NI21

File:Basil_McCrea_-_NI21.jpg]]

The party was founded by McCrea and McCallister several months after their resignation from the UUP over what they saw as a plan towards merging the UUP with the Democratic Unionist Party in the choosing of a joint-unionist candidate (Nigel Lutton) for the Mid Ulster by-election of 2013.{{cite news|title=Basil McCrea 'likely to form new party' to challenge DUP and UUP|publisher=BBC News|date=15 February 2013|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21472784|access-date=7 June 2013|archive-date=24 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524041541/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21472784|url-status=live}} The two had been unsuccessfully courted by the NI Conservatives.{{cite news |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/ni21-how-the-conservatives-spent-two-years-trying-to-woo-the-disaffected-uup-duo-29326203.html |title=NI21: How the Conservatives spent two years trying to woo the disaffected UUP duo |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=6 June 2013 |access-date=12 June 2013 |archive-date=14 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214003525/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/ni21-how-the-conservatives-spent-two-years-trying-to-woo-the-disaffected-uup-duo-29326203.html |url-status=live }} Also involved in the new party was David Rose, a former Northern Ireland Policing Board member and former deputy leader of the Progressive Unionist Party, who left that party in 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/regional/video-john-mccallister-discusses-new-ni21-party-ahead-of-launch-1-5163190 |title=VIDEO: John McCallister discusses new NI21 party ahead of launch |publisher=JPI Media |work=News Letter |date=6 June 2013 |access-date=12 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609010116/http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/regional/video-john-mccallister-discusses-new-ni21-party-ahead-of-launch-1-5163190 |archive-date=9 June 2013 |url-status=dead }}

The party was officially founded on 6 June 2013 with a livestreamed press conference in the Metropolitan Arts Centre in Belfast. Its name referred to the 21st century, putting itself forward as a "modern party".

NI21 took a pro-Union stance on the constitutional issue, although it made an effort to try to appeal to all sides of the community, the party describing itself as a "confident, generous and progressive pro-UK party".{{cite news|last=Cromie|first=Claire|title=Launch of Basil McCrea and John McCallister's new political party NI21|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/live-video-launch-of-basil-mccrea-and-john-mccallisters-new-political-party-ni21-29326127.html|access-date=6 June 2013|work=Belfast Telegraph|date=6 June 2013}} It was claimed that the party represented moderate political views, including left of centre voters.{{cite news|title=NI21's task is to live up to expectations|work=Belfast Telegraph|date=8 June 2013|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ni21s-task-is-to-live-up-to-expectations-29328068.html|access-date=9 June 2013|archive-date=21 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521125311/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ni21s-task-is-to-live-up-to-expectations-29328068.html|url-status=live}} It was stated that NI21 would attempt to form an official opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly,{{cite news|title=Leader of new party NI21 seeks to enthuse non-voters|work=The Irish News|date=7 June 2013|url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/leader-of-new-party-ni21-seeks-to-enthuse-non-voters-1262291|access-date=9 June 2013|author=John Manley|archive-date=9 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609070439/http://www.irishnews.com/news/leader-of-new-party-ni21-seeks-to-enthuse-non-voters-1262291|url-status=live}} which would have been the first official opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

NI21 was in support of same-sex marriage. The party also attracted criticism in its first week following comments made by Basil McCrea on the topic when an interviewer asked about polygamous marriage.{{cite news|last=McBride|first=Sam|title=Hours after launching, NI21 in polygamy row|url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/regional/hours-after-launching-ni21-in-polygamy-row-1-5174093|access-date=9 June 2013|work=News Letter|date=8 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611142732/http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/regional/hours-after-launching-ni21-in-polygamy-row-1-5174093|archive-date=11 June 2013|url-status=dead}}

