Carla Lockhart resigns from DUP with immediate effect, ending more than 20 years of party membership
Carla Lockhart MP
Monday 2 November 2026
Carla Lockhart has resigned from the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect, announcing that she will continue representing Upper Bann at Westminster as an independent unionist MP.
The decision brings to an end more than two decades of membership of the DUP and follows her increasingly public disagreement with the party leadership over its response to the controversy surrounding First Minister Michelle O'Neill and the Garvaghy Road in Portadown.
In a resignation letter dated Monday 2 November and addressed to DUP leader Gavin Robinson, Ms Lockhart confirmed she was leaving both the party and its parliamentary group, saying she could no longer remain a member in good conscience.
Her departure comes just days after she publicly criticised the DUP's proposed measures against Sinn Féin, declaring that they fell far short of the “profound consequences” she believed were necessary.
Lockhart confirms immediate resignation
In her letter to Mr Robinson, Ms Lockhart wrote:
“It is with deep regret that I resign from the DUP Parliamentary group and my membership of the party with immediate effect. I will continue to serve Upper Bann as an independent unionist MP and will copy this letter to the Speaker accordingly.”
She described the DUP as her political home for more than 20 years and said leaving had been a painful decision following considerable reflection.
Explaining her reasons, she stated:
“The party’s response has fallen far short of the profound consequences promised. Alongside my concerns over the implementation of the Irish Sea border, this has left me unable, in all conscience, to continue within the party.”
The reference to the Irish Sea border makes clear that her decision is not solely about the latest Stormont controversy but also reflects continuing disagreements over post-Brexit arrangements affecting Northern Ireland.
Dispute over DUP response to Sinn Féin
Ms Lockhart's resignation follows a series of public disagreements over how the DUP should respond to the actions of Michelle O'Neill in connection with the Garvaghy Road controversy.
The DUP has announced plans to use Assembly mechanisms, including the Petition of Concern, to challenge elements of Sinn Féin business, while suspending joint engagements between the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
The party has also called for new sanctions legislation but has stopped short of withdrawing from the Executive, arguing that collapsing Stormont would risk returning decision-making powers to Westminster.
Ms Lockhart had demanded stronger action, including the removal of Ms O'Neill from office while maintaining devolved government. Her allegations of lawbreaking against the First Minister remain contested and should not be treated as an established criminal finding.
On Friday, Ms Lockhart publicly dismissed the DUP's response, saying:
“Sadly, what was announced falls far short of what I believe the vast majority of unionists want. No photos and no public engagements. That is what ‘profound consequences’ amounts to.”
She promised at the time to announce her next move early this week, concluding her statement with the words:
“Rest assured, I am not going away.”
No personal animosity towards DUP leader
Despite her resignation, Ms Lockhart adopted a conciliatory tone towards Gavin Robinson personally, thanking him for the manner in which he had handled their disagreements.
She wrote:
“I appreciate the cordial manner in which you have approached our disagreements. None of this is personal, and I bear no animosity towards you or the party.”
The MP also indicated that she remained willing to cooperate with former DUP colleagues on matters concerning Northern Ireland and the Union.
She added:
“There is much upon which we can continue to work together for Northern Ireland and our place within the Union. I stand ready to do so in friendship and cooperation.”
Her comments suggest that while she has formally broken with the DUP, she is not ruling out future cooperation with the party or other unionist representatives.
Upper Bann MP pledges to continue serving constituents
Ms Lockhart, who was first elected to Westminster for Upper Bann in 2019, confirmed that she intends to continue representing the constituency and seek re-election in the future.
She wrote:
“My first responsibility remains to Upper Bann, and I will continue in this mandate, and in future mandates to seek election to serve as their representative in whichever capacity I believe I can best serve this great constituency.”
She also expressed hope that she and Mr Robinson could preserve their friendship and work constructively across unionism in the years ahead.
Her resignation does not trigger a Westminster by-election, meaning she retains her seat in the House of Commons while changing her political affiliation to independent unionist.
The departure leaves the DUP facing the loss of a Westminster representative at a time when its leadership is already under pressure over its handling of the Stormont dispute. For Upper Bann constituents, Ms Lockhart remains their MP, but her decision raises fresh questions about political representation and cooperation within unionism ahead of future elections.
