The Ulster Unionist Party: Country Before Party

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) is a political party in Northern Ireland. It is the oldest political party in Northern Ireland and the third-oldest in the United Kingdom. The UUP is a centre-right party and is a member of the Conservative Party in the House of Commons. The UUP is committed to the Union between Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom.

The Ulster Unionist Party: Country Before Party?

by John Ostrosky

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2123 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	250 pages
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History

The UUP was founded in 1905 by a group of Protestant politicians who were opposed to Irish Home Rule. The party's first leader was Sir Edward Carson. The UUP quickly became the dominant political force in Northern Ireland and played a leading role in the partition of Ireland in 1921.

The UUP governed Northern Ireland for most of the 20th century. However, the party's popularity began to decline in the 1970s as a result of the Troubles. The Troubles were a period of political and sectarian violence in Northern Ireland that lasted from 1968 to 1998.

In 1998, the UUP signed the Good Friday Agreement. The Good Friday Agreement was a peace agreement that ended the Troubles. The agreement created a new power-sharing government in Northern Ireland. The UUP was a member of the power-sharing government from 1998 to 2002.

The UUP left the power-sharing government in 2002. The party's popularity continued to decline in the 2000s. In 2010, the UUP lost its status as the largest party in Northern Ireland to the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

Policies

The UUP is a centre-right party. The party's policies are based on the principles of unionism, conservatism, and liberalism. The UUP is committed to the Union between Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom. The party also believes in free markets, individual liberty, and limited government.

The UUP's policies include:

* Support for the Union between Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom * Opposition to Irish reunification * Support for free markets and limited government * Support for individual liberty and human rights * Support for a strong defense and security policy

Leadership

The UUP is led by Doug Beattie. Beattie was elected leader of the party in 2021. He is the UUP's first leader from a Catholic background.

Electoral performance

The UUP has been in decline in recent years. The party's vote share in the Northern Ireland Assembly elections has fallen from 37% in 1998 to 10% in 2022.

The UUP currently has 10 members of the Northern Ireland Assembly. The party also has 1 member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons.

The UUP is a long-standing political party in Northern Ireland. The party is committed to the Union between Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom. The UUP has been in decline in recent years, but the party remains an important force in Northern Irish politics.

The Ulster Unionist Party: Country Before Party?

by John Ostrosky

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2123 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	250 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE