Unionist

Unionist is a term used to describe a person who favors the preservation or establishment of a political union rather than independence or secession. The precise meaning depends on historical and geographic context, and the term is used in multiple spheres.

In Northern Ireland, Unionists advocate that Northern Ireland remain part of the United Kingdom. They typically emphasize a British identity and oppose a united Ireland. The label is often associated with political parties such as the Ulster Unionist Party and the Democratic Unionist Party, and it is commonly contrasted with Irish nationalist or republican positions that support a united Ireland.

In Scotland and the broader United Kingdom, "Unionist" has historically referred to supporters of the political union between Scotland and England, and later Great Britain and the United Kingdom. From the 18th century onward, Unionists backed efforts to maintain the Union. In modern politics, the term is linked to the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, which combines conservative policy with a stance in favor of the union.

In Ireland more broadly, the term has historical usage to describe those who supported ties with the United Kingdom, though it is most prominent in Northern Ireland today.

In a labor or industrial context, "unionist" can refer to a person who supports or is a member of a trade union, or who identifies with the labor movement. Thus, unionism covers both political affiliations related to the state and, in other contexts, advocacy for workers’ collective organization.