IN the Opinion column and under the heading 'Marching bigots threaten the peace,' most of what the column states is correct and in my view long needed to be said.

However, let's not forget the scene of David Trimble shouting and demonstrating both at the infamous Garvecky Road and also on the walls of Londonderry last year, and then ask the question is this man who is soon to be the leading minister in the proposed assembly any different than the turbulent priest, Ian Paisley?

The marches are traditional and seen by a highly nervous and neurotic Ulster leadership as a form of controlling catholics and other associations outside of the Unionist camp.

However, the marches in themselves are a colourful reminder of links with British that reside for the most part in the true blue Tory camp.

It's no accident that Northern Ireland has a protestant majority because of strong links with former Tories such as the Churchills and their rallying cry "Ulster will fight and Ulster will be right."

That may be history but, unfortunately, the archetypal Ian Paisley has proved traditional themes are the anvil upon which to strike the enemy, real or imagined.

DUNCAN MCVEE, Robin Bank Road, Darwen.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.