Independent Unionist has been a label sometimes used by candidates in elections in the United Kingdom, indicating a support for British unionism (not to be confused with trade unionism).

It is most popularly associated with candidates in elections for the Parliament of Northern Ireland. Such candidates supported the positions of Unionism in Northern Ireland but, for various reasons, could not reconcile to themselves to the Ulster Unionist Party or other groups. It was also used by Unionists in what became the Irish Free State, as they were unionists, but not in Ulster. The label was also used in Scotland, demonstrating an association with ideology of the Unionist Party, the predecessor to the modern Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.

At the 1938 Northern Ireland general election Tommy Henderson and five defeated candidates stood for the Independent Unionist Association, which was distinct from other Independent Unionists.

Notable users of the affiliation

Northern Ireland

England

  • Francis Bennett-Goldney won Canterbury in 1910 against a Conservative as an Independent Unionist, having strongly independent views as he opposed the growing arms race and diplomatic contest with the German Empire, acquiesced in by the other main parties.[16]

Scotland

Southern Ireland

Four MPs elected to the Southern Ireland House of Commons for Dublin University at the 1921 election. They were the only MPs to attend the opening of the Parliament of Southern Ireland, as all other members, who had been elected for Sinn Féin, sat as members of the Second Dáil. All four were elected again at the 1922 Irish general election, and would each continue to serve in the Irish Free State either as Independent TDs or, in Fitzgibbon's case, as a judge.

Republic of Ireland

See also

References

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  2. "Mid-Ulster 1950-1970". Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
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  10. "John McCallister resigns from the UUP". BBC News. 15 February 2013. Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  11. Magee, Kevin (23 November 2015). "Ruth Patterson: Belfast councillor will not appeal DUP expulsion". BBC News NI. Archived from the original on 26 November 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  12. "Gay MP says she'll report matter to police after unionist Lord Maginnis allegedly called her a 'queer'". TheJournal.ie. Press Association.
  13. "MP to report Ken Maginnis to police over alleged 'queers' comment". The Irish News. 9 January 2020.
  14. "Dungannon's Lord Maginnis acquitted of motoring offences and says he fought for rights of pensioners". www.tyronetimes.co.uk.
  15. Breen, Suzanne (21 April 2022). "Alex Easton: Four ex-DUP councillors back independent candidate in North Down for Assembly election". Belfast Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  16. "Major Bennett-Goldney, M.P.". The Times. 29 July 1918. p. 9.
  17. "P.M. FOR COMMONS - British Pathe". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  18. "Ian Marshall: Becoming a member of the Seanad makes me a stronger unionist". 20 April 2019. Archived from the original on 24 April 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
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