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"Support for Ireland's right to selfdetermination has declined over the last two years, The need is as great as it ever was".
That was the message from Gerry Lawless, speaking to a public meeting of seventy people in Glasgow's Woodside Halis on April |Ich. Comrade Lawless outlined his view of British plans for Ireland. After flirting with the idea of handing over for good to the Loyalists, the government had been pressured by the military into another try for military victory, He stressed the disarray of pro-British forces in Ireland the Dublin government may lose the coming clections, the Unionists are split a dozen different ways, the Social-Democratic and Labour Party which pinned its hopes on sharing power with the Unionists is given over to public wrangling. At the same time antilmperialist forces were cooperating better/than ever before.
Comrade Lawless also explained that
the left in Britain had been worn out
by the weight of anti-Irish comment in the press and confused by the shifts and changes
in British policy. This was the main reason For the decline in support for the Irish people. But it was possible now to stop that decline.
The IDL is an organisation based in the
West of Scotland, Here there are problems that exist practically nowhere else. The great strength of the Communist Party in the labour movement has made it difficult to get Labour movement support for the demand "Troops out of Ireland". The Communist Party prefers to call For a Bill of Rights and for financial aid to the six counties. However worthy these demands
they avoid the principle involved. The Irish
people have a right to decide their own future. They cannot exercise that right unless the British get out. When calls for
peace and prosperity are made an alternative
to "Troops Out", then they are a breach of socialist principle.
Above ull in the West we have the problem of sectarianism and bigotry. The last July 12 Orange walk in Glasgow attracted 30,000 people - the biggest outside Belfast.
The IDL exists specifically to overcome these problems. Its principles are:
Self-determination for the Irish people Troops Out of Ireland * Release all Irish political prisoners in Britain and Ireland.
If you live in West Scotland and agree with these principles, Join the IDL.
MATT MONTGOMERY, Chairman, Irish Defence Leaguc.