State Papers – 1977: Lack of recognised leader creates political vacuum in the North

THE North was in a virtual political vacuum throughout 1977, as there was no single recognised political leader within either the Nationalist or Unionist communities. The Dublin government had a twin policy designed primarily to ensure the British protected the rights of the minority in the North and encouraged agreement on a power-sharing basis.

“Northern Ireland is probably as far away from a settlement as ever,” the Department of Foreign Affairs informed the cabinet in January. “This has inevitably led to a significant element of disillusion with the democratic political process.” Leadership in both communities was fractured.

On the unionist, or loyalist side, people like Harry West, James Molyneux, Ian Paisley, William Craig, Ernst Baird and even Enoch Powell were vying with one another.