The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has faced a rigorous year, marked by the resignation of Jeffrey Donaldson as the leader under well-known circumstances, the loss of three seats in the Westminster election, and inhospitable aftermath of Brexit alongside its inevitable Irish Sea border issues. Considered as Donaldson’s successor, Gavin Robinson was compelled to step into leadership earlier than anticipated due to these circumstances.
Robinson’s attendance at the recent annual party gathering at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in south Belfast posed two primary objectives: to solidify his leadership role and to galvanise the party for an impending challenging future by inciting a sense of vigour and rejuvenation.
Robinson was successful in achieving his first goal on Saturday; however, the second is an ongoing task with possibly more challenges. He directed a competent, albeit not particularly inspiring, speech to the attendants, pledging to rejuvenate the party and put it back on its feet.
Robinson, who successfully retained his seat at East Belfast against Alliance leader Naomi Long’s challenge, can be considered the single success of the party in the Westminster election. His acceptance by party members, demonstrated by conversations with attendants and applause received during his speech, shows his popularity across both the moderate and traditional sects of the party. He brings potential to unify, which is essential for a party aiming to reclaim its political standing in the North.
The conference centre housed 200 attendees, filling all seats during Robinson’s speech, with more standing by the room’s sides and back. The figures marked a significant decline as compared to previous years when former leader Ian Paisley could attract up to 600 delegates to his annually captivating conferences.
However, these represent the evolving times, as acknowledged by Robinson and most DUP members. The party recognises it’s on the defensive and understands the need to reclaim the allegiance of those who shifted towards the Traditional Unionist Voice party, the Ulster Unionist Party, or Alliance. There were, thus, unsurprising demands for unity among unionists and bringing an end to internal disputes, a task easier spoken than actually accomplished.
The conference predominantly underscored the prominence of youthful figures, including Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart, along with up-and-coming Assembly members Deborah Erskine and Jonathan Buckley. Noticeably, no speeches were delivered by seasoned party stalwarts like Nigel Dodds, Gregory Campbell or Willie McCrea. Sadly, comic relief from Sammy Wilson was absent. Ian Paisley Junior, who was defeated in North Antrim by Jim Allister, was nowhere to be seen.
The vibe was one of a generational shift. Gavin Robinson, representing the new generation, pledged a “new direction”, although he remained somewhat vague about his specific plans to rejuvenate the party. Nevertheless, after the conference, he felt assured having cemented his leadership. The real challenge lies in the recovery of lost prosperity.