A 2009 Leaflet against Education cuts and the introduction of third level fees from The Workers Solidarity Movement.
Stop Education Cuts- Teachers & Parents Unite , No To Fees -Workers Solidarity Movement 2009 July 13, 2010
1986 letter from The Workers Party to the Communist Party of The Soviet Union (CPSU) looking for Funds July 8, 2010
First off many many thanks to the Sender for this. (and donations always welcome)
(I’m also assuming that this letter is real)
A 1986 letter from The Workers Party to the Communist Party of The Soviet Union (CPSU) looking for “a grant of one million pounds (Irish) over the proposed five year development period in order to assist.. in this vital and urgent task, which we believe will be Of benefit to the world struggle for Peace, Freedom, and Socialism.”
The letter is signed by Proinsias De Rossa and Sean Garland.
Amongst other things it gives a background to where the party were, their view of Ireland at the time and outlines what they would spend funds on.
There is also a mention of ‘Special Activities’.
Some of this has been detailed in The Lost Revolution.
As its hard to read in places, the text is underneath each page.
Dear Comrade,
The Executive of the Workers Party of Ireland, on the occasion of a visit to Moscow of the General Secretary, Sean Garland, and Vice-President and Chairperson Executive Political Committee, Councillor Proinsias De Rossa TD, wishes to convey its warm regards and fraternal greetings to the Central Committee and members of the C.P.S.U. and to address this important and urgent message to you.
Though it has been a relatively short time since our two parties established relations in December ’83, each year has seen more contact and understanding leading to more positive development and to a better
overall understanding of the two parties objectives strategies and tactics. In regard to the basic fundamentals, of objectives and tasks in the world today, there is we believe a common analysis and a common approach.
We know that you are quite familiar with the general situation in Ireland, just as we ourselves, keep informed as to developments in the Soviet Union and throughout the world. We would however like to briefly sketch for you the present and immediate future situation in Ireland as we see it.
In the Republic of Ireland the continuing economic Crisis is making the coalition government of Fine Gael and Labour very unstable. The parliament has only one year to run but many Observers are now predicting the possibility of a General election this November or early next spring. The government has lost the confidence of the majority of the people, of business, of the trade unions, and even of many of its members both inside and outside parliament. The Main opposition party, Fianna Fail, is expected to table a motion of ‘no confidence’ in the government
Mick Murphy Manifesto -Socialist Party – Dublin South West 2002 General Election July 6, 2010
From 2002 The Socialist Party Manifesto from candidate Mick Murphy running in Dublin South West. Despite high hopes (having polled over 2000 votes in 1997) Murphy polled 954 votes.
Tony Flannery- Sinn Fein -Dublin Mid West 2002 GE July 5, 2010
From the 2002 General Election a leaflet from Sinn Fein Candidate Tony Flannery running in Dublin Mid West. He polled 1,855 votes.
There is a confidence in the message from Gerry Adams that Sinn Fein were about to make a massive breakthrough. They won 5 seats in 2002, a gain of 4.
Fís Nua – Proposed Manifesto June 29, 2010
A copy of the Manifesto of Irelands newest Political Grouping Fís Nua (New Vision). Comprised of mainly ex Greens .
I’ve just posted the introduction to the manifesto and a link to a *.pdf file of the Manifesto as well as a link to the party Website.
FIS-NUA-PROPOSED-MANIFESTO-20101
Linda Kavanagh -Workers Party -1997 Dublin Central
From the 1997 General Election a leaflet for Workers Party candidate the late Linda Kavanagh. Linda Kavanagh polled 509 votes. A long time Workers Party activist she stood on a number of occasions in Dail and Local Elections.
In the leaflet itself there is mention of things such as wanting the introduction of a 4.50 minumum wage, an abolition of Water Charges and also Peace.
From 1993 Labour ‘Working For You In Government’ leaflet June 23, 2010
From 1993 Labour ‘Working For You In Government’ leaflet. In a coalition government with Fianna Fail, Labour was ‘Putting its Programme for Change into Action’.
The leaflet details what had been done such as the introduction of the May Day holiday. The Childrens allowance was £20.
House building in 1993 was up to 3,700 from 2,800 in 1992.
The restriction on RTEs advertising Revenue had been lifted and lots more.
Aside from Dick Springs message on the front of the leaflet we also have a message from Jim Kemmy on the back with a form to fill out.
‘Fianna Fail Are Criminals, Drink Drivers & Tax Cheats’ Poster – Working Class Action 2003 June 22, 2010
A ‘Fianna Fail Are Criminals, Drink Drivers & Tax Cheats’ Poster from 2003 produced by Working Class Action (WCA).
