Scottish Left Review Issue 85 January/February 2015 - £2.00

1 Scottish Left Review Comment – new year but not new times Issue 85 January/February 2015 Contents n time honoured fashion, we wish our Ireaders, subscribers, contributors and Comment ...... 2 supporters a heartfelt happy new year. But Keeping the NHS fit for purpose - ...... 4 we also know that no mere well wishes will stop 2015 from becoming yet another Social care is the key to freeing up our NHS- ...... 5 annus horribilis for most of the populace TTIP – threatening terrible, traumatic, invasive potential as austerity and neo-liberalism continue - Richard Doherty ...... 6 to destroy lives, living standards and life Health and social care integration: equal access for all? Tressa Burke ...... 7 chances. At the forthcoming Westminster general election, we face three different When the political is highly personal - John Daly ...... 9 colours of austerity – blue (Tory), yellow Can good intentions lead to good results? Paul Arkison ...... 10 (LibDem) and pink (Labour). To stop another annus horribilis will take Potential problems aplenty - it doesn’t have to be this way - Dave Watson ...... 11 popular resistance and collective action based upon a radical left agenda. And Knowledge is power? Chris Bartter ...... 12 nowhere more important a place for this Prioritising workers’ health and well-being to happen is over the issues of our public - Andrew Watterson, Tommy Gorman and Jim McCourt ...... 13 health. Consequently, the theme of this issue is the state of our health, most A very Westminster coup - Bob Thomson ...... 14 obviously centring upon our NHS. The Scottish Greens after the referendum - Peter McColl ...... 16 The NHS is Scotland is approaching a For the left in Scotland, failure isn’t an option - Cat Boyd ...... 17 critical juncture as a result of the merging of health and social care services due Which way forward is left? Gary Fraser ...... 18 to legislation passed by the Parliament Can capitalism really put ‘All of us first’? Philip Stott...... 20 in 2014. Most welcome the ‘theory’ of merging of the services but many also A very ferry failure? Mick Cash ...... 21 question the ‘practice’ as a result of issues Who is watching the detectives who watch us? Niall McCluskey ...... 22 over the allocation of resources, clear lines Fatally flawed by inadequate attention to feasibility of accountability and responsibility, and the - Jim and Margaret Cuthbert ...... 23 conditions of care workers. Add to this is the introduction of ‘personalisation’ of care Book reviews ...... 25 under the mantra of consumer or service Vladimir McTavish’s Kick up the Tabloids ...... 27 user choice. Again, many welcome the ‘theory’ but many others also question the Cover and illustrations: Nadia Lucchesi ([email protected]) ‘practice’ as a result of issues over funding. Proofing services: Bob Thomson and John Daly Our contributors reflect the full range of Communications and organisational development: Carole Ewart hopes and reservations involved in these Trade union development officer: David Brockett issues. It is worth highlighting just a few of these. Paul Arkison highlights that too Editor Email: [email protected] much time being spent on process and Web: www.scottishleftreview.org planning and not actual job of working Tel: 0141 424 0042 directly with clients while Andrew Watterson et al. call for more publicity/ Address: Scottish Left Review, resources/investigation into work place 741 Shields Road, cancers and the more devolution of health Pollokshields, Glasgow G41 4PL and safety. Editorial Committee Finally, Chris Bartter argues that freedom of information could be extended Malcolm Balfour Lilian Macer without primary legislation while Dave Bill Bonnar David Miller Watson makes the same point concerning Cat Boyd Gordon Morgan procurement – with both showing what the Moira Craig Tommy Sheppard SNP government can do now with existing powers. It is to be hoped that this edition Gregor Gall Editor Stephen Smellie of Scottish Left Review can shed some light Tommy Kane Bob Thomson Convener on the pros and cons and lead to some rounded betterment as a result. Printed by Clydeside Press Ltd, 37 High Street, Glasgow G1 1LX Of course, the issues involved in defending

2 Comment – new year but not new times

the NHS cannot be separated from other secondary and higher education, and public to engage with local communities. So, what issues. So we have five articles on the state of health. Even with the inclusion of land this means is that nothing will necessarily the left in Scotland and what it needs to do. reform, there is still nothing – if you don’t actually change. It all depends on ‘if’ and The first on prompts in this mind the intended pun – to set the heather ‘when’. It’s a bit like the editorial comment congratulations to Neil alight with. This is not social democracy, being able to vary income tax. Since 1999, Findlay and for putting up such nor is it some very tiny steps towards it - it has chosen never to use this power. a spirited fight and applying old principles which is why so many in the commentariat Of much less importance, but still of to current challenges. It reminded me of the must have taken leave of their senses to some note is that two former SNP MSPs time when I was in the Labour Party nearly claim that the SNP/Scottish Government is (John Finnie, John Wilson) have joined thirty years ago. Then, you could at least social democratic. the Scottish Greens and intend to stand guarantee that you would hear the socialist Social democracy is founded upon the in 2016 as Green candidates. This adds a case (even if it seldom won out). intervention of the state to ameliorate little extra spice to Peter McColls’ article ‘To the victor the spoils’ is not exactly what market processes and outcomes. Hence, in this edition. And, how this plays out for has been left with according to we would the see regulation of prices, the Scottish Left Project will be interesting the clutch of polls on Labour’s prospects in wages and profits as well as extending given that Wilson was one of its initial Scotland. Remembering my student days public ownership into the private sector. signatories (see Cat Boyd’s article in this (in which he was both President of NUS Nationalising Prestwick airport and the edition). Scotland and NUS (UK)), I recall that he is debt of the green wave energy company, Our next issue (March-April 2015) will be a tough, hardened operator with a flair for Pelamis, hardly count here. almost wholly dedicated to examining the populist opportunism when needs must. It was also disappointing – but not issues surrounding the Westminster general Consequently, I’d be rather less quick to unexpected – to see Nicola Sturgeon election. Along with the referendum and write him off as the political suicide note announce her Miliband-esque political the 2016 Scottish Parliament elections, the for Scottish Labour that some have. ideology of ‘one Scotland’. In doing so, general election will be a key staging post in In all of this, we should not forget that no account was taken - nor could it be the how politics develop in Scotland over the 18,000 odd submissions of ordinary taken - of class. Scotland is not a single the next few years. citizens to the Smith Commission homogenous social unit, and within To end on, it should be noted that this counted for not one jot. Announcing its Scotland there are contrasting and is now the fifteenth year ofScottish Left recommendations, it was patently clear that conflicting interests (political, economic, Review. For the twelve years in which I what was proposed was that the outcome of social) between classes. Questions need to have been on editorial board and now, as last minute talks between the main political be asked of ‘one Scotland’ – whose interests editor, I would like to pay tribute to Bob parties (including the SNP). So much for are best served by it, and who will benefit Thomson, the chair of our board. the (re)birth of democracy in Scotland in most from what it turns out to be? He has been a thoughtful, steady and the light of the referendum campaign when Other ways in which Sturgeon disappoints insightful guiding light throughout all these many said Scotland can and will never be are that she follows the time honoured years from the inception of Scottish Left the same! practice of establishing commissions to Review. His ability to remain unflappable So it is not hard to understand why the look at issues and develops capacity for and upbeat throughout all the travails of STUC and the Unite, Unison and PCS processes but not outcomes. In regard of keeping the magazine afloat and heading unions expressed their considerable the former, this is the case on alternatives in the right (left!) direction needs fulsome disappointment at this political fix. Don’t to the council tax and further measures praise and recognition. I’m sure readers, get too down heartened though – because on land reform. So-called ‘evidence based’ subscribers, contributors and supporters whatever the main parties did or did not policy has now become a political straight will join with me in a heartfelt round of agree to, there’s still the final hoop of the jacket that prevents political parties from applause for him. forthcoming general election to be jumped quickly developing policy on pressing issues through. No one can know the result and legislating on them. a poem suggested by Peter Lomas for our of it but it’s a fair bet to presume that if In regard of the latter, again illustrated public health theme: the Tories do well then even the Smith by land reform, measures will be taken to Commission’s limited proposals will be allow government ministers to intervene 'Eat more fruit!' the slogans say, watered down further – especially at the where the scale of land ownership or 'More fish, more beef, more bread!' behest of backbench Tory MPs in southern the conduct of a landlord was acting as But I'm on Unemployment pay England. So much for the solemn vow a barrier to sustainable development, My third year now, and wed. from the son of the manse! to set up a Scottish Land Reform And so I wonder when I'll see The other big event of recent months that Commission, improve the transparency The slogan when I pass, now tends to be overlooked is the first and accountability of land ownership and The only one that would suit me, - legislative programme announced by the make information on land, its value and 'Eat More Bloody Grass!' new First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, on ownership more readily available in one Joe Corrie (Slamannan, Stirlingshire 1894 - 26 November 2014. The areas covered place, and action to ensure charities holding 1968) From The Penguin Book of Socialist Verse, (ed.) included land reform, poll tax debts, large areas of land were under an obligation Alan Bold, Penguin, 1970.

3 Keeping the NHS fit for purpose Shona Robison reflects on the past, present and future of our NHS

ur NHS is a vital public institution, implemented across the country by April waiting times to among the lowest levels on Oand is a key part of Scotland's 2016. The full integration of these services record. But none of this would be possible national identity. For decades, it has been is designed to get patients home or to a without the dedication and hard work of there whenever people need it – publicly- homely setting as quickly as possible and our staff. It makes such a difference to the owned and publicly-run. The staff of the ease pressure across the system. It is truly experience patients and families receive. It NHS, whether working as GPs, as nurses, pioneering work. I hope that people across is why our NHS is such a much loved and as porters or consultants, stand ready Scotland should really begin seeing the wonderful organisation. to provide high quality care 365 days a benefits this year. And it is why the Scottish Government, year. And it is free at the point of use – a In practical terms, this strategy should founding principle of Bevan's which we all unlike the Conservative-led UK provide the long-term solution to reducing should be incredibly proud is realised in Government or Labour-run Welsh delayed discharge – which is one of this Scotland. Government, chose to accept the government’s key priorities. Currently, there recommendation of the NHS Pay Review This must be the starting point for any are too many people waiting unnecessarily Body for a modest 1% uplift in staff pay. discussion of the NHS. We must never lose in hospital, when they are fit to be The Scottish Government is backing this up sight of how precious our health service is, discharged, but the present system holds by increasing front line investment in the and we must always protect its founding them up. This has knock on effects across NHS, with an increase in the overall budget principles. No matter how rich or poor the whole system, not least in A&E. in 2015-2016 despite cuts to Scotland's you are, you must always be able to get the fiscal budget under the current coalition treatment you need. Currently, there Government of almost 10%, increasing in The SNP, and the overwhelming majority are too many nursing and overall NHS staffing numbers of the people of Scotland, are absolutely to record numbers as well as extending the committed to those principles. We're people waiting no compulsory redundancy guarantee. clear the privatisation of the NHS that we are witnessing in England must never be unnecessarily in Preventative measures are also critical allowed to happen here. to ensuring the sustainability of the hospital, when health service in the future, and many But if we are to retain the NHS as the of Scotland’s public health policies are fantastic public service it is today, then they are fit to be leading the way in the UK, and in Europe. it needs to evolve. Among the challenges The Scottish Government strongly that we face is that, like most of the discharged supports minimum unit pricing, which western world, our population is ageing. But by bringing local authorities and we believe will be an effective and efficient It’s fantastic that people are living longer, health boards together in a much more way to tackle alcohol misuse in Scottish healthier lives. But we also know our strategic way, we should be able to ensure communities. NHS is dealing with more people than ever before, and those people are sicker, the whole system works better and delayed But there are threats to our NHS from with complex and, sometimes, multiple discharge will become a thing of the past. outside Scotland. We have made clear conditions. As part of our focus to treat more people at to both the UK Government and the home and in the community, we have also That is why the NHS needs to progress and European Commission that, like the committed to investing £40m in GP and BMA, Unite and many others we have develop to ensure it meets the challenges of primary care services to support new ways the future. concerns about the possible impact of of working that can help meet the changing the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Not only does the Scottish Government demographics of our population. Partnership (TTIP) on the NHS and want to ensure that people are living This government is clear that health have pressed to ensure that the NHS is healthier long lives, but we want more older inequalities must be tackled, every child, explicitly exempt from TTIP. The Scottish people to be supported to stay in their own regardless of their address or background, Government and the public must see the home and local communities. We'll only in Scotland should have the best start in life full legal text of any agreement before we achieve this by ensuring that our health and through better early years support and that can be fully assured that the NHS will social care services work seamlessly together every patient treated by our NHS receives – something in which Scotland is already continue to be safe in public hands. safe care centred on their needs. leading the way. That reflects our absolute commitment We're absolutely committed to supporting We're integrating health and social care to a publicly-run NHS, free at the point our NHS to deliver world-leading care. services, to be delivered around the of use. While our NHS simply can’t stay That is why we have clearly outlined the patient’s needs. Our vision for the NHS the same, this unwavering principle will standards of care that Scottish people can is to see more people treated at home stand behind all of the decisions we take to or in a community setting. Landmark be assured they will get from our NHS. ensure our wonderful health service is fit for legislation to bring the delivery of health Scotland has some of the strongest health generations to come. and social care together was passed this year standards in Europe, with standards Shona Robison MSP is Cabinet Secretary for with cross-party support and will be fully introduced by this Government reducing Health, Wellbeing and Sport

