A Leaflet from the shortlived Independent Socialist Party entitled ‘What is The Independent Socialist Party?’. Its from around 1977.
Plenty of interest as they explain what their version of socialism is.
The Party had addresses in bothe Dublin and Belfast.
From Wikipedia.. The Independent Socialist Party was a far left political party in Ireland. It was founded in 1976 as a split from the Irish Republican Socialist Party named the Irish Committee for a Socialist Programme, calling for more prominent socialist politics and less emphasis on paramilitary activity….
What is The Independent Socialist Party? February 28, 2010
Eamonn McCann- Socialist Environmental Alliance -2005 Foyle February 24, 2010
An election flyer from the 2005 UK Westminister Elections in the Foyle Constituency, Socialist Environmental Alliance (SEA) candidate Eamonn McCann. He received 1,649 votes.
A veteran campaigner, the well known Eamonn McCann ‘has been active in left-wing politics for more than 40 years. He was a member of the Labour Party in the 1960s and provided a strong socialist voice in the early civil rights movement. He first stood for Foyle in 1969. He has been involved ever since in challenging the abuse of State power, particularly in relation to Bloody Sunday.He is a campaigner for the rights of children and disabled people, and against sexism, racism and homophobia.
He is a member of the Socialist Workers’ Party, chairman of the local branch of the NUJ, vice-chairman of Derry Trades Council and a member of Amnesty International. …and lives in Derry with his partner, Goretti Horgan’
‘The SEA offers a better way. The more emphasis we give to the issues which unite us, the better we can handle the issues which divide us.’
John Dunne – The Workers Party -1997 Dublin North West February 23, 2010
From the 1997 General Election in Dublin North West,The Workers Party candidate John Dunne.
Issues covered in the leaflet include a wish for the LUAS to service Dublin North West, a strategy for Jobs that may be of use today, a novel Bus users charter as well as plenty of problems the Celtic tiger failed to fully address.
John O’Neill -Irish Socialist Network -2007 GE -Dublin North West February 22, 2010
From the 2007 General Election, Irish Socialist Network candidate John O’Neill. John O’Neill recieved 505 votes.
Democratic Left-‘Are Students Getting Value for Money?’ February 16, 2010
A leaflet advertising a Democratic Left Public forum in Maynooth addressed by Eamon Gilmore. The topic ‘Are Students Getting Value for Money?’. I suspect that it was 1992 although I’m not certain.
The usual issues of Grants and facilities are mentioned.
Sean O’Grady- Independent- Killarney 1999 February 13, 2010
Former Workers Party candidate Sean O’Grady from the 1999 local elections for Killarney UDC. He was elected.
He is now a member of the Labour Party.
Seamus Pattison- Labour -Carlow Kilkenny 1992 GE
Seamus Pattison was first elected in 1961 for Carlow-Kilkenny and served until 2007. He served two Dail terms as Ceann Comhairle and was for a long time also ‘Father of the house’ (an honour which Enda Kenny now holds).
The Father of Seamus Pattison, James Pattison also served as a TD from 1932-51 and 1954-57.
SWP -No to Racism flyer February 11, 2010
“Say No to Racism – Migrants are welcome here ”
This is fairly recent. I’m not sure if there is any particular incident that prompted the production of the leaflet.
“JOIN The Independent Socialist Party” Leaflet -Circa 1976 February 8, 2010
Firstly Thanks to the donor. (This is the first of two Independent Socialist Party Leaflets I’ll be posting )
“Join the Independent Socialist Party” with details of the party’s aims, a piece on Socialism in Ireland and the directions it has taken since 1968 and also membership details on the back.
The Contact details for the Independent Socialist Party are ‘The Five Eighth Bookshop’ which was a small bookshop run by Johnny White.
What else I know is that The Independent Socialist Party was shortlived (1976 to 1978) and came from a split with the IRSP. I’d assume this leaflet is from 1976.
Wikipedia states…
The Independent Socialist Party was a far left political party in Ireland. It was founded in 1976 as a split from the Irish Republican Socialist Party named the Irish Committee for a Socialist Programme, calling for more prominent socialist politics and less emphasis on paramilitary activity. The following year, it renamed itself the “Independent Socialist Party” and was joined by former UK Member of Parliament Bernadette McAliskey.
