Reform UK–TUV alliance

Deputy LeaderFounded16 March 2024IdeologyPolitical positionRight-wingMember partiesColoursHouse of Commons

The Reform UK–TUV alliance is an electoral pact for the 2024 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland between the right-wing Reform UK party and the British unionist and national conservative Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV). The parties agreed to stand mutually agreed candidates in 14 constituencies in Northern Ireland.

History

Formation

The alliance between the two parties was formed after Northern Ireland's largest unionist party, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), decided to re-enter the devolved power-sharing government at Stormont, ending their boycott over the Northern Ireland Protocol on 3 February 2024.^[1] This led the TUV to label the DUP as "Protocol implementers." Former Reform UK MEP Ben Habib had previously launched a legal challenge against the NI Protocol alongside TUV leader Jim Allister in February 2021.^[2]

2024 General Election

The TUV applied to run candidates as "TUV/Reform UK" on ballot papers for the July 2024 general election, but this was rejected by the Electoral Office.^[3] Instead, the candidates appeared under a joint Reform UK–TUV logo.

On 3 June 2024, Nigel Farage replaced Richard Tice as the leader of Reform UK. Farage subsequently distanced himself from the alliance, and on 10 June, indicated that the pact would come to an end with his endorsement of DUP MPs Ian Paisley Jr and Sammy Wilson. Farage stated that "new leadership brings change" and that he wished the TUV well. Jim Allister called the move "disappointing".^[4] Allister stated that the TUV had entered the alliance in "good faith", and that Farage's move went against a previous conversation they had a week prior.^[5] Reform UK confirmed its continued support for the electoral pact in a media statement, stating that Farage was giving his own "personal view," and that he has not dissolved the electoral pact nor intends to do so.^[6][7]

Platform

The electoral pact was announced at the TUV party conference on 16 March 2024, accompanied by a speech from Reform UK leader Richard Tice. The leaders of both parties signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" which outlined a common platform:

• Upholding and strengthening the Union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including the full restoration of Article 6 of the Act(s) of Union;
• Equal rights for all citizens within the United Kingdom;
• Rejection of the Irish Sea border and the subjection of Northern Ireland to EU law and the ECJ;
• The completion of a full Brexit so that the United Kingdom in all its parts enjoys full independence and economic freedom;
• A robust immigration system and controls;
• A taxation system, both personal and commercial, which rewards effort.^[8]

Reactions

There has been speculation that the alliance could lead to a splitting of the unionist vote and ultimately result in fewer DUP MPs being elected due to the first-past-the-post electoral system used for Westminster elections. The DUP MP for East Antrim, Sammy Wilson, highlighted this in a critical statement following the formation of the alliance, which he described as "absurd" and "self-destructive".^[9] Following Farage's personal endorsement, Wilson called upon the TUV to drop the alliance branding.^[10]

Representation

House of Commons

In the 2024 general election, Reform UK won 5 seats^[11] and the TUV won 1 seat in Northern Ireland.^[12]

Candidates

• Belfast East: John Ross; placed 3rd
• Belfast North: David Clarke; placed 4th
• Belfast South and Mid Down: Dan Boucher; placed 5th
• Belfast West: Ann McClure; placed 5th
• East Antrim: Matthew Warwick; placed 4th
• East Londonderry: Allister Kyle; placed 4th
• Lagan Valley: Lorna Smyth; placed 4th
• Mid Ulster: Glenn Moore; placed 4th
• Newry and Armagh: Keith Ratcliffe; placed 4th
• North Antrim: Jim Allister; placed 1st-ELECTED
• South Antrim: Mel Lucas; placed 5th
• South Down: Jim Wells; placed 5th
• Strangford: Ron McDowell; placed 4th
• West Tyrone: Stevan Patterson; placed 5th^[13]

See also

• 2024 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland

References