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Reform UK–TUV alliance

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Reform UK–TUV alliance
Leader
Deputy Leader
Founded16 March 2024
Ideology
Political positionRight-wing
Member parties
Colours
  •   Turquoise
  •   Blue

The Reform UK–TUV alliance was an electoral pact for the 2024 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland between the right-wing Reform UK party and the British unionist and national conservative Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV). The parties agreed to stand mutually agreed candidates in 14 constituencies in Northern Ireland.

History

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The alliance between the two parties was formed after Northern Ireland's largest unionist party, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), decided to re-enter the devolved power-sharing government at Stormont, ending their boycott over the Northern Ireland Protocol on 3 February 2024.[1] This led the TUV to label the DUP as "Protocol implementers." Former Reform UK MEP Ben Habib had previously launched a legal challenge against the NI Protocol alongside TUV leader Jim Allister in February 2021.[2]

There was speculation that the alliance could lead to a splitting of the unionist vote, resulting in fewer DUP MPs being elected due to the first-past-the-post electoral system used for Westminster elections. The DUP MP for East Antrim, Sammy Wilson, highlighted this in a critical statement following the formation of the alliance, which he described as "absurd" and "self-destructive".[3]

The TUV applied to run candidates as "TUV/Reform UK" on ballot papers for the July 2024 general election, but this was rejected by the Electoral Office.[4] Instead, the candidates appeared under a joint Reform UK–TUV logo.

On 3 June 2024, Nigel Farage replaced Richard Tice as the leader of Reform UK. Farage subsequently distanced himself from the alliance, and on 10 June, indicated that the pact would come to an end with his endorsement of DUP MPs Ian Paisley Jr and Sammy Wilson. Farage stated that "new leadership brings change" and that he wished the TUV well. Jim Allister called the move "disappointing".[5] Allister stated that the TUV had entered the alliance in "good faith", and that Farage's move went against a previous conversation they had a week prior.[6] Following Farage's personal endorsement, Wilson called upon the TUV to drop the alliance branding.[7]

Reform UK confirmed its continued support for the electoral pact in a media statement, stating that Farage was giving his own "personal view," and that he has not dissolved the electoral pact nor intended to do so.[8][9]

Platform

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The electoral pact was announced at the TUV party conference on 16 March 2024, accompanied by a speech from Reform UK leader Richard Tice. The leaders of both parties signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" which outlined a common platform:

  • Upholding and strengthening the Union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including the full restoration of Article 6 of the Act(s) of Union;
  • Equal rights for all citizens within the United Kingdom;
  • Rejection of the Irish Sea border and the subjection of Northern Ireland to EU law and the ECJ;
  • The completion of a full Brexit so that the United Kingdom in all its parts enjoys full independence and economic freedom;
  • A robust immigration system and controls;
  • A taxation system, both personal and commercial, which rewards effort.[10]

After the election

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In the 2024 general election, Reform UK won 5 seats[11] and the TUV won 1 seat in Northern Ireland.[12]

After talks, Allister, the sole TUV MP, chose not to take the Reform UK whip, but to support Reform UK in some areas (including Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland, taxation and immigration) as set out in a memorandum of understanding.[13]

Results

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District Candidate Votes % Place
Belfast East John Ross 1,918 4.5% 3rd of 7
Belfast North David Clarke 2,877 7.1% 4th of 7
Belfast South and Mid Down Dan Boucher 2,218 5.1% 5th of 6
Belfast West Ann McClure 2,010 5.1% 5th of 10
East Antrim Matthew Warwick 4,135 10.4% 4th of 7
East Londonderry Allister Kyle 4,363 10.6% 4th of 9
Lagan Valley Lorna Smyth 2,186 4.5% 4th of 6
Mid Ulster Glenn Moore 2,978 6.6% 4th of 8
Newry and Armagh Keith Ratcliffe 4,099 8.9% 4th of 8
North Antrim Jim Allister 11,642 28.3% 1st of 8
Elected
South Antrim Mel Lucas 2,693 6.3% 5th of 8
South Down Jim Wells 1,893 4.2% 5th of 9
Strangford Ron McDowell 3,143 8.1% 4th of 10
West Tyrone Stevan Patterson 2,530 5.8% 5th of 8
Source: House of Commons Library

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "NI powersharing government to return after DUP confirms end of boycott". The Irish Times. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  2. ^ "Judge rejects all grounds of challenges arguing terms of NI protocol unlawful". The Irish Times. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Wilson slams TUV's absurd & self-destructive plan". DUP. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  4. ^ "One hundred and thirty six candidates to run in NI". BBC News. 7 June 2024. Archived from the original on 14 June 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Nigel Farage endorses DUP candidates despite TUV-Reform alliance". BBC News. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Allister admits Farage's endorsement of DUP candidates is 'disappointing' after 'previous conversation'". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Nigel Farage endorses DUP candidates despite TUV-Reform alliance". BBC News. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  8. ^ "x.com". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  9. ^ "x.com". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  10. ^ "TUV Conference 2024 – Memorandum of Understanding between Reform UK and TUV announced for General Election". TUV - Traditional Unionist Voice. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  11. ^ Quinn, Ben (5 July 2024). "Nigel Farage elected Clacton MP as Reform UK wins four seats". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  12. ^ "Ian Paisley election result: DUP lose North Antrim MP seat". BBC News. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  13. ^ "Jim Allister: TUV leader won't take Reform whip in Commons". BBC News. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
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