New national political party launched in Co Longford

[West]

New national political party launched in Co Longford

Ireland's newest party gathered for its first public meeting this week in Longford, with a clear aim of opposing the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in October.
Irish People's Party, led by former Coir members Brian O'Connor and Richard Greene, outlined their plans to the assembled group of people in the Longford Arms Hotel.

Mr Greene opened the meeting by declaring that the new party, which requires 300 members to become an official party, would be open to all members of society. He said they were opposed to the Lisbon Treaty and Pro-Life.

Mr O'Connor added that by holding a second referendum, "The government are not representing the view of the people."

He said that the day after the vote, the government were looking for ways to get around the 'no' vote.

[Link]

Some of the Coir people are attempting to set up a political party. Judging from their website, clearly the transfer of activists didn't include those that could set up their usual snazzy websites or articulate political principles coherently -- at least not in this early attempt..

[IPP Link]

[Seosamh]

It will be interesting to see who will be the main spokesperson for Coir now.

[Old Believer]

Party is open to all people living in Ireland: National, Non-national; those who are interested in promoting the Irish economy.

How can a party purporting to represent the Irish people include the above?
Frankly given the calibre of the people who seem to be opposing Lisbon, I'm sorely tempted to vote in favour of it A. simply out of spite, and B. the alternatives...If Ireland rejects the treaty, then what? It would be fine if there were strong people who could lead our country free of Europe, but there isn't, there's a political class who depend on Europe and would be no better than headless chickens, If the people reject it! To me this whole Lisbon business has become a no win situation...Were damned if we do and we are damned if we don't!

[Nuada]

To me this whole Lisbon business has become a no win situation...Were damned if we do and we are damned if we don't!

I'd say its well worth voting no. It would be a big smack to the gobs of the Leinster House Loonies and have the whole of the european union running around like headless chickens. The German Descision gives the impression or illusion that theres a limit to the Enema Upper*. Anything that twarts them and frustrates them is good.




* Sorry

[West]

I don't know how anyone could even contemplate voting "Yes". Countries that have opted out of the EU have done alright and staying aloof from the EU core, while it would hurt now, would also force us to rebalance the economy on more sustainable lines. The EU, on the otherhand disfigures our economy, inflating an artificial services metromania, strangling our rural communities and perpetuating a permanent state of dependency..

Insofar as the "No" side is concerned, they're quite ordinary but none too objectionable really, the primary objective remember, is to take out that treaty in October not get marooned in a complicated quagmire of controversy that would distract us from the central objective. Coughlan and wethepeople.ie are doing a good job though. The lefties are busy with their exclusive circus but if they can help pull that treaty down then they'll have been put to good use..

Nevertheless putting in that erratic stuff about "non-nationals" is unneccesary, silly and unconvincing anyway. Better to omit talk of foreigners altogether than dither around aggravating your constituency. Clearly the trauma of the Barrett experience casts a long shadow even now. Ironically, the Coir site itself is far more succint in this area. I presume if they get to the stage where they put out a serious website, it should be at least as robust as the few short, sharp immigration notes that is featured on their remarkable sister site..

[Seosamh]

All together now!

http://ippparty.webs.com/apps/links/
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aXpty_1xo4[/media]

Theme song - Irish Peoples Party

[The Chauvinist]

Why are Communists even on the No train?

[West]

Why are Communists even on the No train?

Because even they aren't that dense that they can't see the EU beats the hell out of workers. Now if only they could draw the proper conclusions on the cheap labour scam instead of becoming emotional wrecks even looking at the question, they might actually achieve something for the workers that they presume to care so much about..

[JSE]

How can a party purporting to represent the Irish people include the above?
Frankly given the calibre of the people who seem to be opposing Lisbon, I'm sorely tempted to vote in favour of it A. simply out of spite, and B. the alternatives...If Ireland rejects the treaty, then what? It would be fine if there were strong people who could lead our country free of Europe, but there isn't, there's a political class who depend on Europe and would be no better than headless chickens, If the people reject it! To me this whole Lisbon business has become a no win situation...Were damned if we do and we are damned if we don't!

I think you've raised a crucially important point that I've hardly heard discussed by the No side. Basically it boils down to the question: What next?
(realistic answers on a postcard please!)

I agree entirely with what you are suggesting. The way I've been looking at all this is from a European level rather than national, alas, most of the No side have neglected this perspective, hence their lack of positive proposals.

In the absence of any kind of credible national alternative due to the abysmal state of oppositional politics in this country (I don't take differences over how a Globalised capitalist national economy should be managed to be worthy of the designation opposition.) I see the only positive reason for voting No is in the context of a trans-European opposition to the creation of this monster state.

There are times when a nation holds the balance in the outcome of events that have ramifications way beyond its own situation and national history. The Williamite Wars were of European significance in the way that 1798 was only of national and British significance. So too, our unique power to hold up the planned course of European history because of the combination of the rules concerning unanimity in the implemantion of EU treaties, and, our Constitutional right to prevent ratification of such treaties, gives us the power to defend the democratic rights of all the people of the EU.

Everyone knows that if this was put to the people of Europe it would be roundly rejected. All the governments of Europe have betrayed their people by denying them the right to decide their destiny in such a momentous transformation. Only we can undo this by making it an absolute aim of the No campaign that the Treaty must be put to the people of Europe. This is after all about the future of a Europe of which we are a member.

It seems that exactly the same wording is to be presented which exposes the utter cynicism of the whole excercise. This point should be highlighted

If the No side continues to look at this only from a national perspective they will be defeated and the Treaty will be passed. Waverers will accept the assurances because they don't see any alternative and do not want to face the kind of nastiness that will definitely follow from another No.

But if the treaty is ratified it will constitute the end of democracy in all EU member states.

There is too much at stake here to be ignored by obssessing over purely parochial concerns, which is what many on the No side have been doing.

[Riabhach]

I very much welcome the creation of a new movement of this kind... however, I wonder if "Irish People's Party" is the best name for such a group. I find it too generic. Suggestions?

Also, the amount and quality of information on their website needs a major increase, just as the site itself needs a re-design. In this day and age, many people get preliminary knowledge of things like this by looking online. Having said that, it's early days - I am definitely willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.