Conference: New Political Possibilities in Ireland for all Left-Wing Parties in Partnership with Civil Society
A Conference entitled ‘New Political Possibilities in Ireland for all Left-Wing Parties in Partnership with Civil Society‘ will be held on Monday January 31st in the Davenport Hotel, Dublin. The conference will give TDs and public representatives from Labour, Sinn Fein and the Left Alliance an opportunity to showcase their economic and social policies in advance of the general election. Arguments will also be presented on the possibilities for a grand coalition of the left as a new potential Irish government.
The conference will also explore how real democracy might be put in to place in Ireland through establishing real networks and working arrangements between civil society and these political parties alongside the trade union sector and progressive academics. This will be augmented by an outline of progressive, fairer and more sustainable economic and social policies by representatives from civil society, unions and leading progressive academics.
Policy issues covered: alternative solutions to the banking crisis; new policies to reduce unemployment; a fairer taxation system; a new budgetary framework; negotiating with the EU and IMF; housing waiting lists and mortgage arrears; social welfare cutbacks; re-vitalising communities; public services; political leadership; More efficient and fairer health and social care policies.
View and print the registration form
The line up is as follows but more may be added later:
Tommy Broughan TD- The Labour Party
Ciaran Lynch TD- The Labour Party
Michael D. Higgins - The Labour Party
Joe Higgins MEP- Left Alliance
Cllr.Richard Boyd-Barrett-Left Alliance
TDs from Sinn Fein (names to be confirmed)
Michael Taft- Unite and TASC Economists’ Network
Anne Costello- Community Platform
Dr.Mary Murphy- NUI Maynooth, academic, activist and former Policy Officer with Vincent de Paul
Prof. Kathleen Lynch- UCD, academic and activist
Tom O’Connor-Economist CIT
Michael Burke- TASC Economists’ Network and formerly senior international economist with Citibank in London
Awaiting confirmation:
Jack O’Connor, President SIPTU
Other speakers to be confirmed.
The Conference will run from 9am to 6pm. Admission is 10 euros. Booking in advance is essential. Booking info: tom.oconnorATcit.ie and deirdreobATeircom.net
Replace the AT with an @ symbol.
A full conference programme will be published later and sent out to all participants. Further details, discussion and news of new speakers will be posted on the Irishleftreview website.
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How else can one explain the fact that around a quarter of the package won’t even arrive in Athens but will flow directly to the country’s international creditors? The holders of Greek government bonds are to get some €30 billion as an incentive to convert their old paper into new bonds. The aim is to keep alive the illusion that Greece isn’t bankrupt — after all, the creditors are voluntarily forgiving part of the debt. The financial sector is cleverly manipulating the fear that a Greek bankruptcy would trigger a fatal chain reaction.
That leaves €100 billion. But that too isn’t geared to what Greece needs in order to get back on its feet. It’s linked to an estimate of how much debt the Greek economy can bear without collapsing. International technocrats agree that with debts amounting to 120 percent of gross domestic product, the country can just about go on servicing its debt. That’s the level at which the cow can go on supplying milk without dying of exhaustion. So 120 percent became the goal.
Collaboration, with our European partners | Cunning Hired Knaves
The European project was supposed to be a bulwark against the dangers of fascist ambition, but now it is the instrument used to dismantle European democracy in the interest of the risk adverse looking for a steady income stream from the provision of the social net by those who cite the words and actions of old fascists while doing so.
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S.P.A.R.K. protest at cuts to lone parents, Dublin 18th February 2012
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There is particular anger directed at the Labour Party because they are associated with women’s rights and a more progressive society.
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Exiting the euro | Michael Roberts
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Greece: a Sisyphean task | Michael Roberts
In a Eurozone that is unwilling to share its surplus with weaker, hardest hit economies there is no other option for those economies but default. Despite the agreement of Greek politicians to shorten their political life and accept the deal all that they have done is simply postpone this eventuality once again. However, even that postponement might be shortened by the Greek elections in April where the smaller leftist parties outside the coalition currently have 40% of the vote. Or so says Michael Roberts:
Whatever the Greek coalition leaders agree to and try to implement, such is the weakness of Greek capitalism, it will not be able to meet its fiscal targets or get its debt down to reasonable levels. Before the end of the year, the Troika will have to report that Greece is not delivering. Then the EU leaders will have to decide whether they ‘let Greece go’ or not. The EU leaders have agreed to more money for Greece (or more accurately its bondholders and banks) in return for draconian cuts in living standards in order to provide more time to try and ‘ring-fence’ other vulnerable Eurozone states like Portugal and Ireland (where they are preparing extra funding). So when Greece goes down, it will not affect the rest (or so the EU leaders hope). Of course, the Greek people may force the issue earlier if they vote in an anti-Troika government in April.
