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			{{Short description\|Youth wing of the Ulster Unionist Party}}
	{{pp-semi-sock\|expiry=March 13, 2008}}
			{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2024}}
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			{{Infobox political youth organization
	The '''Young Unionists''', formally known as the '''Ulster Young Unionist Council''' (UYUC), is the youth wing of the ] (UUP). It has in its present incarnation been in existence since 2004. A body of the same name has existed and been affiliated to the ] (UUC) since 1946, however disbandments happened in 1976 and again in 2004 following a period of decline, with the body losing many members opposed to the 1998 ].
			\| name = Young Unionists
			\| logo = Young Unionists logo.png
			\| chairman = Matthew Bell
			\|secretary2= Lewis McVitty\| colorcode = {{party color\|Ulster Unionist Party}}
			\|treasurer= Ben Sharkey\| founded = 1946-UYUC<br>2004-YU
			\| preceded by = Ulster Young Unionist Council
			\| ideology = ]<br>]
			\| headquarters = ], ]
			\| regional1_type = European
			\| regional1_name = ]
			\| mother party = ]
			\| website =
			}}
			The '''Young Unionists''', formally known as the '''Ulster Young Unionist Council''' (UYUC), is the youth wing of the ] (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!

			*
			*

	==History==		==History==
	]		]
	~~The body emerged in the party because of what JH Harbinson describes as dissatisfaction amongst young members to have their voices heard.~~ Attempts had been made in the 1920s to create a youth movement linked to that of the ] (the ]) without much success. A second attempt was made before the ~~out break~~ of the Second World War which also failed. The UYUC was formed by the ~~UUC's~~ Standing Committee in 1946 and quickly became a successful movement in South & West Belfast, ] and ]~~{{fact}}~~. The body's first Chairman was future ], ]		Attempts had been made in the 1920s to create a youth movement linked to that of the ] (the ]) without much success. A second attempt was made before the outbreak of the ], 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, ] and ].<ref name=autogenerated3>Faulkner, Brian, Memoirs of a Statesman, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1978</ref> The body's first Chairman was future ], ]<ref name=autogenerated3 /><ref>In the Land of King Canute: the Influence of Border Unionism on Ulster Unionist Politics, 1945–63
			H Patterson - Contemporary British History, 2006</ref>

			In 1959, ], ], and ], ], 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 ] and ], however disagreements over Government policy and other factors left the body is disarray by the early 1970s{{fact}}, and it disbanded following the collapse of the ]. The body re-emerged under the Chairmanship of ] and continued to thrive throughout the 1980s{{fact}}, producing figures such as Jeffrey Donaldson, ] and ].

			The body created many prominent figures in Northern Ireland politics throughout the 1960s and 1970s such as ] and ]; 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 ]. The body re-emerged under the Chairmanship of ] and continued to thrive throughout the 1980s, producing figures such as ], ], ] and ] with the latter 3 defecting to the ].

	==1990s to present==		==1990s to present==
			The body's membership was strongly opposed to the ] in 1998, and many campaigned against it. At the 2004 AGM the officers voted to disband the group.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.4ni.co.uk/northern-ireland-news/25077/ulster-unionist-youth-wing-to-be-reconstituted-by-march\|title=Ulster Unionist youth wing to be reconstituted by March\|website=www.4ni.co.uk\|access-date=16 October 2022\|archive-date=24 March 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324233504/https://www.4ni.co.uk/northern-ireland-news/25077/ulster-unionist-youth-wing-to-be-reconstituted-by-march\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/heartsandminds/ifyouaskme/2004_IYAM/20040226.shtml\|title=BBC - BBC Northern Ireland - News & Current Affairs - Hearts and Minds - If You Ask Me\|access-date=16 October 2022\|archive-date=26 September 2004\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040926221234/http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/heartsandminds/ifyouaskme/2004_IYAM/20040226.shtml\|url-status=live}}</ref>
	The body's membership was strongly opposed to the ] in 1998, and many campaigned against it{{fact}}. It lost members at a greater proportion and sooner than the rest of the party{{fact}}, and by the 2004 AGM only the outgoing Officers could vote due to a voting system designed for a much larger organisation{{fact}}. The officers voted to disband the group.{{fact}}

