ScottishLeft Review Issue 91 January/February 2016 - £2.00

Issue 91 January/February 2016 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 O cer ASLEF the train drivers union- www.aslef.org.uk

ScottishLeftReview Cover and illustrations: Nadia Lucchesi Issue 91 January/February 2016 Contents ([email protected]) Proofing services: Comment ...... 3 Bob Thomson and John Daly Why not try something different? Chris Stephens ...... 4 Honesty goes a long way - Drew Smith ...... 6 Communications and Radicals can work together for radical outcomes - Anni Pues ...... 8 organisational development: How red can the greens be? Cat Boyd ...... 9 Carole Ewart Working for independence for women and workers - Sandra Mills ...... 10 Trade union development officer: Further and higher education: under-loved and under-funded - Vonnie Sandlan ...... 11 David Brockett Reaction to Sturgeon’s speech - Carolyn Jones, Neil Findlay and Carole Ewart...... 12 Editor Email: Corbyn: will he be captain of all he surveys? John McAllion...... 13 [email protected] Hope in hard times? Stephen Smellie...... 14 Enhancing domestic security without military intervention abroad - Bill Bonnar ...... 15 Web: www.scottishleftreview.org Accounting for Trident? Lies and misinformation abound - Mike Danson ...... 17 Tel: 0141 424 0042 Taking the temperature after the Paris talks - Eurig Scandrett and Matthew Crighton. 19 Address: Make education for agitating and organising start in schooling John Daly ...... 20 Open letter to Phil Gormley - Niall McCluskey ...... 22 Scottish Left Review, Dangers posed by imminent fiscal trap - Jim Cuthbert ...... 23 741 Shields Road, Pollokshields, The battle over the bill continues - Mary Senior ...... 25 Glasgow G41 4PL Westminster trials and tribulations - Tommy Sheppard ...... 26 No talking to the taxman as the taxman isn’t listening - Joy Dunn ...... 27 Printed by The beginning of the end for the Bolivarian revolution? Francisco Dominguez ...... 28 Hampden Advertising Ltd, Fair trade coffee: unfairness comes as standard Azeez Abiola Oyedele ...... 29 70 Stanley Street, Poets’ page Rab Wilson, James Aitchison and David Betteridge...... 30 Glasgow G41 1JB, Vladimir McTavish’s Kick up the Tabloids ...... 31 Tel: 0141 429 1010

2 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 91 January/February 2016 feedback

comment New year – same old struggle

hough it’s customary to say the polls despite losing two of its MPs undercut internal opposition to Jeremy ‘Happy New Year’, we know and being subject to mounting criticism and John. Tthere’ll be nothing particularly on a range of issues, it does appear Third, on Syria, many progressives happy about 2016 unless there are to show some signs of responding commented the vote to start aerial major changes in society. Part of to progressive criticism (such as on bombardment showed politicians achieving that will be about what income tax, tax credits compensation, ‘hadn’t learnt the lessons of Iraq and happens on 5 May 2016 so we lead the council tax, and Sunday shopping Afghanistan’. They are right when on this. We asked members of the regulation). But again this is more in reviewsthey meant bombing ‘does not work’ progressive parties and organs of civil the vein of potentially stopping things because it creates more suffering, society what they’d like to see in the getting worse than start making things instability and hatred. But these well party manifestos. But we also know better. This is because what passes for intentioned people were completely that 5 May 2016 will not be the final social democracy in both its Scottish wrong in thinking politicians are matter. Hence, other articles cover Labour and SNP forms searches for capable of learning in a logical, wider politics in Britain, Europe and social justice within the confines of dispassionate way. elsewhere. existing power and interest structures. The vote to bomb – Labour MPs But for the time being, we have to So social justice is never conceived in included – reflects three things, start somewhere - and so we asked terms of wealth distribution from one namely, power, material interests and contributors to concentrate a number class (the ruling class) to another (the ideology (and their maintenance and of issue for the manifestos, namely, i) working class) – and it is scarcely ever extension). Ruling class politicians and Trident; ii) austerity; iii) human rights; conceived in terms of stopping one their acolytes cannot be expected to iv) Trade Union Bill; and v) taxation. class (the ruling class) exploiting the learn anything other than what tactics Recalling our last issue, we also asked other class (the working class). are better or worse in advancing and for two reflections upon analysis of Second, Corbyn has still to find his defending their interests. That is why Corbyn’s victory and developments mojo because the new way of doing building a bigger and more influential since then. We did similarly with the ‘new politics’ can only take him anti-war movement is vital because Sturgeon’s speech on the occasion of so far until it becomes obvious there’s only through pressure not logical her delivering the third annual Jimmy a lack of hard substance. This means argument will pro-war politicians Reid Foundation lecture. taking the initiative overall and doing so change course. This will not be easy as Currently, three things stand out must comprise taking many initiatives. it is only when body bags come home about i) Scottish politics, ii) Labour Unfortunately, John McDonnell’s in sufficient numbers resultant from and iii) imperialism. First, the politics ‘socialism with an iPad’ was nothing ground wars or fighting foreign wars of the campaigns and manifestos of more than reheated Keynesianism which gravely affect living standards progressive parties must be more (see Guardian 19 November 2015). back home that anti-war movements heavily focussed upon more than Without measures to redistribute become mass movements. just stopping things getting worse. the wealth