Whether you like them or not, we have some very able people in the Assembly. Our Health Minister has a great talent for engaging with people and communities; Our Finance Minister understands the challenges and prospects of enterprise; Our Economy Minister grasps the financial markets. Some individuals present there are extremely gifted people, irrespective of their views and loyalties. I’ve always thought Nelson McCausland the most intelligent parliamentarian on the island and Mr. O’Muilleior one of the most formidable debaters. They don’t get everything right but most of the time they are realistic and approachable about day to day issues that impact all our lives. Given many of their backgrounds, this Assembly is actually quite representative of the socio-economic demographics of the North. In fact some of them, Sinn Fein and DUP alike, could wipe the proverbial floor with these “believe in nothing” Blairites which dominate Westminster. Why is that? They stand for something. There’s a real clash of ideas. Yes many occupy High Office, but the same people know what it’s like to have to work to pay the bills and study to advance oneself in the world. It’s not a perfect system but it has people talking to one another and forging a practical consensus that involves higher levels of spending per head than any of the people in the UK enjoy.
Granted not everyone is living in security or luxury, but it’s a hell of a lot better than the economic misery and REAL austerity which the Troubles imposed on people. Now that the idea of Universal Basic Income is being floated across Scandinavia (whereby everyone gets a guaranteed income of around £12,000 per head to spend on goods and services, increasing demand as a means of ensuring job growth to deliver those things), it won’t be decades until it becomes a standard feature of life on this island; for when one neighbour buys nice curtains, they all demand to have them.
But when this move towards the Scandinavian-type economies of high levels of public spending and progressive taxation is finally advanced, people will realise the redundancy of Trotskyist ideas in a globalised world where goods, services and money can be sent across the world like never before. Such technological developments don’t recognise borders or the narratives of idealists.
Now I believe that the state should play a large role in the economy and that the most important public services must always be owned by the electorate, who pay for them in their life’s work. This includes the entire health service, schools, colleges, universities, electricity companies, a national central bank, water facilities, regulatory bodies, sports organisations, the largest housing schemes, waste works, and all the things which contain an obvious public interest clause for everyone to hold to account. For one, it makes them easier to regulate and legislate for and for workers to collectively bargain for better wages – because unlike corporate bosses, politicians need votes to get wages. You purchase with your vote that which your wallet or purse denies you!
But the ability to buy such things depends on a strong economy that creates the wealth stimulating the purchasing power of the tax-payer. This, whether we like it or not, includes foreign direct investment. And again whether we like it or not, no company will invest in the North while another state on this island offers lower corporation tax on business and a highly educated workforce. Why pay higher rates up the road for the same property down the road? Now that the UK Government is committed to reducing the standard rate of Corporation Tax to 15%, it won’t cost as much for us to decrease it to 12.5%. It’s not ideal but it’s sensible economics.
But the point I’m getting at is this – the aim is to have a mixed economy like Germany; a strong public sector and a job-creating private sector benefitting from state investment; also like Finland (a creditor nation). That will only be possible in an Ireland which is reunified and truly independent (including of EU tyranny).
During the last Assembly election and before, I used social media many times and asked People Before Profit MLA, Gerry Carroll, to spell out a realistic alternative to the Fresh Start Agreement which takes cognisance of these facts. And as expected, he went on about spending this amount of money and that. But pulling the plug on this and a plug which PBP seriously don’t know how to counter, I asked how we are meant to keep spending money which we don’t have? (After all Westminster decides how much we get). And the standard replies of these ultra-leftists is that we just keep printing it to suit us. To which I queried, but how are we to print it when we don’t have our own currency, we don’t have a central bank of our own and also, when Stormont is not a sovereign government?; it’s a devolved parliament within a Union (where monetary policy is set by the Bank of England – clue being in the name). Needless to say, I was deleted off of Facebook by him and my comments removed in case they caused a few of his fellow travellers to think twice.
People Before Profit are never done telling us that they aren’t a “sectarian party”, whatever that means. But on the national question, they seem oblivious to the fact that their own economic rhetoric and suggestions would require Ireland to be completely independent of Britain and the European Union, to print its own currency and buy every industry on the island into state ownership by devaluing that currency accordingly. But that’s not something that will leave their mouths because when they go looking for votes in the Shankill and other Loyalist areas, hand in cap, it’s not exactly an idea that always gets a warm welcome from the audiences they are desperate to appeal to.
This is the rotten paradox at the heart of People Before Profit which they don’t want to articulate, full stop. Ignorant of the fact that Connolly always maintained that the “cause of labour is the cause of Ireland; and the cause of Ireland is the cause of labour.” Real class politics cannot happen until there exists a single state on this island with a single mass of people and a single proletariat who can mobilise to collectively bargain across all of Ireland’s four green fields.
