EU election revealed depth of polarisation

The first direct European elections for Northern Ireland in 1979 saw DUP leader Ian Paisley top the poll, followed by Londonderry's SDLP leader, John Hume.

In an analysis of the election results for the government on June 26, 1979, Northern Ireland Office (NIO) official AE Huckle felt the results illustrated a "positive shift towards the extremes within both the unionist and non-unionist blocs".

The report speculated on how Mr Paisley may use his newly found electoral mandate. The Government were waiting to see if the DUP firebrand would use his election to be constructive or to remain, "a negative politician."

"To that extent he may be vulnerable. There have been various schools of thought about whether Paisley wants power and whether he would be prepared to obtain it by constructive statesmanship, or whether he would merely continue to build on his reputation as the defender of the loyalist Protestant tradition ready to resist any sign of appeasement by government," said the report.

AE Huckle noted that in order to maintain a negative outlook all Ian Paisley had to do was to continue to attack the government's security policy in Northern Ireland. On the other hand, it was possible the DUP man may pursue his party's commitment to the return of devolved government in Northern Ireland. Huckle surmised the tactics adopted by Rev Paisley would be the key to deciding the government attitude towards him.

Hume's success

The election of John Hume was considered by the British government as meaning the SDLP remained an important factor within the political process.

The NIO official speculated that the SDLP as a party believed "they have attained a dominant bargaining position and that they have a power of veto over any solution which is not acceptable to them."

AE Huckle said he also thought the SDLP would certainly oppose any attempt to restore powers to district councils being mooted at the time by unionists. It was also thought the SDLP were "confident in their ability to stimulate international pressure from the USA and the Republic to prevent Her Majesty's Government (HMG) from giving in to Paisley."

The problem, the NIO official determined, was that the SDLP's electoral success would not (in the light of Mr Paisley's achievement) assist them in securing their political aims.

Perceived moderates within the SDLP such as Gerry Fitt, it was claimed, realised this difficulty since it made the SDLP's minimum demand of devolution based on power sharing "almost unattainable."

Conversely, the report contended, "the green wing of the SDLP, epitomised by Seamus Mallon" was less concerned by the outcome of the election.

The SDLP, Huckle reported, was probably split between the moderates who favoured a continuation of direct rule as the best defence against Rev Paisley and the "increasingly powerful green wing which would undoubtedly seek to persuade the government of the Republic and the USA to increase their diplomatic pressure on HMG. It is probable that the SDLP will go further down the green spectrum."