Food banks: DWP director New pamphlet: For a says people ‘welcome the Modern Democratic jolt’ of benefit sanctions Republic by • see page 7 • see pages 8&9 £1 • issue 439 • 30th May –12th June 2014 facebook.com/scottishsocialistvoice

“I’m the only politician keeping the flame of thatcherism alive,” says UKIP leader Nigel Farage. No he isn’t! All the No men sing from the same hymn sheet, and: • BACK ANtI-UNION LAWS ANOTHER FALSE • BACK tRIDeNt NUKeS • PAmPeR the RICh • DemONISe the POOR • CUt SeRVICeS • BACK PRIVAtISAtION FARAGE CLAIM • PUt PROFIt BeFORe PeOPLe As Westminster takes another lurch towards a new thatcherite nightmare of cuts, sackings, poverty and war, the AS HE BACKS says: VOte YeS FOR A ReAL ALteRNAtIVe! THE faNceboOok.c oCm/SAcottiMshSocP ialistVoice @ssv_voice EDITORIAL by Ken Ferguson

FIRST THE context. Across England, the right wing populists of UKIP emerged from the Euro poll in first place. In Scotland, they Time to be bold in came fourth, scraping a seat ahead of the Greens. That is not complacency, simply fact. But that is not the same as suggesting that the wake of Euro poll UKIP surge is of no consequence for Scottish politics – it is. Puzzled commentators who portray the UKIP rise as demonstrating an “anti-politics” mood which is part of a wider mood sweeping both the UK and Europe really are missing the point. The truth is that since the rise of neoliberal economics, which removed all controls on big capital and saw de-industrialisation and mass job cuts undermining living standards, mainstream politicians have increasingly FOUR SHADES OF BLUE: UKIP, Labour and the ConDems offer nothing but different brands of Thatcherism acted as cheerleaders for the fat cats. Issues in such a programme Now a brutal reality of falling could include workers rights, UKIP coverage wages, insecure jobs, benefit public ownership of green This process, underway cuts and zero hours contracts energy, ambitious targets for since the Thatcher era and faces millions and the mainstream rented house building, action carried on by a deeply parties have no coherent answer on low pay and zero hours compromised New Labour, since they are actually part of the among others. was masked in the era of problem as supporters of the system Such an approach leaves cheap and easy credit which open discussion of the ended with the 2008 crash. causing it... contents of such a Now a brutal reality of a Scottish seat where they and green forces campaigning programme and, crucially, falling wages, insecure jobs, are a negligible presence on for a Yes vote to get beyond does not require the building benefit cuts and zero hours the ground. However, it also the pages of the broadsheet of new organisations or contracts faces millions and has implications both for the press and present concrete parties but the support of the the mainstream parties have broad sweep of progressive proposals to voters in a clear existing parts of the no coherent answer since opinion in Scotland and the and popular form. independence left. they are actually part of the role it must play in the drive to Loyalty to a party or group problem as supporters of the win a Yes vote in September. cannot be allowed to stand in Key battle system causing it. Tentative discussions last the way of such an approach, The prospect of a No vote, This is the underlying year about the possibilities of and talk of any one force followed by a Tory/UKIP cause of the support for the a Red/Green candidate or playing the leading role is this victory, is indeed close to a apparently easy answers slate came to nothing, yet the task are deeply unhelpful. Doomsday scenario not just offered by UKIP and their figures indicate that such a Both the SSP and the for Scottish democracy but European counterparts. formation might just have Voice have proposed that a our entire social fabric. That this was in large mobilised sufficient extra way that this can be achieved The Euro poll makes the measure driven by the votes to win the last Euro could be through a Common task of winning a Yes vote saturation coverage of UKIP seat and halt UKIP. Programme for the left, even more urgent, and in that offered by the mainstream More widely it also covering a range of policies key battle the role of the left media is part of the reason underlines the urgent need for in a succinct statement of in mobilising the working for their sweeping gains and the ideas and vision of the left what a Yes vote can deliver. class majority is central.

2 • • issue 439 COLIN FOX by Colin Fox

AS THE polls predicted, the right wing UKIP has again dom - inated the European elections in The prospects for a Yes Britain, winning more votes and more seats than any other party. And although Farage’s party trailed in behind the SNP, Labour vote after Euro elplaeins whcy thet rigihto has dn one so and the Tories in Scotland, some well in these elections and the left, 140,000 Scots voted for their such as it is, has done so badly. ‘dog-whistle’ brand of racist poli - The left must do much better tics to elect their first representa - in clarifying our message, deliv - tive here. Why did they win? And ering it with aplomb and con - what are the likely consequences fronting the racism of UKIP and for the independence referendum? its Tory, Labour and Lib Dem Incredible as it may seem, ‘bedfellows’ in this debate. UKIP, with its Home Counties The results of these elections base and right wing views, are will of course be fiercely con - DIFFERENT COUNTRIES: regarded not just as an anti-EU Nigel the first of England, tested in so far as they tell us any - and anti-immigrant party but also fourth of Scotland, was never thing about the independence as ‘outsiders’ by the British po - off our TV screens and his debate. The Yes side argued litical establishment. The more message was sponsored by UKIP was a xenophobic, far- Nigel Farage is attacked by the several tabloid newspapers right, English party by and large chattering classes and the metro - ‘ordinary guy’ hero rushed to We are asked by UKIP to ig - rejected by voters here. politan political elite, the more him in their droves. His face was nore the fact that immigrants popular he appears to become. never off our TV screens and his make this country wealthier by Grip of xenophobia message was sponsored by sev - coming here, that they pay far That view is undermined Merchant bankers eral tabloid newspapers. more taxes into the UK Treasury somewhat by the fact 140,000 This is a remarkable achieve - Millions of Britons in the mid - than they take out, that our NHS Scots voted for them. Yet Scot - ment given he is himself part of dle of the worst recession in 80 and other key services benefit land by and large does reject that elite. Here is a public school - years have seen their wages fall enormously from their labour, racist xenophobia whilst England boy, millionaire merchant banker 17 per cent on average since that immigrants come here for is in the grip of it. UKIP topped and former Tory, now mas - 2010 whilst the cost of basic work not for paltry benefits, that the poll in England whereas they querading as a ‘rebel’ who sticks commodities like gas and elec - young workers from Poland and came fourth in Scotland. two fingers up to EU bureaucrats tricity has doubled. Yet instead of Spain have halted Scotland’s However, it would have been and corrupt Westminster politi - turning to the left for answers, population decline, that our qual - much better for Yes if UKIP had cians whilst blaming immigrants they have turned to the right. ity of life is greatly improved by not secured a Euro seat here. and claimants for a crisis cause Whilst the turnout in Scotland multiculturalism and that Scots Finally the last word on these by merchant bankers! was only 33 per cent, there is themselves have emigrated for elections goes to that ‘expert’ on Whatever else may be said widespread revulsion at the po - centuries in search of a better life. Scottish politics, the Bradford about his odious, reactionary litical elite who are seen as both The right has persuaded some MP George Galloway who ap - message it is clear, simple and corrupt and completely out of people that the collapse in their parently suggested UKIP and the often repeated. UKIP dominated touch with ordinary people and living standards has been caused SNP were merely ‘two cheeks of these elections with a view that their lives. Like it or not, for mil - by immigrants and claimants the same arse’. This idiotic re - is not difficult to comprehend. lions of voters immigration is (who either work too cheaply or mark surely secures for Gal - Those looking for simple an - now the ‘dog whistle’ issue at the not at all) rather than the bankers loway the title of the biggest swers, easy scapegoats and an centre of British politics. and corporate capitalism. This ex - ‘arse’ in Scottish politics today? Always the bridesmaid: further disappointment for Greens THE SCOTTISH from 7.5 per cent in Bella Caledonia, Mike rootless and unable to the Greens and the Greens’ failure will 2009). This suggests Small of the Scottish reach beyond the SSP this time last year, again disappoint those they lack wider appeal Independence Guardianista.” it could have made the who felt they were the as ‘the torchbearer of Convention went even In due course, the difference. And it best electoral vehicle radical and further: Greens shall reflect on might also have been for halting UKIP’s progressive politics in “The harsh truth is what might have been. the test bed for a drive into Scotland. Scotland’ as their the Greens lack Had they joined a similar initiative in the They secured 8.5 per election press releases charisma, popularism Red/Green alliance more fruitful Holyrood cent of the vote (up claimed. Writing in and bite. The SGP is proposed by some in elections of 2016.

