My last article on People Before Profit attracted a lot of attention and commentary, so I thought it best to use this one to answer some of the questions which arose from it. The word ‘Enigma’ is appropriate, for reasons I will elaborate on; For one thing I can’t do when it comes to People Before Profit is grasp the possibility which they believe (or so they say!) that their economic policies could actually be implemented in the Assembly.
Gerry Carroll and PBP stood for election, as they do every election, on a platform of anti-austerity. Knowing they weren’t going to get a majority and have to take difficult decisions, it was an easy hand to play – the radical “oppose everything” card. Given this, they capitalised on the opportunity to stand candidates against Sinn Fein over the Fresh Start Agreement, acting as though they could offer some credible, realistic alternative to what was imposed by the Westminster Government.
The operative word there is ‘imposed’, for as I stated before, Stormont is not a sovereign government; it’s a devolved administration within a Union, which can be suspended at any time by the British Government. So, the reforms of the Fresh Start Agreement could have and would have been implemented, in a much harsher and more extreme way, if the Assembly had collapsed and Direct Rule Ministers had been appointed to force through these changes. Unlike MLAs, this enforcing ruling class would not need a single vote to cause them to want to water down such changes, with no guarantees and protections that were eventually afforded. Remember how Richard Needham and the other Direct Rulers used to overlook funding for Nationalist areas and youth clubs for decades? Remember the neglect these Tory MPs showed towards the plight of Catholic communities, who have only started to have these deficiencies addressed via the passage of time (with much work to do). Remember the shabby housing and derelict buildings which were a standard feature of the misery inflicted here.
Now that would be the reality of People Before Profit winning a majority in the Assembly. How so? Because it would mean a stand off between them and the Westminster Government over public expenditure. And in the end, the Sovereign Parliament at Westminster holds sway over all secondary administrations. Gerry & Co, faced with a British Government unwilling to afford more money for their Trotskyist spending plans, would have to resign or refuse to work with them, in which case they would bring it in anyway via Direct Rule and the very policies which PBP so vehemently rally against would become reality by default.
What this highlights is two-fold. First of all, the only way to avoid Tory austerity and Conservative Government diktats, is not to have them at all – ending partition and negotiating a new constitution for Ireland would mean people are afforded rights which no government could take away without a referendum from the people. Again, that’s not a policy articulated by PBP when they canvass doorsteps on Loyalist estates, simply because they know some their audiences wouldn’t vote for that. Not that there aren’t left-wing individuals in those areas, which have produced many fine trade unionists, but rather the majority wish to see partition perpetuated and PBP don’t want to say anything which would suggest breaking ties with the “fatherland” that is Britain.
Secondly, it shows that Gerry and PBP do not understand the implications of their own rhetoric and policies. Is there a single country in Europe which has successfully implemented the Trotskyist policies which PBP advocate?! No. Are there policies even legal under the Maastricht Treaty’s rule of 3% limits on deficits for public spending?! No. (Even though Brexit has been asserted, we still have to abide by the fiscal treaties until we leave). On their website, it asserts that they would take industries within the South of Ireland into public ownership and follow an economic model which includes developing and intervening in mass areas of enterprise and the economy. That in itself is bogus, for we all read about the plight of the Port Talbot steel workers and how the British Government could not intervene financially under the Single Market regulations within the EU. Their policy of increasing corporation tax to 15% is the very same level which the British Conservative Government are planning to lower it to – common ground with the Tories there, Gerry & Eamonn.
What hasn’t dawned on PBP and the “hard left” is simple: Marxism, in practice, failed. Look at all the socialist countries of the world – Russia, China, Cuba, India, Eastern Europe – all of them eventually lifted capital controls on money, goods and services, as well as implementing markets for some commodities within their respective economies.
Why is that? Because as human beings we haven’t got to the stage where we have a clear and coherent strategy that can be implemented the world over for the purposes of ending greed per se. We have ideas and suggestions, but those aren’t applicable everywhere. Ideologies are prisoners to the circumstances they find themselves in. So is that sort of Marxist Workers International state possible on the island of Ireland, now or in the near and distant future? Absolutely not.
So what would be the realistic and sensible way forward for Ireland following an end to partition? Following the mixed economy models of Scandinavia, whereby we have a strong manufacturing base to rival the vested interests of financial services within the economy as a whole. This would require leaving the European Union and utilising our own currency, so we can regulate the banks as a sovereign state and tax and spend according to the needs of our population. We would have to do what Harold Wilson did in 1967 and devalue our currency so as to spend more of it on public services and expanding the state sector.
Gerry & Co. don’t seem to appreciate, in the long litany of policies available online, that you can’t use another country’s currency and expect them to let you do whatever you want with it. I recall when he was espousing the idea of People’s Quantitative Easing, which is actually a realistic method that Jeremy Corbyn is advocating, but he was telling people this as though a Conservative Government would really allow the Assembly the power to do that over top UK Banks. Indeed, most of their policies are not even aligned to the powers and remit of the Assembly, they are predominantly Westminster-oriented issues of sovereignty. So the fool’s pardon which Jim McVeigh granted him on Belfast City Council will have to be extended by all such readers and intelligent minded people.
Now the average person and family don’t have the time to spend looking over all of this and highlighting errors here and there by ruminating over EU fiscal treaty clauses and sub-clauses each night. I’m embarrassed to say that’s a part of my routine… But it doesn’t mean they can’t and won’t be able to sense that there’s something fishy about PBP’s manifestos and promises.
My motivation in this article is simple: I’m calling the bluff of Gerry Carroll and others and telling them to stop advocating things which they know full well cannot be administered or implemented by Stormont or while we remain in the European Union. Be clear to people, Gerry and tell them this is what you would like to do in an ideal world, ( very ideal ), but that the constraints of reality won’t ever afford you the chance of doing so. Tell them why your predecessors, the Socialist Workers Party, ended up becoming the more moderate Democratic Left and then right wing Labour, despite the fact that they always maintained themselves as being to the Left of Sinn Fein when they were proselytising for the same policies as you are currently – now the very same people, like Eamon Gilmore and Eoghan Harris, criticise Sinn Fein for being too left wing.
Everyone of a left wing disposition should ask themselves a simple but serious question: why did the most brilliant, honest and articulate of left-wingers and socialists, Tony Benn, Jeremy Corbyn, George Galloway and Ken Livingstone, consistently back and continue to back Sinn Fein as the only credible and realistic left wing party throughout the island of Ireland?! Why is that Gerry & Co.? Are they all just establishment stooges or under the thumb of Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness? Or do they just know how to tell the difference between saying one thing and being able to do it?!
I say to all those reading this, with every fibre in my heart, focus the fight on ending partition. That is the highest priority for the Left on this island if they are to achieve anything at all. Once that obstacle is removed, this country will be a land of saints and scholars, with the best educated workforce in the world and the most compassionate economic model possible on the planet. Reject with contempt those who operate a policy of “blurred lines” when it comes to partition and condone only those who say what they mean and mean what they say.
“Remember how Richard Needham and the other Direct Rulers used to overlook funding for Nationalist areas and youth clubs for decades?”
No.
“Remember the neglect these Tory MPs showed towards the plight of Catholic communities, who have only started to have these deficiencies addressed via the passage of time (with much work to do)”
No.
Are you making this up?
The thrust of the article is about competition among left wing parties with a focus on what the author sees as the unrealistic policies of PBP.
Maybe Try and focus on that rather than get hung up on Tory party discrimination against nationalists.
But seen as you want to focus on that and claim it’s an illusion consider that I grew up in a large nationalist estate with no playgrounds, no leisure centre, no post office, the nearest GP surgery was 2miles away, virtually zero council street cleaning services, A police ‘service’ that routinely turned a blind eye to crime, most school buildings nearby were in states of desrepair.
I’ve seen a significant improvement in the area since devolution ion was restored.
So ERM no he’s not just making it up. Not that will change your mind. Me and Donal are both Fenians so small minded people like you automatically disagree with whatever we say.
“But seen as you want to focus on that and claim it’s an illusion consider that I grew up in a large nationalist estate with no playgrounds, no leisure centre, no post office, the nearest GP surgery was 2miles away, virtually zero council street cleaning services, A police ‘service’ that routinely turned a blind eye to crime, most school buildings nearby were in states of desrepair.”
So you’re offering anecdotal evidence. I could supply similar evidence of a very large loyalist estate with equivalent poor provision. And in any case playgrounds and leisure centres were local council responsibilities.
“I’ve seen a significant improvement in the area since devolution ion was restored.”
And ditto in the loyalist estate.
“So ERM no he’s not just making it up.”
How do you know? What evidence does he have for the claim?
“What this highlights is two-fold. First of all, the only way to avoid Tory austerity and Conservative Government diktats, is not to have them at all – ending partition and negotiating a new constitution for Ireland would mean people are afforded rights which no government could take away without a referendum from the people. ”
Ending (or rather amending) partition wouldn’t end austerity. It would probably increase it as it would stretch resources more thinly across Ireland, both parts of which are subject to austerity measures already.
What “rights” would a new constitution afford that would end or prevent austerity?