created by this particular Finally, an erratum – the article in So much of current left politics from state intervention, it will simply and SLR 90 was by John, not Jim, Slaven. Scottish Labour and the SNP is about mostly go to those that already have Apologies there. stopping the Tories doing ‘x’ or ‘y’. it – hence the phrase ‘money begets We need to raise our sights and say money’. There was certainly no Editorial Committee we want that and more, much more. socialism involved in this policy launch. Take for example, the SNP Scottish The decision by Jeremy and John to Bill Bonnar Pat Kelly Government’s exclusion of blacklisters not countenance local council ‘needs Cat Boyd Lilian Macer from tendering for public contracts budgets’ because of their unlawfulness Gordon Morgan from April 2016 or its maintenance of is another disappointment. Both need Sarah Collins the Scottish Agriculture Wages Board. to make the case for the state owning Tommy Sheppard Good but not good enough – because Moira Craig and controlling the commanding Dave Sherry the Welsh Assembly Government has heights of the economy for the benefit Gregor Gall already excluded blacklisters since2013 Stephen Smellie of the majority. Without that, the Editor and maintaining the wages board in prospects for winning in 2020 let alone Bob Thomson itself does not end low pay. building effective resistance now are Tommy Kane Convener Although, the SNP remains Teflon like in not good. These are the very things to Issue 91 January/February 2016 ScottishLeftReview - 3 Why not try something different? Chris Stephens says Scottish Labour has the chance to shed its skin eing asked to draw up have presented opportunities to are protected and diversification is a manifesto for political present distinct Scottish messages, enacted. It can also demonstrate Bopponents is the equivalent and step away from Labour’s daily other areas that can be spent of entering into a fantasy football civil war that is much in evidence on defence, strengthening naval contest without being able to pick at Westminster. The behaviour I defence, and publicly insist Royal your favourite players and hoping witness from some Progress MPs Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ships can to lose. The opportunities to make to their fellow party members is be dealt with through the same mischief are obvious. But I’ve less than comradely. Discipline, procurement process as Ministry decided give it a ‘square go’. message and respect for democratic of Defence ships, and avoid the mandates are alien concepts wasted opportunity whereby RFA The current context for determining to those daily airing their views ships being built in Korea when they or guessing what will be in the 2016 by attacking their leadership in can be built in Scotland. A skilled Scottish Labour manifesto is more mainstream and social media. workforce isn’t just required for of a challenge than previously, shipbuilding but for supply chains given the party’s state of flux both Preparing a Scottish Labour in all manufacturing, building and north and south of the border. In manifesto is a peculiarly difficult infrastructure projects. Using union times gone by, it would have been task because the daily mantra expertise to draw up policy and fairly easy to work out - a limited, of ‘SNP bad’ seems a habit that plans for implementation should be retail politics based offer that would cannot be broken. For years, a priority. pass muster with London HQ and Scottish Labour has defined itself Scottish MPs. vis-à-vis the SNP, and couching this Austerity: This is a political in relentless negativity gives the choice resulting in the sustained There would have been an impression Scottish Labour has dismantling of the welfare state, appearance of involving members nothing positive to say. It would be dispensing with safety nets. It and activists in drafting and truly refreshing if Scottish Labour emanates from a false narrative agreeing policy forum documents. could manage to present its vision about what is and isn’t ‘affordable’, These would invariably be altered for the future without mentioning where public spending is presented or ignored, depending on content the SNP. as an evil rather than a necessity. and sign off from the ministers and There’s more than something advisers when in government in Given Robert Cunninghame Graham objectionable about Holyrood being Scotland, and latterly from an ever founded both Labour and SNP, the forced to administer a sticking decreasing circle of power brokers. term competitive cousins should plaster on social security at the However, as always, the dead hand apply for the real class enemy expense of funding to grow our of central command control would in Scotland is the party which economy and plan for the future. ensure nothing too different or punishes the poor and protects radical was produced to disrupt the wealth and privilege. So the starting Inviting Scottish governments to ‘new’ Labour message. point has to be exposing the brutal use regressive flat rate taxation reality behind the Tories’ claim to - hitting the working poor After this year’s events, who knows be the party of ‘working people’. disproportionately - if they wish to what forces are now working to Trident: For many years, Scottish preserve services and benefits is produce the 2016 manifesto? Labour’s position has been to a Tory trap that Labour shouldn’t Despite all the announcements oppose nuclear weapons. This endorse. Rather than being drawn about a revived, refreshed, listening was comprehensively ignored into the ‘further powers’ argument party and another declaration of by ‘new’ Labour ministers but which has zero resonance with autonomy for Scottish Labour, the the recent Scottish conference most voters (as the referendum opportunity to create a distinct decision delivered the correct has polarised opinion into those ‘Independent Scottish Labour outcome, reflecting grassroots who want the status quo and no Party’ has not been taken - not opinion. Although