SSP conference: Scotland’s Stop TTIP: threat socialist party and guests to our democracy gathered in Edinburgh must be opposed • see page 12 • see page 9 £1 • issue 447 • 7th –20th November 2014 scottishsocialistvoice.wordpress.com

PHOTO: Craig Maclean

ScottishSocialistVoice.wordpress.com /ScottishSocialistVoice @ssv_voice NEWS by Sandra Webster, SSP class women to come together national co-spokesperson and gain confidence. That may be the confidence to speak at confer - OUR CONFERENCE of a ence, or to take on a role at a local few weeks ago was an inspiration. branch member. Democracy is bursting out all We are women who don’t need over the SSP. There was great de - a t-shirt to declare we are femi - bate and a great mix of older and nists and understand the politics newer comrades all there to sup - of why such goods should not be port each other. produced in a sweatshop where We had all come together to other women are exploited. begin the fightback and stake our There is often talk of the glass claim to share our vision of an in - ceiling but we are aware that we dependent socialist Scotland. SSSSPP wwoommeenn’’ss nneettwwoorrkk should not will step up on other Part of this was our unanimous women to break through it. Our decision to re-establish the feminism is born from many dif - women’s network—one of the LiEiFssT P L bAbTFaOaRMcc: sokkme wooest nncoa s tt drerleagaateccs arkkrive for SSP conference ferent backgrounds and experi - groups I believe will help build the ences but we will find common party, as well as being a safe place me with their achievements. There Discussion about the re-estab - ground to work together on. for women to become more con - are so many women who have lishment has not popped up from To achieve this we need our fident and contribute in an envi - been active in their branches, in the ether. Over the past two years own space and for men to under - ronment that is appropriate to us. Women For Independence or as there have been numerous con - stand why and support us. I be - It was ironic for example that a part of the Yes campaign. versations with many women lieve the women’s network will Central Glasgow motion was not For me personally, I have who can’t wait to help establish strengthen the party and encour - moved by the woman who had grown more in confidence in the the network. The consensus was age us to become more diverse written it because she was unable past few years, and so have many to wait until after the referendum. and participatory. to attend. Like many of you, I un - of my sisters. Part of the joy of Now it is time to show our intent For these reasons I am excited derstood the barriers we face to being national co-spokesperson of and ensure our voices are listened for what lies ahead for women in becoming more involved, from the SSP has been attending too. We are lucky in our party as the SSP and hope you feel able to the practical to the political. branches and meetings where I we have many new members come forward and be involved. Women in the party have not have seen a huge increase in coming forward as well as others It is also our role to listen to you been silent or taken a back seat in women’s participation. who are more experienced. because a women’s network be - the last few years. Since I have be - There are still many barriers we We all have something to offer. longs to all of us. A meeting will come more politically active, there face in regard to even being able to It will be up to us to define how be arranged soon and we will en - have been so many women who participate more fully but the re-es - the network will function but I sure that all women in the party continue to support and encourage tablishment will enable us to do this. hope it will be a place for working are contacted. Scottish Labour’s last supper? by Katie Bonnar each other Since 18 Sept, wondering if this will when huge numbers HINDSIGHT IS a be their last supper. of hitherto Labour wonderful thing. Meanwhile, voters moved into Labour’s Gala hundreds gathered open rebellion Dinner in Glasgow outside to show against the party, was envisaged to them that the people they have lost their be a chance for the of Scotland will not local branch party to make sure forget the role they manager and, if the they got the credit played during the polls are to believed, for saving the referendum she will be joined by Union while raising campaign. most of her MPs some money from Some protesters next May. their rich friends. came from food Maybe for their Instead it looked banks and happily next Gala Dinner more like a wake took donations from they should play with the party in passers-by while safe and book meltdown and those inside spent McDonald’s. At leaderless and MPs upwards of £200 on least they’ll get a looking nervously at their meal. ‘happy meal’.

2 • scottishsocialistvoice.wordpress.com • issue 447 EDITORIAL PHOTO: Craig Maclean by Ken Ferguson

