Pat Lawlor to Fight for Assembly Seat in West Belfast!

by UNITE member Tue Jan 18, 2011 14:05

Good to see people will have an alternative to the main parties, who are all signed up to cuts.

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Tue Jan 18, 2011 14:45

an outbreak of leadership. If only it goes contageous. we could do with a pandemic.

by Belfast Pat Tue Jan 18, 2011 23:47

Its also likely that the IRSP and Eirigi will be contesting that same area in the locals so along with the SP that will be three socialist candidates running. Good news

by hmmm Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:52

I think the main difference between between Pat and eirigi or the Irps is the 'anti-sectarian' bit mentioned in the press release. Sure, if your defintion of socialism is that wide, I'm sure the Sticks will be standing too.

by Belfast pat Wed Jan 19, 2011 22:20

Are you trying to say that Eirigi and the IRSP are not socialist and are sectarian? Get a grip will you. And what is your problem with the WP? Are they not socialist either?

by PV Wed Jan 19, 2011 23:30

The question that many will be asking is why not the ULA ?

by hmmm Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:22

The Irps and eirigi are nationalists with a socialist veneer. They are incapable to appealing to Protestants because of their position on the national question, and therefore incapable of building socialism in the North. The Sticks can't build support for socialism in either community because they are seen as republicans by Protestants and as pro-state by Catholics. They do not advocate socialism.

by Belfast Pat Thu Jan 20, 2011 13:49

The IRSP, Eirigi and the WP are all socialist organisations, no more, no less than the SP. Regarding their appeal that is a different manner. Though it is odd that you seem to be promoting the fact that the SP dont oppose the british occupation/british imperialism in Ireland as a good thing.

by hmm Thu Jan 20, 2011 14:49

The Socialist Party and its forerunner, Militant Labour, does and always has opposed the presence of Biritish troops in Ireland. In fact, Militant opposed the troops being sent in in the first place when republicans welcomed them with open arms. The Socialist Party supports a united, socialist Ireland as part of a socialist federation with Scotland, Wales and England. If you have evidence to the contrary, I'd be happy to see it.

eirigi and the Irps have no orientation to mass struggle or the mass organisations of the working-class. Their socialism is skin deep and, as I pointed out and you didn't respond to, since their one-sided and sectarian position on the national question would have them run out of Protestant areas, they can't build socialism.

by Belfast Pat Thu Jan 20, 2011 16:27

Looking to end the occupation is not in anyway a sectarian position much as you might like it to be.

And your elitist position in terms of who is socialist or not is appalling. You might think that ye are sooper dooper socialists and no-one else really is, but thats bull. The sticks, eirigi, irsp, cpi are all socialist, no more no less than you are. Get over it.

Anyway back to the main point, which is that i welcome the fact that the people of West Belfast will now have possibly three socialist alternatives in the upcoming locals - the SP, Eirigi and IRSP.

by Séamus Sat Jan 22, 2011 11:18

"their one-sided and sectarian position on the national question"

What a condescending statement about republicanism, and it's total nonsense as well. The SP has definitely just lost my votes.

by convinced Sun Jan 23, 2011 16:27

Seamus if the SP have lost your vote they have gained mine!

by Celia S Sun Jan 23, 2011 20:38

éirígí Ard-Fheis Decides on Electoral Intervention

23/01/11

The socialist republican party éirígí held its Ard-Fheis on Belfast’s Falls Road earlier today [Sunday], at which the membership voted in favour of contesting upcoming local elections in the Six Counties. Candidates will definitely stand in Belfast, with names to be announced in the very near future.

The Ard-Fheis, which was held in the Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich cultural centre, was attended by more than 200 people and was addressed by speakers from the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the Latin American Solidarity Centre, the Independent Workers’ Union, FEE, as well as cathaoirleach éirígí Brian Leeson and rúnaí ginearálta Breandán Mac Cionnaith.

Messages of solidarity were also sent by the Cuban ambassador to Ireland Teresita Trujillo and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

Regarding the decision taken by the party membership on the Six County local elections, Brian Leeson said: “Five years on from the formation of éirígí, the party feels the time is right to make an electoral intervention in order to further promote a resurgent socialist republicanism.

“éirígí has no illusions about the nature of electoral politics in the Six Counties and, indeed, across Ireland. The Six Counties is an irreformably corrupt, sectarian state. No amount of elections to local councils, assemblies or foreign parliaments can change that fact.

“We believe there is a real appetite for a radical voice to emerge from working class communities that will forcefully challenge the British occupation and economic exploitation and deprivation.

Leeson added: “Ultimately, the cuts that are being implemented by the British government and its puppet administration at Stormont will have to be defeated on the streets, in our communities and in people’s workplaces. éirígí will be making the case for this course of action throughout the forthcoming election campaign.”

by jimbo Sun Jan 23, 2011 23:03

Great to see another socialist party to vote for. It is very encouraging

by Rumpy Pumpy Sat Jan 29, 2011 21:14

A full FIVE posts before we had a split in the left.

After some 60 years of struggle that is real progress.

Anyone on here related to those clowns undermining the cuts campaign by having a badly attended, hastily organised "Student" protest today?

Events like that undermine the entire campaign.