issue 439 • Scottish Socialist Voice • 3 WORKPLACE by , SSP national workplace organiser

THE ELECTION of 24 UKIP MEPs; the fact they topped the poll in England; their massively increased share of the vote (up 11 points since 2009 to 27.5 per cent) and the open calls of some Tories for a pact or coalition with them for Westminster govern - ments, should be a loud, fright - ening wake-up call to workers in Scotland who are pondering UKIP: no what to do on 18 September. Largely buried from view by the sycophantic media that has consciously built them up as a means to siphon off the growing disgust with the mainstream parties that might otherwise be attracted to voices on the left – is UKIP’s rank hypocrisy and their viciously anti-working friend to class agenda. UKIP appeals to people ru - ined by the crisis in capitalism. The likes of small business peo - ple and sections of workers fac - ing destitution and desperation MP, expelled from Westminster parties in Westminster, for the right wing British nationalist due to the chronic shortage of for taking cash in brown en - simple reason they first created claptrap: UKIP pounded the To - decent jobs and housing. velopes off Mohamed al Fayed. the platform for UKIP to pour ries into declaring a ban on all wIn the same veoin, Farage orut their bkile, and becauese they accesrs to benefs its and the NHS UKIP corruption claimed £2million in expenses Tory to one extent or another to immigrants for their first two Untrammeled capitalism, as an MEP up to the year 2009 share their scapegoating of ‘for - years of residence. deregulated under successive – and chose his German wife eigners’ for the unemployment Labour rightly denounced Tory and Labour governments, from amongst 400 (British) ap - and poor housing blighting cap - this as terrible...and then said has meant a cataclysmic shock plicants for the job of his parlia - italist Britain. they would only do it for the to people’s systems, their sense mentary secretary. first ONE year!! of stability, so some grab at Two of the twelve UKIP Right wing claptrap It’s impossible to counter UKIP’s easy sounding explana - MEPs elected in 2004 were ex - Not a word from the British UKIP on jobs, wages, housing tions: their scapegoating of im - pelled for money laundering establishment that contrary to and immigration without advo - migrants, their denunciation of and false accounts. the xenophobic rants of UKIP, cating a socialist solution to the EU bureaucracy, their demoni - Farage was recently rumbled the NHS depends on 40 per cent problems causing havoc to mil - sation of the allegedly ‘work- for his secret tax account – a tax of its nursing staff and 30 per lions facing the consequences shy’, and their railing against dodge – in the Isle of Man, but cent of its doctors coming from of capitalism’s crash. the corruption of the three big the mainstream media let it drop abroad, and that it would col - We need masses of work pro-capitalist parties in Britain. as an issue after a few days, in lapse without immigration. done, for instance, to tackle The hypocrisy and inconsis - stark contrast to their hounding Not a single headline to high - homelessness, slum housing, tency of UKIP on these issues is of so-called benefit cheats, day light the Manchester University overcrowding and fuel poverty. nauseating – but rarely if ever ex - and daily, for years. report that last year alone, im - If the government funded coun - posed by a media which has So much for UKIP’s anti-cor - migrants to the UK contributed cils and local housing associa - hoisted them to prominence rather ruption ticket – a potent weapon (in taxes) over £8.8billion more tions to build, renovate and than risk the anger of ruined of appeal amongst a population than they took back in any form insulate hundreds of thousands workers finding a voice on the so - heartily sick of the corruption of of benefit. of houses in Scotland in the cialist left. Whilst thundering British politics. One incident sums up the fact lifespan of the first independent against corruption and ‘foreign - UKIP’s brutal anti-immigrant that UKIP is dragging the other parliament, that would create ers’, UKIP’s election strategist propaganda has not and can not major parties to the right, rather jobs and apprenticeships, as was Neil Hamilton, former Tory be countered by any of the big than Labour countering their well as cutting poverty. And the

4 • Scottish Socialist Voice • issue 439 WORKPLACE

BRITANNIA WAIVES THE RULES : two of the twelve UKIP MEPs elected in 2004 were expelled for money laundering and false accounts jobs could be well paid, with a “I’m the only politician keeping the flame of Thatcherism alive. would pay proportionately far decent living minimum wage, the flame of Thatcherism alive.” UKIP want to abolish the statu - more of their incomes in tax which would counter the ‘race It wasn’t Cameron or Clegg tory 5.6 weeks of paid annual than the bankers, mineral-ex - to the bottom’ favoured by cap - who said that, though it could be! holidays workers have won in ploiting capitalists, billionaires italist employers and successive Nor Ed Miliband, though in this country through genera - and landowners who dominate Westminster governments. And practice it would be true of New tions of trade union struggle. ownership of wealth. if some of those doing the work Labour’s devotion to the so- They even want to end statu - came from abroad, most people called ‘free market’ and capitalist tory redundancy pay – ‘free Race to the top wouldn’t care, so long as there inequality. It was the ‘man of the trade’ capitalism means total UKIP plays on real fears and were plenty of jobs for all. people’, the cheeky chap down freedom to exploit workers. insecurities in the face of a Add to that the potential the pub, UKIP’s Nigel Farage. As well as opposing women storm of capitalist assaults on Klondike available from green on company boards on the working class conditions. energy in Scotland, where hun - Privatisation grounds that UKIP think women But their policies would lay dreds of thousands could be em - UKIP has a totally contradic - are inferior players of poker, waste to all the concessions ployed to develop, build and tory clutch of policies, designed chess and bridge, they want to won by past generations of operate clean energy supplies, to fool different people into slash maternity pay by 50 per workers; divide the working not for private profit but for backing them. cent to a miserly £64 a week! class and therefore undermine public need. They openly support privati - In the face of obscene new our ability to fight back; and In turn these and other job- sation of the NHS, to permit levels of inequality – which would mean an accelerated race creating measures would require people to jump the queue by fuels the anger and disillusion - to the bottom for working class funding from progressive taxa - being able to pay for it. ment of millions with the tradi - people in the jungle of primitive tion of the obscenely rich – in - They want to privatise big tional political parties who help capitalism UKIP favours. cluding the ten richest Scots who chunks of the education system, create these conditions, which Workers need Scottish inde - between them own wealth of with vouchers for parents to buy in turn UKIP taps into with pop - pendence to escape the prison £12billion – plus democratic places in private schools. ulist demagogy – they advocate of a Tory/UKIP government; public ownership of energy, con - They generally want more a flat rate income tax. unity in struggle against capital - struction, banking and transport. ‘free trade’, ‘deregulation’ of So under a UKIP (or ist exploitation; and socialist And that’s a million miles business and rampant privatisa - Tory/UKIP coalition) Westmin - change to ensure a ‘race to the from what UKIP offers working tion – former City of London ster government, low paid top’ on jobs, wages, housing class people. trader Farage is truly keeping workers and the middle class and democratic rights.

