DUP: Loyalist women have mixed views on Stormont boycott

They are voices we seldom hear but they are now determined to have their say.

Proud loyalist women, determined to form their own opinions without blindly following wider political or media narratives.

HERstory Women in Loyalism is a 70-strong group which was formed two years ago.

Its members have examined in detail the political agreements which have shaped their lives - from the 1998 Good Friday Agreement to the 2006 St Andrews accord, right up to the Northern Ireland Protocol and 2023 Windsor Framework.

So when we called to their centre in Ballymoney, County Antrim, they were well-prepared and keen to share their views on the Stormont boycott.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is refusing to participate in power-sharing at Stormont in protest over post-Brexit trade arrangements for Northern Ireland.

The stand-off means there is no devolved government at Stormont and civil servants are running public services.

But there was no agreed position on the boycott among the HERstory members.

Some supported the stance taken by DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, while others opposed his party's tactic.

And some went further and accused unionists politicians of putting the union at risk.

Leanne Abernethy is the group's project manager.

"We are just in turmoil," she said. "We have no government, no politicians speaking out for us. We are just at a standstill and this can't go on.

"I know the DUP are doing what they are doing because the electorate voted for that, but our health service is going down the drain.

"Education and libraries are in crisis and Northern Ireland is sinking at the minute."

She has read the Windsor Framework and believes unionists are too pre-occupied with what is happening in nationalism and republicanism.

"If it looks like it might benefit them we go against it, which is not right," she said.

She believes the Windsor Framework's new red and green lane systems controlling goods coming into Northern Ireland can work and with access to both the UK and EU markets Northern Ireland will get the "best of both worlds".

In a message to Sir Jeffrey, she said he needed to "look at what is best for the people and not just his party and what will get him votes".

Across the table, Jackie Blair was ready to defend the DUP leader.

"I totally agree with Jeffrey and he should continue with his stand," she said.

"I'm not a DUP supporter but I think he is getting it right. We have given enough and now need to take a stand."

Asked about the impact the political deadlock was having on public services, she said those services can be fixed but only after the DUP's demands on the protocol are met.

"I know the health service and the police service are in a bad place but until Jeffrey stands his ground and makes his mark, then we can start building those things again," she said.

Her friend, Rhonda McCloy, disagreed.

"They are not staying out for the people," she said. "The DUP are shooting themselves in the foot.

"They made their point but now we are on a slippery slope and they need to go back to Stormont."

This is a view shared by another group member, Sonya Love.

She believes the DUP was right to take a stand but questioned if the boycott was still working.

"They are not helping the country now," she said.

All four women did agree over their concerns for the union.

Leanne said she is worried about the union because "it is unionists who are bringing us down".

She added: "While our health service and police service are disintegrating, this has given nationalism the chance to say 'look at what a new united Ireland could deliver for people here'.

"We need to be putting Northern Ireland on a pedestal and looking at the positives of being part of the UK."

Rhonda also believes divisions and "backstabbing" within unionism is putting the union at risk.

Jackie said there are multiple threats to the union and she "doesn't see a light at the end of the tunnel".

However, she also said she does not foresee a united Ireland in her lifetime.

Election results and polling show the majority of unionists support the DUP's Stormont boycott.

But figures alone never provide the complete picture.

Hearing at first hand the views of those behind the figures is a valuable exercise, especially from those voices like loyalist women who seldom make the airwaves.

HERstory Women in Loyalism provides a platform for members to agree and disagree on the big political questions.

And they don't come much bigger than the current Stormont stalemate.