Cecil Walker, Northern Irish politician (b. 1924)

Sir Alfred Cecil Walker, born in Belfast on 17 December 1924, was a prominent Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) politician who notably served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Belfast from 1983 until 2001. His political career was marked by a blend of steadfast Unionism and, at times, surprisingly moderate stances, distinguishing him within the often-polarized landscape of Northern Irish politics.

Walker’s early life was rooted in Belfast; his father served as a police constable. He received his education at local institutions, including Everton Elementary School, Model Boys' School, and Belfast Methodist College. After completing his schooling in 1941, he embarked on a career in the timber trade, working for the Belfast-based company James P. Corry. This professional engagement spanned over four decades, continuing right up until his election to the UK Parliament in 1983. In his personal life, he married Ann Verrant in 1953, and together they had two sons.

Entry into Northern Irish Politics

Cecil Walker's active involvement in Unionist politics began in the 1970s, a tumultuous period known as The Troubles, which saw significant political and sectarian strife in Northern Ireland. His initial foray into electoral politics came in 1973, where he stood unsuccessfully as a pro-White Paper Unionist candidate for the Northern Ireland Assembly. This Assembly, established under the Sunningdale Agreement, aimed to create a power-sharing executive but ultimately collapsed due to widespread opposition from various factions. Undeterred, Walker successfully secured a seat on Belfast City Council in 1977, marking his first significant electoral victory. He then contested the Belfast North constituency in the 1979 general election, narrowly losing to John McQuade of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), a party that represented a more hardline form of Unionism than the UUP. However, his perseverance paid off four years later when he won the seat in the 1983 general election, following McQuade's retirement, thus beginning his long tenure at Westminster.

Parliamentary Career and Key Stances

During his time as an MP, Sir Cecil Walker became known for several significant actions and positions:

• Protest against the Anglo-Irish Agreement: In a defining moment for Unionist solidarity, Walker, along with all other Unionist MPs, collectively resigned his seat in December 1985. This dramatic move was a direct protest against the Anglo-Irish Agreement, an accord signed between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland which gave the Irish government a consultative role in Northern Ireland's affairs. Unionists widely viewed this agreement as an infringement on British sovereignty. Walker was subsequently re-elected at the ensuing by-election in January 1986, reaffirming his mandate on this crucial issue.
• Advocacy for Internment: In 1988, amidst a series of murders during The Troubles, Walker controversially advocated for the internment without trial of suspected Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) members. Internment, the detention of individuals without trial, had been a highly contentious policy in Northern Ireland. Crucially, Walker demonstrated a degree of even-handedness by also arguing for the internment of suspects connected with loyalist paramilitary groups such as the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), signalling a desire for justice across the sectarian divide.
• IRA Assassination Plot: The dangers faced by politicians in Northern Ireland were starkly highlighted in the early 1990s when an IRA plot to assassinate Walker was foiled. The plan involved attaching a magnetic bomb to the roof of his armoured car, a stark reminder of the personal risks associated with his role. The plot was reportedly abandoned after the IRA learned that police were aware of their intentions, underscoring the constant threat intelligence services faced.
• Support for the Good Friday Agreement: Perhaps one of the most defining moments of his career was his unreserved support for the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. This historic multi-party accord was central to bringing an end to the majority of the violence of The Troubles, establishing a new power-sharing government and fostering cross-border cooperation. Notably, Walker was one of only two UUP MPs to back the agreement without reservation, a position that demonstrated his commitment to peace and progress even when it diverged from some within his own party. He continued to support UUP leader David Trimble, a key architect of the agreement, until the end of Trimble's own political career in 2005.

The 2001 General Election and Loss of Seat

The 2001 general election marked the end of Sir Cecil Walker's parliamentary career. He lost his North Belfast seat to Nigel Dodds of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). This defeat was significantly influenced by a disastrous televised debate held at Crumlin Road Courthouse in his constituency, where he appeared to struggle with fundamental questions. The electoral impact was severe: his vote plummeted from approximately 21,000 to 4,000. What was once a comfortable 13,000 majority for the UUP was transformed into a 6,000 majority for the DUP. Walker not only lost but was pushed into fourth place, behind candidates from Sinn Féin and the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP). While his debate performance was a major factor, it is also important to note that the DUP had not fielded a candidate in the previous general election, which contributed to the drastic shift in votes in 2001.

Distinguishing Moderation and Later Life

Sir Cecil Walker was widely recognised for the moderation of his Unionist views, a stance that often contrasted sharply with the deep sectarian divisions prevalent in his North Belfast constituency. His capacity for nuanced thought was demonstrated on several occasions. For instance, he stated he would have no objection to amending the Act of Settlement 1701, a British law that historically barred Roman Catholics from ascending to the throne or marrying into the royal family. In 2001, he caused further controversy by remarking that a united Ireland within 30 years "may not be a bad thing," a statement he later clarified as a "throwaway line that has been taken out of context." This incident highlighted his willingness to entertain ideas that were anathema to many traditional Unionists. In recognition of his long service and contributions, he was created a Knight Bachelor in the Queen's Birthday Honours in June 2002. Sir Alfred Cecil Walker passed away on 3 January 2007, leaving a legacy as a dedicated politician who navigated the complexities of Northern Irish politics with a distinctive and often pragmatic approach.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sir Cecil Walker

When was Sir Cecil Walker born and when did he pass away?

Sir Alfred Cecil Walker was born on 17 December 1924 and passed away on 3 January 2007.

Which political party did Sir Cecil Walker belong to?

He was a member of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), a historically dominant Unionist political party in Northern Ireland.

What constituency did Sir Cecil Walker represent in Parliament?

He served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Belfast in the United Kingdom Parliament from 1983 to 2001.

Why did Sir Cecil Walker resign his parliamentary seat in 1985?

He, along with all other Unionist MPs, resigned in protest against the Anglo-Irish Agreement, which was seen by Unionists as undermining British sovereignty over Northern Ireland.

What was Sir Cecil Walker's stance on the Good Friday Agreement?

He was a strong supporter of the Good Friday Agreement, notably being one of only two UUP MPs to back it without reservation in 1998, a significant position given the internal party divisions at the time.

Why did Sir Cecil Walker lose his seat in the 2001 general election?

His defeat was largely attributed to a poor performance in a televised debate and a significant shift in votes towards Nigel Dodds of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), reflecting broader changes in Northern Ireland's political landscape.

What distinguished Sir Cecil Walker's Unionist views?

He was known for the moderation of his Unionist views, which sometimes contrasted with more hardline stances. Examples include his openness to amending the Act of Settlement 1701 and his controversial remark about a united Ireland, which he later clarified.