ScottishLeft Review Issue 109 January/February 2019 - £2.00 'best re(a)d' 'best

1 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 ASLEF CALLS FOR AN INTEGRATED, PUBLICLY OWNED, ACCOUNTABLE RAILWAY FOR SCOTLAND (which used to be the SNP’s position – before they became the government!)

Mick Whelan Tosh McDonald Kevin Lindsay General Secretary President Scottish O cer

LRD TUC Sept15_Layout ASLEF1 10/07/2015 the 14:09 train Page 1 drivers union- www.aslef.org.uk FIGHT ANTI-UNION LAWS

www.rmt.org.uk

General Secretary: Mick Cash President President: PSeaneter P Hoyleinkney 2 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 feedback

comment Bastards of Brexit and the 'national interest' appy New Year to all our crisis. And, many more bemoan that the negotiating against twenty seven others subscribers, readers and whole system of politics itself in Britain (in the form of the EU which includes Hsupporters. And, with the is in a mess. No politician or party stands Germany, France, Italy and Spain as the pleasantries now done, let’s get back to out with any dignity or stature in this major constituents). This is a moment the matters at hand - of hard politics. situation according to this view. of power play where the balance of Over the last few months, day-in-and- forces needs to be realistically appraised. The problem with such an analysis day-out in the pages of the Guardian, Second, clubs which are engaged in the is that it tends to depoliticise what its parliamentary sketch writer, John job of self-preservation and expansion remains an intensely political process. reviews Crace, has lambasted Theresa May as (which the increasingly intergrationist EU The view is almost as if there were at an automaton, a robot called Maybot. very much is) do not allow members to hand competent and skilled politicians Maybot has, according to Crace, entered leave the club and maintain the benefits prepared to work together in the such a state of malfunction that she is of the membership of the club (especially ‘national interest’ that the situation only able to repeat that she is ‘very clear’ without paying for them). This was would be different and so much better. about ‘being clear’. Her behaviour would always going to be a no-brainer. Both But this is a deeply apolitical and naïve seem, according to some, to amount to points eluded the quite deluded brash appraisal. The reason why May’s deal is the tip of one almighty mess in British and buccaneering perspective of the likes unlikely to get passed in parliament is politics over Brexit. After the pulling of Boris Johnson (with Tory leadership because the Tory party is not only weak of the meaningful vote in parliament pretensions), who grandstanding and (reliant upon the Democratic Unionist and the inability to gain any further playing to the audience of Tory activists, Party (DUP)) and badly split (with the concessions, the prospect of falling off told us that all that was needed was to likes of Jacob Rees-Mogg of the European the cliff of a ‘no deal’ departure is seen say ‘give us what we want or we won’t Research Group and Boris Johnson being as a literal crashing out of the EU. To this, play ball’ (or handover £39bn). These the obvious ‘hard’ Brexiteers). But behind others moan that the political system are the instances of the most obvious this are a few seldom recognised realities. has been so skewered on the knife of cases of the bastards of Brexit. But there Brexit that there’s a policy vacuum on First, the likelihood of May negotiating are many others too, like Dominic Raab, other matters (although it should be a deal that would satisfy both hard Tommy Robinson or Nigel Farage. What noted - as Chris Stephens points out in Brexiteers and DUP was always going to binds them together is that they want to his article - Universal Credit continues as be extremely slight because although use Brexit as a means to deliver an even does austerity). Others go further and Britain is a substantial economy it smaller state, with protections from the called this mess downright chaos and is, nevertheless, just one economy market on workers’ rights, environmental regulation and consumer rights even ScottishLeftReview further reduced. Sounds like England as a Issue 109 January/February 2019 green and pleasant land of the Victorian Contents or Edwardian eras. Editorial comment...... 3 Just Transitioning – marrying environment protection and social justice Stephen Smellie...... 5 The political crisis around Brexit is now so Greening economics and politics with social justice Francis Stuart...... 7 profound that the case for a referendum Partnership for progress Matthew Crighton ...... 9 on either May’s deal or a ‘no deal’ is very Rebelling against extinction Douglas Rogers ...... 10 much required. This is not a betrayal of The global dimension of the Just Transition Bill Bonnar ...... 11 Why and how the SNP must stop being ‘the party of oil’ Simon Barrow ...... 12 the ‘no’ vote in 2016 precisely because Opportunities for Scotland’s climate related legislation Gordon Morgan ...... 13 that referendum did not take a view on Capitalism is the climate crisis Dave Sherry ...... 14 what form Brexit should take. It is clear Universal Credit – universal cruelty for the poor and vulnerable Chris Stephens ...... 15 Death in Police Custody: the case of Sheku Bayoh Aamer Anwar ...... 16 that May’s deal is not a good one and a On the frontline: fighting the fascists Talat Ahmed ...... 17 ‘no deal’ is even worse. Rather, another ‘Value Education, Value Teachers’ campaign marches on Larry Flanagan ...... 18 referendum would allow ‘no’ voters Tories in tatters results in rise of right? Sean Duffy ...... 19 the opportunity to express their view Scottish Labour – the return of its radical roots Mike Cowley ...... 20 Labour’s Scottish problem Róisín McLaren ...... 21 on what kind of Brexit they wish for. Scotland needs a community organising movement Linda Somerville ...... 22 Whether this turns into a referendum Another Edinburgh revolt: staff and students elect a radical rector Angi Lamb ...... 23 to reverse the decision of the 2016 one Betrayal of the Sandinista revolution Joseph McAleer ...... 24 would depend on what the question Catalonia and the continuing Spanish crisis George Kerevan ...... 25 Age, ageing and ageism: how ageist is Scotland? Bill Johnston ...... 26 (binary choice between May’s deal and Scottish theatrical revolution Mark Brown ...... 27 ‘no deal’) was or questions (the binary Film and book reviews Jackie Bergson, Sean Sheehan, Robin Jones...... 28 choice plus the options to delay leaving, Kick up The Tabloids...... 31 rescind Article 50, stay in the EU/rejoin

3 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 the EU etc etc) were. Of course, what defined as juxtaposing the masses against imprecision of use here has in parallel in makes the political crisis as profound elites. Is there a case for the left trying to the imprecision of using the other terms as it is are the intractable divisions in use the same terms and language for its discussed above. This is not to suggest Labour, between ‘leavers’ like Corbyn and own purposes? Put more starkly, can the that properly using terms like socialism ‘remainers’ like Keir Starmer and how left refashion what is usually the preserve would miraculously strengthen Labour’s this influences many tactical questions of the right, turning it against the right? electoral standing or its radicalism. But including the relationship between Recall, David Cameron’s ‘we are all in it is to suggest for the longer term that calling for a general election and any it together’ mantra of the Coalition socialism rather than social democracy is kind of further referendum. Corbyn and government era. In Gramscian terms, what is required to address and end the a section of the left in Labour have been this would mean establishing a counter- ills of capitalism. against the EU for decades in the vein hegemony with it. Certainly, Corbyn’s Speaking of Labour’s electoral standing, of Tony Benn. Starmer and others see ‘for the many, not the few’ slogan is with three left leaders now in place, it membership of the EU as a condition for compatible with this perspective but that is strange that Welsh Labour is more a cosmopolitan type of capitalism. does not make it synonymous with it. It popular than Scottish or British Labour. Unfortunately, the echoes of Theresa is altogether different ground when the Incredibly, British Labour has still not May seeking to defend Britain’s so-called more singular terms of ‘country’, ‘nation’ pulled away in the polls from the Tories aforementioned ‘national interest’ and ‘people’ are used – for reasons given despite May’s Brexit ‘shambles’ and their can be found elsewhere. The ‘national above - as ‘for the many, not the few’ patent divisions. They remain neck and interest’ is a compound of nationalism could at least be taken to suggest there neck with each other. Something similar and power, a subterfuge of and for is some kind of class system in existence. can be said about Scottish Labour – the ideology and material interests. In a Contrast that with the launch by the SNP still has some Teflon-like qualities class-based society such as Britain, there People’s Assembly in December just gone even though it has presided over the can be no ‘national interest’ in the sense of its ‘Britain is broken – we can’t afford shambles of Scotrail and the running that it means that all citizens have the the Tories’ campaign against austerity. down of public services despite its same interests and can benefit together In unfortunate echoes of Unite’s protestations of shielding ‘Scotland’ and in equal measure from this or that similarly named campaign just after Len against Tory austerity. Even when government action. Instead, the ‘national McCluskey was elected to the position Sturgeon challenged the opposition interest’ is defined by the rich and of its general secretary, it cannot be said parties to say where they would make powerful as the means to defend their that Britain is broken for there is at least cuts in spending to allow increases in interests – material (economic), political one sizable section of society in Britain spending elsewhere, this did not become and ideological. And yet, Jeremy Corbyn which is ‘doing very well, thank you very an open goal for left opponents like still uses his version of this concept. much’. Comprised of landlords, senior Scottish Labour. So, Scottish Labour Despite leading on political and economic managers, investment banker and the has made limited polling progress in priorities ‘for the many, not the few’, he like, this is an elite which keeps getting reclaiming its former position despite a has proclaimed his criticism of May and richer as wealth inequality across society shift to the left in its policy positions and her Brexit deal because it does not work widens. its willingness to deploy for progressive ends as yet unused legislative powers for ‘for the whole country’. On occasion, But that cannot be the end of the in the Scottish Parliament. We have two he has even used the term ’national linguistic matter because – as these articles looking at the state of Scottish interest’ too. Succumbing to the notion of editorials have repeatedly pointed Labour since Leonard became leader in the ’national interest’ in terms of British out before – when the likes of Jeremy November 2017. nationalism has its parallel in Nicola Corbyn, John McDonnell, Richard Sturgeon and the Scottish National Party Leonard and now new Welsh Labour All that said, the theme of this issue is (SNP). Sturgeon, whether in regard of leader, Mark Drakeford, say that they are the Just Transition. When powerful and independence for Scotland or opposing socialists and advocate socialism, what articulate, if nonetheless maverick, voices Brexit, has couched her arguments in they actually mean is they are social like Gary Smith, GMB Scotland regional terms of what is good for ‘Scotland’ and democrats advocating social democracy secretary, attack the arguments from ‘the Scottish people’, as if class was but (sometimes also called democratic the left about a just green transition a ghost in the machine. Her followers socialism - as per Labour’s constitution to a low-carbon economy as ‘pie in the including Derek MacKay, finance cabinet and membership cards - in order to sky’ and wanting to turn his boiler fitting secretary, talk of the SNP Scottish contrast itself to Soviet communism and members into ballet dancers, the left has Government’s budget being ‘a Budget Stalinism). This misnaming of socialism is to be able to respond in a credible way. for all of Scotland’ as if there were no repeated by the likes of the Morning Star We hope the theme of this issue helps rich and poor, no ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ and former Trotskyist Militant Tendency in this cause. In this connection, and – or that the Scottish Government could member and de facto leader of Liverpool remarked upon by Stephen Smellie in his simultaneously serve the interests of all City Council in the mid-1980s, Derek lead article, it is interesting to note that such groups in equal measure. Hatton (who has rejoined Labour). There the GMB, Prospect, UNISON and UNITE This language of populism is more are also some examples of it in this issue unions, with 200,000 members in the pernicious now than for a long time of Scottish Left Review. Of course, while energy sector, have produced a blueprint because the current erosion of the centre it is good that the term ‘socialism’ has so workers and communities can be ground in British politics means that the re-entered the lexicon of the political helped to adapt to the advent of the low hard right is using it as a way to deflect mainstream as a term of commendation carbon economy called ‘Demanding a attention from the actual causes of the as result of Corbyn et al., this does not Just Transition for Energy Workers’. crises as well as whose interests are mean it comes without its own problems being defended in doing this. Populism is when used in this manner. Indeed, the 4 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 Just Transitioning – marrying environment protection and social justice Stephen Smellie lays out what is meant by Just Transition and what role unions have to play here he concept of the ‘Just Transition’ change or close workers are the last a low carbon economy has, however, to to a low carbon economy has consideration for employers and be the commitment that the transition is Tbecome policy over the past few governments. The coal and steel necessary and that society, government, years with the Scottish Trades Union industries simply cast workers and industry and unions have agreed that Congress (STUC), Trades Union Congress communities aside when they were no there is an urgency to not only make the (TUC) and International Trade Union longer needed. As did manufacturers in transition but to work together to make Confederation (ITUC) all having it on the 1980s as Thatcher’s lack of industrial this transition within the shortest time their agenda. It was the international policy saw jobs exported. There was possible. The recent warnings from the union movement, through the ITUC, that no justice for workers when these UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate ensured global climate talks had the Just transitions occurred. Change (IPCC) report which said we have Transition concept adopted, including in 12 years to put in place the measures It is, therefore, correct that workers the 2015 Paris Agreements. needed to reduce carbon use to avoid in today’s carbon industries, gas, oil, catastrophic global warming provide the The concept has become used quite chemicals, and their unions have evidence needed to create this sense of broadly in terms of justice for a number raised the demand that their interests urgency. of current or potential victims of the need to be looked after as we move effects of climate change. This would towards a low carbon economy. The However, some stakeholders don’t buy include island communities threatened GMB, Prospect, UNISON and Unite into this urgency and sometimes not by rising sea levels; developing nations unions recently published Demanding even into a commitment to a transition. whose carbon footprint has been low a Just Transition for Energy Workers, Trump is the obvious example but very and, therefore, their contribution to which details their demands for a just few governments around the world the problem negligible yet who are told transition. These include training, access have implemented the measures that they should not increase would put them on their use of carbon course for achieving by developed nations the targets agreed in whose carbon use for Paris. The outcome 200 years has brought of the Katowice COP them wealth and power (Conference of the which they now want Parties) talks was to deny to others; and equally disappointing. poorer nations who look at the rich world Some sections of the who don’t want to pay union movement for the damage their can often appear economic policies have reluctant participants caused. in discussions regarding transitioning to a low However, the carbon economy and to jobs that are as well paid as current concept was first developed in the use the language of Just Transition jobs and a voice for energy workers in union movement to address the to refuse to contemplate any change the planning for the future. need to consider the workers whose unless the current members’ jobs are jobs, families and communities are This is a growing international union protected, or that alternative highly dependent upon carbon industries and movement working towards a just paid and unionised jobs are readily who stand to lose out when the current transition. Canadian unions in the coal available. This approach is sometimes high carbon economy transitions to a industry have welcomed the setting justified by the evidence that the shift low carbon economy. Those workers up of The Just Transition Task Force to renewables did not create a bonanza should not pay the price for society for Canadian Coal-Power Workers of new jobs in the construction of reaching a socially-agreed objective. and Communities which will draft a renewables or in the new renewables Canadian union activist, Brian Kohler, plan to support affected workers and sector. communities as Canada moves to phase- was one of the first to use and In Scotland, we have some unions out coal-fired power. Australian power popularise the term in union circles in and politicians continuing to see the plant unions have signed up to a number 1998 when he attempted to reconcile extension of oil and gas production as the union’s fight for decent jobs and of Just Transition agreements that have a priority for the economy and jobs. the need to protect the environment. included transferring workers from Some have argued in support of fracking He said: ‘The real choice is not jobs or power plants into renewable sectors as and still harbour ambitions to overturn environment. It is both or neither’. coal plants close. the effective ban that the Scottish In Scotland, we know when industries The starting point for Just Transition to Government has implemented. Their

