Orange Order and DUP Edinburgh summit ends with appeal to Scottish First Minister for dialogue
A summit between the Orange Order and DUP in Edinburgh has resulted in an appeal to the First Minister of Scotland to take part in future dialogue about strengthening links between the home nations of the UK.
The summit in Edinburgh today comes after leaders of the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin held what they termed their own “landmark” gathering in Cardiff on Monday, aimed at putting pressure on Downing Street to hold independence referendums.
However, today, DUP MLAs Phillip Brett, Diane Forsythe and Cheryl Brownlee travelled to Edinburgh to take part in their own ‘Shared Heritage, Shared Future’ summit with fellow unionists from across Scotland.
Chaired by high-profile Scottish businesswoman Dr Marie Macklin CBE, the summit brought together voices from Northern Ireland and Scotland for discussions on constitutional matters, cultural connections, and opportunities for ongoing cooperation.
Dr Macklin said she had been "honoured" to chair the inaugural event.
"As someone who has lived and worked in Belfast, I understand the strength of the relationship between Scotland and Northern Ireland and the opportunities that can come from working more closely together," she said.
Andrew Murray, Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, said he looks forward to discussing with the DUP and in the future "all other Unionist parties on their vision of Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England operating within a Union which has served us well for over 300 years".
He added: “As that conversation develops, we would welcome the opportunity to engage with the First Minister of Scotland and his Scottish Government. We wish to put on record an invite to John Swinney and his representatives to participate in future dialogue."
“We have watched over the months the debate on the future of the Union from the sidelines noting that we are not the ones who have introduced Northern Irish politics into the political arena in Scotland - that mould has already been set by the Scottish National Party. "
DUP MLA Phillip Brett said: "At a time when the Union faces challenges from a relentlessly aggressive political Nationalism, closer cooperation between Unionists in Northern Ireland and Scotland is both necessary and welcome."
Following the event, all participants will be invited to a full evaluation meeting to discuss outcomes, share reflections, and identify next steps.