In 1973, he was elected to Derry City Council, and he was re-elected in 1977. In October 1977 he merged the Nationalist Party with Unity to form the Irish Independence Party (IIP), becoming joint chair with former Unity leader Frank McManus.
He entered politics in 1973 as a member of Derry City Council, and was re-elected in 1977. He then merged the Nationalist Party with Unity to form the Irish Independence Party (IIP) in 1977, partnering with former Unity leader Frank McManus.