4 O'Neill's Resignation

Question 1

What happened on 24th February?

Answer 1

O’Neill held his election hoping to win cross community support for his reforms.

Question 2

Did the PM nearly lose his own seat?

Answer 2

He only polled 1400 votes more than Rev

Paisley

Question 3

When did he resign ?

Answer 3

28th April 1969

Question 4

What did he blame for his resignation?

Answer 4

Bombings carried out by loyalists that ‘quite literally blew me out of office.’

Question 5

Who succeeded O’Neill?

Answer 5

His cousin Major James Chichester-Clark

Question 6

Reasons for downfall of O’Neill

Answer 6

• Reduction in Unionist support and increased divisions of loyalty among OUP MPs elected
• Little or no evidence of the hoped for support from catholic voters
• O’Neill faced a challenger in his own Bannside constituency, Rev. Ian Paisley
• O’Neill struggled for another two months, but his party was divided and the political situation was deteriorating due to increasing violence