“Secondly, it shows that Gerry and PBP do not understand the implications of their own rhetoric and policies. Is there a single country in Europe which has successfully implemented the Trotskyist policies which PBP advocate?! No. Are there policies even legal under the Maastricht Treaty’s rule of 3% limits on deficits for public spending?! No. (Even though Brexit has been asserted, we still have to abide by the fiscal treaties until we leave). On their website, it asserts that they would take industries within the South of Ireland into public ownership and follow an economic model which includes developing and intervening in mass areas of enterprise and the economy. That in itself is bogus, for we all read about the plight of the Port Talbot steel workers and how the British Government could not intervene financially under the Single Market regulations within the EU. Their policy of increasing corporation tax to 15% is the very same level which the British Conservative Government are planning to lower it to – common ground with the Tories there, Gerry & Eamonn.”
PBP policy is to leave the EU, so Maastricht and other EU restrictions are irrelevant.
“I say to all those reading this, with every fibre in my heart, focus the fight on ending partition. That is the highest priority for the Left on this island if they are to achieve anything at all.”
Why?
“Once that obstacle is removed, this country will be a land of saints and scholars, with the best educated workforce in the world and the most compassionate economic model possible on the planet.”
How do you know?
No British government in history would have permited a society based on truly socialist principles to exist within its borders. There is no sign that will change anytime soon and that is why we should concentrate on Irish unity and independence.
As for a land of saints and scholars, that’s a bit fanciful to put it mildly!
We may know what you don’t agree with MT
but what’s your solution?
Good question paddy
I too would be interested in what you think would be the best solution MT
I’d need to know what problem you’re referring to before I could offer a solution.
How do we reconcile our differences and build a prosperous and vibrant nation?
How do we remove all threats of violence from our society and guarantee civil and religious liberties for all?
How do we transform our country so every single one of our citizens feels comfortable and proud to support it?
Those types of problems.
“How do we reconcile our differences and build a prosperous and vibrant nation?”
By respecting the 1998 political agreement and working together. “Building a vibrant nation”, assuming you mean an Irish nationalist “nation” is a matter for nationalista. I’d suggest too much emphasis on that will work against the former.
“How do we remove all threats of violence from our society and guarantee civil and religious liberties for all?”
By enforcing the law, banning the glorification of unlawful violence, and ensuring and promoting human rights for all.
“How do we transform our country so every single one of our citizens feels comfortable and proud to support it?”
I’m not sure to which country you refer nor what you mean by “support”.
“No British government in history would have permited a society based on truly socialist principles to exist within its borders.”
So the Attlee government didn’t happen?
“There is no sign that will change anytime soon and that is why we should concentrate on Irish unity and independence.”
But there’s no sign either that any Irish Government would permit a society based on truly socialist principles to exist within its borders, and history tells us that socialism has been stronger in the UK than in ROI, so by your logic socialists should be promoting the Union.
“We may know what you don’t agree with MT
but what’s your solution?”
Solution to what problem?
Did the Atlee government eradicate poverty? Racism? Inequality?
The governments that have been in power in the south have been neo liberal and right wing. I don’t argue for a united Ireland simply to replicate the past. The inclusion of the northern population presents an opportunity for real change. A new dynamic.
If the objective is to simply oppose everything without proposing a solution. Perhaps there is no problem.
“Did the Atlee government eradicate poverty? Racism? Inequality?”
Of course not. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t based on “truly socialist principles”.
Which Free State/ROI governments have eradicated poverty, racism or inequality?
“The governments that have been in power in the south have been neo liberal and right wing.”
Indeed. So that indicates that the UK is a more friendly place for socialism than is ROI. So running with the argument, socialists should be unionists.
“I don’t argue for a united Ireland simply to replicate the past. The inclusion of the northern population presents an opportunity for real change. A new dynamic.”
But not a new dynamic for socialism, which is the stated reason for focusing on “ending partition”.
The solution to being stop being a colony MT. That is what we mean. We feel like we live in a British colony. Minor improvements to the economy will not change this. We want the same rights as the rest of our country.
“The solution to being stop being a colony MT. That is what we mean. We feel like we live in a British colony. Minor improvements to the economy will not change this.”
Why do you feel like you live in a colony. I don’t.
I rather suspect there’s no solution to a problem that is inside your head.
“We want the same rights as the rest of our country.”
What rights don’t you have?
“So what would be the realistic and sensible way forward for Ireland following an end to partition? Following the mixed economy models of Scandinavia, whereby we have a strong manufacturing base to rival the vested interests of financial services within the economy as a whole. This would require leaving the European Union and utilising our own currency, so we can regulate the banks as a sovereign state and tax and spend according to the needs of our population”.
Wow, I felt a flutter in my stomach when I read this. 🙂
Well said and excellent article Donal.
“First of all, the only way to avoid Tory austerity and Conservative Government diktats, is not to have them at all – ending partition and negotiating a new constitution for Ireland would mean people are afforded rights which no government could take away without a referendum from the people. ”
“I say to all those reading this, with every fibre in my heart, focus the fight on ending partition. ”
I’m with you there all the way.
