Tag: Ruth Coppinger

“It’s a victory for them all” Coventry Socialist Party members celebrate referendum result in Ireland

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“It’s a victory for them all”

Coventry Socialist Party members celebrate referendum result in Ireland

ireland women

Women across the world are celebrating what looks set to be a massive victory for the campaign to repeal the 8th amendment of the Irish constitution. This is a stunning result for the socialist movement, and all those interested in advancing our rights. The Socialist Party in Ireland – with Rosa, the Socialist Feminist Movement, have played a leading role in the campaign. We spoke to two socialist women trade unionists (in a personal capacity) in Coventry to get their reaction.

Nicky, a leading activist for the National Education Union stated

“So proud of our sisters in ROSA and comrades in Socialist Party Ireland. This historic victory will be remembered for changing the lives of women faced with agonising choices. No longer will women have to leave the country in shame for an abortion or have illegal unsafe abortions. The YES campaign has shown how far behind the church and state is from the beliefs of most Irish men and women. It’s a victory for them all.”

Meanwhile Helen, a UNISON shop steward, explained

“The landslide victory for the Yes campaign in Ireland is a huge step forward, not just for those who campaigned and voted, but for future generations of women and girls.

No longer will pregnancy mean that the life of the woman becomes of secondary importance to a foetus that in some case is not even viable.

No longer will women have to go to extraordinary lengths to get the abortion they need.

No longer will women be denied appropriate medical treatment when their health is at risk.

No longer will women have to forgo after care and counselling following an abortion. A future where Ireland’s mothers, grandmothers, wives, partners, sisters and daughters can be properly cared for will be a better Ireland for all. Congratulations to ROSA and the Socialist Party for a very determined and positive campaign.”

We urge all those who want to continue the struggle against all forms of oppression to join the Socialist Party, and help us rid the planet of the root cause – the capitalist system. Fill in the form below to find out more.

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Coventry Socialists welcome advances for the Socialist Left in Irish elections

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Coventry Socialists welcome advances for the Socialist Left in Irish elections

Ruth

Ruth Coppinger was re-elected as a TD for Dublin West

Coventry Socialist Party send warm congratulations and solidarity to socialist and anti austerity campaigners in Ireland who have made fantastic gains in the General Election.

Though it has been completely ignored so far by news outlets such as the BBC, the Left has performed extremely well.

We are extremely proud to announce that the Socialist Party in Ireland, as part of the Anti Austerity Alliance (AAA) has won a fantastic 3 TDs (MPs) in the Dail (Irish Parliament). Paul Murphy and Ruth Coppinger were re-elected in Dublin and in a superb breakthrough Mick Barry was elected in Cork.  In Dublin West Ruth came second (it is a multi member constituency) with Joan Burton of the Labour Party only just scraping in to fourth place.

Over 100 people in Coventry heard Ruth speak at our election rally for TUSC last year and was warmly received by all of those who attended.

We would also like to pay tribute to comrade Joe Higgins, who has visited Coventry in recent years to support our election campaigns here. Joe stood down at this election and his record as a Marxist in the Irish and Euro Parliament fighting for the rights and interests of working class people is unsurpassed.

The AAA also ran strong campaigns in many other areas such as Limerick, where we only narrowly lost out on more MPs. The People Before Profit Alliance which ran on a joint ticket with the AAA has also won at least 2 seats.

What these election results show is that pro-establishment, business as usual, pro capitalist politics is in crisis. It also shows that Socialist and anti austerity ideas, backed up with decades of campaigning and organising in the interests of ordinary people can win support.

We are proud of the role that our brothers and sisters in the Socialist Party in Ireland are playing and the results this weekend. Moreover, with our comrades organised in the Committee for a Workers’ International in 50 countries across the world, we look forward with confidence to stepping up the fight for socialist policies in answer to the capitalist crisis.

We encourage you to join our international movement for socialist change!

Fill in the form below to get involved

Packed room for Socialist election rally

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Packed room for Socialist election rally

107 people packed in for the rally

107 people packed in for the rally

107 people packed into the Methodist Central Hall for the Coventry Socialists pre-election rally with Irish Socialist Party MP Ruth Coppinger last week.

Socialist activist and TUSC candidate for North Warwickshire, Eileen Hunter, opened the rally with some reflections on her campaign in the closest marginal seat in the country. John Boadle from Coventry Against the Bedroom Tax then spoke about the planned eviction of Archie Millar, a Coventry resident hit by the bedroom tax, that was prevented by socialists, TUSC candidates and neighbours. Archie was applauded for his strength in fighting back – community campaigners can win!

Irish TD Ruth Coppinger

Irish TD Ruth Coppinger

Ruth then spoke about the situation in Ireland, where there has been a mass movement against austerity, including huge demonstrations and non-payment of water charges. She also spoke about the campaign for a Yes vote in the referendum on same-sex marriage, and against the ban on abortion. Dave Nellist spoke to close the rally, and addressed a number of issues about cuts and austerity. He pointed out that the £70billion+ in bonuses given out by banks since the financial crisis is equivalent to the cuts made to the public sector, and that the super-rich have increased their wealth in that time – “there’s enough wealth in this country, it’s just in the wrong hands!”

Dave Nellist

Dave Nellist

The rally showed the potential to build the anti austerity socialist alternative in Coventry, something we will continue to do after the election. The election is on Thursday, but Socialists won’t stop campaigning on Friday morning – we’ll keep fighting all year round. Want to help TUSC? Fill in the form below and get involved!

Dave Nellist on the artist taxi driver

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Dave Nellist, National chair of the the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) and TUSC candidate for Coventry North West in the general election on May 7th, recently took time out for a 3-part interview with the highly acclaimed ‘Artist Taxi Driver’ .

Agree with Dave?

get in touch on 0753 0429 441

or come along to the Coventry TUSC pre-election rally ….

rally poster colour basic jpeg

Did you see the #TUSC election broadcast?

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Did you see the #TUSC election broadcast?

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) election broadcast with Dave Nellist was on TV tonight (Friday) – did you see it? You can watch it online here!

If you want to get involved in Coventry, fill in the form below – and come to our election launch rally with Irish MP Ruth Coppinger on April 30th!

rally poster colour basic jpeg