Keep the Red Flag flying for democratic socialism

I enjoyed the Labour Party Conference in Wexford last weekend - but quietly, as my drinking and carousing days are over. Most of the worthy list of motions were agreed unanimously, bringing home the fact that we’re not able to implement any of them as we’re not in government. I was expecting more analysis of the last election performance, but this has been wrapped up into a ‘Commission on 21st Century Labour’, which will report to the next conference.

My highlights included:

· A mature debate on drugs policy, prompted by a range of motions including one to legalise cannabis. Another Commission looms, but rightly so as it’s a complex issue.
· An informed and passionate debate on an amendment to the Party Constitution, proposing to replace references to Labour as a ‘democratic socialist party’ with ‘social democratic party’. If you are the sort of person who would rather have your teeth pulled out than attend a political event, this is the kind of thing that makes you despair. But in fact it’s at the heart of socialist ideology and I heard it described as our Clause IV moment. In this case democratic socialism stayed, to a roar of approval.
· The classic line from Eamon Gilmore: ‘Eamon de Valera would never have taken fistfuls of cash in a suitcase’.
· The decision to adopt the Red Flag as the Party anthem. Now I’ll have to learn the words.
· So many young people attending and contributing actively through speaking and standing for the NEC, plus a packed Labour Youth fringe meeting.
· The comradely nature of debate and generally good-tempered and upbeat atmosphere.

And of course there was the motion and fringe meeting concerning the Commission on the future of Labour in Northern Ireland. The motion was proposed by Ruairi Quinn on behalf of the NEC and seconded by Mark Langhammer from the NI Labour Forum (pictured). Quinn made his position crystal clear: we could look at change but that the relationship with the SDLP was paramount. Speakers who still don’t understand why some of us are not in the SDLP welcomed the opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the two parties, with one suggesting we ‘build the centre’ in NI to include the SDLP, the UUP and other parties except the DUP and Sinn Féin; but by implication not including Irish Labour. The reason the motion was passed was because it didn’t commit the party to doing anything except exploring the issues.

The fringe meeting continued the discussion in a level-headed manner which bodes well for the operation of the Commission. But it’s frustrating to be asked ‘have you thought this through?’ about the Border and the national question, when in the Labour Forum’s first few years we talked of little else. Supportive platform speakers emphasised the benefits to Labour of being an all-Ireland party, but also that we all respect the position of the SDLP and that any changes such as standing in elections would be gradual. SDLP members welcomed the opportunity for debate, and we were assured that discussions with Fianna Fáil were just that and no more.

So we have our Commission, but I’m not sure the outcome will be to the liking of Northern Labour members. The intensifying links between the SDLP and Fianna Fáil have had no impact on the relationship between the SDLP and Irish Labour at senior level. It seems to me that the future of Irish Labour in the North depends very much on what the SDLP does next.

Labour Party fringe meeting

DEVELOPING THE LABOUR PARTY IN NORTHERN IRELAND: SHOULD LABOUR WAIT AGAIN?

Chair: Joe Costello TD

Speakers:
• Jan O’Sullivan TD
• Joanna Tuffy TD
• Kathleen Lynch TD
• Sen. Dominic Hannigan
• Cllr.Gerald Nash
• Mark Langhammer (NEC, Chair NI Labour Forum)

Saturday 17th November
White’s Hotel, Wexford
5.10 - 6pm
McCarthy Room 1


The Labour Party Conference will debate a motion on the future of the party in Northern Ireland. The motion is proposed by the NEC and will be seconded by the Northern Ireland Labour Forum. If successful, a commission will be established to consider options including standing for local government elections.

This represents a significant opportunity to move towards normal, governmental politics in Northern Ireland. Fianna Fail has already established a Committee, led by Dermot Ahern, to consider organizing and contesting elections in Northern Ireland, which will report by Easter 2008.

Labour has had party members from Northern Ireland since 2001, and an active Branch (the NI Labour Forum) since late 2004; Constituency Council status was approved in 2007; and the
Party Commission is the next step.

The respected commentator and key peace process interlocutor, Denis Bradley recently commented that Stormont “…can only ever be an administration and not a proper government.” Irish News (1 November 2007). In developing the political future of Northern Ireland, the choice now is Communal (i.e. Protestant versus Catholic) politics, or Governmental politics. The question for the Labour Party is whether we lead that development, or whether we “tail end” Fianna Fail. The position of the SDLP is another consideration.

Come along to our meeting and contribute to Labour Party thinking on the issue.

Go, Dusty!

I’m slightly too young to have enjoyed Dusty Springfield’s early hits when they were first released. At the end of the hippy era, with heavy metal on the horizon, it was hard to see beyond her dowdy appearance and her mainstream appeal. She seemed like the kind of act you would watch on TV, with your parents.

So it’s great to be rediscovering her now. The reason was because I’m starting to enjoy Amy Winehouse’s music, and she’s been compared to Dusty so I was browsing the two of them on YouTube. Here’s a selection of Dusty’s best, mainly from the early days. Ignore the dodgy sound quality and the polyester outfits – that woman rocked.

Click to get the YouTube links as I don’t like putting the big screen things on my blog:

I Only Want To Be With You

Wishin’ and Hopin’

Can I Get A Witness

I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself

You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me

Nowhere to Run

Son of a Preacher Man

Belfast Festival 2007

I managed to get to four Belfast Festival events this year, more than ever before, because the programme was more appealing than in previous years. I have little sympathy with the Festival’s perpetual whine about funding, as in the past they have offered a combination of obscure events and inefficient administration. Both have been addressed this year, although the £1.50 flat rate booking fee was still irritating – why not just increase the price of the ticket?

Another promising aspect was the greater number of events held outside South Belfast, and my first outing was to Tina C at the Spiegeltent in Custom House Square. We marvelled at the ‘tent’, in reality a large, temporary, ornate pub. The brochure had omitted to tell us that Tina C was a transvestite, but I wish I had legs like that. Fantastic jokes, singing not so great. I was surprised to see most people were middle-aged, as I thought this one would attract a younger crowd.

Second was the hot ticket David Lynch and Donovan, in a packed Whitla Hall. It was a weird as it sounds, and didn’t really work. David Lynch answered questions, and his films remained a mystery as the answer to everything turned out to be transcendental meditation. Donovan can still hold a tune, though, and I had a very pleasant wander down memory lane along with most of the audience - who again were middle-aged. At this point I began to wonder if you have to be over 40 to buy a Belfast Festival ticket.

Then it was the lecture by Naomi Klein based on her new book ‘The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism’. It was thought-provoking and had evidence of a lot of background research, but I had a couple of questions. It’s important to remind us of the role of crisis in maintaining capitalism, and to identify natural disasters and regime change in the list. However, she didn’t mention the additional everyday dilemma for governments of trying to avoid fiscal crisis in a political climate where it seems unacceptable to increase tax. Secondly, I wasn’t sure her analysis could be applied to civil wars and other territorial struggles such as the Troubles, where the state or states have a different role. Incidentally, the quality of the questions from the audience at this event was dire. I didn’t have the courage to participate, but I cringed at the impression Ms Klein was getting of Belfast’s radical thinkers.

Lastly I went to Bach’s B Minor Mass at Clonard Monastery, performed by the Dunedin Consort from Edinburgh. It was the first time I’d visited the Monastery, which is spectacular and a fabulous venue for music. The performance was great, with a small choir and Baroque instruments. Magic.

I would like to have gone to more than these four events if I’d had the time. I look forward to next year’s Festival, anyway, and I haven’t always said that.