In March, Keir Starmer met Micheál Martin in Cork for the second United Kingdom-Ireland Summit. The event was marked by widespread disruption in the name of “security”. Protesters gathered outside the blockaded city centre to draw attention towards British imperialism’s criminal role in the Middle East.
Meanwhile the Union Jack was raised over the city hall – a flag dubbed the ‘Butcher’s Apron’ for the slaughter committed in name, including the burning of the old Cork City hall and surrounding buildings just over a century ago.
Later, when ministers were dining with fine wine and mushroom risotto, the city centre was closed off. The heads of state and TDs cowardly scurried in through the back entrance to avoid the shouts of “baby killer” and “warmonger”.
After the summit, Starmer jetted home and left the Taoiseach to deal with the media. Little was said about the contents of the summit, besides describing in flowery prose Ireland’s “thriving relationship” with Britain.
The capitalists all share the desire to exploit the working class. For them it does not matter which flag flies over Cork, Dublin, Belfast – or London for that matter.
We must finish what we started in 1916, just as our working-class brothers and sisters in Britain must rise up against their ruling class. Only with a socialist revolution can Irish workers and youth finally take true ownership of Ireland.
