Adams takes a dive to the right

by WATCHER Sun May 13, 2007 16:00

"Adams takes a dive to the right"

Truth is he didn't have to shift too far.And didn't the photos of Paisley and McGuinness look just like father and son snap shots. The people of Larne will soon be paying the price for all this ducking and diving as they have to endure the bigots of the Orange Order coat trail through their town on the 12th.

by Donegal activist - SF Sun May 13, 2007 15:41

I'm sorry 'bored', but you're just gonna have to wise up and see sense - Adams has abandoned us, he has made a unilateral decision to change one of our key policies we trashed out last year and this year at our Ard Fheiseanna. Who mandated him to do this? The cheek of him. Whats the point in holding Ard Fheiseanna if he's gonna decide on crucial policy changing decisions? We're supposed to be a party of socialist republicans - there's the last of the socialism gone, and some have argued for a long time that the republican agenda was also consigned to the archives of SF history. Now I have to agree with them.....we've been hoodwinked. I've had enough, the name SF is an embarrassment no more to me. Its about time activists like you woke up and smelled the coffee too. Get out while you still have a conscience.

by Jolly Red Giant - Socialist Party/CWI Tue May 08, 2007 10:27

Well in the last 12 months Sinn Fein have got themselves back into power in the North and they do not want to be shackled with policies that might disrupt the stability of the Executive. In the South, Sinn Fein have got a whiff of being a potential junior coalition partner and they don't want to be shackled with policies that could jeopardise that possibility.

As Adams himself said (paraphrased)- 'we trashed out the issues and felt that it was not necessary to raise the rate of corporation tax' - and - 'we will not be implementing a 50% tax rate on incomes over €100,000 as we do not want to increase the tax burden on middle-income earners'

by SpottedDog - Sinn Fein Mon May 07, 2007 23:33

Dear 'bored'

When is a policy not a policy? This motion was passed at the Ard Fheis last year and included a proposal for an increase in Corporation Tax from 12.5% to 17.5%. What has changed in the last 12 months that requires this change to policy. What is the point of having a debate at the Ard Fheis if policy can be changed on a whim. Sorry if this bores you 'bored' or gives you ear ache but some of us actually take the democratic structures of our party seriously.

Ard Fheis February 2006
Sinn Féin TD and Spokesperson on workers rights Arthur Morgan called on the Ard Fheis to support Motion 302: All-Ireland Enterprise and Job Creation Policy.

I move motion 302 calling for the endorsement of Sinn Féin's All-Ireland Enterprise and Job Creation Policy on behalf of the Ard Comhairle.

This is the first component of Sinn Féin's rights-based economic policy; there will be further policy documents on taxation and on trade.

In the document Sinn Féin rejects many mainstream market orthodoxies,including 'trickle down' theory, the theory of supply and demand, the correlation of low taxation and low wages with competitiveness, the belief that inward investment is the key to solving economic problems, and the oversimplified equation of growth with well-being and social progress.

We argue a that fairer distribution of wealth and income is a far more effective way of dealing with poverty than the present dependence on economic growth alone, that equality pays for itself in the long-term but it costs up front and that a stable, strong economy and society requires balance between growth and socio-economic rights.

Corporation Tax:
The section on corporation tax is not a change of policy, rather it is an attempt to set out, in a coherent and comprehensive manner, the arguments upon which this policy position is based.

Sinn Féin's analysis is that cutting corporation tax is not the best way to create a favorable enterprise environment. It looks at the ability of the Nordic states, who hold five of the top ten positions amongst the most competitive economies in the world, and provides evidence in relation to the Nordic model which challenges the conventional wisdom that high taxes and large safety nets undermine competitiveness.

It is also not sustainable to compete with other states by engaging in a race to the bottom on corporation tax if we want to maintain and enhance the desired levels of public services and infrastructure.

This section proposes:

• A 5% increase in corporation tax in the 26 Counties from the current 12.5% to 17.5% as part of a much needed wider progressive reform of the tax system, the objective of which would be the creation of a fair and egalitarian tax system enabling the state to deliver the infrastructure and social spending which ultimately has a beneficial impact for business as well as communities.

• The gradual harmonisation of corporation tax on an all-Ireland basis. In the immediate term, a corporation tax rate in the 6 Counties of 17.5% for smaller companies with profits from £50,001 to £300,000 while maintaining the rate of 30% for larger companies with profits of over £300,000.
Published: 18 February, 2006
Sinn Féin TD and Spokesperson on workers rights Arthur Morgan called on the Ard Fheis to support Motion 302: All-Ireland Enterprise and Job Creation Policy.

I move motion 302 calling for the endorsement of Sinn Féin's All-Ireland Enterprise and Job Creation Policy on behalf of the Ard Comhairle.

This is the first component of Sinn Féin's rights-based economic policy; there will be further policy documents on taxation and on trade.

The document sets out Sinn Féin's vision for a new all Ireland economy, based on equality and social justice; a people centered economy where everyone can have a dignified and productive working life, a fair income and a good quality of life - an economy which is characterised by the positive redistribution of resources to eradicate poverty and social exclusion.

