Theresa May’s Conservative Party lost its majority in parliament at Thursday’s general election, and entered into negotiations with the DUP seeking a “confidence and supply” agreement to stay in power. The DUP won 10 of Northern Ireland’s 18 seats; Sinn Féin took 7; the independent unionist Sylvia Hermon won the remaining seat. Having gone into the election pledging “strong and stable” leadership, Mrs May says this deal will bring “certainty”. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said another election could be held in the autumn, and maintains he can still be Prime Minister.

Former Chancellor, now Editor at the London Evening Standard, George Osborne said Theresa May is “a dead woman walking” after the election; he continued, “the only question is how long she remains on death row.” He suggested the Prime Minister would be forced to resign imminently; “I think we will know very shortly. We could easily get to the middle of next week and it all collapses for her.” When asked on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show whether Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is in a position to replace the PM, Mr Osborne said Boris was “in a permanent leadership campaign”.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny told Theresa May “nothing should happen to put the Good Friday Agreement at risk” as her party held talks with the DUP to strike the mentioned “confidence and supply” deal. The 1998 Agreement commits the UK and Irish governments to demonstrate “rigorous impartiality” in Northern Ireland political matters. A spokesperson for 10 Downing Street said: “The Prime Minister reiterated that the Government’s approach and objectives in the forthcoming talks to re-establish the Northern Ireland Executive remained unchanged.” Irish Foreign Minister, Charlie Flanagan said a Conservative-DUP link-up would “not necessarily” undermine the peace process.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the party is up for “the challenge of changing” after losing all 3 of its Westminster seats on Thursday (in Foyle, South Belfast and South Down). He said the party must accept the verdict of voters, and “will not rush into any kneejerk reactions.” Whereas the result was an “undoubtedly difficult” for the SDLP, Mr Eastwood added it is also “damaging for our wider politics”. UUP leader Robin Swann said he believes his party will bounce back from a “disappointing” result, after it lost its 2 seats (in South Antrim and Fermanagh & South Tyrone); he said it is important that Stormont is restored to deal with “bread and butter” issues.

US President Donald Trump told Theresa May he does not want to go ahead with a state visit to the UK until the British public supports his arrival. Mr Trump said he did not want to make the trip if there were large-scale protests. He recently criticised London Mayor Sadiq Khan for his response to the terrorist attack at London Bridge and Borough Market; the President misquoted Mr Khan’s message to Londoners not to be alarmed by the increased presence of armed police. The trip may be postponed for some time.