ScottishLeft Review Issue 106 July/August 2018 - £2.00

'best re(a)d' 1 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 LRD TUC Sept15_Layout 1 10/07/2015 14:09 Page 1 FIGHT ANTI-UNION LAWS

www.rmt.org.uk

General Secretary: Mick Cash President President: PSeaneter P iHoylenkney

2 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 feedback

comment

Killing independence ‘stone dead’? eaders will keenly recall the result would square their circle, they have needed reassurance in order to turn of the independence referendum quickly been disavowed of this. The 45:55 into 55:45. Essentially, this was Ron 18 September 2014 – 55% report has created an almighty right- an appeal to the right – of voters, against and 45% for. After the dust had left chasm within the independence business, commentators and the settled a bit and after much grinding of movement. Sure enough, there was reviewsmedia. For them, it was a message of teeth, it was concluded by mainstream already such a chasm but it was a independence won’t scare the horses nationalist and unionist thinkers that relatively minor one while both right and things won’t be that different the critical reason why more voters and left could have continued illusions under independence. were not turned on to the case for in what independence could be. But In making such an appeal, the independence was down to poor now the Wilson report, released on 25 miscalculations have been several-fold. economics – specifically, that the issue May, has shown in a disarmingly explicit First and probably most importantly, of a currency and future economic way what independence would look in appealing to the right, the support growth were poorly thought out in like under the SNP. It is not an attractive of the left will be lost. The early signs the White Paper called ‘Scotland’s prospectus for anyone of a progressive of this were quickly apparent with the Future’ penned by the Alex Salmond disposition. likes of the Iain Macwhirter, Dennis leadership. As the new SNP leader Before looking at why this is the case, Canavan, Darren McGarvey, the Radical following Salmond’s departure, Nicola it is worth revealing the nature of the Independence Campaign, the Common Sturgeon set out to right those seeming calculation made by the SNP leadership Weal, the Scottish Socialist Party etc wrongs on the path to independence. with the Wilson report. So whilst it being vocal in their criticism. That is not Hence, the commissioning of the to say that the pro-independence left still has to be debated in the SNP’s ‘Sustainable Growth’ report led by will vote against independence but it is National Assemblies over the summer Andrew Wilson in 2016. to say that it will not be so energised to and into the autumn prior to any formal campaign and vote for independence If Sturgeon and the current SNP tight adoption through the party’s policy (and may not vote SNP again because leadership cabal of John Swinney, Derek decision making procedure, the report of the report). That is said knowing McKay et al. thought the Wilson report was tasked with reassuring those that that some of the left will campaign for their own vision of independence ScottishLeftReview whilst also recognising the SNP – still Issue 106 July/August 2018 controlled by Sturgeon et al. - will continue to dominate any future Contents independence campaign (especially Editorial comment: Killing independence ‘stone dead’?...... 3 More ‘right than wrong’ than ‘right than left’ Tommy Sheppard...... 6 where there is still no organised left Somewhere to start Carolyn Leckie ...... 7 in the SNP to speak of). Second, there Naively neo-liberal Jim Cuthbert ...... 8 are the issues of quantity and quality, Of wars of position and wars of manoeuvre Jim Sillars ...... 10 namely, will the number of votes from Independence must be a transformation not ‘transition’ Colin Fox ...... 11 Capital investment needed for credible chance at independence George Kerevan...... 12 the right outweigh those lost from the Neo-liberalism is at an end: the future must be ours Maggie Chapman...... 13 left, and what will be the consequence All to play for Chris Stephens ...... 14 of winning by appealing to the right? Not even one step forward, two steps back Cat Boyd ...... 15 The weekend after the Wilson report Municipal socialism – the time is now Dave Watson ...... 16 Amazon hits union bump in road in Europe Nigel Flanagan ...... 17 was launched, the Sunday Herald New radical kids on media block Conter and Red Robin ...... 18 reported that experts on the centre On the frontline Stewart Forrest ...... 19 right and centre left proclaimed the Highland Hotel Pat Sutherland...... 19 Wilson report would have been the Please step aside brothers Lynn Henderson ...... 20 Irish union movement and repealing the anti-abortion clause Anne Speed ...... 22 game changer had it been it and not One of the first ever strikes in Scotland Sean McDonagh...... 24 ‘Scotland’s Future’ that guided the Film and book reviews Jackie Bergson, Tony Adams, Dave Sherry, Dennis Canavan, Stewart Maclennan, SNP’s independence campaign. But Moira Craig ...... 26 then came the damnation from the Vladimir McTavish’s Kick up the Tabloids...... 31 Institute of Fiscal Studies on the issue 3 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 of years of coming austerity through report is framed by its own ideology of What makes this even more the ‘solidarity’ debt repayment. neo-liberalism and Sturgeon would not unpalatable are three aspects. Even if the votes from the right have commissioned it without having First, there is no place for public outweighed those lost from the left a pretty good idea of what it would ownership, with its potential for and were enough to gain a majority, come up with. Thus, it is pertinent to enhancing democratic, fairness and the rightward political direction of the now ask the question: so what is at efficiency. This is hardly surprising Wilson report would be very much the core of the report? The answer: given the SNP’s resistance to public underscored. One early poll suggested something of an inter-generational ownership of Northern Ferries, 13% said they were more likely to vote blueprint for an independent capitalist Scotrail and bus transport. Second, for independence because of the report Scotland of a neo-liberal variant. The unions are asked (even though they while 6% said they were less likely to do report has rightly been condemned were never consulted) to sign up to so because of the report. for it unwillingness to break from a social partnership to enable these sterling and the lack of fiscal control productivity gains to be made. There Third, in the era of their new left that entails as well as the continuation is no suggestion that anti-union laws leaderships with Corbyn and Leonard, and ramping up of austerity measures would be repealed or the strength the move to the right by the SNP only for a generation to come. Readers will of union recognition laws enhanced further strengthens the appeal of by now be fairly well versed in these as a reward for cooperation. Third, Labour north and south of the border arguments. However what has been ‘flexicurity’ is proffered as the way to for those looking for social justice by far less picked upon is the economic make labour markets more efficient. any means – whether through the philosophy that underpins the reports Efficiency is defined in neo-liberal union or independence. Indeed, there thinking (see Part A of the report). So, terms and not in the social liberal has been a recalibration of the road the report gave trickledown economics terms of flexibility in the labour market to social justice, social democracy and a twenty-first century reboot, for it combined with social security and an socialism since Corbyn was elected concentrated on methods of how to active labour market policy with rights Labour leader in late 2015 and Labour raise the performance (competitiveness and obligations for the unemployed. did far better than expected in the and productivity) of the economy in Yet it would be daft and dishonest to June 2017 general election. Fourth, Scotland. Even immigration was seen not acknowledge that there are no and relatedly, of the ‘no’ voters, many in this light. The re-tread big idea is laudable aims in the Wilson report were on the left and their position will that if the economy can become more (see Carolyn Leckie, this issue). You’d only be hardened and reinforced by the productive, raising the total national be hard pressed to find anyone these Wilson report. wealth, then we’ll all be better off. days in mainstream politics that would Hence, the headline of The National But to use the term miscalculation make an explicit and positive case for (24 May 2018), an increasingly would suggest the SNP is merely guided inequality, poverty and exploitation. shrill propaganda sheet for the SNP, by political opportunism. This would But that’s not the most important proclaiming that independence ‘would be to make a grave error for the Wilson point for in the Wilson report there be worth £4,100 extra for every Scot’. is no consideration of how the state Cover: The big problem here is the issue of can and must be used to deliver upon Nadia Lucchesi distribution is the elephant in the room. these laudable aims. Neo-liberalism - or ([email protected]) Assuming that the chosen methods did even its social liberalism variant - can raise competitiveness and productivity Proofing services: never achieve these aims because it is (and that is not necessarily a safe not prepared to substantially use the Bob Thomson, John Wood and assumption), the report has nothing state intervene to alter the processes John Daly to offer as to how these munificence and outcomes of the market. You can Communications and will be distributed to each citizen, with get a good sense of this from the SNP organisational development: more going to those that need it more. Scottish Government’s existing Fair In fact, what the report did assume was Carole Ewart Work Framework (launched 2016) and that those who owned and controlled Editor Email: Scottish Business Pledge (launched the wealth would spend it and the [email protected] 2015) – laudable aims but without any benefits of this would trickle down to enforcement teeth because they are Web: www.scottishleftreview.org the rest of us. Problematic to say the voluntary standards. The further sting least – on account of not all the extra Tel: 0141 424 0042 in the tail here is that solving issues of wealth would stay in Scotland; the rich gender inequality and social exclusion Address: spent money on luxury goods made are seen pretty much only in terms of Scottish Left Review, outside of Scotland; when they do how they can increase competitiveness spend it in Scotland, the jobs created 741 Shields Road, Pollokshields, and productivity. are often in hospitality where they Glasgow G41 4PL are low paid and insecure, etcetera, To return to a debate in these pages Printed by etcetera. In other words, the Wilson at the back end of 2017 (see issues Hampden Advertising Ltd, report envisages no change to the 101 and 102) over the nature of SNP, 403 Hillington Road, G52 4BL, economic power relations in Scotland. the case for saying that the SNP is Indeed, it seeks to strengthen the not a social democratic party (much Tel: 0141 429 1010 power of the already powerful. less a socialist one) has been further 4 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 strengthened by the Wilson report. This ministerial responsibilities. was written by Joan Smith and called is despite something of an activists’ ‘No Mean Fighter’. It gives a good As the Scottish Socialist Voice (issue revolt at the 2018 SNP conference measure of a remarkable individual. 507) said: ‘For socialist anniversary in the form of a rebuke to the party hunters, 2018 provides a bumper Three last things. First, an erratum. Our leadership by passing a motion calling harvest—Marx’s 200th, Paris film reviewer in the last issue mixed up for the establishment of a publicly May 1968’s 50th, The Communist Judith Hart with Sheila Cassidy in her funded infrastructure agency to Manifesto’s 170th, James Connolly’s review of Nae Pasaran! Our apologies essentially overshadow the Scottish for that. Second, the editorial comment Futures’ Trust scheme. 150th—just to name a few. But for Scottish Socialists, surely one of the is the responsibility of the editor, in Older readers may remember the most significant is John Maclean’s conjunction with the chair and vice chair of the editorial board. Third, we bold prediction by the then Shadow famous ‘Speech from the Dock’ of have previously called for potential Scottish Secretary, George Robertson Edinburgh High Court on 9 May 1918’. contributors to get in touch with us in 1995. He stated: “Devolution will Whilst this is true, Scottish Left Review kill Nationalism stone dead. He was with ideas and suggestions for articles would also like to commemorate and themes (including feedback and clearly proved wrong, judged not least the death of one of the great ‘Red by the SNP’s domination at Holyrood responses to articles). We re-iterate Clydesiders’, Harry McShane, who was a since 2007 and the party’s continued that call. Please contact the editor, colleague of Maclean and died in April strength in polling for Holyrood since Gregor Gall by email: gregorgall@ 1988. Ten years earlier, his biography the 2016 election. But this editorial outlook.com wonders whether the Wilson report might do the same for the cause of What is social democracy? independence. So, in this issue, we are A party can considered to be social democrat when it advocates in asked a range of figures from across the opposition and implements in office using the levers of state power independence movement: ‘Is the SNP to alter the processes and outcomes of the capitalist market system, Sustainable Growth Commission report most obviously by providing an extensive social wage and through a major blow to a radical or progressive public ownership. The height of social democracy was in the post-war vision of an independent Scotland, period, from 1945 to the mid-1970s and is often known as the ‘post-war and does it unmask the SNP as a settlement’ and most keenly identified with the welfare state. Hence, party which is not social democratic Wikipedia says: despite its pretensions to be so?’ In a Social democracy is a political, social and economic ideology that supports subsequent issue, we shall ask figures economic and social interventions to promote social justice within the on the left from the anti-independence framework of a liberal democratic polity and capitalist economy. The to ruminate over the Wilson report as protocols and norms used to accomplish this involve a commitment well as ask some from the commission to representative and participatory democracy; measures for income for the Wilson report to respond to the redistribution and regulation of the economy in the general interest; reaction to the report. and welfare state provisions. Social democracy, thus, aims to create Such matters as to the impact on the conditions for capitalism to lead to greater democratic, egalitarian the quality and quantity of support and solidaristic outcomes, and is often associated with the set of for independence will be definitively socioeconomic policies that became prominent in Northern and Western tested come the next referendum. Yet Europe—particularly the Nordic model in the Nordic countries—during the the problem for the independence latter half of the 20th century. movement is it does not have a date of a referendum to work towards. This What is neo-liberalism? means it finds it hard to galvanise itself like it did from May 2012 onwards to Neo-liberalism is an ideology that advocates and a process that occurs by capital (and its agents) to redraw the frontier of economic and political 18 September 2014. In that situation, control back in favour of itself in order to resolve the crisis of capitalist and with still the need for Westminster profitability. What is most distinctive about neo-liberalism, compared agreement to hold another and when to liberalism, is its willingness and ability to use the state to deregulate to hold it, issues like the Wilson report the economy whilst also increasingly regulating labour in order to create take on an added significance in both conductive conditions for the return of capitalist profitability. Hence, positive and negative ways. Wikipedia says: Lesley Riddoch and Dennis Canavan Neo-liberalism refers primarily to the 20th-century resurgence of 19th- were unable to contribute articles century ideas associated with laissez-faire economic liberalism. Those on the Growth Commission due to ideas include economic liberalization policies such as privatization, time pressures while Clare Haughey austerity, deregulation, free trade and reductions in government spending MSP was originally set to write on in order to increase the role of the private sector in the economy and this matter as well but due to her society. These market-based ideas and the policies they inspired constitute appointment on the 27 June as a paradigm shift away from the post-war Keynesian consensus which lasted Minister for Mental Health she was from 1945 to 1980. no longer able to do so because of

