Scottish Socialists for Independence

Dear Comrades

Since 2003 the Communist Party of Scotland has been holding seminars and producing pamphlets to work towards building the left for Independence. We have worked positively with a number of organisations over this time. It was agreed by them that the time has come to form a loose organisation Scottish Socialists for Independence to campaign as one of the many groups who are building unity at the grassroots as part of the Yes Campaign.

We are holding a meeting on Sunday 4th November 2012 to set up the organisation and elect a committee to begin working for an event in the early Spring. we welcome anyone from any party who supports our aims of independence and socialism.

The meeting is from 1.30pm-3pm in the Premier Inn. It is held in the Argyle Room,first floor ,booked in the name of Alert Scotland.

You are welcome to attend and to pass this to anyone who may be interested.

With all good wishes

Yours in comradeship

Maggie Chetty

Giving the SNP a chance to deliver Independence

Nat MSP's fury over tartan extremists

That was the headline for the article about the so-called Scottish Liberation Movement (SLM) which screamed out the Daily Reptile or Daily Record as it is officially known.

What is known about the SLM is little indeed except that they exist on Facebook supposedly although it is not clear how to find them.

In the coming months and years we must be patient and give the SNP a chance to deliver in Government and most importantly an Independence Referendum.

Scotland will get her independence in good time with the support of the majority of the Scottish people.

We must beware about dirty tricks or false flag ships being set up by the British state to try and publicly discredit Scottish nationalism.

Even if a band of Scottish Rebels wanted to hit back at the British state the common sense approach would be not advertise themselves all over Facebook.

However divisions will still happen with some polarization of Scottish society between nationalist and unionist. This is inevitable and happened and exists in Ireland.

In Scotland however we have the opportunity to have a velvet revolution of sorts and the wind of change is in the air. Scottish people are more aware of their culture nowadays especially since Devolution despite it's political limitations.

In Ireland the situation historically has been different with occupation of that country. However we must essentially be cautious about the same divide and rule tactic employed by unionists and the British state.

I do not want to see any more patriots go to jail after being labeled in mock fashion as Tartan extremists by the Brits.

Give the SNP a chance to deliver freedom they have not had such a strong mandate from the Scottish people ever before.
Larry

Independence to benefit Scotland

Scottish Independence would bring about a landslide of opportunity. We have the talent and innovation to go it alone. However we would not be alone but gain extra friends in the world. The possibility of independence in a lifetime are very real and Republicans welcome a referendum on the issue. Independence is an opportunity to free us from the dictates of Westminster or Brussles and destroy draconian crown powers which are putting constraints on Scotland. The politics of small parties has much to offer and proportional representation would offer a voice to minorities in a new independent parliament. Scottish people truly understand and appreciate Democracy and hope and understanding is very much in the blood. I am very confident that we can lead the way in Scotland and vote for those parties who offer us an independence referendum. We have a choice come the General Election to support Independence or return to an out of date Union that holds us all back from future prosperity and hope.
Larry

Independence is more popular in Scotland

Came across this on the SNP website.

Independence is more popular in Scotland than the Unionists would like you to think.

See Below:

SNP Constitutional Affairs Spokesman Pete Wishart MP has welcomed an opinion poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion which shows a majority of the people of Scotland back independence or more powers with independence as the most popular option for change. The poll also shows that a majority of people across the UK back independence or more powers.

According to the poll 64% of people in Scotland want independence or more powers. This breaks down as 22% for “some additional powers, including the introduction of a new Scottish rate of income tax”; 17% for “many additional powers, such as full financial autonomy from the UK”; and 25% for independence - the greatest number for those supporting constitutional progress.

The poll also showed 56% of people across the UK supported independence or more powers for Scotland - and again independence is the most popular change option.

Commenting Mr Wishart said:

“There is a clear desire for Scotland to move forward and this poll shows that the Scottish Government’s white paper, which lays out these options, is in tune with what the people of Scotland want - the right to have their say on their constitutional future.

“There is an overwhelming desire in Scotland to extend the powers of the parliament, with independence the most popular option for change. The status quo is no longer acceptable to the VAST majority of the people of Scotland, and this poll reflects that.

“It is very welcome that independence is the most favoured option for constitutional progress and it can be the winning option for Scotland.

"The Calman Commission has been kicked into the longest of long grass by Labour and the Tories, and people's aspirations in Scotland are far more ambitious than the watered down ideas of the London-based parties.

“Independence would allow Scotland the ability to generate MORE jobs and investment with full responsibility for our economy; to remove nuclear weapons from our waters rather than spend £100 billion on new weapons of mass destruction; and to keep our forces out of illegal wars.

