Is the goal of your petition to get the Conservatives to state categorically that they won’t allow the DUP to influence these areas?

Yes, I think so. It’s a stance that’s backed by some [Tory] MPs – Ruth Davidson in particular feels very strongly about it. [Britain is] a really progressive society, we promote equality, and these [rights] aren’t things that we should just give up. They’re things we should be proud of and really push for.

Whatever happens next, thanks to the petition I know there are hundreds of thousands of people who really care about these issues. All people from all party lines have signed it; it’s like a huge opinion poll. Politicians can’t ignore it.

Do you think a deal between the DUP and the Tories is actually sustainable?

It’s really hard to say at the moment because politics is so tumultuous, but I can’t imagine so. The reason I think that is if you actually add up all the votes, there are more [people in favour of] more progressive politics.

I don’t think this hardline right vision that’s being set out is what everyone wants. The government is going to have to let left-leaning ideas come through, or I don’t think they’ll be able to sustain it.

Images: Rex Features / Francesca Waters

“Why I won’t stop campaigning against the DUP”