Sir, - As David Trimble pointed out, the United Kingdom is indeed a multi-ethnic society, but no thanks to the Ulster Unionist Party. The UUP supported every item of restrictive legislation, beginning with the Commonwealth Immigration Act of 1962 up to the British Nationality Act of 1981, aimed at keeping Britain "white".
It also opposed compensatory measures introduced by successive Labour governments aimed improving the lot of "non-whites" in Britain.
When Enoch Powell's views became too extreme even for British Tories, where did he find a "natural" home and support for his views? Among the UUP voters of South Down.
To suggest that the UUP values British multiculturalism is frankly laughable and totally at odds with the party's record in the UK parliament. - Yours, etc.,
KEVIN HOWARD,
The Maltings,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.
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Sir, - Ruth Dudley Edwards (Opinion, March 14th) says unionists see the Republic as having a culture "distinguished by Anglophobia" and Paul Sheridan (March 16th) asks us to look "at the crowd in a pub every time England play football".
No doubt that there are Anglophobes here. But, in a State whose inhabitants have a consuming interest in English soccer and sport, in the English press, in English television and entertainment, in the British royal family, and at a different level, in English literature and politics, is it at all likely that they are numerous?
The great majority of us have English cousins and English connections of other kinds. Is this assumption of Anglophobia based only on what is called anecdotal evidence? Or is it that some Anglophiles see as Anglophobes those who simply disagree with British policy?
This assumption of a general Anglophobia has implications for relations, trade and tourism and deserves serious study. Has any such study been made? - Yours,etc.,
DIARMUID BREATHNACH,
Sidmonton Gardens,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.
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Sir, - I am proud to have been a Presbyterian all of my life and I have never found the Angelus to be offensive or in any way unacceptable.
In fact I like to hear it because I immediately remember to name all my children and grandchildren who live abroad and I ask God to bless them.
This just leaves about enough time for me to ask a blessing on my extended family, my friends and my neighbours.
If this disclosure upsets Wesley Boyd (Opinion, March 13th) and/or David Trimble - tough luck. - Yours, etc.,
W. LIONEL McKEE,
Ard na Mara,
Malahide,
Co Dublin.
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Sir, - The Angelus is not specifically a Catholic prayer. It is primarily a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the coming on earth of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. It should therefore appeal to all followers of Jesus Christ, all Christians, North and South - a point of union, not division. - Yours, etc.,
Father TOM INGOLDSBY,
Ballinakill,
Portlaoise.