not a devolved more discussion about devolution least because many comrades on issue, it should be highlighted, and those who believe only the the party’s left are suspiciously being presented as part of full range of powers that come hostile to anything that smacks a comprehensive review of with independence will work), set of pandering or moving towards manufacturing in Scotland to plan out a vision and framework for independence in any shape or form. for and create jobs. This should support for the vulnerable and If a truly separate sister party was include commitments to work plans to grow the economy through created in Scotland, this would closely with unions to ensure jobs trans-national solidarity that has a 4 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 91 January/February 2016 positive focus on what can be done Human rights: Actually there’s not under the existing conditions. This much to be added or suggested will require a coherence of message here, as credit where credit is due and vision which the Westminster - there is a clear Labour position PLP shows no signs of endorsing on opposing the Tory proposals for (although ironically having only one repealing the Human Rights Act, Scottish MP in Scotland might help along with a campaign the Labour in this). Campaign for Human Rights (http:// lchr.org.uk/) . What I suggest is the Clarity at local government Scottish dimension here more front level might be helpful as the and centre and Labour should reach choices Labour-led or coalition out to work with the SNP on this, administrations make will impact especially Joanna Cherry MP who is on next year’s elections. The leading on this. public rarely differentiate between different levels of government and Trade Union Bill: Many of these any poor choices about priorities issues are human rights issues, and at council level will undermine the the purpose is undermining any 2016 Holyrood campaign. Scottish organised opposition to austerity Labour lacks a coherent message as well as further undermining about local government other than the rights of working people to - you guessed it – ‘SNP bad’. When secure decent pay and working you’re so far down in the electoral conditions. There should be gutter you might as well be bold a clear statement any Labour and lay out a vision for restructuring administration at national or local of local government and taxation level would refuse to implement as a way of tackling austerity and the restrictions the Bill will impose protecting public services. on employers that interfere with their ability to conduct negotiations Taxation: There must be a and manage workplace relations willingness to work together across sensibly. Although various motions the party divide to have a cross- have been passed at council level, party approach to what progressive it will be important to ensure this taxation policies should look like translates into action when the Bill and how to implement them – not becomes an Act. I say this because least because of the lack of public my union experience suggests the trust on this issue. There is also biggest obstacle for Scottish Labour a lack of public trust about how credibility for many workers is finances are spent and scrutinised. experience of it as an employer. That the major committees of the Scottish Parliament are chaired by Any Holyrood manifesto will have the government party members other issues to the fore (health, is something Scottish Labour housing, education, transport) could challenge in the name of and local issues and perennial improving scrutiny. In fact, why not environmental issues. For some, propose a comprehensive review pensions, crime and migration will of Holyrood procedures similar to feature large. However, the issues the Westminster Wright Committee of austerity, taxation and human which resulted in departmental rights provide the context and and select committee chairs being funding for tackling those particular directly elected by a secret ballot issues. How widely manifestos of the House (using the alternative are read is a moot point, but they vote). Pledging to improve provide the context and vision material in electoral history. Maybe, transparency and openness in guiding campaigns and should be it’s time to try something different. scrutiny of public finances (and more than shopping lists of pledges reminding people it was Labour and partisan attacks on other Chris Stephens is Glasgow South that legislated for Freedom of parties. For some years, Scottish West MP and SNP Westminster Information) would be an obvious Labour has produced some of the spokesperson on Trade Unions and course of action. most negative and dismal campaign Workers’ Rights Issue 91 January/February 2016 ScottishLeftReview - 5 Honesty goes a long way Drew Smith says the SNP must drop the slogans and insert substance t’s been said part of the hostility on the status of solemn promises; choses to highlight its opposition to between the SNP and Scottish unbreakable pacts with the austerity in its Scottish manifesto, ILabour can be characterised as people regardless of later policy then I would have three asks of the narcissism of small difference. consequences: recall maintaining them. By all means lament the At the time of writing, the Scottish 1,000 extra police officers or the choices made by Westminster but Government has just published its council tax freeze. Alternatively, stop pretending the approach of Draft Budget for 2016. Despite rows they can find themselves Scottish Ministers is not also a over its contents likely to dominate abandoned quickly and without choice. Be brave, and defend why the next few weeks in the Scottish ceremony: the local income tax, you have chosen to protect budgets Parliament, the reality is that the homebuyers grant, writing for acute hospital care whilst still much of what the budget provides off student debt are just a few continuing the attack on the social for is undisputed between the examples of the less binding kind of care