National Democrats (Northern Ireland)
Encyclopedia
The National Democratic Party (NDP) was an Irish nationalist political party
in Northern Ireland
.
, a political study group founded in 1959. It failed to unite nationalists as it had hoped, and so it worked with Gerry Quigley
, Secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation
, to call a conference of all nationalists.
The conference was held on 19 April 1964 in Maghery
. It was well attended, although Nationalist Party
leader Eddie McAteer
rejected his invitation, and other Nationalist MPs were reluctant to accept criticisms raised of them. The conference founded the National Political Front, with Anne McFadden as its secretary.
The National Political Front aimed to develop policy for the Nationalist Party and any other sympathetic politicians, and to play a role in selecting future nationalist candidates. Despite this, the Nationalist Party chose to organise its own convention to choose a candidate for Fermanagh and South Tyrone
at the 1964 UK general election.
In the run-up to the election, McAteer wrote to leaders of other opposition parties to discuss forming a united opposition, and this produced talks with the Republican Labour Party
. They released a joint programme entitled "39 Points", largely based on the demands of the National Political Front. However, the relationship between the Front and the Nationalists again soured before the end of 1964. As a result, some politicians resigned from the Nationalist Party, including John Hume
.
. Prominent Nationalist Party members McAteer and Gerry Lennon
attended as observers. This new group was chaired by Quigley, and aimed to organise supporters of a united Ireland
in urban areas, to link with reinvigorated Nationalist Party groups in rural areas. Indeed, they pointedly did not organise in areas which already had a Nationalist MP. In particular, they called on the Nationalist Party to adopt a constituency based structure with a party conference
and agreed party programme.
was concerned that the NDP would try to take over the Nationalist Party. McAteer decided to aim for a close relationship with the new group, noting that they shared the "39 Points" programme.
Closely associated with the new party was the National Democrats ginger group
. This had the same aims as the NDP and was chaired by Ciaran McKeown
.
At the Northern Ireland general election, 1965
, former Independent Labour Group politician John Joseph Brennan
won the constituency of Belfast Central
, without facing any opposition. Among the party's candidates were future MPs Eddie McGrady
and Alasdair McDonnell
.
, and great radicalisation among Irish nationalists. Brennan lost his seat in 1969
. Hume founded the Social Democratic and Labour Party
(SDLP), bringing together independent nationalist politicians elected in 1969 and some representatives of existing parties. A large number of NDP members left to join the SDLP - making up 80% of its first 400 members. Facing a massive drop in membership, the NDP dissolved itself in October 1970, passing a resolution that all members should join the SDLP. These members included political strategist Ben Caraher, who was to greatly influence the approach of the early SDLP.
that fielded a candidate in the East Londonderry constituency
in the 1997 general election
, which was a UK-wide breakaway from the British National Front
.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
Origins
The organisation's origins lay in National UnityNational Unity (Ireland)
National Unity was an Irish nationalist political study group in Northern Ireland.Nationalism in Northern Ireland in the late 1950s was dominated by the Nationalist Party. This effectively operated as a network of elected politicians. Its attempt to build a rank-and-file movement, the Irish...
, a political study group founded in 1959. It failed to unite nationalists as it had hoped, and so it worked with Gerry Quigley
Gerry Quigley
Gerry Quigley was a trade unionist and political activist in Northern Ireland.Quigley grew up in the Donegall Pass area of Belfast. He studied at St Joseph's Training College before working as a primary school teacher.Quigley was appointed Northern Secretary of the Irish National Teachers'...
, Secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation
Irish National Teachers' Organisation
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation , in Irish Cumann Múinteoirí Éireann, which was founded in 1868, is the largest teachers' trade union in Ireland. It represents teachers at primary level in the Republic of Ireland, and at primary and post-primary level in Northern Ireland. The head office...
, to call a conference of all nationalists.
The conference was held on 19 April 1964 in Maghery
Maghery
Maghery is a small village and townland in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It lies on the southwest shore of Lough Neagh, near Derrywarragh Island, in the northwest corner of the county...
. It was well attended, although Nationalist Party
Nationalist Party (Northern Ireland)
The Nationalist Party† - was the continuation of the Irish Parliamentary Party, and was formed after partition, by the Northern Ireland-based members of the IPP....
leader Eddie McAteer
Eddie McAteer
Eddie McAteer was an nationalist politician in Northern Ireland.Born in Coatbridge, Scotland, McAteer's family moved to Derry in Northern Ireland while he was young. In 1930 he joined the Inland Revenue, where he worked until 1944. He then became an accountant and more actively involved in politics...
rejected his invitation, and other Nationalist MPs were reluctant to accept criticisms raised of them. The conference founded the National Political Front, with Anne McFadden as its secretary.
The National Political Front aimed to develop policy for the Nationalist Party and any other sympathetic politicians, and to play a role in selecting future nationalist candidates. Despite this, the Nationalist Party chose to organise its own convention to choose a candidate for Fermanagh and South Tyrone
Fermanagh and South Tyrone (UK Parliament constituency)
Fermanagh and South Tyrone is a Parliamentary constituency in the British House of Commons. The current MP for the constituency is Michelle Gildernew of Sinn Féin....
at the 1964 UK general election.
In the run-up to the election, McAteer wrote to leaders of other opposition parties to discuss forming a united opposition, and this produced talks with the Republican Labour Party
Republican Labour Party
The Republican Labour Party was a political party in Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1964, with two MPs at Stormont, Harry Diamond and Gerry Fitt...
