British Quote by Edward Rutherfurd
““True the greater part of the Irish people was close to starvation. The numbers of weakened people dying from disease were rising. So few potatoes had been planted that, even if they escaped bight, they would not be enough to feed the poor folk who relied upon them. More and more of those small tenants and cottagers, besides, were being forced off the land and into a condition of helpless destitution. Ireland, that is to say, was a country utterly prostrated. Yet the Famine came to an end. And how was this wonderful thing accomplished? Why, in the simplest way imaginable. The famine was legislated out of existence. It had to be. The Whigs were facing a General Election.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Irish Trilogy, 2000
The Irish Famine was ended not by relief but by political maneuvering to secure votes, highlighting how policy can be driven by self‑interest rather than humanitarian need.
In simple terms: Political expediency ended the famine.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when policies serve politics over people.
Themes
politics
humanitarian crisis
policy
history
colonialism
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- government decisionmaking
- election cycles
- public health emergencies
- social justice advocacy
Key Concepts
political economy
power dynamics
moral compromise
Questions to Reflect On
- How do political motives shape crisis responses?
- What safeguards can prevent exploitation of suffering?
A Different Perspective
Policies driven by elections may neglect genuine relief.
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