TRULY WE live in brutal times both nationally and internationally, with leading accountants KPMG producing a report showing 5.2 million UK citizens being paid less than a living wage, war raging across the middle east and EU leaders announcing an end to rescue operations for drowning refugees fleeing the results. The latter decision must be one of the starkest, inhumane and brutal illustrations of the moral bankruptcy of the suppos - edly all wise rule of the market. The idea that people faced with war, deprivation and terror - ism are making a free choice to Diverse movement is board death trap boats to flee to Diverse movement is Europe in the belief that they will be rescued by the Italian navy and will stop doing so if rescue hYYarmleess oscscas’i’osnss as nggeederdr. eeanceaa bettweeen thsse inttev i tassble ttsorrciaeleist chnnallengge fort tHohhlyroo d is withdrawn speaks volumes The resulting loss of support, al - pressures of the electoral cycle in 2016. about the pitiless logic of neolib - ready evident before the indy on the one hand and the need to There is no contradiction for eralism. ref, has turned into a torrent as maintain the unity which was the the SSP to both build on its stun - It is this ideology which subor - Labour lined up with the de - key achievement of the referen - ning growth in membership since dinates the real needs of human tested Tories to rubbish the opti - dum campaign. 18 September to strengthen its beings for food, shelter, peace mistic, mass vision of a largely There should be no misunder - challenge while working with and security to the demands of left wing alternative embraced standing that if the changes other forces on the progressive the “markets” for slashed serv - by the Yes campaign. promised by the Westminster left to win real change. ices, ever growing profits for the All indy parties have grown as parties are to be first maximised The referendum campaign few which currently calls the a result but the SNP stagger - and then put to use in the service gave a taste of the kind of poli - tune both in the UK and across ingly so and is now predicted to of changing Scotland then this cies and solutions that are possi - the world. smash Labour’s once iron grip will need to the be work of a uni - ble in the work of building a real at the Westminster polls in May fied and diverse movement. people before profit Scotland. Disaffected public next year. It was in recognition of this All around us the economic cri - And at its heart is the core Such predictions must of that the recent Scottish Socialist sis impoverishes millions, war reason for the much discussed course be treated with a degree Party conference agreed to ex - rages and stark warnings on the but poorly understood chasm of caution both regarding the ac - plore both the idea of what has impending climate crisis grows now yawning between politi - tual result and its political impli - been labelled a “Yes alliance”of demanding action both nationally cians and an increasingly disaf - cations. pro-indy parties SNP, Greens and internationally and it pres - fected public. The greatest strength of the and SSP at the Westminster ents a grave challenge to pro - All across the mainstream po - Yes movement is just that—it is polls and build the best possible gressives to meet that challenge. litical spectrum politicians have a movement and that is a gain washed their hands of any at - which so far has not gone away. tempt to tackle the power of big business to hike energy bills, Women for Indy Fill in this formJ and osend iit tno: Sc ottishh Sociealist P aSrty, SuSite 37P 0, sack workers, deal with the hous - The ferment of debate around 4th Floor, Central Chambers, 93 Hope St, Glasgow G2 6LD. Or phone: ing crisis and protect living stan - a range of topics, the powers for 07810205747. Or join the SSP online: scottishsocialistparty.org/join-us dards and rely on symbolic Holyrood, democratising the g “watchdogs”—largely toothless— media, jobs and justice, building I would like to join the g to do the job. on the work of groups such as I would like more info on the Scottish Socialist Party The results of this is seen Women for Independence and Name...... most dramatically in Scottish others, must continue. Address...... Labour which is now a wholly Perhaps the most important ...... owned creature of the banks task now facing the thousands Phone...... and fat cats with the red flag who backed the vision of the Email...... only brought out for special Yes movement is to strike a bal -

issue 447 • scottishsocialistvoice.wordpress.com • 3 JOHN M cALLION by John McAllion, ex- Labour MP and MSP, now an SSP member

THEY SAY that every picture IF JIM MURPHY WINS – tells a story. Yet one image from Labour’s recent Manchester party conference conceals much more SCOTTISH LABOUR LOSES than it reveals. Labour Party in Scotland. He is a The image, taken just days after political careerist who took ad - Scotland had reject ted independ - vantage of the Labour landslide ence, shows a triumphant Ed in 1997 to establish a safe con - Miliband on stage and basking in stituency base in what had been a standing ovation from Labour till then the safest Tory seat in delegates. He is surrounded by his Scotland. From there, he em - successful Scottish No campaign barked upon what he hoped team, including Alistair Darling, would be a glittering Westminster Johann Lamont and Anas Sarwar. career by climbing on the New Their confident smiles and relaxed Labour bandwagon. demeanour tell the watching He has held to the New Labour world that this is what a winning line ever since. NOT LISTENING : political operation looks like. He has staunchly supported the throughout his Yet within a calendar month, the 17 years in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan wheels had come completely off Westminster, Jim along with the renewal of Trident Labour’s Scottish machine. Murphy has and anti-terrorism laws. Firstly, Lamont resigned as shown little or no He is a staunch supporter of Is - Scottish leader blaming London interest in rael’s “right to self-defence” Labour for treating the Scottish Scottish politics against what he describes as “ter - party as a “branch office”. PHOTO:: Crraiig Macllean rorist” attacks from Gaza. He Then, Sarwar was forced to re - Labour Party north of the border Murphy is the “champion who backed foundation hospitals and sign his deputy leadership to make in apparent meltdown and with can revive a demoralised and di - market reforms in the NHS. He room for the Blairite MP Jim Mur - opinion polls suggesting that re- vided party”. He is variously de - strongly supported means-tested phy and rookie MSP Kezia Dug - energised nationalists rather scribed across the London based welfare reforms that have targeted dale to take over the “poisoned than House trained Labourites press as “Labour’s best chance”, the poor and the vulnerable. Quaich” of leading the Scottish would be spearheading a Scot - “a gutsy street fighter” and “the Labour Party. tish assault on Westminster’s big political beast in the…lead - Alienated vote after the 2015 election. ership contest”. One pundit even He supported the end of free Wipe-out A sense of betrayal and frus - suggested that his 100 towns tour university education. He backs Finally, in the wake of opinion tration runs through the British of Scotland during the referen - massive cuts to public spending in polls showing a near Scottish coverage of these unfolding dum campaign, during which he the name of deficit reduction. He Labour wipe-out in next year’s events. Scottish Labour, so re - spoke in public squares using an stands for the kind of politics that general election, Darling an - cently feted as having saved the Irn-Bru crate as a soapbox, had have alienated Labour’s heartland nounced he was standing down as union, is now dismissed as a made him into a “martyr to na - vote across Scotland. an MP and looking to build a ca - “rock-bottom basket case” by tionalist egg-throwers”. Throughout his 17 years in reer away from elected politics. one senior commentator. The other candidates for the Westminster, he has shown little or None of this was foreseen by Another describes it as “faction leadership, MSPs Neil Findlay no interest in Scottish politics. It the London-based media. ridden” and requiring a leader who and Sarah Boyack, remain invisi - was only when the prospect of in - They had expected that what possesses an “MA in Advanced ble to British journalists who dependence threatened business as they regarded as a decisive No Scottish Feuding Studies” to sort know little or nothing about Holy - usual on the green benches of the vote in the referendum would re - out the poisonous hatreds that run rood or Scottish politics. House of Commons that he turn Scottish politics to the provin - through the party. Murphy’s elevation by British abruptly re-discovered his appetite cial backwaters it usually occupied Johann Lamont is also vilified commentators to being the saviour for leading the Scottish Labour under Westminster rule. for aiding and abetting the nation - of Scottish and UK Labour poli - Party back from the brink of Scotland, they imagined, alist enemy by the manner of her tics reveals the extent to which looming electoral disaster. would now go back to doing departure. One critic even sug - they are out of touch with post-ref - His candidacy is Westminster’s what it did best—sending 40- gested that by blaming London erendum politics in Scotland. answer to its difficulties with Scot - odd Labour MPs to shore up Labour, “she might as well have Murphy, far from being the an - land. It answers none of the real British Labour’s bid to become defected” to the nationalist cause. swer to Labour’s problems north problems facing a Scotland beset the next UK government. In - What also unites these British of the border, epitomises every - by the politics of austerity. If Mur - stead they were left with a critics is the conviction that Jim thing that is wrong with the phy wins, Scottish Labour loses.

