Allister won't rule out taking Reform UK party whip

The new MP for North Antrim spoke to BBC News NI after his first day in Westminster

Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister has refused to rule out joining Reform UK on the benches in the House of Commons.

TUV and Reform UK announced an electoral partnership in March ahead of the general election.

Speaking to BBC News NI on the first day of the new Parliament, Mr Allister said there was no reason he wouldn't sit beside Nigel Farage, after appearing beside the Reform UK leader earlier on Tuesday afternoon.

"I've known [Nigel Farage] for many years in the European parliament and fought many battles together," the new MP for North Antrim added.

When asked if he would be taking the Reform UK party whip, he said there were still "a number of practical issues to be resolved", adding, "we will see in due course".

'This is major league hurling now'

The swearing-in of 650 MPs begins, with the process expected to continue into Wednesday

With the celebrations over, the work begins for Northern Ireland's new MPs.

Out of 650 people elected on Thursday, 335 have never been an MP before.

The new Parliament sees a series of firsts - record numbers of women MPs and those from an ethnic-minority background, as well as the first member born in the 21st century.

The seven new additions to Northern Ireland's parliamentary line-up are Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister, Sinn Féin's Pat Cullen, Dáire Hughes and Cathal Mallaghan, independent unionist Alex Easton, the Alliance Party's Sorcha Eastwood and Ulster Unionist Robin Swann.

Former Stormont Health Minister, Mr Swann tweeted that he had arrived on Monday evening and took a "first day at school photo".

On his first day on the job, Mr Swann said it was a "humbling experience" to bring the Ulster Unionist Party back to the House of Commons.

Mr Swann said he was more than a "one-man band" and would be given company by his former party leader Lord Elliott, who has just taken up a seat in the House of Lords.

"People had our party written off for years because we had no representation in the commons, now we’re back," he added.

"I’m here to represent all the people of South Antrim who actually voted for me and those who didn’t vote for me as well."

"This is major league hurling now compared to where we were before in regards to the assembly," he said.

'Best behaviour'

Jim Allister sat beside Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (right) in the House of Commons

Speaking in parliament, Mr Allister said he came on behalf of constituents who wanted Northern Ireland's place in the union restored.

"We must end the partitioning of our kingdom by a foreign border and we must end a situation where 300 areas of law are not controlled by this house, not controlled by Stormont, but controlled by a foreign parliament," he added.

When called on by Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Mr Allister joked that with him on his "best behaviour and you at your tolerant best I trust we will have a mutually cordial relationship".

The TUV has been strongly critical of the DUP's deal with the previous government, which saw the party end its two-year boycott of Northern Ireland's devolved government in February.

'I want to make a difference'

Speaking before he boarded a flight to London, Mr Easton said he was relishing the prospect of going to "one of the biggest stages in the world".

"I've wanted to achieve this for a lifetime, and I keep pinching myself, it's hard to sink in," he said.

"It's a big thing, I've achieved the one thing in my life I really wanted to do, it's a huge change for me.

"It's the ultimate democracy, I want to use that and make a difference."

Mr Easton took the North Down constituency from Alliance, unseating the party's deputy leader, Stephen Farry.

'Public service for all'

Ms Eastwood is the Alliance Party's only MP in Westminster

Lagan Valley's first female MP Sorcha Eastwood told the Commons her presence demonstrated "a changing, more shared and integrated Northern Ireland" as she addressed the chamber for the first time.

Referencing the prime minister's commitment to public service, Ms Eastwood said all representatives owed "a debt of gratitude to our constituents".

"I will never forget the constituents of Lagan Valley and I join with everyone in the whole house in looking forward to committing to public service for all," she said.

Parliamentary oath

Proceedings in the House of Commons chamber started at 14:30 BST when Sir Lindsay was re-elected as Speaker.

After the election and affirmation of the Speaker, members began to swear in.

This will continue into Wednesday.

Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald, Pat Cullen and Michelle Gildernew celebrated at the general election count centre in Magherafelt

Every MP must take an oath of allegiance to the King at the beginning of a new Parliament.

If they do not, then they cannot sit or vote in the House of Commons.

MPs representing Sinn Féin refuse to swear the oath or make the affirmation to the King.

The party believes the interests of the Irish people can only be served by democratic institutions in Ireland, not at Westminster.

As a result, Sinn Féin MPs do not take their seats in the House of Commons.

This long-standing policy is known as abstentionism.

Sinn Féin adds its MPs are elected on an abstentionist mandate and by not taking their seats they are fulfilling the wishes of the electorate.