Brooke’s political legacy still divides historians
It was a politically turbulent period in Ireland from 1919 to 1922. Brooke organised military opposition to the IRA campaign and became Fermanagh County Commandant of the Ulster Special Constabulary.
At first he appeared a moderate but on July 12th, 1933, gave an infamously sectarian speech advising his listeners to employ only Protestants, as Catholics were determined to destroy Northern Ireland, and warning that southern nationalists were scheming to infiltrate the region and undermine its pro-union majority.
Proving a successful minister for agriculture in the 1930s, his reputation was further enhanced when as minister for commerce he raised productivity levels and reduced unemployment during the war, and his party chose him as prime minister in May 1943. Northern Ireland’s vital role for the Allies during the war strengthened its popularity with the British government.
“By his failure to act at such an opportune moment, Brooke helped to perpetuate Northern Ireland’s endemic, and ultimately fatal, sectarian divisions. It is difficult not to conclude that he lacked that higher quality of leadership that does not simply reflect and pander to its supporters but dares to challenge and dispel their prejudices,” was Brian Barton’s verdict on the great missed opportunity of Brooke’s premiership.
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