Commonwealth Labour Party
Commonwealth Labour Party | |
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Labourism | |
Political position | Centre |
The Commonwealth Labour Party (CWLP) was a minor
Split with the Northern Ireland Labour Party
Midgley had adopted a position of unswerving loyalty to Britain during
Midgley resigned from the NILP on 15 December, and was followed by the departure of the
Organisation
The party created a newspaper, Justice, which was initially edited by Midgley's son, and maintained nine branches, three in Belfast and the others in predominantly unionist areas of Northern Ireland, and a total of somewhat fewer than 1,000 members. No longer in opposition to the UUP which dominated the legislature, Midgley accepted an offer of a ministerial post from new Prime Minister
Electoral Performance
The party stood six candidates in the 1945 Northern Ireland general election. Only Midgley was successful, although Albert McElroy came a close second in Ards.[1]
Midgley also stood in Belfast South in the 1945 UK general election, but was defeated by the Ulster Unionist candidate. In September 1946, the party put up candidates in the local elections, winning seats in Bangor, Newtownards, Richhill and Ballymena, plus Midgley's seat in Belfast. Concerned by the improved performance of the NILP, the party sought to identify itself more closely with unionism, and appealed to the Orange Order to support its candidates. At the end of the year, Justice was replaced by a new journal, Commonwealth.[1]
Disbanding
Increasingly right-wing in his politics, Midgley devoted less time to the party. On 6 September 1947, he resigned as party chairman, joining the UUP two weeks later. The CWLP held a conference under the chairmanship of William Brisbane, but disbanded before the end of the year, with McElroy and some supporters rejoining the NILP, and most other members either joining the UUP or moving away from party politics.[1]