Recent statements by Nicola Grant
Workers Party regional spokesperson calls for urgent action to combat violence against women and girls
30th October
Nicola Grant says women and girls are affected from all social, cultural and national backgrounds.
Workers Party regional spokesperson Nicola Grant has told a party meeting that not enough is being done to support women and girls who are being abused physically, sexually and emotionally.
Ms Grant said: "It is the brave women who come forward with their horrific experiences of abuse and violence that is leading the way. Instead of those with the responsibility to put in place safeguards and protections for those who have been and are suffering unimaginable violence at the hands of those who claim to love them.
"The level of violence is growing and the numbers of women and girls affected is widespread and covers all social backgrounds."
She added: "Violence against women and girls is not just perpetrated by men known to them or in local communities or countries. Women across the world are suffering violence and abuse because of conflicts and wars.
"The statistics are shocking 676 million women now live within 50 kilometres of deadly conflict, the highest level since the 1990s (UN Women) half of the forcibly displaced population across the globe are women and girls, and 1 in 4 displaced persons are children under the age of 12 ( UN Security Council)
"Women and girls suffer the consequences of world conflict and wars, but are left largely out of the peace negotiations, or any considerations about their needs after conflict. Women know that the absence of bombs and bullets is not peace, they know what is needed to help communities and countries to heal.
"They need health care, education, nutrition, shelter, water, employment , childcare and all the other amenities and infrastructure needed to live peaceful and dignified lives. All of these requires resources and funding, yet ring fenced funding for women and girls issues and growth, are never part of the equation.
“Perhaps it is because they never have a seat at the table!”
Action on soaring food prices demaded
30th October
Nicola Grant, Workers' Party Regional Spokesperson, has condemned the massive 38% rise in food inflation over the past five years, stating it is driving a cost-of-living crisis that is forcing millions of working families into destitution.
Grant pointed to the blatant disparity between the struggles of working-class people and the booming profits of major corporations. "Working families are caught in a desperate struggle, with many relying on food banks and community larders just to get the most basic necessities," said Grant.
Grant highlighted the recent profit announcement from supermarket giant Tesco, whose operating profits have skyrocketed by 72%. "As Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham rightly asks, how can this be right?" Grant questioned. "Tesco is raking in huge profits and paying massive dividends to shareholders on the backs of its struggling customers. This isn't just inflation; it's blatant profiteering."
The Workers' Party is demanding immediate government intervention to end this practice.
"Working-class people should not have to pay the price for corporate greed. This price gouging must end now to tackle the rampant hunger and poverty we are seeing," Grant asserted. "While large corporations and their shareholders accumulate immense wealth, workers are left struggling to live paycheck to paycheck."
The Workers' Party calls for:
Direct action to curb the unfair and artificial inflation of grocery prices.
Failing this, the government must impose heavy tax penalties on corporations and their shareholders who are benefiting from this profiteering.
"Curbing this practice is a fundamental step to helping those most affected by the cost-of-living crisis," concluded Grant.
Grant calls out attempts to squash trade union event
27th October
Nicola Grant Workers Party Regional Spokesperson has called the actions of the company running the Waterfront Hall disgraceful after Unison’s Regional Council had to relocate.Ms Grant said the disgraceful actions of the company running a Public facility who tried to impose restrictions on what a trade union could show on screens that were part of the contract when the hall was booked must be investigated without delay. Unison’s leadership and membership must be applauded for refusing to be dictated to. For a trade union to have to move their annual regional conference beggars belief. It is a matter of public record that unison has led a campaign for years against human rights violations and genocide against the Palestinian people .
Ms Grant said the Chair and chief executive must take action against those who made this decision and if they are unwilling or unable to they should resign. Belfast City Council must also take action to ensure that those who hire this facility in good faith should not be confronted with this type of interference. Unison was expressing the legitimate policy of a member led trade union who decides union policy there should have been no interference by those who manage this public facility.
Ms Grant said organisations should stop using this facility for events until this policy of interference is halted. She ended by saying I hope unison is going to sue the company for this egregious breach of contract.
WP calls for more robust legislation to deal with gambling advertising
23rd October
Ms Grant said people are sick of seeing constant gambling adverts with flashing lights, false promises, and fake smiles. Meanwhile, these companies are making millions of pounds in profits on the backs of those who are struggling and are lured into gambling with the false hopes generated by aggressive marketing for gambling sites. Gambling is not harmless fun. It destroys lives, families, and communities. Children are seeing these advertisements every day it is sinking into their minds before they even understand what gambling is.
Ms Grant continued a tiny “play responsibly” warning at the end of these advertisements is merely a tactic to circumvent stricter regulations, it is not enough, in fact it is scandalous that tougher regulations are not in place or enforced in a more robust manner. The Workers Party has been calling this out and asking the chancellor to levy higher taxes on gambling companies.
Ms Grant said gambling can ruin lives and with the rise in the younger generations having access to the internet and social media platforms. This is not a a disaster waiting to happen, it is already happening and we need to put a stop to it. She ended by saying we need more accountability, tougher rules and regulations, and a halt to aggressive and persistent advertising. There needs to be a time restriction placed on advertising times on television and social media platforms needs to ensure that people who want to unsubscribe from these unwanted messages can do so. At the moment if you click on the unsubscribe link you are immediately directed to another gambling site. People deserve better than being exploited by corporate greed.