Conservative leadership hopefuls visit Northern Ireland
Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak will take part in hustings in Belfast later to win Conservative Party member votes in the region.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The two contenders in the race to become the next leader of the Conservative Party and prime minister are due in Northern Ireland later.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and former chancellor Rishi Sunak will take part in a hustings event in Belfast.
Polls have so far indicated that Ms Truss is leading the race ahead of Mr Sunak.
The pair are also set to undertake separate visits in Northern Ireland’s capital.
On Tuesday evening, they were both challenged by Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie to set out their positions on the Northern Ireland Protocol.
He said the post-Brexit arrangements “need to be dealt with once and for all because it continues to damage the Belfast Agreement and places a border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom”.
Ms Truss and Mr Sunak will address Conservative Party members in Northern Ireland who will cast their vote to select the next leader, who is set to be announced on September 5.
There are estimated to be around 600 Conservative Party members in Northern Ireland.
The party currently has no elected representatives in the region.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.