Don’t get me wrong, the number of (protest) votes they got in West Belfast is impressive, but they did so on the back of promises which they can never deliver in the lifetime of this Assembly or any other Assembly. Partition perpetuates poverty, Gerry. The reason Gerry and others don’t want to wake up to that reality is because there already exists a party which espouses and advances the cause of Ireland, in the North and in the South; A party which faced the brunt of death squads and militarism for decades through the resilience of actual collective community struggle; And a party with an actual vision to utilise state economic planning to give all of you the peace and quiet to live your own life.
What’s the next phase of this struggle? A referendum on Irish unity in the South. Faced with the pressure of a Yes vote in such an election, the Westminster Government will have to recognise that the majority of people on the island (who live in the South) demand a single Irish state to deliver their hopes and dreams for the future. In such a predicament, a referendum in the North will follow. If we don’t get a Yes vote the first time around then we’ll catch them by the “hairs on their tail” the next time (and every six years after that until it is an irreversible YES).
Remember that if Neville Chamberlain had gone to the electorate after his Munich accord with Hitler in 1938, then he would have swept the British nation by a landslide on the basis of rhetoric and promises. Yet less than two years later, Mr. Churchill was in Downing Street and public opinion was behind a total fight for independence from foreign domination; as a means of achieving everyone’s and anyone’s political ideas.
Me thinks Carroll & Co. will fall from grace in due time, onto the sword of their own rhetoric and undeliverable promises. For people who offer ideas but no realistic methods for achieving them certainly aren’t representing anyone. As my granny used to say; They can “sell cigarettes” to people but they certainly don’t “smoke” themselves.”
Just checked Gerry Carroll’s social media account, he and his party endorsed Brexit but he hasn’t been heard from since. Perhaps Gerry is the classical Orwellian example that some are more equal than others and he’s too busy enjoying his lavish MLA salary to engage with those he was elected to represent.
sure they are all on holiday for 2months with their lavish salaries being paid,
i know its hard to believe,but true all the same.and then the blogger wants to cut taxes for the rich..jeeez
If you really checked gerry social media accounts you would know he’s working hard, out knocking doors and engaging with his constituents
“If you really checked gerry social media accounts you would know he’s working hard, out knocking doors and engaging with his constituents”
But to achieve what exactly Jamie?
Excellent article Donal
Good point on Connelly. Would he really be more interested in social issues while our country is divided?
If the southern half of the country truly does want unification then sooner of later they are going to need to show a bit of respect and interest before hand.
Many of us are not impressed to date.
During the recent Assembly Election campaign, Eamon McCann said on BBC Talkback that whilst he had fundamental issues with the EU, if those concerns could be sorted he would wish to remain. 3 weeks later he was campaigning for a leave vote!
Eamon McCann is a windbag that loves the sound of his own voice.
I take it, he thinks brexit is a positive then but has anyone ever heard him say anything positive about anything?
“But when this move towards the Scandinavian-type economies of high levels of public spending and progressive taxation is finally advanced, people will realise the redundancy of Trotskyist ideas in a globalised world where goods, services and money can be sent across the world like never before. Such technological developments don’t recognise borders or the narratives of idealists.”
The central flaw of this economic outlook is that it relies on a kind of new imperialism. The Imperialism of the global corporations. In the countries where these goods are being produced the people are living in abject poverty. In some cases they have to survive on less than a £1 a day. Meanwhile the environment (which none of us can live without) is being destroyed by the exploitation of forests and mining for minerals, oil, gold, diamonds, gas. These minerals are the real basis for the super-economies of Europe, Asia and North America. Global wars which are perpetuated by the arms trade and west’s greed for more and more oil as we seek more and more luxury.
Not all the world can live the way we do. This is why the world is coming to us. In 2015 over 1,000,000 people migrated to Europe from Africa. So while the notion of Marxism may seem redundant to us that is because we are the benifactors of a new type of imerialism perpetuated by global corporations which are funded our bank savings and loan repayments.
This is why we must look to ourselves and the way we live first and foremost. How are the products we buy effecting the world we live in? Are the people who made your curtains, shirt, trousers, shoes recieving a fair wage? How about the tea and coffee we drink, the chocolate, mangos, avacodos? Where does the mahogany for your coffee table come from, your wife’s diamond ring or your husband’s gold ring?
I agree Colmán, I would rather pay more for produce made in Ireland, especially food.
But the EU are against this labelling of goods made in Ireland or specific locations because it goes against their trade agreements both internally and globally.
