Frank Hanna (politician) facts for kids

Francis "Frank" Hanna (1914–1987) was an important Irish politician. He was known for his work as a solicitor and for representing people in Northern Ireland. He served as a member of the House of Commons of Northern Ireland for many years.

Frank Hanna's Early Life and Career

Frank Hanna was born in Ireland in 1914. He went to school at St. Mary's Christian Brothers Grammar School in Belfast. After that, he studied at Queen's University, Belfast.

Becoming a Solicitor

After finishing his studies, Frank Hanna became a solicitor. A solicitor is a type of lawyer who gives legal advice and represents people in court. He even started his own law firm called Francis Hanna and Co.. His firm focused on cases involving personal injuries. This means he helped people who were hurt in accidents. He also worked on cases for trade unions. Trade unions are groups that protect the rights of workers.

Frank Hanna's Political Journey

Frank Hanna was a Roman Catholic and believed in a united Ireland. This meant he wanted Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to be one country. He first joined the Nationalist Party. This party supported the idea of a united Ireland. He was elected to the Belfast City Council, which is like the local government for Belfast.

Joining the Labour Party

In 1942, Frank Hanna made a big change. He left the Nationalist Party and joined the Northern Ireland Labour Party (NILP). This party focused on workers' rights and social issues. In 1946, there was a special election called a by-election. Frank Hanna won this election and became a Member of Parliament for Belfast Central. He beat a candidate from the Socialist Republican Party. The Nationalist Party, which used to hold the seat, decided not to run.

An Independent Politician

In 1949, Frank Hanna resigned from the NILP. He did this because he disagreed with the party's support for the partition of Ireland. The partition meant that Ireland was divided into Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Hanna believed in a united Ireland.

He was re-elected in the 1949 Northern Ireland general election without anyone running against him. He was known as an "Independent Labour" candidate. This means he didn't belong to a major political party at that time. Soon after, he became a leader in the new Northern Section of the Irish Labour Party. However, he left this party too, not long after joining.

Forming His Own Group

In 1958, Frank Hanna decided to create his own political group. He called it the Independent Labour Group. He had support from some Catholic religious leaders for this new group. In 1964, he was one of the first people to support a group called Unity. This group also aimed to bring people together in Northern Ireland. Frank Hanna decided not to run for election in the 1965 Northern Ireland general election. He stepped down from his political role that year.

Frank Hanna's Family

Frank Hanna was the father of Vincent Hanna. Vincent Hanna became a well-known political journalist in Ireland.