“Without John Hume I think it unlikely there would have been peace in Northern Ireland” Former UK PM Tony Blair says “he was one of a handful of people who really made it happen,” remembering former SDLP leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume
John Hume, pictured on the walls of his home city Derry, helped create the climate that brought an end to Northern Ireland's Troubles
John Hume's involvement in the cauldron of Northern Ireland politics began on the streets of his home city, Londonderry, where he was born in 1937. As the situation in Northern Ireland became worse, he joined with other constitutional nationalists, including Gerry Fitt, in founding the SDLP. Its objective was a united Ireland - but this was only to be achieved by consent.Nationalist resentment was fuelled by the introduction of internment without trial in 1971.
Elected as the MP for Foyle in 1983, he was also well regarded as a Member of the European Parliament. He had enormous influence in the United States, where he rubbed shoulders with Teddy Kennedy and Bill Clinton. The following year saw the election of Tony Blair's Labour government, which agreed to multi-party talks continuing in tandem with the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons.In July 1997, the ceasefire came, followed two months later, by Sinn Fein's inclusion in the talks. Once again, John Hume had been central to momentous events in Northern Ireland.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nobel peace prize winner John Hume diesThe former SDLP leader helped create the climate that brought an end to the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Read more »
John Hume, former SDLP leader and Nobel peace prize winner, dies at 83Hume won global acclaim for his efforts towards achieving Good Friday agreement in Northern Ireland
Read more »
John Lennon Beatles REUNION: Did Lennon ever want to rejoin the Beatles?JOHN LENNON and his bandmates in the Beatles disbanded in 1970 - but did John Lennon ever intend to see a Beatles reunion?
Read more »
The Beatles: Can YOU guess which song John Lennon and Paul McCartney recorded in one day?The Beatles: Can YOU guess which song John Lennon and Paul McCartney recorded in one day? TheBeatles
Read more »
Wayne Bridge is selling his mansion — after John Terry moved in nearbyWAYNE Bridge is selling his mansion — after John Terry moved in nearby. The ex-Chelsea stars fell out ten years ago amid rumours Terry was dating Bridge’s ex Vanessa Perroncel. In April we told how…
Read more »