William Johnston | |
|---|---|
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| Member of Parliament for Belfast | |
| In office 1868–1878 | |
| Parliamentary group | Conservative |
| Member of Parliament for Belfast South | |
| In office 1885–1902 | |
| Parliamentary group | Conservative, Irish Unionist Alliance |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 February 1829 Downpatrick, Ireland |
| Died | 17 July 1902 (aged 73) Ballykilbeg, County Down |
| Spouse(s) | Harriet Allen (d.) Arminella Frances Drew (d.) Georgiana Barbara Hay |
| Relations | Charles Johnston (son) |
| Alma mater | Trinity College Dublin King's Inns |
| Profession | Barrister |
William Johnston (22 February 1829 – 17 July 1902) was an Irish Orangeman, unionist and Member of Parliament for Belfast, distinguished by his independent working-class following and commitment to reform. He first entered the United Kingdom Parliament as an Irish Conservative in 1868, celebrated for having broken a standing ban on Orange Order processions and as the nominee of an association of "Protestant Workers". At Westminster, Johnston supported the secret ballot; the accommodation of trade unions and strike action; land reform; and woman's suffrage. He was succeeded in 1902 as the MP for South Belfast, by Thomas Sloan, similarly supported by loyalist workers in opposition to the official unionist candidates favoured by their employers.