"The basic policy of the British Government was that since the majority of people in Northern Ireland wished to remain in the United Kingdom, that was that. We asked what would happen if the majority wanted something else, if the majority wanted to see Irish unity"

John Hume's quote is describing the British Government's policy on Northern Ireland. The policy was that since the majority of individuals in Northern Ireland wished to stay in the United Kingdom, that was that. Hume is questioning what would happen if the majority of people in Northern Ireland wanted something else, such as Irish unity. This suggests that Hume is advocating for individuals of Northern Ireland to have a say in their own future, which the British Government needs to be open to the possibility of Irish unity if that is what most of people in Northern Ireland desire. Hume's quote is a call for the British Government to be more open to the possibility of Irish unity, and to respect the wishes of individuals of Northern Ireland.