The party entered discussions with the Socialist Workers’ Movement (SWM), with the aim of forming a joint organisation, but the SWM chose instead to join the Socialist Labour Party in 1978. As a result, the Independent Socialist Party decided to disband.
You will also find some more information here.
Democratic Left – “Budget ’97 and how it benefits You”
From 1997. The Democratic Lefts Eamon Gilmore sends out a detailed leaflet about the 1997 Budget.
It’s interesting to look the tax allowances, tax rates, mortgage interest relief of the time. Also covered are the PRSI/Levies , various Social Welfare rates, Education and Health schemes.
Tomás MacGiolla -‘Dublin People’ -Workers Party Paper- 1994 European Elections. February 4, 2010
The Late Tomás MacGiolla from the 1994 European Elections. Although not winning a seat, he polled respectably.
This is a freesheet given out during the campaign. It highlights The Workers Party policy on the EU. From the paper you can see how proud Tomás MacGiolla was to have been Lord Mayor of Dublin . The issues of the day both European and domestic are shown too. The real isssue though was jobs….
Click on an image to enlarge it.
Pat Rabbitte -‘What does he want..?’ – Democratic Left -1994 European Elections
From Democratic Left in the 1994 European Elections in Dublin…. A Question asked by many over the years about Pat Rabbitte (and many others) ‘What does he want..?’
Prionsias De Rossa had won a seat for The Workers Party in Dublin in 1989. Following the Workers Party Split, De Rossa stepped down and the Democratic Lefts Des Geraghty was co-opted and served from 1992 to 1994 as an MEP. Despite Geraghty being the outgoing MEP, Pat Rabbitte stood in 1994.
The DL were very fond of quotes from newspapers (as The Greens used to be too). Rabbitte bemoans the lack of EU money for Dublin and the amount of funds going to farmers.
Rabbitte failed to win a seat. (result at electionsireland.org)
Michael Bell- Labour Party -Louth 2002 GE February 3, 2010
Veteran Labour politician Michael Bell from the 2002 General Election in Louth. Michael Bell lost his seat in the 2002 election, a seat he had held since November 1982.
Tom Crilly, Angie Murphy -Workers Party -1991 Local Elections Pembroke February 2, 2010
The Workers Party candidates Tom Crilly and Angie Murphy from the 1991 local elections in Pembroke Ward for Dublin City Council. Neither were elected.
The Johnston Mooney and O’Brien site and The Irish Sweepstakes site in Ballsbridge are amongst the developments mentioned here. Both had their share of controversy.
The infestation of rats in Herbert Park may have been to do with the bakery closing. There were always lots of fat rats on the bank of the Dodder by the bakery when it was in business.
Janet Waddock and Damien Waddock are also mentioned.
Brid Smith -Socialist Workers Party -2002 GE Dublin South-Central February 1, 2010
Brid Smith, The People Before Profit Alliance candidate for Dublin Mayor, from the 2002 General Election where she stood for the Socialist Workers Party. She got 617 votes in Dublin South Central.
In 2009 she was elected easily to Dublin City Council for the Ballyfermot Drimnagh ward.
In 2002 The Bin Tax was the main issue. We see that at that stage the Tribunals had cost more that 60 million too (and how many corrupt politicians were jailed?).
The proposed incinerator (in Poolbeg) and its viability without being subsidised by the householder is mentioned also.
Liam Kavanagh -Labour Party -Wicklow 1989 January 28, 2010
Labours Liam Kavanagh From the 1989 General Election in Wicklow. Liam Kavanagh served as a TD from 1969 to 1997 (Liam Kavanagh on electionsireland.org).
In his time he served as Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Labour, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry.
Martin Walsh -Socialist Party -1997 GE Dublin South Central January 27, 2010
Martin Walsh of The Socialist Party in Dublin South Central in the 1997 General Election. Martin Walsh polled 328 votes. Walsh a shop steward at Packard Electrical in Tallaght from 1987 to 1996 and also had a role with the ATGWU.
Leaflet mentions some of the scandals of the time such as the Hepatitis C and Lowry/Dunne affair.
Rory Hearne -People Before Profit -2007 GE Dublin South East
Rory Hearne, the People Before Profit candidate in the 2007 General Election in Dublin South East. He polled 591 votes.
Irish Election Literature 
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