Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) built its general election campaign around the idea that its MPs might be kingmakers at Westminster.
Their posters bore the slogan "More Votes. More Seats. More Influence. More for Northern Ireland".
When David Cameron won his majority, that strategy was quietly forgotten.
But that's the position the 10 newly returned DUP MPs are in, despite leader Arlene Foster predicting it did "not look likely" at the campaign outset.
Dup |
Who are the DUP?
The Democratic Unionist Party is the largest political party in Northern Ireland.
It was the most Euro-sceptic party in the UK before the ascent of UKIP.
It opposes same-sex marriage, and is anti-abortion.
DUP MPs have been consistently critical of Jeremy Corbyn, particularly for his past links with Sinn Féin and his stance on security.
But they have made positive comments about Theresa May's leadership of the Conservative Party.
The DUP based its Westminster campaign around a call to defend the union, saying unionists had to turn out to rebut republican demands for a referendum on Irish unity.
read more http://www.bbc.com/news/election-2017-40215071