So we wont always know whether goods were made here or somewhere else where working conditions are below what we would expect.
Then there are people who cannot afford to have such morals here.
In fact the whole EU ethos goes completely against that train of thought would you not say?
I am not too concerned about politcal structures. I would prefer that people and communities took responsibility for their choices. I would like to see the development of community gardens for example which would allow people to grow their own food. There is no reason that we couldn’t grow a portion of our own food therby cutting out the middle-man and supermarket chains.
Of course he has no ‘Grand Plan’ it was all about anti-Sinn Fein politics. Brexit…Gerry where is your plan? United Ireland…Gerry where is your plan? People before profit (not the party)…Gerry where is your plan???? Gerry stop hiding…..come out and tell us ‘WHERE IS YOUR PLAN?????…..Pleassseeeeee
Great article. PBP got the vote in West Belfast and Derry fom in the main Dissidents and some trendy Lefties. Sinn Fein were lax in not seeing the potential harm this party can do.
Never before have so many Independants been elected in the Free State.
People do not realise the Global infiltration of Trotskyites.90% of Independants and PBP
are devoted TROTS.In Australia the Trade Unions and the Labor Movement are continously undermined by these people.Hence a very strong Unionised country is continually electing a Liberal ( Here read Conservative) Government
Donal, you just sound like a “SF lemming” as I refer to them and launch a scathing attack on PBP – why? Because they entrenched upon SF strong holds and took two seats? I notice recently, SF particularly are on the counter attack against PBP – My personal view is, it would be beneficial for SF to take a critical look at themselves before attacking anyone.
You state in your article “the assembly is actually quite representative of the socio-economic demographics of the North” – what nonsense – can you evidence that statement and perhaps elaborate further on this point …
You go onto attack PBP about a realistic alternative to Fresh Start, a concocted agreement to keep the big two in power, for the sake of power. Dont forget, prior to Fresh Start, what was SF’s alternative to Tory austerity? Say they weren’t going to implement it, they were going to fight against it and in the end they implemented it – at the cost of millions in penalties – who was pulling the wool over the eyes of the electorate? I spoke with a senior SF MLA prior to the election on this point and he told me “we knew we were going to have to accept austerity at some stage” – oh right, that’s not what they were telling their electorate or the “most vulnerable” they alleged they would protect. And what do SF and the DUP do in the end? Hand powers back to Wetstminster to legislate on austerity – you talk about all these capable politicians – wise up! And you mention Mairtin O’Millionaire as a most able debater – in his tenure as Finance Mininster what has he achieved thus far? (Seeing you drawing premature conclusions on the performance of others) Apart from cry that the Tories need to give the North more money – well, his party did facilitate Westminster cutting the block grant – on this one Donal, the Tories won!
I have heard Gerry Carroll speak a number of times and never heard mention of “printing more money.” One thing I admire about PBP is their vision of holding Stormont to account as no party up there is doing it – when it matters, they all scratch each other’s back – but as the new Assembly is due to reconvene in the coming weeks I look forward to PBP demanding accountability from a past government where approx 30 pieces of legislation were passed in the last mandate – and you think they could “wipe the proverbial floor with Blairites – do you know anything about Westminster politics to make such an unfounded allegation?
In relation to votes in West Belfast, you state they got them on “the back of promises which they can never deliver in the lifetime of the assembly or any other assembly” – how do you know what they can and will deliver? can you evidence any party in the North who in their electoral pledges have ever fully achieved them? Can you evidence they were protest votes as you allege? West Belfast has some of the most socially deprived wards in the North – since devolution SF have represented this constituency – why have these areas social standing not improved ? Nearly 20 years after the GFA these areas still rate amongst the more deprived and disadvantaged areas – who is to blame for this? It’s not PBP. Would you hold SF to account?
“Real class politics cannot happen until there exists a single state on this island” – how naive a statement – Class politics did not exist when the island did exist as a single state and won’t exist. In the interests of Governments and elites they do not want class politics to evolve – I think that’s pretty clear and the statement you make is a dreamers notion of the future.
“There is a party which espouses and advances the cause of Ireland” – how do SF do that? “A party with an actual vision to utilise state economic planning” – what? What’s their vision on this ? “Peace and quiet to lead your own life” was SF’s military wing not alleged to have killed Kevin McGuigan last year?
