Sir, – The British government intends to push ahead with both its repeal of the Human Rights Act, and a referendum on “Brexit”. David Cameron would do well to consider the effect of both measures on Northern Ireland, and the peace process.
However loathsome the Tory press may find it, the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is not something to be discarded at will. Under the Belfast Agreement (a binding international treaty) both governments were obliged to adopt the ECHR into domestic law. The United Kingdom did so in 1998, and Ireland complied in 2003. If the Human Rights Act is repealed for the entire United Kingdom, then the UK will find itself in breach of solemn commitments which formed the basis for tentative peace on this island.
Worse again would be a British exit from the European Union. Given that fears of mass immigration underlie much of the Eurosceptic rhetoric, it seems likely that full border controls would have to be resurrected on the Northern Irish border. As citizens of the EU would still be able to travel to this country at will, there would otherwise be nothing to stop them simply driving into the UK, unnoticed.
These twin measures have the potential to set the peace process back a decade. Both the Irish Government and parties of all hues in Belfast should be sending that message clearly to London in the coming weeks and months. – Yours, etc,
CATHAL MALONE,
Carrigaline, Co Cork.
A chara, – Given the stoking of nationalism by English politicians during the UK elections, and the resulting fact that the SNP is now the third-largest party in Westminster, one wonders whether those northern unionists of Scottish descent appreciate the irony that the most pertinent source of concern for the break-up of their union comes not from Irish nationalism, but perhaps from Scottish and English nationalism. – Is mise,
ERIC CREAN,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Despite the best efforts of the naysayers, how wonderful it was to witness a resounding victory for the silent majority under David Cameron.
It was disappointing to note, however, the continued lopsided opinion perpetuated in your newspaper. There are two sides to Westminster and it does not do readers any good to continually be presented with pro-Labour and SNP articles. Simply put, the SNP is hobbled before the start of the new parliament as it can huff and puff all they wish but it cannot influence events.
This victory was a victory for the moderate Britain that retains basic principles such as decency and fair play. Mr Cameron has won the finest victory I can recall in 36 years of following events in the Westminster elections. Would it be too much to expect you to state as much? – Yours, etc,
DEREK M REID,
Dublin 13.
Sir, – It is just over 50 years since, as chairman of the Ulster Young Unionist Council, I led a delegation to Dublin for a joint meeting with the central branch of Fine Gael lead by the late James T Deegan. I remain strongly supportive of co-operation between Northern Ireland and the Republic. For such co-operation to flourish it is essential that the Republic recognises political reality in Northern Ireland. No longer does being a Roman Catholic mean one is a united Irelander.
While the Roman Catholic population has increased in Northern Ireland, the electoral support of the two united Ireland parties – Sinn Féin and SDLP – is in decline. Understandably much attention has concentrated on the advance of Scottish nationalism but it is also important to note that there was a 5 per cent increase in the unionist vote to a high of 46 per cent in Northern Ireland. At the same time Sinn Féin and the SDLP saw their combined vote decline further to just 38 per cent. Many reasons have been suggested by commentators, such as Sinn Féin support for abortion and same-sex marriage; the low level of unemployment in Northern Ireland; the fact that an increasing proportion of Roman Catholics in NI are from eastern Europe and have no interest in united Ireland parties; and significantly, with no longer any allegations of discrimination, the Catholic population is increasingly at ease with Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom.
All these changes are progress which must surely be the basis of further co-operation and respect between both jurisdictions in our island. – Yours, etc,
Lord KILCLOONEY,
Non-party cross-bencher,
House of Lords, London.