Remembering John MacLean

Remembering John MacLean

By Peter Urban

It is appropriate today, with the possibility of Scottish independence within sight and the working class of Scotland again confronted by the misery with which the system of capitalism fills their lives, but it is not sufficient to pay tribute to the man; it is important to pay attention to him as well. MacLean may easily lend himself as a symbol, an icon, to the contemporary struggle, but he has wisdom to lend to it as well and the Scottish working class would do well to make use of it.

MacLean was no romantic nationalist. He was a revolutionary socialist and he articulated a compelling case for the creation of an independent Scottish workers’ republic. MacLean observed the reality of the revolutionary temperaments of the Scottish and English working classes and asserted that so long as the working class in Scotland remained bound to that of England, it would face far greater obstacles in the path towards its own liberation through the destruction of the capitalist system.

Is any more evidence needed to testify to the continuing relevance of this analysis than the reality of a Tory government for the UK, while a Plaid/Labour coalition dominates the Welsh Assembly and the SNP dominates the Scottish Assembly? Today, as in MacLean’s day, the Welsh and Scottish working people stand out as far more radicalized than their counterparts in England. Independence for Scotland and Wales represents the best opportunity for those nations to achieve a working class victory over the system of capitalism and it cannot be denied that the dismantling of the ancient regime called the “United Kingdom” would be a blow to the whole of British imperialism.

But there are even greater lessons to be learned from John MacLean and that other great Scottish-born revolutionary, James Connolly. Scottish workers must not fail to learn from these towering figures from Scotland’s history that independence alone is not enough. More, independence alone is meaningless for Scottish workers. The fight for an independent Scotland must be made but an aspect of the larger struggle to create a Scottish workers’ republic; an independent republic wherein the working class alone controls the economic and political destiny of the nation. It is impossible in this era of globalization to separate Scottish capitalists from the interests they share with those of their class in England, as well as elsewhere in the EU, in North America, and throughout the globe and those interests are irreconcilable with the interests of working people. We have born the burden of this wretched and archaic long enough; the time has come to cast it off and move forward under our own guidance and in our own collective interests; and the way forward to such a future lies in the creation of a Scottish workers’ republic and cannot be attained through anything short of that.

In closing, there is yet another lesson from the great John MacLean that I would remind working people in Scotland about. MacLean, with Big Jim Larkin of Ireland, and Sylvia Pankhurst in England were participants in a founding congress for the Communist Workers’ International, convened by the Dutch revolutionary socialist Hermann Gorter. This was a congress of what we have come to call Council Communists today, from throughout the world. I make this point, because the revolutionary socialist current represented by those who attended that congress has been too long ignored and it offers today, as it did then, a path to socialist revolution suited to the conditions of a highly developed capitalist nation; a compelling and liberating alternative to the Bolshevik tradition that workers today would do well to reexamine.It is a fine thing that we today have assembled to remember and pay tribute to the memory of John MacLean; it would be a finer thing still if when we leave here today, we reflected on the insightful analysis that he left to us and seek to apply them to the challenges we confront in this present day. It is long-past due that we should, in this sense, bring John MacLean back to the Clyde.

All Hail the Scottish Workers’ Republic! The future lies before us.

Peter Urban

Comrade, International Republican Socialist Network

From Independence to a Scottish Socialist Republic

Hugo Chavez democratically elected socialist President of Venezuela

An Independent Scotland has a better chance of adopting not only policies that are social democratic in values but a transformation to socialism.

A Socialist Republic need not be scary for most Scots. We are supporting socialist transformation by way of the ballot box and constitutional change. This does not mean we ditch the idea of revolutionary change but proceed one step at a time.

And why socialism? Well we need to protect vital public services and have a health service and social welfare fit for purpose. We also need to embrace change in society and improve the mindset of the Scottish people to adopt a more positive view of their country. Capitalism promotes profit, greed, hopelessness and general negativity.

However as Scottish Republican Socialists we recognise the need for change by democratic means in other words carrying the Scottish people with us.

Our goal therefore is to firstly gain independence in 2014 but secure a better society thus seeking constant improvement through power gain and socialist transformation.

A Scottish Socialist Republic where politicians do not abuse their power and serve the best intentions and aspirations of the people. We only need to read about the expenses scandal of MPs at Westminster to doubt their sincerity under British rule.

And we need to ditch the monarchy and end the obscene class division in society in an ever increasing gap between the haves and have not. Ensure programmes for jobs and a strong public service

In Venezuela despite it's problem of violence in that country today is a more mature and stable country with the socialist Government ensuring oil wealth benefits the people including poor and needy. President Hugo Chavez re-elected recently with a popular democratic mandate for another six years. And I pay tribute to their modern electronic voting system that ensures the smooth running of elections.

In Cuba the Castro Administration seeks to improve the country with ongoing reform under the gains of socialism. Their achievements are very real and why no society or government is perfect the Cubans are more listened too by the powers that be than Scottish people are by Westminster.

So anyway firstly we must walk before we can run. Our goal is to gain freedom in two years time by persuading the people before then that the choice they face is a No vote achieves no change and more austerity or vote YES for change and plentiful prosperity. Things cannot get any worse under Tory/Lib Dem London rule or even if a Labour government was elected on 7 May 2015 more austerity measures are on the way remaining part of the UK.

We have a choice therefore to break from the failed British system and elect a social democratic government in Scotland while we will campaign for a democratic socialist republic of Scotland.

In short a Scottish Workers Republic.

