Fitt, Gerry (Gerard) (1926-2005)

Northern Ireland politician. From 1962 to 1972 he represented the Dock Division of Belfast as a Republican Labour member of the Northern Ireland parliament, then founded and led the Social Democratic Labour Party (SDLP). He was an SDLP MP for nine years, resigning the leadership in 1979 to sit as an Independent socialist. He lost his Belfast seat in the 1983 general election.

Born in Belfast, he joined the Merchant Navy 1941-1953 before entering full-time politics. He was a member of the Northern Ireland executive 1973-75, and was its deputy chief executive in 1974.

In the course of his career, Fitt, an opponent of violence, had to endure the animosity of both Republican and Loyalist extremists. He became a life peer in 1983.