Act of Union pledge in DUP-Government deal is symbolic communication to the King

The DUP say it will mean both the Government and the Labour Party will have the opportunity to affirm the foundational importance of the Acts of Union.

The TUV have said is it meaningless and an insult to unionists.

The move follows a commitment in the Command Paper “Safeguarding the Union”, which led to the restoration of the Stormont powersharing executive after two years of political deadlock.

The motion has been tabled as a Humble Address, a mechanism by which Parliament communicates with the King.

The motion will welcome the return of the devolution and re-affirm the “importance of upholding” the Belfast Agreement. It also acknowledges the “foundational importance of the Acts of Union 1800”.

DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson said: “On Monday, this Humble Address will give Parliament the opportunity to not only express its support for the restoration of devolution but the Agreement that led to it and the constitutional reality of Northern Ireland’s place with the United Kingdom.

"As a result, not only the Government but the Labour party will have the opportunity to affirm the foundational importance of the Acts of Union, that Executive Power rests in His Majesty the King and that there is no legal or political basis for Joint Authority in Northern Ireland.

“Ultimately, people need to recognise the Union is in the hands of the people rather than any court or Party. It is by making sure Northern Ireland is successful and prosperous for its people that the Union will be best protected.”

Jim Allister said: “This is not legislation. It does nothing to undo the damage done by the Protocol. It does noting to restore our place within the UK internal market”.

The TUV leader added: “It is frankly insulting to Unionists to suggest that this amounts to anything. As Lord Morrow told the Lords last week the people of Northern Ireland are not fools. That being the case, they won’t be taken in by this meaningless nonsense”.