Vote Socialist on 5 May 2011

Sean Carrothers was the third young person from West Belfast in a number of days to take his own life in the Colins area that has seen over 10 suicides in recent months. His father, Geard Mc Laughlin spoke out on why young people are becoming victims of suicide. He said it was because of the “hopeless” situation brought about by the recession.

The humanitarian catastrophe that has befallen Haiti beggars belief. The powerful earthquake that struck on 12 January left many thousands dead, with estimates running to 200,000 and more. The flimsy slum dwellings in Port-au-Prince, the capital, collapsed, as did public buildings, including schools and hospitals. Many thousands are still missing and more are badly injured.

The first Assembly to complete a full term has been criticised as being “a right-wing consensus between all the parties and has failed the needs of ordinary people.” Paddy Meehan of the Socialist Party claimed “The politicians in the Assembly have left nothing for workers and young people but a four year budget of £4 billion cuts and a return to mass unemployment.

On 1st October, Youth Fight for Jobs (YFJ) activists started a 330 mile march from Jarrow to London.