Comments on: Labour live streaming from Kilkenny… http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/11/29/labour-live-streaming-from-kilkenny/ Conversation, politics and stray insights Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:12:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Jenny http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/11/29/labour-live-streaming-from-kilkenny/comment-page-1/#comment-279767 Jenny Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:13:06 +0000 #comment-279767 Yes, but look at what they are saying now: http://www.sdlp.ie/about_vision.php And here: http://www.sdlp.ie/about_us.php Especially: 'Since our foundation, the SDLP has been proudly nationalist and is 100% for a United Ireland, just as we are 100% for the Good Friday Agreement. As members of the Party of European Socialists and Socialists International, we are also solidly internationalist and strongly social democratic in our outlook.' You have to sign up to both to be in it, I think. Yes, but look at what they are saying now:

http://www.sdlp.ie/about_vision.php

And here:

http://www.sdlp.ie/about_us.php

Especially: ‘Since our foundation, the SDLP has been proudly nationalist and is 100% for a United Ireland, just as we are 100% for the Good Friday Agreement. As members of the Party of European Socialists and Socialists International, we are also solidly internationalist and strongly social democratic in our outlook.’

You have to sign up to both to be in it, I think.

]]> By: nineteensixtyseven http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/11/29/labour-live-streaming-from-kilkenny/comment-page-1/#comment-279544 nineteensixtyseven Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:29:52 +0000 #comment-279544 Not as difficult as one would think given that the constitutional issue is agreed for the moment and the principle of consent is what everyone operates under. Furthmore, the re-unification of the island into one state need not necessarily mean Irish nationalism because, as Hobsbawm has argued constantly, there is a subtle difference between wanting a 'nation' to form the basis of a state and actually being 'nationalist'. And anyway, cross-border co-operation makes sound economic sense and any rational person would agree: "North-South Makes Sense." There is probably not a lot in the founding principles of the party or in the constitution as it stands that either of us would disagree with too strongly: http://www.sdlpyouth.com/gallery/d/1042-3/sdlpfoundingprinciples1970.jpg Not as difficult as one would think given that the constitutional issue is agreed for the moment and the principle of consent is what everyone operates under. Furthmore, the re-unification of the island into one state need not necessarily mean Irish nationalism because, as Hobsbawm has argued constantly, there is a subtle difference between wanting a ‘nation’ to form the basis of a state and actually being ‘nationalist’. And anyway, cross-border co-operation makes sound economic sense and any rational person would agree: “North-South Makes Sense.” There is probably not a lot in the founding principles of the party or in the constitution as it stands that either of us would disagree with too strongly:
http://www.sdlpyouth.com/gallery/d/1042-3/sdlpfoundingprinciples1970.jpg

]]> By: Jenny http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/11/29/labour-live-streaming-from-kilkenny/comment-page-1/#comment-279524 Jenny Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:58:01 +0000 #comment-279524 Fair enough, but I do think it would be difficult to say the least to be an SDLP member without being an Irish nationalist - and perhaps unprincipled, given it's one of their basic tenets. Having written the long ILR piece, I'm now over it and more than ready to move on, anyway. Fair enough, but I do think it would be difficult to say the least to be an SDLP member without being an Irish nationalist – and perhaps unprincipled, given it’s one of their basic tenets.

Having written the long ILR piece, I’m now over it and more than ready to move on, anyway.

]]> By: nineteensixtyseven http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/11/29/labour-live-streaming-from-kilkenny/comment-page-1/#comment-279516 nineteensixtyseven Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:34:06 +0000 #comment-279516 I'm not a nationalist either, I joined the SDLP because it was there. The chair of SDLP Youth is a Protestant and so was one of the founder members of the party. I understand your reticence but it is a bit much to say that membership is an 'impossibility' for you. Too few non-Irish and too few Protestants is the SDLP's problem and it isn't doing enough to change that I admit. I’m not a nationalist either, I joined the SDLP because it was there. The chair of SDLP Youth is a Protestant and so was one of the founder members of the party. I understand your reticence but it is a bit much to say that membership is an ‘impossibility’ for you. Too few non-Irish and too few Protestants is the SDLP’s problem and it isn’t doing enough to change that I admit.

