Margaret Thatcher, Repartition, and Cross-border Security, 1979-1990

Kelly, Stephen (2021) Margaret Thatcher, Repartition, and Cross-border Security, 1979-1990. In: Ireland and Partition: Contexts and Consequences. Clemson University Press, Clemson, South Carolina, pp. 183-204. ISBN 9781949979879

Text (Chapter) Proposed Chapter - Ireland and Partition - contexts and consequences - Fleming and Murphy - Stephen Kelly - March 2020.docx - Draft Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (68kB)

Abstract

This chapter examines Margaret Thatcher’s attitude to repartition, cross-border security and the Irish border during her period as British prime minister from 1979 to 1990. It is argued that Thatcher’s attitude to the above topics was a powerful blend of personal ignorance and indifference. Far too often she demonstrated a certain naivety (or what Sir David Goodall described as ‘primitiveness’) towards the prospect of repartition and more generally cross-border security, regularly overwhelmed by the complexities of the subject that confronted her. Indeed, in her memoir, The Downing Street Years, Thatcher admitted a general ignorance of Irish affairs, ‘But what British politician will ever fully understand Northern Ireland?’

Item Type:	Book Section
Faculty / Department:	Faculty of Creative Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities
Depositing User:	Stephen Kelly
Date Deposited:	21 Feb 2024 10:09
Last Modified:	16 Dec 2024 11:49
URI:	https://hira.hope.ac.uk/id/eprint/4149

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