éirígí Ard Fheis Decides on Electoral Intervention

éirígí held its Ard Fheis [annual conference] on Belfast’s Falls Road earlier today [Sunday], at which the membership voted in favour of contesting upcoming local elections in the Six Counties.

The Ard Fheis which was held in the Cultúrlann McAdaim Ó Fiaich cultural centre was attended by more than 200 people and was addressed by speakers from the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Committee, the Latin American Solidarity Centre, the Independent Workers’ Union, FEE, as well as éirígí chairperson Brian Leeson and general secretary Breandán MacCionnaith.

Messages of solidarity were also sent by the Cuban ambassador to Ireland Teresita Trujillo and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

Regarding the decision taken by the party membership on the Six County local elections, Brian Leeson said: “Five years on from the formation of éirígí, the party feels the time is right to make an electoral intervention in order to further promote a resurgent socialist republicanism.

“éirígí has no illusions about the nature of electoral politics in the Six Counties and, indeed, across Ireland.  The Six Counties is an irreformably corrupt, sectarian state.  No amount of elections to local councils, assemblies or foreign parliaments can change that fact.

“We believe there is a real appetite for a radical voice to emerge from working class communities that will forcefully challenge the British occupation and economic exploitation and deprivation.

Leeson added: “Ultimately, the cuts that are being implemented by the British government and its puppet administration at Stormont will have to be defeated on the streets, in our communities and in people’s workplaces.  éirígí will be making the case for this course of action throughout the forthcoming election campaign.”