Progressive Unionist Party: Difference between revisions

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| country          = Northern Ireland
| country          = Northern Ireland
| name            = Progressive Unionist Party
| name            = Progressive Unionist Party
| native_name      =
| logo            = Progressive Unionist Party logo.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert
| logo            = Progressive Unionist Party logo.svg
| logo_size        = 250px
| logo_size        = 250px
| leader          = [[Russell Watton]]
| leader          = [[Russell Watton]]
| chairman        = Brian Lacey
| chairman        = Brian Lacey
| secretary_general =
| president       = [[Billy Hutchinson]]  
| leader1_title    =
| leader1_name    =
|president       = [[Billy Hutchinson]]  
| foundation      = {{start date|1979}}
| foundation      = {{start date|1979}}
| founder          = [[Hugh Smyth]]
| founder          = [[Hugh Smyth]]
| predecessor      = [[Volunteer Political Party]]
| predecessor      = [[Volunteer Political Party]]
| headquarters    =
| ideology        = [[Unionism in Ireland|British unionism]]<br />[[Ulster loyalism]]<br />{{nowrap|[[Democratic socialism]]<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Edwards |first1=Aaron |year=2007 |title=Democratic Socialism and Sectarianism: The Northern Ireland Labour Party and Progressive Unionist Party Compared |journal=Politics |volume=27 |issue=1 |pages=24–31 |doi=10.1111/j.1467-9256.2007.00275.x |s2cid=145393084 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=New Statesman: Volume 131, Issues 4569-4576 |year=2002 |publisher=[[New Statesman]] |location=London |page=56 |url=https://books.google.com/books?ei=GDG7TdfTOoGq8AOb8ZzcBQ }}</ref>}}<br />[[Social democracy]]  
| ideology        = [[Unionism in Ireland|British unionism]]<br />[[Ulster loyalism]]<br />{{nowrap|[[Democratic socialism]]<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Edwards |first1=Aaron |year=2007 |title=Democratic Socialism and Sectarianism: The Northern Ireland Labour Party and Progressive Unionist Party Compared |journal=Politics |volume=27 |issue=1 |pages=24–31 |doi=10.1111/j.1467-9256.2007.00275.x |s2cid=145393084 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=New Statesman: Volume 131, Issues 4569-4576 |year=2002 |publisher=[[New Statesman]] |location=London |page=56 |url=https://books.google.com/books?ei=GDG7TdfTOoGq8AOb8ZzcBQ }}</ref>}}<br />[[Social democracy]]  
| position        = {{Nowrap|[[Centre-left politics|Centre-left]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://pupni.com/assets/images/articles/A_Left-Wing_Voice_in.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=9 August 2020 |archive-date=4 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704081902/http://pupni.com/assets/images/articles/A_Left-Wing_Voice_in.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.northernslant.com/socialist-alternative-northern-ireland/|title=A socialist alternative for Northern Ireland?|first=John|last=Coulter|date=11 September 2019|website=Northern Slant|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=4 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704083547/https://www.northernslant.com/socialist-alternative-northern-ireland/|url-status=usurped}}</ref> to [[left-wing]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.northernslant.com/socialist-alternative-northern-ireland/|title=A socialist alternative for Northern Ireland?|first=John|last=Coulter|date=11 September 2019|website=Northern Slant|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=4 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704083547/https://www.northernslant.com/socialist-alternative-northern-ireland/|url-status=usurped}}</ref>}}
| position        = {{Nowrap|[[Centre-left politics|Centre-left]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://pupni.com/assets/images/articles/A_Left-Wing_Voice_in.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=9 August 2020 |archive-date=4 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704081902/http://pupni.com/assets/images/articles/A_Left-Wing_Voice_in.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.northernslant.com/socialist-alternative-northern-ireland/|title=A socialist alternative for Northern Ireland?|first=John|last=Coulter|date=11 September 2019|website=Northern Slant|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=4 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704083547/https://www.northernslant.com/socialist-alternative-northern-ireland/|url-status=usurped}}</ref> to [[left-wing]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.northernslant.com/socialist-alternative-northern-ireland/|title=A socialist alternative for Northern Ireland?|first=John|last=Coulter|date=11 September 2019|website=Northern Slant|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=4 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704083547/https://www.northernslant.com/socialist-alternative-northern-ireland/|url-status=usurped}}</ref>}}
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| seats3          = {{Composition bar|1|462|hex={{party color|Progressive Unionist Party}}}}
| seats3          = {{Composition bar|1|462|hex={{party color|Progressive Unionist Party}}}}
}}
}}
The '''Progressive Unionist Party''' ('''PUP''') is a minor [[Unionism in Ireland|unionist]]<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229194809/http://www.parties-and-elections.eu/nireland.html|url=http://www.parties-and-elections.eu/nireland.html|archive-date=29 December 2015|year=2011|title=Northern Ireland/UK|last=Nordsieck|first=Wolfram|website=Parties and Elections in Europe|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[list of political parties in Northern Ireland|political party]] in [[Northern Ireland]]. It was formed from the Independent Unionist Group operating in the [[Shankill, Belfast|Shankill]] area of [[Belfast]], becoming the PUP in 1979. Linked to the [[Ulster Volunteer Force (1966)|Ulster Volunteer Force]] (UVF) and [[Red Hand Commando]] (RHC), for a time it described itself as "the only [[centre-left|left of centre]] unionist party" in Northern Ireland, with its main support base in the [[Ulster loyalism|loyalist]] [[working class]] communities of Belfast.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pup-ni.org.uk/party/yourquestions.aspx |title=Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) - Your Questions |publisher=Pup-ni.org.uk |access-date=15 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206143218/http://www.pup-ni.org.uk/party/yourquestions.aspx |archive-date=6 December 2009 }}</ref>
The '''Progressive Unionist Party''' ('''PUP''') is a minor [[Unionism in Ireland|unionist]]<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229194809/http://www.parties-and-elections.eu/nireland.html|url=http://www.parties-and-elections.eu/nireland.html|archive-date=29 December 2015|year=2011|title=Northern Ireland/UK|last=Nordsieck|first=Wolfram|website=Parties and Elections in Europe|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[list of political parties in Northern Ireland|political party]] in [[Northern Ireland]]. It was formed from the Independent Unionist Group operating in the [[Shankill, Belfast|Shankill]] area of [[Belfast]], becoming the PUP in 1979. Linked to the [[Ulster Volunteer Force (1966)|Ulster Volunteer Force]] (UVF) and [[Red Hand Commando]] (RHC), for a time it described itself as "the only [[centre-left|left of centre]] unionist party" in Northern Ireland, with its main support base in the [[Ulster loyalism|loyalist]] [[working class]] communities of Belfast.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pup-ni.org.uk/party/yourquestions.aspx |title=Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) - Your Questions |publisher=Pup-ni.org.uk |access-date=15 June 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206143218/http://www.pup-ni.org.uk/party/yourquestions.aspx |archive-date=6 December 2009 }}</ref>


