4 O'Neill's Resignation Flashcards
1
Q
What happened on 24th February?
A
O’Neill held his election hoping to win cross community support for his reforms.
2
Q
Did the PM nearly lose his own seat?
A
He only polled 1400 votes more than Rev
Paisley
3
Q
When did he resign ?
A
28th April 1969
4
Q
What did he blame for his resignation?
A
Bombings carried out by loyalists that ‘quite literally blew me out of office.’
5
Q
Who succeeded O’Neill?
A
His cousin Major James Chichester-Clark
6
Q
Reasons for downfall of O’Neill
A
- Reduction in Unionist support and increased divisions of loyalty among OUP MPs elected
- Little or no evidence of the hoped for support from catholic voters
- O’Neill faced a challenger in his own Bannside constituency, Rev. Ian Paisley
- O’Neill struggled for another two months, but his party was divided and the political situation was deteriorating due to increasing violence
