Here are some tributes from working class and socialist activists who knew Peter:
“Peter was a giant of revolutionary socialism, whose brilliant analysis of the national question stands alongside that of James Connolly. How fitting he went out to the accompaniment of the mass resistance of the Greek workers.”
– Joe Higgins MEP
“I would like to convey my deepest sympathies with Peter’s family and friends and express gratitude and appreciation on behalf of all the workers at the Visteon plant in Belfast. It is unquestionable that throughout our occupation the support from Peter and his comrades in the Socialist Party was invaluable.”
– John Maguire, Convenor of the Belfast Visteon workers
“Peter’s death is a real loss to the workers’ movement. His experience, knowledge and unshakeable commitment to fighting for workers interests were tremendous assets. Throughout our strike in 2002, Peter was rock solid in his support and without doubt gave us strength to keep fighting.”
– Jim Barbour, speaking on behalf of the Fire Brigades Union
Peter will be missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing him and collaborated with him down the years. But Peter’s contribution to the socialist movement lives on, through his writings which are indispensable today in the fight against the savage cuts which all the parties in Westminster and Stormont are determined to inflict upon working class people. The greatest tribute which can be paid to Peter is to build a mass socialist movement to eradicate the gross inequalities and poverty in society, here and internationally.
Peter played an instrumental role at times in assisting and building solidarity with workers involved in struggles, such as those at Visteon, Montupet and the Chelsea Girl strike.
He also made an immense contribution to the development of socialist thought in Ireland and internationally, writing many books and articles which qualitatively enriched a socialist understanding, particularly on the national question. His consistent emphasis on the need for workers’ unity against all forms of sectarianism in Northern Ireland inspired workers in many countries afflicted by national conflict, such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Israel and Palestine.
Peter will be sadly missed by partner Susan, sons Owen and Stephen and brother David.
Peter’s funeral will be held at 2pm Monday 10th May at Roselawn Cemetery Belfast.
NOTE: There will be a full obituary to Peter on this site some time in the next few days.
Pat Lawlor is a nurse at the neo-natal maternity ward in Royal Victoria Hospital. He is a long-time trade unionist activist who has earned a reputation for being an effective organizer and fighter for workers in the Royal. Pat is currently a Unite rep and is involved in building the Health Workers Action Group. Pat is the secretary of the anti-water charges We Won’t Pay Campaign which built mass support for non-payment of water charges. The real reason why water charges have not been introduced as yet has been because of the We Won’t Pay Campaign success in building mass opposition and collecting 120,000 signatures of people who would refuse to pay the charges.
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.