4 granddads but the system won't allow this to happen. Indeed, for many carers Social care is the key the wages and conditions are so bad that I am told many work in the sector only long enough until they can get another to freeing up our NHS job. Recently one care provider reported Neil Findlay argues that well paid and resourced social care is vital losing a large number of staff when a new supermarket opened up nearby offering cotland's NHS is under pressure like vulnerable. Social workers, nurses, doctors better terms and conditions than his care Snever before in its history. From the and care staff coordinated the care packages company could offer. front door of the GP’s surgery to the back to be delivered in the community. And yet, knowing this dreadful situation door of the hospital, the system is bursting In the home, alarm systems, flood monitors at the seams. We see growing demand and prevails and how it is impacting on our and new equipment were installed to ensure elderly and vulnerable friends and relatives, expectations, rising vacancies, shortages people could manage when they came across a whole range of disciplines and an we hear government ministers bragging home from hospital and services were put about the council tax freeze and their increasing reliance on bank and agency staff in to prevent hospital admission in the first with the use of the private sector soaring. settlement to local authorities as though it place. Delayed discharge and bed blocking is some sort of political triumph. It is not - Professional bodies and unions such as the was reduced dramatically as people were it is nothing short of a national scandal. So BMA, RCN, UNISON, patients groups no longer stuck in hospital beds waiting what should we be doing? and royal colleges continually raise concerns on a care package being put in place. about the pressures on the system and the This approach was very successful and, Well, we need to make social care a valued impact on the people who work in it. In indeed, along with a few other councils in profession with a career structure to recent weeks, Audit Scotland has identified Scotland set the trail for how things can be match. The living wage should be paid as that nearly half a million bed days were done when the culture of service delivery a minimum to every carer. Many in the lost last year because people were stuck in changes. public sector receive the living wage but hospital when they could and should have through procurement legislation this could Of course, the Public Bodies (Joint Working) have been extended to private contractors been treated at home. In short, the social Act 2014 is an attempt to force change but the SNP government voted this down. care system, the key to improving flow through legislation but change can and will through the system and releasing resources only be achieved if social care is seen as a We have to end the 15 minute care visit within it is failing and failing badly. national priority. We will never create a culture – people need appropriate care not This represents a massive waste of human caring, effective and responsive social care rushed flying visits with minimal contact. and financial resource as well as being bad system based on a zero hours, poverty pay And, we need to end the zero hours for patients. According to the Scottish back to the bottom system. exploitation that dominates the sector. Key to all of this is ending contracts being Government, it costs around £4000 per The reality is that all elements of social awarded on the basis of cost. week to keep someone in hospital but £300 care are based on a race to the bottom. As per week to support someone to recover councils see their budgets slashed by the So, as we enter 2015, health and social care in their own home. We also know that Scottish Government and are shackled by will be central to the political debate. In for many patients supported recovery at a centrally imposed and underfunded tax England, Labour is committed to reversing home will mean a quicker recovery than in freeze they have been forced to outsource the pernicious Health and Social Care Act hospital. contracts and drive down the costs. This has that is privatising the NHS there and the So it would appear obvious what it is resulted in social care providers competing ‘mansion tax’ will put increased resources we have to do, so why is the Scottish to win contracts by cutting training budgets into the health and social care system. Andy government so slow to act? The crisis is and reducing the biggest element of their Burnham rightly promotes the concept not coming in a few years or decades – it operating bill even further - wages! of ‘whole person care’ and shows a similar desire to Scottish Labour to see the social is here now! And, of course, it will only So social care is now a minimum or near care system transformed. get worse as Scotland experiences further minimum wage sector. Care visits to the demographic change with a rapidly growing elderly last 15 minutes - as one staff carer In Europe, we see the threat to our NHS elderly population. said to me: ‘we stay long enough to hear the and wider public services from TTIP Prior to entering parliament, I was a ping of the microwave’. Staff are more often – we cannot allow this to happen. But councillor in from 2003- than not denied travelling time between it is at home, here in Scotland that we 2012. During that time, I was proud to be clients and some are forced to pay for their need change most – the denial strategy part of a forward thinking modern local own phone calls back to their employer. adopted by Alex Neil (the previous Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport) authority. We delivered high quality public I spoke to one young carer recently who just won't cut it. We have to face up to the services at a cost the tax payer was willing received four days training in an office, reality that unless we get the social care to support. The council was recognised a day and a half shadowing another staff system right we will simply be stoking up nationally and internationally, being named member then was given 30 clients to visit further problems in our NHS. UK council of the year in 2006. on her first day. For this she was paid the princely sum of £5.13 per hour. This is Neil Findlay is a Labour MSP for the Lothians. Central to our achievement was innovation Until late December 2014, he was Shadow in social care. Without any need for what we are doing to our older people not to mention the young carers of tomorrow. Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport. legislation, NHS services and social care He is now Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Fair services began working together to deliver Carers want to do their best and support Work, Skills and Training. This article was written integrated care packages for the elderly and our mums and dads, grannies and before his change of portfolio.

5 TTIP – threatening terrible, traumatic, invasive potential Richard Doherty warns that TTIP will increase corporate power over government policy he Transatlantic Trade and Investment courts – to sue a government if its policies Scotland and the rest of the UK, there TPartnership (TTIP) – the trade deal affect their profit margins. is no meaningful political opposition to being negotiated in secret between Europe This raises the prospect of governments TTIP itself within our parliaments, or a and the USA - will give companies the being open to legal action if, for example, recognition of the threat the deal poses power to control wide-ranging government they implement stricter controls on the more widely to our public services, as well policy. This is a corporate power grab, quality of medicines, regulations on the as to the sovereignty of the governments we and at a time when people are said to be quality of companies providing care within elect. engaged with politics as never before, it is our borders, or order improvements to staff Fortunately, the NHS is an emotive hook, vital we have a high public awareness of the pay and conditions. necessary to alert people to the threats need for resistance. ISDS can only offer compensation and facing us all. Not only would we continue In Scotland, we are reliant on the UK nobody claims it would change government to hand over billions of pounds of public Government to negotiate the terms of policy directly, but it can award multi- money to private healthcare interests, but the deal as an EU member state. With million pound pay-outs in compensation under TTIP it would be impossible to the NHS in England currently up for sale after dragging governments through roll back any privatisation, no matter how under the Health and Social Care Act 2012, an expensive legal process, so the effect strongly the public want to see it happen it is under direct threat from TTIP, and is chilling – massively influencing the now or in the future. there is concern that the Scottish NHS government public policy decisions that get However, TTIP is about far more than the will come under pressure from corporate made. NHS alone. The same concerns for public interests too, as public spending decisions Although the UK has not yet been sued ownership of services, and the sovereignty in Westminster impact upon the Scottish or accountability of governments making budget. under ISDS where it exists in other bilateral trade agreements, it has happened in other public policy decisions apply right across Worries for the future of the health countries already. Phillip Morris sued the board. At a time when each Prime service are met with assurances that the Australian Government over plain Ministerial contender is committed to investment agreements will explicitly cigarette packaging, with the effect that public spending cuts far beyond those state government public policy decisions New Zealand opted to await the outcome decimating service provision in local cannot be overridden, and that this would of that legal case before deciding whether to communities already, unambiguous safeguard the NHS. However, under TTIP, introduce plain packaging themselves. opposition to TTIP from 2015’s transnational companies could use ISDS Westminster candidates is essential. Plain packaging has been shown to benefit (Investor-State Dispute Settlement) – in Under TTIP, our inability to reverse the other words: secret offshore corporate public health, so for governments to be blocked from setting policy that’s in the reckless privatisation of key services will public interest by the very companies it make permanent a variety of serious is in the public’s interest to safeguard us problems across the UK. Whether it is the against is an appalling prospect. TTIP Royal Mail, cuts to service provision for allows corporations to get in and influence the most vulnerable in society, or changes the direction of public policy before to employment law that benefit corporate anybody else, from charities to community profits to the detriment of workers, TTIP groups and beyond, have had a chance to would leave us unable to take responsibility explain their views. and put the needs of our people ahead of corporate greed. The Greens’ policy The Phillip Morris case is just one example of renationalising rail is one of the most of a public health initiative we would popular policies around, but TTIP would seemingly not be able to enact under TTIP, make it impossible for any government to and whether or not the NHS itself was achieve. exempted from any deal (to whatever extent that is possible in isolation), the NHS As Friends of the Earth Scotland point would be left to pick up the pieces and the out, the deal is also a threat to decades of costs when it comes to the consequences for environmental progress in Europe, from health care in the UK. restrictions on toxic chemicals to our own climate laws in Scotland. Again, the While statements from the Scottish implications for public health and the Government that they want the burden on the NHS are clear. health service to be exempted from TTIP are welcome progress, It is suggested more than 80% of the gains the concern remains ahead of from TTIP would come from the removal the general election that, with of regulatory barriers between the EU and the exception of the Greens in USA, with the USA’s regulatory approach

6 in many sectors being significantly weaker food, chemicals, agriculture, or anything and health, of individuals severely than current EU standards. In Scotland, else, in order to make life more profitable compromised. We do not want to further anywhere our policy is more progressive for US conglomerates. open government decision-making to than other countries, from climate change People are seeing TTIP as a blueprint for corporate control, and massive financial to alcohol and tobacco control, under how all the future trade and investment penalties for putting the public interest TTIP ISDS claims could follow. deals across the world will be done. It ahead of corporate greed. It is vital that we are not thrown into a race is clearly a corporate power grab that Richard Doherty works for the Green MSPs in the to the bottom in terms of regulating our undermines democracy, with the rights, Scottish Parliament Health and social care integration: equal access for all? While welcoming the integration of health and social services, Tressa Burke sounds a note of caution

ntegration is a timely line on the horizon services, lifting of age barriers in services, and lead services, improving quality and Isince disabled people in Scotland are e.g., the transition from adult to older increasing preventative approaches which facing the worst ever crisis due to a perfect people’s services, and a lack of joined up make best use of our strengths, skills and storm of cuts to services, reduced access working have been frequently mentioned, assets. to justice, welfare reform and increasing with people giving specific examples of Again, this fits well with GDA’s mission to hate crime. This is on top of the usual being ‘stuck’ in hospital because social act as the collective, representative voice of disadvantage and discrimination they care packages were delayed. People also disabled people, promoting equality, rights face which includes lack of equal access report experience of multiple assessments and social justice. We know the pros of to education, learning, participation, from different agencies, where one holistic integration because our members have long transport, services, accessible information, assessment should be sufficient. All of this championed better joined up services and housing and employability support supports the need for Integration. have contributed their ideas about what amongst other things. Encarta UK Dictionary defines Integration needs to be done. Integration is bursting Specifically, disabled people experience as ‘equal access for all’ and if this is to with positive potential. many barriers accessing health and social be the outcome of health and social care Many ideas have emerged from GDA work services, ranging from lack of integration for Scotland’s million disabled members during our involvement in accessible information and communication people, and 2m people with long term Glasgow’s programme to reshape care for to draconian charges for community care conditions, then it’s a welcome one! older people (RCOP). RCOP has been a services, stricter eligibility criteria for Indeed, Glasgow Disability Alliance’s forerunner to integration of broader health services and lack of advocacy amongst other disabled members welcome the principles and social care services for adults and things. behind integration which seek to place the children. And then there are physical barriers service user at the heart of services, taking Over the last few years, learning from including buildings, transport and account of particular needs of the person disabled people as part of RCOP includes organisational systems that prevent equal including their participation in community the need for greater choice and control access for all such as the refusal of hospitals life. This chimes with GDA’s own vision of over what services are provided; being to let some disabled people keep their wanting disabled people to participate fully involved in service planning and design to wheelchair beside them. in their own lives, communities and wider ensure both better targeting of resources society, with the support they need and and more effective interventions; services I was completely immobile and dependent with choices equal to others. to be more joined up, person centred, for the duration of my stay. Then they holistic, flexible and responsive; improved made me feel like a nuisance for asking for The move towards greater rights and assistance and I was told to just wet the dignity is also refreshing as for many accessible communication and information bed and they’d change it later, even though disabled people choice and control over about what’s available; reduced waiting I’m not incontinent – one Glasgow their life and being treated with dignity lists and local, self- referred access to low Disability Alliance (GDA) member are not inevitable. Disabled people are level preventative services such as eye tests, frequently voiceless and powerless in podiatry, physio and community based Many disabled people have also reported decisions about their lives and lack the most services and activities which improve concerns to us about social care provision basic choices about when they get up, how wellbeing, connections and resilience. over the years. they wash or dress, what they get eat or to The need for support for involvement is do or where they go on a daily basis and also well rehearsed. And of course, more Inflexible, unreliable, restrictive – on the who they spend time with. cooperation between health and social odd occasions I do manage to get out socially, work services is needed, particularly in I’ve got to rush home or I miss my evening Self -determination, participation relation to discharge from hospital and meal and support to get to bed – another and – as importantly - the ability to GDA member make a contribution are not givens for aids/adaptations to the home environment, disabled people. So we also welcome the including stair lifts, wet rooms, specialist Greater access to and flexibility of Self opportunity for communities themselves furniture, etc. Directed Support for flexible, support – in this case disabled people- to plan Despite the call for reform, there

7 are some questions hanging over the supports. and learning together will help with Scottish Government’s ambitious reform Building in evaluation from the outset this. Workforce development, staff programme which seeks to improve services is essential. So too is having honest empowerment and some attention to and offer seamless, joined up provision. discussions about the potential for process and relationships is needed. For example, the fact that disabled people, disinvestment in a system where demand Giving up power in order to shift this to older people and communities are assets continues to increase whilst public funds disabled people and wider communities in themselves and have strengths doesn’t are cut and budgets must be balanced. This is challenging for those who may have a reduce their need for support and capacity has clear implications for the capacity to vested interest in protecting services and building for involvement in all of this. invest in prevention and early intervention jobs. A shared mission, vision and values That’s where the role of DPOs- disabled - the very services which are being called statement might help. people’s organisations and Community Led for by disabled people cannot be afforded • A clear and accessible communication Organisations- come in as well as the third in real terms if services continue in their strategy and plan for agencies and for the sector. current form. public • Building in learning from RCOP (e.g., GDA is itself an example of a DPO: a But diminishing resources, lack of capacity Glasgow’s cutting edge Third Sector membership-led organisation, with almost for disinvestment, fast paced work Transformation Fund) could inform 2,500 individual disabled people, aged programmes and lack of time for proper Joint Strategic Commissioning and 16-96, as well as groups led by disabled involvement often lead to frustrations in ensure the input of service users and people. We provide accessible learning, partnership conversations about what is communities. Learning of ‘what works’ programmes, events, coaching and activities truly possible: it might be more honest to (e.g., the Glasgow pilots) could result with and for disabled people to raise simply give the money to health and social in a commissioned customised menu aspirations, build skills, confidence and work to help plug budget cuts than to set of community, neighbourhood and connections, to have their voices heard, to an agenda for transformational change that make choices and have greater control, to is not achievable. appropriate city-wide specialists services increase capacity for independent living and e.g. carers support, community food, Another very real challenge with reform ultimately, to have more fulfilling lives. community transport, confidence and change programmes is the perennial building, social connections and voice Increased participation, enhanced focus on structures and processes. Often, related work. These would significantly connections, improved wellbeing and the people who actually use the services can impact on preventative work. strengthened resilience are amongst positive become lost in all of this whilst officers set • Joining up not just services but structures outcomes reported (by both internal and about the compliance related tasks to set up (e.g., Community Planning, Glasgow’s external evaluations). GDA also works systems. Independent Living Strategy, Community extensively through partnership and policy So, on reflection, there is a potential for a Learning and Development) development in Glasgow and Scotland to smoke and mirrors approach to reform with • Capacity building and support for the ensure that services better understand and the risk that the end user of services might involvement and voices of disabled people meet the need of disabled citizens. This fits be the last consideration - not deliberately and wider communities in Scotland who perfectly with integration which is about but perhaps through pressures of time and are users of health and social care services. making services more responsive to the compliance. This is despite the integration Like many policy drivers, the success of needs of the people of Scotland in order to principles and national outcomes which are health and social care integration will improve health and wellbeing across the strongly focused around human rights. depend on all of these things and more. country. And of course, the voices of service Belief and a commitment to make it work users are paramount in all of this. So what would bring about the successful outcome of integration if we really put our are the starting point and culture and Disabled people- and communities minds to it? behavioural changes are vital. This would everywhere - are up for using our voices and separate integration from other change • A human rights based approach i.e. this has never been as vital and apparent programmes where there are massive gaps PANEL: Participation, Accountability, as in this post-referendum period where between rhetoric and reality, between the Non Discrimination, Empowerment and Scotland’s people have come alive with good intentions of policy makers and the access to legal rights. renewed energy for having a say in decisions realistic challenges faced by those charged • Leadership buy in to the principles and which affect them. People value being with delivering on the ground. outcomes. involved and being listened to, and enablers • Co-production- health and social The recipe is set for a transformative shift are required to facilitate disabled people work working together and working which could make a difference to disabled and other communities to play their full differently with communities, the third people in Scotland and to all citizens. The part in the process. So it will be critical to and independent sectors based on trick will be to follow it and not to lose direct resources to communities themselves equality, reciprocity, trust and mutual sight of the very people intended to benefit rather than to larger organisations which respect. This could include joint multi- most. Integration has the potential to are far removed from grassroots. agency training, co-location of services deliver equal access for all - even those who The threat to integration is not that within communities. This must include currently experience the worst inequalities disabled people or wider communities the voices of disabled people and and health and social outcomes in our won’t take part or take their responsible communities. communities - both geographical and roles: more worryingly, the real threat • Culture change is required at different thematic. is that we might never get the chance. levels: health has previously operated Tressa Burke is Chief Executive of Glasgow Learning from RCOP in Glasgow suggests from a medical model whilst social Disability Alliance and Chair of the Glasgow resources can be put to excellent use to work traditionally recognised the social RCOP Capacity Building Workstream Group. She develop community led services and barriers model to disability. Exploration is also a disabled person herself.

