Socialists prioritise jobs and state investment
The party, led by MEP Joe Higgins, believes the billions of euro being paid to cover banking losses should be diverted into a massive job creation strategy.
At its launch in Dublin yesterday, Socialist Party Cork north central candidate Mick Barry said the four-page manifesto “is not a media-orientated document” but “is intended for mass distribution in the nine constituencies where we are fielding candidates” and will act as an “aid for discussion on the doorsteps with working people, the unemployed and students.”
The document calls for an outright “rejection” of the EU/IMF deal, which Mr Barry said “legislated for making ordinary people responsible for bailing out the private European banks who recklessly speculated on the Irish property bubble in concert with Irish institutions.”
The Socialist Party is fighting the election as part of the United Left Alliance. Mr Higgins said the ULA was the only group offering a genuine alternative in the election, with Fine Gael and Sinn Féin merely “masquerading” as an opposition but intent on implementing the same polices as the outgoing Government.
It was also pointed out that while in the Republic Sinn Féin is campaigning on an investment programme agenda, in Northern Ireland that party is assisting in the implementation of £4 billion cuts in state spending.
Indicating the group does not expect to play a role in the next government, Dublin North candidate Clare Daly said voters must realise than on February 25 they are “not only electing a government but an opposition.” She said the left would be most effective in the latter role.
The party’s Limerick city candidate, Cian Prendeville, 21, said he believed the Government agenda was to encourage the emigration of young people.
Adding that he had no intention to leave, Mr Prendeville said: “I know from my campaigning activity that the crisis and its impact on young people has had a very radicalising effect. From the word go, capitalism has failed this generation. I will use my position, whether or not I am elected, to help build a radical mass movement of young people and students to defeat college fees and fight for jobs.”
The launch was held in the Ormonde Wine bar on Dublin’s North Quays, prompting Mr Barry to quip that “it’s probably the first time the Socialist Party has held a manifesto launch in a wine bar.”