issue 439 • Scottish Socialist Voice • 5 EUROPEAN ELECTIONS examines the European results

A DRAMATIC move to the right or a popular, if misguided, protest against the mainstream political establishment. The Eu - ropean elections results were a mixture of both. In England, UKIP dominated the political landscape emerging as the largest party while in Scot - land they sneaked in the back door claiming the last seat on the list. Much has been made in the media about UKIP’s result in Scotland but its breakthrough has been overstated. UKIP remain a marginal force in Scotland while JOBBIK: the appeasement stance of centrist parties has fuelled a rise in far right movements across Europe driving much of the political agenda in England. Across Europe there were big gains for the Radical Right with its heady mixture of racism, xeno - RIGHT GAINS ON HEADY MIX phobia and reactionary populism. A common theme is that these parties have breaking the mould OF RACISM AND XENOPHOBIA of established politics although it those economic forces which parties which allowed them to are divergent politically it is only might be more accurate to say that caused the crash in 2008. hoover up so many votes. up to a point. UKIP scraped in as the established political mould In Britain, the very sight of This process was helped by the the sixth of six MEPs with was never an accurate reflection David Cameron, Nick Clegg and response from parties of the cen - around 10 per cent of the vote. of political reality and sometimes Ed Miliband – all looking and tre whether conservative or social There were two major reasons reality breaks through. sounding identical – reinforced democrat. Instead of confronting for this. One was the astonishing the sense that Britain was being these poisonous movements their level of publicity the party re - Establishment governed by a metropolitan elite approach has been one of appease - ceived with the BBC, effectively What are described as the es - completely divorced from the ment which has only served to le - pouring UKIP’s English cam - tablishment parties are in fact par - lives of ordinary people. gitimise many of their positions. paign into Scotland. In fact, UKIP ties of the Centre. These parties The most worrying aspect in Whether it be the Conserva - received more publicity than all want to maintain the status quo Britain and much of the rest of tives in Hungary whose approach the other Scottish parties put to - and their main appeal to the elec - Europe is that this political disaf - to the openly fascist Jobbik gether. Second, a tactical split in torate is one of competence. fection has been exploited so suc - Movement has been to borrow the anti-UKIP vote with many Which party can best manage the cessfully by parties of the Radical many of their policies or the people voting SNP and others system in order to preserve it. Right with big gains by the Na - British Labour Party forever voting for the Greens in an at - They share the same aims, op - tional Front in France and similar apologising for their immigration tempt to stop UKIP’s election. erate to the same agenda and have movements in countries as di - policies; their stances have only If most of those tactical vot - more or less the same policies. verse a Hungary and Denmark. helped fuel these movements. ers had voted decisively for one That’s why there is no real dif - Mass anger against austerity rather than the other, UKIP ference between a Labour or and what are seen as out of touch Some left gains would not have been elected. Conservative government in political elites have found easy It was not all bad news. In some What cannot be denied is that Britain, between the Christian targets in migrants and the EU countries popular discontent re - the prospect of Labour winning Democrats and Social Democ - policies which have allowed sulted in increased support for the the next general election is di - rats in Germany or for that matter mass migration across the conti - left most notably in Greece where minishing rapidly removing between the Democrats and Re - nent. Although the term Eu - the Syrza Movement topped the won the of the central planks of publicans in the United States. rosceptic is often used to define polls and in Spain where there the No campaign in Scotland. Part of what happened was a these parties this is a red herring. were big gains for the United Left. The next general election will backlash against this manufac - Most of their votes came from In Scotland too much thought be driven by an agenda set by tured consensus; particularly as people for whom membership of has been given to the election of UKIP with Labour and Conser - that consensus argued that there the EU is not particularly high a UKIP MEP. While this has vatives running fast to catch up. was no alternative to austerity on their agendas. It was the overt gone some way to spoil the nar - If that is not a reason to vote and for the need to support racism and xenophobia of these rative that Scotland and England Yes in the referendum, what is?

6 • Scottish Socialist Voice • issue 439 WELFARE by

THE NORMALLY publicity- seeking Tory employment min - ister Esther McVey was asked Growth in food bank use to attend the Scottish Parlia - ment’s welfare committee late last month. She declined but in - just people ‘maximising stead sent Neil Couling, work services director of the DWP. It really made no difference that the minister wasn’t in atten - their economic choices’ dance as the mandarin spoke In Canada and America they with his master’s voice. Using are an essential part of the wel - cold statistics as his weapon of fare system not an extra sup - choice, he attempted to explain port. Rapidly we are moving that benefit sanctions were towards the position that food good for those who received banks become an integral part them, and food bank use was of our community. This would not demand but supply led. He not be acceptable in an inde - attributed the growth in their pendent Scotland. usage as people “maximising The language used by Coul - their economic choices”. ing shows how the thoughts of Try telling this to the million Iain Duncan Smith are being plus Scots who have been translated into the every day forced to depend on food banks lives of people who are on work to survive this year. Couling related benefits. They are ac - blamed the increase on the NEIL COULING : cused of lying and using food Trussell Trust and their “evan - DWP director said banks, not out of necessity but gelical mission” to have a food some people to get extra. He compares the ‘welcome the jolt’ bank in every town. He claimed poor to the rich who can manip - of benefit sanctions poor people just act the same ulate the tax system for their as rich people in seeking per - on them. Benefit sanctions refused to admit the link be - own greed but we know there is sonal gain. Try telling this to a have increased 209 per cent tween food bank use and ben - a vast chasm between their be - young man who I spoke to yes - since 2006. They silently target efit reforms it had nothing to do haviour and the very basic terday who due to sanctioning people causing misery in every - with the DWP. Just an example human need of having enough has had no electricity in his day lives throughout Scotland. of people “maximising their to feed your family and yourself. home for the past four days. No People become more isolated economic choices”. Since light, heating or access to a hot and know no way to get advice when did poverty and hardship At a crossroads meal. Is his having to access a and solidarity. They may be ap - become an economic choice? After the Euro results, we are food bank an optional extra? plied by job centres for trivial Like the much maligned ‘Toom at a crossroads. We may end reasons including not applying Tabard’, his words are empty up with a UKIP/Tory coalition at ‘Welcome the jolt’ for enough jobs on universal job and without meaning. Westminster. UKIP have been Couling had obviously been match sites to being late for ap - If you convert real lives to shady about their other views briefed to deny the link between pointments. Those affected are case studies it is much easier to but for libertarian read every benefit reforms and sanctions given no benefit unless they implement policies that will im - man for himself with cuts to and food bank usage. He dis - apply for hardship allowance. pact on so many peoples’ lives. services guaranteed, as well as missed academic research as Some claim that there may The reforms are part of a the continuing diatribe of ha - purely anecdotal. He said ben - be targets for individual advis - campaign to transform the ben - tred towards the poor. efit sanctions were not meant to ers. Couling claimed that job efit system. It will no longer be We also have the prospect of be punitive but a “wake up call.” centres had acted in error and a safety net but will provide less an independent Scotland with People “welcome the jolt”. were no longer applying this. than the basics people will the opportunity for change. Rather than describe the sto - It is of interest though that need to survive. Couling was A place where no one is left ries of individuals shared by the when the Citizen’s Advice Bu - quick to compare the amount of behind no matter their needs. welfare committee he preferred reau in West Dumbartonshire people being fed in food banks In the next few crucial to call them cases. After all published a damning report into in Canada to that of the UK. months let’s campaign for a when you dehumanise some - the number of sanctions in their The Trussell Trust estimated Yes vote with all our strength. one there is no need to think area, the number of sanctions 60,000 people use food banks It is a prize worth winning. about the impact the benefit applied decreased significantly. in the UK while 700,000 people The alternative looms in the cuts and sanctions are having Like his Tory masters, Couling are fed by them in Canada. shadows. Let’s keep it there.