8 some as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation uncovered: ‘Deprived areas across England When the political is and Scotland are seeing larger cuts to budgets - of around £100 per head - compared to affluent ones.’ highly personal Most of us working in care know that John Daly offers insights as a result of his own personal experience austerity cuts on the disabled and o you remember how the disabled, The only safety net we ever heard of vulnerable don't actually save a penny. Dsick and vulnerable people in this were state institutions like the notorious Maybe on paper, but the real figures are country brought the world’s banking Lennox Castle. The terrible stories of only known when you add in the extra system to its knees? Well, it's payback time. abuse and overcrowding in there were cost to the NHS, which has to pick up the Or so it would seem. Since 2008, welfare common knowledge. Originally built to mess left behind, the extra social work time payments for the poorest, oldest and hold 1,200 patients, in the 1970s it housed as service users struggle to cope, the extra disabled have been systematically squeezed. 1,700 crammed into wards where privacy emergency call-outs on care staff, GPs, Real wages for carers are falling and and dignity were replaced by abuse and nurses and in some cases, more police time, conditions becoming much harder. inhumanity. not to mention the cost in jobs. The bedroom tax unfairly targeted the Records show that between 1930 and 1977 And it isn't just carers’ jobs but the local disabled and sick which made up for over 1400 attempts to escape were made. places carers would visit with the service two-thirds of those people penalised by it. The idea of my brother ending up there users which will lose business. The garages Welfare budgets are shrinking, closing some gave my parents and all parents in similar and car companies are taking back mobility services entirely and driving down wages of circumstances nightmares, dreading the day cars as fewer can afford them. The list goes the lowest-paid. People being cared for in they'd no longer be able to look after their on, but that's just finance. their homes are losing lots of vital support child. In my family, the long term future Try calculating the misery service users and care. was hardly ever discussed before Lennox experience faced with fewer and fewer As George Osborne recently announced Castle finally closed its doors in 2002. My pillars of support for basics, like personal another £55bn of cuts to come, since 2008 mum never allowed it to come up. care and cleanliness, food and rent, and there’s been virtually uninterrupted growth My brother started receiving Home Care human contact. Cordia staffs speak of in wealth for our richest citizens. This Support about 10 years ago. My parents having to zoom in and out of people's government’s economic wizardry rewards had resisted as long as they could. Then, homes like you're there to read the gas the rich further with tax-cuts, tough initially, all they would accept were 2 hours meter rather than provide care. Staff turn- legislation on workers’ rights and light per week. This though - as they too became over is rocketing, staff moral plummeting. legislation for business. They stand alone in less able - has slowly built up to the 24 hour How many parents are starting to have the Europe fighting against the EU to defend home care he receives now. My mum felt nightmares again? It's a lose-lose scenario. bankers’ bonuses. blessed that she got to see my brother being As well as finding the job more difficult While multi-millionaires Cameron and properly cared for at home before she died. to do in these times of austerity, carers are Osborne both claimed benefits, people All her fears from 30-40 years ago simply having the pride ripped out of the job. no longer existed working in and those relying upon the You don't have to study Keynesian care industry are witnessing Osborne and Now the game has changed again and we're economics to grasp that this is the time his friends in the name of ‘austerity’ take heading back the way. For the last 7 years, for wise investment not fiscal austerity. a chainsaw to its legs while mocking it for I’ve worked as a carer for three different Those in the care world see the results not standing on its own two feet. employers and witnessed many people's and true costs and they know. Since the It wasn't that long ago our care industry Care Packages being severely reduced. All referendum, a much larger number of was growing and thriving, creating kinds of social services over the last few workers understand the economic and thousands of jobs while changing the lives years are being cut to the core and many are political mechanisms that govern their life. of people society had long ignored and simply disappearing. They see where all the money created in the mostly concealed. With personal interest, Good and well established care providers UK is going and they, more than most, see I'd watched it grow since the late 1990s (like Quarriers) are cutting employees’ the gap growing wider and wider between into something that those working in it wages and working conditions in order rich and poor. were very proud of. to survive in a fierce competition with Osborne refuses to listen to the leading My younger brother, who hasn't walked the cheapest. They've lost many of their international economists, economic or talked properly since he was in a car projects and clients to lower bids. The historians, the Church of England, charity accident 46 years ago, needs 24 hour process is a stressful one and confusing for organisations like Oxfam, which all point support with everything from getting clients. In one project I'm involved with, out what's required is investment not more out of bed, washing, eating, the toilet, service users' needs are being reassessed austerity. So what chance he'll listen to the communicating, socialising and to going (blind tick box exercise) with about 75% of people that work in care? He doesn't even back to bed. With a good sized family, we them having had their hours drastically cut. acknowledge the financial figures that show were able to manage all of his care and Some have gone from 120 hours per week austerity isn't working, History has shown needs right up to my parents were well into to 65, some from 65 to 17. No one has had that time and again Keynes is right; austerity their seventies. Until the late 1990s, you an increase. in boom times, investment in bust times. didn't see much if any home support for Other areas in this post-code health and John Daly is a carer and member of the Jimmy the severely disabled. social care lottery are doing better than Reid Foundation project board

9 Can good intentions lead to good results? Paul Arkison raises questions about the transition to merging health and social services

MB Scotland is spread right across working arrangement vary from authority we as humans can suffer from and which Gall industrial sectors which means to authority, it will be a very difficult need to be cared for, in particular those when representing the members’ interest, balancing act to get the service exactly with long-term complex needs or near end our union has a vast amount of expertise correct for that particular area. of life conditions, how are individuals and/ and knowledge. Representation comes in While all this will be on the periphery or their families expected to take on the various forms, whether it is supporting of our priorities, nonetheless they are responsibility of arranging care and with all individual members, participating in extremely important and there is a general the bureaucracy that goes with dealing with local authorities and NHS Scotland? consultation exercises or organising concern from local authorities that they workplaces so that they have the ability may become minor partners in this Our members are clear their employment to collectively bargain for themselves. We partnership in comparison to the vastly lies with either the local authority or NHS pride ourselves that at least someone within larger NHS organisations. Scotland and are experienced in dealing our broad church of an organisation will with their policies in what is already a have some experience with any matter Where does this heavily regulated profession, and by and which may arise. large most workers are comfortable with When it was mentioned to me by a local leave the workers this approach. GMB workplace organiser (who has a who provide the Our members will always provide the best considerable amount of responsibility quality of care despite the circumstances within the care sector) that the forthcoming actual care and that might be placed before them, and changes in relation to the integration personalisation can occur in many ways of health and social care were the most what changes are and not just through the financing of care significant since the creation of our NHS they likely to see? packages (e.g., in residential care homes it in 1948, it was then that I realised that for could stretch to the operation and design the safeguarding of our members’ working All that aside, where does this leave the of the building or for people in their own conditions and the patients which they care workers who provide the actual care and homes it may just be a regular trustworthy for, the GMB had to become involved. what changes are they likely to see? One of care worker who is there to provide a kind There will always be an element of the concerns that unions have is the move personal touch). to ‘personalisation’ of care. These concerns suspicion when large organisations come While the merits of ‘personalisation’ are for our members and for the people that together to create, in essence, what will be have yet to be tested fully, what is being they provide care for and their families. a new service and that is what is happening presented appears to be positive in giving here when NHS Scotland and local When speaking to our members on this, it’s the individual to choose the care package authorities come together to provide an clear they already provide a personal level that best suits their needs, union members integrated care plan. of care for their patients and have a huge will need to aware that they will be At times, there can be further complications amount of trust in the wider community. expected by local authorities and the NHS as the NHS areas can encompass several We must remember carers have access to Scotland to make sure this transition goes local authorities. For example, in Ayrshire homes, medication and they have to have a smoothly. where I am based, NHS Ayrshire & wide knowledge of their patients’ needs and While all the motives for this significant Arran has three local authorities within its relate this in a personal manner when they change seem to be good, there are views boundaries (North, South and East). From are providing care to an individual. coming from a variety of sources that are my experience, it would seem that the This is true personalisation of care, which questioning what will be the actual changes three separate local authorities are working is having a dedicated carer or health that patients will receive and what changes at different levels of speed to get their care professional having the knowledge will workers have to incorporate into their structures in place. and expertise to deal with the needs of duties to provide these services, and that Not for one moment am I suggesting that particular patients. At this moment, it this may just be large organisations coming these authorities should merge, but there is difficult to see where the move from together and moving accountability for are concerns from our members that there transferring the financial responsibility care to the individual, who may already be are many in-depth meetings and discussions of the personal budget to the individual, struggling with day-to-day living. taking place about the process and planning which will presumably mean that they Union officer, Paul Arkison, works for GMB of how these new working arrangements are have the purchasing power, in essence, Scotland, is based in Ayrshire and deal with all going to be put in place, while the actual to buy their care will be of benefit to the sectors of employment and industry. job of working directly with the patient is individual. In theory, it sounds extremely not as big a priority as it should be. positive and it is being dressed up as the Additionally, as the scope and amount individual finally getting the opportunity to of services which are being transferred choose the care that they require. from local authorities into this new However, given the many conditions that

10 Potential problems aplenty - it doesn’t have to be this way Dave Watson reports on research which brings into doubt whether the potential of integration can be realised

he care of older people in Scotland is The isolating impact of personalisation It is rank hypocrisy for the council leader Ta national disgrace. Fairly paid, well- was often mentioned and the threat of to announce his council's commitment trained staff on proper contracts with time losing contracts if they make a fuss. One to promote the living wage through to care is the very least older people in our worker said: ‘Stop threatening charities procurement on one day, when the next communities have a right to expect. indirectly that you will take the SDS (Self day his council is planning to shift a service Directed Support) contracts away from from a good living wage employer to Over recent years, I have written reports them and move to another provider if another that isn’t. And that’s quite apart highlighting staffing levels, budgets, workers challenge decisions ... Being told from the blatant breach of the statutory structures and care strategies. Words have by management this is the case and we all requirements under s52 of the Local been written and numbers crunched – but must be quiet even though the workers sole Government in Scotland Act. that doesn’t tell the whole story. concern is for the service user they care for From April, it will be the responsibility of I participated in a couple of care worker and want the best for them’. Some staff told the new health and care integration bodies focus groups last year and the messages me that they wouldn't even report carer to address this issue. We recently asked from the workers who provide care were abuse for the same reason. the workers who will have to deliver these deeply disturbing. They painted a shocking These are the stories of front line workers integrated services what they thought of the picture of care in Scotland that nobody that illustrate, all too clearly, what we new approach. While most staff believed would want for their elderly relatives. guessed from the hard evidence. This report care integration provides an opportunity Having experienced those messages first should be a wake-up call for the Scottish to improve services, only 6% expect hand, I decided we would ask a much larger Government and commissioning bodies to conditions to improve in the next year, group of care workers and the outcome of take action to end the race to the bottom in 68% believe the situation will get worse that work is set out in UNISON Scotland’s care provision. Sadly, there is little evidence and 63% felt that their professionalism is ‘Scotland – It’s Time to Care’ Paper. that they are prepared to do so. or has been compromised by budget and The majority of workers believe the service resource limitations. is not sufficient to meet the needs of the Health workers have a concern that elderly and vulnerable people they care privatisation in the social care sector will for – both from the amount of time they expand into community health services can spend and the quality of care they can through integration. The private sector provide. Almost half of carers said they had now employs 41% of people working in limited time to spend with their clients. social services in Scotland, the public sector One in two workers are not reimbursed for employs 32% and the voluntary sector travelling between client visits, while three employs 27%. The fragmentation of service in four said they expected the situation to delivery is causing huge practical problems get worse over the coming year. They also Courtesy of UNISON for staff that have to ensure that vulnerable revealed that one in ten is on zero hours’ clients receive a service. contracts, many more on nominal hour The Scottish Government is dumping the largest share of the cuts onto local It doesn’t have to be this way. The contracts that don't reflect their actual Scottish Government should set out clear working patterns. government. Protecting health spending is the easy political choice, but it is council procurement rules for care provision that Time to do more than just deliver a few cuts that contribute towards the bed should mandate: manual tasks was important to staff and blocking that is causing so many problems • The Scottish Living Wage: this will help the people they care for. As one worker put in our NHS. The number of patients in the recruitment and retention of staff and it: ‘By doing the best that we can with the hospital when they shouldn’t be is the support continuity of care; time given, I'll admit I sometimes miss out equivalent of all the beds in the Southern • Improved training: to ensure that care is a job so that I can sit for two minutes with General Hospital. In addition, despite delivered by properly qualified staff; the person receiving care. That means more assurances given during the progress of the to them than the dishes needing dried’. Procurement Act, Scottish ministers have • Proper employment standards: ending the abuse of zero and nominal hour contracts; Adequate training is another concern, moved painfully slowly to develop new particularly for newly appointed younger statutory guidance. • Adequate time to care in every care visit. staff. One said: ‘Staff are not receiving the Despite the cuts, a few councils have taken All of this could be done within the existing training they need to carry out their roles, action and adopted the approach set out in procurement legislation, if there is the only the training which is low cost or has UNISON's Ethical Care Charter. However political will. been identified as core’. Many frankly told in Glasgow, staff and service users have Dave Watson is UNISON Scotland’s Head of us they will leave the sector as soon as a been protesting at the decision of Glasgow Bargaining and Campaigns. The reports on this better job comes up. Care has become the City Council to cut mental health services issue can be downloaded at http://www.unison- new retail. in the city, currently provided by GAMH. scotland.org.uk/socialwork/index.html

