Socialist Republic: Vol. 5, October 1982 (Election Bulletin)

SOCIALIST

- REPUBLIC

ELECTION BULLETIN

UNITE TO SMASH

Ege abe pete |

BUILD A UNITED

INDEPENDENT IRELAND |

The present Fianna Fail government in the 26 counties is opposed to Prior’s assembly plans. Both Haughey and justice Minister, Gerry Collins, have made speeches detailing their opposition to British plans. By these statements Haughey hoped to rekindle the pretence that this government will protect the interests of the Minority in the 6 counties. Ata time when Fianna Fail is mounting massive attacks on the living standards of southern workers, such ‘republican’ demagogy has the benefit of keeping in step with the national sentiments of the Irish working class. There is only one problem with Haughey.and Collins’ speeches: they

MOBILISE

AGAINST

PRIOR

IN THE

SOUTH

are just that - speeches, Behind them lies the massive machinery of collaboration between Leinster House and Stormont Castle. Such collaboration has been stepped up under Haughey so that the British can now condescendingly state that they have ‘No complaints about border security", British incursions into the 26 counties for kidnapping and reconnaissance, take place with such regularity that they are no longer news. Fianna Fail’s antics on the national question are only so much hypocritical hot air, What practical alternative does Fianna Fail propose against the Assembly? The latest kite from the strategists of Kildare Street is a ‘Council! fora New Ireland" This Press Silence on PD Peoples Democracy are standing in the Assembly elections and using the opportunity to put forward a unique appeal for a return to the streets and aunited 32 county campaign against the new Stormont. This, following the dramatic defeat of Fitt, and the Workers Party and the humiliation of Paddy Devlin by P.D. in the May elections, should be enough to make a major news story in itself, let alone the supposed obligation on the press to provide coverage of every political viewpoint. In fact, it would be difficult to discover, by following media stories from the North, that P.D. was standing, let alone the basis of our campaign. A paper wall of silence has been thrown around our struggle for unity, This is to be expected from the British media, but surely the nationalist press provides better coverage?

In fact the main nationalist newspaper - the ‘Irish News’ managed to mention every party, including the Loyalist parties,except P.D. The nationalist bourgeoisie have as much to fear from our message as the British themselves. This press censorship is not a reason for not standing - it is simply another barrier that we must overcome. P.D.will be keeping a record of press coverage during the campaign and ‘lodging formal complaints. The constituents of our councillors in North and West Belfast can help by supporting our campaign and the support meetings we will be holding in the 26 counties and thus idea was recently launched by the SDLP. Like previous stunts pulled by the SDLP and Dublin it is a cover up for continued collaboration under a ‘national’ cloak. For most southern workers, however, the nature of Priors’ assembly and the extent of collaboration is not clear, Suspicion exists in the minds of most southern people that the Government says one thing and does the complete opposite. They are also becoming more aware of the massive financial drain this collaboration has on an economy about to collapse.

Each year some £300m is spent on border security - money that could be spent on hospitals ar schools. But this suspicion has not been channelled into political activity.

Since the ending of the hunger strike unity of the anti-imperialist organisations has become a thing of the past. What the forces who were in the H Block committees around the country now lack is resolute and united leadership of the anti-imperialist parties. This must now be changed and Sinn Fein, IRSP alongside P.D, should commit themselves to building united activity in the south. This fight against Priors assembly could open up a strong base of resistance to the collaboration of the southern capitalists with Britains plans to defeat the antipartition movement. ampaign helping to forge a united campaign the press cannot ignore.

FOOTNOTE:

itis not only the bourgeois press that have shown hostility ta PD.

A fcoal antiimperialist paper - the Andersonstown News’ recentiy referred to Fergus O'Hare's defeat of Gerry Fitt as faving been carried out 6y ‘an unknown individual from an obscure organisation’ As the Andersonstown News’ fully reported P.D.'s campaign against Fitt in May (98), we don't Rnow what Aas prompted this sudden lass af memory, We do know that this sort of cheap political sectarianism has nothing to ao with building a united fight against Prior. ee — —E—eEeEeeEeEeeEeEeEeEEE—EEE—————————————

DUNGANNON CONFERENCE

For the last 6 months Peoples Democracy has worked to persuade the anti-imperialist parties to build a united boycott campaign. This was not only because unity of the antiimperialist movement would have created the best conditions for challenging the SDLP and thus for smashing the Assembly initiative.

