DUP make 10 key pledges as they launch 2024 manifesto

The DUP have made 10 key pledges as they launched their manifesto for the upcoming UK General Election.

Launching the policy document at an event at the home of Harland and Wolff Welders FC in his constituency of East Belfast, DUP leader Gavin Robinson urged voters against voting for smaller parties “who can’t win”.

Speaking at the event, the DUP leader said that every vote will count in this election.

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"The DUP has the strength and depth to be able to unashamedly make the case for Northern Ireland. We go to Parliament and make the case on your behalf. The Democratic Unionist Party has an experienced track record of working for you on issues that matter. While others talk about delivery, we can stand over what has been achieved for everyone in Northern Ireland," he said

"In the last term alone, as a result of the mandate given to us, the DUP has secured meaningful, visible and practical proposals to deepen connections throughout our United Kingdom, whilst driving forward the Northern Ireland economy. DUP Parliamentarians ensured all households in Northern Ireland received the Government’s £600 energy support payment and benefited from discounted bills under the Energy Price Guarantee.

"They also supported the ‘Essentials Guarantee’ campaign, which seeks to ensure that, at a minimum, Universal Credit protects people from going without essentials. DUP MPs successfully fought to extend to Northern Ireland legislation exonerating sub-postmasters wrongly convicted as a result of the Horizon IT scandal."

Mr Robinson also pointed to how the party succeeded in passing the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act to ensure people born in the Republic of Ireland who have lived in Northern Ireland or other parts of the United Kingdom for at least five years can claim British citizenship without the need for tests and fees.

In recent history the DUP developed a strong working relationship with the Conservative government, brokering a confidence and supply deal in 2017.

However, Mr Robinson dismissed speculation his party may have less influence in the event of a Labour government.

“We work with every government. We have worked and we will continue to work in the best interests of Northern Ireland,” he said.

“There are many who sometimes casually suggest that Labour is in some way pro-Irish nationalism… that is not true of this Labour Party today that is standing across Great Britain on a pro-union ticket.

“The messages that you’ve heard from Hilary Benn as shadow secretary of state and Keir Starmer himself, who knows Northern Ireland, is not to upset the delicate balance that we have.

“I don’t have any strong concerns on that, but the DUP will love many, trust few, and always paddle our own canoe.”

The 46-page document contains 10 key pledges which are:

1. Promoting the Union and Removing Barriers Within the United Kingdom;

2. Putting You First - Delivering Fair and Equitable Funding for Our NHS, and Other Public Services;

3. Campaigning to Protect Family Incomes;

4. Unleashing our Full Economic Potential;

5. A Strategic Role for UK Defence and Security;

6. Backing our Farmers and Food Security;

7. Leading a Fairer - Not Faster – Path Towards Net-Zero;

8. Defending Our Most Vulnerable;

9. Investing More in National Infrastructure, and;

10. Standing Up for Victims of Crime.

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