Sinn Fein

Sinn Féin MP Conor Murphy said this morning that three weeks into preparatory talks we still have no credible talks process.
Conor Murphy said:
“The First and Deputy First Minister and their advisors do meet on regular basis on a range of issues.
But as we enter the third week of the preparatory talks which the the DUP called for they have yet to attend a plenary and have had no meetings with Sinn Féin as part of the current talks process.
A plenary should be convened immediately to start a credible talks process.
Last week Sinn Féin circulated a paper proposing agenda items to the other parties and the two governments.
Despite this we are in the third week of preparatory talks and we still have no agenda, no timetable, no programme of work or no structure for chairing.”

Sinn Fein

Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay has said the people under most stress are families who have been forced to rely on food banks as a result of the Tory cuts agenda.
Speaking after the results of a European-wide bank stress test were published, Mr McKay said;
“The European Banking Authority study found that 24 banks across Europe failed stress tests and are at risk of being shut down.
However, this pressure pales in comparison to the stress felt by thousands of families because of the austerity policies of the Tory-led British government.
While the pressures on banks will make headlines and exercise the minds of ministers, the plight of families who have been forced to go to food banks simply to survive barely gets a mention in the media.
Undoubtedly these millionaire cabinet ministers will leap to the defence of their banker friends and continue to heap pressures on the most vulnerable in society with their attack on the welfare state.
Sinn Fein will continue to oppose the swingeing cuts to our block grant and the welfare cuts agenda of the Tory-led government to protect those least well off in our society.”

By Joe Dwyer

Also appeared on Student Broad Left, Friday 24 October 2014

Next Monday (27th October) the Students of Queens University Belfast will be asked to vote on the proposition “Should Ireland be a united and independent country?”

The petition for such a campus poll garnered 700 signatures at the University’s Fresher’s Fair. Sean Fearon, chairperson of QUB Sinn Fein, said that it was signed by “almost two persons per minute”. This shows the enthusiasm and dynamism amongst many young people in the north of Ireland for a debate on their constitutional future. As demonstrated during the recent Scottish Referendum, such debates can galvanise younger people to get involved, including those previously detached from politics. By initiating this debate the students of Queens have also taken a step towards the making the case for an actual border poll for the people of Ireland, as outlined in the a Good Friday Agreement

Such a poll, and indeed Ireland’s future, is not only of interest to those who live on the Island of Ireland. There is an impetus on all progressives and the left, whether in England, Wales or Scotland, to ensure that the Irish question remains on the political agenda in Britain. This is especially true of students. As Salvador Allende said: “To be a student and not a revolutionary is a contradiction.” In the same vein being a progressive student in Britain means challenging the continued British jurisdiction in Ireland. The British Left needs to engage in the discussion and become vocal persuaders for unity. The time is right for a debate on the North’s future, and where better to start the debate than on the campuses. There is nothing to fear from debate, dialogue and discussion – such civic conversations are what developed and drove the peace process.

Few realise that the provision for a border poll was an integral element of the Good Friday Agreement, which states:

“… it is for the people of the island of Ireland alone, by agreement between the two parts respectively and without external impediment, to exercise their right of self- determination on the basis of consent, freely and concurrently given, North and South, to bring about a united Ireland, if that is their wish, accepting that this right must be achieved and exercised with and subject to the agreement and consent of a majority of the people of Northern Ireland …”

It makes little sense for an island of 6.5m people to be split into two separate tax systems, two separate currencies, two separate legal systems, and two separate competitive economies. A single island economy would provide the opportunity for fair and harmonised progressive taxation, regulation and trade. Partition has failed woefully. After partition, two conservative states both ruled by the old orders were created. In the North, this meant a reactionary, sectarian state, based on discrimination of the nationalist minority and denial of democracy through electoral gerrymandering among other things. The ensuing struggle against this was in essence what resulted in the Good Friday Agreement and the creation of mechanisms to overcome that discriminatory basis of the old state. The Good Friday Agreement rests on the foundations of equality and respect for diversity. Unfortunately, these are the things which rejectionist unionism cannot come to terms with. Ultimately, a United Ireland is the most viable and progressive option for the future of the island.