The most important reason was the vital need to unite against this new British attack - before, during and after the elections. But it took the anti-imperialist parties along time to wake up to the dangers of the Prior Assembly. For a long time, despite the efforts of PD and Bemadette McAliskey to open united discussions and despite a series of meetings with Sinn Fein, no-one could see beyond the question of election tactics. The atmosphere of disunity this created only deepened the demoralisation that existed in the broad antiimperialist movement. This was the background in which the Dungannon Conference, built by PD and Bernadette McAliskey, took place. Attended by PD, IRSP, Sinn Fein, BOML(Belfast Organisation of Marxist Leninists) and independents, it showed that unity was still on the agenda. Despite differences over election tactics, there was a clear consensus about the need to build abroad based campaign to challenge the Brits attempt to resurrect Stormont. Everyone recognised that this was not just another Brit initiative - coming after the defeat of the hunger strike it was an attempt to step up the attack on antiimperialists and finally defeat them.

‘SMASH STORMONT CAMPAIGN’

A plan to build a “Smash Stormont Campaign’ proposed by PD was accepted, It was agreed: (a)...to work around a pledge aimed at the SDLP which committed them not to take their seats under any circumstances and to actively supporting the movement on the streets.

(b)...to build a conference on the theme ‘Smash Stormont’ after the elections (c)...to build a mass rally on the day the Assembly opens A representative steering committee to organise this was elected and it has begun work on the pledge.

RETURN TO THE STREETS

While this was a step in the right direction the limits of this new mood of unity were shown by the lack of enthusiasm for a return to the streets now, during the election campaign.

The only way to bring down this Assembly is through mass action on the streets - this must begin now.

Not only will united action start the process of rebuilding the movement that existed during the hunger strike, but in the absence of mass protests and united rallies our challenge to the SDLP is reduced to party political electioneering. While each anti-imperialist party must try to build itself, the way to strengthen the movement as @ whale, is to build united action. Without such united action it will be all the more difficult to convince people that anti-imperia-.

list candidates merit their votes and more difficult to involve them in the ‘Smash Stormont’ campaign.

The election successes achieved in the hunger strike both North and South, were part and parcel of the mass movement that existed then.

Building such a movement is the vital ingredient to challenging the reformists - no-one party can take on this task alone. Ignoring the need for unity is to make it easier for those like the SDLP and the Workers Party who wish to negotiate our future with imperialism. That is the real danger that faces us - through our divisions we may create a gap through which the SDLP and the Workers Party will crawl. Unity of the anti-imperialist movement must be built now - we cannot afford to wait.

HHH

H-BLOCK ‘ARMAGH CAMPAIGN

HoH The last Conference of the H Block/ Armagh campaign was held in Dublin on October 3rd. Not having been widely advertised, the meeting was attended by only 50 people, most of them from Dublin. Representatives of Sinn Fein, IRSP, PD and independent activists were present. The underlying reality that faced these delegates was the collapse of the H Block/ Armagh campaign throughout the 32 counties. This was recognised by the motion from the National Committee which called for the campaign to be wound up. This

WINDS UP

reality was also recognised in a statement from the prisoners which thanked all those who had participated in the campaign in the past.

An amendment by P.D. was accepted which called for support for the ‘Smash Stormont Campaign’.

After the hunger strike no real attempt was made to maintain the united activity of the anti-imperialist movement. The disunity and fragmentation that followed this marked a setback - time lost to the anti-imperialist movement and time gained for British imperialism.

Such a setback was unnecessary. If there had been areal commitment from the anti-imperialist parties - Sinn Fein and the IRSP - to unity then the task of rebuilding a mass movement to counter Prior would not have been on the agenda. The downturn in activity could have been a period of preparation and debate instead of demoralisation and fragmentation. This mistake should not be repeated in the ‘Smash Stormont’ campaign. Britain and her allies have gained too much time already!

FOR A FREE UNITED

Partition, mass unemployment, low living standards, the worst housing slums in Europe, the highest infant mortality rate, the highest prison populations, low wages and repressive laws that intrude into every aspect of @ citizen’s life - Today's Ireland!

The cause of these problems that face Irish working people is British Imperialism - whose domination is supported and protected by Irish capitalists, Orange and Green. None of these people, the Northern Unionists or the middle class nationalists of Fianna Fail and the SDLP can be part of the solution. Neither British nor Irish Tories can end partition,’ provide jobs for the unemployed, create equal opportunities for all or bring about peace based on respect for democratic rights rather than repression. Any progress in Irish society depends on the efforts of working people under the leadership of the anti-imperialist movement. But today that movement is divided and demoralised which is why in the first place, the Thatcher government has been able to proceed so far with its plans for a new Stormont through Prior’s Assembly.

