Newly released declassified state papers from Northern Ireland shed light on Sinn Féin's evolution from a marginalized group to a legitimate political party. The documents detail the British government's initial reluctance to engage with Sinn Féin in the 1980s, characterized by secrecy and caution. They also track the shift towards acceptance as Sinn Féin embraced a dual strategy of political engagement alongside the IRA's armed struggle, culminating in their participation in the Good Friday Agreement talks.
Arrival of Sinn Féin members as elected representatives in 1980s met with caution and secrecy by officials
The first time British government ministers and senior Stormont officials had to seriously consider the matter was in July 1983, the month after Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams was elected as MP for West Belfast. The following year Sinn Féin stood in the election to the Northern Assembly, which both Sinn Féin and the SDLP boycotted, winning five seats. The following year Mr Adams was elected MP for West Belfast.
In 1985 Sinn Féin first stood in local elections, winning 59 seats. The advice remained however that any request from a Sinn Féin elected politician for a meeting with an NIO minister should be refused. Even up to early 1993 when secret attempts to kick-start a peace process were under way and when Sir Patrick Mayhew was the Conservative Northern secretary the instruction remained that Sinn Féin would “not be treated like a normal democratic party”.
Sinn Féin British Government IRA Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement
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