Loyalist

Also see: Loyalist (American Revolution). For the township in Canada, see Loyalist, OntarioIn general, a loyalist is an individual who is loyal to the "powers that be" or The Establishment. Two main historical groups of individuals have been specifically called "Loyalists" in English. Loyalists in the American Revolutionary War were known as Loyalists of the American Revolution.''

"Loyalists" in Irish history

See main article, Ulster loyalism.The term "loyalist" was first used in Irish politics in the 1790s, to refer to those Protestants who opposed Catholic Emancipation, the extension of the franchise of the Irish Parliament and greater independence for Ireland from Britain. See Ireland 1691-1801. Liberal Protestants who supported these reforms were known as "patriots". The terms were probably derived from the opposing sides of the American Revolution. Prominent loyalists included John Foster, John Fitzgibbon and John Beresford. In the subsequent Irish Rebellion of 1798, "ultra loyalists" were those most opposed to the United Irishmen, who wanted an independent Irish Republic. Loyalists founded the Orange Order in 1795 and served in the Yeomanry militia, which helped to put down the rebellion. Loyalists such as Richard Musgrave were associated with a history of the rebellion which interpreted it as a Catholic plot to drive Protestants out of Ireland.

Loyalists in Northern Ireland

A loyalist in modern Northern Ireland is another name for a Unionist who feels strongly about the political union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

In recent times, the term is frequently used to refer to someone on the extreme fringe of unionism who resorts to murder, or threatens to do so, in what they perceive as their defence of their community, Protestantism, or Northern Ireland's position as part of the United Kingdom. Loyalists in Northern Ireland usually live in small working-class areas in the major urban centres, such as Belfast and Derry. The rest of this article mainly refers to this second definition.

A number of loyalist paramilitary groups exist; these include the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF), and the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).

Though loyalists claim to speak on behalf of their communities and the unionist community in general, the evidence of electoral contests would tend to suggest that their support is minimal and exclusively urban, working-class based. Only one moderate pro-Belfast Agreement loyalist party (the PUP) won any seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1999. Ideologically, loyalism is typified by a militant opposition to Irish Republicanism and Catholicism. It stresses Protestant identity and community with its own folk heroes and events, e.g. the heroic exploits of the 36th (Ulster) Division during World War I and through its association with the Orange Order.

Loyalism has a diverse following ranging from left-wing sympathisers to supporters of an independent Ulster to the British National Front.

Officially most loyalist organisations are in ceasefire mode as a result of the Belfast Agreement, though numerous breaches of the ceasefire have been recorded. Many loyalist groups are heavily involved in the drug trade.

Relatives of the victims of loyalist violence, whether nationalist or unionist, often contrast the vehemence with which the Democratic Unionist Party and the Ulster Unionist Party attack the IRA for killing and bombing, with their more muted responses to loyalist actions.

Loyalists in southern Ireland

Loyalists in the south have been few and far between since Independence. Many of the southern Irish Loyalists volunteered for service in the British Armed Forces in WWI and WWII, many of them loosing their lives or settling in the UK after the wars. Partition saw mass movements of southern Loyalists to Northern Ireland or mainland UK furthering the decline of Loyalism in southern Ireland. The republican nature of post-partition Ireland meant Loyalism in Ireland transformed itself in order to survive and be active in the state. Recently though, Irish Loyalists seem to have a new confidence and are more outspoken in the wake of better Anglo Irish relations. Groups like The Reform Movement have gained prominence aswell as newly formed groups such as The Border Minority Group and the Loyal Irish Union being more forward about their Loyalism. The Orange Order in the Republic of Ireland holds an annual pre-12th march in Rossnowlagh in County Donegal.

Loyalism in southern Ireland has no known links with Northern paramilitary groups.

Loyalists in Scotland

A loyalist in Scotland is someone on the fringes of Scottish unionism and who is often stridently supportive of loyalism and unionism, although mainly concentrating on the Irish union, rather than Scottish politics.

Although a tiny fraction of the Scottish population, and less so in comparison to their Northern Ireland counterparts, their profile has become more prominent with strident demonstrations of their beliefs since the establishment of a Scottish Parliament - often seen at loyalist marches and through their support for Rangers F.C. in Glasgow, a city with a long history of sectarian violence.

At the extreme loyalism is supportive of violence, or threats, as a "defence": of loyalists, unionists, their version of Protestantism and Northern Ireland's and Scotland's positions as part of the United Kingdom.

Although far less active and organised in Scotland than their Northern Ireland counterparts, loyalists have been involved in a small number of activities over the years of the troubles in Northern Ireland. Most notable have been two pub bombings, spontaneous murders of people they perceive as enemies of their version of Protestantism and the smuggling of guns and explosives to Northern Ireland.

Loyalists within Scotland live within very small working-class enclaves in the major urban centres or industrial villages, notably in Glasgow, Lanarkshire (especially Larkhall), Renfrewshire, West Lothian and Ayrshire. In areas such as the Highlands, Borders and the North East (including Aberdeen), there are relatively few.

Most of the loyalist paramilitary groups are supported by loyalists in Scotland, which include the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF), etc. Although it nominally repudiates these organisations the Orange Order in Scotland has members and flute bands who support and are members of these organisations.

Though loyalists claim to speak on behalf of Protestants and unionists, they do not have widespread political support. In fact many of the political representatives in their areas are often from the Labour Party and, far less so, the Scottish National Party. Neither party supports their programme.

Ideologically, Scottish loyalism is typified by a strident, and at times militant, opposition to Republicanism, Scottish independence and the Roman Catholic Church - particularly the existence of Roman Catholic denominational schools.

Recently (March 2004), a 24-hour loyalist radio station, Scotland's first, has begun broadcasting through an internet server in Jersey. Calton Radio [1] has an exclusively loyalist playlist, with many songs celebrating the loyalist history and culture.

Loyalists in England

Loyalists can also be found in many parts of England, especially Liverpool, Manchester, Corby and London, where there are substantial Irish emigrant populations. Another small but militant plank of English loyalism is found in the extreme right wing parties such as the British National Party, the National Front and Combat 18. These organisations are devoted to the unity of the United Kingdom and against a united Ireland, in the past, some of them have had links with loyalist paramilitaries such as the Ulster Defence Association and Ulster Volunteer Force in Northern Ireland.

In 2006 English Loyalists.co.uk was setup to promote Loyalism in England.

Loyalist: Encyclopedia BETA