Labour Youth to Boycott “Young Political Leaders” reception at U.S. Embassy this Thursday.

national | anti-war / imperialism | press release

Tuesday June 05, 2007 14:37

by Enda - LY

Labour Youth has announced that it will be boycotting a reception for Young Political Leaders organised and hosted by the United States Embassy this Thursday June 7th. Their action has be taken as a protest against the ongoing illegal and criminal occupation of Iraq by the US government.

Speaking on the issue Labour Youth National Chairperson Patrick Nulty stated “Labour Youth has no intention of participating in this event. There is no question that this shallow and supine attempt to court youth wings of Irish Political Parties is a cynical attempt to distract them from the ongoing criminal, illegal and immoral activities perpetrated on a daily basis by the US government in Iraq”.

“Labour Youth and The Labour Party as a whole have been absolutely consistent in opposing the Iraq War and in condemning the spineless attitude of the Fianna Fail led government response to the ongoing use of Shannon Airport as a launching pad for the US military’s occupation of Iraq”.

“We affirm our call for an end to the use of Shannon and all Irish airports by the US Military immediately and demand that these facilities be developed on the basis of civilian traffic only”.

ENDS

For further information contact Patrick Nulty National Chairperson of Labour Youth on 087 9688259.

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Comments (9 of 9)

Spineless??

by paul o toole

Tue Jun 05, 2007 15:02

Are Labour 'Seniors' also spineless...yes??
Rabbit said he'would lead the protest' when Bush arrived, where was he??
They are all spineless. Theres enough of them to bring the government down if they choose to but no, instead they play word games and the genocide continnues. But hats off to Labour Youth all the same, just a pity you wernt in Dail eireann.

Radicals in Labour Youth

by John

Tue Jun 05, 2007 15:14

There still is not a governemnt formed. There is a chance that the talks between Ff and the Greens and/or PDs, independents fall down. It might not be the most likely thing but you could still see a government made up between FF and Labour. If this were to happen Labour would not make US troops out of Shannon a precondition to government.

What would Labour Youth do then? This is not a narky crank question. I am genuinly interested in what these more radical youths in Labout will do when strakly confronted with the limits of their party. Will you leave Labour? Will you support such a government? Will you organise opposition to the leadership from within the party? and if so what exactly will you be doing?

What to do if..

by RW

Tue Jun 05, 2007 15:21

"Will you organise opposition to the leadership from within the party? "

This would be the most likely scenario.

Enda Duffy's Letter

by Dub

Tue Jun 05, 2007 16:36

Enda Duffy who is among the radicals in LY wrote into the Irish Times during the week. His position is somewhat on the right I have to say. Enda said that he'd support a coalition government if Labour were bigger than FG. This is not a left-wing position, instead it's a strategic position. Duffy and others in LY are supportive of coalition politics, they only oppose it when it's not tactically correct for Labour's electoral advancement. Don't hold your breath on these Labour Youth trendies.

Don't be fooled

by Former Young Labour member

Wed Jun 06, 2007 17:03

This is interesting to say the least. The executive of Young Labour acting without regard for their own policy. Young Labour doesn't have any policy on Boycotting the USA for any reason. They don't support the Iraqi War I know but they only Boycott Israel, Coca-Cola and Burma to the best of my knowledge.

Its not a boycott of the USA

by Sara

Wed Jun 06, 2007 18:13

Deciding not to fraternise with representatives of the BUSH regime is not the same as boycotting the USA. Socialising with representatives of the BUSH regime here in Ireland lends legitimacy and credibility to their appaling human rights abuses in Iraq and all over the world. No one is suggesting that the US should be boycotted.

Members of Sinn Fein and the Greens who continue to attend these events have a lot to answer for. If members of these parties spent more time on the ground involved in community politics and less time hanging out with elites in embassies they might have done better in the last elections.

bad decision

by greenie - personal capacity

Wed Jun 06, 2007 18:33

sara is right. Any greens who attended this should be ashamed of themselves

Withdraw from Party of European Socialists

by Rob Lean

Wed Jun 06, 2007 19:05

Fully agree with this move. Labour shuld also cut all ties with the British Labour party and seek to have them removed from the Party of European Socialists (PES) of which both the British and Irish Labour party are members.

Failing to have them expelled, the Irish Labour party should withdraw from the PES if they want to retain credibility.

Break the link now

by Michaela - Labour Party

Wed Jun 06, 2007 21:27

I could never understand why we never disassociated ourselves from and broke the link with the British Labour Party led by Tony Blair.

I have always felt uncomfortable with us being a sister party of the poeple responsible, along with Bush, for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Definitely time to break that link

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Labour Youth to Boycott “Young Political Leaders” reception at U.S. Embassy this Thursday.

Comments (9 of 9)