issue 439 • Scottish Socialist Voice • 7 MONARCHY THE SSP will shortly publish the pamphlet For a Modern Democratic Republic. Written by SSP national co- spokesperson Colin Fox, the booklet highlights the need for an elected, representative and accountable head of state as part of the current debate on Scotland’s For a modern constitutional future. Here is a taste of the pamphlet’s contents. “And is there anything more absurd than the hereditary principle? It is as absurd as the democratic hereditary mathematician, or a hereditary poet laureate. The vanity and presumption of government from beyond the grave is the most ridiculous The same spirit of patently not democratic and it often take this debate further and indolent of tyrannies.” – ernlighteenment apnd progruess isb certainly lnot eigalitac rian. than they intended and end up Thomas Paine, The Rights of that propelled Francis People have been making dismantling their own case. Man (1792). Hutcheson, Alexander the case for a republic Take the Tory MP Nadine Campbell, David Hume, throughout the ages often in Dorres for example. Higher values Adam Smith, Dugald Stewart, the face of severe She claimed on television The SSP supports an Thomas Reid, Robert Burns, punishments. They posed recently that “The Queen’s independent socialist Scotland, Adam Ferguson, John questions, as we do again presence on the throne has a modern, democratic, Playfair, Joseph Black and today, because they arise brought much needed order, republic. For socialists the James Hutton in their inevitably and because the stability and continuity to Britain entire concept of monarchy is rational, scientific search for British political establishment for more than 60 years”. If so, antiquated, class ridden and progress and improvement in continuously fails to provide this common justification for the anachronistic. The world today 18th century Scotland satisfactory answers. Can the Monarchy exposes her to is guided by higher values of propels us today. monarchy ever be defended on some very serious charges democracy, accountability and For the SSP, feudal democratic grounds? What indeed. For the question equality. This new SSP institutions based on hereditary political role does the Queen inevitably arises where did she pamphlet sets out the case for privileges and ‘divine rights’ play in UK society today? Is get those powers? After all a modern democratic republic passed down to monarchs her role really as benign as her monarchists like Dorres like to and debunks many of the from ‘The Almighty’ have no defendants would have us claim The Queen’s is merely a myths and facile arguments part to play in modern political believe? Or does she in fact ceremonial role? Clearly they offered in its defence. structures and democratic hold substantial ‘Crown cannot have it both ways. Our case for a republic constitutions let alone at their Powers’ in reserve for future stands in our nations finest apex. The British monarchy is occasions? SNP and monarchy democratic traditions. clearly not modern, it is Supporters of monarchy A more surprising advocate of the monarchy is Alex To subscribe to the Scottish Socialist Voice – newspaper of the Scottish Socialist Salmond. The SNP leader Party – fill in this form and send it to: Scottish Socialist Voice, Suite 370, 4th Floor, insists in the recent White Central Chambers, 93 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 6LD. Or telephone: 07810205747 Paper on independence that Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to ‘Scottish Socialist Voice’ “The Queen is Head of State of Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/scottishsocialistvoice & Twitter: @ssv_voice 15 Commonwealth countries View PDFs at: scottishsocialistparty.org/category/socialist-voice and could easily perform the same function in an Name...... independent Scotland”. Address...... But our First Minister ...... curiously fails to mention that the 53 other Commonwealth Phone...... countries refuse to have the Email...... British monarch as their Head I enclose: g £5 for 2 issues g £10 for 4 issues g £20 for 8 issues of State. And in Australia, for example, which has had three

8 • Scottish Socialist Voice • issue 439 MONARCHY challenges to the constitution. The late Christopher Hitchens put it best when he wrote (in The Monarchy: A Critique of Britain’s Favourite Fetish, 1990): “Her Majesty’s Ministers exercise the Royal Prerogative via ‘The Crown in Parliament’ avoiding the House of Commons altogether, make Orders in Council [Privy], declare war and make peace, recognise foreign Governments, sign treaties, grant Royal Pardons, grant Royal Charters, confer Honours, confer patronage, establish Royal Commissions – MONARCHY IN THE UK: the Queen and Prince Charles have repeatedly defied the democratic will of Parliament not an exhaustive list but neither is it a record of referenda on the issue in afforded to Posh and Becks or correspondence between impotence.” recent years, half the country the latest winner of I’m a Prince Charles and successive Do people care? The polling now wants to end this Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! Prime Ministers that allegedly company MORI estimates ten monarchical rule. Those who would argue this show the heir to the British million people in Britain want a Jamaica, another of the 15 is a benign institution might like throne repeatedly tried to republic with almost half the nations Alex Salmond cites, to consider two recent articles impede the will of Parliament. population of Scotland said to has just voted to drop The from The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian has been prefer that option. Queen and become a modern, The Guardian that again reveal repeatedly thwarted by the UK democratic, republic. The New the Monarchy is not content to Attorney General’s Office, Oath protest Zealand Prime Minister also keep out of politics, far from it. despite winning several court The SSP believes is it time went on record earlier this year The Telegraph reported in judgements, on the grounds for an honest and thorough to say he fully expects his January that “at least 39 Bills “that it could cause debate. No other party has country to be a republic by the subject to Royal Approval have constitutional problems that the our record of challenging end of the decade. And had been vetoed by senior royals would seriously damage the the monarchy and upholding Quebec secured its using their power to consent or Prince’s ability to perform his democracy in this country. independence from Canada in block laws in areas such as duties when he became King Our MSPs protested at its recent referendum it would higher education, paternity pay, as it casts doubt on his political having to swear an oath of also have replaced the Queen child maintenance and Iraq”. neutrality”. The Government allegiance to the Queen. as Head of State forthwith. believes publication of the We drafted the Declaration So why does the First Defying democracy correspondence “may of Calton Hill – included in the Minister not mention these They reveal The Queen and undermine public support for index to this pamphlet – and facts? Could it be because he Prince Charles repeatedly the Monarchy”. we gathered with thousands knows himself to be on very impeded the passage of Bills The eminent legal scholar of others to repeat our call for shaky ground indeed? awaiting Royal Assent in order John Kirkhope highlights the a modern, democratic, Because ultimately, he pits to press for their preferred gravity of such monarchical republic rather than attend Scotland against the changes, thus defying the interference: “There has The Queen’s official opening democratic tide worldwide. democratic will of Parliament. always been an implication that of the new Holyrood building Whilst no one would argue “Internal Whitehall papers the monarchs prerogative in October 2004. Britain’s political institutions are prepared by the Cabinet Office powers are quaint and sweet Ours was the only party to run directly from Buckingham lawyers,” says The Telegraph, but actually there is real do so. No other party in Palace it would be equally “show that the Queen vetoed influence and real power, albeit Scotland can hold a candle to foolish to suggest the the Military Actions Against Iraq unaccountable.” the SSP’s commitment to a monarchy plays no role in Bill in 1999, which aimed to It is clear from both these modern, democratic republic. political life. It is most certainly transfer the power to authorise episodes that the powers of the We believe the wise words of not an institution content to military strikes against Iraq Monarch real and exercised Thomas Paine (from National amuse tourists, entertain from the Monarch to with astonishing regularity. Intelligence, 1802) still ring true foreign dignitaries or fill the Parliament”. Meanwhile The These episodes serve to regarding our political rights in pages of Hello magazine. After Guardian has been locked in a remind us of the powers held in the 21st century: “To elect, and all The State Opening of nine-year legal battle with the reserve by the monarchy for to reject, is the prerogative of a Parliament is not yet a privilege Government over access to rather more profound free people everywhere.”

