We should be uniting in protecting our democracy against those who seek to disregard the mandate given to our politicians

Dear Editor,

I have heard and seen a lot of comments recently like ‘would you trust a politician,’ ‘politicians will do whatever suits them’ and similar phrases from campaigners who want to retain the Eighth Amendment in the constitution.

They are telling citizens that the politicians they elected to legislate on their behalf should be ignored and that people or bodies who are not accountable to the electorate and who cannot be recalled democratically should decide on whether the Eighth Amendment stays or goes.

I find this trend very worrying. It seems to me that it rubbishes democracy and that it is disturbingly in line with the notion of a ‘managed democracy’ where someone who ‘ knows better than the rest of us’ makes the decisions.

We are seeing examples of this loss of democratic rights in many parts of the world.

I have often criticised the record of various governments in failing to provide for basic social needs, such as housing or medical care, and been disappointed by election results.

But even when it didn’t suit my way of thinking, I have accepted voters’ decisions. I have never argued against the validity of their vote or that it should be ignored.

At times I have supported democratic campaigns to persuade people to change their views and their votes.

So that your readers will know where I am coming from, I support taking the Eighth Amendment out of the Constitution and leaving it for a woman and her doctor to decide what is best.

I respect other people’s right to differ but I think we should all unite in protecting our electoral democracy from being weakened by people who want to disregard the mandate of elected representatives when it doesn’t suit them.

I am very grateful to the people who gave their lives in the past to secure the vote for me.

I don’t intend to give it up any time soon.