5 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 More ‘right than wrong’ than ‘right than left’ Tommy Sheppard offers critical support to the Growth Commission report riticising the Growth Commission the gender pay gap is not seen as an could be achieved quicker. And, of report for not being left wing is add-on to economic policy but central course, the report is politically neutral in Csomewhat missing the point. It to it. that it does not suggest either raising or was never meant to be a manifesto for cutting taxes – do that and things move The two areas that have provoked a socialist Scotland. And it isn’t - nor is it even quicker. Calling this a prospectus the most hostile criticism are the SNP policy. There’s good and bad in the for austerity is just wrong. Austerity prescriptions to reduce the spending report and a lot that needs more debate is when you aim to reduce the deficit deficit and the intention to use sterling and thought. Without doubt, though, it by a real terms contraction in public for an interim period before establishing has provoked a necessary contemplation spending. an independent currency. about the economics of independence. Perhaps the most problematic aspect of Let’s take the deficit first. Some question If anything, the Growth Commission the report is currency. Critics are right to whether a deficit even exists. It’s asks not how to transform Scotland’s point out that there are many dangers certainly true – in fairness, as the report economy but whether it is possible for in using a currency you have no control Scotland to become an independent acknowledges – that the official GERS over. It leaves an independent Scotland country without fundamentally changing (Government Expenditure and Revenue hitched to the British economy and at the economy. Its objective is to widen Scotland) figures are a description of the mercy of its turbulence, which might the political base for independence. a regional economy within the UK and be very rocky indeed depending on at best can only be an estimate of the how Brexit pans out. But, in truth, what Let’s start with two big qualifiers budget of an independent country. would be the real difference between though. The first is it doesn’t really There are many things wrong with this and an agreed sterling zone where matter who says what now; the whole using GERS to calculate a deficit. But Scotland has a say in the governance point about independence is that the political point is that if we use the of the Bank of England. Do we really people get the government they vote figures which have ‘til now been owned believe a vote on the Monetary Policy for. So whether Scotland runs a left by our opposition then we effectively Committee will make that much or right-wing economic policy after silence them. GERS offers in effect a difference? independence is up to the Scottish worst-case scenario for the finances of electorate. Admittedly that decision will a newly independent Scotland. But, if it The only real alternative proposed by have a genesis that starts now, and it is works on this basis, then anything that’s critics of the report is to go straight to a up to all sides to start putting together wrong with GERS becomes a bonus. Scottish currency during the transition convincing propositions. period. But no-one should pretend The report does makes several this is simple and we would need to be Secondly, whilst many – I’d have important adjustments to GERS, such prepared to defend the new currency thought most – on the left now see as reducing defence spending, and against devaluation, which in turn the merits of independence, it is very suggests a measure of the probable means major borrowing at less than much a means to an end. No-one ever actual difference between current optimal rates from markets that would argued that independence would of Scottish spending and revenue is about be sceptical at best and hostile at worst. itself achieve transformation of the 6%. It aims to reduce this over ten years But, as others have argued, the scale of socio-economic structures which exist to 3%. Now, some have said that even if this could leave a Scottish government today. All independence provides is there is a deficit there’s no need to set financially strapped for a generation. a better toolkit for socialists. A more targeted reductions for it. But there’s advantageous starting point for change nothing left about running a deficit if The merit in delaying the introduction with the aspirations of the people of you don’t need to and once spending of a Scottish currency is that the Scotland decoupled from a Conservative and income align then it’s easier to have new country has time to establish competence and stability perhaps majority in southern England. a debate about shifting the proportion engineering a situation where markets So, for people like myself there are of GDP that goes to the public realm. have sufficient confidence to take a two questions. How do we create a The report proposes to steadily reduce benign attitude towards it. If that sounds political majority for independence, the deficit by stimulating growth and like playing by the rules of capitalism, it and then, how do we use the powers suggests that public spending should is. But in case no-one has noticed, they of independence to achieve social and grow by more than inflation. This means run the world a fledgling Scotland would economic change. It’s best not to get the a real terms increase in spending on be entering. answers mixed up. public services each year as compared Tommy Sheppard is the (SNP) MP for There are some positive suggestions to a real terms cut each year since Edinburgh East and a member of the in the report which everyone on the 2010. It’s also worth noting that North Scottish Left Review editorial committee left should welcome. An emphasis Sea revenues have been taken out of on boosting immigration into an the equation altogether to create an independent Scotland as a driver investment fund of up to £5bn over the of growth in population and GDP is first ten-year period. Spending that on essential. Setting serious and ambitious infrastructure would offer an additional targets for reducing poverty and ending stimulus to growth, meaning the targets 6 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 Somewhere to start Carolyn Leckie says the report is like the curate’s egg, with good and bad parts, but can be built upon icola Sturgeon has described We will need even more of that in the some people make that leap towards the response to the Growth next few years. Again, we need public support for independence. But as many NCommission report as figureheads on the ‘Yes’ side who are others have pointed out, if we don’t ‘heartening’, insisting some opponents not under the control of party political control our own currency we can’t shape of independence have since been spin doctors and will just tell it as they our own economy. The Baltic states all persuaded to reconsider their positions. see it. And we need more down-to-earth took less than two years after gaining I’ve no doubt that’s true, and I’m glad to working-class voices that are able to their independence in 1991 to set up hear it. We need to win converts from connect with, and inspire, those who their own currencies. With technology the ‘No’ side if we are to forge ahead make up the majority of Scotland’s more advanced than then, early 1990s, towards independence. population. the ten-year transitional timetable takes caution to the outermost extremes. But as a seasoned politician, Nicola Back to the report. There are some knows only too well that anecdotal points that most of us, including those I hope there will be a proper debate feedback can be illusory. My own of us on the left, can agree with: a around the report. Yes, it’s an SNP political experience has taught me to be 50% reduction in poverty; a national document, but 23 organisations from wary of being swept away by positive economic strategy, as opposed to outside the independence movement feedback. Those who are going to vote a market free-for-all; immigrants were invited to comment during the for you will say so to your face. The rest to be welcomed to Scotland rather document’s gestation, including anti- just steer clear, staying silent. than looked upon as a disease to be independence bodies such as CBI eradicated; a commission on gender Scotland, the Institute of Directors, and The big question for Sturgeon and her pay equality; a Scottish National the Scottish Chambers of Commerce. party is whether the numbers who will Investment Bank; a new Scottish I would suggest that the SNP should be reassured by the report outweigh Central Bank; stronger regulation of the redress the overwhelming pro-business the numbers who will be disappointed. banking system; and a separate Scottish balance of the contributors so far I doubt many ‘Yes’ voters will switch to currency. unionism because of this document, by arranging special meetings for but I fear that many could start to lose Some recommendations are pretty trade unionists, frontline anti-poverty interest unless the document is either bland and neutral. But there are other campaigners, women’s organisations given a makeover or treated with a little more controversial proposals, which, to and environmental organisations. be frank, have come like a gift from the bit less reverence by the SNP leadership. Economic arguments are important but gods to Scottish Labour. And make no we have to balance that with providing Since 2012 when the first referendum mistake, if the public deficit reduction inspiration. The young, the low paid, the was announced, I’ve taken a critical target of 3% of GDP is adopted as single parents, the carers, the frontline but constructive approach towards policy, it will allow Labour to whip public-sector workers, the council the leadership of the independence up anxiety across the most deprived and housing association, the private movement. Our paths may well diverge parts of the country and will become a tenants, the people of no property, more sharply after we have created a millstone around the neck of the entire are the majority. They number in their new nation state but, in the meantime, independence movement. I understand that damaging the SNP can millions. It is they, and not the Institute only play into the hands of those who There is room for cuts. Take Scotland’s of Directors nor the Scottish Property would lock us into the British straitjacket defence budget, for example. If it was Federation, who will decide the future for ever more. reduced pro-rata to the level of the of our nation. Republic of Ireland that would save Carolyn Leckie is a columnist with The And that’s broadly how I intend to £2.5bn and make serious inroads into National and a practising solicitor approach the debate over the Growth the deficit. So too could new forms of Commission. I’m not impressed by those revenue-raising such as tourist taxes, who threaten to walk away from the land value taxes, and increased taxation ‘Yes’ movement because they disagree on non-productive sectors of the with this document. Personally, I wasn’t economy such as gambling and stock EDITORIAL COMMITTEE that enthusiastic about the 2014 White exchange transactions. Bill Bonnar Bill Ramsay Paper either because it was just one A package along these lines, along Cat Boyd Lilian Macer view of how an independent Scotland with a short-to medium term financial Sarah Collins Gordon Morgan might look. stimulus, would establish clear red water Moira Craig Tommy Sheppard The independence cause is about one between the bleak austerity on offer Sean Duffy Dave Sherry key principle: self-determination. The from a post-Brexit British Government Carole Ewart Stephen Smellie rest is just party politics. and a bold, leftward moving, progressive Gregor Gall Bob Thomson Scotland. Before 2014, we had a multitude Editor Convener of voices singing the praises of The report is more credible on currency Pat Kelly independence, but they weren’t always than the position we had in the past. Vice Convener. in harmony, nor were the lyrics identical. And yes, a transition period could help

7 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 Naively neo-liberal Jim Cuthbert says all is not quite lost despite the addiction to neo-liberalism he SNP’s Sustainable Growth which concentrates on the economy. It is biggest fallacies in the neo-liberal Commission, chaired by Andrew relevant to remember how Ireland saw book. There is a marked difference TWilson, reported in May 2018, its priorities at a slightly different stage between the policies which are optimal after a long gestation period. It was of its transition towards fully functioning for a country once it has achieved a immediately subject to extensive independence. As Seán Lemass said competitive edge in one or more fields, criticism. Among the main charges was in 1959, shortly before becoming Irish as compared with the policies which that it presaged an extended period of Taoiseach: ‘the historic task of this led it to achieve that edge. This is very austerity – far from the rosy prospect generation is to ensure the economic clearly demonstrated by examples of a painless transition to prosperous foundations of independence’. from within the commission’s group independence. That it paid no heed of chosen economies. Look at the high But having said that, choosing a to the pressing need for social change tariff, protectionist regimes historically particular economic model involves in Scotland – giving the lie to the idea operated by Austria, Finland, Sweden foreclosing options on the nature that the SNP was basically a social and Norway to get their strategic and conditions of work, and on social democratic party. And that it was a industries established and competitive. conditions. So the commission, despite standard neo-liberal prescription for Look at the important role played by its limited remit, cannot totally escape economic growth – that could almost state owned enterprises in the same the charge that it should have paid more have been written by the IMF. countries to get key sectors established. attention to the social implications of its Or, the restrictions which were placed It will be argued here that, while some recommendations. of these charges are misplaced, the neo- on inward investment by Finland and liberal charge is uncomfortably near the What is really to be criticised about Switzerland to protect key sectors. truth. But it will also be argued that all the growth commission, however, is Or, the Dutch and Swiss historically is far from being lost from a left-wing its position on the third charge – that flouting international norms on the perspective. It is perfectly possible that relating to neo-liberalism. In fact, the protection of intellectual property so Scotland will achieve independence commission has adopted a naïve, almost that their economies could benefit soon, given that the break-down, and formulaic, reliance on standard neo- from intellectual property developed break-up, of Britain is a likely outcome liberal doctrines to get the economy elsewhere. The world is a messier of the Brexit shambles. If Scotland does moving, and to reduce the government place, in terms of the development of gain independence, the state would in deficit. Its recommendations are heavily a successful economy, than the growth the event have to play a much more postulated on getting in place the commission would have us believe. appropriate structures which would active, and a much more radical, role But that leads to the second key area conventionally, in neo-liberal terms, be than the growth commission envisages. where the growth commission is naïve regarded as the ‘right thing’. There is about how successful economies The obvious charge, that the Growth then a distinct feeling that the market actually work, and where the neo- Commission projects 10 years of will ensure that the economy responds liberal dogma departs from reality: austerity, looks somewhat misplaced. appropriately. Real GDP growth will namely, in relation to the role of the What the commission is projecting is resume at the long run trend rate, and state. The state would, of course, be actually modest (0.5% pa) real annual ultimately exceed it. The following heavily involved in implementing any growth in public expenditure over quotation from the report gives a flavour of the types of strategy outlined in the first five to ten years of the life of of this belief in market forces: ‘The the previous paragraph, or modern an independent Scotland. This would discipline of international competition day counterparts of such strategies. undoubtedly be a tight scenario in can also help to drive innovation and But in addition, virtually all of the public expenditure terms. But modest new ways of working’. real public expenditure growth is not technological developments which austerity as we have come to know it Would that life were so simple. In fact, have transformed the modern world, in British terms, where, for example, the commission’s views look overly from containerisation to the internet Total Managed Expenditure actually fell simplistic, both in general terms – that to super-computing, are spin-offs by 1.7% overall in real terms between is, as regards the general characteristics from intelligently directed public 2010/11 and 2016/17. of neo-liberalism, and in specific terms – procurement. And even leaving aside as regards the particular circumstances transformational technologies like these, The second charge against the Scotland will find itself in post- the power of the state to influence commission is that its report contains independence. the economy through intelligent limited discussion of social priorities. In procurement is immense. its defence, the commission was never In general terms, the commission intended to provide a full road-map of appears to have made the mistake of Turning to more specifically Scottish how an independent Scotland would looking at its ideal group of twelve issues, the commission also shows tackle all of its manifest social problems. small advanced economies as they itself unduly simplistic. For one thing, Its remit was narrowly economic. Given are now and then assuming that the it understates the initial disruption the imperative importance of getting the policies these countries currently the economy is likely to suffer on economy moving, it is understandable espouse are what led them to their independence. Since this will increase that the SNP commissioned a report present status. This is one of the the need to borrow, it also understates 8 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 the steps Scotland will have to take to situation in Britain during and after the is too neo-liberal: and does, indeed, convince the markets that it is actually Second World War. It was far from the over-emphasise the prevalence of free getting a grip on the resources of the case that putting the economy on a war market economics at the expense of Scottish economy. Paradoxically, this footing to defeat Hitler led to a sole the role of the state. But when it comes increases the need to be radical. At concentration on military matters, to to the crunch, as it will, the state will present, within Britain, the resources the exclusion of social reform. Indeed, have to be very heavily involved: and of Scotland – the land, fisheries, the quite the reverse. The newly developed it will have to be radical, on both the renewables potential, the hydrocarbon capability of the state, and the fact that assets, even industries like whisky – the crisis highlighted various features economic and social fronts. are not run and taxed primarily for of the economy and society which Jim Cuthbert is an independent the interests of state revenues, or were intolerable, led to a programme statistician and economist. He was the common people. Instead, they of radical economic and social reform formerly Scottish Office Chief Statistician. are primarily run and taxed in the which had hitherto been impossible. His other writings can be found at interests of certain privileged groups So, yes, the growth commission report http://www.jamcuthbert.co.uk/ or large corporations. An independent Scotland would have to demonstrate that it was willing and able to modify these relationships to secure the interests and resources of the state, if we are to convince the markets that we are serious about securing our own resources, and the basis of our economy. Further, the commission is also unduly SIXTH ANNUAL JIMMY REID MEMORIAL LECTURE optimistic on the question of currency. Thursday 27 September, Banqueting Hall, City Chambers, Glasgow, 7.00pm Despite decades of evidence to the A Future after Brexit? Unions and the Scandinavian model of social democracy contrary, the commission still concludes Speaker: Frances O’Grady, General Secretary, Trades Union Congress that Britain is close to being an optimal currency area. It is clearly not, given Chair: Lynn Henderson, President, Scottish Trades Union Congress Scotland’s long standing relative decline This year marks the 150th anniversary of the formation of the TUC. As in within the British currency union. So 1868, workers and their organisations are under sustained attack from the commission’s recommendation, austerity, job losses, neo-liberal economics and anti-union legislation. that an independent Scotland should Union membership is at its lowest since the 1930s, especially amongst initially use Sterling as its currency, while younger workers. Wages have suffered their longest period of stagnation virtually inevitable in terms of short since the Napoleonic War in the early 19th century. Frances O’Grady will term pragmatism, will involve longer term costs. These costs will come, for discuss whether the Scandinavian model of social democracy offers a viable example, from Scotland having to cope means of re-introducing workers’ rights, social justice and equality back with an exchange rate, and base interest into our workplaces and communities after March 2019 when Britain is due rates, which are externally determined, to leave the European Union. and sub-optimal. So the move to The Annual Lecture is the main public event of the Redid Foundation. Scotland having its own currency, Previous speakers have been Alex Salmond, Len McCluskey, Nicola Sturgeon, which the commission regards as a Jeremy Corbyn and Mark Serwotka. We are grateful to the Lord Provost and possible eventual option which may or the City Council for providing the venue and hospitality. George Square has may not be taken up, should be much more aggressively prepared for and witnessed many famous labour movement events over the years. The Lord implemented. Provost will give a short civic welcome prior to the commencement of the lecture. Overall, therefore, the transition for an independent Scotland towards a stable Doors open from 6.00pm, tea and coffee, exhibition and stall in the Picture and prosperous independence will Gallery. The lecture commences at 7.00pm, followed by question and inevitably be tougher than the growth answer session, finishing about 8.30pm. commission projects. And success The City Chambers, George Square, Glasgow G2 1DU is in the city centre will involve a path where the state is convenient for Queen Street and Central railway stations, Buchanan Street more heavily involved, and where the Underground and bus routes. There is limited street parking bays and approach is more radical, than a neo- nearby multi storey car parks. liberal would admit. But it is do-able. And if the state is, effectively, on a war Tickets: £10/£6 unwaged can be purchased online by card or PayPal at footing as regards the economy – that http://reidfoundation.org/2018/06/sixth-annual-jimmy-reid-memorial- means it will also have the apparatus, lecture/ and the mind-set, to address the great Unions and other organisations can make block bookings at contact@ social issues. reidfoundation.org and be invoiced for ticket costs. There is a good analogy here with the

