New Election Victory

workers movement.

But a mass actidn strategy is needed to take full advantage and build the campaign. the campaign leadership is no united behind such a strategy. And “good ideas” for action tend to be left to the activists, action groups, the feminists and some of the left. Mobilising the already-won support in unions is not understood to be central for the whole campaign. There are no projects or activities planned to get the workers unto the streets.

PD has called for some initiatives which could make this possible; an international tribunal, trade union representation on the campaign leadership, an open the heart of this struggle, separation of Church and State and defence of womens rights, must be aimed directly at the right, SPUC, PLAC, et al ‘and also at the all- Ireland forum. Fitzgerald, Hume Haughey and Spring, should not be allowed to debate a ‘New Ireland’ when repression is consolidated in the Ireland of today.

Finally, Peoples Democracy firmly believes that Republican abstention from the AAC strengthens the ‘two-nationist’ opponents of Irish unity who participate in the AAC. If Republicans do not fight for women in Ireland today, what confidence can the women’s movement have that a new Ireland will mean their liberation? The election of Alex.

Fein which will give imperialism a reason to pause and think about its Irish policy. Its’ a particularly historic victory as it is the first time in the whole history of the Northern state that Sinn Fein has won a’ seat in Belfast City Hall.

However from the point of view of those like PD who see electoral action as the first step in mass struggle the victory was a pyrtthic one. Sinn Fein won, but at the cost of WRITE TO:

PLOUGH BOOKS, » further disunity and pol- © itical sectarianism in the anti-imperialist camp.

Jimmy Brown of the IRSP at present in Crumlin Road Gaol, was the AntiInformer candidate. In a PR election the fact that there were 2 candidates ~ presented no difficulty as long as the candidates called for transfers to each other.

This didn‘t happen. The IRSP called on Sinn Fein to withdraw and Sinn Fein ignored Brown’s candidacy even going as far as to HORIZON BOOKS, AVOCA PARK, ANDERSONSTOWN, BELFAST 3 BELEVEDERE PLACE, DUBLIN 1. -print a reproduction of the ballot paper with Jimmy Browns name listed with the other candidates but no suggestion of a vote transfer!! They have since attacked the IRSP for standing at all.

The election of Councillor Maskey means that PD, the IRSP and Sinn Fein are all represented in Belfast City Hall. There is a perfect opportunity for united work if only Sinn Fein can put the needs of the struggle above their own determination to winabsolute control over the anti-imperialist movement.

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use the time, extend the struggle

Maskey i is another in a string of victories by Sinn