11 Knowledge is power? Chris Bartter says in a confused world of merging services, how do we find what’s going on?

he complex legislative procedures that coverage by FOISA that confers the right to establishment of integration joint boards Tsurround the care service mergers information on us all - anything committed (IJB) (the body corporate model), or the promised under the Public Bodies (Joint too by the voluntary, private or social lead authority model. Both these bodies can Working) Act 2014 (PBJWA) are already (non-public) sector remains at the behest devolve services to more local bodies. So far raising fears that a web of bureaucracy may of those organisations, and importantly, only Highland has opted for the latter, make the services so many of us rely on (or any dispute over release of information While the ‘body corporate’ model is a joint plan to rely on) far more difficult to call to would be decided by the body themselves. body established by two public authorities, account. Only FOISA coverage gives the right of (and therefore covered by FOISA), the The merger of NHS and local government an enforceable decision provided after an devil may well be in the detail. It is already care (primarily in the area of adult and investigation by an independent regulator. the case that care services which have been community care) brings together two major This anomaly is made even starker when contracted out to voluntary and (often service sectors with all the attendant issues you realise that these bodies are almost subsequently) private sector providers by of different funding priorities, staffing certainly covered for environmental local councils, have ‘slipped through the net’ levels and governance, that this creates. information – under the Environmental of FOISA, ceasing to be covered by the Act. And, while it is a generally accepted belief Information (Scotland) Regulations (EISRs). The prospect of this being extended to that closer working in these overlapping Of course, both the NHS in Scotland and NHS provision, and the involvement areas is ‘a good thing’, the threat is that local councils, are specifically covered by of 'commercial providers of health care any service benefits could be gobbled the FOISA, so it might be argued that services' in the strategy committees of up in outsourcing, creating new empires surely any merged bodies would also be the lead authority model (and a statutory and/or using the mergers as an excuse to covered? Well, unfortunately that remains consultee under the IJB model) leads to implement cuts. to be seen. Despite the lengthy debates the conclusion that this loss of information This being the case, it is clearly an area in that have already surrounded this process, rights could extend very quickly. which access to good quality information commitments to ensuring the right of FOI Surely, however, this is an unintended on the processes, progress and funding have been lacking. consequence of positive legislation, and of the merger process and the services Indeed, the flexibility given to local one that could be easily rectified? This may affected will be crucial. It is also an area councils and NHS boards to pick from be theoretically the case, but the history of where there are - to say the least - questions a range of governance structures, has left successive Scottish Governments in dealing about how far the reach of the primary open the possibility of devolving care with FOI anomalies by does not hold out enforceable legislation that service users and services to outside partners who may well much hope. the general public can utilise - the Freedom not be covered by FOISA. of Information Scotland Act (FOISA) - can After all, the government that brought be used. There has been scant discussion The changing forward the original legislation in 2002 on safeguarding and improving access to promised that early attention would be information as the PBJWA has made its nature of public given to including Housing Associations way through Holyrood. in the Act. Twelve years, one Amendment service provision Act, two consultation processes, numerous It may well be that an (erroneous) Amendment Orders, the combined assumption of blanket coverage is being has proved a arguments of the Campaign for FOI and made, here. However, as the Campaign the Scottish Information Commissioner, a for Freedom of Information in Scotland minefield for public opinion poll and at least one petition (CFIS) has repeatedly pointed out, where later – and we’re still waiting. changes are made to the traditional information rights provision of public services, especially The changing nature of public service The provision exists to designate such those that can include non-public bodies provision has proved a minefield for bodies via Section 5 of FOISA. So far the providing public services, it is almost information rights, and governments have only new types of bodies that have been certain that there will be gaps in the been positively glacial in their attempts added are local council arm’s length trusts coverage, and significantly, often at the to catch up. The increase in outsourcing - and then only those that run leisure and sharp end of service delivery. services to the voluntary sector and cultural services! Of course, many voluntary and social the private sector (via PFI and other It is long past the time that a better way bodies - like charities and housing contracts); the use of trusts, limited liability is found to ensure that new and different associations - are quick to point out their partnerships, and other arms-length bodies ways of delivering the services that we rely commitment to openness and transparency. to deliver services have largely failed to be on and pay for are subject to enforceable Unfortunately, this commitment all too addressed by Parliament extending coverage rights that the public can use to request often comes as they advance arguments to these bodies. information. why they should not be covered by FOISA! Under the PBJWA, councils and the Chris Bartter deals with communications for the Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland. So, is coverage important? The CFIS NHS have largely opted for one of two options to deliver the merged services - the He was formerly Communications Officer for thinks so. It points out that it is only UNISON Scotland.

12 Prioritising workers’ health and well-being Andrew Watterson, Tommy Gorman and Jim McCourt paint a distressing picture of the state of occupational health and safety

orkplaces have a huge and These figures under-estimate the true toll of Frontline HSE inspector numbers continue Wsometimes detrimental effect on work hazards but, taking them at face value, to drop – 1,241 in 2013 compared to employee health and safety. Each of us, the human costs of such figures are still 1,316 in 2011. In 2012, the Prospect union in a lifetime, spends over 85,000 hours at frightening and the economic damage is found only 3 occupational physicians left work. At least 20% of the biggest killers are catastrophic. Scotland’ share, with around and 18 occupational health inspectors in either work-caused or work-related - heart, 2.5m people at work (8% of the workforce) the HSE, down from 60 of each in the cancer and respiratory diseases with 50,000 is significant. Even the Engineering early 1990s. HSE’s Corporate Medical Unit estimated UK deaths a year (of which Employers’ Federation, in response to the was also so depleted that basic cover on 4,000 are in Scotland). triennial HSE review in 2014 considered occupational health advice and prevention could not be provided. Scotland officially lost an estimated 2.1m prevention of work-related ill-health should working days due to occupational ill- be the primary focus of HSE. Scotland had 1 part-time occupational health and injury. Preventing just 100 These grim statistics are made far worse by physician covering its workforce. A occupational cancers in Scotland would harsh and inequitable welfare policies. For recruitment and retirement crisis also exists save NHS Scotland many millions and example capability procedures are currently in UK occupational medicine. A General cover the whole of the annual Health and rigidly enforced throughout the public and Medical Council survey in 2014 found the Safety Executive (HSE) budget. private sector effectively rendering sickness- number of occupational physicians, one of related absence a disciplinary issue. In many the medical profession’s smallest specialties, Currently, NHS Scotland picks up the cases, it is a favoured route of dismissal was in sharp decline with just 466 doctors substantial direct and indirect burdens of particularly in the public sector where there in 2013, a decline of 4.7% since 2010. such human suffering and economic loss are no compulsory redundancy policies in Only public health doctors reported a that hits communities, carers and others place. Workers could be injured or made steeper decline. Public health was intended with the employers responsible for creating ill at work through no fault of their own by some to pick up wider occupational the damage going unpunished. and the resultant absences then lead to a health and safety issue s but has failed to do Scotland has been better able to protect potentially fair reason for dismissal. so focusing instead on health promotion. its health service than England but for But there are successes we should build on. Conservatives, Labour and Liberal matters still reserved to Westminster like Good information, advice and support are Democrats have all slavishly followed occupational health and safety, the picture central to the wellbeing of the workforce – and continue to follow - a neo-liberal is dismal. Yet Scotland has many hazardous in Scotland. If we take workplace cancers, deregulatory agenda based upon ‘smart industries, from fishing to forestry, from for example, a number of organisations in regulation-better regulation’ and ‘soft quarries to agriculture as well as off- and Scotland have already pioneered advice, regulation-responsive regulation’. onshore oil, and possibly fracking, which information and support for those at work In 2014, the Coalition’s Deregulation Bill present threat to workers and communities with cancer. The causes of a cancer are was approved by the Lords exempting beyond the workplace. irrelevant to medical, health and social millions of self-employed ‘low risk’ workers, Workplace risks vary enormously by class support needs and requirements. Yet new who have an average fatal injury rate of except perhaps with regard to occupational ways of conceptualising and addressing the double that of employees, from health stress. Those most vulnerable to many way that work-related cancers hit some of and safety legislation. Victim blaming, workplace illnesses and injuries and exposed the most vulnerable groups in our society behavioural safety and lifestyle approaches to carcinogens will be in unskilled, semi- merit further investigation with a view to to occupational health and safety dominate, skilled and skilled manual jobs, working addressing cancer in a far more holistic being not dissimilar to the wider health long hours and shifts. They will have way - linking causes with prevention, with agenda in Westminster where certain multiple other threats to health due to recognition, with compensation and with health-damaging industries are given free poverty and location. support. This requires us to examine how reign. The HSE estimated 2m working people socially discriminating cancers relating It appears that the Coalition government suffered from a self-reported work-related to work are addressed in the UK and to was responsible for moving occupational or work-caused illness in 2013/14. Ill- advocate change in Scotland. health and safety out of the proposed health accounts for around 99% of work- None of the major Westminster parties devolution powers list. Meanwhile, the related deaths each year. It estimated each have protected workplace health and safety. SNP and Greens supported a Yes vote year around 13,000 work-related deaths In 2010, the UK government announced in the referendum when OHS would take place; 28.2m working days lost due to the HSE was to achieve savings of at least automatically have been dealt with work-related illness and workplace injury; 35% resulting in cuts in the government independently. a £14.2bn estimated cost of injuries and contribution towards the HSE of around Labour supported the continuation of the ill-health from current working conditions £80m a year by 2014/15, compared to its reserved status of health and safety laws (2012/13). 2010 budget. but with some sort of separate Scottish

13 HSE. The SNP additionally wished to schemes that properly acknowledge the Union safety representatives should play a introduce independent structures for oil risks faced by many workers in Scotland key role in their own workplaces and with industry health and safety. Many NGOs can make two important marks. a legally protected roaming brief where and STUC also supported a devolved HSE One is to act as an aid to the prevention needed to ensure best practice applies and in submissions to Smith. of hazardous occupational situations hazards and risks are controlled. Properly Scotland needs a powerful Scottish and exposures. The other is to provide resourced health and safety advice centres Occupational Safety and Health Act and an opportunity to address the gender across Scotland are needed to reach the an independent Scottish OSH Agency with discrimination that has always existed in many thousands of workers who are not adequate resources and staff, including the areas of welfare and compensation. unionized and may be employed in the most hazardous workplaces. labour inspectors, able to cut the disease The Agency should also press for far and injury toll and improve well-being and reaching powers to make capability The STUC with its special position in more general working conditions. This dismissals much more difficult by greater Scottish civic society (compared with the would replace the dysfunctional and cowed use of the 2010 Equalities Act and UK=wide TUC) has a central role to play HSE in Scotland. mechanisms like Employment Tribunal in securing positive change in health and The agency would be able to co-ordinate interim relief procedures. A stand-alone safety for working people in Scotland, its work with other Scottish ministries legal procedure is needed aimed at whether in unions, or not. This can be and especially with the NHS , apply prevention and applied at the earliest progressed by continuing the mature key principles such as the precautionary possible upstream point. objectivity displayed by the STUC during the pre-referendum period through leading principle, forms of toxics use reduction, sun All this needs to be underpinned by setting hazards linked to just transition, and an all-inclusive and ambitious national stronger engagement with unionised discussion on improving the future working develop multi-disciplinary occupational and non-unionised workers – as well as health teams. environment in Scotland and the type of employers - and their communities to regulatory framework that will assist this The delivery of critical resources to low- address work environment and related process. income households can be improved with wider environmental threats to health and Andrew Watterson is head of the Occupational and the opportunities provided by the Smith safety. Currently concerned communities Environmental Health Research Group at the Commission if the necessary political will and non-unionised worker groups are cut University of Stirling where Tommy Gorman and is available. The ability to develop new out of formal representation on the HSE Jim McCourt are visiting researchers individual benefits and compensation Board. A very Westminster coup Bob Thomson provides diagnosis and prognosis on the state of Scottish Labour

here have now been six leaders of alleviate the hardships from the ‘bedroom junior team at Holyrood and won the Tthe Scottish Labour Party since the tax’ while being unable to say that Labour referendum. They did not realise the inauguration of Holyrood fifteen years would abolish it – it took them nearly a vote had been won on fear, denigrating ago. was a victim of the year to say they would! Scotland’s economic performance, joining grim reaper, Jack McConnell and Ian Johann’s own statements supporting with the toxic ConDem Coalition in Gray the voters, and Henry McLeish targeted benefits and on a something for Better Together, announcing a solemn and lack of support nothing society did not help her image. vow which would not be kept and not from ‘comrades’ in Westminster. Johann Her position was further undermined by understanding the backlash which many Lamont’s downfall was made and plotted Scottish MPs watering down Labour’s of us warned would happen. at the Palace as was Jim Murphy’s already weak further devolution proposals A letter of no confidence in Johann was successful campaign. - the Herald described them as ‘a coor and circulated (I understand by one of the Henry’s downfall was due to his support timorous beastie’. To say that she was side- whips). The final straw was the sacking for free personal care, the major policy lined during the referendum campaign of the party’s Scottish General Secretary difference of the Scottish Executive to would be an understatement. without Johann even being told far less what was happening in the rest of the Most Scottish Labour MPs have little to consulted – this must have been agreed by UK – this showing up was resented by the Milliband. Labour Government and the majority of do at Westminster but complain about Scottish Labour MPs who started briefing being ignored and to plot. When, after With Murphy standing as leader it that he was not up to the job. Wendy’s the referendum, the polls showed Labour was necessary that the deputy was an calling for a referendum on independence support plummeting the plotting went MSP or it would be seen as a complete to challenge the SNP was slapped down into overdrive, their sinecures were Westminster takeover. Co-incidentally, by and she trounced off in threatened as were the chances of Labour MP announced he was the huff. having an overall majority in forthcoming standing down as Deputy and was general election. rewarded with a junior front bench Johann’s efforts were constantly position. The circumstances truly justified compromised by Labour’s UK policies, They blamed Johann’s performance rather Johann’s description of Scottish Labour as especially on austerity and welfare ‘reform’. than their own policies. They thought Who can forget exhorting the ‘big beasts’ from Westminster had a ‘branch office’. the SNP Government to do more to taken over the ‘no’ campaign from the Murphy and his gang thought there