4 • scottishsocialistvoice.wordpress.com • issue 447 by Colin Fox, SSP national co-spokesperson

THE SSP Annual Conference in Edinburgh was a great suc - cess. There were four times as many people there as last time SSP backs Living and it was especially encouraging to see so many enthusiastic and talented new members. This was obviously our first conference since the referen - Wage campciallya importaint. Sgome 22n per cent dum and in my keynote speech of employees are now earning I pointed to the parallels be - below the living wage of tween the 18 September result £7.69/hour in Scotland with bar and the Mid-Lanarkshire by- staff, shop assistants and care election of 1888. workers the worst affected. That election, as all serious stu - A report by consultants KPMG dents of socialist politics will be found that 43 per cent of all part aware, is remembered only for time staff earn below the living the candidate who came fourth. wage. This is the type of cam - No one remembers who won. paign the SSP intends to pursue, That was unimportant. The politi - with our demand for a Scottish cal earthquake that occurred that minimum wage of £10 an hour, to day was due to the emergence of build upon what we achieved the first ever candidate from the these past two years. Our local organised labour movement, one activists also aim to raise the po - James Keir Hardie. litical consciousness of working His candidacy marked the be - people about socialism and the ginning of a new era, as the work - nature of the class struggle in ing class majority ended its links SIDING WITH WORKERS: conference Scotland today. And as I said to votes to campaign for a living wage with the Liberal Party and recog - PHOTO: Craig Maclean Conference my message to the nised the need for its own political people of Scotland remains clear: voice. Britain was changed utterly enough the East Renfrewshire public spending and in the living ‘If you are a socialist you should as a consequence. MP and arch-Blairite Jim Mur - standards of the working class join a socialist party. Don’t build il - The 2014 referendum has also phy has now emerged as the majority and they pander to UKIP lusions in other ones! You are not changed Scottish politics forever. likely heir apparent and the an - on immigration. furthering the socialist cause by And you could be forgiven how - swer to Scottish Labour’s many This is all light years removed doing so, you are hindering it both ever for thinking after one month ‘challenges’! from the magnificent independ - in the short term and long term.’ that the Yes side had won as Murphy is no Keir Hardie to be ence campaign these past two more than 60,000 people have sure, his election will not be years that reminded SSP mem - Struggle joined the three independence greeted by organised labour or bers of the need for a mass party, Those who talked of ‘the post- parties. the wider working class. It signi - with a clear and widely under - SSP political landscape’ in Scot - fies that Labour will continue to try stood socialist programme and an land back in 2012 look foolish Miliband ‘betrayal’ to attack the SNP from the right. unshakeable orientation towards today. The SSP is more neces - But it is the huge problems at This fact illustrates that the working class majority. sary than ever. We marry the the heart of the Scottish Labour Labour’s biggest crisis is that it Conference congratulated the struggle for self-determination Party in particular that have dom - does not know what it stands for party leadership for playing such a with the equally important strug - inated political conversations. anymore. Whilst both parties offer prominent role in Yes Scotland and gle to emancipate working class First Johann Lamont dramati - more or less identical neo-liberal it also decided our campaign prior - people from the yoke of free mar - cally resigned as leader bitterly economic polices the SNP backs ities for the year ahead. These will ket capitalism. accusing Ed Miliband of betrayal some left of centre social policies. include furthering our goal of an in - That’s the unique dual role the and of treating Scotland like his Next year’s General Election dependent socialist Scotland, Scottish Socialist Party plays ‘branch office’. looks set to be dominated by two counteracting the pernicious influ - today. We aim to transform Scot - Then a series of opinion polls issues above all, the fall in living ence of UKIP and backing the land from a capitalist country run suggested that Labour could standards of working people on Campaign for a Living Wage. by a wealthy elite into a socialist lose virtually all its Westminster the one hand and the rise of UKIP With wages for working people republic run for the benefit of all seats here in what threatens to on the other. Labour has nothing having fallen by £50 per week where self-determination, em - be its worst result in 50 years. to offer either debate. They favour since 2008 in real terms [Source; powerment, equality and democ - And as if that was not bad further austerity, massive cuts in TUC] this latter campaign is cru - racy rein supreme. And we will.

