Hundreds more "Keep Your Word" letters signed in Markethill
Members of the loyalist community are signing the letters across the country, urging the DUP to maintain its Stormont boycott.
Hundreds of members of the loyalist community signed letters in Markethill on Thursday night, urging the DUP to stand firm amid speculation of a deal to restore Stormont.
The “Keep Your Word” template letters have been produced by loyalist advocacy group Let’s Talk Loyalism as part of its campaign against post-Brexit trading arrangements.
The initiative has been launched because of concern within sections of loyalism about the prospect of the DUP agreeing to end the blockade on devolution and return to power sharing.
There have been numerous signings of the letter across the Northern Ireland this week, with more planned.
Let’s Talk Loyalism insisted the boycott should only be lifted once all the economic barriers created by Brexit’s Northern Ireland Protocol, and Windsor Framework, are removed.
It says the DUP secured its mandate in the 2022 Assembly election with a similar stance on the so-called Irish Sea border, and has called on the party to stand by that position and not accept any deal that does not fully dismantle the contentious trading arrangements.
The DUP has been involved in protracted talks with the Government aimed at securing concessions on the arrangements that would address its concerns around trade and sovereignty.
It appears the DUP is approaching the moment to make a call on the Government’s proposed measures, with speculation mounting that party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson will attempt to convince senior colleagues to back a return to powersharing, ending the DUP's two year boycott of the institutions.
Back in 2022, thousands took to the streets of the Co. Armagh town for a major protest against the NI Protocol.
More than 30 bands paraded through Markethill before the crowd was addressed by a number of speakers, including DUP MP Sammy Wilson and TUV leader Jim Allister.