5 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 reasons for this relate solely to the respiratory illness. Education union to a low carbon economy should be question of jobs, which for unions, is members were discussing with children left to the energy workers needs to be always going to be their starting point. the science of global warming and its challenged. This is an issue that affects consequences. Unions in the science all communities and all workers. Our On the other hand, a growing number sector had members producing the consumption of energy, at work and at of unions and politicians, as well as evidence of what was happening. home, is part of the problem and our environmentalists, scientists, and world skills, knowledge and commitment to climate change agreements, understand Therefore, the coming together within the transition to a low carbon economy the argument that extending oil and gas the union and labour movement of is part of the solution. production is the last thing we should these forces created the necessary be doing at the moment in terms of the impetus to, on the one hand, accept For Scottish workers, we have urgent need to cut carbon emissions to that action is needed to reduce the use immediate challenges and so the stop global warming. All the evidence of carbon but, on the other, develop Scottish Government’s Just Transition points out that most of the known strategies that ensure that the workers Commission, set up after lobbying by carbon and fossil fuels in the ground in the carbon sector are not forgotten the STUC and some unions working should stay there if there is any chance about and are looked after. with Friends of the Earth Scotland in the of preventing the record breaking Just Transition Partnership, is crucial to A transition to a low carbon economy ensure that the necessary government year-on-year temperature rises we must happen and that transition needs have been seeing and which cause the actions in relation to industrial policy, to be just to the workers. However, the education and training and harnessing increase in severe weather events, the Just Transition agenda is not simply melting of ice-caps and subsequent rise public sector procurement and spending related to these workers in the energy are directed towards a Just Transition for in sea levels and the extinction of many sector whose current jobs are part of species of insects and workers. animals. Stephen Smellie is Depute It is in this context the Convenor for UNISON need to protect workers’ Scotland and a UNISON interests and at the same national executive member. time the environment, He blogs at https:// that the Just Transition stephenfs59.wordpress. was originally com/ conceived. As the growing environmental movement of the 1970s and 1980s became more influential, as the evidence mounted an industry that is contributing to the about the impact of capitalist industrial Cover: processes on the environment and its problem. Other workers are in jobs that are at risk. Agricultural and food Nadia Lucchesi likely impacts, and they stopped being ([email protected]) dismissed as tree-hugging cranks, an processing workers face changes related engagement with the labour movement to climate change. The water industry, Proofing services: and the environmentalists became seafarers and other transport workers John Wood and John Daly essential. face significant challenges. High energy using industries such as manufacturing Communications and This was not the first time that unions and construction face rising costs. The organisational development: engaged with the environmental public sector workers whose budgets Carole Ewart movement. Throughout years of for services are cut to divert money campaigning on health and safety, the to efforts to ameliorate the effects of Editor Email: link to the danger to the environment climate change on infra-structure. Gregor Gall and workers has been made in relation [email protected] to asbestos or the nuclear industry. Other workers have a significant part American union leader, Tony Mazzochi, to play in the transition and making Web: www.scottishleftreview.org of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic sure that it is just: the science workers Tel: 0141 424 0042 creating alternatives; the education Workers’ International Union, pioneered Address: these links in the 1960s. workers training the current energy and future workers with the skills Scottish Left Review, Whilst some energy unions in the necessary for the future low carbon 14 West Campbell Street, carbon industries were less receptive industries; and the public sector workers Glasgow G2 6RX to messages about how their industries in environmental protection, infra- were a problem and needed to change, structure and planning, designing better Printed by other unions became acutely aware of communities that use less carbon. Hampden Advertising Ltd, the consequences of continuing a high 403 Hillington Road, G52 4BL, Therefore, the assertion by some in the dependence on carbon use. Health Tel: 0141 429 1010 union movement that the Just Transition union members reported increases in 6 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 Greening economics and politics with social justice Francis Stuart argues unions are central to creating the Just Transition t the STUC’s most recent annual economic and social issues. Were emissions if those emissions have simply congress, a number of resolutions they simply fuel protestors, Macron’s been decanted across the world as a Awere discussed which showed decision to scrap the tax on fuel would by-product of deindustrialisation and that energy and climate change policy have seen the disintegration of the globalisation. are of enormous industrial and political movement. Having said this, it is clear The Scottish and British Governments’ significance to unions. A General Council that Macron’s fuel tax rise, at the same complete lack of a coherent strategy statement committed the STUC to a time as he cut taxes for the rich, was for job creation in the low carbon body of work around energy and climate . undoubtedly a trigger for their protests economy has also meant we have failed change – continuing our influencing As Naomi Klein stated: ‘neoliberal to create good quality jobs in low carbon work around the Scottish Government’s climate action passes on the costs to manufacturing. Scotland has one of Just Transition Commission, looking working people, offers them no better the largest wind sectors but next to further at energy policy, and considering jobs or services and lets big polluters no manufacturing jobs in renewables. how workers’ pensions might help off the hook. People see it as a class We have three BiFab yards in Scotland address societal challenges such as lying idle, developers who make their climate change. This work is recognition war, because it is’. Efforts to reduce turbines abroad, and no political that there are costs in failing to address emissions by passing the costs of the framework to ensure we capture value climate change and costs in approaching transition onto the working class risk domestically. And we haven’t been able a transition without justice at its heart. being a major source of dislocation between the elite centre of politics to capitalise on world-leading academic Primary among this is a deepening and citizens and workers, unless expertise in offshore wind, wave, tidal, environmental catastrophe and accompanied by fundamental social and carbon capture and storage. the subsequent impact on people and economic transformation. The Over the last twenty years a number of around the world. The World Health Gilets Jaunes, therefore, highlight the Scottish Government documents, from Organisation estimates that by 2030, potential for an increasingly complicated parties of all stripes, have over-promised climate change will cause 250,000 and intertwined relationship between and under-delivered. For example, the additional deaths per year, due to the political and environmental crises 2010 Low Carbon Economic Strategy malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and we currently face. promised 60,000 new jobs by 2015. heat stress. The majority of those deaths While data for low carbon jobs is will be in the global south rather than on It should be clear from events in France poor and subject to a high degree these shores. that radical social and economic change, union and community organising, of uncertainty, there is currently an Climate change is already impacting democratic ownership, and massive estimated total of 49,000 direct and disproportionately on people of colour, government intervention are all indirect low carbon jobs in Scotland, women, and those with the least essential companions in the transition to including a number in nuclear energy. capacity to respond to natural hazards, a low carbon economy. Similar lessons Together, this represents less than 2% of such as droughts, landslides, floods and should also be learned from Scotland’s jobs in Scotland. hurricanes. Climate change is, therefore, own experience. Many of these jobs are less secure or an issue of race, gender and class. No one should be unaware of the harm unionised than traditional fossil-based The cost could also be the rise of caused to workers and communities jobs. A 2016 Strathclyde University the far right. The irony that climate during the closure of coal mining and study suggests that between 2004 and change caused by the rich in the Global deindustrialisation in recent decades. 2012 ‘employment in low carbon jobs in North is now causing thousands of Yet some policymakers and campaigners Scotland grew, but that this was more environmental migrants and refugees in still point to Scotland’s progress in volatile than aggregate employment, the Global South will not prevent the far reducing emissions since 1990 as and in particular that employment in right stirring up racist sentiment against evidence that Scotland is transitioning this sector was particularly badly hit migrants for their own ends. to a low carbon future. While Scotland’s during the great recession’. A recent Guardian article highlighted a number There are also huge risks in the current emissions have reduced significantly – of migrant workers building the £2.6bn market-dominated approach to climate by 49% since 1990 – it is also true that Beatrice offshore windfarm were being transition. Trump was quick to try to much of these emissions reductions paid less than the minimum wage. connect with the Gilets Jaunes, tweeting have been offshored. Scotland’s that the French had come around to emissions associated with consumption There are clearly challenges for unions his scepticism about the Paris climate (emissions generated both at home and both in policy (ensuring that new jobs change agreement and the cost of abroad in the production and transport created aren’t simply left to private fighting global warming. The Gilets of the goods and services that we company profiteering or based on Jaunes are much more than a bunch consume) have only reduced by 8.6% market incentives) and in organising of fuel protestors, with their demands between 1998 and 2014. We cannot (ensuring that unions adapt to a reflecting much wider and deeper bask in the pretence of reducing carbon changing labour market and organise

7 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 workers which aren’t simply centrally poor pay far more than the rich as a Decarbonisation of heating of homes based as they were in the past). A proportion of their income and it will fail and businesses can be driven more key question in addressing both these to ensure the scale and pace of change effectively if gas supply was to be challenges is the question of ownership. needed to address climate change. Few publicly-owned. Municipal energy things illustrate this failure more than companies which both reduce energy The situation whereby one man, Jim the rate of investment in low carbon prices and promote clean, decarbonised Ratcliffe, owns a hugely important energy in Britain fell in the last year. The generation can win significant share strategic energy asset accounting for private sector is simply not providing the of the supply market. A publicly- 4% of Scottish GDP, and can threaten long-term, patient capital required. owned offshore wind company could to up sticks and leave, is clearly not an stimulate investment and capture some acceptable state of affairs. Hopefully, Tackling climate change while building of the returns that will be made from Unite’s recent success in restoring an industrial base for low-carbon our natural resource. Linked to the collective bargaining arrangements manufacturing will require government availability of finance on the right terms might reign in the worst of Ratcliffe’s policy, planning, direction and from the Scottish National Investment excesses. investment. The Scottish Government’s Bank, publicly owned energy companies Just Transition Commission, successfully The North Sea is also illustrative of a can transform energy in Scotland. advocated for by the Just Transition hyper-competitive model based on Partnership, provides an opportunity to Scotland’s unions are clear that tackling private company value extraction. address these issues. Its role is to look climate change is a moral, social and Between 2014 and 2017, 160,000 at how Scotland achieves a carbon- economic imperative and Scotland jobs have been lost. At the same time, neutral economy while maximising must play its part in reducing emissions. companies have sought to cut terms opportunities in terms of fair work and However, meeting targets must and conditions, lengthening shift tackling inequalities. To be effective, it ensure that workers and communities rotas for offshore workers. Within the should be independent of government benefit and manufacturing is not decommissioning simply offshored. sector, rigs are A genuinely just towed to beaches transition, addressing in South East Asia fundamental where they can be questions of decommissioned ownership, is the without serious only way in which environmental we will move to a regulations or low carbon economy workers’ rights. while building a Companies involved more equal economy in renewables aren’t and society. the flag-bearers for Francis Stuart is a a more ethical form Policy Officer at the of capitalism either. Scottish Trades Union Scottish Power is Congress a wholly owned subsidiary of Spanish multi-national, and should have a commitment to Iberdrola. It recently announced plans look beyond the next two years, to to sell off its remaining coal and gas climate change targets which run until Scottish Left Review assets and go 100% renewable. While The Scottish Left Review is a non-profit making publication. 2050. Please subscribe or make a donation by going to www. the move earned plaudits, it is entirely scottishleftreview.org The Scottish National Investment where you can pay by credit card unclear how much capital spend of or by filling in your details in the form below and returning Bank also provides an opportunity to to Scottish Left Review, 14 West Campbell Street, their investment in renewables will be leverage in funding for the low-carbon Glasgow G2 6RX in Scotland. Questions also remain over economy, providing patient capital why it also sold off their hydro assets Name for sectors and organisations which given the importance of these assets to cannot access patient, strategic capital. Address the Scottish energy system. Similarly, The Scottish Government’s plans for a while SSE earns plaudits for being publicly owned energy company could an accredited living wage employer, also help transform the public policy it seems less concerned about fuel Tel: landscape, although it will have to be poverty - announcing a £76 fuel hike rise far more ambitious than the Scottish E-mail: in the summer. Government’s current vision of a Subscription/Donation Relying on these multi-nationals, company focussed on retail supply. A and an approach to public policy focus on generation – where the both Date: 209 based on market mechanisms such the money and the decarbonisation Subscriptions: £18 (waged), £14 (unwaged), £24 (local as carbon taxes and levies on fuel opportunities are – will be crucial if it is organisations), £30 (national organisations). Donations will be gratefully recieved. 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8 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 Partnership for progress Matthew Crighton outlines the Just Transition Partnership between the STUC and Friends of the Earth etting up a Just Transition up by Friends of the Earth Scotland ●●Plans at national, sectoral and regional Commission which will advise and STUC in 2016, has made it clear levels will not only generate well- Sministers on the development of that radical changes in objectives and paid jobs, with better employment ‘a carbon-neutral economy that is fair methods of economic development and conditions, but also deliver social for all’ appears to be a bold move by industrial policy are necessary. While benefits, which will be core to popular the Scottish Government. Initiatives or built on longstanding dialogue about support and political positioning of commissions in other countries have so climate change and policy engagement this transformation as an opportunity far been restricted to just transition of of some unions, the impulse for the not just a cost. specific sectors or locations like the coal partnership was losing 60,000 North ●●The participation of the workers most industry in Spain or Tar Sands in Canada. Sea jobs as the oil price plummeted in effected, through unions as well as The Scottish Government is also setting 2015-2016. relevant communities, should be up a Scottish National Investment Bank central aim. which may well include Just Transition In face of further such jobs losses, or at least investment in low carbon and further deindustrialisation, the This approach to economic development infrastructure in its remit. In addition, partnership focused initially on creating will give certainty and confidence for the option of a publicly-owned energy new jobs which can provide continued the large-scale investment programmes company is being considered. These employment for those affected by which are urgently required. three initiatives are the core things decline in fossil fuel industries and Transformation of finance is needed for which the Just Transition Partnership provide similarly good or better wages transformation of energy and industrial has been pushing for. So are we on the and conditions in order to avoid the infrastructure, for which a powerful verge of a successful transformation to unjust transition when coal mining National Investment Bank will be at the a carbon-neutral economy that is fair to was shutdown. Some of these new core. Just Transition has to be central all in Scotland? So far, welcome though jobs will be offshore (wind, wave, tidal, to its remit and to a revised Economic they are, these are all words, not deeds. decommissioning) and others in the Strategy which ensures the commitment economic transformation needed to go of the development agencies and Meanwhile in its Climate moves government Change Bill, the Scottish support away from fossil Government has resisted fuels. Any support to the calls to set a target date to energy sectors should be to achieve net-zero emissions. deliver the just transition And its actions in supporting and employers should be the continuing development required to negotiate just of oil and gas extraction point in the low-carbon onshore (such as transport transition agreements with government opposite direction. SNP MPs appear and energy efficiency). and unions. to be supporting the introduction of Transferable Tax Histories, the latest The partnership has facilitated unions The biggest failure in terms of justice Treasury wheeze to deliver public having a voice in the debate about will be if the transition does not happen subsidy to underpin the continuing climate change, seen originally as an or is too slow. There has to be as much profitability extraction and further environmental issue; and environmental emphasis on ‘transition’ as there is exploration. ‘Maximising Economic organisations having increased purchase on ‘just’; the transition won’t happen Recovery’, the policy framework on economic and industrial issues. unless it is just because it will require established after the report of the Working through the practical issues a popular movement supporting it. If Wood Commission in response to job in joint papers combining these two the Just Transition Commission follows losses in the North Sea, appears to perspectives, often for government through on its remit logically and be about financial support to private consultations, identified: without fear or favour to the powers enterprise rather than workers’ jobs and that be, it will understand this and will conditions, which continue to be under ●●The need for action for reasons of be able to build on the policy framework attack. climate change and economic justice developed by STUC, Friends of the Earth are urgent. Scotland and other members in the How will the Just Transition Commission Just Transition Partnership. We hope it negotiate these contradictions? The ●●Market-based solutions have failed, does; and whether within or without announcement of its remit and some of publicly-driven solution are necessary, the Commission, the Partnership will its members without the participation rooted in the extension of public continue to develop support from across of unions or any of the leading control over economic outcomes. the political spectrum for these vital environmental groups raised some ●●This will require public, municipal ideas. eyebrows though that may have been and community ownership of key just an initial hiccup in the process and Matthew Crighton works at Friends of parts of the energy systems so that it there have been assurances given that the Earth Scotland is reliable and effective and anchors union representatives will be included. development benefits in Scotland and The Just Transition Partnership, set to localities within it.