14 would be a coronation, especially using attended hustings energised and involved that a substantial majority are now ‘new’ the undemocratic electoral college party members and affiliates. For the first Labour, many job holders/seekers and system which meant that a single MP/ time in over a decade Labour had a debate their supporters. Most left wingers have MSP/MEP’s vote was worth that of about its policies and direction. TV and left the party in disgust and despair. Those 160 members and a minimum of 10 radio debates, and newspaper interviews staying are mainly older. parliamentary nominations were needed and articles also caught the interest of To me as a lifelong trade unionist, the to stand. Again they miscalculated. the general public - many of whom had affiliates’ vote was the most worrying. There were still socialists in the party and written Labour off as a party representing Despite getting the endorsement of others on the soft left and the centre that the Scottish working class. majority of unions, Neil only narrowly understood we needed radical policies The election campaign also forced Murphy beat Murphy. Polling showed that a and leaders with a left track record to win to perform more U-turns than a plumber majority of union members voted ‘yes’ back our traditional working class support. on bonus. A number of commentators in the referendum and some may have The Labour and described his policies position as perversely voted for Murphy as they saw the Red Paper Collective lead the fight to ‘adaptable’. He received far the largest and him as an electoral handicap for Labour. ensure a contest and choice for members most favourable media coverage especially and affiliates. My own assessment is that many trade from the unionist/Tory Daily Mail and unionists in Scotland sickened by Labour’s Neil Findlay MSP received 12 Daily Telegraph. However, sadly ‘facts are record and continued support for more nominations. An ex-bricklayer and chiels that winna ding’. The arithmetic austerity cuts, attacks on welfare and anti- teacher, he has had life experience was always against the left ticket. Murphy union laws have given up on Labour as a outwith politics and with a left track and Dugdale won comfortably by even a party to represent the interests of working record supporting victimised miners and bigger majority than I anticipated. people and their families and simply blacklisted building workers. He stated at the outset that he wanted to put clear MPs/MSPs Members Affiliated Total ‘red water’ between Labour and the other Murphy 22.36 20.14 13.26 55.77 parties. Katy Clark MP standing as deputy Findlay 6.75 10.89 17.34 34.99 received 11 nominations. A former trade Boyack 4.22 2.3 2.73 9.24 union lawyer she has an exemplary record voting against invading Iraq and opposing MPs/MSPs Members Affiliated Total Trident. Dugdale 28.63 22.22 12.13 62.89 MSP, the centrist candidate, Clark 4.7 11.22 21.2 37.11 an ex-planner and lecturer scraped in with 10 nominations. Jim Murphy MP, ex- Since being elected Murphy has decided it was not worth voting. Hence, student activist and then party organiser consolidated his position - Findlay and the low turnout in the affiliates’ vote. with no job outwith politics received 42 Boyack have been given low profile Despite a well organised, well-argued nominations. positions in a front bench dominated by campaign, the left in the Scottish Labour Murphy epitomises everything that right wingers. Also, he has ‘appointed’ Party only managed a third of the vote. is wrong with the Labour Party in Brian Roy, the son of Frank Roy MP and Murphy’s election as Leader has not given Scotland. He has been closely associated one of his nominees, as General Secretary the party the bounce on polling that some with the right-wing, pro-business group, of the Scottish Labour Party though under predicted – the electorate know a snake oil Progress, which has been the torchbearer the existing constitution he does not have salesman when they see him! for Blairism. the power to do so. This is the constitution he revised 3 years ago with Sarah Boyack The prospects at the General Election in He has backed foundation hospitals and to give more power to the Scottish Party May 2015, the Scottish elections the next market reforms in the NHS, voted for and now says is not fit for purpose. year and council elections the following do means-tested welfare reforms that have not look good for Labour. The SNP has targeted the poor and the vulnerable and In 1997, when I was Scottish party a reasonable record, especially on social supported austerity and the renewal of treasurer, in the run up to the first justice issues but they are too centrist and Trident. He has backed the disastrous Holyrood Election, the Scottish Executive remain committed to neo-liberal economic Iraq War, and made it clear he would proposed a new constitution which gave policies. It is also starting to show ‘new’ have liked to see military action against the party in Scotland control over all Labour tendencies in party control and Syria last year. He was a strong advocate devolved matters. The NEC agreed this in choice of candidates. of university tuition fees; although for principle but when the new constitution There are dangers to democracy with reasons of political expediency he has now appeared, London had kept control. one party having too much domination. done a U-turn on this policy. Maybe Murphy will be third time lucky! Scotland needs a real socialist alternative, MSP standing as An analysis of the votes for the New and if Labour won’t step up to the mark, deputy had been a parliamentary policy Labour candidates are damming for it faces terminal decline as a mainstream assistant with a New Labour history. Labour as a party of radical change and party in Scotland. Though with no formal alliance, she was their chances of electoral success in the Bob Thomson is a member of Glasgow Southside Murphy’s running mate and received foreseeable future. The parliamentarians Constituency Labour Party and a former 51 nominations mainly from the same were predictable and highlights how out Chairman and Treasurer of the Scottish Labour parliamentarians who supported him. of touch they are with the majority of the Party. The election campaign, with the Scottish electorate. candidate’s policy statements and well The members’ section vote confirmed

15 The Scottish Greens after the referendum Peter McColl says it could be full steam ahead for a radicalised Green party

he referendum taught Greens a UK. the Westminster election. We can stop Tvery important lesson. For the first Having a socialist as lead European the renewal of Trident – one of the issues time, we talked about the full breadth candidate and highlighting Greens’ Greens will be working with Plaid Cymru of our politics. And we were rewarded socialist policies was an unmitigated and the SNP to achieve in the next handsomely for this. While the received success. With Caroline Lucas championing Parliament. wisdom has been that Greens always had rail renationalisation and ending austerity There are issues where we will use our to talk about the environment to succeed, at Westminster, the chance of having the position to transform the debate. At a the referendum showed that there is huge Greens as a substantial party of the left in time when the social security system is appeal to core Green policies like citizens’ Parliament is becoming real. under unprecedented attack, we must pose income, participatory democracy and the Citizens’ Income as an alternative to equality. It wasn’t always like this. At the height of the Ineos dispute in 2013, Greens were welfare reform. This creates a different In England, where Greens have been left unable to respond – caught between dynamic in the debate, undermines the talking about core Green values, like a desire to resist an oligarch and a lack dangerous reduction of entitlement to defending public services, renationalising of any policy response. Instead we talked those who have contributed and restates the railways and opposing pro-corporate about allotments. At our 2014 conference, the universalist principles of social security. trade deals, there has been a surge in we passed a policy that would deal with While the tabloid media screams about membership (leading to a doubling in the Ineos dispute through a workers’ right the sins of benefit claimants, it is clear 2014). Greens across the UK are now to buy. Adapting the Italian Marcora law that the biggest recipients of unwarranted approaching UKIP’s membership, and to ensure that workers are entitled to buy state largesse are the big corporations. are beginning to receive some media their own businesses, with support from Housing benefit, income support and attention. This is reflected in polling that a state-capitalised Scottish Investment direct government subsidy all underwrite regularly gives Greens 7-9% of the vote Bank would allow the Ineos workers to profits for big business. We are in the – the first time such a radical party has make a compulsory purchase of Ineos. The middle of a decade long period of wage scored so highly in the UK. business would then run as a cooperative. stagnation. This follows a sustained period The radical nature of Green politics has, This sort of intervention could have during which wages trailed the cost of for too long, been lost in a complex range transformed the Ineos dispute. living which stretches back to the 1970s. of managerial politics. A set of politics that Greens must ensure that we keep It is this reduction in the relative value of marries equality to environmentalism and talking about the things that are vital to wages that has underpinned the growth in empowerment of workers, communities reclaiming our economy for people not personal indebtedness. The growth in jobs and citizens is one that Scotland needs profit. The success in the referendum was has been almost entirely at the bottom end now. And, it must be the job of Greens to through clear communication of ideas that of the pay scale. Greens will be seeking to provide that politics. ‘Green Yes’ got that resonate. We talked about our desire for a reverse this with a £10 per hour minimum right. republic, with an elected head of state. We wage. We all know that it is our economic pushed the idea of a written constitution At a time where Labour and other parties system that is wrecking people’s lives, to ensure human rights are at the heart of have fudged their commitment to social and wrecking the planet. To create a fair our society. We even introduced ideas like ownership of vital industries, Greens will society and a future for our planet, we Citizens’ Income and a Scottish currency, be making the case for nationalisation of must stop this system and replace it. Green which attracted support as people became the railway companies and rolling stock. politics must be about replacing capitalism familiar with them. We will act to prevent further privatisation with a system that doesn’t destroy lives and For all that Greens have talked about of the NHS, and Royal Mail. And we will ecology in the pursuit of profit. energy, waste and transport over the past nationalise the utilities, allowing them to 15 years, it is clear that just a little bit of focus on providing good services, rather The context for the referendum campaign than making profits. was set by the Greens European talk about our core social justice values Campaign. Setting out to change the goes a long way in persuading people of We will oppose the TTIP with its dynamic of the debate, Maggie Chapman, the relevance of Green politics. While compulsory privatisation clauses. We as lead candidate took a strong and other parties can mimic the environmental will promote renewables, defending unwavering line in favour of immigrants policies of Greens, none of those in the Scottish wave industry, not hugely and immigration. The campaign also the Scottish Parliament can match our destructive fracking. Greens will continue focused up on ensuring that public profound critique of the social and to make the case for the freedom of services stayed in public hands and on economic system. It’s time we learned the movement of people, and against the racist demanding a reverse to cuts. The result lesson of the referendum, which is that we immigrant-bashing political culture that was the best election result ever for Greens have much more to offer than what we’ve has become dominant in the UK. in Scotland – against a backdrop of falling given the electorate in the past. Of course the move to relevant politics Green votes almost everywhere else in the There are vital issues to be fought for in has not been uncomplicated. A motion to

16 and exclusion, offending people. We will then continue creating good to bump along at 3-4%. Or, we can be jobs and reducing true to ourselves and our politics and talk pollution and carbon about radical democracy, equality and emissions, there was a social justice. We can expect a raft of new reluctance to move transport seats and to make the radical changes that out of the market, and into are so desperately needed. social provision. The upcoming Westminster and Holyrood ;The motion fell by just over 20 votes, elections will be vital to Scotland’s future. the narrowest margin of the conference There is an urgent need for a significant and less than 5% of those voting. With radical voice at the forefront of Scottish adopt a lack of any other coherent approach to politics. Greens have gone some way to a policy of transport justice, it was a pity to lose this becoming that voice. With an expanded, Free Public popular and transformative policy. Similar invigorated membership and the resources Transport faced arguments to those used against Free to make a serious impact in the Holyrood bitter opposition Public Transport have held the party back election the importance of putting the at the 2014 in the past. We must not allow them to right policies in front of the electorate has conference. hold us back in future. never been greater. Despite the obvious The choice is clear. Greens can continue Peter McColl is a leading Scottish Green Party advantages of tackling rural talking about narrow environmental member and a former Scottish Left Review editorial board member and urban transport inequalities and lifestyle issues as a tactic to avoid For the left in Scotland, failure isn’t an option Cat Boyd sets out the case for the Scottish Left Project he Scottish Labour Party under of political representation. Westminster’s a serious electoral challenge in this coming TJim Murphy can no longer legacy of failure in particular areas of period. We have a responsibility to ensure represent its traditional working class Scotland and a general election promising that the future of Holyrood is not a base. Murphy is the personification of no alternative were crucial factors to Labour-versus-SNP battleground, with Labour’s new alliances: Tories during the traditional Labour base during the a gradual rightwards drift in the political the referendum and overall, big business referendum campaign. narrative. across the UK. The growing strain on Rejecting the tiresome low-corporation the union link typifies the problems of tax promises of the SNP’s 2013 White There has never political representation of working class Paper, the left-wing case for independence been a greater interests. Scottish Labour under his posed an alternative, radical and leadership cannot deliver a left-wing progressive programme for a newly need for political agenda. independent Scotland. It was a vision The astounding surge in SNP membership which inspired thousands, and gave a representation of was undeniably bolstered by their home to trade unionists, traditional positioning as the ‘social democratic’ party Labour voters and those who will be the interests of in Scotland, having easily wrestled the forever-reluctant to vote for the SNP. ordinary people mantle from a shambolic Scottish Labour. The Radical Independence Campaign The truth, as many will know, is that the (RIC) brought together various left-wing There has never been a greater need for SNP is hesitant to challenge inequality on groupings in a spirit of cooperation, trust political representation of the interests a structural and systemic level. and mutual respect, and from this it grew. of ordinary people. We need a Left in The idea that the current Scottish Hundreds of thousands of ‘yes’ votes Scotland that can stand up to the British Government presents a resolute challenge then represented a challenge to austerity, establishment, the interests of big business to neo-liberalism against the backdrop of a demand for democracy and an and rebuild a strong labour movement. the influence of corporate interests is a opportunity for change. As socialists, we Working-class people in Scotland deserve pure fallacy. The reality is that Scotland must continue to defy the Westminster a credible, coherent, genuine left-wing needs a plurality of political ideologies logic which pronounces neo-liberalism voice that represents their interests. to make the challenge to neo-liberalism as common sense. And, if Scotland is to This process of forming this left requires effective. change forever after the campaign for debate and discussion, and that is why I For the ‘yes’ voters in the Labour independence, the vibrancy and spirit am a signatory to the Scottish Left Project. heartlands who were motivated by the of the left-wing of the ‘yes’ movement This is not a party, nor do those involved left-wing narrative of the independence needs the power to shape our political presume to have all the answers; but we campaign, rather than by nationalism, this institutions. want to begin the conversation with other represents an ongoing and deepening crisis As the left in Scotland, we need to develop socialists, community activists, trade

