eirigi to contest local elections

The socialist republican party eirigi will contest the forthcoming local elections in the Six Counties after voting in favour of the move at their annual Ard-Fheis in Belfast on Sunday.

Although it has not yet been stated which areas eirigi will contest, the move will see the party compete for republican votes alongside Sinn Fein for the first time.

Party Chairman Brian Leeson said that five years on from the formation of the group, the party felt “the time is right to make an electoral intervention.”

“eirigi has no illusions about the nature of electoral politics in the Six Counties and, indeed, across Ireland,” he said.

“We believe there is a real appetite for a radical voice to emerge from working class communities that will forcefully challenge the British occupation and economic exploitation and deprivation.”

Leeson added: “Ultimately, the cuts that are being implemented by the British government and its puppet administration at Stormont will have to be defeated on the streets, in our communities and in people’s workplaces.”

The Ard Fheis which was held in the Culturlann McAdaim O Fiaich cultural centre. It was attended by more than 200 people and was addressed by speakers from the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Committee, the Latin American Solidarity Centre, the Independent Workers’ Union, FEE, as well as eirigi chairperson Brian Leeson and general secretary Breandan MacCionnaith.

The 2011 Assembly and council elections in the North will be held on 5 May.

Urgent Appeal