9 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 Rebelling against extinction With no jobs or life on a dead planet, Douglas Rogers explains what Extinction Rebellion is about The science is clear: either we make police stations. So on the 17 November, more disruptive, others less: we take radical changes to our relationship when 6,000 rebels shut down five no pleasure in causing inconvenience, with the environment, or hundreds of London bridges before marching on but see such disruption as a regrettable millions – potentially far more than Parliament Square, the police vans necessity in the fight to avert the much this – will die. Whether by rising seas, and helicopters were closely followed darker disruptions to come from climate expanding deserts or eroding soil, by invitations from MPs to talk about change. billions will be displaced. Combined climate policy. We’ve been growing fast, and as with the unknown influence of positive Our demands are simple. First, the we grow we’re making efforts to feedback loops, the result could government openly acknowledge and decentralise as much as possible, both threaten civilisation as we know it. publicise the truth about our situation: organisationally and geographically The science has been clear for decades from parliament to the BBC, the present – with 80 branches across Britain at but in that time the response has been discussion of climate change is a long the time of writing since we were utterly inadequate: global emissions way from the urgency obliged by the established in late October 2018. This have risen by 60% since 1990. As we facts. Second, that the government broad reach has allowed us to work now stand, for any hope of avoiding 2°C enact legally binding policies to reduce towards our demands on the local of warming we’ll need rich countries to carbon emissions to zero by 2025, and level as well as the national, with local cut emissions by 90% by 2030. Under act accordingly in the international authorities in Bristol, Stroud, Totnes, the Paris agreement, the EU target for arena. And third, that a Citizens’ Trafford and London all now having that year is 40%. The British government Assembly create a plan for this change: declared states of climate emergency. has demonstrated its lack of concern this will be a body chosen by sortition In keeping with this decentralised with a budget ruling out any subsidies approach, XR Scotland is currently for renewables until 2025, meaning a working on its own Scotland-specific 95% fall in investments over the next version of XR’s declaration of rebellion. three years. For decades now, there And it’s not just in Britain that we’re have been marches held, petitions growing: at the time of writing there are signed – and still our planet remains on nearly 200 XR branches spread across course for catastrophe. 25 countries, from Norway to India. Something needs to change – and This international scale is, of course, Extinction Rebellion (XR) plans to be essential to achieving our goal of limiting that change. Our movement believes the effects of climate change and the that, when faced with a political related environmental crises. With this establishment unwilling to take the in mind, our forthcoming actions will be necessary steps to avert catastrophe, building towards a week of international our only remaining choice is to take rebellion, beginning on the 15 April, direct action to preserve our planet’s where we will tell the leaders of the future. world with one voice that the time to act is now. Our methods take inspiration from the movements of Martin Luther King and There’s plenty to do before April. XR Mahatma Gandhi. These movements to represent the people’s perspective Scotland held its inaugural meeting in were mass-scale, assertive enough to in a political system which has grown Edinburgh in November, attracting over practice civil disobedience, but above out of touch with those it claims to 200 people, and has since established all peaceful: XR puts a high priority on represent – as is strikingly apparent in branches all over Scotland. Hundreds of people are attending talks and trainings, non-violence in both our actions and the case of climate change, with 71% of in preparation for large-scale actions in our language. We take this approach not respondents to a YouGov poll favouring 2019. If you’d like to help, or would like just because it’s nicer but because it’s more investment in renewable energy, to learn about our movement, contact better: the work of Erica Chenoweth, for and 83% demanding that fossil fuel [email protected]. example, finds non-violent movements companies bear the costs of climate twice as likely to succeed as violent change. Douglas Rogers is a member of ones. Extinction Rebellion’s press team. Since taking the bridges on the 17 See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ As we’ve been demonstrating, though, November, we’ve kept up the pressure, Extinction_Rebellion for more on XR non-violence doesn’t mean meekness. with multi-day roadblocks in London, Governments can ignore and have a march on Buckingham Palace, the ignored petitions and routine marches, blockading of government buildings, just as they’ve ignored the increasingly and a national day of action spanning severe effects of climate change – but from Totnes to Inverness, involving they can’t ignore gridlocked roads, everything from die-ins to guerrilla blockaded buildings and overflowing gardening. Some of our actions are 10 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 The global dimension of the Just Transition Bill Bonnar argues Africa, as the poorest continent, needs special attention and resources here is no doubt that the issue continent, the drought is as severe as distorting effect on many economies. of radical climate change has that in Australia but with one major So, according to the United Nations in Trocketed up the political agenda difference. Australia has the resources 1970, Africa was almost completely both in Britain and on a global scale. It to deal with it. In countries such as self-sufficient in food production and a seems the dramatic warnings contained Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, major global exporter of food. Today, in the now endless reports are hitting Namibia, Mozambique, Angola and every African country without exception home and the world is waking up the Botswana, drought is having a dramatic is a major food importer. All of this scale of the crisis. In the past, climate effect. Expanding deserts, less arable makes it difficult for African countries to change was seen as a future crisis land and less fresh water supplies are finance the kinds of measures needed worthy of attention but not a priority. having an increasing impact on the to tackle the effects of climate change. Now it is clear that this future has now economies of these countries and Africa needs massive financial aid arrived and is having an ever increasing in turn are exacerbating social and from richer parts of the world, not as impact. tribal conflicts. Across the continent, an act of charity but because tackling competition for declining resources the problems of climate change in one A report from Oxfam some years ago has become a major factor in some part of the world affects all others. described a two stage process. In conflicts. An example is the on-going Besides, given the wholesale looting of the short to medium term, the world war in Darfur in Sudan which originated the continent in the colonial and post- would see a dramatic increase in severe as a conflict between two tribal groups colonial period, Africa is due some of weather events including everything over access to scarce arable land before that money back in reparations. from hurricanes to droughts as the planet The recent international gradually warmed. In climate change the longer term, rising conference in Poland sea levels would have an highlights some of the even greater impact. It is issues. Like at other now clear we are living such conferences, through the first of these scientists identify the scenarios. According to problems and the the follow-on reports absolute minimum set from Oxfam (which of measures needed to had been monitoring tackle them. In order ‘climate-based disasters’ to reach agreement, from 1995 to 2015), these hitherto absolute there had been a minimum measures fourfold increase in such are then watered down events in that period. massively, reducing The reports described a their effectiveness. being exacerbated by the government in climate-based disaster as ‘an extreme That’s if they are actually carried out Khartoum. weather event which caused significant at all. The track record so far on this human casualties’. In a similar vein, Africa faces many climate change is not encouraging. The value of such the former Australian Prime Minister problems. The growth of urbanisation conferences, therefore, tends to be at a Climate Change Conference in has led to a dramatic increase in the symbolic as well as raising awareness. Melbourne, when discussing the severe need for fresh drinking water while Actual change comes through the drought affecting that country, said the demands of globalisation have had climate change programmes of that we should stop referring to this as a major distorting effect on African individual countries and, here, Scotland a ‘drought’. Calling it a drought implies economies. Africa is a major exporter has become something of a world leader something temporary whereby at some of raw materials yet has effectively no as it makes the transition from fossil stage the drought will end and normality control over the prices it can charge fuels to renewable energy. The tens of will resume. In fact, the drought is for these exports. This is because billions of pounds of resources and the the new normality and Australia had these industries are largely owned and infrastructure needed to implement witnessed a climactic shift. controlled by multi-national companies change are beyond the reach of most or through trade deals with countries African countries. Future international The continent most affected by climate like China. conferences are needed to focus on change is Africa. It is also the continent how the richer countries can assist the least able to deal with its significant African economies has also been forced continent for the benefit of everyone. challenges. Drought is now a major down the road of replacing production factor in many parts of Africa. In the for domestic consumption with cash Bill Bonnar is a member of the editorial southern and eastern parts of the crops for export which again has had a committee of the Scottish Left Review

11 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 Why and how the SNP must stop being ‘the party of oil’ Simon Barrow argues the SNP must more fully commit to the Just Transition limate change is the all-embracing others on these islands and beyond like it) in Britain, there is simply no challenge of our civilisation. – aims to be a socially just, equitable, alternative than for Scotland to regain CAt stake is the survival of the internationalist, nuclear-free country maximum possible control of its political planet itself. Intertwined with the whose shared economic prosperity is and economic future. central causes global warming are founded upon hosting some 40% of This requires a major shift in political the multiple failures of free-market Europe’s on- and off-shore renewable imagination. ‘It’s Scotland’s oil’ was the capitalism, inequality, poverty, forced energy potential. widely publicised political slogan used human migrations on an unprecedented In other words, the inescapable by the SNP during the 1970s in making scale, and the potential for further its economic case for independence. catastrophic conflicts across the globe. challenge of transitioning rapidly and justly away from a fossil-fuel based During the 2014 referendum falling oil This is why all political parties and economy to a non-carbon future one prices encouraged the idea of seeing movements have a fundamental duty dovetails with the kind of democratic, oil as ‘bonus’. But ever since then, in to re-examine their core political and progressive, sustainable political spite of adopting a swathe of other economic outlook and policies in order platform which stops the SNP sinking environmentally oriented policies, to face the sweeping changes which the into the dull, centrist, technocratic social the party has cheered every new oil UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate democracy to which it will otherwise or gas deposit discovery. The deep Change (IPCC) and grassroots Extinction fall prey. It is as essential for political dependence on fossil fuel thinking has Rebellion movement are pointing renewal and post-austerity economics as not changed. We need to understand towards with stark urgency. it is for the survival of a small nation on that carbon fuels aren’t a bonus; they’re a planetary liability. Equally, they are In the case of the SNP, that means an imperilled planet. also a source of thousands of jobs confronting the necessity for a historic and social infrastructures that need shift away from being the ‘party of oil’ to replacing. Investment, political will, being a party of just transition heading policy creativity, scientific know-how towards a cutting edge green technology and community engagement are all future for Scotland. This is the Rubicon needed to make green transition just that the governing party in Scotland is enormous. But it is also possible and now has to cross, if its frequent claims necessary, and it has to start right away and aspirations to being a world-leader with an acknowledgement by the SNP in tacking climate change are not to that we are in the midst of a climate ring hollow. But what does it mean in emergency. practical terms? Simon Barrow is director of the beliefs, In the United States, the left inside and politics and ethics think tank, Ekklesia. outside the Democratic Party has made He is a co-opted member of the SNP a ‘Green New Deal’ the centrepiece of Trade Union Group executive committee, an effort to shift establishment politics and also an executive committee and opposition to Trump into a new member of SNP Socialists. He has co- paradigm: one that seeks to unite a edited ‘A Nation Changed: Ten Years pioneering political and economic Practically, the need is for much more joined-up thinking about shifting rapidly of the SNP and Scotland’ (Luath Press, programme to the growing but inchoate 2017) with Gerry Hassan, and ‘Scotland from dependence on oil and gas to a public mood for change. This involves 2021’ (Bella Caledonia and Ekklesia, renewable energy economy grounded subverting and redirecting political 2016) with Mike Small. energies which are currently submerged on investment, high wages, mobile and in dangerous right-wing populism. automated technology, and skilled jobs. Something similar now needs to happen Some of the required levers for this in Scotland. The debate within the are in place or are on the threshold SNP and on the left over our national of being introduced. They include a future should not just be about Brexit national investment bank, a publicly and constitutional change (a reformed owned energy company, and a Europe, self-governance, and the national infrastructure company. Such possibility of a confederation of nations instruments can be transformational. and regions replacing the UK), important As the Scottish Greens have pointed, though those are. It has to be about many of the powers required for a just Scotland having a clear alternative transition already exist – but far more prospectus in the midst of a neo-liberal are needed. If the pro-Brexit disaster quagmire. A Scotland that – alongside capitalists get their way (or anything 12 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 Opportunities for Scotland’s climate related legislation Gordon Morgan says the Scottish Government has several opportunities to help make the transition he Scottish Government boasts parameters). A low cost model will not Publicly Owned Energy Company that it is a world leader in reducing accelerate actions that can be taken now (POEC) Tclimate emissions and to a certain and these could reduce emissions in Although this will proceed to extent that is true. However, most of the early years faster through changes in the legislation, the recommendations actual emission reductions have come transport infrastructure. from the parliamentary committee are from the fortuitous circumstance that that Scotland moves to establish an Fuel Poverty Bill we have the best climate for wind power independent body, perhaps along the This is essential for the Just Transition and potentially for wave and tidal power lines of a Danish-style Energy Agency, as we cannot expect all households, as well and, therefore, can produce and that the POEC should be positioned or indeed, the majority of households, energy from these cheaper than at the heart of energy policy and market to embrace voluntarily adapting to elsewhere in Britain. This has enabled transition, strategic in its long-term the higher costs of electric heating the entire removal of coal based thinking and planning. Critical will be compared to gas without at least electricity generation, thereby helping whether the Government accepts that compensating energy savings. Two to reduce emissions by around 50% it has to be more than another energy critical issues are the targets for but this is as part of the grid to which company in a crowded marketplace eliminating fuel poverty and how fuel Scotland exports electricity. The Scottish making no profits. Although this is a poverty is defined. This Bill may be Government also has amongst the most critical issue it can only be resolved amended to take account of changes transparent and most accountable fully, given Scotland’s current position, to the definition of fuel poverty and reporting mechanisms with annual if somehow either Westminster or how Energy Performance Certificates reports to parliament, unlike England the EU allows state investment or are awarded or reviewed. A Warm which has a five-yearly reporting rationalisation/nationalisation of the Homes Bill will be introduced later in scrutiny process. energy market. the year which will also impact on the The coming year will test the Scottish refurbishment programme and should The Scottish Government’s response Government’s resolve to maintain this set out policies on moving away from to the above programme along with progress with significant legislation gas heating. To meet these targets, their targets for electric recharging, being considered. To some extent enormous amounts of government encouraging electric and hydrogen the Scottish Government is getting its support will be necessary which would vehicles, improving energy standards excuses in first with justified claims need to be funded by general taxation in all new buildings, deciding how to that energy policy is a reserved matter or price controls on energy, which the replace gas from existing houses and and the Tory Westminster Government Scottish Government has no powers for their consideration of a date for banning seems distracted by Brexit and has not as yet. new gas boilers will determine whether brought forward meaningful responses Scotland can meet its own existing Transport Bill to the latest UN Intergovernmental climate targets and maintain its status as This will allow for low emissions zones Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report a leader on climate change. to be introduced and may pass authority or Westminster’s Climate Change to local councils to regulate buses and Gordon Morgan is an energy researcher Committee (CCC) criticisms of its lack better control road repairs. It does not, and member of the Scottish Left Review of action on transport and housing. however, mention walking or cycling editorial committee However, the CCC makes the same or ferries. A separate bill would ease criticisms of the Scottish Government. the establishment of 20 MPH zones. So what legislative issues are being Separately, the Government needs to considered and what difference will they be pressed on how much of the rail make? network can be electrified, what steps Climate Change Bill are being taken to ensure low carbon EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Whilst this may seem the most trains on the remaining 70% of the important piece of legislation, it largely network that cannot be electrified and Bill Bonnar Bill Ramsay updates target emissions and does whether rail will be brought into public Cat Boyd Lilian Macer not include precise mechanisms or ownership. Sarah Collins Gordon Morgan policies to mitigate climate change. Proposed Prohibition of Fracking Bill Moira Craig Tommy Sheppard These targets may be changed once This could outlaw rather than suspend Sean Duffy Dave Sherry the CCC report is received in March or indefinitely fracking. April 2019. The other policies require Carole Ewart Stephen Smellie other legislation. The Government is Proposed European Charter of Local Gregor Gall Chris Stephens also relying on the latest model for the Self Government (Incorporation) Bill Editor Maggie Chapman lowest cost path to climate reduction This would to a degree limit the control Pat Kelly Bob Thomson (the TIMES model which is used across of central government over local Convener Vice Convener Britain but with a Scottish set of authorities.