“We would also be able to use all the levers and powers available to tackle poverty and to fully represent our interests and our values – such as our world leading commitment to tackle climate change - amongst our neighbours, in the EU and in the world.”
ENDS

Reply to CWI article

A reply to Phillip Stott of CWI

I am disappointed with this article. He argues that present disaffection with current devolution arrangement is caused by failure to solve the problems of working class communities. But this ignores the cultural question and lack of democracy. The strenghtening of Scottish parliamentary powers begins to solve the problem of lack of Scottish Democracy. In other words a parliament the people will find useful to democracy. He recognises the fact we could face a Tory government after the next general election. What better arguments have they ever been to opt for full independence. I am also not happy that he slates the SNP by claiming they would slash public services. I don't think the SNP want that but remain tied to the capitalist system putting limitations on their ability to fight budget cuts and protecting public services. Furthermore Mr Stott of the CWI or Committee Workers International comes out in favour of a parliament with full econonmic powers but ignores the need for full independence. Someone should educate him that in order to get a Socialist Republic first we have to smash the British constitution and crown powers and create a free Scotland, Wales, Ireland and indeed England. Support for beefing up the powers of the Scottish parliament may be widespread amongst the people but that is no excuse not to argue for Scottish independence in full. The political climate will change and indeed the mood of the Scottish people after the election of a Tory government. Republican Socialists will be better placed than ever to argue alongside the SNP for nothing less than Scottish independence therefore solving the problem of a lack of Scottish Democracy.
Larry

Still on track for independence

Murray Ritchie

Still on track for independence

Scottish Review

Have I got this right? Alex Salmond, being the Sun King of Scottish politics, governs by force of personality. Without the benefit of a parliamentary majority he gets his way by turning his countenance on his enemies and watching them wilt in his glare.

Perplexed and divided they come up with a cunning plan. They decide to appease the great leader by offering some limited constitutional co-operation. This the Sun King graciously accepts because, of course, it serves his purpose. Half a loaf and all that…

But when the great man calls his opponents' bluff and invites them to vote for their own brainwave they suddenly lose their nerve and run again for shade. It is all rather confusing. They may appear ridiculous, even pathetic, as the onward march of Scottish self-determination is again delayed for a moment or two but that's Scottish politics, folks. We're all gradualists now, like it or not.

This constitutional constipation is interpreted by Salmond's enemies in the venal Holyrood commentariat – where the Unionists enjoy a hostile majority – as the SNP at last hitting the buffers and the Sun King heading for the guillotine.

Well, somehow I doubt it. At times like this the opponents of independence take heart. There’s Michael (Lord) Forsyth suggesting Gordon Brown should obey Wendy Alexander's 'bring it on' demand for an independence referendum. Considering His Lordship made a career from misreading Scottish political opinion, I doubt Gordon Brown would be tempted. I suppose he could overcome his party's parrot protest that in time of economic crisis we have more to worry about than further constitutional change. He could argue that the cost of an independence referendum would be minimal if conducted alongside a general election and his suggested referendum on electoral reform next year.

At first sight it is a plausible plan for calling Mr Salmond's own bluff – except of course that unlike the Unionists, Mr Salmond is not bluffing. He reckons – and I see much force in his optimism – that he might win, and his assorted Unionist opponents – less gung-ho than Forsyth and Alexander – worry that he might be right.

Here's why. At times like this our political class tends to get preoccupied with the small picture, the latest scandal, the newest opinion poll. But after a lifetime watching the SNP and its contribution to Scottish life I suspect the future looks rather rosy for Mr Salmond and for independence. Polls and scandals and reshuffles and by-election successes and failures come and go and are merely the punctuation in Scotland's political story. The narrative only becomes interesting when the SNP is making waves and that has been the storyline now for more than a decade.

History shows you should expect the unexpected with the SNP. Only four years ago the Nationalists were written off in Westminster opinion polls, registering a measly 13% support. Today they are running the country and favourites to continue after 2011. Salmond's plan for independence enjoys, at worst, a sound building block of support from about a third of the electorate where a generation ago it was almost non-existent.

Whenever the SNP dip in the polls we hear how 'the Scottish people don’t want independence' but remember this: we know from these same polls that the Scottish people want more constitutional power in some form. And when they get more devolution we have learned that this just feeds their appetite for yet more. This is gradualism in practice, which is why reaction to Salmond's white paper suggests if you put together those favouring independence and/or more devolution you get a huge majority. That explains Salmond’s belief that a multi-option referendum is another step to independence. If the high road via a referendum next year is closed, then it is only sensible to take the low.