If Gerry and Eamonn think they will get support from unionist communities for their far left wing policies and bridge the divide to unite Ireland into an isolated communist enclave and we will all be happy with our little, it is simply daft and suggests they have learned nothing over the past decades living under unionist rule.
I don’t think they are worth worrying about though.
The most important thing that is needed in our communities which is missing at the moment, is hope. The lack of interest from Dublin and the attacks on Sinn Fein in the southern media have totally dashed the hopes of so many Irish people in the north who know they will never have anything under british and unionist rule. Does anyone give a damn how we feel?
To feel unwanted and abandoned by our own nation.
You and I and anyone with a good business head knows that the republic will be net benefactors from unification and it wont be a burden, that there is huge potential for economic growth on this island that it will help reduce the burden of debt on our nation and spread the wealth throughout the country beyond Dublin. It is insulting to hear Noonan say he cannot afford us in such as curt heartless fashion but can afford to pay 280mn more in net contributions back into the EU.
And with that in mind there is one option you have conveniently left out Donal.
Stormont is not saving us from Tory austerity.
In the event Stormont fails, the alternative is not only joint rule but joint responsibility. That means joint everything including the cost of running the place and policing the place.
That will, I assure you result in some of the administration being permanently moved to Dublin to reduce costs and reduce the civil service in the north. Other aspects such as Justice will move to London and Stormont can remain closed until it returns as a museum at a future date.
I would prefer unification was through agreement and staged with financial targets achieved each step of the way to reduce the risk. but there are other ways to unite this country – but none I can think off involve long term stormont rule. Can you in the interest of avoiding “blurred lines”?
Now if we can just get Sinn Fein on board to help focus the fight on ending partition in a way that our communities can see it is their priority which used to be the case but is not any more. Then you would not have to worry about Gerry and Eamonns communist policies and God forbid we are ever subjected to another rendition of the Internationale.
“You and I and anyone with a good business head knows that the republic will be net benefactors from unification and it wont be a burden, that there is huge potential for economic growth on this island that it will help reduce the burden of debt on our nation and spread the wealth throughout the country beyond Dublin.”
How do you know this?
Because I work with small businesses every day who are and will be the backbone of our economy, not hand outs from anyone. I believe and have total confidence in our ability and with the right circumstances and opening up a single market on this island, I and many other small businesses would benefit so much I know beyond doubt we would have a strong economy.
I believe in the potential of my country and I and many others want only to be given the best opportunity to make it reality.
“Because I work with small businesses every day who are and will be the backbone of our economy, not hand outs from anyone. I believe and have total confidence in our ability and with the right circumstances and opening up a single market on this island, I and many other small businesses would benefit so much I know beyond doubt we would have a strong economy.
I believe in the potential of my country and I and many others want only to be given the best opportunity to make it reality.”
So it’s merely a belief.
OK.
“In the event Stormont fails, the alternative is not only joint rule but joint responsibility. That means joint everything including the cost of running the place and policing the place. That will, I assure you result in some of the administration being permanently moved to Dublin to reduce costs and reduce the civil service in the north. Other aspects such as Justice will move to London and Stormont can remain closed until it returns as a museum at a future date.”
There won’t be “joint rule”.
“There won’t be “joint rule”.”
Well all knowing one, will there be a united Ireland with a single economy on this island?
“Well all knowing one, will there be a united Ireland with a single economy on this island?”
I don’t know but it’s a hell of a lot more likely than “joint rule”.
That is such rubbish. So SF, a party that has and always will be completely anathema to political unionism, is your proposition to ending partition? SF’s opposition to welfare reform and subsequent back tracking on the issue, their refusal to challenge sectarian unionism from the DUP, etc are all sure fire signs of a party that has surrendered to unionist intransigence. Of course, there are several other factors that come into play here too, but I feel you are another victim of the dogmatic rhetoric enforced by a party that has been on a downward spiral for several years now. What have THEY learned from decades of unionist misrule? Nothing.
Paul, I have no interest in Northern Ireland and unionism is irrelevant to me.
Sinn Fein are not in decline, they are growing in Ireland. I don’t see things in your partitionist mentality and therefore your attacks on the only all Ireland republican party will put you in the same category as unionism, irrelevant.
You need to start listening. It is not in Sinn Fein’s gift to unite Ireland from Stormont, that can only be achieved by Dublin. I don’t care if it is Sinn Fein, Fine Gael, Fianna Fail or the raving loony party who unite Ireland, but I want to be a part of my country above all else.
I would not want to see people from my own community getting in the road of that and I am still not sure what your motivation is.
Why does “uniting Ireland” matter to you so much? What difference would it make to your day-to-day life? Won’t you still mix with the same people, do the same things, essentially lead the same life?
