About Us
History
Our Vision
Our vision is to maintain and enhance Northern Ireland’s constitutional position within the United Kingdom, achieving long-term political stability to deliver a peaceful and prosperous future for our people.
We want the hard won peace and stability to build a prosperity that flows to each district, community and family. We want to normalise our institutions and political arrangements to demonstrate that democratic standards apply and fairness and equality of opportunity is the right of all.
The DUP wants to strengthen our relationship within the United Kingdom. Our representatives in Westminster dedicate themselves to involvement in the affairs of the Nation and in partnership with their Stormont colleagues maximise Northern Ireland’s contribution to the United Kingdom. We will work to increase the respect and status of our region within the Union.
Beyond our borders the DUP wants Northern Ireland to have a global reputation as a place welcoming to all and thriving. We want Northern Ireland to be regarded as a location where a dedicated, committed and skilled workforce can be found. We want the natural beauty and the friendly character of our people to be promoted to make Northern Ireland “the place to visit”. We want the name of Northern Ireland to be synonymous with progress.
Who We Are
The DUP has representation at every level: in Local Councils, Assembly and Westminster. The Party's leader is Gavin Robinson MP.
Party Executive
Party Executive: Comprised of Party Officers, Parliamentary Party, Assembly Members and Constituency/University delegates.
Leader
Deputy Leader
Party Officers
Elected by the Party Executive. A Director of Elections and up to four co-opted Officers can also be appointed.
Chairman – Lord Morrow of Clogher Valley
Vice Chairman – Edwin Poots MLA
Secretary - Michelle McIlveen MLA
Assistant Secretary – Diane Forsythe MLA
Treasurer – Gregory Campbell MP
Constituency Associations
Constituency Associations integrate all the Branches within a Constituency.
Branches
There can be multiple branches within a constituency.
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Party Executive
Party Executive: Comprised of Party Officers, Parliamentary Party, Assembly Members and Constituency/University delegates.
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Leader
-
Party Officers
Elected by the Party Executive. A Director of Elections and up to four co-opted Officers can also be appointed.
Chairman – Lord Morrow of Clogher Valley
Vice Chairman – Edwin Poots MLA
Secretary - Michelle McIlveen MLA
Assistant Secretary – Diane Forsythe MLA
Treasurer – Gregory Campbell MP -
Deputy Leader
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Chief Executive
Party Staff
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Constituency Associations
Constituency Associations integrate all the Branches within a Constituency.
Branches
There can be multiple branches within a constituency.
Timeline
A history of the Democratic Unionist Party from its formation in 1971 until the present day.
1971
4th September
Meeting in Grand Central Hotel where agreement was reached to form a new political party. Dr Paisley changes to be DUP MP for North Antrim at Westminster having been elected on 18th June 1970.
1971
5th October
4 MPs join the Ulster Democratic Unionist Party at Stormont; Dr Paisley, William Beattie, Desmond Boal and Johnny McQuade. Charles McCullough joined the party in the Senate.
1973
28th June
Eight members elected to a Northern Ireland Assembly.
1975
1st May
Twelve members elected to a Constitutional Convention.
1979
3rd May
Three MPs elected to Westminster; Dr Paisley, Peter Robinson and Johnny McQuade.
1979
7th June
Dr Paisley elected to the European Parliament.
1981
28th March
The final 'Carson Trail' rally held at Stormont after a series of Provincewide demonstrations held in opposition to the ongoing Anglo-Irish governmental talks.
1982
20th October
Twenty one members elected to a Northern Ireland Assembly.
1983
9th June
Three MPs elected to Westminster; William McCrea won Mid Ulster and was returned with Dr Paisley and Peter Robinson.
1996
30th May
Twenty four members elected to the Northern Ireland Forum.
1998
25th June
Twenty members elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
1999
10th June
Dr Paisley tops the poll in fifth consecutive European Election.
2000
21st September
William McCrea wins By Election in South Antrim.
2001
7th June
Three new members join Dr Paisley and Peter Robinson at Westminster; Iris Robinson, Gregory Campbell and Nigel Dodds.
2003
28th November
The DUP becomes the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly with 30 members elected.
2004
5th January
DUP representation in the Northern Ireland Assembly increased to 33 with the defection from the UUP of Jeffrey Donaldson, Arlene Foster and Norah Beare. Jeffrey Donaldson also joins the DUP team at Westminster.
2004
10th June
The DUP once again tops the poll in the European Election following the retirement from Europe of Dr Paisley.
2005
5th May
Nine MPs elected to Westminster with the addition of Sammy Wilson, David Simpson and William McCrea to the existing DUP representatives. The DUP assumes the position as the largest party in Local Government with 182 Councillors.
2007
7th March
Thirty DUP MLAs returned to the Northern Ireland Assembly in the first election following the St Andrews Agreement.
2007
8th May
Dr Paisley becomes the First Minister of Northern Ireland.
2008
5th June
Peter Robinson becomes Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party and First Minister of Northern Ireland after Dr Paisley steps down from both positions.
2009
4th June
Diane Dodds becomes the DUP Member of the European Parliament.
2011
5th May
The DUP is returned once again as the largest party in Northern Ireland, increasing its representation in the Northern Ireland Assembly to 38.
2014
22nd May
Diane Dodds is returned as the leading unionist MEP and the DUP emerges as the largest party in local government once again in the first election for the new 11 District Councils with 130 seats.
2015
17th December
Arlene Foster becomes leader of the Democratic Unionist Party following the retirement of Peter Robinson.
2016
11th January
Arlene Foster assumes the office of First Minister.
2016
5th May
The DUP is returned at the Assembly election once again with 38 seats.
2016
13th July
Arlene Foster’s appointed to the Privy Council is approved by HM The Queen.
2017
2nd March
The first Assembly election to implement a reduction in size to 90 MLAs. The Party returns 28 MLA’s.
2017
26th June
Following the 2017 General Election and the election of 10 DUP MP’s, the DUP signs a Confidence & Supply Agreement to support the Conservative Government.
2019
12th December
The Prime Minister calls a snap General Election. The DUP wins 8 seats.
2020
11th January
Return of Devolution after its collapse in 2017. Signing of the New Decade, New Approach Deal.
2021
28th May
Arlene Foster steps down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party. Edwin Poots is ratified as Party Leader.
2021
30th June
Jeffrey Donaldson is ratified by the Party Executive and becomes the fifth leader of the DUP.
2023
9th June
East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson is elected as Deputy Leader of the Party.
2024
3rd February
The Northern Ireland Assembly is restored following the publication of the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper by the Government. Emma Little-Pengelly is nominated as the deputy First Minister.
2024
29th May
Gavin Robinson is ratified as Party Leader having served as Interim Leader since 29th March.
Schedule
Current Vacancies
Opportunities for employment within the Democratic Unionist Party will be listed here.