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.
In 1959, Brian Maginess, Q.C., and Sir Clarence Graham, Bt., addressed the Young Unionists advocating an increase in Roman Catholic membership of the UUP. This was regarded as controversial at the time.[4]
The organisation produced many prominent figures in Northern Ireland politics throughout the 1960s and 1970s such as Bill Craig and John D. Taylor. Disagreements over government policy and the collapse of the Stormont Parliament led to its decline in the early 1970s. The body was later revived under the Chairmanship of David McNarry and remained active throughout the 1980s, producing figures such as Edgar Graham, Jeffrey Donaldson, Peter Weir and Arlene Foster. The latter three later joined the DUP.[5]
1990s to present
The organisation's membership was strongly opposed to the Belfast Agreement in 1998, and many campaigned against it.[6] At the 2004 AGM the officers voted to disband the group.[7][8]
In the 2014 local government elections, 11 Young Unionist members were elected as councillors, representing over 10% of the UUP's total councillors.[14]
The Young Unionists continue to organise conferences, debates and social events, as well as participating in canvassing activities for UUP candidates.[15]
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