Sir, - John Hume has recently emphasised that he would not consider an electoral pact with Sinn Fein in the absence of an IRA easefire. Many commentators have interpreted this position as being a highly commendable one for John Hume to adopt.
It would clearly be unconscionable for the SDLP to enter into a deal with Sinn Fein at a time when the IRA continues its campaign of murder. However it could also be argued that even in the presence of an IRA ceasefire, an electoral deal between the IRA and Sinn Fein would be sectarian and deeply divisive for our society.
During the first ceasefire, republicans continued to inflict extremely vicious beatings upon young, usually unemployed men in their own areas of influence. A number of people were murdered by the so-called organisation Direct Action Against Drugs. This was obviously the IRA. I have no doubt that many Catholics would be disgusted by the proposition that they would be expected to vote for a party which was intimately associated with acts of violence of this type.
However even if there was a totally unequivocal ceasefire, without beatings or violence of any sort, Sinn Fein would remain what it has always been, which is a fundamentalist, hard-line nationalist party, with support which is entirely Catholic. The fact that it has been prepared to be associated with (to be charitable) those who have killed their fellow-Irishmen and women for so many years is ample proof of a fundamentalist outlook which is deeply intolerant. To put it another way, even with a total absence of violence, Sinn Fein would be like a Catholic DUP.
The DUP is not associated with major paramilitary organisations.
DUP MPs also take their seats at Westminister and represent their constituents. Despite this, no Protestant who is genuinely committed to achieving peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland would countenance voting for the DUP. If, as looks likely, the Ulster Unionists come to an electoral pad with the DUP in certain constituencies, this will be clear evidence of the Unionist Party's narrowness and failure to work towards a constructive future for Northen Ireland.
A real and lasting peace in Northern Ireland will only come when we have achieved an understanding across the divided community. We all hope that the IRA and loyalist paramilitaries stop the violence for good. However if, as a direct consequence, the SDLP decides to link up in a sectarian pact with Sinn Fein against liberal Catholics and the whole of the Protestant population, the prospects for the community of political reconciliation look bleak.- Yours, etc.,
Councillor, Alliance Party, Dorchester Park, Belfast BT9 6RH.