Since the [[Ulster Democratic Party]]'s dissolution in 2001, the PUP has been the sole party in Northern Ireland representing [[Loyalist paramilitaries|paramilitary loyalism]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Albert|first=Cornelia|title=The Peacebuilding Elements of the Belfast Agreement and the Transformation of the Northern Ireland Conflict|year=2009|isbn=9783631585917|page=60|publisher=Peter Lang }}</ref>
Since the [[Ulster Democratic Party]]'s dissolution in 2001, the PUP has been the sole party in Northern Ireland representing [[Loyalist paramilitaries|paramilitary loyalism]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Albert|first=Cornelia|title=The Peacebuilding Elements of the Belfast Agreement and the Transformation of the Northern Ireland Conflict|year=2009|isbn=9783631585917|page=60|publisher=Peter Lang }}</ref>
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The party has had a degree of electoral success.  In 1994, PUP leader [[Hugh Smyth]] became [[Lord Mayor of Belfast]].  
The party has had a degree of electoral success.  In 1994, PUP leader [[Hugh Smyth]] became [[Lord Mayor of Belfast]].  
===Northern Ireland Peace Process===
===Northern Ireland Peace Process===
In 1995, shortly after the [[Combined Loyalist Military Command]] announced a ceasefire, former UVF member [[Billy Hutchinson]], who was jailed for the murder of two Catholics in 1974, defined the relationship between the PUP and the UVF: "The relationship is a very strict one in terms of acting as political confidants and providing political analysis for them, but it doesn't go any deeper than that."<ref>Brian Rowan, ''Behind the Lines: The Story of the IRA and Loyalist Ceasefires' (Belfast: Blackstaff Press, 1995), p. 141</ref>
In 1995, shortly after the [[Combined Loyalist Military Command]] announced a ceasefire, former UVF member [[Billy Hutchinson]], who was jailed for the murder of two Catholics in 1974, defined the relationship between the PUP and the UVF: "The relationship is a very strict one in terms of acting as political confidants and providing political analysis for them, but it doesn't go any deeper than that."<ref>Brian Rowan, ''Behind the Lines: The Story of the IRA and Loyalist Ceasefires'' (Belfast: Blackstaff Press, 1995), p. 141</ref>
 
====Northern Ireland Forum====
====Northern Ireland Forum====
The PUP participated in elections to the [[Northern Ireland Forum]] in May 1996. No constituency candidates were elected, but as one of the tenth best-performing parties on the list vote, they secured two seats, with Smyth and [[David Ervine]] both being elected.<ref>{{cite web|title = Reflections on Loyalism since 1998|url = https://www.thedetail.tv/articles/reflections-on-loyalism-since-1998|website = the detail|date = 30 March 2018|access-date = 6 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Northern Ireland Forum Election 1996|url = https://www.electoralgeography.com/new/en/countries/n/northern-ireland/northern-ireland-forum-election-1996.html|website = Electoral Geography 2.0| date=6 September 1996 |access-date = 6 October 2024}}</ref>
The PUP participated in elections to the [[Northern Ireland Forum]] in May 1996. No constituency candidates were elected, but as one of the tenth best-performing parties on the list vote, they secured two seats, with Smyth and [[David Ervine]] both being elected.<ref>{{cite web|title = Reflections on Loyalism since 1998|url = https://www.thedetail.tv/articles/reflections-on-loyalism-since-1998|website = the detail|date = 30 March 2018|access-date = 6 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Northern Ireland Forum Election 1996|url = https://www.electoralgeography.com/new/en/countries/n/northern-ireland/northern-ireland-forum-election-1996.html|website = Electoral Geography 2.0| date=6 September 1996 |access-date = 6 October 2024}}</ref>


The PUP supported the [[Belfast Agreement]].
The PUP supported the [[Belfast Agreement]].
====1997 general and local elections====
====1997 general and local elections====
The PUP stood candidates for the first time at a general election in [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997]]: Hugh Smyth in [[South Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)|South Antrim]], Ervine in [[Belfast South (UK Parliament constituency)|Belfast South]] and Kenny Donaldson in [[East Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)|East Antrim]]. <ref>{{cite web|title = 1997 Westminster Election - List of Candidates|url = https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/politics/cand97.htm|website = CAIN Web service|access-date = 3 October 2024}}</ref>
The PUP stood candidates for the first time at a general election in [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997]]: Hugh Smyth in [[South Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)|South Antrim]], Ervine in [[Belfast South (UK Parliament constituency)|Belfast South]] and Kenny Donaldson in [[East Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)|East Antrim]].<ref>{{cite web|title = 1997 Westminster Election - List of Candidates|url = https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/politics/cand97.htm|website = CAIN Web service|access-date = 3 October 2024}}</ref>
They amassed 10,928 votes, and no seats.<ref>{{cite web|title = GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS, 1 MAY 1997
They amassed 10,928 votes, and no seats.<ref>{{cite web|title = GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS, 1 MAY 1997
|website = UK Parliament|url = https://www.parliament.uk/globalassets/documents/commons-information-office/m15.pdf|access-date = 3 October 2024}}</ref>
|website = UK Parliament|url = https://www.parliament.uk/globalassets/documents/commons-information-office/m15.pdf|access-date = 3 October 2024}}</ref>


