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09th Jun 2017

Evening Standard’s front page sums up mood in UK as Theresa May does deal with DUP

Northern Irish party have become the kingmakers

JOE

All of a sudden, the Democratic Unionist Party are in government.

Speaking after her Friday afternoon visit to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth II, Theresa May indicated her intention to form a government with the support of the DUP.

After calling a General Election to “strengthen her hand” ahead of Brexit negotiations, May’s Conservative party have wound up with eight fewer seats and with those EU talks looming in 10 days the embattled Prime Minister had to act fast.

Her Tories are expected to end up with 319 seats, Labour 261, the Scottish National Party 35 and the Liberal Dems 12. The DUP won 10 seats.

“Our two parties have enjoyed a strong relationship over many years,” said May.

“And this gives me the confidence to believe that we will be able to work together in the interests of the whole United Kingdom.”

The front page of Friday’s Evening Standard (edited by former Chancellor and no friend of May, George Osborne), does rather sum up the chaos that once more grips UK politics

 

Having won seven seats, Sinn Féin are expected to continue their long-held policy of not attending Westminster.

A DUP source told the Guardian: “We want there to be a government. We have worked well with May. The alternative is intolerable. For as long as Corbyn leads Labour, we will ensure there’s a Tory PM.”

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