Sir, - This island is small compared with Britain and it could lose its sense of itself if it encourages assimilation by its more powerful neighbour. Do not let us be carried away by our improved relationships.
If the promotion of confederation is an acknowledgement of the interdependence of Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England as equals - fine! If confederation is being advanced with the subagenda of assisting England to hold on to power and control as the Union transmogrifies, forget it. The potential for destablisation in England through loss of prestige may well require careful handling but it should not, now or ever again, warrant deference beyond the courtesies of equality in the relationship. Irish people, North and South, should not throw away independence before they have experienced it together.
In any area of activity, timing and intent are vital to the production of a positive response and, in this respect, considerations concerning "Commonwealth" and "Confederation" are no exception.
It would therefore be a pity if initiative taken now were to deny the possibility of positive response later when it could be that unionists might value the opportunity of pressing these issues as part and parcel of arrangements required to set the scene for the drawing up of a new constitution for Ireland as a whole. When that day comes, as come it will, a positive response by the people of the republic to proposals by unionists in transition would be significant.
Just now, however, it should be acknowledged that Gregory Campbell shows no more enthusiasm for Commonwealth games than does Nell McCafferty! - Yours, etc., John Robb and Jack McDowell,
New Ireland Group, Charlotte Street, Ballymoney, Co Antrim.