Labour’s ties to the Irish community are both historic and modern

By Brian Duggan

It’s a truism to say that winning political parties are always the ones that best convince voters that they understand their lives and their needs. It follows though that the political parties that lose elections are often perceived as elite driven, or locked in a bubble with little in the way of real connections or understanding of the lives of those they wish to serve.

Bridging that gap then, between the Westminster set and the experiences and lives of voters and citizens is a task that befalls every party and politician.

One important and relatively recent development in Labour’s ability to serve Britain’s diaspora communities is the continued development of the ‘Labour Friends of…’ groups. Just this week for example Labour Friends of Italy held their inaugural AGM and Kurds for Labour were also recently launched.

One of the earliest of these community groups linked formally to the Labour Party is the Labour Party Irish society.

The society, a socialist society affiliate, was established to represent the views and needs of the Irish in Britain to the Labour party but also provides the Labour Party with links to the Irish Labour Party and the SDLP.

Today the Labour Party Irish Society serves as one of these many thriving Labour associates which allow the Labour Party to be firmly routed in one of the many communities our movement serves.

The Irish community in Britain today are our largest ethnic minority grouping and Labour’s ties to the Irish community are both historic and very modern. Our connections run through our trade union movements and right up to the Good Friday and St Andrew’s agreements as well as Labour’s support for the Irish community in Britain today.

David Miliband recently highlighted the reciprocal nature of these relationships. Societies like the Labour Irish Society help to integrate their communities into Britain and into the Labour Party and in turn, Labour becomes a stronger and more representative political party, closer in tune to the needs of the communities we serve.

As with many of these groups, the Labour Party Irish Society is working hard to renew and re-invigorate itself and prepare for the times ahead. So if you’re a Labour supporter with a connection, interest or passion for Ireland, join the Labour Party Irish Society, an affiliated Socialist Society of the Labour Party. Membership will also entitle you to an additional vote in Labour’s Leadership election and costs £10 or £6 reduced rate.

You’ll also get an invite to the best St Patrick’s Day event this side of the Irish Sea!

Join up at LPIS.org.uk, go raibh mile maith agaibh go leir.

Brian Duggan is Vice Chair of the Labour Party Irish Society