Scottish Left Review Issue 86 April/May 2015 - £2.00

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MANAGERS SHEDDING CROCODILE TEARS WON’T WASH Managers shedding crocodile tears now for their part in blacklisting 3,213 workers won’t wash, neither will the Nuremberg Defence of “just following superior orders” says GMB.

These are the managers who organised the construction industry blacklist: they have yet t o apologise for the damage they caused • Michael Aird– Bal four • Roy Hay – Tarmac, Solihul Kilpatrick, Glasgow l • Danny O’Sullivan – Kier Group, • David Hillman– Si B • Kathy Alma r Robert edfordshire nsoor– Kier Group, McAlpine, Birmingh Bedfordshire am • Sandy Palmer – Carillion/ • Keith H • D orner– Ballast, Crown House, Wolverhampton ave Aspinall– Carillion/ Wiltshire Crown House, • Harry Pooley– Rosser & Wolverhampton • Diann • e Hughes– Tarmac/ Russell, Watford Alan Audley– Vinci, Watford Crown H ouse, Solihull • Derek Price– M • John Ball– Carillion/ Crown organ Ashurst, • Geoff Hughes– Costain, Stratford upon Avon House, Wolverhampton Berk shire • Stephen Qu • Ron Barron– CB & I, Ken ant– Skanska, t • Greg Ingleton– Emcor, Hertfordshire • Valerie B ennison– Whessoe, Twickenham • Darlington Paul Raby – Balfour Kilpatrick, • Prue Jackson– Haden Young, Glasgow • Ernie Boswe ll – Kier Group, Watford • Mu Bedfordshire rray Reid – NG Bailey, West • Vince James – Balfour Beatty Yorkshire • Richard Bull – HBG Scottis h & Southern, • Roger Robinso Construction (BAM), Lond Hamps n– Carillion/ on hire Crown House, W • Iain Coate olverhampton s– Emcor, • Armar Johnston– Balfour • S Twickenham ylvia Smith – Laing O’Rourke, Kilpatrick, Livingstone Kent • David Cochrane – S • Li ir Robert z Keates– Carillion/ Crown • Trevor Sp McAlpine, Hertford Ho ice – Costain, shire use, Wolverhampton Berkshire • Ann Cowrie–Balfour Beatty • Sheila Knig ht– Emcor, • Lisa Stevenson – S Civil Engineering, Edinburgh Twickenham hepherd Engineering Services, York • Tony Crowther– AMEC, • Ian Le ake– Taylor Woodrow, • John Stoddar Cheshire Watford t – SIAS Building Services, Keighley • John Dangerfield– Ba • Tim L lfour lewellyn– Walter • Alan Swift – Beatty Scottish & South Llewe Crown House ern, llyn & Sons Ltd, East Technologies Hampshire Sussex , Manchester • Pa • Lynn Day – Cl t Swift – BAM Nuttall, eveland Bridge • Alf Lucas – Mowlem Gui UK, Darlington ldford • Bridget May– Nuttall, Surrey • Al • John Dickins an Thorniley– Vinci, Watford on – Skanska, • Cullum McAlpine– Si Hertfordshire r Robert • Brian Tock– Carillion/ Crown McAlpine, Hertfordshire H • Frank Dugga ouse, Solihull n – Carillion/ • Paul McCreath– HBG Crown House, Wolve • Ken Ward – Costain, Berkshire rhampton Construction (BAM), London • John E • Trevor Watchman – B dwards– Carillion/ • Steve McGuire alfour Crown H – Morgan Est Beatty Major Projects ouse, Wolverhampton plc, Warrington , Surrey • Kevin Gorman– • Steve Wigmore– Crown Hous Carillion/ • John Morrison– Morri e Crown House, So son Technologies, Solihull lihull Construction, Edinburg • h • Allison Wilkins Elaine Gallagher– Balfour • Arnold – Skanska, K Nestler – AMEC, Hertfordshire ilpatrick, Glasgow Cheshire • Gerry • Carolyn Williams – H JOIN GMB ONLINE AT Harvey – Balfour • Lisa O’Mahon aden Kilpatr ey– Laing Young, Watford ick, Glasgow O’Rourke, Kent WWW.GMB.ORG.UK/JOIN 2 Ad crocodile-tears 031114.qxp_Layout 1 03/11/2014 15:55 Page 1

MANAGERS SHEDDING Comment – Midway Point CROCODILE TEARS In Scotland, we are now approaching May 7 this year and the final point is the guide this evolution and how relations will the halfway mark in a journey that will election of the new Scottish Parliament on develop with England, Wales and Northern WON’T WASH determine its political settlement for some 5 May 2016. Ireland. years to come. The starting point was the After 5 May 2016, we will be in a reasonable It will be evolution and not revolution not referendum on 18 September 2014, the place to judge how society and politics least because the left in Scotland – inside Managers shedding crocodile tears midway point is the general election on in Scotland will evolve, what values will and outside of Labour and the SNP – has much ground to make up just to get back now for their part in blacklisting to where it used to be – and that was not a 3,213 workers won’t wash, Scottish Left Review position of commanding authority. This, of Issue 86 April/May 2015 course, would be an advance but it will still neither will the Nuremberg leave the left in a pretty lamentable state if Contents it wants to be a contender. Lowering our Defence of “just following Comment ...... 2 short-term expectations (but not long-term aspirations) will be important as we set Vote left - vote Labour Kenny Selbie ...... 4 superior orders” says GMB. out on another journey of many miles by Ending Tweedledee and Tweedledum Tommy Sheppard ...... 6 taking just a few small steps forward. Adding red to the green Patrick Harvie ...... 7 That said, one thing seems very much Aiming to be Scotland’s socialist party Sandra Webster ...... 11 more certain. This is that the mainstream These are Laying down a socialist challenge Brian Smith ...... 12 parties of Labour, Conservatives and the managers who organised the construc tion industry No More Guy Fawkes: Scottish politics after 7 May Peter Lomas ...... 12 Liberal Democrats will continue to be blacklist: they have yet to apologise for the damage they caused Working towards economic progress for women beholden to neo-liberal ideology no matter • Michael Aird– Bal four • Roy Hay – Tarmac, Solihul Angela O’Hagan and Morag Gillespie ...... 14 what the voters say on May 7. Political Kilpatrick, Glasgow l • Danny O’Sullivan – Kier Group, • David Hillman– Sir R Bed disillusionment with them will continue • Kathy Almans obert fordshire A tale of two countries? Malcolm Harvey ...... 15 oor– Kier Group, McAlpine, Birmingham apace but this will still mean millions will Bedfordshire • Sandy Palmer – Carillion/ Responsibilities lead to progress Terri Smith ...... 16 • Keith H • D orner– Ballast, Crown House, Wolverhampton vote for them. The main beneficiaries of the ave Aspinall– Carillion/ Wiltshire Righting a collective wrong Grahame Smith ...... 17 Crown House, • Harry Pooley– Rosser & political disillusionment with these three Wolverhampton • Diann • e Hughes– Tarmac/ Russell, Watford Willing to work together? Jim Mather ...... 18 parties will be the likes of the SNP and Alan Audley– Vinci, Watford Crown H ouse, Solihull • Derek Price– M Failed austerity gives opportunity for new industrial relations UKIP. Sooner or later, the hopes placed in • John Ball– Carillion/ Crown organ Ashurst, • Geoff Hughes– Costain, Stratford upon Avon House, Wolverhampton Berk Steve Turner ...... 20 them will be disavowed as their ideologies shire • Stephen Qu • Ron Barron– CB & I, Ken ant– Skanska, Solidarity to defeat government union-busting Lynn Henderson ...... 21 are but mere variants of neo-liberalism. t • Greg Ingleton– Emcor, Hertfordshire • Valerie B ennison– Whessoe, Twickenham • In Euro Veritas Patrick Maguire ...... 22 Darlington Paul Raby – Balfour Kilpatrick, Will there be a • Prue Jackson– Haden Young, Glasgow • Ernie Boswe Fight against Walmart goes global Andrew Brady ...... 25 ll – Kier Group, Watford • Mu Bedfordshire rray Reid – NG Bailey, West Can the tide be STEMmed? Linda Somerville ...... 26 revolt within the • Vince James – Balfour Beatty Yorkshire • Richard Bull – HBG Scottis Red Alert – mayday, mayday, mayday! Chris Bartter ...... 27 h & Southern, • Roger Robinso Construction (BAM), Lond Hamps n– Carillion/ SNP against this on hire Crown House, W The Charlie Hebdo massacre David Fowler ...... 28 • Iain Coate olverhampton s– Emcor, • Armar Johnston– Balfour • S Twickenham ylvia Smith – Laing O’Rourke, Book reviews ...... 29 social liberalism Kilpatrick, Livingstone Kent • David Cochrane – S • Li Vladimir McTavish’s Kick up the Tabloids ...... 30 In the case of the SNP, it’s called social ir Robert z Keates– Carillion/ Crown • Trevor Sp McAlpine, Hertford Ho ice – Costain, shire use, Wolverhampton Berkshire Cover and illustrations: Nadia Lucchesi ([email protected]) liberalism. The essence of social liberalism • Ann Cowrie–Balfour Beatty • Sheila Knig ht– Emcor, • Lisa Stevenson – S Proofing services: Bob Thomson and John Daly is to grow the capitalist economy so that Civil Engineering, Edinburgh Twickenham hepherd Engineering Services, York Communications and organisational development: Carole Ewart it can provide more employment and more • Tony Crowther– AMEC, • Ian Le ake– Taylor Woodrow, • John Stoddar Trade union development officer: David Brockett tax receipts in order that living standards Cheshire Watford t – SIAS Building Services, Keighley Editor Email: [email protected] can be improved directly (through more in • John Dangerfield– Ba • Tim L lfour lewellyn– Walter • Alan Swift – Beatty Scottish & South Llewe Crown House Web: www.scottishleftreview.org work) and indirectly (through the welfare ern, llyn & Sons Ltd, East Technologies Hampshire Sussex , Manchester state). The obvious problems faced here are • Pat Sw Tel: 0141 424 0042 • Lynn Day – Cleve • ift – BAM Nuttall, weak economic growth for the moment land Bridge Alf Lucas – Mowlem Guildfo UK, Darlington rd Address: Scottish Left Review, and for the foreseeable future, continuing • Bridget May– Nuttall, Surrey • Al • John Dickins an Thorniley– Vinci, Watford on – Skanska, • Cullum McAlpine– Si 741 Shields Road, government austerity and the power of Hertfordshire r Robert • Brian Tock– Carillion/ Crown McAlpine, Hertfordshire H capital to make governments bend to their • Frank Dugga ouse, Solihull Pollokshields, Glasgow G41 4PL n – Carillion/ • Paul McCreath– HBG will. Nicola Sturgeon’s change of SNP Crown House, Wolve • Ken Ward – Costain, Berkshire rhampton Construction (BAM), London policy on cutting corporation tax – from • John Edwards– Cari • Trevor Watchman – Balfour Editorial Moira Craig Gordon Morgan llion/ • Steve McGuire – Morgan Est being blanket to be being more selective Crown House, Wolverhamp Beatty Major Projects, Surrey ton plc, Warrington Committee Gregor Gall Editor Tommy Sheppard and targeted – does not change this. • Kevin Gorman– • Steve Wigmore– Crown Hous Carillion/ • John Morrison– Morri e Malcolm Balfour Crown House, So son Technologies, Solihull Tommy Kane Stephen Smellie lihull Construction, Edinburg Moreover, there are growing concerns about • E h • Allison Wilkins Bill Bonnar laine Gallagher– Balfour • Arnold N – Skanska, Lilian Macer Bob Thomson the SNP government’s tendencies towards Ki estler – AMEC, Hertfordshire lpatrick, Glasgow Cheshire Cat Boyd David Miller Convener centralisation so that the democratic part • Gerry • Carolyn Williams – H JOIN GMB ONLINE AT Harvey – Balfour • Lisa O’Mahon aden of any alleged social democracy is also being Kilpatr ey– Laing Young, Watford ick, Glasgow O’Rourke, Kent WWW.GMB.ORG.UK/JOIN 2 3 called into question. It appears not only of Jim Murphy have become ever more pluralist without being too broad and too is managerialism taking over but internal noticeable. Of course, there is his credibility pluralist, and informative and provocative enhanced devolution is not on the cards problem in making them because of his yet always constructive. Differences will either. thoroughly Blairite past. But what is more be detected not only between the options Will there be a revolt within the SNP concerning is that sense of promising the offered but also compared to this editorial. against this social liberalism from those earth this side of 7 May with the prospect Free and independent thinking that arrives on the left that have recently joined? Will that the ruse of being in opposition allows at left conclusions is what we encourage the revolt be to leave and establish a new just about anything to be said – when, and hope we help achieve. left party; will it be to fight to change the of course, being in government means The other articles in this issue mainly SNP from within; or will it be to walk away he would then have to get ‘serious’. One concern the union movement in Scotland from politics altogether? There’s room for cannot imagine Jim Murphy standing up to given that the STUC meets for its annual all three but the critical factor will be which Miliband when the prospect of ministerial congress in late April – not long before the response is the major one. office hung in the balance. general election. It is very unlikely that Meanwhile, the debt deferment deal It is a measure of the poor quality of there will be a repeat of the attempt by the signed by Syriza has occasioned internal Scotland’s media that his pronouncements STUC general council to make a call for and external revolt. Within Syriza, 41% of are so very much taken at face value and union members to vote Labour for such has been the change in the tectonic plates its Central Committee opposed the deal reported as he wishes – see the hullabaloo of Scottish politics since 2007. Another while the Greek Communist Party (KKE) around his supposed ‘Clause 4’ moment indication of the changed political mood has mobilised against the deal. Whether with his insertion of the words ‘patriotic is the demand for industrial and economic the deal represents the buying of time or interest’ into the Scottish Labour democracy is being made more seriously a catastrophic setback remains to be seen. constitution. than for a long time because unions But what is clear is that if the radical left In the articles that follow concerning the understand - no matter which party is in was much stronger in Europe – especially general election, different appeals to the office - they need full rights and powers. in Germany – the terms Syriza has agreed constituency of left, radical and progressive Finally, in recognition of International to could have been much better. Die Linke views are made. The appeals are made not Women’s Day on 8 March, we have two is not an insignificant force now in German just by political parties (important though articles examining not just the challenges politics but only three of its MPs voted they are). With only 33% of 18-24 year women face but ways to resolve these. And, against supporting the terms of the deal olds voting in 2010, the argument Terri in our next issue (May/June 2015), we will Syriza chose – or was forced – to accept. Smith makes is very important. dissect the election outcome and analyse Turning back to Scotland, the populist and This is very much the role that the Scottish what it means for the left. opportunistic left-leaning pronouncements Left Review sees for itself – broad and Vote left - vote Labour Kenny Selbie argues Labour can make the difference that is needed

his article presents the case for the and as a public sector worker; our household in particular, is representative of and TLabour left and why it is important faced a freeze on wages at the same time as connected to the realities of life in our to vote for Labour, with a focus on policy a reduction in our eligibility for tax credits. communities. This in itself is a positive step and the current political circumstances Yet my family consider itself lucky. We are forward for Labour and for working class within which those policies are placed. It’s in work, can afford to get by and, unlike so influence. not about my candidacy or campaign. It many other families, do not have to rely on There is no doubt that for a variety of reasons, considers wider policy commitments from food banks or have to constantly face the ranging from the impact of the referendum Labour – but the selection decision by local choice of paying the heating bill or the pay to the way the Party is structured and how Labour members is a legitimate part of the day lender. it should be led, that the past year has been wider context I will address. Through my professional and political life, one of the most turbulent in the Scottish I come from a working class family, rooted I have witnessed first-hand the impact of Labour’s history. While the challenge faced in the working and cultural traditions Tory austerity on families on low wages is clear and present, I firmly believe that the of the mining communities of Fife. A or without work, the disproportionate current political climate offers us a once in grassroots activist for Labour all of my adult impact of cuts on women and people with a generation opportunity to re-engage with life, I have no background of privilege and disabilities – and as a local councillor, I our communities about the change we have had to work hard to get on. Like so have had the privilege, but also faced the want to see in Scotland, Britain, Europe many families across the country, we were significant challenge, of working to support and the world. substantially impacted upon by economic people through these times. The reawakening of citizenship and policy and circumstances of recent years. My selection as a parliamentary candidate political activism across Scotland over the The fallout of the run on Northern Rock is, I believe, a positive vote in favour of past eighteen months has been exciting and put our home into negative equity and left working class representation, highlighting positive for democracy. We must maintain us abandoned by mortgage providers. a broader sense within the wider labour that momentum and work hard to once The rising cost of living hit our household movement of a need to once again ensure again reignite the hope of change for a hard, with a fixed income, a young family that politics in general, but Labour better future through a progressive policy