13 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 Capitalism is the climate crisis Dave Sherry says the systemic roots of the crisis lie in the economic system we live under o a great media fanfare, the UN liberalism, it’s no wonder Ian Rappel march brought together environmental climate change conference drew to has argued this approach - the spirit of activists, workers and students with Ta close in December with nothing Katowice - will prove naive: ‘Appealing Extinction Rebellion present too. agreed that could even pretend to avert to market capitalism, its corporations Canadian Marxist ecologist, Ian Angus, climate catastrophe. Representatives and politicians, to value biodiversity argues in his Facing the Anthropocene from 200 countries gathered in through money is akin to asking the fox that while the dependence on fossil Katowice, Poland, for two weeks to look after the henhouse’.. fuels began with the Industrial of discussions about implementing Warnings are coming thick and fast Revolution in the eighteenth century, agreements from previous conferences. the new epoch actually began in the The last summit in Paris produced an about how the earth is hurtling towards second half of the twentieth century. empty promise that countries would catastrophe. 2018 has been an unusually Like most scientists involved in the limit carbon emissions to keep the hot year, with record-breaking droughts, research, he calls the period since 1950 global temperature rise within 2 degrees floods and hurricanes across the globe. The UN Intergovernmental Panel on ‘the Great Acceleration’ as a result of above pre-industrial levels. In Poland, the growth of fossil production and use, the talks worked out a guideline for Climate Change (IPCC) warns the earth’s temperature must be kept below a rise auto-mobilisation of Western society, putting this in place, but couldn’t corporate concentration and the rise agree much beyond this. The more of 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels and estimates that in 12 years it of monopolies, mass introduction of contentious issues were postponed to synthetic petro-chemical based products next year. will be too late to limit the temperature rise to that figure. It says carbon and industrialisation of agriculture with Capitalism has set humanity on a pollution will need to be eradicated by the Second World War accelerating their collision course with nature. In its latest, 2050 – not 2075 as suggested by the rise. neo-liberal phase it has unleashed what previous agreements. But as the IPCC It is significant that many scientists most conservation ecologist, Ian Rappel, bemoans ‘the political will at the top of closely associated with Anthropocene calls: ‘a scale of ecological destruction society is lacking’. research have endorsed Angus’s book that has few precedents and Marx’s contention across the earth’s that capitalism geological history. We competition would are teetering on the generate a ‘metabolic brink of a sixth mass rift between human extinction event. … this society and the wanton destruction of larger natural world non-human life in its of which it was an myriad and amazing emergent part’. This forms is surely one of the suggests that climate most obvious markers scientists as well of our descent towards as rebellious youth barbarism’ (International are being pushed Socialism, 160). towards more radical The frustrations and the enormity of In the short run, the rich will shield conclusions and are willing to engage this challenge have led some to adopt themselves from the worst aspects of with a specifically socialist argument - dubious strategies and compromises. climate change. So millionaires were capitalism is not an option. Their drive to assign monetary value able to hire private fire fighters to Science for People has been re- to bio-diversity and nature is being protect their homes during November’s launched. The magazine was originally touted as the only way to get the California wildfires while entire working message across to governments, class communities burned to the published during the 1970s and 1980s corporations and the markets. This ground. Climate change, like every other and associated with the organisation strategy of ‘nature financialisation’– horror of capitalism, will hit working of the same name -a group of radical the process whereby bankers turn to people and the poor first and hardest. scientists and science teachers. The environmental conservation as a new latest issue focuses on a critique of As this becomes clearer, new radical field for speculative investment, has forces are emerging to pressure the geo-engineering high-tech proposals won acceptance among scientists and politicians to act. Throughout November for climate manipulation designed politicians while global recession wreaks school students across Australia held to keep fossil-fuelled capitalism havoc. protests and strikes to demand action intact rather than address the roots For today’s pragmatic environmentalist, on climate change now. There have also of the climate change threat. Other the concept of ‘natural capital’ (NC) is been weeks of school and university articles uncover corporate interests the answer. Its more extreme advocates strikes throughout Germany. And in in geo-engineering and its possible argue environmental regulations are Britain, Extinction Rebellion has drawn use for military purposes. For the ineffective and distort the market; its thousands onto the streets to declare current issue and a selection from more moderate supporters qualify a ‘climate emergency’ (see Douglas their enthusiasm by asserting ‘nature Roger’s article, this issue). The first its archives see https://magazine. conservation’ through ‘natural capital Saturday in December saw thousands scienceforthepeople.org/ accounting’ – a financial audit of the march through London to demand Dave Sherry is a member of the Scottish impact of society on nature. Given the ‘drastic and rapid action’. Called by the Left Review editorial committee rich history of fraud associated with neo- Campaign against Climate Change, this 14 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 Universal Credit – universal cruelty for the poor and vulnerable Chris Stephens says the real scandal of this Tory government is its welfare policy not Brexit t’s all too easy for MPs to be (DWP) and government ministers know - working with the Institute for Public consumed by all matters Brexit at this and are relying on the kindness of Policy Research using their modelling IWestminster given the bulk of debate strangers to their fellow citizens to plug -that suggests that at least 200,000 is devoted to scrutinising the Tories’ the gaps in their budget. additional children will go into poverty mishandling of negotiations and the as a result of this policy, and 100,000 The concept that this system will help increasingly frantic attempts by May into severe poverty’. people adjust to a working environment to box everyone into accepting the is nonsense. Consistent research shows The one single household payment false dichotomy of her deal versus a claimants moving out of work to social is not protecting claimants who are ‘no deal’. In ordinary times, this would security are more likely to have been victims of domestic abuse. During the easily result in a ‘no confidence’ motion. paid on a weekly or fortnightly basis committee’s inquiry, it became clear However, these are no ordinary times as rather than monthly. that women’s aid charities saw split Brexit has blown apart many accepted payments as the way forward as a political norms as neither government One of the biggest dangers to claimants minimum payment should be paid to nor the lead opposition party has a is the five week wait for the initial main carer. clear united position on the issue. When payment. Despite encouragement to much of the discussion centres around reduce this further from the Work A recent development is how sanctions when to trigger such a motion, increase with UC (as opposed we know we are in the twilight to the legacy benefit system). zone. But there is a non-Brexit Take the example of someone issue commanding cross-party who refuses a zero hour support that should trigger a contract. They were not able vote of ‘no confidence’ in the to be sanctioned under legacy government - a pressing issue system, but under UC will be. In that is literally a matter of life an incredible exchange between or death for some people. It’s myself and Amber Rudd before called Universal Credit (UC). Christmas, the Secretary of State suggested that this was The Tories are not just presiding the correct approach, and over a broken social security did not seem to appreciate system but knowingly pushing that this would push people ahead with a policy and process into insecure work and delay that is actively harming people. benefits payments pushing A growing and impartial body people into debt. of evidence proves that UC is not just and Pensions Select Committee, all driving people into poverty but is The Scrooge like qualities of this immediate evidence is that this wait pushing them to the brink and beyond government are evident. The DWP is causing significant hardship in our in physical and mental health terms. Christmas bonus was kept at the same communities. Every charity and food In the face of the evidence presented rate since 1972 at £10 but will now be bank is reporting claimants can just to the Work and Pensions committee abolished. For some people, £10 can about manage to get to 3 weeks, but that I sit on from respected and diverse make the difference between heating or need immediate help in week four. sources, it is hard not to conclude that eating, never mind Xmas cheer. both an austerity/cuts agenda and a The real scandal involves the two child Of all the reasons to get rid of the Tories, judgemental ideological agenda is being limit, and the repulsive rape clause. We UC and punishing people for being pursued by May and the Tories. now have a government implementing vulnerable and in need is as important a policy which punishes a child for their Since UC was rolled out to both job as what may or may not happen with birth order. Asked about the impact centres servicing Glasgow South West, Brexit. There are few certainties about this policy will have on child poverty, my office has seen not just an increase what happens in 2019, but as long as the Child Poverty Action Group told the in caseload, but local food banks and Universal Credit stays is in place as it is DWP Select Committee: ‘You could not charities experiencing a steep increase then many people, families and children design a policy better to increase child in people needing urgent assistance will suffer hunger and stress. Brexit poverty than this one [and] families and an immediate rise in applications will only increase this vulnerability and with three or more children have a to the Scottish Welfare Fund. Were it unnecessary suffering. much higher risk of poverty already. The not for the huge generosity of local rate of child poverty in these families Chris Stephens is the (SNP) MP for people and their donations to food after housing costs is up to 42% in the Glasgow South West and a member banks and other charities, the crisis last dataset. This is projected to go up of the Scottish Left Review editorial would be even worse. Make no mistake, to 52%. We have carried out analysis committee the Department of Work and Pensions

15 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 Death in Police Custody: the case of Sheku Bayoh Aamer Anwar explains why his death must be the subject of a public inquiry heku Ahmed Tejan Bayoh was a after his death that a police woman placed their faith in the Lord Advocate, well-liked, hard-working young man, was stabbed but these turned out to be Police Scotland and PIRC to act decisively Swith no previous history of violence, completely false. to restore confidence and satisfy the when he died age 31. He was a loving need for a demonstrably independent Following his death, over the course of partner and proud father of 4 month old, investigation. Sheku’s family and the the next 6 hours, 5 different versions of Isaac, and 3 year old, Tyler. Sheku moved Scottish public deserved to have a robust, events were given to the family by police to Britain from Sierra Leone when he was impartial and transparent investigation officers. Initially, both Sheku’s partner, 11 and joined his sister in Kirkcaldy when into his death which scrutinised the Collette and his family were told by police he was 17. individual conduct and tactics of police it was a member of the public who found officers present at his detention and On 3 May 2015, he left his home between his body and the police were looking for 2 restraint and those in command of them 7.00am and 7.15am and walked about a individuals. when Sheku died. mile. Police officers responded to several calls from members of the public of a The use of CS spray and dangerous black male acting erratically with a knife. restraint techniques poses questions Two police vans and 5 police cars were about the power of the police and must be dispatched and 9 uniformed police officers subject to public scrutiny and approval so attended the scene. Several officers that future deaths and injuries to the confronted Sheku and a minimum of 5 public can be prevented. were involved in his restraint. The question of race has always been the Sheku’s family believe his behaviour was elephant in the room. Sheku’s family do totally out of character. He was under not feel he would have been treated in the influence of drugs and his family such a manner had he been white. A BBC believe whilst police have the right to investigation revealed the family of one defend themselves, any use of force has the officers who restrained Sheku had a to be at all times lawful, reasonable and violent history and it was alleged that he proportionate. The family subsequently ‘hated black people’. learned Sheku was not carrying a weapon Sheku’s family believed there should be no at the time the police arrived, he did not impunity for those found to be involved in use a knife on the police nor was one ever any criminality, misconduct or impropriety. found upon him. On 3 October 2018, the family met Despite an attempt to smear Sheku after with the Lord Advocate, Scotland’s top his death through ‘police source leaks’ to prosecutor to be told there would be no the media, he did not attack police officers criminal proceedings against the officers. with a knife or a ‘machete’. The family also ‘... but not Sheku Bayoh’ At this point in time, we are preparing to now know Sheku did not attack the police seek a review of that decision but expect first but that he was attacked by them not The family does not understand why the that the police officers will simply walk once, but several times even though he officers involved in engaging with Sheku away. had not acted violently. It was following were allowed to sit in one room together The family have requested Cabinet this that a police officer was injured. for several hours, whilst they refused Secretary for Justice, Humza Yousaf, orders to provide statements to the Police It has been confirmed that CS spray, Pava a full judicial public inquiry to ensure Investigations and Review Commissioner (pepper) spray and batons were used by that the full facts of the circumstances investigators and failed to do so for 32 uniformed police officers on Sheku as he of Sheku’s death are brought into the days. The officers were not immediately was restrained and brought to the ground public domain, including a focus on suspended ‘without prejudice’ after by several officers within 42 seconds of Police Scotland’s use of CS spray, restraint Sheku’s death. To do so is not to pre-judge their arrival. Some officers stated they techniques, the question of race and the the investigation’s outcome but ensure believed they were under ‘terrorist attack’. circumstances in which they operated on neutrality, integrity of the investigation, Sheku was also handcuffed and restraints 3 May 2015. transparency as well as protecting officers applied to his knees and ankles. Shortly involved in such incidents. Whilst it is often fashionable to talk thereafter, he lost consciousness and died. of ‘black lives matter’ in the USA or His body was covered with lacerations, Positional asphyxiation was suspected London, this happened on our streets bruising and a broken rib. which is a form of asphyxia which occurs in Scotland. Nobody should be allowed when someone’s position prevents the At 7.34am CPR was attempted at the to evade accountability or frustrate the person from breathing adequately. Drugs scene, an ambulance was called and he investigation process and Sheku’s family were also found in Sheku’s blood stream arrived at the nearby Victoria Hospital at will not rest until they have the truth. which led to behaviour which was totally 7.45am but despite attempts to resuscitate out of character. Aamer Anwar is the leading human rights him he was officially pronounced dead at lawyer in Scotland and the solicitor for the 9.04am. Reports were also issued shortly From the very beginning Sheku’s family family of Sheku Bayoh 16 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 On the frontline: fighting the fascists Talat Ahmed calls upon the left to mobilise on 2 February in a show of strength t is five years since Greek anti-fascists semitism has reared its ugly head in is increasingly dominated by open called for international solidarity for Poland and Hungary, driven in the main fascists, is gaining in elections. It was Itheir struggle against the fascist party, by authoritarian governments, but involved in the violent rampage against Golden Dawn, and for a response to Islamophobia is the glue cementing the migrants in Chemnitz last September. the growth of racism and the far right. far right globally. There was an immediate response Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) Scotland is from anti-racists in Chemnitz and It will, no doubt, be no surprise to calling on trade unionists to help build over 250,000 joined the ‘Unteilbar’ readers of this magazine that we have the anti-racist movement. On Saturday (indivisible) march in Berlin after a seen the far right’s popularity grow after 2 February, SUTR will hold a conference broad-based mobilisation of the left, to bring activists together to discuss years of global economic crisis. The the unions and the wider anti-racist key issues and build for the coordinated stakes are high. At SUTR’s International movement. international protests on 16 March Conference in London last October In too many places racism is becoming 2019, around UN Anti-Racism Day. attendees were shocked at the scale of the task at hand and inspired by the socially acceptable and Scotland is History tells us if we unite and mobilise determined action in many countries to not immune. In the last six months a mass movement, we can push counter the far right. alone Stand Up To Racism Scotland back racism and crush the growth of has organised and joined with many fascist organisations. This lesson others to counter a series of is a crucial one for us today. In racist attacks in Edinburgh, and June 2018, we witnessed one of opposed fascists trying to grow in the largest far right organised Glasgow and Dundee. We saw the demonstrations ever in Britain. effects of Theresa May’s ‘hostile Some 15,000 assorted racists, environment’ in Glasgow with xenophobes and Hitler-admirers Serco’s threat to evict vulnerable protested in Whitehall to ‘defend people from their homes, those free speech’. Oswald Moseley’s they deemed to be ‘failed asylum British Union of Fascists or the seekers’. The response from Nazi boot boys of the National campaigners, politicians and trade Front in the 1970s never achieved unionists to defend them was such a mobilisation. This ‘Free magnificent. Tommy Robinson’ rally was backed We must challenge the racist and funded by an international scapegoating from the political network of the far right that has mainstream that helps fuel the been emboldened by Trump’s growth of the far right. The presidency. Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, emerging new far right street the real name of Tommy Robinson, movement is attempting to take has become a pivotal figure in the Ismahane Chouder, co-founder of advantage of the political crisis by resurgence of the far right in Britain. the International Forum against Islamophobia and for civil rights, scapegoating migrants, refugees and Using racist scapegoating, he is underlined the dangers of the left not the Muslim community. And we cannot successfully uniting people around challenging discrimination and targeting allow our unity to be broken. In early his Islamophobic agenda, but he’s not of Muslims or Roma or other minorities. December fascist ‘Tommy Robinson’ the only one. Eighteen months ago, Civil rights and Roma campaigner, called his ‘Great Brexit Betrayal’ march we saw the emergence of the Football Sandor Szoke, reported the chilling in London, hoping to take advantage Lads Alliance (FLA) in the aftermath of news in Hungary that a new crime of of May’s crisis over her Brexit deal. a series of terrorist attacks in Britain. homelessness had just been included Sadly, some argued that your position It capitalised on the outrage felt by in the country’s constitution. Gender over membership of the European many at the loss of innocent lives studies, discussing Marx or women’s Union should be a dividing line in and professed to be “united against liberation has also been forbidden by the mobilisation against Robinson. extremism” but its Islamophobic Thankfully, a united demonstration was Viktor Orban’s regime. underbelly was soon exposed by forged on the day that called for people determined campaigning by SUTR. But the march of the far right is not (whether ‘leave’ or ‘remain’) to say no going unopposed. We also heard from to racism and fascism. We outnumbered We have not seen the frightening sight anti-fascists in Poland now mobilising Robinson’s march by three to one. Unity of fascists enter parliament here. Yet thousands on the streets. This is all is our strength. in Germany and Hungary this is the the more important since Polish state case. The Austrian government is now Dr Talat Ahmed is Lecturer in South officials refused to distance themselves run by a Tory-Fascist coalition. In too Asian History at the University of from fascists organising around Poland’s many countries in Europe and beyond Edinburgh and Convenor of Stand up independence day parade. over recent years, the growth of the to Racism Scotland (see https://www. far right has shocked people. Anti- In Germany, the racist AfD party, which facebook.com/SUTRscot/)

17 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 ‘Value Education, Value Teachers’ campaign marches on Larry Flanagan explains the magnificent mobolisation of teachers so far he Educational Institute of college sector and by our members in offer that had been proposed by the Scotland (EIS) launched its Value West Dunbartonshire. employers and the Scottish Government. Education, Value Teachers (VEVT) The EIS urged members to reject the T In the first phase of the campaign, the campaign last January. The aim of offer, while the Scottish Government tactic was to build the narrative around the campaign was simple: to seek to and COSLA attempted to ‘sell’ the pay the claim – aiming at members as much reverse the decade-long decline in the offer to teachers by writing to them as the public and politicians. Our Ten for value of teachers’ salaries by achieving directly, in defiance of established 10% tagline allowed us to evidence the a significant pay rise for Scotland’s protocols processes and, indeed, the case, and slowly but surely build support teaching professionals. Since the Fair Work Convention. Members voted for the campaign from the ground up. financial crash and the imposition of overwhelmingly (98%) to reject the offer austerity, Scotland’s teachers have seen Active engagement by the membership on a 74% turnout. the value of their take-home pay decline was always the target. Branch meetings These figures are significant because by over 24% in real terms through a started getting a little bigger and then we have been aware throughout the decade of pay freezes, sub-inflation pay bigger still. Regional campaign events campaign that the Tory Trade Union settlements, and increases in pension were organised and well attended. And, Act 2016 would come into play if and national insurance contributions. the lobbying of local councillors and a we moved to a statutory ballot – for ‘Message the Minister’ campaign saw While pay has declined workload education unions, it means not only thousands of members who had never has soared. Scotland has do we require a 50% turnout, we 3,000 fewer teachers than it also need to secure 40% of our did a decade ago, with pupil entire membership voting ‘yes’ numbers on the rise. This toxic to striking. In effect, someone combination created a growing not voting is counted as a ‘no’. crisis in teacher recruitment The ballot result has left us and retention across Scotland. confident, but absolutely not Student teacher places remain complacent, that we can beat the unfilled, local authorities Tory thresholds, if required. And struggle to fill vacant posts, as things stand, we may need to and experienced teachers are do so. Learning from the CWU increasingly walking away from and PCS unions, we mapped the profession early in search of the returns in our consultative less stressful, better paid jobs. ballot and so stand well placed to maximise our campaigning in any Against this backdrop, the statutory ballot process. VEVT campaign has become a lightning rod for the discontent At the time of writing, we are still amongst teachers. Whilst pay is in negotiations but to prevent the a key issue, EIS members have constant procrastination which been clear that excessive workload, the been active in the union before getting is the hallmark of COSLA, we also set developing crisis around inadequate involved. out our own timetable for decision support for pupils with additional making which means that January Whilst the pay talks dragged - almost support needs, and the relentless is the key month. A special Council a full year now - the EIS continued to changes in curriculum and assessment meeting has been set for 12 January work to build the campaign, leading are all equally critical. and that will consider the move towards to a massive turnout in our National a strike ballot, if no acceptable offer All public sector workers have suffered Demonstration in Glasgow in late has been made. Ultimately, it will for under austerity, of course, and the EIS October, when more than 30,000 our members to decide what we do has been clear from the outset that the people hit the streets to demand a fair next, but in my view the campaign has campaigns of all unions in the various pay rise for Scotland’s teachers. Such already succeeded in building enough sectors would benefit from synergies was the scale of the protest that as confidence, engagement and justified and solidarity actions. the front of the march reached George anger that if strike action is required, Square, those at the back of the line in In terms of the teachers’ campaign, members will vote for it. Kelvingrove Park (2.5 miles away) had the 10% claim immediately signalled to not even moved off. The demonstration Larry Flanagan has been the general members that this year was different. sent a very clear message that Scotland’s secretary of the EIS union since 2012. He It emerged from our previous AGM teachers were united in their anger. is a former teacher. which had demanded a major fight back on pay – inspired in particular by the Shortly after the demo, the EIS opened successful strike action of EIS FELA in the a consultative ballot on a ‘final’ pay

18 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 Tories in tatters results in rise of right? Sean Duffy argues that the beneficiaries of May’s meltdown are likely to be Rees Mogg and his cohorts he Conservative Party’s 40 year imperial party they wish to be. party, has quickly moved to crackdown war over Europe was once a It is clear the premiership of May on immigration as Home Secretary, Tpolitical curiosity fit only for the presents opportunities for a resurgent continuing the hostile environment of most nerdish of democratic his predecessor by declaring spectators. Yet as the that skilled migrants will need winter grows cold, this to earn over £30,000 per annum conflict has come to define to stay in Britain - a policy as not only the future of the economically short sighted as country, but threaten the it is archaic. Gove is a more very existence of the most heavyweight alternative yet influential political party he has perhaps sullied his in British history – a party record with the blue benches hurtling towards its end on a by switching one way then rightwards trajectory. the other on far too many This spells grave danger for occasions. Not that a lack of working people, as the public principle has ever been any services and freedoms we great barrier to success in enjoy will certainly be torn the Conservative Party, as the apart in the party’s wake. continued prevalence of the This danger may have arisen out of the socialist Labour Party, and the wider man Gove stabbed in the back, Boris peculiarities of Europhobia, but it is left, that have not been present for Johnson, attests to. inherent to the crisis of capitalism itself. some time. Here we have a reckless Where the Tory hard right have made and incompetent government pledged It now seems more than a millennia mistakes in the past, it will now learn to economic suicide, being protected ago that former Tory PM, Ted Heath, from them. Under the incompetent only by an enslaved press. A party proclaimed to a room full of Brussels leadership of Iain Duncan Smith, the determined to exploit social and cultural bureaucrats: ‘we have all come to right wing whip crackers chose an difference, leaving space for socialists to recognise our common European individual replete with private scandal expose the crushing doctrine of liberal heritage, our mutual interests and our and zero personality. It will not make capitalism and replace it with a unifying European destiny’. In 2016, 52% of the that mistake again. It is only the Tory’s message of radical change and workers’ country firmly did not agree. insular leadership selection process that ownership. Heath’s prophesy never transpired, has in any way protected the moderates due in part to the inability of the If the public is left with the choice from upheaval. If the membership European Union to be seen as anything between a resurgent ethno-nationalism is given the opportunity, it wants an other than an autocratic common on the Tory right and investment-led arch-conservative as much as Labour market. Yet also due to the rise of the socialist project under Labour, the members want a true socialist. European Research Group (ERG), which establishment may well be shocked to All of this and more spells trouble is guaranteed to make sure the Tory find they choose the latter. As with ahead for Tory reformers and even party post-May looks certain to be one all schisms, the figure head is greater distress for of hyper economic libertarianism and of vital importance, and the anyone even vaguely bigotry, even if it failed to take control of Tory party has no shortage committed to fairness the leadership itself. It is the tail that is of petty pretenders to and workers’ rights wagging the dog. in Britain. Between a right-wing led The great ERG self- ‘hard’ Brexit and the flagellator, Jacob Rees- increasing influence Mogg, who is always of Trumpian inspired quick to bend the knee when the timing the throne. neo-fascism, the time is opportune, has rapidly rescinded his is more pressing than assault on the Prime Minister of recent Aside from the perennial ever for socialists weeks when he led the failed charge of media darling Boris Johnson, the to unite in direct and disciplined no confidence against her, reverting to favourites to be the next leader are opposition. Hesitation is no longer an the Etonesque tradition of fealty to the Dominic Raab, Sajid Javid, and Michael option. chief as rapidly as he could. Though the Gove. Raab defined his short stint as Sean Duffy is the Secretary of Campaign reported meeting between him and the Brexit Secretary with an unflinching for Socialism, the sister organisation of Prime Minister in December, presented aversion to facts and advice, finishing Momentum within the Labour Party – as a power play by May, was in reality off in resignation having refused to see http://www.campaignforsocialism. an attempt to settle the restless natives agree to the deal he himself allegedly org.uk/ who will soon topple her moderate wing negotiated. Javid, ostensibly on the and hopelessly fail to rebuild the great ‘remain’ yet Thatcherite wing of the 19 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 Scottish Labour – the return of its radical roots Mike Cowley says under Richard Leonard Scottish Labour is back on its way to influence n November 2017, Scottish Labour The organised left of Scottish Labour, These radical changes have been elected their first leader from the under the influence of the Campaign mirrored in the campaigning focus also. Iexplicitly socialist wing of the party for Socialism, has remained implacably Leonard, like Corbyn before him, has since the advent of devolution. On the loyal to Leonard, yet concerns were been quick to push the party and its left, it was a moment of jubilation and raised in May when Leonard voted activists towards more direct community vindication of a long march spent largely against the Corbyn and Momentum based campaigning in an effort to mend in the often marginalised peripheries of backed candidate for the position of vice some of the reputational damage done protests, solidarity campaigns, and the chair on Labour’s National Executive by the Better Together campaign. unions. Yet one year on, the future of Committee. In recent months, notable by-election the Leonard project is uncertain, and the It has been far from smooth sailing victories have been achieved with an path it has taken has not been without energetic activist base mobilising behind bumps in the road. within the party also. Leonard has suffered repeated briefings against Leonard’s message of ‘Real Change’. In Quietly Leonard has pushed a him from within his cabinet from day order to maintain and build upon these radical agenda centred around one. Stalwarts of the party’s right, Anas victories, however, the organs of the municipalisation, defending local Sarwar and Jackie Baillie, were sacked party in Scotland will need to endorse democracy and the argument that in October when the insubordination and amplify this new spirit. Concerns Scotland must use its new powers to became too transparent, causing a rift have been raised by members about redistribute wealth and power. Notably, that has yet to be healed. Though it was the continuing dominance of the party’s this incorporates pushing for workers a popular move with the membership, right in Scottish Labour’s main office in to have a statutory right to own the the decision served also to expose how Glasgow, a problem that has long been company they are employed in, considered detrimental to any hopes of £40 billion of new investment in fundamental change over the long Scottish industry through tax rises term. on the highest earners, and a Mary If that change is to be more than Barbour law to tackle extortionate just a flash in the pan, Scottish rents by tying them to average Labour will need a much bigger incomes. team championing the cause of Leonard has patiently chipped socialism, and Leonard will have away at the SNP’s timid policies to maintain the difficult balance on economic redistribution and between being more autonomous repeatedly skewered the government out of touch the Holyrood group are whilst adopting many of the exciting over their treatment of schools, in with the new direction of the party. reforms that have come out of the particular the on-going pay dispute with Those MSPs who remain in the Scottish British party since Corbyn was elected. teachers, a skill he has honed over years Parliament after the disaster of the 2016 I am confident this can be achieved as a trade unionist. election under Kezia Dugdale are largely and after a long year of adversarial His conference speech was widely aligned with the centrist tendencies that yet community focused politics, I regarded as the best by a Scottish saw the party pushed into third place remain convinced that Richard Leonard Labour leader for over a decade, in Scotland. This has meant a cabinet embodies the radical alternative to a enthusing an upbeat and growing containing left-wing stalwarts such as stultifying politics of bland centrism and membership that increasingly identifies Neil Findlay and Elaine Smith alongside nationalist apologism which have held with the socialist roots of Labour rather more pragmatic advocates of change sway in Scotland for too long. who did not turn their nose up at the than the ‘Third Way’ tenets dominant With the right impetus, Richard Corbyn phenomenon, including Monica since devolution. But his interventions Leonard’s Labour could well gain Lennon and Alex Rowley. have not always been met with considerable popularity in the post- affirmation from the rank and file. The path to a socialist Scotland does industrial towns and villages of a In September, Leonard seemed to not lie solely at Holyrood, or indeed at Scotland left behind by the neo liberal take a hard line on the question of Westminster, but Leonard will struggle settlement, but there is a long way to independence, committing the party to achieve the radical agenda he is go yet. to blocking another referendum in its wedded to without new blood arriving Mike Cowley is the Political Education next British manifesto, a position that in Edinburgh. Earlier this year, positive Officer for Edinburgh North and Leith received criticism from many who feel signs emerged that he will move to Constituency Labour Party and a that Scottish Labour must triangulate alter the way Labour selects candidates member of the Campaign for Socialism towards ‘yes’ voters who have grown for its list and constituency campaigns, executive committee. disillusioned with the SNP’s bland including increasing the role of unions to centrism. bring forward new talent. 20 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 Labour’s Scottish problem Róisín McLaren argues Scottish Labour’s star cannot rise until it changes course on independence like the Glasgow Equal Pay settlement, YouGov opinion poll published defence of a British union which, as the SNP’s ‘PFI-lite’ Scottish Futures on 16 December showed the the Brexit drama amply highlights, Trust, its refusal to return Scotrail to Tories with 40% support at the is often dominated by a free market A public hands, its failure to replace the UK level, up 2% from a fortnight earlier, fundamentalism - with a neo-racist unfair Council tax or its cuts agenda are Labour was on 36%, down 1%, and fringe. all undermined by Labour’s own vapid the Lib-Dems on 10%. If accurate, While it remains on the wrong side of record at local and Scottish Government these figures are both astonishing the national question, Scottish Labour level. Consequently, Scottish Labour is and surely deeply worrying for Jeremy cannot attract the ‘yes generation’ of seen as no more socialist under Richard Corbyn’s chances of forming the next activists because this milieu has already Leonard than it was under Donald government. It seems incredible drawn the conclusion that progressive Dewar. that, in the week Theresa May was politics is not possible to achieve via This leaves socialist opinion in Scotland forced into a humiliating climb down Westminster. It’s that ingrained belief facing a choice in an increasingly over her ‘meaningful vote’ on the that has become the foundation of the right-wing Britain, either to gamble EU Withdrawal Bill and a vote of No political consciousness for a generation on the remote chance of a Corbyn Confidence in her was backed by 117 of of young Scots, the equivalent of whom her own MPs, Labour actually government being elected or campaign lost ground. for independence as the opening to a renewed Yet it is against this class politics. For the last discouraging background that 20 years, the Scottish Scottish Labour leader, Richard Socialist Party has argued Leonard, marked his first year independence is the key in office - a year when he that unlocks the prospect too has also regularly found of a Scotland that puts himself trailing behind the working people and the Conservatives in the polls. The planet before profit. SNP continues to dominate Rather than ignoring the social democratic arena in the repeated failures of Scotland. In England, Corbyn British and Scottish Labour, can draw crowds of thousands we campaign for socialist while in Scotland 100,000 change and a modern marched through Edinburgh democratic Scottish republic. for independence – marchers who if not SNP members are Meanwhile what does certainly nationalist voters and 2019 hold for working class crowds to which the ‘Corbyn Scots? More insecurity and bounce’ just bounced off. greater exploitation: as When presented with Labour more companies like policies, 2 out of 5 Scots say Michelin relocate to cheap they support them yet go on labour climes; another year to vote SNP – they believe such policies in England makeup Corbyn’s base. That’s for retail staff to worry about their job are unachievable via Westminster and the reason why 2 out of 5 Scots say they prospects; greater indebtedness and because voting Labour in Scotland often support Labour policies but vote SNP. deeper social divisions. means sending Corbyn an enemy, not Scottish Labour, fully aware of these More than ever Scotland’s working class an ally. problems, is trying to build links with majority need their political leaders to Scottish Labour is widely seen as being movements of the sort which proved provide a coherent explanation of why to the right of Labour in England and successful in England. But Richard things are as they are and to outline Wales. And unlike in England and Wales, Leonard can’t get past the sticking a way out of this misery; employing Scottish Labour has not seen such a point that many politically conscious tactics based on democratic socialist values; mobilising mass support; and dramatic influx of new members. Most Scots are likely to have become first emphasising conscious solidarity and Scottish Labour members (54%) have engaged with politics through the ‘yes’ movement – and the foundation of their collective action for the good of all. been members since before 2015, political identity is, therefore, support whereas in England and Wales it’s only Róisín McLaren is the joint national for independence and the conviction 40%. Neither is Scottish Labour seen as a spokesperson for the Scottish Socialist that Westminster is not a vehicle force for change but rather as part of the Party (https://scottishsocialistparty.org/) for radical change. old-style politics with a new coat of red paint. At the heart of this dilemma, of Richard Leonard cannot convince them course, is the party’s infamous alliance that he, or his party, is to the left of the with the Tories in ‘Better Together’ in SNP. His political opportunism on issues 21 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 Scotland needs a community organising movement Drawing on her Leith experience, Linda Somerville argues there are new and effective ways of organising he good citizens of Leith are accommodation peppering an ever they want from Our Leith Walk. currently in uproar at plans to widening area. All too often campaigns are focused on demolish a two-storey art deco T While the developers may have ticked opposition and use mobilising tactics sandstone building at the bottom of the community consultation box, with a strategy based on increased Leith Walk. Until recently, the proposed locals don’t feel they have had a say numbers and a centralised structure. development site contained much loved in what happens in the area nor had This campaign has utilised community local businesses and social enterprises their concerns listened to when raised. organising tools to consider how to in the row of art deco shops. The Scotland’s flawed planning process agree objectives, examine where power £50m development includes a 471- limits community involvement and has lies and offer a way to build our power bed student accommodation complex no right of appeal for communities, in the community. With consensus with hotel, restaurant, retail units and only for the developer. The lack of decision making and distributed 53 ‘affordable’ homes. The developer agency is widely felt and represents the responsibility for activity, there is no believes it has gone above and beyond disconnect with elected representatives committee or rigid structures that are with both community consultation and that many working class communities often associated with campaigning and by providing ‘affordable’ housing in the face. the left. It feels like an experiment, and development. Under current legislation, in many ways it is. developers are not required to provide None of this any ‘affordable’ housing in purpose built is unique As the impacts of neo-liberalism sweep student accommodation – exposing why to Leith or through our towns and cities and the student flats appear to be filling any gap Edinburgh with economy shakes before Brexit and sites available in our cities. communities the next financial crash, we need to across Scotland defend and develop our communities Leithers became aware of this in spring and Britain and ensure the toxicity of the far right last year and in the eight months since facing similar does not gain ground. Scotland needs the campaign has gathered 12,000 challenges as a community organising strategy. signatures against the demolition, big business Community organising can provide supported residents to formally the key to a diverse and lively local dictates what happens on our doorstep. object to the proposals with over democracy bringing people together The campaign has received enquiries 3,500 objections lodged on the council to make the changes they want to see. from Canada to Berlin as journalists and planning portal and hosted large and We need trained community organisers, academics examine how working class lively public meetings with hundreds a network for campaigners for peer to populations are faring in our changing of Leithers. The campaign has received peer learning, opportunities to problem cities. wide spread support from leading artists solve together, consider how technology including Irvine Welsh, Young Fathers, The lack of trust in the political and helps or hinders us as well as share tools the Proclaimers and cross party support planning process highlights failures and tactics that win. in our local democracy. The model from local councillors, MSPs, MPs with A movement of community organising is transactional where each citizen Jeremy Corbyn calling the campaign provides a different way of campaigning, ‘iconic’ during his recent meeting with is asked to give a vote in return for a recognising that this will also challenge community groups in Edinburgh. commitment. There is no ownership some of the power structures and of decisions for voters, no power While there is wide and solid support for practices within the left that are too transferred to communities, just a hope saving the building and influencing the reliant upon models that centralise that the winner will follow through on development, a number of underlying power and ensure that certain skills its promise. Local democracy needs issues have contributed to the uproar and experience stay at the top table. to be overhauled to bring decision around this proposal. Housing in Creating a community organising making closer to people, with smaller Edinburgh has always topped the rest movement would be transformative constituencies, more power held locally of Scotland for expensiveness and Leith across Scotland as individuals and and support for communities to, as the filled the affordability gap with lower groups are brought together, heard and Electoral Reform Society Scotland calls rents and flats for sale is an area that supported to build collective power and it, ‘Act like you own the Place’. was often overlooked by many. The make the change they want to see. growing number of tourists and short- While we don’t know the outcome Linda Somerville is Director of NUS term lets have pushed Edinburgh’s of the planning process yet and the Scotland, and lives and works in housing into a crisis with basic rents focus is still on stopping the demolition Leith. She has been a key figure in the set at over £1,000 per month. The to Save Leith Walk, the energy, spirit Save Leith Walk campaign (https:// local authority’s economic reliance on and creativity of the campaign has saveleithwalk.org/). She is on twitter @ tourism and higher education has tipped emboldened locals to think more lindasomervill the balance with hotels and student strategically about their area and what 22 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 Another Edinburgh revolt: staff and students elect a radical rector Angi Lamb recounts her experience of managing Ann Henderson’s successful rectorial campaign

y participation began with We gained crossover support from staff concern around affordability and a an email to Ann Henderson who, at any other time would have correct perception of subsidising other Ma week before rectorial campaigned for Ann anyway, were activities within the University. nominations closed on 26 January 2018. rightly taking industrial action over Most people in the University are not I’d just retired the previous year, after proposed pension changes. Leaflets aware of governance arrangements 27 years working at the university and were handed out on the picket lines. On so we were commonly met with serving as an active trade unionist. A strike days, we visited as many as we blank stares around mention of the former colleague had asked me if I could could with Ann speaking at a lunchtime University Court and Rector: “What think of anyone to stand for rector, as rally just before voting opened. does the Rector do?” In addition to no one had yet been nominated. The the formalities, the Rector can ask hope was preferably for a woman, to We had a strict budget for election expenses, funded by donations from difficult questions, and with other be only the second out of 52 previous members of Court hold University Universities Scotland individuals and other bodies such as rectors since the management to account while deciding Act 1858. The only one, Muriel Gray, the Edinburgh TUC. We had to be smart about where we spent, 50% on leaflets upon institutional strategy in the three served between 1988 and 1991. In major areas of people, finances and addition, 60% of the previous 52 were and posters, 20% on Facebook ads which (was a novelty to both of us). infrastructure. Education strategy is the titled in some way — such as Gladstone provenance of the University Senate. or Kitchener. The last week of campaigning was The Rector is elected for a period of Flexible Learning Week where many three years with a primary duty to students were away from Edinburgh. preside at the university’s governing Ann focused on meeting medical body, the University Court. Edinburgh is and vet students who remained, and the only one of the ‘ancient’ universities staff. Sunday night we met with many where staff can vote for the Rector, and returning students at Pollock Halls. has the largest electorate with over 55,000 staff and students. Scottish politicians from Green, Labour and SNP publicly endorsed Ann’s Ann accepted the invitation to stand. I campaign as did other public figures was delighted to have a leading role as reflecting her broad based appeal and her campaign manager, allowing Ann in particular her lifelong commitment to to focus on meeting and listening to as equality and diversity. many people as possible — in person, A consistent campaign trail concern Ann won 77% of the vote and greeted on our blog, Twitter, Facebook and other from all sides was about housing this with: ‘Thank you for all your media. affordability and availability for support. I am proud to be your new both students and staff. Student Although much smaller than the Rector!’ The snow closed Edinburgh accommodation can range from the other candidate, Marco Bauder’s that night for a couple of days - a £320 per month from Edinburgh team, ours was more experienced. welcome rest period after three weeks Ann is a seasoned campaigner which Student Housing Co-op to over £1,000 campaigning. shone through during the campaign. pm privately. There are considerable The ‘dream’ team had two talented tensions around the University and city I know Ann primarily from the regular young campaigners, Emily and Vijay, with the perception of student housing Women’s Dinner at the Scottish designing our eye-catching leaflets and taking priority over affordable housing Parliament where after being elected posters. The campaign was physically with no clear advantages to anyone she was the guest speaker and received challenging. Around 30 volunteers — other than investors. a well-deserved standing ovation. It was a privilege to campaign for Ann the backbone and unsung heroes of Other significant issues include staff any campaign — distributed leaflets and subsequently watch her chairing workload issues, where we asked for a Court with aplomb – she has a fabulous and hung posters around some of the university wide staff survey which took University’s 700+ buildings across the capacity for detail and timing. place for the first time this past autumn. city. We were aware of the restrictions The impact is not only on staff, but as Angi Lamb worked at the University on political posters, where the of Edinburgh from 1990 to 2017, was students eloquently suggested: ‘Your other candidate’s team wasn’t and the elected staff member on its Court working conditions are our learning subsequently had to remove them and between 2013 and 2017, served on the conditions’. this probably helped us. Posters were UCU union’s NEC between 2009 and only allowed in Bristo Square and on For many students, particularly for the 2014, and is Rector’s Assessor for 2018 noticeboards or doors within university 45% non-UK students, fees with an to 2021. property. annual average of £21,000 are of high 23 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 Betrayal of the Sandinista revolution Joseph McAleer recounts that power pacts have killed the dream of freedom in Nicaragua ight months after students first criminal justice system and she and her International condemnation of the took to the streets in Managua in family were eventually forced into exile Ortega-Murillo government is widespread EApril 2018 to protest against unjust in 2013. and growing. The Inter-American social security reforms, Nicaraguans Commission for Human Rights and In 2005, Ortega and Rosario Murillo (now are living a de facto state of exception Amnesty International documented grave vice president) were officially married whereby newly introduced draconian violations of human rights and crimes by Cardenal Obando y Bravo, sealing laws brand any individual or organisation against humanity committed by the involved in or supportive of protests a second pact with the conservative Nicaraguan state and the Organisation against the Ortega-Murillo government hierarchy of the Catholic Church. Ortega´s of American States, the United Nations, as terrorists and all protests have been support for legislation to criminalise the European Parliament and national declared illegal. Some 500 civilians have abortion for any reason secured the vote governments, including the Scottish been killed, the majority by police and of many Catholics and was a key factor Government, have emphatically government-loyal paramilitary groups. that enabled him to win elections in denounced the Ortega-Murillo regime. Thousands have been injured and are 2006. The US government issued sanctions missing and an estimated 50,000 have In 2014 Ortega, now as president, against corrupt Nicaraguan officials fled, mostly to Costa Rica. Arbitrary consolidated a third pact, this time with responsible for human rights abuses and detentions of protesters have led to over the private sector, through constitutional the recent ‘Nica Act’ authorises further 600 political prisoners, held in subhuman reforms that established a ‘corporative action to block access to international conditions, subject to cruel treatment economic model’ of government. loans and against individual governmental and torture and with little or no access to This effectively handed over control agents involved in the repression. legal defence, at the mercy of a corrupt of the economy to big business and Prominent figures on the international criminal justice system that is at the beck continued neo-liberal economics on left like Noam Chomsky, Pablo Iglesias of and call of the political agenda of the the understanding that they, in return, Podemos, and former Uruguayan Ortega-Murillo regime. would not interfere in other aspects of President, José Mujica, have spoken For the international left in the 1970s government policy. The previous year, out against Ortega, as have the Socialist and 1980s, Daniel Ortega personified Ortega signed an agreement with the International and the ‘Workers’ resistance to US imperialism in Latin (now defunct) Hong Kong Nicaragua Commissions’, the largest union in Spain. America and the Sandinista Revolution Canal Development Group granting In Britain, the Nicaragua Solidarity was a beacon of hope for socialism. Since it exclusive rights to construct and Campaign continues to shamelessly 1990, however, his pragmatic approach manage an interoceanic canal and other support Ortega, and the groundless to politics has seen him abandon his related projects, as well as the right to allegations of a US backed coup, as do Marxist-socialist roots and consolidate expropriate land within 5 km on each some Labour Party members including a series of pacts with right-wing, side of the canal thereby displacing MPs Chris Williamson and Dan Carden. conservative elites within Nicaragua up to 100,000 rural and indigenous Corbyn, despite his solidarity with and internationally. The first of these, as people. For more than 10 years, Ortega’s Nicaragua and Latin America, has leader of the opposition in the 1990s, was government has also received massive remained conspicuously silent. Ortega’s infamous pact with right-wing financial support from the Venezuelan Ortega has betrayed the values of the president Arnoldo Alemán (1997-2001), government, all of which has been Sandinista Revolution and its socialist securing changes in the electoral law to administered independently from the principles. Any support given to him reduce the share of votes required to win national budget, by members of his family and his regime, even when framed as a the presidency outright in the first round and loyal political allies, making them rejection of imperialist interventionism, from 45% to 35%. This paved the way for more powerful and richer in the process. reveals, in the words of the Socialist Ortega’s eventual electoral victory and International, ‘an outdated view of To further consolidate his power, Ortega return to the presidency in 2006 with the relations between sovereignty and procured additional constitutional 38% of the vote. human rights’. Hundreds of thousands reforms to allow unlimited re-election of Nicaraguans have become the The Ortega-Alemán pact also included and exercise political control over the protagonists of a self-convened, non- mutually assured immunity from Electoral Council, Supreme Court, police violent insurrection to reclaim basic prosecution: for Alemán when faced with and army, eroding their autonomy as human rights that the regime has corruption and money-laundering charges independent entities. Furthermore, systematically dismantled. The right to and for Ortega when accused of sexual fraudulent elections guaranteed an abuse and rape by his stepdaughter self-determination begins with choosing absolute majority in the National their government in free and fair Zoilamérica Narváez in 1998. Alemán Assembly and control of almost all was subsequently tried and imprisoned elections. Their demand is for a just and municipal governments. for corruption, then released under the democratic society in which diversity and Bolaños government, and eventually In eleven years of government, freedom are valued and respected. pardoned by Ortega when the latter Ortega’s power has grown and become Joseph McAleer is a Scottish development returned to the presidency. Zoilámerica’s increasingly authoritarian. As far back worker and human rights defender efforts to bring Ortega to justice, with as 1998, the Nicaraguan feminist the support of the feminist movement, movement warned of the imminence of were thwarted by Ortega’s control of the an ‘institutional dictatorship’. 24 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 Catalonia and the continuing Spanish crisis George Kerevan argues what the international left does will influence the cause of Catalonian independence

n 2018, the political crisis triggered by democratic Left Republicans (ERC), led Sanchez government. the Catalan independence referendum by the imprisoned, Oriol Junqueras. The next waypoint is the May of October 2017 became a generalised Ex-journalist Puigdemont has shed much I 26 Barcelona local election. The crisis of the whole, corrupt neo- of the corrupt image of Convergence, current mayor is Ada Colau, who Francoist Spanish state that has existed the PDeCAT’s immediate predecessor. rose to prominence leading the since the death of the Caudillo. 2018 He has done so by moving the party city’s anti-austerity and homeless has seen mass public protests continue convincingly into the pro-independence movement. Despite her distance unabated in Catalonia, prompted (as opposed to devolutionist) camp. from the independence campaign, by the arrest and imprisonment of But PDeCAT remains at heart a pro-EU, Colau supported the right to hold most of the independence campaign social-liberal party representing the a referendum and even opened leadership. Over a million people surged petty bourgeoisie. Last July, Puigdemont Barcelona’s schools for the ballot in through the streets of Barcelona on 11 unilaterally launched Crida Nacional 2017. The danger in this election is September. This represents the most per la República (National Call for the that deep divisions on both the left and sustained popular political campaign in Republic) as a new, umbrella body for between the various factions of the Europe since World War II, outlasting the independence movement, into independence movement will allow the in length and intensity the Polish which he hopes to subordinate the ERC. victory of the Manuel Valls, who has Solidarnosc movement in the 1980s or the de facto support of Ciudadanos, the marches in East Germany in 1989 the main representative of the anti- that brought down the Berlin Wall. independence Barcelona middle class. In June of 2018, the minority Popular Bizarrely, Valls is a former French Party (PP) government of neo-Francoist Socialist prime minister. He is of Catalan apparatchik, Mariano Rajoy, fell as a origin and speaks the language. Valls is result of corruption charges and was virulently anti-independence and would replaced by an equally minority Socialist use control of Barcelona town hall to PSOE administration led by Blairite thwart any new referendum. clone, Pedro Sanchez. He sought to Unfortunately, the independence bolster his parliamentary position by movement is fielding two rival making concessions to the Catalans, candidates. The ERC is standing Ernest restoring the Catalan Parliament, Maragall, brother of the former PSOE returning nationalist political prisoners mayor at the time of the 1992 Olympics, to jails in their home nations, and But the social democratic and Pasqual Maragall. The US-based dangling the prospect of eventual traditionally pro-independence ERC philosopher, Jordi Graupera, has the constitution reform. is frightened that joining such a backing of the ANC, the Catalan civic These moves outraged the Spanish permanent common front with PDeCAT movement, which organised a mayoral far right, triggering a new phase of will destroy its left-wing credentials and primary in the vain hope of encouraging political instability. Open street violence freedom for manoeuvre. It would also a unity candidate. by the far right is now common. Then make it more difficult for progressive How events turn out in Catalonia and in December 2018, the right won the independence forces to make common Spain will depend, ultimately, on the election in Andalucía, Spain’s most cause with those working class elements degree of international solidarity from populous region and a traditional in Catalonia – Moroccan and South the rest of Europe. In the nineteenth stronghold of the PSOE. The new PP American immigrants, and non- century, the early workers’ movement leader, boyish demagogue, Pablo Catalan speakers – still hesitant about made heroic endeavours in support Casado, based his campaign on blaming independence. However, many of those of the national independence the PSOE for being ‘soft’ on Catalan taking part in the street demonstrations movements in Ireland and Poland. nationalism. The biggest shock in the are confused by the split between Sadly, the mainstream European left Andalusian vote was the electoral PDeCAT and the ERC, creating the basis and unions have made only token breakthrough of the openly neo-fascist for an ‘anti-politics’ mood. moves in solidarity with the right of Vox party, which won 12 seats on a So what happens in 2019? 2019 sees a Catalonia to exercise their right of self- programme of attacking North African number of likely trigger points. Probably determination. By default, this political immigrants and making the Catalan the most significant is the response in neutrality has been a factor in the re- separatist parties illegal. Catalonia to any guilty verdicts against emergence of a significant far-right in By far the most important internal the imprisoned independence leaders. Spain. development inside Catalonia in 2018 We can expect mass demonstrations and George Kerevan is a former SNP MP for has been the growing split over tactics possibly a general strike. The movement East Lothian (2015-2017) and co-author between the two main independence is committed to a peaceful transition, so of ‘Catalonia Reborn; How Catalonia parties – the centre-right European the danger lies in a jubilant ultra-right Took on the Corrupt Spanish State and Democrats (PDeCAT), led by exiled, responding with violence and using the the Legacy of Franco’ (Luath, 2018). Carles Puigdemont; and the social situation deliberately to destabilise the

25 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 Age, ageing and ageism: how ageist is Scotland? Bill Johnston argues the left needs to start taking ageism seriously and act accordingly art one (Scottish Left Review issue only seeing deficits leading to needs. for institutional change. 108, November/December 2018) The report offers powerful arguments In both cases, a key aim is for the of this series of three articles for a more positive approach to ageing P Scottish Government to give ageism discussed demographic ageing in populations, and advocates a move a higher profile in its statements on terms of neo-liberalism and current away from dependency and deficit equalities and in developing its new developments in Scottish Government models of ageing. Older People’s Framework proposed policy. That article also urged the left to Two interlinked approaches to raising for March 2019. The left has a long incorporate an analysis of ageing as part awareness and combating ageism are track record of challenging racism, of the challenge to neo-liberalism and available to us. First, a challenge to sexism and other inequalities, so support for human rights and equalities. stereotypes and media representations perhaps now is a good time to extend This second article discusses the threat characterising older people as a burden that commitment to ageism given the from ageism as a powerful focus for the on the taxpayer, or ‘stealing the future’ Scottish Government’s projected growth left in Scotland. from younger people. Language and in the ageing population: ‘Over the next Age is a protected characteristic in imagery, which suggests that older 20 years we will see a large increase British equalities legislation but is not people are all alike - dependent, a in people over 75 with more than 70% as well-known as the more high profile burden, lonely and incapable - should of all population growth in the over provisions for gender, race, disability be challenged and replaced. Such a 75 age group’. That future age group and sexual orientation are. At present, is currently in its fifties so awareness older people are often framed in public raising, rethinking and serious forward discourse as ‘a burden’ with little planning is required by the present response from politicians and state administration and the other parties organisations. However, Lord Bracadale’s represented at Holyrood. 2018 report on ‘hate crimes’ has raised A target in 2019 could be to press for the issue of ‘age hostility’ in relation to a debate on ageism in the Scottish possible new statutory powers. Parliament to explore the current The concept of ageism could be a useful situation and future prospects. unifying focus for the various social, This could be supported by a wider legislative and civic issues entailed conversation in union branches, conceptual rethink could adopt a ‘pro- by Scotland’s ageing population and community groups, political party ageing’ stance and generate positive the associated risk of a rise in ageist branches and other forums. As demand attitudes and behaviour to combat behaviour over the coming years. A for independence continues with ageism. Community groups, third sector starting point is this account of ageism local YES groups, and Pensioners for projects, and larger organisations like from a recent EU report: Independence, apparently growing in Age Scotland could play a part in hosting activity, that too would be an important Ageism is the stereotyping of, prejudice such civic debate. point in the debate on Scotland’s future. or discrimination against individuals or Second, structural, institutionalised groups based on their age. Although Bill Johnston is Chair of the ageism requires investigation and ageism can target young people, most Scottish Seniors Alliance exposure. This would require in- studies in this area focus on the unfair (http://www.spanglefish.com/ depth study of organisations across treatment of older people. Ageism is scottishseniorsalliance/) and writes in a society and their impacts on ageing deeply structural ‘find[ing] expression in personal capacity. and older people. For example, what institutional systems, individual attitudes demographic data sets are used and to Bracadale review: and inter- generational relationships’. what extent are strategic plans, resource https://www.gov.scot/publications/ All manifestations of ageism – at the allocations and staff conduct aligned independent-review-hate-crime- individual, group or societal level – to eliminate institutional ageism? It legislation-scotland-final-report/ gravely undermine older people’s right would not be enough to rely on bland to human dignity and reduce their EU Agency for Fundamental Rights: statements of values or intent, which potential to contribute actively to https://fra.europa.eu/en/ can be used to mask dysfunctional society. publication/2018/frr-2018-focus-rights- behaviour and attitudes. Close scrutiny based-ageing This report described ageism as and, if necessary, action to eliminate the most frequently mentioned ageist attitudes and behaviour would discrimination in the EU and underlines be required. An anti-ageism alliance the intersectional nature of ageism. It of unions, political parties and other also argues that the emphasis for civic civic organisations working with the and political action should be on rights Equality and Human Rights Commission, leading to empowerment rather than Scotland would offer a powerful force

26 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 Scottish theatrical revolution Mark Brown argues Modernism is the motor of Scotland’s belated and celebrated theatrical renaissance f 1968 was a year of political wrote that, in staging the production, least on Communicado, arguably the revolution, from Prague to Paris, the the Glasgow theatre had a ‘death-wish’. most significant of Scotland’s touring aesthetic revolution in Scottish theatre theatre companies. For Gerry Mulgrew, I School bookings for the production were started the following year. In 1969, a founding member of Communicado cancelled and a considerable amount the board of the Citizens Theatre in in 1983, the Citizens was ‘a European of pressure was exerted on the Citizens Glasgow appointed a young Scot by the theatre ... There were very few Scottish board to get rid of the enfant terrible, name of Giles Havergal, then director actors who worked there. They were Havergal. It was to the lasting benefit of the Palace Theatre, Watford, as its seen as vagabonds or gypsies, exotic of Scottish theatre that members of new artistic director. Within a few short people doing exotic things. They all had the board held their nerve and stood years, he - and his celebrated directorial English accents, but they were doing by their director. Not only did Havergal collaborators Philip Prowse and Robert German and French plays ... I wanted to go on to complete an extraordinary do something that had Europeanness in David MacDonald - had transformed the 34-year directorship at the Citz (most it, but also to try and do it as a Scot’. Gorbals theatre into an international of it with Prowse and MacDonald by his powerhouse, and That Communicado profoundly altered the succeeded in its Scots- direction of travel of European project is Scottish theatre culture not in doubt. With into the bargain. a repertoire that The Havergal Citz was, has encompassed for those of avant-garde, Robert Burns and Liz Modernist tastes, quickly Lochhead, Nikolai to become a palace of Erdman and Václav delights. Combining Havel, it was the radical reinterpretations first in a long line of the classics with of acclaimed Scots- a largely modern, European companies continental European repertoire, the side), but he succeeded in embedding which includes Suspect Culture, theatre’s output was a shock to the the aesthetics of European Modernism Vanishing Point, Grid Iron and children’s Scottish system, both artistically and in a Scottish theatre culture that theatremakers Catherine Wheels. had hitherto been dominated by the socially. A notable case in point was By the 1990s, this revolution in conventions of British naturalism. Havergal’s production of Shakespeare’s aesthetics manifested itself in a golden Hamlet in September 1970. Featuring Throughout the 1970s, when John generation of Scottish playwrights an all-male cast (with a young David McGrath’s 7:84 theatre company who were writing for a European and Hayman in the title role) and a liberally was making its own history with its global audience. With plays like Knives adapted script, the production combination of music hall performance, in Hens (1995), The Censor (1997), announced its intentions early on, with Scottish folk culture and agitational The Cosmonaut’s Last Message to the an opening scene in which the regicidal propaganda, most famously in the Woman He Once Loved in the Former Claudius was seen copulating with his play The Cheviot, the Stag and the Soviet Union (1999) and Further Than new wife, the murdered King’s spouse, Black, Black Oil, the Citz was building the Furthest Thing (2000), David Gertrude. a repertoire with a notably European Harrower, Anthony Neilson, David Greig There was, predictably, outrage. The Modernist bent that included works and Zinnie Harris achieved a hitherto Scotsman decided the production was by Anouilh, Brecht, Beckett, Genet and unimagined international status for so outré that it deserved top billing. Sartre. Scottish playwriting. It is through this late flourishing of European Modernist In a review that appeared on the The influence of the Citz’s aesthetics aesthetics, from Havergal’s path- newspaper’s front page, Allen Wright and repertoire was profound, not wrote: ‘[I]t is shameful that this should breaking Hamlet in 1970 to Martin be the play’s first production in Glasgow McCormick’s Ma, Pa and the Little for ten years, giving many young people Mouths (a gloriously absurdist, Ionesco- a warped impression of it’. Glasgow meets-Billy Connolly play) in 2018 that Herald theatre critic, Christopher Small, Scotland has finally taken its place declared the show a ‘silly Hamlet’ in among the family of theatrical nations. which Shakespeare’s play had been Mark Brown is theatre critic of The ‘reduced to a dead uniformity of Herald on Sunday. He is a regular ‘decadence’’. Mamie Crichton of the teacher at the Royal Conservatoire Scottish Daily Express reflected a widely of Scotland. His book Modernism held view - namely, that Havergal’s and Scottish Theatre since 1969: A coat was, barely a year into his tenure, Revolution on Stage is published by already on a shoogly peg - when she Palgrave Macmillan early in 2019.

