Westminster alignment of NI unionists with Reform UK MPs would be 'positive' for union: Habib

A Westminster alignment of unionist representatives from Northern Ireland with Reform UK MPs would deliver a “really big positive” for the union, Ben Habib has said. The former deputy leader of Reform UK suggested such a parliamentary arrangement could create a powerful voice for unionism in the House of Commons. Mr Habib’s comments come as TUV leader and newly elected North Antrim MP Jim Allister considers whether to take the Reform UK whip in the Commons – a move that would effectively boost the strength of Nigel Farage’s party to six MPs.

Former MEP Mr Habib suggested a wider parliamentary link-up should be contemplated – one that would incorporate the DUP’s five MPs, the sole Ulster Unionist Robin Swann and independent unionist MP for North Down Alex Easton. Mr Habib said Mr Allister taking the Reform UK whip would see his party having six representatives who were “all genuinely pro-unionists fighting for Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s union”. “And I think that would give it the dominant voice in Parliament, particularly given how erudite and articulate Jim and Nigel are,” he told a BBC radio programme. “And that I think would then, whether they like it or not, get the DUP to swing in behind Reform UK and, all of a sudden, you’ve then got 11 MPs singing for the Union. “And it becomes quite difficult for the UUP MP and Alex Easton also not to swing in behind, so you get 13 MPs and I see that as the upside of this election. “Everyone feared that the unionist vote would get split by Jim Allister and TUV standing in the 14 constituencies (in Northern Ireland) in which they stood but if this complexion of arrangements can emerge in the Commons, actually unionism’s representation in Parliament will be much greater than it was in the previous parliament. “And you’ll have two of the most articulate speakers making the case for the Union. So, I hope that this will turn out to be a really big positive thing for the union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.”

TUV and Reform UK had an electoral alliance in the recent General Election. However, that arrangement was thrown into confusion when Mr Farage, shortly after taking over the 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 Habib was last week stood down as deputy leader of Reform UK as Mr Farage moved former leader Richard Tice into that role. Following his sacking, Mr Habib has called for more democratisation around decision-making within Reform UK. He said he would not be quitting the party in the short term, but indicated his future in Reform UK depended on changes coming about. “I will not leave the battlefield,” he said. “I hope, as many millions of people in this country do, that Reform will go on from strength to strength, and I hope that I would be part of that ride. “But a critical component now I think for that ride is that Reform democratises. And I just want to see what shape and form that democratisation process produces.”

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