However, during this time members of the Nationalist opposition often practised a policy of abstentionism where they would run for seats in the parliament but refuse to take them if elected, in order not to give legitimacy to British rule or the partition of the island.
Nationalist Party members refused to take their seats in the legislature until 1924, and resumed the abstentionist policy in the 1930s to protest the abolition of proportional representation.
It was not until February 1965 that the Nationalist Party agreed to accept recognition as the Official Opposition in the House of Commons.
[5][6] Eddie McAteer served as Leader of the Opposition for the remainder of the tenth term and through the eleventh term until they withdrew from the official Opposition in October 1968 following the Government's response the RUC's attack on a NICRA march in Derry.
An Executive was formed in which unionist, nationalist and cross-community parties shared power for the first time.