Letter: Play fair in Ulster

Sir: I agree with Donald Macintyre (Comment, 6 July) that a second referendum in Northern Ireland would make good logical sense.

He fails, however, to mention one important fact. The Ulster Unionists had the previous government where they wanted, and could manipulate all key Northern Ireland policy decisions since the Conservatives badly needed their support in the House of Commons.

The Unionists have had it too good in the past and they won't easily forgive the present government,which doesn't pander to their wishes in the same way.

Any referendum, held now, would echo an embittered and unforgiving section of the Northern Irish society who cannot accept that times have changed.

MARK MIDDLETON-SMITH

Isleworth,

Middlesex