Peoples Democracy is standing in these elections as part of our campaign to re-unite the anti-imperialist movement and end the demoralisation that is eating away at our freedom struggle. Like Sinn Fein, Peoples Democracy is committed ta building a new Ireland, free of imperialist intervention, based on justice rather than exploitation, But we differ from Sinn Fein and other anti-imperialist organisations over the method of achieving this new Ireland - the Workers Republic of James Connolly and Jim Larkin, Connolly and Larkin viewed the Socialist Republic as a society organised and controlled by working people.

Like them, Peoples Democracy is convinced that only the organisation of Irish workers in the factories and communities into a mass struggle for Irish freedom will make the Socialist Republic a reality.

This requires the leadership of a mass revolutionary party of the working class, the party which

IRELAND!

Peoples Democracy is committed 4. Immediate elections throughout to building. freland for an All-treland Assembly.

NO TO THE ASSEMBLY - 5. The formation of an anti-impertatist END PARTITION government of workers and small : farmers, Peoples Democracy is not prepared to help make partition work, Our 6 The confiscation of al! British candidates will refuse to take their commercial and industrial firms in seats in the Assembly but will use compensation for their exploitation their position to denounce British of frish labour ard resources.

plans for the return of loyalist rule, to oppose the increasing repression In this election our candidates will of nationalist areas, and to promote be putting forward a plan of action aunited mass campaign for an end to go from where we are now to to partition, the winning of the Socialist Republic They will be arguing a radical social- Peoples Democracy calls for: . ist enue . aN wheel and dea!

. politicking ot the SDLP, They will I, immediate withdrawal of the fight tooth and nail against the British Army, attempts of the SDLP leadership to barter the rights of anti-unionists for seats in a British puppet administration. Our candidates will also argue this socialist programme as an alternative to the militarist 2. Disarming and disbanding of the

UOR/RUC.

3. Amnesty for all political prisoners

Continued from Page 4.....

republicanism of Sinn Fein, which downgrades the role which working people themselves will play in achieving and shaping the new Ireland.

MAKE THE RICH PAY

FOR THE CRISIS!

The present economic crisis is the fault of the bosses not the workers.

Yet itis working people who are suffering by high unemployment, declining wages and living standards.

An anti-imperialist government would: fi)... Establish a national minimum wage of £/00 fii)...Create tens of thousands af jobs by shortening the working week to 35 fours without loss of pay by workers (iii)... Demolish all sum housing and founch amassive public warks programme to put those on the dole back to work building the houses, schools and hospitals that working peaple need, (iv)....Outlaw sectarian discrimination and establish a {3rd quota of all industrial jobs to be set aside for catholic workers to offset past discrimination. (vi...Esteblish and maintain a free, public health and education service.

(vil... Tax the multinationals and bring the banks and insurance companies into public ownership to finance the above programme.

(vii)....Organise militant rank and file committees in the trades unions and communities ta monitor the implementation of these measures and ensure there was no backsiiding,

AGAINST REPRESSION!

FOR AN OPEN DEMOCRATIC

SOCIETY!

Partition has led to the growth of two reactionary, repressive states on either side of the border. While the rich can buy their freedom, working people find their rights suppressed.

An anti-imperialist government would outlaw all forms of repression be it political, economic, social or sexual, 1t would ensure that the state did not interfere in the private lives of citizens, and provided

FOR A SOCIALIST

ALTERNATIVE!

facilities to enable all citizens to play a full and equal part in society. in particular an anti-imperialist government would encourage and fund the efforts of oppressed groups to organise in their own defence,

NOT JUST PIE IN THE SKY!

The measures outlined above are not just pie in the sky. Just because partition has lasted for 60 years does not mean that it cannot be ended. What it does mean is that the old leadership, the old methods have failed. Partition can be defeated, the British can be evicted and the problems of poverty, unemployment and repression solved if working people take control! of the struggle for themselves, get organised and rely on their own strength to win the victories. If this is to happen, if working people are to be allowed the confidence to fightback then the anti-imiperialist movement needs to be united in action; honestly discussing the differences but concentrating our forces against the common enemy. PEOPLES DEMOCRACY alone is the organisation which gives priority to anti-imperialist unity. PEOPLES DEMOCRACY alone gives priority to the independent organisation and activity of working people and all oppressed groups in the fight for their democratic rights. PEOPLES DEMOCRACY alone gives priority to the building of a mass revolutionary workers party fighting for a 32 county socialist republic. If you want to play a full part in defeating Britains’ plans ....

lf you agree with us that this election should be used to rebuild amass movement on the streets and anti-imperialist unity ....

