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Election results: DUP says it will form government with Theresa May with no need for formal coalition Election results: DUP says it will form government with Theresa May with no need for formal coalition
(35 minutes later)
The Democratic Unionist Party has reportedly said it will form a government with Theresa May's Conservatives without the need for a formal coalition deal.The Democratic Unionist Party has reportedly said it will form a government with Theresa May's Conservatives without the need for a formal coalition deal.
The Prime Minister is expected to visit the Queen at around 12:30pm to inform her a deal will be put in place.The Prime Minister is expected to visit the Queen at around 12:30pm to inform her a deal will be put in place.
Despite failing to secure a Commons majority and mounting calls from both Labour and Tory figures for Ms May to step aside, the Conservative party has carried out extensive talks with the DUP throughout the night.Despite failing to secure a Commons majority and mounting calls from both Labour and Tory figures for Ms May to step aside, the Conservative party has carried out extensive talks with the DUP throughout the night.
The largest unionist political party in Northern Ireland said their desire to form a coalition with Ms May is driven by concerns about Jeremy Corbyn becoming Prime Minister. The DUP, who are the largest unionist political party in Northern Ireland, said their desire to form a coalition with Ms May is driven by concerns about Jeremy Corbyn becoming Prime Minister.
The Conservatives remain the largest party with 318 seats so far and Labour currently have 261 - with 326 required for a majority and just one seat left to be called. Although no party has an overall majority, the Conservatives remain the largest party with 318 seats so far while Labour currently have 261 - with 326 required for a majority and just one seat left to be called.
The DUP said they would consider coming to a  “confidence and supply” agreement, ceasing to reach a formal coalition but providing support in the House of Commons. But with the general election delivering a hung parliament - a result few expected - the DUP have been catapulted into a position of surprising power and influence.
The Northern Irish party, who are arguably the most socially conservative party in Britain, said they would consider coming to a  “confidence and supply” agreement. This means they will cease to reach a formal coalition but provide support in the House of Commons.
If the DUP were to supply votes on policy and support in any Commons vote of confidence, the Tories would ultimately hold a majority of around 13.
“We would consider a supply and confidence arrangement to make sure Theresa May would have sufficient support to keep her in government,” one DUP MP told Sky News.“We would consider a supply and confidence arrangement to make sure Theresa May would have sufficient support to keep her in government,” one DUP MP told Sky News.
Nevertheless, the party said their support would come at a cost and they would demand more resources for Northern Ireland and clout in trade deals. Nevertheless, the party said their support would come at a cost and they would demand more resources for Northern Ireland and clout in trade deals. 
"That suggests it wouldn't be a full-blown coalition - rather a confidence and supply deal. It means those 10 MPs will lend her their support on key votes so she gets things through," the DUP MP added."That suggests it wouldn't be a full-blown coalition - rather a confidence and supply deal. It means those 10 MPs will lend her their support on key votes so she gets things through," the DUP MP added.
"The Prime Minister and her team appear to be trying to get out on the front foot with this - she wants to hold her ground.""The Prime Minister and her team appear to be trying to get out on the front foot with this - she wants to hold her ground."
The reports came despite DUP leader Arlene Foster earlier arguing it would be "difficult" for Ms May to clutch on to power in her position. Nevertheless, Ms Foster has also declared the general election result as "good night for the Union".
In spite of Mr Corbyn's calls for Ms May to step aside after a seriously disappointing election result, the Prime Minister appears adamant to remain in Number Ten.
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