Ulster Progressive Unionist Association

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For the current (2006) Northern Ireland political party, founded in 1979, see Progressive Unionist Party.

The Ulster Progressive Unionist Association was a political group which was founded in 1938 and was active in Northern Ireland for a few years thereafter.

The founder of the group was William John Stewart, the Ulster Unionist Party United Kingdom Member of Parliament for Belfast South between 1929 and 1945. He continued to take the Conservative and Unionist whip at Westminster, even though Progressive Unionist candidates opposed Ulster Unionist ones in the Northern Ireland general election, 1938 and a by-election for the United Kingdom Parliament in 1943.

The Association's aim was to stimulate the government to more vigorous action on social and economic issues.

[edit] Progressive Unionist candidates

Northern Ireland general election, 1938

  1. Mrs P. Moody Belfast Bloomfield 3,988 (29.7%)
  2. W.J. Stewart Belfast Cromac 4,337 (35.5%)
  3. R. Bradford Belfast Oldpark 1,253 (8.6%)
  4. J.D. Wallace Belfast St Anne's 5,172 (31.6%)
  5. J. McMaster Belfast Victoria 3,434 (24.5%)
  6. R.H. Press Belfast Windsor 4,429 (33.0%)
  7. J. Graham Antrim, Antrim 5,374 (39.8%)
  8. A. Beggs Antrim Mid 4,514 (32.5%)
  9. R.N. Boyd Antrim North 4,477 (35.3%)
  10. W.J. Price Down East 4,050 (44.8%)
  • Total: 42,425 votes (12.9% of the Northern Ireland vote in the 31 contested seats) - finished second in terms of votes but won no seats

United Kingdom by-election 11 February 1943

  • R.H. Press Antrim 1,432 (2.3%)

[edit] References

  • Who's Who of British Members of Parliament, Vol. III 1919-1945, edited by M. Stenton and S. Lees (The Harvester Press 1979)
  • British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (The Macmillan Press 1977)
  • Northern Ireland Parliamentary Election Results 1921-1972, compiled and edited by Sydney Elliott (Political Reference Publications 1973)