11th June, 2017
Photo: BBC/Getty Image
The Democratic Unionist Party has agreed in principle a “confidence and supply” deal to support a Conservative government, Downing Street has said.
Theresa May was left eight seats short of an overall majority in the general election, while the DUP won 10 seats.
Tory chief whip Gavin Williamson went to Belfast on Saturday for talks with the Northern Irish party.
The DUP said talks had been “positive” and would continue next week to “work on the details” and “reach agreement”.
No 10 said the outline deal would be discussed at a cabinet meeting on Monday.
Any agreement will come into force when Parliament returns next week.
A “confidence and supply” deal is not a full coalition, but an agreement which sees the smaller party support the larger one in key votes such as on the Budget.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “We welcome this commitment, which can provide the stability and certainty the whole country requires as we embark on Brexit and beyond.”
In a DUP statement released at midnight, the party said: “The DUP held discussions with representatives of the Conservative Party in line with Arlene Foster’s commitment to explore how we might bring stability to the nation at this time of great challenge.
“The talks so far have been positive.”
‘Profound implications’
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron called on Mrs May to make the details of the deal public “immediately”.
He said: “The actions of this government will have profound implications for the Brexit negotiations and the future of our country.
“At such a critical time, the prime minister must be clear with the people about the deal she has stitched up with the DUP behind closed doors.”
Sinn Féin’s leader in Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill said the DUP had “betrayed the interests of the people” there.
She said: “They have achieved little propping up Tory governments in the past and put their own interests before those of the people.
“This new arrangement between the DUP and the Tories will be transitory and will end in tears.”
Jeremy Corbyn said the government did not have any credibility to go forward and the Labour Party would do what it could to stop it.
the Labour leader told the Sunday Mirror: “Theresa May has been to the palace. She’s now attempting to form a government. [But] she’s then got to present a programme to Parliament.
“There’s a possibility of voting the Queen’s Speech down and we’re going to push that all the way.”
-BBC