Scottish Leftreview

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Scottish Leftreview ScottishLeft Review Issue 90 November/December 2015 - £2.00 Issue 90 November/December 2015 ScottishLeftReview - 1 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 Ocer ASLEF the train drivers union- www.aslef.org.uk ScottishLeftReview Cover and illustrations: Issue 90 November/December 2015 Nadia Lucchesi Contents ([email protected]) Comment – Ninety not out.................................................................................3 Proofing services: Labour is the only Britain wide anti-austerity party now - John McDonnell .....4 Bob Thomson and John Daly How the contest was won - Martyn Cook and Tommy Kane .............................5 Communications and Kez + Jez = something spezial? - Lesley Brennan ...............................................7 organisational development: Challenges for Corbynmania in Scotland - Daniel Kenealy ................................8 Carole Ewart Corbyn challenges cosy consensus - Tom Mills .............................................. 10 Corbyn and the anti-austerity movement - Phil McGarry and Keith Stoddart 11 Trade union development officer: Corbyn’s challenge: to survive and prosper - Eric Shaw ................................ 12 David Brockett Workers’ rights are human rights - Carole Ewart ............................................ 14 Editor Email: Indyref 2014: nation vs class - John Foster and Neil Davidson debate ............ 16 [email protected] Lessons from America on the Trade Union Bill - Sarah Collins ........................ 18 Union political funds - Jim Slaven .................................................................. 19 Web: www.scottishleftreview.org Real reform or a missed moment? - Will Dinan .............................................. 20 Lessons from Greece: reclaim the state, reform the EU - Peter Lomas ........... 21 Tel: 0141 424 0042 Sulphur + brimstone for BBC - Leslie Mitchell ................................................ 22 Building worker links - Davy Brockett ............................................................. 23 Address: Managerialism in the public sector - Gary Fraser ............................................ 24 Scottish Left Review, The trouble with foreigners - Chris Sharpe ..................................................... 25 741 Shields Road, Modern apprenticeships in Scotland - Margaret and Jim Cuthbert ............... 26 Pollokshields, Sources to read about the struggle ................................................................ 27 Glasgow Book reviews .................................................................................................. 28 G41 4PL Vladmir McTavish’s Kick up the Tabloids ......................................................... 30 2 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 90 November/December 2015 Comment: Ninety, not out t the risk of sounding ageist, we’d of 79’ was all about given that it sought To use former US president, Lyndon like to proclaim we’re 90 editions to organise the ‘Scottish resistance’ to Baines Johnson’s, salty phrase, they Anot out – rather than say we’re Thatcher and the Tories, advocating need become quickly well versed ‘in 90 editions young. Publications and direct action and industrial action to farting and chewing gum at the same organisations like ours exist and operate mount that resistance. time’ in terms of taking initiatives to on very little in the way of money and An occupation or work-in would be a counter-balance the obvious reactions bodily resources. Printing, postage and good start and be more than merely they have to make to government website costs have increased. We have saying that the Scottish government policies and actions (as well as the not made a financial appeal in many was thinking about nationalisation or attacks on them). years. So please consider making a one forlornly seeking in Westminster for Here in Scotland, Dugdale seems to have off or regular donation – take out or give Scotland to be exempted from the Trade sensed the way the wind is blowing someone a subscription to the magazine Union Bill. But even if this seems a bit so she is more likely to have to move as a Christmas gift. farfetched the SNP Scottish Government towards Corbyn than vice-versa. Time The where, when and how can be found could be bolder and more radical using will tell whether it will be enough on our website at existing and new powers, including though but trying to reluctantly follow www.scottishleftreview.org/join-us EU directives to oppose, to delay and Corbyn will not be sufficient as that will and www.scottishleftreview.org/shop mitigate much of the Tories attacks on lack the killer instinct needed to take on Of course, we still accept cheques by families and workers. the SNP. ‘snail mail’ – see form on page 30. Scottish Labour’s conference in Perth What does all this mean for the rest Okay financial