Democratic Unionist Party: Difference between revisions

Democratic Unionist Party
Democratic Unionist Party
Abbreviation	DUP
Leader	Arlene Foster
Chairman	Lord Morrow
Deputy Leader / Westminster Leader	Nigel Dodds
Founder	Ian Paisley
Founded	30 September 1971; 52 years ago
Preceded by	Protestant Unionist Party
Headquarters	91 Dundela Avenue ; Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Ideology	British nationalism; National conservatism; Social conservatism; British unionism; Euroscepticism; Right-wing populism
Political position	Centre-right to right-wing
European affiliation	None
European Parliament group	Non-Inscrits
Colours	Red, white and blue
House of Commons; (NI Seats)	10 / 18
House of Lords	Template:HOL DUP / Template:HOLtotal <div style="background-color: D46A4C; width: Expression error: Unrecognized punctuation character "[".%; height: 100%;">;
European Parliament; (NI seats)	1 / 3
NI Assembly	28 / 90
NI Local Councils	125 / 462
Website
	mydup.com

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The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is a unionist political party in Northern Ireland.

Ian Paisley founded the DUP in 1971, during the Troubles, and led the party for the next 37 years. Now led by Arlene Foster, it is the party with the most seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly and the 5th-largest party in the House of Commons. Following the 2017 general election, the party has agreed to support a Conservative minority government on a case-by-case basis on matters of mutual concern.^[10]

The DUP evolved from the Protestant Unionist Party and has historically strong links to the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, the church Paisley founded. During the Troubles, the DUP opposed attempts to resolve the conflict that would involve sharing power with Irish nationalists or republicans and rejected attempts to involve the Republic of Ireland in Northern Irish affairs. It campaigned against the Sunningdale Agreement of 1973, the Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985, and the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. In the 1980s, the party was involved in setting up the paramilitary movements Third Force and Ulster Resistance.

It is centre-right to right-wing and socially conservative, being anti-abortion and opposing same-sex marriage. The DUP sees itself as defending Britishness and Ulster Protestant culture against Irish nationalism. It is Eurosceptic and backs the UK's withdrawal from the European Union.^[11]^[12]

For most of the DUP's history, the Ulster Unionist Party was the largest unionist party in Northern Ireland, but by 2004 the DUP had overtaken the UUP in terms of seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly and Parliament. Following the St Andrews Agreement in 2006, the DUP agreed to enter into power-sharing devolved government in Northern Ireland with Sinn Féin. Despite reports of divisions within the party, a majority of the party executive voted in favor of power-sharing in 2007.^[13] However, the DUP's sole Member of the European Parliament (MEP), Jim Allister,^[14] and seven DUP councilors^[15] left the party in opposition to its plans to share power with Sinn Féin, founding the Traditional Unionist Voice.^[16] Peter Robinson became DUP leader in 2008. Under his leadership, the loyalist influence reduced somewhat, in an attempt to reach out to non-Protestants, particularly socially conservative Catholics^[17]^[18] and Catholic unionists.

Democratic Unionist Party boasts fierce loyalty to the British monarchy^[19].

History

1970s

The Democratic Unionist Party evolved from the Protestant Unionist Party, which itself grew out of the Ulster Protestant Action movement. The DUP was founded on 30 September 1971 by Ian Paisley, leader of the Protestant Unionist Party, and Desmond Boal, formerly of the Ulster Unionist Party. Paisley, a well-known Protestant fundamentalist minister, was the founder and leader of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster. He would lead both the DUP and the Free Presbyterian Church for the next 37 years, and his party and church would be closely linked. When the DUP formed, Northern Ireland was in the midst of an ethnic-nationalist conflict known as the Troubles, which began in 1969 and would last for the next thirty years. The conflict began amid a campaign to end discrimination against the Catholic/Irish nationalist minority by the Protestant/unionist government and police force.^[20]^[21] This protest campaign was opposed, often violently, by unionists who viewed it as an Irish republican front. Paisley had led the unionist opposition to the civil rights movement. The DUP were more hardline or loyalist than the UUP and its founding arguably stemmed from worries of the Ulster Protestant working class that the UUP was not paying them enough heed.^[22]

The DUP opposed the Sunningdale Agreement of 1973. The Agreement was an attempt to resolve the conflict by setting up a new assembly and government for Northern Ireland in which unionists and Irish nationalists would share power. The Agreement also proposed the creation of a Council of Ireland, which would facilitate co-operation between the governments of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The DUP won eight seats in the 1973 election to the Assembly. Along with other anti-Agreement unionists, the DUP formed the United Ulster Unionist Council (UUUC) to oppose the Agreement. In the February 1974 UK election, the UUUC won 11 out of 12 Northern Ireland seats, while the pro-Agreement unionists failed to win any. On 15 May 1974, anti-Agreement unionists called a general strike aimed at bringing down the Agreement. The strike coordinating committee included DUP leader Paisley, the other UUUC leaders, and the leaders of the loyalist paramilitary groups. The strike lasted fourteen days and brought Northern Ireland to a standstill. Loyalist paramilitaries helped enforce the strike by blocking roads and intimidating workers.^[23]^[24]^[25] On the third day of the strike, loyalists detonated four car bombs in Dublin and Monaghan, killing 33 civilians.^[26] The strike led to the downfall of the Agreement on 28 May.

Following the downfall of the Agreement, in 1975 the British government set up a Constitutional Convention, an elected body of unionists and nationalists which would seek agreement on a political settlement for Northern Ireland. In the election to the Convention, the UUUC (which included the DUP) won 53% of the vote. The UUUC opposed a power-sharing government and recommended only a return to majority rule (i.e. unionist rule). As this was unacceptable to nationalists, the Convention was dissolved.^[27]

The DUP opposed UK membership of the European Economic Community (EEC). In June 1979, in the first election to the European Parliament, Paisley won one of the three Northern Ireland seats. He topped the poll, with 29.8% of the first preference votes.^[28] He retained that seat in every European election until 2004, when he was replaced by Jim Allister, who resigned from the DUP in 2007 while retaining his seat.^[14]

1980s and 1990s

During 1981, the DUP opposed the then-ongoing talks between British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Irish Prime Minister Charles Haughey. That year, Paisley and other DUP members attempted to create a Protestant loyalist volunteer militia—called the (Ulster) Third Force—which would work alongside the police and army to fight the Irish Republican Army (IRA). They organized large rallies where men were photographed in military formation waving firearms certificates. Paisley declared: "This is a small token of the men who are placed to devastate any attempt by Margaret Thatcher and Charles Haughey to destroy the Union".^[29] The DUP helped organize a loyalist 'Day of Action' on 23 November 1981, to pressure the British government to take a harder line against the IRA.^[30] Paisley addressed a Third Force rally in Newtownards, where thousands of masked and uniformed men marched before him. He declared: "My men are ready to be recruited under the crown to destroy the vermin of the IRA. But if they refuse to recruit them, then we will have no other decision to make but to destroy the IRA ourselves!"^[31] In December, Paisley claimed that the Third Force had 15,000–20,000 members. James Prior, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, replied that private armies would not be tolerated.^[30]

The Anglo-Irish Agreement was signed by the British and Irish governments in November 1985, following months of talks between the two. The Agreement confirmed there would be no change in the status of Northern Ireland without the consent of a majority of its citizens, and proposed the creation of a new power-sharing government. It also gave the Irish government an advisory role on some matters in Northern Ireland. Both the DUP and UUP mounted a major protest campaign against the Agreement, dubbed "Ulster Says No". Both unionist parties resigned their seats in the British House of Commons, suspended district council meetings, and led a campaign of mass civil disobedience. There were strikes and mass protest rallies.^[32]

On 23 June 1986, DUP politicians occupied the Stormont Parliament Building in protest at the Agreement, while 200 supporters protested outside and clashed with police.^[32] The DUP politicians were forcibly removed by police the next day.^[32] On 10 July, Paisley and deputy DUP leader Peter Robinson led 4,000 loyalist supporters in a protest in which they 'occupied' the town of Hillsborough. Hillsborough Castle is where the Agreement had been signed.^[32] On 7 August, Robinson led hundreds of loyalist supporters in an invasion of the village of Clontibret, in the Republic of Ireland. The loyalists marched up and down the main street, vandalized property, and attacked two Irish police officers (Gardaí) before fleeing back over the border. Robinson was arrested and convicted for unlawful assembly.^[33]

On 10 November 1986, a rally was held in which DUP politicians Paisley, Robinson and Ivan Foster announced the formation of the Ulster Resistance Movement (URM). This was a loyalist paramilitary group whose purpose was to "take direct action as and when required" to bring down the Agreement and defeat republicanism.^[34] Recruitment rallies were held in towns across Northern Ireland and thousands were said to have joined.^[34] The following year, the URM helped smuggle a large shipment of weapons into Northern Ireland, which was shared out between the URM, the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and the Ulster Defence Association (UDA). Most, but not all, of the weaponry, was seized by police in 1988. In 1989, URM members attempted to trade Shorts' missile blueprints for weapons from the apartheid South African regime. Following these revelations, the DUP said that it had cut its links with the URM in 1987.^[35]

In the mid-1980s, the Irish republican party Sinn Féin began to contest and win seats in local council elections. In response, the DUP fought elections under the slogan "Smash Sinn Féin" and vowed to exclude Sinn Féin councilors from all council business. Their 1985 manifesto said "The Sinn Féiners must be ostracized and isolated" at all local government bodies. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, DUP councilors attempted to exclude Sinn Féin councilors by ignoring them, boycotting their speeches or drowning them out by making as much noise as possible – such as by heckling and banging tables.^[36]

In early January 1994, the Ulster Defence Association released a document calling for the repartition of Ireland with the goal of making Northern Ireland wholly Protestant.^[37] The plan was to be implemented should the British Army withdraw from Northern Ireland. The Irish Catholic/nationalist-majority areas would be handed over to the Republic, and those left in the rump state would be "expelled, nullified, or interned".^[37] Sammy Wilson, then a DUP press officer and a future Stormont minister and MP, spoke positively of the document, calling it a "valuable return to reality" and lauded the UDA for "contemplating what needs to be done to maintain our separate Ulster identity".^[37]

1998–2004

During the Northern Ireland peace process of the 1990s, the DUP was initially involved in the negotiations under former United States Senator George J. Mitchell that led to the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, but withdrew in protest when Sinn Féin, an Irish republican party with links to the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), was allowed to participate while the IRA kept its weapons. The DUP opposed the Agreement in the Good Friday Agreement referendum, in which the Agreement was approved with 71.1% of the electorate in favor.

The DUP's opposition was based on a number of reasons, including:

The early release of paramilitary prisoners
The mechanism to allow Sinn Féin to hold government office despite ongoing IRA activity
The lack of accountability of ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive
The lack of accountability of the North/South Ministerial Council and North/South Implementation Bodies

The DUP contested the 1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election that resulted from the Good Friday Agreement, winning 20 seats, the third-highest of any party. It then took up two of the ten seats in the multi-party power-sharing Executive. While serving as ministers, they refused to sit at meetings of the Executive Committee in protest at Sinn Féin's participation.^{[citation needed]} The Executive ultimately collapsed over an alleged IRA espionage ring at Stormont (see Stormontgate).

The Good Friday Agreement relied on the support of a majority of unionists and a majority of nationalists in order for it to operate.^{[citation needed]} During the 2003 Northern Ireland Assembly election, the DUP argued for a "fair deal" that could command the support of both unionists and nationalists. After the results of this election, the DUP argued that support was no longer present within unionism for the Good Friday Agreement. They went on to publish their proposals for devolution in Ireland entitled Devolution Now.^[38] These proposals have been refined and re-stated in further policy documents including Moving on^[39] and Facing Reality.^[40]

In the 2003 Northern Ireland Assembly election, the DUP won 30 seats, the most of any party. In January 2004, it became the largest Northern Ireland party at Westminster, when MP Jeffrey Donaldson joined after defecting from the UUP. In December 2004, English MP Andrew Hunter took the DUP whip after earlier withdrawing from the Conservative Party, giving the party seven seats, in comparison to the UUP's five, Sinn Féin's four, and the Social Democratic and Labour Party's (SDLP) three

2005–2007

In the 2005 UK general election, the party reinforced its position as the largest unionist party, winning nine seats, making it the fourth largest party in terms of seats in the British House of Commons behind Labour, the Conservatives, and the Liberal Democrats. In terms of votes, the DUP was the fourth largest party on the island of Ireland.

At the local government election of 2005, the DUP emerged as the largest party at local government level with 182 councilors across Northern Ireland's 26 district councils.^[41] The DUP had a majority of the members of Castlereagh Borough Council, which had long been a DUP stronghold and was home to party leader Peter Robinson, also in Ballymena Borough Council, home to the party's founder Ian Paisley, and finally Ards Borough Council. As well as outright control of these councils, the DUP was also the largest party in eight other councils – Antrim Borough Council, Ballymoney Borough Council, Banbridge District Council, Belfast City Council, Carrickfergus Borough Council, Coleraine Borough Council, Craigavon Borough Council and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

On 11 April 2006, it was announced that three DUP members were to be elevated to the House of Lords: Maurice Morrow, Wallace Browne, the former Lord Mayor of Belfast, and Eileen Paisley, a vice-president of the DUP and wife of DUP Leader Ian Paisley. None, however, sit as DUP peers.

On 27 October 2006, the DUP issued a four-page letter in the Belfast Telegraph newspaper asking "Are the terms of Saint Andrew's a basis of moving forward to devolution?", with responses to be received to its party headquarters by 8 November. It was part of the party's policy of consultation with its electorate before entering a power-sharing government.^{[citation needed]}

On 24 November 2006, Ian Paisley refused to nominate himself as First Minister of Northern Ireland designate. There was confusion between all parties whether he actually said that if Sinn Féin supported policing and the rule of law that he would nominate himself on 28 March 2007 after the Assembly elections on 7 March 2007. The Assembly meeting was brought to an abrupt end when the building had to be evacuated because of a security breach. Paisley later released a statement through the press office stating that he did, in fact, imply that if Sinn Féin supported policing and the rule of law, he would go into a power-sharing government with them. This was following a statement issued by 12 DUP MLAs stating that what Ian Paisley had said in the chamber could not be interpreted as a nomination.^[42]

In February 2007, the DUP suggested that it would begin to impose fines up to £20,000 on members disobeying the party whip on crucial votes.^[43] On 24 March 2007, the DUP party executive overwhelmingly endorsed a resolution put to them by the party officers that did not agree to an establishment of devolution and an executive in Northern Ireland by the Government's deadline of 26 March, but did agree to set up an executive on 8 May 2007.^[13]

On 27 March 2007, the party's sole Member of the European Parliament (MEP), Jim Allister, resigned from the party, in opposition to the decision to enter a power-sharing government with Sinn Féin. He retained his seat as an independent MEP as leader of his new hard-line anti-St Andrews Agreement splinter group that he formed with other disaffected members who had left the DUP over the issue, Traditional Unionist Voice, a seat which he retained until Diane Dodds won the seat back for the DUP in 2009. MP Gregory Campbell warned on 6 April 2007 that his party would be watching to see if benefits flow from its agreement to share power with Sinn Féin.^[44]

Robinson leadership

File:Peter Robinson (cropped, March 2013).png

Peter Robinson, the party's deputy leader from 1980 and its leader from 2008–2015

On 31 May 2008, the party's Central Executive Committee met at the offices of Castlereagh Borough Council where Ian Paisley formally stepped down as party leader and Peter Robinson was ratified as the new leader, with Nigel Dodds as his deputy.

