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11 March 2017

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Spelling out the ABC of AAA’s initial change

The Socialist Party is a political party whose representatives contest elections as AAA (soon to be Solidarity) and the Socialist Workers’ Party is a party whose representatives contest elections as People Before Profit


The Anti-Austerity Alliance offshoot of the Socialist Party is rebranding as “Solidarity”. We asked Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane to spell out what this actually means.

THE Anti-Austerity Alliance was formed not as a direct replacement of the Socialist Party but as a wider alliance to broaden membership in a similar way to the formation of People before Profit as an extension of the Socialist Workers’ Party.

Both the AAA and PBP joined forces with others and formed the United Left Alliance. The United Left Alliance split and the AAA and PBP went their separate ways while remaining as flags of convenience for the Socialist Party and the Socialist Workers’ Party respectfully.

The United Left was formed to capture former ULA TDs who were not AAA/SP/PBP/SWP.

The AAA joined forces with PBP to form a new entity called AAA/PBP.

Even though both groups are distinct and autonomous, AAA/PBP is a registered party.

The AAA are now rebranding as “Solidarity”. However, the Socialist Party will remain.

Therefore the Socialist Party is a political party whose representatives contest elections as AAA (soon to be Solidarity) and the Socialist Workers’ Party is a party whose representatives contest elections as People Before Profit.

However, in recent times they all contest as AAA/PBP – or in future elections as Solidarity/PBP.

PBP and AAA are part of Right2Water. However, the AAA are not part of Right2Change. PBP and/or the Socialist Workers’ Party are.

Meanwhile, the United Left still exists, as do Independents4Change.

Sinn Féin is still Sinn Féin.

Hope this clears up the confusion.

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