Socialist Democracy

RHI audit report

24/10/24

The dysfunctionality and incompetence of the Stormont administration is well documented. Responsibility for this is most often attributed to local political parties. And whilst this is true it would be wrong to think that politicians are solely to blame.  In nearly every scandal that has erupted in Stormont over the period of devolution, civil servants have been deeply complicit.     (read more)

Child welfare at centre of political storms

24/10/24

The issue of child welfare has raised its head once again in the Dáil.  Once around the scandals besetting Sinn Féin and once more around the state and its child protection agency’s abrogation of its responsibilities towards children.  Neither the state, Sinn Féin or the Left came out of it very well.   (read more)

British Labour party: A blinkered vision on the Left

20/10/24 

In the aftermath of the British Labour Party conference there was a fair degree of convergence on the Left. The Socialist Workers Party warned correctly that the Starmer policy of austerity offers a way forward towards a far-right government at the next election.  On the positive side it noted the many issues that have sprung up   (read more)

Scandal and cover up lead to strategic crisis for Sinn Féin

17/10/24

As the Dublin coalition moves towards a general election, Sinn Féin are embroiled in a slow-motion car crash around internal investigation and disciplinary procedures.  In the North a former Sinn Féin press officer who was accused (and later convicted of) various sexual offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity received two references from other party staff members that led to his employment by the British Heart Foundation (BHF).   (read more)


Casement Park debacle

14/10/24

The recent announcement by the British government that it would not be providing any additional funding for the redevelopment of the Casement Park GAA stadium in west Belfast is a major blow for the Stormont Executive and for Sinn Fein in particular.   The expectation was that the building of a high-grade multi-sports stadium at Casement Park would allow Belfast to be one of the host cities for the finals of the Euro 2028 soccer tournament.  (read more)

Labour and the unions

11/10/24

The TUC’s general secretary, Paul Nowak, has made great claims for the new Workers’ Rights Bill being introduced this week. The deal is linked to a public sector pay deal which was the minimum that would get through a union vote and has not been accepted in many areas, especially in the NHS.  According to Nowak, the Bill will turn the tables on the  Conservatives’ “low rights  low pay economy” and will “make work pay again”.    (read more)


Videos

Gender identity ideology

Presentation by Orla Ni Chomhrai on why socialists should oppose a dogma which undermines women's rights, gay rights, free speech, and science.

18 October 2021