CRISS Director launches new book on Democratic Unionist Party

Thu, 03 Jul 2014 15:32:00 BST

Pictured; Arlene Foster, MLA; Dr Sophie Whiting; Professor Jim McAuley; First Minister Peter Robinson, MLA; Professor Deirdre Heenan; Professor Jon Tonge. 

On 17 June, a new book on the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) was launched in Belfast. It is based on the first in-depth survey of members of the DUP, and provides a unique insight into the party’s ideological development and electoral progress since its inception in 1971.

The book entitled The Democratic Unionist Party: From Protest to Power is published by Oxford University Press. It will be an important resource for those interested in Northern Ireland politics, and those interested in the study of political parties in comparative perspective.

The book is co-authored by CRISS Director Professor Jim McAuley, and involves collaboration with scholars based at the University of Liverpool, Professor Jon Tonge and Dr Sophie Whiting, University of Ulster, Dr Máire Braniff and Canterbury Christ Church University, Professor Tom Hennessey. The study is based on the results of a Leverhulme Trust funded survey of the party between 2010 and 2012.

The book launch in Belfast was held at the University of Ulster and featured a round table discussion with journalists Liam Clarke and Alex Kane and Dr Katy Hayward from Queen’s University Belfast. Attendees were welcomed by the University of Ulster’s Pro-Vice Chancellor for Communications, Professor Deirdre Heenan. The DUP was represented by the First Minister of Northern Ireland, Peter Robinson, and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Arlene Foster, who contributed to the lively discussion that followed.

The book can be purchased from the Oxford University Press website.  

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