In other words if Salmond manages to chip away at the Union, as he is doing with the Unionists trying to buy him off with concessions, then there will come a time when the pile of chips is bigger than what’s left of the block. From there it is just another step to the Sun King's apotheosis when the Union as we know it will be history.

The story so far has been relentless, from the disappointment of the 1979 referendum which signalled the death of Tory Scotland and the emergence of a new civic nationalism. Eventually this led to the 2007 referendum whose outcome stunned the Unionist last ditchers with the SNP going on to govern from a parliament established with the express objective of killing nationalism stone dead.

Nothing in 300 years of Union has been more significant than Scotland turning to a secessionist party for leadership. As Salmond said at the time there may be Labour governments in future – and he is probably correct – but the Labour/Unionist monolith crushing all aspects of Scottish life is busted for all time. With electoral reform local government has already been opened to all politics, killing off Labour's anti-democratic grip. Holyrood's loaded voting rules could be in line for the chop and if Brown goes ahead as promised with a referendum on Westminster electoral reform we could even see the day when the SNP is Scotland's biggest party in the Commons.

This cannot have escaped the attention of Unionists more thoughtful than Lord Forsyth and must explain why the Unionist coalition is in disarray on Calman.

The Tories have reverted to type on their promise of more devolution by reneging at the first phone call from David Cameron and now say they will bring forward their own proposals if they oust Labour at Westminster.

Labour says it sticks by Calman but won’t actually do anything to legislate unless and until it wins the general election. Some hope. As for the Liberal Democrats, still wondering where their fingers are, who can say?

Anyway, I am not sure British general elections matter much any more in Scotland in these devolutionary days. I remember a by-election in Paisley in 1997 that coincided with a new feature of Scottish politics. System Three opinion polling was first to suggest a consistent difference between voting intentions for Holyrood and Westminster and it proved correct. I can still see the face of Labour's campaigners in that by-election when we showed them the evidence that the SNP vote always rises when the contest is for Holyrood.

Scots may be lukewarm about independence for the moment – which is why Salmond is perforce a cautious gradualist – but they still perceive an advantage in having the SNP in strength in Edinburgh. I can see no reason why this should change and every reason why the SNP can only benefit next time from the Sun King’s personal domination of parliament. According to a Nationalist friend of mine, Salmond is the only man in Scotland who can swagger when he's sitting down. I suspect the Scots rather like that and respect him for it even if not everyone loves him. For the moment our First Minister remains the smartest political operator in Britain and the Scots know it. I have no faith in a government of English Tory toffs driving Scottish voters to independence. Rather the Tories are simply irrelevant now. Labour will split and argue about the Scottish question if defeat comes next year and that again can only benefit Salmond. I suspect the Labour left, if it survives, would warm to independence when it assesses its future.

So, despite those routine dips and blips in its fortunes, I think the independence cause will prosper. Even a defeat two years from now would not be fatal for the SNP, just another pause until the next advance, probably at a time when Scotland is recovering from this year's economic shocks. Salmond knows all this and is content to play the long game, confident that his gradualism proves that advance is inexorable as he continues to confound his opponents. And he can reflect that the other Sun King, the French chap, never faced the guillotine but died in his bed a happy man in old age.

Murray Ritchie is former convener of the Scottish Independence Convention

Independence not despair

Alex Salmond produced his White Paper on a referendum on Scottish Independence on St Andrews Day. A multi-option referendum no less but more significant is the Unionists determination to vote down any referendum in 2010.

As Republican Socialists we are revolutionary in thinking and can see the limitations of parliamentary representative democracy in today's Scotland.

But should we despair? No probably the best time to hold an independence referendum is after the election of a Tory government. People in Scotland will vote Labour, SNP, Green and Socialist but not Conservative. This leaves the unsolved issue for the union that is England votes Tory while Scotland and Wales don't. An issue in the 90s a Westminster government with no democratic mandate to rule in Scotland. The SNP have promised to make independence referendum an election issue (general election) if the Unionists vote down the Referendum Bill.

So are we reformist for waiting for party politics to change our political future? Of course not we put our faith in the working class as John MacLean did. However with no revolution round the corner we still campaign. Let party politics take it's course. The SNP intentions are by large genuine.

So we should say let the Unionists be suffocated by their own intransigence.

Why we should work together for independence

An independent Scotland would weaken parties like the BNP and deal with the cancer of the Scottish Defence League.

