What we know about DUP

Theresa May’s new ally in government, Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist party (DUP), is in favour of a soft Brexit, wishes to maintain a porous border with the Irish republic but also holds illiberal positions on abortion and gay rights. The party, which gained two seats in the election to hold 10 altogether, has not yet outlined what it might want from a formal deal with the Tories, but the prime minister said in her speech outside Downing Street that she could rely on her “friends and allies” from the DUP.Brexit and the Irish borderThe DUP campaigned for Brexit but its manifesto argued for maintaining a “seamless and frictionless” border with Ireland. Objectives for the forthcoming Brexit negotiations included maintaining the Common Travel Area with the Republic and ease of trade throughout the EU.Welfare spendingThe manifesto retained the pensions “triple lock” and universal winter fuel allowance, both policies the Tories pledged to drop.Anti-abortionThe DUP has fought hard to halt an extension of abortion rights to Northern Ireland. Campaigners say their actions have forced thousands of women to travel elsewhere for terminations, or to rely on abortion pills bought online.Climate denialWhile climate change scepticism is not official party “policy”, the DUP has previously appointed a denier as environment minister in N Ireland, and it counts a number of creationists among its senior members.LeadershipMuch focus will now fall upon the party’s leader, Arlene Foster, a tough character whose politics were influenced by the troubles. She came to prominence over the “cash for ash” scandal, having overseen a government renewable heating incentive scheme that will end up costing taxpayers in Northern Ireland an estimated £500m. She denied any wrongdoing. After the election result, Foster told Radio Ulster: “It’s too soon to say what we’re going to do yet. I think we need to see the final make-up of parliament and then we’ll reflect on that. “I certainly think that there will be contact made over the weekend but I think it is too soon to talk about what we’re going to do.”