appeal over, let’s get has just taken place as this editorial is of the left? The battle for next May is down to the politics. Are the wheels penned. After a less than successful a peach coloured fight for sure. The coming off the SNP bandwagon or British conference on the Trident issue, Greens, RISE, Solidarity and maybe are the gripes just really those of the the advance in Perth is being contested. assorted others will all battle to say chattering classes so that next May As the themed articles in this edition give us your second vote as it will be the SNP will steamroller Labour again? attest to, Corbyn has much potential wasted on the SNP given the D’Hondt Property deals and difficulties over to transform Labour but also much method used (where parties winning education and health especially have challenge (especially from factions within more constituency seats are precluded started to take the shine off the SNP’s Labour, especially the Parliamentary from winning so many of the list seats). lustre while many of its 56 MPs have Labour Party). Momentum – the new Voters decided to do this in 2003, sunk into near oblivion in the public organisation of Corbyn supporters – resulting in the ‘rainbow’ parliament. mind. has its work cut out to help Corbyn It seems the Greens are best placed to and McDonnell get Labour in shape Yet if the general mood of the public benefit from this while others still face for fighting the 2016 elections on a the challenge of brand recognition and is the Tory Westminster government successful and radical basis. is the rightful bogeyman then the SNP political credibility. The ripples from would still seem to be best placed – in There have certainly been a few teething Greece (Syriza’s capitulation) and Spain problems for Corbyn and McDonnell so this majority public mind – to fight the (Podemo’s waning star) do not augur far. All of these will be easily forgotten Tories. The corollary is that Labour in well. if they not only do better in responding both Scotland and Britain is still not the Our on-theme articles consider many of to the Tories but even more critically opponent it needs to be to change this these issues while our off-theme ones take their own policy initiatives and calculation. But the rub is that the SNP look at a variety of hardy perennials start mobilising their supporters outside is better at talking the talk than fighting from class and nation to workers’ rights parliament into a visible fighting force. the fight. Yet talking the talk is better and modern apprenticeship. Of course, Momentum has a role to play than nothing in this mind set. How long here but it is not the meetings it has or Pen-ultimately, we are delighted that will that mind set last? its behind-closed-door actions that will the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, is If the SNP wanted to do more than count. Rather it will be the campaigns, to give the third annual Jimmy Reid this, it would need to see itself as the numbers attracted to them and Foundation lecture at the University of more than a centralised parliamentary what leverage they develop that will be Glasgow (see p15 of this edition). She party. With over 100,000 members critical in overturning austerity. will address the issue of workers’ rights as human rights which takes on added (and their families and friends) as well Corbyn and McDonnell need to get their importance with the third reading of as its modern, high-tech campaigning skates on – let’s see what comes out of the Trade Union Bill just beforehand. organisation, could it not think about the Labour Assembly Against Austerity The lecture is already overbooked but mobilising these masses to oppose a in London in mid-November. But surely, there may be some return of tickets. whole number of Tory acts, ranging from there are no shortages of ideas given There will also be a livestream of the welfare cuts, the Trade Union Bill and Corbyn’s leadership campaign itself, lecture to the STUC headquarters with letting the steel industry perish? This the deployment of radical tax expert, a debate following this. Please visit the would supplement any fine speeches Richard Murphy, and the move of in the debating chambers of Edinburgh Andrew Fisher from head of policy at Jimmy Reid Foundation website (http:// and London. the PCS union to head of policy for reidfoundation.org/ ) for the details of Although Nicola Sturgeon was still at Corbyn. Indeed, Murphy is a voluminous these. school at the time, she should ask the writer and Fisher recently published
Recommended publications
  • 2015-2016) (2.2MB Pdf