The party appointed party co-founder{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-26911782 |title=Tina McKenzie selected as NI21's European election candidate |publisher=BBC News |date=7 April 2014 |access-date=5 June 2014 |archive-date=21 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521174518/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-26911782 |url-status=live }} Tina McKenzie (daughter of IRA prisoner, Harry Fitzsimons) as chair in 2013.{{cite web|author=Liam Clarke|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ni21s-tina-mckenzie-my-politics-are-very-different-to-my-ira-terrorist-dads-29730111.html|title=NI21's Tina McKenzie: My politics are very different to my IRA terrorist dad's|work=Belfast Telegraph|date=6 November 2013|access-date=5 June 2014|archive-date=11 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111155140/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ni21s-tina-mckenzie-my-politics-are-very-different-to-my-ira-terrorist-dads-29730111.html|url-status=live}} She was then nominated as their candidate in the 2014 European Parliament elections.{{cite news |last=Purdy |first=Martina |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27150784 |title=European election candidates in Northern Ireland revealed |publisher=BBC News |date=24 April 2014 |access-date=5 June 2014 |archive-date=21 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521175035/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27150784 |url-status=live }} NI21 had a Pro-European platform{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-26911782 |title=Tina McKenzie selected as NI21's European election candidate |publisher=BBC News |access-date=8 April 2013 |archive-date=8 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408045116/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-26911782 |url-status=live }} and McKenzie would have joined the European People's Party grouping if elected.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140520220746/http://46.249.223.150/~nicom/NI21AspiretobetterinEurope.pdf NI21 Aspire to Better in Europe]

The new party came under some criticism for being too centralised around Basil McCrea. The party received continual positive coverage from commentators such as Bill White and Alex Kane. McCrea appointed himself as leader as soon as party was announced. It was also criticised for going under the designation of "unionist" in the Northern Ireland Assembly rather than "other" despite being a cross-community party.{{cite web|last=Wilford |first=Rick |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/debateni/blogs/new-political-contenders-are-already-in-the-rough-29334830.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615171931/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/debateni/blogs/new-political-contenders-are-already-in-the-rough-29334830.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 June 2013 |title=New political contenders are already in the rough |work=Belfast Telegraph |access-date=12 June 2013}} McCrea responded to this criticism in the founding speech of the party, saying that the designations in the Assembly do not matter, and claimed that the constitutional issue in Northern Ireland has been "settled" by the Good Friday Agreement and St. Andrew's Agreement.{{cite news|last=Cromie|first=Claire|title=NI21: Basil McCrea's launch speech in full|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/ni21-basil-mccreas-launch-speech-in-full-29326435.html|access-date=7 June 2013|work=Belfast Telegraph|date=6 June 2013}}

In May 2014, two days before the European and local elections, NI21 announced it would changing its designation in the Northern Ireland Assembly from Unionist to Other from the 2016 election onwards. It said this was due to the connotations of the term 'Unionist', and to present itself as a "cross-community party", but that it still supported Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom and described itself as a "pro United Kingdom party".{{cite news|url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/regional/ni21-in-chaos-as-deputy-leader-says-party-is-dysfunctional-1-6071466|title=NI21 in chaos as deputy leader says party is dysfunctional|work=News Letter|date=21 May 2014|publisher=JPI Media|access-date=21 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521050127/http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/regional/ni21-in-chaos-as-deputy-leader-says-party-is-dysfunctional-1-6071466|archive-date=21 May 2014|url-status=dead}} However, NI21's deputy leader, John McCallister, condemned the move, saying the decision was not properly debated and showed how "dysfunctional" NI21 had become. He further alleged that the decision was made at an improperly constituted executive meeting. This sparked a political crisis within the party.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27541772|title=NI21 row: Political reaction|date=23 May 2014|access-date=25 May 2014|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=25 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525080538/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27541772|url-status=live}}

McCrea demanded an explanation from McCallister for describing the party as "dysfunctional [...] in a very public way", and said the party executive would confront him about his comments. However, McCallister was publicly defended by the party's youth wing, which criticised a "lack of respect shown towards our deputy leader".{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27498308|title=NI21: Basil McCrea challenges John McCallister on 'dysfunctional' claim|date=21 May 2014|access-date=25 May 2014|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=25 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525044908/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27498308|url-status=live}} As the crisis developed, McCallister told the public that the internal rift was due to an external investigation into McCrea,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27528484|title=NI21 rift due to internal staff matters, John McCallister says|date=22 May 2014|access-date=25 May 2014|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=25 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525080540/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27528484|url-status=live}} as a former party worker had made allegations of sexual misconduct against him.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27551173|title=NI21 row: Woman at centre of sex claims speaks out|date=23 May 2014|access-date=25 May 2014|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=25 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525034813/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27551173|url-status=live}} Tina McKenzie, the European parliamentary candidate and former chairperson, resigned from the party executive half an hour before voting ended on election day. She said that the crisis made it "difficult for Basil McCrea and John McCallister to remain as leader and deputy leader of NI21",{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27548609|title=NI21 row: Tina McKenzie devastated by party turmoil|date=23 May 2014|access-date=25 May 2014|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=25 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525080535/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27548609|url-status=live}} before resigning from politics altogether.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27554527|title=NI21 European candidate Tina McKenzie quitting politics|date=24 May 2014|access-date=25 May 2014|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=25 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525035135/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27554527|url-status=live}}