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Comment by: Des Derwin
Dec 23rd 2010 at 12:12
A big, bold and interesting initiative. Congratulations. Only one quibble: having it on a Monday during the day does not suit working workers, except perhaps professional political and civil society workers.
Comment by: Tomboktu
Dec 23rd 2010 at 12:12
Interesting planned panel: two each from the three bigger left electoral groups, plus a selection of other sectors.
I wonder if there will be real dialogue, or if there will talking past each other (or worst, swipes and digs).
Comment by: sonofstan
Dec 23rd 2010 at 16:12
Really interesting looking, but echo Des’ comment -fine for TDs, who have Monday off and senior academics, who can make their own hours…..but some of us etc.
Comment by: Beñat
Dec 23rd 2010 at 17:12
Great and much needed initiative. Nevertheless looking at the topics suggested one wonders where is the issue of partition though. There has never been a more pressing time than the times ahead to resolve this issue for once and all. The definitive overcoming of partition should be on the agenda of any credible left and progressive political, social and economic alternative.
Comment by: Fred
Dec 24th 2010 at 00:12
I hope that last comment is a piss take
Comment by: Michael Youlton
Dec 24th 2010 at 13:12
There is another larger and much more threatening elephant that does not appear to have made the room of this very useful and progressive initiative.
I am referring, of course, to the issue of Irish Foreign policy, particulalrly in relation to the continued use of Shannon, Irish participation in Afghanistan and the various Battlegroups and the new policy document of NATO that assigns , and I quote verbatim, an equal strategic military alliance role to the European Union!
It is my stance and that of PANA and the IAWM that NATO leads the class war on a global scale….would the organisers consier allowing the elephant in question a peek? A glance? a 10 - minute slot?
Comment by: roy johnston
Dec 29th 2010 at 11:12
I hope to grt to this; it looks like the makings of an important initiative; when we attempted the ‘left alternative’ initiative in the 70s we failed; the scene was dominated by the Provisional campaign. Now that SF has finally absorbed the importance of the political road, perhaps this time there is more hope. Also there is an emergent neo-Marxist trend decoupled from the disastrous Stalin influence. A key issue could be the need to reform local democracy, with foci at the local community and socio-economic regional levels, leaving the Elizabeth 1 ‘county’ structures aside. Community activist meetings should be in the ‘village hall’ rather then in the pub.
Comment by: Helena Sheehan
Jan 1st 2011 at 20:01
As I have written elsewhere, this is an excellent and timely initiative. I see Des’s point about Monday. On the other point about the danger of talking past each other, might you think about structuring it in such a way as to encourage maximum constructive interaction between speakers and between speakers and audience?
Comment by: Amanda Tattersall
Jan 2nd 2011 at 14:01
An important initiative and good luck from a union official from Australia!
Might be interesting to discuss the art of coalition building at the conference,both between political parties and between civil society organizations. If there is interest in this, you could review a book on this topic called power in coalition which I published last year with lessons of success (and weakness) from the us, Canada and Australia (see website below http://www.powerincoalition.com) These ideas have been helpful in our less volatile but still problematic political environment out here in helping to build new economic and social reforms.
Good luck with the conference.
Comment by: Féilim Ó hAdhmaill
Jan 3rd 2011 at 20:01
An important and timely initiative. Let’s hope the different parties approach the event constructively and in a spirit of comradeship. The opportunity now exists, probably for the first time in the existence of this state, to create a real ‘left’ alternative to the tweedle dum and tweedle dee right wing policies of FF and FG. Let’s hope the ‘Left’ can grasp it!
Comment by: Maria Walsh
Jan 7th 2011 at 11:01
I like this idea. I don’t like the monday slot. Sat would be more inclusive. I think Trade Union heads on outrageous salaries have lost credibility. I hope re people talking past each other that there’s a structure that prevents this happening. I’m fed up with the bullying interruptive qualities of some speakers. Equal time to be given to all including responses from the audience. Lastly it would be good to see if the Left can unite beyond splinters, bickering and egos and set an inspiring path for voters.
Comment by: Jan Leonard
Jan 20th 2011 at 13:01
Can someone please contact me regarding this meeting on 01 6073900
Many thanks
Jan Leonard
O’Callaghan Hotels