9 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 Of wars of position and wars of manoeuvre Jim Sillars calls for a nuanced form of engagement with the Growth Commission ould you condemn a duck claim, as did Alex Salmond’s 2014 White of error as Fraser of Allander’s? Not to because it produced a Paper, to be definitive, with no further mention that, so far, we do not know Wduckling? Of course not! debate possible. It is, moreover, the only what the final details of the Brexit treaty Neither should we condemn the SNP substantial document on the economy will be. What if, considering that EU Sustainable Growth Commission that has emerged in four years. The states, which have a huge surplus in because it produced a middle-of-the- Commission should be congratulated for their trade with Britain, come to their road, cautious, business-influenced producing it and recognising, as they do, senses and realise that a poor deal will report. that their recommendations are meant be as damaging to them as to British to ‘aid policy development’, not stifle it. business and jobs, and we get a sensible The SNP is not a socialist party. It has deal? some in its ranks, but Commission It makes a reasonable claim that: ‘the Chairman, Andrew Wilson, has report represents, for the first time, a Then there is oil. The collapse in price never claimed to be one of them. To systematic consideration of every part after 2014 has turned the Commission expect the party and he to appoint of the economic prospects and seeks into hair shirt puritans, virtuously Commissioners equipped with left-wing to connect major choices on matters spurning an ocean of wealth. Silence ideology, and produce a left inclined of currency, public finance, and, of is the policy. Only mention oil tax report, was asking for what was not course, economic growth’. In doing so, it revenues, which can disappear, not the possible. The duck produced a duckling. provides a useful template for the left to oil itself, who owns it, and how much it employ in its own construction of policy. is worth. How do you create a growth The Commissioners were drawn from So, let it be read, dissected, discussed, strategy, I asked Andrew Wilson, when the professorial ranks and business, debated with those who produced or you ignore such wealth and allow the with a leavening of politicians – Derek supported it within the independence source of investment to pass us by? MacKay, Finance Minister, Kate Forbes movement, anything but ignored, In the three years 2015-2017, Norway MSP, and Councillor Marie Burns. Of anything but dismissive shrugs because stacked up £36.7bn while Britain took in the organisations it lists meeting, the we are not ideologically happy with £2.3bn. Scotland is a nation with oil, but CBI, Institute of Directors, Federation those whose keyboards it came from. not an oil producing nation, because we of Small Business, Entrepreneurial My position: glad it has been published, don’t own a cupful. Scotland and Scottish Engineering stand now let’s look at it critically, but not out. Given that business, its investment Jim Sillars is a former Labour and SNP destructively. decisions, its employment practices, MP and engagement with the domestic and I had two immediate faults international markets, are all factors to find. One from the inbuilt that will count towards economic bias against Brexit that Scottish Left Review performance, it would have been foolish exists within SNP ranks. It The Scottish Left Review is a non-profit making publication. not to meet them. But what also stands claims: ‘The decision of the Please subscribe or make a donation by going to www. scottishleftreview.org out is that it does not list the STUC, UK to leave the European where you can pay by credit card or by filling in your details in the form below and returning unions like Unite, RMT or Unison, or, Union will fundamentally to Scottish Left Review, 741 Shields Road, Pollokshields, strangely, the SNP Trade Union Group change Scotland’s economic Glasgow G41 4PL which boasts a membership of 15,000. future. Brexit will almost certainly widen, not Or perhaps it isn’t strange that direct Name representatives of workers were not narrow, the gap between given prominence, or overlooked. Scotland and comparator countries’. Where do they Address So, given its non-left orientation should pluck this idea from? From we now, as some did within hours of the Treasury who says its publication (playing to the gallery), Brexit will make Britain attack and dismiss it? That would be ‘permanently poorer,’ Tel: stupid. The Commission has a point of and the Fraser of Allander view, well researched, and well argued Institute which forecasts in this report. It is their honest view, E-mail: between 30,000 and 80,000 and it is now an openly declared one job losses and a £3bn- for the left to engage with, and counter. Subscription/Donation £8bn reduction in GDP. We need debates in Scotland within and Would that be the same outside the socialist movement, and Date: Treasury that said even a 206 most certainly within the independence vote for Brexit would be Subscriptions: £18 (waged), £14 (unwaged), £24 (local movement where, at present, it follows an immediate economic organisations), £30 (national organisations). leader, Nicola, without thinking. catastrophe? And wait a Donations will be gratefully recieved. Cheques should be The report has two obvious merits minute: how much faith crossed and made payable to: Left Review Scotland Ltd. that should be welcomed: it provides a can you put on a ‘forecast’ You can also subscribe/donate online at www.scottishleftreview.org good body of research, and it does not that has such wide margins 10 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 Independence must be a transformation not ‘transition’ Colin Fox sees the SNP repeat the mistake of ‘new Labour’ eading the SNP’s long awaited currency so that our Government will be too right wing for a nationalist party Sustainable Growth Commission able to implement its programme in full desperate to pose as left of centre. RReport reminded me why I left using all the economic tools available Speculation is already rife that this the Labour Party. It reads like an extract to it. report will be quietly jettisoned in due from Tony Blair’s playbook. Readers of course for this very reason. Wilson’s ‘steady as she goes’ strategy a certain age will recall how the ‘Old also recommends ten years of fiscal In the meantime, a sizeable opening has Fettesian’ warmonger demanded Labour austerity after Independence to pay appeared to the SNP’s left. As recent abandon its core values and become down the national debt. Thus, the same polls confirm however, Scottish Labour’s ‘New Labour’ to win over ‘Middle approach the SNP slammed Labour failure to advocate an independent England’. and the Tories for introducing in the socialist Scotland, means they are In attempting to placate ‘Middle aftermath of the 2008 banking collapse, unlikely to benefit from this new Scotland’, former SNP MSP Andrew would be his post-independence landscape. The Scottish Socialist Party’s Wilson has adopted a similar approach. economic centrepiece. Politically, programme for independence is much His report is full of Blairite calls for this plan not only capitulates to ‘the more likely to appeal as it includes ‘more flexible labour markets’, ‘greater moneymen’ in the City of London, but material advantages for working class tax incentives for business’ and ‘further also it completely undermines the people such as: inward investment opportunities’ for message that Independence is about * A £10/hour Living wage for all with capital. Such neo-liberal orthodoxy manifest social change. 16 hours guaranteed as a minimum, may be expected from a former RBS Responding to Wilson’s conclusions, economist, but it offers merely another * Returning our railways, oil and gas SNP leader, Nicola Sturgeon, warned vision of low taxes for employers and and energy industries to public her party conference in Aberdeen last low wages for employees. ownership, month it must stop obsessing about There was a widespread acceptance on the date of the next referendum and * Ending the industrial scale tax the ‘Yes’ side that the economic case start making a far more persuasive case evasion of rich Scots, for independence presented in 2014 for independence capable of winning * Rescinding all the scandalous PFI was our Achilles’ Heel, leaving too many over the persistent majority who contracts signed, much to their legitimate questions unanswered: how oppose it. Such advice is well placed detriment, by Scotland’s public would we deal with the inevitable flight but ironic given her own obsession sector, of capital?; how would an Independent with Brexit these past two years and Scotland cope with a collapse in her party’s repeated failure to mention * Developing Scotland’s vast green world oil prices?; what impact would independence in three consecutive energy industry with the profits Scotland’s falling population have on our General Elections! going into public housing provision, long-term ability to pay pensions?; and, Andrew Wilson’s Sustainable Growth * For a modern, democratic republic. how could we turbo charge Scotland’s Commission report does nothing, chronically poor productivity levels? These demands and others supporting however, to make our case for the case for an independent socialist Andrew Wilson was charged with independence more persuasive. Scotland received great support on the bringing forward answers to all these And yet having said that, he does recent independence rallies. Delivering questions. His report, however, has not the independence movement one such demands is the key to persuading only failed to deliver the illusive ‘silver important service for he highlights Scotland’s working-class majority that bullet’ SNP leaders promised us, but it the profound difference between the independence means real change for has also been met with dismay across right and the left in our approach to them and not more of the same. the broader independence movement. the National Question itself. For the left, independence is, and has always Colin Fox is the national spokesman of On the central question of what been, about change, about securing the Scottish Socialist Party currency we would use, Wilson opts significant material improvement in the for the most conservative option of all, living standards of ordinary working- the status quo. His ‘Sterlingisation’ plan class people, about breaking free from insists we keep the Pound in an informal the British state stranglehold. For the or ‘transitional’ arrangement that would right, however, it is about ‘an orderly leave our new nation at the mercy of transition’ from the existing economic financial foes we could not protect power relations to something similar ourselves from. Such an approach gives governed from Edinburgh. us no power to vary exchange rates, interest rates or implement spending For Nicola Sturgeon, the Growth promises. The Scottish Socialist Party has Commission’s conclusions leave her ‘left long argued we should have our own flank’ badly exposed. They are much

11 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 Capital investment needed for a credible chance at independence George Kerevan argues investment and productivity are not taken seriously in the Wilson report he SNP’s Growth Commission remained the largest Scottish party at among the lowest in the OECD industrial was launched in September 2016 Westminster. countries. In the 20-year period 1997- in the aftermath of the Brexit 2017, British fixed capital investment as T However, the real impact of the election referendum. The prevailing view in the a percentage of GDP averaged a pathetic was Nicola Sturgeon’s decision to put party was that the shock referendum 16.7%. This compares with Switzerland a second indyref on hold till after the result, allied to the fact that Scotland (24.1%), Ireland (23.7%), Austria Brexit negotiations were completed i.e. had voted overwhelmingly to stay, (23.5%), Sweden (22.4%), Finland until 2019 at the very earliest. With this had reopened the question of Scottish (22.3%), and Norway (22.1%). Scotland new (and vague) political timetable, independence. Many of those who had will not reach the average growth of the Growth Commission changed voted ‘No’ to independence in 2014 – other small nations unless it boosts tack. Instead of relying on the SNP particularly in the business community capital investment significantly. Westminster group as the key research – were clearly reconsidering their team, Wilson brought in external Poor British and Scottish capital opposition to a Scottish state, especially consultants. Much of the final report investment is a function of a private if it remained inside the EU. was written by Wilson himself. banking system wedded to speculation When the Commission was announced, in existing property portfolios and which The result, all 354 pages, was published I immediately contacted Andrew Wilson has looted around £50bn in assets from in May 2018. Surprisingly (given earlier (its head) to offer help. He flew to foreclosing on viable small businesses discussions), the report proposes that London to meet myself, Ian Blackford since 2008. Fortunately, the Scottish an independent Scotland keep sterling and Roger Mullin. Roger, like myself, was Government has launched an initiative unilaterally for at least a decade. While still an MP but also had been appointed that could fill the void: the state-owned this is technically feasible, it seems to the Growth Commission as its liaison Scottish National Investment Bank. Yet to me to leave the SNP back where it with the SNP group at Westminster. the SNIB gets a casual mention in the started in 2014, with interest rates, Andrew explained that the primary task Growth Report. However, assuming mortgage rates, and the external of the Commission – given the imminent a Scottish central bank and a Scottish exchange rate determined by the likelihood of a second referendum – currency, the SNIB could be capitalised Bank of England. As a result, Scottish was to provide a fresh and robust set to provide a massive boost to domestic productivity and growth rates would of economic arguments supporting investment. be tied to England’s unless – and this independence. In particular, we had to is key – we were to try to reduce wage The Growth Commission is not the replace the notion of a sterling union costs directly through a combination austerity charter some on the left with the rest of Britain – a position of austerity and liberal market labour believe it to be. However, in trying to be which was seen as having been a major ‘reforms’. The latter would be rejected all things to all people, the Commission reason we lost the 2014 referendum. by the SNP rank and file and – to give has failed to offer a decisive plan for As I remember, it was taken for granted Andrew Wilson his due – the Growth rebuilding a Scottish economy deflated that the Commission was there to justify Commission report explicitly rejects by years of genuine Tory cuts and a City a switch to a separate Scottish currency austerity. banking system that is nothing more and a break with sterling. In addition, than a giant casino. To win over working with the collapse in global oil prices, However, saddled with keeping sterling, class voters to ‘Yes’, we need to offer it was necessary to provide a credible the Growth report has to resort revolutionary economic change. That deus ex machina plan to deal with the likely budget to a for boosting starts with creating a Scottish currency deficit Scotland would inherit post- growth: namely, significant population and socially-responsible banking system. independence. The latter clearly focused growth (half a million plus?) driven on boosting Scottish economic growth by immigration. Formally, population George Kerevan is the former SNP MP to something like the historic norm for growth will boost GDP. However, in for East Lothian. His new book with Chris small, industrial European nations; say an era when around a million existing Bambery is 3.5%. Scottish jobs are threatened by ‘Catalonia developments in Artificial Intelligence, Reborn: How The problem was that Wilson thought I am sceptical that relying wholesale on Catalonia the timescale the Commission had to immigration as a growth driver is either took on the work in was incredibly tight: early 2017 economically or politically sensible corrupt was mentioned as a target for getting (though Scotland should and must be Spanish the currency question resolved. As it open to new immigrants). state and transpired, the Commission’s work was the legacy of interrupted by Theresa May’s decision So how do we boost growth and Franco’ and to call a General Election, in the vain productivity? Productivity (as embodied is published hope she could crush Labour. Instead, in new technology) and growth are a by Luath the Tories lost their overall majority. function of capital investment. British The SNP lost over 20 seats, though it and Scottish capital investments are 12 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 Neo-liberalism is at an end: the future