4 called into question. It appears not only of Jim Murphy have become ever more pluralist without being too broad and too offer from both Labour and the wider Labour’s plan will offer protection to The election’s outcome will have far reaching is managerialism taking over but internal noticeable. Of course, there is his credibility pluralist, and informative and provocative labour movement. I am proud of and some of the most vulnerable individuals implications for devolution in Scotland. enhanced devolution is not on the cards problem in making them because of his yet always constructive. Differences will committed to maintaining the Labour- in our community. It’s plans to allow Labour is committed to implementing either. thoroughly Blairite past. But what is more be detected not only between the options union link. The unions were integral to a state-owned train operator to bid for the Smith Commission recommendations Will there be a revolt within the SNP concerning is that sense of promising the offered but also compared to this editorial. founding Labour and I believe firmly their rail operator franchises is an important in full which will enhance the powers of against this social liberalism from those earth this side of 7 May with the prospect Free and independent thinking that arrives role is as critical to Labour’s future as it has intervention in a key part of our transport the Scottish Parliament, bringing £3bn on the left that have recently joined? Will that the ruse of being in opposition allows at left conclusions is what we encourage been to its past. infrastructure which is vital to economic of welfare powers to Scotland for the first the revolt be to leave and establish a new just about anything to be said – when, and hope we help achieve. Labour’s existing policy framework and social development. time. left party; will it be to fight to change the of course, being in government means The other articles in this issue mainly for government provides a number of Further commitments to enable Scotland to SNP from within; or will it be to walk away he would then have to get ‘serious’. One concern the union movement in Scotland important levers to help enable this vision I have witnessed top up reserved welfare areas such as child from politics altogether? There’s room for cannot imagine Jim Murphy standing up to given that the STUC meets for its annual of a better future. The introduction of a first-hand the benefit and state pension, and devolving all three but the critical factor will be which Miliband when the prospect of ministerial congress in late April – not long before the lower ten pence starting rate of tax, the housing benefit will provide Scotland with response is the major one. office hung in the balance. general election. It is very unlikely that commitment to implement a mansion tax, impact of Tory additional tools and flexibility to promote a bankers bonus tax and re-introducing equality and social justice. It is important Meanwhile, the debt deferment deal It is a measure of the poor quality of there will be a repeat of the attempt by the the fifty pence top rate of tax will start also to recognise Labour’s commitment signed by Syriza has occasioned internal Scotland’s media that his pronouncements STUC general council to make a call for austerity on to bring about a clear progressive shift in to ‘double devolution’ ensuring local and external revolt. Within Syriza, 41% of are so very much taken at face value and union members to vote Labour for such has been the change in the tectonic plates the balance of economic power away from families on low government once again will have more levers its Central Committee opposed the deal reported as he wishes – see the hullabaloo of Scottish politics since 2007. Another private interests and super-rich individuals, of control and democracy at its disposal so while the Greek Communist Party (KKE) around his supposed ‘Clause 4’ moment indication of the changed political mood and towards the vast majority of people in wages or without that councils can take decisions at a local has mobilised against the deal. Whether with his insertion of the words ‘patriotic is the demand for industrial and economic our communities. level which suit local circumstances. the deal represents the buying of time or interest’ into the Scottish Labour democracy is being made more seriously work a catastrophic setback remains to be seen. constitution. The commitment made in Scotland As the party of working people, Labour than for a long time because unions to fund 1,000 new nursing posts for Labour will also scrap the bedroom tax and can and should go further in government. But what is clear is that if the radical left In the articles that follow concerning the understand - no matter which party is in Scotland’s NHS via the mansion tax is put a stop to any Tory moves to further After five years of austerity with dogmatic was much stronger in Europe – especially general election, different appeals to the office - they need full rights and powers. a clear example that we are serious about attack and demonise working people attacks on the welfare system, huge cuts in Germany – the terms Syriza has agreed constituency of left, radical and progressive Finally, in recognition of International pulling and sharing resources to where it who need time, help and support – not to public sector funding, and tax cuts to could have been much better. Die Linke views are made. The appeals are made not Women’s Day on 8 March, we have two is needed most and to focus on priorities benefit sanctions whether due to drug for the richest, it is our responsibility to is not an insignificant force now in German just by political parties (important though articles examining not just the challenges which will help to achieve social justice and and alcohol issues or obesity. By cutting do everything in our power to be on the politics but only three of its MPs voted they are). With only 33% of 18-24 year women face but ways to resolve these. And, investment in public services. back on tax relief for the highest pensions, side of the many not the few. Despite all against supporting the terms of the deal olds voting in 2010, the argument Terri in our next issue (May/June 2015), we will Labour’s commitment to an energy price Labour will fund a guaranteed youth job the Tory rhetoric, public sector debt has Syriza chose – or was forced – to accept. Smith makes is very important. dissect the election outcome and analyse cap holds firm as a key pledge despite scheme within which those who can work increased, economic and social inequality Turning back to Scotland, the populist and This is very much the role that the Scottish what it means for the left. the recent shift in wholesale energy prices will be offered support and opportunity. has risen to scandalous levels, and opportunistic left-leaning pronouncements Left Review sees for itself – broad and globally – the current savings for energy Ending of the brutal Tory sanctions regime executive pay has soared at an ever faster companies continue not to be passed to with the introduction of the youth job rate while the vast majority of workers consumers and yet we see scandalous rises guarantee will offer confidence that Labour have faced pay freezes and cuts. in profits and salaries within the biggest is committed to full employment while at Frequent warnings about failing to invest Vote left - vote Labour energy firms. the same time offering the right support in public services and infrastructure during and social security protection to those who the recession to stimulate economic growth Kenny Selbie argues Labour can make the difference that is needed need it. were not heeded, and we are now seeing While Labour can and should be bolder on the inevitable outcome of this approach – his article presents the case for the and as a public sector worker; our household in particular, is representative of and a minimum wage, the commitment to raise slower than anticipated economic recovery TLabour left and why it is important faced a freeze on wages at the same time as connected to the realities of life in our it to £8 per hour alongside the campaign in spite of, not because of, Government to vote for Labour, with a focus on policy a reduction in our eligibility for tax credits. communities. This in itself is a positive step for a Living Wage over the course of the economic strategy and an economy and the current political circumstances Yet my family consider itself lucky. We are forward for Labour and for working class next parliamentary term is positive. Plans which is balanced in favour of the elite within which those policies are placed. It’s in work, can afford to get by and, unlike so influence. to end exploitative zero hours contracts, minority, not the working majority. Britain not about my candidacy or campaign. It many other families, do not have to rely on There is no doubt that for a variety of reasons, support union backed proposals on health is a rich country. Labour must focus its considers wider policy commitments from food banks or have to constantly face the ranging from the impact of the referendum and safety, and scrap the Tory imposed efforts in government on harnessing and Labour – but the selection decision by local choice of paying the heating bill or the pay to the way the Party is structured and how fees on Employment Tribunals are further redistributing that wealth and power to Labour members is a legitimate part of the day lender. it should be led, that the past year has been important commitments to begin to create communities, and to protect and improve wider context I will address. Through my professional and political life, one of the most turbulent in the Scottish fairness again in the workplace. our vital public services. I come from a working class family, rooted I have witnessed first-hand the impact of Labour’s history. While the challenge faced Labour will implement a range of specific By tackling tax dodging, re-balancing tax in in the working and cultural traditions Tory austerity on families on low wages is clear and present, I firmly believe that the measures to deal with tax avoidance which favour of workers and investing in public of the mining communities of Fife. A or without work, the disproportionate current political climate offers us a once in will include a combination of legislative infrastructure to grow the economy, there grassroots activist for Labour all of my adult impact of cuts on women and people with a generation opportunity to re-engage with and process changes to bring about is a path out of the current depression of life, I have no background of privilege and disabilities – and as a local councillor, I our communities about the change we more rigorous enforcement and penalties austerity so we can create a fairer and more have had to work hard to get on. Like so have had the privilege, but also faced the want to see in Scotland, Britain, Europe for both businesses and individuals. equal society, offering hope and a vision of many families across the country, we were significant challenge, of working to support and the world. Revelations on the scale of tax dodging are positive change for working people. substantially impacted upon by economic people through these times. The reawakening of citizenship and shameful but unfortunately not surprising. Kenny Selbie is the Scottish Labour Party policy and circumstances of recent years. My selection as a parliamentary candidate political activism across Scotland over the Dealing effectively with tax avoidance candidate for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath. The fallout of the run on Northern Rock is, I believe, a positive vote in favour of past eighteen months has been exciting and and evasion is critical to creating a fairer He is an Equalities Policy Officer in local put our home into negative equity and left working class representation, highlighting positive for democracy. We must maintain country, given that the £34bn in unpaid government and a Labour councillor in us abandoned by mortgage providers. a broader sense within the wider labour that momentum and work hard to once tax could single handedly wipe out the Kirkcaldy. The rising cost of living hit our household movement of a need to once again ensure again reignite the hope of change for a Tories public plans for £30bn of further hard, with a fixed income, a young family that politics in general, but Labour better future through a progressive policy austerity cuts beyond 2015.

4 5 Ending Tweedledee and Tweedledum Tommy Sheppard calls for strategic socialist support for the SNP

abour might do okay in some wealthier deficits arise through not having enough Lareas of Scotland as it picks up some income as much as spending too much. who voted LibDem or Tory last time. But And service cuts lead to even less income its vote in working class areas is plummeting and often more spending in other areas. and amongst the definition of social classes In short, you cannot cut your way out of C2, D and E, it’s toast. The move is more a recession. than a swing – it’s a structural shift of The SNP proposes a real term increase in political allegiance. As a result supporting public spending of half a percent a year. Labour is fast becoming a pastime for the It doesn’t sound much but the effect over liberal middle classes. five years would be to deliver £180bn Why is this happening and is it a more than the published spending plans development socialists should welcome? of the Conservatives and about £80bn Views are changing as disenchantment with more than Labour. Not only would it the current political set-up combines with provide the things we as a society need, a realisation that they can do something but the spending will of itself generate to change it. This is what happens when growth leading to increased tax incomes. alienation and self-confidence collide. Of Keynesian thinking is alive and well at the course, just because political developments heart of SNP policy – and yet it has been all are supported by the working class doesn’t but extinguished in Labour. of itself make them a good thing. So let’s Second, the SNP retains a universalist look at whether this is a progressive force in approach to public services and welfare society – one likely to enhance tolerance, whereas the Tories and Labour regard fairness and equality. them to varying degree as safety nets to Let’s begin with what it is not. It is not mop up the worst effects of the market. I about identity. Jim Murphy and his ilk remember Tony Benn saying that public spraffing on about patriotism – whatever services are the way in which people can that is – misses many points. Sure, people buy collectively the things that they cannot will take pride in their country, but the Yes afford individually – so everyone gets to campaign in last year’s referendum wasn’t own a bit of a hospital, a school, a bus. about flags and anthems - it was about This underpins SNP thinking from school empowerment and opportunity. People meals, to tuition fees, to personal care for sensed the chance to take control of their the elderly. own lives and it tasted good. It’s been said Critics who argue that these polices before, but it’s so true - you cannot put that benefit the middle classes too and should energy back in the bottle. be restricted through means testing to That ambition is not assuaged by waving the poorest in society miss the point. Third, the SNP advance opens up the the saltire or singing Flower of Scotland. Socialism isn’t about unequal shares; it’s prospect of nuclear disarmament for the This is a deeper feeling, and Labour’s about people contributing according to first time in all of our lives. Cancellation failure to feel it, never mind understand it, their ability to pay. The wealthy should pay of the Trident replacement programme is why it is floundering now. The SNP itself more through higher taxation. But keeping and the switch of the three or four billion is still coming to terms with the legacy of services universal means everyone can see pounds a year it will cost to health and the referendum. You can’t quadruple your some benefit from their contributions. If education would be a momentous victory membership and not expect things to everyone gets something back support for for the left. change. The change is coming slowly but collective provision is higher. Residualizing This is not a pipe dream. In ahung already its character is clear – the move is public services fuels resentment at their parliament, movement on Trident will be towards a party which is younger, more funding. It leads to a vicious downward the price of SNP support for a minority female and very much more radical. spiral creating political support for tax cuts Labour government. And with surveys There are four main reasons why anyone and privatisation. showing that three quarters of Labour’s who calls themselves a socialist should Public services should be there for election candidates support the move it line up behind the SNP on 7 May. For everyone. Not just in the field of health and will be very much on the cards. There are starters, the SNP is the only major party education. Everyone should want to travel forces within the MoD who will welcome at this election offering an alternative to by public transport because it is cheaper, the move as it will relieve the pressure on the austerity economics practiced by the faster and more convenient than taking conventional armed forces and even the Coalition and promised - albeit in lesser the car. We should strive to make rented Americans are unlikely to too be alarmed measure - by Labour. The main Westminster public housing so good that it becomes at the eventual loss of a system which parties are determined to eliminate the the natural choice for young professional contributes just two percent to NATO’s deficit by curbing public spending. But couples rather than the shelter of last resort. capability. This actually could happen.

6 But it will absolutely not happen if either independence, our aim is not to set the election there will be one or none. Scots Tory or Labour parties form a majority ourselves apart from the people of Britain, voters have pretty much zero impact on the government. but to set them an example. Let England size of the Tory group in the UK parliament: we can only wipe them out once. And finally, there’s home rule. This election follow where Scotland leads. is not about independence, although the By any measure, the SNP offers a social Voting SNP doesn’t get Tories elected. results may advance the conditions in democratic prospectus to the people of Here’s what it does do. It obliges the Labour which that question can be asked again. But Scotland. Against this, Labour has only party to consult and agree a programme for it is about how much power the Scottish one defence. They will cry that a vote for government with smaller parties like the government should have. The equation the SNP will increase the chances of a Tory SNP. This is actually good news for Labour is blindingly simply – the more votes the government. This is beyond glib: not only voters. Why? Because by any conceivable SNP get, the more powers the Scottish facile and shallow, the argument is false. outcome, the price of such support will government gets. The truth is this. It is not the largest drag Labour away from the neo-con orthodoxy in which it and the rest of the Crucially for socialists, we seek the power party, but the one which can command a British establishment is steeped. to intervene and manage the Scottish majority in the House of Commons that economy for the benefit of the people gets to form a government. When all the That’s why socialists should vote SNP who live here. Powers that will allow us constitutional protocols are exhausted one at this election. The alternative is to give to increase minimum wages, scrap the of two things will happen. Either there will Ed Miliband carte blanche to spend five bedroom tax, change tax allowances, be a government looking rightwards built years playing at Tory-lite. And whilst he clamp down on tax evasion, and borrow around the Tory party – or a government does that, we can watch Scotland and the to invest in our infrastructure. We seek the looking leftwards built around the Labour concerns of its inhabitants slide towards the competence to make these changes here party. bottom of the UK agenda. even if they are not shared by the good Despite what Lewis Moonie and Gisela Tommy Sheppard is SNP prospective people of the Home Counties. Stuart may think, there really is no other parliamentary candidate for Edinburgh East There are, of course, a few Neanderthals option. SNP MPs will never put a Tory His website is http://www.tommysheppard. who will argue that this is not progressive government in power. So, whether an SNP com/ He was a member of the Labour Party because we can somehow only operate or Labour member is elected in a particular for 21 years (including eight as a councillor within an eighteenth century polity that Scottish seat has no bearing on whether the and three as Assistant General Secretary of the can never be altered. Most, though, would Tories succeed in forming a government. Scottish Labour Party), joining the SNP in accept that such economic democracy There is currently one Tory member of the late 2014. He is also a member of the Scottish would be a good thing. And, as with Westminster parliament in Scotland. After Left Review editorial board. Adding red to the green Patrick Harvie shows Green policies tackle much more than environmental degradation

anis Varoufakis, Greece’s new finance - with a high proportion of women and year olds intend to vote for the Scottish Yminister and a leading figure in Syriza, young people among our candidates. With Greens. And, while other parties are tying showed his cultural chops during a Today our biggest slate of candidates, Scots will themselves in knots with messages about interview by quoting the poet, Dylan have an unrivalled opportunity to vote for the sort of tactical voting that represents the Thomas. He said Greece would not go the bold and positive politics that only politics of old, our candidates are out and gentle into the night and would instead rage Greens represent. We’re a decentralised about engaging with voters on our ideas against the dying of the light. That sort of party so the decision to stand has been for protecting public services, reforming feisty, principled attitude will be crucial in down to individual branches and members. democracy and tackling inequality. the coming weeks as those of us on the left By contrast, we see Labour continuing to Hot on the heels of the referendum, advance our arguments for ending austerity use a top-down committee structure to this election has clear implications for and attempt to expose a political system draw up shortlists. devolution. The Scottish Greens engaged designed to ensure politicians kowtow to Our membership has surged to almost as positively and constructively as we big business and wealthy individuals. 9,000 with one in ten of them ex-Labour could with the Smith Commission. The I’m reminded of Edwin Morgan’s poem for members. We’ve seen a steady rise in the pace of agreement was frankly daft, and the opening of the Holyrood parliament: polls; we’re regularly ahead of the LibDems anyone who thinks we got a robust or ‘A nest of fearties is what they do not across Britain, and when we consider the durable settlement is kidding themselves. want’ he said of voters. There’s no doubt variations within local constituencies we We’ve now seen the draft clauses, which the electorate across Britain is tired of the know that there are some seats, such as are basically the main points of the Smith bland Westminster consensus, and parties Bristol West and Norwich South, where agreement converted into potential chunks such as the Greens are in a better position the bookies are increasingly expecting of legislation. than ever to take it on. Greens wins. In others, such as Glasgow Whoever ends up in government after 7 There’s a big chance for progressives not North and Edinburgh East, we can break May will be playing with fire if they try to just to rage but to exercise substantial old party traditions and create genuinely water down the legislation, but it will have influence. My party will stand in the exciting marginals. to be made workable. Labour has made majority of Scotland's 59 Westminster We also know we poll well among young itself something of a laughing stock with constituencies - more than ever before voters. Almost of a quarter of 18-34 their varying offers on devolution. First

7 it was ‘Devo Max’, then the ‘Vow’, then Yes campaign was the range of voices that the Tories’ determination to punish the Home Rule, and finally (I say finally but could be heard. Those now urging tactical most vulnerable people in society for the I’m not optimistic) the ‘Vow Plus’. voting are retreating to the politics of old, failures of banking and big business. All Given that Labour's heels were dug in the kind of politics we worked so hard to the while Labour has proved an ineffective deeper than anyone else's, it's pretty challenge. Huge numbers of people who opposition and signed up to Osborne’s astonishing to see it try to take credit for voted last September have been ignoring ridiculous budget charter, which commits devolution in areas like employment and elections for many years and it’s essential to public spending cuts. Greens would welfare. These were exactly the areas where that we continue to encourage them to stay introduce a wealth tax on the richest 1%, it had to be dragged kicking and screaming. involved. raising billions, and crack down on tax Indeed, the union movement seemed Telling people to vote X to keep out Y or evasion and avoidance to bring in further dismayed at this position. Greens would vote Z to avoid ‘splitting the vote’ simply revenues to invest in new jobs, good wages give exploited employees the legal right to risks making many retreat, seeing politics as and public services. We’d prioritise equal buy out their companies and turn them into an unchanged, negative business. Instead, pay for women, a fundamental issue that workers’ co-operatives and we’d encourage the principles and ideas a political party successive Westminster governments have employee involvement in management, stands for should come first. My fellow failed to tackle. product development and innovation. Green parliamentarian, Caroline Lucas, has By offering a £10 an hour minimum wage We would also introduce laws to limit the shown that even a small party can make the by 2020, we show how Labour’s current size of CEO pay relative to the lowest paid breakthrough when it is clear, committed offer ’ of £8 an hour ’ would still leave workers in the company. Voters who see and hardworking. Her track record as millions working in poverty, with the workplace democracy as a priority should an MP, promoting public services and public purse continuing to subsidise low aim for more Green voices at Westminster standing up against fracking, has proved pay. to drive home the importance of these the only wasted vote is a vote for something On jobs, we urgently need more Green issues. you don't really believe in. Voters clearly voices in parliament to make an economy As for the assertion that more SNP MPs want to hear a range of voices. Just look that respects the environment. By expanding guarantees the best deal - it’s a neat bumper at how broadcasters changed their tune in industries such as food and drink, chemical sticker but let’s not forget the baggage recognition of that demand. sciences, digital technology, construction that comes with that party like a tendency We can also see with the mobilisation and engineering, we can ensure a successful toward Laffer curve tax policies, willingness of public protests against fracking and and sustainable jobs market. And, by to work with tax exiles, further tax breaks growing concern at deals such as TTIP, refocusing our oil and gas sector towards for the highly profitable aviation sector, there's a desire for social, economic and decommissioning and investing in skills support for the NATO nuclear alliance, environmental progress in Scotland. We transfers towards renewables, we can support in principle for the TTIP corporate can build on that desire by focusing on the capture the clear opportunity that exists to trade deal, support for maximum fossil fuel possibilities rather than engaging in the excel in the clean technology that can bring extraction and the door left ajar to fracking. divisive language of Westminster, pitting us lasting prosperity. Let’s not forget that the strength of the ‘hardworking families’ against ‘scroungers’. By renationalising the railways, we’d show The battle in our society is market failure won’t be tolerated and inequality. Greens address public services – for that is what mass this by a £10 minimum wage transport is – must be cherished rather than to reduce in-work poverty, ‘marketised’. Despite this policy’s huge a citizen’s income, public popularity, Labour simply can’t bring itself ownership of rail to provide to adopt it. And as for popular policies, we good quality transport for all, know that when people are asked to say and taxes on land and wealth to how they would vote on policies only, like ensure those who can afford to at the voteforpolicies.org.uk website, it's pay a fairer share do so. the Green agenda which ends up on top. By emphasising that unique On democratic reform, thanks to the stance, we have a chance to LibDems’ botched AV referendum, it may harness the enthusiasm built take some persuading to get people to back up during the referendum. a move to proportional representation in So much of British politics is elections but, of course, we’ve lived with mimicry, with two big parties a couple of PR systems in Scotland for being as bland as possible to some time. If we see a surge in votes for the appeal to the middle-ground. Greens but that then not translating into It seems that whenever the new MPs we can build the case for PR at Tories criticise Labour's alleged Westminster. It’s telling that neither of the spending commitments, two big parties is interested. They’re clearly Labour spinners go into happy to take it in turn to undo the other’s overdrive issuing denials and work. It’s a cosy arrangement and the best proud boasts of their own plans way we can break it wide open is to vote for to cut public services. what we believe in. On austerity, the LibDems Patrick Harvie MSP is the co-convenor of the have been cheerleaders for Scottish Green Party

8 CWU Scotland welcomes all delegates and visitors to STUC Conference 2015 in Ayr.

We wish everyone a successful and enjoyable conference.

