Ulster Democratic Party
Encyclopedia
The Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) was a small loyalist
political party
in Northern Ireland
. It was established in June 1981 as the Ulster Loyalist Democratic Party by the Ulster Defence Association
(UDA) to replace their New Ulster Political Research Group. The UDP name had previously been used in the 1930s by an unrelated party which had contested Belfast Central.
With their roots firmly in the Protestant community of Northern Ireland, their initial political stance was not the traditional unionist one favoured by that section of society. Instead they supported independence for Northern Ireland
within the European Economic Community
and the Commonwealth
. These policies had been set out by their predecessors in the New Ulster Political Research Group in their Beyond the Religious Divide policy document. However, this position did not capture the electorate's imagination, and they switched to supporting the UDA's Common Sense position, which suggested an assembly and executive for the region, elected by proportional representation
. They also supported a written Bill of Rights and Constitution.
In the early years the party's electoral support was limited. Their first foray into electoral politics was deeply disappointing with the party leader John McMichael
polling only 576 votes (1.3%) in the 1982 Belfast South by-election
. The party's two candidates in the assembly elections in North Belfast
similarly failed to make an impact. It was not until 1989
that the party made its electoral breakthrough when Ken Kerr
won a seat in the Waterside area to Derry
City Council. Although he lost the seat in 1993
, the party, which had dropped the "loyalist" part of their name in late 1989, won a seat in Lisburn held by Gary McMichael, the son of the former leader who had been assassinated in 1987. They increased their number of council seats to four in 1997
.
This was due in part to their increased public profile after the UDP played a role in the loyalist cease-fire of 1994 and contested the 1996 elections to the Northern Ireland Forum
. Although they failed to win any constituency seats, as one of the ten most successful parties, they were awarded two "top-up" seats, taken by Gary McMichael
and John White. This entitled the party a place in the all-party talks that led to the 1998 Belfast Agreement
. In January 1998 the UDP voluntarily withdrew from the peace talks before they were expelled in response to a number of murders committed by the Ulster Freedom Fighters, a cover name for the UDA.
The party officially supported devolution
for Northern Ireland and the creation of an assembly
but in this they were at odds with the UDA and much of the party's membership, leading to a split in the party. The UDP failed to win any seats at the 1998
elections for the assembly. The party lost a council seat in 2001
and saw its support reduced. (The party's candidates had been forced to run as independents after the party forgot to register its name with the electoral commission.)
The disagreement over the Belfast Agreement between the UDP leadership and the UDA, and within the UDP itself continued until in November 2001 the party dissolved. Its role has largely been taken over by the Ulster Political Research Group
.
Ulster loyalism
Ulster loyalism is an ideology that is opposed to a united Ireland. It can mean either support for upholding Northern Ireland's status as a constituent part of the United Kingdom , support for Northern Ireland independence, or support for loyalist paramilitaries...
political party
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...
. It was established in June 1981 as the Ulster Loyalist Democratic Party by the Ulster Defence Association
Ulster Defence Association
The Ulster Defence Association is the largest although not the deadliest loyalist paramilitary and vigilante group in Northern Ireland. It was formed in September 1971 and undertook a campaign of almost twenty-four years during "The Troubles"...
(UDA) to replace their New Ulster Political Research Group. The UDP name had previously been used in the 1930s by an unrelated party which had contested Belfast Central.
With their roots firmly in the Protestant community of Northern Ireland, their initial political stance was not the traditional unionist one favoured by that section of society. Instead they supported independence for Northern Ireland
Ulster nationalism
Ulster nationalism is the name given to a school of thought in Northern Irish politics that seeks the independence of Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom without becoming part of the Republic of Ireland, thereby becoming an independent sovereign state separate from England, Scotland and Wales...
within the European Economic Community
European Economic Community
The European Economic Community The European Economic Community (EEC) The European Economic Community (EEC) (also known as the Common Market in the English-speaking world, renamed the European Community (EC) in 1993The information in this article primarily covers the EEC's time as an independent...
and the Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
. These policies had been set out by their predecessors in the New Ulster Political Research Group in their Beyond the Religious Divide policy document. However, this position did not capture the electorate's imagination, and they switched to supporting the UDA's Common Sense position, which suggested an assembly and executive for the region, elected by proportional representation
Proportional representation
Proportional representation is a concept in voting systems used to elect an assembly or council. PR means that the number of seats won by a party or group of candidates is proportionate to the number of votes received. For example, under a PR voting system if 30% of voters support a particular...
. They also supported a written Bill of Rights and Constitution.
In the early years the party's electoral support was limited. Their first foray into electoral politics was deeply disappointing with the party leader John McMichael
John McMichael
John "Big John" McMichael was a leading Northern Irish loyalist who rose to become the most prominent figure within the Ulster Defence Association as the Deputy Commander and leader of its South Belfast Brigade. He was also commander of the organisation's cover name, the "Ulster Freedom Fighters"...
polling only 576 votes (1.3%) in the 1982 Belfast South by-election
Belfast South by-election, 1982
The Belfast South by-election was held on 4 March 1982 following the death of Robert Bradford, Ulster Unionist Party Member of Parliament for Belfast South....
. The party's two candidates in the assembly elections in North Belfast
Belfast North (Assembly constituency)
Belfast North is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly.The seat was first used for a Northern Ireland-only election for the Northern Ireland Assembly, 1973...
similarly failed to make an impact. It was not until 1989
Northern Ireland local elections, 1989
Elections for local government were held in Northern Ireland in 1989.-Background:The elections took place after a turbulent period in Northern Irish politics. The signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement in November 1985 had been followed by widespread protests by those in the Unionist community...
that the party made its electoral breakthrough when Ken Kerr
Ken Kerr
Kenneth Jason Kerr, known as "Ken", is a Northern Irish loyalist activist. He was a leading figure within the Ulster Defence Association and its political wing, the Ulster Loyalist Democratic Party...
won a seat in the Waterside area to Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
City Council. Although he lost the seat in 1993
Northern Ireland local elections, 1993
Elections for local government were held in Northern Ireland on 19 May 1993.-Overall:-Belfast:-References:...
, the party, which had dropped the "loyalist" part of their name in late 1989, won a seat in Lisburn held by Gary McMichael, the son of the former leader who had been assassinated in 1987. They increased their number of council seats to four in 1997
Northern Ireland local elections, 1997
Elections for local government were held in Northern Ireland on 21 May 1997, shortly after the 1997 general election across the entire United Kingdom.-Overall:-Belfast:-References:...
.
This was due in part to their increased public profile after the UDP played a role in the loyalist cease-fire of 1994 and contested the 1996 elections to the Northern Ireland Forum
Northern Ireland Forum
The Northern Ireland Forum was a body set up in 1996 as part of a process of negotiations that eventually led to the Belfast Agreement in 1998....
. Although they failed to win any constituency seats, as one of the ten most successful parties, they were awarded two "top-up" seats, taken by Gary McMichael
Gary McMichael
Gary McMichael is the son of former Ulster Defence Association leader John McMichael and was the leader of the now defunct Ulster Democratic Party during the peace process....
and John White. This entitled the party a place in the all-party talks that led to the 1998 Belfast Agreement
Belfast Agreement
The Good Friday Agreement or Belfast Agreement , sometimes called the Stormont Agreement, was a major political development in the Northern Ireland peace process...
. In January 1998 the UDP voluntarily withdrew from the peace talks before they were expelled in response to a number of murders committed by the Ulster Freedom Fighters, a cover name for the UDA.
The party officially supported devolution
Devolution
Devolution is the statutory granting of powers from the central government of a sovereign state to government at a subnational level, such as a regional, local, or state level. Devolution can be mainly financial, e.g. giving areas a budget which was formerly administered by central government...
for Northern Ireland and the creation of an assembly
Northern Ireland Assembly
The Northern Ireland Assembly is the devolved legislature of Northern Ireland. It has power to legislate in a wide range of areas that are not explicitly reserved to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and to appoint the Northern Ireland Executive...
but in this they were at odds with the UDA and much of the party's membership, leading to a split in the party. The UDP failed to win any seats at the 1998
Northern Ireland Assembly election, 1998
-Seats summary:-Details:Although the SDLP won the most first preference votes, the Ulster Unionists won the most seats in the Assembly. This has been attributed to several reasons, including:...
elections for the assembly. The party lost a council seat in 2001
Northern Ireland local elections, 2001
Elections for local government were held in Northern Ireland on 7 June 2001 along with the 2001 general election across the entire United Kingdom.-Overall:-Belfast:-References:...
and saw its support reduced. (The party's candidates had been forced to run as independents after the party forgot to register its name with the electoral commission.)
The disagreement over the Belfast Agreement between the UDP leadership and the UDA, and within the UDP itself continued until in November 2001 the party dissolved. Its role has largely been taken over by the Ulster Political Research Group
Ulster Political Research Group
The Ulster Political Research Group is an advisory body connected to the Ulster Defence Association , providing advice to them on political matters...
.