Sir, - I was somewhat surprised at the rather vitriolic attack by the SDLP chairman, Jonathan Stevens, when he upbraided the Alliance leader, Dr John Alderdice (respected in Southern Ireland for his attending of and contribution to the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation). He was the only pro Union leader to do so.
Speaking as chairman of the SDLP, Mr Stevens said inter alia that in accepting a peerage Dr Alderdice showed "an astonishing admission of political failure". He continued: "The SDLP is not opposed to a second chamber in a parliamentary democracy (sic). It certainly is against the creation of lords and ladies, and all the other trappings of the British class system."
Indeed! The previous leader of the SDLP and former MP for West Belfast, Gerry Fitt (held also in esteem), and Senator Billy Wilson (assassinated by unionist paramilitaries), are, I assume, excepted by the SDLP.
At this time in Anglo/Irish affairs, I believe that it behoves all political democrats to show less, not more, exclusivity. - Yours, etc.,
Shrewsbury Park,
Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.