John Brown Pauline Rourke Regional Secretary Scotland Regional Chair Scotland

Support UCU Scotland’s proposals to make our Support UCU universities more democratic, representative and transparent. proposals for UCU Scotland wants to see: w elected chairs of governing bodies reforming the w governing bodies to be more representative and to include trade union and student governance of representation w an agreed definition of academic freedom our universities to protect all academic and related staff. Get involved at www.ucu.org.uk/scotland

9 ASLEF CALLS FOR AN INTEGRATED, PUBLICLY OWNED, ACCOUNTABLE RAILWAY FOR SCOTLAND (which used to be the SNP’s position – before they became the government!)

Mick Whelan Alan Donnelly Kevin Lindsay General Secretary President Scottish O cer ASLEF the train drivers union- www.aslef.org.uk

Say NO to ConDem cuts For all public transport in public hands For o shore safety For trade-union rights

Mick Cash, General Secretary 10 Peter Pinkney, President ASLEF CALLS FOR AN INTEGRATED, PUBLICLY Aiming to be Scotland’s socialist party OWNED, ACCOUNTABLE RAILWAY FOR SCOTLAND Sandra Webster writes of a rejuvenated SSP planning to put socialism back on the agenda fter the referendum, the SSP - like other This election is being seen as a two horse experience they will require in the future. Aparties of the ‘yes’ campaign - had a race. One message is ‘Vote Labour as a vote Most importantly, we will demonstrate that (which used to be the SNP’s position huge surge in applications for membership. for anyone else is a vote for David Cameron’. we are not the type of party who drops in at We can now begin to rebuild our party and Another is ‘Vote SNP because we alone can election time and are never to be seen again. – before they became the government!) offer an alternative socialist agenda to that support Scotland's interests in Westminster’. We will continue to reach out to people of other parties. Scotland has changed and We in the SSP say vote for us and other in their communities demonstrating the demands a different kind of politics. We radical left parties who dare to be different if radical left has something to offer them. in the SSP can offer this and continue to you want a different society. These elections are only the beginning. With support the radical left in gaining credence The blitzkrieg attack on the poor and the Holyrood elections in 2016 and the local with the electorate again. The radical left is most vulnerable has had a huge impact on elections in 2017, we feel a responsibility to changing too and we must be a part of that. many in our communities. SSP members the left to begin the spadework for gaining During the referendum, the SSP was the are not poverty tourists and many of us left representation and to share with the party which campaigned for a different know hardship from personal experience. electorate that socialist policies are not Scotland. For us, independence is the initial Our policy pledges will be ones that tackle unachievable but an alternative to austerity. step by which to create a socialist society. inequality. The SNP, some Greens and, The SSP feels the burden of standing. We feel Alongside other groups like the Radical indeed, some Labour activists do not use the the responsibility in ensuring that radical left Independence Campaign and Women for word ‘socialism’ instead using ‘social justice’. parties will be elected in the 2016 and 2017 Independence, we took the message into We are not ashamed of being socialists or elections. It is our responsibility to make the communities we live in. The referendum of our socialist vision. Our main policies those policies understandable and tangible changed our party - many of our activists centre round the eradication of poverty. for our electorate. We also need to stand to got involved in public speaking and We want a living wage of £10 an hour now. show an alternative to austerity and offer a campaigning, growing with confidence. We condemn the use of benefit sanctions programme that can transform society. We worked alongside other political which cause absolute poverty in one of the Mick Whelan Alan Donnelly Kevin Lindsay We believe in independence but this is just parties, especially the SNP. We shared richest countries in the world. We will end the beginning for us. We offer a manifesto General Secretary President Scottish O cer the goal of independence but our vision the misuse of zero hour contracts which that is left of the Scottish Greens, the SNP of that independence was different. Post- lead to uncertainty for many workers. We and Labour. That is why we need to stand ASLEF the train drivers union- www.aslef.org.uk referendum, we called for a ‘yes’ alliance for will end the care tax which means many to demonstrate what socialism means. Our the general election but it was evident that people with disabilities have to pay from vision of an independent Scotland is not a their construct of an alliance differed from their disability payments to allow them to mind dream but a realistic vision. ours. For the confident, vastly enlarged SNP, receive self-directed support. We also believe this meant no other candidates standing that that Trident and its replacement should We look forward to knocking on doors against them. It might offer some non-SNP be scrapped. The billions being spent could and speaking at hustings, challenging other members seats but they must then accept be used on our people. Our full manifesto parties’ ideologies. We also look forward the party whip. This was a lost opportunity will be published soon with our full range of to the challenges of the political landscape to transform the face of Scottish politics policies all designed to create a more equal post-election, ensuring SSP candidates are from the current ‘two tribes’ model to one society. These are pledges which can change prepared and experienced for the elections with more plurality and consensus. At a individual lives and society for the better. that follow. The emerging picture looks like that of an SNP victory. The ‘45’ may have local level, many SNP branches had already The first-past-the-post system does not now become the majority. If the SNP win as announced they were seeking candidates. suit a smaller party like us. The SNP many seats as is predicted there may be the Our decision to stand was, therefore, not an claims to be left of Labour and it is likely potential for a sooner rather than later call for easy one. We knew we could be accused of that many voters will vote tactically. It is a another referendum. How the SNP as such a splitting the ‘yes’ vote. However, we decided Westminster centric election with voters to stand four candidates in traditional fearing the impact of another five years of broad church performs in Westminster will Labour seats. In two of these seats, Glasgow Tory rule. It is important to note though be closely monitored. North East and Paisley and Renfrewshire that neither Labour nor Tory rule have ever We on the left know that there are many South (the others being Glasgow South West ended in child poverty. These elections are other parties that should make up a vibrant and Edinburgh South), Labour had actually important for us as we continue to grow left in Scotland. It is important we all do and increased its majorities at the last general and regain a foothold in Scottish politics. that all our voices are heard. In two years, elections. All of the seats are in working class For the past year, we have been active in with the Smith Commission proposals Say NO to ConDem cuts areas, where austerity is biting hard. our communities. That will be our strategy being implemented, we need to be there to All the MPs in those areas voted with the in the election showing we are neighbours shape policy and challenge the opinion of government to continue austerity. Some of in the constituencies we stand in. All of our the party which holds power. Only we on For all public transport in public hands these MPs, like many in Scottish Labour, are candidates are local people and know the the left can stand up for ordinary people and out of touch with their constituents. These people whose vote they will be asking for. not the interests of big business. The spirit of are generational safe Labour seats where Our strategy will be to continue to build the ‘yes’ campaign meant many of us worked you vote for Labour because your parents relationships and show we are still here after together towards a common goal. We need For o shore safety and grandparents did. For many including the election. to remind ourselves of this in the months myself with some sadness, Labour is no Many of our activists are amazing, vibrant and years ahead. longer the party of the working class but we young people who will definitely play a part Sandra Webster is the SSP candidate for For trade-union rights as the SSP with our vision can remind them in the future of Scottish politics. This election Paisley and Renfrewshire South. She is also the of the party they used to be. campaign will give them the much needed co-national spokesperson for the SSP

Mick Cash, General Secretary 10 Peter Pinkney, President 11 Laying down a No More Guy Fawkes: Scottish politics after 7 May socialist challenge Peter Lomas makes the case for radical withdrawal from UK plc Brian Smith argues only total opposition to t some point last autumn, Alex austerity and neo-liberalism will do ASalmond hinted at the possibility of the SNP winning all Scottish seats on 7 he Scottish Trade Unionist and These cuts have been meekly passed on by May -panache or desperation? What the TSocialist Coalition (STUSC) is both Labour and SNP controlled councils. SNP leader imagined, in that enticing supported by the RMT union, Socialist The SNP Scottish Government has slashed fantasy, was a Scottish UDI - certainly, Party Scotland, Socialist Workers’ Party, college places and our NHS is under a quicker route to independence than a individual socialists, trade unionists and increasing pressure to cut costs which is second referendum. anti-austerity campaigners. TUSC was co- impacting upon the levels and quality of The SNP under its revised, post-referendum founded in 2010 by the late Bob Crow. care that frontline health service workers leadership, however, has been operating We are standing in ten seats in Scotland. can provide. under a more modest strategy, one of TUSC in England and Wales is standing in There is, of course, plenty of wealth around pragmatic engagement with Westminster, 110 seats. Together we will make a strong – it is just in the wrong hands. We should, based on projections which would give case for no cuts to our public services and therefore, massively increase tax on the the party only half, or fewer, of Scottish welfare benefits, and for a reversal of the super-rich. We should bring into public seats. This seems to me a stopgap policy: poverty people in work are being driven ownership the energy companies, North holding the UK parties to their promises into through real wage cuts and part time, Sea oil and gas, the big drug companies and to Scotland while giving Alex Salmond temporary employment. the banks. something to do, once he has (presumably) The Scottish TUSC believes politicians These massive resources should then be used won a Westminster seat himself. It is a should stand on the side of the 99% by to create decent jobs for our young people, strategy for the post-referendum lull, and refusing to implement the austerity plans better health and social care services and for the year-long gap before the Holyrood of the main parties. Our campaign aims an environmentally sustainable economy. elections of 2016 which are the SNP's are to put the arguments for democratic Education should be free for all, with no- direct concern. socialism to as many people as possible, one having to miss out because of the fear But what use are these half-measures for increase the numbers involved in socialist of debt or student poverty. We should hypothetical futures which may or may and anti-austerity activities, begin to lay use the wealth in our society to tackle the not come about? How do they reflect the the ground for a socialist challenge at the root causes of racism and other forms of changed atmosphere in Scotland post- 2016 Scottish Parliament Election and discrimination by providing secure jobs, referendum? Very little, I would answer 2017 Council Elections and, of course, win good wages and affordable housing. in either case. Besides, we have been here as many votes as we can on 7 May. Whilst no two countries are ever the same, before: a rootless SNP, under a charismatic There will be no constituency clashes we only have to look at the events in Greece leader at Westminster, undermining politics between the Scottish TUSC and other to see that a radical, left wing electoral force where it counts, at home in Scotland. socialist candidates on 7 May. The can be built from small beginnings. The What we need instead is a set of fully organisations which are part of Scottish interests of the 99% in Scotland need a new constructive ideas transcending the short- TUSC campaigned for a ‘yes’ vote in the political voice - a new working class party term needs of party politics, and restating referendum, and we will be arguing for which represents us and not the super- independence as a concrete prospect in the maximum devolution of powers to the rich elite who are getting richer whilst Scotland - the great, abiding achievement Scottish Parliament including on minimum most struggle to get by on lower wages of the referendum campaign. With this aim wage, all welfare benefits, pensions, or inadequate welfare benefits. Scottish in mind, I have three proposals. employment law, corporation tax and the TUSC intends to play an important part in First is a policy of no pacts at Westminster: power to bring into public ownership key building that new party. parts of the economy. a principled strategy of voting issue by issue Labour and the SNP are not the answer on UK-wide legislation - or not voting, as Our public services are under attack as as they are both wedded to the current the case may be. No more trouble-making never before. In the last five years, we have capitalist system and the inevitable austerity in London; instead, preparation for full seen 24% cuts in local council spending that accompanies it. We need to get rid of withdrawal from the degraded UK political in Scotland and the loss of 50,000 jobs. free market capitalism and build a society process. This is still a proposal for the SNP, based on democratic public ownership of since the SNP is effectively the only party the economy and human co-operation not representing independence for Scotland. profit-making and exploitation. Let’s not But the challenge spreads wider. There is wait any longer. a problem of identity for the SNP, partly Brian Smith is the Scottish TUSC candidate owing to its new swollen membership; more in the Glasgow South constituency and deeply, because of the underlying question UNISON City of Glasgow branch secretar y. left unanswered by the referendum result: He writes in a formal capacity for STUSC what would happen to the party if it were and in a personal capacity regarding to succeed in its fundamental aims? What UNISON. See www.tusc.org.uk for details of kind of social vision would there be for the the seats TUSC is standing in Scotland. first independence years if it was to dissolve

12 No More Guy Fawkes: Scottish politics after 7 May Peter Lomas makes the case for radical withdrawal from UK plc

itself (which still seems to be official policy), mechanism. This works perfectly in But partly also to the narrow, unstable or mutate into a party of total government? Sweden, where the monarchy has even less political base of one predominant (and So far only a vague 'social-democratic' of a constitutional role than in Britain, governing) party, which made it possible aura surrounds either of these possibilities. and general elections take place every three for critics of the referendum inside and But it seems to me that post-1997, and years. outside Scotland to portray the whole certainly post-2011, Scotland and the Combined with this ii) adopt the French exercise as the irresponsible ego-trip of one rest of Britain have been moving so far model of fully-elected, budgeted and party leader. We cannot afford to allow apart in terms of laws passed (and radical empowered local government - that is, at that caricature of our political life change frustrated) that there is very little community (town and grouped-village) again. constructive for an SNP plenipotentiary level, while abolishing political elections Had there at Westminster to do. Even blocking the in the regions, where current popular b e e n upgrading of Trident would not remove the participation barely attains 40%. Regional several, missiles from the Clyde. Opposing further bodies should simply consist of specialist NHS privatisation in England would not administrators in practical matters like guarantee resources to copper-bottom education, roads public ownership of the NHS in Scotland. and other essential services, while Here, I’m assuming the UK parties will carry community through on increased powers for Holyrood councillors - promised in the Smith Commission - people known recognising that any other action would and visible on be counter-productive for them (like a day-to-day widespread calls for another referendum). basis - should But in general, I think a parliament where have real powers, the political tone is dictated by staving off be accountable, and be UKIP (Conservatives), 'resetting markets' properly elected. (Labour), or preserving minority hold onto power (Liberals) is unworthy of serious Then iii) focus for the first years of attention. Surely in Scotland, we have gone independence on a national flagship project, beyond this kind of politicking around an literally: say, a fleet of Caledonian Atlantic outdated system, in an austerity coalition ferries, built on the Clyde, for freight and passenger exchanges with North America. relatively- which punishes the people for the sins of Such a home-grown service to our major equal groups elites. destination beyond Europe could help all in favour Second, as a nation we should prepare to redevelop the marine sector - and in time, of independence presenting take institutional and social reform fully enable us to impose international standards articulate, developed prospectuses for into our own hands, through further of seaworthiness and shipboard control the referendum would have taken place debate of our ideal independent Scotland. which would exclude dangerous, under- under different circumstances and with a We should continue and refine the and ill-manned vessels from our hazardous different result. That is what we in grass- process begun at grassroots level in the waters. roots movements have to plan for next referendum campaign. This would cover at time - the next Scottish elections, the next Third, for all those in the broad intellectual a minimum: the final form of the Holyrood referendum: what kind of parties will we and cultural movements born in the parliament and the electoral system; form, to express our particular visions of referendum, largely outside parliamentary the future? demographic planning, decentralisation politics, think of the responsibilities and infrastructural development to make of power, and the realisation of their In any case, politics in Scotland from all parts of our country equally inhabitable ideals. There are many reasons why the now on ought to be wholly different from and economically-viable; EU policy, referendum result was the wrong result. anything that goes on at Westminster. especially on the future of the EU's own But all of them boil down to a sense of We should rescue from the referendum institutions; foreign policy, especially national insecurity, partly due to the campaign those intimations of the free, development aid; and the structure of novelty of the independence referendum, dynamic and creative society we hope to industry and land-ownership. partly the SNP's rigidity in not adopting realise, and be an inspiration to movements Here are just three suggestions at random: an alternative currency policy or not for democratic change elsewhere. i) formalise the Holyrood parliament mounting an effective intellectual challenge Peter Lomas is a contributor to Common as our highest constitutional body tout to the threatened EU-membership veto, Weal court, ruling out any 'revising' chamber or partly due to outsiders, from the Pope to constitutional monarchy while retaining Barack Obama and NATO chiefs piling fixed-term parliaments. There can be no into our democratic process with their second-guessing of the people by unelected short-termism views and fuelling a general elites. 'We the people' are the only recall panic.

