Ulster Says No was the name of a slogan, campaign and mass protest against foreign interference by the Republic of Ireland in the internal affairs of the United Kingdom, specifically that of Northern Ireland. It was led by Unionist leader Ian Paisley in the mid 1980s.[1]
After the signing of the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald, Unionist leaders stated that the agreement to allow the Republic's government such privileges needed to be put before the people in a referendum and organised a vote in the Northern Ireland Assembly to that effect.[2] Republican party Sinn Féin also objected (albeit for different reasons).[3] In the Irish Parliament, the main opposition party, Fianna Fáil also voted against. [2]
A large rally protested the move at Belfast City Hall. The numbers attending were estimated to be at least 100,000[2] while Unionist sources estimated over 200,000 in attendance.[4] Paisley and all the other Unionist MPs resigned from the British House of Commons in protest, but all except Jim Nicholson were subsequently re-elected in the resultant by-elections.