provision – the very care which government and the major party of SNP manifesto commitment. prevents people ending up on the opposition. Indeed, since 1999, it So whilst manifestos contain ward, and eases the return home. has always been thus. specifics both to be championed, Second of all, recognise cuts to This Scottish Budget is, however, at least until the next election, local government result in local a pre-election budget and in its or abandoned at the first sign of austerity. Low paid women workers trouble, they are also, at their best, contents and omissions we see bear the brunt of this, as do those visions of our future and should some of the potential dividing lines most reliant upon council services. help the voter to understand where of the upcoming elections to the The cynicism of the current attitude a party and its candidates are fifth Scottish Parliament. Asked does nothing to honour the best coming from and rational reasons elements of the 2014 referendum, to contemplate ‘my asks’ for the as to why we should place our when many of our citizens became SNP’s next manifesto, a number crosses beside their names. engaged because they believed of thoughts come to mind. Not their vote could make a difference least the importance of manifestos There will, no doubt, be polices and saw politics as the mechanism themselves and the likely degrees contained in the SNP manifesto to change our society. Honesty of difference between Labour’s and that I will celebrate, just as there might not always have been the that of the SNP. Well-advertised will be ideas in my own party’s to hallmark of that campaign but it manifesto commitments can take which I might be less enthusiastic. ‘Carry a knife - go to jail’ is an can still go a long way in fostering a Scottish Left Review example from last time that more informed debate, which trusts The Scottish Left Review is a non-profit making publication. I was glad enough to see fall people to understand the choices in Please subscribe or make a donation by going to www. by the wayside. Support for a front of them. scottishleftreview.org where you can pay by credit card or by filling in your details in the form below and returning single national police service Third, let’s talk about tax. Tax is to Scottish Left Review, 741 Shields Road, Pollokshields, was another that it became the basis of our social solidarity; it Glasgow G41 4PL impossible to backtrack allows us to provide for what are Name from despite the mounting at heart some of the most basic evidence that it would not civilising forces in our society. It Address work in the manner first can help to balance differentiating envisaged. levels of power, but it is also the In May last year, the big issue, most easily misrepresented tool Tel: or at least so we were told, of government. So, let’s stop was austerity and Scotland’s pretending that the Scottish Rate of E-mail: two big parties allegedly Income Tax, at least part-reformed conflicting attitudes towards in time for this May’s election, is Subscription/Donation it. This May, the backdrop only a flat rate power. It isn’t. Its variability may be in lock-step but Date: of austerity will loom large 191 over the election, particularly it is also a power built on top of, Subscriptions: £18 (waged), £14 (unwaged), £15 (local the swingeing cuts which a an imperfect, but still ultimately organisations), £30 (national organisations. Scottish Government intends progressive tax system. Only Donations will be gratefully recieved. Cheques should be crossed and made payable to: Left Review Scotland Ltd. to inflict upon Scottish local in Scotland could a party have You can also subscribe/donate online at government. If the SNP proposed the ‘Penny for Scotland’ www.scottishleftreview.org in the good times, and then when 6 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 91 January/February 2016 austerity is laying waste to our than only another simplistic splurge public services, the very same on the so-called Small Business individuals angrily dismiss it as an Bonus, a policy that has already cost unusable measure. So use it, don’t £1billion with no audit of its job use it, but be prepared to set out creating impact. real arguments on why that choice On the environment, the road to has been made rather than relying sustainability cannot be a runway upon the straw men of nationalism. to a slashing Air Passenger Duty, Post-Smith, the tax powers vary at the expense of a quarter of again, and from then it will be a billion pounds to the public possible to vary rates differentially. purse. Why not spend that money This is a good thing. If you believe instead on real efforts to improve that, as a matter of fairness, the educational attainment and training highest rate should not have been the workers of tomorrow for a reduced from 50p to 45p, then chance at a better working life. For make clear that it will be put back, those working in the care industry put it in your manifesto and make today, why not commit to the clear that the next budget will be living wage that the councils who set for the long-term, not just for an procure services and providers election. of them both claim to want. Go further and embed that approach, As an MSP since 2011, I have been not just with certificates for living struck more than anything else wage employers, but by bringing by how little time Scottish politics together purchasers, providers and spends talking, or thinking, about employees within a meaningful jobs. So if town hall austerity is collective bargaining framework to be continued, spell out how which sees the role of government workers will be protected from not just as a supporter of fair work, its consequences. I am currently but as an enabler of it. a member of the Scottish Government’s taskforce on the steel Finally, in the First Minister’s Jimmy industry which is rightly concerned Reid lecture she rightly described with the hundreds of jobs at risk. workers’ rights as human rights. Yet, cuts to councils have and Let’s see