Ulster contradiction
Sir: In its wisdom Westminster marked Ulster out as a self-governing area, unasked. The province's institutions included a parliament, elected by universal suffrage, and a government responsible to it. The popular will was reflected through institutions as democratic as Westminster's.
In opposition to that will Westminster determined to thwart it through new institutions. The reservation of seats in a provincial government to those who could not win them democratically damns the new institutions as ,undemocratic. The exercise of legislative sovereignty to impose such a regime creates by abuse of power law that is unacceptable.
' In a fit of dotage Westminster has willed 'a contradiction: a self-governing area denied self-government. The real alternatives open to Westminster are genuine self-government or no self-governing area. The denial of UK stan
dards of democracy at provincial level must ustlead to a running sore in the body politic. No part of the UK can with respect accept a regime that would not be tolerated for the country at large. When those, who deny Westminster's de jure sovereignty over a part of HM realm, have seats reserved for them on that account in a Westminster government as of right, it will be time enough for Ulster to follow suit. The Scottish and Welsh nationalist parties provide Westminster with the chance to practise the power-sharing they preach to Ulster.
R Aunsttriinm, A Assemblyman for South A
venhill, Greenisland, Carrickfergus, N. Ireland.
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