Socialist Party of Ireland (1971)

The Socialist Party of Ireland ( SPI, Irish: Cumann na Sóisialachais Éireann ) was a small left-wing political party of the Republic of Ireland, which existed from 1971 to 1980. The headquarters of the party was in the 23 Parliament Street, Dublin 2

History

The party was founded by former members of the Communist Party of Ireland on 13 December 1971 in Dublin and released her political manifesto on 19 January 1972. The party saw itself as a Marxist- Leninist alternative to the Communist Party, they distorted because of their " philosophy, disordered structures and a lack of discipline and unity " criticized. In contrast to the Communist Party, the Socialist Party rejected the policies of the Official Sinn Féin, where you saw a mixture of petty-bourgeois, radicals, nationalists and ultra - left. The Socialist Party supported the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the Moscow Declaration of 1969.

The first National Congress of the Party was held in Dublin on 1 and 2 December 1973. The congress elected a Central Committee, which consisted of the following seven members: Fergus Brogan, Desmond Hughes, Deirdre Uí Bhrógáin, Éamonn Ó Fearghail, Seamus Ó Reachtagáin and Fergus Quinlan.

In the late 1970s, the party began with like-minded groups such as the British and Irish Communist Organisation, talks on a merger. Finally, the Socialist Party merged with the Democratic Socialist Party of Jim Kemmy.

During her party life, the Socialist Party of Ireland was very active with campaigns for the legalization of divorce, contraception, abortion, and especially against the nationalism of the Provisional IRA. Furthermore, the party Northern Ireland recognized as part of the United Kingdom.

Some party members joined during this time as an independent candidate in the Irish general election; most successful was Eamonn O'Brien from Ballymun, the Dublin County North constituency in reaching more than 6% in 1977.

Publications

The magazines Vanguard and Advance the party continued with a modern layout and high-quality photos a new standard in left-wing publications.

Magazines

• Vanguard, 1971-1974.
• Advance, 1975.

Books / Pamphlets

• Ireland into slavery: the Common Market threat, Dublin, 1972, ISBN 0,904,185,001th
• The Socialist future. Programs of the Socialist Party of Ireland. Adopted by the 1st National Congress 1-2 December 1973, Dublin, 1974.
• Songs of the workers, Dublin, 1975.
• The two states theory, Dublin: Advance, 1978.