DUP leader Arlene Foster to hold deal talks with Theresa May at Downing Street
The DUP is set to prop up the Tories
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.Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster is set to hold talks with Theresa May in Downing Street to finalise an agreement on propping up her minority government.
The DUP confirmed that Ms Foster would be going to No 10 on Tuesday after discussions in Belfast over the weekend were said to have made “good progress”.
Ms Foster told Sky News: “We had very good discussions yesterday with the Conservative Party in relation to how we could support them in forming a national government – one that would bring stability to the nation. Those discussions continue.”
Downing Street initially said on Saturday that an outline agreement on a “confidence and supply” arrangement had been reached with the DUP, which would be put to the Cabinet for discussion on Monday.
But it later disclosed that no deal had been finalised and talks on the arrangement will continue during the week as Ms May desperately tries to shore up her position after losing her Commons majority in the election.
The strength of any deal looks set to be tested when the Commons meets, with Jeremy Corbyn vowing to try to bring down the Government by defeating Ms May in Parliament and insisting: “I can still be prime minister.”
In another sign of the dangers facing Ms May, Sunday papers reported that Boris Johnson was either being encouraged to make a leadership bid in an effort to oust her, or actually preparing one – a claim dismissed as “tripe” by the Foreign Secretary.
The 10 DUP MPs could prove crucial in supporting the Conservatives on key votes after Thursday’s election saw Mrs May lose control of the Commons.
A confidence and supply deal would mean them backing the Government on its Budget and confidence motions, but could potentially lead to other issues being decided on a vote-by-vote basis.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments