Sir, – In speculating about the position of unionist parties and unionist voters in a united Ireland, both Newton Emerson and Jim O'Callaghan are labouring under a misapprehension ("Jim O'Callaghan's united Ireland plan will be unpopular with FF base and Republic's electorate", Opinion & Analysis, March 25th).
Unionism is, strictly speaking, a political allegiance to the integrity and membership of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
It is neither a synonym for Protestantism nor a term denoting fondness for flute bands and bonfires.
It does not refer to entitlement to a British passport –a right which can be enjoyed by an expatriate in Paraguay or Thailand – nor does it mean membership of the Commonwealth, an institution in which the United Kingdom is just one member among many others.
In a united Irish republic, unionism would be nothing more than an unrealistic aspiration to the reversing of the result of a border poll.
Those who claim to be unionists would do better to think about arguing for their case than dreaming about how they might be accommodated in a united Ireland. – Yours, etc,
CDC ARMSTRONG,
Belfast.