A little-known conservative political party has found itself at the heart of power in Westminster after being called upon by British Prime Minister Theresa May following her failure to win a majority in the recent General Election. The Democratic Unionist Party from Northern Ireland can offer May’s Conservative party the 10 seats required to build a legitimate majority in the British parliament.
So, who are the DUP?
Well, the party was founded by an evangelical preacher, the late Rev Ian Paisley, back in 1971 at the height of the Northern Irish ‘Troubles.’ Paisley also founded the conservative ‘Free Presbyterian’ Church denomination. ‘The Troubles’ was a period of fierce violence between Protestant ‘loyalist’ or ‘unionist’ groups seeking to remain part of the United Kingdom and Catholic ‘republicans’ seeking to ‘unite’ the North and South of Ireland. The conflict spanned decades, with peace eventually being achieved through the 1998 Good Friday agreement.
Paisley played a central role in this controversial agreement, working with arch-enemy, former Irish Republican Army commander Martin McGuiness.
The DUP is socially conservative, opposing same-sex marriage and abortion. Their staunchly conservative views, intertwined with their conservative evangelical associations, have ensured that abortion remains illegal in Northern Ireland, despite it being legal to attain a termination elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
Not surprisingly, this conservative party has been met with heavy protest from liberals since being called upon as the “kingmakers” in British politics. Hundreds protested against what they believe to be outdated and archaic views held by the DUP in a demonstration outside the Prime Minister’s Downing Street residence this weekend. Many of the protestors were imploring the British public to “Pray the DUP away.”
“There has been a mixture of anger and bewilderment within the Westminster establishment – Tory as well as Labour – over the way the DUP has suddenly become the central player in shaping who governs the UK,” writes Henry McDonald at The Guardian.
“The nine men and one woman who are going back to the House of Commons under the DUP banner include some who are born-again Christians and deny Darwin’s theory of evolution. They are also among the main opponents of gay marriage equality and even minor reform to Northern Ireland’s near total ban on abortion.”
The DUP has had its fair share of scandal, however. There have been recent calls for leader Arlene Foster to step down following a heating initiative scandal that cost the devolved Northern Ireland Assembly millions of pounds. Christian DUP politician Jonathan Bell gave an interview on the issue, before which he kneeled in prayer to ask God for wisdom.
There is no doubt that this extraordinary turn of events has put conservative Christians at the heart of the British government. We should pray for them, that they will represent Christ well in the public square, and will campaign on issues that are dear to God’s heart.
Watch Bell praying on live TV below.
Source: Hello Christian
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