“Me think Carroll will fall from grace in due time” – since 2011 his vote has continuously increased – whilst SF has been in decline – why is this? Yip, “their own rhetoric and undeliverable promises” – the same party who in their last election pledge want to build the “momentum for a United Ireland” yet offer “no ideas and no realistic methods for achieving them” – read that again “build momentum” – what what the armed struggle for ? What was the GFA and subsequent agreements for ? Why was the United Ireland not achieved in 2016 as McGuinness once stated? Has it all been about gaining political power ? And I feel SF will stop at that – in the North they eat the crumbs from the table of the DUP – they are in a relationship with the DUP because they have to be because it makes them relevant – a relationship where they will sell their souls to cosy up to their partner whilst their supporters are shunned.
The assembly has sat for 6 weeks or so in the new mandate – I find it interesting that you make these generalisations and conclusions in such a short space of time – SF have been in power in consecutive mandates yet have failed to fully deliver on their vision, their people and the communities they claim to represent …. Hence their decline in support.
Sinn Fein are not perfect but they make it clear their priority is uniting Ireland and removing British rule.
I don’t give a shit about who holds Stormont to account, I would rather it was closed up and made into a museum.
They also have a strategy to achieve it and are now one of three contenders for control of the Dail in the next election.
I can also see how what they have been doing in Stormont is helping that cause and removing potential attacks the media can hurl at them at the next elections.
From that perspective, I can see why they are also tolerating unionist crap, they are looking at the bigger picture, using their head and biding their time.
I couldn’t do it, but I can see that it needs to be done and be seen to be done for that and other reasons. They are making Stormont irrelevant.
The PBP on the other hand are communists and there is zero chance of communism getting anywhere in Ireland so all they will achieve is further division but it will be very limited and temporary.
They didn’t even declare as nationalist in a sectarian assembly. Instead they are going to try to make it more acceptable to all you anti Sinn Feiners apparently, who are starting to sound very unionist to me.
I didn’t vote for Sinn Fein this year, but it was more as a rejection of Stormont then Sinn Fein as I wold not vote for anyone else and instead put the card in the bin.
As for Sinn Fein lemmings, so what does that make you comrade? A Stormont monkey?
Jessica you claim in another blog entry that SF’s priority is to take power in the Dail not unification. Can you please make up your mind.
Criticising Carroll for saying the solution is to spend more money we don’t have hmmmm. Is that not what the new SF Finance minister wants? Was it not his first argument after taking office that he wanted to extend the borrowing power of Stormont? Has that not been the policy of the Executive to just constantly look for hand outs from Westminster increasing the debt?
Seamas, if Dublin was interested in unification, even gave a damn about its citizens in the north, all it would have to do is show a little interest and it would happen. Leaving everything up to Sinn Fein and at the same time fighting tooth and nail to keep them out of power in the Dail.
I don’t know what message that sends to you, but to me it says the people in the south don’t give us a second thought and the southern political class care more about their pockets to ruffle any red, white and blue feathers and the establishment wants us like a hole in the head.
I honestly don’t get this pathetic fighting over who is the more left wing happening among some elements of republicans in the north.
You are just making fools out of yourselves.
If Ireland was reunited, we would have to not only borrow but spend it wisely. That means investing in growing our economy not throwing it about the place.
You cannot increase the % of GDP spent on public services beyond a point where growth is negatively effected or in a few short years the country would go bust.
Other counties may have a higher % but they export more goods, attract greater inward investment and operate more efficiently.
I think it is extremely positive that the first thing a Sinn Fein Finance minister does is source new money, that is his job.
It is then up to other departments to use that money wisely to provide quality services and to grow our economy.
That is not looking for hand outs, borrowed money has to be paid back with interest. That means politics has to work, shit or bust and is the way it should be.
It means they are ready for real politics and to move on from the farce on the hill.
It is not a game and we need the best qualified and most talented of our people to run the country for us and that means paying them well.
Sinn Fein is not what is dividing us, it is the lack of interest from Dublin which is causing a cloud of despair and disengagement in the north.
And a similar lack of interest from England doing the same on the unionist side.
My opinion it is deliberate and the two states are cooperating over it to break us all down.
I don’t think it will work out the way they planned though.
Attack Sinn Fein all you want, but they remain the only party showing an interest in freeing Ireland.
Jessica, where do I start? Do you actually follow politics in the North ? You most certainly are the epitome of the SF lemming, who despises everything and anything SF and lives in a parallel political universe.
“Sinn Fein are not perfect but they make it clear their priority is uniting Ireland and removing British rule.” Yes I agree they are not perfect so for SF or SF supporters to come out and chastise another party is simply hypocritical. Particularly when SF’s track record as a governing party is nothing to boost about. Their priority is uniting Ireland – is it? Can you evidence this? In their last election manifesto, it was priority number 9 or 10 – so it’s clear it’s not a key priority – they are talking about “building a momentum towards a UI” – does this illustrate they have failed in their United Ireland endeavour, thus far? BREXIT has opened the debate on a UI – without this SF would still be clutching at straws on the question. I find it interesting that SF claim some legacy to the Irish proclamation, that espouses sovereignty and self determination – yet they are content to cling to the auspices of the EU that dilutes everything the proclamation stands for.