In the document Sinn Féin rejects many mainstream market orthodoxies,including 'trickle down' theory, the theory of supply and demand, the correlation of low taxation and low wages with competitiveness, the belief that inward investment is the key to solving economic problems, and the oversimplified equation of growth with well-being and social progress.

We argue a that fairer distribution of wealth and income is a far more effective way of dealing with poverty than the present dependence on economic growth alone, that equality pays for itself in the long-term but it costs up front and that a stable, strong economy and society requires balance between growth and socio-economic rights.

The role of Government and the Public Sector
Sinn Féin believes that Government should have a central role in managing the economy and that quality public services can support economic development by providing equitable access to essential public services necessary for a good quality of life and the conduct of business. We reject the view that expenditure on public services is a burden on the productive sectors of the economy.

Ending the economic inefficiency of partition
Partition is economically inefficient and wasteful. The northern economy is unsustainable by itself and cannot exist in isolation from the rest of the island. Sinn Féin will continue to work to end partition and to press the Irish and British governments to fulfil their all-Ireland economic commitments in the Good Friday Agreement and in the Common Chapter.

Education and Training for Higher Quality Jobs
In line with Sinn Féin's rights based approach the document argues that a well-developed system of rights to further one's education, including training and retraining, is key to future competitiveness. We support a comprehensive strategy for lifelong learning and skills development to enable all workers to achieve their potential.

Corporation Tax:
The section on corporation tax is not a change of policy, rather it is an attempt to set out, in a coherent and comprehensive manner, the arguments upon which this policy position is based.

Sinn Féin's analysis is that cutting corporation tax is not the best way to create a favorable enterprise environment. It looks at the ability of the Nordic states, who hold five of the top ten positions amongst the most competitive economies in the world, and provides evidence in relation to the Nordic model which challenges the conventional wisdom that high taxes and large safety nets undermine competitiveness.

It is also not sustainable to compete with other states by engaging in a race to the bottom on corporation tax if we want to maintain and enhance the desired levels of public services and infrastructure.

This section proposes:

• A 5% increase in corporation tax in the 26 Counties from the current 12.5% to 17.5% as part of a much needed wider progressive reform of the tax system, the objective of which would be the creation of a fair and egalitarian tax system enabling the state to deliver the infrastructure and social spending which ultimately has a beneficial impact for business as well as communities.

• The gradual harmonisation of corporation tax on an all-Ireland basis. In the immediate term, a corporation tax rate in the 6 Counties of 17.5% for smaller companies with profits from £50,001 to £300,000 while maintaining the rate of 30% for larger companies with profits of over £300,000.

by Micro-lefty Sun May 06, 2007 22:44

bored said 'All the stuff about taxation is pretty irrelevant isn't it? There hasn't actually been any change AT ALL in Sinn Féin policy, has there?'

SF said they would increase corporation tax to 17.5% and reduce corporation tax in the North to 17.5%. Now they want to leave the rate in the South untouched and by implication reduce the rate in the North to 12.5%

SF said they would create a new rate of 50% for those earning over €100,000. Now SF says it will not introduce this new rate and it does not think it is necessary to increase the tax take from 'middle-income earners'.

If this isn't a change I would like to see what is!!!

by please Sun May 06, 2007 20:54

does anybody seriously beleive, that if SF or anybody else is in power after the election that they will refuse george bush the use of shannon airport, or reneage on a contract with(shell) one of the largest companies on the planet.
for god sake people get real.

by bored Sun May 06, 2007 20:43

If there was any change to the policy on Shell to Sea or the use of Shannon then a big chunk of the membership in the 26 counties and virtually all the TD's would resign.

Maybe the party leadership could figure out a way of supporting a government with nobody to do the work or actually represent the party in Leinster House, but I can't see it. So that point is nonsense.

All the stuff about taxation is pretty irrelevant isn't it? There hasn't actually been any change AT ALL in Sinn Féin policy, has there?

I think it's possible that what we are witnessing here is simply sour grapes from someone in some irrelevant micro-group like ear-achy who is feeling left out of all the excitement.

by not listening. Sun May 06, 2007 18:54

I'm not talking about tax, crime, old people or the uachtaran.
Why do you people insist on spinning?
We're all smart enough to make up our own minds.

by Well, Well Sun May 06, 2007 18:36

Adams did not make any mention of natural resources or Corrib.

by PR Sun May 06, 2007 18:28

Did he mention natural resources, I predict we could see ff/sf coalition after election.
Then you will hear very little from SF on corrib/shell.
politicions never change.

by black man ray Sun May 06, 2007 18:27

This is all academic anyway since SF won't be in power nevertheless raising corporation tax would be a big no no considering industry would just move elsewhere especially at the time of economic uncertainty that is approaching. Pity Adams wouldn't commit to lowering standard rate taxex though, that would actually benefit most workers. Sounds to me like SF don't have a clue about modern economics

by Lefty Sun May 06, 2007 18:18

To be honest Adams bumbled his way through the entire interview. He couldn't answer questions and just repeated a mantra over and over while trying to justify his climbdown.