On 11 June 2008, the party supported the government's proposal to detain terrorist suspects for up to 42 days as part of the Counter-Terrorism Bill, leading The Independent newspaper to dub all of the party's nine MPs as part of "Brown's dirty dozen".^[45] The Times reported that the party had been given "sweeteners for Northern Ireland" and "a peerage for the Rev Ian Paisley", amongst other offers, to secure the bill.^[46]

Members of the DUP were lambasted by the press and voters after MPs' expenses reports were leaked to the media. Several newspapers referred to the "Swish Family Robinson" after Peter Robinson, and his wife Iris claimed £571,939.41 in expenses with a further £150,000 being paid to family members.^[47] Further embarrassment was caused to the party when its deputy leader, Nigel Dodds, had the highest expenses claims of any Northern Ireland MP, ranking 13th highest out of all UK MPs.^[48] Details of all MPs' expenses claims since 2004 were published in July 2009 under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

In January 2010, Peter Robinson was at the center of a high-profile scandal relating to his 60-year-old MP/MLA wife Iris Robinson's infidelity with a 19-year-old man and alleged serious financial irregularities associated with the scandal.^[49]^[50]

In the 2010 general election, the party suffered a major upset when its leader, Peter Robinson, lost his Belfast East seat to Naomi Long of the APNI on a swing of 22.9%. However, the party maintained its position elsewhere, fighting off a challenge from the Ulster Conservatives and Unionists – New Force in Antrim South and Strangford and from Jim Allister's Traditional Unionist Voice in Antrim North.

The DUP were strongly criticized after the Red Sky scandal in which DUP ministers attempted to influence a decision at a meeting of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. The decision related to a £8 million contract with East Belfast firm Red Sky. The Housing Executive canceled Red Sky's contract after a BBC Spotlight investigation into the company, which was shown to be overcharging taxpayers. The DUP cited "sectarian bias" in relation to the decision.^[51] The party suspended DUPcouncilorr Jenny Palmer, who sat on the Executive Board after she confessed that DUP special adviser Stephen Brimstone pressured her into changing her vote at the meeting.

In the 2015 general election, when the result was expected to be a hung parliament, the issue of DUP and the UK Independence Party forming a coalition government with the UK Conservative Party was considered by Nigel Farage (leader of UKIP).^[52]^[53] The then Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, warned against this "Blukip" coalition, with a spoof website highlighting imagined policies from this coalition – such as reinstating the death penalty, scrapping all benefits for under 25s and charging for hospital visits.^[54] Additionally, issues were raised about the continued existence of the BBC (as the DUP, UKIP and Conservatives had made a number of statements criticizing the institution)^[55] and support for LGBT rights and same-sex marriage.^[56]^[57] However, in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live deputy leader of the DUP Nigel Dodds told BBC Newsline in 2015 that, despite opposition to same-sex marriage, the DUP was "against discrimination based on religion ... or sexual orientation".^[57] Additionally, David Cameron said he "totally disagreed" with the DUP on the issue of same-sex marriage and LGBT rights, claiming that "nothing I will do" would go against the principle of "the values that I have", including "equality for gay and lesbian people".^[58]

On 10 September 2015, Peter Robinson stepped aside as First Minister and other DUP ministers, with the exception of Arlene Foster, resigned their portfolios.^[59]

Foster leadership

Arlene Foster became the leader of the DUP on 17 December 2015.

Two days before the UK Brexit referendum, held on 23 June 2016, the DUP paid £282,000 for a four-page glossy wrap-around to the free newspaper Metro, which is distributed for free in major towns and cities in the British mainland, but not Northern Ireland, advocating a 'Leave' vote.^[60]

On 4 October 2016, DUP leader Arlene Foster and DUP MPs held a champagne reception at the Conservative Party conference, marking what some have described as an "informal coalition" or an "understanding" between the two parties to account for the Conservatives' narrow majority in the House of Commons.^[61]^[62]

In her capacity as Minister of Enterprise, Trade, and Investment in 2012, Foster oversaw the establishment of a green energy scheme, which led to the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal. The scheme gave a perverse incentive to use more energy and increase their carbon footprint to those who signed up to it since they could claim £1.60 for every £1 spent on heating with, for example, wood pellets.^[63] With no cost controls, it could cost the public purse up to £490 million.

Foster refused to resign or step aside during any inquiry into her role in the scheme, which in January 2017 led Martin McGuinness to resign and the Northern Ireland Executive to collapse. A snap election followed after Sinn Féin refused to re-nominate a deputy First Minister. In this Northern Ireland Assembly election, held in March 2017, the DUP lost 10 seats, leaving them only one seat and 1,200 votes ahead of Sinn Féin, a result described by the Belfast Telegraph as "catastrophic".^[64]

In the UK 2017 general election, the DUP had 10 seats overall, 3 seats ahead of Sinn Féin.^[65] With no party having received an outright majority in the UK Parliament, the DUP entered into an agreement to support the government by the Conservative Party.^[66] A DUP source said: "The alternative is intolerable. For as long as Corbyn leads Labour, we will ensure there’s a Tory PM."^[66]

Policies and views

The Democratic Unionist Party are Ulster unionists, which means that they support Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom and oppose a united Ireland. The party sees itself as defending Britishness and Ulster Protestant culture against Irish nationalism and republicanism.^[67]^[68] For example, it supports unfettered marching rights for the loyalist Orange Order, which many DUP members belong to,^[69] and is in favor of flying the British Union Flag from government buildings all year round. The DUP assert that "Irish and Gaelic culture should not be allowed to dominate funding" in Northern Ireland,^[70] and have blocked proposed laws that would promote and protect the Irish language.^[71]^[72] The DUP are staunch supporters of the British security forces and their role in the Northern Ireland conflict. The party wants to prevent British soldiers and police officers from being prosecuted for killings committed during the conflict.^[73]

The party has also been described as right-wing populist^[5] and containing extremist tendencies.^[74]^[75] The party has historic links with the far right in Northern Ireland,^[76]^[77]^[78] and is linked to the Ulster loyalist faction of unionism, which has been identified as a form of ethnic nationalism.^[79] The DUP was also recently endorsed in the 2017 UK general election by the Loyalist Communities Council, an umbrella group of loyalist paramilitary groups, which are proscribed terrorist organizations.^[80] The party leadership rejected the endorsement,^[81]^[82] with party leader Arlene Foster stating: "We did not seek that statement, we did not seek endorsement from any paramilitary organization and indeed I fundamentally reject an endorsement from anyone that’s involved with para-militarismm or criminality."^[83]

Social policies

The DUP has strong links to the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, the small church founded by Ian Paisley. The vast majority of DUP members are evangelical Christians and, on average, 65% of its representatives since its founding have been Free Presbyterians.^[84] The party also has links with the Caleb Foundation, a Protestant fundamentalist pressure group.^[85] Matthew d'Ancona, writing for The New York Times, has described the party as "a hard-line reactionary party, devoted ... to a social conservatism that directly contradicts the modernization of the Conservative Party in the past 15 years".^[86]

The DUP has opposed LGBT rights in Northern Ireland. Party leaders—as well as many prominent party members—have condemned homosexuality, and a 2014 survey found that two-thirds of party members believe homosexuality is wrong.^[87] The DUP campaigned against the legalisation of homosexual acts in Northern Ireland through the "Save Ulster from Sodomy" campaign between 1977 and 1982,^[88] and the party has vetoed the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland since 2015, making Northern Ireland the only region of the UK where same-sex marriage is not legalised.^[89] Former DUP minister Jim Wells called the issue a "red line" for power-sharing talks, adding that "Peter will not marry Paul in Northern Ireland".^[90] The party attempted to introduce a "conscience clause" into law, which would let businesses refuse to provide a service if it went against their religious beliefs. This came after a Christian-owned bakery was taken to court for refusing to make a cake bearing a pro-gay marriage slogan. Opponents argued that the clause would allow discrimination against LGBT people.^[91]

The party maintains that it is "pro-life" and members have campaigned strongly against any extension of abortion rights to Northern Ireland, unanimously opposing a bill by Labour MP Diane Johnson to protect women in England and Wales from criminal prosecution if they ended a pregnancy using pills bought online.^[92]^[93] They have opposed extra funding for international family planning programs.^[93]

Some DUP elected representatives have called for creationism to be taught in schools,^[94]^[95] and for museums to include creationism in their exhibits.^[96]^[97] In 2007 a DUP spokesman confirmed that these views were in line with party policy.^[94]

In 2011, the DUP called for a debate in the House of Commons over bringing back the death penalty for some crimes.^[98]

Economic policies and Brexit

The DUP is Eurosceptic and was the only party in the Northern Ireland Executive to back "Leave" during the Brexit campaign.^[99] The party opposes a hard Irish border,^[4]^[100] and wishes to maintain the Common Travel Area.^[92] East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson caused controversy in March 2016 during a BBC Spotlight episode discussing the implications of the EU referendum, when it was implied that he agreed with a member of the public who said that he wanted to "get the ethnics out" of Northern Ireland post-Brexit.^[101]

The DUP is in favor of keeping the "triple lock" for pensions,^[100] the Winter Fuel Allowance,^[92] and greater spending in Northern Ireland for services such as health.^[102]

Leadership

File:Arlene Foster DUP MLA.jpg

Current leader Arlene Foster

Founder Ian Paisley led the party from its foundation in 1971 onwards and retired as leader of the party in spring 2008.

Paisley was replaced by former deputy leader Peter Robinson on 31 May 2008, who in turn was replaced by Arlene Foster on 17 December 2015.

Party leader

The following are the terms of office as party leader and as First Minister of Northern Ireland:

Leader	Period	Constituency	Years as First Minister
Ian Paisley	1971–2008	MP for Bannside (1970–72) MP for North Antrim (1970–2010) MEP for Northern Ireland (1979–2004) MLA for North Antrim (1998–2011)	2007–2008 (Executive of the 3rd Assembly)
Peter Robinson	2008–2015	MP for Belfast East (1979–2010) MLA for Belfast East (1998–2016)	2008–2011–2016 (Executive of the 3rd and 4th Assembly)
Arlene Foster	2015–present	MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone (2003–present)	2016–2017 (Executive of the 4th Assembly)

Deputy leader

Name	Period	Constituency
William Beattie	1971–1980	MP for South Antrim (1970–72)
Peter Robinson	1980–2008	MP for Belfast East (1979–2010) MLA for Belfast East (1998–2016)
Nigel Dodds	2008–present	MLA for Belfast North (1998–2010) MP for Belfast North (2001–present)

Northern Ireland Executive Ministers

Portfolio	Name
First Minister	Vacant
Junior Minister (nominated by First Minister)	Vacant

Westminster

Party leaders at Westminster

Name	Period	Constituency
Ian Paisley	1974–2010	North Antrim
Nigel Dodds	2010–present	Belfast North

Party spokespersons at Westminster^[103]

Responsibility	Spokesperson
Westminster Leader Foreign Affairs Reform and Constitutional Issues	Nigel Dodds, MP
Cabinet Office International Development	Gregory Campbell, MP
Business in the House of Commons Chief Whip Defence	Jeffrey Donaldson, MP
Communities and Local Government Culture, Media and Sport Energy and Climate Change	Ian Paisley Jr., MP
Justice Home Affairs Human Rights	Gavin Robinson, MP
Equality Health Transport	Jim Shannon, MP
Business, Innovation and Skills Environment, Food and Rural Affairs	David Simpson, MP
Education Treasury Work and Pensions	Sammy Wilson, MP

Representatives

Parliament of the United Kingdom

Members of the House of Commons following 8 June 2017 general election:

Gregory Campbell – East Londonderry
Jeffrey Donaldson – Lagan Valley
Nigel Dodds – Belfast North
Paul Girvan – South Antrim gained from UUP on 8 June 2017
Ian Paisley Jr. – North Antrim
Emma Little-Pengelly – Belfast South gained from SDLP on 8 June 2017
Gavin Robinson – Belfast East
Jim Shannon – Strangford
David Simpson – Upper Bann
Sammy Wilson – East Antrim

Members of the House of Lords

Northern Ireland Assembly

Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly elected in May 2016:

Sydney Anderson – Upper Bann
Jonathan Bell – Strangford
Maurice Bradley – East Londonderry
Paula Bradley – Belfast North
Joanne Bunting – Belfast East
Keith Buchanan – Mid Ulster
Thomas Buchanan – West Tyrone
Pam Cameron – South Antrim
Trevor Clarke – South Antrim
Sammy Douglas – Belfast East
Gordon Dunne – North Down
Alex Easton – North Down
Arlene Foster – Fermanagh and South Tyrone
Paul Frew – North Antrim
Paul Girvan – South Antrim
Paul Givan – Lagan Valley
Brenda Hale – Lagan Valley
Simon Hamilton – Strangford
David Hilditch – East Antrim
William Humphrey – Belfast North
Carla Lockhart – Upper Bann
William Irwin – Newry and Armagh
Phillip Logan – North Antrim
Gordon Lyons – East Antrim
Nelson McCausland – Belfast North
Michelle McIlveen – Strangford
Adrian McQuillan – East Londonderry
Gary Middleton – Foyle
Baron Borrow of Clogher Valley – Fermanagh and South Tyrone
Robin Newton – Belfast East
Emma Little-Pengelly – Belfast South
Edwin Poots – Lagan Valley
George Robinson – East Londonderry
Christopher Stalford – Belfast South
Alastair Ross – East Antrim
Mervyn Storey – North Antrim
Peter Weir – North Down
Jim Wells – South Down

European Parliament

Members elected in 2014

Diane Dodds – MEP for Northern Ireland

Election results

General election results

Election	House of Commons	Share of votes	Seats	±	Government
1974 (Feb)	46th	5.7%	1 / 12	1	Opposition
1974 (Oct)	47th	5.8%	1 / 12		Opposition
1979	48th	10.2%	3 / 12	2	Opposition
1983	49th	19.9%	3 / 17		Opposition
1987	50th	11.7%	3 / 17		Opposition
1992	51st	13.1%	3 / 17		Opposition
1997	52nd	13.6%	2 / 18	1	Opposition
2001	53rd	22.5%	5 / 18	3	Opposition
2005	54th	33.7%	9 / 18	4	Opposition
2010	55th	25.0%	8 / 18	1	Opposition
2015	56th	25.7%	8 / 18		Opposition
2017	57th	36.0%	10 / 18	2	Con–DUP pact

Northern Ireland Assembly election results

Election	Northern Ireland Assembly	Total Votes	Share of votes	Seats	+/-	Government
1973	1973 Assembly	78,228	10.8%	8 / 78	8	Opposition
1975	Constitutional Convention	97,073	14.8%	12 / 78	4	Fourth largest party
1982	1982 Assembly	145,528	23.0%	21 / 78	9	Opposition
1996	Forum	141,413	18.8%	24 / 110	24	Second largest party
1998	1st Assembly	145,917	18.5%	20 / 108	4	Junior party in coalition
2003	2nd Assembly	177,944	25.7%	30 / 108	10	Largest party, direct rule
2007	3rd Assembly	207,721	30.1%	36 / 108	6	Coalition
2011	4th Assembly	198,436	30.0%	38 / 108	2	Coalition
2016	5th Assembly	202,567	29.2%	38 / 108		Coalition
2017	6th Assembly	225,413	28.1%	28 / 90	10	TBD