“I don’t give a shit who holds Stormont to account, I would rather it was closed up and made into a museum.” Are you serious? What a pathetic point to make and I can’t actually believe you would make a point as politically illiterate as that – the fact is, it won’t be closed up, it won’t be a museum in the immediate future – why make such a poor point? Party’s holding it to account must be welcomed as SF and the DUP have in the past provided enough evidence that they can’t govern in the interests of the people. I recall, though could be wrong, in the past, you arguing about the lack of scrutiny and accountability of the unionist dominance of the past …
“They also have a strategy to achieve it” – a strategy? To achieve what? A United Ireland? Totally clueless point. SF have no strategy whatsoever – they are clueless in their alleged pursuit of a United Ireland – can you please elaborate on this strategy they allegedly have? I attended a public meeting recently on BREXIT led by SF and they hadn’t a clue how to go about forming a strategy for a United Ireland.
As for being in contention for the Dail – what? SF had their best chance in the last election in the South during a time of austerity and unpopularity of the governing parties – fair enough they gained 7 extra TD’s – this wasn’t at the level the party expected. People even chose FF, over SF – does that not say enough? SF in a number of by elections, prior to the general elections, were prevented gaining extra seats by smaller parties – I doubt SF will be a contender for power as the Southern economy normalises and SF’s oppositional voice will drown out. The people didn’t listen to them en mass is a time of desperation, they are hardly going to listen to them in a time of economic growth, one surmises.
SF are making “Stormont irrelevant” – How are they? Give me examples of how they are making Stormont irerelvant? By participating in Stormont, they are making it very relevant – From my viewing they are doing everything to make it work including selling their “political soul” for the price of power. They embrace fully the institutions, making gestures to unionism in the hope unionism will put the hand of friendship around them – but they don’t. Unionists, in essence, tell SF to jump, SF reciprocate with “how high”. SF being in power, regardless of it administering British rule, is exactly where they want to be. Can you equate how SF making Stormont irrelevant is going to transcend into a United Ireland?
“The PBP are communists” are they? They designate as socialist and I’m assuming they would reject the label communist. Out of interest, how are they communist? Are SF republican? Are they socialist? Please define how they are, if you think they are?
“They didn’t declare as nationalist” why should they, when they aren’t nationalist? In a “sectarian assembly” – so SF declaring themselves as “nationalist” are contributing to this sectarian assembly? If you haven’t noticed, maybe you haven’t, the north is a society that has been blighted with sectarianism – are you the type, Jessica, who believes a United Ireland will cast a magic spell and rid society of this blight that has been around for centuries?
You put your voting card in the bin – that’s interesting from someone who continually lambasts unionism and unionist dominance of the past – yet fails to use your democratic right to challenge unionism – irony, huh?
You can reject Stormont all you want – what does that achieve? The fact is Stormont is the government of the NI until a time whereby a decision is made otherwise – If you rejected Stormont, how can you accept SF participation in this “rejectionist” institution? SF once rejected Stormont and the Dail – they realised they weren’t going to go away and instead engaged wholly in the partitionist assemblies hoping it would bring unification – has their participation in these institutions brought their “goal” of a United Ireland any closer?
You only fail in an endeavour when you give up comrade, you sound like you have given up.
I don’t blame you, i despair at times myself.
But when I no longer see any method to Sinn Fein’s actions that are conducive to the actions required to merge our economies and take control of our country off those who have truly abandoned us, and the true traitors of the Irish cause, only then will I accept they have given up.
For it is not in Sinn Fein’s gift or any group of individuals on these islands. Ireland can only be united from Dublin and if they have no interest there, then what point is there in fighting amongst ourselves over who is at fault?
Out Taoiseach could barely raise his head with shame at the commemoration of the Easter rising. I was there and it was not what it should have been. The hand of England was all over it for they have bought Irelands soul.
I will never vote for or support Stormont again. It has served its purpose and now it must go.
Even the rules by which the parties are bound make a mockery of political democracy. It is a training camp for feuding natives to civilise us into preparation for real politics. Nothing more. But it will make a nice museum and tourist attraction later.
You like unionism can only delay the inevitable.
To unite Ireland, it will require the cooperation and support of London, Dublin and international good will. Stormont will be of very little relevance.