issue 439 • Scottish Socialist Voice • 9 WORKPLACE RMT ‘deeply concerned’ at award of Scottish sleeper contract to SERCO by Voice Reporter

RMT ACTING general secretary Mick Cash, commenting on the award of the Scottish sleeper service to SERCO on a 15- year franchise worth £800million, said: “RMT is deeply concerned that this important and prestigious service has been awarded to SERCO, a company with a truly shocking track record in the delivery of public services. “Quite frankly, with their appalling list of failures in the UK and globally they should never have even been considered as contenders for the Scottish sleeper service. The logical option of public ownership YOU KEEP IT ALL IN (THE BANK ): Heaton presented an ASBO to Next managers in Glasgow PHOTO: Simon Whittle was not even looked at.

Industrial action “SERCO is a company Singer presents Next with ASBO that has a reputation for RETAIL WORKERS’ union What Have We Become. If Next made work pay, promising the earth and GMB held a public protest Next employ 50,000 workers staff wouldn’t need their delivering quite the with musician and outspoken at over 500 stores, call meagre wages to be topped opposite as they seek to socialist Paul Heaton outside centres and warehouses in up by taxpayers with family maximise profits and sweat Next’s Argyle Street store in the UK and Ireland. tax credits and housing their assets for every single Glasgow on 22 May. In March, Next reported a benefits so as to make ends penny piece. This union is Ex-Housemartins singer 12 per cent increase in meet, say the GMB. also seriously concerned at Heaton and the GMB annual profits to £695million. That Next is over- reports of financial presented store managers Next says it expects profits subscribed when it offers jobs problems at SERCO and the with an ASBO for “failing to in 2014 to rise by up to is a reflection on the level of recent investigations into make work pay for Next £770million. Next said in youth unemployment, not that company practices. staff”. GMB say Next should January that it is generating Next jobs are so good. “RMT will be meeting with pay wages and enough hours more cash than can be Mick Rix, GMB National the other rail unions but I of work for people to live on invested in the business, so it Officer for retail staff, said: can make it crystal clear that and as a starting point they will pay a special £300million “That is why GMB is if there is any threat to the should pay £7.65 per hour. pay out to shareholders. protesting outside Next stores jobs and conditions of the GMB is supporting the Next currently pay £6.33 as Paul and Jacqui’s tour staff transferring across current UK tour by Heaton per hour to those 21 and over swings across Britain. GMB from First to SERCO it will and Jacqui Abbott. Paul and and £5.47 to those aged 18 presented an ASBO to Next be met with fierce resistance Jacqui used to front The to 20. Many jobs are for 12.5 because it is an employer that including the use of Beautiful South, and have hours per week or less in does not face up to its social industrial action if required.” just released a new album, some stores. responsibilities.” 10 • Scottish Socialist Voice • issue 439 JOHN FINNIE MSP Highland MSP John Finnie does a bit of time travelling...

IT’S THE summer of 2017, and a hot summer’s night in the High - Guns off our streets – land capital of the newly inde - pendent Scotland. Many of the population have been drinking all day. The town starting with the‘h arpd’ apporoachl maiy cbe appe ropri - centre party gets out of hand and ate in isolated instances, when the armed police officers intervene. backed by a risk assessment. The The previous month an officer on-going campaign against rural who had been surrounded by a pubs in the Borders and taxi firms hostile crowd had fired warning in the Islands couldn’t be justified shots in the air. Tonight, a group of and was fuelling alienation. young men under the influence of Police boards had been deferen - drink and drugs are determined to tial and were dissolved. Those who get the trophy of a police gun. fought hard to have a scrutiny role One of the officers is surrounded for the parliament were no longer and kicked to the ground. In fear of MSPs. The parliamentary authori - his life, he draws his side arm and ties who had opposed a Police fires ‘a warning shot’. That shot Committee in the first place saw imbeds in a teenage boy’s chest. A of Scots law requirement for corrob - before significantly bolstering the no need for political oversight. No night of chaos ensues. orative evidence, dispensed with in number of armed officers routinely Police Committee convened for Monday morning and the in - 2015. He told Parliament this was a patrolling our streets. the fifth parliamentary session. evitable press enquiry is ‘how decision of a now retired Chief Con - The signs had been there but few The police take delivery of a could this happen?’ stable, taken in the final month of listened. That same MSP had raised fleet of armoured vehicles and In the late spring of 2014, com - the old Northern Constabulary. issues about the single service using water cannon next week. The fu - plaints were received by a High - Sceptical that the retired chief ‘riot vans’ in the Highlands. He was neral of the young man killed was lands and Islands MSP about constable would wish his bequest told the van had been there all an emotional affair with significant changed procedures for Armed to the Highlands and Islands to be along. It had but it didn’t have the public disorder thereafter, an early Response Vehicle Officers. At that deployment of armed officers, the big metal windscreen shield which test for the new full-time riot squad time there were only two officers, MSP eventually secured a meeting was fitted after amalgamation. now based in the Highlands. or was it four? The MSP took the with the pleasant Assist Chief Con - Community relations were further Everyone now agrees the police matter straight to the press and a stable responsible who’d failed to eroded when the ‘fight against or - need protecting. Perhaps just as debate of sorts started. respond to a detailed series of writ - ganised crime’ hit landward Scot - well those guns were issued with - ten questions he’d posed. land. The public had been told out anyone being asked way Closed ranks In keeping with his view that criminal gangs were trying to infil - backed in 2013. The Cabinet Sec - The establishment closed ranks this was a major constitutional trate police ranks. A firm line was retary for Justice is due to report to behind the decision, taken without issue, the MSP had invited all to be taken on any business operat - Chief Constable next week. reference to the public or their Highlands and Islands parliamen - ing as a front for the Mr Bigs. He will visit the new suite of of - elected representatives, which saw tary colleagues to this meeting. The centrally-based squad fices built on the ground kindly do - ‘standing authorisation’ given to They accepted, police made deci - started ‘going in hard’ on licensed nated by the property developer those few officer to wear a side- sions based of the assessed risk to premises and taxi operators. Com - ‘with close links to the police’. arm at all times even attending themselves and the public whilst mentators recognised that this That’s how it all happened. road accidents, domestic incidents the police accepted that they and monitoring crowds leaving li - should assess the impact of their censed premises. decisions on the public. “Yes, they’re armed and have The MSPs were assured all as - Fill in this formJ and osend iit tno: Sc ottishh Sociealist P aSrty, SuSite 37P 0, been for some time,” the police ca - sessments had been undertaken. 4th Floor, Central Chambers, 93 Hope St, Glasgow G2 6LD. Or phone: sually advised an astonished public. The police said they were “highly 07810205747. Or join the SSP online: scottishsocialistparty.org/join-us That MSP sought unsuccessfully sensitive documents” not for public g to raise the matter in the parliament consumption. The MSP felt great I would like to join the Scottish Socialist Party g with the First Minister. The follow - frustration with this ‘catch 22’. I would like more info on the Scottish Socialist Party ing week he raised the matter in the Self-determined confidentiality Name...... Chamber with the Cabinet Secretary meant there was no public scrutiny Address...... for Justice. The Cabinet Secretary of the factors giving rise to that ...... was a former firebrand left wing changed policy. As predicted, a Phone...... lawyer. He had opposed a single po - now less benevolent police regime Email...... lice service and was a stout defender saw no reason for any consultation

