LABOUR YOUTH & SDLP YOUTH TO HOLD JOINT FORUM

[GÓM]

PRESS NOTICE FROM LABOUR YOUTH
Friday, April 01, 2005

LABOUR YOUTH & SDLP YOUTH TO HOLD JOINT FORUM - TOMORROW

Thanks to a generous grant from Co-operation Ireland Labour Youth and SDLP
Youth will be hosting a forum this weekend to discuss the future of the
Social Democracy in Ireland. The event will take place tomorrow, Saturday,
02 April, from 2-6pm in the Connolly Room, Liberty Hall, Dublin 1.

Speaking ahead of the forum Labour Youth Chair, Donal O'Liathain,
commented, "The peace process should not be allowed to be hijacked by
certain parties and cynically manipulated for petty political gain. It is
important that Labour and its sister party, the SDLP, co-operate together
to work for peace and prosperity on both sides of the border.

As young people from different communities there is a lot we can learn
from one another. The forum will be a broad event and we'll be discussing
a wide range of issues. Both Labour and the SDLP want to see an Ireland of
unity - a peaceful unity. It's obvious that the youth of this island, from
all communities, see that there is no future in the conservative bigotry
that has fuelled hatred in the North."

The agenda for the Forum:

2- 4 pm: Future Perspectives on the Left

·Des Derwin: SIPTU

·Cllr Aodhan O Riordan (Labour Cllr for Dublin North Inner City)

·Eleanor Mc Corley (Community Sector Activist)

4-6 pm: Do we need Patten in the South?

·Joe Costello TD: Labour Party Justice Spokesperson

·Aisling Reidy: Irish Council for Civil Liberties

ENDS - For more info contact Donal O'Liathain at 086 309 5663

www.labouryouth.ie

[GÓM]

Should Labour Youth and Labour adopt the SDLP's vision of a united ireland?
SDLP Unity Document

The talk of FF and SDLP merging is laughable. While SDLP republicanism might be somewhat compatible with a section of FF, the SDLP and Labour have the most similarities between one another.
Personily I do not favour the SDLP merging with anyone north or south. The SDLP does not need to be absorbed into an All-Ireland machine. I think Ireland and a united Ireland would best function as a devolved Ireland witht eh Stormont Assembly remaining much like the SDLP proposal. Labour is looking at moving into the North. I feel we should just workin cooperation. Much like the CDU(germany)/CSU(only bravaria) have a partnership on the national level but only the CSU campaigns and governs on the conservative agenda in Bravaria. Obviously this partnership between SDLP and Labour would be of a Social Democratic nature

Maybe the youth wings could merge on a more closer level than the mother parties as the young adult population is very transitory and could befrom the north but working/studying in the south. etc

[Mise..]

"It's obvious that the youth of this island, from
all communities, see that there is no future in the conservative bigotry
that has fuelled hatred in the North."

Are Labour Youth ignoring the conservative bigotry that has fuelled hatred in the Republic of Ireland, or are Labour Youth suggesting that hatred for another human being only exists across the boarder?

[magic_norhan]

Are Labour Youth ignoring the conservative bigotry that has fuelled hatred in the Republic of Ireland, or are Labour Youth suggesting that hatred for another human being only exists across the boarder?

Neither!

[GÓM]

Are Labour Youth ignoring the conservative bigotry that has fuelled hatred in the Republic of Ireland, or are Labour Youth suggesting that hatred for another human being only exists across the boarder?

On the contray, Labour Youth acknowledges that bigotry if various hues in the south and will be holding a two hour debate on:
"Do we need Patten in the South?"

The Gardai have been reported today as being fundementally racist and making statments that certain ethnic minorities are more inclined to commit crime without any statistical or empirical evidence to back up this point.

[NJP]

'SDLP youth'...isn't that an oxymoron ? Labour and SDLP being sister parties is one more reason not to vote Labour in the 26 Co's

[stretchneil]

Really good day yesterday - the debate on "Patten in the South" was a particular standout for me - Aisling Reidy (ICCL) and Joe Costello were both very good, and to the surprise of the SDLP members present, both spoke very strongly in favour of large sections of Patten being adopted in the south.

[Gerrry]

"Do we need Patten in the South?"

Patten in the North would be a good idea too. Perhaps they might implement it fully sometime soon.

[Aontroim Thuaidh]

The SDLP are NOT Pro-Choice, we recognise that 'Pro-Choice' is a cover for 'Pro-Abortion'. In the last assembly the SDLP was the only party to impose a three line whip on this issue - to OPPOSE legalised abortion.

Party Policy is to always oppose abortion, it's pretty clear. Not one SDLP councillor, MLA or MP has ever voted for a 'Pro-choice' motion.

The pro-life groups are very happy with the SDLP's position.

I'm very pissed off that a party member could misrepresent us in this way.

[cain1798]

1. sdlp are not pro-abortion, sdlp are pro-choice. sdlp RESPECT the wishes and choices of the individual.

Would be great if true. Of course it's actually a lie so what can you do?

As for FF & Co moving North, the SDLP has been the voice of the Dublin Government in the North for the last thirty years. Currently, Dublin and the Southern political establishment believes the SDLP is salvagable. Their analysis is that sustained pressure on Sinn Féin and support for the SDLP will halt, perhaps even reverse the growth of republican strength.

Some genuinely believe this, others are wedded to it and unable to think outside the box.

As the SDLP collapse continues, indeed accelerates, Southern parties will need a moderate nationalist voice to counter-balance Sinn Féin and the growing political threat from republicanism. Without a surrogate in the form of the SDLP, they will be obliged to move into the gap themselves, with varying degrees of enthusiasm at various degrees within the parties.

And when they do move north, it will be swift and effective, the SDLP will be swallowed up by FF, some to Labour, a few to FG and a few to us and in years to come, children will learn about the SDLP from history books and recall it as a bygone era.