20 JULY 1996, Page 24

Of marches and men

Sir: It is tendentious of Bruce Anderson to equate Orangemen marching through Catholic estates in Northern Ireland with Londoners putting up with the traffic dis- ruption caused by marchers for 'repulsive causes' (Politics, 13 July). Marches and demonstrations, which are almost invari- ably in central London, are not felt person- ally by most Londoners. We may use these central London streets and squares but we don't live there. A nearer equivalent would be to equate the Protestants marching through Drumcree with the National Front marching through areas heavily populated by immigrants. The vast majority of Lon- doners would wish such marches banned.

I suggest that local populations in North- ern Ireland should have a veto on marches entering their communities. Perhaps the Electoral Reform Society could organise the appropriate ballots.

Enid Hennessy

26 Merton Road, London E17