If you want to join in the fight for a United socialist Ireland ....

THEN JOIN US TODAY!

WHY WE ARE STANDING

BELFAST

WEST

BELFAST

NORTH

FERGUS O’HARE

OUR

JOHN McANULTY

UNITE AND SMASH STORMONT!

BUILD A FREE UNITED IRELAND!

The Assembly which will be elected on October 20th will do little or nothing to change the misery of poverty and repression which passes for life in the British occupied 6 counties. The plan behind the Assembly is to create a new Stormont -a tarted up version of Orange rule.

It offers nothing to the nationalist workers - no guarantees against discrimination, no progress towards a United Ireland. The right policy for anti-unionists is to refuse to have anything to do with this ‘rolling devolution’. That's why Peoples Democracy fought hard Tora total boycott from the moment the Assembly plan was announced.

We argued for united action by the anti-imperialist movement to rebuild a mass movement of working people which could halt the British plans.

Now that the SDLP and Sinn Fein are participating in the elections, Peoples Democracy is taking the fight for anti-imperialist unity onto the election hustings, We are determined to prevent the SDLP from selling out the sacrifices of the past l4 years and to make every effort to see the anti-imperialist movement united and strong rather than divided and weak. The position of the IRSP in continuing to call fora boycott cuts across the fight for anti-imperialist unity. Whether we like it or not, the British and the media are determined to portray these elections as a referendum on the anti-imperialist struggle. They are hoping for a massive victory for the SDLP in the nationalist areas which will allow Thatcher to dismiss the massive hunger strike campaign as a temporary emotional wave which no longer has to be reckoned with. Any vote not cast on October 20 will be not just a vote lost to the anti-imperialist movement but a lost opportunity to put the SDLP leadership on the rack and make it difficult for them to accept the carrots which the British will dangle in front of their noses. A good showing by the anti-imperialist parties, Peoples Democracy and Sinn Fein, would be a tremendous morale boost for nationalist workers and take forward significantly the fight for anti-imperialist unity and anew mass struggle which can, bring this new Stormont crashing down. 50 on October 20th

VOTE PEOPLES DEMOCRACY

NO. |

VOTE SINN FEIN

NO. 2. VOTE PEOPLE’S DEMOCRACY No.| a ae

BEIRUT:

Oppose Zionist Genocide The savage execution of several hundred Palestinian men, women and children at Chatila and Sabra refugee camps in West Beirut stunned the world. There were accusations and counter accusations as to the identity of the murderers, but it soon became clear that Christian Phalangists aided by the Israelis, entered the camps and slaughtered all in sight.

International solidarity was sparked off around the world. Peoples Democracy organised a picket of the American Embassy in Belfast.

Other sections of the Fourth international organised protests and demonstrations throughout Europe.

Fergus O'Hare, P.D. councillor for North Belfast and Assembly election candidate speaking to the picket said: Ttis the American imperialists who are also quilty af these murders.

They fave actively encouraged the Zionist expansion in the Middle East by equipping the Israeli Army. We believe the Israeli invasion of Lebanon wos planned in Washington.

Regan is more concerned with the stability of the ‘buffer’ state of israel against the Soviet blac, than he is with the democratic rights of the dispossessed Palestinian people.’ ‘FD. demands the withdrawal of all foreign imperialist troops from the Lebanon and self-determination for the Lebanese and Palestinian peapie, *

RUC HARASS

LEBANON PICKET

A New Betrayal As the date for the Assembly elections draws nearer, the nationalist people will be subjected to a daily barrage of propaganda from the “Workers Party’. They claim to be the only party ‘truly’ representing working people, the only party interested in social and economic issues, the party which shuns religious or what they call ‘sectarian’ politics. But their manifesto shows just how in the name of rejecting sectarian politics, so-called, they have come to accepting partition, British rule i Jreland, and uniovist sectarianism!

In the name of ‘socialism’ and ‘workers unity’ they proclaim the benefits of ‘devolution’ in the 6 counties. They want workers to forget about 60 years of unionist wule - 60 years of gerrymandering, (of discrimination in housing and jjobs. They want you to forget about ‘the sectarian record of the RUC, the murder of Catholics carried out by Loyalist terror gangs, the | presence of armed British soldiers in Ireland. They say that to raise these issues is ‘sectarian’.

