Unionist politicians have warned that the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) will not give in to pressure from US President Joe Biden to accept Rishi Sunak's post-Brexit deal, despite calls from the US President to drop its boycott of power-sharing at Stormont. Senior politicians from the DUP have warned they will not bow to the pressure from Mr Biden, who is a Catholic and regularly refers to his Irish roots.
DUP peer Nigel Dodds stated that their decisions will be taken with the interests of Northern Ireland at heart: "Our primary concern is protecting and promoting what is best for our people."
DUP MP Sammy Wilson added that Biden has an anti-British stance and his antipathy towards Protestants is well known: "We cannot allow outside interference to dictate our policy choices."
President Biden has emphasized his top priority as ensuring both the Irish accords and Windsor Agreement remain in place, maintaining peace within Northern Ireland. However, he faces resistance during his visit to Belfast.
The DUP announced they would not be pressured into resuming power-sharing during President Biden’s UK visit – which coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement. They do not anticipate any support or cooperation from members of the US administration either.
Publicly expressing their disapproval, various DUP figures have said that they believe Biden's visit could potentially be counterproductive. Both Sammy Wilson and fellow party member Ian Paisley voiced opposition against this diplomatic eventuality.
The upcoming agenda includes speeches by Liz Truss, former Prime Minister; Keir Starmer, also a former PM; all taking place at Washington’s Heritage Foundation think tank event.
In response to these recent disagreements between political entities involved in Brexit negotiations following Britain’s exit from European Union membership structures last year concerning trade relations between mainland UK regions like England & Wales along with those situated off-shore such as Scotland & Northern Ireland (whose citizens voted overwhelmingly against leaving), DUP remains adamant about defending its pro-Brexit policies.
The boycott stems from existential concerns the DUP has with current post-Brexit arrangements in Northern Ireland, fearing that continued EU influence will eventually separate it from the rest of the UK. The party's belief that Biden is a fervent pro-Republican Irish Nationalist does not come without evidence; he declined to travel to the UK for King Charles III's coronation.
President Biden’s connection to his Irish ancestry dates back centuries when his forefathers fled to America during the 19th-century potato famine. It remains unclear whether this personal heritage will affect negotiations and political relations between US and UK leaders in finding common ground on issues surrounding Brexit’s ongoing implementation process.