The party fared better at the [[1997 Northern Ireland local elections|simultaneous local elections]], increasing their total number of councillors to seven. Ervine and Hutchinson joined Smyth in Belfast, and gains were made in [[North Down Borough Council|North Down]], [[Lisburn City Council|Lisburn]] and [[Newtownabbey Borough Council|Newtownabbey]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Local Government Elections 1997|url = https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/flg97.htm|website = Ark Elections|access-date = 6 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Local Government Elections (NI) Wednesday 21 May 1997|url = https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/politics/election/rd1997.htm|website = CAIN Web Service|access-date = 6 October 2024}}</ref>
The party fared better at the [[1997 Northern Ireland local elections|simultaneous local elections]], increasing their total number of councillors to seven. Ervine and Hutchinson joined Smyth in Belfast, and gains were made in [[North Down Borough Council|North Down]], [[Lisburn City Council|Lisburn]] and [[Newtownabbey Borough Council|Newtownabbey]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Local Government Elections 1997|url = https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/flg97.htm|website = Ark Elections|access-date = 6 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Local Government Elections (NI) Wednesday 21 May 1997|url = https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/politics/election/rd1997.htm|website = CAIN Web Service|access-date = 6 October 2024}}</ref>
====1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election====
====1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election====
Following the signing of the [[Good Friday Agreement]], [[1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election|elections to the new Northern Ireland Assembly]] were held, which the PUP contested. Candidates included: Belfast councillors Smyth, Ervine and [[Billy Hutchinson]], who stood in [[West Belfast (Assembly constituency)|West]], [[East Belfast (Assembly constituency)|East]] and [[North Belfast (Assembly constituency)|North Belfast]], respectively. <ref>{{cite web|title = 1998 Northern Ireland Assembly Election|url = http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/today/ni_assembly_1998.html|website = Wesley Johnston|access-date = 1 October 2024}}</ref>  
Following the signing of the [[Good Friday Agreement]], [[1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election|elections to the new Northern Ireland Assembly]] were held, which the PUP contested. Candidates included: Belfast councillors Smyth, Ervine and [[Billy Hutchinson]], who stood in [[West Belfast (Assembly constituency)|West]], [[East Belfast (Assembly constituency)|East]] and [[North Belfast (Assembly constituency)|North Belfast]], respectively.<ref>{{cite web|title = 1998 Northern Ireland Assembly Election|url = http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/today/ni_assembly_1998.html|website = Wesley Johnston|access-date = 1 October 2024}}</ref>  


They registered 20,634 votes (2.55%), and both Ervine and Hutchinson were elected to the Assembly. Notably, Smyth missed out on getting elected in West Belfast, in which no unionist candidates were returned in that constituency.  <ref>{{Cite web|title = Northern Ireland Assembly Elections 1998|url = https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fa98.htm|website = Ark Elections|access-date = 1 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = The Northern Ireland Assembly - Belfast West Members|url = https://archive.niassembly.gov.uk/members/constits/const_bw.htm|website = Northern Ireland Assembly Archive Site|access-date = 1 October 2024}}</ref>
They registered 20,634 votes (2.55%), and both Ervine and Hutchinson were elected to the Assembly. Notably, Smyth missed out on getting elected in West Belfast, in which no unionist candidates were returned in that constituency.  <ref>{{Cite web|title = Northern Ireland Assembly Elections 1998|url = https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fa98.htm|website = Ark Elections|access-date = 1 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = The Northern Ireland Assembly - Belfast West Members|url = https://archive.niassembly.gov.uk/members/constits/const_bw.htm|website = Northern Ireland Assembly Archive Site|access-date = 1 October 2024}}</ref>


Incidentally, the Ulster Democratic Party failed to elect any candidates, making the PUP the only loyalist party to win representation in the Assembly. <ref>{{cite news|title = Northern Ireland Political Parties|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/events/northern_ireland/parties/70610.stm|work = BBC News|date = 14 October 1998|access-date = 1 October 2024}}</ref>
Incidentally, the Ulster Democratic Party failed to elect any candidates, making the PUP the only loyalist party to win representation in the Assembly.<ref>{{cite news|title = Northern Ireland Political Parties|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/events/northern_ireland/parties/70610.stm|work = BBC News|date = 14 October 1998|access-date = 1 October 2024}}</ref>


===Post-Good Friday Agreement===
===Post-Good Friday Agreement===
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The PUP stood two candidates for the [[2001 United Kingdom general election|2001 general election]]: Ervine in [[Belfast East (UK Parliament constituency)|Belfast East]], and [[Dawn Purvis]] in Belfast South. In total, the party received 4,781 votes (0.6%), and no seats. Ervine was the best-performing candidate out of the two, winning 10% of the vote in Belfast East, and the only one to retain their deposit.<ref>{{cite web|title = General Election results, 7 June 2001|url = https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/RP01-54/RP01-54.pdf|website = Research briefings - UK Parliament|access-date = 17 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = The 2001 Election in Northern Ireland|url = https://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/today/westminster_2001.html|website = Wesley Johnston|access-date = 17 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = The 2001 Westminster elections in Northern Ireland|url = https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fw01.htm|website = Ark Elections|access-date = 17 September 2024}}</ref>
The PUP stood two candidates for the [[2001 United Kingdom general election|2001 general election]]: Ervine in [[Belfast East (UK Parliament constituency)|Belfast East]], and [[Dawn Purvis]] in Belfast South. In total, the party received 4,781 votes (0.6%), and no seats. Ervine was the best-performing candidate out of the two, winning 10% of the vote in Belfast East, and the only one to retain their deposit.<ref>{{cite web|title = General Election results, 7 June 2001|url = https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/RP01-54/RP01-54.pdf|website = Research briefings - UK Parliament|access-date = 17 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = The 2001 Election in Northern Ireland|url = https://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/today/westminster_2001.html|website = Wesley Johnston|access-date = 17 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = The 2001 Westminster elections in Northern Ireland|url = https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fw01.htm|website = Ark Elections|access-date = 17 September 2024}}</ref>