    Journal of the Scottish Parliament Volume 5: 5th Parliamentary Year, Session 4 (11 May 2015 – 23 March 2016) SPJ 4.5 Foreword The Journal is the central, long-term, authoritative record of what the Parliament has done. The Minutes of Proceedings, which are produced for each meeting of the Parliament, do that in an immediate way, while the Journal presents essentially the same material but has the benefit of hindsight to allow any errors and infelicities of presentation to be corrected. Unlike the Official Report, which primarily records what is said, the Minutes of Proceedings, and in the longer term the Journal, provide the authoritative record of what was done. The Journal is required under Rule 16.3 of Standing Orders and contains, in addition to the Minutes of Proceedings themselves, notice of any Bill introduced*, notice of any instrument or draft instrument or any other document laid before the Parliament; notice of any report of a committee, and any other matter that the Parliament, on a motion of the Parliamentary Bureau, considers should be included. (* The requirement to include notice of Bills introduced was only added to Rule 16.3 in January 2003. However, such notices have in practice been recorded in the Annex to the Minutes of Proceedings from the outset.) Note: (DT), which appears throughout the Journal, signifies a decision taken at Decision Time. Chamber Office Journal of the Scottish Parliament Volume 5: 5th Parliamentary Year, Session 4 (11 May 2015 – 23 March 2016) CONTENTS Page Journal ……………………………………………………………………………….1 Annex A Bills Introduced …………………………………………………………………. 321 Annex B Subordinate Legislation— 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Fact Sheet Msps by NHS Board 12 January 2016 Msps: Current Series
    The Scottish Parliament and Scottish Parliament I nfor mation C entre l ogo Scottish Parliament Fact sheet MSPs by NHS Board 12 January 2016 MSPs: Current Series This fact sheet provides a list of MSPs who represent constituencies or regions within the boundaries of each of the NHS Boards in Scotland. The health boards are listed in alphabetical order, followed by the name of the MSPs, their party and the constituency or region they represent. The boundaries of health boards and parliamentary constituencies do not coincide, so some constituencies overlap into two or more health boards. Where this happens the MSP representing the constituency will be listed under all relevant health boards. Similarly, where the boundary of a Scottish Parliament region overlaps into two or more health boards all of the MSPs elected to represent that region will be listed under all relevant health boards. Abbreviation Party Con Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Green Scottish Green Party Ind Independent Lab Scottish Labour LD Scottish Liberal Democrats NPA No Party Affiliation SNP Scottish National Party Ayrshire and Arran MSP Party Constituency (C) or Region (R) John Scott Con Ayr (C) Adam Ingram SNP Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (C) Kenneth Gibson SNP Cunninghame North (C) Margaret Burgess SNP Cunninghame South (C) Willie Coffey SNP Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley (C) Claudia Beamish Lab South Scotland (R) Chic Brodie SNP South Scotland (R) Jim Hume LD South Scotland (R) Joan McAlpine SNP South Scotland (R) Aileen McLeod SNP South Scotland (R) Graeme
    [Show full text]
  • Fact Sheet Msps by Party Session 4 29 March 2016 Msps: Historical Series
    The Scottish Parliament and Scottish Parliament I nfor mation C entre l ogo Scottish Parliament Fact sheet MSPs by Party Session 4 29 March 2016 MSPs: Historical Series This Fact sheet provides a cumulative list of all Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) who served during session 4, arranged by party. It also includes the Independent MSPs. The MSPs are listed in alphabetical order, by the party that they were elected to represent, with the party with most MSPs listed first. Statistical information about the number of MSPs in each party in Session 4 can be found on the State of the Parties Session 4 fact sheet. Scottish National Party MSP Constituency (C) or Region (R) Brian Adam 1 Aberdeen Donside (C) George Adam Paisley (C) Clare Adamson Central Scotland (R) Alasdair Allan Na h-Eileanan an lar (C) Christian Allard2 North East Scotland (R) Colin Beattie Midlothian North and Musselburgh (C) Marco Biagi Edinburgh Central (C) Chic Brodie South of Scotland (R) Keith Brown Clackmannanshire & Dunblane (C) Margaret Burgess Cunninghame South (C) Aileen Campbell Clydesdale (C) Roderick Campbell North East Fife (C) Willie Coffey Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley (C) Angela Constance Almond Valley (C) Bruce Crawford Stirling (C) Roseanna Cunningham Perthshire South and Kinross-shire (C) Graeme Dey Angus South (C) Nigel Don Angus North and Mearns (C) Bob Doris Glasgow (R) James Dornan Glasgow Cathcart (C) Jim Eadie Edinburgh Southern (C) Annabelle Ewing Mid Scotland and Fife (R) Fergus Ewing Inverness and Nairn (C) Linda Fabiani East Kilbride (C) Joe FitzPatrick Dundee City West (C) Kenneth Gibson Cunninghame North (C) Rob Gibson Caithness, Sutherland and Ross (C) Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Christine Grahame Lauderdale (C) 1 Brian Adam died on 25 April 2013.
