UUP leader ‘has never discussed electoral pacts’ with DUP

By Rebecca Black, Press Association

Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows said he has had no talks with unionist rivals the DUP about electoral pacts.

The two parties have previously run agreed candidates in some constituencies to increase the chance of a unionist winning the seat.

During the 2015 general election, this co-operation was seen as assisting Ulster Unionist Tom Elliott’s defeat of Sinn Féin to win in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

When Burrows first became leader of the UUP in January, DUP leader Gavin Robinson invited him for talks on unionist co-operation and potential electoral pacts ahead of the next Assembly election to take place in 2027.

Speaking to media at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday, Burrows said he has not taken part in talks with the DUP on pacts.

“I haven’t had a discussion about electoral pacts once, I haven’t met Gavin Robinson about electoral pacts, I’ve not made any deals with anybody,” he said.

“I stand on my principles in politics, this was a decision made about public safety.”

Pressed further, Burrows added: “I said at the very outset, I’m prepared to talk to any unionist about how we can maximise the unionist vote, but you use the word pacts, I’m simply using the word co-operation.

“But let me set out my ambition, my ambition is that the Ulster Unionist Party is the single biggest party in unionism once again. I’m here to replace the DUP, not to do pacts with them, but I will co-operate because the pro-union people want more unionists back in this place.”