DUP: Gregory Campbell gets word on the streets on Stormont boycott

It was potentially a risky move at a time when his party's Stormont boycott has sharply divided opinion.

But Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Gregory Campbell was ready to face down any criticism as we went on a walkabout through Coleraine town centre.

With Mr Campbell on our shoulder, we asked the public if they supported his party's stance or wanted them to return to Stormont.

The first man out walking his dog was quick to turn the question around as he pointedly asked Gregory Campbell: "Is it good for our country, what do you think?"

The DUP MP quickly replied: "Most people want to see the problem resolved so that we can trade within the UK."

To which the man politely said: "Pull the finger out and sort it so the country can then move on instead of just hanging about doing nothing."

They parted with a handshake.

Next up, a couple who were pleased to see their local MP.

They were fully behind Mr Campbell, insisting the DUP "had to make a stand as his party and his voters have been walked over for a long time".

The next man we stopped was also a fan of the DUP MP and supported the Stormont boycott.

"We've been done over by the Republic of Ireland and the EU and they are trying to punish us for mistakes they made, so yes stay out. There is no point in running back and being their lapdogs."

But there was no warmth in the next exchange.

A retired couple had no hesitation in telling Mr Campbell that his party needs to go back to Stormont.

"I think you need to get it sorted as the country can't stand any more delay," the man said

"They need to work from the inside, working from the outside is going to take forever," he added.

His wife, a former radiographer, then interjected to say the health service was a "disaster" and needed fixed.

In reply, Mr Campbell said his party was hoping to get the trading arrangement resolved as soon as possible.

They parted on good terms.

The DUP do have the support of local Orangemen.

At a meeting in the local Orange hall, the new Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) leader, Russell Watton, said Northern Ireland faced a stark choice.

"It is either the framework or power sharing, you can't have both.

"There is no clamour among grassroots loyalism to get back into Stormont," he said.

Mr Watton also warned if the DUP return without the party's seven tests being met "it would cause a serious rupture within loyalism".

Fellow Orangeman Aaron Stewart said the DUP tests had been backed by voters and warned that if the party returned for less then it would "face a backlash from the electorate".

However, local independent unionist, Claire Sugden, said it was time for the DUP to end its boycott.

The assembly member also revealed she had considered quitting politics because of the 20-month long Stormont deadlock.

"I think the DUP are setting us up for more problems down the line.

"Not having a government in place is not acceptable and people are starting to feel how it is impacting on their lives, especially our health service where it is now a matter of life and death."

Ms Sugden added she appreciated the difficulties of the Windsor Framework but there are other issues to tackle.