Commonwealth Day 2021 - Orange leadership

On this Commonwealth day we look back at some members of the Worldwide Institution who have provided leadership in different countries.

Mackenzie Bowell

At least three Orangemen have been Prime Minister of Canada; John A Macdonald was the first Prime Minister of Canada and served a second term later in life(1867-1873 and again 1878-1891). He was followed by John Abbott (1891-1892) and Mackenzie Bowell (1894-1896).

In New Zealand, Ulster born William Massey was Prime Minister between 1912 and 1925.

William Massey

In Northern Ireland nine of our 10 Prime Ministers/First Ministers, have been associated with the Orange Institution.

They are as follows:

Sir James Craig, 1st Viscount Craigavon, John Miller Andrews, Sir Basil Brooke, 1st Viscount Brookeborough, Captain Terence O’Neill, Baron O’Neill of the Maine, James Chichester-Clark, Baron Moyola, Brian Faulkner, Baron Faulkner of Downpatrick, David Trimble, Baron Trimble of Lisnagarvey, Rev. Ian Paisley, Baron Bannside and Arlene Foster MLA.