Parliamentary career
Ahead of the 2015 general election,Robinson was selected by the DUP as their candidate for Belfast East,standing against Naomi Long,deputy leader of the Alliance Party,and the incumbent MP. [9] He was endorsed by the Ulster Unionist Party,who stood aside as part of a pact with the DUP,in which the two parties would not stand candidates against each other in four constituencies. [10] Robinson unseated Long,receiving 49.3% of the vote,with a majority of 2,597. [11] [12] During his acceptance speech,he caused controversy by saying that the "last five long years are over",in relation to Long's term of office. He also said:"When people of East Belfast were asked to vote for a shared future,they chose to share that future with somebody they can trust,rather than back a party that are only interested in offering us a future if we share their view". Due to these remarks,he was criticised by Kyle Paisley,son of Ian Paisley,and David Ford,leader of the Alliance Party,the former who said:"You'd think he would have had a bit more humility when he made his acceptance speech last night,but it was quite disgraceful in some parts." Long herself said:"Let's just say his party leader was more magnanimous in defeat than he was in victory. "At this stage in my political career,what the DUP say and do never comes as a shock to me." The following day,Robinson admitted that he should have been more gracious towards Long:"Set party politics aside,I think Naomi Long is a formidable politician. I didn't say it in my speech last night,as I say,I'm reflecting this morning as it's been long and difficult. There should have been scope for me to recognise her contribution." [13] [14] [15] [16]
Robinson was re-elected at the 2017 general election,taking 55.8% of the vote,and increased his majority to 8,474. [17]
In March 2019,Robinson was one of 21 MPs who voted against LGBT-inclusive sex and relationship education in English schools. [18] [19] [20] He is nevertheless considered a relatively liberal member of the DUP. [21]
He retained his seat at the December 2019 general election with a majority of just 1,819,following a strong performance from Naomi Long. [22] [23] Incidentally,Robinson became the only unionist MP in Belfast,after party colleagues Nigel Dodds and Emma Little-Pengelly lost their seats. [24]
In June 2023,Robinson put his name forward to be the next deputy leader of the DUP,following Paula Bradley's resignation. [25] A Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for Upper Bann,Jonathan Buckley,also ran for the position. [26] [27] After a vote of the party's MPs and MLAs,Robinson was announced as the new deputy leader on 9 June 2023. [28] [29] Following his election,he said:"I am honoured that I have been elected to serve as Deputy Leader. I look forward to continuing to work with colleagues at every level within the party as we seek to deliver on our election commitments. A new generation of unionists are stepping forward to serve at every level within our party and in service to Northern Ireland. We all share the desire to play our part to help shape Northern Ireland into an even better place to live and work." [30] [31]
His appointment to the His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council was announced on 28 March 2024 as part of the 2024 Special Honours. [32]
Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party
The day after his appointment to the Privy Council,Robinson was appointed interim leader of the DUP,following Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's resignation after being charged by the PSNI with rape and historic sex offences. [33]
He was ratified as DUP leader on 29 May 2024,after a meeting with the party's executive. [34] [35]
At the party's campaign launch for the July 2024 general election,Robinson said that Irish Sea border had not been removed,contradicting the assurances Donaldson gave earlier in the year over the return of the Northern Ireland Executive. [36] [37] [38] [39] In Belfast East,Robinson and Long faced each other for the fourth consecutive election,in what was expected to be close race due to boundary changes and historical tactical voting in the constituency. [40] [41] The presence of the rival Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV),who split the unionist vote the last time they stood in 2010,were expected to pose another challenge for Robinson. [42] Ultimately,he was returned with an increased majority of 2,676 votes (6%),and a reduced share of 46.6%. [43] [44]
