Unionist party, in Northern Ireland, is any of several political parties that support the continued inclusion of Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom. Unionist parties also oppose any political changes that might lead to Northern Ireland becoming part of the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland’s Unionist parties include the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP); the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP); and the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP).
Unionist parties generally draw their support from among Northern Ireland’s Protestants. Unionists in general oppose direct rule by the United Kingdom’s central government. They demand self-government for Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom, but they are reluctant to share power with Roman Catholic or Republican parties. The various Unionist parties frequently disagree among themselves on how to govern Northern Ireland.
See Northern Ireland (History) ; Northern Ireland, Government of ; United Kingdom, History of the .
