion in Northern Ireland, thanks to the DUP.
— Stuart Gibson (@stuartgibson) June 9, 2017
They continue to block same sex marriage, despite a majority wanting it.
You can't marry someone of the same sex in Northern Ireland.
— Stuart Gibson (@stuartgibson) June 9, 2017
Several of them, including former environment and health ministers, are young-earth creationists.
— Stuart Gibson (@stuartgibson) June 9, 2017
They are currently embroiled in an enquiry into misuse of public funds to set up a green energy scheme to line pockets of friends and family
— Stuart Gibson (@stuartgibson) June 9, 2017
Terrorist organisations literally did a mail drop last week telling people they had to vote for them.
— Stuart Gibson (@stuartgibson) June 9, 2017
So this is who are helping the Tories form a coalition government in the UK… What a time to be alive.