To the patriotic Irish, it means everything.
If Brittany was a separate state in France, would you ask the French why uniting their country means so much to them?
It is not even just the obvious economic benefits, the fact we could work together as one country for the betterment of all of our people, for future generations and to have our future in our own hands.
It is not only that it is the only way to reconcile our people, to remove the sectarian hatred from our society and to build new friendships and open up all of our country to all of our people.
But to love your country and to not be allowed to feel a part of it, simply breaks my heart.
You’re not answering my question. What difference would it make to your day-to-day life?
Why won’t you answer? Is it because the answer is ‘none’?
I believe in a united Ireland too, but I am vehemently against it being achieved by lying fraudsters like SF. You can’t simply say the end goal is justified when you have party that has built it’s electoral base from telling lie after lie. I live among an area that like many working class communities, has been badly let down by the GFA and by a party (that represents these areas) and has failed to deliver for the people. Some statistics for you. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cb_diW9WEAAPZs8.jpg
I am glad to hear it Paul.
I was starting to think that Jamie Bryson and his buddies had stormed Jude’s blog posing as republicans just to attack Sinn Fein and sow dissention.
I can see that you and comrade Magee are genuine in your concerns about what is happening in west Belfast.
It has been a long time since I have ad family living there so I am not aware of what is happening but obviously things are in a bad way.
Stormont is not worth saving, Sinn Fein would have my support in demanding a multi million pound emergency funding package for the most deprived communities on both sides shared equally and of not made available bring the institutions down until it is.
I would support you in applying pressure to make this happen. But when you come out all guns blazing attacking Sinn Fein and blaming them for everything under the sun, then most people will switch off.
Making Stormont work is not going to make things better for you.
If things are as bad as you say, then we need to go back to people power and take to the streets to bring down the institutions if they aren’t working but we also need to make Dublin take notice.
I think we have crossed wires Dominic.
I am not saying we should do away with anything.
I am saying only that any religious organisation controlling 90% of the schools over the whole of this island is wrong.
Instead of thinking I am on the attack, ask yourself how you would feel?
How would you feel if the only schools in your area were protestant run, or Muslim and there was no other choice but to send your children to them?
Schools being religion neutral, at least in the majority is not unreasonable and will not have any negative impact on the church.
If anything, the gesture would do more to restore confidence which has been lost than anything.
I did not mean to sound even remotely anti catholic. For one reason my mum would kill me as she is far more devout than I am.
shabby housing and derelict buildings,why whats changed i take it you dont live in belfast,
You make a good argument for some realpolitic, Jude. But your argument could be thrown back at you.
How do you end partition when a large number of voters in the north of Ireland are consistently opposed to this? Armed revolution has been tried, civil disobedience too. So what’s to be done to persuade the unpersuaded?
I ain’t makin’ the argument, cg – Donal is…
Sorry, Donal then.
You make a good argument for some realpolitic, Donal. But your argument could be thrown back at you.
How do you end partition when a large number of voters in the north of Ireland are consistently opposed to this? Armed revolution has been tried, civil disobedience too, old fashioned voting. So what’s to be done to persuade the unpersuaded?
“So what’s to be done to persuade the unpersuaded?”
Only the exact same method offered to Scotland, a referendum where a 24 month period is offered to examine the pros and cons of the argument and the people vote for what they prefer.
I would like to see televised debates and input from both states.
Can you tell me why both states don’t want to do this?
It is as if neither state wants us.
Part of politics is to give people hope: give a man a fish he has food for a day, give him a fishing rod and he can feed himself for life etc. Ground up politics has the same idea in that it starts at the bottom and that is why Jeremy Corbyn and people like him have touched a chord. PBP has the same idea, it speaks to ordinary people across barriers that have seemed impenetrable in the past and offer something new and truly fresh. Big party politics is so often about power, look at the PLP in England who have lost the base and look likely to split the Labour party. Partition, whether north/South or east/west is the concern of power elites who want to justify themselves in one way or another and big systems be they economic or political need to be challenged rather than explained by intellectual elites whose arguments disempower and frustrate. Long may individuals like Gerry O’Carroll prosper
Donal, there’s you referring to me being a “fanatic” … its great to see you have addressed this further when you stated you were not going to …I feel you are more threatened by the politics of PBP than you claim to be …
“For one thing I can’t do when it comes to PBP which they believe that their economic policies could actually be implemented in the assembly.” Can you name me a political party whereby their “economic policies” have been implemented successfully in the Assembly? If you take a look at SF and DUP’s electoral promises on the economy during the last assembly election, they sound wonderful – one thing missing, the crux, there is no mention of where this money comes from in their great bulk of spending commitments – so when does that leave their economic policies? In regards their policies on spending commitments – will they actually be implemented? In their economic promises, Sinn Fein will seek the devolution of income tax, national insurance and other duties to the Northern Ireland Assembly in this mandate. Though it does not say what it would do with these powers, if they were devolved. What would the rate of tax be? National insurance? Would it increase or decrease? Do SF even know? With SF comes economic uncertainty – would you agree?