Cooperation with Britain will be essential, we must have the best relationship we can, first of all to ensure peace and stability, for these will be essential to growing our economy. We will need the best trade agreements with the UK and US our two biggest trade partners as well as Belgium and other EU nations.
I would want to see investment in tourism, a revival of the project at the Maze and to invest in renewable energy to make Ireland self sufficient energy wise. We will never control our soverignty while we are totally reliant on others to keep the lights on. Not to mention reducing energy costs will help our people and businesses.
The most difficult part of uniting Ireland will be reaching agreement among our people, and as you can see, we are more divided now than we have ever been in our history.
I agree with you that Sinn Fein are genuinely trying to make Stormont work. If they were not 100% committed and genuine in their efforts, then its failure could not trigger its demise. Stormont has closed before, this time it must not be resurrected.
PBP are communist, they don’t deny it. Communism is a form of socialism. Did I only imagine the red flag waved on their election victory and the singing of the internationale by Eamonn McCann? It made my stomach turn as much as any union jack waving and god save the queen singing I have ever seen from unionism.
As for uniting Ireland removing sectarianism. Yes. Sectarianism was rife all over Ireland especially in Dublin, yet there is no sectarianism today around orange marches in the republic. How can sectarianism ever end while our country is divided and the two tribes are shunned from those they look to for leadership?
I put my voting card in the bin right outside the polling booth. I don’t have all the answers, I just follow my gut instincts and while I still support Sinn Fein, I can no longer support Stormont.
Make of that what you will, I prefer to remain honest no matter how foolish it sounds. I am the first to admit the situation here has me messed up.
As I said, Stormont is a training camp for grown up politics in Ireland. When we find people worthy it will have served its purpose and they will graduate into the Dail and Stormont can become a museum and tourist attraction.
I cant be any clearer than that surely.
Careful Magee, you are exposing some uncomfortable truths for the SF-lite on here. Genuinelly don’t understand how anyone can support a party that is up to it’s neck in lies and dogmatic rhetoric that it continues to espouse despite the growing decline in the SF vote in republican stronghold areas.
Lavish salaries???? Have people forgot SF have done away with their policy of a set wage allowing MLAs, TDs and MPs to take their full salary. Indeed some political commentators praised them for opening their party up to more talented individuals, hmmm New Labour and career politicians spring to mind. Yet PBP MLA Gerry Carroll who this article attacks takes an industrial wage, so how can SF lecture him on lavish salaries?
As for not hearing anything about PBP yeah the media is very quiet about giving them airtime, same as other parties I wonder why? Are the larger established parties afraid of the possible questioning of their actions and policies? Indeed at a recent Feile debate on the left in Ireland, PBP were advertised in the programme but not formally invited, a point noted by Gerry Carroll who actually attended when told late about the event, who stands to gain by not inviting them to speak at events in West Belfast?
At this Gerry responded to the issue of a border poll and made sense claiming he supported having one but having one that could be one with a clear argument. Where is SF’s vision for what happens after a border poll? Do they really believe they can win one? It was also pointed out by Fiona Ferguson that PBP had organised and engaged in the protests to stop the closure of 3 mental health centres in Belfast. She was on the picket line in North Belfast at the Everton Centre when people from the two communities stood together to stop its closure. I guess the media didn’t feel that newsworthy or did it not met with certain political agendas to show this? Maybe people are right PBP does need a better media profile to highlight their work but then the question remains why are they being denied it like other opposition parties are?
“Have people forgot SF have done away with their policy of a set wage allowing MLAs, TDs and MPs to take their full salary”
I fully support this. I don’t want to live in a communist shit hole where everyone is paid and equally crap wage. How would that help stop our best people shipping off to other countries where they can be properly rewarded for their efforts.
This is far left crap is turning into the politics of dumb and dumber.
Seamasog – I recall the public sector picket lines a few years back – SF supported the job cuts as part of the Stormont House Agreement of 20,000 workers, yet stood on the picket lines with them …. hypocrisy? You bet
I think the name Comrade Magee says a lot about who you’re acting as a mouth-piece for. The point of the article is quite clear – that actual left wing politics in a sovereign state cannot happen while Britain (a capitalist former empire) operates a policy of containment of socialism in Ireland via partition. Class politics did exist in Ireland when it was United – Was Connolly a nobody? The ICA? James Larkin?
Gerry Carroll has advocated time and time again that the solution is to spend more money which we don’t have. Do you not think if there was more money that the Executive would spend it to win votes and popularity?! Your point about the Tories is correct in that they forced these things on us without having a single vote here, but how do we change that? End Partition?!
I’m not trying to change the mind of some clown from PBP. People like Jeremy Corbyn and Tony Benn have consistently endorsed SF as the only credible left wing party in Ireland. This is why they don’t stand candidates here. I wonder why?! Hmmm..
