Demand exists for 'ideals of left alternative'

A CRITICAL need for a new mass party of the left is evident but now is not the time to launch such a movement, delegates at the inaugural United Left Alliance forum were told at the weekend.

Dublin West TD Joe Higgins, whose Socialist Party is part of the alliance, said merely amalgamating members of the alliance’s groups would not be “optimum”.

More than 400 people attended the convention in Liberty Hall Dublin on Saturday. The forum’s objective was to produce ideas on how to move the alliance into a position where it could become a political party in its own right. It has five TDs, one MEP and 20 councillors.

Mr Higgins said a new party would have to have purpose and potential to develop and grow. It was not possible to be precise about a date for setting up a new party, but they should have an understanding of the context in which the venture would start.

The “hatred and vitriolic contempt” working-class people had for the former government would develop against this one into the autumn and during the formulation of the budget, he said. “Against that background there will be a real openness for the ideals of a left alternative.”

Richard Boyd Barrett TD, from Dún Laoghaire, said the convention was a tremendous advance for the left. They needed to acknowledge diversity within their ranks, while debating issues in a fraternal way. The majority of the public were furious with the EU-IMF deal and wanted an alternative. “Our project has to be to win over that majority of working-class people.”

The first and most important task was to build the alliance as fast as possible so that it could “lead the struggles that need to be fought”, including fighting against cuts in services such as special needs assistants. The alliance needed to stand beside ordinary people who did not necessarily come from its particular standpoint but who wanted to protect services and jobs, he said.

Tipperary TD Séamus Healy told delegates they had to prioritise building the alliance nationwide. “We believe we can build 40 branches.”

Sligo councillor Declan Bree said he believed “the alienation of the Labour Party because of its collaboration with Fine Gael” would lead to support. The Government was unlikely to stay in power for more than a couple of years, he said. “Despite the recession, despite the impact of the ruling class . . . the months ahead will provide the left with a golden opportunity to build towards the establishment of a new party.”