Sir, The presence of British troops is no longer expedient in Northern Ireland, and should cease to be one of the scapegoat obstacles to a cessation of hostilities there and on the British mainland. The present situation does no more than give both sides of the political spectrum an excuse for belligerence and, in the case of the terrorists, bombing "spectaculars".
I know the unionists are a consideration from the British view point but central government has the might. And that might should mean the immediate withdrawal of British troops.
If one side can say it will not negotiate with a gun at its head, so can the other. So why give either side an excuse to avoid peaceful negotiation? Yours, etc., Mildenhall, Suffolk, IP28 7RJ.