Any party in government usually sees a reduction in their vote at subsequent elections, it’s a standard trend across the world because not all decisions made will be rosey. If people took PBP so seriously why did they not elect them as the majority left wing party in the Assembly? Why have so many of their predecessors, like the Workers Party, failed? Subsequently moving to the Right?
I don’t think you’re worth addressing much further, I’m cooking and that’s more important to me than the perspective of some immature fanatic. If Gerry has nothing to hide then why does he delete people from Facebook who challenge him on his policies and rhetoric?! He does it all the time to avoid negative publicity.
Jude, I’m assuming some of Donal’s response above is abusive – if he’s going to write an article, perhaps he needs to accept criticism without going all ad hominem.
Is that the best you have to offer, Donal? Are you going to attack me or the argument put forward? Just like SF you don’t seem to like critique and revert onto an offensive platform – are you the mouth piece for Sinn Fein, seeing I’m allegedly the mouthpiece for PBP? “I don’t think your worth addressing much further” – I would say, your perhaps incapable of addressing me much further. You’ve criticised Gerry Carroll for blocking you on Facebook, yet you refuse to engage with a blog contributor – similar sentiment? Are you capable of answering any of the questions I pose as I’d be interested to hear your responses?
The point of the article is not clear, hence my long criticism of it – it’s typical SF rhetoric with little substance – it’s the blame game and finger pointing that SF do, yet when the fingers pointing back the dummy is thrown out of the pram – I could ask the exact questions of SF that you pose in your article.
“Class politics did exist” – examples please as you don’t cite any specific? If you know anything about history, Connolly and Larkin had greater difficulties in uniting the NE and unionism in general under their umbrella of class politics – so how’s that class politics on the whole island? Don’t forget before partition Catholic workers as well as socialists (Protestant Trade Unionists) were being expelled from employment – hardly class politics, Donal.
SF have advocated time and time again that they want more money from the Tories – they aren’t getting it – O’Muilleoir was making these sentiments last week – his party agreed the block grant – they agreed austerity, they agreed the cuts – yet they promised this wouldn’t happen – it did, why? Power! What’s going to be SF’s alternative in the next mandate with lack of funding? Let the most vulnerable suffer? allow public jobs to be cut? Allow those areas they represent that are top of the social deprivation to continue suffering in poverty – tell me Donal, how SF propose to deal with these issues? Or will you blame PBP?
Corbyn and Benn endorsed SF as the only creible left wing party in Ireland as there was never any credible alternative – I thought that was pretty clear.
“Any party in government usually sees a reduction in their vote at subsequent elections.” We don’t have to go past the Tories on this one, Donal. Increased their vote from 2010 to 2015. SF’s vote across the board in the north has declined – Westminster and council – what explains this? Why have people decided to move away from SF? It is the false promises? Is it the failure to engage grassroots? Is it their move away from street politics to the corridors of power, forgetting their voter base that once stood by them? Is it their moves from traditional policy to suit big house unionism?
I know many ex Sinn Fein voters, I never voted either this year.
As an Irish citizen I will say I only want the right to vote in Irish elections.
Stormont’s very existence is allowing Dublin to deny this to us where the US allows all of its citizens the right to vote for who leads their nation no matter what part of the world they are in.
If Irish citizens in the north were given a vote in the Dail elections, you can bet we would be treated with far greater respect by our TDs and by our President.
Sinn Fein’s vote has declined because of voter apathy which is fuelled by blatant unionist bigotry and intolerance in Stormont which is at the same time maximising their vote.. The fact they did as well as they did is down to new first time votes including members of my own family who voted for Sinn Fein for the first time ever ironically the first time that I didn’t.
I don’t see that as a good thing though.
Are you thinking that a communist party waving the red communist flag and singing communist songs will attract unionist votes and cross the social divide to unite our people? Is that why you are attacking Sinn Fein and sounding so supportive of Stormont?
If so it is a fair reason, I just don’t think it has a chance in hell and will be very detrimental to the republican cause.
As I say to you, Stormont has failed. Let it limp on and die.
You need to see beyond it.
First of all, I don’t answer to you and I’m not affording you any more of my time on a Friday night. Perhaps at a later point. But you made a very serious allegation a few comments up about Kevin McGuigan and I think any right minded person would regard that as deeply offensive to the point of being criminal. So as I said before, I don’t think you’re worth addressing because I don’t foresee someone like you changing your mind whatever I say to you. You might be interested in what I have to say but with you I can’t reciprocate the pleasure.
Slan!