I recall last year, SF’s Chris Hazzard outlining a number of party policies, including a state owned bank in NI and a raft of measures to help low income families – exposing SF’s economic and fiscal illiteracy. The government should clear people’s credit cards, car loans and mortgages and that a state owned bank should be established offering lower rates to those SF approved. Are you comfortable with this party, Donal making the economic decisions for the North? SF in the past have been accused by economists of promotion a message of “spend, spend, spend” at the expense of who? The working people!
With all of SF’s economic policies, perhaps flawless in your eyes, and “influence in government”, their promises to alleviate poverty and deprivation – what have they actually achieved?
“Acting as though they could offer some credible, realistic alternative to what was imposed by the Westminster Government” – was this not SF’s position before they made the blunder of agreeing the Stormont House Agreement and the subsequent Fresh Start Agreement where they in essence agreed to what was being imposed by Westminster?
“Remember the shabby housing and derelict buildings which were a standard feature of the misery inflicted here” – what’s there to remember? The same social affliction still resonates across the North and SF allied with their partner in government are responsible for it? Walk through Belfast city centre – all those derelict shops – is this good for the economy – small business owners being forced to close shops. Look around West Belfast, East Belfast and North Belfast – are you telling me shabby housing doesn’t exist any more ? Who is to blame for this? West Belfast has one of the highest rates of poverty in the UK – child poverty running at 43%, and a far greater proportion of people in receipt of benefits than other parts of Northern Ireland and Great Britain – It looks as though SF economic policies haven’t benefited West Belfast at all, Donal – why is this? Are SF failing the people of West Belfast? They have been, in essence, the main representatives in this area in the new political dispensation.
You state Gerry Carroll stood for election “on a platform of anti austerity” – did SF not stand for an anti austerity platform in the North and South? I recall numerous SF elected reps stating they would not bow to Tories cut, yet they did – SF’s Alex Maskey insisted that the party has been “steadfast” in its opposition to austerity – no they didn’t – they rolled over when they had too. By agreeing Fresh Start, SF publicly modified its objections to austerity. Sinn Fein broke its pledges to protect the most vulnerable people by capitulating to the UK government’s austerity agenda. Why did they make such pledges when they knew they couldn’t possibility stand over them? What does this say about SF, all mouth, no substance? I told you in a previous posting that an elected SF MLA told me “we knew we were going to have to accept austerity” – that’s not what they had been telling their voters and the most vulnerable – as well as that, all the empty rhetoric resulted in millions in penalties, money taken from front line services going back into your treasuries coffers – all for what, exactly? The “stand off” you talk about – SF realised it had to blink first as no Stormont meant a loss of wages, a loss of prestige, a loss of power – and how could they sell direct rule to their voter base? The loss of 20,000 public sector workers that was dressed up in a lovely package illustrated that SF do not care about the working person (as well as those who will be worse off with benefit cuts) – yet they had the cheek to stand on picket lines with the same workers who potentially were going to be loosing their jobs – not only that – what will the impact be on front line services? How will the public suffer? So not only was SF imposing austerity in the North, they stood in the Southern General election on an anti austerity card – “knowing they weren’t going to get a majority and have to take difficult decisions – it was an easy hand to play.”
Added to this, in agreeing to hand over responsibility for introducing controversial welfare reforms such as changes to disability benefits and the roll out of Universal Credit to Westminster, Sinn Fein had upset many of its own voters by relinquishing local control – this says a lot about Sinn Fein – when the going gets tough, let someone else take the blame. I don’t understand how people can stand over SF when they take such actions!
“In which case they would bring them in anyway via Direct Rule and the very policies PBP so vehemently rally against would become reality by default” – is that the same politics SF vehemently opposed that became a reality because they supported them?
As things stand, Mairtin O’Muilleoir has stated he wants greater borrowing power from Westminster – asked how much he wanted to borrow, he hadn’t a clue. Competency? And how’s Mairtin plan to pay additional money back? Further debt with a declining block grant which paying back previous debt? He has produced the begging bowl on a number of occasions although to no avail – There is money for nothing we are being told. Health – £1 billion extra promised – where’s it coming from? Education has been whittled down – schools are having to make massive cuts across the board – yet £9 million was produced a few weeks back to save a trans Atlantic flight to New York – in who’s interest was this route saved? Some Shinner do like their flights to New York, I believe? Could this £9 million not have been used more appropriately?