mustMaggie Chapman be reminds oursus the Greens’ role is to ensure the independence debate is an opportunity to open up a radically different space for Scottish politics he politics of SNP are, as might It is hard to separate Wilson the Scotland that creates a new world of be expected from a ‘national’ author of the Growth Commission genuine equality and social justice, Tparty, representative of politics from Wilson the PR man at Charlotte and in which we deal with the urgent more broadly, both in Scotland and Street Partners, whose clients include economic and environmental crises. throughout Western Europe. We are at the fracking firm Cluff Natural Predicting what will happen in politics a point of rupture between neo-liberal Resources. In the SNP, as in our politics is a mug’s game. But, there is the consensus and several competing more generally, we see a contest strong likelihood that there will be an programmes for the future. between the dying ways of the old independence referendum soon. We world and the attempt to create a new In 2014, the SNP-led Scottish need to take Nicola Sturgeon at her world. Government produced a white paper word: the Wilson report must start that set out a vision of continuity: a debate. The approach we took in an independent Scotland would be the first referendum since devolution slightly better in every regard than a charts a course for this. Ideas like devolved Scotland, but would not be Universal Basic Income, the creation in any way different (we would keep of an industrial strategy to create a the monarchy, Sterling, the dominant zero-carbon economy, and the case economic model etc.). As such, it for a Scottish currency have become was a manifestation of the dominant widely accepted in the popular politics of that period: all changes imagination. We need to build on proposed were in continuity with the these and develop new ideas to shape prevailing system rather than seeking the debate and make the case for an to change it. independent socialist Scotland. Our focus must be on ways to harness It now appears that this was one of the Scotland’s renewable energy industry final acts of that period of neo-liberal We are familiar, whether we know it for social good, and to democratise consensus: the Scottish independence or not, with the way in which neo- the economy. The Scottish National referendum opened up a new, liberalism weaves its story: things that Investment Bank should capitalise radically different space for politics are opinions become truth; things renewables projects for all public in which the old certainties had truly that are possible become impossible; bodies. We should give workers the melted into air. A referendum that choices are constrained before the right to buy their own businesses to was supposed to change nothing but debate has even begun. As Noam be run as cooperatives. We must build the constitutional status of Scotland Chomsky outlined in The Common new housing to end the housing crisis appears to have changed everything Good: ‘the smart way to keep people to be owned through councils and but the constitutional status of passive and obedient is to strictly cooperatives. We must find ways to Scotland. We have ended up with an limit the spectrum of acceptable create a publicly owned, zero-carbon ever more energised public making opinion, but allow very lively debate public transport system that makes the their opinions felt on issues as diverse within that spectrum’. It is telling, most of the shift to electric vehicles as fracking and the renewal of local therefore, that Wilson’s attempt to and automation. And, we must have democracy. An SNP Government most recapture the ideological direction of a debate that brings these ideas and comfortable managing a neo-liberal the independence movement has not others into the public imagination. consensus has been pushed into all been accepted as an unproblematic I was proud of the role Green ‘Yes’ sorts of uncomfortable positions as truth but has been cast into the public forces played in helping to create this the rupture in our politics opens up realm for debate. debate in the referendum four years the earth beneath them. ago. And I will ensure that it does the The first victory for the radical same thing in the next referendum. In the last couple of years, I have independence movement has been to found Gramsci’s analysis that ‘the old deny this report the veneer of being Maggie Chapman is Co-Convener world is dying, the new world cannot uncontested. That Nicola Sturgeon was of the Scottish Greens Rector of the yet be born’ becomes truer by the unable to accept the report but had University of Aberdeen day. And this brings us to the Growth to insist that it was ‘starting a debate’ Commission: it is an attempt at shows how far politics has come reclaiming ideological space, and the since the White Paper in 2014. It is commander of this political venture important that we recognise and claim in revanchism is former SNP MSP, this victory and use it to start building Andrew Wilson. our own project for an independent

13 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 All to play for Chris Stephens says it’s ‘game on’ to debate the way forward to independence ne of the more amusing aspects political commentators is that the growth. The Workers (Rights and of being an SNP MP is being Commission have produced a report Definitions) Bill I introduced was lectured by political opponents which is ‘realist’, and will reach out to developed alongside consultation with O Better than Zero activists who provided as to what your policies are, usually ‘no’ voters. This assumption is based on by Conservatives, who get it wrong. theory that all ‘no’ voters support limits shocking examples of insecure work. However, the publication of the Wilson to public spending, and support some At a time of wholesale office closures Growth Commission report has seen measure of austerity. in HMRC, the body responsible for tax some extraordinary claims by Labour These assumptions by commentators and minimum compliance, we need politicians too. The irony of it being are not based on my personal to develop a tax compliance policy referred to as the ‘Cuts Commission’ experiences or based on polling alongside the debating the Growth is not clever politics but a timely numbers in the lead up to, and after Commission. Following the current reminder that Labour in Scotland is the independence referendum. British regulatory regime in this area far from removed from the Corbyn Indeed, there is clear evidence that reduces tax take, and would run vision of a socialist Britain. Such was a significant proportion of the ‘no’ counter to the work of many MPs who the desperation of some to claim that voters feared, and were persuaded have challenged the alarming figures it is now policy that the fact that it that, independence would bring about of workers not being paid the statutory is a discussion document to now be more austerity and restrict public minimum wage rate. debated by the SNP seems to have spending choices. SNP members passed them by. The current Westminster model have the opportunity to debate how finds many towns and cities with the It is a debate that should be looked economic growth can help the poor, prospect of the HMRC employee facing forward to by every SNP member. In the unemployed and people stuck in the dilemma of deciding whether to my own defence, I have missed the two dead end jobs, in insecure work, or a travel miles to their new workplace, or briefings for MPs due to a debate on public sector worker still on a pay cap to consider redundancy - only to find the gig economy and insecure work, because they work for a Westminster that their local Job Centre has closed and my commitments on the Work and government department. and travelling miles to find work! Pensions Select Committee. Therefore, The report disappoints in respect to I have not had the opportunity to Of course having a regulatory corporation tax. As someone who was debate my own thoughts directly with framework which aligns with the rest elected and re-elected on manifestos Commission members. Below I lay of Britain is predicated on moving to which did not promise to cut out my own thoughts on the report: a Scottish currency ten years after corporation tax, pegging corporation in some cases saying what I believe to independence. This should be debated tax to the British rate risks a race to the be missing, where there is room for within the wider party. Many of us bottom. We should be discussing how development, and to challenge some who look to a route to re-join the EU we can use the full range of tax powers commentary assumptions. will have to consider whether this to benefit infrastructure projects and timeframe is compatible with EU The document itself diagnoses boost productivity, and provide a vision membership application rules. One of rather well the key challenges facing that an Independent Scotland can be a the key attractions to independence Scotland and Britain of a Tory Brexit. more attractive place to live and work. by recent converts is our attitude to An isolationist view of the world, a The lack of union input was also, to Europe and our outward international ‘no deal’ Brexit, which the hardline say the least disappointing. The terms outlook. Tory Brexiteers crave would mean a of reference state that its aims were damaged economy, facing difficult All in all, there is a wonderful for delivery of economic growth and key decisions on public services and opportunity to use the Growth to see that growth spread across all regulation. That is what they want: a Commission as a template document communities, and for all sectors to light touch regulation system, fewer for discussion. We should not be see the benefits of that growth. Key to rights in the workplace, a minimalist afraid to debate and share ideas. It is this is to maintain public spending, far enforcement regime for minimum important that we reach out to those from the shouts of austerity. The report wages and tax compliance, as well ‘no’ voters who are anti-austerity, correctly identifies that progressive, as cuts to environmental and food and have a left leaning perspective. fair and active employment policies standards. The irony that many of these They are the key to winning the next should be at the heart of the strategy. same Brexiteers recommend investing referendum. The union movement is a perfect in foreign markets appears to be lost on body to be consulted on such terms, Chris Stephens is the (SNP) MP for them. particularly at a time when unions in Glasgow South West The Growth Commission publication Scotland are developing some of the is not without criticism, and neither it sharpest young minds in developing should be. It is an opportunity for SNP campaigning and policy, who see the members to debate what kind of vision merits of both independence and and country we wish to see. Among socialism, and the development of the key assumptions by many so-called workplace policy is critical to economic 14 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 Not even one step forward, two steps back Cat Boyd cast a critical eye over the report, saying it’s a setback to the cause of independence e’ve known the rough prosperity in twenty years’ time. instance, who cannot remember contents of the Growth If this message works for Nicola getting a pay rise. They outnumber WCommission for some Sturgeon, then clearly our country the business elite, their votes time, because the intentions behind is further to the right on economics matter, and, when it comes to it were barely disguised. The ‘Yes’ than we realised, because, make crunch time, I can see many turning campaign won the housing schemes no mistake, this document is the against these rhetorical appeals to in 2014, an SNP insider is said to boldest mainstream statement of ‘realism’ and ‘discipline’. have quipped, but after Brexit, it Scottish neo-liberal thinking for The Commission was designed, was time to win the boardrooms. more than a decade. the First Minister said, to start a Apocryphal or not, this remark So will it work? I have my doubts. conversation. But this is not as has been the guiding spirit of It’s clear that the bulk of new ‘Yes’ innocent as it seems. As any first- the Commission from the start. voters in 2014 wanted a better, year sociologist knows, the question Having lost the economic argument more equal society, not another of who starts the conversation is in 2014, but gained a populist bash at starting a Celtic Tiger. For central to all power relationships. following, it was meant to restore now, out of sheer loyalty, many are By design, the Commission allows credibility among the people who keeping quiet, and even trying to corporate lobbyists to set the make the real economic decisions in scrape together a bit of enthusiasm. agenda, to make facts on the Scotland. Privately, though, most do not ground, to imagine the future for Its membership was, thus, seem keen on knocking doors for a us. drawn from the boardrooms, the monetary policy run by the Bank of Those of us who cling to a radical, corporate lobby groups and their England in the interest of the rest of or even a progressive, mission for intellectual spokespeople. Its Britain. And while the ambition of independence must work to undo contents were designed to appeal becoming a Tartan Denmark, albeit this damage. We’ve got to write to business and upper middle-class in twenty years, may appeal to our own reports and raise our sceptical opinion. And, despite its some, the parallel aim of replicating own demands. If we do not, this high claims for having consulted New Zealand, with its steroid- document could set Scotland back civil society, none of Scotland’s pumped Blairism, is more of a another two decades, leaving us biggest voluntary organisations – threat than a promise. trapped between two unappealing the unions – got a phone call. tribalisms as Britain enters its final crisis. What’s disturbing isn’t just the transparent effort to sweet-talk Cat Boyd was a founder of the the rich with promises of discipline Radical Independence Campaign for the poor. To an extent, that’s and is a columnist for The National. just another predictable feature of contemporary politics. It’s more insidious, though, that we’re still getting drawn into associating IS ANOTHER SCOTLAND POSSIBLE? neoliberal policies – a monetary The Commission has led to straightjacket, public sector cuts, a dejection in the radical wing of the competitive race to the bottom – ‘Yes’ movement, but no obvious with economic success. We know change in the polls, which have this equation does not work. The remained largely static since crash of 2008 and its aftermath 2014. In truth, we are starved made this very clear. But the SNP of alternatives, and for many thinks it will work for voters. independence still looks like the Perhaps, they’re wrong and we’ll be only option. The SNP leaders are left adrift in a failing British state. betting on this to keep everyone Just as worryingly, maybe they’re quiet. Nonetheless, out there, right, and people really are ready in the real world, people will to embrace a decade of economic be alienated by the promise of punishment as the price of starting another decade of austerity. The a new state, on the promise of public-sector workers I talk to, for 15 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 Municipal socialism – the time is now Dave Watson argues municipal socialism can do more than just help end austerity unicipal socialism is the basis for municipal socialism and the Morrisonian finance and supporting the foundational delivering a wide range of local forms of public ownership, like economy. Councils can use the power Mservices in local government nationalised industries, is that municipal of public procurement much more across the world - even if, as in the USA, socialism can apply to those services that effectively. it is not always described in this way. are best delivered locally. It can also be Just transferring or creating new services My latest paper for the Jimmy Reid used to promote socialist values when to a weak local state is not enough. Municipal Socialism for national governments are unwilling to Foundation called It requires new forms of participative take radical action. a Modern Scotland, develops the thinking democracy that fully engage citizens in in my previous paper on public service Some are familiar services like housing, local government. reform, published by the Foundation social care and early years provision. Taking this agenda forward requires bold early last year. It offers an alternative These services are very fragmented in leadership from councils. I have argued in approach to the administration of Scotland making co-ordinated provision these pages before that local government austerity, which is the norm in too many and workforce planning very challenging. in Scotland must move away from being Scottish councils. Marketisation has failed, so a new the passive administrators of austerity, approach is required. The paper starts with the historical to become the political leadership of context, which runs from the nineteenth Others like energy, transport, broadband their communities. I hope this paper century Liberals who addressed the and water are commonly delivered by provides a template for radical councils appalling conditions in our cities by local government across the world, but to grasp the opportunities that municipal introducing municipal water, gas and rarely in Scotland. For example, the new socialism offers. other utilities. Keir Hardie championed Transport Bill is deeply disappointing, Dave Watson is the Head of Policy and this cause and devoted a chapter to aimed more at supporting the profits Public Affairs at UNISON Scotland. municipal socialism in his book, From of bus companies than the needs of His paper can be found at http:// Serfdom to Socialism. passengers. reidfoundation.org/2018/05/new-policy- The cause was taken up in the USA by The final group of services are aimed paper-municipal-socialism-for-modern- the ‘sewer socialists’ whose efforts at strengthening the local economy; scotland-local-public-enterprise-for-the- can be seen even today in the wide including banking, IT, new forms of public common-good/ range of public services delivered by public authorities there. There are some 2,000 municipally owned electric utilities, supplying around a quarter of all energy in the USA and 80% of all Americans receive water from publicly- owned systems at the municipal level. Scottish local government today has taken the brunt of austerity, and services have been centralised. Since 2013- 2014, council budget allocations have been cut by 6.9%, while the Scottish Government’s Revenue Budget fell by 1.6%. At a time when local government budgets are under enormous strain, it is worth remembering that in the 1940s municipal ownership provided 30% of local authorities’ income. The case for municipal socialism is based on a very different approach. It recognises the benefits of collective provision, not just because it is a more effective way of delivering services, or even for the revenues it would generate, but as a key element of a strategy to reduce inequality - Scotland’s main twenty first century challenge. The paper outlines eleven services that would benefit from municipal socialism. It is not an exhaustive list, but it shows the range of opportunities available to councils that are willing to grasp the challenge. The difference between 16 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 Amazon hits union bump in road in Europe We all use it but Nigel Flanagan reveals the battle to unionise Amazon continues he last few months have seen suffering huge amounts of body injuries maximise pressure on Amazon. Polish some small but significant events and strains, working 15 hour - shifts delivery drivers refused to cross picket in Amazon, especially in Europe. and not being able to take comfort lines in Germany, thus thwarting one of T the Amazon tactics of moving work into Whilst in the USA its attitude towards breaks and so using bottles to pee in. An unions is one of extreme hostility and astonishing 87% of members surveyed relatively less unionized Poland. resistance, in Europe its management claim to be in constant or occasional In February this year, Jeff Besoz was in have seemingly found unions harder to pain as a result of injuries suffered at Berlin to accept an award for ‘services ignore. work. to e-commerce’. He was met by a Amazon remains the world`s highest Amazon workers were able for the first demonstration of Amazon strikers profile super employer, buying up time to give evidence in Parliament from Germany and supporters from rival companies, dominating markets under the promise of anonymity to Spain, Poland, Italy and France. The and setting new rules and forms of a Select Committee. Supported by demonstration was organized with competition. Jeff Bezos is the world`s Labour MPs, their evidence is recorded `Make Amazon Pay` - a social movement richest man, worth over £145bn in proceedings in Parliament and MPs organization trying to call Amazon to (enough to pay off Britain’s ‘national have promised to investigate the claims account over its tax policies. It was debt’ to put it into some context) and made. addressed by strikers, by the President its tax operations seem to be further of the German union, Ver.di, Frank away from the full amounts it is due to The GMB has joined with the other Bsirske and by the leader of the German pay than ever. According to USA Today, unions trying to organize in Amazon. Social Democrats, Andrea Nahles. the company paid zero federal taxes in As part of an UNI Global Union Amazon Alliance of unions, the GMB meets with Amazon is not about to become a union the USA last year and its ‘tax avoidance company. It is pushing unions back schemes’ have been heavily criticised in other Amazon workers from Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Poland, Czech all over Europe and the USA remains the European Union and within most of union free for Amazon. The unions see the member states where it operates. Republic and the USA. They all next meet in London in November to further this as a long-term campaign of maybe The same newspaper alleges that 10 years or more. But we can see an Amazon is only paying on average about extend their solidarity activities with each other. Unions in Australia, Ireland, upsurge in worker and union activity one third of what it should reasonably in Europe that may impact on Amazon Denmark and Mexico have also been be expected to pay in tax across the enough to concede in Europe that they world. invited to join the group at its next must negotiate and bargain with unions meeting. But still it grows and grows. It takes rather than fight them. 43% of global on-line sales, it has 63m The collective solution the Alliance At UNI Global four yearly Congress in subscribers, it takes 10% of world retail aspires to is to help each other Liverpool recently, a protest action sales and employs 560,000 workers build union membership and spread was held to signal support for Amazon directly all over the world. But in the last opposition to what are claimed to be workers. As the t-shirts and placards said 7 months, Amazon has seen organised quite ruthless management policies. So, `We are humans, not robots` opposition from its own workers. every action is to be notified amongst Coordinated strikes in Germany and members of the group and support and Nigel Flanagan is a senior organiser with Italy have led to the first ever collective solidarity organised. Solidarity activity the UNI Global union. His blog is http:// bargaining agreement with Amazon has grown as the strikers in Germany www.thetravellingrenegade.com/ and anywhere in the world in Italy. In and Italy, for example, chose the same he is the Associate Producer of the film, Germany, the workers won a Christmas dates for combined strike action to ‘Jack Jones: An Unsung Hero’ (2018). bonus payment and walk outs have been organized by unions in Spain and France. Amazon – proudly and openly anti-union – is being forced to sit down and negotiate with unions. In Britain, this has not happened yet. But the GMB has started chasing Amazon down on their health and safety practices and anti-worker policies. The GMB surveyed its members in Amazon (including workers at plants in Gourock and Edinburgh) and the report makes some astonishing claims like ambulances being called out 600 times to Amazon sites in the last three years, with over half of them resulting in hospitalization. Demonstrators hold a banner and posters during a rally against Amazon in Berlin, The report makes claims about workers Germany in November 2017.

