Everything Ulster - Latest comments on Who Was Gerry Fitt?

David N [Visitor] in response to: Who Was Gerry Fitt?

David N [Visitor] — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 04:04:54 +0000

Here's a Vanguard bulletin from the time. I'll dig some quotes from books out when I get a chance. My understanding of events is that Paisley initially agreed with the proposals then backed out to give the DUP a political advantage over Vanguard - accused them of being 'Lundys' etc etc

http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/events/uwc/uwc-pdfs/vanguar.pdf

beano [Member] in response to: Who Was Gerry Fitt?

beano [Member] — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 02:47:51 +0000

"It's worth noting that after the UWC strike Vanguard proposed powersharing with the SDLP without an Irish Republic input and this was scuppered by Paisley."

I wasn't aware of that bit. Do you have a link to anywhere I can find out more on that aspect of it? Even more disgusted with the Doc hearing that, but that's a story for another thread.

David N [Visitor] in response to: Who Was Gerry Fitt?

David N [Visitor] — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 02:45:07 +0000

I think it's one of those hindsight things.

In my opinion now, Unionists would have got a much better deal in 1974 than 1998.

But at that time, creating North South bodies was seen as a step too far.

It's worth noting that after the UWC strike Vanguard proposed powersharing with the SDLP without an Irish Republic input and this was scuppered by Paisley.

Howard [Visitor] in response to: Who Was Gerry Fitt?

Howard [Visitor] — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 00:42:35 +0000

I think that unionists should admit today that working with Gerry Fitt would have been the right thing to do, rather than bringing down powersharing at the time.

(Caveat to this: I am not too clear on the "irish dimension" that David N notes was complicating things, and whether this was less good for unionists than the north south bodies we eventually negotiated in 1998).

Con [Visitor] in response to: Who Was Gerry Fitt?

Con [Visitor] — Sat, 27 Aug 2005 03:33:33 +0000

GERRY FITT RIP

GOD BLESS YOU on your journey onwards.

A sound MAN

David N [Visitor] in response to: Who Was Gerry Fitt?

David N [Visitor] — Sat, 27 Aug 2005 02:01:42 +0000

A brave man

I remember passing his fortified house on the Antrim Road on the way to school in the early 80's when it was under regular attack from republicans.

If the SDLP and Unionists had tried powersharing in 1974 without the 'Irish dimension' owc could have been a much better place today

RIP

bertie [Visitor] in response to: Who Was Gerry Fitt?

bertie [Visitor] — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 23:56:30 +0000

should be "as his heart was big"

bertie [Visitor] in response to: Who Was Gerry Fitt?

bertie [Visitor] — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 23:55:43 +0000

Beano he was a star. There is a lovely quote on Slugger when someone asked him how he was getting on in the Lords "I'm up to my neck in f***ing teachers". I can hear him saying it. His language could be as ripe and his heart was big.

We have lost a kind and good man.

RIP Gerry.