“But it doesn’t mean they can’t and won’t be able to sense that there’s something fishy about PBP’s manifestos and promises” – the same manifestos and promises that all political party’s make, yet fail to fully implement them ? The point you make can to applied to any political party across the world, not unique to PBP – but them again that’s who you are trying, poorly may I add, a demolition job on.
“My motivation in this article is simple, I’m calling the bluff of Gerry Carroll and others telling them to stop advocating things which they know full well cannot be administered or implemented by Stormont” – again this same general point can be orientated to all the party’s in Stormont – all parties are responsible for advocating things they know can’t be administered or implemented – I have already cited SF’s anti austerity agenda that resulted in them implementing austerity. Are you politically naïve to think all other parties don’t engage in “bluff” and promote policies they know, more and likely won’t be implemented?
Interestingly SF, once dubbed the “economic illiterates” across Ireland are in no position (or their supporters) to chastise any party of their economic arguments. In the South Gerry Adams economic solution to the bailout was to tell the troika to go home. US investment giant Goldman Sachs, stated previously that Sinn Fein are the “biggest risk” to Ireland’s recovery and compared Sinn Fein to Syriza in Greece. Hardly a confidence boaster seeing as what happened in Greece. Sinn Fein planned to hike taxes in the south – hardly making the south an attractive place to work for the common man. SF exposed themselves as a 70’s tax and spend party.
In relation to “ending Partition and negotiating a new constitution for Ireland” you criticise PBP for not having a “policy articulated” – can you send me SF’s articulated policy on ending partition and their views on a new constitution for Ireland? I’d be interested to see their strategy, their blueprint, their road map and their economic aims and visions for the reunification of Ireland.
“Focus the fight on ending partition” – how do you recommend those reading do that, Donal? What actions should we take?
whens this bank opening comrade,i need a new merc and the credit card bill paid.
So what you are saying is that because Sinn Fein are not making it clear how they intend to unite Ireland, and Dublin isn’t interested, you and the PBP feel that we may as well accept partition and Stormont and do more to help the most vulnerable, especially in west Belfast.
You feel you have been sold out and while you would have given all to unite Ireland, there is real need in your community now and as a result you have lost confidence in Sinn Fein or the cause and now intend to put pressure on to have something done about it.
That is understandable to be fair.
I am not a socialist but I can totally get where you are coming from.
More does need to be done.
I have often wondered why the Dublin establishment does so little to show any interest in the Irish citizens in the north.
They constantly pander to unionism, the presidential snub was a fairly clear message.
We know they fear the rise of Sinn Fein and see it as a threat to the two party dominance of Ireland.
Could it be that the lacklustre response is to accommodate this very situation, to wait until there is despair and apathy towards Sinn Fein in the north?
Perhaps unionism has made a deal that if Sinn Fein are broken they will support a united Ireland as they realise it is inevitable but they cannot face Sinn Fein getting their way.
To be honest, I have no confidence that the PBP would fare any better in delivering for your community.
I hope Sinn Fein can do something to ease this pain and patch this genuine rift as it seems to be more ominous and deliberate than I had realised.
It stinks to the high heavens.
There is obviously a lot of animosity towards Sinn Fein here, I don’t think you can blame them on shops closing as high rates and less customers over online shopping are more the reason for that and it is all over not localised.
But I find it hard to believe you took the time and effort to articulate these well researched concerns if there were not a genuine issue.
I don’t live in Belfast and my own area has been transformed, my old primary school has been rebuilt and looks fantastic.
I have said before Sinn Fein should do more to tackle poverty in loyalist areas as much as republican so the encompassing approach taken by PBP does have merit.
But then I know that Sinn Fein are also reaching out to unionism, they just have to do so while supporting a united Ireland which makes it more difficult.
PBP turning their backs on this as well as their far left ideals make them unsupportable to me and the majority of our people.
Some suggestions of action that may help:
More money to repair dilapidated housing faster.
There should be play parks for children if non exist.
More funding for community projects to help families especially children living in poverty.
More money for small business incubation centres and subsidised business parks to encourage self employment and new businesses to create jobs.
Money to encourage education, with free courses which will give people is areas below the average poverty levels qualifications which will help employment prospects.
Subsidised business parks in the area to help small businesses in the area
If things are as bad as you make out, I would support this being a condition to keeping the
assembly in operation.
Are things as bad as this in West Belfast?
“Tell them why your predecessors, the Socialist Workers Party, ended up becoming the more moderate Democratic Left and then right wing Labour, despite the fact that they always maintained themselves as being to the Left of Sinn Fein when they were proselytising for the same policies as you are currently – now the very same people, like Eamon Gilmore and Eoghan Harris, criticise Sinn Fein for being too left wing.”