17 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 New radical kids on media block Conter and Red Robin explain what they are about others have been that aspect has been a success very supportive. and we have had a lot of positive feedback from people who find the Has the site site accessible and easy to navigate accomplished with content that is thought everything we provoking and digestible. wanted it to? Not quite and we would Jonathan Rimmer is editor of Conter never profess to and a freelance journalist. Conter being ‘the number can be found at https://www.conter. one site on the co.uk/blog Scottish left’ but We asked Red Robin, which started a space to learn, in February 2018, to provide vent and connect the same amount of text but with like-minded despite agreeing to do so, it did people is valuable. not deliver its article. Therefore, We lack money, all Scottish Left Review can do in e set up Conter in time and resources to quickly these circumstances is reproduce October 2017 as a build the site into the accessible what little that Red Robin says Wresource for Scottish anti- multimedia site we want it to be - about itself on its website: ‘The capitalists of all persuasions, which the fact we have even reached tens Red Robin was founded to create is key. This does not include anyone of thousands of people through a distinctive left voice in Scotland. affiliated with groups who have our various platforms is humbling We provide serious news from a left promoted racism, abuse, sexism, and surprising. I am particularly perspective. We want to bring you homophobia or transphobia. The proud of the activist guides we put exclusive content from key figures site is split between ‘Thought’ together on rented housing, zero in the Labour movement’. and ‘Action’ sections: the former hours and benefit sanctions - these carrying comment on a range of have been shared the most. We • We’d also like to remind issues; the latter promoting activism believe political education is of readers that the Scottish across the country. No single vital importance. For example, we Socialist Voice is the only website can unite the left behind will be teaming with Sunny Govan socialist newspaper published a political project, but Scottish Community Radio for upcoming live in Scotland. With more than socialists need a platform to debate political debates. 500 editions, it can be found at key issues, share experiences and https://socialistvoice.scot/. The Conter stems from the Scots word promote campaigns – and do so in only daily socialist newspaper ‘contrary’. Bias is important and comradely spirit across sectarian in Britain, The Morning Star, we are unapologetic in our politics, divisions of ‘party’ and ‘tendency’. has a new Scottish editor, but some sites, particularly on We hold various views on Conrad Landin. Conrad can be the left, are guilty of proclaiming everything from independence to contacted at conradlandin@ themselves gatekeepers, seeking to the EU to how we strategise in local peoples-press.com direct activists in how they should communities. But we are united in think (and vote). Conter is about our core aims around class. learning and The site was funded and set challenging up by RISE, a coalition of pro- ourselves. independence socialists which That goes for formed for the 2016 elections, but the editorial is editorially independent. Although team, too - I the alliance is not currently an have learned electoral force, resources like a huge this signal the group’s intent to amount in collaborate and reach out - not just the months form ‘another front’. If anything, since I started members from the SSP, Momentum, editing on the the Greens, SNP Socialists and site. I think 18 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 On the frontline Stewart Forrest explains why Usdaw has been one of the fastest growing unions he Union of Shop, Distributive induction with a full-time official of the Whilst our density within retail where and Allied Workers (Usdaw) union. we have agreements is reasonably organises mostly within the good, our challenge, as the retail T To help ensure that both members and retail sector although we also have a union, is to organise in the companies reps can engage with the union on a reasonable presence in distribution, where they do not recognise a union, regular basis, Usdaw runs high profile food manufacturing and the chemical for example the newer players like Lidl campaigns throughout the year. The industry. Over the last decade, we and Aldi as well as the more traditional main ones being ‘Freedom from Fear’ have seen our membership grow by longstanding ones like Marks and and ‘Supporting Parents and Carers’. 28% making Usdaw the fifth largest Spencer. We have extensive recruitment union within Britain, with over 433,000 By running high profile campaigns, this campaigns trying to organise these members. keeps our members informed of their newer companies and now have a significant number of members across Organising and recruiting workers in the rights and, with our ‘Freedom from Fear’ both Aldi and Lidl. Unfortunately, retail sector is a particularly demanding campaign, our members see that we they will not enter into discussion challenge due to the structure of the are highlighting to the public that our with Usdaw and we have to revert to sector with factors such as short-hours members working in retail should not be the old way of leafleting outside their contracts, high staff turnover and the physically or verbally abused when they depots and stores. I am sure one day culture of 7 day a week/24 hour a day are only carrying out their duties. we will have an agreement with these trading in major food retailers taking its All the major retailers that Usdaw companies. toll. Now we have the added challenge organises in are going through, or of large swathes of job losses too. have been through major changes Retail will always be a difficult sector to organise. I am sure with working to our Usdaw’s approach to organise in the to how they operate owing to the organising strategy, and our great team retail sector is one of sustainable companies’ drive to increase profits of reps, Usdaw will continue to buck the organising. To respond to the issue for shareholders. Having recognition trend within the union movement and of staff turnover, it is vital that our agreements with these companies maintain our current growth. relationships with employers have a makes sure that Usdaw is consulted on system to notify Usdaw when companies such changes and, on many occasions, Stewart Forrest is the Divisional Officer are taking on new staff and that Usdaw we have been able to work with the for USDAW in Scotland. has a presence at workplace inductions. employers to avoid job losses and • softened the blow for our members. As of 1 July 2018, Usdaw has a Throughout Britain, we have over 10,000 new leadership with Paddy Lillis workplace reps. To make our organising I take the view that if these agreements becoming General Secretary model succeed, it is vital that these to consult were not in place, our and Dave McCrossen becoming reps are trained and supported. Since members would see changes forced Deputy General Secretary. 2012, the union has run a ‘Supporting upon them at them at the whim of A history of Usdaw is available at and Developing Reps’ programme to management. This is also another https://www.usdaw.org.uk/CMSPages/ deliver comprehensive training for all reason that we have trained reps in all GetFile.aspx?guid=6c0aa14e-8671-48f0- new reps. New reps now receive contact our recognised workplaces; to challenge b4a0-cb3a760911c1’ within the first few weeks of taking on employers if changes are being the role which is followed a one-to-one implemented without consultation. Highland Hotel by Pat Sutherland In the ‘Ghillie’s Bar’, Moors of heather blooming, the menu matches the tartan: Hidden lochans kissed A Taste of Scotland: Venison stew, By sunlight; mountains looming Howtowdie, Partan Bree. Eerie through symbolic mist. And while we eat the sweeping strings of James Last In multi-lingual brochures on sale Play Sounds of Scotland, at Reception, Sweet treacle on the The Story of Scotland pease-brose of the past. - no hospital closures here, Pat Sutherland is a retired teacher No suicides or food banks: and now freelance writer. Poetry is Framed on bogus Fyfestone walls, Only The Flooers O’ the Forest, her favourite among the arts, having The Art of Scotland the ornament of Flodden. completed a course in Expressive Writing Sustains the myth: foaming falls, Euphemism markets Saga Tours; based on the belief that writing can be deep brooding glens and lifeless mills are outstripped by Culloden. therapeutic.

