Independent socialist deputy Seamus Healy has announced plans to work
towards setting up a new left-wing political party, in response to
Labour's weekend decision to enter a pre-election alliance with Fine
Gael.
The
Tipperary South TD said that various left-wing groups and individuals
have held talks in the last 12 months about such a project. "All these
groups and individuals are based in the workers' and trade union
movement", he said.
"They
have a strong track record of campaigning on community and trade union
issues such as the bin tax, tax equity, poverty, inadequate health
services, opposition to privatisation, anti-war activity, opposition to
racism and participation in social forums for global justice."
Mr Healy,
along with Independent Dublin city councillor Joan Collins and Des
Derwin, vice-president of the Dublin Council of Trade Unions, will
announced their plans at a press conference in Dublin. In a statement
they condemned what they said was "the Labour preparation for yet
another coalition" and called for "urgent discussion on the need for a
new Independent party of the left".
They said
discussions about a possible "regroupment" on the left had included Mr
Healy's own organisation, the South Tipperary Workers' and Unemployed
Action Group; the Dublin-based Community and Workers' Action Group; the
Irish Socialist Network; the supporters of Red Banner magazine; and a
number of individual activists and independent socialists.
"The
discussions centred on the creation of an independent left regroupment
free of careerism and free of subordination to conservative parties such
as Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The ultimate objective would be creation
of a popular movement led by a new political party to represent and
organise working people, the statement said.
"The
discussions were given urgency by the refusal of the Labour Party to
lead an alliance of the left and its undivided commitment to coalition."
Mr Healy
said these groups were committed to linking up campaigns in different
parts of the country on issues such as "poverty, exploitation and
right-wing policies. Through this and other activities they will advance
the need for an independent political party of the left.
"There is
no proposal at this time to declare the formation of a new party, to set
up a new left wing group or to provide an umbrella for existing groups.
Participating groups will continue to run candidates in elections as
heretofore. We would welcome expressions of interest from groups or
individuals with a track record of involvement in popular campaigns," Mr
Healy said.
