CYM call on two ministers to resign

Sammy Wilson and Iris Robinson must resign!

Following the end of the Troubles and the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement progressive people in Northern Ireland and across the island had hoped that the space would be opened up for the development of a popular consciousness, that we might be able to use the end of sectarian violence and the re-establishment of devolved government to advance the interests of the working class and other progressive forces.

In recent months comments and decisions made by Iris Robinson and Sammy Wilson of the DUP have shown that partitioned Ireland remains, as James Connolly predicted, a “carnival of reaction”.

Iris Robinson’s remarks that reduce homosexuality to an illness are nothing more than crass bigotry founded on a religious fundamentalism that is totally alien to secular politics. Sammy Wilson’s decision, meanwhile, to prevent the broadcasting of an advertising campaign warning of the dangers of climate change and his insistence that there can be some doubt as to the link between climate change and human economic activity show not only the reactionary nature of the DUP but also display the ignorance of the people we are governed by. Both Iris Robinson and Sammy Wilson should be sacked for their behaviour, yet it is clear that there is not only insufficient will within the political establishment to make this happen, there is also a lack of inclination.

Since its beginning, the power sharing government here has been dominated by thereactionary agenda of the DUP whilst Sinn Fein has happily sat back content merely to be in office, without any clue what to do now that they have it. The Connolly Youth Movement still believes that the Good Friday Agreement is the best possible arrangement available under the current conditions, but we also feel that the progressive potential of the Agreement will not be realised until ordinary people intervene to stop any further reactionary measures being taken.

It is to this end that we are calling for a campaign to pressure the DUP to disavow the actions of these ministers and to call for their resignation.

Connolly Youth Movement
Belfast Branch
http://workersrepublic.wordpress.com
PO Box 85
Belfast BT1 1SR