Stormont Election - Northern Ireland 1969

Winners and Losers

With a record poll and a wide range of candidates, there were some surprises when the results were announced. The Unionist Party was returned with a comfortable majority, but Captain O'Neill's position was not greatly improved. Seven of the 12 MPs who had called for an end to his leadership were returned. O'Neill himself was re-elected, but the Reverend Ian Paisley ran him close.

A new generation of politicians was also emerging. The Nationalist Party lost the seats of leader Eddie McAteer and Paddy Gormley to civil rights campaigners John Hume and Ivan Cooper. The People's Democracy candidates Michael Farrell and Bernadette Devlin polled well.

With all the results in and a new cabinet formed, the leadership of Captain O'Neill was again challenged from within the Unionist Parliamentary Party.

William Craig Returned In Larne

On his re-election, former Minister for Home Affairs William Craig tells reporter John Ross that Captain O'Neill must now be replaced as party leader and prime minister.

Ivan Cooper Elected

Ivan Cooper talks about his victory in Mid-Derry, where he stood as an independent candidate and defeated Nationalist Party candidate Patrick Gormley. A prominent civil rights campaigner, he expresses his determination to see sectarianism smashed.

O'Neill Gives Press Conference On Election Results

Captain O'Neill answers questions about the People's Democracy, Ian Paisley, Eddie McAteer, the Catholic vote and north-south relations.

"We Have Shown We Are Not A Small Group Of Educated Hooligans"

Bernadette Devlin stood as a candidate for the People's Democracy in South Derry, a Unionist constituency. Although Major Chichester Clark won the seat with 9,195 votes, Devlin polled well, attracting 5,812 votes. In an interview for RTÉ, she expresses her delight and talks about her future.

Leader Of Nationalist Party Loses Seat

Eddie McAteer, leader of the Nationalist Party, speaks after losing his seat to John Hume. McAteer had been a member of parliament for 22 years, but was beaten by over 3,500 votes.

Pressure On Leader As New Cabinet Meets

Barry Linnane manages to get a few words from Roy Bradford, the Unionist Party Chief Whip, on his way into a meeting of the new Northern Ireland cabinet, which is aware that the leadership of Captain O'Neill is still under question. The parliamentary party is due to meet two days later.

O'Neill Wins Unionist Parliamentary Party Vote

Roy Bradford announces the results of the Unionist Parliamentary Party vote reaffirming Captain O'Neill's leadership. O'Neill had 23 votes in his favour and one against. Brian Faulkner opposed the Prime Minister while William Craig showed his opposition by abstaining. Ten members of the party had withdrawn from the meeting.