Nigel Dodds, the Democratic Unionist Party leader at Westminster, is reflecting drolly on his party’s recent popularity: ‘I certainly think that the last year or two has been remarkable in the number of new friends we have encountered, people who are very keen to have a cup of tea or chat to you or whatever. I don’t put it all down to our natural charm.’ As pre-election talk of political pacts thickens — with both Conservatives and Labour angling for support — former House of Commons wallflowers have found their dance cards increasingly full.
Which of the main parties might feel like a more natural ally? I ask. Dodds won’t commit to either, but observes that historically unionists lean towards the Tories: ‘Growing up, I think naturally we felt the Conservatives were more trustworthy on the Union.’ On the other hand, ‘The DUP had reasonably good relations with the Labour government in terms of Gordon Brown and working through the St Andrew’s Agreement.
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