DUP Conference: Gavin Robinson says the stakes could not be higher - and that's why his party needs to win

Delegates met outside Comber on Saturday to hear senior party figures set out their record of delivery in Stormont – and slam Sinn Fein for a lack of delivery.

There were also warnings about the cost of unionist divisions in next May’s Assembly and council elections – and a call for agreement to stop constituencies being “flooded” with pro-Union candidates.

In an apparent dig at his unionist rivals in the TUV and UUP, Mr Robinson said the DUP is “not a one-man band, or a one-man media team”.

The DUP leader said his party would make “no apology for standing up for common sense”. However, he said that had to be about more than blocking bad ideas – and about ensuring that government serves the people.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said she “will not have people talking Northern Ireland down” – citing the world leading industries here.

Her Executive colleagues, education minister Paul Givan and communities minister Gordon Lyons also addressed the DUP faithful.

Mr Lyons said DUP ministers have been getting on with the job and are getting things done, citing – amongst other things – reducing benefit fraud by £60m.

He said that while the public believe in helping people who genuinely need help, the current benefits system “traps people in dependency” and is “letting everyone down”.

Mr Givan began his speech by praising Gavin Robinson for his leadership and for having “steadied the ship” – saying he is now “building firm foundations for the future”.

The Lagan Valley MLA said next May will mark twenty years since the first DUP-led administration at Stormont was elected.

“I don’t pretend that the intervening years have always been easy. And plenty has changed. But one thing has not.

“A united Ireland remains a pipe dream for nationalists. And Stormont has provided a bulwark against the kind of change our political opponents would wish to impose on Northern Ireland”, he said.

There was a roaring reception when Gavin Robinson took to the conference stage just after lunchtime on Saturday. He used the speech to argue that the DUP are the only unionist party with the strength to win the next Assembly election.

“Colleagues, we meet today as the largest unionist party. More MPs; more MLAs and more councillors. Next year every vote will matter.

“Because votes mean representation and representation means influence. And influence allows us to make the right decisions for Northern Ireland.

“A good idea without seats - is just a letter to the editor. However, a good idea with a mandate - it gets things done.

“The stakes could not be higher nor the consequences greater. That's why – this party – we need to win”, he told the DUP faithful.

Building on a theme of the conference, he said that making a positive difference” takes a strong, and an experienced team”.

The East Belfast MP said: “And I am immensely proud of the team we have built in the DUP. We are not a one-man band; or a one-man media team.

“We are comprised of members, rooted in our communities; who serve them with energy and determination. “I am proud of those serving in government in the Executive. I am proud of our Party in the Assembly, and in Parliament and on our eleven local councils.

“This year alone, our membership has grown. We have many new members stepping forward to be candidates next year.

“I’m delighted at the number of young people now coming forward to take responsibility”.

He also addressed the conviction of his predecessor Jeffrey Donaldson for child sex abuse crimes. The former MP was convicted at Newry Crown Court earlier this year of 18 sex offences, including one count of rape, relating to the abuse of two women when they were children.

The offences were committed between 1985 and 2008. Donaldson is appealing against the jury verdicts against him.

Mr Robinson told the DUP faithful: “In the year since, we have had to confront the appalling crimes against children committed by a man who once led this party.

“This party acted decisively in March 2024 when Jeffrey Donaldson was first charged. Our first thoughts are with his victims. They deserve our compassion, support and respect.

“And I know that many good people in this hall, and beyond, feel deceived and deeply let down by a life of lies.

“I understand that – because I share it. But our responsibility goes beyond expressing how we feel. It requires action and answers.

“That is why I commissioned an independent review to establish what – if anything – was known in this party concerning allegations of inappropriate conduct relating to safeguarding and to examine our reporting mechanisms.

“That is the standard we must meet. As leader of this party, I will always choose the harbour of truth. We will face the past honestly. And we will not let the vile actions of one man define our values and our integrity”.