Sir, - Your report (The Irish Times, August 12th) quotes Mo Mowlam's letter to Labour MPs rejecting the notion of "inviting" members to join Labour or stand for election. However, there is clear demand in Northern Ireland for membership rights - as exemplified by successful ballots undertaken by three trade unions and judging by the response from Northern Ireland to Labour's recent party political broadcast which encourage people to join the party.
None of us who favour membership rights being extended to Northern Ireland, as they are allowed everywhere else in the world, believes that this should be imposed from London. Membership and future organisation should grow organically, from the ground up, in Northern Ireland.
Nor would we want any future Labour Party organisers to become or to be seen as pro-union or pro-nationalist, but as working for a party that can accommodate people from both traditions. They should be collectively neutral and seek to work together to build a better life for all in Northern Ireland. - Yours, etc., Harry Barnes, MP, North East Derbyshire,
House of Commons, London SW1.