Act XII-Fallout
Thorpe's death led to a brief lull in the political temperature. He was awarded a full state funeral and a rare consensus in the political elite.
During this period Heath and Steel who had become acting Liberal leader tried to find a way of keeping the government alive.
The problem was Thorpe was the glue who held the government together. Without him the cohesion, what little there was started to come undone.
The Liberals were naturally shaken by Thorpe's death and initially wanted to keep going. Some right wing Tories however believed that the whole affair had damaged the government and made it clear to Heath that further co-operation with the Liberals would make things worse.
Likewise Paisley and his colleagues felt that the next Ulster Secretary should be from the Tories.
The arguments between the Liberals and the Tory/Unionist right wing led inevitably to Steel cancelling the coalition fearing for the Liberals future.
Paisley offered a deal to Heath. If he would suspend the executive at Stormont and re-establish direct rule then UUP, DUP and Vanguard would support the government.
Heath refused saying he would not allow the country to be held to ransom again as he stated in February.
Heath went to the Queen and asked for a dissolution. The election that took place in September 1974 was a foregone conclusion.
The country, sick of weak government, industrial strife and the troubles in Ulster returned Labour to power with a majority of 7 making Callaghan Prime Minister
The tories and the Liberals lost seats and the pro-sunningdale parties were wiped out.
The new Labour Government's first move was to re-impose direct rule. Callaghan made Merlyn Rees Ulster Political Secretary and Roy Mason Ulster Security Secretary.
The Conservative leadership election in February 1975 was won by Keith Joseph
Norman Scott disappeared.
There are no winners in this story. Heath did outlast Wilson but fell in spectacular circumstances.
Thorpe achieved his dream of the Liberals in power but paid the ultimate price
Ulster lost another chance of peace
“I desire the things that will destroy me in the end.”-Silvia Plath
THE END