References

^ "Unionist bid to be UK 'kingmakers' unsettles some in Northern Ireland". Reuters. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
^ Nordsieck, Wolfram. "Parties and Elections in Europe". www.parties-and-elections.eu. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
^ Marcus, Ruth. "Gender aside, the fall of Irish politician Iris Robinson is the same old sex scandal", Washington Post, 14 January 2010
^ ^a ^b Taggart, Paul; Szczerbiak, Aleks. "The Party Politics of Euroscepticism in EU Member and Candidate States" (PDF). SEI Working Paper. 51. Sussex European Institute: 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 December 2009. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ ^a ^b Ingle, Stephen (2008). The British Party System: An Introduction. Routledge. p. 156.
^ "Who are the DUP? What you need to know about the Democratic Unionist Party", By Tom Burnett. The Sentinel. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
^ "Election results 2017: Could the Democratic Unionist Party be Westminster kingmakers?", By Mark Devenport. BBC News. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
^ "It will be ‘difficult’ for May to survive, says N Ireland’s DUP", By Vincent Boland & Robert Wright. Financial Times. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
^ "Who Are The DUP? The Democratic Unionist Party Explained", LBC. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
^ "Conservatives agree pact with DUP to support May government". BBC News. 26 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
^ "DUP confirms it will campaign for Brexit in Leave/Remain referendum". Belfast Telegraph. Belfast Telegraph. 20 February 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2017. The Democratic Unionist Party has formally announced its intention to campaign for a Brexit.
^ Jamie Merrill (9 June 2017). "What is the DUP position on Brexit?". The Essential Daily Briefing. iNews. Retrieved 16 June 2017. No-one wants to see a 'hard' Brexit, what we want to see is a workable plan to leave the European Union, and that's what the national vote was about – therefore we need to get on with that.
^ ^a ^b "DUP 'would share power in May'". BBC News Online. BBC. 24 March 2007. Retrieved 7 April 2007.
^ ^a ^b "Allister quits power-sharing DUP". BBC News Online. BBC. 27 March 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
^ "Seventh councillor leaves the DUP". BBC News Online. BBC. 5 April 2007. Retrieved 7 April 2007.
^ "New unionist group to be launched". BBC News.
^ "I may be a devout Catholic but I will vote for DUP, says ex-SDLP mayor". nuzhound.com.
^ "Priest: Catholics support the DUP". Impartial Reporter.
^ CNN, Nic Robertson and Elizabeth Roberts. "Who are Northern Ireland's DUP?". CNN. Retrieved 6 July 2017. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
^ Richard English. The State: Historical and Political Dimensions, Charles Townshend, 1998, Routledge, p. 96; ISBN 0-41515-477-4.
^ Dominic Bryan. Orange Parades: The Politics of Ritual, Tradition and Control, Pluto Press (2000), p. 94; ISBN 0-74531-413-9.
^ "Beyond the Sectarian Divide: the Social Bases and Political Consequences of Nationalist and Unionist Party Competition in Ireland" by Geoffrey Evans and Mary Duffy. In British Journal of Political Science, Vol. 27, No. 1. (Jan. 1997), p.58
^ David George Boyce and Alan O'Day. Defenders of the Union: a survey of British and Irish unionism since 1801. Routledge, 2001. p.255.
^ Tonge, Jonathan. Northern Ireland: Conflict and Change. Pearson Education, 2002. p.119.
^ "CAIN: Events: UWC Strike: Anderson, Don. - Chapter from '14 May Days'".
^ Oireachtas Sub-Committee report on the Barron Report (2004), p.25
^ Dr Martin Melaugh. "Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention – A Summary of Main Events". Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN). Retrieved 9 June 2017.
^ A Chronology of the Conflict – 1979. Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN).
^ Henry Patterson, Eric P. Kaufmann. Unionism and Orangeism in Northern Ireland Since 1945. Manchester University Press, 2007. p.198-199
^ ^a ^b A Chronology of the Conflict – 1981, Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN)
^ Hall, Michael. The Death of the Peace Process?: A survey of community perceptions. Island Publications, 1997. p.10
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Anglo-Irish Agreement – Chronology of Events Archived 6 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN). Retrieved 12 September 2014.
^ "A Chronology of the Conflict – 1986". Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN). Retrieved 9 June 2017.
^ ^a ^b "Abstracts of Organisations: U". Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN). Retrieved 22 September 2014.
^ "A spectre from the past back to haunt peace". Belfast Telegraph. 10 June 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
^ McAuley, James. The politics of identity: a loyalist community in Belfast. Avebury, 1994. p.77
^ ^a ^b ^c Wood, Ian S. Crimes of Loyalty: A History of the UDA. Edinburgh University Press, 2006. Pages 184–185.
^ Martin Melaugh. "CAIN: Issues: Politics: Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) (2004) Devolution Now: The DUP's Concept for Devolution, 5 February 2004". Cain.ulst.ac.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
^ Moving On, Democratic Unionist Party Archived 13 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
^ Facing Reality, Democratic Unionist Party Archived 13 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
^ "2005 Local Government Election Results". Northern Ireland Elections. ARK.
^ "Paisley 'will accept nomination'". BBC News.
^ Sunday Times, page 1.10, 4 February 2007
^ Noel McAdam (6 April 2007). "Agreement must bring benefits, Congressmen are told". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 6 April 2007.^{[permanent dead link]}
^ "Twelve good folk and true... or Brown's dirty dozen?". The Independent. London. 15 June 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
^ Sharrock, David; Coates, Sam (12 June 2008). "42 day detention: bribes and concessions that got DUP on side". The Times. Retrieved 13 June 2017. Sweeteners for Northern Ireland and a peerage for the Rev Ian Paisley, dropping sanctions on Cuba and the governorship of Bermuda were among the offers the Government is thought to have used to secure Gordon Brown's victory in yesterday's vote. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)
^ Lucy Ballinger (6 April 2009). "MP couple taking more than £570,000 from taxpayer in salaries and expenses". Daily Mail. London. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
^ "Dodds' expenses bill NI's highest". BBC News.
^ O'Doherty, Malachi (8 January 2010). "The real Robinson affair". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
^ "Tatchell: Robinson is 'two-faced hypocrite'". Morning Star. 8 January 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
^ "The DUP's full role in Red Sky row revealed". The Detail.
^ Justice, Adam (18 March 2015). "General Election 2015: Ukip could form coalition with Tories and DUP". International Business Times. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
^ Wilkinson, Michael (5 May 2015). "Conservative Ukip coalition: what have the parties said". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
^ Cromie, Claire (16 April 2015). "Nick Clegg warns of rightwing 'Blukip' alliance of DUP, Ukip and the Conservatives". The Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
^ Stone, Jon (28 April 2015). "Tory coalition with DUP and Ukip could spell the end of the BBC as we know it". The Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
^ Dunne, Ciara (16 March 2015). "An alliance with the DUP will be a harder bargain than either Labour or the Tories think". New Statesman. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
^ ^a ^b Stroude, Will (5 May 2015). "Owen Jones warns of 'homophobic' DUP holding influence over future government". Attitude Magazine. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
^ "Cameron vow on DUP gay rights stance". BBC Newsline. 23 April 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2016 – via Facebook.
^ "Statement by First Minister & DUP Leader Peter Robinson MLA". www.mydup.com. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
^ "What connects Brexit, the DUP, dark money and a Saudi prince?". The Irish Times. 16 May 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ Manley, John (14 October 2016). "NI Conservatives' disquiet over DUP love-in to be raised with party HQ". The Irish News.
^ Gibbon, Gary (4 October 2016). "Tories look to increase majority with DUP deal". Channel 4.
^ "Q&A: What is the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme?". BBC News. 13 December 2016.
^ McAdam, Noel (7 March 2017). "I want one party for unionism, says DUP's Arlene Foster". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
^ "Election results 2017: DUP and Sinn Féin celebrate election gains". BBC News. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
^ ^a ^b McDonald, Henry; Syal, Rajeecvurl=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/09/theresa-may-reaches-deal-with-dup-to-form-government-after-shock-election-result-northern-ireland (9 June 2017). "May reaches deal with DUP to form government after shock election result". The Guardian. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ James W. McAuley, Graham Spencer. Ulster Loyalism After the Good Friday Agreement. Palgrave Macmillan, 2011. p.124
^ "DUP fights back against 'erosion of Britishness'". The News Letter. 25 June 2008.
^ Tonge, Jonathan. The Democratic Unionist Party: From Protest to Power. Oxford University Press, 2014. p.151
^ Muller, Janet. Language and Conflict in Northern Ireland and Canada: A Silent War. Palgrave Macmillan, 2010. p.122
^ "DUP will never agree to Irish language act, says Foster". BBC News. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
^ "The role of the Irish language in Northern Ireland’s deadlock". The Economist. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
^ "DUP veterans motion prompts strong Commons support". The News Letter. 23 February 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
^ McCulloch, Allison (2014). Power-Sharing and Political Stability in Deeply Divided Societies. Routledge. p. 69. ISBN 978-1-317-68219-6. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
^ McGarry, John; O'Leary, Brendan (17 June 2013). The Politics of Ethnic Conflict Regulation: Case Studies of Protracted Ethnic Conflicts. Routledge. p. 135. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
^ "The DUP kingmakers who could keep Theresa May in power". Lincolnshire Live. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
^ "The DUP could form the next government – but who are they?". Leicester Mercury. 9 June 2017.
^ Myall, Steve (10 June 2017). "The DUP are key to Tories keeping power – everything you need to know about them". Daily Mirror.
^ Ignatieff, Michael. Blood and Belonging: Journeys into the New Nationalism. Vintage, 1994. p.184.
^ Manley, John (7 June 2017). "Arlene Foster urged to make unequivocal rejection of loyalist paramilitary support". The Irish News. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
^ Gordon, Gareth (7 June 2017). "DUP 'divorces' from Loyalist endorsement". BBC News. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
^ Young, David (7 June 2017). "Arlene Foster rejects paramilitary-linked backing for party". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
^ "Foster: DUP 'fundamentally rejects' endorsement from paramilitary groups". News Letter. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
^ Bruce, Steve. Paisley: Religion and Politics in Northern Ireland. Oxford University Press, 2007. p.188
^ "Caleb Foundation: The Creationist Bible group and its web of influence at Stormont". Belfast Telegraph. 1 September 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
^ http://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/09/opinion/sunday/after-britain-election-theresa-may-zombie-tory.html
^ Tonge, Jonathan. The Democratic Unionist Party: From Protest to Power. Oxford University Press, 2014. p.155
^ "1982: DUP furious at gay law reforms". The News Letter. Belfast, Northern Ireland. 5 January 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
^ "Same-sex marriage: Proposal wins assembly majority but fails over DUP block". BBC News. 2 November 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
^ Duffy, Nick (22 April 2017). "Northern Ireland's DUP would rather block gay marriage than form a government". PinkNews. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
^ "Bid for ‘conscience clause’ after gay marriage cake row". The Irish Times. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
^ ^a ^b ^c Syal, Rajeev (9 June 2017). "From climate denial to abortion: six DUP stances you should know about". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
^ ^a ^b O'Brien, Katherine (9 June 2017). "The DUP are proud to oppose abortion". iNews. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
^ ^a ^b Lesley-Anne Henry (26 September 2007). "Tussle of Biblical proportions over creationism in Ulster classrooms". Belfast Telegraph.
^ "MLA backs event promoting teaching children creationism". The Irish News. 21 September 2016.
^ "McCausland Ulster-Scots and creation in museums call". BBC News. 26 May 2010. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
^ "DUP man joins Causeway creationist row". The News Letter. 7 July 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
^ Mosley, Tom (11 November 2011). "DUP calls for MPs to debate the death penalty". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
^ "From abortion to evolution: the terrifying views of the DUP you need to know". The Independent. 9 June 2017.
^ ^a ^b Hughes, Laura (9 June 2017). "Who are the DUP and will they demand a soft Brexit to prop up the Tories?". The Telegraph. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
^ "Sammy Wilson hits back over 'ethnics out' comment". BBC News. 1 March 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
^ "Policies – A world class health service – Democratic Unionist Party". www.mydup.com.
^ "Who We Are – Democratic Unionist Party". mydup.com.

External links

Official website

[1] "Unionist bid to be UK 'kingmakers' unsettles some in Northern Ireland". Reuters. Retrieved 11 July 2015.

[2] Nordsieck, Wolfram. "Parties and Elections in Europe". www.parties-and-elections.eu. Retrieved 11 July 2015.

[3] Marcus, Ruth. "Gender aside, the fall of Irish politician Iris Robinson is the same old sex scandal", Washington Post, 14 January 2010

[The_Party_Politics_of_Euroscepticism-4] Taggart, Paul; Szczerbiak, Aleks. "The Party Politics of Euroscepticism in EU Member and Candidate States" (PDF). SEI Working Paper. 51. Sussex European Institute: 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 December 2009. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[Ingle156-5] Ingle, Stephen (2008). The British Party System: An Introduction. Routledge. p. 156.

[:2-6] "Who are the DUP? What you need to know about the Democratic Unionist Party", By Tom Burnett. The Sentinel. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017.

[:1-7] "Election results 2017: Could the Democratic Unionist Party be Westminster kingmakers?", By Mark Devenport. BBC News. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017.

[FTDUP-8] "It will be ‘difficult’ for May to survive, says N Ireland’s DUP", By Vincent Boland & Robert Wright. Financial Times. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.

[LBCDUP-9] "Who Are The DUP? The Democratic Unionist Party Explained", LBC. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.

[10] "Conservatives agree pact with DUP to support May government". BBC News. 26 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.

[11] "DUP confirms it will campaign for Brexit in Leave/Remain referendum". Belfast Telegraph. Belfast Telegraph. 20 February 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2017. The Democratic Unionist Party has formally announced its intention to campaign for a Brexit.

[12] Jamie Merrill (9 June 2017). "What is the DUP position on Brexit?". The Essential Daily Briefing. iNews. Retrieved 16 June 2017. No-one wants to see a 'hard' Brexit, what we want to see is a workable plan to leave the European Union, and that's what the national vote was about – therefore we need to get on with that.

[BBC1-13] "DUP 'would share power in May'". BBC News Online. BBC. 24 March 2007. Retrieved 7 April 2007.

[allisterquits-14] "Allister quits power-sharing DUP". BBC News Online. BBC. 27 March 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2007.

[councillors-15] "Seventh councillor leaves the DUP". BBC News Online. BBC. 5 April 2007. Retrieved 7 April 2007.

[16] "New unionist group to be launched". BBC News.

[17] "I may be a devout Catholic but I will vote for DUP, says ex-SDLP mayor". nuzhound.com.

[18] "Priest: Catholics support the DUP". Impartial Reporter.

[19] CNN, Nic Robertson and Elizabeth Roberts. "Who are Northern Ireland's DUP?". CNN. Retrieved 6 July 2017. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)

[20] Richard English. The State: Historical and Political Dimensions, Charles Townshend, 1998, Routledge, p. 96; ISBN 0-41515-477-4.

[dbryan-21] Dominic Bryan. Orange Parades: The Politics of Ritual, Tradition and Control, Pluto Press (2000), p. 94; ISBN 0-74531-413-9.

[22] "Beyond the Sectarian Divide: the Social Bases and Political Consequences of Nationalist and Unionist Party Competition in Ireland" by Geoffrey Evans and Mary Duffy. In British Journal of Political Science, Vol. 27, No. 1. (Jan. 1997), p.58

[23] David George Boyce and Alan O'Day. Defenders of the Union: a survey of British and Irish unionism since 1801. Routledge, 2001. p.255.

[24] Tonge, Jonathan. Northern Ireland: Conflict and Change. Pearson Education, 2002. p.119.

[25] "CAIN: Events: UWC Strike: Anderson, Don. - Chapter from '14 May Days'".

[26] Oireachtas Sub-Committee report on the Barron Report (2004), p.25

[27] Dr Martin Melaugh. "Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention – A Summary of Main Events". Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN). Retrieved 9 June 2017.

