In 1979 Gerry Fitt resigned as leader of the SDLP. He had become frustrated with the party’s growing nationalist outlook. A dedicated socialist, he believed that the SDLP had become detached from its original purpose, even though the party had always had nationalist and socialist members. John Hume took over as party leader and later that year was elected a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). As an MEP he joined the Social Democrat bloc in the European Parliament, developing links with influential politicians to gain support for a political solution in Northern Ireland.
Margaret Thatcher Becomes British Prime Minister
In May 1979 the Conservative Party led by Margaret Thatcher won the British general election with a majority of 44 seats. Thatcher and her new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Humphrey Atkins, pursued the same policies as her predecessor. Thatcher’s tough stance on the IRA was understandable, given that the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) had assassinated the Conservative Party spokesman on Northern Ireland, Airey Neave, just a few weeks before the election.
The Warrenpoint Ambush and the Killing of Lord Mountbatten
On 27 August 1979 the Provisional IRA detonated a roadside bomb at Warrenpoint in Co. Down as a British Army convoy passed by. Six soldiers were killed instantly. When reinforcements arrived to secure the area, a second bomb was detonated, killing 12 more soldiers, bringing the death toll to 18. It was the deadliest attack on British forces during the Troubles.
The funeral of Lord Mountbatten.
Soldiers search through the debris at Warrenpoint.
