Opinion

Aontú is a movement open to changes to all policies except abortion

Brexit has told a tale of four Irish parties and their attitude to the impending abortion imposition from Westminster. Sinn Féin’s crocodile tears over the brutal nature of the legislation must be set in the context of their long-term enthusiasm for abortion, tempered only by the need to provide straws for pro-life voters to clutch when they make their mark against a Sinn Féin candidate.

The DUP are forthright in their pro-life statements, yet, it was their ill-fated alliance with the Tories that led to the abandonment of the protections for the unborn in the first place. They had the chance to right this mistake. They could have forced Sinn Féin’s hand by declaring a willingness to enact the diluted Irish language act so that they would no longer have an excuse not to revive Stormont.


Instead they abandoned principle so as to grip tighter to the cliff that the union is hanging on. Their reward was for Boris Johnson to pry loose a couple of fingers.


Where have the SDLP been in this debate? They officially avow protecting children in the womb, but have been suspiciously muted on the abortion knife that has been plunged into the heart of their political baby – the Good Friday Agreement.


The SDLP are on the same path as Sinn Féin in wanting abortion, although a few steps back. Aontú is the only party that can guarantee a principled home for those who feel strongly enough about our children’s lives to vote for or join a truly pro-life political movement.


I don’t agree with all Aontú’s policies, but given their difficult genesis as a for-life party I am happy to vote for them. Aontú are a movement open to changes to all policies except abortion. Many find Aontú a natural fit. Others may have greater difficulty giving up that precious vote to a party that is on the uncomfortable side of their political spectrum. We all must live, first, with consciences and examine them for what we want our legacy to be. Will we choose left or right, orange or green, religion or atheism, pro-life or pro-death? I know what decision I will be proud to carry to my grave. Protect the precious lives – be pro that Aontú choice.

GERARD HERDMAN


Belfast BT11

North would be great place if we were more open minded

One thing we could all do to improve Northern Ireland is to ‘open our minds’, don’t just repeat the old mantras. Imagine what a great place Northern Ireland could be if we decided to be more open minded. We could stop persecuting minorities, we could make more people healthier, better educated, better led, and economically better off. We could stop believing that obstruction is a good form of government, we could stop the increasing use of the legal profession to prevent action, we could stop the useless circular conversations and report writing that lead nowhere. It is past the time to start doing things.

I don’t like or dislike the Irish language, or same-sex marriage, or abortion. But I do know that the number of people affected by these issues, while not vast, is being unduly discriminated against. While the rest of us are being disadvantaged because of time, opportunity and money wasting due to  not solving these and similar issues.

Under the devolved government idea we were meant to be able to make our own rules so that we could be a better happier more tolerant community.


We have failed largely because too many of us have retained our closed minds and we keep supporting those with closed minds.

TOM EKIN


Belfast BT1

RQIA needs to tell families when its review

Martin Dillon, the retiring chief executive of the Belfast Health trust, has said that nearly 4,000 patients have been provided with certainty regarding their diagnosis and treatment (October 18).

I am afraid that the families of the deceased patients of the suspended neurologist Michael Watt – a category which includes my late mother – have not been provided with any comparable certainty regarding the treatment and diagnosis of those they have lost.

The RQIA’s review of the cases of deceased patients was announced on May 2 last year. On May 8 2018 I was told in a  letter from the chief executive that arrangements were being currently finalised. A month later she told me in person that work on the review would begin in September 2018.

Despite those assurances that work has still not started.


An email I sent to the RQIA on August 27 this year asking when the review will start has to date been neither acknowledged nor answered.

The RQIA needs to tell those of us who have a genuine interest in the neurology scandal when its review will begin.

COLIN ARMSTRONG


Belfast BT

DUP no longer British will begin

The past decade has proven that the DUP  are no longer British/northern Irish. They have become Irish loyalists, who seek to curry favour with dissatisfied southerners, particularly ex-Fine Gael voters.

Now that Sinn Féin are losing their core vote by the bucket load, there is little chance of a 32-county republic taking place. And most people, on the ground, get along with each other fine in spite of the ‘uproar’ created over the suspension of Stormont. The lack of focus on bread-and-butter issues has turned people away from the ballot box. We should govern ourselves.

DESMOND DEVLIN


Ardboe, Co Tyrone

Best a prince of captains

I’s a pity that Ireland didn’t make the semi- final stage of the Rugby World Cup. All credit to England and Wales, but we can claim to have seen the competition graced with the presence of that prince of a captain, Rory Best. Over the years he has made north and south a very proud little island with his passion and love for what


he does.


Happy retirement Rory.

ROBERT SULLIVAN


Bantry, Co Cork