[cain79-28] A Chronology of the Conflict – 1979. Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN).

[29] Henry Patterson, Eric P. Kaufmann. Unionism and Orangeism in Northern Ireland Since 1945. Manchester University Press, 2007. p.198-199

[cain81-30] A Chronology of the Conflict – 1981, Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN)

[31] Hall, Michael. The Death of the Peace Process?: A survey of community perceptions. Island Publications, 1997. p.10

[aia-32] Anglo-Irish Agreement – Chronology of Events Archived 6 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN). Retrieved 12 September 2014.

[33] "A Chronology of the Conflict – 1986". Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN). Retrieved 9 June 2017.

[cain-u-34] "Abstracts of Organisations: U". Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN). Retrieved 22 September 2014.

[35] "A spectre from the past back to haunt peace". Belfast Telegraph. 10 June 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2017.

[36] McAuley, James. The politics of identity: a loyalist community in Belfast. Avebury, 1994. p.77

[Wood_184-185-37] Wood, Ian S. Crimes of Loyalty: A History of the UDA. Edinburgh University Press, 2006. Pages 184–185.

[38] Martin Melaugh. "CAIN: Issues: Politics: Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) (2004) Devolution Now: The DUP's Concept for Devolution, 5 February 2004". Cain.ulst.ac.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2010.

[39] Moving On, Democratic Unionist Party Archived 13 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine

[40] Facing Reality, Democratic Unionist Party Archived 13 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine

[41] "2005 Local Government Election Results". Northern Ireland Elections. ARK.

[42] "Paisley 'will accept nomination'". BBC News.

[st040207-43] Sunday Times, page 1.10, 4 February 2007

[belfasttelegraph060407-44] Noel McAdam (6 April 2007). "Agreement must bring benefits, Congressmen are told". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 6 April 2007.^{[permanent dead link]}

[45] "Twelve good folk and true... or Brown's dirty dozen?". The Independent. London. 15 June 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2010.

[46] Sharrock, David; Coates, Sam (12 June 2008). "42 day detention: bribes and concessions that got DUP on side". The Times. Retrieved 13 June 2017. Sweeteners for Northern Ireland and a peerage for the Rev Ian Paisley, dropping sanctions on Cuba and the governorship of Bermuda were among the offers the Government is thought to have used to secure Gordon Brown's victory in yesterday's vote. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)

[47] Lucy Ballinger (6 April 2009). "MP couple taking more than £570,000 from taxpayer in salaries and expenses". Daily Mail. London. Retrieved 18 June 2010.

[48] "Dodds' expenses bill NI's highest". BBC News.

[49] O'Doherty, Malachi (8 January 2010). "The real Robinson affair". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 1 April 2010.

[50] "Tatchell: Robinson is 'two-faced hypocrite'". Morning Star. 8 January 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2010.

[role-51] "The DUP's full role in Red Sky row revealed". The Detail.

[52] Justice, Adam (18 March 2015). "General Election 2015: Ukip could form coalition with Tories and DUP". International Business Times. Retrieved 29 March 2016.

[53] Wilkinson, Michael (5 May 2015). "Conservative Ukip coalition: what have the parties said". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 29 March 2016.

[54] Cromie, Claire (16 April 2015). "Nick Clegg warns of rightwing 'Blukip' alliance of DUP, Ukip and the Conservatives". The Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 29 March 2016.

[55] Stone, Jon (28 April 2015). "Tory coalition with DUP and Ukip could spell the end of the BBC as we know it". The Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 29 March 2016.

[56] Dunne, Ciara (16 March 2015). "An alliance with the DUP will be a harder bargain than either Labour or the Tories think". New Statesman. Retrieved 29 March 2016.

[JonesAttitude5May15-57] Stroude, Will (5 May 2015). "Owen Jones warns of 'homophobic' DUP holding influence over future government". Attitude Magazine. Retrieved 12 January 2016.

[58] "Cameron vow on DUP gay rights stance". BBC Newsline. 23 April 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2016 – via Facebook.

[:0-59] "Statement by First Minister & DUP Leader Peter Robinson MLA". www.mydup.com. Retrieved 10 September 2015.

[dark_money_#1-60] "What connects Brexit, the DUP, dark money and a Saudi prince?". The Irish Times. 16 May 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[61] Manley, John (14 October 2016). "NI Conservatives' disquiet over DUP love-in to be raised with party HQ". The Irish News.

[62] Gibbon, Gary (4 October 2016). "Tories look to increase majority with DUP deal". Channel 4.

[about-63] "Q&A: What is the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme?". BBC News. 13 December 2016.

[64] McAdam, Noel (7 March 2017). "I want one party for unionism, says DUP's Arlene Foster". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 13 March 2017.

[65] "Election results 2017: DUP and Sinn Féin celebrate election gains". BBC News. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017.

[McDonald090617-66] McDonald, Henry; Syal, Rajeecvurl=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/09/theresa-may-reaches-deal-with-dup-to-form-government-after-shock-election-result-northern-ireland (9 June 2017). "May reaches deal with DUP to form government after shock election result". The Guardian. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[britishness1-67] James W. McAuley, Graham Spencer. Ulster Loyalism After the Good Friday Agreement. Palgrave Macmillan, 2011. p.124

[britishness2-68] "DUP fights back against 'erosion of Britishness'". The News Letter. 25 June 2008.

[69] Tonge, Jonathan. The Democratic Unionist Party: From Protest to Power. Oxford University Press, 2014. p.151

[70] Muller, Janet. Language and Conflict in Northern Ireland and Canada: A Silent War. Palgrave Macmillan, 2010. p.122

[71] "DUP will never agree to Irish language act, says Foster". BBC News. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.

[72] "The role of the Irish language in Northern Ireland’s deadlock". The Economist. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.

[73] "DUP veterans motion prompts strong Commons support". The News Letter. 23 February 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.

[74] McCulloch, Allison (2014). Power-Sharing and Political Stability in Deeply Divided Societies. Routledge. p. 69. ISBN 978-1-317-68219-6. Retrieved 10 June 2017.

[75] McGarry, John; O'Leary, Brendan (17 June 2013). The Politics of Ethnic Conflict Regulation: Case Studies of Protracted Ethnic Conflicts. Routledge. p. 135. Retrieved 10 June 2017.

[76] "The DUP kingmakers who could keep Theresa May in power". Lincolnshire Live. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.

[77] "The DUP could form the next government – but who are they?". Leicester Mercury. 9 June 2017.

[78] Myall, Steve (10 June 2017). "The DUP are key to Tories keeping power – everything you need to know about them". Daily Mirror.

[79] Ignatieff, Michael. Blood and Belonging: Journeys into the New Nationalism. Vintage, 1994. p.184.

[80] Manley, John (7 June 2017). "Arlene Foster urged to make unequivocal rejection of loyalist paramilitary support". The Irish News. Retrieved 9 June 2017.

[81] Gordon, Gareth (7 June 2017). "DUP 'divorces' from Loyalist endorsement". BBC News. Retrieved 12 June 2017.

[82] Young, David (7 June 2017). "Arlene Foster rejects paramilitary-linked backing for party". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 12 June 2017.

[NewsLetter7June-83] "Foster: DUP 'fundamentally rejects' endorsement from paramilitary groups". News Letter. Retrieved 13 June 2017.

[84] Bruce, Steve. Paisley: Religion and Politics in Northern Ireland. Oxford University Press, 2007. p.188

[85] "Caleb Foundation: The Creationist Bible group and its web of influence at Stormont". Belfast Telegraph. 1 September 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2017.

[nytimes17-86] ttp://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/09/opinion/sunday/after-britain-election-theresa-may-zombie-tory.html

[87] Tonge, Jonathan. The Democratic Unionist Party: From Protest to Power. Oxford University Press, 2014. p.155

[88] "1982: DUP furious at gay law reforms". The News Letter. Belfast, Northern Ireland. 5 January 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2017.

[SSM-89] "Same-sex marriage: Proposal wins assembly majority but fails over DUP block". BBC News. 2 November 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2017.

[90] Duffy, Nick (22 April 2017). "Northern Ireland's DUP would rather block gay marriage than form a government". PinkNews. Retrieved 9 June 2017.

[91] "Bid for ‘conscience clause’ after gay marriage cake row". The Irish Times. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2017.

[Syal-92] Syal, Rajeev (9 June 2017). "From climate denial to abortion: six DUP stances you should know about". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 June 2017.

[O'Brien-93] O'Brien, Katherine (9 June 2017). "The DUP are proud to oppose abortion". iNews. Retrieved 9 June 2017.

[creationism-94] Lesley-Anne Henry (26 September 2007). "Tussle of Biblical proportions over creationism in Ulster classrooms". Belfast Telegraph.

[95] "MLA backs event promoting teaching children creationism". The Irish News. 21 September 2016.

[96] "McCausland Ulster-Scots and creation in museums call". BBC News. 26 May 2010. Retrieved 11 June 2017.

[97] "DUP man joins Causeway creationist row". The News Letter. 7 July 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2017.

[98] Mosley, Tom (11 November 2011). "DUP calls for MPs to debate the death penalty". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 10 June 2017.

[99] "From abortion to evolution: the terrifying views of the DUP you need to know". The Independent. 9 June 2017.

[Hughes-100] Hughes, Laura (9 June 2017). "Who are the DUP and will they demand a soft Brexit to prop up the Tories?". The Telegraph. Retrieved 9 June 2017.

[101] "Sammy Wilson hits back over 'ethnics out' comment". BBC News. 1 March 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2017.

[102] "Policies – A world class health service – Democratic Unionist Party". www.mydup.com.

[103] "Who We Are – Democratic Unionist Party". mydup.com.

