![Irish reunification back on the agenda as DUP falters](https://cdn.magzter.com/1591272633/1720238366/articles/sSlplrDDZ1720252516255/IRISH-REUNIFICATION-BACK-ON-THE-AGENDA-AS-DUP-FALTERS.jpg)
The Irish nationalist party has become the North's largest Westminster party. It is already the largest party at the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont and in local government in the country, with its main rivals, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), in disarray after losses on an unexpected scale.
The DUP lost three of the eight seats it secured at the last election. The most surprising defeat - and a greatly symbolic one - is that of Ian Paisley Jr in North Antrim, which had been in his family for more than 50 years. It was previously held by one of the most controversial figures of the Troubles, his father and former Northern Ireland first minister the Reverend lan Paisley.
The party also lost the Lagan Valley seat which had been vacated by its former leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, who faces sexual offences charges, and saw its majorities reduced elsewhere; Sinn Fein came within 179 votes of taking East Londonderry, a hitherto staunch DUP seat. Sinn Fein will not be taking up its seats in the Commons, as has been the case for more than a century, to show its opposition to British rule in Northern Ireland. It will instead use its position of strength to press the new Labour government to agree to a definitive timeline for a referendum on Irish unification.
Denne historien er fra July 06, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
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Denne historien er fra July 06, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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!['I didn't think I'd make it'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/x4eZeDeQG1726122253187/I-DIDNT-THINK-ID-MAKE-IT.jpg)
'I didn't think I'd make it'
Adam Smith, the commentator with a voice synonymous with boxing’, tells Alex Pattle about his enforced absence from the sport and his agonising battle with cancer
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England charge back after early Australian fireworks
England weathered some early fireworks from Travis Head to restrict Australia to 179 in their series-opening T20 against Australia.
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Reeves must cut the gloom to return the UK to growth
Not many people are inclined to feel much sympathy for Rachel Reeves at the moment the cut to winter fuel payments could hardly have gone down worse but she’s been dealt a dismal hand. And now the economy has stalled on her.
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Stones opens up on Euros hurt and Harry's hundred.
Defender eyes century of caps as young Lions add energy’
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‘Age gap, schmage gap - it's a bit cringe, but love is love'
Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall are co-writers, co-stars, and married. They tell Ellie Harrison what it’s like to work together on their hit comedy series Colin from Accounts’
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How 'Funeral' cost Arcade Fire blood, sweat and tears
Mark Beaumont talks to members of the band about how the seminal album was shaped by death, near-fatal live shows and the Montreal music scene, 20 years since its initial release
!['I realised he could kill me](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/r_sw6sZFE1726120065066/I-REALISED-HE-COULD-KILL-ME.jpg)
'I realised he could kill me
After James Barr’s ex became abusive, the comedian ended up living in fear of his partner. He believes we need to talk more about domestic violence in the queer community
!['I use my fuel allowance to go out for dinner at The Ivy'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/RSNIBd7PM1726119958803/I-USE-MY-FUEL-ALLOWANCE-TO-GO-OUT-FOR-DINNER-AT-THE-IVY.jpg)
'I use my fuel allowance to go out for dinner at The Ivy'
As the backlash grows over the decision to cut the benefit for some pensioners, Zoe Beaty heads to Harrogate in Yorkshire where she nears two very different takes on Labour’s policy
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Where's a warm winter trip outside the Schengen area?
A Brexit really does keep on giving, doesn’t it? The decision to leave the European Union was followed by the UK securing its status as a “third country”, alongside Paraguay and East Timor, thereby making British travellers subject to all kinds of red tape.
![The thrilling tale of six days that changed Britain forever](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/-EyElmB-K1726119647748/THE-THRILLING-TALE-OF-SIX-DAYS-THAT-CHANGED-BRITAIN-FOREVER.jpg)
The thrilling tale of six days that changed Britain forever
Ben Macintyre’s unputdownable new book The Siege’ tells the story of an SAS op like no other, writes Robert McCrum