19 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 Please step aside brothers Lynn Henderson seeks to tackle the gender imbalance amongst union activists t was 2pm on Tuesday 23 May encouraging the participation of versus class my entire adult life. 2017 at the Brighton Centre. more women, young, disabled, black Our attempts to improve women’s IAs reps took their seats for the and LGBT+ workers. representation have too often been opening of the nineteenth annual denigrated as creating unnecessary But all trade unionists know that delegate conference of the Public divisions, objectively right wing or real change comes not just when and Commercial Services (PCS) more sinisterly, an overt attack on we agree policies at conferences, union. I observed from the balcony: class politics. but when we change shop floor delegates in their rows, senior union practices and apply them There are some more visible women officers on the platform, and the to bargaining with the employer. in leadership roles today; Nicola National Executive members at Collective policies, more inclusive Sturgeon, Theresa May and Frances their tables. There were around union practices, rule changes, O’Grady. But that doesn’t mean the a thousand trade unionists, but reservations and quotas can be under-representation of women is something looked a bit odd. debated and agreed endlessly. magically fixed. The TUC’s lacklustre PCS is a union of civil and public Yet, winning hearts and minds to approach to fighting austerity servants. Women make up more increase diversity requires action, isn’t because Frances O’Grady is a than half of the British civil service and so the idea of ‘Step Aside, woman. For 143 years, men have workforce. Some 59% of PCS Brother’ was born. Simply, it calls on directed the TUC’s institutional members are women, but they our brothers in the movement to ask power compared to O’Grady’s seven make up only 44% of activists. Even ‘what can I do?’. I publicly launched years and I don’t know of anyone within this largely older, white men the idea with a well circulated blog worth their salt who’d say that the predominate. So where then are all post on International Women’s Day Tories’ crisis is down to Theresa the women? 2018. May’s gender. Since the sustained attack on our A number of months earlier, a Historians of the Scottish TUC pride union’s facility time by the Tory massively influential union leader themselves that we have always had Government began after 2010, more confided in me that he would not active women members. In 1897 union business is done in a worker’s seek re-election to a senior position, Margaret Irwin, won the highest own time than ever before. This as he wished to encourage a woman vote in the election of the General attack impacts women, specifically. to stand while he would continue his Council. But, when nominated for Attending three-day conferences on activism in a more junior post. chair, she declined, asserting it was the south coast of England as annual too soon to appoint a woman. It Most inspiring about this comrade’s leave can be problematic for many would be another 40 years before decision is not the altruistic workers. You’re less likely to be able Bell Jobson presided over the 1937 sacrifice, but his deliberate political to spare that time if you have caring Congress. The STUC today alternates assessment. Here, an astute and responsibilities or households to run. between male and female Presidents committed class fighter assessed Sadly, it’s still mostly women forced annually but we have not yet had a where best to position his influence into this predicament. woman General Secretary in our 121 next. Recognising his own seniority years. Let’s be clear, the species of in the movement came from a the older, white man of the PCS lifetime of activism, his power didn’t The union movement collectively conference is not the enemy require holding office, but instead is represents and gives voice to of progress. Throughout our present in his politics. working people from all walks of life. movement, both individually Yet the stereotypical trade unionist A year on, PCS conference voted and collectively, these brothers still presents as an older, blue collar, through rule changes to add to are among the most committed, straight, white, able-bodied man. our existing reservations for black hard-working trade unionists in How can this be when over the members on our NEC. Now young the country. Many make great past 40 to 50 years, union strength members, LGBT+ members and sacrifices for our movement, has declined with traditionally disabled members will also have winning astounding victories in male-occupied industries, and reserved seats at the NEC table. A both personal cases and collective manufacturing jobs? Union power further consultation will take place bargaining for workers. Most of our has rapidly grown in the public over whether women candidates brothers dedicate themselves to sector where more women occupy a should fill 50% of seats or more. putting equality at the heart of our larger part of the workforce. So, I ask union, increasing our diversity and The left has been debating gender again: where are all the women? 20 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 ‘Step Aside, Brother’ is not a call for resignation, jack it in, give up all, or step out. The ask is for those union men, at a time of their own choosing, to step aside from just one of their multiple positions to actively mentor an under-represented member into the role. Could ‘Step Aside, Brother’ undermine union democracy or left slates? No. This isn’t not an electoral challenge, it’s a personal, comradely request. ‘Step Aside, Brother’ seeks to build participation in our unions, not diminish activism. We need more members participating and less individuals holding unique multiple positions. It would be a hugely sexist assumption to say that women not yet elected to a position are the playthings of the right. Might this all lead to right wing women replacing left wing-men? I doubt it. ‘Step Aside, Brother’ is no army of right wing women, fiddling equalities processes to throw out left wing men. ‘Step Aside, Brother’ is not even about reserved places, quotas or women-only shortlists. Under There are 6.2 million unionised structures should reflect the society a feminist spotlight, ‘Step Aside, workers in Britain. Women make we wish for, not the unequal one Brother’ looks like a tame measure, up over half the workforce and are we are in. That shows we’re serious because it puts the man himself in more likely to be a union member. about strengthening the power of charge in determining when to step But from union leadership roles right workers. aside, and who to mentor. down to the shop floor, the under- If ’Step Aside, Brother’ has hit a ‘Step Aside, Brother’ is well-received representation of women is a serious few raw nerves, it is because most by a growing number of women organising oversight. of our good, committed comrades right across our movement. Some Some contend that ‘Step Aside, think they either have no power report that the ‘Step Aside’ message Brother’ is an unfair call out to or responsibility to make the has stirred them to think about union men when bosses, politicians change. ‘Step Aside, Brother’ seeks how they might give up a position and the powerful run free. Class a conscious and deeply political to mentor someone through. That’s divisions in our society are appalling. critique and offers a choice to men great, but it is not sisters we need The richest 1% in Scotland owns occupying multiple union positions to make a concerted effort to step more wealth than the bottom 50% to act for the collective good. aside. More sisters need to ‘Step combined. But this isn’t an either/ Forward’. Brothers, think about it. ‘Step Aside, Brother’ should not or. Systematic under-representation True power is present not when you alarm or threaten male activists, or of women in unions is a reflection of grasp it and hold on to it, but when make them think they’re not valued, deeply embedded sexual inequalities you pass it to someone else. or not wanted in our movement. in society. Most brothers know they are. Lynn Henderson is the President ‘Step Aside, Brother’ will not The tireless representation of of STUC and a national officer for fundamentally overthrow the workers, fighting employer injustice, PCS. See https://www.pcs.org.uk/ power elite, capitalism or smash inequality and discrimination are news/pcs-blogs/lynn-henderson/ the patriarchy. But since when did valued and respected beyond international-women%E2%80%99s- that become an excuse for inaction? doubt. I witness first hand the day-call-to-men-in-our-movement- Workers, women and men, deserve personal sacrifices many make for %E2%80%93-step-aside for her better from their movement. Our the collective gains of workers. So, original article. 21 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 The union movement in Ireland and repealing the anti-abortion clause Before the victorious outcome, Anne Speed reflected upon how the battle was being won hen Emily O’Reilly, former 1990s. It seemed as though a ‘liberal your neck out’. Irish journalist and current agenda’ was developing and that the The Anglican Church of Ireland also European ombudsman, traditional Irish conservative bulwark W expressed itself content initially with wrote her account ten years after against change was losing its sway. the referendum wording on ‘a right to the passing of the 1983 Irish anti- Right-wing Catholic conservatives life of the unborn’ and an equal ‘right abortion referendum, her title was decided on a pre-emptive strike. They to life of the mother’. The Dean of apt, calling it Masterminds of the saw that a feminist led group had St Patrick’s Cathedral, Victor Griffin, Right. So too was the very first organised to raise the issue of access afterwards expressed dismay at the sentence: ‘This is the story of a very to abortion and was helping women lack of church support for his stance Irish coup’. who wished to seek a termination of against putting the measure into the Prior to the coming together of this pregnancy in Britain. The writing was Constitution. on the wall; abortion was the next big group of right-wing mainly upper The 1983 referendum began a debate battle. middle class Roman Catholics, there on abortion with, at the start, a very had been very little public debate Those who opposed women’s small minority in favour of access to about abortion in the Irish Republic autonomy concluded that a campaign termination of pregnancy. The debate (or indeed in Northern Ireland, where of attrition against abortion, as had and the discussion changed abortion the 1967 British Abortion Act did occurred on contraception, could see, from an abstraction to something not operate). Contraception had eventually, the repeal of the 1861 that appeared necessary in certain been partially liberalized in 1979. Offences Against the Person Act. A circumstances. The circumstances Activist feminists and individual pre-emptive strike was needed. If a broadened as the debate continued. union members had broken the law prohibition on abortion were placed The wording put into the Constitution by selling condoms openly for some in the Constitution, it would prevent appeared to deny a right to years. Thousands of Irish women political action. So they thought and termination in all circumstances. were being prescribed the Pill as a they were right, for a while. A group In 1983, an ad hoc group of trade ‘period regulator’. Support for the of concerned doctors and lawyers unionists to oppose the anti-abortion campaign to legalise contraception formed the Pro-Life Amendment amendment was formed. They rested was not widely supported in unions. Campaign (PLAC) in 1981 and their case on the principle that prepared to meet the leaders of Irish One union, the ITGWU (now SIPTU), ‘church and state should be separate’, political parties. debated and adopted a Working and that a branch of religion should Women’s Charter. While progressive Party leaders were caught initially not have its particular core beliefs in content, male union leaders like rabbits in headlights. Leaders of enshrined in the Constitution. There resisted the inclusion of a demand the two largest parties, representing had been an attempt a couple of for free legal and safe contraception. over 70% of the electorate, Garret years earlier by SPUC (Society for The Irish Congress of Trade Unions Fitzgerald for Fine Gael and Charles the Protection of the Unborn Child) (ICTU) adopted the Charter the Haughey for the larger Fianna Fail, to tie the ITGU to an anti-choice following year with the thorny issue agreed that abortion was a terrible position. Even though the debate was of reproductive rights still omitted. thing and should be prohibited by acrimonious, union leaders insisted While individual women pushed the the Constitution. While Fitzgerald the union would remain neutral. debate forward, their pressure was and Fine Gael eventually opposed This was the context in which trade not based on an organic growth of wording to which they initially unionists sought to build support to feminist influence inside the unions. agreed, Fitzgerald proclaimed himself resist the constitutional amendment. It would be almost a decade later 100% behind a ban on abortion in the It was increasingly viewed as an before women-led structures would Constitution. attempt by the Catholic Church emerge fighting for resources to to enshrine its teachings in law. The Irish Labour Party leader, Frank campaign and to organise women Resistance to this move emerged Cluskey, was non-committal at first workers. locally in unions. It was built around when he met the PLAC delegation unofficial alliances between the During this period, the authority of alongside Barry Desmond TD. This emerging women-led structures the Catholic Church was in steady initially cautious stance of the small inside unions and individual decline, well before revelations of Irish Labour Party was mirrored by committed activists. non-celibate activity and of clerical the then male dominated leadership sex abuse emerged during the of Irish unions, namely, ‘don’t stick All the while the leadership of the 22 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 anti-choice forces, though happy door, the plane to Britain. A cartoon by ICTU, first called for by its women to have its propaganda reinforced appeared, depicting a pregnant leaders, to make a submission calling weekly in then full churches, women standing in the middle of for repeal to a Citizen’s Assembly presented themselves as a secular Ireland, surrounded by barbed wire. deliberating on abortion. Since then, crusade against the killing of babies together with progressive men, On appeal to the Supreme Court, in the womb. They kept quiet on their women trade unionists have been the Wisdom of Solomon decreed intention to thereafter progressively able to build inside unions a new and that as the 13-year-old threatened erode Irish access to abortion in deeper awareness of the importance suicide if the pregnancy continued, Britain. of choice for women. both lives would be lost. Therefore, The trade unionists pointed out that a termination was the lesser of two There has been a qualitative change putting something already illegal evils. The state attempted to reverse in the ability to push forward in the Constitution would make the decision, in a new referendum inside unions on the issue. There legislative change impossible. That that also asked two further questions. is no doubt also that the victory was precisely PLAC’s intention. These reflected the minimum of the Love Equality campaign Alongside the Fianna Fail party, required by public opinion. Did voters in the successful equal marriage PLAC secured the support of wish to allow information on abortion referendum in 2016 laid a strong seven members of Fine Gael (who and did they wish to allow a right foundation for winning unions, union eventually otherwise abstained) and to travel for one? Voters said yes to leaders, and their organisations to five (of 13) Labour TDs. They then information and travel and refused to the side of the campaign for repeal of won the popular vote by a margin of outlaw suicide as a basis for a right to the 8th amendment. 2 to 1. The anti-abortion amendment termination. Abortion had become Public declarations of support have was carried. legal, but not 100% legal: only if a been made, resources have been pregnant woman wished otherwise Buoyed with victory, the long-term released, and special publications to kill herself or leave the country to strategy of the right emerged. But have been produced for workers. avail of the procedure. these anti-abortion forces over- The importance of union support reached themselves, initially by using The public mood had, nevertheless, in getting the vote over the line the courts to shut down student changed decisively. It has continued has been recognised by the broad union advice booklets that included to do so, refusing one more time coalition now leading the’ Together the option abortion in Britain, and to reverse the suicide clause. for YES’ campaign. then subsequently by trying to The Death of Savita Halapanaver The lessons of this fight will have shut down family planning clinics in Galway on 12 October 2012, been that women and progressive accused of helping women leave the who was refused a termination, men have to both organise for power jurisdiction for a termination. copper-fastened it. The excuse of and influence across the entire labour so-called ‘pro-life’ spokespersons Books appearing to advocate movement, and organise coalitions that this was merely the effect of abortion were banned. Magazines of the willing to take forward the ‘mismanagement of sepsis’ fell on had their pages torn out, if advertised fight for human rights and human stony ground. A comment on the clinics in Britain offering abortion liberation. services. Again individual trade refusal of termination by one nurse, unionists formed a campaign to ‘this is a Catholic country’, resonated Anne Speed is Head of Bargaining and resist, and launched a Defend the negatively in the echo chamber of Representation for UNISON Northern Clinics campaign. In the aftermath public opinion. If so, as far as most Ireland. She joined the ITGWU which of the defeat in 1983, their influence Irish Poles were concerned, it was became SIPTU in 1990 and rose remained peripheral to the concerns not the type of Catholic country they through the ranks to become its first of union leaders, but the alliances wished to be part of. Head of Equality and Campaigning from 2005 to 2011. Anne holds a seat with women organising for resources The combination of the lived for UNISON on the Northern Ireland in unions continued. They began experience of Irish women since the Committee of the Irish Congress of to grow organically and developed opening up of access to abortion Trade Unions and also on the All- union policy and action on women’s in Britain, and the outworking of Ireland Executive of ICTU. rights. draconian restrictions, brought issues Public irritation with the actions of democracy and rights to the fore. • On 25 May 2018, the campaign to and intentions of the political right This reality has permeated every repeal the Eighth Amendment won reached a tipping point in 1992. part of Irish society. Unions today with two thirds of voters in the The High Court denied 13-year-old are not exempt from this influence referendum supporting repeal on a pregnant rape victim a right to leave and women are now in positions of two thirds turnout. The campaign the jurisdiction for a termination. leadership and influence throughout won in every area except Donegal. Mass protest greeted this decision, all levels of their unions. The first The only age group to vote against which closed the abortion back- illustration of this was the decision were the over 65s. 23 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 One of the first ever strikes in Scotland Sean McDonagh looks at the history of the neighbourhood he was raised in ‘Weave Truth with Trust’ is the message accuracy of foresight which the Calton industrialisation and mercantilism depicted on the banner of the striking Weavers had in relation to resorting combine in the incubator of the ‘free workers who belonged to the iconic to strike action when faced with market’ economy, namely, good profit ‘Calton Weavers’. It is a banner which unimaginable inequality. As much as levels for the top table diners coupled has been captured in all of its tragic the next twenty years of Scottish urban from speedy production of commodities beauty by Scottish artist, Ken Currie, in a history would be dominated by riots, with little to no care and attention painting which now takes pride of place food strikes, Luddism and even a Radical being paid to the social economy or in the Glasgow’s Peoples Palace, the free War in 1820, it is the Calton Weavers the individual at the heart of it all, the of charge social history museum which who recognise strike action first and exploited and ever increasingly de- is only yards from where the initial offer us an insight into what was a well skilled worker. strike took place. This strike involved organised initial attempt at working class The strike itself, which was to be the thousands of weavers; men, women and solidarity in the late eighteenth century, first recorded strike in Glasgow, was in adolescents alike, and took place in the doomed as it was to eventually be. immediate response to a dramatic cut to proud district of the Calton in Glasgow’s The Weavers strike leader, James the price of muslin cloth which would, east end in 1787. Grainger, was a well-known man to the of course, have a drastic impact on the Although an independent burgh and burgh and city authorities due to his weaver’s wage. Public park meetings not part of the industrially belching supposed associations with members, on Glasgow Green in June 1787 would inferno that was Victorian Glasgow until Protestant and Catholic alike, of the see an attendance of seven thousand 1846, in the late eighteenth century clandestine United Scotsmen, a radical angry and organised weavers. The strike, The Calton was typical of a proud, political movement with an overall goal eventually to span three months, would industrious community defined by a combining increased democratisation take place outwith the city boundaries particular industry, in this case, hand and the breakup of the Union heavily from the bottom of what is now known loom weaving. Nearby street names modelled on the United Irishmen. as Abercromby Street in The Calton, like Shuttle and Muslin highlight the Glasgow historian, John Couzin, tells upwards to the medieval Glasgow industries importance to the area, not to us that the weavers’ trade in Scotland, Cathedral right on the edge of the city mention the use of terracotta tile to roof of which the aforementioned Grainger boundary where, on the 3 September, the working class tenement dwellings would become a strike leader of, was to it was reported in the Glasgow Mercury of modern day Calton, a wee nod to the experience a 25% wage decrease and in that both Glasgow’s Lord Provost, John eighteenth century weaving cottages the decades that followed, the industry’s Riddell, and magistrates attempted to which were brilliant white in brick and wages would sit alongside a cost of read the Riot Act of 1714. After being terracotta in tile. living that was twice as much. The driven back, it is the striking weavers phenomenon of wages which cannot who are deemed to be the illegitimate However, this proud community keep up with a cost of living whilst the party and the 39th Regiment of Foot would fall foul to the systemic risk and owners of commodity production make are brought in to ‘disperse the crowd’ – endemic inequality of ‘free’ market hearty profits is something a bit familiar this, in reality, meant the unleashing of structures. The Calton began to suffer today but all the more so in the days bullets and sabre slashes which would from economic inequality in relation before Marx and Engels were around to result in 6 deaths and several hundred to decreasing wages of the worker philosophically conceptualise this for the wounded. and rising gross profit margins of the exploited masses. merchant and capitalist class which was Militarisation and the brutal suppression to exemplify the age of industry within The Calton, like various industrialising by lethal force as an answer to pre-Victorian Scotland. However, at the areas of Scotland’s west coast, was to genuine worker and social unrest height of the Victorian era, things were experience an increased competition within the context of inequality is, of even worse. For example, it should be for employment due to the outbreak of course, nothing new. Perhaps a trip considered here that in 1867, midway the Napoleonic Wars which, although through recent history, whether it point of the dominant Victorian policy of initially depleting the area of many of be by analysing the tactics of Chile’s laissez faire, the top 1% of the Scottish its workers, inevitably demobilises them Pinochet, long time amigo of neo-liberal population received more than 200 back into the community at staggered architecture, in his dispersal of the times more wealth than that of the intervals, thus increasing competition striking copper miners in Chile in the bottom 30%. Even a member of the for labour in the area where increased 1970s where executions and torture ‘labour aristocracy’ as Marx would later mechanisation of the workplace was were used routinely to subordinate term it, a skilled printer, would need to rendering skilled apprenticeships, and and smash the striking workers or, work at least 15,000 years before he skilled jobs in general, more and more even closer to home, Thatcher’s very could earn the £1m fortune which was obsolete. own ‘boys in blue’ who were trained held by many magnates of the industry in paramilitary tactics to ensure Like an early footnote to the rest of upon their death beds. the National Union of Mineworkers the industrial communities of the (NUM) and the followers of Scargill or The signs of economic inequality were nineteenth century yet to experience MacGahey would fall in line. there for all to see in the pre-Victorian it, The Calton serves as a symbol era. However, there is no denying the of what happens when unfettered The Calton Weavers Strike is not the 24 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 only such strike on Glaswegian soil to realise that it has been a shameful a forgotten page of a very important which evidenced state collusion with period of time then we will realise this. history book. profiteering elites either. Consider that Thus: where a central government Sean McDonagh is a history lecturer as recently as 1919 that Glasgow’s not only presides over social and at Edinburgh College and was raised George Square, that civic centrepiece economic inequality and faces an in The Calton area of Glasgow’s East at the geographical heart of the city, honest and worker focussed response End. He is a member of the EIS and became an ‘occupied’ area with British from the community, it will provide the graduated from Glasgow Caledonian army snipers on the roofs of surrounding necessary brutality needed to maintain and Stirling universities. Sean focusses buildings due to the gathering of a hegemonic ‘natural order’ of things for the majority of his teaching in the the 100,000 strong striking workers the oppressor. context of late Victorian Scottish social of various Scottish industries over a For those among us who seek genuine history as well as late eighteenth century week long period at the beginning change and increased democratisation Scottish radicalism. See http://www. of the year, where an eventual Red mediamatters.co.uk/kcurrie.htm for the Flag of Bolshevism was to be raised, from a grassroots level up, let us not whether it was intended to genuinely leave the Calton Weavers Strike of 1787 Ken Currie painting. incite a Bolshevik rising or not. This ‘40 hours strike’ as it was dubbed due to workers demanding the 40 hour week, General Data Protection Regulations – our privacy statement showcased the police using baton and Scottish Left Review and its sister organisation, the Jimmy Reid Foundation, fist whilst horseback to ‘maintain order’ maintain a record of the contact details of its network of members. We use on ‘Bloody Friday’. this data to circulate information about political, economic, social and cultural matters and about activities which members may engage in to further our The state, just as it did in 1787, will objectives (as well for our own internal administration). Network members can always strive to maintain and uphold unsubscribe at any time by using the link at bottom of all our emails and their a ‘natural order’ for the masses of details will be deleted. workers, regardless of social class or class consciousness levels. This is the We maintain information about the status of members who subscribe to order that maintains that workers are the print issue of the Scottish Left Review in relation to the payment of their there to work, draw an often static subscriptions as well as those of sustaining members of the Reid Foundation wage, and be grateful of a pittance who make a regular donation. When subscribers or sustaining members pension, if any. Not for one moment unsubscribe their details are placed in an inactive file for accounting purposes. are the workers, like those of the We do not hold any bank or other financial information except that of proud weaving district of the Calton, to subscribers who pay by standing order (paper copies) and these are destroyed develop a shared aim of solidarity and after one full accounting year. collective security and actually begin to We also maintain a record of people and organisations which have consented bargain for a more secure future whilst to be contacted by us. We use this data to inform them of events relevant remaining an industrious and productive to their expressed interests. The legal basis for this processing is ‘legitimate workforce. requirements’. These individuals and organisations can unsubscribe at any time. For as long as governments wish to Their information will be placed in an inactive file and deleted after one full profit from privatised industries set accounting year. to capitalist or neo-liberal tunes, the We will not supply the identity of anyone on our database without their consent exploited worker will feel and remain to any other organisation. to be just that; exploited. Little has changed in relation to the state’s We do not engage in activity which is intended to constitute marketing other agenda since 1787. Sure, the Calton than that detailed in our objectives and if we change this policy we will inform Weavers’ strike was eventually doomed data subjects and seek consent. with James Grainger being expatriated If you have any queries, objections, requests or complaints please address them to a penal colony for over a decade to: and several excellent young workers lost their lives as martyrs in the fight Scottish Left Review – [email protected] or Editor, Scottish Left for worker equality. But the strike’s Review, 741 Shields Road, Glasgow G41 4PL, Tel: 01414240042 significance is not in how it ended. The Jimmy Reid Foundation: [email protected] or Director, Jimmy Reid significance is to be found in its legacy Foundation, 741 Shields Road, Glasgow G41 4PL, Tel: 01414240042 and remembrance. If we are made You have a right to access the data we hold about you and to correct it. If we aware of the Calton Weavers’ Strike, do not deal with objections, requests or complaints adequately you may have a if we realise the strike’s significance right to complain to the Information Commissioner in the United Kingdom. The of being Scotland’s initial grassroots UK has been identified as our lead regulatory authority for the purposes of the movement against state oppression on General Data Protection Regulations. such a large scale, and crucially, if we take heed of the fact that in 1787 the This Privacy Statement can also be viewed at our websites www. state allowed economic oppression and scottishleftreview.org and www.reidfoundation.org as can our objectives, provided brutal suppression of the very structure and current activities. Both websites are free to access by anyone. same workers, then we surely come

