Letter: Who fears elections in Northern Ireland?

From Mr Martin Moore

Sir: Perhaps an explanation for John Hume's and the SDLP's hysterical reaction to the Government's proposals for an elected body in Northern Ireland lies in the findings of a recent opinion poll, published in the Belfast Telegraph on 17 January 1996, which gave SDLP support at only 21 per cent (and Sinn Fein at 7 per cent).

It is also telling to note that in the same poll 70 per cent supported the establishment of an elected body (14 per cent were opposed and 16 per cent answered "don't know"). Of SDLP supporters, 68 per cent supported the proposal (as did 50 per cent of Sinn Fein supporters).

These figures show how far out of touch nationalist politicians are with the electorate they claim to represent.

Yours faithfully,

Martin Moore

Belfast

26 January