Expert claims 'helpful' DUP alliance will THWART hard Brexit and trigger SOFT divorce
A TORY-DUP alliance will put an end to Theresa May’s “hard” Brexit and will prompt a “softer” divorce, according to one political expert.
Professor says DUP coalition will lead to SOFTER Brexit
Professor Jonathan Tonge said Democratic Unionist Party’s approach to fighting for a frictionless border with the Republic of Ireland would see a shift in the Tories’ handling of the EU referendum result.
The University of Liverpool academic told BBC’s Newsnight the DUP would be “helpful” to the Tory party.
He said: “The DUP takes a pragmatic approach that trade trumps all in terms of its dealings with the Irish Republic.
“So they want unfettered trade, they don’t want tariffs on goods going across the border and they don’t want a hard border.”
Piers Morgan shuts down former DUP minister during GMB chat
They want unfettered trade, they don’t want tariffs on goods going across the border and they don’t want a hard border
“The DUP position is very helpful to the Conservatives in terms of managing Brexit.
“I think previously, the position was that the Government was going to work with the Irish Government in managing a soft Brexit, now the British Government has got the DUP on board in terms of managing a softer Brexit.”
The comments come as DUP leader Arlene Foster arrived in London ahead of a meeting with Theresa May to finalise an agreement with the Conservatives.
The Northern Irish unionist last night said her party will “support the national interest” as she prepared to meet the Prime Minister on Tuesday afternoon at 1pm.
Arriving on a flight into London last night Arlene Foster revealed she has spoken to her MPs and Irish Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) about what they want from a deal.
She told Sky News: “I'm now looking forward to having a face to face conversation with the Prime Minister. I did, of course, speak to her on Friday to talk about what we can do in relation to Parliament as it starts up again."
She added her party are “first and foremost unionists”.
Ms Foster, said: “The Union is my guiding star so we would be looking to make sure the Union stays strong.
“But we do want to do so in the national interest and for the stability of the government and that's the spirit with which we will be entering these negotiations."