issue 439 • Scottish Socialist Voice • 11 CAMPAIGN NEWS SSP national workplace organiser Richie Venton spoke to two of the SSP members who attended the ‘There were more Yes badges recent PCS annual conference in Brighton. in Brighton than in Glasgow ... ’ sides and publicising centrepiece of conference – We sold record numbers of the What were the main two or answers to all members in involved three different Voice, and were very warmly three issues debated at Scotland.” approaches: continued received both when speaking conference? Gerry: “The indy debate discussions with Unite with no in debates and selling.” Gerry: “The main three agreed a motion to inform caveats; continued John: “We’ve picked up new issues in my view were members ahead of the vote, discussions with caveats (on members, been prominent in industrial action strategy, and also to hold events across political fund, structures and debates and visible both inside independence and the merger Scotland. Most contributions frequency of elections); and and outside of the conference with Unite.” were again pro-independence.” binning the talks completely. centre all week. There were John: “Unite merger, “The first option – the NEC’s also more Yes badges in and What was the nature and preferred method – was voted Brighton than I see in the national campaign.” significance of the debate down in favour of the second Glasgow! YesPCS – with key on merging with UNITE? option (supported by the SWP input from SSP members – What came out during the Gerry: “Conference rejected and others who clearly believe held a very successful referendum debate? a Motion allowing the NEC to that the caveats will put paid to unofficial fringe event. John: “The vast majority of enter talks about a merger the merger in all but name).” “Despite the official fringes comrades speaking in the with UNITE without – on independence with the debate were Yes supporters. preconditions. Instead a How did the SSP impact at Scottish Sec – and Tax “The motion to support a motion was carried setting PCS conference? Justice with Richard Murphy – strategy of ‘PCS informs, you preconditions before talks can Gerry: “The SSP enjoyed a taking place in the conference decide’ was almost take place. UNITE’s link to very successful conference. centre, heavily promoted with unanimously carried. Labour was a big problem for SSP members spoke in most official PCS coloured flyers We will now be meeting to the conference, so were less of the debates. I spoke on food and laying on food, we had agree a plan on how to frequent elections and banks, welfare reform and more attending our unofficial execute this – involving conferences, that are part of industrial action strategy, John event and have picked up hustings events, asking the Unite rule book.” Jamieson and John Davidson new activists keen to get questions in writing of both John: “The debate – the both spoke in the indy debate. involved in the campaign.”

ence campaign appeal fund has a target of £50,000 and though still in its infancy, has received dona - Donate to SSP indy appeal tions from every corner of Scot - by Jim McVicar, SSP The pro-independence cam - SSP campaign material. The SSP, land and although £50,000 is a National Treasurer paign have been out on the unlike the Tory and Labour joint- massive amount of money for the streets throughout Scotland, with unionist campaign, have no SSP to raise, I am confident that THE SCOTTISH Socialist street stalls, public activity, pub - friends in big business to we will achieve our target with Party has registered with the lic meetings and door to door bankroll our campaign. your continuing support. Electoral Commission as a Yes canvassing and whether as part We rely solely on the money That’s why I’m appealing to you campaigner for the independence of Yes Scotland, RIC or working we raise from our members, through the pages of the Scottish referendum in September. independently as the SSP we friends and supporters to finance Socialist Voice to make a pledge or The SSP, since it was formed, have received a positive response our campaign, and every penny donation to the independence ap - has supported Scottish independ - to our campaign work and can - we receive to help promote our peal fund today. ence and has campaigned within vassing and have received re - socialist vision of Scotland is See below for details of how to the pro-independence movement quests from all over Scotland for much appreciated. Our independ - donate. Thanks for your support. for an independent socialist Scot - land as a way of lifting working HOW TO PLEDGE AND DONATE MONEY people out of the misery that pro- • Donate via your local SSP branch • Paypal: [email protected] market governments have brought • Send a cheque to ‘SSP Independence Appeal If you want to help with the appeal fund, or if to all our lives. Fund’ and return to Jim McVicar, SSP National you need any more details, contact Jim McVicar In an independent Scotland, Treasurer, Suite 307, 93 Hope St, Glasgow G2 6LD on 07810205747 or email: working class people will be better • Text 07810205747 with your pledge amount and [email protected] off and Westminster-led Tory gov - email address if you have one • Bank transfer: SSP Appeal Fund Account, Co-op However you choose to pledge, please text Jim ernments in Scotland will be con - Bank, Sort Code 08-92-99 / Account No. 65094637 the details so we can keep track of all donations. signed to the dustbin of history.

12 • Scottish Socialist Voice • issue 439 CAMPAIGN NEWS Positive reaction in Kirkintilloch by Angus Clark