We have proved in Scotland that we can elect a successful administration or Scottish Government under Devolution therefore the scope for change by way of independence and greater improvement through responsible and better governance is even greater.

Larry

As posted on Poblachd na h-Alba today

http://www.scotsrepublic.com

Free Marian Price (video)

Letter Writing Campaign for Marian Price

The following is an appeal by Pauline Mellon of the Justice for Marian Price campaign.

At this point Marian Price is seriously ill. We would ask that people write to their elected representatives and those in authority to demand Marian’s immediate release. I would also suggest that you write to the Justice Minister David Ford, the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the Secretary of State Theresa Villiers. I have attached a letter that can be downloaded or indeed if you prefer, write your own.

For further information on Marian’s situation please visit the campaign website on www.freemarian.co.nr

Please request that ten of your contacts write to the following people also.

Justice Minister David Ford: private.office@dojni.x.gsi.gov.uk

Deputy First Minister: martin.mcguinness.mp@parliament.uk

Theresa Villiers: theresa@theresavilliers.co.uk

British Secretary of State office: sos@nio.x.gsi.gov.uk

Taoiseach Enda Kenny: taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie

SAMPLE LETTER

I would like to draw your attention to a situation that can only be described as a travesty of justice. The situation I refer to is the ongoing internment and torture of political hostage Marian Price. Fourteen years after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement a 58 year old woman suffering from a litany of chronic illnesses languishes in isolation under armed guard in a hospital. Her health conditions exacerbated by the treatment she has received at the hands of the Westminster Government, facilitated by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

An assembly set up under the same Good Friday Agreement which promised us that its criminal justice system would deliver ‘justice efficiently and effectively’, the same Good Friday Agreement that promised measures ‘compatible with a normal peaceful society’. Need I remind you that this is the year 2012, internment and torture have no place in a ‘democratic and normal peaceful society’. The ongoing detention of Marian Price is in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights and fundamental freedoms Article 5 guaranteeing the right to liberty and security of the person, as Marian’s ongoing detention without trial amounts to administrative internment.

Marian has spent 15 months in forced isolation which according to experts should not exceed 15 days. Experts state that any longer than fifteen days should be banned and regard this practice as torture. It is clear this practice is in breach of Article 3 this article prohibits torture and “in human and degrading treatment or punishment.”

Marian’s detention is also in breach of Article 6 that provides for the right to a fair trial, including the right to a public hearing before an independent and impartial tribunal within reasonable time. The Public Prosecution Service have failed to bring the case that led to Marian’s internment forward within a reasonable time frame.

On September 27th Marian’s solicitor stated publicly that the prognosis was that Marian’s health was “not going to improve”. He said she has been examined by UN, prison and defence doctors and their consensus was that she could play no part in court proceedings. With this said, why does Marian Price remain in gaol on bail with no chance of her health improving in an environment which is not conducive for recovery.

As citizens we must ask why have a legal system when an unaccountable politician, with no mandate in the north of Ireland can overrule the judiciary to keep a seriously ill woman in gaol on bail? This politician is a representative of a political system that clearly seeks to contain Marian Price at any cost using methods that contravene the European convention on human rights.

With the use of alleged ‘secret evidence’ the grounds for challenge are limited. How do you challenge what you cannot see? A credible justice system includes open and transparent justice with human rights protection, something that this alleged normal peaceful society seems to be lacking. Justice is a core element in the establishment of true peace internment is not!

http://107cowgate.com/2012/10/12/letter-writing-campaign-for-marian-price/

Free The Malvinas from Brit Rule

Annual John MacLean Rally 2012

Gerry Cairns speaking at the John MacLean Commemoration November 2011

Scottish Republican Socialist Movement

Annual John MacLean Commemoration

Sunday 25 November 2012

Eastwood Cemetery 1PM (next to Thornliebank Railway Station) for a graveside oration. Followed by a march from Thornliebank St/Boydston Rd 1.30 pm prompt. This will be followed by a social/rally at the Shawbridge Tavern, Shawbridge St, with a range of speakers and live music, including the White Rose folk group.

£5. Children free. All welcome.

Numbers 23, 45 and 57 bus (First) will take you directly to Eastwood Cemetery. Speakers include; Gerry Cairns (John MacLean Society), Brian Quail (SCND), Alan Stewart, Iain Ramsay, Celtic League and 1820 Society, The Communist Party of Scotland and Stephen Coyle, historian, who will highlight the links between John MacLean & Irish Revolutionaries.

www.scottishrepublicansocialistmovement.org

SRSM, P.O. Box 16887, Glasgow, G11 9E

Scottish Workers Republican Party

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Scottish Workers Republican Party (SWRP) was formed by the Scottish Marxist activist John Maclean (1879-1923) in the 1910s. It advocated the political doctrine of communism, whilst also supporting Scottish independence. This dual communist-nationalist doctrine was heavily influenced by the thinking of James Connolly who similarly believed in socialism and independence for Ireland and had set up his Irish Socialist Republican Party in 1896. MacLean argued that the break-up of the British state and empire would aid the cause of world-wide socialism and thus he supported the idea of an independent Scotland. This inherent nationalism alienated the SWRP from the mainstream British left though. The SWRP carried on its political activity for some time after the death of MacLean in 1923 but never made any real impact politically. An organisation which resurrected the name Scottish Workers Republican Party was formed in 1974 as a split from the Scottish Republican Socialist Clubs (forerunner of the Scottish Republican Socialist Party). In 1976 most of the members of the SWRP joined Jim Sillars' Scottish Labour Party and this SWRP Mark II party also became defunct.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Workers_Republican_Party