13 through well-funded care leave schemes and rewards the provision of care. As the Angela O’Hagan and Morag Gillespie, Working towards economic progress for women and a reduction in full-time working election campaign ratchets up, these are the Scottish Women’s Budget Group. hours. key demands to make of political parties Angela O’Hagan and Morag Gillespie show how to tackle women’s poverty and marginalisation • Creating a social security system that and key political actors in unions. They are aims at fairer sharing of caring and the also the kinds of measures that should fit Web addresses: ave we reached a crossroads in and overlooked in measures of economic better use of the transformational potential costs of caring. well with the Scottish Government’s new http://www.gov.scot/ HScotland at least with Scottish analysis, despite their importance. Marginal of the Public Sector Equality Duty and • Increasing investment in social housing economic strategy, with its twin pillars of Resource/0047/00472389.pdf Government’s new economic strategy? Eyes, a short satirical film, launched this holding public authorities to account. and in insulating homes competitiveness and equality. There should http://www.engender.org.uk/content/ Will economic policy keep equality at its International Women’s Day by Engender is Having the political courage to implement In fixing a broken economic system we need be no more ‘business as usual’ and a long- projects-makeworkvisible/ heart as intended? In the long run, how we a sharp take on this. an alternative approach to equality and to develop a caring economy that nurtures term aspiration to ensure that women count http://www.swbg.org.uk/content/ measure progress on equality in the Scottish Government spending cuts have had the economic policy is essential for creating a individuals, recognises the value of care properly in measures of economic wellbeing. publications/PLAN-F-2015.pdf economy has to change because measures harshest impact on women, both as workers more sustainable and inclusive economy like GDP are inadequate for reflecting and service users. This is compounded by and society. Policies based on feminist the lives we live and the roles we perform, the effects of Scottish government’s council and heterodox economic analyses will re- A tale of two countries? paid and unpaid. In the short-term, what tax freeze. Several factors combine to push focus long-term investment policies and Malcolm Harvey explains why the political and constitutional unravelling will continue can politicians do to put equality at the women back into gendered roles within put the caring sector at their heart. This n 1995, Shadow Secretary of State for spread and the nature of the first-part- of Scottish seats at Westminster. However, heart of their plans for economic progress, households while still trying to maintain means investment, not just in the physical Scotland, Lord Robertson, asserted the-post electoral system, it rarely won post-referendum, polls suggest that this particularly for the forthcoming general household incomes through low paid, infrastructure of school building, childcare I ‘devolution will kill nationalism stone more than 10% of seats. The party had pattern no longer holds, with the SNP elections? We consider the answer from a vulnerable jobs (including jobs losses in centres, hospitals and care homes, but dead’. Sixteen years after the first devolved to work hard to overcome this structural expected to increase their representation gender perspective. the public sector previously held by women also in the publicly funded workforce elections, and six months after a ‘No’ vote disadvantage, with support varying widely substantially at Labour’s expense. The Scottish Women’s Budget Group who are the majority of public sector required to deliver these essential services, in the referendum, his pronouncement in different parts of the country. Targeted (SWBG) has long argued the economic employees, withdrawal of public services, guaranteeing them much better terms Thus, a straight ‘count’ of parties might appears no closer to coming true. By campaigning and personable candidates system is broken. The fundamental flaw downward pressure on wages and social and conditions of work that are key for not serve as the most useful classification contrast, the two-party Westminster system is the system for measuring economic security reforms). high quality services. These measures have helped to establish and secure seats in of the party system. Giovanni Sartori’s looks to be under a far greater threat if the areas such as the Highlands and Cornwall, criteria for establishing the ‘relevance’ of a progress fails to recognise and account The aforementioned Fawcett Society report would build the social infrastructure and polling for general election is accurate. but there are swathes of the UK where it party – whether the party has the potential adequately for women’s contributions, paid clearly shows how significant flaws in Job human and social capital of the UK and its In hindsight, this was always a more has failed to make an impact. to enter government or to ‘blackmail’ the and unpaid. In particular, unpaid care, Seekers’ Allowance mean the ‘distinctive constituent countries. likely scenario than devolution seeing off major parties into delivering particular done mostly by women remains invisible circumstances of many women’s lives’ The UK and Scottish Women’s Budget The electoral picture in England remains, nationalism. For while it did take care policy objectives – provides us with an and unaccounted for in GDP and the of caring, low paid jobs and the risk of Groups are calling for Plan F as an alternative in party-theory terminology, a ‘two and a of the perceived ‘democratic deficit’, it opportunity to consider parties which system of national accounts. domestic and sexual violence are not to austerity. It is a set of feminist policies half party’ system. The two large parties provided nationalists in Scotland and Wales Women are bearing the brunt of austerity recognised. One consequence has been aimed at creating a caring and sustainable continue to alternate in government, albeit perhaps do not have the strength of with a structural advantage in devolved and the Westminster government’s policy large numbers amongst some groups of economy which offers better conditions most recently in coalition with the ‘half numbers required to form government responses are increasingly harmful to women experiencing sanctions, particularly and pay for care workers and more support institutions elected on a proportional basis. party. The emergence of a Green MP and of but still retain an influence in the political women’s wellbeing. So, while men stand to lone parents. The report suggests high levels for unpaid carers looking after family and By 2007, nationalists in both Scotland and UKIP as a credible electoral force (with two debate. After 7 May, it looks like we can benefit from the tax giveaways of personal of successful appeals against sanctions are friends. Plan F core demands that could Wales entered their respective governments, by-election victories) has already impacted extend the list of ‘system relevant’ parties tax allowance increases and transferrable due to the unreasonable or inappropriate be funded by non-renewal of Trident, emphasising the clear differences between upon the nature of electoral competition to include not only the three major ones, tax allowances, a recent Fawcett Society nature of the sanctions in the first instance. reversing tax giveaways and expanding the the party systems at central and devolved on both sides of the political spectrum. but the SNP (now the third largest party level. If the 2010 General Election, with by membership in the UK), UKIP and report showed 85% of cuts to benefits, tax In the world of paid employment, despite tax base from participation in paid work UKIP’s Euroscepticism has forced both credits, pay and pensions since 2010 have are: coalition government the outcome, was Labour and the Conservatives to debate the Greens (based upon agenda-setting) acknowledged gains, we are still a far cry seen then as an outlier, May 2015 looks and, potentially, the Northern Irish parties come from women’s incomes. • EU membership and immigration, which from realising equal pay for equal work and Reversing cuts to public services and likely to make it a trend. which may have a say in who takes office. Yet most analysis and debate amongst legal and financial independence (which social security that have adverse impacts have become dominant themes in the politicians and other key actors ignores the were key original demands of the women’s on women Duverger's Law suggests that, where first- election campaign. While these parties The dynamics of electoral politics in Britain past-the-post plurality electoral systems themselves are unlikely to obtain sufficient have also changed markedly. It is no longer impact of government decisions on women liberation movement). Ongoing equal pay • Reforming plans for Universal Credit in general and unpaid care in particular - disputes with Scottish local authorities still exist, a two-party system tends to be numbers to change the categorisation of (and hasn’t been for some time) a straight • Investing in social infrastructure - despite unpaid care being the glue that involve tens of thousands, denying women the result. Britain has long been cited an the party system, they are influencing the left-right contest fought upon class-based care, health, education and training supports the formal economy. For example, the earnings they are due. The introduction example. In 1951, the zenith of two-party political debate. expectations. Valence issues have become services, social security and housing, the recently published Centre for Labour of Employment Tribunal fees further politics, Tories and Labour gained 97% By contrast, the party system in Scotland prevalent, with parties finding a position complemented by investment in and Social Sciences (CLASS) booklet asks reduces women’s access to justice for equal of the vote. The latest opinion polls show has long departed from the traditional on a spectrum, rather than a definitive renewable energy and environmentally ‘What’s at stake for work, pay and unions?’ pay and other sex discrimination claims. these two parties totalling just 65%. So, is duopoly. Identity, centre-periphery and the position for or against a particular issue. friendly public transport. In its foreword, Frances O’Grady argues These present a formidable list for union the two-party system over? Unionist-Nationalist dimension have led to So what happens on 7 May is likely to • the general election is ‘a chance to reject action. Ensuring access to affordable care and In truth, the two-party system has been a complicated patterns of voting at different be a function of both an electoral system improving the terms and conditions a broken economic system’. The booklet, Political parties vying for women’s votes misnomer for some time and a caricature electoral levels: local, Holyrood and that favours a party system which no of work for the paid work (leading to however, maintains the established concept must do much better than capping child which did not take into account national Westminster. Different electoral systems longer exists, and the radically changing better quality care). of the economy in arguing ‘the economy benefit as a deficit reduction measure or differences in England, Scotland and Wales at each simply add to the complications. dynamics of party competition in the wake must work for all working people’. sticking doggedly to current spending • Strengthening worker’s rights including (and the entirely different party system Prior to the 2014 referendum, there of a constitutional referendum (which SWBG agrees the economic system plans. There is a long list of actions to collective bargaining rights and raising which exists in Northern Ireland). Since the appeared to be a pattern to voting in threatened the very existence of the existing is broken and believes it should work advance equality, eliminate discrimination, the minimum wage to a level that rise of the SNP in the 1970s and the merger Scotland: the SNP did better in elections state). The result, in electoral terms, is for everyone, including those whose and mitigate the excesses of austerity, ensures a decent living. of the Liberals and Social Democratic Party to the Scottish Parliament, with other likely to be a hung parliament. In Scotland, contribution is unpaid. Economic analysis some of which are: reverse tribunal fees, • Improving support for people - currently in 1988 established the Liberal Democrats, party identifiers ‘lending’ them a vote in the likely increase in SNP MPs looks set that reflects waged work only, ensures that introduce mandatory pay audits, include mainly women - who provide unpaid the Conservative-Labour duopoly has this strictly ‘Scottish’ electoral contest. For to reduce further the chance of majority care and women’s unpaid contribution to equality clauses in public procurement care in families and communities. Men diminished. elections to Westminster, however, those government. care and provisioning for waged workers contracts, ensure recourse to public funds should also be supported to contribute The LibDems regularly polled more than identifiers returned to their ‘natural’ home, Historic Labour strength in Wales also looks will remain invisible, unaccounted for for asylum seekers and refugees, and make more to unpaid care, for instance 25% but due to its vote’s geographical and Labour continued to sweep a majority to be in decline, though not as markedly

14 15 through well-funded care leave schemes and rewards the provision of care. As the Angela O’Hagan and Morag Gillespie, Working towards economic progress for women and a reduction in full-time working election campaign ratchets up, these are the Scottish Women’s Budget Group. hours. key demands to make of political parties Angela O’Hagan and Morag Gillespie show how to tackle women’s poverty and marginalisation • Creating a social security system that and key political actors in unions. They are aims at fairer sharing of caring and the also the kinds of measures that should fit Web addresses: ave we reached a crossroads in and overlooked in measures of economic better use of the transformational potential costs of caring. well with the Scottish Government’s new http://www.gov.scot/ HScotland at least with Scottish analysis, despite their importance. Marginal of the Public Sector Equality Duty and • Increasing investment in social housing economic strategy, with its twin pillars of Resource/0047/00472389.pdf Government’s new economic strategy? Eyes, a short satirical film, launched this holding public authorities to account. and in insulating homes competitiveness and equality. There should http://www.engender.org.uk/content/ Will economic policy keep equality at its International Women’s Day by Engender is Having the political courage to implement In fixing a broken economic system we need be no more ‘business as usual’ and a long- projects-makeworkvisible/ heart as intended? In the long run, how we a sharp take on this. an alternative approach to equality and to develop a caring economy that nurtures term aspiration to ensure that women count http://www.swbg.org.uk/content/ measure progress on equality in the Scottish Government spending cuts have had the economic policy is essential for creating a individuals, recognises the value of care properly in measures of economic wellbeing. publications/PLAN-F-2015.pdf economy has to change because measures harshest impact on women, both as workers more sustainable and inclusive economy like GDP are inadequate for reflecting and service users. This is compounded by and society. Policies based on feminist the lives we live and the roles we perform, the effects of Scottish government’s council and heterodox economic analyses will re- A tale of two countries? paid and unpaid. In the short-term, what tax freeze. Several factors combine to push focus long-term investment policies and Malcolm Harvey explains why the political and constitutional unravelling will continue can politicians do to put equality at the women back into gendered roles within put the caring sector at their heart. This n 1995, Shadow Secretary of State for spread and the nature of the first-part- of Scottish seats at Westminster. However, heart of their plans for economic progress, households while still trying to maintain means investment, not just in the physical Scotland, Lord Robertson, asserted the-post electoral system, it rarely won post-referendum, polls suggest that this particularly for the forthcoming general household incomes through low paid, infrastructure of school building, childcare I ‘devolution will kill nationalism stone more than 10% of seats. The party had pattern no longer holds, with the SNP elections? We consider the answer from a vulnerable jobs (including jobs losses in centres, hospitals and care homes, but dead’. Sixteen years after the first devolved to work hard to overcome this structural expected to increase their representation gender perspective. the public sector previously held by women also in the publicly funded workforce elections, and six months after a ‘No’ vote disadvantage, with support varying widely substantially at Labour’s expense. The Scottish Women’s Budget Group who are the majority of public sector required to deliver these essential services, in the referendum, his pronouncement in different parts of the country. Targeted (SWBG) has long argued the economic employees, withdrawal of public services, guaranteeing them much better terms Thus, a straight ‘count’ of parties might appears no closer to coming true. By campaigning and personable candidates system is broken. The fundamental flaw downward pressure on wages and social and conditions of work that are key for not serve as the most useful classification contrast, the two-party Westminster system is the system for measuring economic security reforms). high quality services. These measures have helped to establish and secure seats in of the party system. Giovanni Sartori’s looks to be under a far greater threat if the areas such as the Highlands and Cornwall, criteria for establishing the ‘relevance’ of a progress fails to recognise and account The aforementioned Fawcett Society report would build the social infrastructure and polling for general election is accurate. but there are swathes of the UK where it party – whether the party has the potential adequately for women’s contributions, paid clearly shows how significant flaws in Job human and social capital of the UK and its In hindsight, this was always a more has failed to make an impact. to enter government or to ‘blackmail’ the and unpaid. In particular, unpaid care, Seekers’ Allowance mean the ‘distinctive constituent countries. likely scenario than devolution seeing off major parties into delivering particular done mostly by women remains invisible circumstances of many women’s lives’ The UK and Scottish Women’s Budget The electoral picture in England remains, nationalism. For while it did take care policy objectives – provides us with an and unaccounted for in GDP and the of caring, low paid jobs and the risk of Groups are calling for Plan F as an alternative in party-theory terminology, a ‘two and a of the perceived ‘democratic deficit’, it opportunity to consider parties which system of national accounts. domestic and sexual violence are not to austerity. It is a set of feminist policies half party’ system. The two large parties provided nationalists in Scotland and Wales Women are bearing the brunt of austerity recognised. One consequence has been aimed at creating a caring and sustainable continue to alternate in government, albeit perhaps do not have the strength of with a structural advantage in devolved and the Westminster government’s policy large numbers amongst some groups of economy which offers better conditions most recently in coalition with the ‘half numbers required to form government responses are increasingly harmful to women experiencing sanctions, particularly and pay for care workers and more support institutions elected on a proportional basis. party. The emergence of a Green MP and of but still retain an influence in the political women’s wellbeing. So, while men stand to lone parents. The report suggests high levels for unpaid carers looking after family and By 2007, nationalists in both Scotland and UKIP as a credible electoral force (with two debate. After 7 May, it looks like we can benefit from the tax giveaways of personal of successful appeals against sanctions are friends. Plan F core demands that could Wales entered their respective governments, by-election victories) has already impacted extend the list of ‘system relevant’ parties tax allowance increases and transferrable due to the unreasonable or inappropriate be funded by non-renewal of Trident, emphasising the clear differences between upon the nature of electoral competition to include not only the three major ones, tax allowances, a recent Fawcett Society nature of the sanctions in the first instance. reversing tax giveaways and expanding the the party systems at central and devolved on both sides of the political spectrum. but the SNP (now the third largest party level. If the 2010 General Election, with by membership in the UK), UKIP and report showed 85% of cuts to benefits, tax In the world of paid employment, despite tax base from participation in paid work UKIP’s Euroscepticism has forced both credits, pay and pensions since 2010 have are: coalition government the outcome, was Labour and the Conservatives to debate the Greens (based upon agenda-setting) acknowledged gains, we are still a far cry seen then as an outlier, May 2015 looks and, potentially, the Northern Irish parties come from women’s incomes. • EU membership and immigration, which from realising equal pay for equal work and Reversing cuts to public services and likely to make it a trend. which may have a say in who takes office. Yet most analysis and debate amongst legal and financial independence (which social security that have adverse impacts have become dominant themes in the politicians and other key actors ignores the were key original demands of the women’s on women Duverger's Law suggests that, where first- election campaign. While these parties The dynamics of electoral politics in Britain past-the-post plurality electoral systems themselves are unlikely to obtain sufficient have also changed markedly. It is no longer impact of government decisions on women liberation movement). Ongoing equal pay • Reforming plans for Universal Credit in general and unpaid care in particular - disputes with Scottish local authorities still exist, a two-party system tends to be numbers to change the categorisation of (and hasn’t been for some time) a straight • Investing in social infrastructure - despite unpaid care being the glue that involve tens of thousands, denying women the result. Britain has long been cited an the party system, they are influencing the left-right contest fought upon class-based care, health, education and training supports the formal economy. For example, the earnings they are due. The introduction example. In 1951, the zenith of two-party political debate. expectations. Valence issues have become services, social security and housing, the recently published Centre for Labour of Employment Tribunal fees further politics, Tories and Labour gained 97% By contrast, the party system in Scotland prevalent, with parties finding a position complemented by investment in and Social Sciences (CLASS) booklet asks reduces women’s access to justice for equal of the vote. The latest opinion polls show has long departed from the traditional on a spectrum, rather than a definitive renewable energy and environmentally ‘What’s at stake for work, pay and unions?’ pay and other sex discrimination claims. these two parties totalling just 65%. So, is duopoly. Identity, centre-periphery and the position for or against a particular issue. friendly public transport. In its foreword, Frances O’Grady argues These present a formidable list for union the two-party system over? Unionist-Nationalist dimension have led to So what happens on 7 May is likely to • the general election is ‘a chance to reject action. Ensuring access to affordable care and In truth, the two-party system has been a complicated patterns of voting at different be a function of both an electoral system improving the terms and conditions a broken economic system’. The booklet, Political parties vying for women’s votes misnomer for some time and a caricature electoral levels: local, Holyrood and that favours a party system which no of work for the paid work (leading to however, maintains the established concept must do much better than capping child which did not take into account national Westminster. Different electoral systems longer exists, and the radically changing better quality care). of the economy in arguing ‘the economy benefit as a deficit reduction measure or differences in England, Scotland and Wales at each simply add to the complications. dynamics of party competition in the wake must work for all working people’. sticking doggedly to current spending • Strengthening worker’s rights including (and the entirely different party system Prior to the 2014 referendum, there of a constitutional referendum (which SWBG agrees the economic system plans. There is a long list of actions to collective bargaining rights and raising which exists in Northern Ireland). Since the appeared to be a pattern to voting in threatened the very existence of the existing is broken and believes it should work advance equality, eliminate discrimination, the minimum wage to a level that rise of the SNP in the 1970s and the merger Scotland: the SNP did better in elections state). The result, in electoral terms, is for everyone, including those whose and mitigate the excesses of austerity, ensures a decent living. of the Liberals and Social Democratic Party to the Scottish Parliament, with other likely to be a hung parliament. In Scotland, contribution is unpaid. Economic analysis some of which are: reverse tribunal fees, • Improving support for people - currently in 1988 established the Liberal Democrats, party identifiers ‘lending’ them a vote in the likely increase in SNP MPs looks set that reflects waged work only, ensures that introduce mandatory pay audits, include mainly women - who provide unpaid the Conservative-Labour duopoly has this strictly ‘Scottish’ electoral contest. For to reduce further the chance of majority care and women’s unpaid contribution to equality clauses in public procurement care in families and communities. Men diminished. elections to Westminster, however, those government. care and provisioning for waged workers contracts, ensure recourse to public funds should also be supported to contribute The LibDems regularly polled more than identifiers returned to their ‘natural’ home, Historic Labour strength in Wales also looks will remain invisible, unaccounted for for asylum seekers and refugees, and make more to unpaid care, for instance 25% but due to its vote’s geographical and Labour continued to sweep a majority to be in decline, though not as markedly

14 15 in Scotland. And in England, the contest the constitutional question upwards, what referendum in Scotland would settle the varies by region and by constituency, as happens with EU membership after the constitutional question appear destined to seats become marginal between increasing election is also up for debate – the potential be disappointed. Constitutional questions numbers of different parties. UKIP increase in seats and influence could look set to dominate for some time to come. What does this mean in constitutional play a substantial role here. Indeed, with terms? Scotland, and independence, is not more parties increasing their representation Dr Malcolm Harvey is a Research Fellow at off the political agenda, and nor is the prickly at Westminster electoral reform might also the Centre on Constitutional Change and the University of Aberdeen. issue of English Votes for English Laws, and be on the agenda once again. how to better govern England. Extending In short - those who hoped that the Responsibilities lead to progress Terri Smith argues that the referendum has helped positively engage young people with politics

oung people are an integral part of for young people within their local area. and when to register to vote, and enabled Ysociety. They are engaged, active and Each and every one of the young people I them to access impartial information informed citizens, keen to play their part in met with were informed, engaged, full of on the referendum and other upcoming creating a better Scotland. With age comes passion, and excited about exercising their elections. This access to information is responsibility. As a society, we already allow democratic right to cast their vote. crucial to furthering engagement because it our young people to marry, have children, I believe it is absolutely vital that young allows young people to make an informed leave school, and get a job, but also more people continue to pursue issue-based choice for themselves. importantly, we recently made a historical politics because this enables them to When young people become actively decision to allow our young people to vote understand how their everyday lives are involved, you inevitably see decision- on the constitutional future of Scotland in affected by political issues, and how the makers direct policy changes towards the independence referendum. issues important to them are political topics. them: in essence the more young people This responsibility empowered young Issues-based politics is fundamental to are involved, the more politicians are keen people to become actively involved in the connecting with the most disenfranchised to win their vote. This is actually a good political process by having their say about young people who would not necessarily thing because it closes the gap between the future of their country. This decision, engage with the democratic process. It young people and decision-makers, and it and the effort afforded to encouraging opens up the opportunity for young people also highlights the importance of political young people to register to vote, resulted to explore what it feels like to be involved participation as it broadens people’s in mass participation from the people in politics, and for many first time voters, horizons and opens them up to endless of Scotland, and an exceptionally high the experience of casting their vote provides opportunities. turnout of young voters. them with the enthusiasm and passion to The effort afforded across the country to Admittedly, voting on constitutional change continue engaging with political debate, facilitate a range of young people’s question is different to voting in the general election, and that is what we should be aiming for time events, hustings and debates, and but the underlying principles are the same. as a country. general engagement sessions ahead of the Often, young people don’t want to partake The Scottish referendum has made lasting referendum was fantastic. I’d like to see in party politics and they are more focused impact on mass participation in politics. more events like this being made available on issue-based politics. While many may Young people were welcomed into the to young people on a regular basis, and argue this could hinder young people’s process with the responsibility and long in particular leading up to the General participation in the general election, I overdue right to vote at the age of 16, Election. Politicians need to be regularly would disagree on the basis that young and the enthusiasm created around this making the effort to engage with young people actively choose to research the issues momentous occasion inspired many to people through events such as those I important to them and consider which party become involved. mentioned in order to show that young they believe best represents their views. Generations of families who had never people’s opinions are truly valued and this During the referendum campaign, the participated in an election or referendum won’t be something that changes once the Scottish Youth Parliament engaged with before got involved. Many will argue over ballots are counted. over 18,000 young people and registered the reasons behind this, but for me this Young people want to be involved and thousands of first time voters. As a Member happened because of a focus on issue based we saw that throughout the referendum of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP), politics, and an increased recognition of process. Having seized the opportunity the opportunity to be at the forefront of the impact politics has on people’s everyday to have their say, young people now have one the most historic moments in Scottish lives. I believe there was a widespread a need and desire to remain involved. history was astounding. The process acknowledgment that everyone’s opinion The single most important method of gave me the opportunity to engage with was valued. encouraging young people to register young people right in the heart of their Another pivotal factor during the to vote and utilise their vote is having communities. referendum was young people’s access conversations that help young people relate I’ve spoken with young people from all to unbiased information. The Scottish politics to their life. over Scotland and they all have opinions Youth Parliament provided a unique youth We need to continue to respect young on issues ranging from immigration, the engagement programme, called ‘Aye Naw people and treat them like the young adults economy, and Trident, to more localised Mibbe’, which focused on providing young they are, whilst ensuring that the formality issues, such as access to opportunities people with important information on how and language used does not scare them away.

16 The right to vote comes with responsibility informed decisions when it comes to I hope we can continue to encourage and young people deserve to be afforded voting, and I hope the rest of the country our young people to have their say and that responsibility in all elections. can see that too. We are delighted that the shape their own futures, and I am looking As the democratically elected voice of voting age will be lowered to 16 in time forward to encouraging participation in the Scotland’s young people, the Scottish for the next Scottish Parliament elections, upcoming General Election. Youth Parliament has always known that and we believe this will have a very positive Terri Smith MSYP is Vice Chair of the 16 and 17-year-olds are capable of making impact on the overall levels of engagement. Scottish Youth Parliament Righting a collective wrong Grahame Smith argues collective bargaining is necessary for economic success and social justice

hen the STUC's 118th Annual Modern Slavery Bill. We even had Cameron Scotland and to increase levels of workplace WCongress convenes on 20 April, there call on employers to increase the wages of democracy. While both its Programme for will be just over two weeks of campaigning their staff and pay the living wage for lower Government, published late last year, and left before the general election. Its theme is paid workers from the record profits they its recently refreshed Economic Strategy, ‘Decent Work - Dignified Lives’, adopted are enjoying as a result of the fall in the oil are positive about the role of unions and set by the STUC to provide the bridge from our price. a different course on industrial relations in pre-referendum ‘A Just Scotland’ campaign The Fair Work Convention which the Scotland, they are silent on the importance to our work to ensure that Scottish political Scottish Government is working with the of collective bargaining. discourse continues to focus on the issues STUC to create, has been identified by Collective bargaining is about more than of poverty, inequality and social justice that the SNP as a mechanism for union and obtaining a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s dominated the referendum campaign. employer leadership on workplace issues work, protecting terms and conditions As we see the Scottish parties set out their and to ensure more employers, particularly and safeguarding our members’ health election pledges, it seems clear that the in the private sector, pay the Living Wage, and safety. It is about equality. It is impact of STUC and union campaigning, abandon the use of zero hours contracts about building and sustaining workplace the priority Labour has given to highlighting and promote fair working practices and democracy. It is about the development of the cost of living crisis and the Scottish workplace innovation. a society which is fairer, more equal and Government's new focus on fair work (not While adopting progressive policies to democratic - and where economic power is unconnected to the emphasis this has been improve individual employment rights more evenly distributed. given by the STUC) will mean that policy is essential, as our Manifesto makes clear, The sorry truth is that for far too long now, on workplace protection will be given more economic inequality in Scotland cannot successive governments have refused to than just superficial attention. be effectively challenged, the cost of living acknowledge any kind of positive role for Our Manifesto for Decent Work draws crisis alleviated and decline in real wages collective bargaining. It has been considered together a range of demands that union reversed without a wider commitment an unwelcome rigidity which prevents the members have been encouraged to raise to remove the restrictions on union otherwise flexible labour market adjusting with candidates of all parties and to recognition and representation and allow to meet changes in demand for labour. The consider their response to these demands unions the freedom to organise and to wider benefits of collective bargaining have when deciding how to cast their vote. Our bargain collectively. been deliberately obscured and diminished. Manifesto includes a range of policies to We already know about Tory proposals to For flexible labour market read low wage, strengthen individual employment rights introduce thresholds for strike ballots in the low regulation, and low valuation of a and, given the pronouncements already utilities and public services. However, while disposable workforce. made by the parties, some of these at least Labour's National Policy Forum Report, on What has been ignored is that high levels of should receive broad support. which its manifesto will be based, contains union membership and extensive collective Labour's advocacy of 'pre-distribution' some warm words about the importance bargaining coverage are not an impediment has been translated into a commitment to of the union voice for people at work to economic success. They are central to raise the minimum wage to £8 per hour and in wider society, aside from welcome redressing the asymmetries in economic by 2020; use public procurement and tax commitments to support union learning power that are the root cause of inequality. incentives to encourage more employers to and to repeal the Lobbying Act, it contains All in all, the commitments made so far by pay the Living Wage; ban ‘exploitative’ zero no firm proposals. The policy document both Labour and the SNP fall some way hour contracts; reform the tribunal system considered at Scottish Labour's recent short of our Manifesto demands to extend so affordability is not a barrier to justice; conference, and on which its 2016 Scottish the scope and reach of union recognition, set up a proper inquiry into the blacklisting election manifesto will be based, goes a collective bargaining and the role of and deal with umbrella companies; and little further in committing a future Labour workplace reps. double the length of paternity leave and Government to promote unions. It is not enough for both parties just to increase paternity pay. The SNP government has made tackling oppose Tory plans on strike ballots (that is The Tories have been driven to propose a inequality a priority and has given its support, the least we should expect). They both need £7 per hour minimum wage; have flagged in principle, to the recommendations of to raise their voices in support of the right their intention to repeal the Human Rights the Working Together Review, included in to strike and for the introduction of secure Act and to replace it with a British Bill of which are proposals to enhance the role of on-line and secret workplace ballots. Rights; end the use of exclusive zero hours workplace reps and explore the potential to The Tory strike ballot proposals are an contracts; and tackle trafficking through a extend collective and sectoral bargaining in outright attack on the fundamental,

17 democratic right of workers to withdraw disruptive to our public services and the that should be protected. their labour. They are an affront to economy than the level of executive pay say A colleague who attended the recent ILO civil liberties and a violation of ILO the Tories. Leaving aside the obvious point right to strike negotiations in Geneva told conventions. They are presented as a that the Coalition's austerity policies are me that he heard a robust defence of the solution to a problem that doesn't exist. In each and every day causing more damage right to strike from Nordic governments Britain, we don't have a strike 'problem'. to public services and our economy than that he’d never heard in Britain for 40 years The most recent figures we have on strikes public sector strikes - it appears to be lost (from either government or unions). are from 2013 when only 1% of workers on the Tories that it was excessive levels If Labour and the SNP are serious about participated in a strike. There were only of executive pay, the increased income reducing inequality and about tackling the around 100 strikes most of which were in inequality that accompanied it, and the cost of living crisis, they must not shy away the private and not the public sector and corruption in corporate behaviour that from a positive policy agenda on union the number of working days lost due to it provoked, particularly in our financial strikes was 1.4% of the 28.2 million days institutions, that caused the 2008 crash rights, extending collective bargaining and lost to work related accidents and ill-health. and the recession that followed and from increasing levels of workplace democracy, Based on that evidence you would think which we are still recovering. as well as defending the right to strike. that the priority of government would be Some political strategist may consider Our Decent Work Manifesto is a litmus test to strengthen health and safety regulations displaying too positive an attitude to for those political parties that claim to rather than those governing strike ballots! unions and to defending the right to strike be progressive. If politicians do, indeed, It is interesting that the only proposals to be an electoral liability. Politics must be want to tackle economic insecurity and the Tories have for ballot thresholds is in about more than parroting the findings of income inequality then government at all relation to strike ballots. In 2013, the focus groups. It must be about ideas, about levels must urgently reassess the benefits of current government's reform of the way top values and about ideology. It must be about collective bargaining- support an agenda executive pay is influenced by shareholders winning support for policies that might be for collective bargaining or stop the left decisions to be based on a simple unpopular with some groups of voters but platitudes about inequality, low wages and majority of those voting! for which the evidence is sound and which decent work. But strikes in the public sector are more are underpinned by fundamental freedoms Grahame Smith is general secretary of the STUC Willing to work together? Jim Mather gives a personal reflection upon on the Working Together Review he chaired

n offering a personal perspective on the see many more of the recommendations policies over many years as well as the IWorking Together Review, I should say of the Working Together Review, being ‘winner’s curse’ that many management at the outset that the work of the Review implemented. Keep succinctly described teams have been progressively inflicting on Group has crystallised in my mind the the prize Scotland could achieve if it themselves through misuse of power and sequential conditional potential of having manages to implement the Working their over-emphasis on short-term results. management and capital working in a Together Review recommendations as: The Review, and my reading in recent years, more collegiate and considerate way with ‘Scotland is liable to be heading in a prove ‘results at all costs’ were achieved at workforces and unions and, as a result, very different direction, from that which great cost: a huge waste of opportunity having many more organisations better England is likely to follow in the short to for businesses and people to develop, and able to both meet the reasonable and medium term, and that Scotland (or at massive collateral damage as people and legitimate needs of their customers and least some elements therein) wants to end communities have faced the consequences have the resilience and cohesion needed to up in a very different conceptual place and of mismanagement, short-termism, discord innovate, endure and grow. space from England (essentially Northern and disengagement. Meanwhile, if there is an immediate Europe rather than a point somewhere in The report not only suggests that tangible result from the Working the mid-Atlantic)’. That is a sentiment I there is a better way, making practical Together Report it appears as paragraph believe all members of the Review echo and recommendations to that effect, but it 68 in the publication of Scotland’s recent one that finds broad support from all across also makes a case for increased union ‘Programme for Government’, which Scotland. recognition, higher levels of both union reads: ‘We will work closely with the In fulfilling the remit, it was no surprise membership and collective bargaining and Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) to find imbalanced power relationships more direct employee-involvement in the and business representatives in the new Fair in many workplaces and the need for an co-authoring of strategy in private, public Work Convention, which will be a powerful overdue rebalancing that could produce and voluntary organisations. advocate of the partnership approach materially better outcomes based upon However, not only did we find a great which characterises industrial relations in fairness, mutual respect and increased deal of evidence to show that there was a Scotland at their best – and recognise the industrial democracy. Nor was it a surprise better way for management, employees fact that business productivity goes hand to see the causal link between poor and unions to work together but also we in hand with proper pay for employees and workplaces and all the negative effects from found that evidence compelling; whether progressive workplace policies’. low-productivity, low staff-retention to it was our Scottish examples or Rajendra That commitment makes it all the more poverty, migration and poor health. Sisodia’s Firms of Endearment which tells us likely that Professor Ewart Keep’s aspirations Indeed, the Review exposed the damage businesses that outperformed the markets for the review will come to pass and we will being caused by misguided workplace between 1996 and 2011 by 10.5 times

18 democratic right of workers to withdraw disruptive to our public services and the that should be protected. adopted the following principles: also help prove the damage being done by 14: Work with management and workers their labour. They are an affront to economy than the level of executive pay say A colleague who attended the recent ILO 1. Align interests of all stakeholders managerial short-termism. Union 2.0 is yet to create a democracy of information civil liberties and a violation of ILO the Tories. Leaving aside the obvious point right to strike negotiations in Geneva told (customers, employees, partners, to be written, but if it was, it would read so every employee has the data needed conventions. They are presented as a that the Coalition's austerity policies are me that he heard a robust defence of the investors, and society) rather than like this: to act in the best interests of the entire solution to a problem that doesn't exist. In each and every day causing more damage right to strike from Nordic governments seeking profit optimization. 1: Ensure collaborative work of enterprise. Britain, we don't have a strike 'problem'. to public services and our economy than that he’d never heard in Britain for 40 years 2. Pay below-average executive management, workers and unions 15: Work with management to encourage The most recent figures we have on strikes public sector strikes - it appears to be lost (from either government or unions). compensation. serves a higher purpose. all employees to bring their complete are from 2013 when only 1% of workers on the Tories that it was excessive levels authentic selves to work and to ensure If Labour and the SNP are serious about 3. Maintain open-door policies to allow 2: Help to fully embed the ideas of participated in a strike. There were only of executive pay, the increased income that they are heard and their ideas put reducing inequality and about tackling the employees to escalate issues with community and citizenship in around 100 strikes most of which were in inequality that accompanied it, and the to the test. cost of living crisis, they must not shy away management. management systems and the minds of the private and not the public sector and corruption in corporate behaviour that 16: Work with management to expand from a positive policy agenda on union 4. Pay above average for industry all involved. the number of working days lost due to it provoked, particularly in our financial the extent to which employees can rights, extending collective bargaining and employee compensation and benefits. 3: Reconstruct management’s strikes was 1.4% of the 28.2 million days institutions, that caused the 2008 crash autonomously propose and test increasing levels of workplace democracy, philosophical foundations and work to lost to work related accidents and ill-health. and the recession that followed and from 5. Deliver above-average employee workplace ideas aimed at improving the as well as defending the right to strike. have this co-authored and co-owned by Based on that evidence you would think which we are still recovering. training. work and/or the products and services that the priority of government would be unions and workers. Some political strategist may consider Our Decent Work Manifesto is a litmus test 6. Help employees to be more able to on offer. to strengthen health and safety regulations for those political parties that claim to 4: Eliminate the pathologies of formal displaying too positive an attitude to satisfy customers. 17: Work with management to create rather than those governing strike ballots! be progressive. If politicians do, indeed, hierarchy – take advantage of natural unions and to defending the right to strike 7. Hire employees who are passionate internal demand for ideas, talent, and want to tackle economic insecurity and leaders and learn the lessons of It is interesting that the only proposals to be an electoral liability. Politics must be about the organisation’s purpose. resources aligned with the purpose that the Tories have for ballot thresholds is in income inequality then government at all commercial aviation’s Crew Resource about more than parroting the findings of 8. Humanise customer and employee drives the organisation. relation to strike ballots. In 2013, the levels must urgently reassess the benefits of Management approach focus groups. It must be about ideas, about experiences. 18: Work with management to depoliticise current government's reform of the way top collective bargaining- support an agenda 5: Expose and eliminate use of fear and values and about ideology. It must be about the decision-making processes – executive pay is influenced by shareholders for collective bargaining or stop the 9. Enjoy below-average marketing costs. intimidation and take joint steps to winning support for policies that might be making them free of positional biases left decisions to be based on a simple platitudes about inequality, low wages and 10. Honour the spirit as well as the letter develop, increase and maintain trust. unpopular with some groups of voters but and leveraging the collective wisdom majority of those voting! decent work. of laws. for which the evidence is sound and which 6: Work with management to reinvent available from the entire organization But strikes in the public sector are more are underpinned by fundamental freedoms Grahame Smith is general secretary of the STUC 11. Focus on corporate culture as a the means of control and create more and beyond. competitive advantage. autonomous teams committed to 19: Work with management and workers 12. Channel energy and attention into continuous improvement. to maximize employee engagement Willing to work together? innovative practices. 7: Redefine leadership in terms of through the sort of alignment, fairness Jim Mather gives a personal reflection upon on the Working Together Review he chaired I know that we could emulate both process developing and communicating goals, and engagement that can unleash and results in Scotland, weaving in other gaining necessary resources, improving purposeful passion. n offering a personal perspective on the see many more of the recommendations policies over many years as well as the lessons from elsewhere, building on what is work and developing people. We have the skills and the allies and the IWorking Together Review, I should say of the Working Together Review, being ‘winner’s curse’ that many management already working, drawing on the wisdom of 8: Create workplaces that value and scale to make this happen – all we now at the outset that the work of the Review implemented. Keep succinctly described teams have been progressively inflicting on mediators and systems thinkers, who know leverage diversity, disagreement, and need is some initial conversations and some Group has crystallised in my mind the the prize Scotland could achieve if it themselves through misuse of power and that optimising any ‘system’ needs everyone divergence as much as conformance, early pilots. sequential conditional potential of having manages to implement the Working their over-emphasis on short-term results. to be involved, fairness to be established consensus, and cohesion. There will be those who immediately management and capital working in a Together Review recommendations as: and a combined clarity of purpose to be The Review, and my reading in recent years, 9: Reinvent strategy-making as emergent look for statutory underpinning as they more collegiate and considerate way with ‘Scotland is liable to be heading in a discussed, agreed and formalised. prove ‘results at all costs’ were achieved at and evolving that is respectful of all believe is needed to make this happen but workforces and unions and, as a result, very different direction, from that which great cost: a huge waste of opportunity In the process, I believe we could roll back the legitimate inputs and all reasonable unlike Northern Ireland, even after the having many more organisations better England is likely to follow in the short to for businesses and people to develop, and misuse of Lean, Performance Management, voices. Smith Commission, employment law is able to both meet the reasonable and medium term, and that Scotland (or at massive collateral damage as people and Sickness Absence Policies and the perverse 10: Work with management to de-structure not devolved. And I have no confidence legitimate needs of their customers and least some elements therein) wants to end communities have faced the consequences paternalism that have often limited the and disaggregate the organization, that we will see such measures from any have the resilience and cohesion needed to up in a very different conceptual place and of mismanagement, short-termism, discord potential for fulfilment and rewards that making it more adaptable and Westminster government. But, in spite of innovate, endure and grow. space from England (essentially Northern and disengagement. people have a right to expect. innovative – and helping large entities that, I am not pessimistic – for I believe Meanwhile, if there is an immediate Europe rather than a point somewhere in The report not only suggests that Equally, during the review, I to be disaggregated into smaller, more that the report’s recommendations, the Fair tangible result from the Working the mid-Atlantic)’. That is a sentiment I there is a better way, making practical became convinced that, whilst our malleable units. Work Convention, and continuing focus Together Report it appears as paragraph believe all members of the Review echo and recommendations to that effect, but it recommendations would make a material and open dialogue on the evolution of 11: Work with management and workers 68 in the publication of Scotland’s recent one that finds broad support from all across also makes a case for increased union difference and help us achieve this the workplace will offer more momentum to share setting direction to engender ‘Programme for Government’, which Scotland. recognition, higher levels of both union transformation, it would also be necessary and legitimacy and improved results – that reads: ‘We will work closely with the In fulfilling the remit, it was no surprise membership and collective bargaining and for us to have a match for what Gary Hamel commitment and create conditions that would be better than those produced by Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) to find imbalanced power relationships more direct employee-involvement in the calls ‘Management 2.0’. That ‘match’ has can help to restore pride in work. reluctant compliance with new legislation. and business representatives in the new Fair in many workplaces and the need for an co-authoring of strategy in private, public to be the creation of ‘Unions 2.0’. I am 12: Work with management and workers to The key driver will be the realisation that Work Convention, which will be a powerful overdue rebalancing that could produce and voluntary organisations. confident that this can be achieved given develop holistic performance measures a more collegiate and fairer approach to advocate of the partnership approach materially better outcomes based upon However, not only did we find a great so many skilled committed people in the that their mutual customers would find employees is the best way to reverse the which characterises industrial relations in fairness, mutual respect and increased deal of evidence to show that there was a union movement in Scotland, successful acceptable such as end-to-end times for negative effects of the higher costs, lower Scotland at their best – and recognise the industrial democracy. Nor was it a surprise better way for management, employees role model workplaces and the Review’s job completion. customer retention and lower levels of fact that business productivity goes hand to see the causal link between poor and unions to work together but also we recommendations on developing capacity 13: Work with management, workers and innovation and lower growth. Finally, a in hand with proper pay for employees and workplaces and all the negative effects from found that evidence compelling; whether and capability in industrial relations with public opinion to produce wholesome message picked up from Ireland following progressive workplace policies’. low-productivity, low staff-retention to it was our Scottish examples or Rajendra emphasis on learning and training. and reasonable alternatives to the financial crisis’s impact on its social That commitment makes it all the more poverty, migration and poor health. Sisodia’s Firms of Endearment which tells us Unions 2.0 could make an even better compensation and reward systems that partnership was that those ‘partnerships’ likely that Professor Ewart Keep’s aspirations Indeed, the Review exposed the damage businesses that outperformed the markets case for union recognition, union encourage managers to sacrifice long- that allow the interests of the partnership for the review will come to pass and we will being caused by misguided workplace between 1996 and 2011 by 10.5 times membership and collective bargaining and term goals for short-term gains. to eclipse the legitimate interests of the

18 19 respective partners, can, in times of stress in the context of higher purposes, such as Working Together Review (January to August and strain, be gradually dishonoured, customer needs, common-good, fairness, 2014). He was also an SNP MSP and former devalued and breed division. My hope resilience and longevity, that unites all of Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism is that we can learn from this and other those involved. (2007-2011). The report of the Working aspects of the report, creating a sound open Jim Mather is chairman of Gael Ltd and a Together Review: Progressive Workplace and honest basis for the development of visiting professor at Strathclyde & Heriot- Policies in Scotland can be found at http:// legitimate competing interests managed Watt Universities and was the chairman of the www.gov.scot/Resource/0045/00457659.pdf Failed austerity gives opportunity for new industrial relations Steve Turner argues for rebuilding our unions and institutions for a fairer society

hen new Greek finance minister, Thatcherism put a stop to this. To provide In our labour market, the impact of WYanis Varoufakis, observed austerity for the soar away super-rich and powerful these trends is the lived experience of is akin to trying to milk a sick cow by political elite – the 1% v the 99% - you millions. Hollowing out of decent jobs, kicking it, he was spot-on. Austerity is the need to crush opposition. Flexibility, welfare support, social housing, hope and latest failed, ideological and unacceptable insecurity and inequality were to become opportunity disconnects people from their face of capitalism, deepening inequality money-spinners and growing poverty an communities. If society does not value its and poverty and, in Greece, causing a opportunity to be exploited rather than people enough to put in a floor of basic desperate collapse in living standards an obscenity to be addressed. Dismantling securities – not just pay, regular hours and public services. Syriza’s election was the structures of workers’ power, shackling and safe, secure employment but access the successful outcome of a mobilisation unions and eroding bargaining were crucial to homes, financial security in old age, to reject austerity; inspiring hope that to this project. Undeniably, the decline health, social care and an environmentally democratic politics shape an economy in union power since the 1970s choked sustainable planet – then we are heading fit to serve its people, snubbing decades off social and political progress as well as for serious conflict over the coming period. of uninterrupted neo-liberal economic efforts to redistribute the wealth we create. So how do we reverse these trends and doctrine across Europe. Bargaining coverage slipped and by 1990 begin to build decent work? Aside rejecting Austerity has entrenched deepening fell to 55%, heading further south ever failed austerity economics and invest in a inequality, stagnating wages and growing since. Today, it’s 23% while, over the same growing, confident, fair economy, a critical poverty. It entrenched but did not start period, the share of our economic wealth step in righting what is wrong will be the these, being not accidental but the direct going to working people has fallen by 11%. restoring of union freedoms, removing and intended consequences of neo- There is something very wrong with an employers’ rights to undermine democratic liberal economic philosophy. Evolving in economic system that has fed wealth ballots with petty, technical challenges and Chicago in the 1970s, refined by brutal inequality to the point that the UK’s reintroducing regulated systems of sector regimes in Latin and South America, they richest 10% own 44% of wealth. Indeed, level bargaining. Political and business inspired Thatcher and Reagan to bring just five families now have a combined leaders need to understand that diminishing this philosophy to shores of Britain and wealth equivalent to that of the poorest the value of work diminishes our own future America. 20%. Austerity is being used as a guise and the opportunity to build a vibrant, While we struggle with the political for systematic shrinking of the state, high-skill, high-productivity economy. necessity to rebalance our economy from privatisation of public services and Our corporations hoarded over £500bn as low wage, insecure work and growing removal of social protection while further they continue with a long-term investment personal debt, it’s hard to believe that just concentrating wealth and power amongst strike while ‘corporate welfare’ forces us 40 years ago 84% of workers were covered the few. to pay the price of low pay via tax credits by collective agreements and 64% of Low wage exploitation is, however, only and housing benefit. This is the politics economic wealth (measured by GDP) went one part of growing employment inequality of the mad house. As citizens, we demand to workers as wages. – the Office for National Statistics confirms visionary, bold government that’s prepared Not only was our economy growing and precarious working continues its rise as to seize the moment in the collective corporations and wealthy individuals zero and short hours working, so-called interests of society. paying their fair share of taxes, workers self-employment, agency and casual A National Investment Bank and industrial were getting a bigger share of the pie and employment swell further. Look across strategy to rebalance and renew our spending it on the high street (unlike Scotland’s central belt; bars, retail and economy; rebuilding our infrastructure, today’s rich, syphoning off billions into hospitality work replace what were once providing desperately needed new, overseas tax havens). An organised, shipyards, and where once there was the car environmentally refurbished social homes, confident, powerful union movement led plant in Linwood there is now a retail park, governments using public procurement struggles for political and social advances, home to a drive-in Starbucks. We are not to rebuild our manufacturing heartlands and millions experienced strides forward in a poor nation; the UK is the fifth largest and investing in decent, safe, unionised living standards, horizons were expanded economy in the world yet last year over jobs, alongside hope, apprenticeships and and new opportunities opened up. 20m meals were given out by food-banks. opportunities for our young.

20 In Scotland, debate about new industrial wealth, we need to build the structures think nothing of holding their workforce relations models is already taking place. For that could facilitate this. So Unite Scotland and even national economies to ransom. us in the rest of Britain, we can only look on argued in its 2014 evidence to the Scottish A modern economy cannot continue on in envy – the idea of the union movement government, submitted as part of the a downhill race to the bottom. So Unite as a welcome partner in social progress has Working Together exercise: ‘Industrial Scotland is pressing Holyrood to introduce some way to go south of the border. While democracy is not about putting one worker collective bargaining into three central Scotland’s government is engaging unions on a board in order to provide an employee sectors: road haulage, the voluntary sector as partners in a cross-community discussion `voice’; industrial democracy goes beyond and hospitality. Putting a floor beneath the on social progress through Working this and is fundamentally about the power tens of thousands of workers in these sectors Together, their counterparts in Westminster balance in the workplace’. Industrial will be a good start, ensuring collaborative only see a chance to launch a further assault democracy of the sort that genuinely decision-making and a fairer share of the on unions’ ability to defend and represent delivers for workers and their communities wealth they create. members and their communities. can only be achieved through the collective If the Scottish government can be So as Jim Mather and his colleagues from strength of workers organised in effective, persuaded to agree that collectivism is a across business and the union movement powerful unions. better deal for the people of Scotland than were sitting down to consider the model A new ‘fair wages resolution’, modern wages `co-determination’ or conventions, then of industrial democracy best suited for councils and National Joint Industrial those young people forced onto zero hours modern-day Scotland, back in London Councils can structurally address the contracts, minimum wage jobs or cafes a highly ideological effort to dismantle economic democracy deficit. Regulations were car plants used to be can begin to further union power was taking shape. The introducing new models of collective union believe that they are valued by their county road the Tories choose to travel is a world engagement in corporate governance and and have a shared stake in its future. away from the serious tripartite effort that requirements on corporate boards to take Unions themselves have to face up to the is needed to restore fairness and stability to responsibility for the social and economic challenges of organising the precarious our economy and labour market. consequences of decisions rather than that so many believe are too difficult As opposition to deepening inequality finds cowering to the demands of short term to organise. It was casual dock and gas more voice, too many among those who investors could fundamentally shift the workers, matchgirls, agricultural workers seek to govern us stick to their doctrine nature of the debate at board level. and others that built our movement some that the people serve the markets, rather In the motor industry, we have some of 140 years ago. It’s our responsibility and than the other way about. The parameters the most productive, best skilled, fairly duty to reach out, organise and fight for of political debate are kept to defending rewarded workers in the country. This that better, fairer world, a socialism based the status quo. But the status quo is not is no accident. It has arisen because their on the needs of people not demands for working. Unite and employers understand the profit. The Resolution Foundation, in discussing best future is a common one, collectively This is our challenge, and no new the future of the minimum wage, argued: negotiated. I could take you around many institutions, rights or structures will deliver ‘It is increasingly clear that low pay is a UK workplaces with a similar outlook, it for us. We have to enter any new structures systematic feature of the 21st century UK where the workers – through their unions with power not just as a voice for the labour market that will not solve itself – are fully engaged in the development dispossessed. We have to engage, protest, through a light touch approach of pursuing and planning of successful businesses. As a mobilise, build confidence, networks and growth and investing in skills. … Simply result, employers are able to retain skills and alliances to win. Our governments must equipping individual workers to navigate staff who are more productive, retaining decide whose side they are on. Surely, the these conditions will not be enough. social capital in their local communities. time has now come for them to conclude Institutions are needed that change the But there are still far too many employers that our `sick cow’ cannot deliver when it’s labour market itself’. who harass, threaten, sack and blacklist getting kicked. If we are to reverse the growing inequality those who stand up for union rights. Steve Turner is Assistant General Secretary of and increase the workers’ share of national There can be no place employers who the Unite union Solidarity to defeat government union-busting Lynn Henderson argues the attack on PCS is an attack on all unions n its dying days, the Coalition Minister, Francis Maude, the Tories aim to It’s clear the attacks are because PCS Igovernment desperately spews out bankrupt our union through withdrawal has dared to stand up for our members anti-union bile against the Public and of check-off subscriptions deducted at against the erosion of pay, pensions and Commercial Services (PCS) union, the source from members’ wages. This is all jobs in the civil and public services that union representing the government’s own part of the unremitting determination to the Tories seek to run down and hand workers. Labour MP, Ian Lavery, former take back gains won by the working class over to profiteers. PCS has also dared to NUM president, described the Tories’ through generations of struggle, including advocate and popularise an alternative to attack on PCS as the most serious on any the NHS and welfare state. They want to austerity economics, rich-club tax favours union since the 1980s. He is not joking! remove union and human rights and to and welfare misery. The first PCS pamphlet Personally coordinated by Cabinet Office institutionalise inequality. post-financial crash was simply entitled,

21 ‘There is an alternative’, and it was in union. Although PCS is efficiently organised and research for PCS that tax justice expert, HMRC HR has comfortably accommodated administered, it will take a tremendous Richard Murphy, exposed the £120bn a staff association (RCTU), a scab outfit effort to sign over all current members to annual loss to our nation’s coffers through designed to undermine effective trade direct debit. We learn from other unions tax avoidance and evasion. unionism in the department. It has who faced check-off withdrawal that it can PCS may be the target today but this attack summarily removed facilities from legitimate take upwards of three years to recover subs- is part of a wider anti-democratic strategy union representatives, deliberately targeting paying membership levels. It is clear that to eliminate effective, campaigning unions. lead representatives. the Tories' intention is to seek to exploit potential lower union density levels in the The Tories want free rein to plunder and HMRC chief executive, Lyn Homer, destroy the public sector and unions stand short term as a pretext to denying union presides over a government agency treated in the way of that. recognition altogether. Alongside their as a standing joke by the tax-dodging threats to further tighten anti-union laws, Attacks on jobs, conditions and services corporate elite. But rather than concentrate this attack is part of a plan to effectively all stem from the same ideological source on tackling tax evasion and avoidance outlaw industrial action. and class interest, and will only be defeated she presses ahead with cuts that further by the joint, coordinated industrial might compromise tax collecting efficiency, while The Tories are wreaking their havoc now, Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians of our movement acting together. With giving top priority to smashing PCS. While before the general election, and if returned the manifestos pledges of all main parties chief executives in other departments, will seek to turn their bile on the rest of containing only austerity-lite or austerity- albeit lamely, cite pressure by ministers to our movement, starting with the other Best wishes to all STUC Congress 2015 Delegates max policies, it is only the union movement carry out Maude's union-busting edicts to public sector areas, where trade unionism that can make any effective challenge to end check-off, the decision to withdraw it is strongest. Also, the haste to crush PCS is the political consensus that there is no • An end to the Umbrella Company scam in HMRC was entirely hers. clear that even under a Labour government alternative. committed to maintaining check off, much Homer neatly epitomises the new breed of • Justice for Blacklisted workers What PCS is up against today is a of the damage will have been done. highly politicised civil service executives, government that, as an employer, refuses • slavishly loyal to the cuts and privatisation In Scotland, a third of PCS members work Dignity and fair pay at work to negotiate at national level while agenda in the sure knowledge that a grateful in the devolved Scottish Government implementing a clear national cuts strategy. corporate elite will never forget their sector. We expect better from a Scottish Harry Frew Andy Wilson It won't negotiate national agreements but services. Is it any surprise, therefore, that Government prepared to commission the Regional Secretary Regional Chair try to diminish or rip up those already Working Together Report with the STUC existing by driving through disadvantageous Maude has appointed HMRC HR director https://www.ucatt.org.uk/join Tel: 0141 420 2880 and would-be union-buster, Jonathan and to set up a Fair Work Convention. That conditions wherever they can and remove the SNP administration hasn’t cut facility bargaining rights on a piecemeal basis. Donovan, to oversee a Cabinet Office time for PCS reps nor removed check off Union facility time has been slashed in an project on ‘Responsible Trade Unionism’ to is positive. Yet, we remain vigilant against attempt to weaken the union's ability to root out campaigning trade unionism in the an austerity pay policy and any attempt by defend and represent members. public sector. That senior civil servants are being instructed to engage in this politically either Ministers or employers to undercut A leaked document from inside the contentious activity is in itself a disgrace. long held union agreements, partnerships second biggest civil service employer, Her or principles. Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Meanwhile, in a bizarre and sinister over- At this time, it is important that our revealed vicious union-busting proposals reaction to a PCS survey on staffing, the including ‘proactive measures targeted at Home Office secured a secret injunction movement stands together. PCS calls on key union activists’ and ‘degradation of against the union and ITV News on the the solidarity of our union brothers and PCS's organising capability by permanently grounds of endangering national security. sisters in our struggle against the most reducing the influence of union leaders’. It is not the identification of staff shortages hostile industrial conditions that have ever HMRC has refused to negotiate on that advantage terrorist organisations like been faced in the public sector. legitimate industrial grievances and has ISIS and Al Qaeda. Surely, the fact they Lynn Henderson is PCS Scottish Secretary attempted to marginalise and isolate the exist is of more worrying concern. and National Officer for Northern Ireland In Euro Veritas Patrick Maguire alerts us to a grave attack on workers’ health and safety rights have always believed political policies fall Second, there are the issues of the day where the qualifying period for unfair dismissal Iinto one of two categories. First, issues politicians try to tap into and shape the doubled; barriers erected blocking access to above pandering to populist narratives, prevailing Weltanschauung. Here, issues employment tribunal through tribunal fees; party political games and crass vote are political footballs to be juggled with at the 'rights for shares' sale; and the entire (perhaps even donation) winning tactics. least one eye on the reaction of voters in the court system south of the border radically These are inalienable rights - matters in crowd. The Coalitin government juggling altered with the apparently sole purpose relation to which the political direction of notions of the ‘compensation culture’, of preventing union members accessing travel is strictly one way, where rights given ‘cutting red tape for business’ and ‘standing justice. Each of these matters may fall into can and should never be taken away, where up to Brussels’ fall this category. the second category. each stride forward represents a Rubicon Following those mantras, the legislative But there is one blatantly anti-worker piece crossing. Equalities, a free NHS and the onslaught against unions and workers of legislation the Coalition has enacted Billy Hayes General Secretary universal right to education all fall into the over the last 5 years has been relentless, which represents a deliberate, unabashed, www.billyhayes.co.uk first category. vitriolic and utterly savage. We have seen continued page 25

22 23 Beryl Shepherd President Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians

Best wishes to all STUC Congress 2015 Delegates • An end to the Umbrella Company scam • Justice for Blacklisted workers • Dignity and fair pay at work Harry Frew Andy Wilson Regional Secretary Regional Chair https://www.ucatt.org.uk/join Tel: 0141 420 2880

