So there we go. I interviewed a representative of a progressive party on either side of the divide, and their answers were remarkably similar.
Local demands against profit rather than alliance with one EU-country or another can be seen in Belfast as well.
Let us review their answers once more:
PM: Paul Maskey (Sinn Fein)
HS: Hugh Smyth (HS)
housing:
HS: not opposed to rich apartments, but percentage needs to be affordable
PM: not against private houses, but more social housing
I recently went to Northern Ireland, to the city of Belfast. The Left has generally supported those pro-catholics, who are working for a united Ireland as a part of a national liberation struggle from London rule. I decided to interview representatives of progressive parties on either side on the issues that socialists should really care about -- social issues -- to see how different they really are in their day-to-day politics in these current times of peace. This is the second of three parts, me interviewing Paul Maskey, member of the Northern Irish Assembly for Sinn Fein, in his office in Western Belfast. Part three with the conclusion will follow tomorrow.
Paul Maskey (Sinn Fein) claims to represent progressive republicanism.
Johannes Wilm
- Ehm, yeah, the first thing is I noticed when walking around
there was quite a bit of graffiti against gentrification.
Paul Maskey
- ok
Johannes Wilm
- ehm, there are apparently apartment buildings that eh... are
for the let's say those who have more money.
Paul Maskey
- mhm
Johannes Wilm
- Ehm... whereas others complain about lack of public
housing.
I recently went to Northern Ireland, to the city of Belfast. The Left has generally supported those pro-catholics, who are working for a united Ireland as a part of a national liberation struggle from London rule. I decided to interview representatives of progressive parties on either side on the issues that socialists should really care about -- social issues -- to see how different they really are in their day-to-day politics in these current times of peace. This is the first of three parts, me interviewing Hugh Smyth, founder and former leader of the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) and current member of the Belfast City Council, representing his small, but locally very present party, in his office in the Shankill Road in Western Belfast. Parts two and three will follow tomorrow and the day after
Hugh Smyth is standing outside his office in the Shankills Road.
Johannes Wilm
- Ok, here we go... ehm.. yeah...
Hugh Smyth (PUP)
- Who.. what are you enquiring?
...
Johannes Wilm
- I'm trying to look at...
Hugh Smyth (PUP)
- [door opens, interchange between office worker and HS]
Johannes Wilm
- And I'm trying to look at what kind of policies you have.
That.. what you.. what kind of policies you support..
Hugh Smyth (PUP)
- right