By using this logic they accept Priors plan. While pretending to criticise the Tories they are in fact the only anti-unionist organisation to have welcomed Priors’ plan and who have said that they will take their seats if elected, And what will they do when they get there? The stated aim of the Workers Party is to build a ‘centreleft ' coalition. How can there be a centre-left when every other nationalist party, and socialist party are boycotting the Assembly. What this really »means is working alongside the unionists. They say that in order to

WORKERS PARTY TO

COLLABORATE WITH

UNIONISTS -

improve the economic and social conditions of the workers they would be prepared to work with anybody ie. the most right-wing and procapitalist parties in Ireland.

But just how far could the Assembly improve the lot of working peaple.?

How can an Assembly dominated by a Loyalist majority find in favour of working people? Will it eradicate unemployment? Will it build more schools and houses? Will it remove repression and guarantee democracy?

On the contrary, such an Assembly will make it easferfor Thatcher to implement her anti-working class policies. [t will make it easier for the Tories and Unionists to defeat the anti-imperialist opposition in the North, The Workers Party have made it clear that - if they were askedthey would take on the chairmanship of some committees. If James Prior wanted to interpret their support for a particular measure as cross-community support, then they would accept this! In other words the Workers Party set them selves up as the ally of the British government and the Unionist parties in trying to make this Assembly work!

Last year during the hunger strike, PD took on tharelected councillors of the Workers Party. Their policy then was to oppose the granting of the prisoners 5 demarna’s. When the dust had settled on the local council elections, the Workers Party fad last every seat they Aad an the councils! Last May the anti-imperialist movement pushed the Workers Party towards the dustbin of Irish history. This October that job should be finished!

Education for Socialism Everyone has heard of Karl Marx, but what did he really say? Lots of people, even right wingers support a united Ireland, so why should socialists? Is Russia socialist? Can you really change human nature?

These are some of the questions that are always asked about socialism, Naturally the British TV and the schools won't tell you the true answers. British imperialists and lrish capitalists who control these institutions would like you to believe ‘that there is no socialist alternative to Wage cuts, repression, unemployment, sectarianism, partition, slum housing etc, But there is! That is why the revolutionary socialist organisation Peoples Democracy is running a series of ‘Education for Socialism’ classes to explain that there is an alternative - 3 32 county socialist republic, But how can we get a united socialist Ireland? Can it come. through parliament? Is an armed struggle necessary? Why do socialists think arevolutionary party and Marxist theory are so important? All these questions will be tackled in an informal and open way. If you are interested or have other questions you would like to ask come along to the classes. After all, the bosses and imperialists know what they are doing. lf we want to beat them we should too. The classes are on every Monday night at 7.30 pm in the Connolly Bookshop, Busy Bee Andersonstown.

Classes are also to be held by our branches in the 26 counties.

Contact your paper seller for details.

meetings As part of the fight to mobilise opposition to Priors plan in the 26 counties P.D. will be holding a series of meetings in the South, The first of these will be in DUBLIN, Thursday Oct [4th ATGWU Hall Marlboro St, at 8.00 p.m. Speakers include:

MICHAEL FARRELL

Author of ‘N.Jreland - the Orange State.’ JOHN McANULTY P.D. councillor and election candidate for W. Belfast

ANNE SPEED

PD member and member of ITGWU (personal capacity) Also invited: Matt Merrigan Sinn Fein Other meetings will be held in Limerick, Shannon and Cork.

£1500 Appeal Peoples Democracy has decided to contest the Assembly elections. So too have the defenders of imperialism and partition. Unlike anti-imperialist campaigns theirs will find a greater response among the ‘well heeled’. Ours will find a response among the poor, the dispossessed and the victims of unionist and British repression.

The SDLP and the Workers Party will fight for a few more crumbs from the table of unionism and Maggie Thatcher. We will be fighting for mass unity te break the grip of repression and build a fight for national unity. That is why you should dig deep in your pockets to give all you can to our election campaign. Peoples Democracy not only needs money to fight in the elections, but more importantly to use the elections to build a united fightback on the streets. Our target is ESQ0. Even in this time of economic misery and hardship, we are confident that our supporters will help us build a united fightback.

Send donations to :

PEOPLES DEMOCRACY A/C

No, O351429 Allied Irish Bank 159/160 Andersonstown Road, Belfast BT 11 9DU

JOIN

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING THE PEOPLES DEMOCRACY

AND FIGHTING FOR A SOCIALIST 32 COUNTY REPUBLIC, FILL

IN THE FORM BELOW AND SEND IT TO:

6, avoca park, connolly bookshop, _pelfast.