Billy Hayes General Secretary www.billyhayes.co.uk

23 Beryl Shepherd President and for that, morally unacceptable (if not the protection under the UK regulations demanding that the Commission take reprehensible) erosion of hard fought rights. and removed the obligation on employers action. Secondly, Richard Baker MSP is I am referring to s69 of the Enterprise Act to ensure workers safety. Because of s69 currently consulting on a Members’ Bill to in which workers’ right to a safe workplace workers no longer have a right to a safe restore workers European rights at least in was simply removed in flagrant disregard to workplace, the Tories have removed an Scotland. I would encourage everyone to European Law. inalienable, basic, human right and until support Richard's proposal. Under European Framework Directive on now they have been allowed to do so. But Patrick McGuire is a solicitor advocate and Scotland’s biggest public services union Safety and Health at Work an employer that cannot be allowed to stand. a partner with Thompsons Solicitors. He is must ‘ensure the safety and health of There are 2 things that can be done and I a leading campaigner for law reform and Campaining for public services, jobs and fair pay workers in every aspect related to work’. would call upon everyone to assist. Firstly, has worked with many campaign groups and That is why we had a series of health and call upon the European Commission trades unions over the years to improve our Fighting austerity, cuts and low pay safety regulations in the UK. s69 ended to intervene by writing to one’s MEP country's health and safety record. Fight against Walmart goes global Defending public services and those who deliver them Andrew Brady explains how and why the campaign against Walmart is developing he transposing of marketing the company goes by different names conditions frequently face company Ttactics from North America is well in different countries: Asda in Britain, retribution. Workers are harassed and documented with the latest ploy in Britain Massmart in South Africa. intimidated by management when they try being ‘Black Friday’. Many looked on After the successful Black Friday strikes to voice concerns. So workers are asking for in bewilderment as shoppers fought in and protests at Walmart stores across respect, safety and job security. Join us It’s simple supermarket stores over ‘discount’ products North America in recent years, the B) Living Wages: Extremely low wages such as TVs. However, we should not campaign against this corporate Leviathan along with inconsistent work scheduling Online: joinunison.org be surprised as the public is bombarded went global on 19 November 2014. The make it difficult for workers in many Call us: 0800 171 2193 by tactics to prise open our wallets and global day of demonstration proceeded countries to support their families. In credit cards as consumer demand remains the successful #FastFoodGlobal campaign fact, due to the low wages of workplaces Contact: UNISON, 14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow G2 6RX anaemic after the global depression. For in May last year which witnessed the day Governments in effect are subsidising the Visit: www.unison-scotland.org.uk fans of TV programme, Mad Men, one gets of awareness go viral and become one of company by providing entitlements. to appreciate the skills and effort involved the top trending hashtags on twitter last C) Employment Security: The imposition in marketing and creating demand for year. This was no mean feat for the labour of part-time work, casual employment products which we really don’t need, indebt movement which has struggled to gain contracts or – in the case of Walmart's us or endanger our health. traction on social media by focussing on 1.4 million US workers no contracts at Scottish Left Review In America, the Wirecutter website analysed workers issues. In essence, social movement all - means workers have no employment The Scottish Left Review is a non-profit making publication. the various Black Friday deals, discovering unionism in America was exporting a security. Workers are asking that full-time, Please subscribe or make a donation by going to www. almost all of them were bogus. Gadgets that model of campaigning to the world which permanent work be the rule rather than the SCOTLAND scottishleftreview.org where you can pay by credit card were supposedly discount bargains were, in we could participate in, namely, a global exception. or by filling in your details in the form below and returning fact, 20% more expensive than before Black response to Walmart’s economic strategy. The day of action resulted in actions using SERVICES to Scottish Left Review, 741 Shields Road, Pollokshields, Friday. Of the 54,000 deals Wirecutter The FastFoodGlobal campaign, designed to the #WalmartGlobal hashtag in an effort to Glasgow G41 4PL investigated, less than 1% were worthwhile. improve the appalling wages and conditions make people aware of the presence of the So if this isn’t about bargains and helping set by the fast food industry, was an company in their country on social media OUR FUTURE Name hard-pressed consumers, what is about? Well, example of the power of social media fusing as well as hundreds of protests in countries PCS sends greetings it’s far more sinister than a marketing ploy - with on-the-ground energy to highlight around the world at stores controlled by Address it is specifically about a strain of cut-throat corporate abuse. The success of the Occupy Walmart. to all delegates capitalism being exported around the world Movement, as well as revolutions from It's time to stand up against Walmart to even more aggressive than the Washington Egypt to Hong Kong, in harnessing both ensure its cut-throat strain of capitalism attending the 118th consensus and which the notion of trickle- elements is well documented. However, does not penetrate every part of our world down economics is anathema to it. It’s called the global union movement is now getting – it's time this fight went global as it is in all Annual Congress of Tel: Walmartism. to grips with a dynamic which combines our interests to know exactly what Walmart With close to 2.2m employees worldwide, the spontaneity required on social media is exporting and not just its Black Fridays. the STUC E-mail: Walmart has built a reputation for low through turning people out on to the Andrew Brady is director of Union Solidarity wages, poor working conditions, inadequate streets in conjunction with organisation International. Janice Godrich health care and strong anti-unionism. It is and a rigorous programme for action. Subscription/Donation Poverty Alliance Scotland (PAS) National President the world's biggest private sector employer On 19 November 2014, just nine days so quite simply what happens at Walmart before Black Friday, the global union, UNI, PAS’s vision is of a sustainable Scotland based Mark Serwotka on social and economic justice, with dignity Date: matters. The poorest 10% of people in coordinated thousands of local actions across General Secretary I86 for all, where poverty and inequalities are not Britain would take on average 11m years to the world to send a message to Walmart tolerated and are challenged. Established in Subscriptions: £18 (waged), £14 (unwaged), £15 (local Lynn Henderson earn the wealth of its ruling Walton family that it's time to treat workers with respect 1992 after growing out of an informal net- organisations), £30 (national organisations. Scottish Secretary (who also control Asda). and not simply as an economic unit in the work of groups and individuals active, it is a Donations will be gratefully recieved. Cheques should be market place. The demands are simple: membership organisation with a range of ex- 7490/03/15 Walmart has begun to test Black Fridays crossed and made payable to: Left Review Scotland Ltd. in other countries. In Mexico, they have A) Respect: Workers who assert their perience in addressing issues related to poverty You can also subscribe/donate online at and social exclusion. Public and Commercial Services Union | pcs.org.uk been coined Buen Fin. However, not www.scottishleftreview.org freedom of association in an attempt See http://www.povertyalliance.org/ enough people around the world are aware to resolve issues or improve working

24 25 7490__Scottish Left Review advert.indd 1 06/03/2015 14:08 and for that, morally unacceptable (if not the protection under the UK regulations demanding that the Commission take reprehensible) erosion of hard fought rights. and removed the obligation on employers action. Secondly, Richard Baker MSP is I am referring to s69 of the Enterprise Act to ensure workers safety. Because of s69 currently consulting on a Members’ Bill to in which workers’ right to a safe workplace workers no longer have a right to a safe restore workers European rights at least in was simply removed in flagrant disregard to workplace, the Tories have removed an Scotland. I would encourage everyone to European Law. inalienable, basic, human right and until support Richard's proposal. Under European Framework Directive on now they have been allowed to do so. But Patrick McGuire is a solicitor advocate and Safety and Health at Work an employer that cannot be allowed to stand. a partner with Thompsons Solicitors. He is must ‘ensure the safety and health of There are 2 things that can be done and I a leading campaigner for law reform and workers in every aspect related to work’. would call upon everyone to assist. Firstly, has worked with many campaign groups and That is why we had a series of health and call upon the European Commission trades unions over the years to improve our safety regulations in the UK. s69 ended to intervene by writing to one’s MEP country's health and safety record. Fight against Walmart goes global Andrew Brady explains how and why the campaign against Walmart is developing he transposing of marketing the company goes by different names conditions frequently face company Ttactics from North America is well in different countries: Asda in Britain, retribution. Workers are harassed and documented with the latest ploy in Britain Massmart in South Africa. intimidated by management when they try being ‘Black Friday’. Many looked on After the successful Black Friday strikes to voice concerns. So workers are asking for in bewilderment as shoppers fought in and protests at Walmart stores across respect, safety and job security. supermarket stores over ‘discount’ products North America in recent years, the B) Living Wages: Extremely low wages such as TVs. However, we should not campaign against this corporate Leviathan along with inconsistent work scheduling be surprised as the public is bombarded went global on 19 November 2014. The make it difficult for workers in many by tactics to prise open our wallets and global day of demonstration proceeded countries to support their families. In credit cards as consumer demand remains the successful #FastFoodGlobal campaign fact, due to the low wages of workplaces anaemic after the global depression. For in May last year which witnessed the day Governments in effect are subsidising the fans of TV programme, Mad Men, one gets of awareness go viral and become one of company by providing entitlements. to appreciate the skills and effort involved the top trending hashtags on twitter last C) Employment Security: The imposition in marketing and creating demand for year. This was no mean feat for the labour of part-time work, casual employment products which we really don’t need, indebt movement which has struggled to gain contracts or – in the case of Walmart's us or endanger our health. traction on social media by focussing on 1.4 million US workers no contracts at In America, the Wirecutter website analysed workers issues. In essence, social movement all - means workers have no employment the various Black Friday deals, discovering unionism in America was exporting a security. Workers are asking that full-time, almost all of them were bogus. Gadgets that model of campaigning to the world which permanent work be the rule rather than the were supposedly discount bargains were, in we could participate in, namely, a global exception. fact, 20% more expensive than before Black response to Walmart’s economic strategy. The day of action resulted in actions using Friday. Of the 54,000 deals Wirecutter The FastFoodGlobal campaign, designed to the #WalmartGlobal hashtag in an effort to investigated, less than 1% were worthwhile. improve the appalling wages and conditions make people aware of the presence of the So if this isn’t about bargains and helping set by the fast food industry, was an company in their country on social media hard-pressed consumers, what is about? Well, example of the power of social media fusing as well as hundreds of protests in countries it’s far more sinister than a marketing ploy - with on-the-ground energy to highlight around the world at stores controlled by it is specifically about a strain of cut-throat corporate abuse. The success of the Occupy Walmart. capitalism being exported around the world Movement, as well as revolutions from It's time to stand up against Walmart to even more aggressive than the Washington Egypt to Hong Kong, in harnessing both ensure its cut-throat strain of capitalism consensus and which the notion of trickle- elements is well documented. However, does not penetrate every part of our world down economics is anathema to it. It’s called the global union movement is now getting – it's time this fight went global as it is in all Walmartism. to grips with a dynamic which combines our interests to know exactly what Walmart With close to 2.2m employees worldwide, the spontaneity required on social media is exporting and not just its Black Fridays. Walmart has built a reputation for low through turning people out on to the Andrew Brady is director of Union Solidarity wages, poor working conditions, inadequate streets in conjunction with organisation International. health care and strong anti-unionism. It is and a rigorous programme for action. Poverty Alliance Scotland (PAS) the world's biggest private sector employer On 19 November 2014, just nine days so quite simply what happens at Walmart before Black Friday, the global union, UNI, PAS’s vision is of a sustainable Scotland based on social and economic justice, with dignity matters. The poorest 10% of people in coordinated thousands of local actions across for all, where poverty and inequalities are not Britain would take on average 11m years to the world to send a message to Walmart tolerated and are challenged. Established in earn the wealth of its ruling Walton family that it's time to treat workers with respect 1992 after growing out of an informal net- (who also control Asda). and not simply as an economic unit in the work of groups and individuals active, it is a Walmart has begun to test Black Fridays market place. The demands are simple: membership organisation with a range of ex- in other countries. In Mexico, they have A) Respect: Workers who assert their perience in addressing issues related to poverty and social exclusion. been coined Buen Fin. However, not freedom of association in an attempt See http://www.povertyalliance.org/ enough people around the world are aware to resolve issues or improve working

25 Can the tide be STEMmed? Linda Somerville on turning the tables on discrimination against women in science and engineering

cotland is changing - its industries and women’s STEM participation in education 18% female students and engineering and Sworkforce bear little resemblance to and employment. Every week, we hear technology just 16%. Our student network, that of the last generation. Young people stories of qualified women facing challenges Interconnect, brings female students and in education and training will start careers at work such as resisting the culture of women professionals together to help end in jobs that no one has yet imagined. long working hours; being overlooked for the isolation often reported by female Advancing technology will create products promotion; struggling to be taken seriously students studying in male dominated areas. and services to meet the demands of a as they work reduced hours; being left out Female STEM graduates are less likely to new tech savvy generation. Scotland’s of decision making in their team; and being transition into employment in the field key economic sectors have high growth unable to balance caring responsibilities they have studied than men. Working potential and rely heavily on science, and workload with employers, we find solutions to engineering and technology occupations The lack of quality part-time roles can lead bridge this gap and placed over 40 female – all increasingly in demand - with skills to underemployment as women are unable undergraduates in paid work placements shortages reported across sectors. to progress their careers, or leave as they can’t last summer. Women’s labour market participation has see a solution. Women working in industry increased dramatically in recent years with and academia often conclude pressure Beyond career entry, we ensure women the current rate of 68.3%, the highest since to work long hours while combining are supported while in work, or looking comparable records began in 1971. Yet family responsibilities is too much. Many to return to work after a career break. women are still segregated by occupation companies and universities use short fixed- In the past year, over 200 women have and grade. Fewer women than men choose term contracts which can further deter received direct support through our career to study and work in science, technology, women due to the lack of security. There is development workshops and coaching engineering and mathematics (STEM). strong evidence of unconscious bias where programme. When asked about the impact Those that do are more likely to leave senior male managers choose to mentor of our work, 83% of women felt more with 73% of qualified women no longer and promote those that are similar to confident about their career and 24% had working in STEM. themselves. obtained a new job. Late last year, two reports added to this This everyday sexism and indirect Bringing women together for career weight of evidence. The Institute of Public discrimination in the workplace is the development, to share their experiences, Policy Research reported only 7% of the challenge to the success of women in act as role models and celebrate their professional engineering workforce in STEM. It is a much harder task to engage success is essential. However, the bigger Britain is female while campaign group, employers when asking them to reflect and challenge is for employers to take positive evaluate their organisation’s culture and Science Grrrl, identified ‘a deeply flawed action to create diverse and family-friendly attitudes to women - rather than list the education system and cultural environment workplaces where both everyone benefits that is putting up barriers for girls’. The equal opportunity policies that they have. and women can fulfil their potential. Scottish Government’s Commission on As the role of men within families evolves, Linda Somerville is the Project Director of Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce and they are encouraged and enabled to also reported earlier in 2014 only 3% spend time caring for children, will the Equate Scotland which is based at Edinburgh of engineering modern apprenticeships demand for a good work-life balance Napier University were held by women, and only 1% in increase? Will real progress in the workplace Institute of Employment Rights (IER) construction. only occur when men chose alternative The Institute of Employment Rights is a The research from these reports contains careers and sharpen the skills shortage? think tank for the labour movement. It exists some welcome recommendations, focusing Would this elicit a more creative and rapid to inform the debate around union rights and on school initiatives, careers advice and role response? labour law by providing information, critical models – all essential parts of the solution The case for improving diversity in STEM is analysis, and policy ideas through our net- but there is another area - less documented well documented with both economic and work of academics, researchers and lawyers. and less tangible for many – that of women’s moral arguments. There is strong evidence a Established in 1989, it is an independent or- ganisation to act as a focal point for the spread lived experience in the workplace. diverse workforce brings significant benefits of new ideas in the field of labour law. A recent survey by the Prospect union of to employers, both in creativity and profit. See http://www.ier.org.uk/ over 2000 women working in science, Yet barriers still remain to women’s career entry and progression. engineering and technical roles reported Labour Research Department (LRD) that 30% of respondents felt that their At Equate Scotland, we highlight and LRD exists to co-operate with labour, social- career had been hindered by their gender. challenge these barriers, working with ist and cooperative movements in promoting Notably that percentage increases with age, industry to demonstrate the business case and carrying out research into problems of as nearly 40% of women over 50 felt that for gender equality, but equally important importance to workers, to supply informa- way. Women leave STEM employment in we support women at every stage of their tion, and to issue publications. Founded in higher numbers than men – dropping out career. 1912, LRD has maintained these principles by publishing booklets and magazines and at each key transition point and career stage In Scottish colleges and universities, there providing information and research services. – often called the leaky pipeline. are far fewer women than men studying See http://www.lrd.org.uk/ At Equate Scotland, we aim to increase STEM subjects – computing has only

26 Red Alert – mayday, mayday, mayday! Chris Bartter outlines a packed long weekend of events

ayday festivals have been celebrated in Eglinton Street. Speakers are still being on the afternoon of May 1 based on Mby working people since pre- finalised. banners of the local Anti-Poll Tax Union, Christian times. Earliest celebrations The now hugely successful Great Mayday the Tailors’ and Garment Workers’ Union marked the beginning of summer and Cabaret celebrates its third anniversary (there was a large clothing factory close by) linked to a variety of pagan festivals at Oran Mor on the Mayday Monday and the ubiquitous Co-operative Women’s including the Gaelic Beltane. In 1891, (4th) evening. This year’s headliner is Guild. Similar events will take place in Mayday was formally adopted by the the celebrated Irish folk singer, Tommy Barmulloch and Govan later. Second International as International Sands. Also performing are poet Elvis A new MayDay tradition of walks through Workers’ Day – primarily to mark the McGonagall, comedians Bruce Morton Glasgow’s heritage continues, with the anniversary of the 1886 Haymarket and Susie McCabe, actress Juliet Cadzow, Friends of MayDay organising a Women, Massacre in Chicago, where four strikers singers Arthur Johnstone and Siobhan War and Rent Strike walk on Saturday April were killed when police opened fire on a Miller, and musicians Fraser Speirs and 25. And the Glasgow Women’s Library has demonstration after a bomb was thrown. Stephen Wright. Dave Anderson will one of its Women of the Merchant City walks Despite the gravity of this initial event, compere. two weeks later (9 May). and possibly because of the links to earlier In addition, the Friends of MayDay have Of course established venues often have festival celebrations, the festival side of commissioned a rehearsed reading of John relevant events – most obviously The International Workers’ Day is longstanding and Willy Maley’s play, From the Calton to Tron’s Mayfesto festival – an important and international, nowhere more so than Catalonia (which was republished last year part of which will be Rites, a powerful Glasgow. The story of labour in the west by Calton Books). This will start with an National Theatre of Scotland/Scottish Refugee Council-backed piece by Cora of Scotland is peppered throughout with appropriate performance in the Calton Bissett on female genital mutilation. David cultural developments – choirs from the and go on a small tour during the period MacLennan’s legacy, A Play, a Pie and a Orpheus to the Eurydice, theatre companies including Blantyre Miners’ Welfare (1st), Pint, also serves up The War hasn’t Started from the Glasgow Workers’ Theatre to 7:84 Irvine’s Harbour Arts centre (2nd) and Yet – a view from modern Russia from May and Wildcat. Glasgow Trades Council even Oran Mor (3rd) . once ran a film society. 4–9. Love Music, Hate Racism have organised Amongst a number of talks and discussions It was this tradition that led to the MayFest a gig in Glasgow’s Old Hairdressers on the from the likes of Hope not Hate, and the festivals of the 1980s and 1990s and is the evening of May 1, and are also showing the reason why Glasgow Friends of MayDay Scottish Cuba Solidarity Campaign, the film, The Clash: Westway to the World, on ever-interesting Morning Star ‘Our Class, (GFoMD) was formed 5 years ago. Along Sunday 10 May at the CCA. Discussions with the Glasgow TUC and STUC, it Our Culture’ series has an intriguing are still going on with the Glasgow presentation by John Quinn of Glasgow thought it was worth organising a more co- Film Theatre that may lead to other film School of Art – Portraying the Heroes of Red ordinated set of events around International showings, but already confirmed is the Clydeside in the STUC on 5 May. Workers’ Day in Glasgow. The first was in third in a series of film showings at the CCA Over the last five years Glasgow Friends of 2011, and it has grown every year. Now it organised by a local GMB/Apex Branch. In Mayday (GFoMD) has built on the base of reaches out to other parts of Scotland. an attempt to link International Workers’ the cultural history of the Glasgow labour The festival events in Glasgow take place Memorial Day with MayDay, they are movement. Now other organisations are in the weeks before and after the Mayday showing Ken Loach’s The Navigators on joining them. weekend (this year Sat 2-Mon 4) and April 30. Chris Bartter is Chairperson of GFoMD. are organised by a wide variety of union, An interesting joint project of Glasgow cultural and campaigning bodies. Look out for its 2015 programme Museums and Glasgow University plans (published early April). Tickets for the The Glasgow TUC continues to organise to get some union and campaign banners (Third) Great MayDay Cabaret are on sale the increasingly popular MayDay march out of storage and into local communities now from Oran Mor direct or at http:// and Rally on Sunday 3. Starting at the where they were based. There people who www.oran-mor.co.uk/whats-on/great-may- city’s George Square, the march will go to had a connection to the struggle will tell day-cabaret/?eID=11787 rally at the O2 Academy, just over the river their story. One is scheduled in Castlemilk