    [Show full text]
  • Inside Page 2
    the issue 2: DECEMBER 2016 clarion £1 (unwaged 50p) An unofficial magazine by Momentum activists Don’t let the nationalists win DEFEND FREE MOVEMENT By Michael Chessum, Another Europe is Possible migrant labour in a given sector; in the lowest-skilled sector, it rises to 1.8%. The statistical measure is important: a ten percentage point rise is The racist backlash after the Brexit vote, and with Trump’s election is not 10% becoming 11%, but 10% becoming 20%. Since 2007, median going to be a major test for the Labour Party and Momentum in the wages have fallen by more than 10% in real terms. It clearly isn’t because coming years. of immigration. The squeamishness about free movement in some parts of the left This matters because over the next few months, the left is going to stems from a false economy. Supporting immigration controls could be have its commitment to freedom of movement tested. But as the gov - electorally useful - a sort of unprincipled tunnel vision. But it isn’t how ernment goes into long, complex Brexit negotiations and parliament votes to win an election: if people want immigration controls, they’ll vote for on the triggering of Article 50, Labour is in a position to shift the debate the real thing. The job of the left is to convince people of the reality – and win concessions. Sadly, in Labour, unlikely voices can be heard mak - that public services, housing and wages are not in crisis because of mi - ing arguments that were once confined to the right of the party: that free gration, but because of the decimation of industry, the fire sale of social movement has not worked, that it is eroding identity or wages or public housing, the hyper-exploitation of the 21st century workplace, the defeat services; and that free movement is not a priority.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 - Scottishleftreview Issue 100 July/August 2017 2 - Scottishleftreview Issue 100 July/August 2017 Feedback
    1 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 100 July/August 2017 2 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 100 July/August 2017 feedback comment Where we are now ay didn’t quite end in June situation has afflicted the SNP – still an election campaign, under which but her mantra of providing the biggest party by seats and votes reporting had to be more balanced, M‘strong and stable’ in Scotland but looking and feeling a Labour’s pledge to govern for the leadership turned into the actuality lot like Labour after its involvement reviewsmany and not the few resonated of being ‘weak and wobbly’ while in the ‘Better Together’ campaign – widely. Jeremy Corbyn was more at Corbyn went from being (allegedly) somewhat dejected and on the back home and a much better performer unelectable and an electoral liability foot. at the countless mass street rallies into something akin to a conquering than in the Westminster chamber. hero – certainly if his reception at Serious left analysis must start And, Labour was able to create its UNISON annual conference and by asking two fundamental own direct link to voters, especially Glastonbury were anything to go by. questions, namely, why did Labour younger ones, via social media Just as with after the independence do much better than any of the without being reliant upon the referendum in September 2014, it polls (including its own) indicated mainstream media. Its organisation seemed that the vanquished were it would, and why did Labour not of activists especially via a dedicated actually the victors. But there are actually win? The exposure of app used by Momentum in also other historical parallels to Theresa May as weak and wobbly particular was also notable.
    [Show full text]
  • Fact Sheet Msps with Dual Mandates 12 January 2016 Msps: Current Series
    The Scottish Parliament and Scottish Parliament I nfor mation C entre l ogo Scottish Parliament Fact sheet MSPs with Dual Mandates 12 January 2016 MSPs: Current Series This fact sheet lists all Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) who currently hold a dual mandate. It also lists the MSPs that held dual mandates in previous sessions. Dual mandate is the term used to describe those MSPs who, in addition to their seat in the Scottish Parliament, also hold a seat in either the House of Commons (MPs), House of Lords (Peers) or represent a ward in their local council (councillors). This fact sheet lists the name of the MSP, their party and the constituency or region that they represent in the Scottish Parliament. It also lists the area that they represent in the House of Commons or in local government or their title (if they are a peer). Finally, this document also provides information on the start and end dates of dual mandates. It should be noted that no MSP has held a dual mandate through also holding a seat in the European Parliament. Abbreviations used: C Constituency Con Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Green Scottish Green Party Lab Scottish Labour LD Scottish Liberal Democrats R Region SNP Scottish National Party Session 4 MSPs with Dual Mandates (5 May 2011 to date) MSPs who are also MPs Name of MSP Party MSP for MP for Additional Notes Alex Salmond1 SNP Aberdeenshire Gordon East (C) MSPs who are also Members of the House of Lords Name of MSP Party MSP for Title Additional Notes Annabel Goldie Con West Scotland (R) Baroness Goldie of Bishopton MSPs who are also Councillors Name of MSP Party MSP for Councillor for Notes Lesley Brennan2 Lab North East Scotland Dundee East End MSPs in Session 4 who were also Councillors Name of MSP Party MSP for Councillor for Notes Did not stand for re- election in George Adam SNP Paisley Paisley South 2012 local council election Did not stand for re- election in Clare Adamson SNP Central Scotland (R) Wishaw 2012 local council election 1 Alex Salmond was elected in the general election on 7 May 2015.
