In his inaugural address as DUP party leader, Gavin Robinson asserted that the decision to restore Stormont institutions is no longer in question, following the turbulent period after taking over from Jeffrey Donaldson. Despite facing pressure over the Irish Sea border deal, Robinson emphasized the necessity of local decision-making in Northern Ireland.
Robinson acknowledged the challenges faced by the party and vowed to adopt a fresh approach to politics both internally and externally. Looking ahead towards the next assembly election in two years, he urged for unity within unionists against Brexit trading rules on goods moving between GB and NI.
The conference highlighted the DUP’s resilience amidst electoral losses in the UK general election earlier this year and its re-entry into power-sharing at Stormont under the leadership of Robinson. With a focus on building a strong foundation for the future, the party aims to navigate the complexities of UK/EU relations in the coming years.