DUP invites incoming UUP leader to unity talks

Incoming Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Jon Burrows has been invited for talks with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) on unionist co-operation.

The invitation from DUP leader Gavin Robinson comes as the former police officer was confirmed as the sole contender to replace Mike Nesbitt as UUP leader.

In an email to DUP members Robinson said he wanted to "reflect the desire across grassroots unionism to see unionist representatives and their political parties working together to promote the union".

He added unionism's "collective voice and clout will be stronger if it works together".

"A divided and fractious unionism without co-operation will cost seats and our collective influence will diminish."

The DUP leader added that he has now written to Burrows setting out his party's position and inviting him to meet.

The incoming UUP leader has previously indicated his support for closer unionist cooperation.

It comes after Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Alister said he was also open to talks with the new UUP leader about closer unionist co-operation.

In the past unionist parties have agreed to step aside in some constituencies like Fermanagh South Tyrone and support a single candidate to maximise the unionist vote.

But talks have also broken down ahead of previous elections, with failure to reach agreement on wider electoral pacts.

Sinn Féin is currently the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly which entitles it to more ministerial positions on the executive and also the office of first minister.

In his email to members Robinson had warned about Sinn Fein's "fervent desire to bring about the removal of Northern Ireland from the UK".