RADICAL ACTION

There’s Rail union leader Mick Lynch is surely the man of the hour after his intelligent and sensible facing-down of hysterical cynicism and doubt over his members’ protest action this week. Public reaction to his realpolitik has been overwhelmingly positive, as he simply untied the nonsensical bureaucracy presented to him, and untied it on a national stage. His language is simple, not patronising. His simple recognition of baiting and his refusal to be drawn into a ‘handbags at dawn’ showdown has gained him a cult following.

This week the early days of the IFA were recalled, at a time when a farmers’ union fought to be recognised. The founding member of the local branch said he hoped that radical protest action isn’t needed anymore as diplomacy may take over. However, is this realistic?

When you’re fighting to be treated as equal, you are a priori not being recognised. It’s like climbing a ladder with the top guy’s foot on your hand. The IFA showed that to get recognition you have to go outside their game and play by your own rules; then you get a seat at the table.