Walls must come down

‘The physical barriers dividing Belfast and other areas of Northern Ireland can and must come down’, The Workers Party says.

‘The recent initiative to address the future of ‘peace walls’, announced by the International Fund for Ireland is a welcome move but a number of steps can and should be taken without further delay”, says Party spokesperson John Lowry.

‘Our community is now divided by more than 88 physical barriers, stretching for over 13 miles. Many have been built in recent years. If, as a society, we are serious about a shared future we must start with the removal of these divisive barriers’.

An audit of all existing ‘peace walls’ will show that many are not in residential areas, do not have anyone living in their immediate vicinity and can therefore be demolished as a first and significant step towards the total removal of all community barriers.’, Mr Lowry said.

Video of the Day of Industrial Action rally in Belfast including interviews and comment.

CLICKHERE:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmG1J_TjuRQ

 Day of industrial action

Thousands of public servants, suported by people from all walks of life here, have taken part in the largest mass strike in decades to protect public services.

The Workers Party actively supported the rallies  in Belfast and in towns and cities across Northern Ireland.

The ‘boom and bust’ cycle of capitalist economics means that economic ‘crises’ come around with regularity.

It is easy and popular to say that the current ‘crisis’ has been caused by the greed and speculation of banks and financial institutions. That’s partially true, but it’s not the full story.

This crisis is an inevitable part of the structural and systemic crises in the world capitalist system.

The debts that have been incurred are not a sovereign or government debt. It belongs to companies, corporations and speculators. Yet we are being forced to bail out the bankers at a cost to public services, jobs, education health and social development.

This ‘crisis’ was not a natural phenomenon. It was a systemic failure compounded by the work of local and global financiers confident that, when the bubble burst, the public purse would bail them out.

Of course we need to stop the cuts and tackle the bankers, but fundamentally we need to change the system. The alternative is Socialism 

New Party local representatives introduced to conference by NI Chairperson Gerry Grainger

Three policy primer papers and 14 new party representatives have been introduced at the Workers Party Northern Ireland Conference held in Belfast yesterday.

The three documents, which will be used to start a discussion ahead of the drafting of formal policy statements, address Health and Social Care, Education and the Economy. Seven more papers, covering issues ranging from the environment to enterprise trade and investment and social development are to be presented in the coming months.

Ovation

Fourteen newly appointed local representatives received a standing ovation as they were formally introduced to the conference.

The main discussion centred on the economy, the causes of the current crisis an analysis of the ‘solutions’ offered so far and an assessment of the next targets for capitalism in its relentless pursuit of profits. Author Conor McCabe joined NIC ICTU’s Assistant General Secretary Peter Bunting and Workers Party General Secretary John Lowry in leading the debate.

For copies of the discussion starter papers click here.

Health & Social Care:      Education:      The Economy

To make a comment on any area of Party policy please email workersparty@ymail.com

See a review of the Workers Party Conference on Slugger O’Toole :

Slugger O\’Toole\’s conference review

Conference Video clips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhRs4OcFEIs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1le0lw9sEc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjmBmFtiaWU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeMnaNCWMRk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxw4_vl-zXw&feature=related

Socialist, secular and anti-sectarian

The key discussion at this year’s Northern Ireland Conference will focus on the current economic crisis with contributions from several speakers including Conor McCabe author of ‘Sins of the Father’ the  highly rated work which traces the decisions that shaped the Irish economy.

The conference will also debate three Party discussion papers on health and social care, education and the economy.

Party programmes for the next three years are also expected to be outlined during the day.

Conference details:

Date: Saturday 29 October  Venue: Grosvenor Hall, Glengall Street, Belfast.

10am – 4.30pm

Read a review of Conor McCabe’s book at :

‘Sins of the Father’ – review on the Cedar Lounge site

Sharing experiences:Members of thr Party's Central Execuitive Committee meet with George Pontikos International Secretary of PAME Greek Trade Union Federation

Members of the Party’s Central Executive Committee have met with George Pontikos the International Secretary of PAME the Greek Trade Union Federation.

Mr Pontikos was in Belfast at the weekend  attending a seminar organised by the Belfast & District Trades Council to discusss resistance and alternatives to the Government’s attacks on public services and spending.

The Party discussed the opposition displayed by Greek workers to the IMF imposed austerity measures and economic restructuring in their country.

Panel discussion at last year's conference

The 2011 Workers Party  Northern Ireland Conference will be held on Saturday 29 October in the Grosvenor Hall, Glengall Street, Belfast.

This year’s conference will debate four new Party discussion papers on Health, Education, the Economy and Sectarianism.

A number of recently endorsed Party representatives will also be introduced on the day.

The afternoon session will feature a panel discussion on the local effects of the economic downturn  with contributions from invited guests and Party representatives.

The Conference starts at 10am

For further information contact workerspartymedia@yahoo.co.uk

Supporting 'The Cuban Five'

Workers Party members in Belfast have taken part in a picket on the United States Consulate in the city to help highlight the injustice of the case of the Cuban 5.

The protest, organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Congress Youth, was called to mark the start of the thirteenth year of  their imprisonment.

The Cuban Five are five Cuban men who are in US prison, serving four life sentences and 75 years collectively, after being wrongly convicted in a US federal court in Miami, in June 2001.

The five are Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando González and René González.

All were falsely accused by the US government of committing espionage conspiracy against the United States, and other related
charges. But the Five were actually involved in monitoring the actions of Miami-based terrorist groups in  order to prevent terrorist attacks on Cuba.

You can find out more abou the Cuban 5, sign the petition and support the campaign by following these links:

Who are The Cuban 5 ?

www.freethefive.org 

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/35/president-obama-free-the-cuban-five/

Party members protesting the closure of the City Hosptal A&E

“Belfast City Hospital A&E department must remain open pending the review of health and social care services”, the Workers Party has said.

South Belfast spokesperson Paddy Lynn has criticised the current proposal, its timing and its lack of context.

“The proposal to close the A&E department at BCH has been taken with indecent haste”, he said. “Despite a review of local health services announced by the Minister,  this decision is being hurried through with little thought for the consequences or for the options”, he said

“The proposal and the consultation process must now be put on hold until the wider debate takes place” Mr Lynn demanded

“Better integration of services will be a key discussion point during that debate. Integration of decision making is equally important in this process. The future of the City A&E department can only be decided as part of a complete review of health and social care services,” concluded Mr Lynn.

Justice Minister: David Ford

The Workers Party has today called for the immediate release of Brendan Lillis, currently seriously ill in Maghberry Jail,  and has condemned the attitude adopted by Justice Minister David Ford as callous and ill behoving of someone who claims  to uphold libertarian values.

After meeting relatives of Brendan Lillis Mr Ford has said he is sending for further medical reports. This is totally unacceptable. The facts of the case speak for themselves.

The trial judge in the case against Mr Lillis decided the case could not proceed because Mr Lillis was too ill to stand trial.

That alone demands his immediate release from prison where he is seriously ill in the prison hospital.

The treatment of Mr Lillis by the Northern Ireland authorities is scandalous and he should be released immediately.

Any further delay simply adds to the burden of Mr Lillis and his family and is an affront to all those who uphold basic standards of humanitarian beliefs and civil and human rights.