TUV leader said he has not been approached over unionist co-operation

Jim Allister was speaking after DUP leader Gavin Robinson said unionists want to see parties co-operating to maximise the number of unionist MLAs.

In the last Assembly election in 2022 Sinn Féin made history by being the first non-unionist party to top the poll, and Michelle O’Neill become the first nationalist First Minister.

Then Sinn Féin (27 MLAs) finished two seats ahead of the DUP (25), which now has 26 Assembly seats following the co-option of Peter Martin after the election of independent Alex Easton to Westminster in 2024.

Mr Robinson described a “huge opportunity for the wider unionist community” next year, and called for unionist parties to co-operate.

He said he has met UUP leader Jon Burrows and has more meetings planned, and talks to Mr Allister regularly at Westminster.

Speaking to the media at Parliament Buildings on Monday morning, Mr Allister said he had not been spoken to by Mr Robinson about unionist co-operation.

“Unionist co-operation should be about preserving the Union, it’s not about preserving any particular unionist party,” he said.

“I am all up for unionist co-operation to return the maximum number of unionist MLAs to this Assembly, but it’s not part of my agenda, no part of my focus to return extra ministers to implement the union dismantling (Northern Ireland) Protocol.”

Mr Allister also said the “key” to unionist co-operation in the STV system used to elect MLAs to the Assembly is who people transfer their vote to.

“Almost one third of the DUP Assembly team are MLAs because of TUV transfers, they wouldn’t be here but for TUV transfers, so I take no lessons,” he said.

“I just wish the transfer scenario was reciprocated.”

Mr Burrows said he wants to “maximise the number of unionists who are returned to this place and to council chambers”.

“That’s in the best interest of unionism,” he said.

However, Mr Burrows queried what he termed “personalised jibes” at other unionist leaders.

“I don’t think that’s what our community need to hear,” he said.

“I don’t just want to manage the unionist vote, I want to grow it. I want to get more people voting unionist who haven’t voted for us before, people who will have switched off, who stayed at home, people who voted for other parties. That’s my ambition.

“I will always talk to other unionist leaders about maximising our vote but I actually want to grow unionist votes not just manage them, and I am ambitious for our party, I believe unionism needs better leadership than it’s had over the last 20 years.”

Also speaking at Stormont on Monday, Mr Robinson said he issued an “open invitation” to Mr Allister and Mr Burrows on Saturday for talks on unionist unity in next year’s Assembly election.

He expressed hope of engagement rather than “spatting”.

“There will always be ups and downs, rough and tumble, and distinct differences (between the unionist parties) but the important thing is to maximise the strength of the pro-Union vote in next year’s election, not to repeat the mistakes of 2022 and the division amongst us that cost seats and influence,” he said.

“I want to keep Northern Ireland moving in the right direction, not in the wrong direction.

“We as a party, and I don’t think our electorate either, will not support anyone who wants to gift wrap seats to Sinn Féin, the SDLP or Alliance who will only take Northern Ireland the wrong way.”

Mr Robinson also insisted that he has always encouraged voters to transfer their support to other unionist parties.

He added: “This is about collective strength and growth. There are seats in North Antrim, Strangford and other parts of Northern Ireland that were lost through division, that could be won, that’s additional seats for the unionist cause.”