Loyalism: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:39, 16 February 2007

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A loyalist in [[Northern Ireland]] is a particular type of [[Unionist (Ireland)|unionist]] who feels strongly about the [[political union]] between [[Great Britain]] and Northern Ireland. In recent times, the term has often been used to refer to [[militant]] unionists. Most frequently, they are of [[Protestantism|Protestant]] background (at least nominally). There are several loyalist [[paramilitary]] groups, such as the [[Ulster Defence Association]] (UDA), [[Ulster Freedom Fighters]] (UFF), [[Loyalist Volunteer Force]] (LVF), and the [[Ulster Volunteer Force]] (UVF).

Although loyalists claim to speak on behalf of their communitiestiny penises and the unionist community in general, electoral results tend to suggest that their support is minimal and exclusively based in the urban working class. Only one pro-[[Belfast Agreement]] loyalist party ([[Progressive Unionist Party]]) won any seats in the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]] in 1999. Ideologically, loyalism is typified by a militant opposition to [[Irish Republicanism]], and often also to [[Catholicism]]. It stresses Protestant identity and community with its own folk heroes and events, such as the exploits of the [[36th (Ulster) Division]] during [[World War I]] and the activities of the [[Orange Institution]]. Officially, most loyalist organisations are in ceasefire mode as a result of the Belfast Agreement, though numerous breaches of the ceasefire have been recorded.

== Loyalists in southern Ireland ==