that put into action will result in potentially tens of with serious action against the thousands losing their livelihood. blacklisting contractors, who are Why not take up UNISON’s still benefiting from public projects. suggestion of taskforces for those The Trade Union Bill is not just an people? illiberal and ideological attack on the rights of working people to Similarly, Scottish Labour and SNP organise, it is also a dog’s breakfast manifestos will reflect shared of a law which can be made opposition to Trident renewal. So unworkable. So, follow the lead let’s move beyond the rhetoric of local authorities and let’s make and actually see preparation clear that both Scottish Labour and and action on defence industry SNP, manifestos will represent a diversification. That requires a lead mandate for concerted and united from government, not just a slogan. resistance to the implementation of The Scottish Government used to draconian policy. claim that 16,000 jobs could be would, in my view, be very welcome indeed. Imitation will remain the created in renewables, a target that If it is true that last year’s General sincerest form of flattery. has since been dropped apparently Election manifestos from Labour without a replacement. So let’s and the SNP amounted to small Drew Smith is Labour MSP for see a joined up industrial strategy difference, and if many Labour Glasgow, Chair of the Trades Union debated; and a real commitment voices were right that the SNP Group of Labour MSPs and former to manufacturing as a provider of has had a habit of simply copying Shadow Cabinet Secretary for the good quality jobs, decent wages many of Labour’s policies, then Constitution, writing here in a and community stability, rather the inclusion of some of the above personal capacity. Issue 91 January/February 2016 ScottishLeftReview - 7 Radicals can work together for radical outcomes Green left activist, Anni Pues, offers fraternal suggestions to RISE he 2016 elections are without close to one another, shared industries like steel, and its doubt the most significant for agendas emerge. And it is these privatised companies like Scotrail Tthe Scottish Parliament yet. In that I, as a Green socialist, would into democratic and collective large part this reflects the success like to see in the RISE manifesto. control. I hope RISE will be making of radicals in driving the Scottish the argument that we must remove We need to widen the debate about political agenda through the the primacy of the profit motive in the environment from the liberal referendum period. Unfortunately, public services. We need a variety obsession with changing individual the Greens and the coalition that of renationalisation, worker control behaviour and regulation. Instead, constitutes RISE weren’t able to and new models of combined we need to build a new collective come to an agreement to run worker and public control. and democratic economy with together. Many will be sad that the people and the environment at its The council tax freeze has pushed two main voices behind the radical heart. RISE is perfectly placed to the debate around local taxation resurgence of the left in Scottish make these arguments. to the point where it is widely politics will be running against one accepted that we must find a another. But there are significant new form. This should be both opportunities beyond the obvious redistributive and should ensure problems. that assets are taxed. The SSP’s The decisive shift to the left by proposal of a ‘Scottish Service the SNP in recent years came on Tax’ (SST) would be an effective the back of the last election of redistributive tax, but would not a significant numbers of radical have taxed assets. While we build MSPs. From 2003-2007, the 13 public support for asset taxes, the Green and SSP MSPs pushed the SST may deliver the redistributive agenda on issues from free school element of funding for public meals to social enterprise. The services that will help to mitigate SNP’s move to the left after 2004 the worst of Westminster’s has both transformed Scottish austerity. politics and left truly radical politics With a real chance to elect radical with a greatly diminished voice. It MSPs in every Scottish region, is important that we have those One policy that Greens haven’t from Green or RISE, it is vital that radical voices back in Parliament in made the running on is free public everyone uses their list vote to help greatly increased numbers. transport. It is bold, points clearly transform Scottish politics. We all It is good to have another left to the world we want to see, and want to see a Scottish Parliament grouping pushing for an anti- would help to obliterate the car that delivers the aspirations of a capitalist agenda. We all now culture that does so much to drive transformed Scotland so many recognise that a just society is not both climate change and capitalist hoped independence would bring. possible without radical plans to atomisation of communities. Free Anni Pues sits on the International protect the environment. Social public transport would help deliver Committee of the Scottish Green and climate justice are inextricably a systemic change in society and Party, and is a feminist and left linked. Naomi Klein has brilliantly would help stop climate change. activist explained how capitalism is RISE also has the opportunity to based on the externalisation of make the case for transformed environmental costs. We know that ownership of businesses, services One policy that the structure of capitalism is deeply and other important areas of Greens haven’t entwined with the burning of fossil the economy. For too long, we fuels. The cause of the environment have worked on the basis of a made the running is the cause of socialism and the presumption that privatisation, cause of socialism is the cause of deregulation and low taxes are on is free public the environment. best. But Scotland can now shift So as Greens and socialists move ownership of land, its privatised transport.