issue 447 • scottishsocialistvoice.wordpress.com • 5 WORKPLACE by , SSP national workplace organiser

ON 1 July 2014 I wrote an article for the Voice — “Ructions after the Referendum”—which UNIONS MUST included the statement: “The exposé of Labour as open collaborators with the avowed Tory enemy of workers has added BREAK FROM immensely to the process of workers unshackling themselves from their old Labour loyalties.” Within weeks of the referendum result absolute LABOUR TORIES: ructions have erupted in Labour, with an intense Stop funding arsonists squeeze on them from the hundreds of thousands of trade unionists who fund their party. to torch your home! The Labour Party was which Labour retained the joining the SSP to pursue rights imposed by founded 120 years ago by most vicious anti-trade the goals long since successive Tory and pioneering socialists and union laws in the whole of abandoned by Labour. Labour governments. trade unionists who had Europe; announced the Some unions did in Given their track record, seen through the false slashing of 100,000 civil subsequent years, but now it’s obscene to note the promises and capitalist service jobs; scrapped the the time is rotten ripe to level of trade union funding ideology of the Liberals. 10p tax rate for the lowest ‘Make the Break’ and help since 2001: Unite has given They sought to build a paid; implemented rampant build a mass, working class Labour £41.4million since mass party of the working privatisation; raided socialist party. then; Unison £19.6million; class, a political wing of the workers’ pensions; allowed Immeasurably more so GMB £15.7million; Usdaw trade union movement. the worst levels of than in 1999, especially £12.29million; CWU inequality since 1886, after the mass politicisation £7.6million. And in 2013, Labour's record according to Oxfam; and of working class people the trade unions accounted But that was then! dragged us into the blood- that the referendum debate for 77 per cent of the total History has turned full soaked killing fields of produced. funding enjoyed by Labour. circle. Workers entered the Afghanistan and Iraq. It’s time to end this 21st century with no mass Not to mention Gordon Cash for millionaires madness. party to represent and Brown’s boasts of having Yet many trade union Thousands of workers in voice their aims, interests ended the capitalist cycle leaderships persist with Labour-affiliated unions are and aspirations. of ‘boom and bust’ being Labour affiliation and in revolt, rightly furious at Labour’s attachment to smashed to smithereens by funding of their own worst the treacherous role of the UK state, displayed the bankers’ crisis of 2008. enemies. It might be only a Labour in blocking Scottish during the referendum, is Back in January 1999 the few pence a month that democracy, the right to rule an expression of its deeper SSP launched the ‘Make each union member gives our own country. And at ideological devotion to the Break’ campaign, to Labour (usually without bottom this is a rebellion capitalism. Since at least appealing to trade unions knowing it!) if they’re in against the continued anti- the 1990s, to end their funding of one of the affiliated unions. working class policies of Labour has transformed Labour’s New Tories, But over a period it adds up capitalist austerity on offer into an openly capitalist instead demanding a to £millions of members’ from Labour. party, the New Tories. democratic choice of pro- hard-earned money going Hundreds in each of That was harshly trade union parties that to an outfit that couldn’t several unions have exposed under the workers could help fund give a toss about low pay, furiously—but mistakenly— spotlight of Labour being in through their union fees— inequality, workplace resigned from their union government from 1997- on top of what individual victimisation or the in disgust at being told to 2010. Thirteen years in workers could do by shackles on workplace vote No by a leadership 6 • scottishsocialistvoice.wordpress.com • issue 447 WORKPLACE

