National League Party
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The National League Party was a political party in Ireland. It was founded in 1926 by William Redmond and Thomas O'Donnell in support of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, a close relationship with the United Kingdom and continued membership of the British Commonwealth. As such, it attracted the support of many Unionists and some former supporters of the Nationalist Party.
In the June 1927 general election, the League won eight seats in the Dáil Éireann. In August, it supported Fianna Fáil's motion of no confidence in the Cumann na nGaedhael government in an attempt to form an alternative government under Labour Party leader Thomas Johnson. However, two League TDs opposed this tactic, Vincent Rice defecting to Cumann na nGaedhael and John Jinks, who was absent from the vote. As such, the motion failed, but it did prompt another general election, in September. Only two League TDs, including Redmond but not O'Donnell, were elected, and the group became bankrupt the following year. It was disbanded in 1931.
[edit] References
- Encyclopedia of British and Irish Political Organizations, Peter Barberis et al
