Lasair Dhearg spokesperson Pól Torbóid has announced [01/03/2019] the launch of the Socialist Republican group’s ‘Stormont Can’t Deliver‘ campaign.
Speaking from Belfast, Pól said that in the two decades since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, subsequent Stormont governments “have done little to improve the lives of those living under its rule” and that the aims and objectives of the Republican struggle are “clearly not achievable” through the Stormont “super-council”.
Torbóid said, “In more recent years the reality of the situation we face has become more stark. Homelessness is on the rise and there are over 18,000 people without a home across the Six Counties; tens of thousands are still looking for work, with nearly 21,000 fewer public sector jobs than in 2009, a loss of almost 10%; with many more facing forced unemployment, those in work suffer persistent attacks on their wages and conditions.
“Whilst child poverty rates in some areas is as high as 90%, Stormont political parties prefer to focus on lowering taxes for multinational corporations and voting for cuts to benefits. When Sinn Féin and the DUP voted to allow sweeping cuts to our welfare system, supposed mitigating factors put in place to reduce the effect have all but failed, exposing it as a mere PR exercise. Universal Credit is wreaking havoc across our communities; poorer families are now being punished with additional taxes for having an extra bedroom; and food bank use is on the rise.
“Whilst it is not clear how far Sinn Féin and the DUP’s support for welfare cuts actually goes, the point of our ‘Stormont Can’t Deliver’ campaign is to highlight the fact that, while the Westminster government is ultimately responsible for the political outcomes in the Six Counties, those local political parties seem unable or unwilling to form any sort of resistance to the continued destruction of our communities. In the coming weeks and months we’ll be distributing tens of thousands of leaflets, posters and other materials highlighting this to streets across Belfast and beyond.
“What is clear, is that the only lasting solution to the issues faced by the Irish Working Class, is the creation of local government institutions placed in the hands of those affected by the decisions made in those bodies; and the eventual establishment of a 32 County Socialist Republic.
“When it comes to the needs of broader society; eradicating poverty; ensuring all families have a home; properly funded public services; and when it comes to achieving true national and economic freedom – we know that Stormont Can’t Deliver.”