MILLIONS FOR A PARTY SUPPORTING MILLIONAIRES ! many union leaderships continue to fund their own worst enemies PHOTO: Craig Maclean that failed to hold But it’s important to and vehicle. And as “representing both the democratic debates or avoid the pitfall of believing hundreds of thousands prosperous and the poor”, votes amongst members that “the unions should demonstrated by their he is repeating the first. That includes Usdaw, stay away from politics”. participation during the nauseous, dishonest GMB, CWU. Mistakenly That is impossible. referendum, we should claptrap of Blairite New because in most cases that Workers’ conditions, never leave those Labour. In reality they leaves them with no incomes and rights are decisions to an elite, the represent ‘the prosperous’, alternative union that is determined by political ‘political class’ of career at the expense of ‘the poor’. recognised by their decisions. politicians, most of whom At their recent Labour employer, leaving workers Anti-union laws have have never done a day’s Gala Dinner, these worthies defenceless in the face of helped reduce wages to work outside the machinery forked out £200 each in the exploitation or their lowest share of of their own party and city where people rely on victimisation. national wealth in 60 years. parliament. food banks for handouts to Hundreds have taken the We need to demand avoid literal starvation. much more constructive Life is political union members’ meetings They have countered the route of staying in the The pathetic level of the and decision-making Tory Coalition’s £25billion union but withdrawing minimum wage—which has Scottish conferences, in cuts over two years with payment of the political become the norm rather where as well as pursuing their own cuts over three levy to Labour, by filling in than the minimum—needs the fight for measures to years—of £27billion! exemption forms. And to be challenged politically. tackle poverty, inequality vowing to fight for Not with Labour’s recent and the dictatorship of Party of principles democracy in their own insulting promise of £8 by capital, we can Workers and their unions union. 2020—which would barely democratically decide don’t have to imprison To illustrate the scale of match inflation—but with which political parties themselves with a choice of this growing force the demand of the Scottish members’ fees can two factions of Thatcherism. determined to punish Socialist Party for a £10 contribute to. They should stop funding Labour, almost half my own minimum here and now. That would assist their Labour enemy, Usdaw branch members Political decisions on workers in choosing to demand democratic have completed these public services, help construct a mass choices and membership forms in the past few privatisation, fracking, socialist party that stands control of their unions’ weeks—with more to come! Corporation Tax levels and up, unashamedly, for the political funds—and join And that includes many a multitude of other issues working class. the Scottish Socialist Party who voted No, but feel deeply affect our daily When contender for in pursuit of the democratic abandoned and betrayed lives. Workers need an Scottish Labour leader, Jim socialist aims of the labour by Labour. organised socialist voice Murphy, talks of movement pioneers. issue 447 • scottishsocialistvoice.wordpress.com • 7 CITIZEN’S INCOME by Gerry McCartney and across the population as a right of Wendy Macdonald being a citizen. The capitalist parties would balk AT ITS annual conference in Ed - Why the SSP backs at the idea of a CI at the kind of inburgh last month the SSP de - level to eradicate poverty. Why? cided to campaign for the Well, CI would remove the reserve introduction of a Citizen’s Income a ‘Citizen’s Income’ army of labour that drives down (CI) and to do the necessary wages. It would take away the background research on the right very existence of group in society value of the CI and the best way that could be blamed for all of the of administering it. country’s ills. And to pay for it we What is a Citizen’s Income? would need to massively redistrib - A CI is a guaranteed income ute the income and wealth of the paid by government to all citizens country. So the CI isn’t going to be which would replace most exist - introduced without a fight. ing benefits and would be free Within workplaces the case from means testing. It would be rests on it driving up wages, since set at a level for adults above the employers will have to pay more poverty line and a lower level than the CI in order to compen - would be paid for children, nor - sate workers sufficiently to make mally to the mother. PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT: the fiercest it worth their while. Furthermore, For those in work, it would form opponents of the Citizen’s Income will striking workers would have a part of wages and result in them be those with most to lose—the rich, huge amount more economic paying more tax as a result. There powerful and wealthy power since employers will not be PHOTO: Craig Maclean may be exceptions to the replace - able to starve them back to work. ment of current benefits with a Cit - means testing or strings, poverty leaving the door open to attacks izen’s Income such as housing would disappear overnight. As on recipients and the outrageous Stable income benefit where direct costs are ab - with the other pillars of universal demonisation we see daily across Amongst those out of work, sorbed as they are variable across public services such as the NHS, the press. Those on benefits are whether because they are unem - the country or some specific dis - the CI would become a source of restricted in terms of the work and ployed, sick or disabled, students ability benefits due to particularly pride for the population and would volunteering they can do for fear or retired, the CI would take away high needs of individuals. send a strong signal that everyone of having their income removed. the uncertainties and threats from in society is valued no matter their The government revels in the current welfare provision and en - Eradicate poverty personal circumstances. Damocles sword of sanctions, de - sure a stable source of income There are not many policy pro - The Labour/Liberal/Tory attacks liberately threatening and stress - and hugely popular policy as a re - posals that can claim that they on the welfare state over the last ing recipients. How can people sult. Even for those in well paid would eradicate poverty at a 30 years have meant privatisation, flourish in such an environment? jobs and who own small busi - stroke, but CI is one that legiti - cuts, stigmatisation and the intro - With a CI, the entire situation nesses there is a case. By provid - mately can. Because CI would duction of numerous conditions on would be reversed. People would ing a stable background income, provide sufficient income for social security provision. have the financial freedom to vol - it would help those starting up everyone in society, young and Much of the universal nature of unteer, care for relatives or chil - small businesses during the initial old, in work or not and without benefits has been eradicated dren, learn, or be artistically or period. By ridding society of musically creative. There would poverty and reducing inequality, it be the freedom to take work, and would benefit all in society by re - only when employers pay suffi - ducing all the demands on public ciently to make it financially worth - spending from poor health and To subscribe to the – the SSP’s bi-weekly newspaper – while thus driving up wages, or not high crime rates which result from fill in this form and send it to: SSV, Suite 370, Central Chambers, 93 Hope take work, without the fear of unequal societies. Street, Glasgow G2 6LD. Phone: 07810205747. Cheques/POs payable to sanction. Workers would be able The fiercest opponents of the ‘Scottish Socialist Voice’. Or see: scottishsocialistvoice.wordpress.com to go on strike since CI forms an CI will be those with most to Name...... automatic strike pay. In essence, lose—the rich, powerful and CI would provide everyone in so - wealthy—the natural opponents Address...... ciety the freedom to flourish, pro - of the SSP! We will be working ...... tected from the economic up a much more detailed set of ...... conscription of capitalism. briefings for party members in All of the problems with the the months to come. Phone...... welfare ‘reforms’ would be re - Email...... solved. No more means testing • If you want to be involved, or sanctions, instead universal email Gerry McCartney at g £5 for 2 issues g £10 for 4 issues g £20 for 8 issues provision valued and supported [email protected]

