Major Political Parties in Northern Ireland

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is a Protestant, unionist party, advocating for Northern Ireland’s continued part of the United Kingdom.
Founded by Ian Paisley in 1971, the DUP has often been the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Their policies often reflect conservative social values, and they are vocal supporters of keeping Northern Ireland within the UK.

Sinn Fein is a nationalist party, advocating for a united Ireland, independent from the UK.
Viewed as the political wing of the Irish Republican Army during the Troubles, today Sinn Féin is an all-Ireland party with representation in both the Dáil (the Irish parliament) and the Northern Ireland Assembly.
They typically advocate for social equality, Irish language rights, and the creation of an all-island economy.

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) is also a unionist party but is often seen as more moderate than the DUP.
Historically, the UUP was the dominant party in Northern Ireland, but has lost ground in recent years.
They generally support pro-Union policies and positions, but have been known to back cross-community initiatives and work/compromise with nationalist parties.

The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) is a nationalist and social democratic party.
Traditionally known for its advocacy for non-violent and constitutional nationalism, inspired by figures like John Hume.
The SDLP often campaigns on issues of social justice and civil rights, and supports a unity referendum for a united Ireland, under the right conditions.

The Alliance Party is a non-sectarian and non-nationalist party advocating for cross-community cooperation.
The party supports liberal and progressive policies, and often mediates between unionist and nationalist factions.
The Alliance Party has grown in influence, particularly in areas with a high population of educated, middle-class voters or areas with a more mixed religious demographic.

The Green Party in Northern Ireland is focused on environmental issues and sustainability, and typically adopts a social democratic stance on other matters.
They are also an all-island party like Sinn Féin, but they support neither Unionism nor Nationalism explicitly.
The party, though smaller in size, can claim some representation in the Assembly and on local councils.

People Before Profit is a socialist party that aims to represent workers and promote social equality.
The party is a relative newcomer to the Northern Irish political scene, but in a short time has managed to secure some representation in the Assembly.
People Before Profit stands unique in the landscape, as it takes a strong left-wing platform on economic and social issues, whilst not taking a definitive stance on the Unionist-Nationalist divide.