borgr0
Observer
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Post by borgr0 on Jul 12, 2024 18:18:42 GMT
Very old (from 2000) but interesting nonetheless Key passage: Guardian |
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Steve
Hero Protagonist
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Post by Steve on Jul 12, 2024 18:46:48 GMT
Until 1968 the Westminster position was not to interfere in NI politics as it was devolved. From 1968 to 1970 that changed with significant actions to curtail the abuses going on but then the Conservative and Unionist party won in 1970 and spent 4 years beating up and killing Catholics some times by proxy so as to keep their NI members protecting their narrow majority. The results were inevitable.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2024 17:55:06 GMT
What is also rarely mentioned is that the peace process already under way under John Major in the 1990s stalled badly when the Tories became dependent upon the support of Unionist MPs to stay in power. Because this made it impossible for them to be seen as honest brokers.
Only when they were swept away in 1997 and we had a government no longer dependent upon Unionist MPs did the peace process get back on track, eventually leading to the Good Friday Agreement.
So whilst John Major deserves credit for getting it all going, the fact remains that he prioritised the survival of his own government above the success of the peace process. More people died so he could cling to power for a year or two longer.
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