8 • scottishsocialistvoice.wordpress.com • issue 447 TTIP by Bill Newman

THE INNOCENT -sounding US-EU Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partner - TTIP: a threat to democracy ship (TTIP) is currently being prepared be - to have anything to do with ISDS agree - hind closed doors by overpaid corporate ments and South Africa is trying to disen - lawyers for passage through the Euro - tangle itself from such agreements. pean Union. Yet, that is what is being proposed under In fact, it is far from as innocent as it the US-EU TTIP proposal, not surprisingly sounds and is far re - with the enthusiastic support of Conserva - moved from the normal tive ministers. Disappointingly, with some innocuous trade agree - notable exceptions, the Westminster oppo - ment which it purports to sition and even our SNP government has be. In reality, it will lead to been remarkably quiet on this proposed a radical reduction in em - massive erosion of our public liberties. ployee rights and an em - The appalling nature of TTIP and its par - powerment of the interests of ticularly nasty ISDS appendage is still little big business above those of understood at large and the support of governments throughout the EU. Barack Obama and the European Commis - Through a process called “regula - P sion makes its ad - tory harmonisation”, big business O vance towards would be able to sue governments for T legislation more imposing standards or regulations which S certain, but pub - would restrict their operations and prof - lic pressure can its. In practise, this would mean that any IP still halt, or at least health and safety regulations, any laws T modify its advance. protecting workers’ rights and any protected T The European TUC has set out its publicly owned bodies could be nullified by minimum requirements for change, private companies. namely the removal of ISDS, protection for public services and standards equivalent to NHS not safe “If you wanted to con - ILO conventions (to which, incidentally, During the independence referendum, it vince the public that international trade agree - the USA has not signed up to). In the UK, was claimed that though the NHS in England ments are a way to let international companies Unite the trade union has been particularly was being privatised, at least the Scottish get rich at the expense of ordinary people, this vocal in its opposition and its Glasgow Re - NHS was safe in public hands. is what you would do: give foreign firms a tired Members’ Branch, for example, has Under TTIP regulations this would not be special right to apply to a secretive tribunal of been out on the streets of Glasgow cam - true, as private enterprises would be able to highly paid corporate lawyers for compensa - paigning particularly to get the NHS ex - challenge public investment in any publicly- tion whenever a government passes a law to, cluded from TTIP. owned bodies, including the NHS, and com - say, discourage smoking, protect the environ - pete for any investment without having to ment or prevent a nuclear catastrophe. Dangers abide by any of the protective legislation we “Yet that is precisely what thousands of Public pressure must be amplified and have in place. Not only would this make the trade and investment treaties over the past half more efforts made to make our MEPs, in protection and extension of the public sector century have done, through a process known particular, aware of the dangers of TTIP, for impossible, but it would prevent governments as ‘investor state dispute settlement’”. the European Parliament still has the power doing anything about it! And that is precisely what TTIP intends to to vote against TTIP’s implementation. The mechanism for achieving this and incorporate in its legislation. Lest it be felt that MPs and MEPs must also be lobbied and over-ruling any government intervention is an this is unduly alarmist here is what three ISDS civic bodies, including trade unions and “arbitration” device called Investor-State Dis - agreements are determining. churches, must be made aware of the dan - pute Settlement (ISDS). Occidental, the oil giant, is suing gers facing us. This device is already in operation in many Ecuador, through ISDS, for $2.3billion over Public opposition is beginning to have an so-called trade/investor agreements through - its perfectly legal termination of Occiden - impact and Jean Claude Juncker, the incom - out the world whereby decision are made in tal’s oil concession contract; Vatenfall, a ing President of the European Commission, secret, off-shore, usually by a panel of corpo - Swedish company, is suing Germany for who has recently indicated that ISDS is not rate lawyers to determine if there is any loss $4.7billion for loss of earnings over the clo - necessarily an integral part of TTIP. of revenue suffered by private investors sure of two nuclear plants which it oper - Finally, campaigning bodies such as through legitimate state restrictions. The ated; and Philip Morris are demanding a StopTTIP, 38degrees and War on Want are opening paragraph of an article on ISDS in huge sum for loss of earnings as the Aus - running vigorous campaigns and the more the free-market oriented, right-wing journal tralian Government has determined that who join with them, the more chances of The Economist , hardly a friend of socialists, cigarettes must be sold in plain packets. success in stopping this wicked legislation is worth quoting: No wonder Brazil, for example, has refused there is!

