Unionists

Alliance councillors in Ards and North Down last month voted to back a motion explicitly criticising their party leader, Justice Minister Naomi Long. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

'Embarrassed' Alliance politicians backtrack on criticism of own leader

Prime Minister Andy Burnham gets emotional as he speaks about his father Roy whilst delivering his keynote speech during the Labour Party Conference at the ACC Liverpool last week

Letter: Unionists should be buoyed by PM Union pledge

Former first minister Peter Robinson said the central question of the Garvaghy Road dispute is whether Northern Ireland operates under one law, applied equally to everyone Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Respect for each other’s cultures and traditions must be a two-way street

The attitudes of some parties to scrutiny is the gift that keeps on giving for the TUV's sole MLA Timothy Gaston.

David Thompson: You can't fix stupid - why Stormont reform can only go so far

Ex-Sinn Fein MLA Paul Butler was given a life sentence aged 17 after confessing to the murder of RUC reserve constable John Rodgers in Glengormley in 1974.

Unionist challenge tributes to ex-MLA and recall father-of-four he murdered

A blue plaque honouring Thomas Sinclair was unveiled at Sinclair Seamen's Presbyterian Church in Belfast in 2016

Thomas Sinclair was a towering presence as both Presbyterian and Unionist

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly delivers a speech to the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) conference at La Mon Hotel, Belfast. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Little-Pengelly says unionists wanting direct rule need to 'get real'

DUP leader Gavin Robinson spoke to the News Letter ahead of the annual party conference on Saturday.

Gavin Robinson: Unionists can win - but only the DUP can deliver it

Unionists will not tolerate “egos” scuppering the “huge opportunity” that is next year’s Stormont Assembly election, DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said.

Unionists will not tolerate egos scuppering 2027 election opportunity – Robinson

Belfast City Hall is to be lit in green in support of International Safe Abortion Day towards the end of this month, in a decision that split the council and sparked outrage from pro-life campaigners. Photo: Iain Gray/News Letter

Lawsuit over Belfast City Hall abortion lights

UUP Leader Jon Burrows speaking to the media in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. Pic: Mark Marlow/PA Wire

Jon Burrows rejects TUV criticism over Michelle O'Neill debate offer

(left to right) First Minister of Scotland John Swinney, First Minister of Wales Rhun ap Iorwerth, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill, during a meeting at Voco St. David's Cardiff, on Monday, to discuss the "pursuit of a different attitude" from the UK Government and the future of independence for their respective countries

Ruth Dudley Edwards: Unionists can take unification off their worry list

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with journalists prior to boarding Air Force One at Shannon Airport

Trump’s Irish unity support ‘should come as no surprise to unionists’

Morning View

Editorial: Andy Burnham must face up to stern challenges

Garda motorcylists drive through Doonbeg village, Co Clare, ahead of a visit by US President Donald Trump tomorrow to the Irish Open at the nearby Trump International Golf Links & Hotel (Damien Eagers/PA Wire)

Unionists criticise Sinn Fein over opposition to Donald Trump visit to Ireland

Belfast City Hall is to be lit in green in support of International Safe Abortion Day towards the end of this month, in a decision that split the council and sparked outrage from pro-life campaigners. Photo: Iain Gray/News Letter

Clock ticking on DUP's last-ditch bid to stop city hall 'abortion billboard'
The DUP has lodged a last-ditch legal bid to stop Belfast City Hall being lit in favour of an abortion campaign.
Iain Gray

First Minister Michelle O'Neill has said residents from the mainly-nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown are "anxious" at what she called "triumphalism" by unionist leaders following a court ruling over one of Northern Ireland's most contentious parades.

Michelle O’Neill’s stance on Drumcree slammed

All passengers using ferrys between Britain and the Republic of Ireland will now require passports.

Unionists welcome ferry passport rule, but say Republic must tackle immigration

Sir Chris Bryant took over the reins of the NIO on July 20. He has previously been a junior minister in several different departments, responsible for trade, the arts, foreign affairs, and telecoms (Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images)

Unionists demand new NI secretary Bryant takes tougher line with Dublin

Some will argue that the Maze Stadium idea was too controversial to progress

Letter: Failure to build Maze Stadium was a mistake

DUP representatives and others worked to maximise the shared character of the Fleadh

Philip Brett: SF should stop blaming others for its own failures

Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows is open to removing a one party veto.

David Thompson: Removing SF's veto would be a strategic win for unionism

Morning View

Editorial: Andy Burnham an unknown quantity for NI

A CGI image of the way one of the six schools planned for Strule Shared Education Campus in Omagh will look. Image: Strategic Investment Board

Anger as Sinn Fein targets schools for Irish signs, while blocking Ulster Scots

UTV presenter Paul Clark at Newfoundland Memorial Park on the Somme, which preserves grounds that formed part of the Western Front's lines.

Paul Clark: Why I’ve always been fascinated by the Great War

(left to right) Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan TD, SDLP leader Claire Hanna, and former First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford, at the SDLP conference at the MAC Theatre in Belfast. Date: June 25, 2026.

