Sir, - As a Member of Northern Ireland's first power-sharing assembly I was privileged to support the courageous vision of Brian Faulkner and Gerry Fitt. Together they pointed the way to a united Northern Ireland. But sectarian politicians, from both traditions, were allowed to sabotage our first real political peace process. Our people have paid heavily for the reckless behaviour of an earlier generation. Some of the politicians involved have learned their lesson; others are still about and will be active at Saturday's Unionist debate.
However, let it be clearly understood: the Unionist Council must not be allowed to assume that Northern Ireland belongs to them. The rest of us have a right to be heard. "No annihilation without representation" has become the order of the day.
If David Trimble is in any doubt about his position, let him draw confidence from the fact that, as First Minister, he is responsible to a constituency much wider than the Unionist Party.
The time has come for Mr Trimble (particularly as a Nobel Prize winner) to draw strength from the wider public which put him where he is. If he is in any doubt about his future, let him seek a renewed mandate from "grassroots" opinion.
Such a referendum would be more indicative of political reality than anything likely to emerge from the deliberations at the Waterfront. - Yours etc,
Rt Hon David Bleakley, CBE, Bangor, Co Down.