10‭ ‬April‭ ‬1981: The IRA Hunger Striker Bobby Sands was deemed elected  as a member of Parliament to the British House of Commons on this day. He stood on the election ticket as the "Anti H-Block/Armagh Political Prisoner" candidate in the constituency of Fermanagh - south Tyrone. After a highly polarised campaign, Sands had secured over 52% of the vote compared to 49% for the Unionist candidate, narrowly winning the seat with 30,493 votes compared to 29,046 for the Ulster Unionist Party candidate Harry West.

It was a straight fight between the two men with most political experts not rating Sands chances very high of being elected.‭ ‬Most analysis completely underestimated the strength of feeling within the Nationalist Community over what was happening in the H Blocks. Sands election though was met with consternation, anger and almost disbelief by the Unionists and within both the British and Irish Establishments.

His election was a huge boost to himself and his comrades within Long Kesh as he led the Hunger Strike to secure Political Status for Political Prisoners  from the British Prime Minister Mrs Margaret Thatcher.‭ News teams from around the World covered this story and the unfolding drama within the H Blocks moved from being a National to an International News story as a result of his Victory.

Bobby Sands‭' ‬election agent, Owen Carron, said when interviewed that day that the British Government had been sent a message.

The nationalist people have voted against Unionism and against the H blocks.‭ ‬It is time Britain got out of Ireland and put an end to the torture of this country.

It was hoped that such an emphatic election victory would force Mrs Thatcher to arrange a compromise that would allow for an honourable settlement and avoid the embarrassment of an MP dying on Hunger Strike while the World looked on.‭ ‬But this challenge to her authority only strengthened her resolve not to be seen to back down to people she viewed as dangerous enemies. Bobby Sands died on 5 May on the 66th day of his Hunger Strike.