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@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 [[Ian Paisley]] founded the DUP in 1971, during [[the Troubles]], and led the party for the next 37 years. Now led by [[Arlene Foster]], it is the party with the most seats in the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]] and the 5th-largest party in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]. Following the [[United Kingdom general election, 2017|2017 general election]], the party has [[Conservative–DUP agreement|agreed to support]] a [[Second May ministry|Conservative minority government]] on a case-by-case basis on matters of mutual concern.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-40403434|title=Conservatives agree pact with DUP to support May government|date=2017-06-26|work=BBC News|access-date=2017-06-26|language=en-GB}}</ref>
-The DUP evolved from the [[Protestant Unionist Party]] and has historically strong links to the [[Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster]], the church Paisley founded. During the Troubles, the DUP opposed attempts to resolve the conflict that would involve sharing power with Irish nationalists or [[Irish republicanism|republicans]], and rejected attempts to involve the [[Republic of Ireland]] in Northern Irish affairs. It campaigned against the [[Sunningdale Agreement]] of 1973, the [[Anglo-Irish Agreement]] of 1985, and the [[Good Friday Agreement]] of 1998. In the 1980s, the party was involved in setting up the paramilitary movements [[Third Force (Northern Ireland)|Third Force]] and [[Ulster Resistance]].
+The DUP evolved from the [[Protestant Unionist Party]] and has historically strong links to the [[Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster]], the church Paisley founded. During the Troubles, the DUP opposed attempts to resolve the conflict that would involve sharing power with Irish nationalists or [[Irish republicanism|republicans]] and rejected attempts to involve the [[Republic of Ireland]] in Northern Irish affairs. It campaigned against the [[Sunningdale Agreement]] of 1973, the [[Anglo-Irish Agreement]] of 1985, and the [[Good Friday Agreement]] of 1998. In the 1980s, the party was involved in setting up the paramilitary movements [[Third Force (Northern Ireland)|Third Force]] and [[Ulster Resistance]].
 It is [[Centre-right politics|centre-right]] to [[right-wing]] and [[social conservatism|socially conservative]], being [[Anti-abortion movements|anti-abortion]] and opposing [[same-sex marriage]]. The DUP sees itself as defending [[Britishness]] and [[Ulster Protestant]] culture against [[Irish nationalism]]. It is [[Euroscepticism|Eurosceptic]] and backs the [[Brexit|UK's withdrawal from the European Union]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/dup-confirms-it-will-campaign-for-brexit-in-leaveremain-referendum-34470806.html|title=DUP confirms it will campaign for Brexit in Leave/Remain referendum|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=20 February 2016|website=Belfast Telegraph|publisher=Belfast Telegraph|access-date=16 June 2017|quote=The Democratic Unionist Party has formally announced its intention to campaign for a Brexit.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/politics/dup-position-brexit/|title=What is the DUP position on Brexit?|author=Jamie Merrill|date=9 June 2017|website=The Essential Daily Briefing|publisher=iNews|access-date=16 June 2017|quote=No-one wants to see a ‘hard’ Brexit, what we want to see is a workable plan to leave the European Union, and that’s what the national vote was about – therefore we need to get on with that.}}</ref>
-For most of the DUP's history, the [[Ulster Unionist Party]] was the largest unionist party in Northern Ireland, but by 2004 the DUP had overtaken the UUP in terms of seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly and [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]]. Following the [[St Andrews Agreement]] in 2006, the DUP agreed to enter into [[Consociationalism|power-sharing]] [[Devolution|devolved]] government in Northern Ireland with [[Sinn Féin]]. Despite reports of divisions within the party, a majority of the party executive voted in favour of power-sharing in 2007.<ref name="BBC1">{{cite news |title=DUP 'would share power in May'|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6491769.stm|work=[[BBC News Online]] |publisher=BBC|date=24 March 2007|accessdate=7 April 2007}}</ref> However, the DUP's sole Member of the European Parliament (MEP), [[Jim Allister]],<ref name="allisterquits">{{cite news |title=Allister quits power-sharing DUP|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6499623.stm|work=[[BBC News Online]]|publisher=BBC|date=27 March 2007|accessdate=27 March 2007}}</ref> and seven DUP councillors<ref name="councillors">{{cite news |title=Seventh councillor leaves the DUP|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6524109.stm|work=[[BBC News Online]] |publisher=BBC|date=5 April 2007|accessdate=7 April 2007}}</ref> left the party in opposition to its plans to share power with Sinn Féin, founding the [[Traditional Unionist Voice]].<ref>{{cite news| title=New unionist group to be launched| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7131912.stm | work=BBC News}}</ref> [[Peter Robinson (Northern Ireland politician)|Peter Robinson]] became DUP leader in 2008. Under his leadership, the loyalist influence reduced somewhat, in an attempt to reach out to non-Protestants, particularly socially conservative [[Irish Catholic|Catholics]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nuzhound.com/articles/Belfast_Telegraph/arts2012/dec4_Catholic_ex-mayor_DUP__LClarke_Bel-Telegraph.php|title=I may be a devout Catholic but I will vote for DUP, says ex-SDLP mayor |work=nuzhound.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.impartialreporter.com/news/roundup/articles/2013/04/18/400601-priest-catholics-support-the-dup/|title=Priest: Catholics support the DUP|work=Impartial Reporter}}</ref> and [[Catholic unionist]]s.
+For most of the DUP's history, the [[Ulster Unionist Party]] was the largest unionist party in Northern Ireland, but by 2004 the DUP had overtaken the UUP in terms of seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly and [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]]. Following the [[St Andrews Agreement]] in 2006, the DUP agreed to enter into [[Consociationalism|power-sharing]] [[Devolution|devolved]] government in Northern Ireland with [[Sinn Féin]]. Despite reports of divisions within the party, a majority of the party executive voted in favor of power-sharing in 2007.<ref name="BBC1">{{cite news |title=DUP 'would share power in May'|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6491769.stm|work=[[BBC News Online]] |publisher=BBC|date=24 March 2007|accessdate=7 April 2007}}</ref> However, the DUP's sole Member of the European Parliament (MEP), [[Jim Allister]],<ref name="allisterquits">{{cite news |title=Allister quits power-sharing DUP|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6499623.stm|work=[[BBC News Online]]|publisher=BBC|date=27 March 2007|accessdate=27 March 2007}}</ref> and seven DUP councilors<ref name="councillors">{{cite news |title=Seventh councillor leaves the DUP|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6524109.stm|work=[[BBC News Online]] |publisher=BBC|date=5 April 2007|accessdate=7 April 2007}}</ref> left the party in opposition to its plans to share power with Sinn Féin, founding the [[Traditional Unionist Voice]].<ref>{{cite news| title=New unionist group to be launched| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7131912.stm | work=BBC News}}</ref> [[Peter Robinson (Northern Ireland politician)|Peter Robinson]] became DUP leader in 2008. Under his leadership, the loyalist influence reduced somewhat, in an attempt to reach out to non-Protestants, particularly socially conservative [[Irish Catholic|Catholics]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nuzhound.com/articles/Belfast_Telegraph/arts2012/dec4_Catholic_ex-mayor_DUP__LClarke_Bel-Telegraph.php|title=I may be a devout Catholic but I will vote for DUP, says ex-SDLP mayor |work=nuzhound.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.impartialreporter.com/news/roundup/articles/2013/04/18/400601-priest-catholics-support-the-dup/|title=Priest: Catholics support the DUP|work=Impartial Reporter}}</ref> and [[Catholic unionist]]s.
+Democratic Unionist Party boasts fierce loyalty to the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarchy]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/13/europe/who-are-the-dup/index.html|title=Who are Northern Ireland's DUP?|last=CNN|first=Nic Robertson and Elizabeth Roberts|website=CNN|access-date=2017-07-06}}</ref>.
 == History ==
@@ Line 63: / Line 65: @@
 The [[Anglo-Irish Agreement]] was signed by the British and Irish governments in November 1985, following months of talks between the two. The Agreement confirmed there would be no change in the status of Northern Ireland without [[principle of consent|the consent of a majority of its citizens]], and proposed the creation of a new power-sharing government. It also gave the Irish government an advisory role on some matters in Northern Ireland. Both the DUP and UUP mounted a major protest campaign against the Agreement, dubbed "[[Ulster Says No]]". Both unionist parties resigned their seats in the British House of Commons, suspended district council meetings, and led a campaign of mass [[civil disobedience]]. There were strikes and mass protest rallies.<ref name=aia>[http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/events/aia/chron.htm Anglo-Irish Agreement – Chronology of Events] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206111841/http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/events/aia/chron.htm |date=6 December 2010 }}. [[Conflict Archive on the Internet]] (CAIN). Retrieved 12 September 2014.</ref>
-On 23 June 1986, DUP politicians occupied the [[Parliament Buildings (Northern Ireland)|Stormont Parliament Building]] in protest at the Agreement, while 200 supporters protested outside and clashed with police.<ref name=aia /> The DUP politicians were forcibly removed by police the next day.<ref name=aia /> On 10 July, Paisley and deputy DUP leader Peter Robinson led 4,000 loyalist supporters in a protest in which they 'occupied' the town of [[Hillsborough, County Down|Hillsborough]]. [[Hillsborough Castle]] is where the Agreement had been signed.<ref name=aia /> On 7 August, Robinson led hundreds of loyalist supporters in [[Clontibret invasion|an invasion of the village]] of [[Clontibret]], in the Republic of Ireland. The loyalists  marched up and down the main street, vandalised property, and attacked two Irish police officers ([[Garda Síochána|Gardaí]]) before fleeing back over the border. Robinson was arrested and convicted for [[unlawful assembly]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/chron/ch86.htm#Aug |title=A Chronology of the Conflict – 1986 |publisher=[[Conflict Archive on the Internet]] (CAIN) |accessdate=9 June 2017}}</ref>
+On 23 June 1986, DUP politicians occupied the [[Parliament Buildings (Northern Ireland)|Stormont Parliament Building]] in protest at the Agreement, while 200 supporters protested outside and clashed with police.<ref name=aia /> The DUP politicians were forcibly removed by police the next day.<ref name=aia /> On 10 July, Paisley and deputy DUP leader Peter Robinson led 4,000 loyalist supporters in a protest in which they 'occupied' the town of [[Hillsborough, County Down|Hillsborough]]. [[Hillsborough Castle]] is where the Agreement had been signed.<ref name=aia /> On 7 August, Robinson led hundreds of loyalist supporters in [[Clontibret invasion|an invasion of the village]] of [[Clontibret]], in the Republic of Ireland. The loyalists marched up and down the main street, vandalized property, and attacked two Irish police officers ([[Garda Síochána|Gardaí]]) before fleeing back over the border. Robinson was arrested and convicted for [[unlawful assembly]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/chron/ch86.htm#Aug |title=A Chronology of the Conflict – 1986 |publisher=[[Conflict Archive on the Internet]] (CAIN) |accessdate=9 June 2017}}</ref>
-On 10 November 1986, a rally was held in which DUP politicians Paisley, Robinson and [[Ivan Foster]] announced the formation of the [[Ulster Resistance]] Movement (URM). This was a loyalist paramilitary group whose purpose was to "take direct action as and when required" to bring down the Agreement and defeat republicanism.<ref name=cain-u>{{cite web|url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/organ/uorgan.htm#ur|title=Abstracts of Organisations: U |publisher=[[Conflict Archive on the Internet]] (CAIN)|accessdate=22 September 2014}}</ref> Recruitment rallies were held in towns across Northern Ireland and thousands were said to have joined.<ref name=cain-u /> The following year, the URM helped smuggle a large shipment of weapons into Northern Ireland, which were shared out between the URM, the [[Ulster Volunteer Force]] (UVF) and the [[Ulster Defence Association]] (UDA). Most, but not all, of the weaponry was seized by police in 1988. In 1989, URM members attempted to trade [[Short Brothers|Shorts]]' missile blueprints for weapons from the [[apartheid]] [[South Africa]]n regime. Following these revelations, the DUP said that it had cut its links with the URM in 1987.<ref>[http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/news/a-spectre-from-the-past-back-to-haunt-peace-28401321.html "A spectre from the past back to haunt peace"]. ''[[Belfast Telegraph]]''. 10 June 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2017.</ref>
+On 10 November 1986, a rally was held in which DUP politicians Paisley, Robinson and [[Ivan Foster]] announced the formation of the [[Ulster Resistance]] Movement (URM). This was a loyalist paramilitary group whose purpose was to "take direct action as and when required" to bring down the Agreement and defeat republicanism.<ref name=cain-u>{{cite web|url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/organ/uorgan.htm#ur|title=Abstracts of Organisations: U |publisher=[[Conflict Archive on the Internet]] (CAIN)|accessdate=22 September 2014}}</ref> Recruitment rallies were held in towns across Northern Ireland and thousands were said to have joined.<ref name=cain-u /> The following year, the URM helped smuggle a large shipment of weapons into Northern Ireland, which was shared out between the URM, the [[Ulster Volunteer Force]] (UVF) and the [[Ulster Defence Association]] (UDA). Most, but not all, of the weaponry, was seized by police in 1988. In 1989, URM members attempted to trade [[Short Brothers|Shorts]]' missile blueprints for weapons from the [[apartheid]] [[South Africa]]n regime. Following these revelations, the DUP said that it had cut its links with the URM in 1987.<ref>[http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/news/a-spectre-from-the-past-back-to-haunt-peace-28401321.html "A spectre from the past back to haunt peace"]. ''[[Belfast Telegraph]]''. 10 June 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2017.</ref>
-In the mid-1980s, the Irish republican party [[Sinn Féin]] began to contest and win seats in local council elections. In response, the DUP fought elections under the slogan "Smash Sinn Féin" and vowed to exclude Sinn Féin councillors from all council business. Their 1985 manifesto said "The Sinn Féiners must be ostracised and isolated" at all local government bodies. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, DUP councillors attempted to exclude Sinn Féin councillors by ignoring them, boycotting their speeches, or drowning them out by making as much noise as possible – such as by heckling and banging tables.<ref>McAuley, James. ''The politics of identity: a loyalist community in Belfast''. Avebury, 1994. p.77</ref>
+In the mid-1980s, the Irish republican party [[Sinn Féin]] began to contest and win seats in local council elections. In response, the DUP fought elections under the slogan "Smash Sinn Féin" and vowed to exclude Sinn Féin councilors from all council business. Their 1985 manifesto said "The Sinn Féiners must be ostracized and isolated" at all local government bodies. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, DUP councilors attempted to exclude Sinn Féin councilors by ignoring them, boycotting their speeches or drowning them out by making as much noise as possible – such as by heckling and banging tables.<ref>McAuley, James. ''The politics of identity: a loyalist community in Belfast''. Avebury, 1994. p.77</ref>
 In early January 1994, the Ulster Defence Association released a document calling for the [[repartition of Ireland]] with the goal of making Northern Ireland wholly Protestant.<ref name="Wood 184-185">Wood, Ian S. ''Crimes of Loyalty: A History of the UDA''. Edinburgh University Press, 2006. Pages 184–185.</ref>  The plan was to be implemented should the British Army withdraw from Northern Ireland. The Irish Catholic/nationalist-majority areas would be handed over to the Republic, and those left in the rump state would be "expelled, [[ethnic cleansing|nullified]], or [[internment|interned]]".<ref name="Wood 184-185" />  [[Sammy Wilson (politician)|Sammy Wilson]], then a DUP press officer and a future [[Northern Ireland Executive|Stormont minister]] and [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]], spoke positively of the document, calling it a "valuable return to reality" and lauded the UDA for "contemplating what needs to be done to maintain our separate Ulster identity".<ref name="Wood 184-185" />
 === 1998–2004 ===
-During the [[Northern Ireland peace process]] of the 1990s, the DUP was initially involved in the negotiations under former United States Senator [[George J. Mitchell]] that led to the [[Good Friday Agreement]] of 1998, but withdrew in protest when [[Sinn Féin]], an [[Irish republicanism|Irish republican]] party with links to the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] (IRA), was allowed to participate while the IRA kept its weapons. The DUP opposed the Agreement in the [[Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement referendum, 1998|Good Friday Agreement referendum]], in which the Agreement was approved with 71.1% of the electorate in favour.
+During the [[Northern Ireland peace process]] of the 1990s, the DUP was initially involved in the negotiations under former United States Senator [[George J. Mitchell]] that led to the [[Good Friday Agreement]] of 1998, but withdrew in protest when [[Sinn Féin]], an [[Irish republicanism|Irish republican]] party with links to the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] (IRA), was allowed to participate while the IRA kept its weapons. The DUP opposed the Agreement in the [[Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement referendum, 1998|Good Friday Agreement referendum]], in which the Agreement was approved with 71.1% of the electorate in favor.
 The DUP's opposition was based on a number of reasons, including:
@@ Line 82: / Line 84: @@
 The DUP contested the [[Northern Ireland Assembly election, 1998|1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election]] that resulted from the Good Friday Agreement, winning 20 seats, the third-highest of any party. It then took up two of the ten seats in the multi-party power-sharing Executive. While serving as ministers, they refused to sit at meetings of the Executive Committee in protest at Sinn Féin's participation.{{Citation needed|date=August 2007}} The Executive ultimately collapsed over an alleged IRA espionage ring at [[Parliament Buildings (Northern Ireland)|Stormont]] (see [[Stormontgate]]).
