CRISS Researchers contribute to Harold Wilson Anthology
Tue, 17 May 2016 12:57:00 BST
March 2016 marked the centenary of the birth of Huddersfield’s most famous resident, Harold Wilson. The University of Huddersfield has to date played an active role in commemorating his centenary, including two CRISS researchers who have contributed to a book of essays seeking to explore the Wilson premierships and his political legacy, entitled Harold Wilson The Unprincipled Prime Minister? edited by Dr Kevin Hickson and Dr Andrew S Crines (University of Liverpool).
The volume, published by Biteback Press, features an essay by Dr Catherine McGlynn (Senior Lecturer in Politics) and Dr Shaun McDaid (Research Fellow). The essay explores the Northern Ireland policy of Harold Wilson throughout his time as Labour leader, both in government and in opposition.
The chapter argues that Wilson’s Northern Ireland policies generally stuck to three core principles: the need for some kind of power-sharing between nationalists and unionists; avoiding any measures (including British withdrawal) which would increase the violence in the region; and not forcing unionists into a united Ireland against their will. Whilst not always of his own making, and despite some poorly-judged interventions on the subject, the evidence suggests Wilson was not without scruple in this complex area of policy-making.
