Supporter of Iraq War speaks at Labour conference

national | anti-war / imperialism | news report

Monday April 03, 2006 14:29

by Labour

A leading member of the British Labour Party and supporter of the war in Iraq addressed the Irish Labour Party conference on Saturday. That is despite the opposition of some members of the Irish organisation.

Peter Watt, General Secretary, the Labour Party spoke on Saturday night at the conference in DCU during the warm up to Pat Rabbitte's speech. How does this tie in with Labour's contribution to the anti war movement in Ireland? see http://www.labour.ie/youth/news/index/20060321162846.html

see Daily Ireland link http://dailyireland.televisual.co.uk/home.tvt?_ticket=4...opp=1

A leading member of the British Labour Party and supporter of the war in Iraq addressed the Irish Labour Party conference on Saturday. That is despite the opposition of some members of the Irish organisation.

Peter Watt, General Secretary, the Labour Party spoke on Saturday night at the conference in DCU during the warm up to Pat Rabbitte's speech. How does this tie in with Labour's contribution to the anti war movement in Ireland? see http://www.labour.ie/youth/news/index/20060321162846.html

see Daily Ireland link http://dailyireland.televisual.co.uk/home.tvt?_ticket=4...opp=1

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Comments (4 of 4)

Labour Youth Protest

by Lorca

Mon Apr 03, 2006 15:47

Labour Youth protested at the conference theres a picture of posters being held up in todays Irish Times. Its worth noting that he was present in his capacity as General Secretary of British Labour not to speak on the War. Here are some points made in the DI article.

"Members of Labour Youth and other Irish Labour Party members were openly critical of the invitation.Labour Youth said the Irish Labour Party should not have invited a senior member of a party currently engaged in the war and occupation of Iraq.

When party president Michael D Higgins addressed the conference, he spoke on the issue of the US military’s use of Shannon airport in Co Clare.Mr Higgins said the relationship between the Irish and British parties “had changed” since the start of the Iraq war in 2003.
He complimented Labour Youth on its stance and said the group should urge party leader Pat Rabbitte to raise the issue of the war with Mr Watt."

it is the principle really?

by not the point

Mon Apr 03, 2006 18:16

"present in his capacity as General Secretary of British Labour not to speak on the War"

I do not think that is the point really. What organisational links does the Irish Labour Party have with the British Party?

whatever they are should they not be ended because of Blair's war?

The Point

Mon Apr 03, 2006 19:43

"What organisational links does the Irish Labour Party have with the British Party?"

They are both part of the Socialist International. They are both part of the Socialist Group in the EP. However this is a loose alliance.

"whatever they are should they not be ended because of Blair's war?"

No. Because many in the British Labour Party oppose the War. Should you end links with a foreign group whenever you have a disagreement with them?

was not clear

by yep

Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:28

I saw the pics of the Labour Youth members holding up 'no to war 'posters at the conference, in the Times yesterday, but it was not clear who they were protesting against?

also this seems quite interesting from the same paper, good to see some people thinking "outside the box" on the whole broder issue, although I don't agree with them.

http://dailyireland.televisual.co.uk/home.tvt?_scope=Da...opp=1

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Supporter of Iraq War speaks at Labour conference

Comments (4 of 4)