issue 447 • scottishsocialistvoice.wordpress.com • 9 INTERNATIONAL IT’S NOT the winning that’s dating the Taliban and brokering important, it’s the taking part. a peace between them and the This might be a good summa - Afghan Government (Northern tion of the government’s As Britain pulls out Alliance) as the best way to en - overview of Britain’s war in sure stability and protect western Afghanistan. At least they have of Afghanistan, what interests. The withdrawal of the good grace not to dress any American and British troops is of this up as a victory. central to this strategy which is If they did, the backlash from has it left behind? why they are being withdrawn the British people would be con - although American air bases and siderable. Yet claims are made asks rapid deployment forces based that much has been achieved. In outside the country will remain. this light it is perhaps worth - When the pro-socialist govern - while reminding ourselves of ment of Barbrak Karmal came to the original objectives behind power in 1979 it had a clear view this adventure. as to the road down which To defeat the Taliban and bring Afghanistan should travel. The peace to a war shattered country. aim was that Afghanistan would To strike a blow against interna - become a modern, secular repub - tional terrorism much of which, lic with the ultimate aim of build - it was claimed originated in ing a viable democracy. Afghanistan. To rebuild the infra - There would be an ambitious structure of the country after a programme of economic and generation of conflict which social development aimed at identified Afghanistan as the improving the lives of a poverty poorest and most underdevel - stricken population. At the cen - oped country in the world. To es - tre of this would be the transfor - tablish democracy in a country mation of the status of and ruled in turn by ‘marxist fanatics’ welfare of women. and medieval Islamic barbarians. As Britain leaves what does it Reactionary revolt leave behind? According to These lofty aims crumbled in most reports the Taliban are as the face of reactionary religious strong as ever and ready to re - and tribal revolt supported by the sume military operations while west and a soviet intervention the underlying civil war be - which turned the entire country tween the Taliban and Northern leaving behind a mess. After the ern Alliance because they were a into a war zone. Despite this ex - Alliance continues. collapse of the Soviet backed bit less ideological and a lot more perience these aims are still fun - government the country was corrupt than the Taliban and damental if Afghanistan is to Corruption plunged into a civil war be - therefore more likely to accom - have any future. The threat of international ter - tween two reactionary group - modate western interests. During The country can have no vi - rorism arising from the conflict ings—the Northern Alliance in the period of the soviet interven - able future under the Northern is far greater now than at the the North and the Taliban in the tion they supported the Taliban Alliance or the Taliban or any start. The rebuilding of the coun - South. These in turn were col - and groups like Al Qaeda and combination of the two. These try has been patchy to say the lections of tribal, regional and here is the crux of the matter. are movements based of regional least when set against the scores religious groupings each fight - Western policy towards and tribal interests and driven by of billions of dollars spent while ing for their own interests. Afghanistan has never been about a medieval ideology. Nor can it huge amounts have been lost in a However, despite the differ - helping the people of that coun - be based on the cynical accom - massive black hole of corruption. ences the overall aim is the same. try, liberating women or spread - modation of western interests. As for democracy that aim The creation of a medieval style ing democracy. It has always The rebuilding of Afghanistan was abandoned a long time ago. Islamic state in which women, in been about defending western in - must be based on promoting the Afghanistan has been governed particular, are consigned to the terests and bringing Afghanistan interests of the people of that by a succession of weak, de - status of mere property of men. under western control. country, particularly women, pendent, corrupt governments In fact, it was the policies on the Thirteen years after the initial through the creation of a mod - which openly rig elections and liberation of women under the intervention this strategy is in tat - ern, progressive and secular buy votes and violently sup - previous Karmal/Najibula ters leaving a state which has to government. That this appears press all opposition. The reality regime which fuelled much of all purposes collapsed a resump - far away does not alter the fact. is that western intervention has the western backed ‘war of liber - tion of the civil war and a shat - The alternative is a continuation been a disaster exacerbating an ation’ against this government. tered economy. In fact western of war, destruction and the final already serious conflict and The west supported the North - strategy now is about accommo - collapse of the country.

