IN THE LIONS the Lotulis, vero is echoed hithe refusal of leaders to allow Ireland to be discussed.
ASTMS Irish motions were shuttled away from the conference floor.
But with the publication of a statement by leading Irish trade unionists calling for 'Unity and Independence', there is a chance of turning this situation around.
The Labour Committee on Ireland is producing copies of this statement and, in collaboration with its authors, will be using it as a campaign issue at the TUC and Labour conference. W'ereprint the declaration here in full.
THE ORGANISATION Trade Unionists for Irish Unity and Independence has been formed by a group of Irish trade unionists, who are committed to work towards the attainment of a united Ireland. unionists involved on a daily basis in protecting and furthering the workers, wę consider that the formation of the group complements work.
James Connolly, that the Irish workers are the incorruptible inheritors of the struggle for Irish freedom.
We are only too aware of the accuracy of Connolly's prediction that partition would destroy the unity of the Irish labour movement. is not always now realised, the Irish Trade Union Congress and Lavour rarly In 1914 voleu allose unanimously to oppose cuded manv Northern delegates While recognising the importance of the united Not irade Unions. possess, we believe that the political division of the working class has been disastrous and nas been a major impediment to achieving goals north and south.
A united working class in a 32 county Ireland could become a dynamic political force, resulting ultimately in the formation of a government pledged to uphold working class interests. mains, the fresh wo ring class wil as rided red converse is politically frustrated. The achievement of a united Ireland will tererore contribute to the progress or Irish workers, north and south.
We are also aware of the economic damage inflicted on Ireland by partition and the conflicts that have flowed therefrom. plementing each other, both parts of Ireland have lad their economies distorted, suffered a drain on their resources and economic growth and development has been retarded.
At no time, but especially during a period of recession, should the island of Ireland carry these Duden. unemployment We believe that partition of Ireland and its maintenance, including conferring on the Unionists a veto on any constitu tional change, thereby deadlock.
A change in British policy is needed, and the demand must be made on Britain to declare its intention to disengage from Ireland and hand over sovereignty to the Irish government, ing that all legitimate safeguards are provided for the rights of the Unionists as a would naturally be involved in discussing the conHaving asserted our towards Irish unity is a logical objective for trade unionists, we have set up Irish Unity and Independence' to win further support in the Irish trade union and labour movement for our position, to work %110 movements who are committed to Irish unity and maependence. 2118 SeeK The group's intention would be to especially ensure a solid and substantial trade union and working class involvement in Ireland in the movement to end partition, thereby contributing to the form that a new united Ireland will take. This rear in NALGO, NUPE and As active trade interests of Irish our We would go further and assert, like Although it partition, which vote inwhich we now working class as partition reInstead of comas the result has been permanent high south frequent Britain is responsible for the resulting while ensurminority. They and financial arrangements belief that working Unionists for with those in the British ON THE SURFACE - and when do bourgeois SPD's support for the not to be alliance' which