John McAteer: Difference between revisions
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John McAteer was a key figure in the Scottish National Party of the 1960s and 70s. |
John McAteer was a key figure in the Scottish National Party of the 1960s and 70s. |
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[[File:John McAteer|thumb]] |
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=== Formative Years === |
=== Formative Years === |
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McAteer was the eldest of three children born to Irish immigrants from the Fanad peninsula, County Donegal. Born in Coatbridge, he lived in Fanad at his aunt's croft from the age of 2-6 years, where he |
McAteer was the eldest of three children born to Irish immigrants from the Fanad peninsula, County Donegal. Born in Coatbridge, he lived in Fanad at his aunt's croft from the age of 2-6 years, where he was sent to be cured of a stutter. He returned to Coatbridge speaking only Gaelic. |
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=== Teaching === |
=== Teaching === |
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Revision as of 13:52, 20 February 2017
John McAteer was a key figure in the Scottish National Party of the 1960s and 70s.
Formative Years
McAteer was the eldest of three children born to Irish immigrants from the Fanad peninsula, County Donegal. Born in Coatbridge, he lived in Fanad at his aunt's croft from the age of 2-6 years, where he was sent to be cured of a stutter. He returned to Coatbridge speaking only Gaelic.
Teaching
He attended Jordanhill teacher training college where he qualified as a Technical teacher. He went on to teach woodwork, metalwork and technical drawing at several high schools, eventually taking a post as Principal of technical at Saint Xavier's High, Bellshill.
Marriage
He married Kate Parker in 1961. They had four boys.
SNP Years
McAteer became active in the Scottish National Party in the early 1960s.
Hamilton By-Election 1967
He was Winnie Ewing's election agent in her successful by-election campaign in Hamilton in 1967. In her autobiography, Ewing says "...as I fought the seat I had many homes from homes, the main one being that of John and Kate McAteer..."[1] She goes on to say: "... my agent, John McAteer, a descendant of an Irish rebel, was totally splendid in the job."[2] Gordon Wilson: "Under the direction of John McAteer... there was a taut, well-organised campaign supported by thousands of supporters."[3]
SNP National Organiser
He served as National Organiser for the SNP from 1969 until his death in 1977. During this period, the SNP saw sustained growth, culminating in the return of 7 Westminster MPs in the 1974 General Election. Also notable during this time was Margo MacDonald's victory in the Govan by-election in 1973.
The job of National Organiser entailed driving all over Scotland to visit local party branches and he clocked up a huge annual mileage. As testament to his huge work output and organisational capability, Billy Wolfe said that after McAteer's death the party fell into a decline.
Illness and Death
Initially misdiagnosed with lower back pain, he died of bladder cancer on February 22nd 1977.
- ^ Ewing, Winnie (2004). Stop The World, The Autobiography of Winnie Ewing. Birlinn. p. 12. ISBN 1841582395.
- ^ Ewing, Winnie (2004). Stop The World. Birlinn. p. 13. ISBN 1841582395.
- ^ Wilson, Gordon (2009). SNP: The Turbulent Years. 1960-1990. Scots Independent Ltd. p. 37. ISBN 0951282077.