    [Show full text]
  • Labour Party General Election 2017 Report Labour Party General Election 2017 Report
    FOR THE MANY NOT THE FEW LABOUR PARTY GENERAL ELECTION 2017 REPORT LABOUR PARTY GENERAL ELECTION 2017 REPORT Page 7 Contents 1. Introduction from Jeremy Corbyn 07 2. General Election 2017: Results 11 3. General Election 2017: Labour’s message and campaign strategy 15 3.1 Campaign Strategy and Key Messages 16 3.2 Supporting the Ground Campaign 20 3.3 Campaigning with Women 21 3.4 Campaigning with Faith, Ethnic Minority Communities 22 3.5 Campaigning with Youth, First-time Voters and Students 23 3.6 Campaigning with Trade Unions and Affiliates 25 4. General Election 2017: the campaign 27 4.1 Manifesto and campaign documents 28 4.2 Leader’s Tour 30 4.3 Deputy Leader’s Tour 32 4.4 Party Election Broadcasts 34 4.5 Briefing and Information 36 4.6 Responding to Our Opponents 38 4.7 Press and Broadcasting 40 4.8 Digital 43 4.9 New Campaign Technology 46 4.10 Development and Fundraising 48 4.11 Nations and Regions Overview 49 4.12 Scotland 50 4.13 Wales 52 4.14 Regional Directors Reports 54 4.15 Events 64 4.16 Key Campaigners Unit 65 4.17 Endorsers 67 4.18 Constitutional and Legal services 68 5. Labour candidates 69 General Election 2017 Report Page 9 1. INTRODUCTION 2017 General Election Report Page 10 1. INTRODUCTION Foreword I’d like to thank all the candidates, party members, trade unions and supporters who worked so hard to achieve the result we did. The Conservatives called the snap election in order to increase their mandate.
    [Show full text]
  • Scottish Leftreview
    ScottishLeft Review Issue 96 November/December 2016 - £2.00 'best re(a)d' 1 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 96 November/December 2016 LRD TUC Sept15_Layout 1 10/07/2015 14:09 Page 1 FIGHT ANTI-UNION LAWS www.rmt.org.uk General Secretary: Mick Cash President President: PSeaneter P iHoylenkney 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 Ocer ASLEF the train drivers union- www.aslef.org.uk 2 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 96 November/December 2016 feedback comment Back to the future and forward to the past he Jimmy Reid Foundation, the Foundation, it was my duty and Labour (instead of Blair, Brown and sister organisation of Scottish honour to give the vote of thanks Miliband, and the array of Scottish TLeft Review, held its annual at the end of the lecture. I took the Labour leaders – Dewar, McLeish, lecture on Thursday 6 October. This opportunity to say that I was sure that McConnell, Gray, Alexander, Lamont, year, the fourth annual lecture, was Jimmy Reid would have welcomed reviews Murphy and now Dugdale). Corbyn’s given by Jeremy Corbyn. He received Jeremy’s election and re-election to refusal to support independence a rapturous reception before he had the leadership of the Labour party. would not have been such an issue in uttered a word and then afterwards a This was for various reasons, all these circumstances as it would have standing ovation from the majority of centred around the point that Corbyn been counter-balanced by his more the 600-odd people gathered in the is the Labour leader that many on the left-wing policies so that far fewer Govan Old Parish Church that night.
    [Show full text]
  • This Thesis Has Been Submitted in Fulfilment of the Requirements for a Postgraduate Degree (E.G. Phd, Mphil, Dclinpsychol) at the University of Edinburgh
    This thesis has been submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for a postgraduate degree (e.g. PhD, MPhil, DClinPsychol) at the University of Edinburgh. Please note the following terms and conditions of use: This work is protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights, which are retained by the thesis author, unless otherwise stated. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author. The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author. When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given. How Did Young Left Wing Political Activists Learn to Become Active and Critical Citizens? Stuart Moir A Thesis SuBmitted in Fulfilment of Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education (EdD) The University of Edinburgh 2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. ABSTRACT 6 1.2. Lay Summary 8 1.3. Acknowledgments 10 2. INTRODUCTION 12 2.1. Setting the Scene 12 2.2. The Contested Nature of Citizenship and Citizenship Education 13 2.3. Thesis Inspiration and Motivation: Professional Experience and Political Activity 14 2.4. Framing the Key ProBlem 18 2.5. Research Questions and Approach 22 2.6. Summary of Findings 25 2.7. Overview of Thesis Chapters 29 3. UNDERSTANDING EDUCATION FOR CITIZENSHIP AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL ACTIVISTS: CONCEPTS, THEORIES & POLICY CONTEXT 32 3.1.
