You asked for a list of the political parties in Northern Ireland and their affiliation with either the Unionist or Nationalist movement.

A list of the websites for the 12 main political parties of Northern Ireland is at http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/politics/partyweb.htm.

UNIONIST PARTIES

The Conservative Party supports the union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It originated with the "Tory" faction that emerged in Britain in the late 1600's.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) was founded in 1970 and has been led since then by Reverend Ian Paisley.

The Northern Ireland Unionist Party (NIUP) was established on January 5, 1999 as pro-Unionist party. It opposes the Belfast Agreement (also known as the Good Friday Agreement), signed by multiple parties on April 10, 1998. The Agreement sets out a plan for a devolved government in Northern Ireland, establishment of Human Rights and Equality Commissions, the early release of prisoners from both sides of the community, and decommissioning of paramilitary weapons.

The Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) was founded in 1977. It is "committed to maintaining the existing constitutional relationship between Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom" and promotes the "sharing of responsibility" for governing Northern Ireland between Unionists and Nationalists.

The UK Unionist Party is a non-sectarian party that supports the union between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) is Northern Ireland's largest party, founded in 1905 in response to the Home Rule crisis in Ireland. Its leader since 1995 has been David Trimble.

NATIONALIST PARTIES

Sinn Fein (SF) was founded in 1905 and, since the 1980's, had been led by Gerry Adams. Its stated objective is to end British rule in Ireland. It supports the Good Friday Agreement.

The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) was formed in 1970 and is the largest of the Nationalist parties in Northern Ireland.

CROSS-COMMUNITY PARTIES

The Alliance Party is a "cross-community" party founded in 1970 to "give political expression to those who felt that Nationalist and Unionist political parties did not reflect their political views." It receives support from both Catholics and Protestants, according to the description on its website.

The Labour Party was established in Northern Ireland to create a Labour presence in the country. It supports the Good Friday Agreement.

The Northern Ireland Women's Coalition is a cross-community group formed in 1996. It runs only women candidates for the Northern Ireland Assembly and local councils.

The Workers Party of Ireland (WP) supports the Good Friday Agreement and a democratic devolved system of government for Northern Ireland.

OTHERS

The Natural Law Party and a Northern Ireland Green Party have been registered political parties but are no longer contesting elections. There are other minor parties registered with the Electoral Commission, such as the Ulster Protestant League and the Socialist Environmental Alliance.

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