For those who do not follow politics in the North of Ireland, it can appear that, with the peace process, all matters are now settled. Ireland is not on the political agenda for many. However, in recent times the process has come under threat from an
Anti-Agreement axis. The extreme fringes of Unionism, who have never reconciled with the new dispensation, have been allowed to dictate the agenda of the larger Unionist parties and are seeking to derail the wider process. Just as we have seen in Britain with the UKIP-tail wagging the Tory-dog, so too have the DUP and UUP fallen under the influence of this small rump of Anti-agreement Unionists. From opposition to a Peace and Reconciliation Centre, to the recent refusal to appoint an Assembly Speaker – Unionists have begun to step away from the spirit of the agreement. Unfortunately the British government has allowed this unionist intransigence to prevail.

However, new talks are currently under way under the auspices of the Secretary of State for the north Theresa Villiers to unlock this stalemate. Such is the current attitude of Unionism, the DUP refused to attend the first session of talks because a representative of the Irish Government was present. This needs to stop and progress needs to start again. There is a vital need to build a loud and visible pro-Agreement axis. The history of the Peace Process has shown that Unionism will only act when it is compelled to do so by the British Government. We in Britain need to take our responsibility for holding the British government to account and calling for progress in the current talks. The British government is a joint-guarantor of the agreement, in recent times it has failed in this remit.

It is important that progressives and people of goodwill in Britain help to build this Pro-Agreement sentiment. Such a movement reflects majority opinion and would seek not only the full implementation of outstanding elements of the Agreement but would also promote and nurture the spirit of the agreement.

Whatever the outcome of the Queens poll, this initiative has set out the key discussion centre stage. Students here should take the opportunity this presents to also join the discussion and link up with progressive students in Ireland, by supporting self-determination and the peace process. It’s a good time to put Ireland, and the unfinished business of Britain’s colonial role there, back on the agenda.

For those interested in finding out more about the need to build a pro-Agreement axis there will be a public event “Why we need to build a pro-Agreement axis – Unionist Anti-agreement axis threatens Irish democracy” with Conor Murphy MP on Tuesday 25 November at 7:30pm in the Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House, House of Commons, London SW1A OAA.

Sinn Fein

Sinn Féin MP Conor Murphy said today that the unionist ultimatum over an Orange Order parade in North Belfast continues to hold all-party talks at Stormont to ransom.
Conor Murphy said:
“We are in the second week of preparatory talks and to date we have no agenda, no timetable, no programme of work or no structure for chairing.
We told the two governments that we are concerned that we don’t have a credible talks process.
The British Secretary of State continues to engage with the DUP on the issue of the North Belfast Orange Order parade.
The British government is clearly playing political footsy with the DUP under the table.
We made it clear that Theresa Villiers that is a mistake on her behalf and it’s the wrong way to go about this process.
We have held talks with both governments, the Alliance and the SDLP and agreed a meeting with the UUP.”

Sinn Fein

Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew said a debate on the issue of the past in the British House of Lords was timely in the context of efforts to start all-party talks.
The Lords’ debate is being sponsored by former NIO Minister Lord Dubs.
The Fermanagh/South Tyrone MP said:
“This debate sponsored by former NIO minister Alf Dubs could not come at a more opportune moment.
The topic of the debate is very appropriate. It recognises the need for both governments to use their influence with the parties to reach agreement on outstanding issues and to build on what was achieved in the draft Haass conclusions.
It is important that people in Britain are aware of the seriousness of the situation in the North. There has been a drift by mainstream unionists towards a negative anti-Agreement axis.
Lord Dubs motion will hopefully act as an impetus for the substantial support that exists in Britain for the peace process to let their voices be heard.
It is important that all friends of the Good Friday Agreement speak out on the responsibility of the British government to do the right thing. It needs to use its considerable influence on unionism to bring the DUP in particular into genuine talks mode.”

Sinn Fein

Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey has called for loyalist death threats against a number of men from west Belfast to be lifted.
Speaking after the threats were issued at the weekend, the West Belfast MP said;
“I am calling on those loyalists responsible for the death threats against these men from west Belfast to lift them immediately.
Two of those named, Tom Hartley and Seánna Walsh, have been engaged with unionists and loyalists for most of the last 20 years of the peace process on a range of topics.
Many of these engagements have been in loyalist areas. At no time did either Tom or Seánna encounter any hostility to their presence.
In fact, Tom Hartley spoke at an event in east Belfast several weeks ago.
These death threats need to be lifted to ensure this essential peace building work can continue in unionist and loyalist areas.
I am also calling on loyalists and others from the unionist community to condemn these threats and to use their influence to ensure the work Tom, Seánna and others are engaged in can continue free from threats and intimidation.”