McCann’s the Man

Break the Mould: Vote Socialist on 6 May

“With People Before profit, you get what it
says on the label. Our programme is based entirely on raising the interests of
the people left behind by the peace process above the interests of the profiteers
who dominate our society.”

 So said People Before Profit (PBP)
candidate Eamonn McCann, launching his campaign in the Foyle, Derry,
constituency for the Westminster election due on 6 May.

 The campaign has attracted support in the
constituency  well beyond the original core group from the SWP and others in
the Socialist Environmental Alliance which previously fought Foyle. The SEA
last year merged with PBP.

 Appealing to young voters in particular to
register for the poll, Eamonn McCann said: “We know that many don’t vote
because they have no faith in the main parties. But we are in the race to offer
a real alternative to the gridlock of Orange versus Green.

“Both Unionist and Nationalist parties
accept the communal divide as the axis of politics. In fact, they are products
of the divide. But none of them pursue policies to advance the position of
people at the bottom of either community.

 “Job cuts, closures, pressure to hold down
wages - the Stormont budget makes all this inevitable.  All the main parties
back the budget strategy - and then complain when the inevitable cuts come
along. More and more people are on to this scam and won’t vote the same way
again.

 “Our task is to show that resistance is
possible and can work.”

 Canvassing is already well under way. The
reception in areas like Galliagh, the Bogside, Brandywell  and the Waterside
has been highly encouraging. New election workers are coming forward.

 A brilliant campaign song by
singer-songwriter Paddy Nash expresses the pitch of the campaign perfectly.
“Put the people before the profit/Put the need before the greed/Find a new
direction/Beyond the Orange and the Green.”

 However, there is no complacency in the
ranks.

 “We know we are going against the grain in
appealing to class rather than communal allegiance,” says Eamonn McCann. “Among
trades unionists and community activists there is a positive attitude to PBP -
but also a scepticism about making any breakthrough. We want to break free from
the traditional pessimism of the Left in the North. A solid performance in
Foyle will encourage others to take up the challenge elsewhere.

“Any help we can get from outside Derry
will be very welcome.”