17 unions, and social justice campaigners want to embark on a tour across Scotland, have built new relationships from the about the best way to take left-wing and where grassroots forums can be created to ashes of old rivalries based on mutual socialist principles forward into 2016. We discuss how the Scottish left can present respect - long may this continue. The want these conversations to be rooted in the best possible socialist challenge in the legacy of socialism in Scotland in years local communities. Holyrood elections in 2016. to come will count upon what we do in The Scottish Left Project aims to present Scotland is not too right wing for socialist the coming year. Several socialist options not just an effective socialist option on the ideas. The comparative polling for radical on the ballot paper for 2016 will come to ballot paper in 2016 but one that is broad, left parties in Europe puts us to shame and signify our failure. inclusive and accessible, as part of a project for comparable countries to our own, the Scotland needs a new citizens’ politics. to democratise Scotland. As socialists, radical Left polls around 10%. The days of a professional political class we desire a radical redistribution of wealth If we are to accept that Scotland can be a running our lives are numbered. Hundreds and power in society and we also need fertile ground for socialist ideas, then we of thousands of citizens in Scotland want a strong voice in parliament for working- must question our current failings. The radical change and their voices must be class people. recent polling for 2016 presents a heard. Let’s continue to talk, act, and work Once upon a time these could have curious challenge for those radical views. together to ensure that in 2016 there is a been Labour’s core beliefs, but Murphy’s The SNP is poised for victory. Scottish co-ordinated socialist challenge engrained investiture has hollowed out that core socialist parties sit on a combined less in the communities and campaigns that for good. It is now our responsibility to than 1% despite their positive impact on are at the forefront of changing Scotland. give left-wing ideas a vehicle which can the referendum. The intended votes for As socialists, we share the same aims, represent our desires and make the case for the Greens and UKIP even outnumber the same goals and the same vision for transforming Scotland in the interests of declared Scottish socialists by significant transforming society. When we acted the many, not the few. margins. The party model and the vehicles together under the banner of Radical Our process for developing this work will we have are not working to get socialists Independence, we proved what can be be people led, rooted in dialogue and into Holyrood. achieved with unity - rather than division. action. We want to hear what people want Poor recent performances not only The changing political landscape in from a new politics. We want to have the enforce the myth that socialism cannot Scotland has opened up many exciting widest possible discussion about how we flourish in Scotland - it lets down the possibilities for socialists in Scotland: can work together to ensure parliament very communities that we are supposed to we must reach out and grab these represents the millions and not the represent. The portrayal of other socialists opportunities and do so together. millionaires. as scabs, or as traitors in the 2016 elections Cat Boyd is a trade union activist, co- This is a project that will learn from will cement our decay. founder of the Radical Independence communities, engage with unions and Throughout RIC, socialists have acted in Campaign and signatory of the Scottish Left develop from the grassroots. In 2015, we the spirit of cooperation and trust and Project Which way forward is left? Gary Fraser surveys Scotland’s radical left after the referendum hile there is no doubt that anyone I regard myself, reluctantly sometimes, as a once understood as re-distribution of Wwho has ever lived finds their own part of this broad constituency. wealth coupled with an interventionist times interesting, these are especially For what it’s worth, I still consider myself state. Today, the most consistent social interesting times to be living in Scotland. a socialist, usually out of conviction, democrats I know are those who get The ‘yes’ campaign, which captured the but sometimes, to paraphrase the late labelled by others as being on the ‘far left’. imagination of so many, does not feel or Christopher Hitchens, because no other The general point I am trying to make act like it was on the losing side - witness label will do. Recently, an old Marxist is that ideological pigeonholing is the growth of the pro-independence friend bemoaned the fact that the Radical problematic. Moreover, I quite enjoy the parties, the recent rallies including Scotland’s First Minister’s tour of the Independence Campaign had not defined fact that we live in a political world that country and the gathering of Scotland’s its politics in ideological terms. This I evades capture by competing ‘isms’ and Radical Independence Campaign at the believe, contrary to my Marxist friend, is perhaps this is something that Scotland’s tail end of a historic year. one of RIC’s strengths. new radicals ought to embrace. Yet, I sense that the referendum dust In an age which some political scientists The referendum has been good for the left. is beginning to settle and we are now refer to as ‘post- ideological’, ideological Just how good remains to be seen. There entering a new phase in Scottish politics. labels are without doubt problematic. For is an argument, and I have heard people This article is concerned with how example, many of the people labelled ‘left prominent in the ‘movement’ make this Scotland’s radical left moves forward in of centre’ are quite often, complacently point, that radical ideas are now a part of 2015 and beyond. uncritical of the status quo. Rather than a the mainstream. I can see why people say genuine centre-left, they constitute more this, but I’m sceptical. Terminology is important here. By ‘radical what Tariq Ali refers to as an ‘extreme left’ - and I do accept that the term For me, despite the optimism generated, ‘radical’ is somewhat nebulous - I am centre’. the ‘yes’ campaign represented what Ralph thinking of all those positioned outside The same can be said for much of Miliband said, in describing another the mainstream parties, including the SNP. what passes as ‘social democracy’, context, was a tactical difference within

18 a strategic consensus. That strategic is Scotland’s radicals stand for. The 2014 occupation with ‘wiping out the unionists’ consensus, if it is to have a label, can be RIC conference spelt out clearly, and at the next election. Our goal should be broadly defined as neo-liberalism. sometimes obviously, what we are against, to develop a radical and realistic (the two ‘We are not yet done with neo-liberalism’ and that list is endless. are compatible) policy agenda which helps said the late Stuart Hall commenting But I can’t help but think that the Scottish to increase the electoral representation of on the financial crash of 2008. For me, left is often trapped in the language and the radical left in the Scottish Parliament in 2016. as someone influenced by the Marxist narratives of another era. For example, the tradition, I find it interesting how the constant need to talk about how much This strategy is problematic. My own dominant narrative of Scotland’s radicals we hate Thatcher (I was 12 when she left view is that the constituencies of the in the twenty first century is the narrative office!) or ‘new’ Labour, or to construct Greens and especially the current crop of of Scottish nationhood. our own politics cloaked in a romantic socialist groups are too narrow to achieve nostalgia for the post-war welfare state. this aim to the full. The argument made Something significant is at work here. by some in the SSP that socialists were It is not the abandonment of socialism The ‘we know what we are against excluded from the Smith Commission for nationalism as often crudely framed, narrative’ can be found on many issues. It because the establishment was frightened but rather a response to the institutional leads to a safe politics with a tendency to of them is merely wishful thinking. The failures and historic defeats of the think in slogans. Take the issue of welfare sad fact is that the SSP was not invited traditional working class movement to reform for example. We know that the left to Lord Smith’s table because it has no change society. is against the ‘bedroom tax’ or the scandal of ATOS yet the wider arguments around parliamentary representation. Since the late 1980s politics in Scotland ‘workfare’ or what universalism means in In conclusion, I came away from the RIC has been filtered through the prism of a world of targeted provision are seldom conference with the nagging thought that national identity. Of course, inherent in discussed. social movements are one thing, but they this discourse is some lazy thinking. For bring with them the danger of creating example, the tendency to see everything Neither have we spelled out a coherent strategy on job creation, shifting the a lifestyle politics big on opposition but that ‘Westminster’ does as innately bad lacking in influence. Furthermore, social implies that there is something inherently narrative from employability, a current obsession with the Scottish Government, movements without democratic structures good about Scotland. The fact that we are always in danger of developing the Scots no longer vote Tory in significant to decent employment and the role of the state. I am, of course, making characteristics of what Gerry Hassan numbers has led some of us to the calls a ‘soft vanguardism’. The issue conclusion that this is proof that neo- a generalisation here, and I do accept that groups such as the Jimmy Reid Scotland’s radicals need to address is the liberalism is an alien ideology imposed on organisational one. If we can resolve that, ‘us’ from elsewhere. Foundation and now Common Weal are starting to grapple with these issues. then I am hopeful that parliamentary I have heard key people on the left argue representation can follow. Returning to more immediate priorities that Scottish independence would ‘unleash Gary Fraser is a PhD student at Edinburgh my own view is this: Scotland’s radicals the forces of social democracy’, whilst University others assert that the Scottish people are need to move beyond the ready for socialism - all that is required national question and engage Scottish Left Review is finding the correct vehicle. These in a strategic discussion about The Scottish Left Review is a non-profit making publication. how we best develop a radical assertions are problematic for a number of Please subscribe or make a donation by going to www. policy agenda within the scottishleftreview.org where you can pay by credit card reasons. existing powers of the Scottish or by filling in your details in the form below and returning Firstly, they ignore the extent to which Parliament. to Scottish Left Review, 741 Shields Road, Pollokshields, neo-liberal ideas permeate the upper Glasgow G41 4PL There is a sense that it’s only a echelons of Scottish society, from the matter of time before Scotland mainstream parties to our public sector Name becomes independent. As institutions. In regards to the latter, I am someone sceptical of any claims thinking about the Scottish Government’s Address that history is pre-determined, obsession with managerialism in I’m not sure I agree. But I do education, health and local government or know this. When compared the draconian cuts to budgets in Scotland’s to history our own lifespans thirty two councils. Tel: constitute the blink of an eye. We also need to think carefully about The first phase of devolution the ways in which neo-liberal practices lasted from 1997 until 2014 and E-mail: permeate public consciousness and who knows how long the second behaviour, from mass home ownership to phase can last. Subscription/Donation the rise of the consumer society. 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19 Can capitalism really put ‘All of us first’? Philip Stott critiques the Common Weal launched by the Jimmy Reid Foundation e are in complete agreement the experience of hundreds of thousands for the CW: ‘Denmark, Sweden, Finland Wwith the Common Weal of working class people in Scotland who and Norway all exist in a Me-First (CW) that decisive action is needed are facing cuts and brutal austerity at world but have managed to put all of to end ‘inequality, poverty, declining the same time as the capitalists and the their people first in a way we can barely infrastructure, powerless communities, billionaire class get even richer at our imagine’. This is to paint a vastly over-rosy closed politics, profiteering, low pay, expense. picture of reality. overwork, anxiety, stress and unhappiness’. The CW asserts that the laws of capitalism The economic crisis in 2008/2009 hit Indeed, the CW book provides quite a can be overcome through a consensus Denmark severely. Its property bubble powerful indictment of the brutality and approach that reconciles the competing burst, banks went under and billions waste endemic under capitalism today. class interests of workers and the were cut from public budgets. The Social Its flawed approach is that it refuses to go employers. One idea is the involvement Democratic-led government introduced beyond the limits of the very economic of workers in the running of business an unprecedented austerity package in and social system that is responsible for through minority employee representation 2012/2013 that included the slashing of these crimes. Instead, it ends proposing on boards (where the CW proposes unemployment entitlement for workers to carry through policies that would the Danish and German models of one from 4 years to 2. The result was that ‘humanise’ capitalism. third worker participation on boards of 3,000 unemployed workers every month In essence, the CW hopes for a return management). lost their unemployment benefit. This was to the era of the post-war economic Socialists would counterpoise to this the implemented alongside tax cuts for the ‘consensus’ which was underpinned by demand for the nationalisation of the richest. the long capitalist upswing between 1955 major companies to be put under the Successive Swedish governments have been and the mid-1970s. During that time, at democratic control and management lauded by international journals of big least in the advanced capitalist countries, of the working class through elected business like the Economist for its cuts and the working class won important committees. privatisation programme. Sweden’s 136 concessions on welfare, public services, The CW calls for ‘All-Of-Us-First’ billionaires (more than in the UK) have full employment and, relatively speaking, economics where the profits of big almost half of the country’s entire GDP. improvements in wages and incomes. business are shared out more evenly. A record amount of company profits in The economic crisis in the mid-1970s Workers should be able to negotiate a Sweden were handed out to shareholders brought this period to a crashing end. The fairer share ‘so that more of that growth in 2014 capitalist class could no longer afford full goes to wages and less to profits … It’s The CW proposes to raise £1 billion by employment and decent public services. about helping workers to help enterprises increasing the top rates of tax, although How many times more so is the case today be better.’ they don’t propose any increases in in the teeth of the worst economic crisis Socialist Party Scotland and our co- corporation tax – despite the huge profits since the 1930s? thinkers internationally fight tirelessly that are being made. Even this mild The CW does put forward reforms which against austerity and for reforms that will redistributive policy – and the other socialists and trade unionists are involved benefit the working class. Whether it’s measures to increase wages for workers and in fighting for day-in and day-out and helping to build mass campaigns to defeat to lower inequality – will be ferociously which form part of a socialist programme. the poll tax and the bedroom tax, the fight resisted by big business and the main These include a living wage and a shorter for a $15 minimum wage in Seattle or the capitalist political parties. working week, tax increases on the rich mass movement against water charges in The elite are past masters at evading and and public ownership. Ireland. avoiding tax and hiding their wealth in However, it believes that an agreement At the same time, we consistently explain off-shore accounts and the like. This poses can be brokered between big business, that under capitalism all steps forward the need to take over the banks and the on the one hand, and the majority of the for working class people are temporary. finance houses into public ownership and working class, on the other, to allow a If forced to give concessions to a mass democratic control. more equitable and fairer capitalism to movement with one hand, the logic of Anyone arguing for such encroachment emerge. In one telling passage, the view is capitalism is to seek to take it away with into the wealth taken by the bosses will expressed that: ‘Success will come when the other. This is not an argument for face howls of outrage from the billionaire we can ‘coincide’ the interests of different not fighting for improvements. In fact, class, threats to disinvest, to move abroad groups, seeking ways of doing things that Marxists are among the best fighters for and even to sabotage the economy. help not one against the other but both at reforms. What it does do is underline This threat of a ‘strike of capital’ was the same time’. the need to link the fight for reforms precisely the one faced by the Wilson The CW argument that there are ‘shared with the struggle to break decisively with Labour government in the 1970s when interests’ of workers and big business is capitalism. it proposed to increase taxes on the rich. naïve in the extreme. It flies in the face of The Nordic countries are the ideal model In response, the bosses revolted and the

20 Labour leaders capitulated. and managed by the working class – with involving the whole of society. Through Faced by this blackmail, the workers’ compensation paid only on the basis of elected and accountable committees movement needs to go further and to proven need. everybody would be able to participate in fight instead for the productive forces This would need to be combined with decision-making about how best to run – the factories, machines, offices and full government control of incoming society. In contrast, the CW puts forward resources – controlled by the capitalist and outgoing foreign trade, enabling a cosmetic changes that would not deliver elite to be brought into democratic public democratically elected government – and genuine democracy for the majority. ownership. By owning and controlling the working class, not the market – to Ideas such as ‘participatory budgets’ the main economic levers – the major control imports and exports including where local communities vote on where corporations that dominate the economy capital. This would provide the possibility and what to spend money on would in – it would immediately be possible to of developing a democratic socialist plan practice just now mean deciding where to implement the policies outlined in the of production that could very quickly make the cuts. No CW proposals would CW and much more besides. transform the lives of millions. fundamentally impinge or alter the power Instead of this far-reaching but necessary Instead of such a plan, the CW believes it’s of big capital and capitalist governments. possible to cajole and encourage business policy, the CW only argues for extremely So to re-iterate, many CW policies are through more regulation and tax regimes limited forms of public ownership. Public welcome but to deliver them and more that would encourage it to move in a more ownership of the electricity grid, Scotrail besides needs a mass movement against progressive direction. and an element of transport is about as austerity and the building of new mass far as the CW is prepared to go. This There is an old saying that Marxists often working class parties with socialist policies approach would leave the overwhelming use: ‘you can’t control what you don’t both here in Scotland and internationally. majority of the economy in Scotland in own’. If the majority of the economy is Then the task of liberating humanity from private, capitalist hands. left in the hands of capitalist interests degradation and the horrors of capitalism The CW does not even go as far as the then planning production to protect the can truly begin. environment, to create full employment programme implemented by the Labour Philip Stott is the national secretary of Socialist Government in 1945 that nationalised, and a living income for all would be impossible. Party Scotland (the Scottish affiliate of the on a capitalist basis, around 20% of the Committee for a Workers' International). economy. Key sectors such as oil, energy, Socialism would also be far more A longer critique of the Common Weal was transport, manufacturing and finance democratic than capitalism. A socialist produced in June 2014 and can be read at www. should be publicly owned and controlled government would draw up a plan socialistpartyscotland.org.uk A very ferry failure? Mick Cash asks whether the SNP will carry on privatising Scottish ferries

head of the next two years of national industrial action on Northern Isle ferry late RMT General Secretary, Bob Crow, Aelections, it is vital for the left to look services for over 30 years. Whilst the persuaded the Scottish Government not at the Scottish Government’s record in jobs could not be saved, the action was to ‘un-bundle’ routes and to delay the areas of transport where powers have been successful in persuading Serco to honour re-tendering of this locally and nationally fully devolved for some time. Scottish seafarers existing pension rights. vital network, although it was sure not Ferries is one example where the record For passengers, Serco’s commitment not to concede the point that constantly re- since the 2011 Scottish parliament to raise fares before 2014 soon proved tendering these lifeline public services landslide is one of privatising a public meaningless when a 2.8% increase for misinterprets EU law. service. travellers between the mainland and the CalMac has a realistic chance of winning Lifeline ferry services are split into two Orkney and Shetlands was announced, the Clyde and Hebrides contract from contracts, one for the Northern Isles along with cuts to services without a 2016 (yes, shock horror, the public sector (north east coast to the Orkney and whimper from the Scottish Government. can bid!) but the composition of the Shetland Isles) and the larger Clyde and Concessionary tickets for school parties ‘Expert Ferry Group’ appointed by Keith Hebrides network along the west coast. In and pensioners have also increased in Brown to advise the Scottish Government May 2012, then Transport Minister, Keith price, along with a thoughtful interior on ferries policy is a serious cause for Brown, announced that the Northlink re-design that prevents passengers from concern. Not only is there no worker ferry services were to be privatised and sleeping on sofas and charges them for representation on this group, long term Serco were to be awarded the 2012-2018 using the toilet. supporters of ferry privatisation, such as NorthLink contract and would receive Private profiteers like Serco who have ex-SNP Councillor Roy Pedersen are well over 27% (£53m) more than the public no record in maritime transport but are represented, along with the Chamber of sector operator, CalMac, received for the seeking to expand into all areas with Shipping. previous 6 year contract. guaranteed streams of taxpayer and The Scottish taxpayer has invested nearly And what has been the result for passenger revenue, will currently be £800m since 2000 in new vessels, repairs, passengers and workers of this preparing their bids for the 27-route Clyde maintenance and the ports and harbour privatisation of Scottish ferry services? and Hebrides contract, operated at present infrastructure. New vessels are on order An instant attack on jobs and pensions, in the public sector by CalMac. for the Clyde and Hebrides network and resulting in RMT taking the first Successful union pressure, led by the the Scottish Government’s Ferries Plan

