Independent Left (Ireland)

Independent Left is a minor unregistered Irish political party with a socialist and environmentalist outlook. It was founded in January 2019.

Independent Left
Founded17 January 2019 (2019-01-17)
Split fromPeople Before Profit
IdeologySocialism
Environmentalism
Local government in the Republic of Ireland
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History

Independent Left was founded in Dublin in January 2019 in the run up to the 2019 local elections.[1] Its members include John Lyons, Niamh McDonald and Conor Kostick.[2]

In the 2014 local elections, John Lyons was elected in Dublin Beaumont-Donaghmede ward standing as a member of People Before Profit.[3] Lyons stood for election to the Dáil for Dublin Bay North in the 2016 Irish general election. He was not elected, being eliminated on the fourteenth count in seventh place for a five-seat constituency with 8,476 votes.[4] On 7 January 2019, John Lyons left People Before Profit, saying the decision was a hard one, but “the difficulties I've had with the leadership of PBP over the future direction of the party in the Dublin Bay North area over the past six months could ultimately not be resolved.”[5] Independent Left have stated:[6] - "Solidarity and People Before Profit are the closest fit to us but have a hierarchical, carefully controlled internal life that is not fit for the purpose of socialist change."

In the 2019 local election, the Beaumont-Donaghmede constituency was redrawn and Lyons stood for Independent Left in the Artane-Whitehall constituency in Dublin City Council, being elected to the third (of six) seat on the sixth count.[7] In the same election Niamh McDonald stood in the Donaghmede constituency, where she obtained 562 first preference votes, but was not elected.[8]

John Lyons stood for Independent Left in the Dublin Bay North constituency at the 2020 general election.[9] He was eliminated on the 13th count with 6,421 votes after transfers. His first preference vote was 1,882.

Policies

Independent Left describe themselves as, "a new movement for environmentalism, socialism, freedom and equality."[10] Their election material called for an environmentally sustainable city with easy access to public housing, healthcare and public transport.[11] On NearFM, John Lyons advocated that all of the land that Dublin City Council control be used for public, affordable housing.[12] Niamh McDonald has called for the introduction of community child care schemes, on a not-for-profit model.[13]

References
  1. "Visions for Independent Left". Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  2. "Why You Should Join Independent Left". Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  3. "Dublin City Council Local Elections 2014 Beaumont Donaghmede" (PDF). Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  4. "Election 2016 Dublin Bay North". Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  5. "Dublin councillor resigns from People Before Profit". Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  6. Independent Left - criticism of People Before Profit
  7. "2019 Elections". Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  8. "2019 Elections". Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  9. "Independent Left Election Material". Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  10. "Independent Left & a Liveable City". Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  11. "Independent Left election leaflet". Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  12. "Visions for Independent Left". Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  13. "Niamh McDonald, Independent Left Candidate for next local election". Retrieved 31 May 2019.
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