Donal making such an elementary mistake as confusing The Workers Party with The Socialist Workers Party does not say much for your historical knowledge. All your arguments about PBP could equally be made against Provisional Sinn Fein.
“Donal making such an elementary mistake as confusing The Workers Party with The Socialist Workers Party does not say much for your historical knowledge. All your arguments about PBP could equally be made against Provisional Sinn Fein.”
Poor Donal. That’s a howler.
If a tree falls in the forest just because no one saw him do does that mean Gerry Carroll did it? I’m sorry but it just seems like attacking him and PBP is to distract from the economic and social failings of SF whilst in government, especially in light of the allegations of coaching or collusion (as some might call it) with loyalist spokesmen which are drawing negative media attention their way. As Gerry said the same points of this argument can be levelled at SF who have actually been in a position of power to address these issues.
Spot on Seamasog. This is the second article by this same writer of this article who clearly feels more threatened by PBP more than he lets on. Disillusionment with SF and their numerous failings in government has been a long time coming, I’m only surprised that an alternative voice to the SF monopoly machine hasn’t emerged sooner. SF reached the point of no return a long time ago and it’s only going down from here…
So what is this alternative voice saying Paul.
All I am hearing is everything is Sinn Fein’s fault and anti republican rhetoric that may as well come from any unionist party.
I have criticised Sinn Fein on this blog before myself, but they still remain the only viable alternative to the only parliamentary monopoly we need to be challenging on this island, that of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail.
If you want to promote unionist politics and an anti republican agenda, who do you think is going to listen to you on an Irish interest blog site?
Well Jessica, you are already listening to me and responding to my posts but nvm. I don’t think what I’ve said is “anti republican” at all, it’s unfortunate that you believe SF have the monopoly on republicanism and the question of Irish unity. They don’t. I don’t promote unionist politics and the fact that you accuse me of such tells me how insecure you feel within your own political identity. To say you criticize SF but still believe, after all their lies and failures, that they are the only viable alternative is like continuing to bite into a rotten apple and not knowing when it’s going to completely poison you.
I don’t believe that at all Paul.
I believe if the establishment in Dublin wanted Irish unity, it would not be difficult for them to achieve it.
The way you feel about Sinn Fein is the way I feel about Fine Gael and Fianna Fail.
It is they who have the power to make a difference but choose to ignore their citizens in the north for their own ends.
Sinn Fein are not in power yet. Don’t be looking to Stormont for blame, we should be looking to Dublin for leadership.
Why let them off the hook of shirking their responsibility of 1 million Irish citizens?
Sinn Fein do not have a monopoly on republicanism but they are the only viable option we have at the moment.
An often used phrase is… ‘Sinn Fein are growing’… What are they growing because it’s certainly not a set of balls. One minute they are protesting against Austerity the next they are surrendering Welfare Reform back into the hands of the Tories.
We heard about a ‘New Start’ but it’s clear the mechanics are missing a few vital parts because it’s going nowhere. And anyway Jamie Bryson seems to have rerouted it.
And lets not forget that they are anti-Israel one week, pro-Israel the following week.
It’s all too obvious how the SFers have swung against what many died for, including the 10 Hunger Strikers, a 32 County Socialist Republic, because the American Friends of SF aren’t that way inclined and their Dollars must come first.
If I were a Sinn Feiner, as Connolly referred to that party’s membership, I’d be worried about the leaking ship that is EU funding because any one of them could be the ballast that gets flung overboard to create stability….. Slan leat a chara sort of thing.
Or.. Your usefulness has come to an end… BANG!
Irish independence is not about the economy – Irish independence is about making our own decisions. The living standards north and south are pretty much the same. The difference is that people in the south have more control over their future and their values and culture (our values and culture) are reflected in the government they elect, in the schools they attend, in the media services they fund, and in the laws they make. That is what it means to be independent.
People in the north are like a pet dogs – we have every opportunity to escape but we know we will always have a bowl of food sitting in the house if we stay.
That is an excellent analogy colman.
I am embarrassed by the begging bowl mentality. I felt totally humiliated by the joint bbc / rte farce hosted by Nolan when he had the neck to ask that jackass Noonan if he could afford us. These people do not represent me or my views even remotely. That was a scripted farce.
I had worked hard all my life, I have been in employment since leaving school at 15 and now have two businesses of my own which are growing with less effort on my part as there are such excellent and talented people in Ireland if given the opportunity.
All I see is people who want an opportunity and to be given a fair chance. This is being denied over sectarianism and bigotry which chooses to force Irish people into servitude of the British crown and the only benefit being the guarantee of a bowl of food as you say.
This is not enough for me, I am totally confident in the ability of our people to do so much more if we had a single all Ireland economy.
The people have to be given the freedom to choose a better future.