21 commits to expenditure of around £310m five years’ time. Over 200 ratings and this is not the action of a party convinced on specific projects to 2025. The private 100 officer cadets have been taken on of the case for public ownership of lifeline sector has no other motivation beyond by CalMac in the last five years, in effect public services in Scotland. profiting from these lifeline services and making the Scottish public sector the only The SNP in Government has privatised the decades of public investment in them. operator taking concrete steps to recruit every ferry and rail contract that has come Similarly, CalMac’s record of investing the next generation of seafarers to operate, up for renewal since 2011 and could in the next generation of seafarers puts maintain and service the ferries relied be responsible for privatising the entire private ferry operators, with illustrious upon by isolated communities all year Scottish ferry network ahead of the 2016 international reputations, to shame. round. Holyrood elections. Let’s hope that the The maritime skills base is under threat The recent SNP reshuffle has seen SNP government can charter a more after years in which the shipping and Keith Brown land the Cabinet post for progressive course and ensure a legacy of financial services industries have enjoyed Infrastructure, Investment and Cities, sound investment in ferry services and the bonanza from the Tonnage Tax but with Derek Mackay, widely regarded to seafarers that remain in the public sector. refused to recruit UK seafarers in the be on the right of the party, replacing him Mick Cash is the General Secretary of the number required to avoid a deficit in as Transport and Islands Minister. Again, National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Workers Who is watching the detectives who watch us? Niall McCluskey argues there is a need for the police to be not just better policed but also better led olice Scotland was founded on 1 April (SPA) appeared to have been asleep on been accused of excessive surveillance P2013 but the concept upon which it the job whilst this debate has been raging. apparently at times viewing about 1,000 was based was discussed long before that. If Police Scotland is to regain public emails, texts, phone calls and social media One of my late father's duties in his job confidence then the SPA need to do its messages in just one month. Whilst at COSLA was the policing brief and he job and monitor Sir Stephen’s decisions. accessing data on communications is discussed with me the idea of a unitary Scotland does not have a gun culture. a legitimate part of Police Scotland's force many years ago. Therefore, Sir Stephen's original decision work, one has to question surveillance My father - an advocate of a unified force - is utterly mystifying. of this magnitude. Again it is the scale argued that it made no sense that Scotland Also, Police Scotland thus far has of intrusion by Police Scotland without a country with a population lower than produced an astronomic stop and search apparent justification that is a cause for New York City had eight police forces rate. The SPA discovered that the rate concern. when New York had one. There seemed an of searches carried out was nearly nine These and other issues paint a picture inexorable logic then and I believe there is times higher than the rate in the New that Police Scotland has asserted itself now that Scotland should have only one York Police Department. Again the SPA as a heavy handed and overbearing police force. failed in its duties because this staggering institution. I can understand the need for However, we are less than two years into comparison never made it into its final a new organisation to make its mark with this brave new world of Scottish policing report. the public but it needs to rethink their and already serious concerns have emerged Surely, the time has come for stop and approach in order not to lose the faith of about the manner in which the new force search to be reviewed and placed entirely the people it purports to serve. is going about its business. The U-turn on a statutory footing. It is inconceivable A colleague of mine told me recently that reversing a policy of sending armed that there is a justification for stop and his 17 year old son had been stopped and officers to routine incidents by Sir Stephen search in Scotland on this scale. Nearly searched by the the police for no reason. House was an embarrassing climbdown 85% of the 42,826 consensual searches He had tried to bring his son up to respect for the first ever Chief Constable of Police carried out in August and September 2014 the police. However, his son's respect had Scotland. were unsuccessful. In the year to April, diminished due to this incident. The only This fiasco raised serious questions about this policy cost the taxpayer £11.3m. This outcome from Police Scotland's excessive the way Police Scotland is operating. It policy is expensive both in terms of money authoritarianism is likely to be less and appears Police Scotland lacks appropriate and public confidence. not more respect for the police. The accountability. Sir Stephen appears to Other concerns relate to issues such as integrity of Police Scotland is clearly vital have been able to radically change police the previous long term tolerance of sex to our criminal justice system in Scotland. culture without any oversight from the workers in the Lothians, abandoned Therefore, it is vital that Police Scotland then Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny by Police Scotland which has created focuses on serving the community - and MacAskill. unnecessary tensions among officers not oppressing it. Niall McCluskey is an advocate I am not advocating political interference and in local communities. The tolerant in police practice but an issue of this approach appeared to be working. No magnitude ought to have been at least credible reason has been produced for discussed by politicians and explained to changing it. the public. The Scottish Police Authority Furthermore, Police Scotland have

22 Fatally flawed by inadequate attention to feasibility Jim and Margaret Cuthbert analyse the Smith Commission report

he Smith Commission report had members of the public raised similar of the Scottish Government Ta mixed reception in Scotland and points. For the rUK, income tax is one of the in the rest of the UK (rUK). There is a The specific problem we want address revenue streams which contribute to the widespread view in Scotland that the here, which we call the ’gearing problem’, funding of general public expenditure: proposals are far from enough: a view with seems to have escaped general notice. that is, not only those services for the which we concur. Meanwhile, in England, It has the capability of blowing the rUK like health and education which are there is a concentration on Cameron’s Smith proposals, and indeed the union devolved in Scotland, but reserved services response of ‘English votes for English itself, apart – particularly in the light of for the whole of the UK like welfare, laws’. Cameron’s typically opportunistic response defence, and foreign affairs. Rest of UK However, one fundamental flaw in the to restrict decisions on income tax rates in income tax funds about 19% of all of this Smith report is its lack of attention to the rUK to rUK MPs. expenditure. detail: this is despite Smith saying that So what is the ‘gearing problem’? Suppose Also suppose that, under Cameron’s law, it the proposals were agreed on the basis that the Scottish Government was given is only rUK MPs that are responsible for of top expert advice. This failure to deal setting rUK income tax rates. Suppose, as adequately with detail is in itself a result responsibility for funding devolved is very plausible, that a right wing majority of the unsatisfactory and undemocratic spending out of the income tax it raises of those MPs decide to implement a nature of the process, in which a small itself (as well as out of other smaller taxes significant cut in income tax rates, and group of politicians were given an for which it has responsibility) and out of have a corresponding reduction in public inadequate timescale to come up with the reduced Block Grant determined by an expenditure. proposals. The result has been that some adjusted Barnett formula. significant technical issues have either Particularly Suppose, for example, there is a 5% been glossed over, or entirely ignored. We reduction in rUK income tax receipts argue this is likely to prove fatal. disappointing, as a result, and further suppose that the corresponding reduction in public Some of the issues which the Commission expenditure is spread evenly over not just has skated over were pointed out in and of major domestic ‘devolved’ services in rUK but submissions made by the public or importance, is the also over ‘reserved’ services like defence, interested groups. Examples are the social security etc. problems of exactly how to index the failure to give the reduction to the Barnetted Block Grant if Since, as we have seen, income tax funds the Scottish Government is given extended Scottish Parliament 19% of this expenditure, the result would tax raising powers of its own: the problem be a 0.05 x 19% cut in this expenditure, of likely fluctuations in the tax base if adequate economic that is a fall of 0.95% in expenditure, income tax is used as a major source of and hence, specifically in expenditure in funding for the Scottish Parliament: and powers to grow the devolved services in the rUK. the problems that would arise if the tax tax base on which it Now consider Scotland’s position. If the base for which the Scottish Parliament was Scottish government does not match given responsibility intrinsically grew less will have to rely the cut in income tax rates by the rUK, fast than the corresponding tax base in the Income tax is going to be a major then the Scottish economy is likely to rest of the UK. component of the Scottish government’s be at a chronic disadvantage: ultimately, Particularly disappointing, and of major funding: according to Government any Scottish Government would have to importance, is the failure to give the Expenditure and Revenues, it amounted follow suit if the rUK was pursuing an Scottish Parliament adequate economic to nearly £11bn in 2012-2013. aggressive policy of cutting income tax powers to grow the tax base on which it Approximately 7.2% of this is income rates. will have to rely: Smith signally fails to tax levied on savings and dividends. So But if the Scottish Government does address the difficulties posed by giving the the total expected income tax receipts adopt the same cut in tax rates as the rUK, Scottish Parliament responsibility (for a from non-savings, non-dividend income and if that reduces Scottish income tax given tax base), without power (to grow tax in Scotland is around £10bn. Total receipts by the same 5% as in the rUK, that tax base). expenditure within the control of the then since income tax accounts, as we All of the above issues were identified, Scottish government and local authorities have seen, for 26% of the funding of the for example, in the submission which we is nearly £39bn. Thus, if the Scottish public expenditure under the control of made to the Smith Commission on behalf Government set income tax rates at the the Scottish Government, then the cut in of the Jimmy Reid Foundation: and no current UK levels, then income tax is Scottish Government public expenditure doubt other submissions among the 407 going to fund about 26% of that public will be 1.3% – namely, a 37% larger cut from civic institutions and 18,381 from expenditure in Scotland within the control than in similar expenditure in the rUK.

23 This is what we mean by the gearing effect. difficulties of implementing the provisions services is spent. This kind of arrangement would put of paragraph 95.4(b). It is very difficult This is, to all intents and purposes, a Scotland in an intolerable situation. The to see how the principle underlying federal system. It appears to be the very gearing effect would mean that an income paragraph 95.4(b) could be implemented minimum which is consistent with the tax cutting policy in the rUK would force without putting in place a fully federal principle so glibly enunciated by Smith in upon Scotland either disproportionately system. Let’s follow the chain of logic paragraph 95.4(b). which points to this conclusion. higher tax rates or disproportionately In terms of feasibility, this poses major greater cuts in public expenditure. If 95.4(b) holds in any meaningful sense, problems. This type of federalism goes then there would have to be a ring-fenced And in the situation where, English may far beyond anything envisaged by Smith rUK budget for ‘devolved’ services in rUK, wish to voters want to punish Scotland for or the UK parties, and is unlikely to be which (leaving items like council tax out the referendum result, the potential for acceptable to English MPs. Yet it is also of the equation for simplicity) would be doing precisely this through the gearing unsatisfactory for Scotland. funded from rUK Block Grant and rUK effect of income tax cuts, would not be income tax revenues. This then raises a In a federal system, the over-arching lost on right wing English MPs. number of questions. federal body has to be sufficiently wise Indeed, if the public expenditure cuts and impartial, or has to be constituted Who would make the decisions on how funding the reductions in rUK income tax of sufficiently balanced competing this budget is spent? Since one of the rates were loaded disproportionately onto interests, that it can be trusted to make major sources of funding for this budget reserved functions such as defence or social fair judgements about the transfers of (namely rUK income tax) would be under security, Scotland could be penalised at resources among members, and other the control of rUK MPs and since the little or no cost to rUK devolved services. key decisions (like monetary policy) for services funded by this budget will be which it will be responsible. Given the The Smith Commission report does not solely rUK devolved services, the only numerical preponderance of English MPs, spell out this problem of gearing: but satisfactory answer would be that rUK Scotland could not trust the Westminster on the other hand, there is evidence to MPs make the spending decisions. Parliament to fulfil this role. suggest that they are aware of the problem Then, what would be the relationship (see paragraph 95.4(b): ‘Changes to Overall, therefore, the gearing issue is between the rUK Block Grant and the taxes in the rest of the UK, for which fatal for Smith. The bland wording of Scottish Block Grant? One possibility paragraph 95.4(b) conceals a veritable responsibility in Scotland has been that would be consistent with the vow to ‘Catch 22’ situation. If a solution devolved, should only affect public retain Barnett would be that changes in to the gearing issue is not found (by spending in the rest of the UK. Changes the Scottish Block Grant would be related implementing something like 95.4(b)), to devolved taxes in Scotland should only to changes in the rUK Block Grant via the then giving Scotland control of income affect public spending in Scotland’. Barnett formula. tax would put Scotland in a disastrous The most obvious interpretation of this This, however, would operate in a situation, where hostile rUK MPs provision is that a change in rUK income could remorselessly drive down public significantly different way from the tax rates should not be used to fund, or expenditure in Scotland. Barnett formula as envisaged by Smith. should not be funded by, changes in UK Since the relationship is now between At the same time, it is impossible to wide services like defence or social security. rUK Block Grant, that is, (rUK public see how paragraph 95.4(b) could be If implemented, it would mean that rUK expenditure minus income tax), and implemented without putting in place a income tax receipts, (or, more specifically, the Scottish Block Grant, there would genuinely federal structure for the UK as a the non-savings/non-dividend element be no need for the kind of complicated whole and is unlikely given the disparity in of these receipts), would be hypothecated abatement to Barnett envisaged by Smith. size between Scotland and rUK. On this to funding rUK only services – which basis alone, the central plank of the Smith Also who would set the rUK Block Grant? effectively, are those services which are recommendations relating to income tax is This could not be a decision that was devolved to Scotland. unworkable. So while there are many good left to rUK MPs. If this was the case, The result of implementing this provision items in the Smith report, inadequate then Scotland would have no democratic would therefore be to solve the gearing attention to detail fatally undermines its influence on how the major part of its problem. So although the Smith whole foundation. funding was delivered. So at the very Commission did not specifically spell out minimum, decisions on the size of the Jim and Margaret Cuthbert are independent the implications of the gearing problem, economists rUK Block Grant would have to be made the circumstantial evidence of paragraph by the whole UK Parliament. 95.4(b) suggests it was aware of it. Yet this would be barely satisfactory – Given that the Smith Commission did not given the numerical preponderance of specifically identify the gearing problem, rUK in the union. Leaving this problem the critical importance of paragraph aside for the present, what we have as 95.4(b) is not at all then obvious, meaning very minimum as a consequence of the there is every danger of this clause being paragraph 95.4(b) principle is a situation overlooked when the Smith Commission where the whole UK Parliament sets the findings are legislated upon. It is of Block Grant for rUK, (and via Barnett for fundamental importance for Scotland that Scotland), while the group of rUK MPs this does not happen. decides on a) the rUK rate of income tax, What Smith missed, however, are the and b) how the rUK budget for devolved

