Progressive Unionist Party

The Progressive Unionist Party is a small loyalist party which draws votes mainly from members of the Protestant community.

It was formed to give a political voice to supporters of the paramilitary organisation, the Ulster Volunteer Force.

The PUP supports the Good Friday Agreement and called for a "yes" vote in the referendum to measure support for the peace deal.

While it argues that the union with Britain is best for Northern Ireland, it is happy to co-operate with the Irish Republic on issues of common concern.

David Ervine: Jailed for transporting a bomb

It calls for a "sharing of responsibility" between unionists and nationalists.

The party does not intend to stand candidates in every seat in the Westminster election because it does not want to split the pro-Agreement vote.

The PUP formed in 1977 to represent "the common people... the working-class, the non-working class and the under-class".

Paramilitary turned peacemaker

The party would like a written constitution for Northern Ireland and a bill of rights to safeguard minorities and institutions.

Leading member David Ervine is himself a former paramilitary turned peacemaker.

A mural in Belfast supporting the Ulster Volunteer Force

He was sentenced to 11 years in jail in 1975 for transporting a bomb in a stolen car.

While in prison he took exams and began studying for a degree.

He joined the PUP in 1981 and helped negotiate a loyalist ceasefire in 1994.

Mr Ervine is one of the PUP's two assembly members. The other is Billy Hutchinson.

Party leader Hugh Smyth is a Belfast councillor and was its first Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1994.

Loyalist feud

Up until recently the PUP was close to another loyalist party the Ulster Democratic Party.

It is the political voice of the loyalist paramilitaries, the Ulster Defence Association and the Ulster Freedom Fighters.

But in the summer of 2000 a violent feud began between the UFF/UDA and the UVF.

This has soured relations between their political representatives.