The vote in Ireland on 22nd May to recognise gay marriage has been one of the most inspirational events this year. Ireland, once known as a bastion of social conservatism, has provided a beacon for all of us in these islands. Not least, the vote in the south led to an impressive demonstration of 10,000…
WATER CHARGES: INDEPENDENT MOBILISATION, NEW STATE REPRESSION
The following article from the Socialist Democracy (Ireland) website addresses the political situation in Ireland after the mass demonstrations against water charges held on January 31st. The mass demonstrations across Ireland on the 31st January show the emergence of a new force in Irish politics. The spontaneous movement on water charges has stood on…
STORMONT HOUSE DEAL
Below are two articles from the latest edition of Socialist Democracy (Ireland). They provide an account and analysis of the Stormont House Deal between the UK government and the DUP/Sinn Fein coalition in Stormont over the implementation of Westminster imposed cuts, against the background of threats to stand down Stormont. (http://www.socialistdemocracy.org/Bulletins/SDBulletinJan2015StormontHouseDeal.html and www.socialistdemocracy.org/Bulletins/SDBulletinJan2015SectarianismAndAusterityTwinPillarsOfReaction.html) …
STUC AND ITUC (NORTHERN COMMITTEE) DEMONSTRATIONS ON OCTOBER 18th.
On October 18th the TUC, STUC and ITUC (Northern Committee) held demonstrations to protest against austerity. Trade Unionists For Independence (East Coast) distributed the leaflet below at the STUC rally, It’s Time to Create A Just Scotland, held in Glasgow on Saturday, October 18th. It was attended by 3500 trade unionists. Socialist Democracy (Ireland) wrote the second…
Racism In Northern Ireland Breaking The Bounds of Liberal Outrage
Below E&L has posted a leaflet distributed by Socialist Democracy (Ireland) at an anti-racist rally in Belfast on 7th June. This was produced in response to Northern Ireland First Minster, Peter Robinson of the DUP and the initial support heave to a rabid rant directed against Muslims by a Protestant fundamentalist preacher, James McConnell. Racism:…
Latvia And Ireland In The Race To The Bottom
There has been much talk recently from George Osborne about economic recovery in the UK, demonstrated in a rise in employment figures. That many of these jobs are on zero hours or other part-time contracts, and that the largest group dependent now on benefits are the low paid jobs, highlights the reality of life in ‘Food Bank…
Irish Budget 2014 – A Budget Of Smoke And Mirrors, Advancing An Agenda Of Barbarism
The mainstream Irish press claims the economic crisis has bottomed out in Ireland, and the economy is on the road to recovery. This article from from the Socialist Democracy (Ireland) outline the reality, particularly for the Irish working class. The extent to which the ideology of austerity has been engrained in Irish society is reflected in the expression of relief that…
Reactionary Unionism Pushes The Irish ‘Peace Process’ Further To The Sectarian Right
Below are three articles from the Socialist Democracy (Ireland) website highlighting the role of Loyalism and mainstream Ulster Unionism, aided by the UK government in pushing the Good Friday Agreement further to the sectarian right. Underscoring the UK state’s own declining imperial role, Richard Haas, the unofficial US representative has been drawn in to help…
AFTER GRANGEMOUTH – WHAT NOW FOR THE LEFT IN SCOTLAND?
The ignominious climbdown of the Broad Left UNITE leadership at Grangemouth highlights the need for the Left in Scotland to assess the political significance of this disastrous capitulation, which will encourage every employer to resort to similar dictatorial methods when dealing with their workers. Furthermore, the decision of the SNP government to bow to Ratcliffe and…
Ireland And The Protection Of Life During Pregnancy Act
We are posting another article from the August issue of Socialist Democracy (Ireland). This is on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act in Ireland. It is a follow up to an earlier posting about Savita Halappanavar who died when denied an abortion at the University Hospital in Galway (see We Have Heartbeats Too!). In the case…