The general election of 1979 and problems in Northern Ireland Flashcards
Why was Callaghan’s laid-back approach in the 1978 conference a mistake? Describe the economic situation.
By the spring of 1979, the political landscape had been reshaped by the winter of discontent.
- The economic situation had deteriorated and the reputation of the trade unions had been damaged; even many skilled and unskilled workers began to consider voting Conservative.
What happened in March 1979?
The government lost a vote of no confidence on the issue of Scottish devolution. The government was forced to resign.
What had dominated the media and the press?
The images of the winter of discontent. Most of the press (eg The Times) were supporting the Conservatives.
How were the Conservatives able to fight the campaign?
Campaigning by mostly hammering away at the unpopularity of the government especially on the issues of unemployment, law and order, and the excessive power of the unions.
What did many of the strikes in 1979 show?
The weakness of old union leaderships and their failure to control the new militancy of their workers.
How was the Labour vote result not a foregone conclusion?
Even within these problems for Labour, the Labour vote actually held up quite well, dipping by 3% overall.
How did the Conservatives benefit in the election?
They benefitted from a sharp drop in support from the Liberals and Scottish Nationalists. The result was not a landslide, but produced a comfortable working majority of 43 for the Conservatives.
How was Heath’s sunningdale agreement collapsing?
The UUP, SDLP and the Alliance, both loyalists and republicans were opposed and the UUP were turning against it.
Who was Harry Murray and what did he do?
A shipyard worker. He set up the Ulster Workers’ Council which was determined to bring down the Executive. They announced a strike to start on 15 May 1974.
What did the strikes severely limit and what did this cause?
Power and telecommunications - the British government declared a state of emergency. Within a fortnight Faulkner resigned as the chief executive of the power-sharing Executive.
What was Wilson forced to do?
To reimpose direct rule. The Sunningdale Agreement had collapsed.
What did Wilson announce after the collapse?
The establishment of a Northern Irish Constitution Convention, an elected body that would determine the future of government in Northern Ireland.
What did the elections in July 1975 result in?
A majority for unionists who were opposed to any form of power sharing. An agreement with nationalists would not be possible. The Convention was dissolved in 1976.
Describe what happened in the prisons from 1976.
Special Category Status was removed from terrorist prisoners; this meant they were no longer considered political prisoners but would be treated as criminals. This was disliked by paramilitaries who believed they were engaged in a war.
Describe how these prisoners protested.
- They refused to wear uniform - ‘blanket protest’ by INLA and IRA prisoners. They were either naked or wore only blankets.
- ‘Dirty Protest’ after 1978 - Republican prisoners refused to leave their cells and smeared excrement on their cell walls.
