This film, shot by Reverend Harold Allen, captures some of the 1950 Unionist election campaign in Groomsport, Co. Down. There are shots of Groomsport’s Main Street, as well as election posters urging voters to “Vote Unionist or sink with Eire”. 19450 was an interesting election in Northern Ireland’s history. This was the first election following the Representation of the People Act 1948 which meant that all MPs were to be elected to single-seat constituencies using first-past-the-post voting. It was also the first election that saw the abolishment of the university constituency of Queen's University of Belfast. Labour's Prime Minister, Clement Attlee returned to parliament with a narrow majority and the Conservative and Unionist Party, led by Winston Churchill, remained in opposition. Walter Smiles won the North Down seat in this election. Three years later, he would sadly lose his life in the sinking of the Princess Victoria off the coast of Larne. Towards the end of the film, you parents of the filmmaker are visible - WH Allen and Eva Allen.

At the very end of this short reel, there is an excerpt from a Rugby match. This is possibly a school's cup final played at the Ravenhill grounds. If you happen to recognise the teams playing, please get in touch!