Donal, i noticed on the comments section of Jude’s Facebook link to your posting, you like to be abusive to those who don’t agree with the sentiments expressed in your article and those who don’t share your political outlook.
You have provided no answers to the numerous questions I have asked – I put that down to a simple inability to be able to do so – you need, Donal to perhaps accept criticism and engage with contributors who differ from your political outlook – you did write an article that attacks the political views of some people – why shouldn’t they be able to come back and question your views and your political bias? chastising people and trying to undermine them is a poor “papering over” tactic that exposes, perhaps your lack of in depth knowledge on this topic – as I’ve previously said you criticised Gerry Carroll for lack of engagement and in effect shunning you – whilst simultaneously you do the same when your views are challenged. “Perhaps at a later point” – the ultimate diversion tactic that doesn’t cut mustard.
I thought he answered the questions well, especially on the economic aspects.
I think it is great that there is finally some properly articulated arguments against Sinn Fein being posted here, though the McGuigan comment was below the belt, we should still acknowledge and encourage your more positive contribution.
Perhaps if you repost the specific questions without the comments and allow Donal an opportunity to response to them specifically if he has failed to do so.
Jessica – the comment you refer to on Kevin McGuigan was posed as a question , it wasn’t a statement or comment per say. There was absolutely no intention to offend and I can only apologise if it did.
In relation to the questions, many have went unanswered – Donal has attacked PBP for their economic argument yet hasn’t really articulated SF’s, which as I stated earlier Is based on presenting the begging bowl to the treasurey. If I recall previously – Donal did a blog on how fantastic Mairtin O’Muilleoir was as our new Finance Minister – I mean, there’s little evidence thus far to back that assertion up.
I find it frustrating that Donal can ask many questions of PBP, which he is entitled to do, but finds it wholly inappropriate to have to answer questions on SF – then starts to attack using the words “mouthpiece”, “clown”, “your not worth addressing any further” – hardly the language of debate. The purpose of these articles, are not as Donal suggests in trying to change minds, but to generate debate and allow for alternate views.
There’s no need for me to repost the questions – Donal has read them and refused to answer them – “perhaps at another point” he states. I don’t understand why this isn’t the correct time, as it stems from his article. I’m wiling to listen but you can see from his last point, he isn’t willing to reciprocate – it’s the fingers in the ear syndrome for Donal.
And not to forget, Jessica – “immature fanatic” was used as well. All because I don’t agree with Donal’s views.
Well comrade, I have criticised Sinn Fein similarly for having too left wing socialist policies on quite a few occasions as they wont be easily sold to the Irish electorate and are incompatible with the type of politics that will be needed in a reunified Ireland. In fact they don’t even meet the recommendations in the Modelling Irish Unification report that some say was actually commissioned by Sinn Fein and which promotes a period of keynesian economics to attain the significant savings it has identified.
I would therefore wholeheartedly agree with Donal in relation to the economics of PBP.
But more importantly PBP will never gain traction in Ireland. Ireland is not a left wing country and we, more than most countries in Europe prefer to own our own homes, most likely a psychological factor based on our past experiences with having land and property taken from us.
In fact I found Donals article and understanding that public spending has to be offset by controlling inflation and investing in economic growth stimulus very refreshing.
They are maturing into a party which will be fit to unite this country and deliver prosperity. I am in no doubt whatsoever about Irelands potential, but it will always be better as a single economy.
The PBPs economics of the money is already there, we take the money of these rich corporates and put it into public services and putting the people first.
What will happen is in a few short years those corporates will no longer be there and neither will the money, Ireland will be set back 30 years to having a collapsed economy and our people will suffer greatly for it so it is a far more serious discussion than can be allowed to be reduced to party political disputes with individuals.
As for Mairtin O’Muilleoir, he is the first Finance minister to have the gumption and take the initiative to source new money.
Ireland will need to borrow big to finance unification and this will have to be managed with a high degree of scrutiny to make sure every cent counts.
I for one am impressed.
These communists are as thick as cows shite when it comes to running a country. PBP will go the way of the “peace people”, the secret services arms will get tired pulling their strings and when it becomes clear that they’re no use to anyone one of them will do a runner with the money because that’s all they were in it for. PBP will be seen for what they are,,, a bad secret service joke.
Please can I ask one question of PBP? (or their supporters) Without criticising ANYBODY else’s policies and strategies, focus on your own….tell us please what are they? I’m not being cynical or smart……inform/educate me so as I can understand your points of view (factual) Tell me the ‘stepping stone process’ you have to take us into a better future…..Please don’t rant and rave…..take this as a genuine attempt to understand your ‘factually based’ strategy and concrete proposals for the future of my kids and family…