In a very real way, he saved Ireland from a descent into hatred and hopelessness

WHEN news of John Hume’s death was confirmed yesterday morning, tributes began to flood in from current and former leaders of all shades of political opinion, here and from around the world.

This was a man of staggering achievement.

So much of what we take for granted in the Ireland of 2020 is in place because of his vision and tenacity. Every news agency in Europe mourns his death and John Hume’s name will join the list of great Irish leaders for posterity.

And yet, for many people under 40, there may not be the true understanding of his life’s work that he deserves.

John’s extended illness took him from the public space for too long. It would be a fitting tribute if the global response to his death prompted a new examination of his life.

Such was his towering contribution to Irish society, it may be impossible to properly express the significance and the scale of his work.

In a dark and worsening conflict, where sectarianism, hatred and bitterness threatened to banish forever the hope of better days, John Hume stood as a beacon.

His philosophy was simple but revolutionary. He understood and distilled the roots of a conflict that had blighted our country and our relationship with Britain for centuries.

With single-minded determination, he promoted that philosophy relentlessly.

Respect for difference was at the foundation of his entire approach. He recognised that, in order for progress to be made, institutions needed to be shared.

His political foundation stones are now almost universally accepted without question. John Hume taught us the way.

To his core, John believed in the dignity of every human being.

It was what propelled him into community activism. It saw him become a driving force in the credit union movement, working to break the cycle of poverty and exploitation in Derry and across the North.

Understanding at first hand the importance of education in improving life prospects, he was a lifelong champion of education.

He loved Derry from the bottom of his heart and Derry loved him. No matter where his work took him, he never lost his connection with his home place. And as the situation got worse, he looked further afield for help.

He knew we couldn’t fix the terrible mess we were in by ourselves alone, so he built an international coalition of interested parties. It was unprecedented in scope and influence.

In the United States and in Europe, he brought the Irish conflict to the very top table and gave everyone a stake in finding peace.

To this day, the deep affection and support that Ireland enjoys, in Brussels and Washington DC, is, in part, a legacy of the work of John Hume.

It may be impossible to properly express the significance and the scale of his work

He didn’t do it on his own. His successor as SDLP leader and MP for Foyle, Colum Eastwood, put it well when paying tribute yesterday.

He said: “There was no John Hume without Pat Hume.” This is true.

Wife Pat’s dedication and support during his active career and her unfailing care during his retirement and ill health is central to his story and his success.

In a very real way, John Hume saved this country. He saved us from a descent into hopelessness and hatred. He saved us from a conflict that had held us back for centuries.

Ten years ago, the Irish people recognised this when they voted him ‘Ireland’s Greatest’ in an RTÉ series of that name.

It was a fitting tribute. When historians stand back and survey the long arc of Anglo-Irish relations, when they see how close we came to the abyss in the 1980s and 1990s, and when they look at what this man did and how his philosophy transformed relationships, I am confident that ‘Ireland’s Greatest’ is also a tribute that will stand the test of time.