It is time the pro-independence parties sat down to hold discussions with the SNP. A single candidate standing for independence would make sense and ensure the Left did not split the vote. Differences between Scottish Left factions over socialism should not take priority over Scottish independence. Once the transition to independence is made we can battle for a Workers Republic. A Scottish Workers Socialist Republic cannot be achieved without independence. Our goal of a Scottish Republic need not take second place to the agenda of the reformist SNP. But we must keep our eye on the ball and consider the political landscape and the SNP proposals for an independence referendum.

As public support for an referendum on the issue of independence is at an all time high we need to consider the idea of public pressure politics. Where are the demonstrations being organized for an independence referendum? Why have public meetings involving cross party support and public figures not been organized to tour Scotland and bring the message to the people? Why have elections not been used to put an independence referendum to the top of the political agenda? These are some questions we should be asking.

The SNP cannot win independence alone on a platform of constitutional nationalism. They need to be prepared to work with others as the Scottish Left must be prepared to consider the needs of Nationalists to get us to the goal of independence.

The pro-independence parties of the Scottish Greens, Scottish Socialist Party, Solidarity and any others must be willing to hold discussions with the SNP about making independence and the referendum top priority between now and 2012.

We face a general election probably next year with the possibility of years of Tory rule after a Conservative victory. The consequences for Scotland are immense so we must be prepared to work together to smash the British union and the status quo.
Larry

The right to choose Scottish Freedom

The article in Scotland On Sunday by Mike Russell is most welcome he writes: It is no longer tenable for any democratic party in Scotland to stand in the way of that right to choose
and as time goes by, the confused signals from other parties indicate that they, too, realise there cannot be an indefinite delay in allowing the people to have their say.

The latest example of that is the internal debate within the Scottish Liberal Democrats, who have now convened a special session at their autumn conference next week to debate the party's stance on a referendum That has come about, seemingly, because of deep disquiet in Lib Dem ranks, especially at the grass-roots level, about the position taken by the party leadership in standing against a vote of the people. It is, indeed, passing strange that a party whose very name proclaims its democratic credentials and which ordinarily favours referenda on a range of issues should have thus far proved so resolutely opposed to a referendum on Scotland's future.

As Scottish Republican Socialists we should back the wishes of two-thirds of the Scottish people to be allowed a referendum on independence. Russell also goes on to say "The London parties would do well to heed the words of Irish home rule campaigner Charles Stewart Parnell, whose observation that no-one "has the right to fix the boundary of the march of a nation" prefaced the Scottish Government's first white paper on the constitution in August 2007.

It is clear the people of Scotland want to have a choice on their future, and we intend to give them the chance to seize the benefits that only independence can bring."

Scottish Republican Socialists most welcome the SNP initiative but should warn that attempts to get the Referendum Bill passed in Holyrood could mean accepting a third option on the ballot paper of more fiscal powers from Calman Commission. Most people including the SNP leader Alex Salmond would be more comfortable with a straight choice Yes/No referendum on independence.

And here lies the dilemma of constitutional nationalism that fights as a minority government in parliament.

What is clear is the next general election to Westminster could mean the Tories find themselves without all out victory but instead a hung parliament while unlikely to have any representation in Scotland.

Interesting times certainly lie ahead in the Scottish and London parliaments in 2010. but as a true republican socialist I will not put my faith in parliamentary politics but remain true to revolutionary politics to effect real change and thus a Workers Republic.
Larry

Declaration of Arbroath

Although the English armies under Edward II were routed at Bannockburn in 1314 and by 1319, with the recapture of Berwick, effectively expelled from Scottish soil, they continued to mount attacks into Robert the Bruce's Scotland over the succeeding years.

The Pope had not accepted Scottish independence, perhaps partially because Robert the Bruce had been excommunicated for killing John Comyn in a church in Dumfries in 1306 (Comyn had formed an alliance with Edward, but perhaps had more of a right to be King than Bruce).

Thus the Declaration of Arbroath was prepared as a formal Declaration of Independence. It was drawn up in Arbroath Abbey on the 6th April 1320, most likely by the Abbot, Bernard de Linton, who was also the Chancellor of Scotland.

The Declaration urged the Pope to see things from a Scottish perspective and not to take the English claim on Scotland seriously. It used strong words, indicating that without acceptance of the Scottish case that the wars would continue and the resultant deaths would be the responsibility of the Pope.

