To Mary Lou McDonald: glorifying terrorist acts won’t convince unionists a united Ireland could be ‘home’

I READ with interest your article in the Belfast Telegraph on April 11 entitled: ‘I want to build a united Ireland which can be a home for Arlene Foster’.

The sentiments expressed in your article appear to be fair and balanced — you seem keen to persuade Northern Ireland unionists to see a united Ireland in a positive manner.

I am a Northern Irish Protestant and would describe myself as a liberal Protestant.

I mix readily with Catholic friends and colleagues, and value them as much as I do my Protestant ones. So Ms McDonald, persuade me that what you say is to my benefit, and to the benefit to those of us who were born in the United Kingdom and who maybe wish to remain as citizens of the same.

Can I humbly suggest to you that the way to persuade us is not to glorify terrorism, for example by attending endless commemorations and eulogising those who died wielding guns and bombs designed to kill and maim innocent people, or to destroy property.

That will not help in your stated desire to attract widespread support from the unionist community. It would be better if you were to channel your ef for ts into outlining in detail how a united Ireland would benefit NI citizens economically, socially and politically.

Such an analysis would be necessar y as a part of any f uture referendum on a united Ireland, because if there is one lesson to be learnt from the so- called Brexit referendum it is that those voting would need to be given a comprehensive understanding of the pros and cons of both sides of the debate.

LIBERAL PROTESTANT

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