The party held four of the seven seats they were defending at the [[2001 Northern Ireland local elections|concurrent local elections]], but did make a gain in [[Castlereagh Borough Council|Castlereagh]]. <ref>{{cite web|title = The Local Elections of 7 June 2001|url = https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/RP01-71/RP01-71.pdf|website = Research briefings - UK Parliament|access-date = 18 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Castlereagh Council Election Results 1993-2011|url = https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/lgcastlereagh.htm|website = Ark Elections|access-date = 18 September 2024}}</ref>
The party held four of the seven seats they were defending at the [[2001 Northern Ireland local elections|concurrent local elections]], but did make a gain in [[Castlereagh Borough Council|Castlereagh]].<ref>{{cite web|title = The Local Elections of 7 June 2001|url = https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/RP01-71/RP01-71.pdf|website = Research briefings - UK Parliament|access-date = 18 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Castlereagh Council Election Results 1993-2011|url = https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/lgcastlereagh.htm|website = Ark Elections|access-date = 18 September 2024}}</ref>


===Ervine leadership===
=== Ervine era ===
====2003 Assembly election====
====2003 Assembly election====
The PUP put up candidates for the [[2003 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2003 Assembly election]], including both Assembly members and Smyth. <ref>{{cite news|title = Candidate list|url = https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/candidate-list/28143622.html|work = Belfast Telegraph|date = 28 October 2003|access-date = 17 September 2024}}</ref>
The PUP put up candidates for the [[2003 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2003 Assembly election]], including both Assembly members and Smyth.<ref>{{cite news |title = Candidate list |url = https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/candidate-list/28143622.html |work = Belfast Telegraph |date = 28 October 2003 |access-date = 17 September 2024}}</ref>


Overall, their vote dropped by 1.2% to 8,032 votes, a large decline when compared to their success of over 20,000 votes in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|title = Northern Ireland elections: Divided Vote Hides Workers' Disillusionment|url = https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/9310/06-12-2003/northern-ireland-elections-divided-vote-hides-workers-disillusionment/|website = Socialist Party|date = 12 December 2003|access-date = 17 September 2024}}</ref>
Overall, their vote dropped by 1.2% to 8,032 votes {{--}} a large decline when compared to their success of over 20,000 votes in 1998.<ref>{{cite web |title = Northern Ireland elections: Divided Vote Hides Workers' Disillusionment |url = https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/9310/06-12-2003/northern-ireland-elections-divided-vote-hides-workers-disillusionment/ |website = Socialist Party |date = 12 December 2003 |access-date = 17 September 2024}}</ref>
Hutchinson lost his seat, while Ervine held his.  
Hutchinson lost his seat, while Ervine held his.  
With no other candidates elected, this left Ervine as the PUP's only representative in the Assembly. <ref>{{cite web|title = Ervine, David (Walter)|url = https://www.dib.ie/biography/ervine-david-walter-a9450|website = Dictionary of Irish Biography|access-date = 17 September 2024}}</ref>
With no other candidates elected, this left Ervine as the PUP's only representative in the Assembly.<ref>{{cite web |title = Ervine, David (Walter)|url = https://www.dib.ie/biography/ervine-david-walter-a9450 |website = Dictionary of Irish Biography |access-date = 17 September 2024}}</ref>


====2005 local elections and subsequent activity====
====2005 local elections and subsequent activity====
The party had a poor showing at the [[2005 Northern Ireland local elections|2005 local elections]], losing half of their seats. This left Ervine and Smyth in Belfast as the only PUP candidates to be returned. <ref>{{cite web|title = The 2005 Local Government Elections in Northern Ireland|url = https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/flg05.htm|website = Ark Elections|access-date = 15 September 2024}} </ref>
The party made a poor showing at the [[2005 Northern Ireland local elections|2005 local elections]], losing half of their seats. This left Ervine and Smyth in Belfast as the only PUP candidates to be returned.<ref>{{cite web |title = The 2005 Local Government Elections in Northern Ireland |url = https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/flg05.htm |website = Ark Elections |access-date = 15 September 2024}} </ref>
 
Following a [[loyalist feud]] between the UVF and [[Loyalist Volunteer Force]], during which four men were murdered by the UVF in Belfast and recognition of the UVF's ceasefire was withdrawn by the British government, the PUP debated ending its "special relationship" with the UVF. This idea was defeated in a closed vote at the party's annual conference in October 2005.


Following a [[loyalist feud]] between the UVF and [[Loyalist Volunteer Force]], in which four men were murdered by the UVF in Belfast and recognition of the UVF's ceasefire was withdrawn by the British government, the PUP debated ending its "special relationship" with the UVF. This was defeated in a closed vote at the party's annual conference in October 2005.
In March 2006, the Chairwoman of the PUP, [[Dawn Purvis]], a research-associate at the [[University of Ulster]], was appointed as an independent member of the [[Northern Ireland Policing Board]].


In March 2006, the Chairwoman of the PUP, [[Dawn Purvis]], a research associate at the [[University of Ulster]], was appointed as an independent member of the [[Northern Ireland Policing Board]].
===Death of David Ervine and Purvis leadership===
===Death of David Ervine and Purvis leadership===
David Ervine died following a heart attack on 8 January 2007.  On 22 January 2007 Dawn Purvis was chosen as party leader.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6289111.stm New PUP leader seeks Ervine seat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070125122414/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6289111.stm |date=25 January 2007 }}, BBC News, 23 January 2007. Retrieved 27 August 2009.</ref> She is the second woman to lead a unionist party in Northern Ireland (after [[Anne Dickson]]'s short-lived leadership of the [[Unionist Party of Northern Ireland]] following [[Brian Faulkner]]'s retirement).  Dr [[John Kyle (unionist politician)|John Kyle]] was co-opted on to [[Belfast City Council]] to fill Ervine's seat.  
David Ervine died following a heart attack on 8 January 2007.  On 22 January 2007 Dawn Purvis was chosen as party leader.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6289111.stm New PUP leader seeks Ervine seat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070125122414/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6289111.stm |date=25 January 2007 }}, BBC News, 23 January 2007. Retrieved 27 August 2009.</ref> She is the second woman to lead a unionist party in Northern Ireland (after [[Anne Dickson]]'s short-lived leadership of the [[Unionist Party of Northern Ireland]] following [[Brian Faulkner]]'s retirement).  Dr [[John Kyle (unionist politician)|John Kyle]] was co-opted on to [[Belfast City Council]] to fill Ervine's seat.  
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The PUP fielded three candidates for the [[2007 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2007 Assembly election]]: Elaine Martin in [[North Down (Assembly constituency)|North Down]], Andrew Park in [[Belfast South (Assembly constituency)|Belfast South]] and [[Dawn Purvis]] in [[Belfast East (Assembly constituency)|Belfast East]]. Overall the party polled 3,822 votes or 0.6% of the votes cast in Northern Ireland, down 0.6% from the elections of 2003.
The PUP fielded three candidates for the [[2007 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2007 Assembly election]]: Elaine Martin in [[North Down (Assembly constituency)|North Down]], Andrew Park in [[Belfast South (Assembly constituency)|Belfast South]] and [[Dawn Purvis]] in [[Belfast East (Assembly constituency)|Belfast East]]. Overall the party polled 3,822 votes or 0.6% of the votes cast in Northern Ireland, down 0.6% from the elections of 2003.