-The Good Friday Agreement relied on the support of a majority of unionists and a majority of nationalists in order for it to operate.{{Citation needed|date=August 2007}} During the [[Northern Ireland Assembly election, 2003|2003 Northern Ireland Assembly election]], the DUP argued for a "fair deal" that could command the support of both unionists and nationalists. After the results of this election the DUP argued that support was no longer present within unionism for the Good Friday Agreement. They went on to publish their proposals for devolution in Ireland entitled ''Devolution Now''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Martin Melaugh |url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/politics/docs/dup/dup050204text.htm |title=CAIN: Issues: Politics: Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) (2004) Devolution Now: The DUP's Concept for Devolution, 5 February 2004 |publisher=Cain.ulst.ac.uk |date= |accessdate=18 June 2010}}</ref> These proposals have been refined and re-stated in further policy documents including ''Moving on''<ref>[http://www.dup.org.uk/pdf/DUPMovingOn05.pdf Moving On], Democratic Unionist Party {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313184328/http://www.dup.org.uk/pdf/DUPMovingOn05.pdf |date=13 March 2012 }}</ref> and ''Facing Reality''.<ref>[http://www.dup.org.uk/pdf/DUPFacingReality.pdf Facing Reality], Democratic Unionist Party {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313184348/http://www.dup.org.uk/pdf/DUPFacingReality.pdf |date=13 March 2012 }}</ref>
+The Good Friday Agreement relied on the support of a majority of unionists and a majority of nationalists in order for it to operate.{{Citation needed|date=August 2007}} During the [[Northern Ireland Assembly election, 2003|2003 Northern Ireland Assembly election]], the DUP argued for a "fair deal" that could command the support of both unionists and nationalists. After the results of this election, the DUP argued that support was no longer present within unionism for the Good Friday Agreement. They went on to publish their proposals for devolution in Ireland entitled ''Devolution Now''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Martin Melaugh |url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/politics/docs/dup/dup050204text.htm |title=CAIN: Issues: Politics: Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) (2004) Devolution Now: The DUP's Concept for Devolution, 5 February 2004 |publisher=Cain.ulst.ac.uk |date= |accessdate=18 June 2010}}</ref> These proposals have been refined and re-stated in further policy documents including ''Moving on''<ref>[http://www.dup.org.uk/pdf/DUPMovingOn05.pdf Moving On], Democratic Unionist Party {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313184328/http://www.dup.org.uk/pdf/DUPMovingOn05.pdf |date=13 March 2012 }}</ref> and ''Facing Reality''.<ref>[http://www.dup.org.uk/pdf/DUPFacingReality.pdf Facing Reality], Democratic Unionist Party {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313184348/http://www.dup.org.uk/pdf/DUPFacingReality.pdf |date=13 March 2012 }}</ref>
 In the 2003 Northern Ireland Assembly election, the DUP won 30 seats, the most of any party. In January 2004, it became the largest Northern Ireland party at [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Westminster]], when MP [[Jeffrey Donaldson]] joined after defecting from the UUP. In December 2004, English MP [[Andrew Hunter (British politician)|Andrew Hunter]] took the DUP whip after earlier withdrawing from the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], giving the party seven seats, in comparison to the UUP's five, Sinn Féin's four, and the [[Social Democratic and Labour Party]]'s (SDLP) three
 === 2005–2007 ===
-In the [[United Kingdom general election, 2005|2005 UK general election]], the party reinforced its position as the largest unionist party, winning nine seats, making it the fourth largest party in terms of seats in the British House of Commons behind Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. In terms of votes, the DUP was the fourth largest party on the island of Ireland.
+In the [[United Kingdom general election, 2005|2005 UK general election]], the party reinforced its position as the largest unionist party, winning nine seats, making it the fourth largest party in terms of seats in the British House of Commons behind Labour, the Conservatives, and the Liberal Democrats. In terms of votes, the DUP was the fourth largest party on the island of Ireland.
-At the [[Northern Ireland local elections, 2005|local government election of 2005]], the DUP emerged as the largest party at local government level with 182 councillors across Northern Ireland's 26 district councils.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/flg05.htm|title= 2005 Local Government Election Results|website=Northern Ireland Elections|publisher=ARK}}</ref> The DUP had a majority of the members on [[Castlereagh (borough)|Castlereagh Borough Council]], which had long been a DUP stronghold and was home to party leader [[Peter Robinson (Northern Ireland politician)|Peter Robinson]], also in [[Ballymena (borough)|Ballymena Borough Council]], home to the party's founder Ian Paisley, and finally [[Ards (borough)|Ards Borough Council]]. As well as outright control on these councils, the DUP was also the largest party in eight other councils – [[Antrim (borough)|Antrim Borough Council]], [[Ballymoney (borough)|Ballymoney Borough Council]], [[Banbridge (district)|Banbridge District Council]], [[Belfast City Council]], [[Carrickfergus Borough Council]], [[Coleraine Borough Council]], [[Craigavon Borough Council]] and [[Newtownabbey Borough Council]].
+At the [[Northern Ireland local elections, 2005|local government election of 2005]], the DUP emerged as the largest party at local government level with 182 councilors across Northern Ireland's 26 district councils.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/flg05.htm|title= 2005 Local Government Election Results|website=Northern Ireland Elections|publisher=ARK}}</ref> The DUP had a majority of the members of [[Castlereagh (borough)|Castlereagh Borough Council]], which had long been a DUP stronghold and was home to party leader [[Peter Robinson (Northern Ireland politician)|Peter Robinson]], also in [[Ballymena (borough)|Ballymena Borough Council]], home to the party's founder Ian Paisley, and finally [[Ards (borough)|Ards Borough Council]]. As well as outright control of these councils, the DUP was also the largest party in eight other councils – [[Antrim (borough)|Antrim Borough Council]], [[Ballymoney (borough)|Ballymoney Borough Council]], [[Banbridge (district)|Banbridge District Council]], [[Belfast City Council]], [[Carrickfergus Borough Council]], [[Coleraine Borough Council]], [[Craigavon Borough Council]] and [[Newtownabbey Borough Council]].
 On 11 April 2006, it was announced that three DUP members were to be elevated to the [[House of Lords]]: [[Maurice Morrow]], [[Wallace Browne]], the former [[Lord Mayor of Belfast]], and [[Eileen Paisley]], a vice-president of the DUP and wife of DUP Leader [[Ian Paisley]]. None, however, sit as DUP peers.
@@ Line 95: / Line 97: @@
 On 27 October 2006, the DUP issued a four-page letter in the ''[[Belfast Telegraph]]'' newspaper asking "Are the terms of Saint Andrew's a basis of moving forward to devolution?", with responses to be received to its party headquarters by 8 November. It was part of the party's policy of consultation with its electorate before entering a power-sharing government.{{Citation needed|date=August 2007}}
-On 24 November 2006, Ian Paisley refused to nominate himself as [[First Minister of Northern Ireland]] designate. There was confusion between all parties whether he actually said that if Sinn Féin supported policing and the rule of law that he would nominate himself on 28 March 2007 after the Assembly elections on 7 March 2007. The Assembly meeting was brought to an abrupt end when the building had to be evacuated because of a security breach. Paisley later released a statement through the press office stating that he did in fact imply that if Sinn Féin supported policing and the rule of law, he would go into a power-sharing government with  them. This was following a statement issued by 12 DUP MLAs stating that what Ian Paisley had said in the chamber could not be interpreted as a nomination.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/northern_ireland/6181370.stm| title=Paisley 'will accept nomination' | work=BBC News}}</ref>
+On 24 November 2006, Ian Paisley refused to nominate himself as [[First Minister of Northern Ireland]] designate. There was confusion between all parties whether he actually said that if Sinn Féin supported policing and the rule of law that he would nominate himself on 28 March 2007 after the Assembly elections on 7 March 2007. The Assembly meeting was brought to an abrupt end when the building had to be evacuated because of a security breach. Paisley later released a statement through the press office stating that he did, in fact, imply that if Sinn Féin supported policing and the rule of law, he would go into a power-sharing government with them. This was following a statement issued by 12 DUP MLAs stating that what Ian Paisley had said in the chamber could not be interpreted as a nomination.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/northern_ireland/6181370.stm| title=Paisley 'will accept nomination' | work=BBC News}}</ref>
-In February 2007, the DUP suggested that it would begin to impose fines up to [[Pound sterling|£]]20,000 on members disobeying the party whip on crucial votes.<ref name="st040207">Sunday Times, page 1.10, 4 February 2007</ref> On 24 March 2007 the DUP party executive overwhelmingly endorsed a resolution put to them by the party officers that did not agree to an establishment of devolution and an executive in Northern Ireland by the Government's deadline of 26 March, but did agree to setting up an executive on 8 May 2007.<ref name="BBC1" />
+In February 2007, the DUP suggested that it would begin to impose fines up to [[Pound sterling|£]]20,000 on members disobeying the party whip on crucial votes.<ref name="st040207">Sunday Times, page 1.10, 4 February 2007</ref> On 24 March 2007, the DUP party executive overwhelmingly endorsed a resolution put to them by the party officers that did not agree to an establishment of devolution and an executive in Northern Ireland by the Government's deadline of 26 March, but did agree to set up an executive on 8 May 2007.<ref name="BBC1" />
-On 27 March 2007, the party's sole Member of the European Parliament (MEP), [[Jim Allister]], resigned from the party, in opposition to the decision to enter a power-sharing government with Sinn Féin. He retained his seat as an independent MEP as leader of his new hard-line anti-St Andrews Agreement splinter group that he formed with other disaffected members who had left the DUP over the issue, [[Traditional Unionist Voice]], a seat which he retained until [[Diane Dodds]] won the seat back for the DUP in 2009. MP [[Gregory Campbell (politician)|Gregory Campbell]]  warned on 6 April 2007 that his party would be watching to see if benefits flow from its agreement to share power with Sinn Féin.<ref name="belfasttelegraph060407">{{cite news|title=Agreement must bring benefits, Congressmen are told |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/article2428174.ece |author=Noel McAdam |work=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |date=6 April 2007 |accessdate=6 April 2007 }}{{dead link|date=December 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
+On 27 March 2007, the party's sole Member of the European Parliament (MEP), [[Jim Allister]], resigned from the party, in opposition to the decision to enter a power-sharing government with Sinn Féin. He retained his seat as an independent MEP as leader of his new hard-line anti-St Andrews Agreement splinter group that he formed with other disaffected members who had left the DUP over the issue, [[Traditional Unionist Voice]], a seat which he retained until [[Diane Dodds]] won the seat back for the DUP in 2009. MP [[Gregory Campbell (politician)|Gregory Campbell]] warned on 6 April 2007 that his party would be watching to see if benefits flow from its agreement to share power with Sinn Féin.<ref name="belfasttelegraph060407">{{cite news|title=Agreement must bring benefits, Congressmen are told |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/article2428174.ece |author=Noel McAdam |work=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |date=6 April 2007 |accessdate=6 April 2007 }}{{dead link|date=December 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
 === Robinson leadership ===
@@ Line 105: / Line 107: @@
 [[File:Peter Robinson (cropped, March 2013).png|thumb|[[Peter Robinson (Northern Ireland politician)|Peter Robinson]], the party's deputy leader from 1980 and its leader from 2008–2015]]
-On 31 May 2008, the party's central Executive Committee met at the offices of [[Castlereagh (borough)|Castlereagh Borough Council]] where Ian Paisley formally stepped down as party leader and Peter Robinson was ratified as the new leader, with Nigel Dodds as his deputy.
+On 31 May 2008, the party's Central Executive Committee met at the offices of [[Castlereagh (borough)|Castlereagh Borough Council]] where Ian Paisley formally stepped down as party leader and Peter Robinson was ratified as the new leader, with Nigel Dodds as his deputy.
-On 11 June 2008, the party supported the government's proposal to detain terrorist  suspects for up to 42 days as part of the [[Counter-Terrorism Act 2008#42 day terrorist detention without charge|Counter-Terrorism Bill]], leading ''[[The Independent]]'' newspaper to dub all of the party's nine MPs as part of "Brown's dirty dozen".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/twelve-good-folk-and-true-or-browns-dirty-dozen-847334.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=Twelve good folk and true... or Brown's dirty dozen? | date=15 June 2008 | accessdate=1 April 2010}}</ref> ''[[The Times]]'' reported that the party had been given "sweeteners for Northern Ireland" and "a peerage for the Rev Ian Paisley", amongst other offers, to secure the bill.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sharrock|first1=David|last2=Coates|first2=Sam|title=42 day detention: bribes and concessions that got DUP on side|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/42-day-detention-bribes-and-concessions-that-got-dup-on-side-r959hlgdhhz|accessdate=13 June 2017|work=The Times|subscription=y|date=12 June 2008|language=en|quote=Sweeteners for Northern Ireland and a peerage for the Rev Ian Paisley, dropping sanctions on Cuba and the governorship of Bermuda were among the offers the Government is thought to have used to secure Gordon Brown’s victory in yesterday’s vote.}}</ref>
+On 11 June 2008, the party supported the government's proposal to detain terrorist suspects for up to 42 days as part of the [[Counter-Terrorism Act 2008#42 day terrorist detention without charge|Counter-Terrorism Bill]], leading ''[[The Independent]]'' newspaper to dub all of the party's nine MPs as part of "Brown's dirty dozen".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/twelve-good-folk-and-true-or-browns-dirty-dozen-847334.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=Twelve good folk and true... or Brown's dirty dozen? | date=15 June 2008 | accessdate=1 April 2010}}</ref> ''[[The Times]]'' reported that the party had been given "sweeteners for Northern Ireland" and "a peerage for the Rev Ian Paisley", amongst other offers, to secure the bill.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sharrock|first1=David|last2=Coates|first2=Sam|title=42 day detention: bribes and concessions that got DUP on side|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/42-day-detention-bribes-and-concessions-that-got-dup-on-side-r959hlgdhhz|accessdate=13 June 2017|work=The Times|subscription=y|date=12 June 2008|language=en|quote=Sweeteners for Northern Ireland and a peerage for the Rev Ian Paisley, dropping sanctions on Cuba and the governorship of Bermuda were among the offers the Government is thought to have used to secure Gordon Brown’s victory in yesterday’s vote.}}</ref>
-Members of the DUP were lambasted by the press and voters, after MPs' expenses reports were leaked to the media. Several newspapers referred to the "Swish Family Robinson" after Peter Robinson, and his wife Iris,  claimed £571,939.41 in expenses with a further £150,000 being paid to family members.<ref>{{cite news|author=Lucy Ballinger |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1167726/MP-couple-taking-570-000-taxpayer-salaries-expenses.html |title=MP couple taking more than £570,000 from taxpayer in salaries and expenses |work=Daily Mail |date=6 April 2009 |accessdate=18 June 2010 | location=London}}</ref> Further embarrassment was caused to the party when its deputy leader, Nigel Dodds, had the highest expenses claims of any Northern Ireland MP, ranking 13th highest out of all UK MPs.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/northern_ireland/7976508.stm|title=Dodds' expenses bill NI's highest|work=BBC News}}</ref> Details of all MPs' expenses claims since 2004 were published in July 2009 under the [[Freedom of Information Act 2000]].
+Members of the DUP were lambasted by the press and voters after MPs' expenses reports were leaked to the media. Several newspapers referred to the "Swish Family Robinson" after Peter Robinson, and his wife Iris claimed £571,939.41 in expenses with a further £150,000 being paid to family members.<ref>{{cite news|author=Lucy Ballinger |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1167726/MP-couple-taking-570-000-taxpayer-salaries-expenses.html |title=MP couple taking more than £570,000 from taxpayer in salaries and expenses |work=Daily Mail |date=6 April 2009 |accessdate=18 June 2010 | location=London}}</ref> Further embarrassment was caused to the party when its deputy leader, Nigel Dodds, had the highest expenses claims of any Northern Ireland MP, ranking 13th highest out of all UK MPs.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/northern_ireland/7976508.stm|title=Dodds' expenses bill NI's highest|work=BBC News}}</ref> Details of all MPs' expenses claims since 2004 were published in July 2009 under the [[Freedom of Information Act 2000]].
-In January 2010, Peter Robinson was at the centre of a [[Iris Robinson scandal|high-profile scandal]] relating to his 60-year-old MP/MLA wife [[Iris Robinson]]'s infidelity with a 19-year-old man, and alleged serious financial irregularities associated with the scandal.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jan/08/peter-iris-robinson-crisis | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=The real Robinson affair | date=8 January 2010 | accessdate=1 April 2010 | first=Malachi | last=O'Doherty}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/85333 |title=Tatchell: Robinson is 'two-faced hypocrite' |work=Morning Star|date=8 January 2010 |accessdate=18 June 2010}}</ref>