8 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 91 January/February 2016 How red can the greens be? Cat Boyd offers fraternal advice to the left of the Scottish Greens aomi Klein’s This Changes really test its long-term view on have seen the union movement as a Everything and Paul political alliances. central part of changing society. Mason’s Post-capitalism N Thus, it was revealing that when Labour’s grip over the unions and capture the growing consensus Patrick Harvie was asked at a BBC over working class communities capitalism will not solve the leaders’ debate whether ‘capitalism’ explains a great deal about the looming climate change crisis. would be a red-line for the Greens historical failings of the socialist Serious intellectual opinion is in coalition, his answer, as well movement in Britain. In Scotland, increasingly unanimous in this as in subsequent articles, was happily, its traditional heartlands view. Even the world’s wealthiest ambiguous. This raises a question: are not now no-go territories. But capitalist, Bill Gates, admits if we how do the Greens foresee political for the sake of the independence leave green investment to private change? Will it emerge from below, movement, and the health of enterprise the planet is destined by an anti-establishment alliance progressive movements in general, to burn. The problem is that of social movements and the mainstream, short-term-oriented we must now end Labour’s grasp organised working class, or from on the Scottish unions’ resources politicians haven’t caught up with above, by entering coalitions as a these obvious conclusions about and, more importantly, their minority? Is parliamentary influence imaginations. the planet’s future and capitalism’s a means or an ends? disastrous impact upon it. That’s why a radical strategy for It seems clear that green and Scotland must address worklessness socialist parties, sharing a and bad jobs, not as afterthoughts, common enemy and a longer term but as primary aims. Clean jobs, perspective on politics, should absolutely. But working class needs eventually seek a permanent must be immediate priorities, and alliance. Indeed, in some countries, that does means full employment, Green-Left coalitions are long- which the SNP can’t provide due to established, and Greens are cheerily its pro-business outlook. anti-capitalist. However, in other That’s also why I favour economic countries – usually, those where planning. But I favour planning for the Greens have come closest to a second reason: because it’s the power – they have become openly I believe in making pragmatic only way to solve the climate crisis. pro-establishment, even right-wing reforms in the present where Cooperatives are great, but our and pro-war, and have turned on capitalism is overwhelmingly social movements must seek a clear their members and supporters. dominant. Socialists have achieved mandate to impose strict controls on Generally, this happens because the some of the most important of business activities, or, given current temptations of ‘pragmatic’ coalition these in the Scottish Parliament, trends, the future is unthinkable. government become overwhelming. like free school meals and ending There are also sociological reasons prescription charges. But if you’re a Sooner or later, circumstances will for this – many green parties are serious Green or a serious socialist, force socialists and greens together. very middle class – and ideological you also need a strategy for the We need a permanent eco-socialist reasons - many greens share a coming decades, not just the next coalition in society, and yes, it must small business outlook or even a parliamentary term. seek power. What it shouldn’t do is ‘deep Green’ misanthropic view on become subservient to the power of On so many issues, we do agree, progress. capitalism – and that can happen to but on some strategic questions the best coalitions, as Syriza proves. So far, the Scottish party has been there are lingering doubts. Socialists For the twenty-first century to end a consistent ally of the radical left. aren’t just anti-capitalist because more successfully than the last one, However, Scotland’s green party they are worried about over- capitalism must be a red line. – unlike, for example, Germany’s using the planet’s resources. They – has been moulded by a long are anti-capitalist because most Cat Boyd is a RISE (Respect, period on the margins. 2016’s of humanity is subordinated to Independence, Socialism and election could see it moving to the capitalist work and exploitation Environmentalism) and union centre: it’s not ridiculous to imagine for large parts of the day; we are movement activist. She was it being offered the chance of anti-capitalist because of the class also a co-founder of the Radical coalition with the SNP. That would system. For that reason, socialists Independence Campaign. Issue 91 January/February 2016 ScottishLeftReview - 9 Working for independence for women and workers Sandra Mills outlines the policy positions of Women for Independence usterity and taxation: With only able to raise taxes – platform concerned if government chooses so many leading economists poison in an election. We need to hold information on their Ahaving denounced the more creative thinking around DNA, email communications and politics of austerity, it’s hard to transport links, education policy, participation in protests. This is see how the Tories have a shred childcare policy and redistribution what is at stake – our very freedom of credibility that their ‘long term of taxation in order to combat to hold and publicly profess beliefs economic