Unfree Citizen, Vol. 4, No. 29
| Date: | 9th June 1975 |
|---|---|
| Organisation: | People's Democracy |
| Publication: | Unfree Citizen |
| Issue: | Volume 4, Number 29 |
| Type: | Publication Issue |
| View: | View Document |
| Discuss: | Comments on this document |
| Subjects: | Northern Ireland Consititutional Convention, 1975 United Kingdom European Communities membership referendum, 1975 |
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Commentary From The Cedar Lounge Revolution
5th October 2009
Although there is People’s Democracy material in the Archive this document, donated by Mark P and the Socialist Party - for which many thanks, provides a useful snapshot of their less theoretical promotion from the mid-1970s. Unfree Citizen is printed in much the same format as the United Irishman, an off-A3 size. Note the use of the colour green and the subheading, For a 32 Co. Workers’ and Small Farmers’ Republic. The use of a full size photograph taking up the cover depicting Loyalist paramilitary groups marching, under the headline Loyalists Set Up Army Council, and with a further footer “On the Brink - Unite and Fight” is a striking political and visual configuration.
The accompanying article is on page 3 and details in slightly less extravagant language political moves within Loyalism which it argues means that ‘we are on the brink of a Loyalist takeover in the North which would put Craig and Paisley in power, give the assassins of the UDA etc. A freehand, and institute the most savage system of repression since the 1920s’
One clear sense from the newspaper is that of an activist party. So there are short articles about PD members being arrested and charged due to their involvement in campaigns and, in one instance, found carrying a list of MRF and British Army surveillance unit cars. This reinforces a sense of a party that is strongly at odds with the state.
There’s also an overview of the results of the Northern Convention and how this affects the balance of power amongst Loyalism and Unionism in the North. The footnote to that article is of particular note where it takes to task Sinn Féin and An Phoblacht…arguing ‘the idea of an alliance between Republicans and Orange extremists dies hard’. There’s also an interesting piece on the last page about a miscommunication on the subject of the EEC referendum within the party.
International affairs are also covered with reports on Argentina which links the situation with death squads to the UVF, UDA and UFF and the situation in Vietnam, which at that point in time had ended in victory for the NLF. All told a professional publication.
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By: Mark P Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:31:03
Speaking of PD, I see that their successor organisation has a rather bile filled (even by their standards) response to the Lisbon results. Has anyone ever considered commending the merits of Alka-Seltzer to John?
http://socialistdemocracy.org/RecentArticles/RecentLeftUnityAndLisbon.html
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By: Frankly Mr. Shankly Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:51:30
I often read their blog and it does give the impression that nothing, absolutely NOTHING would ever make them happy.
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By: Mark P Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:02:40
Crotchety doesn’t even start to describe it. It’s sort of like a political group consisting entirely of Jack Lemon and Walter Matthau.
Even by their standards though that article is a gem. Just sheer bile and not even particularly coherent with it.
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By: John O'Neill Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:39:20
Tourish, Dennis and Wohlforth, Tim On the Edge: Political Cults Right and Left
reviewed by Bob Pitt What Next? No.17
http://www.whatnextjournal.co.uk/Pages/Back/Wnext17/Reviews.html#Review1
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By: Mark P Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:06:17
The review’s summary, that the book is “malicious and incoherent” just about sums it up for me. Pitt is also right that Wohlforth’s earlier book, “The Prophet’s Children” was considerably better.
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By: Neues aus den Archiven der radikalen (und nicht so radikalen) Linken « Entdinglichung Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:57:37
[…] * People’s Democracy: Unfree Citizen, Juli 1975 […]
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By: Jim Monaghan Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:39:40
On the Citizen Army. I would say that if there had been Loyalist encoursions PD and it’s supporters would not have been found lacking. As a then member of the MSR I can say this wothout claiming anything.
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