27 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 feedback

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Outlaw King (2018), director: David Mackenzie Reviewed by Jackie Bergson ailing from Scotland, David Mackenzie contextualises his Hfilm about Robert the Bruce’s rise to becoming the chief successful figure in Scotland’s fiercest battles for independence with backdrops of medieval turmoil and political savagery. Outlaw King – possibly unavoidably comparable with multiple award- winning Braveheart (1995) – certainly draws unequivocal reminders to William Wallace’s spirit and influence, as well as his execution and beheading by ascertains Outlaw the English. Mackenzie and Scottish young Edward, Prince of Wales (Billy King could easily be handed to Johnson. producer, Gillian Berrie, strive to portray Howle) and young Robert as obvious The actor cuts a luminous swathe of Robert the Bruce through diverging from rivals, creating a brooding atmosphere fierce intention and crazed revenge heroic martyr Wallace’s story: post- of kinship, rivalry, betrayal, love across the screen like barely contained screening, her comment that she ‘would and revenge yet to play out. It also establishes King Edward as a man who wildfire, somehow also imbuing like Scotland to be brave and take things the character of Black Douglas with is unable to inspire trust in his assumed forward out of this [mess] that Theresa enthralling charm. May has landed us with’ conveys lieges. ‘The actors just went for it’ says political ideals which are internal and Outlaw King magnetises our emotional Mackenzie, responding to the external to their film. investment around the players closest post-screening question of how he and most loyal to Robert the Bruce. In the opening scene of Outlaw King, a managed to get such a performance Cast with a fabulous blend of actors, Shakespearian abbreviation of historical from Johnson, humbly belying his including Pine, James Cosmo (Robert events symbolises political manoeuvres own extraordinary ability in directing amongst opposing forces of power, the Bruce senior), Tony Curran (Lord of talented performers - Jack O’Connell in together with propositions to rejoice Islay) and Aaron Taylor Johnson (Lord award-winning film Starred Up (2013) the upcoming marriage of God-daughter of Douglas), the storyline weaves a representing just one other case in to King Edward I, Elizabeth de Burgh profound tapestry of solidarity. Feisty, point. Outlaw King sees Mackenzie, (Florence Pugh) and Robert the Bruce sensual and intelligent as Robert whose talent in bringing stellar (Chris Pine). The taking of Stirling Castle the Bruce’s lover and then wife, performances to the silver screen is by King Edward I (Stephen Dillane) Elizabeth, Pugh also turns in a notable consistently lauded by film reviewers, is forebodingly represented by one performance, ultimately dicing against working to brilliant effect again with vast, destructive slingshot. Clearly not the English King under his brutal Chris Pine. The total chemistry of acting intended to provide a simple history command, steadfast in her true loyalty talent is tremendous. lesson, Outlaw King delivers much more, to her husband. Ferocious, bloody battle scenes abridging time arcs between 1304, Rendering similar characteristics of culminate in the Scots seizing back when John III Comyn (Callan Mulvey), ruthless, taciturn resolve and judicious Kildrummy Castle and, ultimately, contender for the Scottish crown, charisma borne through his former work winning victory at Loudon; there is submitted power to King Edward I and with Mackenzie in Hell or High Water no question that Robert the Bruce’s 1314, when the Battle of Bannockburn (2016) and with an authentic-sounding precedent murder of disloyal challenger, was won by the Scots. Scots accent to boot, Pine radiates Comyn, resounds with sagacious Blood-free, with excessive mud masculine integrity. Nonetheless, reason; when Edward II is finally forced underfoot, the opening tableau outstanding performance plaudits in by Robert the Bruce to surrender and 28 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 retreat, we applaud both the inimitable books like John Prebble’s The Highland quality of the Scots warrior’s considered Clearances – that the dispersal of victory and the dishonourable people and the consequent sense of humiliation of Edward II in defeat. betrayal and loss can be laid solely Such is the potent authority of acting at the door of hard-hearted lackeys and storytelling in this film. Flashes and the greedy landlords, former of gutsy, true-to-life humour add a bit chieftains of the clans, whom they extra. Accompanying spectacular music served. The book’s argument is that score (composed by Scottish company, the Clearances have a multi-layered Grey Dogs) contributes a uniting effect genealogy, one not reducible to loose to both magnificent panoramic and talk of ethnic cleansing. Nor is it one, microcosmic features, through a hybrid contra the view obtainable from most of modern and traditional soundscapes. recent scholarly literature on the topic, confined to the Highlands. Celebrations Not quite perfect as a sum of all its of Highland culture in literary traditions, parts, the momentum of Outlaw King not to mention the Outlander fantasy briefly drops during scenes where Clan series and Scotland’s ‘Roots Tourism’, MacDougall forces Robert the Bruce into contribute to a marginalization of the hiding. Evidently edited for commercial rural Lowlands. What Devine calls ‘the deadlines, this action piece falls short of boring reality’ is that most Scottish the rest of the film’s powerfully driven emigrants who crossed the Atlantic war-craft stratagem and its muscular came from the Lowlands, not driven plot. However, two hours and seventeen there by post-Culloden repression physical minutes of watching time seems much and perfidious landlords but lured by landscape changed as shorter thanks to the unreservedly the prospects of a better life in North stonework from traditional townships engrossing and beguiling thrust and America. was recycled for use in building drystone milieu of this highly recommendable, dykes and walls which became a excellent film. The Scottish Clearancessets out to hallmark of a refashioned countryside. compare and contrast how the two Jackie Bergson has worked in the Highland dispossession began later, regions, Highlands and Lowlands, voluntary sector and commercial lasted longer and left for evidence the underwent a violent and historical business development in technology and ruins of abandoned settlements. The transformation. The experience for creative sectors. Educated in and living Church of Scotland was firmly on the those living through it was to bear in Glasgow, her political and social views side of the landlords but there was witness to dispossession on a scale chime left-of-centre. resistance elsewhere, especially in the never previously imagined. An old world late nineteenth century when ‘the land passed away and in little over a hundred ______question’ came to the fore in British years Scotland had become a different Tom Devine, politics. Evictions became public and country. shocking events, newspapers dispatched The Scottish Clearances: A The callousness and violence of forced reporters to cover dramatic scenes of History of the Dispossessed, dispossession has been well chronicled dispossession, and women played an but not the differing chronologies important part in organized resistance. 1600-1900, and all-important regional differences Surviving Gaelic poetry of the time Allen Lane, 2018, 9780241304105 that were interwoven with social points to an oral tradition of resistance Reviewed by Sean Sheehan and economic dynamics underlying and two impressive examples, in the he dispossession of people from the historical phenomena. These original and with translated versions, the Highlands and rural Lowlands included: rent increases and a growing are provided by Devine. Satire is one of Tof Scotland cannot be dissociated intolerance by landlords to accumulating such poems’ weapons, caricaturing the from the emergence of the country as a arrears; harvest failures and potato nose of one oppressor as being ‘like an modern nation. This is the baseline for blight which did not receive remedial iron plough-share’ and his abdomen the importance invested by Devine in his response; leases to sitting tenants being resembling ‘a male ass’. There is also subject matter, an event that continues relocated to crofting townships; illicit rage and a desire for revenge: to haunt the Scottish consciousness whisky making being targeted by the If I could get at you on an open field and one which belies the tourist image authorities; and new opportunities of the Highlands as a great empty beckoning overseas or in towns. In the With people tying you down, wilderness where few people ever lived Highlands, schemes of ‘compulsory I would pull with my fists (à la Zionist descriptions of pre-colonial emigration’ were introduced and – Palestine as empty and desolate). anticipating current Tory welfare policies Three inches [of flesh] out of your lungs. – racist and class attitudes came into In reality, of course, the Highlands was Devine is far from denying the cruelty play with newspaper talk of feckless populated by numerous townships and poignancy of forced evictions Celts who needed shock treatment. and farming families who had toiled but he draws attention to factors on the land for generations. But Lowland dispossession began as early that complicate a reductive approach Devine questions the commonplace as the last decades of the seventeenth that opts for ‘a single explanation of assumption – given undue credence by century and was largely unopposed. The human wickedness’. These include

29 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 the effects of a rising population – ‘a undermined it. But I have allowed is a book of significant consequence. It dominating factor in the social history myself to be distracted; I return to my is also one of contemporary relevance of the Highlands’ – on poor land book. - so it proves at each turn of the page. where people’s subsistence farming Spanning the journal’s more than fifty- An hour later, I encounter Lucio Magri. rendered them more vulnerable than year history, these essays all discuss the He is writing in the wake of the civil ever before; bankruptcy of the old question of organization: what is the unrest of May 1968 in France. He states landed class; ‘the absence of any viable role of the political party for those on that ‘[i]n differing ways, many people alternative to pastoral husbandry’; the left? The strategic goal, it is stated who are not Marxists have begun to be and the encroaching power of market in the introduction, should not be the conscious that the present system is capitalism. In chapter 27 of Capital, installation of ‘islands of socialism in a wrong’. Again, I pause. This time I find Marx, cognisant of what may have been capitalist ocean’ but rather ‘discovering myself thinking about the disparate the most significant factor, lambasts and implementing the structural reforms political motivations of the gilets jaunes the tyranny of the market that fuelled necessary to sustain further shifts in the and their supporters. Two thirds of the the expropriation of Scottish peasants’ balance of class power and ruptures French population, polls have suggested, land. Marshalling original sources for with the logic of capitalism’. support the basic aims of the protestors, its wealth of information and nuancing while the protestors themselves hail Which returns us to Trump, for the the material with empirical exactness, from the full breadth of the political inverse might be formulated as his this book, complete with evocative spectrum. The militancy of the protests strategic goal: ‘the willful obstruction of photographs, could be called revisionist troubles me, as does the involvement of the structural reforms necessary to shift history but, if so, it is a refreshing and the balance of power, and the rejection welcomed example of the intelligent and the extreme right. I dismiss the thought, and get back to my reading. of all ruptures with capitalism’. The 45th lucid kind. President is anti-elitist in no meaningful Sean Sheehan is author of ‘Žiżek: A When I reach Leo Panitch and sense. It is the responsibility of the left Guide for the Perplexed’ (Continuum, Sam Gindin, writing in 2017, I am to challenge any attempt to portray him 2012) and’ A Guide to Herodotus’ almost irretrievably derailed: ‘[t]he as such. Histories’ (Bloomsbury, 2018). delegitimation of neoliberalism has restored some credibility to the radical Robin Jones lives in New York where ______socialist case for transcending capitalism he works as an editor. His writing has as necessary to realise the collective, appeared in the Edinburgh Review, Jacobin, Gutter, and the Huffington Post. Greg Albo, Leo Panitch democratic, egalitarian, and ecological and Alan Zuege (eds.) aspirations of humanity’. My first thought is of Jeremy Corbyn - to what Class, Party, Revolution: A extent does his popularity represent Socialist Register Reader, a broad dissatisfaction with Haymarket Books, 1608469190, £20.99 neoliberalism? I ask the same Reviewed by Robin Jones question of Bernie Sanders. Next, Pablo Iglesias. Soon, urrent events invariably colour however, I find my mind one’s interpretation of political drifting to the White House. texts but, for this reader, recent C Oftentimes, it is suggested months of both British and world politics have not only coloured my reading, that Trump represents a but invaded, confused and frustrated similar rejection of the it. Such was the case with Class, Party, elites. This rationalisation, Revolution, an anthology of classic it strikes me and many essays from the Socialist Register (which others, is demonstrably has been published annually since false. Despite his rhetoric of 1964 and was begun by Ralph Miliband right-wing populism, Trump’s and John Saville as a response to their interests coincide entirely criticisms of the New Left Review). with those of corporate power. He has done nothing In his 1968 essay, ‘Reform and to help the day-to-day Revolution’, André Gorz writes that the lives of his broader voting institutions of bourgeois democracy constituency, or to alleviate are so conceived as to deny voters ‘all their difficulties at times collectivepower over the organisation of crisis. He has, however, of society’ in favour of ‘a permanent determinedly used his delegation of power every four of five power to maintain the years to representatives with no direct wealthy, not least with relations with the masses’. Reading his $1.5 trillion tax cut in this, I pause for a moment and think December 2017. But back, of Brexit. I ask myself whether the once more, to the Register. referendum on Europe restored some of that collective power, or further Class, Party and Revolution 30 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 VLADIMIR McTAVISH’S Kick up the Tabloids

appy New Year. The start of Two things it is practically impossible Eventually, the guy gave up and left January is always a relief to to predict are who will be next Brexit the shop without any fags, probably Hme, as it signals that the sheer Secretary or who will be the next hoping to find a vending machine in living Hell of Christmas is out of the leader of leader of UKIP…Indeed, a bar he could shout at. It strikes me way for at least eleven months. The these are the only two growth areas that Theresa May negotiated her deal December party season is without in employment in the UK after 2016 with the European Union along very doubt the worst time of year to earn referendum. similar lines, and with a very similar outcome. Even when she returned one’s living as a stand-up comedian. In its three-hundred year history, up to Brussels to try to re-negotiate the Playing to audiences of drunk office until June 2016, Britain had never had deal, she found that she couldn’t even parties made up of people who don’t even one Brexit secretary. In 2018 negotiate her way out of the back seat even like each other is an annual chore alone, there were been three and of a limousine. we all approach with the same degree possibly 2019 may have produced of enthusiasm as Theresa May must more by the time you read this. Having said only a fool would make any approach PMQs each week. predictions for 2019, here are mine: The fact that Theresa May somehow Having said that, this year I actually managed to make it through to the * Jose Mourinho will be offered a found myself entering into the spirit of end of 2018 merely confirms a theory number of highly-paid jobs in Europe. Christmas more than I normally do. I of mine, namely, that three forms of * Everyone is going to be bored shitless made an advent calendar. To be totally life will survive a nuclear holocaust: by endless documentaries celebrating accurate it wasn’t an advent calendar, cockroaches, Theresa May and the the fiftieth anniversary of the moon it was a Brexit calendar. Every day I Duke of Edinburgh landing. opened a window to find a picture of The one thing I can predict with a different member of the government * The pound will become so valueless, confidence is that much more who had resigned in 2018. Hearts fans will be able to throw even embarrassment in Europe lies ahead more coins at Neil Lennon. January is normally the month when for Theresa May or whoever happens we make predictions for the year to be Prime Minister by the time you * Theresa May will not be offered any ahead. If the last few months of 2018 read this column. However, there are sort of job in Europe. can be seen a bellwether, only a fool many people in Britain who admire Aside from that, anything could happen would have a go at forecasting what is her stubbornness, those people in the next twelve months. likely to happen in the first fortnight who find foreign countries to be an Vladimir McTavish will be appearing of 2019, let alone the fifty remaining inconvenience, even when they holiday at The Stand, Glasgow with his solo weeks of the year, For example, who there. show ‘25 Years Of Stand-Up’ on Sunday would have bet on Jose Mourinho I was in a Spanish tobacconist last 24 March as part of Glasgow Comedy getting the sack before Theresa May? September, standing behind an English Festival www.thestand.co.uk Stubborn, arrogant, unbending, couple who continually asked for underachieving and unpopular. Aloof twenty Lambert and Butler in very loud and monosyllabic when dealing with slow English, despite the fact that the the media. Parking the bus, trying person behind the counter kept telling to convince their critics that their them they did not stock that brand and offering them numerous alternatives. unattractive route one game plan is the The dialogue went along the following only tactical approach on offer, totally lines: unwilling to accept that there might be a plan B. Hated and ridiculed by many ‘Twenty Lambert and Butler’ on their own team. It really is difficult ‘Pardon?’ to tell the difference between May and Mourinho? ‘Twenty Lambert and Butler’ It reportedly cost Manchester United ’I am very sorry, we do not sell these’ around twenty-million pounds to ’Twenty Lambert and Butler… English give Mourinho his jotters, but they cigarettes’ obviously thought it was a price worth ’Ah, English cigarettes. We have Benson paying. God knows what the cost will and Hedges’ be to Britain of allowing May to stay in her job. ‘No. Twenty Lambert and Butler’

31 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 109 January/February 2019 The union for Scotland’s teachers and lecturers Campaigning for fair pay settlements for all of Scotland’s teaching professionals. The Educational Institute of Scotland – Speaking up for teaching professionals and for Scottish education. www.eis.org.uk/ValueTeachers

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