The Ulster Workers’ Council strike The executive took office in January 1974. It faced opposition on both sides:
• The IRA continued its campaign of violence, claiming that the Sunningdale Agreement did not bring about a united Ireland, while Unionist voters could see little good in a deal that would not end the violence.
• Unionist opposition was widespread. Members of Faulkner’s own party and Ian Paisley’s DUP opposed power sharing with nationalists and especially the Council of Ireland. They claimed it would undermine the Union and lead to a united Ireland.
In May 1974, the Unionist Ulster Workers’ Council organised a general strike. Goods could not be transported, factories were shut down and the electricity supply was shut off. The executive resigned and the Sunningdale Agreement collapsed. Direct rule from Westminster was re-imposed.
Ulster Workers’ Council strikers blockading Stormont
CHECKPOINT! 1. Why did the British government suspend Stormont in 1972?
2. Why did the British government think that power sharing would be a solution to the problems in Northern Ireland?
3. What was agreed as part of the Sunningdale Agreement?
4. Who were the leaders who signed the Sunningdale Agreement? Why do you think it was important that all these leaders supported it?
5. Why did (a) the IRA and (b) some Unionists oppose the Sunningdale Agreement? 6. How did the Ulster Workers’ Council bring about the end of the Sunningdale Agreement?
. I understand the Sunningdale Agreement and why it failed. TIME TO GO BACK I CAN MOVE FORWARD
COLLABORATE: Divide the class into either four or eight groups. Each group takes one of the following positions: (a) Unionist supporters of Sunningdale; (b) Unionist opponents of Sunningdale; (c) nationalist supporters of Sunningdale; (d) nationalist opponents of Sunningdale.
Research the arguments of your side and make a speech to the rest of the class arguing for or against Sunningdale from that perspective.