. They released a joint programme entitled "39 Points", largely based on the demands of the National Political Front. However, the relationship between the Front and the Nationalists again soured before the end of 1964. As a result, some politicians resigned from the Nationalist Party, including John Hume
John Hume
John Hume is a former Irish politician from Derry, Northern Ireland. He was a founding member of the Social Democratic and Labour Party, and was co-recipient of the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize, with David Trimble....
.
National Party
In February 1965, the National Political Front founded a new organisation, the National Party, at a conference in BelfastBelfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. Prominent Nationalist Party members McAteer and Gerry Lennon
Gerry Lennon
James Gerrard Lennon , known as Gerry Lennon, was a solicitor and Irish nationalist politician.Lennon stood unsuccessfully for the National League of the North in South Armagh at the Northern Ireland general election, 1933. In 1944, he was appointed to the Senate of Northern Ireland, serving as a...
attended as observers. This new group was chaired by Quigley, and aimed to organise supporters of a united Ireland
United Ireland
A united Ireland is the term used to refer to the idea of a sovereign state which covers all of the thirty-two traditional counties of Ireland. The island of Ireland includes the territory of two independent sovereign states: the Republic of Ireland, which covers 26 counties of the island, and the...
in urban areas, to link with reinvigorated Nationalist Party groups in rural areas. Indeed, they pointedly did not organise in areas which already had a Nationalist MP. In particular, they called on the Nationalist Party to adopt a constituency based structure with a party conference
Party conference
The terms party conference , political convention , and party congress usually refer to a general meeting of a political party. The conference is attended by certain delegates who represent the party membership...
and agreed party programme.
National Democratic Party
By June 1965, the Nationalist Party had taken no action on the issues raised by the National Party. The new group decided to maintain the pressure, and renamed itself the "National Democratic Party". Nationalist Senator Paddy McGillPaddy McGill
Patrick Francis McGill , known as Paddy McGill or P. F. McGill was a journalist and nationalist politician in Ireland....
was concerned that the NDP would try to take over the Nationalist Party. McAteer decided to aim for a close relationship with the new group, noting that they shared the "39 Points" programme.
Closely associated with the new party was the National Democrats ginger group
Ginger group
A ginger group is a formal or informal group within, for example, a political party seeking to inspire the rest with its own enthusiasm and activity....
. This had the same aims as the NDP and was chaired by Ciaran McKeown
Ciaran McKeown
Ciaran McKeown is a former peace activist in Northern Ireland.Born in Derry to a Roman Catholic family, McKeown served as a Dominican novice for eight months in his youth. He then attended Queen's University Belfast, where he studied philosophy, becoming the first Catholic to be elected president...
.
At the Northern Ireland general election, 1965
Northern Ireland general election, 1965
-Seats summary:-References:*...
, former Independent Labour Group politician John Joseph Brennan
John Joseph Brennan
John Joseph Brennan , usually known as John Brennan, was a British politician. He stood for the British House of Commons in Belfast West at the 1959 UK general election, representing the Independent Labour Group, receiving 37.6% of the vote.In 1962 he stood for the Belfast Falls constituency at the...
won the constituency of Belfast Central
Belfast Central (Northern Ireland Parliament constituency)
Belfast Central was a constituency of the Parliament of Northern Ireland.-Boundaries:Belfast Central was a borough constituency comprising part of central Belfast...
, without facing any opposition. Among the party's candidates were future MPs Eddie McGrady
Eddie McGrady
Edward Kevin McGrady, known as Eddie McGrady is an Irish nationalist politician and a former member of the British Parliament.One of eleven children, McGrady was educated at St...
and Alasdair McDonnell
Alasdair McDonnell
Dr Alasdair McDonnell is an Irish politician, Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party and both a Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and a Member of the Legislative Assembly for South Belfast. On 5 November, 2011, he was elected as the new leader of the SDLP.-Early...
.
Dissolution
The next few years saw the start of The TroublesThe Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
, and great radicalisation among Irish nationalists. Brennan lost his seat in 1969
Northern Ireland general election, 1969
-References:*...
. Hume founded the Social Democratic and Labour Party
Social Democratic and Labour Party
The Social Democratic and Labour Party is a social-democratic, Irish nationalist political party in Northern Ireland. Its basic party platform advocates Irish reunification, and the further devolution of powers while Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom...
(SDLP), bringing together independent nationalist politicians elected in 1969 and some representatives of existing parties. A large number of NDP members left to join the SDLP - making up 80% of its first 400 members. Facing a massive drop in membership, the NDP dissolved itself in October 1970, passing a resolution that all members should join the SDLP. These members included political strategist Ben Caraher, who was to greatly influence the approach of the early SDLP.
Note
The National Democratic Party had no connection to the National DemocratsNational Democrats (UK)
By the beginning of 2002 the party had ceased political activity. It continued as a pressure group under the name Campaign for National Democracy until 2008; the party officially ceased to exist after the death of its leader at the beginning of 2011....
that fielded a candidate in the East Londonderry constituency
East Londonderry (UK Parliament constituency)
East Londonderry is a Parliamentary Constituency in the United Kingdom House of Commons.-Boundaries:The seat was created in boundary changes in 1983, as part of an expansion of Northern Ireland's constituencies from 12 to 17, and was predominantly made up from the old Londonderry constituency...
in the 1997 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1997
The United Kingdom general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997, more than five years after the previous election on 9 April 1992, to elect 659 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party ended its 18 years in opposition under the leadership of Tony Blair, and won the general...
, which was a UK-wide breakaway from the British National Front
British National Front
The National Front is a far right, white-only political party whose major political activities took place during the 1970s and 1980s. Its popularity peaked in the 1979 general election, when it received 191,719 votes ....
.