5 Deteriorating relations with Dublin, 1950–55
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Christopher Norton
Abstract
This chapter details the deepening strain in relations between the Dublin government and IALP. Growing frustration felt by the Irish governments Department of External Affairs over the conduct and campaigns of the IALP are dealt with at some length. Dublin’s exasperation with nationalist factionalism in the North is shown to have been mirrored by the northern nationalist’s deep distrust of Dublin. The chapter also reveals the disparity between the IALPs demand that its parliamentary representatives be given the right to take seats in the Dáil and the Irish governments concerns to keep the IALP at a distance. The chapter discusses the failed attempts to resolve northern nationalist divisions through the formation of a Unity Conference and the debilitating consequences resulting from continued tensions between the abstentionist and anti-abstentionist currents within constitutional nationalism. The faltering parliamentary strategy of the IAPL is shown to have led some senior figures to contemplate a campaign of obstruction and civil disobedience. More ominously, the chapter argues, a demoralised IAPL was now challenged by Sinn Féin’s decision to compete for the Catholic vote at the next Westminster general election.
Abstract
This chapter details the deepening strain in relations between the Dublin government and IALP. Growing frustration felt by the Irish governments Department of External Affairs over the conduct and campaigns of the IALP are dealt with at some length. Dublin’s exasperation with nationalist factionalism in the North is shown to have been mirrored by the northern nationalist’s deep distrust of Dublin. The chapter also reveals the disparity between the IALPs demand that its parliamentary representatives be given the right to take seats in the Dáil and the Irish governments concerns to keep the IALP at a distance. The chapter discusses the failed attempts to resolve northern nationalist divisions through the formation of a Unity Conference and the debilitating consequences resulting from continued tensions between the abstentionist and anti-abstentionist currents within constitutional nationalism. The faltering parliamentary strategy of the IAPL is shown to have led some senior figures to contemplate a campaign of obstruction and civil disobedience. More ominously, the chapter argues, a demoralised IAPL was now challenged by Sinn Féin’s decision to compete for the Catholic vote at the next Westminster general election.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- List of abbreviations ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 The politics of abstentionism, 1932–39 8
- 2 The outbreak of war, 1939–40 31
- 3 The war years, 1940–45 49
- 4 The Irish Anti-Partition League 75
- 5 Deteriorating relations with Dublin, 1950–55 96
- 6 The Sinn Féin challenge and the birth of the Nationalist Party, 1955–59 121
- 7 National Unity 140
- 8 Nationalist Party 153
- Conclusion 177
- Bibliography 181
- Index 188
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- List of abbreviations ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 The politics of abstentionism, 1932–39 8
- 2 The outbreak of war, 1939–40 31
- 3 The war years, 1940–45 49
- 4 The Irish Anti-Partition League 75
- 5 Deteriorating relations with Dublin, 1950–55 96
- 6 The Sinn Féin challenge and the birth of the Nationalist Party, 1955–59 121
- 7 National Unity 140
- 8 Nationalist Party 153
- Conclusion 177
- Bibliography 181
- Index 188
