[1] He chaired the Queen's University Labour Group in the early 1960s, serving alongside Michael Farrell and Eamonn McCann.
[1] For Westminster, Holmes stood in Belfast South at the 1966, taking 34.6% and second place, the NILP's best ever result in the seat.
[6] In 1971/2, Holmes served as chairman of the NILP,[7] during which time he debated the party's attitude towards internment,[8] and was known for his support of proportional representation.
[11] By the 1990 Upper Bann by-election, the NILP had been disbanded, and Holmes stood as an independent candidate, campaigning for the "right to vote Labour".
[14] When the British Labour Party began admitting members in Northern Ireland, Holmes joined.