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" Unionist politics, the Belfast shipyards and the Labour Movement in the inter-war period. "
Norton, C.
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Latin Dissertation
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| Record Number
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1094383
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TLets329535
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| Main Entry
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Norton, C.
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| Title & Author
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Unionist politics, the Belfast shipyards and the Labour Movement in the inter-war period.\ Norton, C.
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| College
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New University of Ulster
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| Date
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1987
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| student score
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1987
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| Degree
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Ph.D.
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| Abstract
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This thesis looks at developments within Unionist andLabour politics in Ulster during the period 1920 to theearly 1930's. In particular it seeks to explain why theProtestant working class accepted the leadership of apolitically conservative Unionist Party, why it supportedthe Northern Ireland State, and why it rejected independentsocialist politics. These actions have, in numerousaccounts of Northern Ireland's Labour history, beencharacterised as 'irrational' or 'reactionary' and have beenexplained in terms of 'manipulation', 'privilege','sectarianism' or through the notion of the 'labouraristocracy'. Rejecting these forms of characterisation andblanket explanation as empirically unfounded, this thesisundertakes a detailed analysis of what is generally acceptedas the most politically significant section of theProtestant working class: the Belfast shipyard workers. Thethesis emphasises the heterogeneous nature of the workforcewhich is shown to be not only occupationally but alsopolitically and ideologically based. It also outlineswithin the shipyard workforce, the existence of twocontrasting and competing political and ideologicaltraditions which can be designated 'sectarian' and 'labourand trade union'. The dominance of sectarian ideologicaltraditions and political practices in the shipyards in 1920(most visibly demonstrated in the July expulsions of thatyear) and their effects on the workforce and on theUnionist political leadership are dealt with at some length.The thesis also examines how the policies of the NorthernIreland State, after its establishment in 1921, wereaffected by Protestant middle class and working classnon-sectarian traditions.This appreciation of the complexity of Unionistpolitics allows for a greater understanding of Governmentpolicy decisions of the time and the divisions that theycaused within the State. Finally the thesis analyses thepolitical organisations of the Left in order to determinethe reasons for their failure to attract appreciable workingclass support.
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| Subject
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Belfast shipworker politics
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| Added Entry
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New University of Ulster
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