Letter: The path to reconciliation and meaningful peace in Northern Ireland

Sir: It would be tragic if the hopes for peace in Ireland were to founder on difficulties over sovereignty, particularly when Britain and Ireland have transferred important sovereign rights to the European Union.

A radical approach would be for Britain and Ireland to pool their sovereignty in a region of the islands, in which England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales would have substantial self-government under a transnational parliament, with only those powers agreed by the states and possibly with the duty to protect the constitution and Bill of Rights such a settlement would demand.

Such an arrangement would recognise the links between all the citizens of these islands, cherishing those things that unite us, while celebrating the very real differences we have.

Yours faithfully

DAVID POLLARD

London, N1

3 December