• last year
The pro-British Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is facing competition from the non-sectarian MLA Alliance Party and pro-Irish unity party Sinn Féin over Northern Ireland's 18 seats in Westminster.

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00:00In Northern Ireland, the leader of the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party is under pressure to retain his seat in the UK general election.
00:0818 Westminster seats are up for grabs.
00:11The pro-British DUP currently have 8 seats, while the pro-Irish Unity Party Sinn Féin have 7.
00:17In Unionist East Belfast, the Alliance Party believe they can unseat the leader of the DUP, Gavin Robinson.
00:25It's very close to call, but the feedback from our canvassers who are out on the ground is that it's looking good, the response is good.
00:32Naomi is a once-in-a-generation politician in our view.
00:36She's highly capable, she's represented in Europe, in Westminster before and as Justice Minister,
00:42and I think people know if they put their vote in her that she'll deliver for them.
00:46The DUP say that despite all the speculation, they are confident of returning 8 MPs to London as is currently the case, including their party leader.
00:55Gavin Robinson has a proven track record in East Belfast.
00:59He has returned really strong votes every time he's gone before the electorate, and I believe that he will do so again, but we don't take anything for granted.
01:07With rival Unionist parties likely to steal votes from the DUP, the loss of just one Westminster seat for the main Unionist party will be hugely symbolic,
01:16as pro-Irish Unity Party Sinn Féin continues to expand its support due to growing numbers of Irish Nationalist Catholics in Northern Ireland.
01:26Symbolism is very important in Northern Irish politics, in all of Irish politics.
01:30Often it's more significant than the reality of what has actually happened, and the very significant narrative that there has been over the last number of years
01:38has been that Sinn Féin are on the rise and the Unionist parties are in decline.
01:43And so if that continues in this election, it will reinforce the sense that Irish Unity is potentially getting closer.
01:50If the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party lose just one seat in this general election,
01:56that means they will in all likelihood return to Westminster in London with the same number of seats as Sinn Féin.
02:03Sinn Féin don't actually take their seats, but do engage with officials in London.
02:07However, the fact that Unionist dominance in the House of Commons will be over as far as Northern Ireland is concerned will be hugely significant,
02:15and we'll likely see further calls for a referendum on a united Ireland.
02:20The results will be known in the coming days.
02:23This is Ken Murray for Euronews in Belfast.

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