plan’ is working. They austerity within the devolved which may be contrary to official continue to repeat the mantra, powers and lift more women out of government policy. All main parties but the statistics for numbers of poverty. must clearly indicate they will foodbanks, suicides of benefit Trident: It’s clear we’ll be hearing oppose this Bill at Westminster, claimants and the instability of the more about Trident over coming and WfI will be at the forefront job market only highlights that their months but what is not clear is of any campaign to oppose it. plan works only for the very rich. whether Corbyn will whip his MPs However, this again highlights the WfI has long highlighted austerity into voting against renewal. I’m not difficulty with reserved matters – measures falling disproportionately sure anyone needs a crystal ball to Scotland simply does not have the on women, and redistribution of judge this unlikely. However, the Westminster numbers to oppose wealth reaches vulnerable women vote by Scottish Labour to scrap legislation without all Labour MPs’ only as an afterthought, if at all. Trident is significant. We can now support. Increased childcare hours was truthfully say that Scotland as a Trade Union Bill: Also a reserved a positive step, but the Scottish whole does not want a nuclear matter, the main parties’ manifestos Government needs to go further deterrent and now we have a real must express how they intend – provision of out of school care test of Scotland’s place in the so- to counter this legislation if it is is woefully inadequate in rural called equal partnership of the UK. passed. More than any other Tory areas, and full-time childcare is too Nothing will expose the legislation, this will impact hugely expensive for many low income powerlessness of Scotland within upon women. 76% of part-time earners. Rather than ploughing the Union more clearly than the workers in Scotland are women, more money into child tax credit, vote on renewal – a united Scottish and 57% of Scottish women earn or increased hours, we would like vote to scrap this abhorrent and the minimum wage. These groups to see a commitment to encourage expensive weapons system will be employers to be more creative. will be particularly vulnerable if overruled by the significantly higher Many workplaces could provide restrictions to strike are enacted. number of English MPs voting crèche facilities without huge costs, to renew. Although a reserved Using union support, the Scottish and new technologies should allow matter, WfI would like to see the Government must support workers more women to work from home, commitment to scrap Trident in defying this draconian legislation. if only employers were ready to set clearly stated in the main parties’ Assuming no agreement has yet up their systems to allow it. manifestos. Scottish Labour, the been reached under the Smith Creative employment practice also SNP, the Greens, and RISE are all Commission, all the main parties leads to economic growth. The only anti-Trident, but I think it’s clear must make this a ‘red line’ – no way to counter austerity without only a commitment from Labour as government in Scotland will enforce having control of the benefits a whole to scrap it, or full Scottish these measures against Scottish system is to promote economic independence will remove this workers. growth. Conservative policy dangerous waste of money from Sandra Mills is an elected member favours suppression of wages and our shores. of the Women for Independence employment instability to secure Human rights: Tory desire to deport National Committee. Qualified higher profits, only benefitting terrorists and ensure prisoners can’t as an English teacher, she runs a shareholders. vote will allow far greater breaches tuition business, is active in the The Scottish Government over the of the freedoms enjoyed by the rest Back to School Bank and Hamilton next term will have to prove it can of us than we can yet anticipate. Academical Homework Club, redistribute wealth fairly using new The Tories say innocent people who and has an interest in all things taxation powers. But the trap lies in have nothing to hide shouldn’t be educational. 10 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 91 January/February 2016 Further and higher education: under-loved and under-funded Vonnie Sandlan says parties must address the crisis affecting students oming less than two years after a referendum that Cgalvanised and invigorated democratic debate, with the historic decision to grant 16 and 17 year olds the vote, and at a time of greater devolution to Scotland, this election presents an opportunity to mould the fairer the society we want to see, and career or path to university. mental health problems down. our place in it. If we really want to break down We see students having to organise While it’s right that we continue to barriers to education, this needs support when they start a new protect the principle and practice to be our next target. We want academic year or new institution, of free education in Scotland, to see parties committing to an students have to move between recognising the role higher entitlement for all further education different NHS health boards at education as a core public and students, guaranteeing a minimum home and at their term time social good, free education can’t level of income and ensuring that address, and sometimes institutions just be about the price tag. For NUS regardless of where you study simply don’t having the capacity Scotland, the unifying theme of in Scotland, you know you’ll be to support a student. While these our election