would include Unionists.
achievements of British government policy in Ireland continue. Two weeks ago the Tories secured the resignation of Gerry Fitt from the leadership of the Social Democratic and Labour Party. A more Republican-minded Now the Tories have helped to bring down Irish Premier Jack Haughey, long time leader of the 'green' wing Thatcher and the fumbling North of Ireland Secretary Humphrey Atkins did not plan things that way. On the contrary their intention has been the normal British one over the past ten years; to create a consensus in Ireland which Catholic side in the North, and a collaborating Instead the Tories policies have shattered what remaining consensus there was. Because their proposed conference on the North ruled out discussion of the "Irish dimension' the SDLP announced its boycott of the talks, and Fitt, a supporter of them, fell from power.
Thatcher's insistence that the British Army be allowed to fly over the southern side of the proved the final fall of Jack Lynch, conceded the British demand. The hardline British attitudes have also helped Haughey secure the leadership of Fianna Fail. British ruling class circles are now in a state of semi-frenzy about what Haughey will do with that leadership.
The Tory government may console itself with memories of other 'deep green' leaders of Fianna Fail. Eamon de Valera and Sean Lemass executed and interned members of, and their former colleagues the IRA. Haughey will become another poacher turned gamekeeper is a dangerous assumption. signs are that Haughey will have little option but to play the green card.
On Haughey's part this would not be out of some ideological commitment to a united Ireland, the truth is that the only deep felt ideology Haughey has ever displayed is the securing of his own advancement. But at this politics promoting the stage in irish national question as a major issue could achieve just what Haughey is after.
This is because Fianna Fail faces problems not confined to the North of Ireland. Rising unemployment, an increasing militanc trade unions and the turning sour of the Irish 'economic miracle' means that Haughey faces grave difficulties on the economic and social front; difficulties which he will find it difficult to resolve. And yet Fianna Fail badly needs a cause to promote which can win traditional supporters and prove electorally advantageous: the issue of Irish unity fits that bill ideally.
Many attributed the last government's defeat in the polls to its failure to promote unity. Public opinion polls since have indicated wide support for a British withdrawal from Ireland. The election of Haughey, revealing his stature as Ireland's most popular politican, is further evidence of nationalist sentiment. What Haughey is best known for was his trial in 1970 on charges of gun-running to the Provos. was subsequently acquitted, involvement in these activities, which he said WCIE government policy, But that The Irish back its British imperialism He but established his must go. important in Fianna Fail whose founder, Valera, led the Republican side in the Irish The rest of Haughey's politics are a mixture of opportunism and reaction. A millionaire turkeys for Christmas - he has consistently championed the interest of the richest five per cent in Ireland, a bracket in which he falls. As a former finance minister he oversaw one of the greatest capitalist bonanzas in modern Irish history when he sold mining rights in Ireland to Most recently he has been associated with Plannin legislation, an effect of which is to outlaw the sale of contraceptives to unmarried women.
Yet that legislation did Haughey little harm — the grass roots of Fianna Fail. This is strongest and it was the grass roots, through the establishment's choice of George Colley.
But the real credit for the apparent swing to Republicanism within Fianna Fail must go to those in the North of Ireland who, for the past. ten years have maintained their struggle against national question in Irish political life has been once again confirmed by the Haughey victory; and the myth that there is no interest in the South of Ireland for what happens in the North What the Haughey victory says to Britain was aptly summed up in a comment by Neil Blaney; a Euro and Irish MP. , who was also involved in the arms smuggling scandal in 1970. Said Blaney, just before Haughey was elected, 'It has come to the stage now where the very dogs in the street know that the British