Cecil Harvey facts for kids
Cecil Harvey (who passed away in 1985) was a unionist politician in Northern Ireland. A unionist is someone who believes Northern Ireland should remain part of the United Kingdom. As a politician, he worked to represent people and make decisions for his community.
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Who Was Cecil Harvey?
Cecil Harvey was an important figure in Northern Irish politics. He was known for his strong beliefs about Northern Ireland's place in the United Kingdom. He helped start new political groups and served in important roles.
Starting His Political Journey
In 1951, Cecil Harvey helped start the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster. He was a founding elder, which is a leader in the church. The next year, he suggested the church move to Whiteabbey.
He was also very active in the Orange Order, a Protestant organization. He joined the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), which was a major political party. He was elected as a councillor, meaning he helped manage local affairs in his area.
Changing Political Parties
Over time, Cecil Harvey became unhappy with the Ulster Unionist Party. This was because the UUP started to support "power-sharing." Power-sharing means different political groups work together to govern, even if they have different ideas.
Because of this, he left the UUP and joined a new party called the Vanguard Unionist Progressive Party. Under this party, he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly, 1973. This Assembly was a group of elected people who made laws for Northern Ireland. He also became the party's chief whip, which is a person who makes sure party members vote in a certain way. Later, he served in the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention.
Later Political Life
In 1974, Cecil Harvey spoke up for loyalists who had been held without trial. He suggested the Orange Order should help them. By 1975, he wanted the Orange Order to create a completely new united unionist party. This idea was discussed but was not approved.
Even so, Harvey helped create the United Ulster Unionist Party. He became the chairman, or leader, of this new party. He stayed loyal to this party until it ended in 1984. After that, he joined the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). He tried to be elected for the DUP in South Down during the 1983 general election, but he was not successful.
Family Connection
Cecil Harvey's son, Harry, also became a politician for the Democratic Unionist Party later on.
