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Launch of United Left Alliance -- is this the way forward?
national |
anti-capitalism |
opinion/analysis
Sunday December 05, 2010 13:55 by Diarmuid Breatnach - personal capacity
The United Left Alliance was launched during the week on a socialist programme and planning to stand in the forthcoming elections. The meeting was well attended and addressed by speakers from People Before Profit, the Socialist Party and Unemployed & Workers' Action Group. The mood was upbeat and even euphoric. However, their charter does not mention imperialism and there were some prominent absences among their sponsors, including éirigí and Workers' Solidarity Movement. There was hardly a mention of work-place organisation and this essential work is not being focussed on by either the ULA or the 1% Network. Despite snow, icy footpaths and some transport difficulties the United Left Alliance got a good attendance at its launch meeting in the Gresham Hotel on Monday (29th November). Approximately 350 gathered to hear speakers Richard Boyd Barrett (People Before Profit Alliance & Socialist Workers’ Party), Cnclr. Seamus Healy (South Tipperary Workers’ and Unemployed Action Group), Cian Prendiville (Socialist Party), Cnclr. Joan Collins (PBPA) and MEP Joe Higgins (Socialist Party). The Chair was Ailbhe Smyth (PBPA).
by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Sat Jan 08, 2011 17:13
Time to revise your scope. You wanted to play the capitalist card with the property, but keep the social safety net. They are currently irreconcilable opposites. You have some reconsideration to do. We are not autonous organisms, we are interdependent. The capitalist delusion of self-sufficiency stems from his insulation due to the power of his moolah.He has sold us his delusion largely through his advertising programming. Did you never think when you turned on your tele that you were being PROGRAMMED by the program. Pravda West. The social model is upside-down. With a capitalist dog-eat-dog foundation and a few subsistence provisions for welfare(mostly developed during the Cold War to keep up with soviet social programs that might have inspired the western workforce to rebellion if not matched)it is built on unlimited(and hence on limited resources unsustainable)consumption and competition.
by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Sat Jan 08, 2011 15:14
'Bring the efficient Germans in'.
by Peadarr Sat Jan 08, 2011 14:51
The German Ambassasor to Ireland in 2007 was gobsmacked at how highly paid the Irish public sector were.
by D_D & Tomás Ó Flatharta Sat Jan 08, 2011 13:25
Building the United Left Alliance -
by D_D - PBP - ULA - individual Fri Jan 07, 2011 18:33
From: United Left Alliance Date: 15 December 2010 23:13Subject: ULA Activists meeting 7pm Monday 10 January Wynn's Hotel To:
by D_D Sun Dec 19, 2010 22:08
... and loads too over at The Cedar Lounge: http://cedarlounge.wordpress.com/
by D_D - PBPA - individual Sun Dec 19, 2010 21:53
For more on the ULA:
by curious leftie Mon Dec 13, 2010 19:35
I am thinking about joining them if they satisfy a couple of policies. First they seem cool on raising the scandalously low corporation tax in this country, but by how much? it should be at least doubled from 12.5% and that would still be too low. What is their position on Ireland leaving the EU? Joe Higgins was excellent during Lisbon 1 and 2 and I take it he would be in favour of opting out of the empire? but I dont know about boyd barrett and some of the more middle class elements? getting candidates to sign a pledge to accept a recall would be a great idea even if they renage on it later on. How about the mad salaries that TD s get are they in favour of cutting the td's salary to 40,000 euros? and the taoiseach's to 45,000?
by Mark P - Socialist Party (personal capacity) Thu Dec 09, 2010 18:40
As I understand it, there's no legal way for any political party or alliance to recall someone from a seat in a Council or in a Dail, if they refuse to resign.
by Just wondering Thu Dec 09, 2010 18:31
Mark above: "On accountability, the ULA will not be enforcing unanimity on its component organisations or individuals beyond (a) the agreed minimum program, (b) the candidate pledge and (c) any further policies which are agreed by all components. It will hold any representatives accountable to those things however..."