]]> By: Jenny http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/11/29/labour-live-streaming-from-kilkenny/comment-page-1/#comment-279510 Jenny Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:08:50 +0000 #comment-279510 1967 - I could not possibly join the SDLP. I am an Englishwoman with a Northern Ireland Protestant background, with dual UK/ Irish nationality, who is neither an Irish nor a UK nationalist. You see the problem? 1967 – I could not possibly join the SDLP. I am an Englishwoman with a Northern Ireland Protestant background, with dual UK/ Irish nationality, who is neither an Irish nor a UK nationalist. You see the problem?

]]> By: RedMole http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/11/29/labour-live-streaming-from-kilkenny/comment-page-1/#comment-279447 RedMole Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:32:29 +0000 #comment-279447 Funny how politicos always give out about how the parties ignore internet possibilities but when a party does take it on all its met with is 'its boring' Funny how politicos always give out about how the parties ignore internet possibilities but when a party does take it on all its met with is ‘its boring’

]]> By: nineteensixtyseven http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/11/29/labour-live-streaming-from-kilkenny/comment-page-1/#comment-279316 nineteensixtyseven Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:22:45 +0000 #comment-279316 Join the SDLP and push together with existing social democrats for a change in direction? Join the SDLP and push together with existing social democrats for a change in direction?

]]> By: Jenny http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/11/29/labour-live-streaming-from-kilkenny/comment-page-1/#comment-279284 Jenny Mon, 01 Dec 2008 06:38:41 +0000 #comment-279284 South Belfast Diary did indeed post the relevant (draft) section from Labour's 21st Century Commission report: http://southbelfastdiary.blogspot.com/2008/11/close-door-on-your-way-out.html I hope to have an analysis of the document up on Irish Left Review in the next day or so. But the most important thing now for those of us who were Irish LP members in NI is to consider what to do next. Ideas, anyone? South Belfast Diary did indeed post the relevant (draft) section from Labour’s 21st Century Commission report:

http://southbelfastdiary.blogspot.com/2008/11/close-door-on-your-way-out.html

I hope to have an analysis of the document up on Irish Left Review in the next day or so.

But the most important thing now for those of us who were Irish LP members in NI is to consider what to do next. Ideas, anyone?

]]> By: nineteensixtyseven http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/11/29/labour-live-streaming-from-kilkenny/comment-page-1/#comment-279247 nineteensixtyseven Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:57:34 +0000 #comment-279247 I fully understand their frustration and I say that as an SDLP member. I fully understand their frustration and I say that as an SDLP member.

]]> By: Brendan,Belfast http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/11/29/labour-live-streaming-from-kilkenny/comment-page-1/#comment-279243 Brendan,Belfast Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:37:29 +0000 #comment-279243 The only thing I can imagine worse than being at the Labour Party conference in Kilkenny, is watching it on the internet. The only thing I can imagine worse than being at the Labour Party conference in Kilkenny, is watching it on the internet.

]]> By: Garibaldy http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/11/29/labour-live-streaming-from-kilkenny/comment-page-1/#comment-279239 Garibaldy Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:10:54 +0000 #comment-279239 South Belfast Diary covered the Northern thing a few weeks ago, from the perspective of one of the northern members if anyone is interested. Worth reading for the disappointment they feel. South Belfast Diary covered the Northern thing a few weeks ago, from the perspective of one of the northern members if anyone is interested. Worth reading for the disappointment they feel.

