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We
are writing to invite you to a Convention of the Left
to be held in Derry on February 14th 2004. The purpose
is to discuss a united left slate in the June 2004
European Election. The SEA sees it as imperative that
there should be a left alternative in the field in
June. If no one else is willing to come along with
us we are minded to go on our own. In that circumstance,
Eamonn McCann is willing to stand. However we realize
that a broad alliance covering Northern Ireland would
be hugely preferable. We are open to argument from
others as to how best we can jointly achieve this.
We
envisage an electoral alliance of different parties
campaigning groups and individuals offering voters
a radical, anti-sectarian alternative to parties based
on one or other of the two communities. The results
of the SEA interventions in Foyle and East Londonderry
by Eamonn McCann and Marion Bauer make it plain that
a credible, united left campaign can attract a level
of support, which cannot be derided or ignored. Without
such an intervention the European election will amount
to yet another “dual referendum” to determine
who will champion each community vis-à-vis
the other. It will take a united broadly based campaign
to make a left intervention credible.
The
issues bringing together socialist, environmentalists,
defenders of the public sector, anti-racists, women’s
rights campaigners and anti-war groups in other countries
affect us here to. Millions of Europeans rallied to
these issues in 2003, particularly in anti-war demonstrations
on February 15th. Our convention marks the first anniversary
of those huge protests, which saw one of the biggest
ever marches in Belfast that did not reflect sectarian
divisions. We must break out of the circular argument,
which holds that Northern Ireland is so polarized
along communal lines that there’s no point trying
to seriously challenge its communal politics. A June
campaign would offer a chance to link up day-to-day
concerns to major issues being fought out on a European
level. Issues of water charges and environmental protection
cannot be understood other than in a European perspective.
The rise in racism on our streets is connected to
the “Fortress Europe” project. Local civil
rights issues now arise in parallel with the crackdown
across Europe associated with the “War on Terror”.
Privatisation schemes in our schools and hospitals
are entangled with European directives on freeing
market forces.
It
is only in the context of the fight for a Social Europe
and against the neo-liberal Europe that we can pursue
these issues in Northern Ireland. The notion that
a better Northern Ireland and a better Ireland is
possible is an element of a broader notion that another
Europe is possible. As to when and by whom a serious
political effort is to be made to bring about this
about – if not now, when? If not us, who?
The
convention will be held at the Verbal Arts center,
located in the Derry Walls at Bishop St, Derry. A
crèche will be provided. A more detailed agenda
will be issued shortly.
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