IN KIRKINTILLOCH, close to 80 people packed into the Miners Welfare for the SSP’s public meeting on the socialist case for independence on 30 April. Speakers Jim Sillars and Colin Fox were given a fantastic reception as they outlined their vision. They advanced their view that this was a historic chance to elect a government of the left which would pursue policies which would benefit working people such as a living wage, abolition of the Bedroom Tax, investment in public serv - ices, repeal of anti-trade union laws and the removal of Trident. Colin made the point that the SSP regards this as only the start, a means to an end, with a Yes vote eventually opening the door to a socialist government with the powers and political will to tackle poverty and inequality with far reaching redistri - bution of wealth and power: “As a socialist, my view is that our most precious asset, worth more than the oil revenue and all the whisky, is the people of Scotland who are capable of running this country and making a success of it. The stakes are enormous and the consequences are enormous. This isn’t just FRESHER IDEAS : Hollie Cameron and Andrew Kinnell of Stirling Uni’s SSP Society a vote for independence but it is a vote to reject neoliberalism and warmongering. These things have held Scotland back and should not be part of a future Scotland. It’s about creating a new Scotland based on fairness, social justice and social democracy. The British establishment don’t want Scotland to Flying the flag in Stirling be independent because they gain financially from Scotland.” by Hugh Cullen public meeting hosted by the society for students to hear and question the Worst recession in 80 years STIRLING HAS a long tradition of socialist case for independence while He continued that a Yes vote and the eventual election of a left wing politics dating back to the throughout the term we also ran a left government would lead to improved working conditions famous heckling of the Queen in campaign collecting food for the local and employee rights, which have been constantly under attack 1972 on a visit to the newly built food bank and showing the damaging over the last three decades by both Labour and Tories: “We are university. Indeed, former Labour MP effect of austerity in our own city. going through the worst recession in 80 years. A million people for Stirlingshire Dennis Canavan, We also have a close relationship are now on zero hours contracts without any security or trade speaking at a Yes event for students with comrades in the Edinburgh union rights or hope of permanent employment. The working at the university last September, University SSP Society and the class people in Scotland are held back on employment rights, remembered the political spectrum of local Stirling Branch with members held back on pensions and held back by another ten years of students at Stirling in the eighties to invited to attend each other’s austerity. We are rejecting that by voting for independence.” have ‘Labour on the right and the meetings and events. Some society Jim Sillars reflected the mood within the audience when he Communist Party in the centre’. members have even adopted said: “What we can take from this public meeting is that there Now it is our turn to fly the flag for leading roles in the branch and run is now a sense of self-confidence within ordinary Scottish socialism at Stirling. city centre stalls on top of our on working people and that we no longer need to feel inadequate This semester was the first for the campus activities. about what we can achieve. One of the great tragedies of the university’s new Scottish Socialist The SSP society works closely with Scottish working class is that we’ve believed what they told Party Society, and what a the Yes Scotland Students society us, we’ve believed that we were inadequate. successful term it has been! We and other pro-Yes groups to ensure “We have been caught in a great prison of the myth of our have quickly grown to be the largest that the socialist case for a yes vote own inadequacies. We need to convince the Scottish working and most active political party on is heard. We also have a strong class of their talent and their ability. This referendum is funda - campus because of the tremendous relationship with the Forthvalley mentally about the liberation of the Scottish working class.” response we have had at weekly Palestine Solidarity Campaign with There were a broad range of questions from the audience stalls and meetings campaigning for events planned for next semester. on a number of issues. Many signed up for info on joining SSP an Independent socialist Scotland. We’re looking forward to building Campsie branch. Most of the people attending had never been Sandra Webster, Jonathon Shafi on a good start and continuing to to a political meeting before, and with massive attendances at from Radical Independence, Green welcome new members next other recent SSP meetings in Ayrshire, Govan and Pennilee it Party activist Zara Kitson and John semester with our positive vision of shows that more and more ordinary people are becoming more McAllion spoke at a well-attended a fairer Scotland. engaged with the campaign as it progresses.

issue 439 • Scottish Socialist Voice • 13 INTERNATIONAL by Dr Serjinder Singh, General Secretary, Indian Workers Association, Glasgow India at the croscsandidrateso in Aamericad, focus s was INDIA’S SIXTEENTH parlia - on Modi as a person. mentary elections were held over a In reality, we find the expansion period of over a month recently of Indian corporate sector becom - and results came out on 16 May. ing larger and changing its earlier This was a mammoth operation behind the scenes support to its carried out by the Election Com - traditional political arm in the In - mission of India and the world’s dian National Congress, or Con - largest democratic exercise to elect gress Party. This time it opted for 543 members of parliament. supporting Modi of the right wing Over 800 million people were Hindu nationalist part. The Con - eligible to vote, the number having gress Party lost miserably, win - increased by 100 million since the ning only 44 seats. previous election in 2009. Bhartya Modi has a terrible record of Janta Party (BJP), a right wing presiding over communal riots in Hindu nationalist party got an 2002 when over a thousand Mus - overall majority winning 282 seats. lims were killed or burnt alive by Although constitutionally elec - Hindu mobs in the state capital tions in India are designed on Ahmedabad where he was the rul - British pattern, this party carried ing Chief Minister. out its campaign in the American NEW PM: Narendra Modi (left) greets his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz His ministers had led the presidential style for the first time. Sharif after Modi took the oath of office at the presidential palace Hindu fanatic crowds to the Mus - The Indian National Congress lim areas. As a result of this mas - Party, the party of Gandhi, had try (FICCI) was the leading organ - of support by these business sacre US authorities had refused ruled India off and on for 50 years. isation of Indian big business. groups and it declared during last him a visa. This ban is now pro - It is the first time that another sin - However, some newcomers year to put up Mr Modi as a posed to be removed. gle party BJP has won a majority. after their latest growth began to Prime Ministerial candidate. Technically the Indian constitu - feel frustrated and split off from the Constitutionally, the parlia - tion declares that the Indian state is Big business main body. Such corporate groups mentary election system in India a Socialist, Democratic, Secular Politically, for half a century, In - were in Delhi and Gujarat state. is almost identical with that in the Republic. However, the develop - dian National Congress or ‘Con - The Congress party had been UK except for the fact that Presi - ments during and prior to this elec - gress’ in brief, has been the pocket the political front of the traditional dent of India plays same role as tion do not auger well for the borough of Indian big business. FICCI group led by Tata and other the UK Queen. immediate future. The Indian economy had re - traditional houses. As in the UK, a party is not re - mained closed to foreign in - The disgruntled corporate quired to declare its prime minis - New realities vestors. A few business houses houses such as Ambani found a terial candidate in advance; it has Indian society, too diverse and such as that of Tata (who now own favourable ruler Mr Narendra to be elected in the parliament with huge economic disparities is Jaguar in UK and Corus Steel in Modi belonging to Hindu Nation - house after election. in for huge shocks and may find it Europe) and other smaller compa - alist party during the first decade of However, on advice and covert difficult to adjust to the new polit - nies exploited the vast Indian mar - this century in the state of Gujarat. financial support from big busi - ical and economic realities. ket for decades. If any foreign Mr Modi as the Chief Minister ness an American Presidential The left in India is almost non- company was allowed in India, it provided all the facilities such as style campaign was planned and existent except for a few pockets in had to come as a junior partner land and licenses to lucrative sec - executed for Mr Modi. West Bengal, Kerala, and Tripura. with an Indian company. Under tors of the economy such as power Mr Modi in his speeches These too are rapidly shrinking. pressure from rise of China during generation to this disgruntled openly declared to help big busi - Amm Aadmi Party (common the late ’80s, the ruling Congress group. Ultimately, Tata group also ness in India in the name of man party) a new outfit suddenly party began liberalising the Indian joined in to set up a car project in ‘growth’ and ‘jobs’. appeared last year representing economy in the early ’90s. Modi’s Gujarat state with all the fa - Although there is a legal limit on the disappointment of the poor This helped existing Indian cilities including cheap land. the amount of money a candidate and middle classes at the exis - companies to grow and expand The Ambani and a few others can spend in election a lot of re - tence of huge corruption at all lev - rapidly. The Indian corporate sec - belonging to Gujarat state in co - sources such as helicopters, media els of government. However, in tor became too big to stay together ordination with those in Delhi control (Ambani house partly the face of corporate support to under the leadership of traditional supported Mr Modi and his BJP owns several dozen TV channels BJP it could not face the on - houses such as Tata and others. party financially and politically. in India) were put at the service of slaught. India, with its economic Earlier, the Federation of Indian This party apparently was Modi. Rather than focusing on BJP growth and evil designs of corpo - Chamber of Commerce and Indus - prompted and promised all kind party as such, like the presidential rate sector, is at the crossroads.