			A new organisation was reconstituted later that year and has since enjoyed a period of sustained growth.<ref name=autogenerated2>{{Cite web\|url=http://uuptoday.org/newsroom/2007/06/22/lagan-valley-young-unionists-launch-branch/\|title=uuptoday.org » Lagan Valley Young Unionists Launch Branch\|access-date=23 December 2007\|archive-date=28 October 2007\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028075655/http://uuptoday.org/newsroom/2007/06/22/lagan-valley-young-unionists-launch-branch/\|url-status=live}}</ref> The UYUC has branches at ],<ref>{{Cite web\|date=12 August 2007\|title=QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST STUDENTS' UNION\|url=http://www.qubsu.org/cmsfiles/suc_mins_14_nov_05.doc\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812061503/http://www.qubsu.org/cmsfiles/suc_mins_14_nov_05.doc\|archive-date=12 August 2007}}</ref> the ]<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://uuptoday.org/newsroom/2008/03/14/young-unionist-society-forms-at-coleraine-university/\|title=uuptoday.org » Young Unionist society forms at Coleraine University\|access-date=15 March 2008\|archive-date=23 March 2008\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323063708/http://uuptoday.org/newsroom/2008/03/14/young-unionist-society-forms-at-coleraine-university/\|url-status=live}}</ref> and branches at constituency level in the , Mid-Ulster/West Tyrone,<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/UH/free/342740266794167.php\|title=© The Ulster Herald - Letters to Editor}}</ref> Lagan Valley<ref name=autogenerated2 /> and also Newry and Armagh/South Down, as well as Fermanagh & South Tyrone.
	A new body has again emerged, under the UUP's new Constitution. This means that it is no longer a loosely affiliated body, but an integral constituent part of the UUP, with enhanced representation at the levels of party governance and greater integration{{fact}}. Although its second chairman Peter Bowles has left the party in protest over association with the ] (PUP), the group has enjoyed a period of sustained growth since its emergence. The UYUC has branches at ]<ref>http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:heSnA-H4AXEJ:www.qubsu.org/cmsfiles/suc_mins_14_nov_05.doc+site:http://www.qubsu.org/+unionist&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6&gl=uk</ref>, the ] and branches at constituency level in the , Mid-Ulster and West Tyrone<ref>http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/UH/free/342740266794167.php</ref>, Lagan Valley<ref></ref> and also Newry and Armagh.

	The youth wing has produced many current and former senior faces in the party including ], ], ] MP MLA <ref></ref> and ] ~~MLA~~, all of whom are former Chairmen, as ~~Sir~~ ] ~~MLA~~, who ~~was~~ Vice Chairman.		The youth wing has produced many current and former senior faces in the party including ], ], ] MP MLA<ref>{{cite news \| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/764997.stm \| work=BBC News \| title=Profile: Jeffrey Donaldson \| date=2000-10-27 \| access-date=6 February 2007 \| archive-date=29 May 2006 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060529025923/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/764997.stm \| url-status=live }}</ref> and ], all of whom are former Chairmen, as well as ], who served as Vice Chairman.

			==Current activities==
	== Young Unionists and the Internet ==

			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.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.itv.com/\|title=ITV Hub\|website=ITV Hub\|access-date=24 March 2020\|archive-date=18 April 2013\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130418191407/http://www.u.tv/News/Hutchinson-elected-PUP-leader/96d96627-96c0-436d-b21b-e7e74bc4d888\|url-status=live}}</ref> This represents over 10% of the UUP's total councillors.
	Their website contained the first party political weblog in ]{{fact}}. The weblog, which is as of March 2008 not available, was ranked tenth best political blog in Ireland by ] <ref></ref> and 221st best political blog in the UK<ref></ref> in 2007 by ]. However the blog remains offline. The homepage reads "We'll be back soon with a new website. The City of Belfast Branch has also established an official weblog.

			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.
	==2008 senior officers==

			==2024 Officers==
	*Chairman: Peter Munce
	*Vice-Chairman: Michael Shilliday
	*Secretary: Graeme Smyth
	*Treasurer: Stephen Goss
	<ref>http://www.uup.org/peoplefinder_yuframe.htm</ref>

			*Chairman: Mr. Matthew Bell
	==Chairmen==
			*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==
	Second UYUC
			Up to 15 Honorary positions are available;

			*Honorary President: Mr. Joshua Lowry
	*2002 & 2003 Cllr Peter Brown
			*Honorary Patron: Mr. ]
			*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==

	~~Current~~ UYUC		Second UYUC
			*1998 & 1999: ]
	*2004 Kenny Donaldson
	*~~2005~~ Cllr Peter ~~Bowles~~		*2002 & 2003: Cllr. Peter Brown

