Letter: How we can force Ulster to grow up

Sir: I find government policy on the Orange marches incomprehensible.

In the midst of an endlessly problematic and tortuous peace process, an obvious thing to do is to stop the Orange Order marching through Catholic neighbourhoods and villages. The essential function of the Orange parades as symbols of Protestant domination has been recognised for generations and there can be no doubting the central role they have played historically in fomenting sectarian strife.

For a Labour government to bring the full force of the state - police and troops - to assist in the ritual humiliation of the Catholic community was morally and politically indefensible.

ALEX CHRISTIE

Aberdeen