Robert Jenrick says Reform ‘not picking sides’ in Unionist politics

Reform is “not picking sides in the Unionist cause”, the party’s shadow chancellor Robert Jenrick has said.

Mr Jenrick also characterised his party leader, Nigel Farage, as “a passionate Unionist” on a visit to Belfast alongside DUP leader Gavin Robinson, who said his party seeks to “build relationships across the political spectrum”.

During the 2024 general election, Mr Farage caused an upset when he endorsed two DUP candidates despite his party’s electoral pact with rival unionist party the TUV.

One of those DUP candidates, Ian Paisley Jr, went on to lose his seat in North Antrim to the TUV leader Jim Allister.

Reform MP Danny Kruger is due to speak at the TUV party conference taking place at the weekend.

Mr Jenrick spoke at a DUP dinner in Strangford on Thursday evening, appeared in an episode of the party’s podcast alongside Mr Robinson and posed for pictures on the Shankill Road before visiting the Harland & Wolff shipyard.

Speaking to reporters in west Belfast, Mr Jenrick said: “We’re not picking sides in the Unionist cause.

“We are unionists, and we want to have the best possible relationship with different Unionist parties.

“We sit alongside them in the House of Commons, we work with them, and we want to build the best possible relationships. We want to support them and, in fact, everybody in Northern Ireland, if we’re lucky enough to be in government in the future.

“And to use the time that we have in opposition, to think very carefully about the challenges Northern Ireland face, like the protocol.

“Are there ways which would work for the whole of Northern Ireland in which these issues can be addressed, refined to improve the flow of goods and services, to drive the economy forwards, but always with the basic premise that Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, will always be part of the United Kingdom.”

Mr Jenrick was also asked about comments made by Mr Farage in 2023, when he stated “one day there will be a United Ireland but it’s not on the horizon immediately”.

The Reform MP said he’d “heard people mention that comment”, adding “Nigel Farage is a passionate Unionist, and Reform is a party of the Union”.

“We want to represent all parts of the United Kingdom and to defend the union at every turn,” he said.

“Nigel will always stand by the people of Northern Ireland and ensure they play and continue to play an absolutely integral part.”

Mr Robinson said he was “delighted” to host Mr Jenrick but added: “You love many, trust few, and always paddle your own boat and that’s exactly what I do, that’s exactly what the Democratic Unionist Party does.”

“There’s a part of this that doesn’t seem to land,” he said.

“We build relationships across the political spectrum in Westminster for the benefit of the people of Northern Ireland, we build relationships with colleagues who are privileged to represent their constituents, with our shared endeavours to protect and promote the union, and we do that with Labour politicians, with Conservative politicians, with Reform politicians, and with others.”

Asked about the outcome of Reform’s previous endorsement of Mr Paisley Jr, the DUP leader said: “It’s wonderful that we build relationships in Westminster for the benefit of Northern Ireland, and we’ll continue to do that.

“We’re delighted that Robert’s here, he’s enjoying his time on the Shankill Road.”

Asked what a Reform government would mean for Northern Ireland, Mr Jenrick said “we’ll be doing more to support the economy here than Rachel Reeves is doing right now”.

“Rachel Reeves is coining it in from the increase in taxes, from fuel duty and VAT on energy bills, and she’s provided a paltry sum of money to Northern Ireland to be distributed to vulnerable households facing soaring costs from oil bills, that isn’t enough,” he said.

He added: “She needs to do more.

“We have announced this week that a Reform government would scrap VAT on domestic fuel and would cut the green levies and taxes on people’s bills, which collectively would bring down energy bills to the average household in all parts of the country by at least £200 a year.

“I know that’s only a small step in the right direction, but it’s evidence of the fact that Reform is focused on the cost of living, that’s the most important thing right now, because people are feeling hard up.”