Unwise words on bonfire ‘tradition’

NELSON McCausland writes (Comment, November 9) about a “double standard between Guy Fawkes pyres and the traditional Ulster ‘boney’”.

He suggests that nationalist politicians getting upset over their images being burnt on the Eleventh Night should not see this as a hate crime, but as a simple cultural tradition.

It is no wonder that Northern Ireland is in such a political shambles when politicians, on both sides, refuse to see the damage they create through their words, actions and lack of respect. Need Nelson be reminded that Bonfire Night grew out of the rabid anti-Catholicism of 17th-century England? Sadly, I don’t think he cares.

The people of Northern Ireland deserve better.