Political parties
Religion is even nowadays of major importance, especially when it comes to politics. You can make some clear distinctions between the Protestants and the Catholics.
The Protestants
Religion is even nowadays of major importance, especially when it comes to politics. You can make some clear distinctions between the Protestants and the Catholics.
The Protestants
Some of them would call themselves British, but never English. Nearly all of the Ulster population claims Ulster to be an integral part of Britain. When it comes to Protestants it is important to distinguish between unionists and loyalists. A unionist is a person who wants Northern Ireland remain in the United Kingdom. A Loyalist is after the same thing but is more radical in his conviction since he is willing to keep this by force if necessary.
Unionists
At the 2010 General Elections, the Conservatives and the Unionists didn't win any seats in Northern Ireland. Following the election, Sir Reg Empey resigned as leader. Mike Nesbitt was elected as new leader of the Ulster Union Party (UUP). Ulster Unionists believe that standing up for Northern Ireland means securing devolved government for this part of the United Kingdom and that devolution will secure Northern Ireland's place within a modern United Kingdom.
The other Unionist part is the Democratic Unionist Party that claim to be the party that supports the union. Their vision is to maintain and enhance Northern Ireland's constitutional position within the UK, achieving long-term politican stability to deliver a peaceful and prosperous future for their people. Leader of the DUP is Peter Robinson. He is currently also Northern Ireland's First Minister.
The Catholics
Unionists
At the 2010 General Elections, the Conservatives and the Unionists didn't win any seats in Northern Ireland. Following the election, Sir Reg Empey resigned as leader. Mike Nesbitt was elected as new leader of the Ulster Union Party (UUP). Ulster Unionists believe that standing up for Northern Ireland means securing devolved government for this part of the United Kingdom and that devolution will secure Northern Ireland's place within a modern United Kingdom.
The other Unionist part is the Democratic Unionist Party that claim to be the party that supports the union. Their vision is to maintain and enhance Northern Ireland's constitutional position within the UK, achieving long-term politican stability to deliver a peaceful and prosperous future for their people. Leader of the DUP is Peter Robinson. He is currently also Northern Ireland's First Minister.
The Catholics
The Catholic population feels more Irish than British. Most of them would prefer to be separated from Britain. Their are two groups to distinguish, namely the Nationalists and the Republicans.
Nationalists
The Nationalists would like to see closer links between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Social Democratic Labour Party is a very popular party among the Catholics. The most important man was and still is Jonh Hume. He was founder and head of the SDLP which stands for a united Ireland by a non-violent democratic process. He has worked continuously for peace, tolerance and international cooperation. Back in the days, the strategy of the SDLP was to try to persuade Sinn Fein that the problem in Ireland wasn't the British presence but the division between the people of Ireland, Unionist and Nationalist. The 1998 Good Friday Agreement reflects principles John Hume has followed for his entire life. His efforts were recognised when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998. He dared to look past centuries of conflict and imagined a future where people of all religions can live together in peace.
Republicans
Nationalists
The Nationalists would like to see closer links between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Social Democratic Labour Party is a very popular party among the Catholics. The most important man was and still is Jonh Hume. He was founder and head of the SDLP which stands for a united Ireland by a non-violent democratic process. He has worked continuously for peace, tolerance and international cooperation. Back in the days, the strategy of the SDLP was to try to persuade Sinn Fein that the problem in Ireland wasn't the British presence but the division between the people of Ireland, Unionist and Nationalist. The 1998 Good Friday Agreement reflects principles John Hume has followed for his entire life. His efforts were recognised when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998. He dared to look past centuries of conflict and imagined a future where people of all religions can live together in peace.
Republicans
Next to the Nationalists we have the Republicans. They are more radical and haven't avoided violence over the past century in their fight for a united Ireland of equals. Most of the Republicans support Sinn Fein. Also called the "political wing of the IRA" (the Irish Republican Army). Sinn Fein is currently the secondst largest part in the Northern Ireland Assembly. The organisation was founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith. President of the party is Gerry Adams. He has been in charge since 1983. Adams was an important figure in the Northern Ireland peace process.
Current situation
Current situation
Devolution was restored to the Northern Ireland Assembly in May 2007. The Northern Ireland Executive is the devolved government for Northern Ireland.
The Executive committee meets to agree on significant issues and puts forward proposals for new laws for the Assembly to consider. It is made up of the First Minister, his deputy and ministers in charge of the eleven government departments.
The Assembly is responsible for passing laws on transferred matters. These matters are under direct control of local ministers and the Assembly such as: culture, education, justice, etc. The non-transferred matters are still being dealt by London.
The Executive committee meets to agree on significant issues and puts forward proposals for new laws for the Assembly to consider. It is made up of the First Minister, his deputy and ministers in charge of the eleven government departments.
The Assembly is responsible for passing laws on transferred matters. These matters are under direct control of local ministers and the Assembly such as: culture, education, justice, etc. The non-transferred matters are still being dealt by London.