Liadh for President
Liadh for President

Blog: Sinn Féin is the only party that can provide an alternative to austerity.

I spoke alongside MEPs and economists at the ‘Alternatives to Austerity’ discussion as part of the GUE/NGL Autumn Conference being held in Carrickmacross this week.

I was joined on the panel by our own Peadar Toibín TD, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation; by Greek MEP Sofia Sakorafa representing SYRIZA; by Valencian MEP Marina Albiol Guzmán of the Izquierda Unida; and by Dr. Julian Mercille, lecturer in international political economy at UCD.

In opening the discussion I explained that in the context of the 26 counties, the government have transferred tens of billions of euro from the average citizen into the hands of the super-wealthy asset-owning class, and this process has continued in a number of guises for well over half a decade.

This transfer of wealth is not an accident – it is a direct and purposeful output of government policy.

All economic growth is welcome but it’s of the utmost importance that growth be real and sustainable, that it’s built on solid foundations.

A healthy economy is underpinned by a functioning healthcare system. It’s fuelled by properly paid workers who can source affordable childcare.

We need a public banking sector that will ensure entrepreneurs of all types can invest and grow. We need an end to upward only rents which push see vulture funds kill small businesses. And we need to be treated fairly by Europe. Fairness is at the heart of our vision. We want a fair recovery, a fair economy and a society built upon social equality and economic justice.

Hundreds of people across this island are looking for an alternative to the austerity that has been forced upon us by the failing government – Sinn Féin has the knowledge, the expertise and the commitment to provide that.

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