John Hewitt, Sam Thompson, and a Lost Labour Culture

This chapter demonstrates the importance of the Labour movement on two Belfast-born Protestant writers and how this inculcated a socialist conviction quite separate, and antagonistic, to Ulster Unionism. Referencing Sam Thompson’s unpublished plays as well as his trio of performed works, it illuminates his public impact as well as the significance of the play Over the Bridge (1960). John Hewitt’s early political activities and regionalist outlook are explored, as is the controversy surrounding his 1957 move to Coventry. The underestimated importance of a class perspective within Ulster Protestantism is addressed, with questions of national identity secondary to the writers’ Left and internationalist politics. With continuing resonance literature itself is shown as intrinsic to the Northern Ireland Labour Party, of which both were associated. The chapter concludes with analysis of the impact of both writers.