THE DUP have had a difficult few weeks. The party who would like to position themselves as the voice of morality are now in turmoil over the shocking failings of one of their own.

Former leader Jeffrey Donaldson has swapped his knighthood for a prisoner number and questions are understandably being asked of the party.

The Donaldson scandal has turned a cloud which forever seems to follow the DUP into a massive lightning bolt, illuminating any hypocrisies, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

I wouldn’t usually be one to give the DUP advice but if I could impart a few words onto loyal members, it would be to get off the sinking ship before you drown.

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Noel Doran: The Jeffrey Donaldson I saw in south Down

The personal failure of Donaldson and the party who uplifted him is not the only crisis to befall unionism in 2026.

The DUP’s unionism is a stern one, aggressively trying to impose rules and doctrines, regardless of how societal norms have changed.

The recent war on the Irish language seems to stem more from anxiety over being left out of the future than fears of the past.

In contrast, nationalism seems to be revelling in soft power.

Irish pride within the........

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