Labour And NI

Question 1

How did the Sunningdale Agreement collapse?

Answer 1

• The Ulster Workers Council was set up, inciting strike action that limited power of telecommunications leading to Britain declaring a state of emergency.
• Faulkner resigned and Britain were forced to reimpose direct rule.

Question 2

What were Wilson’s attempts to resolve the situation?

Answer 2

• He established a Northern Irish Constitution Convention, an elected body to determine the future of government.
• The elections resulted in a majority for unionists who were opposed to power sharing. The Convention was thence dissolved in 1976.

Question 3

What did Wilson remove from terrorist prisoners?

Answer 3

Special Category Status in 1976- they would now be considered criminals.

Question 4

What was the response to the removal of Special Category Status?

Answer 4

• ‘blanket protests’ in prisons and then the escalation to ‘Dirty protests’ after 1978.
• Republican prisoners, alleging ill-treatment, refused to leave their cells.
• By 1979 over 250 prisoners were taking part in dirty protests and demands were growing for them to regain political status.