+In January 2010, Peter Robinson was at the center of a [[Iris Robinson scandal|high-profile scandal]] relating to his 60-year-old MP/MLA wife [[Iris Robinson]]'s infidelity with a 19-year-old man and alleged serious financial irregularities associated with the scandal.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jan/08/peter-iris-robinson-crisis | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=The real Robinson affair | date=8 January 2010 | accessdate=1 April 2010 | first=Malachi | last=O'Doherty}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/85333 |title=Tatchell: Robinson is 'two-faced hypocrite' |work=Morning Star|date=8 January 2010 |accessdate=18 June 2010}}</ref>
 In the [[United Kingdom general election, 2010|2010 general election]], the party suffered a major upset when its leader, Peter Robinson, lost his [[Belfast East (UK Parliament constituency)|Belfast East]] seat to [[Naomi Long]] of the [[Alliance Party of Northern Ireland|APNI]] on a swing of 22.9%. However, the party maintained its position elsewhere, fighting off a challenge from the [[Ulster Conservatives and Unionists – New Force]] in [[South Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)|Antrim South]] and [[Strangford (UK Parliament constituency)|Strangford]] and from [[Jim Allister]]'s [[Traditional Unionist Voice]] in [[North Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)|Antrim North]].
-The DUP were strongly criticised after the [[Red Sky scandal]] in which DUP ministers attempted to influence a decision at a meeting of the [[Northern Ireland Housing Executive]]. The decision related to a £8 million contract of east Belfast firm Red Sky. The Housing Executive cancelled Red Sky's contract after a BBC ''Spotlight'' investigation into the company, which was shown to be overcharging taxpayers. The DUP cited "sectarian bias" in relation to the decision.<ref name="role">{{cite news|title=The DUP's full role in Red Sky row revealed|url=http://www.thedetail.tv/articles/the-dup-s-full-role-in-red-sky-row-revealed|work=The Detail}}</ref> The party suspended DUP councillor [[Jenny Palmer]], who sat on the Executive board, after she confessed that DUP special adviser Stephen Brimstone pressured her into changing her vote at the meeting.
+The DUP were strongly criticized after the [[Red Sky scandal]] in which DUP ministers attempted to influence a decision at a meeting of the [[Northern Ireland Housing Executive]]. The decision related to a £8 million contract with East Belfast firm Red Sky. The Housing Executive canceled Red Sky's contract after a BBC ''Spotlight'' investigation into the company, which was shown to be overcharging taxpayers. The DUP cited "sectarian bias" in relation to the decision.<ref name="role">{{cite news|title=The DUP's full role in Red Sky row revealed|url=http://www.thedetail.tv/articles/the-dup-s-full-role-in-red-sky-row-revealed|work=The Detail}}</ref> The party suspended DUPcouncilorr [[Jenny Palmer]], who sat on the Executive Board after she confessed that DUP special adviser Stephen Brimstone pressured her into changing her vote at the meeting.
-In the [[United Kingdom general election, 2015|2015 general election]], when the result was expected to be a [[hung parliament]], the issue of DUP and the [[UK Independence Party]] forming a [[coalition government]] with the [[Conservative Party (UK)|UK Conservative Party]] was considered by [[Nigel Farage]] (leader of UKIP).<ref>{{cite news|last1=Justice|first1=Adam|title=General Election 2015: Ukip could form coalition with Tories and DUP|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/general-election-2015-ukip-could-form-coalition-tories-dup-1492489|accessdate=29 March 2016|work=International Business Times|date=18 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Wilkinson|first1=Michael|title=Conservative Ukip coalition: what have the parties said|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11566274/Conservative-Ukip-coalition-what-have-the-parties-said.html|accessdate=29 March 2016|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=5 May 2015}}</ref> The then Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]], [[Nick Clegg]], warned against this "Blukip" coalition, with a spoof website highlighting imagined policies from this coalition – such as reinstating the [[death penalty]], scrapping all benefits for under 25s and charging for hospital visits.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cromie|first1=Claire|title=Nick Clegg warns of rightwing 'Blukip' alliance of DUP, Ukip and the Conservatives|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/nick-clegg-warns-of-rightwing-blukip-alliance-of-dup-ukip-and-the-conservatives-31147787.html|accessdate=29 March 2016|work=The Belfast Telegraph|date=16 April 2015}}</ref> Additionally, issues were raised about the continued existence of the [[BBC]] (as the DUP, UKIP and Conservatives had made a number of statements criticising the institution)<ref>{{cite news|last1=Stone|first1=Jon|title=Tory coalition with DUP and Ukip could spell the end of the BBC as we know it|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/tory-coalition-with-dup-and-ukip-could-spell-the-end-of-the-bbc-as-we-know-it-31177207.html|accessdate=29 March 2016|work=The Belfast Telegraph|date=28 April 2015}}</ref> and support for [[LGBT rights]] and [[same-sex marriage]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dunne|first1=Ciara|title=An alliance with the DUP will be a harder bargain than either Labour or the Tories think|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/03/alliance-dup-will-be-harder-bargain-either-labour-or-tories-think|accessdate=29 March 2016|work=New Statesman|date=16 March 2015}}</ref><ref name=JonesAttitude5May15>{{cite news|last1=Stroude|first1=Will|title=Owen Jones warns of 'homophobic' DUP holding influence over future government|url=http://attitude.co.uk/owen-jones-warns-of-homophobic-dup-holding-influence-over-future-government/|accessdate=12 January 2016|work=Attitude Magazine|date=5 May 2015}}</ref> However, in an interview with [[BBC Radio 5 Live]] deputy leader of the DUP [[Nigel Dodds]] told [[BBC Newsline]] in 2015 that, despite opposition to same-sex marriage, the DUP was "against discrimination based on religion ... or sexual orientation".<ref name=JonesAttitude5May15 /> Additionally, David Cameron said he "totally disagreed" with the DUP on the issue of same-sex marriage and LGBT rights, claiming that "nothing I will do" would go against the principle of "the values that I have", including "equality for gay and lesbian people".<ref>{{cite news|title=Cameron vow on DUP gay rights stance|url=https://www.facebook.com/BBCNewsline/videos/942564932442062/|accessdate=29 March 2016|work=BBC Newsline|via=Facebook|date=23 April 2015}}</ref>
+In the [[United Kingdom general election, 2015|2015 general election]], when the result was expected to be a [[hung parliament]], the issue of DUP and the [[UK Independence Party]] forming a [[coalition government]] with the [[Conservative Party (UK)|UK Conservative Party]] was considered by [[Nigel Farage]] (leader of UKIP).<ref>{{cite news|last1=Justice|first1=Adam|title=General Election 2015: Ukip could form coalition with Tories and DUP|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/general-election-2015-ukip-could-form-coalition-tories-dup-1492489|accessdate=29 March 2016|work=International Business Times|date=18 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Wilkinson|first1=Michael|title=Conservative Ukip coalition: what have the parties said|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11566274/Conservative-Ukip-coalition-what-have-the-parties-said.html|accessdate=29 March 2016|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=5 May 2015}}</ref> The then Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]], [[Nick Clegg]], warned against this "Blukip" coalition, with a spoof website highlighting imagined policies from this coalition – such as reinstating the [[death penalty]], scrapping all benefits for under 25s and charging for hospital visits.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cromie|first1=Claire|title=Nick Clegg warns of rightwing 'Blukip' alliance of DUP, Ukip and the Conservatives|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/nick-clegg-warns-of-rightwing-blukip-alliance-of-dup-ukip-and-the-conservatives-31147787.html|accessdate=29 March 2016|work=The Belfast Telegraph|date=16 April 2015}}</ref> Additionally, issues were raised about the continued existence of the [[BBC]] (as the DUP, UKIP and Conservatives had made a number of statements criticizing the institution)<ref>{{cite news|last1=Stone|first1=Jon|title=Tory coalition with DUP and Ukip could spell the end of the BBC as we know it|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/tory-coalition-with-dup-and-ukip-could-spell-the-end-of-the-bbc-as-we-know-it-31177207.html|accessdate=29 March 2016|work=The Belfast Telegraph|date=28 April 2015}}</ref> and support for [[LGBT rights]] and [[same-sex marriage]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dunne|first1=Ciara|title=An alliance with the DUP will be a harder bargain than either Labour or the Tories think|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/03/alliance-dup-will-be-harder-bargain-either-labour-or-tories-think|accessdate=29 March 2016|work=New Statesman|date=16 March 2015}}</ref><ref name=JonesAttitude5May15>{{cite news|last1=Stroude|first1=Will|title=Owen Jones warns of 'homophobic' DUP holding influence over future government|url=http://attitude.co.uk/owen-jones-warns-of-homophobic-dup-holding-influence-over-future-government/|accessdate=12 January 2016|work=Attitude Magazine|date=5 May 2015}}</ref> However, in an interview with [[BBC Radio 5 Live]] deputy leader of the DUP [[Nigel Dodds]] told [[BBC Newsline]] in 2015 that, despite opposition to same-sex marriage, the DUP was "against discrimination based on religion ... or sexual orientation".<ref name=JonesAttitude5May15 /> Additionally, David Cameron said he "totally disagreed" with the DUP on the issue of same-sex marriage and LGBT rights, claiming that "nothing I will do" would go against the principle of "the values that I have", including "equality for gay and lesbian people".<ref>{{cite news|title=Cameron vow on DUP gay rights stance|url=https://www.facebook.com/BBCNewsline/videos/942564932442062/|accessdate=29 March 2016|work=BBC Newsline|via=Facebook|date=23 April 2015}}</ref>
 On 10 September 2015, Peter Robinson stepped aside as First Minister and other DUP ministers, with the exception of [[Arlene Foster]], resigned their portfolios.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = Statement by First Minister & DUP Leader Peter Robinson MLA |url = http://www.mydup.com/news/article/statement-by-first-minister-dup-leader-peter-robinson-mla1|website = www.mydup.com|accessdate = 10 September 2015}}</ref>
 ===Foster leadership===
-Arlene Foster became leader of the DUP on 17 December 2015.
+Arlene Foster became the leader of the DUP on 17 December 2015.
-Two days before the [[United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|UK Brexit referendum]], held on 23 June 2016, the DUP paid £282,000 for a four page glossy wrap-around to the free newspaper ''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]'', which is distributed for free in major towns and cities in the British mainland, but not Northern Ireland, advocating a 'Leave' vote.<ref name="dark money #1">{{cite web| url=https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/what-connects-brexit-the-dup-dark-money-and-a-saudi-prince-1.3083586| title=What connects Brexit, the DUP, dark money and a Saudi prince?| publisher=''The Irish Times''| date=16 May 2017| accessdate=12 June 2017}}</ref>
+Two days before the [[United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|UK Brexit referendum]], held on 23 June 2016, the DUP paid £282,000 for a four-page glossy wrap-around to the free newspaper ''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]'', which is distributed for free in major towns and cities in the British mainland, but not Northern Ireland, advocating a 'Leave' vote.<ref name="dark money #1">{{cite web| url=https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/what-connects-brexit-the-dup-dark-money-and-a-saudi-prince-1.3083586| title=What connects Brexit, the DUP, dark money and a Saudi prince?| publisher=''The Irish Times''| date=16 May 2017| accessdate=12 June 2017}}</ref>
 On 4 October 2016, DUP leader Arlene Foster and DUP MPs held a champagne reception at the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] [[Party conference season|conference]], marking what some have described as an "informal coalition" or an "understanding" between the two parties to account for the Conservatives' narrow majority in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]].<ref>{{cite news|first=John|last=Manley|url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/2016/10/14/news/ni-conservatives-disquiet-over-dup-love-in-to-be-raised-with-party-hq-736030/|work=[[The Irish News]]|date=14 October 2016|title=NI Conservatives' disquiet over DUP love-in to be raised with party HQ}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.channel4.com/gary-gibbon-on-politics/tories-increase-majority-dup-deal/33628|title=Tories look to increase majority with DUP deal|work=[[Channel 4]]|date=4 October 2016|first=Gary|last=Gibbon}}</ref>
-In her capacity as Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in 2012, Foster oversaw the establishment of a [[Environmentally friendly|green]] energy scheme, which led to the [[Renewable Heat Incentive scandal]].  The scheme gave a [[perverse incentive]] to use more energy and increase their [[carbon footprint]] to those who signed up to it since they could claim £1.60 for every £1 spent on heating with, for example, wood pellets.<ref name="about">{{cite news|title=Q&A: What is the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme?|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-38307628|work=BBC News|date=13 December 2016}}</ref>  With no cost controls, it could cost the public purse up to £490 million.
+In her capacity as Minister of Enterprise, Trade, and Investment in 2012, Foster oversaw the establishment of a [[Environmentally friendly|green]] energy scheme, which led to the [[Renewable Heat Incentive scandal]].  The scheme gave a [[perverse incentive]] to use more energy and increase their [[carbon footprint]] to those who signed up to it since they could claim £1.60 for every £1 spent on heating with, for example, wood pellets.<ref name="about">{{cite news|title=Q&A: What is the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme?|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-38307628|work=BBC News|date=13 December 2016}}</ref>  With no cost controls, it could cost the public purse up to £490 million.
 Foster refused to resign or step aside during any inquiry into her role in the scheme, which in January 2017 led [[Martin McGuinness]] to resign and the [[Northern Ireland Executive]] to collapse.  A snap election followed after [[Sinn Féin]] refused to re-nominate a deputy First Minister.  In this [[Northern Ireland Assembly election, 2017|Northern Ireland Assembly election]], held in March 2017, the DUP lost 10 seats, leaving them only one seat and 1,200 votes ahead of Sinn Féin, a result described by the ''[[Belfast Telegraph]]'' as "catastrophic".<ref>{{cite news |last1=McAdam |first1=Noel|title=I want one party for unionism, says DUP's Arlene Foster |url= http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland-assembly-election/i-want-one-party-for-unionism-says-dups-arlene-foster-35507746.html|accessdate=13 March 2017|work=Belfast Telegraph|date=7 March 2017}}</ref>
-In the [[United Kingdom general election, 2017|UK 2017 general election]], the DUP had 10 seats overall, 3 seats ahead of Sinn Féin.<ref>{{cite news|title=Election results 2017: DUP and Sinn Féin celebrate election gains|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2017-40208320|accessdate=9 June 2017|work=BBC News|date=9 June 2017}}</ref> With no party having received an outright majority in the UK Parliament, the DUP entered into [[Con–DUP pact|an agreement]] to support [[Second May ministry|government]] by the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]].<ref name="McDonald090617">{{cite web|last1=McDonald|first1=Henry|last2=Syal|first2=Rajeecvurl=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/09/theresa-may-reaches-deal-with-dup-to-form-government-after-shock-election-result-northern-ireland|title=May reaches deal with DUP to form government after shock election result|work=The Guardian|date=9 June 2017|accessdate=2 July 2017}}</ref> A DUP source said: "The alternative is intolerable. For as long as Corbyn leads Labour, we will ensure there’s a Tory PM."<ref name="McDonald090617" />
+In the [[United Kingdom general election, 2017|UK 2017 general election]], the DUP had 10 seats overall, 3 seats ahead of Sinn Féin.<ref>{{cite news|title=Election results 2017: DUP and Sinn Féin celebrate election gains|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2017-40208320|accessdate=9 June 2017|work=BBC News|date=9 June 2017}}</ref> With no party having received an outright majority in the UK Parliament, the DUP entered into [[Con–DUP pact|an agreement]] to support the [[Second May ministry|government]] by the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]].<ref name="McDonald090617">{{cite web|last1=McDonald|first1=Henry|last2=Syal|first2=Rajeecvurl=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/09/theresa-may-reaches-deal-with-dup-to-form-government-after-shock-election-result-northern-ireland|title=May reaches deal with DUP to form government after shock election result|work=The Guardian|date=9 June 2017|accessdate=2 July 2017}}</ref> A DUP source said: "The alternative is intolerable. For as long as Corbyn leads Labour, we will ensure there’s a Tory PM."<ref name="McDonald090617" />
 == Policies and views ==
-The Democratic Unionist Party are [[Unionism in Ireland|Ulster unionists]], which means that they support Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom and oppose a [[united Ireland]]. The party sees itself as defending [[Britishness]] and [[Ulster Protestant]] culture against [[Irish nationalism]] and [[Irish republicanism|republicanism]].<ref name="britishness1">James W. McAuley, Graham Spencer. ''Ulster Loyalism After the Good Friday Agreement''. Palgrave Macmillan, 2011. p.124</ref><ref name="britishness2">[http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/dup-fights-back-against-erosion-of-britishness-1-1871450 "DUP fights back against 'erosion of Britishness'"]. [[The News Letter]]. 25 June 2008.</ref> For example, it supports unfettered marching rights for the loyalist [[Orange Order]], which many DUP members belong to,<ref>Tonge, Jonathan. ''The Democratic Unionist Party: From Protest to Power''. Oxford University Press, 2014. p.151</ref> and is in favour of [[Belfast City Hall flag protests|flying the British Union Flag from government buildings]] all year round. The DUP assert that "Irish and [[Gaels|Gaelic]] culture should not be allowed to dominate funding" in Northern Ireland,<ref>Muller, Janet. ''Language and Conflict in Northern Ireland and Canada: A Silent War''. Palgrave Macmillan, 2010. p.122</ref> and have blocked proposed laws that would promote and protect the [[Irish language]].<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-38881559 "DUP will never agree to Irish language act, says Foster"]. BBC News. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.</ref><ref>[http://www.economist.com/news/britain/21720659-though-less-1-use-it-their-main-language-cutbacks-have-rekindled-enthusiasm "The role of the Irish language in Northern Ireland’s deadlock"]. [[The Economist]]. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.</ref> The DUP are staunch supporters of the British security forces and their role in the Northern Ireland conflict. The party wants to prevent British soldiers and police officers from being prosecuted for killings committed during the conflict.<ref>[http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/dup-veterans-motion-prompts-strong-commons-support-1-7836364 "DUP veterans motion prompts strong Commons support"]. [[The News Letter]]. 23 February 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.</ref>