25 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 feedback

comment

reviews

The Young Karl Marx (2017) Friedrich Engels, plays out beautifully. Chemistry between Diehl and Vicky directed by Raoul Peck significant effect. Formally accepted into Krieps, who plays Marx’s wife Jenny, Reviewed by Jackie Bergson this Communist League merger, the two parallels that between the two men. All young men produce (arguably) one of hen a film about a globally of which produces a flavour of current the most influential political leaflets of all recognised intellectual giant relevance, within which historic points time – The Communist Manifesto. Wwhose significance and are confidently made without being influence has inspired debate over laboured – no pun intended. The Young Karl Marx is riveting and two centuries arrives in cinemas, its smart. Accessible delivery of emotional Engels’ purposeful rebelliousness as audiences may be expected to at least and intellectual content ensures that he decides to leave his father’s factory chime towards his ideals. Possibly the film inspires empathy rather than business to team up with Marx, whose outsmarting narrower expectations, The awe. It does so through sharp narrative thinking he reflects upon as ‘genius’, is Young Karl Marx stays true to the story and a playbook which focuses upon delivered without sentimentality. Physical of its titular subject, with award-winning working relationships. Passionate in their and moral hardships which Marx, director, Raoul Peck, and intriguing actor, conversations and plans, forging alliances Engels and their female counterparts August Diehl, in the lead role bringing on their own terms, the main players’ experienced, both by their own decisions modern vitality to the film. shared story’s tone resounds with both and as a result of persecution for their historic and modern relevance. The Young Karl Marx markedly produces beliefs in change and in each other, are the feeling of being an insider into the similarly conveyed minus exaggerated Wordsmiths, thinkers and Marxists way that Marx and his contemporaries pathos. alike will enjoy The Young Karl Marx. passionately strove to communicate It honourably represents Marx’s two Dialogues involving such as Pierre and empower their ideals and ideas hundredth anniversary of him as a Joseph Proudhon, played by Olivier throughout one of the most significant political force and as a revolutionary. It Gourmet, and Konarske’s Engels periods of political, social and industrial also represents this hugely influential, serve to demonstrate the contextual change in history. Periodicity within globally recognisable intellectual giant importance of Marx’s pre-revolutionary which Marx’s relationships were formed as a very human, though powerful ideas. Proudhon’s reputedly anarchistic and forged in Germany looks authentic. evolutionary (sic). Added to which, exuberant, detailed approach to workforce equality is cleverly dialogues bear out themes of aspiration revealed as being influential upon both During the film’s closing credits, Bob and ambition within circumstances Marx’s and Engels’ writings and ideals. Dylan’s Like a Rolling Stone is teamed where societal pressures of the time to By contrast, political activists Karl Grun, with images of political leaders such as conform towards standing a class apart played by Niels-Bruno Schmidt and Guevara, Thatcher, Reagan, Mandela and endured. Wilhelm Weitling, played by Alexander Kennedy. As one of music’s undoubted Scheer are portrayed as being more rebel poets – now a Nobel Prize winner – Peck’s vivacious interpretation of letters grey and blustering, compared with Dylan avoided romanticising ‘counterfeit which Marx and Engels exchanged the strident presence of the film’s lead philosophies’ such as Marxism. Although throughout their relationship proves to players. the choice of this track rather than, say, have been an inspired decision. Densely- When You Gonna Wake Up, with its Marx’s almost unintentional eschewing dialogued personal and political dynamics specific jibes, is interesting, was Marx of money is pointed up in one short between these iconic forefathers and co- ever a ‘complete unknown’? The black scene, before he becomes otherwise instigators of the socialist movement are and white photograph of young Marx convinced by practically-minded Jenny, artfully woven into the film’s detail. With which finally appears communicates a who renders a due reality check. He is its main characters’ relationships and sense of warmth and familiarity, thanks evidently consequently persuaded by her destinies at its heart, it vividly articulates to this film’s treatment of his story. why and how Marx and Engels, as to land an opportunity for himself and founders of Communism in Europe, drove Engels to work with the more established Jackie Bergson has worked in the to establish their avant-garde values League of the Just. Their resulting voluntary sector and commercial within industry, society and politics. partnership with this Congress is thus business development in technology and demonstrated as being a turning point creative sectors. Educated in and living Tangible on-screen chemistry between where combined political ideals result in Glasgow, her political and social views Diehl and Stefan Konarske, who plays in collective empowerment, to hugely chime left-of-centre. 26 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 Neil Davidson, Minna Liinpaa, Maureen Jock Tamsin’s bairns’. Smith, Shamsie Din Mohamed, Imran McBride and Satnam Virdee (eds.), Khan, Sanjit Singh Choker and Sheku Such myth making has the effect of Bayoh to name a few. The growth deflecting attention away from the No Problem Here: of far right parties and the rise of disproportionate role that Scots actually Islamophobia across Europe and the US Understanding Racism played in the British Empire. It occludes has to be challenged and driven back. , Luath, 2018, any discussion of racisms in the country. in Scotland Scotland is not immune from this. 9781912147304, £12.99 Empire is central to the union. The Reviewed by Tony Adams Act of Union, 1707, opened up English The book explores the different colonial markets to Scottish merchants modalities of racism in Scotland and acism in Scotland is often relegated and made it possible for Scots to play the ways in which cultural racism has to the back burner. Even when the a role in the construction of the British become central to the experiences of issue of racism is broached by anti- R Empire. But when we think of the British particular social groups. It also seeks racists campaigners the stock responses Empire our minds often drift to England to locate the contemporary debates they are met with is that ‘Things aren’t rather than to Scotland. Yet Scotland on racialization and racism in their as bad as all that, you exaggerate; was complicit in the slave trade and had appropriate context in Scottish history. you’re indulging in special pleading or colonies predating the joining of the As the late historian E H Carr once put you must be paranoid’. Little wonder union. It is significant to note here that it; ‘There is no more significant pointer there is this widely held view both by slavery or the slave mode of production to the character of a society than the politicians and academics that ‘there is was central to early capital and racism kind of history it writes or fails to write’. no problem here’. Ethnic minorities are became its justification. Thus racism has No Problem Here is a welcomed and congratulated for integrating better and evolved entwined with capitalism over important starting contribution that there is a welcoming attitude towards the last three centuries. will invigorate the debate of what kind refugees and migrants. of Scotland we live in and what kind of There is a level of amnesia that clouds Meanwhile research into the historical Scotland we want it to be. the history of empire. Glasgow was the record and contemporary reality tells a second city of the empire and, by the Tony Adams is a lecturer and EIS equality different story. The racialized outsider end of the Victorian era, Scots firms rep at City of Glasgow College. He has faces discrimination in education, jobs, had attained a controlling position in published in the Asian Times, Caribbean housing and at the hands of the police key sectors of the economy of British Times, Morning Star and Weekly and criminal justice system. Racism India. Rather than sanitizing its past in Journal. in Scotland is, therefore, not a side order to re-imagine a post-union future, issue and it is not peripheral either. It perhaps we need to is central to the way things work. The look back at Scotland’s question of racism in Scotland and the imperial history and interplay, of race class, nationalism and connect it to a broader other intersecting issues are very focal understanding of the to this edited book. It brings together British empire and the views of academics, activists and Britain’s colonial past. anti-racism campaigners who argue that it is vital that the issue of racism be This perception that brought into public discourse. Scotland has less of a problem with racism In contrast to England, there has been than other areas of relatively little public discussion about the UK is not borne the historical or contemporaneous out by the statistics structuring power of racism in Scotland. either. In 2013-14 ‘We wish to dig beneath the ‘race there were 4,807 blind’ narrative that Scotland and its racist incidents elites have crafted for many years, to recorded by police perhaps unsettle them a little, so that in Scotland, the we might begin to open up space for equivalent of 92 writing a historical sociology of racism in incidents a week Scotland’ the book says. Its contributors without accounting ‘contend that the narrative of an absent for the many cases racism in Scottish history and that the that go unreported. Scots are more egalitarian, more likely And lest we forget to place an emphasis on collectivism that there has been over individualism and on government racist murders intervention over self-reliance reinforces here many of the myth that Scotland does not have a which have still serious racism problem’. Instrumental to not been formally the consolidation of this powerful myth acknowledge that ‘there is no problem here’ is that as racist – Nuer memorable Scottish phrase, ‘We’re a’ Mohamed, Hector

