English nationalism is the biggest threat to Northern Ireland’s place in the union, according to the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party.
Mike Nesbitt was speaking at his party’s annual conference.
He did not mention Reform UK by name, but polls suggest that support for Nigel Farage’s party is high.
Mr Nesbitt said English nationalists had overtaken Irish nationalism as the principal threat to the continuation of the political status quo in Northern Ireland.
“Unionists have always looked over their shoulder at Irish nationalists as the biggest threat to Northern Ireland’s place in the inion.
“Irish nationalists have been knocked off the gold medal spot on the rostrum by English nationalism,” he said.
He said questions were being asked by some at Westminster about central funding for devolved regions like Scotland.
He said the annual £19 billion subvention to Northern Ireland could come under pressure from English MPs who wanted the money spent closer to home.
“That’s the real danger of supporting the sort of right-wing parties other unionists currently find so appealing,” Mr Nesbitt said.
He said the DUP were doing most to put the constitutional question on the agenda with its “full-throated support for Brexit”.
Mr Nesbitt also talked about the implications of unity, where unionist representatives could have a major say in the politics of a new Ireland.
He said unionist TDs could end up being a controlling block in Leinster House.
“Why would a proud Irish person want me, or Gavin Robinson ( DUP leader) or Jim Allister (TUV leader) choosing their next Taoiseach?” he said.
He added he did not believe people would vote to leave the UK economy for the Irish one.