Purvis retained her party's seat in Belfast East, while no other PUP candidates were elected. <ref>{{cite web|title = Assembly Election (NI) Wednesday 7 March 2007|url = https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/politics/election/2007nia/ra2007.htm|website = CAIN Web Service|access-date = 5 September 2024}}</ref>
Purvis retained her party's seat in Belfast East, while no other PUP candidates were elected.<ref>{{cite web|title = Assembly Election (NI) Wednesday 7 March 2007|url = https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/politics/election/2007nia/ra2007.htm|website = CAIN Web Service|access-date = 5 September 2024}}</ref>
====2010 resignations and relationship with UVF/RHC====
====2010 resignations and relationship with UVF/RHC====
The party did not field any candidates for the 2010 general elections - party members were encouraged to vote for a candidate of their choice.
The party did not field any candidates for the 2010 general elections - party members were encouraged to vote for a candidate of their choice.
Line 108: Line 107:
Additionally, Ervine announced that he would be standing in Belfast East, and that the party would be running local candidates in [[Larne Borough Council|Larne]], [[Castlereagh Borough Council|Castlereagh]] and [[Derry City Council|Derry]] as well as in Belfast and [[Antrim Borough Council|Antrim]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Progressive Unionist Party launch manifesto with Titanic pledges|url = https://sluggerotoole.com/2011/04/21/progressive-unionist-party-launch-manifesto-with-titanic-pledges/|website = Slugger O'Toole|date = April 21, 2011|access-date = 20 August 2014}}</ref>
Additionally, Ervine announced that he would be standing in Belfast East, and that the party would be running local candidates in [[Larne Borough Council|Larne]], [[Castlereagh Borough Council|Castlereagh]] and [[Derry City Council|Derry]] as well as in Belfast and [[Antrim Borough Council|Antrim]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Progressive Unionist Party launch manifesto with Titanic pledges|url = https://sluggerotoole.com/2011/04/21/progressive-unionist-party-launch-manifesto-with-titanic-pledges/|website = Slugger O'Toole|date = April 21, 2011|access-date = 20 August 2014}}</ref>


No PUP candidates were elected to the Assembly, leaving the party without representation for the first time since 1998. Ervine himself finished behind Purvis who had run for re-election as an independent. She, too, was not elected.<ref>{{cite web|title = PUP leader Brian Ervine to resign|url = https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0602/301917-pup/|website= RTE News|date = 2 June 2011|access-date = 20 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Northern Ireland elections - Assembly|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/election2011/constituency/html/36710.stm</|website = BBC News|date = 11 May 2011|access-date = 20 May 2024}}</ref>
No PUP candidates were elected to the Assembly, leaving the party without representation for the first time since 1998. Ervine himself finished behind Purvis who had run for re-election as an independent. She, too, was not elected.<ref>{{cite web|title = PUP leader Brian Ervine to resign|url = https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0602/301917-pup/|website= RTE News|date = 2 June 2011|access-date = 20 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Northern Ireland elections - Assembly|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/election2011/constituency/html/36710.stm|website = BBC News|date = 11 May 2011|access-date = 20 May 2024}}</ref>


Despite losing their Assembly seat, the PUP did return their two councillors in Belfast.  
Despite losing their Assembly seat, the PUP did return their two councillors in Belfast.  
Line 116: Line 115:


===Hutchinson leadership===
===Hutchinson leadership===
Hutchinson succeeded Hugh Smyth on Belfast City Council in January 2014, following the latter's retirement due to ill health. <ref>{{cite web|title = Former Mayor Hugh Smyth dies|url = https://www.4ni.co.uk/northern-ireland-news/180374/former-mayor-hugh-smyth-dies|website = 4NI|date = 13 May 2014|access-date = 12 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = COUNCILLOR BILLY HUTCHINSON (March 2016) Progressive Unionist Party|url = https://minutes.belfastcity.gov.uk/documents/s54720/Councillor%20Billy%20Hutchinson%20-%20CV.pdf|website = Belfast City Council|access-date = 12 September 2024}}</ref>
Hutchinson succeeded Hugh Smyth on Belfast City Council in January 2014, following the latter's retirement due to ill health.<ref>{{cite web|title = Former Mayor Hugh Smyth dies|url = https://www.4ni.co.uk/northern-ireland-news/180374/former-mayor-hugh-smyth-dies|website = 4NI|date = 13 May 2014|access-date = 12 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = COUNCILLOR BILLY HUTCHINSON (March 2016) Progressive Unionist Party|url = https://minutes.belfastcity.gov.uk/documents/s54720/Councillor%20Billy%20Hutchinson%20-%20CV.pdf|website = Belfast City Council|access-date = 12 September 2024}}</ref>
====2014 local elections====
====2014 local elections====
The PUP stood candidates for the new 'super councils' at the [[2014 Northern Ireland local elections|2014 local elections]], doubling their total number of representatives from two to four.<ref>{{cite web|title = Local Government Elections 2014|url = https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/flg14.htm|website = Ark Elections|access-date = 20 August 2024}}</ref>
The PUP stood candidates for the new 'super councils' at the [[2014 Northern Ireland local elections|2014 local elections]], doubling their total number of representatives from two to four.<ref>{{cite web|title = Local Government Elections 2014|url = https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/flg14.htm|website = Ark Elections|access-date = 20 August 2024}}</ref>
Line 132: Line 131:


====2019 local elections====
====2019 local elections====
The party stood candidates at the [[2019 Northern Ireland local elections|2019 local elections]], including all  four of their incumbent councillors. No further gains were made, with the party only losing their seat in Oldpark.<ref>{{cite news|title = I asked for no electoral pacts in exchange for joining UUP, says ex PUP councillor Julie Anne-Corr-Johnston|url = https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/asked-no-electoral-pacts-exchange-20895156|work = Belfast Live|date = 27 June 2021|access-date = 21 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title = As it happened: NI Council election 2019|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-northern-ireland-politics-47969826/page/15|work = BBC News|date = 3 May 2019|access-date = 21 August 2024}}</ref>
The party stood candidates at the [[2019 Northern Ireland local elections|2019 local elections]], including all  four of their incumbent councillors. No further gains were made, with the party only losing their seat in Oldpark.<ref>{{cite news|title = I asked for no electoral pacts in exchange for joining UUP, says ex PUP councillor Julie Anne-Corr-Johnston|url = https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/asked-no-electoral-pacts-exchange-20895156|work = Belfast Live|date = 27 June 2021|access-date = 21 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title = As it happened: NI Council election 2019|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-northern-ireland-politics-47969826?page=15|work = BBC News|date = 3 May 2019|access-date = 21 August 2024}}</ref>


====The Northern Ireland Protocol====
====The Northern Ireland Protocol====
Following the [[Brexit|United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union]], the PUP have been protesting against the [[Northern Ireland Protocol]], part of the arrangements to prevent a 'hard border' in the Irish Sea. The party believes that the Protocol inhibits the [[Principle of consent]], leading to Hutchinson saying that the PUP no longer support the Good Friday Agreement in November 2021. <ref>{{cite web|title = Unionist support for peace process agreements 'falling away' – Donaldson|url = https://www.thejournal.ie/pup-statement-5595318-Nov2021/|website = The Journal|date = 8 November 2021|access-date = 23 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title = PUP leader Billy Hutchinson says unionists 'can no longer back Good Friday Agreement'|url = https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/pup-leader-billy-hutchinson-says-unionists-can-no-longer-back-good-friday-agreement/41028885.html|work = Belfast Telegraph|date = 8 November 2021|access-date = 23 August 2024}}</ref>
Following the [[Brexit|United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union]], the PUP have been protesting against the [[Northern Ireland Protocol]], part of the arrangements to prevent a 'hard border' in the Irish Sea. The party believes that the Protocol inhibits the [[Principle of consent]], leading to Hutchinson saying that the PUP no longer support the Good Friday Agreement in November 2021.<ref>{{cite web|title = Unionist support for peace process agreements 'falling away' – Donaldson|url = https://www.thejournal.ie/pup-statement-5595318-Nov2021/|website = The Journal|date = 8 November 2021|access-date = 23 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title = PUP leader Billy Hutchinson says unionists 'can no longer back Good Friday Agreement'|url = https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/pup-leader-billy-hutchinson-says-unionists-can-no-longer-back-good-friday-agreement/41028885.html|work = Belfast Telegraph|date = 8 November 2021|access-date = 23 August 2024}}</ref>


Conversely, in an interview on [[BBC Northern Ireland|BBC's]] The View programme, John Kyle stated that the Protocol could have "significant advantages" if "fundamental" changes are made. Kyle's remarks sparked outrage among unionists, with the PUP releasing a statement clarifying that the party still remains opposed to the Protocol, and that Kyle was giving a personal view.<ref>{{cite news|title = NI Protocol could have advantages - PUP councillor John Kyle says|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-59423272|work = BBC News|date = 26 November 2021|access-date = 23 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title = Unionist backlash after PUP's John Kyle says protocol offers 'significant opportunities'|url = https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2021/11/27/news/unionist-backlash-after-pup-s-john-kyle-says-protocol-offers-significant-opportunities--2520337/|work = Irish News|date = 27 November 2021|access-date = 23 August 2024}}</ref>
Conversely, in an interview on [[BBC Northern Ireland|BBC's]] The View programme, John Kyle stated that the Protocol could have "significant advantages" if "fundamental" changes are made. Kyle's remarks sparked outrage among unionists, with the PUP releasing a statement clarifying that the party still remains opposed to the Protocol, and that Kyle was giving a personal view.<ref>{{cite news|title = NI Protocol could have advantages - PUP councillor John Kyle says|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-59423272|work = BBC News|date = 26 November 2021|access-date = 23 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title = Unionist backlash after PUP's John Kyle says protocol offers 'significant opportunities'|url = https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2021/11/27/news/unionist-backlash-after-pup-s-john-kyle-says-protocol-offers-significant-opportunities--2520337/|work = Irish News|date = 27 November 2021|access-date = 23 August 2024}}</ref>

Latest revision as of 05:41, 22 December 2025

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "about". Script error: No such module "Distinguish". Template:Use Hiberno-English Template:Use dmy dates

Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". The Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) is a minor unionist[1] political party in Northern Ireland. It was formed from the Independent Unionist Group operating in the Shankill area of Belfast, becoming the PUP in 1979. Linked to the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and Red Hand Commando (RHC), for a time it described itself as "the only left of centre unionist party" in Northern Ireland, with its main support base in the loyalist working class communities of Belfast.[2]

Since the Ulster Democratic Party's dissolution in 2001, the PUP has been the sole party in Northern Ireland representing paramilitary loyalism.[3]

The PUP has one elected representative on the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Russell Watton, the party's current leader.[4]

History

The party was founded by Hugh Smyth in the mid-1970s as the "Independent Unionist Group" given the dissolution of the 1974 Volunteer Political Party. In 1977, two prominent members of the Northern Ireland Labour Party, David Overend and Jim McDonald, joined. Overend subsequently wrote many of the group's policy documents, incorporating much of the NILP's platform.[5][6] In 1979, the group was renamed the "Progressive Unionist Party".

Their position on the left of the political spectrum differentiates them from other unionist parties (such as the Ulster Unionist Party and the Democratic Unionist Party) which are ideologically right-wing.[7] The party has had a degree of electoral success. In 1994, PUP leader Hugh Smyth became Lord Mayor of Belfast.