24 capture and execution of William Wallace, How did it happen, given that 99% of the the defeat of Edward II by the armies of broad mass of the population and initially Book Robert the Bruce, the victory of ‘fire and a majority of Scottish parliamentarians, brimstone’ Protestantism in the Scottish were against it? The short answer is: Reformation, and the Witchcraft Act of by bribery, bullying and fear. (Sound Reviews 1563 with the ensuing liquidation of some familiar?). Members of the Scottish 5000 unfortunates suspected of being Parliament – Burns’s original “Parcel Restless Land: agents of Satan. of Rogues” - were showered with titles The book gets fully into its stride with the and riches: to avoid the incensed public, A Radical Journey Union of the Crowns in 1603. James VI of pro-union MPs had to be smuggled into Scotland (James I of the ‘United Kingdom the parliament via underground tunnels Through Scotland’s of Scotland and England’) is the villain such was the unpopularity of the Treaty. of the piece. A paedophile, misogynist, When it was eventually passed, bells were History upholder of the divine right of kings and rung throughout England. In contrast, (Volume One, 500AD – 1914), contemptuous of his homeland, ‘he was a ‘In Scotland, there was no flag waving or pioneering British nationalist before such cheering – only the mournful cry of the Alan McCombes and Roz wind and rain’. Paterson (9780992898311, £9.99) a political entity existed’. Indeed, ‘From the outset, the idea of a The received wisdom concerning Treaty Reviewed by Alex Miller united Britain was a monarchist project, of Union is that it was a pragmatic but In ‘The Future Results of the British Rule driven by the king and his close disciples. nonetheless progressive move in which in India’ (published in the New York Daily His vision was not an equal union, but a national sovereignty was sacrificed Tribune on 8 August 1853), Karl Marx greater England, with Scotland relegated in return for a share of the loot from makes the following assertion about the to the status of a northern annex’. England’s burgeoning empire. The authors effect of Great Britain’s conquest of India: reject this: ‘Far from liberating Scotland The result was disaster: Scotland was ‘Modern industry, resulting from the from the middle ages, the union created a dragged into England’s war of conquest railway system, will dissolve the hereditary stalemate state which centuries later still with Ireland, riven with internal cultural divisions of labour, upon which rest the has one foot mired in the fusty clay of strife (James hated Gaelic), and driven to Indian castes, those decisive impediments feudalism’. the brink of economic ruin. Following to Indian progress and Indian power’. the disastrous reign of Charles I and the The book acknowledges the role that By introducing ‘modern industry, the English Civil War came the ‘Glorious Scotland – and in particular Scottish British thereby lay down the material basis Revolution’ in which William III replaced soldiers – subsequently played in the for the development of India’s productive the ousted (Catholic convert) James VII blood-soaked British Empire and its powers and their eventual appropriation (II). war crimes. Nor does it ignore the fate of progressive movements in England by the Indian people. There was little glorious about it: it (Peterloo and the Tolpuddle martyrs However, Marx asks: ‘Has it [the was ‘intensely conservative and largely are featured), but the focus of the book bourgeoisie] ever affected a progress concerned with property rights and from the Treaty of Union onwards is without dragging individuals and peoples privileges that had little or no radical social resistance within Scotland to the through blood and dirt, through misery content’. In 1698, Scotland attempted hegemony of the Empire and its ruling and degradation?’ Capitalism, thus, to found a colony in Central America class, especially where this resistance is generates progress, but does so at the (the ‘Darien Expedition’). Outraged, fused with national consciousness. expense of ‘individuals and peoples’ - William ‘ordered all English colonies in the misery and degradation are the price of Americas to resist and destroy the colony’. Matters covered include the 1745 Jacobite historical progress within class society. The failure of the Darien expedition was a uprising, the Highland clearances, Thomas disaster for the Scottish economy. In 1701, Muir, the radical uprising of 1820, Although Marx is only mentioned a few Westminster passed the Act of Settlement, Irish immigration, Keir Hardie and the times in this absorbing new book, his banning Catholics from the throne. founding of the Labour Party, Womens’ insight into the double-edged nature William had no Protestant heir, and the Act Suffrage, and much more. The book ends of historical progress in class society is effectively ended the Stuart line in favour of in 1914 with the outbreak of WW1 and never far away, and one of the book’s the German House of Hanover – a decision the burgeoning resistance in Glasgow that great virtues is that it gives a compelling affecting the Scottish crown that went over was to flower into Red Clydeside. account of Scottish history from the the head of the Scottish Parliament, which perspective of those paying the price for The union brought progress to Scotland, defiantly rejected the decision. progress in blood and dirt. but at an enormous price in human The Westminster Aliens Act of 1705 suffering: the genocidal aftermath of It covers a huge amount of ground – required that Scottish nationals in England Culloden, the forced emigration of almost 1500 years – in under 300 pages, were to be treated as aliens, causing anti- the clearances, the hell of unchecked and that it does so with style, wit and English riots in Scotland: ‘Among the mass industralization in the central belt, limpid clarity sets it apart from the dry of the population, England was viewed in environmental despoilation, de- tomes that put many people off history much the same way as the state of Israel is population, endemic poverty, religious before they are out of school. viewed in Gaza and the West Bank today’. sectarianism and the hundreds of Many pivotal moments in Scottish history It was in these unpropitious circumstances thousands of men, women and children prior to the incorporation of the country that the scene was set for the Treaty of maimed, widowed, orphaned or killed in within Great Britain are covered: the Union in 1707. Britain’s bloody wars of imperial conquest.

25 The book’s message is that progress needn’t power in Scotland was affected through integrated narrative of the life, times, have come at such a price and that it two essential controls. The first was a movements and ideas of Thomas Muir, needn’t do so in the future. Marx would franchise so restrictive as to scarcely drawn from meticulous international agree. His article quoted above concludes: merit the name, held by a fraction of a research. percent of male property owners. This When a great social revolution shall have The circumstances of Muir's short but created a complaisant bloc of government mastered the results of the bourgeois epoch, turbulent career necessitate Armstrong's supporters among Scottish MPs, the the market of the world and the modern use of ‘... a little imagination to drive the beneficiaries in turn of a self-promoting powers of production, and subjected them to narrative along …’. The author's hope that network of oligarchies in the burgh the common control of the most advanced the historical record is not thus injured corporations. peoples, then only will human progress cease is vindicated. The occasional instance of to resemble that hideous pagan idol, who The second was a judiciary serviced by a stilted dialogue and discordant idiom would not drink the nectar but from the coterie of similarly disposed sheriffs, over should not detract from Armstrong's skulls of the slain. whom Dundas sensibly installed as Lord achievement in producing what is arguably You don’t need to drink nectar out of a Advocate his nephew, Robert Dundas. the most substantial and comprehensive skull, and progress is possible beyond the The latter would become the prosecutor record of the life of Muir now available. monarchist UK. Restless Land is a riveting, – and persecutor – of Muir, manipulated Christina Bewley's Muir of Huntershill expertly written work of popular history at all stages by his uncle. Surmounting (1981), provided Muir's biography while that deserves a very wide readership. Part the majesty of law in Scotland was the diminishing the historical significance II will cover 1914 and onwards, and will Lord Justice Clerk, the grotesque and of the man and the movements he be eagerly awaited. It is available from capricious Robert MacQueen, Lord Handful http://www.calton-books.co.uk Braxfield, described by his adversary represented. Hector MacMillan's Henry Cockburn as ‘coarse and illiterate’, of Rogues: Thomas Muir's Enemies of the Alex Miller teaches philosophy at the and by Robert Dundas himself as ‘violent People (2005) sought to reinstate and University of Otago, New Zealand and intemperate’. amplify both. The Liberty Tree drives home MacMillan's riposte, and gives us not only The purpose of the exile of Muir and his the man, but also the cause memorialised The Liberty Tree: comrades is comparable to that attributed in the Edinburgh artist, John Kay's, to Mussolini in jailing the Italian Marxist, portrait of Thomas Muir: ‘Illustrious The stirring story Antonio Gramsci: ‘We must stop this Martyr in the glorious cause of truth, of of Thomas Muir brain functioning for twenty years’. Indeed, this and other shattering blows to freedom and of equal laws’. and Scotland's first the democratic spirit engendered by the Word Power Books (an enterprise of American and French Revolutions would Edinburgh's radical bookshop) is to be fight for democracy prove to have short-term effect. But the commended, too, for making available Murray Armstrong, Word Power Books example of the Scottish Martyrs was held this notable presentation of a key episode (www.word-power.co.uk), 2014, £11.99 close by the nascent Scottish working in Scotland's radical history in a sound, class, and became a banner flourished in attractive format at a reasonable price – an Reviewed by Stewart Maclennan both the insurrectionary movements of example to be followed by other publishers th 2015 marks the 250 anniversary of the 1820 and the mass reform and Chartist in the field of popular history. birth of Thomas Muir of Huntershill, a agitations of subsequent decades. truly iconic figure of Scottish radicalism. Stewart Maclennan is Chair of the Scottish Muir himself was indomitable: defying A leader of the Friends of the People, Labour History Society the legality of his sentence from the Muir was an early victim of the ferocious outset, he escaped from his Australian and venal despotism of Prime Minister prison to make landing on the west coast William Pitt the Younger and his Home of America, seeking sanctuary with the Secretary and Scottish ‘branch office Spanish rulers of what is now California. manager’, Henry Dundas. En route to Spain, Muir found his ship Muir's advocacy of democracy and his under attack by the British: facing re- identification with the causes of the capture he took arms on the Spanish side French Revolution and Irish nationalism and survived, though suffering a hideous brought down upon him in 1793 the facial injury which cost him his left eye. draconian punishment of transportation Received with honour in the France to the penal colony of Botany Bay for he had last seen in the year of his trial, fourteen years. The same fate swiftly befell he immediately immersed himself in his fellow Scottish radicals, Rev. Thomas Scots and Irish exile politics, only to die Fysshe Palmer and William Skirving, suddenly in 1799 aged only 33. together with the fraternal delegates of Such a life might seem to render fictional the London Corresponding Society portrayal redundant, but Murray to the Friends' Scottish Convention, Armstrong has devised in The Liberty Tree Joseph Gerrald and Maurice Margarot. ‘a historical novel with scholarly apparatus Later would follow the United Scotsmen attached’ in the words of Scottish Marxist organiser, George Mealmaker. historian, Neil Davidson. This innovative The mastery exercised by Dundas over approach enables the construction of an

26 VLADIMIR McTAVISH’S Kick up the Tabloids

‘This is our Clause 4 moment’. These McCoist is now, to quote the Rangers We don’t think that about all Londoners, are the words Jim Murphy uttered as he board ‘on gardening leave’. How many Boris. Just the nasty, right-wing careerists took over as leader of Scottish Labour. It’s businesses as cash-strapped as Rangers can who pretend to be loveable buffoons. always a good way to get voters on-side, afford to pay someone £ 800,000 a year Look out of the window, Boris, and you’ll by evoking memories of the exact point to do his own gardening? How big is his see plenty of people in London, who are in history when your party gave up on its garden for God’s sake? Backroom staffs on culturally, economically and politically founding principles. the minimum wage are made redundant, divorced from the London you inhabit. yet one employee is paid £274 an hour (or But what has been the effect on those ‘We’re not genetically-programmed in roughly forty times the living wage) to do voters? Has there been a ‘Murphy bounce’ a bit of gardening. Scotland to make political decisions’. since Jim took office? Yes, there has. Poor again! Strange that According to a recent opinion poll, two ‘We don’t do walking away. We do someone not genetically-programmed to percent of more voters are now less likely gardening’ is doubtless Ally McCoist’s new make decisions should object when other to vote Labour. catchphrase, as we head into 2015. And, people make the decisions for them. as we do so, here are some of the more I found it surprising to discover that memorable quotes of 2014. Prizes for However, my favourite quote of 2014 Jim Murphy is a fanatical Celtic fan - those who can guess all of them correctly! has to be this from George Osborne, especially as he strikes me as being the when he chose to paraphrase the opening ‘The frustration is that we won’. That ‘Ally McCoist’ of Scottish politics: put in lines from Trainspotting: ‘Choose jobs, was Alastair Darling reflecting on how charge of a once-great Scottish institution, choose security, choose prosperity, choose victory for ‘no’ in the referendum had led for decades the most powerful in the land investment, choose fairness, choose to Labour’s slide in popularity. Although, but now on the skids because of years of having seen his performance throughout freedom, choose David Cameron, choose successive mis-management, a lame-duck the referendum campaign, it could have The Conservatives, choose the future’. leader who inspires confidence in no-one. been that he had been trying his best to It isn’t this quote itself which I find Indeed, it’s hard to say whose prospects lose all along. amusing, but Irvine Welsh’s reaction to its for 2015 look bleaker: Labour or Rangers. ‘London runs Scotland like a branch use by Osborne at the Tory conference. Next May could be a painful time for both office’. This was Johann Lamont When asked what he thought of his work of them. complaining about being told what to being paraphrased, he was short and to ‘We don’t do walking away’. That was do by London. If you don’t like being the point: ‘I’d rather leave Fred and Rose Super Ally’s catchphrase back in the ordered about by London, a simple West in charge of my childcare than be dark days of liquidation three years solution would have been to vote ‘yes’! plagiarised by that cunt’. ago. He seems to have spent virtually all ‘There is within our friends in the Scottish I can’t really follow that! Happy New Year of December trying to walk away, but Nationalist Party a suggestion that to you one and all! not quite managing to do so, doubtless Londoners were culturally, politically and Vladimir McTavish will be hosting a new uttering, ‘We don’t do walking away unless economically divorced from the rest of the political comedy show at The Stand Comedy you’ve got a spare four-hundred grand to country.’ That was Boris Johnston at the Club, Edinburgh on Wednesday 21 January give us’. Tory party conference. 2015. Further details on www.thestand.co.uk

Campaigners protest at Downing Street ahead of Osborne's Autumn statement Photo credit: Jonathan Stead

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

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

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

Mick Cash, General Secretary 28 Peter Pinkney, President