27 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 Glyn Robbins, used to patronise council tenants as the and the breaking up of communities salt of the earth. Now they portray them typified by Hurricane Katrina and its There’s No Place - The as the scum of the earth’. The Thatcher impact on New Orleans - would make American housing crisis and government launched an assault on for a dispiriting read had its author not council housing to move it towards the put resistance to these processes at , what it means for the UK conditional, marginal and transient the heart of his story. What needs to Red Roof, 2017, 0993019811, £10.00 condition of its US equivalent. be done and what activists are doing Reviewed by Dave Sherry After exploring the US housing to campaign for decent public housing lyn Robbins is a London-based experience, Robbins goes on to show features prominently throughout the housing worker and campaigner. how, more and more, the rush to book, enabling Robbins to show how His polemics on housing demolish social housing and force communities can be at the heart of G fighting for their futures, if only they policy appear regularly in the labour out working class communities from movement and housing press and have expensive inner-city land is being get organised. But he also insists also been published in The Guardian. He ruthlessly promoted this side of the Government policy must be changed; is an active trade unionist and this is Atlantic too: that it’s not enough to fight evictions his first book. Suz Muna, Secretary of or privatisations case-by-case. We need The grip of the international property the Unite Housing Workers’ Branch in a political movement to win a more machine has intensified since the London describes it as ‘a fascinating rational housing policy and Robbins’ great recession. Its primary targets insight into the way that different argues that here in Britain Corbyn are the high value areas of US and policies in the US and Britain have has gone some way towards this. In UK cities where over-heated housing driven housing toward crisis point. It recommending this book, Ken Loach markets are transforming and trashing is especially valuable for giving voice wrote: ‘Glyn Robbins knows what he’s local neighbourhoods with a high to the people for whom inadequate talking about. If words are weapons, concentration of non-market housing. housing and homelessness is a constant this is the ammunition we need to fight presence’. The cross fertilisation of US-UK housing for an end to homelessness’. Loach was graphically demonstrated in 2015 at knows a fair bit about homelessness. By examining trends in US housing and a London convention of global property The 1966 BBC play on the subject, which by showing how both the Westminster developers. The three-day event billed he directed - Kathy Come Home - was and Scottish governments follow them, itself as ‘a gathering of professionals watched by over 12m – a quarter of the Robbins exposes Britain’s own housing looking to close deals in the UK property UK population at the time. The Sunday crisis and argues it will get worse if we market’. Sixteen US companies were Times called it: ‘The most important don’t build a movement to challenge the represented and a key subject for piece of dramatised documentary people at the top who created it. discussion was ‘The American Way’. The ever screened’. It led to major housing Published just before Grenfell, his US template of large- scale institutional reform. Let’s hope that Glyn Robbins book anticipated such a disaster investment in private renting was book can make a similar impact. and argues that similar disasters lie fawned over and illustrated in the Dave Sherry is a retired housing in wait for poor, working class and conference brochure by a picture of a association worker, longstanding disproportionate numbers of non- road to a house paved with dollar bills. member of the Socialist Workers’ Party white people on housing estates across The London event detailed plans by and sits on the Scottish Left Review Britain. He shows how public housing several big US companies to editorial committee. has been transformed by both US and expand into the UK, including UK governments. In Britain, council Greystar, one of the biggest housing was designed to meet a general private landlords in the US. need and was available to anyone, Greystar opened its UK portfolio irrespective of income. Such universality by acquiring 23,000 student was never part of US public housing apartments and entered a policy, where it was intended only as partnership with ‘Fizzy Living’ safety net for the poorest – contributing – a company that says it is ‘re- hugely to its shortcomings. inventing renting in the UK’. Fizzy The dismantling of the British welfare Living is a subsidiary of Thames state by successive Tory and Labour Valley Housing Association, a governments saw the demise of so-called non-profit Housing council housing, with the proportion Association. of council tenancies falling from 30% The same sort of chicanery of all households in 1979 to 8% in associated with private finance 2015. This was accompanied by the and ‘social, non-profit’ housing deliberate demonisation of council is happening here in Scotland, housing as something only fit for ‘the albeit at a slower pace. feckless’. Such stereotyping and hatred of the working class, combined with Robbin’s investigation into the media’s idolisation of the rich was the impact of decades of best summed up in Owen Jones’s book, neo-liberalism on US housing Chavs, wherein he wrote: ‘Our rulers policy - evictions, demolitions 28 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 Steve McGrail with Vicky Patterson, collieries followed suit. The miners felt Steve and Vicky also gave of their Cowie Miners, Polmaise they had no other option because they best for an honourable cause. Sadly reckoned that the future of the entire they are no longer with us but their Colliery and the 1984-85 coal industry was at stake. book is a lasting testimony to them and to all who fought the good fight. , Miners’ Strike In the early part of the twentieth Steve’s widow, Sue Harley, deserves with introduction by Jim Phillips, century, there were over a million our praise and thanks for achieving Scottish Labour History Society, 1472- miners serving the energy needs the republication of her late husband’s 6041, £6 of the country. Now there is no work. Reviewed by Dennis Canavan deep coal mining left in Britain. Dennis Canavan was born and brought Margaret Thatcher killed the coal- his book is a combination of two up in a Fife mining community. He was mining industry but she could never publications about the 1984- MP for West Stirlingshire (1974-83) kill the fighting spirit of the mining T1985 miners’ strike, particularly then MP for Falkirk West (1983-2000) the part played by the people of the communities, including the men and then MSP for Falkirk West (1999- Stirlingshire mining village of Cowie women of Cowie, Fallin and Plean. 2007). and the miners of Polmaise Colliery in Their spirit is indestructible because it the nearby village of Fallin. Polmaise is based on lasting worthwhile values The book is available for £7.50 (inc. was the last colliery in Stirlingshire and such as labour, solidarity and respect p&p) from S Maclennan, SLHS, 0/1, 64 the majority of the workforce came for community. Terregles Avenue, Glasgow, G41 4LX. from the local area: Fallin, Cowie, Cheques payable to ‘Scottish Labour Plean and Bannockburn. Polmaise History Society’) or contact miners had a long established [email protected] reputation for union solidarity and remained absolutely solid throughout the strike. R B Cunninghame Graham, A lot has been written about the An Eagle in a Hen-House: 1984-1985 strike but not all of it is Selected Political Speeches accurate. For example, it is often said that Cortonwood Colliery in Yorkshire and Writings of R B was the first pit to go on strike on 6 Cunninghame Graham, March 1984 but the truth is that some compiled and edited by Lachlan Munro, pits in Scotland, including Polmaise, Deveron Press, 2017, £9.99 led the way earlier that year. That Reviewed by Stewart Maclennan point was well made at the launch he Deveron Press, revived in 2016 of Steve and Vicky’s book and I can to publish a centenary edition personally vouch for its veracity. of the works of its founder, On 21 February 1984, I attended a T the socialist propagandist James meeting at the National Coal Board This book is a very readable account of Leatham, has now turned its attention (NCB) Headquarters at Hobart House an epic struggle in the history of the to Leatham’s contemporary, Robert in London along with other local MPs. Scottish working class, based on the Bontine Cunninghame Graham, with an The miners of Polmaise were already coal face experience of some of the edition of his selected political speeches on strike by then because the NCB and writings compiled by Lachlan was threatening to close their pit. people who took part in that struggle . Munro. Ian McGregor, Chairman of the NCB, Many of the interviewees are ordinary refused to meet representatives of working people who showed an Unlike Leatham, whose origins lay in the workforce and said that he would extraordinary degree of endurance, working class poverty, Cunninghame continue to do so until the Polmaise resilience and perspicacity. Here is Graham was a scion of the landed miners went back to work. Andy Forsyth, for example, explaining aristocracy, a youth spent adventuring why he was on the picket line: ‘We’ve in South America earning him the We pleaded with McGregor to got to win it. If we don’t, especially sobriquet ‘Don Roberto’. As such, he keep Polmaise open, pointing out in Scotland, well there’s no work, seemed to Liberal Party managers that it had abundant workable coal nothing... If they shut the pit, there’s an ideal candidate to present to reserves. But McGregor was absolutely the industrial constituency of North adamant. He was Margaret Thatcher’s nothing. It would be frightening to be West Lanarkshire. Elected in 1886, hatchet man and he was intent on a young man just hanging around the he horrified his sponsors by aligning doing a hatchet job on Polmaise and doors.’ himself with the ‘extra-parliamentary other collieries. As Steve McGrail and Vicky Patterson opposition’ of the day, led by the Social- It is important to remember that the say in their own words: ‘We wish the Democratic Federation and William 1984-1985 strike was not about wages strike could have been won for the Morris’s Socialist League. His socialist or working conditions. It was basically miners and their communities. Sadly credentials were endorsed by his about jobs. The Polmaise miners had it was not but we pay tribute here to friendship with Frederick Engels, and gone on strike to save their pit and not brave men and women who gave of his ‘dues’ were paid in imprisonment long afterwards Cortonwood and other their best for an honourable cause.’ for his part in the great ‘Bloody Sunday’

29 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 demonstration of 1887. disdaining national boundaries, held émigré Marxist. When he was expelled that the IWW itself constituted an from Germany in 1880 Clara was no This is the first collection of ‘international’. However, the IWW longer happy with her homeland. She Cunninghame Graham’s political offered attraction to immigrant workers, moved first to Austria then in 1882 statements, and spans almost fifty years. maintained widespread informal she joined Ossip in Paris, adopted his ‘I never withdraw: I say what I mean.’, international links and established name and they had two sons Maxim he told a House of Commons which he groups in Australia, Canada, Chile, and Konstantin in 1883 and 1885. derided as ‘The National Gas-House’, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand and The Zetkins became involved with the and his vigorous oratory and polemical Sweden. French, German and Russian socialist style demonstrates opposition to racism movements and they also regularly met and imperialism and support for Irish Accounts of these links all feature with socialists from Spain, Italy, Austria nationalism and women’s suffrage in this volume, as do the fascinating and Britain - and Clara therefore became matched by few fellow socialists of the engagement of the insurrectionary acquainted with the international time. With Keir Hardie, Cunninghame Indian movement Ghadr with the IWW labour movement and fluent in many Graham was a founder of the Scottish (Tariq Khan)and Wobbly participation in European languages. When Ossip Home Rule Association and the first the Spanish Civil War (Matthew White). died at the beginning of 1889, Clara President of the Scottish Labour Party. In Syndicalist influences on James Connolly, found consolation for his passing by later years, he was first President of the Jim Larkin and the 1913 Dublin Lockout becoming even more deeply involved Scottish National Party. This selection are analysed (Marjorie Murphy), but in the international socialist women’s allows us to follow the spectacular curiously no reference is made to Great movement - and later by expressing her political trajectory of a unique Scottish Britain, where the IWW was central concerns about fascism. radical. to the massive 1911 strike at Singer, Clydebank. Perhaps further studies Some sixteen years after this book was Stewart Maclennan is chair of the might reference – if not reproduce – published, when the Second World War Scottish Labour History Society Glasgow Labour History Workshop’s began, more people became aware excellent study of 1989. of Nazism than of Fascism. As Jewish refugees fled to this country and as Stewart Maclennan is chair of the Peter Cole, David Struthers and Kenyon news spread of the concentration Scottish Labour History Society Zimmer (eds.) camps and other incarceration sites which formed part of the Holocaust, Wobblies of the World: Nazi Germany and its allies were A Global History of the Clara Zetkin despised and hated. No one outside of Fighting Fascism: How to Germany had any knowledge of internal IWW, Pluto Press, 2017, £19.99, resistance to, and disapproval of, these 9780745399591 Struggle and How to Win behaviours. he Industrial Workers of the (edited by John Riddell and Mike Taber), Also included in this book are excerpts World (IWW or ‘Wobblies’) have Haymarket, 9781608468522, £7.99 from Clara’s Reichstag speech on legendary status in labour history, Reviewed by Moira Craig T Fascism made at the opening of the if only through the memory of Wobbly iving, as we presently do, in a world Reichstag session in 1932 when she martyr, Joe Hill, and his songs. Founded with daily news of all major events was the oldest member of Germany’s in America in 1905, the IWW prospered in foreign countries reported to us parliament - aged seventy four. A speech to a degree before being crushed by L on radio and television, it is difficult which was made in spite of Nazi insults ferocious repression and debilitated to imagine how people could learn and threats. by internal schism. Though still active how political developments in another today, it is arguably as much monument What is fascinating about this book is country might affect their own lives as movement. not merely that a woman with a happy when such means of communication personal life and family is shown to The IWW has been well served by had not been invented and become have had the talents and confidence to general histories, most recently Eric widespread. However, the dangers of express her political views clearly and fascism and its possible spread from Thomas Chester’s ‘The Wobblies in succinctly with courage but that Mike Their Heyday’ (Levellers Press, 2014), Benito Mussolini’s Italy into Germany Tabor and John Riddell, the two editors and these are underwoven by a growing was clearly expressed in this book by who have written the Introduction and range of oral histories and sectoral Clara Zetkin in 1923 when she was 66 a clear Glossary, are both American and geographical studies. ‘Wobblies years old - her life and her political socialist activists who feel that of the World’ adds new dimensions beliefs having been affected by what she ‘capitalism has entered a period of social to this research base by introducing had seen in other countries. crisis’ and that the election of Donald transnational and comparative Now Clara was fortunate in having been Trump as the United States President approaches in nineteen essays on the the eldest offspring of a school teacher was ‘a sharpening of the crisis’. Their IWW’s global influence. and living in Saxony which at that time attitudes are very much in accord with Differences between the IWW’s had more industries than other parts the viewpoints of Clara Zetkin. ‘industrialist’ orientation and syndicalist of Germany - including textiles which Moira Craig is a retired educational and communist influences precluded employed many women. She had been psychologist and sits on the Scottish Left its alignment with international union influenced in her decision to become Review editorial committee. structures, although some Wobblies, a socialist by Ossip Zetkin, a Russian 30 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 VLADIMIR McTAVISH’S Kick up the Tabloids

hile some may be FIFA would have had the balls to the benefit of four decades of underwhelmed by the appoint a gay referee. hindsight, it now looks like a Golden SNP’s Growth Commission Age. It undoubtedly was a national W Alternatively, should we do the report, the fact that the Scottish embarrassment of cataclysmic unthinkable and support England? Government is actively preparing proportions. However, in order to Stranger things have happened. for independence shows how far undergo that degree of shame, and this nation has travelled in recent Those of us of a certain age will cast to wear the badge of international years. Such a scenario would have our minds back forty years to the laughing stock, you do still have to been unthinkable twenty years ago. heady summer days of 1978, when qualify for the World Cup, an entire nation believed that we But then again, twenty years ago, Furthermore, the referendum on we took it for granted that Scotland were in with a genuine chance of devolution in 1979 failed to deliver would qualify for the World Cup. winning the World Cup. The team enough ‘Yes’ votes, partly due to As our friends, comrades and were given a heroes’ send-off at national morale being at such a low cousins south of the border are Hampden Park before they flew out ebb post-Argentina. How different getting wrapped up in World Cup from Prestwick Airport, and crowds things are today. Our football may be fever, it is yet another grim reminder lined up along their drive down the mince, but we seriously think about for all of us in Scotland that the A77 cheering them on. having a second independence four-year cycle has come around Not only did the team set off referendum. again and we are yet again absent for Argentina convinced that Also, I don’t think our footballing from the party. Indeed, a whole they were in with a chance of future is all doom and gloom. generation has grown up who were silverware, but they did so as the For four World Cups in a row, we not born the last time Scotland sole representatives of the UK, as have said that ‘we’ll be at the next reached the tournament at France England had failed to qualify. As a one’. This time, I think that hope ’98. For some of us, that fact that young student in Newcastle at the is a genuine one. We may not be Scotland missed out on a play-off time, all of my English friends were at the party in Russia, but I firmly place due to a heart-breaking, nerve- supporting Scotland. Furthermore, believe that Scotland will be at shredding draw with England last the English media, in particular the the 2022 World Cup. This is not year merely adds to the pain. The red-top tabloids, were banging the based on blind optimism but on fact that England made such a strong drum for the Scotland team. At least meticulous research. The 2022 start to the group stages left us all they were until it all went horribly World Cup is being held in Qatar, with an attitude of ‘what might have wrong. a country I visited earlier this year. been’. Scotland was thumped by Peru in The tournament will take place in a So who do we, as left-wing Scottish the opening game, and that was only desert, in the middle of summer in football fans, support at Russia the start of the nightmare. Willle searing heat of up to fifty degrees Celsius in a country where it is 2018? Do we pick a country with Johnston was sent home for failing nigh-on impossible to buy alcohol. whom we have a close cultural a drugs test, thereby enhancing Sod’s Law dictates that Scotland are or personal allegiance? Do we his reputation as an intelligent bolted-on certainties to qualify for choose some nation where we had footballer for missing the resultant a particularly enjoyable holiday? that one! fiasco, which culminated with the Or, do we merely pick teams at manger being bitten on TV by a dog Vladimir McTavish will be appearing random by sticking a pin into one he had recently befriended. at The Stand’s New Town Theatre, of the multitude of wall carts that George Street, Edinburgh at this A recent BBC documentary, and appeared in every newspaper at the year’s Fringe with his solo show ‘25 start of proceedings? The opening countless newspaper articles, have Years Of Stand-Up’ from Friday 3 to match, Russia v Saudi Arabia, been recalling those days from forty Sunday 26 August at 6.50pm each presented all neutrals with a huge years ago, and most have painted night (except Tuesday 14) www. dilemma. When the nations with the the entire expedition to Argentina thestand.co.uk worst records for state-promoted as a fiasco bordering on disaster. homophobia play one another, what Indeed, it did seem that way at the side do you take? I had hoped that time. Looking back at it, through

31 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 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 Tosh McDonald Kevin Lindsay General Secretary President Scottish O cer ASLEF the train drivers union- www.aslef.org.uk

Scottish Left Review July-Aug Advert OUTLINES 0618.indd 1 21/06/2018 11:34 32 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018