Stormont Election - Northern Ireland 1969

Election Campaign

Captain O'Neill and his cabinet responded to opposition to his leadership from within the Unionist Party by dissolving parliament and calling a general election. Here you can view a selection of footage showing candidates preparing for election day, including a new generation of young politicians.

Faulkner Sees No Reason For General Election

Brian Faulkner sees no reason for a general election as the differences within the Unionist Party are about leadership not policies.

Ian Paisley Outlines His Election Policy

"My campaign policy is progressive Protestanism, civil and religous liberty, justice for all. Hard-working MPs who will do the job and will do it well."

"I Have Always Regarded These Two Particular Gentlemen As Two Eejits"

Gerry Fitt is critical of Unionism in both its moderate and extremist forms.

O'Neill Denies He Was Afraid To Hand In Nomination Papers

Captain O'Neill explains why he called Ian Paisley a dinosaur and rejects Paisley's accusation that he was afraid to hand in his nomination papers.

Party Manifestos For Election

Barry Linnane reports on the launch of the Unionist Party manifesto and on press conferences held by Terence O'Neill, Sam Napier of the Northern Ireland Labour Party and Ian Paisley.

Faulkner Appeals To Catholic Voters

Brian Faulkner hopes to benefit from Catholic votes and says that they would be welcome in the Unionist Party.

Canvassing In Cullybackey

In Cullybackey, Captain O'Neill and his wife go door to door looking for votes. The Prime Minister tells Barry Linnane that William Morgan was consulted about the Cameron Commission.

Lord Brookeborough Gives His Views

Former prime minister of Northern Ireland Basil Brooke is critical of Captain O'Neill for his meetings with Taoiseach Jack Lynch and his predecessor Seán Lemass.

Nationalist Party View

Chief Whip Roddy O'Connor outlines the Nationalist Party position at the launch of their election manifesto.

Fitt Critical of Nationalist Party

Gerry Fitt, Republican Labour Party MP, is critical of the Nationalist Party attitude to partition.

Currie Calls For Nationalists To Unite

Austin Currie MP seeks to unite those opposed to Unionism.

Paisley Accuses Unionist Party Of Crawling To Catholic Church

Ian Paisley accuses O'Neill and the Unionist Party of looking for Catholic votes to replace those they will lose among Loyalists and Protestants.

Taylor Critical Of Civil Rights Movement

John Taylor, an anti-O'Neill official Unionist candiate in South Tyrone, is critical of the civil rights campaign for having "many out and out republicans and anti-partitionists" within the movment.

"In The Legal Fiction Which Exists In The South, Northern Ireland Doesn't Exist"

At a press conference, Captain O'Neill is asked if he now regrets having met with the Taoiseach Seán Lemass in 1965.

"This Is The Most Democratic Election Which Has Ever Taken Place In Northern Ireland's History"

The Prime Minister hopes the range of election candidates will see democracy revitalised. Captain O'Neill also believes that those Catholics who have only a choice of Unionist politicians will vote for the O'Neill candidate.

Hostile Reception For O'Neill

Captain O'Neill is greeted with jeers while canvassing in Derry.

Tough On The Campaign Trail

Bernadette Devlin campaigns in Tobermore where opponents throw coins and jeer while on a Belfast street, pro and anti-O'Neill campaigners meet.

Eve Of General ELection

This news clip captures a number of candidates on the eve of the election. Edward McGrady of the Nationalist Party goes door to door looking for votes. Ian Paisley holds a final rally in Randalstown. At Toomebridge, Michael Farrell addresses supporters and talks about the hopes of the People's Democracy. Outside a church in Coalisland, Austin Currie denounces the concept of a liberal image for the Unionist Party.

"I Hope The South Won't Intefere In Our Election"

RTÉ News reports on Captain O'Neill, Eddie McAteer and John Hume casting their votes. Reporter Donal Kelly asks Captain O'Neill if he has any comment to make on southern Minister for Agriculture Mr Blaney's claim that the "Irish people of the six counties" should withhold their votes from candidates who stood for union with Britain.