14 • Scottish Socialist Voice • issue 439 INTERNATIONAL After spending much of came after near-identical revo - May in Russia, Thomas lutions ousted anti-Nato lead - Ball gives his view of ers of Yugoslavia (2000) and current events Georgia (2003). In the next (2010) election, I ARRIVED in Russia the day Yanukovych bounced back, before Victory Day, a celebra - defeating Yulia Tymoschenko tion of the hard-won Soviet vic - by four points. After he rebuffed tory over fascism. On every EU’s advances, he was ousted lapel is the black and amber St in another coup d’état. This George’s ribbon, Russia’s vic - time, the coup was dominated tory symbol. For the USSR, by the fascist Right Sector, victory in the war came at an which joined the government – awful price – 27 million died, BNP, Golden Dawn-style fas - and many cities in western cists in a government in a Eu - Russia were destroyed. ropean capital. The Great Patriotic War was Neither Moscow nor Ukraini - an existential war, the second ans were prepared to accept time in 130 years Russia faced another perverting of democ - invasion from the west. This racy by western powers. Rus - has been embedded in the sophone regions in Ukraine Russian psyche since, with the UKRAINE : does democracy only prevail when it suits the United States? have declared independence. Soviet anthem containing the The fascist junta in Kiev retali - lines: “We fought for the future, ated by sending helicopter destroyed the invader, and gunships and tanks into these brought to our homeland the cities. Nato, audible in its indig - laurels of fame. Our glory will nation when Yanukovych sent live in the memory of nations, Ukraine and riot police into the Maidan, is and all generations will honour conspicuous by silence when thy name.” the junta leader, Yatsenyuk, As a result of its fear of west - sends soldiers to kill civilians. ern threat, the policy of Russia the perversion since 1812 has been to main - Washington tain a buffer between Russia Russia respects Ukraine’s and the west. It is through this independence. But twice in the prism that one must look at Boandefra . Tdhe OeUN comnsideredothcey worulda respecct ney utrality of last decade the Ukrainian peo - events in Ukraine to under - Ukraine’s enemies to be Poles, former satellites and republics. ple have chosen a pro-Moscow stand Russia’s actions. Russians and Jews, and per - This was breached by the president, only to have him re - petrated pogroms supported west. In 1999, former satellites moved at gunpoint, with the re - Borderland by Nazi troops. One of the Nazi Czech Republic, Hungary and sult that the fascists who turned Ukrayina means “border - government’s early decisions Poland joined Nato. In 2004, so much of Russia into rubble land”, and in 1922, after a se - was to release Bandera from Nato engulfed the Baltic re - are now in government and on ries of upheavals and wars, the prison. The OUN received 2.5 publics and Bulgaria, Romania Russia’s borders. What, Rus - Ukrainian Socialist Soviet Re - million Reichmarks (and arms and Slovakia. sians and Ukrainians alike ask, public became a founding and equipment) from Berlin to In Russia, the price of peace - is the point of Ukrainian member of the USSR. finance its operations, with the ful withdrawal from eastern Eu - democracy if it is to prevail only Ukraine did not distinguish Gestapo and Abwehr protect - rope is viewed as Nato when it suits Washington? herself with anti-fascist resist - ing Bandera and his followers. domination of the region. And as for the commitment ance characteristic much of the To the disappointment of The last straw for Russia in 1991 to respect the neutrality rest of the USSR. Whilst Kiev – Bandera and 100,000 Ukraini - was Ukraine. In the first round of former Soviet republics and later awarded Hero City sta - ans who fought for fascism, the of the 2004 election neither satellites? tus – fought bravely, the USSR crushed Germany. To Viktor Yuschenko nor Viktor There are now Nato troops in Ukrainian nationalist move - ensure that the west would not Yanukovych won. A run-off was every country bordering Russia ment created the Ukrainian In - be able to launch attacks on won by Yanukovych, who was to the west with the exceptions surgent Army, allied with Russia, it established satellite immediately ousted in a coup, of Finland and Ukraine. If I was Germany and guilty of system - states between Russia and the the “Orange Revolution”, in a Finn, and I didn’t want Nato atic massacres of ethnic Poles. west. When the USSR dis - favour of his pro-western rival. troops in my country, I’d be Simultaneously, the Organi - solved in 1991, a major reason Yuschenko’s first decree was hoping very hard that the pro- sation of Ukrainian Nationalists it did not descend into civil war to posthumously invest Ban - Moscow elements in eastern (OUN) emerged, led by Stepan was western assurance that dera as Hero of Ukraine. This Ukraine prevail.

issue 439 • Scottish Socialist Voice • 15 for Socialism, Independence email: [email protected] and Internationalism Follow @ssv_voice on Twitter 30th May –12th June 2014 Issue 439 by Jonathon Shafi, Radical Independence Campaign

THE DISCUSSION carried out via the BBC and the right A Yes vote has never wing press has provided Nigel Farage with an unprecedented platform. On the run up to the election, it was constant. been so neceswhsere ina the wrorld.y As a result Question Time appearances, of decades of neoliberalism, Newsnights, televised de - alienation and corporate dom - bates, radio interviews. You inance, so may voters feel name it, he was on it. alienated from formal politics. Without doubt, the BBC When it comes to the Euro - made an editorial decision to pean Parliament, that is fur - transmit the immigration debate ther heightened. through the lens of UKIP. Despite these worrisome This is what you might de - times, there is reason to be scribe as BBC ‘common sense’. confident of progressive It partly comes from BBC politi - change. In amongst the auster - cal editor Nick Robinson, who ity driven crisis of living stan - made his views clear in January dards, the development of this year, when he criticised the blame culture and the slow handling of immigration dis - decay of the Westminster es - course on the BBC. “They tablishment, there is a road feared having a conversation map for progress in Scotland. about immigration, they feared That is why we have to get our the consequence,” he claimed. message out to thousands of working class scots in commu - Context shunned nities that have been left be - And so UKIP is now to the hind. We have had hundreds of BBC the pinnacle of the debate activists carry out mass can - on immigration. Farage was vasses, delivering a message made the pivot around which that ties a Yes vote with socio- we might talk about immigra - economic progress. But also tion. The wider context was an establishment whose failure amassed in private bank ac - saying to people that their vote shunned and separated out has led to decline. But failure by counts. In truth it is probable really does count in September. from the ‘rise of Farage’. the political class, and sections that even this list of the super That context is one of contin - of the media, to point this out rich is not representative of an Mass canvas uing economic crisis and rising has normalised a culture of even higher rung of the mega On June 22 we will be carry - inequality. The cycle of poverty blame, on everyone but the wealthy. ing out the first national day of is not ending or abating, it is in - system itself. The Queen has seen her mass canvassing. We want tensifying. The gap between That lets the rich and power - wealth rise to £330million after thousands to come out that rich and poor is not closing, it is ful continue to concentrate their putting on an extra £10million in day, to argue for a Yes vote, to widening to historic proportions. wealth and power. The inequal - the last year alone. Of course listen to the peoples concerns, In these conditions, the far ity we face now is breathtaking. the wealth of the royal family is and to re-establish that culture right can capitalise. They offer The combined wealth of the far higher – this is only what is of solidarity that focuses the up a scapegoat for the living listed 1000 individuals now publicly available to report. blame where it really should lie: conditions of the majority. The stands at £518.975billion. Joining the British elite are the big banks and the Tory gov - Tories have been doing this That’s risen by 15.4 per cent in 104 billionaires who in combi - ernment. throughout their austerity just one year. nation muster a total of Our message of determined agenda. The claim that UKIP That’s a huge rise in such a £301billion. The number of bil - hope is much more powerful represent an anti-establishment timescale. Remember, this list lionaires choosing London as than the toxic politics of UKIP. force should be immediately re - is composed of publicly identifi - their playground stands at 72, Door by door we will win that ar - pudiated. able wealth, and does not in - the highest number of billion - gument. A Yes vote has never In truth, their politics buttress clude analysis of the wealth aires to inhabit any city, any - been so necessary.