The party won 1.8% of first preference votes and, in the local elections, saw one councillor, Johnny McCarthy, narrowly elected with reliance on Nationalist transfers.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/events/vote2014/ni-council-election-results|title=Northern Ireland council results|work=Vote 2014|publisher=BBC News|date=25 May 2014|access-date=5 June 2014|archive-date=18 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118055623/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/events/vote2014/ni-council-election-results|url-status=live}}

In July 2014, John McCallister resigned his membership of the party.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-28128655 |title=John McCallister confirms NI21 exit |publisher=BBC News |date=3 July 2014 |author=Gareth Gordon |access-date=15 May 2016 |archive-date=21 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721070939/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-28128655 |url-status=live }}

The party did not put up any candidates at the 2015 general election.{{cite web |author=Kris Nixon (Belfast Barman) |url=http://sluggerotoole.com/2015/04/09/ge2015-complete-ni-candidate-list/ |title=#GE2015 Complete NI Candidate List |work=Slugger O'Toole |date=9 April 2015 |access-date=15 May 2016 |archive-date=23 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523044921/http://sluggerotoole.com/2015/04/09/ge2015-complete-ni-candidate-list/ |url-status=live }}

In December 2015 the party's Deputy Leader and only local councillor, Johnny McCarthy, quit the party. McCarthy was the only NI21 candidate elected in the party's short history.{{cite news |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/ni21-councillor-johnny-mccarthy-quits-party-34320885.html |title=NI21 councillor Johnny McCarthy quits party |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=29 December 2015 |access-date=15 May 2016 |archive-date=12 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412034630/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/ni21-councillor-johnny-mccarthy-quits-party-34320885.html |url-status=live }} He resigned as Deputy Leader on 29 December 2015.{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/paralisamour/status/681780182924062720 |publisher=Johnny McCarthy on Twitter |title=After a long period of consideration, I have decided to leave NI21. I regret having to make this decision and wish the party well |via=Twitter |date=29 December 2015 |work=@paralisamour |access-date=15 May 2016 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305122537/https://twitter.com/paralisamour/status/681780182924062720 |url-status=live }}

In early 2016, McCrea was cleared of any wrongdoing by an Assembly standards investigation, but subsequently announced he was leaving politics and would not be defending his Assembly seat in the 2016 elections.{{cite news |last=Shapiro |first=Yvette |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/im-finished-with-politics-says-basil-mccrea-bombshell-announcementsounds-death-knell-for-ni21-34540319.html |title=I'm finished with politics, says Basil McCrea – bombshell announcement sounds death knell for NI21 |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=2016-03-15 |access-date=15 May 2016 |archive-date=21 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421222406/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/im-finished-with-politics-says-basil-mccrea-bombshell-announcementsounds-death-knell-for-ni21-34540319.html |url-status=live }} The party did not put up any other candidates.{{cite web |url=http://www.eoni.org.uk/Elections/Election-results-and-statistics/Election-results-and-statistics-2003-onwards/Elections-2016/NI-Assembly-Election-2016-Statements-of-Persons-No |title=The Electoral Office of Northern Ireland |publisher=EONI |access-date=15 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503082414/http://www.eoni.org.uk/Elections/Election-results-and-statistics/Election-results-and-statistics-2003-onwards/Elections-2016/NI-Assembly-Election-2016-Statements-of-Persons-No |archive-date=3 May 2016 |url-status=dead }} McCallister, standing as an independent, lost his seat.

The party did not run any candidates after 2016.

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130613165450/http://ni21.com/ Official website]

{{Defunct political parties in Northern Ireland}}

Category:Political parties established in 2013

Category:2013 establishments in Northern Ireland

Category:Defunct political parties in Northern Ireland

Category:2016 disestablishments in Northern Ireland

Category:Political parties disestablished in 2016

Category:Ulster unionist organisations