Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
12 October 2009
12:3830253The Brighton bomb...
I had attended 7 previous Conservative Conferences but did not go to Brighton in 1984 because of work and a lack of cash. I did have friends that went along though non were well off enough to stay at The Grande, thankfully.
I awoke on that fateful morning to a Radio 4 report on what happened and could not believe my ears. How on earth could the IRA have got through the security to plant a bomb. We now know the answer was that it was done well before the Conference.
I spent the day glued to the radio and TV and at one point spotted a friend looking covered in dust and a bit shocked. He had been drinking in the bar just before the explosion, though not staying there. There was Mrs T, in her night clothes, Norman Tebbit being carried out of the rubble, and his wife seriously injured. I remember an announcement that M&S were opening up early to allow survivors to replace lost clothing and get to the Conference.
Yes, thats right, to get to the Conference. Mrs T ordered the Conference to go ahead, there was no way the IRA scum were going to stop our Conference.
That afternoon the Conference Hall was packed. When Mrs T arrived and many who had been with her in the hotel, there were huge cheers.
Shocked, saddened by the loss of friends, the terrorists were not going to win, Mrs T's defiance was simply magnificent. The whole country was behind her. That was the best response possible to the terrorists.
We now know that the man responsible, who was sent to prison for a minimum of 35 years, was allowed out after just 14 years and was totally unrepentant. Appalling.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
12 October 2009
12:5830255I have just found a video on the following link for those who may not remember what happened.
It reveals that Mrs T was not wearing night clothes under her coat, as I thought, but an evening dress. Otherwise my memories seem quite accurate.
http://www.torybear.com/2009/10/25-years-ago-today.htmlGuest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
12 October 2009
17:2030264Thanks Barry - it has been on the TV too and the bomber is to address the Commons.
Wasn't he let out as part of the Good Friday Agreement/Peace Process ?
Roger
12 October 2009
17:2430266Hard though it is, Mandela was right about reconcilitation: sometimes it is the bravest and best thing to do to reach out and embrace, rather than perpetuate the hatred. Not forget - never forget - but set the tone for the generations to come and set the example.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
12 October 2009
17:3630270That's relatively easy to do Bern if you are somewhat detached from the events - and I do appreciate you are from Ireland, so are much closer to that, than I am.
Roger
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
12 October 2009
21:2230296Another one of those every day dilema's
Do we want peace in N Ireland? answer yes
all parties went along with the peace process
(yep tories as well)
I do feel that something needed to be done to bring peace in N Ireland and it seems to have worked.
Wonder what the views of everyone are?
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
12 October 2009
21:5230304Actually, Keith, the peace process was started by John Major, Conservatives didnt 'just go along with it'
However much we may value the peace it still sticks in the throat that common murderers were let off to go free. If only we had hung the b******s it would not have been an issue.
Guest 670- Registered: 23 Apr 2008
- Posts: 573
12 October 2009
22:1830312I have no sympathy with terrorists but can't help thinking that to the Southern Irish (Eire) we have no right to occupy part of their country.
Afghanistan will no doubt be resolved in time but how many of our young men will be killed before some dialogue is entered into with the Taleban.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
12 October 2009
22:2330314barry
would the hanging of those irishman that lived in birmingham have solved anything?
i suppose we could have sent their families a posthumous apology.
the fact is, at that time, feelings were running so high, convictions had to be made and quickly to appease the public.
recently we have had the muslim community coming under fire over the actions of a few nutters.
cool heads are much more effective.
13 October 2009
07:2330326Agreed Howard. Rash and emotional decisions made now would reverberate in the future, as they have done before. For the generations to come we need to be grown up and intelligent.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
13 October 2009
07:2730328Dave1 - The 'prots' in Northern Ireland have been there for centuries and are as much Irish any anyone in the South. They have a right to self-determination and so it should be, that is not an occupation. I am sure you would object if I spoke about the muslims 'occupying' whole areas of our inner cities, wanting to get them out and these are much more recent emmigrees.
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
13 October 2009
10:3630346I see that Hilary Clinton is over in Northern Ireland at the moment supporting the Peace Process. Hopefully high profile visits such as these can help towards reconcilation.
Let us hope that the Peace Process will continue to move forward on a positve footing to bring peace and harmony to the people of Northern Ireland for the sake of future generations
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
13 October 2009
10:4530349Barryw
It doesn't realy matter who started the peace process, only that it did start.
N Ireland a far better place because of it.
And Englanfd cpome to that.
It has moved on a lot, through many peoples and countries participation, it hasnt been easy, and im sure it won't be in the future, but we have to find solutions to these diffrences, bombing each other aint the answer.
And believe me Im no fan of the IRA at the time, but they were not the only violent group at the time.
LETS look to peace,
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
13 October 2009
10:4530350Barryw
It doesn't realy matter who started the peace process, only that it did start.
N Ireland a far better place because of it.
And Englanfd cpome to that.
It has moved on a lot, through many peoples and countries participation, it hasnt been easy, and im sure it won't be in the future, but we have to find solutions to these diffrences, bombing each other aint the answer.
And believe me Im no fan of the IRA at the time, but they were not the only violent group at the time.
LETS look to peace,
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
13 October 2009
11:1230354Then mind the way you phrase things keith (and your double postings!
)
13 October 2009
16:4030365BarryW, the difference is that the Brits occupied with the intent of taking over and conquering, and used legitimised violence to subdue and kill the indigent culture. Yes, I know we could say the same about current immigrants i n some ways, but seriously - a marauding army of legitimised well armed, wealthy and sanctioned conquerors is not the same as a few obsessed and unhinged radicals who are, nevertheless, just as homicidal. And before anyone starts - I do not condone any violence, from any quarter, and I get just as peeved with what BarryW would call the PC brigade stopping Christmas celebrations etc. That is just silly.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
13 October 2009
18:0530378Bern,how many hundreds of years ago? That was not the fault of those whos home it is now.
By the way....
Today is Mrs Thatcher's 84th birthday. Many happy returns to the great lady. Britains best peacetime Prime Minister of the 20th Century.
13 October 2009
18:1430382howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
13 October 2009
18:1830383the peace process is great, but underneath it all the terrorists are still there.
just their criminal activities have changed, drugs, tobacco, people, it matters not to them.
the loyalist and nationalist riff raff that blighted the lives of so many, still have all their old contacts, only this time it is just for personal profit.
a lot of stuff is just swept under the carpet, riots only last weekend involving hundreds.
it will take along time for full reconciliation to happen.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
13 October 2009
19:2430395yep tragic.
