This monograph is primarily a biographical examination of Edward Heath’s public and private attitude to Northern Ireland during his time as official leader of the Opposition (1965-1970 & 1974-1975) and U.K. prime minister (1970-1974). It is the first published study of its kind. Due to access to new and previously closed archival files, this book radically challenges the current historiography vis-à-vis Heath’s Northern Ireland policy.
It offers readers a fascinating insight into some of the more controversial aspects of the U.K. government’s Northern Ireland policy during the early years of the ‘Troubles’, including Heath’s attitude to the use of the so-called ‘five techniques’ of torture; his pivotal role during the events leading to ‘Bloody Sunday’, on 30 Janaury 1972; and, lastly, his role as one of the leading architects of the Sunningdale Agreement of December 1973.
By examining the various topics under consideration, this study provides readers with nuanced insight into how Heath formulated and implemented his Northern Ireland policies, primarily in the political, military, and security realms.
For Heath, Northern Ireland was not simply a political preoccupation. The subject, over time, became quite personal, not least given that Heath survived, not one, but two assassination attempts on his life, mounted by Irish Republican terrorists in 1974 and 1975, respectively. For the remainder of his life, Heath remained fearful that a third attempt on his life by Irish Republican paramilitaries would prove to be deadly.