by Diarmuid Breatnach - Personal Capacity Thu Dec 09, 2010 15:19
Thanks, Mark. I have written to the address you gave me. I hope they find some way of contacting the many independent activists also.
by Mark P - Socialist Party (personal capacity) Wed Dec 08, 2010 22:41
Yes, it appears that Socialist Party trade unionists do indeed agree broadly with you about the need for a grassroots activist network across the unions. They do think that setting up CPSU Activist style groups in each union is important, but they don't see that as being in any way opposed to establishing a cross-union network. Each can assist the other. In other words, I was wrong about the Socialist Party's view on the subject.
by Diarmuid Breatnach - Personal Capacity Wed Dec 08, 2010 19:08
CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE: This form of struggle appears to be one of the few left open to us, in the absence of a viable grassroots trade union network organising a general strike. However, the tactics should be carefully thought through as all too often these struggles end up meaning the sacrifices of a few prominent individuals. The struggle then becomes more about them and their sacrifice than that of the movement.
by Ballymun Republican Wed Dec 08, 2010 16:50
There's a Labour Party councillor from Ballymun which borders DNC. Maybe he's joined this outfit.
by Mark P - Socialist Party (personal capacity) Wed Dec 08, 2010 16:12
Kimberly:
by stephen Tue Dec 07, 2010 17:32
Has Ciaran Perry, the isn or the workers party applied to join the alliance, are they willing to stand over the platform. I would welcome their inclusion.
by Nikki Grahame Tue Dec 07, 2010 15:39
I know most of the candidates but usually Nig.. sorry Mark P don's his anorak come election time and attempts witty comments on the candidates, who they are and there chances.
by Malachy Steenson - Workers Party Tue Dec 07, 2010 13:03 malachysteenson at yahoo dot com
by Kimberley Jacobs Tue Dec 07, 2010 11:00
Thanks to Mark P for honestly addressing questions that have been raised. This thread has been a lot more fruitful than these discussions sometimes end up. But there are 2 questions that haven't been addressed.
by Mark P - Socialist Party (personal capacity) Tue Dec 07, 2010 09:32
Reilly:
by reilly Tue Dec 07, 2010 07:00
I suspect that those activists - various independent socialists, left-republicans, anarchists ect - committed to extra-parlimentary political organizingwill group around the 1 percent Network and promoted a strategy of direct action and civil disobdience - which I think will resonate with increasing numbers of working people who see these elections as a shell game. We'll see. Those who committed to an electoral strategy will largely orient around SF - which, despite it's declared intention to join a Labor gov if possible - seem to be soaring in the latest polls. The Greens, of course, are dead meat.
by Diarmuid Breatnach - Personal Capacity Tue Dec 07, 2010 04:12
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion so far. Each one has made important contributions to the discussion. However, Emmet, this was not the place to insert your entire record of a meeting – a link and explanation would have been sufficient.
by Mark P - Socialist Party (personal capacity) Tue Dec 07, 2010 01:20
There is nothing "undemocratic" about a group of organisations talking to each other, reaching a level of political agreement and then setting up an alliance based on that agreement. In fact that's a much more rational way of going about trying to establish a new alliance that actually works than, say for instance the model which was tried a couple of years ago of an endless series of meetings of every group on the left, regardless of what they had in common.
by Caoimhín Tue Dec 07, 2010 00:37
The ULA was formed by election hopefuls in a series of private meetings. Given the circumstances, a pure electoral alliance was always going to be the outcome. You can't get involved and attempt change its direction, its a wholly top down affair.
by hs - sp Mon Dec 06, 2010 23:17
I think you should get involved with the ULA and do your best to push the proto-organisation in what you think is the correct direction, if you think there should be more industrial work, get involved and argue for it. I think you see the problem as an either - or. Either elections or union work. Why not both? Personally I am not in a union I have no option to join a union (I work in precarious employment with no contract and am employed on a weekly basis).