Northern Ireland Peace Process

In 1995, shortly after the Combined Loyalist Military Command announced a ceasefire, former UVF member Billy Hutchinson, who was jailed for the murder of two Catholics in 1974, defined the relationship between the PUP and the UVF: "The relationship is a very strict one in terms of acting as political confidants and providing political analysis for them, but it doesn't go any deeper than that."[8]

Northern Ireland Forum

The PUP participated in elections to the Northern Ireland Forum in May 1996. No constituency candidates were elected, but as one of the tenth best-performing parties on the list vote, they secured two seats, with Smyth and David Ervine both being elected.[9][10]

The PUP supported the Belfast Agreement.

1997 general and local elections

The PUP stood candidates for the first time at a general election in 1997: Hugh Smyth in South Antrim, Ervine in Belfast South and Kenny Donaldson in East Antrim.[11] They amassed 10,928 votes, and no seats.[12]

The party fared better at the simultaneous local elections, increasing their total number of councillors to seven. Ervine and Hutchinson joined Smyth in Belfast, and gains were made in North Down, Lisburn and Newtownabbey.[13][14]

1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election

Following the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, elections to the new Northern Ireland Assembly were held, which the PUP contested. Candidates included: Belfast councillors Smyth, Ervine and Billy Hutchinson, who stood in West, East and North Belfast, respectively.[15]

They registered 20,634 votes (2.55%), and both Ervine and Hutchinson were elected to the Assembly. Notably, Smyth missed out on getting elected in West Belfast, in which no unionist candidates were returned in that constituency. [16][17]

Incidentally, the Ulster Democratic Party failed to elect any candidates, making the PUP the only loyalist party to win representation in the Assembly.[18]

Post-Good Friday Agreement

1999 European Parliament elections

Ervine was the PUP candidate for the Northern Ireland constituency at the 1999 European elections. He polled 22,494 first-preference votes, and was not elected.[19]

2001 general and local elections

The PUP stood two candidates for the 2001 general election: Ervine in Belfast East, and Dawn Purvis in Belfast South. In total, the party received 4,781 votes (0.6%), and no seats. Ervine was the best-performing candidate out of the two, winning 10% of the vote in Belfast East, and the only one to retain their deposit.[20][21][22]

The party held four of the seven seats they were defending at the concurrent local elections, but did make a gain in Castlereagh.[23][24]

Ervine era

2003 Assembly election

The PUP put up candidates for the 2003 Assembly election, including both Assembly members and Smyth.[25]

Overall, their vote dropped by 1.2% to 8,032 votes Template:-- a large decline when compared to their success of over 20,000 votes in 1998.[26] Hutchinson lost his seat, while Ervine held his. With no other candidates elected, this left Ervine as the PUP's only representative in the Assembly.[27]

2005 local elections and subsequent activity

The party made a poor showing at the 2005 local elections, losing half of their seats. This left Ervine and Smyth in Belfast as the only PUP candidates to be returned.[28]

Following a loyalist feud between the UVF and Loyalist Volunteer Force, during which four men were murdered by the UVF in Belfast and recognition of the UVF's ceasefire was withdrawn by the British government, the PUP debated ending its "special relationship" with the UVF. This idea was defeated in a closed vote at the party's annual conference in October 2005.

In March 2006, the Chairwoman of the PUP, Dawn Purvis, a research-associate at the University of Ulster, was appointed as an independent member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

Death of David Ervine and Purvis leadership

David Ervine died following a heart attack on 8 January 2007. On 22 January 2007 Dawn Purvis was chosen as party leader.[29] She is the second woman to lead a unionist party in Northern Ireland (after Anne Dickson's short-lived leadership of the Unionist Party of Northern Ireland following Brian Faulkner's retirement). Dr John Kyle was co-opted on to Belfast City Council to fill Ervine's seat.

2007 Assembly election

The PUP fielded three candidates for the 2007 Assembly election: Elaine Martin in North Down, Andrew Park in Belfast South and Dawn Purvis in Belfast East. Overall the party polled 3,822 votes or 0.6% of the votes cast in Northern Ireland, down 0.6% from the elections of 2003.

Purvis retained her party's seat in Belfast East, while no other PUP candidates were elected.[30]

2010 resignations and relationship with UVF/RHC

The party did not field any candidates for the 2010 general elections - party members were encouraged to vote for a candidate of their choice.

In June 2010, Dawn Purvis resigned as leader, and as a member, of the party because of its relationship with the UVF and a recent murder attributed to that group. John Kyle was subsequently appointed interim leader, following Purvis's resignation.[31][32] On 28 August 2010 the former deputy leader, David Rose, resigned from the party. He cited the recent murder attributed to the UVF and his belief that the party was "becoming increasingly conservative in outlook.[33]

During a meeting in Belfast on 29 September 2010, members of the party agreed to maintain its relationship with the Ulster Volunteer Force and the Red Hand Commando.[34][35] Despite the links with the UVF, Billy Hutchinson acknowledges that most UVF members vote for the larger Democratic Unionist Party.[36]

2011 local and Assembly elections and Brian Ervine's leadership

Brian Ervine was appointed PUP leader in October 2010.[37]

At their manifesto launch for the 2011 Assembly and local elections, the PUP revealed their manifesto pledges, including: a balanced economy, greater integrated education and building a full-size replica of the RMS Titanic to be docked in Belfast Harbour. Additionally, Ervine announced that he would be standing in Belfast East, and that the party would be running local candidates in Larne, Castlereagh and Derry as well as in Belfast and Antrim.[38]

No PUP candidates were elected to the Assembly, leaving the party without representation for the first time since 1998. Ervine himself finished behind Purvis who had run for re-election as an independent. She, too, was not elected.[39][40]

Despite losing their Assembly seat, the PUP did return their two councillors in Belfast. [41]

A month after the elections, Ervine announced his resignation as party leader, and later was replaced by veteran west Belfast activist Billy Hutchinson in October 2011.[42]

Hutchinson leadership

Hutchinson succeeded Hugh Smyth on Belfast City Council in January 2014, following the latter's retirement due to ill health.[43][44]

