Sinn Féin and abstentionism

Sir, – In the context of the Sinn Féin demand for a border poll, that party should seriously consider taking its seats in Westminster.

This would provide real evidence of its preparedness to show leadership to represent all strands of opinion both North and South in a future 32-county Ireland.

Should the outcome of a future border poll result in an eventual unification, the last thing we need is a unionist boycott of a new all-Ireland parliament. Sinn Féin should act now and belatedly remove this precedent. – Yours, etc,

MICHAEL NOLAN,

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Clonskeagh,

Dublin 14.