Northern Ireland Labour Party

The NILP was a socialist political party founded in 1924 which attracted most of its support from the working-class of Belfast. The party avoided the constitutional issue until 1949 when its annual conference voted for the Union with Britain. Following that decision the party attracted more Protestants but had difficulty in getting the same level of support from Catholic voters. The NILP reached its peak of support during the period of 1958 to 1965. The establishment of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in September 1971 and the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) in August 1970 marked the beginning of the end for the NILP. The remainder of the party joined with other labour supporters in forming Labour '87 in 1987. Selection of Publications produced by Northern Ireland Labour Party: Northern Ireland Labour Party (NILP). (1973). Labour Belfast Manifesto: Belfast Council Elections 1973, (Local Government Election 1973). Belfast: NILP.