2014 local elections

The PUP stood candidates for the new 'super councils' at the 2014 local elections, doubling their total number of representatives from two to four.[45]

In Belfast, deputy leader John Kyle was re-elected, this time for the Titanic district, while Hutchinson topped the poll in Court. The party were also joined on the council by Julie Anne Corr-Johnston, who regained a seat in Oldpark for the party.[46][47]

On the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Coleraine candidate, Russell Watton, was the first to be elected in that district.[48]

Smyth died during the election campaign.[49]

2016 and 2017 Assembly elections

The PUP stood six candidates at the 2016 Assembly election, but, despite an increase in their overall vote, no candidates were elected.[50][51]

Their support dipped slightly at the snap election in 2017, but did see an increase in their votes in North and East Belfast.[52][53][54]

2019 local elections

The party stood candidates at the 2019 local elections, including all four of their incumbent councillors. No further gains were made, with the party only losing their seat in Oldpark.[55][56]

The Northern Ireland Protocol

Following the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union, the PUP have been protesting against the Northern Ireland Protocol, part of the arrangements to prevent a 'hard border' in the Irish Sea. The party believes that the Protocol inhibits the Principle of consent, leading to Hutchinson saying that the PUP no longer support the Good Friday Agreement in November 2021.[57][58]

Conversely, in an interview on BBC's The View programme, John Kyle stated that the Protocol could have "significant advantages" if "fundamental" changes are made. Kyle's remarks sparked outrage among unionists, with the PUP releasing a statement clarifying that the party still remains opposed to the Protocol, and that Kyle was giving a personal view.[59][60]

Kyle subsequently resigned as both deputy leader and a member of the party three weeks later, citing "differing approaches" in regard to the Protocol.[61]

2022 Assembly election

The party stood only three candidates at the 2022 Assembly election, with Hutchinson standing in North Belfast, Russell Watton in East Londonderry and Karl Bennett in East Belfast.[62]

No candidates were elected, with the PUP seeing a 52% drop in their support, compared to 2017.[63][64]

2023 local elections

The PUP had four candidates at the May local elections, with one candidate each across Belfast, Causeway Coast and Glens, Antrim and Newtownabbey and Mid and East Antrim.[65]

The party polled 2,103 votes (0.3%) overall, and were wiped out in Belfast, with Hutchinson losing out to the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV).[66][67]

In the Causeway Coast and Glens, Watton retained his seat, making him the sole PUP candidate to be elected.[68]

A month after the elections, Hutchinson resigned as leader, with Watton taking over the role.[69]

Notable members

Former UVF member Billy Giles, who spent 14 years in the Maze Prison for a sectarian killing, was part of the PUP's negotiating team at the Good Friday Agreement in April 1998.[70] Others involved in this process included Billy Mitchell, David Ervine, Jim McDonald, William 'Billy' Greer, Winston Churchill Rea and William "Plum" Smyth; all former UVF and Red Hand Commando members.

Party leaders

Leader From To
style="background:Template:Party color; color:white;" | 1 Hugh Smyth 1979 2002
style="background:Template:Party color; color:white;" | 2 David Ervine 2002 2007
style="background:Template:Party color; color:white;" | 3 Dawn Purvis 2007 2010
style="background:Template:Party color; color:white;" | 4 Brian Ervine 2010 2011
style="background:Template:Party color; color:white;" | 5 Billy Hutchinson 2011 2023
style="background:Template:Party color; color:white;" | 6 Russell Watton 2023 Incumbent

Electoral performance

UK general elections

1997 UK general election

Constituency Candidate Votes % Position
Belfast South Script error: No such module "Sort". 5,687 14.4 3
East Antrim Script error: No such module "Sort". 1,757 5.1 5
South Antrim Script error: No such module "Sort". 3,490 9.0 4

2001 UK general election

Constituency Candidate Votes % Position
Belfast East Script error: No such module "Sort". 3,669 10.0 4
Belfast South Script error: No such module "Sort". 1,112 2.9 6

Northern Ireland Assembly

Election Seats won ± First Pref votes % ±
1998 Template:Composition bar Steady 20,634 2.6% Steady
2003 Template:Composition bar Decrease1 8,032 1.2% Decrease1.4%
2007 Template:Composition bar Steady 3,822 0.6% Decrease1.2%
2011 Template:Composition bar Decrease1 1,493 0.2% Decrease0.4%
2016 Template:Composition bar Steady 5,955 0.9% Increase0.7%
2017 Template:Composition bar Steady 5,590 0.7% Decrease0.2%
2022 Template:Composition bar Steady 2,665 0.3% Decrease0.4%

Local elections

Election Seats won ± First Pref votes % ±
1981 Template:Composition bar N/A 3,057 0.5% N/A
1985 Template:Composition bar Increase1 3,612 0.6% Increase 0.1
1989 Template:Composition bar Steady 3,839 0.6% Steady
1993 Template:Composition bar Decrease2 2,350 0.4% Decrease 0.2
1997 Template:Composition bar Increase 6 12,051 2% Increase 1.6
2001 Template:Composition bar Decrease 3 12,261 1.55% Decrease 0.45
2005 Template:Composition bar Decrease 2 4,591 0.7% Decrease 0.85
2011 Template:Composition bar Steady 3,858 0.6% Decrease 0.1
2014 Template:Composition bar Increase 1 12,753 2.0% Increase 1.4
2019 Template:Composition bar Decrease1 5,338 0.79% Decrease 1.21
2023 Template:Composition bar Decrease2 2,103 0.3% Decrease 0.5

See also

References

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  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  5. ↑ Aaron Edwards, A history of the Northern Ireland Labour Party, p.219
  6. ↑ Ed Moloney, Voices from the Grave: Two Men's War in Ireland, p.396
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  29. ↑ New PUP leader seeks Ervine seat Template:Webarchive, BBC News, 23 January 2007. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  38. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  43. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  46. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  47. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  48. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  49. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  50. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  51. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  52. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  53. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  54. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  55. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  56. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  57. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  58. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  59. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  60. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  62. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  63. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  64. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  65. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  66. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  67. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  68. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  69. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  70. ↑ Taylor, Peter (1999). Loyalists. London: Bloomsbury. p.8

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External links

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