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.
In 1973, he took office on Derry City Council and was re-elected in 1977. Later that year, he combined the Nationalist Party with Unity to create the Irish Independence Party (IIP), sharing leadership duties with former Unity leader Frank McManus.