• Source: Young Unionists

      • The Young Unionists, formally known as the Ulster Young Unionist Council (UYUC), is the youth wing of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). It has in its present incarnation been in existence since 2004.
      The Young Unionists host a number of events on an annual basis including a summer debate series, conference and social events as well as canvassing for elected reps. New members are always welcome!

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      History



      Attempts had been made in the 1920s to create a youth movement linked to that of the Conservative Party (the Junior Imperial and Constitutional League) without much success. A second attempt was made before the outbreak of the Second World War, which also failed. The UYUC was formed by the Standing Committee of the Ulster Unionist Council in 1946 and quickly became a successful movement in South & West Belfast, Fermanagh and Down. The body's first Chairman was future Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Brian Faulkner
      In 1959, Brian Maginess, Q.C., and Sir Clarence Graham, Bt., spoke to the Young Unionists advocating an increase in Roman Catholic membership of the UUP. This was regarded as controversial at the time.
      The body created many prominent figures in Northern Ireland politics throughout the 1960s and 1970s such as Bill Craig and John D. Taylor; however, disagreements over Government policy and other factors left the body in disarray by the early 1970s, and it disbanded following the collapse of the Stormont Parliament. The body re-emerged under the Chairmanship of David McNarry and continued to thrive throughout the 1980s, producing figures such as Edgar Graham, Jeffrey Donaldson, Peter Weir and Arlene Foster with the latter 3 defecting to the DUP.


      1990s to present


      The body's membership was strongly opposed to the Belfast Agreement in 1998, and many campaigned against it. At the 2004 AGM the officers voted to disband the group.
      A new organisation was reconstituted later that year and has since enjoyed a period of sustained growth. The UYUC has branches at Queen's University, Belfast, the University of Ulster and branches at constituency level in the City of Belfast, Mid-Ulster/West Tyrone, Lagan Valley and also Newry and Armagh/South Down, as well as Fermanagh & South Tyrone.
      The youth wing has produced many current and former senior faces in the party including The Lord Laird, The Lord Rogan, Jeffrey Donaldson MP MLA and David McNarry, all of whom are former Chairmen, as well as Lord Empey, who served as Vice Chairman.


      Current activities


      In recent years the Young Unionists have continued to function as an active political youth wing. In the 2014 local government elections 11 members of the Young Unionists were returned as councillors. This represents over 10% of the UUP's total councillors.
      The Young Unionists host a number of events on an annual basis including a summer debate series, conference and social events as well as canvassing for elected reps.


      2024 Officers


      Chairman: Mr. Matthew Bell
      Hon. Secretary: Mr. Lewis McVitty
      Hon. Treasurer: Mr. Ben Sharkey
      Senior Vice-Chairman: Mr Jay Buntin
      Vice-Chairman (International): Vacant
      Public Relations Officer: Miss Rachel McCord
      Events Organiser: Mr. Jay Basra
      Membership Secretary: Mr. Matt Walker
      Universities Officer: Mr. Nathan McLorn


      Honorary Membership


      Up to 15 Honorary positions are available;

      Honorary President: Mr. Joshua Lowry
      Honorary Patron: Mr. Mike Nesbitt
      Honorary Vice- President: Miss. Alexander Redpath
      Honorary Vice- President: Miss. Kellie Cowan
      Honorary Vice- President: Mr. Nathan Redmond
      Honorary Vice- President: Mr. Philip Agnew
      Honorary Vice- President: Mr. Joshua Lowry
      Honorary Vice- President: Mr. George Carson
      Honorary Vice- President: Miss. Bethany Ferris
      Honorary Vice- President: Mrs. Sarah Trimble
      Honorary Vice- President: Mr. Nicholas Trimble
      Honorary Vice- President: Miss. Olivia Swan


      Chairpersons


      Second UYUC

      1998 & 1999: Peter King
      2002 & 2003: Cllr. Peter Brown
      Current Young Unionists

      2004: Mr. Kenny Donaldson
      2005: Cllr. Peter Bowles
      2006 & 2007: Cllr. Mark Dunn
      2008: Mr. Peter Munce (January 2008 - October 2008)
      2008 & 2009: Mr. Michael Shilliday
      2010 & 2011: Mr. Alasdair O'Hara
      2012 & 2013: Mr. Frank Geddis
      2014: Cllr. Alexander Redpath
      2015: Ms. Cathy Corbett
      2016 & 2017: Cllr. Alexander Redpath
      2018 & 2019: Mr. Joshua Lowry
      2020 & 2021: Cllr. Stuart Hughes
      2022 & 2023: Mr. Ben Sharkey
      2024: Mr. Matthew Bell


      References




      Sources


      'The Ulster Unionist Party, 1882–1973 : its development and organisation' (1973), J F Harbinson
      'A history of the Ulster Unionist Party : protest, pragmatism and pessimism' (2004) Graham Walker
      'The Ulster Unionist Party 1972–92 (A Political Movement in an Era of Conflict and Change)' (1996), Dr David Hume


      External links

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