With their roots firmly in the Protestant community of Northern Ireland their initial political stance was not the traditional unionist one favoured by that section of society. Initially they supported independence for Northern Ireland within the European Economic Community and the Commonwealth. However, this position did not capture the electorate's imagination, and they switched to supporting the UDA's Common Sense position, which suggested an assembly and executive for Northern Ireland, elected with Proportional Representation. They also supported a written Bill of Rights and Constitution.
In 1989 the ULDP became the Ulster Democratic Party.