Gavin Robinson, the Democratic Unionist Party MP for Belfast East, addressed the Orange Order’s Glasgow Twelfth celebration, defending the institution’s cultural standing and launching a pointed critique of Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney.

Robinson brought fraternal greetings from members in Belfast and stressed the deep historical connections between Ulster and Scotland, citing shared faith, industry, traditions and family links that have endured across generations.

He dismissed repeated predictions of Irish unity as unsupported by electoral arithmetic, stating that the nationalist and republican vote in Northern Ireland has not grown and that the inevitability proclaimed by advocates has not materialised.

Turning to the Orange tradition, Robinson rejected characterisations of Orangeism as bigoted or sectarian, describing it instead as rooted in faith, family, service and loyalty. He said members will not surrender their identity and will not be written out of the United Kingdom’s story.

Robinson then criticised First Minister Swinney for suggesting that people should “move on” from the Troubles. He noted that 342 Orangemen and one Orangewoman were killed during the conflict and asked whether Swinney would apply the same phrase to other terrorist atrocities, such as Lockerbie, Dunblane or the Glasgow Airport attack.

He cited specific incidents, including the Enniskillen, Kingsmills and La Mon attacks, and the murder of three Scottish soldiers—John McCaig, Joseph McCaig and Dougald McCaughey—by the IRA, saying victims are not political inconveniences and politicians should learn from them rather than lecture.

Robinson accused Swinney of working increasingly closely with Sinn Féin and warned against minimising the deliberate targeting of security force members and civilians during the conflict.

On constitutional matters, he argued for a revival of confidence in the Union, calling for a UK government and Prime Minister who speak proudly about the Union and pursue policies that strengthen all its nations and regions.

Robinson concluded by urging the current generation to pass on the Orange tradition to the next with pride, saying the future of the institution depends on giving young people reasons to look forward with confidence.