	*2006 & 2007 Cllr Mark Dunn
			Current Young Unionists
	*2008 Peter Munce
			*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==		==References==
	{{~~Reflist~~}}		{{reflist}}

	==External links==

	*
	*

	==Sources==		==Sources==
			*'The Ulster Unionist Party, 1882–1973 : its development and organisation' (1973), J F Harbinson

	*'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		*'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==
			*

	{{Political youth organizations of Northern Ireland}}		{{Political youth organizations of Northern Ireland}}
			{{UUP}}
			{{European Young Conservatives}}
			{{Youth wings of Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists member parties}}

	]		]
	]		]
	]		]
			]

Latest revision as of 21:42, 25 October 2024

Youth wing of the Ulster Unionist Party

Young Unionists

Chairman	Matthew Bell
Treasurer	Ben Sharkey
Founded	1946-UYUC 2004-YU
Preceded by	Ulster Young Unionist Council
Headquarters	Belfast, Northern Ireland
Ideology	British unionism Conservatism
Mother party	Ulster Unionist Party
European affiliation	EY Conservatives

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!

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

^ Faulkner, Brian, Memoirs of a Statesman, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1978
In the Land of King Canute: the Influence of Border Unionism on Ulster Unionist Politics, 1945–63 H Patterson - Contemporary British History, 2006
"Ulster Unionist youth wing to be reconstituted by March". www.4ni.co.uk. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
"BBC - BBC Northern Ireland - News & Current Affairs - Hearts and Minds - If You Ask Me". Archived from the original on 26 September 2004. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
^ "uuptoday.org » Lagan Valley Young Unionists Launch Branch". Archived from the original on 28 October 2007. Retrieved 23 December 2007.
"QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST STUDENTS' UNION". 12 August 2007. Archived from the original on 12 August 2007.
"uuptoday.org » Young Unionist society forms at Coleraine University". Archived from the original on 23 March 2008. Retrieved 15 March 2008.
"Profile: Jeffrey Donaldson". BBC News. 27 October 2000. Archived from the original on 29 May 2006. Retrieved 6 February 2007.
"ITV Hub". ITV Hub. Archived from the original on 18 April 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2020.

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

v t e Political youth organisations of Northern Ireland
Alliance Youth Ógra Fianna Fáil SDLP Youth Sinn Féin Republican Youth Young Unionists Young Greens

v t e Ulster Unionist Party
Leaders	Saunderson Long Carson Craigavon Andrews Brookeborough O'Neill Chichester-Clark Faulkner West Molyneaux Trimble Empey Elliott Nesbitt Swann Aiken Beattie
Deputy Leaders	McCusker Taylor Empey & Beggs Kennedy McCallister Butler
Chairman	Rogan Cooper Campbell Empey Kennedy
President	Hamilton Craig J. M. Andrews Dixon Brooke Graham J. L. O. Andrews J. G. Cunningham Clark J. Cunningham Smyth Rogan White Steele (honorary)
General Secretary	Gibson Bates Hungerford Douglas Bailie Hutton Millar Wilson Boyd Patterson Rea Corry Wilson C. McCusker
Leadership elections	1969 1971 1974 1979 March 1995 September 1995 2000 2004 2005 2010 2012 2017 2019 2021 2024
Organisational structure	Young Unionists
History and related organisations	Progenitor: Irish Unionist Alliance Allies: Labour Unionists/Liberal Unionist/Conservatives Offshoots: Vanguard (1973–78)/NI21 (2013-16) Electoral alliance: UCUNF (2009)
Lists	List of Ulster Unionist Party MPs Ulster Unionist Party Presidents and General Secretaries List of Ulster Unionist Party Peers
Other topics	Chief Whip Election results Electoral history

v t e European Young Conservatives
Prosperous Armenia Youth BPF Youth Jong N-VA YBWC Young Conservatives Huxa Young Conservatives Young Reformer Young Independents Likud Youth Conservatives and Reformists · National Youth · Youth for Freedom For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK Youth Club Junge FBP Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania Youth Organisation ADRenalin Progress Party's Youth Law and Justice Youth Forum People's Youth New Republic Youth VOX Jóvenes Young Swedes SDU Young SVP Forum for Democracy Youth Organisation Young Conservatives Young Unionists / Conservative Future Scotland

European Young Conservatives

v t e Youth wings of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party
ADRenalin Conservative Future Conservative Future Scotland Conservative Youth Union PiS Youth Forum For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK Youth Club Young Civic Democrats Young Conservatives Young Independents Young Libertarians Young Unionists

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