Browsing Tag
northern ireland
64 posts
#LE23: Sinn Féin surge, smaller parties squeezed
The elections were a continuation of what we have seen before: Sinn Féin and the DUP strengthening their positions and support increasing for Alliance. These elections took place in the midst of the cost of living crisis, and threatened cutbacks in the Stormont budget. While the main parties in the elections offered no way forward for working-class people, the strike action and campaigns to save services that have taken place over the past few weeks give a glimpse of the potential of real change.
How can the paramilitary scourge be challenged?
The prospect of consigning paramilitary violence and coercion to the history books was a key unifying hope which motivated the majority of people in Northern Ireland to back the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. A quarter of a century on, this goal is far from realised.
Is the cost of living crisis ending?
Rising rent, soaring energy bills and skyrocketing grocery costs – for many, the cost of living crisis has been a severe cause of financial and psychological stress. According to capitalist economists previous recession fears were exaggerated, and that inflationary pressures are subsiding. So, it is worth asking, is the cost of living crisis finally coming to an end?
After last week’s protest in Omagh – building a movement against sectarianism
Last Saturday (25th March 2023), 1000 people gathered in Omagh following a call from Omagh Trade Union Council. The call by trade unionists was made because earlier that week dissident republican paramilitaries had shot and critically injured an off-duty police officer outside a sports complex which at the time was attended by many young people. The vast majority of those in attendance were working-class people of all backgrounds, from Omagh and the surrounding areas. A "solidarity march" was also held by a local sports club, attracting several hundred people of all ages.
Build a socialist feminist movement – Join ROSA!
Rising rates of gender-based violence, harrowing femicides and the rise of misogynistic influencers such as Andrew Tate - the need for a socialist feminist fightback has never been clearer. Eva Martin describes the anti-capitalist feminist struggle which is necessary to end the exploitation and oppression of all.
No sell out deals – keep up the strike momentum!
Both the UCU and RCN called off their strikes last month, claiming "significant progress" and "intensive talks." But why did they back down when they had the upper hand? The Socialist delves into the leaderships' undemocratic and lackluster strategy, and presents a fighting strategy to win.
Housing Executive workers enter sixth month of strike action
Maintenance workers for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) have entered their sixth month of strike action in their battle for an above-inflation pay increase.
Do we need landlords?
It is no wonder that so many young people today have a burning hatred for landlords. Thousands of people are forced to seek emergency homeless accommodation, and yet private landlords are raking in huge profits. Chris Stewart analyses the question, "Do we need landlords?"
No going back: Working-class and young people can unite to defeat paramilitary violence and sectarianism!
News broke on Wednesday night of the attempted killing of a police officer in Omagh. He was shot multiple times by masked gunmen after a youth football coaching session. Early reports suggest this was likely an attack carried out by the dissident republican “New IRA”.
End the “hostile environment” for refugees!
Migrants and refugees continue to be systematically treated as disposable by the British government and are as such repeatedly put into vulnerable positions. Rishi Sunak has emphasized that the stopping of people trying to cross the Channel in small boats is his top focus.