TUV leader Jim Allister has said he will support Reform UK at Westminster on the issues that formed the basis of the two parties’ general election alliance.
Mr Allister said that under the arrangement, he will continue to be a TUV MP in the House of Commons and will be entitled to the speaking rights afforded to party leaders.
The newly-elected North Antrim MP outlined his intention to only follow the Reform whip on certain specific issues as he formally unveiled party colleague Timothy Gaston as his co-opted successor as an Assembly member at Stormont.
The TUV and Reform UK signed a memorandum of understanding in March that saw them campaigning on a joint platform in the General Election.
The pact outlined a number of agreed positions, including on taxation, immigration policy and the removal of post-Brexit economic barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
Mr Allister told reporters at Stormont on Tuesday that he would support Reform UK on those issues in the Commons.
He said the memorandum of understanding not only “bound us to the mutual defence of certain principles and stands” but also included “an indication that any MPs elected would pursue a common whip in pursuit of those unifying issues”.
“Therefore, I would anticipate that being fulfilled insofar as the issues that were identified within the memorandum of understanding are concerned,” he said.
The TUV/Reform UK electoral alliance was thrown into confusion during the campaign when Nigel Farage, shortly after taking over the Reform leadership, declared his personal backing for two DUP candidates in the election, including Ian Paisley who was running against Mr Allister in North Antrim.
Despite that episode, Mr Allister defeated Mr Paisley in the shock result of the election in Northern Ireland.
Mr Gaston was a Mid and East Antrim councillor and previously served as deputy mayor for the council region.
“Timothy is no stranger to the rough and tumble of politics,” said Mr Allister.
Press conference announcing the new TUV Assembly member for North Antrim, Timothy Gaston MLA. pic.twitter.com/MsKShppcz5
— TUV (@TUVonline) July 16, 2024
“He has been a councillor for 11 years – first at Ballymena Borough Council and then in Mid and East Antrim Borough Council where he has been the scourge of squander and the scourge of mismanagement.
“Therefore, he has had a long and effective apprenticeship in terms of facing down the scourge and mismanagement of this place (Stormont), which will even excel that of the councils. So I wish to wish him well.”
Mr Gaston said people should expect “much more of the same” when he takes on Mr Allister’s role in the assembly.
“I certainly will not be found wanting in asking the hard questions,” he said.
“The hard work will continue on that and I will not shy away from asking the hard questions and challenging those of squander, challenging those that have let down unionism, and there’ll be much more of the same.”
