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 annual events including debates, conferences, social gatherings, and canvassing in support of UUP candidates.

History

Attempts had been made in the 1920s to create a youth movement linked to the Conservative Party (the Junior Imperial and Constitutional League) without 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 became active in South & West Belfast, Fermanagh and Down.Faulkner, Brian, Memoirs of a Statesman, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1978 The body's first Chairman was future Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Brian Faulkner.H. Patterson, In the Land of King Canute: the Influence of Border Unionism on Ulster Unionist Politics, 1945–63, Contemporary British History, 2006

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.J. F. Harbinson, The Ulster Unionist Party, 1882–1973, Blackstaff Press, 1973

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.David Hume, The Ulster Unionist Party 1972–92: A Political Movement in an Era of Conflict and Change, Blackstaff Press, 1996

1990s to present The organisation'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 remained active. Branches were established at Queen's University, Belfast, the University of Ulster and at constituency level across Northern Ireland.

The youth wing has produced many senior party figures 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 the 2014 local government elections, 11 Young Unionist members were elected as councillors, representing over 10% of the UUP's total councillors.

The Young Unionists continue to organise conferences, debates and social events, as well as participating in canvassing activities for UUP candidates.

2026 Officers Chairman: Mr. Jay Basra Hon. Secretary: Mr. Lewis McVitty Hon. Treasurer: Mr. Matthew Bell Vice-Chairman: Mr. Chris Mercer Membership and Universities Officer: Mr. Joshua Pearson

University Branches Queen's University Belfast (Queen's Young Unionists) Chair: Mr. Jay Basra Vice Chair: Miss Georgia Hussey Secretary: Mr. Charlie Ahrens Treasurer: Mr. Ethan Dodds Events Organiser: Mr. Chris Mercer

Ulster University Belfast (Ulster University Young Unionists) Chair: Mr. Matt Walker Vice-Chair: Mr Daniel Spratt Secretary: Mr. Dylan White Treasurer: Miss. Erin Larmour

Honorary Membership Up to 15 Honorary positions are available;

Honorary President: Mr. Joshua Lowry Honorary Patron: Mr. Jon Burrows Honorary Vice- President: Mr. Alexander Redpath Honorary Vice- President: Miss. Kellie Cowan Honorary Vice- President: Mr. Nathan Redmond Honorary Vice- President: Mr. Philip Agnew 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

First UYUC 1949: Brian Faulkner 1953–1960: Bill Craig 1961–1962: John Taylor 1963: Robert McCartney 1968: Dennis Rogan 1970: John Laird 1976–1978: Jeremy Burchill

Second UYUC (reconstituted late 1970s–2004) 1981: Edgar Graham 1982–1983: David McNarry 1985–1986: Jeffrey Donaldson 1987: Chris McGimpsey 1989–1990: Peter Weir 1991–1993: David R. Brewster 1995: Arlene Foster 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 & 2025: Mr. Matthew Bell 2026: Mr. Jay Basra

References

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

External links