TheIndependent Unionist Association orIndependent Unionist Party was apolitical party inNorthern Ireland.
The organisation was founded in 1937, shortly before the announcement of the1938 Northern Ireland general election. It consisted of a disparate group ofindependent Unionists, and included member of theNorthern Ireland House of CommonsTommy Henderson. The party called for more action to relieveunemployment, and for tighter control of government spending.[1]William McConnell Wilton was elected as chairman of the new organisation.[2]
The party stood several candidates in the general election, including Henderson inBelfast Shankill and Wilton inBelfast Clifton.[3] TheUlster Unionist Party claimed that the Independent Unionist challenge made aunited Ireland more likely, a charge which Henderson described as "a deliberate attempt to fool the Ulster people".[2] Only Henderson was elected for the group at the general election.[4]
The party launched a monthly newspaper in January 1939, aiming to appeal to both their own supporters, and to those of theUlster Progressive Unionist Association.[5] By the1945 Northern Ireland general election, the party was greatly weakened, but supported Henderson and alsoJohn William Nixon inBelfast Woodvale.[6] Later in the year, Wilton was elected to serve in theSenate of Northern Ireland.[7] The party then faded from view, although an "Independent Unionist Association" in Belfast released a manifesto in 1954 on a similar platform.[8]