So PM May Just Paid £1 Billion to Remain in Power?

Just to be clear, in order to stay in power, the Conservatives have made the long negotiated agreement with the Democratic Unionists which will see them support Theresa May’s minority government. This means weeks after the election resulted in a hung Parliament, the 10 DUP MPs will back the Tories in key Commons votes on Brexit and the Budget only.

Just imaging what that money could have been spent on? What happened to austerity?  The agreement is designed to ‘deliver a stable Government’ but no mention of ‘strong.’

The cost? £1 Billion extra for Northern Ireland over the next two years. DUP leader Arlene Foster said the “wide-ranging” agreement was “good for Northern Ireland and for the UK”.

The Tories also had to agree to ditch manifesto pledges on the winter fuel allowance and pensions triple lock. If you are interested The agreement can be viewed here.

The agreement means the DUP will support the May’s Government in all votes on the Budget and Brexit, but that’s all. So for any other law or bill to pass the May government needs to do additional deals with the DUP which could mean more money.

Not everyone thinks it’s a good outcome. John Major maintains “The DUP is a toxic brand.” and Chris Patten said yesterday that the Tory-DUP agreement could make the Conservatives the “nasty party.’

But David Cameron today tweeted in support of the deal, saying Mrs May was right to team up with the Unionists. He wrote on “Task facing PM, given the circs, is to deliver the most stable govt possible – today’s DUP deal helps achieve that. All Cons should support.”

Time will tell us whether this is going to be ‘stable’ but i think we all know it’s certainly not strong. Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn has left Glasto and receives a hero’s welcome almost everywhere he goes.

 

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