    [Show full text]
  • Scottish Leftreview
    ScottishLeft Review Issue 106 July/August 2018 - £2.00 'best re(a)d' 1 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 LRD TUC Sept15_Layout 1 10/07/2015 14:09 Page 1 FIGHT ANTI-UNION LAWS www.rmt.org.uk General Secretary: Mick Cash President President: PSeaneter P iHoylenkney 2 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 106 July/August 2018 feedback comment Killing independence ‘stone dead’? eaders will keenly recall the result would square their circle, they have needed reassurance in order to turn of the independence referendum quickly been disavowed of this. The 45:55 into 55:45. Essentially, this was Ron 18 September 2014 – 55% report has created an almighty right- an appeal to the right – of voters, against and 45% for. After the dust had left chasm within the independence business, commentators and the settled a bit and after much grinding of movement. Sure enough, there was reviewsmedia. For them, it was a message of teeth, it was concluded by mainstream already such a chasm but it was a independence won’t scare the horses nationalist and unionist thinkers that relatively minor one while both right and things won’t be that different the critical reason why more voters and left could have continued illusions under independence. were not turned on to the case for in what independence could be. But In making such an appeal, the independence was down to poor now the Wilson report, released on 25 miscalculations have been several-fold. economics – specifically, that the issue May, has shown in a disarmingly explicit First and probably most importantly, of a currency and future economic way what independence would look in appealing to the right, the support growth were poorly thought out in like under the SNP.
    [Show full text]
  • Can't We All Just Get Along? Left Unity
    Issue 44 January/February 2008 scottishleftreview £2.00 CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG? LEFT UNITY IN SCOTLAND HenDi socialist review aslef 25/10/06 5:39 pm Page 1 scottishleftreviewIssue 44 January/February 2008 Contents Comment ........................................................2 Reaching out from inside... ...........................16 Unity is possible - look at Europe... ...............4 Vince Mills Left a bit ........................................................18 Gregor Gall Christina McKelvie Political earthquakes in the heart of Europe .....8 Ending old attitudes ......................................20 Victor Grossman Lou Howson News from the south ....................................10 No end to privatisation ..................................21 Andy Newman Gerry McCartney Workers - and eco-systems - unite ..............12 A flow of problems ........................................22 Justin Kenrick Antonio Ioris Comment he beginning point for all political discussion should be to on whether Scotland is now moving in a better direction. The Tdismiss the ridiculous idea that there is no ‘right’ or ‘left’ Labour left is caught knowing that the SNP is implementing in politics. These are not outmoded terms and neither Tony traditional Labour policies but also see them introducing Blair or anyone else can change the reality of how power, New Labour policies too. What do you criticise? The SNP left wealth and people are interconnected through the repetition can make all the accommodations it likes, but it knows that Scotrail’s job is to make profits for its investors - of platitudes. It is not true to say that there is no necessary money spent cutting business taxes is money spent prolonging contradiction between the policies of the left and the right. It is Thatcher’s shadow over Scotland. Those from the smaller left not true to say that increasing inequality by encouraging wealth parties will note that the SNP’s proposals for changing PFI do not to provide a service for the Scottish public.
    [Show full text]
  • Register of Interests
    REGISTER OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS Member’s name: Brian Adam Constituency/Region: Aberdeen Donside Date on which initial statement lodged: 24 May 2011 Information on the exact nature of the requirement under each category can be found in the Interests of Members of the Scottish Parliament Act 2006. Remuneration and No registrable interests related undertaking Gifts No registrable interests Overseas visits No registrable interests Heritable property No registrable interests Interest in shares No registrable interests Voluntary No registrable interests REGISTER OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS Member’s name: George Adam Constituency/Region: Paisley Date on which initial statement lodged: 9 June 2011 Information on the exact nature of the requirement under each category can be found in the Interests of Members of the Scottish Parliament Act 2006. Remuneration and I am a local authority councillor for Renfrewshire Council related undertaking (of Cotton Street, Paisley). I work 40 hours per week and receive remuneration of between £15,001 and £20,000 per annum. I will be donating my council salary to local charities. Gifts No registrable interests Overseas visits No registrable interests Heritable property No registrable interests Interest in shares No registrable interests Voluntary I am a member of Unite (T and G Section). I am a member of the MS Society of Scotland. I am a member of the Club @ Renfrewshire. I am a member of the 1820 Society. I am a board member of Renfrewshire Leisure Trust. I am a member of the Paisley Burgh Branch of the SNP. REGISTER OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS Member’s name: Clare Adamson Constituency/Region: Central Scotland Date on which initial statement lodged: 31 May 2011 Information on the exact nature of the requirement under each category can be found in the Interests of Members of the Scottish Parliament Act 2006.
    [Show full text]