Russellite Unionist

The Russellite group, were the followers of Thomas Wallace Russell an Irish political leader of the early twentieth century.

Russell was the Liberal Unionist MP for South Tyrone. He and some followers left the party in February 1904. They favoured a policy of compulsory land purchase. "Dod's Parliamentary Companion" regarded them as ex-Liberal Unionists who had joined the Liberal Party, although Russell's two Parliamentary colleagues had been first elected as Independent Unionists and they did not seek re-election as Liberals in 1906.

At by-elections and in the United Kingdom general election, 1906 Russellite candidates contested elections in Ulster seats as Independent Unionists. F.W.S. Craig's compilation of election results for 1906 includes them with the Liberals, but gives them a footnote.

MPs in the 1900-1906 Parliament

* Thomas Wallace Russell, South Tyrone "elected at the United Kingdom general election, 1900"
* James Wood, East Down "elected at a by-election 5 February 1902"
* Edward Mitchell, North Fermanagh "elected at a by-election 20 March 1903"

MPs elected in 1906

* Robert Graham Glendinning, North Antrim
* Thomas Wallace Russell, South Tyrone

Russell became clearly associated with the Liberal Party in the 1906-1910 Parliament. Glendinning was regarded by "Dod's Parliamentary Companion" as an Independent Liberal. No new Russellite candidates stood in by-elections.

In the United Kingdom general election, 1910 (January), Glendinning retired and Russell lost his seat as a Liberal candidate.

References

*"Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland, 1801-1922", edited by B.M. Walker (Royal Irish Academy 1978)
*"Who's Who of British Members of Parliament: Volume II 1886-1918", edited by M. Stenton and S. Lees (The Harvester Press 1978)
*"British Electoral Facts 1832-1987", compilred and edited by F.W.S. Craig (Parliamentary Research Services 1989)