]]> By: Greenflag http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/11/29/labour-live-streaming-from-kilkenny/comment-page-1/#comment-279215 Greenflag Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:54:06 +0000 #comment-279215 The Irish Labour Party is the party of the public sector in the Republic at least on terms of it's union representation in the public services unions and in RTE . I can't see them making even a marginal improvement in their seats next time out which won't be for at least 3 years and by which time the economy should be on an upswing once again . They need to find another leader . Rabbitte was a rabbit and Gilmore is just more of the same . About as inspirational as a bag of coal on a farmyard wall . The Irish Labour Party is the party of the public sector in the Republic at least on terms of it’s union representation in the public services unions and in RTE . I can’t see them making even a marginal improvement in their seats next time out which won’t be for at least 3 years and by which time the economy should be on an upswing once again .

They need to find another leader . Rabbitte was a rabbit and Gilmore is just more of the same . About as inspirational as a bag of coal on a farmyard wall .

]]> By: slug http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/11/29/labour-live-streaming-from-kilkenny/comment-page-1/#comment-279203 slug Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:25:52 +0000 #comment-279203 "There will be a small band of NI Labour activists who will be dissapointed with the 21st Century Commission Report debate this morning at 10.30. It endorses the SDLP in NI and does not call for Labour to contest elections in the North. " Conall can you understand those who see the SDLP as more nationalist than Labour and who would like a Labour eletoral option in NI politics that does not designate nationalist or unionist? For these people Irish Labour's decision is disappointing and the SDLP not currently a serious option. “There will be a small band of NI Labour activists who will be dissapointed with the 21st Century Commission Report debate this morning at 10.30. It endorses the SDLP in NI and does not call for Labour to contest elections in the North. ”

Conall can you understand those who see the SDLP as more nationalist than Labour and who would like a Labour eletoral option in NI politics that does not designate nationalist or unionist? For these people Irish Labour’s decision is disappointing and the SDLP not currently a serious option.

]]> By: Plastic Paddy http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/11/29/labour-live-streaming-from-kilkenny/comment-page-1/#comment-279189 Plastic Paddy Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:35:46 +0000 #comment-279189 Just watched Eamon Gilmore attempt to tie Ahern and Cowen to GW Bush. That's a stretch, but it's what everyone everywhere is doing this year (Vote for me, the other guy is like Bush.) Can't blame Gilmore, that's the approach that worked for Obama. Also of note was when he practically scolded the naughty Irish voter for rejecting Lisbon. (You'll be angering our betters in Europe, children.) Just watched Eamon Gilmore attempt to tie Ahern and Cowen to GW Bush. That’s a stretch, but it’s what everyone everywhere is doing this year (Vote for me, the other guy is like Bush.) Can’t blame Gilmore, that’s the approach that worked for Obama.

Also of note was when he practically scolded the naughty Irish voter for rejecting Lisbon. (You’ll be angering our betters in Europe, children.)

]]> By: Conall McDevitt http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/11/29/labour-live-streaming-from-kilkenny/comment-page-1/#comment-279151 Conall McDevitt Sun, 30 Nov 2008 12:59:03 +0000 #comment-279151 What's wrong with Billy Bragg?? Anyway this is an impressive online political assault. Gilmore's speech can be viewed on the website. Thought his commitment to outlaw house repossesions was interesting. There will be a small band of NI Labour activists who will be dissapointed with the 21st Century Commission Report debate this morning at 10.30. It endorses the SDLP in NI and does not call for Labour to contest elections in the North. What’s wrong with Billy Bragg??

Anyway this is an impressive online political assault.

Gilmore’s speech can be viewed on the website.

Thought his commitment to outlaw house repossesions was interesting.

There will be a small band of NI Labour activists who will be dissapointed with the 21st Century Commission Report debate this morning at 10.30. It endorses the SDLP in NI and does not call for Labour to contest elections in the North.

]]> By: iluvni http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/11/29/labour-live-streaming-from-kilkenny/comment-page-1/#comment-279048 iluvni Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:10:36 +0000 #comment-279048 I turned the conference on earlier today and caught one eejit who finished his speech by quoting the words of Billy Bragg! I turned the conference on earlier today and caught one eejit who finished his speech by quoting the words of Billy Bragg!

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