The words of the "Declaration of Arbroath"

Forum for Scottish Democracy

Click here to join Forum for Scottish Democracy
Group for Scottish Republican Socialist news and debate. Members are welcome who wish to debate Scottish independence, general Scottish politics and culture . Also there should be support for an independence referendum.

This group welcomes independence as a means to a Scottish Workers Republic.

To join you must provide your real name, trade union organisation if any and political affiliation or belief.

Note this is a broad based and non-sectarian forum.

Moderators
Forum for Scottish Democracy

Forum for Scottish Democracy

Click here for Forum for Scottish Democracy

This group supports the establishment of an independent Scottish republic that is socialist and egalitarian. Members are welcome who wish to debate about constitutional change for Scotland and the future of the nation. Also there should be support for an independence referendum.

The group recognises that debate on constitutional change for Scotland is not merely the preserve of the SNP in the independence movement. A wider debate is more healthy concerning constitutional change.

Supporters of Scottish nationalism, republicanism or Scottish socialism welcome

Note this is a broad based and non-sectarian forum.

Moderators
Forum for Scottish Democracy

Pro-independence discussion groups

Click for discussion groups that support Scottish independence in a socialist society

Scottish Independence Socialist Network

Scottish Socialist Freedom (discussion) Group

reds4justice

Independence 2010 website

Independence 2010 website
http://www.independence2010.org

New forum to debate Scottish independence (video)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nsis

Support Democracy Scotland initiative

Support this campaign and progressive initiative click on the website here http://www.democracyscotland.co.nr/

Read below and sign up for the campaign:

I am unsure at this moment in time as to how I would vote in a referendum, but what I do know is this; the people of Scotland want and deserve a chance to do so.

It is very difficult to get polling data on the particular area that I am interested in, which is the % of the population who want a referendum. I would be grateful if others could point me in the direction of data regarding this.

The only poll data I can find on this issue is from Independence First, which gives details of the ICM polls from the late 1990s. In this instance, whether a majority support Independence or the current devolution arrangement is irrelevant, the figure I'm interested in is the 'For a Referendum' column. This shows that 5 polls asked the question of the respondent of whether they think there should be a referendum held on this issue. The results of the 5 separate polls, held between June 1998 and February 1999, were as follows (FOR a referendum); 69%, 79%, 69%, 74% and 74%. The average of these polls show that 73% of respondents believe there SHOULD be a referendum held on Scotland's constitutional future.
This is why attention needs to be drawn to this democratic deficit...

HOW TO ACHIEVE THIS? - To collectively act in ways which require very little time or effort, but which catches media attention in a 'Flash Mob' style. For example, getting a large group of people to put a large 'X' on a blank piece of paper, adding the web address to it (http://www.democracyscotland.co.nr/), then posting it to the same person/address (First Minister/Labour Leader?) on the same date.

Each campaign should raise the profile of the campaign and thus help it grow exponentially. 2 minutes of your time at home, every couple of months is all I'm asking for in return. 'Stage 1' will be acted upon once 50 'pledges' have signed up to the campaign. If we get more than much more than 50, great, by all means keep adding your respective names to the list once the magical number of 50 has been breached.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO - Pledge to join the campaign, by CLICKING HERE and adding you name to the list (a pseudonym if you so wish), using the format; '1. name1', '2. name2', '3. name3' and so on, so each new person adding to the list is keeping a running tally of the total involved. Keep checking the site every few days to see whether we have breached the 'Stage 1' number, and we'll take it from there!

Spreading the word is the oxygen of any campaign, and we need YOUR help to do so. So, if you, like most people in Scotland, are 'Pro-Referendum' and have a blog or website, a mention of the campaign and/or a link to the site would be much appreciated. If not, then just tell people you know via email or good old-fashioned word of mouth!

Thanks in advance,

DS

A new group to discuss Scottish independence

A new Yahoo Group has been set up to discuss the importance of constitutional change taking place in Scotland. While the group recognises that it is necessary to to achieve Independence on the road to a socialist society we should still discuss the importance of what is happening in Scottish politics for the here and now.

The group is described as below:

This group supports the establishment of an independent Scottish republic that is socialist and egalitarian. We reject that there exists a parliamentary solution for revolutionary and constitutional change for Scotland. At the present time there should be support for an independence referendum and measures that support liberation of the Scots from Westminster rule while debating the best way forward for revolutionary change.

Hopefully we can get a list of members keen to debate the changes taking place or constitutional matters and revolutionary ideas between now and a possible referendum around or after 2010.

The group recognises that debate on constitutional change for Scotland is not the preserve of the SNP in the independence movement. Other views such as socialist opinions have to be considered.

Click here to join