Gavin Robinson hits out at Labour Government in speech to DUP conference

Mr Robinson, who had been deputy leader before taking over the leadership, defended the party's decision to return to Stormont in the spring, arguing that although all their concerns were not addressed a better offer was not possible.

"Earlier this year when we took the decision to participate in a reformed Government in Northern Ireland, we did so on the basis of the progress achieved. We knew – and were open – that it didn't solve all the problems that befell us. "But we knew, that after two years of negotiation, it wasn't possible to secure more with a government in its dying days. "We knew too, that with the likely prospect of a Labour Government in the coming months, any negotiation was not going to get better. In fact, it may have been worse."

"Regrettably, if the first two months of their tenure has shown us anything, it's that such strength won't always be used for good," Mr Robinson told the party conference. "They had the power to protect pensioners, yet they choose to pick their pockets instead. They had the power to develop and enhance city deals that we, as a party secured, yet they threw them into jeopardy.

He continued: "I am determined that in the remaining months of 2024 you will see that with a new leader there will be a new approach, both internally and externally, as to how we do our business which will be people-centred and focused on getting outcomes that better the lives of all our people. "Although the next electoral test is some two-and-a-half years away, we must use the season ahead wisely. "What we plant now, we must be ready to harvest, not for ourselves, but for Northern Ireland. "The work has already started and will continue in the weeks ahead."