Useful links developed at successful conference on Irish Unity

A large crowd of more than 400 people gathered this week at the TUC centre in London for a conference hosted by Sinn Féín on the subject of Irish Unity. The conference was aimed at initiating a new conversation in Britain around Irish Unity, and putting it on the agenda of politicians and opinion formers in Britain.The debate was opened by Sinn Féin’s Pat Doherty, and what followed was a fascinating series of plenaries, workshops and debates that discussed the myriad of different topics that surrounds the debate around Irish Unity, including trade unionism, women’s rights, economics, unionist engagements, constitutional issues, and the role of the diaspora, among many others. A very impressive panel of speakers addresses these topics and more, and included the following influential figures.

Diane Abbott – Labour MP, was Britain’s first black Female MP when elected in 1987
Ronan Bennett – novelist and screenwriter
John Connolly – from the Council of Irish Counties
Paul Bew – Peer in the House of Lords and a professor on Irish Politics in Queens
Micheal Burke – Socialist Economist and Writer
Jarlath Burns – GAA
Jeremy Corbyn – Labour MP
Alf Dubs - Labour Peer, and former MP
Jayne Fisher – Sinn Féin London
Mick Halpenny – SIPTU
Mary Hickman – Professor of irish Studies and Sociology at London Metropolitan University
Christine Kinealy – Writer and Professor on Modern Irish History in Drew University
Ken Livingstone –Former Labour MP and former Mayor of London
Anni Marjoram – former political advisor to Ken Livingstone and chair of Labour Committee on Ireland
Conall McDevitt – SDLP MLA
Alex McDonnell – Community worker with London’s Irish Community
Patricia McKeown – UNISON and ICTU
Kevin McNamara – Former Labour MP and Labour spokesperson on the north
Jennie McShannon - Federation of Irish Societies
Seamus Milne – Guardian Columnist
Jon Myles – Journalist, specialising in Irish/British affairs
Andy Pollak – Centre for Cross Border Studies
Dr Margaret Ward – Women’s Resource and Development Agency, Belfast
Salma Yaqoob – Birmingham City Cllr, and leader of Respect.


The evening was closed by Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy M.P. with a considered and comprehensive analysis of where things stand at present, and what remains to be done, and all leaving the conference would have done so challenged by the debate and with their resolve strengthened.

The conference was attended by National Organiser Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, as it presented an excellent opportunity to create links and develop contacts with young republicans, and those supportive of Irish Unity abroad. Useful contacts were made with members of Respect Youth and Labour Youth, and there was a good deal of discussion on the role young people can play, both in Ireland and in Britain.

Commenting on the conference he stated - ‘this conference was a massive success, and is a huge credit to all those who organised it. The huge crowd got to hear a great variety of different points of view on Irish Unity, and is great encouragement to Republicans both here in Ireland, and in Britain.
It was particularly encouraging to see such a good crowd of young people at the conference, from various political parties and organisations, who all have support for Irish Unity in common, it’s a sign that the struggle will continue to be carried forward on all fronts.
Following on from this Ógra, as part of the national campaign ‘Who Fears to Speak of a United Ireland’ will be examining further new ways in which we can promote Irish Unity in Britain and develop support for it among young people’.

If you are based in Britain and are interested in helping the cause of Irish Unity, email ograsf@hotmail.com