French debate on Left candidate: same story in Ireland

international | anti-capitalism | opinion/analysis Sunday February 25, 2007 20:14 by Brendan Young - Campaign for an Independent Left youngbren at eircom dot net

Why the LCR is not supporting a 'unity' candidate

The debate on the French Left about the forthcoming elections has parallels for the Left in Ireland – in particular for those leftwing Independent TDs and those on the Left who do not agree with supporting a government of the parties of the Right. In France the question is: should a united-left (anti-neoliberal) candidate support or be part of a government led by the Socialist Party (which will be a social-liberal or Blairite government)? In Ireland the question is similar: should the non-right-wing parties (Labour, Greens, Sinn Fein) be part of a government of the Right (FF, FG, PDs)? And should Independent TDs support a government of the Right?

In both cases the governmental program will be that of the Right, with marginal or short-lived concessions; and the minor players in any coalition will have to support the policies of the Right, including continued collusion with the US war in Iraq, privatisation of public services, and pro-market policies that contribute to environmental degradation and global warming – both in Ireland and in the EU. Or should the Left reject coalitions with the Right – which benefit the Right and undermine the Left – and begin the construction of a real alternative?

As part of the Campaign for an Independent Left I support the construction of such an alternative - including the building of a new party of working people. I am working to get Joan Collins elected in Dublin South Central, who also supports this alternative. Joan has a real chance of a seat in South Central, and deserves the support of all left activists. Getting a committed socialist elected would provide another high-profile opponent to the politics of the Right. And it would be a step in the building of a real alternative to the parties of the Right, and to those who are willing to support them. The following article is from the debate in France. It is taken from the International Viewpoint website.