Sir, – With a British general election due in early 2015, the electoral map there is becoming more complex following the Scottish referendum and the anticipated rise in electoral popularity of the Scottish nationalists, at the expense of Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
Either David Cameron or Ed Miliband will, in all probability, be faced with the prospect of leading a coalition or minority government.
Against that background, the current budgetary impasse in Northern Ireland poses an interesting dilemma for Sinn Féin, in particular.
With its ongoing abstentionist policy in Westminster and no threat of IRA violence, does Sinn Féin have any political leverage with any prospective UK prime minister?
Any further budget concessions by David Cameron will be garnered by DUP/UUP influence, not Sinn Féin, with an eye to post-election support at Westminster.
Perhaps it is time for Sinn Féin to take up its Westminster seats and become a proper democratic party with some real influence in UK politics. – Yours, etc,
PETER MOLLOY,
Glenageary, Co Dublin.