Northern Ireland (Devolution)

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 8:05 pm on 28 April 1982.

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Photo of Mr Gerry Fitt Mr Gerry Fitt , Belfast West 8:05, 28 April 1982

I fully accept that. However, my hon. Friend said that we should wait until circumstances emerge that may make an Assembly more viable. If we wait that long, we shall wait until Doomsday. We cannot wait until circumstances permit. We must take action and give leadership so that we can bring about the circumstances that will allow us to govern ourselves.

I was disappointed by some of the speeches from Northern Ireland Members. They say that we are unable and do not have the ability to govern ourselves. The hon. Member for Down, North (Mr. Kilfedder) is opposed to the proposal. He does not want an Assembly. He does want any political steps to be taken in conjunction with the White Paper. He would like a pre-1972 Assembly. In other words, he wants the restoration of Unionist majority government. The hon. Gentleman must accept that the Unionist majority in Northern Ireland was created in 1920 and that it will not go away. Any system of election similar to that in Britain will always produce that majority. There will be a permanent majority and a permanent minority. That is a recipe for continuing political conflict.