Daly aligns herself with United Left Alliance
TD Clare Daly has confirmed her resignation from the Socialist Party and has announced that she has redesignated herself as a member of the United Left Alliance.
The website of the Socialist Party says Deputy Clare Daly's decision to resign is a setback to the party, and that the reason for her move is that she now places more value on her political connection with Independent TD Mick Wallace than on the political positions and work of the Socialist Party.
It claims that Ms Daly's political connection to Mick Wallace, who engaged in tax evasion and the falsification of VAT returns, has damaged her reputation but also, by implication, has potentially damaged the reputation of the Socialist Party.
In a counter-statement issued this evening, Deputy Daly has said she wants to "prioritise the building of the United Left Alliance".
She said that she regrets what she describes as the "inaccurate content" of the Socialist Party statement, and said she has "no intention of engaging in a public war of words with party leadership".
The Socialist Party has described Ms Daly's decision to resign as "a setback to the party" that they say will be met with "surprise and shock from many".
A statement on the Socialist Party website said it "sincerely regrets" her decision after many years with them.
Clare Daly's statement in full:
"I can confirm that yesterday I resigned from the Socialist Party and redesignate myself as a United Left Alliance (ULA) TD. I believe it is time to prioritise the building of the ULA. The success of the Household Tax Campaign and the prospect of an intensification of vicious attacks on working people in the next budget makes the building of an alternative political force, that can present a real challenge to the establishment parties, an urgent priority.
"Unfortunately the potential of the ULA has not been fully realised and it is now time that the component organisations prioritised the building of the ULA.
"I note with some regret the inaccurate content of the Socialist Party statement issued today. I have no intention of engaging in a public war of words with the Socialist Party leadership. I am proud of my record as a Socialist Party activist and public representative, as a shop steward representing Aer Lingus workers and a campaigner with people across Dublin North and beyond.
"I will continue with the same intensity and passion to represent and fight on behalf of working people inside and out of the Dail. I will be judged on my record over twenty five years and my future record.
"I have the highest of regard for the members of the Socialist Party especially those past and present who worked tirelessly with me on numerous campaigns over the last 25 years. I hope to maintain good working relations with Socialist Party members and look forward to working together as ULA members.
"I will be working closely with those who have made a priority of building the ULA and offer my support and assistance to branches and members in developing the ULA nationally. I hope to see a large number of ULA candidates running in the local elections.
"I will also continue to support all those fighting austerity. A real movement of people power needs to be built to stop the wave of attacks on ordinary working people."