These posters were produced in reaction to Bertie Ahern stating that people who opposed the bin Tax were ‘Spongers’.
They appeared all over Dublin at the time, although many were allegedly torn down (possibly FF or indeed souvenir hunters).
Working Class Action were a Left Wing Dublin based campaign group. They were active in the Anti Bin Tax campaign. Amongst those involved in Working Class Action were Cieran Perry who was elected to Dublin City Council in 2009 and Joe Mooney. Both stood in the 2004 Local Elections.
Eamon Gilmore Polo Necked Pose Leaflet -Democratic Left – Dun Laoghaire 1992 General Election June 21, 2010
Another Eamon Gilmore Leaflet, this time Eamon Gilmore running in the 1992 General Election for Democratic Left in Dun Laoghaire.
The Suave Polo Necked Posing Gilmore was elected.
On the reverse is the Democratic Lefts Seven Point Action Plan which included the creation of a Ministry for Women…
‘No To The Race To The Bottom’ -Socialist Party 2005
From 2005 when Irish Ferries attempted (successfully) to replace their crews with cheaper non unionised Labour. Demands for lower workers pay from employers, wage deflation and so on.
This leaflet from the Socialist Party ‘No To The Race To The Bottom’ is opposed to such measure.
Kathleen Lynch -The Workers Party -1987 GE Cork South Central June 20, 2010
From the 1987 General Election, A leaflet for The Workers Party candidate for Cork South Central Kathleen Lynch. She failed to win a seat but polled 2,349 votes.
Elected to Cork Corporation in 1985, this was her first General Election. It wasn’t until the 1994 by-election ,running for The Democratic Left ,that she won a Dail seat.
‘New Home Wanted For Fat Cat’ -ICTU ‘Better Fairer Way’ Campaign -February 2009 June 17, 2010
An ICTU Poster of Fat Cat, part of ACT ‘Better Fairer Way’ Campaign from February 2009.
Many thanks to the sender.
Catherine Murphy -The Workers Party -1989 General Election -Kildare June 8, 2010
From the 1989 General Election a leaflet from Workers Party candidate Catherine Murphy who was running in Kildare. She polled 1,520 votes.
On the same day she was also running in Leinster in the European Elections where she polled 7,089 votes.
Initially elected to Leixlip Town Commission in 1988, she was elected to Kildare County council in 1991 running for the Workers Party.She stood for the Democratic Left in the 1992 and 1997 General Elections before standing for Labour in the 1999 Local Elections. She resigned from Labour and stood as an Independent in the 2004 local elections and sensationally won the 2005 by-election before losing her seat in the 2007 General Election. She topped the poll in in the 2009 Local elections.
Many of the policies and issues mentioned are as relevant now as they were in 1989.
Catherine Murphys Website and Catherine Murphy at electionsireland.org
Finglas/ Ballymun People-Irish Socialist Network -Feb/March 2009 June 7, 2010
The Finglas/Ballymun People a newsletter produced by the Irish Socialist Network in early 2009.
The impact of the Financial Crisis, the Gaza Genocide , Bin Tax News and the Plaza Hotel workers are amongst the items covered.
John O’Neill polled 462 votes in the Ballymun Finglas ward.
Many thanks to the ISN for sending this on.
Tom Crilly -Workers’ Party -1997 GE Dublin South East June 2, 2010
From the 1997 General Election a leaflet for Workers Party Candidate Tom Crilly running in Dublin South East. Tom Crilly got 694 votes.
‘Never Mind The Blueshirts… Here’s The Socialism’ -Labour Youth -Left Tribune vol2 issue 4 2006 June 1, 2010
From 2006 an issue of Labour Youth publication Left Tribune with the catchy cover using the Sex Pistols theme with ‘Never Mind The Blueshirts… Here’s The Socialism’
A decent enough read which includes brief profiles of Labours candidates in the 2007 General Election in Dublin and the Ireland North West area.
Many thanks to Dermot L for bringing this to my attention.
.
The full newsletter (a *.pdf file) is available at http://www.labour.ie/download/youth/pdf/nevermindtheblueshirts.pdf
Catherine Kennedy -Socialist Workers Party -Wicklow 2002 General Election May 31, 2010
From the 2002 General Election, Socialist Workers Party candidate Catherine Kennedy running in Wicklow.
She polled 399 votes.
In 2009 Catherine Kennedy ran for Sinn Fein for Bray Town Council.
Irish Election Literature 
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