Thomas Loftus Cole was a unionist politician

Politician

A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...

 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...

.

Cole studied at the Sullivan Upper School

Sullivan Upper School

Sullivan Upper AddressBelfast RoadHolywoodBT18 9EP Phone 9042 8780 from abroadFax 9042 7644HeadteacherMr C J W Peel, M.A., B.Sc., Dip.A.S.Ed.Vice Principals*Mr. I. Ballantine, B.Sc., M.Ed., P.G.C.E....

 in Holywood

Holywood

Holywood is a town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the shore of Belfast Lough, between Belfast and Bangor. Holywood Exchange and Belfast City Airport are nearby. The town hosts an annual jazz and blues festival.-Name:...

 before qualifying as a pharmacist

Pharmacist

Pharmacists are allied health professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use...

. Despite this, he worked as a property developer, and was elected to Lurgan

Lurgan

Lurgan is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The town is near the southern shore of Lough Neagh and in the north-eastern corner of the county. Part of the Craigavon Borough Council area, Lurgan is about 18 miles south-west of Belfast and is linked to the city by both the M1 motorway...

 Urban District Council in 1911, serving until 1917. He return to politics in 1931, winning a seat on the Belfast Corporation for the Ulster Unionist Party

Ulster Unionist Party

The Ulster Unionist Party – sometimes referred to as the Official Unionist Party or, in a historic sense, simply the Unionist Party – is the more moderate of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland...

, which he held until 1958. He was High Sheriff of Belfast

High Sheriff of Belfast

The High Sheriff of Belfast is a High Sheriff title and position which was created in 1900 under the Local Government Act 1898, with Sir James Henderson the first holder. It is a largely ceremonial position currently held by Ian Adamson, who took office in January 2011...

 in 1937 and Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast

Lord Mayor of Belfast

The Lord Mayor of Belfast is the leader and chairman of Belfast City Council, elected annually from and by the City's 51 councillors.The Lord Mayor is Niall Ó Donnghaile of Sinn Féin, while the Deputy Lord Mayor is Ruth Patterson of the Democratic Unionist Party, who were elected in May 2011.The...

 in 1938–1939 He stood in Belfast Pottinger

Belfast Pottinger (Northern Ireland Parliament constituency)

Belfast Pottinger was a constituency of the Parliament of Northern Ireland.-Boundaries:Belfast Pottinger was a borough constituency comprising part of eastern Belfast...

 at the 1933

Northern Ireland general election, 1933

-References:*...

 and 1938 Northern Ireland general elections

Northern Ireland general election, 1938

-References:*...

, but was not successful.

At the 1945 UK general election, Cole was elected for Belfast East

Belfast East (UK Parliament constituency)

Belfast East is a Parliamentary Constituency in the United Kingdom House of Commons. The current MP is Naomi Long of the Alliance Party, elected in 2010...

. Although he stood down at the 1950 election, he held the seat of Belfast Dock

Belfast Dock (Northern Ireland Parliament constituency)

Belfast Dock was a constituency of the Parliament of Northern Ireland.-Boundaries:Belfast Dock was a borough constituency comprising part of northern Belfast...

 in the Northern Ireland House of Commons from 1949

Northern Ireland general election, 1949

-References:*-See also:*MPs elected in the Northern Ireland general election, 1949...

 until he lost the seat in 1953

Northern Ireland general election, 1953

-References:*...

.