National Democratic Party (Ireland)

{{short description|Defunct Irish political party}}

{{For|similarly named groups|National Democratic Party (disambiguation){{!}}National Democratic Party}}

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{{Infobox political party

|name = National Democratic Party

|logo =

|leader1_name =

|foundation = 1923

|dissolution = 1923

|headquarters =

|ideology = Agrarianism
Land reform

|website =

|colorcode = {{party color|National Democratic Party (Ireland)}}

}}

The National Democratic Party was a minor party in the Irish Free State representing small farming interests.

The Farmers' Party was a significant force in early 1920s politics in Ireland, but it was associated with middle-class farmers with larger holdings.John Coakley, "Minor Parties in Irish Political Life, 1922-1989", The Economic and Social Review, vol.21, no.3, pp.269-297 Small-scale farmers who felt that the Farmers' Party did not represent them founded the National Democratic Party early in 1923, aiming to also attract support from poor labourers and other individuals in rural areas.Peter Barberis et al, Encyclopedia of British and Irish Political Organizations, p.234

The party announced that it would stand fifteen candidates at the 1923 general election,"Latest list of candidates", Irish Times, 14 August 1923 Ultimately, it stood only four candidates: Joseph O'Mahony in Cork West, Joseph Delaney and Patrick Belton in Laois–Offaly, and Seán O'Farrell in Longford–Westmeath."General election - full list of nominations", Irish Times, 20 August 1923 They took only 4,966 votes between them, and none were elected. The party disbanded soon after the election.

References