Left parties are divided in their response to the Right2Change platform, which seeks to unite progressive parties under a policy agenda for government.
Right2Change, which emerged from the union pillar of the Right2Water campaign, developed a set of policy principles encompassing areas such as housing, water, health, education and employment and asked political parties and activists to both agree to these principles and pledge to form a government with other parties in agreement.
While the principles were uncontroversial, the pledge was a sticking point for left parties cautious of getting too close to Sinn Féin, the largest political participant.
Dave Gibney, Mandate Communications Officer and a Right2Change co-ordinator told LookLeft that the principles agreed are “a manifesto for equality, fairness and a social justice.”
He added: “We now have an historic opportunity to put the people of Ireland first and work together through a unified movement for change. The only alternative is to continue operating in our own silos resulting in the status quo remaining. That would no doubt mean continued cronyism, corruption and a society based on greed and inequality, with the major casualties being the working class.”
The Anti-Austerity Alliance (AAA), which declined to pledge it would join a Right2Change policy-based government, stated: “The AAA is open to participate in government but not a government that includes any parties associated with austerity or a government whose policy is based on operating within the strict fiscal rules set by the EU or capitalism.” AAA member and Socialist Party TD Ruth Coppinger added: “Our position is that Sinn Féin is not serious about fighting austerity and does not stand for the real change people want.”
This stance contrasts with that of People Before Profit (PBP), who pledged to form a government on the Right2Change principles if possible, saying that these “represent an important starting point in breaking the right wing consensus that has dominated Irish politics for so long.” The difference places strain on the electoral alliance between AAA and PBP, established at the start of October.
Other parties in agreement include the National Citizens Movement and Direct Democracy Ireland, while six Independent TDs including Clare Daly, Mick Wallace and Joan Collins, and several councillors have also committed to involvement.
Independent Kildare Councillor Joanne Pender, who has affiliated to Right2Change, told LookLeft: ”I think there needs to be more discussion on how we can set about to achieve these goals with respectful participation and co-operation with each other. Though we need to be cognisant that supporting these principles is not sufficient alone without concrete proposals on how they will be achieved. We also need to look at what Right2Change will look like post-election, both in parliament and outside it.”
The Workers’ Party, which agreed with the principles but said they “cannot be a substitute for the detailed discussions that would be necessary in order to negotiate the formation of a government”, was not included in Right2Change’s endorsements. Right2Change aims to run several candidates in each constituency in the upcoming General Election.
The Civil Servants and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has withdrawn from the Right2Change initiative, stating that it conflicted with its long standing position of not providing support to political parties.