Elected unionists avoid SDLP conference on 'Abolition of Northern Ireland'

Morning View

Editorial: Irish largesse is making the UK seem ungenerous
News Letter editorial for Wednesday, June 24, 2026:
Editorial

DUP leader Gavin Robinson says Al Carns's resignation letter "is a significant intervention". Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Unionists say resignation backs up their fears over Labour's Troubles Bill

UUP leader Jon Burrows is under pressure to back the DUP in a key vote on Tuesday. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

DUP put pressure on Ulster Unionists to back petition of concern

PSNI at the 'Great March For Gaza' in Scarva on Saturday

‘Appropriate and proportionate’ policing response in Scarva parade, PSNI says

Unionists have expressed concern about the future of the Coleraine Campus of Ulster University.

Concern about future of Coleraine Campus of Ulster University

Student-heavy University Street last year failed to reach the council's 15% threshold for Irish signs, and saw pockets of opposition to the idea. After a Sinn Fein-led vote, it's now to get them anyway. Image: Google

Sinn Fein are 'imposing their pet project over the views of Belfast residents'

King Charles III, wearing the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State, alongside Queen Camilla, wearing the George IV State Diadem and an embroidered gown by Fiona Clare, in the Chamber of the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster in London. His speech sets out the agenda of the government of the day (Chris Jackson/PA Wire)

'Meaningless': Unionists react to King's Speech amid Starmer exit speculation

Stormont elections are scheduled for 2027.

Unionists can 'win the next Assembly election' - DUP leader

DUP leader Gavin Robinson.

DUP leader reacts to new cross-party anti-Protocol grouping

Sir Reg Empey (pictured) and Jim Allister both said that Sir Keir is failing to learn the lessons of the council elections (Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press)

Unionists accuse Starmer of being deaf to the electorate over Brexit

First Minister of Wales Baroness Eluned Morgan (centre) lost her seat as Welsh nationalists decimated Labour in its traditional heartland. Photo: Ben Birchall/PA Wire

Unionist leaders dismiss claims the UK is weakened after GB elections

The UK Supreme Court in London has handed down a landmark ruling on legacy laws. Pic: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire

Unionists welcome landmark ruling - but round on 'activist' equality bodies

Sinn Fein's move that could approve Irish street sign bids that fail to win the support of residents came up at a council meeting in Belfast City Hall on Tuesday night.

Overriding public on Irish signs 'shows rules only matter to SF when it suits'

An army passing out parade. Photo: Steve Parsons/PA

Unionist victory on Armed Forces Covenant: Belfast bid to block it defeated

Soldiers from the Queens Royal Hussars on parade. Photo: Cpl James Williams RLC

New battle looms in Belfast's war over Armed Forces Covenant

Unionists have welcomed a court's decision which partially upheld objections to Belfast City Hall flying the Palestinian flag.

Unionists welcome court decision on flying Palestinian flag

Robbie Butler, UUP environment spokesman.

Ulster Unionists call for Stormont's climate goals to be revised not scrapped

Morning View

Editorial: Unionists helping republican case of UK meanness

Whilst unionism viewed the 1998 Agreement as a ‘settlement’ (and the Belfast Agreement was always a fundamental error), nationalism saw it as the start of a process

Jamie Bryson: Unionists must join the culture fight

Increasing hostility from Vladimir Putin's Russia in British and Irish seas and skies was a major factor in a recent defence deal between Dublin and London.

Ministers dodge questions on whether Dublin is paying UK for its defence

A 30-year killing spree is the legacy of Irish republican terrorism

Patrick Roche: Moral blindness is deeply rooted in Irish nationalism

There is no body of evidence that a referendum would result in Northern Ireland leaving the UK

Philip Smith: Too many benefits to being in the Union to risk leaving it

Petrol and diesel prices have soared since the Iran war - but the government plans to press ahead with a hike in fuel duty. PA Photo. Photo: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

UUP call for fuel tax cut - saying government taking 'more than its fair share'

Ben Habib has been unwavering in his opposition to the Irish Sea border

Letter: Advance UK offers unionists a rare opportunity

WEDNESDAY: The Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Emma Little-Pengelly with the UK's ambassador to the US Sir Christian Turner KCMG at the ambassador's residence in Washington after a St Patrick's Day breakfast on March 18 2026. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Ben Lowry: A unionist diplomatic triumph in US amid nationalist/Alliance boycott

ST PATRICK'S DAY: Donald Trump and the DUP deputy first minister of Northern Ireland Emma Little-Pengelly in the White House in Washington DC on March 17 2026. Picture the Stormont Executive Office

A week in pictures: Unionists had Washington to themselves

Former TUV candidate Lorna Smyth is now NI director for Ben Habib's Advance UK party.

Former TUV candidate quits party and joins Ben Habib's Advance UK

Stormont minister Gordon Lyons was among those in Washington this week for the annual St Patrick's Day visit

Letter: Unionists should rejoice at hiding of Sinn Fein

First minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly each have the same powers

Letter: ‘First minister’ myth has undermined unionism

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