27 mass revolts, desertions and insurrections but information and education alone do which effectively ended the war are not give all the answers to the problems The Charlie Hebdo massacre Book described country by country as are the contained within it. David Fowler provides a radical – at root - explanation of the Paris massacre accidents, lack of organisation, illusions, Malcolm Balfour is an SNP councillor in betrayals by union leaders and political y strange coincidence one of France's best Dreyfus affair of 1894 - a Jewish artillery demonstrations against the murder in police Reviews Glasgow representatives and use of force which known novelists, Michel Houellebecq, officer was found guilty of selling military custody of student, Abdel Moussekine, B ultimately prevented the successful spread published Soumission on 7 January this secrets to the Germans unleashing wave arrested while demonstrating against Empire and of revolution beyond Russia. How close Scotland’s year, the same day as the massacre at the of anti-Semitism, in which the clergy was education reforms. European wide revolution was in 1918- satirical weekly, Charlie Hebdo. His style prominent. The military refused to back 1989 was a crucial point - three schoolgirls Revolution: 1919, even in Britain, has been effectively Democracy Trail, has been described as depressive realism but down when it became obvious that another were suspended for wearing the hajib, a socialist history of the suppressed. Here, the veil is lifted. Stuart McHardy and Donald Smith, miserabilist is more accurate. His nostalgia officer was the real culprit. One outcome allegedly contravening the 1905 act. Luath, 2014, for public smoking and Stalinism combines was a 1905 act passed separating church Lionel Jospin, former Trotskyite and then First World War, Gordon Morgan is a longstanding member of 9781910021675, £6.99 with Islamic fantasie. Soumission imagines and state. All Catholic teaching orders education minister, tried to avoid the issue Dave Sherry, Bookmarks the Scottish Left Review editorial board It was Chick Murray, iconic comedian France under Muslim rule. were banned, no religious education would by declaring it was up to schools to decide (9781909026629, £7.99) who spent most of his life in Edinburgh, who coined the phrase, ‘The best way Houellebecq and Charlie Hebdo consider take place in state schools, and no religious what action to take on individual basis. This Reviewed by Gordon Morgan World in Chains: themselves part of the left of French symbols were allowed in classrooms (like led to prolonged confrontations between to walk’, the prescribed method being This history of the causes, course and the Impact of Nuclear politics. Hebdo was founded as Hari Mari crucifixes on walls or on chains round teachers claiming to defend secularism to place one foot in front of the other. aftermath of the 1914 to 1918 war focuses Hebdo in 1968 by those involved in the pupils’ necks). and oppose women's oppression and Weapons and Militarisation Now you may not believe that such upon the increasing resistance to the war pre-revolutionary situation that broke out It must also be remembered that France is the Muslim community (some of whom from a UK Perspective, advice could be bettered, especially amongst civilians and troops in each of the in May of that year. Always virulently anti- a relatively recent political construction and reacted by adopting the niqab). when walking in that city but it can be main protagonist countries and the reasons Angie Zelter (editor), Luath, 2014, establishment, it was banned in 1970 for not a homogenous ethnic entity. Nice and its Until then, this female dress was more or simply by carrying a copy of Scotland’s these revolts were largely contained. The 9781910021033, £12.99 its mockery of De Gaulle when he died, environs only became part of France in 1860. less unknown. Before, most immigrants Democracy Trail with you. McHardy and savagery of the warfare and its casualties Reviewed by Malcolm Balfour immediately being relaunched as Charlie Alsace and Lorraine were ceded to Germany followed the Maliki tradition, a very relaxed Smith have provided a compact guide are described but as a counterpoint to the Hebdo. in 1870. And, large minorities spoke Breton, form of Islam compared to the puritan I found this to be a very educational and which covers the history and politics of social and political developments. Contrary to George Galloway, Charlie Basque or Catalan. Yet primary instruction Wahhabism that emanated from Saudi. But enlightening book. The direction of many Edinburgh and of Scotland, which will Hebdo has never been consciously racist. It was in French and secular. French citizens are under its influence and other factors like It is a readily accessible, concise book (200 of the contributors was interesting. I found be of enormous interest to both Scots has exposed the Front National and French required to owe allegiance, not to their region repeated French interventions in North and pages) with many pertinent referenced both chapters 4 and 7 to have a direct and to visitors to Scotland who wish to fascism in articles that would not have been or church, but to the state. Furthermore, central Africa and combined with global quotations. Its fourteen chapters each deal link when you look at both. They appear understand this country and how it has out of place in Searchlight. At the same time, France has been repeatedly the destination events such as the Afghanistan and Iraq with an aspect of the war and could be to have a link to money and military. By reached the position in which it now its politics have always been anti -Zionist, of successive waves of immigration including wars, militant forms of Islam began to rise rewardingly read separately, perhaps in a this, I mean that in chapter 4 where both finds itself. but the feature that will be most alien to eastern European Jews, Armenian refugees, in France. study syllabus. industrialisation and the military build-up The authors have packed an amazing the British left is the vehemence of its anti- Portuguese, Poles, Italians and republican The role of the judicial system here needs Sherry quickly demolishes several myths of nuclear weapons are linked to climate amount into the 125 pages, which includes religious stance. This assumes a prominence Spaniards recognising. Condemned to unemployment propagated by named historians such change, we then must look at the reasons a map of the trail as well as 36 photographs, that it never would in a similar British A large part in this assimilation was played and segregated in large ghettos around that the duration and savagery of the behind this for surely it is not only about poems, songs and quotations from plays publication, even though, to be fair, Charlie by the French educational system. But Paris, the best the Kouachi brothers could war was unforeseen (Engels in 1887 and ‘boys and their toys’ but more about the rise and speeches. In addition, its final pages Hebdo treats all creeds with equal disdain. two other institutions also were at work: look forward to was delivering pizzas, dope Warsaw financial analyst, Ivan Bloch, in of big companies who want to dominate the contain a Timeline from the 16th century To judge by the tone adopted by the the French Communist Party (PCF) and, dealing, and intermittent incarceration. 1899 both predicted a long war killing globe in their own fields. to the present day which ‘mature’ readers ‘survivors’ issue, it is unlikely that these ironically, the Catholic Church. A further With this, France's prisons have become millions) or that war was inevitable as This can be seen in chapter 7 where we - like myself who were taught little of attitudes will change: the front page once irony is that many of these immigrants felt seminaries for violent sectarianism. one ‘side’ Germany, was more barbaric learn who really profits from the build- Scottish history - will find useful. more depicted Mohammed in unflattering no discomfort in participating in both while Charlie Hebdo sees itself as acting in and militaristic than the other (given that up of WMDs for it is not just individual There is so much information within its terms and its comment of the presence sending their children to state schools. The the tradition of socialist anti-religious Britain’s butchery in Sudan, Ireland and in nations and their leaders that do so but pages that it would be perhaps be advisable of Hollande, Cameron, Sarkozy and outcome was that by the 1980s, around propaganda but given the French left has the Boer war belie this.) The origins of the more importantly the companies who to read the text before setting out on Netanyahu on the demonstration following 25% of French people were immigrant little to offer young French Muslims, today war in the imperialist stage of development supply them for it is no longer countries like the trail, then have a second look at the the attack was ‘recupere par les cons’ (co- descendants but often the only indication this is perceived as part of the West's attack of capitalism are well argued. North Korea, Israel, India or even Pakistan appropriate pages while actually on it. opted by the bastards). would be their names. on Islam. The left needs to ask itself: ‘what is The opposition to war by all the social that we need to fear - it is those who profit And, you may want to make more than one Looking at events from a different angle, Obviously, for those brought up as Muslims, the social content of French radical Islam?’ democratic parties and their leaderships’ that we must worry about because profit visit, although the distance involved could we might ask why working class men from the Catholic Church had no attraction. The We can recall Trotsky's remarks on Marcus collapse into actually supporting their now comes before people. be covered in a day. So if you come across a colonial background end up committing PCF’s decline removed another force for Garvey, a West Indian who migrated to war leaders in each of their countries As for the rest of the book, we learn a a wee Glasgow man who, like yourself, is such an atrocity against potential allies. integration. French imperialism suffered a the USA in the 1930s and led a mass is documented. More significantly the lot about the problems of people being studying the appropriate pages at one of the The answer lies in French Imperialism and crushing defeat at Dien Bien Phu in 1954, movement of black Americans wishing to less well known strikes, occupations and oppressed in their own countries torture. sixteen locations detailed on the map, it will French republicanism. resulting in loss of its Indochina empire return to Africa. Trotsky drew attention to mutinies across each country are detailed. And, rape and genocide would seem to most likely be me - I can’t wait to get going! It says much about the French Republic’s and forcing it to concede independence to an incident where racially harassed black Particular attention is given to Maclean, the be the norm in some countries. However, Andy Sanders is a former teacher and a fear of religion that women were the last in Morocco and Tunisia along with its colonies woman retorted, ‘Just wait till Marcus Glasgow rent strike and the unionisation whilst agreeing with many of the points lifelong socialist the western democracies to receive the vote elsewhere in Africa. Garvey takes over’. She was not thinking of of women, the shop stewards movement produced in this book and given that all Union Solidarity International (USI) (in 1946). It was denied them on the basis France, however, decided to hold on to the future situation in Africa when she said across the UK, and Connelly, the Dublin right thinking people would agree that they USI links union activists directly with each Algeria leading to its War of Independence this. So if the French left is able to paralyse rising and its international impact. must be addressed, for me it did not give a that they were more likely to be under the other so they can create and lead campaigns influence of Catholic priests and, therefore, (1954-1962), with atrocities committed French imperialism, combat racism and As the war progressed, opposition grew clear solution to how we do so. for a fairer and more sustainable world. If more inclined to vote for rightwing by both sides. Somewhat reluctantly, the unemployment, the worst excesses of and these developments in Britain, But perhaps a meeting between the you’re doing something to build union soli- confessional parties. This was inexcusable PCF mobilised support for the liberation Islamic fundamentalism would start to France, Germany and, of course, Russia contributor and a pulling of their ideas darity, it’d love to help spread the word using even though it is true to say that since 1789 movement while the French Socialist Party wither away. are described as are the development of may result in a book or plan that may point social media, blogs, video conferencing, online the enemies of democracy had always been formed the government of the time that David Fowler is studying for a PhD in French revolutionary currents in each country, our global masters in the right direction. education etc. Write for it, share stories, get a coalition of monarchists and Catholics. waged the war. Yet, as late as 1986, the at the University of Stirling and is a SSP notably Germany, Italy and Russia. The In conclusion, this is an informative book updates, or join regular web conferences. Matters reached crisis point with the French left was able to mobilise massive member See https://usilive.org/

28 29 mass revolts, desertions and insurrections but information and education alone do which effectively ended the war are not give all the answers to the problems Book described country by country as are the contained within it. accidents, lack of organisation, illusions, Malcolm Balfour is an SNP councillor in Reviews betrayals by union leaders and political Glasgow representatives and use of force which Empire and ultimately prevented the successful spread of revolution beyond Russia. How close Scotland’s Revolution: European wide revolution was in 1918- 1919, even in Britain, has been effectively Democracy Trail, a socialist history of the suppressed. Here, the veil is lifted. Stuart McHardy and Donald Smith, First World War, Gordon Morgan is a longstanding member of Luath, 2014, 9781910021675, £6.99 Dave Sherry, Bookmarks the Scottish Left Review editorial board It was Chick Murray, iconic comedian (9781909026629, £7.99) who spent most of his life in Edinburgh, who coined the phrase, ‘The best way Reviewed by Gordon Morgan World in Chains: to walk’, the prescribed method being This history of the causes, course and the Impact of Nuclear to place one foot in front of the other. aftermath of the 1914 to 1918 war focuses Weapons and Militarisation Now you may not believe that such upon the increasing resistance to the war from a UK Perspective, advice could be bettered, especially amongst civilians and troops in each of the when walking in that city but it can be main protagonist countries and the reasons Angie Zelter (editor), Luath, 2014, simply by carrying a copy of Scotland’s these revolts were largely contained. The 9781910021033, £12.99 Democracy Trail with you. McHardy and savagery of the warfare and its casualties Reviewed by Malcolm Balfour Smith have provided a compact guide are described but as a counterpoint to the I found this to be a very educational and which covers the history and politics of social and political developments. enlightening book. The direction of many Edinburgh and of Scotland, which will It is a readily accessible, concise book (200 of the contributors was interesting. I found be of enormous interest to both Scots pages) with many pertinent referenced both chapters 4 and 7 to have a direct and to visitors to Scotland who wish to quotations. Its fourteen chapters each deal link when you look at both. They appear understand this country and how it has with an aspect of the war and could be to have a link to money and military. By reached the position in which it now rewardingly read separately, perhaps in a this, I mean that in chapter 4 where both finds itself. study syllabus. industrialisation and the military build-up The authors have packed an amazing Sherry quickly demolishes several myths of nuclear weapons are linked to climate amount into the 125 pages, which includes propagated by named historians such change, we then must look at the reasons a map of the trail as well as 36 photographs, that the duration and savagery of the behind this for surely it is not only about poems, songs and quotations from plays war was unforeseen (Engels in 1887 and ‘boys and their toys’ but more about the rise and speeches. In addition, its final pages Warsaw financial analyst, Ivan Bloch, in of big companies who want to dominate the contain a Timeline from the 16th century 1899 both predicted a long war killing globe in their own fields. to the present day which ‘mature’ readers millions) or that war was inevitable as This can be seen in chapter 7 where we - like myself who were taught little of one ‘side’ Germany, was more barbaric learn who really profits from the build- Scottish history - will find useful. and militaristic than the other (given that up of WMDs for it is not just individual There is so much information within its Britain’s butchery in Sudan, Ireland and in nations and their leaders that do so but pages that it would be perhaps be advisable the Boer war belie this.) The origins of the more importantly the companies who to read the text before setting out on war in the imperialist stage of development supply them for it is no longer countries like the trail, then have a second look at the of capitalism are well argued. North Korea, Israel, India or even Pakistan appropriate pages while actually on it. The opposition to war by all the social that we need to fear - it is those who profit And, you may want to make more than one democratic parties and their leaderships’ that we must worry about because profit visit, although the distance involved could collapse into actually supporting their now comes before people. be covered in a day. So if you come across war leaders in each of their countries As for the rest of the book, we learn a a wee Glasgow man who, like yourself, is is documented. More significantly the lot about the problems of people being studying the appropriate pages at one of the less well known strikes, occupations and oppressed in their own countries torture. sixteen locations detailed on the map, it will mutinies across each country are detailed. And, rape and genocide would seem to most likely be me - I can’t wait to get going! Particular attention is given to Maclean, the be the norm in some countries. However, Andy Sanders is a former teacher and a Glasgow rent strike and the unionisation whilst agreeing with many of the points lifelong socialist of women, the shop stewards movement produced in this book and given that all Union Solidarity International (USI) across the UK, and Connelly, the Dublin right thinking people would agree that they rising and its international impact. must be addressed, for me it did not give a USI links union activists directly with each other so they can create and lead campaigns As the war progressed, opposition grew clear solution to how we do so. for a fairer and more sustainable world. If and these developments in Britain, But perhaps a meeting between the you’re doing something to build union soli- France, Germany and, of course, Russia contributor and a pulling of their ideas darity, it’d love to help spread the word using are described as are the development of may result in a book or plan that may point social media, blogs, video conferencing, online revolutionary currents in each country, our global masters in the right direction. education etc. Write for it, share stories, get notably Germany, Italy and Russia. The In conclusion, this is an informative book updates, or join regular web conferences. See https://usilive.org/

29 VLADIMIR McTAVISH’S Kick up the Tabloids

am writing this from Australia, where fucking clue what’s really going on. being a coward for ducking out of a head- II have been for the past six weeks, I did read that Ruth Davidson has proudly to-head and opting to have a debate of all performing shows at Fringe festivals in been claiming that the Tory vote in Scotland the party leaders. Talk about over-rating Perth and Adelaide. Despite its stereotypical ‘is holding up well’. In other words, it’s the yourself. Who would, given the choice of image abroad, this is a country with a strong same as it was. That’s a bit like the chairman having their policies put under the scrutiny radical history. In a country which was built of Albion Rovers celebrating the same by five of the major political minds in the on the slave labour of petty offenders and amount of season ticket sales as last year, or UK, plus Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage, opt political dissidents transported here in the Rangers fans saying, ‘Brilliant, we’re in no for anything other than trading insults with Mr Bean? Ed’s quote of the campaign so far nineteenth century, this is not surprising. more shite than we were yesterday’. Indeed, I have yet to meet an Australian is ‘Don’t mistake my decency for weakness’. who can understand why Scotland voted I did read that Scotland’s only Tory MP, No, we don’t, Ed. Nor will we mistake your against independence. Having said that, David Mundell, had been warning of dire weakness for decency. consequences of voting SNP in the General I have yet to meet an Australian who will Captain Murphy of the sinking ship that Election. He warned us of the danger of admit to having voted for Ozzie Tory PM, is Scottish Labour was recently trying to electing a ‘Rainbow Coalition’. He then Tony Abbott. bolster the party’s coffers, and recruit a made the supposedly witty remark that Abbott has a fairly low profile new army of foot soldiers by offering party Alex Salmond would be the ‘Zippy’ in this internationally, so you may require a brief membership for a pound. So, by a modest description of the man. Imagine the beliefs ‘Rainbow Coalition’ to the ‘socialism of the estimate, Scottish Labour’s fighting fund of Margaret Thatcher, the smarm of Tony two Ed’s’. I nearly fell of my seat laughing may well have risen by as much as seventy- Blair and the competence of Ed Miliband. at that one. Miliband and Balls socialists? five quid since the start of the year Absolutely hilarious!!! Think Nigel Farage without the excuse that Seriously, when parties start offering he’s permanently pissed. Aside from the weakness of the gag, any memberships on the basis of value-for- The day I arrived, 26 January, Abbott Tory making reference to children’s TV money, we may as well all give up. That is, of commemorated Australia Day by giving shows from the 1970s and 1980s is on course, if a pound for Labour membership a knighthood to the Duke of Edinburgh. pretty dangerous ground. At least none of is - indeed - value for money. Think of what Quite what a man who is already a the cast of ‘Rainbow’ is doing time for child else a pound could buy. Two copies of the prince, a duke, the husband of the current abuse unlike many other popular children’s Daily Record, and a cigarette lighter to burn monarch and father of the next needs with entertainers of the era, all of whom (unless both those copies of the Daily Record? Or a knighthood is anyone’s guess. It’s a bit you’ve forgotten) were supporters of the half-a-dozen eggs to chuck at Jim Murphy like sending Donald Trump a birthday card Tory Party at the time. when he gets on his soapbox between now with a five pound postal order inside. While the Tories were warning us ‘Vote SNP and May. As I have been out of the country for a and get Labour’, Labour has been warning Vladimir McTavish will be hosting a new month-and-a-half, I have to rely on the us ‘Vote SNP and get Tory’, rather than the political show ‘So We’ve Got An Election’ at The BBC World Service, Scotsman website and more honest warning of ‘Vote Labour and Stand Comedy Club in Glasgow on Monday Sky News to find out what’s happening get Tory’. Ed Miiliband is clearly gearing 27h April and The Stand in Edinburgh on back home. In other words, I haven’t a up for May, accusing David Cameron of Wednesday 29 April. See www.thestand.co.uk

The blog of the anti-austerity There is a Better Way campaign by STUC staff is about policy issues that are, or should be, in the news. The blog has guest contributors on issues of social justice. Written from a STUC perspective, contributions will often cover areas where there is yet no settled STUC policy and go into areas in more detail than our formal decisions. We welcome debate here. See http://stucbetterway.blogspot.com.es/

30 31 SCOTLAND Fighting for a Future that Works

Unite Scottish Secretary Pat Rafferty Unite Scottish Chair Scot Walker www.unitescotland.org 32