Sir, - I refer to the reaction of the DUP to support from Alliance for a Sinn Fein candidate for the position of Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast. This illustrates all too clearly the double standards and shallow sectarianism of that party.
The DUP says it is unacceptable that we should support a representative of the political wing of the IRA for such a post. What it conveniently ignores is the fact that in 1994 unionists in Belfast City Council, the DUP included, voted for the election of a PUP Lord Mayor. The UVF, which the PUP represents politically, was carrying out acts of violence against innocent Catholics.
The difference between then and now is that the UVF had not declared a ceasefire, while the IRA has. We had not been previously prepared to use our position holding the balance of power on the City Council to support Sinn Fein while the IRA was carrying out acts of terrorism, but we must recognise that progress has been made and, where possible, seek to encourage that progress in the interests of a long lasting peace in this country.
The ambivalence of the DUP on this issue is very clear. It is motivated purely by opportunistic sectarian considerations. - Yours, etc.,
Cllr Tom Campbell, Belfast City Council, Lansdowne Road, Belfast 15.