Duke of Marmalade
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Not really LOS, just some observations.
1. Margaret Thatcher - perhaps unwittingly but if it wasn't for the hunger strikes SF/IRA would still be in the political wilderness and still fighting a low level terrorist war. The political rocket boost of the hunger strikes meant the ballot box became a realistic alternative to the bullet for SF/IRA.
2. Tony Blair
3. John Major - I know my top three are Brit PMs but the fact is that the PP was in essence a major concession to terrorists with substantial risks by the British government(s). The republicans were given an offer they couldn't refuse and the unionists did what they were told, so no real credit to either of the supposed peace-making factions.
4. George Mitchell - the unsung hero
5. Bill Clinton - he really didn't have to spend so much time on this.
6. John Bruton - other Irish Taoisaoigh get more credit but really they took no domestic political risks, just did what would be expected of them. JB helped assuage the Unionists, it was easy to support the republicans.
7. John Hume and the SDLP - whilst he personally did ok (Nobel etc.) it was political suicide for his party.
8. Bertie Ahern - as I say no real political risk for Southern politicians but Bertie seems to have put a lot into it personally.
9. Albert Reynolds - similar comments but he did win over the hearts and minds of some loyalists.
T10. Martin McGuinness - in general SF/IRA deserve no credit as they were conceded almost everything as witnessed by their 99% support for the GFA. However it was a big swallow to support Continuity RUC, Martin I think takes the credit.
T10. Jeffrey Donaldson - similarly I think JD was mainly behind the real hardliners of Unionism accepting a deal.
Selected others: Mo Mowlam, David Trimble, Seamus Mallon, Ian Paisley, Peter Robinson, Gerry Adams, Fr. Alex Reid, Cardinal Brady, Archbishop Eames, The Alliance Party, Martin Mansergh, Dick Spring, Liz O'Donnell, John de Chastellane, Van Morrison and Brian Kennedy
1. Margaret Thatcher - perhaps unwittingly but if it wasn't for the hunger strikes SF/IRA would still be in the political wilderness and still fighting a low level terrorist war. The political rocket boost of the hunger strikes meant the ballot box became a realistic alternative to the bullet for SF/IRA.
2. Tony Blair
3. John Major - I know my top three are Brit PMs but the fact is that the PP was in essence a major concession to terrorists with substantial risks by the British government(s). The republicans were given an offer they couldn't refuse and the unionists did what they were told, so no real credit to either of the supposed peace-making factions.
4. George Mitchell - the unsung hero
5. Bill Clinton - he really didn't have to spend so much time on this.
6. John Bruton - other Irish Taoisaoigh get more credit but really they took no domestic political risks, just did what would be expected of them. JB helped assuage the Unionists, it was easy to support the republicans.
7. John Hume and the SDLP - whilst he personally did ok (Nobel etc.) it was political suicide for his party.
8. Bertie Ahern - as I say no real political risk for Southern politicians but Bertie seems to have put a lot into it personally.
9. Albert Reynolds - similar comments but he did win over the hearts and minds of some loyalists.
T10. Martin McGuinness - in general SF/IRA deserve no credit as they were conceded almost everything as witnessed by their 99% support for the GFA. However it was a big swallow to support Continuity RUC, Martin I think takes the credit.
T10. Jeffrey Donaldson - similarly I think JD was mainly behind the real hardliners of Unionism accepting a deal.
Selected others: Mo Mowlam, David Trimble, Seamus Mallon, Ian Paisley, Peter Robinson, Gerry Adams, Fr. Alex Reid, Cardinal Brady, Archbishop Eames, The Alliance Party, Martin Mansergh, Dick Spring, Liz O'Donnell, John de Chastellane, Van Morrison and Brian Kennedy
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