+The Democratic Unionist Party are [[Unionism in Ireland|Ulster unionists]], which means that they support Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom and oppose a [[united Ireland]]. The party sees itself as defending [[Britishness]] and [[Ulster Protestant]] culture against [[Irish nationalism]] and [[Irish republicanism|republicanism]].<ref name="britishness1">James W. McAuley, Graham Spencer. ''Ulster Loyalism After the Good Friday Agreement''. Palgrave Macmillan, 2011. p.124</ref><ref name="britishness2">[http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/dup-fights-back-against-erosion-of-britishness-1-1871450 "DUP fights back against 'erosion of Britishness'"]. [[The News Letter]]. 25 June 2008.</ref> For example, it supports unfettered marching rights for the loyalist [[Orange Order]], which many DUP members belong to,<ref>Tonge, Jonathan. ''The Democratic Unionist Party: From Protest to Power''. Oxford University Press, 2014. p.151</ref> and is in favor of [[Belfast City Hall flag protests|flying the British Union Flag from government buildings]] all year round. The DUP assert that "Irish and [[Gaels|Gaelic]] culture should not be allowed to dominate funding" in Northern Ireland,<ref>Muller, Janet. ''Language and Conflict in Northern Ireland and Canada: A Silent War''. Palgrave Macmillan, 2010. p.122</ref> and have blocked proposed laws that would promote and protect the [[Irish language]].<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-38881559 "DUP will never agree to Irish language act, says Foster"]. BBC News. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.</ref><ref>[http://www.economist.com/news/britain/21720659-though-less-1-use-it-their-main-language-cutbacks-have-rekindled-enthusiasm "The role of the Irish language in Northern Ireland’s deadlock"]. [[The Economist]]. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.</ref> The DUP are staunch supporters of the British security forces and their role in the Northern Ireland conflict. The party wants to prevent British soldiers and police officers from being prosecuted for killings committed during the conflict.<ref>[http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/dup-veterans-motion-prompts-strong-commons-support-1-7836364 "DUP veterans motion prompts strong Commons support"]. [[The News Letter]]. 23 February 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.</ref>
-The party has also been described as [[right-wing populist]]<ref name=Ingle156 /> and containing extremist tendencies.<ref>{{cite book|last1=McCulloch|first1=Allison|title=Power-Sharing and Political Stability in Deeply Divided Societies|year=2014|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-68219-6|page=69|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=CKnAAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA69|accessdate=10 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=McGarry |first1=John |last2=O'Leary |first2=Brendan|title=The Politics of Ethnic Conflict Regulation: Case Studies of Protracted Ethnic Conflicts|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=IaSnnOuP1bwC&pg=PA135|accessdate=10 June 2017 |publisher=Routledge |date=17 June 2013|page=135}}</ref> The party has historic links with the [[far right]] in Northern Ireland,<ref>{{cite news|title=The DUP kingmakers who could keep Theresa May in power|url=http://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/who-are-the-dup-northern-ireland-kingmakers-who-could-keep-theresa-may-in-power/story-30380967-detail/story.html |accessdate=10 June 2017|work=Lincolnshire Live|date=9 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=The DUP could form the next government – but who are they?|url=http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/who-are-the-dup-here-are-the-democratic-unionist-party-8217-s-policies-and-controversies/story-30381018-detail/story.html|work=Leicester Mercury|date=9 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Myall|first1=Steve|title=The DUP are key to Tories keeping power – everything you need to know about them|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/who-are-the-dup-10589910|work=Daily Mirror|date=10 June 2017}}</ref> and is linked to the [[Ulster loyalist]] faction of unionism, which has been identified as a form of [[ethnic nationalism]].<ref>Ignatieff, Michael. ''Blood and Belonging: Journeys into the New Nationalism''. Vintage, 1994. p.184.</ref> The DUP was also recently endorsed in the [[United Kingdom general election, 2017|2017 UK general election]] by the [[Loyalist Communities Council]], an umbrella group of loyalist paramilitary groups, which are [[Terrorism Act 2000|proscribed terrorist organisations]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Manley|first1=John|title=Arlene Foster urged to make unequivocal rejection of loyalist paramilitary support |url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/2017/06/07/news/arlene-foster-urged-to-make-unequivocal-rejection-of-loyalist-paramilitary-support-1047228/|accessdate=9 June 2017|work=The Irish News|date=7 June 2017}}</ref> The party leadership rejected the endorsement,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gordon|first1=Gareth|title=DUP 'divorces' from Loyalist endorsement |url=http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-40182151|accessdate=12 June 2017|work=BBC News|date=7 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Young|first1=David|title=Arlene Foster rejects paramilitary-linked backing for party |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2017/arlene-foster-rejects-paramilitarylinked-backing-for-party-35796653.html|accessdate=12 June 2017|work=Belfast Telegraph|date=7 June 2017}}</ref> with party leader Arlene Foster stating: "We did not seek that statement, we did not seek endorsement from any paramilitary organisation and indeed I fundamentally reject an endorsement from anyone that’s involved with paramilitarism or criminality."<ref name="NewsLetter7June">{{Cite web |url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/foster-dup-fundamentally-rejects-endorsement-from-paramilitary-groups-1-7996219|title=Foster: DUP ‘fundamentally rejects’ endorsement from paramilitary groups|publisher=News Letter|accessdate=13 June 2017}}</ref>
+The party has also been described as [[right-wing populist]]<ref name=Ingle156 /> and containing extremist tendencies.<ref>{{cite book|last1=McCulloch|first1=Allison|title=Power-Sharing and Political Stability in Deeply Divided Societies|year=2014|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-68219-6|page=69|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=CKnAAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA69|accessdate=10 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=McGarry |first1=John |last2=O'Leary |first2=Brendan|title=The Politics of Ethnic Conflict Regulation: Case Studies of Protracted Ethnic Conflicts|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=IaSnnOuP1bwC&pg=PA135|accessdate=10 June 2017 |publisher=Routledge |date=17 June 2013|page=135}}</ref> The party has historic links with the [[far right]] in Northern Ireland,<ref>{{cite news|title=The DUP kingmakers who could keep Theresa May in power|url=http://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/who-are-the-dup-northern-ireland-kingmakers-who-could-keep-theresa-may-in-power/story-30380967-detail/story.html |accessdate=10 June 2017|work=Lincolnshire Live|date=9 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=The DUP could form the next government – but who are they?|url=http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/who-are-the-dup-here-are-the-democratic-unionist-party-8217-s-policies-and-controversies/story-30381018-detail/story.html|work=Leicester Mercury|date=9 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Myall|first1=Steve|title=The DUP are key to Tories keeping power – everything you need to know about them|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/who-are-the-dup-10589910|work=Daily Mirror|date=10 June 2017}}</ref> and is linked to the [[Ulster loyalist]] faction of unionism, which has been identified as a form of [[ethnic nationalism]].<ref>Ignatieff, Michael. ''Blood and Belonging: Journeys into the New Nationalism''. Vintage, 1994. p.184.</ref> The DUP was also recently endorsed in the [[United Kingdom general election, 2017|2017 UK general election]] by the [[Loyalist Communities Council]], an umbrella group of loyalist paramilitary groups, which are [[Terrorism Act 2000|proscribed terrorist organizations]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Manley|first1=John|title=Arlene Foster urged to make unequivocal rejection of loyalist paramilitary support |url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/2017/06/07/news/arlene-foster-urged-to-make-unequivocal-rejection-of-loyalist-paramilitary-support-1047228/|accessdate=9 June 2017|work=The Irish News|date=7 June 2017}}</ref> The party leadership rejected the endorsement,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gordon|first1=Gareth|title=DUP 'divorces' from Loyalist endorsement |url=http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-40182151|accessdate=12 June 2017|work=BBC News|date=7 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Young|first1=David|title=Arlene Foster rejects paramilitary-linked backing for party |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2017/arlene-foster-rejects-paramilitarylinked-backing-for-party-35796653.html|accessdate=12 June 2017|work=Belfast Telegraph|date=7 June 2017}}</ref> with party leader Arlene Foster stating: "We did not seek that statement, we did not seek endorsement from any paramilitary organization and indeed I fundamentally reject an endorsement from anyone that’s involved with para-militarismm or criminality."<ref name="NewsLetter7June">{{Cite web |url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/foster-dup-fundamentally-rejects-endorsement-from-paramilitary-groups-1-7996219|title=Foster: DUP ‘fundamentally rejects’ endorsement from paramilitary groups|publisher=News Letter|accessdate=13 June 2017}}</ref>
 === Social policies ===
@@ Line 146: / Line 148: @@
 The DUP has opposed [[LGBT rights in Northern Ireland]]. Party leaders—as well as many prominent party members—have condemned homosexuality, and a 2014 survey found that two-thirds of party members believe homosexuality is wrong.<ref>Tonge, Jonathan. ''The Democratic Unionist Party: From Protest to Power''. Oxford University Press, 2014. p.155</ref> The DUP campaigned against the legalisation of homosexual acts in Northern Ireland through the "[[Save Ulster from Sodomy]]" campaign between 1977 and 1982,<ref>{{cite news|title=1982: DUP furious at gay law reforms |url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/1982-dup-furious-at-gay-law-reforms-1-4648579|accessdate=10 June 2017|work=The News Letter|date=5 January 2013|location=Belfast, Northern Ireland}}</ref> and the party has vetoed the legalisation of [[same-sex marriage]] in Northern Ireland since 2015, making Northern Ireland the only region of the UK where same-sex marriage is not legalised.<ref name="SSM">{{cite news|title=Same-sex marriage: Proposal wins assembly majority but fails over DUP block|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-politics-34692546|accessdate=9 June 2017 |work=BBC News|date=2 November 2015}}</ref> Former DUP minister [[Jim Wells (politician)|Jim Wells]] called the issue a [[Red line (phrase)|"red line"]] for power-sharing talks, adding that "Peter will not marry Paul in Northern Ireland".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Duffy|first1=Nick|title=Northern Ireland's DUP would rather block gay marriage than form a government|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/04/22/northern-irelands-dup-would-rather-block-gay-marriage-than-form-a-government/|accessdate=9 June 2017|work=PinkNews|date=22 April 2017}}</ref> The party attempted to introduce a "conscience clause" into law, which would let businesses refuse to provide a service if it went against their religious beliefs. This came after a Christian-owned bakery was taken to court for refusing to make a cake bearing a pro-gay marriage slogan. Opponents argued that the clause would allow discrimination against LGBT people.<ref>[http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/bid-for-conscience-clause-after-gay-marriage-cake-row-1.2030225 "Bid for ‘conscience clause’ after gay marriage cake row"]. [[The Irish Times]]. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2017.</ref>
-The party maintains that it is "[[pro-life]]" and members have campaigned strongly against any extension of abortion rights to Northern Ireland, unanimously opposing a bill by Labour MP [[Diane Johnson]] to protect women in England and Wales from criminal prosecution if they ended a pregnancy using pills bought online.<ref name="Syal" /><ref name="O'Brien">{{cite news|last1=O'Brien|first1=Katherine|title=The DUP are proud to oppose abortion|url=https://inews.co.uk/opinion/comment/abortion-free-vote-issue-dup-clear-oppose-womans-right-choose/|accessdate=9 June 2017|work=iNews|date=9 June 2017}}</ref> They have opposed extra funding for international [[family planning]] programmes.<ref name="O'Brien" />
+The party maintains that it is "[[pro-life]]" and members have campaigned strongly against any extension of abortion rights to Northern Ireland, unanimously opposing a bill by Labour MP [[Diane Johnson]] to protect women in England and Wales from criminal prosecution if they ended a pregnancy using pills bought online.<ref name="Syal" /><ref name="O'Brien">{{cite news|last1=O'Brien|first1=Katherine|title=The DUP are proud to oppose abortion|url=https://inews.co.uk/opinion/comment/abortion-free-vote-issue-dup-clear-oppose-womans-right-choose/|accessdate=9 June 2017|work=iNews|date=9 June 2017}}</ref> They have opposed extra funding for international [[family planning]] programs.<ref name="O'Brien" />
 Some DUP elected representatives have called for [[creationism]] to be taught in schools,<ref name="creationism">{{cite web |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/tussle-of-biblical-proportions-over-creationism-in-ulster-classrooms-13479246.html |title=Tussle of Biblical proportions over creationism in Ulster classrooms |author=Lesley-Anne Henry |date=26 September 2007 |publisher=[[Belfast Telegraph]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/2016/09/21/news/mla-backs-conference-promoting-the-teaching-of-creationism-in-schools-702781|title=MLA backs event promoting teaching children creationism |date=21 September 2016 |publisher=[[The Irish News]]}}</ref> and for museums to include creationism in their exhibits.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/10159667.stm |title=McCausland Ulster-Scots and creation in museums call |publisher=BBC News |date=26 May 2010 |accessdate=11 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/dup-man-joins-causeway-creationist-row-1-4032265 |title=DUP man joins Causeway creationist row |publisher=[[The News Letter]] |date=7 July 2012 |accessdate=11 June 2017}}</ref> In 2007 a DUP spokesman confirmed that these views were in line with party policy.<ref name="creationism" />
@@ Line 156: / Line 158: @@
 The DUP is [[Euroscepticism|Eurosceptic]] and was the only party in the [[Northern Ireland Executive]] to back "Leave" during the [[Brexit campaign]].<ref>{{cite news|title=From abortion to evolution: the terrifying views of the DUP you need to know|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/dup-hung-parliament-results-policies-manifesto-abortion-gay-marriage-climate-change-who-are-they-a7781656.html|work=The Independent|date=9 June 2017}}</ref> The party opposes a [[Republic of Ireland–United Kingdom border|hard Irish border]],<ref name="The Party Politics of Euroscepticism" /><ref name="Hughes">{{cite news|last1=Hughes|first1=Laura|title=Who are the DUP and will they demand a soft Brexit to prop up the Tories?|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/09/suddenly-become-important-democratic-unionist-party-could-hold/|accessdate=9 June 2017|work=The Telegraph|date=9 June 2017}}</ref> and wishes to maintain the [[Common Travel Area]].<ref name="Syal">{{cite news|last1=Syal|first1=Rajeev|title=From climate denial to abortion: six DUP stances you should know about|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/09/from-climate-denial-to-abortion-heres-six-dup-policies-you-should-know-about|accessdate=9 June 2017|work=The Guardian|date=9 June 2017}}</ref> [[East Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)|East Antrim]] MP [[Sammy Wilson (politician)|Sammy Wilson]] caused controversy in March 2016 during a ''[[BBC Spotlight]]'' episode discussing the implications of the EU referendum, when it was implied that he agreed with a member of the public who said that he wanted to "get the ethnics out" of Northern Ireland post-Brexit.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sammy Wilson hits back over 'ethnics out' comment|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-35693195|accessdate=9 June 2017|work=BBC News|date=1 March 2016}}</ref>
-The DUP is in favour of keeping the [[State Pension (United Kingdom)#Pensions Act 2007|"triple lock" for pensions]],<ref name="Hughes" /> the [[Winter Fuel Payment|Winter Fuel Allowance]],<ref name="Syal" /> and greater spending in Northern Ireland for services such as health.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mydup.com/policies/a-world-class-health-service|title=Policies – A world class health service – Democratic Unionist Party|website=www.mydup.com}}</ref>
+The DUP is in favor of keeping the [[State Pension (United Kingdom)#Pensions Act 2007|"triple lock" for pensions]],<ref name="Hughes" /> the [[Winter Fuel Payment|Winter Fuel Allowance]],<ref name="Syal" /> and greater spending in Northern Ireland for services such as health.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mydup.com/policies/a-world-class-health-service|title=Policies – A world class health service – Democratic Unionist Party|website=www.mydup.com}}</ref>
 == Leadership ==
 [[File:Arlene Foster DUP MLA.jpg|thumb|right|Current leader [[Arlene Foster]]]]
-Founder [[Ian Paisley]] led the party from its foundation in 1971 onwards, and retired as leader of the party in spring 2008.
+Founder [[Ian Paisley]] led the party from its foundation in 1971 onwards and retired as leader of the party in spring 2008.
 Paisley was replaced by former deputy leader [[Peter Robinson (Northern Ireland politician)|Peter Robinson]] on 31 May 2008, who in turn was replaced by [[Arlene Foster]] on 17 December 2015.

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