PBP Manifesto Analysis
People Before Profit (PBP) are a far left, pseudo-nationalist political party founded only fifteen years ago. The use of pseudo-nationalist is due to the fact that they are associated with the idea of a United Ireland even though they claim that their main concern is for the working class and not the national question. They run for seats in both Stormont and the Dail, having very few seats in both due to the fact that they are often viewed as the party for students and the idealist youth, presenting themselves as the ‘true’ socialist party in Stormont.
According to the BeyondNI scale, the PBP score a 91% left leaning rating, making them radically left wing.
Somewhat unsurprising for a party who freely refer to themselves as socialists, PBP are very forward about their use of nationalisation in the Irish economy. They want to create a national construction company, a national health service, a national childcare service, a national housing agency, a state run pharmaceutical company and even encourage the use of public broadcasting, as well as wanting to promote public banking and see a complete nationalisation of natural resources. Presumably, this will be partially funded by the increase in taxes to the richest in society and the raising of corporation tax, as well as targeting big business through levies and caps. All of these changes clearly present PBP as using their manifesto as a vision of their ideal world rather than a rational take on what can be achieved in a single term in office.
However, their approach to social issues follows a far more recent interpretation of left wing politics. This mainly takes the form of identity politics: supporting LGBT rights, fighting racism and tackling gender inequality (whether that be in the workplace or through abortion rights). At the same time, the PBP use the idea of building more interconnected communities as a very important addition to their approach. This aspect calls back to the socialism seen forty years ago, when trade unions and community cohesion were more prevalent.
This need for stronger community ties can even be seen in the PBP’s approach to healthcare, which supports the creation of an Irish NHS. In a similar vein to this idea, the PBP wants to see an all round strengthening of how the state supports the individual from ‘the cradle to the grave’. A better equipped welfare system and a complete reforming of the housing sector are seen as vital to the creation of a state which cares for its populace. Again, this is a clear call back to the socialist movements from the mid 20th century, a time when a socialist ideas might have been more easily accepted.
In conclusion, the PBP are probably the only true socialist party in Stormont at the present time. While it will not come as a surprise to many, it should be pointed out that the PBP are truly socialist without any caveats needing to be placed on the statement. Their economic policies are pulled right out of traditional socialist thought and their approach to social issues focus solely on the modern ideals of socialist thinkers. Although, this is also why they will find it hard to ever find a real foothold in Stormont or even the South.
