One Man, One Vote - Northern Ireland 1969

One Man, One Vote

Despite pressure from the British government to introduce local government franchise, there was still division among Unionist MPs at Stormont. On the first day of discussion, the Unionist Parliamentary Party could not come to any agreement. The following day, the proposal to introduce one man, one vote was passed by 28 votes to 22. Major Chichester-Clark, the Minister for Agriculture, resigned, unable to accept the government's decision.

Although the vote was passed, it highlighted the divisions within Unionism and increased the pressure once more on Prime Minister Terence O'Neill. For nationalists and the civil rights movement, one man, one vote was now too little too late.

"Meeting Adjourned Until Tomorrow"

Sean Duignan reports on the difficulties of getting Unionist Parliamentary Party members to agree on one man, one vote and the pressure this puts on Captain O'Neill's leadership.

One Man, One Vote Passed

Sean Duignan reports from Stormont minutes after the Unionist Parliamentary Party has voted. Jimmy Kelly of Independent Newspapers talks about the result of the vote, the split it leaves in the Unionist Party and the difficult position Captain O'Neill is left in.

One Man, One Vote

The proposal for universal local government franchise is adopted narrowly by the Unionist Parliamentary Party. Roy Bradford announces the result of the vote to the media.

Faulkner Critical of Timing Of Decision

At a rival press conference, Brian Faulkner is critical of the Northern Ireland government for introducing the local government franchise now.

Chichester-Clark Resigns

Major Chichester-Clark, Minister for Agriculture, announces his resignation, claiming he is unable to accept the timing of the government's decision to introduce one man, one vote. He fears violence from militant Protestants and insists that Captain O'Neill still has his support.

Hume Welcomes Vote But Questions Unionist Commitment

John Hume welcomes the decision to grant one man, one vote, but questions who is in control of the Unionist Party.

What Now?

RTÉ Evening News sums up events on the day that the Unionist Parliamentary Party passed the one man, one vote proposal by a narrow majority.