by Emmett Farrell - Socialist Party Mon Dec 06, 2010 18:41
For people who were not at the launch of ULA - I took notes and placed this on another thread. I see that it may be more appropriate here and note that I have omitted two speakers from floor both from CPSU - one who stated that ULA needed to get media exposure and another from Revenue branch who ofered to organise a concert.
by Mark P - Socialist Party (personal capacity) Mon Dec 06, 2010 18:29
I favour an end to partition as part of a socialist transformation of this island, in line with Socialist Party policy on the issue.
by James Mon Dec 06, 2010 18:16
Mark, I am concerned at the economnic crisis here in the 26 as much as anyone else but that doesnt mean I shut my eyes to what is happening in the 6 counties.
by Mark P - Socialist Party (personal capacity) Mon Dec 06, 2010 18:10
I am suggesting that the issue of partition will not be relevant in the forthcoming elections in the Republic. Not that the issue has no underlying relevance or will never be significant.
by James Mon Dec 06, 2010 18:01
How can a foreign imperialist occupation of part of our country not be relevant. Are you suggesting Seamus Healy does not believe the occupation is relevant?
by Mark P - Socialist Party (personal capacity) Mon Dec 06, 2010 18:00
Both of your questions have already been answered.
by James Mon Dec 06, 2010 17:52
Are the WUAG more significant electorally than the WP?
by Mark P - Socialist Party (personal capacity) Mon Dec 06, 2010 17:49
The three organisations I was referring to were the Socialist Party, which has an MEP and six Councillors, People Before Profit, which has five Councillors and the Workers and Unemployed Action Group, which has eight Councillors (or strictly speaking eight Council seats).
by Infamy Or The Bullet Mon Dec 06, 2010 17:43
The Tipperary WUAG is the third group. They are anti-imperialist.
by James Mon Dec 06, 2010 17:20
Mark, has the ULA no position on imperialism, particularly here in the six counties?
by Mark P - Socialist Party (personal capacity) Mon Dec 06, 2010 16:12
I think that there are some misapprehensions here about the United Left Alliance and about left cooperation on other issues.
by Kimberley Jacobs Mon Dec 06, 2010 11:44
I think Diarmuid has raised some important questions here. (Important enough that Mark P should get his name right, in fact!)
by Pepe Mon Dec 06, 2010 00:08
"Pepe, on the whole I agree with what you say but I fear that instead of being a step towards a United Left, this will be a diversion from the necessary work in the trade union movement as people get sucked into trying to get socialists elected as TDs and then trot them around meetings and demos without ever addressing what I think is what is really needed."
by Diarmuid Breatnach - -- personal capacity Sun Dec 05, 2010 22:38
Brendan, I answered that question in the body of the article. And I did not say not to vote for them.
by Pepe Sun Dec 05, 2010 21:50
I could not attend the meeting even though I was very interested in doing so. So thanks Diarmuid for bothering to put your impressions on it and help a necessary debate among the left in Ireland.
by Mark P - Socialist Party (personal capacity) Sun Dec 05, 2010 17:42
Dermot is entirely correct that the election of a number of socialist TDs will not in and of itself provide a path out of the crisis, nor will it enable us to defeat the savage austerity measures the mainstream parties with their friends in the EU and IMF will be imposing. But then again, nobody from the United Left Alliance is claiming that the election of a few socialist TDs will have that result. In fact, speaker after speaker emphasized that the reason why the ULA wants to get some TDs elected is to provide a voice for a movement against the "bailout" and against the cuts on the streets, in the communities and in the workplaces. A group of TDs would be focused on helping such a movement to mobilise. Joe Higgins was already able to use a single Dail seat, in much more stable times, to assist various movements of workers in organising and mobilising, most famously during the GAMA dispute.
by Brendan Sun Dec 05, 2010 17:21
That last sentence begs a big 'why?' Diarmuid, as in 'why do they not represent a way out of the current crisis?' |
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