10 • scottishsocialistvoice.wordpress.com • issue 447 INTERNATIONAL CATALAN LEFT CALLS ON SPANISH STATE TO bDy VRoiceO RePpor teOr PPOSITION TO INDY REFERENDUM

AS THE Voice went to press, Catalans were due to vote in the 9 November consultative referendum on independence in the teeth of Spanish opposition. A broad left platform has called on Madrid to reverse its opposition to the process. The Catalan platform ‘Left for Yes-Yes’, has called on the Spanish government of Mariano Rajoy to reverse its opposition to sanctioning a non-binding consultation in Catalonia on the future of the region. The platform is called Left for Yes-Yes in reference to the two-part question designed for the consultation. This asks: 1. Do you want Catalonia to become a state? 2. If so, do you want that state to be independent? The platform Left for Yes-Yes groups together a wide range of left organisations who support an independent Catalonia, and has a 16-point platform summarising its positions in support of ‘Democracy, Freedom and Social Justice’. YOU YES-YES YET? the Spanish Constitutional Court has declared the Catalan indyref ‘illegal’

COUNTDOWN TO THE CATALAN CRISIS: key dates 1931: A Catalan Republic is drawn up which recognises the Parliament and endorsed by a Government comer out in favour of a proclaimed more than 200 years existence of “regional communities” referendum of the Catalan people. referendum and form a coalition with after the King of Spain had invaded but proclaims the Spanish as state The right wing Peoples Party— the Republican Left party, which Barcelona to suppress the as “indivisible”. now the governing party in emerges hugely strengthened in the independence of Catalonia destroy 1979: A Catalan Statute of Madrid—launches a legal action November general election. Both the country and impose an absolutist Autonomy is agreed, which allows against the decision parties are committed to a referendum monarchy. Negotiations with the for a devolved parliament while 2009: The town of Arenys de Munt 2013: The Catalan Parliament Spanish Republic lead to extensive prohibiting any move towards holds a consultative referendum adopts the Sovereignty Declaration, under the leadership of Eskerra independence. which resoundingly supports the right which asserts that Catalonia is a Republicana—the Republican Left. 1980: Moderate centre-right nationalist of Catalonia to self-determination. sovereign nation with the right to 1936: General Franco launches a party, Convergence and Union Over the next year, 54 other towns decide its own future. fascist insurrection, igniting the (Convergencia) becomes the ruling follow suit. 2014: The Spanish Constitutional Court Spanish Civil War. At the heart of party in the new Catalan government. 2010: After four years of rules that the independence his programme is the abolition of 2003: Convergence and Union deliberation, the Spanish referendum supported by the Catalan Catalan and Basque autonomy. ousted after 23 years in power, to Constitutional Court rules in Parliament is illegal. The decision is 1939: Franco’s forces finally capture be replaced by a coalition of the favour of the Peoples Party. It backed by the governing Peoples Party Barcelona, paving the way for the Socialists, the Republican Left rewrites and reinterprets 41 and the opposition Socialist Party in collapse of Republican resistance and the Greens. articles of the 2006 Statute of Madrid. A mass demonstration of 1.8 across Spain. During the 36-year 2005: Catalan Parliament approves, Autonomy, seriously curbing the million people marches through reign of fascism, Catalan autonomy with the support of 120 MPs out of 135, powers of the Catalan Barcelona on Catalan’s National Day, is smashed and the language driven a proposal to reform the 1979 Statute Government and refusing to 11 September. Five days later, the underground. of Autonomy that for the first time recognise Catalonia as a nation. Catalan Parliament votes, by a majority 1975: Death of Franco leads to the recognises Catalonia as a nation. 2012: Following two years of of four to one to go ahead with a non- start of the restoration of 2006: The new Statute of escalating support for Catalan binding referendum on 9 November. democratic rights. Autonomy is agreed by both independence, the moderate This too has been declared illegal by 1977: A new Spanish constitution is chambers of the Spanish Convergencia—now back in the Spanish Constitutional Court.

issue 447 • scottishsocialistvoice.wordpress.com • 11 for Socialism, Independence email: [email protected] and Internationalism scottishsocialistvoice.wordpress.com 7th –20th November 2014 Issue 447 Promoted by Jim McVicar on behalf of the Scottish Socialist Party, Suite 370, Central Chambers, 93 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 6LD. Printed by Forward Graphics, Elderpark Workspace, 100 Elderpark Street, Glasgow G51 3TR

COMRADES COME RALLY: guest speakers at the recent SSP conference (left to right), the Scottish Green Party’s Maggie Chapman, Jonathon Shafi from the Radical Indy Campaign and former Labour For Indy leader Allan Grogan, who joined the SSP last month. Below right, SSP national co-spokesperson Colin Fox PHOTOS: Craig Maclean

bUy Vpoicbe Repoarter t SwShichP the cSSPo, likne thefenrumeber nof thcosee ne w chwiade-rrangtinsg d ewbate oan yAl laan Ghrogaen waho tdold other pro-Yes parties, members participating issues such as the idea the conference why he THE FIRST post- has experienced, the and speaking with of a Yes alliance at the had joined the SSP . referendum conference event was some four confidence. general election and Conference also of the Scottish Socialist times larger than its A range of decisions how the left can co- heard from the Radical Party which met last counterpart in 2013 with were taken including operate in the period Independence month in Edinburgh many of those present moves to reconstitute ahead. One highlight Campaign’s Jonathon was an inspirational newly joined members. the SSP women’s was the speech by Shafi, and Maggie event. Reflecting the It was particularly network, support for a former Labour for Chapman from the flood of new members encouraging to see a citizen’s income and a Independence leader Scottish Green Party.