Reclaiming the unions – Bluster about bureaucracy, but no alternative programme – Socialist Democracy (Ireland) The “Reclaiming our Trade Unions” conference in Dublin on 1st October (better seen as a convention because of the limited political discussion) had its theme set by Kieran Allen, the President of SIPTU’s education branch. Kieran denounced the corruption of…
A Republican Re-alignment
A REPUBLICAN RE-ALIGNMENT John McAnulty (Socialist Democracy – Ireland) Shortly before Elizabeth Windsor’s visit to Dublin, the death of police officer Ronan Kerr led to a moral panic across Ireland, with demonstrations in support of the status quo and with the great and the good claiming all Irish society was under threat. In the Assembly elections which followed a…
New issue of the commune (no. 26)
the euro in crisis editorial – opposition and the cuts balls to miliband – Clifford Biddulph pickets and porkie pies at fujitsu – Mark Harrison cleaning up the industry – Siobhan Breatnach sparks fly in electricians’ dispute – Siobhan Breatnach a weekend camping at dale farm – Daniel Harvey a state of uncertainty – Pete…
The State Murder of Troy Davis
At the South Carolina State Penitentiary on the 16th, June, 1944, 14 year old, George Junius Stinney, was strapped to the electric chair. Securing him to the frame holding the electrodes proved difficult as the child was so slightly built and merely 5’1”, a reason to suspect it wasn’t he who had wielded the huge…
Tommy McKearney’s new book – ‘The IRA – From Insurrection to Parliament’
Tommy McKearney, former Provisional IRA member and hunger striker, now an organiser for the Independent Workers Union in Ireland, has spoken at the first Republican Socialist Convention organised the the SSP’s International Committee, and at the third Global Commune event – Trade Unions – Are They Fit For Purpose (organised jointly the the RCN and the…
The First Shoots of a New Industrial Fightback?
The following encouraging developments on the industrial front highlight two of the strategies discussed and debated at the Third Global Commune event, the report of which can be found at:- Report of the Third Global Commune Event Major gains for Lower Paid at Heron Tower Dispute Brian Higgins and the Anti-Blacklist Campaign Success at Brussels…
After May 5th – A Looming Constitutional Crisis?
Part One – the Meaning of the May 5th Elections A good kicking for the Lib-Dems disguises the wider impact of the National Question on May 5th On May 5th, the Lib-Dem-initiated referendum proposal to introduce AV to Westminster elections was massively rejected in every nation and region of the UK, including Northern Ireland. In…
20 Years After the Poll Tax – Lessons for the Anti-Cuts Movement?
The article below was originally written for Red Banner, an Irish socialist magazine for discussion and debate. In its conclusion this article draws some of the key lessons needed to conduct a successful struggle against the cuts today. It is twenty years since Thatcher’s Tory government tried to impose the Poll Tax. Officially termed the Community…
A Reply to James Turley’s ‘Who’s Afraid of George Galloway’?
In Weekly Worker, no. 865, James Turley has attacked those who wrote an Open Letter urging no vote for George Galloway in the Holyrood elections on May 5th. The Open Letter was originally published on the Manchester-based blog, Infantile and disorderly (The Editorial Board of Emancipation & Liberation added its members’ names after the initial…
Open Letter – No Vote for Galloway
This was issued by the Manchester-based blogger, ‘Infantile and disorderly‘, on May 2. On May 5, George Galloway will be standing for election to Holyrood. The former Respect MP for Bethnal Green and Bow and Labour MP for Glasgow Kelvin is heading the George Galloway (Respect) – Coalition Against Cuts list. He has the backing…