Theresa May to form government in partnership with DUP

9 Jun 17

Theresa May has announced that she will form a government in partnership with the Democratic Unionist Party.

She said only the Tories have the “legitimacy and ability” to govern with the support of the DUP, who she described as “friends and allies”.

May spoke outside Downing Street this afternoon after returning from a brief meeting with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

She said: “I have just been to see Her Majesty the Queen and I will now form a government, a government that will provide certainty and lead Britain forward at this critical time for our country.”

May said this was vital as the Brexit talks were due to begin in just ten days time.

Today the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said talks should begin “when the UK is ready”.

The general election result produced a hung Parliament, with the Conservatives winning 318 seats and Labour 261.

Although, Kensington and Chelsea are yet to declare a result as tellers were sent home to rest from recounting a closely fought contest between Conservatives and Labour there.

The Conservatives needed 326 to win, which means they have had to seek the support of the Northern Irish party DUP, which won 10 seats.

May said her government “would work to keep our nation safe and secure by delivering the change I set out following the appalling attack in Manchester and London”.

She said she would crack down on Islamist ideology, and “put fairness and opportunity” at heart of everything her government would do over the next five years to build a better country.

 “What the country needs more than ever is certainty that having secured the largest number of votes and greatest number of seats in the general election it is clear that only the Conservative and Unionist party have the legitimacy and ability to provide that certainty my commanding a majority in the House of Commons,” she said in a speech outside number 10 Downing Street.

“As we do we will continue to work with our friends and allies in the Democratic Unionist Party in particular

“Our two parities have enjoyed a strong relationship over many years and this gives me the confidence to believe that we can work together in the interest of the whole UK.”  

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