1 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 100 July/August 2017 2 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 100 July/August 2017 feedback comment Where we are now ay didn’t quite end in June situation has afflicted the SNP – still an election campaign, under which but her mantra of providing the biggest party by seats and votes reporting had to be more balanced, M‘strong and stable’ in Scotland but looking and feeling a Labour’s pledge to govern for the leadership turned into the actuality lot like Labour after its involvement reviewsmany and not the few resonated of being ‘weak and wobbly’ while in the ‘Better Together’ campaign – widely. Jeremy Corbyn was more at Corbyn went from being (allegedly) somewhat dejected and on the back home and a much better performer unelectable and an electoral liability foot. at the countless mass street rallies into something akin to a conquering than in the Westminster chamber. hero – certainly if his reception at Serious left analysis must start And, Labour was able to create its UNISON annual conference and by asking two fundamental own direct link to voters, especially Glastonbury were anything to go by. questions, namely, why did Labour younger ones, via social media Just as with after the independence do much better than any of the without being reliant upon the referendum in September 2014, it polls (including its own) indicated mainstream media. Its organisation seemed that the vanquished were it would, and why did Labour not of activists especially via a dedicated actually the victors. But there are actually win? The exposure of app used by Momentum in also other historical parallels to Theresa May as weak and wobbly particular was also notable. But be cited for the Tories did as much as well as cold, austere and without Labour still received just under to lose their slim parliamentary any common touch certainly helped 800,000 votes less than the Tories, majority as Labour did to bring but so too did Labour’s programme. with the Tories gaining 5.5% more about this situation. The same Under the heightened exposure of votes than in 2015, and it is doubtful Cover: ScottishLeftReview Nadia Lucchesi Issue 100 July/August 2017 ([email protected]) Contents Proofing services: Bob Thomson and John Daly Extended editorial: where we are now ............................................................................3 The electorate: surprisingly strong, unsurprisingly unstable Malcolm Harvey ................6 Communications and Warning shot given and received Chris Stephens ........................................................ 10 organisational development: Getting back on the socialist saddle Lesley Brennan ..................................................... 11 Carole Ewart Many new flowers are beginning to bloom Clare Haughey .......................................... 12 Editor Email: The Corbyn connection Lynn Henderson ...................................................................... 13 [email protected] Could the left have done more and, thus, better? Helen Mcfarlane ............................. 14 Web: www.scottishleftreview.org SNP climbdown over indyref2 presages new realignment Colin Fox ............................ 15 Tel: 0141 424 0042 Independence is still the game changer Carolyn Leckie ............................................... 16 Our movement, our future Maggie Chapman .............................................................. 17 Address: Take note - this is what we are about! .......................................................................... 20 Scottish Left Review, 100 editions down – here’s to the next 100! ................................................................. 21 741 Shields Road, Pollokshields, Constituting Scotland Tom Nairn ................................................................................... 22 Glasgow G41 4PL Eyewitness report from Quito, Ecuador Jennifer Bonnar and Chris Ruddy .................. 26 Jean-Luc Mélenchon – the French Jeremy Corbyn Daniel Brillet ................................. 27 Printed by Book review – Sean Sheehan ........................................................................................ 28 Hampden Advertising Ltd, Film review – Jackie Bergson ......................................................................................... 29 403 Hillington Road, G52 4BL, Kick up the Tabloids – Vladimir McTavish ..................................................................... 30 Tel: 0141 429 1010 3 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 100 July/August 2017 that Labour would have won had the for themselves through collective and Wishaw, the Tories would have election campaign run for another struggle in their workplaces and had difficulty forming any kind of two weeks as John McDonnell communities. The message should government. Compared south of the claimed. In other words, ‘Jez he did’ be ‘Rise up!’ border, neither the Corbyn effect but by not quite enough. (10% vote increase in England) Like many others on the left, the or a popular Labour devolved The ecstasy and exhilaration of Morning Star has become an administration (12% vote increase moment of advance for Labour will uncritical cheer leader for Corbyn. in Wales) existed in Scotland. The surely dissipate – not so much as the This is not helpful and it serves legacy of ‘Better Together’ and a Tories are still in government but no positive purpose for the left to politically and personally woeful because Labour is not and it is not suspend its critical faculty when it leadership in the form of Kezia clear how, when and where it can comes to Corbyn. Yes, he should be Dugdale are the critical explanatory act to bring the Tory government defended from attacks from the right variables. So it is all very well saying, down. This means Labour is likely but his support should be not be as left Labour MSPs Alex Rowley to something of a bystander, unconditional and without criticism. and Neil Findlay and others have waiting for the Tory-DUP coalition One of Corbyn’s weak points is the said, that Labour would have done to tear itself apart. Meantime absence of the use of the vocabulary better in Scotland with more radical and no matter saying that it will of class. In an age where working approach, namely, empathising remain on a war footing as well class consciousness is at such low Labour’s manifesto, and one less as boosted by tens of thousands ebb, ‘for the many, not the few’ based on opposing indyref2. Logic of new members recruited during could too easily be interpreted as then dictates that Labour can’t win and after the election, Labour the 99% against the 1% following in Scotland with Dugdale so the left could easily return to the narrow the Occupy movement. The ruling needs to move to remove her and confines of the parliamentary class and its functionaries are much do so soon. Not doing so is to ignore arena. Here, and despite the fillip bigger than 1% and the working the elephant in the room. to his personal confidence and class does not comprise 99% of the stature with weakened Tories and population. In similar terms, Corbyn We asked eight of the leading a becalmed Parliamentary Labour must explain his socialist vision voices on the left in Scotland to Party, Corbyn is on weaker ground as because, while to be welcomed, give their thoughts on ‘where he was before in the last parliament. what he sets out is merely social now for the left?’ The plurality Indeed, the last Scottish Left Review democracy albeit a progressive of perspective is evident over editorial argued that Corbyn needed version. Brexit and independence. What is to be ten times better than May common though is that the SNP The left in the Labour Party, – it turned out that he easily was over-estimated, as this editorial especially Momentum in England but that was during an election has argued before, its impact of, and Wales and Campaign for campaign when normal rules did not and importance to, the cause of Socialism in Scotland, must seize apply. independence. Since the SNP’s the initiative with the increase in parliamentary retreat on 8 June, Since he was elected leader, popular support and membership many have pointed out that the Corbyn has endured vilification and take control of the Party SNP is not synonymous with from the right and soft left of the constitution, structure and independence movement. That Parliamentary Labour Party. Some of organisation in order to hand power has always been the case but it these figures have indicated they are back to ordinary members and cannot hide the essential truth now willing to serve in his Shadow isolate the right wing careerists who that the SNP is the major – and Cabinet, but he should be very have ruined it. This should start controlling- part of that movement careful in his choices. He may find it with a radical agenda for change at and so what happens to the SNP prudent for the sake of party unity this year’s National Conference in does have a significant impact on to invite some to join the cabinet, September. the prospects for independence. but their numbers should be limited. For Labour, Scotland continues to Its defence of access to the Single Yet only if Corbyn looks to act where provide a particular and continuing European Market and the freedom he is strongest, namely, outside conundrum. If Labour had done of movement for labour have parliament, can he seek to replicate much better than its extra six not gained the degree of traction the strength and support he had seats and 2.8% vote increase – with voters as the SNP thought – during