Left election slate formed?

national | politics / elections | news report Tuesday March 06, 2007 20:24 by Blog scanner

According to the British left wing site "Socialist Unity Network", a left electoral slate has been formed in Ireland. The site claims that this slate will contest the next election and involves the Workers Party, the Socialist Workers Party, the Campaign for an Independent Left and figures associated with the Labour Party.

New Independent Left Alliance formed.

The new Independent Left Alliance in Ireland have issued the following press release:

Left wing representatives and activists from a variety of backgrounds have come together to form a new alliance known as the Independent Left Alliance to contest the forthcoming general election.

In a statement, the newly formed grouping said,'The general election should not be reduced to a choice between Enda Kenny and Bertie Ahern for Taoiseach. These two conservative politicians serve the interests of big business and will preside over the glaring inequalities in Irish society.

We have come together to provide an alternative in the general election to Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the PDs, and also those parties who are willing to support them in government. The Labour party has never been able to develop as a real alternative for working people because of its participation in right wing governments. We are committed for example, to ending the scandals of our two tier health service, developer led unaffordable housing and planning, and the continued use of Shannon Airport by the US military. We will not support any government which will mean a continuation of that agenda.

'The Independent Left Alliance has been formed by people who have come together from different backgrounds on the left. We wish to overcome some of the historic divisions that have rent apart the Irish left and prevented it becoming an effective force. We do not claim to offer a finished product but are open and inclusive and would welcome the participation of others.

Candidates who will contest the election as part of the new Independent left Alliance include:
Seamus Healy TD, Tipperary Workers and Unemployed Action Group- South Tipperary
Councillor Catherine Connolly, former mayor of Galway - Galway West.
Councillor Declan Bree, former TD - Sligo-Leitrim
Councillor Joan Collins, Dublin. Community and Workers Action Group.
Richard Boyd Barrett, Chair of Irish Anti-War Movement and People Before Profit Alliance candidate, Dun Laoghaire
Carmel McKenna, People Before Profit Alliance, Wicklow
Brid Smith, People before Profit Alliance, Dublin South Central
Rory Hearne, People before Profit Alliance, Dublin South East
(WP Names to be added by WP)