priorities is ensuring supported, and you’ll know how services are provided at a local the necessary support is available much support you’ll receive before level, we think that this national to students. It’s about securing a you even get there. problem needs a national solution system that enables any student, – and one that goes beyond regardless of background or More fundamentally, we need to seriously look at the whole student individual universities and colleges. circumstance, to access education, We need to see commitments to and enables them to complete system and what it provides for students right across the year. Not bring together a range of agencies their studies and achieve their full and institutions to look at what potential. every student is in a position to be supported by family members in the provision is in place for students, If we take some of our most in- summer, and many have their own and how this can be improved. need students – those in further dependents. As our fair access rates We can be proud of our education education - they’re also the ones continue to improve, the range of system in Scotland, but we can’t most forced to get by on paltry backgrounds and needs of students be complacent. During the next amounts, if they receive anything will, rightly, diversify, but the parliament, we’ll face challenges, at all. Currently, they don’t have financial support they receive still but we also have a real chance to access to a guaranteed level of treats them as a single group. We build on our achievements in areas income like their higher education want to see parties outlining how like widening access, creating a counterparts, instead relying on a they’ll ensure students, particularly system where anyone in Scotland discretionary, postcode lottery. This those who have no ‘safety net’ over can access college or university and leaves students unsure whether the summer, aren’t hung out to dry. is supported to stay there. That’s an they’ll have money to live off, opportunity I’m excited about, and let alone how much, when they But at the same time, we need one that all of us – students, unions, consider studying at college. Some looking beyond just financial community organisations, and more arrive at college to find that the support offered to students and – shouldn’t let slip away. support level simply isn’t enough, start looking at other support others arrive to find there’s no provided, like welfare support. Vonnie Sandlan is NUS Scotland money left in the pot, forcing them Students face significant pressures, President for 2015/16, having to either go without or drop out. both academically and personally, previously served as NUS Scotland This is a huge waste of talent for which can have a significant impact women’s officer and President Scotland and an unnecessary hurdle on their mental health, yet too of Langside College Students’ at the very start of a potential often, the system lets students with Association. Issue 91 January/February 2016 ScottishLeftReview - 11 Reaction to Sturgeon’s speech Where partnerships exist between colleges; refuses to hold inquiries into employers and unions – great. But from blacklisting, undercover policing and Third Annual the Upper Clyde Shipbuilding dispute to justice for miners; demands powers Jimmy Reid Ineos at Grangemouth more recently, over taxes then fail to do anything conflict remains in the employment Memorial Lecture with them; and has no redistributive relationship and partnership exists as policies. These and much more the gift of employers. Political leaders are issues affecting the very people need to acknowledge the employment Jimmy Reid identified with. They are relationship is not one of equal class issues, they are union issues partners and never will be. For real – they most certainly don't appear partnership and cooperation to develop to be a priority issues for the Nicola unions need the proactive support of a Sturgeon’s government. sympathetic government determined to “WORKERS’ RIGHTS introduce structures that place unions ARE HUMAN RIGHTS” at the heart of industrial and economic Carole Ewart, policy. As the chair and president of the institute argue, inequality, low pay and Human Rights Consultant SPEAKER: zero hour contracts will not be wished Nicola was direct in her condemnation Rt. Hon. Nicola Sturgeon MSP First Minister of Scotland away. Politicians have a responsibility of the UK Government’s attack on 1 to provide the means by which they worker’s rights and in so doing she can be addressed. Pledging to improve set out evidence on why the Trade recognition procedures and introduce n 24 November 2015, Union Bill undermines Article 11 of the sectoral collective bargaining would First Minister, Nicola European Convention on Human Rights O show the First Minister really meant (ECHR) which gives everyone the equal Sturgeon, gave the third Jimmy business. right to ‘freedom of peaceful assembly Reid Foundation annual lecture, and to freedom of association with entitled ‘Workers’ rights are human Neil Findlay, others, including the right to form and rights’, in the same Bute Hall at the to join trade unions for the protection University of Glasgow where Jimmy Labour MSP for the of his/her interests’. The ECHR states Reid delivered his rectorial address Lothians the right can be limited only in certain in 1972. We asked for comment on specific and justifiable circumstances it. Her lecture is available at In reading her speech, I was struck which are ‘prescribed by law and are by the complete absence of one http://news.scotland.gov.uk/ necessary in a democratic society in word - class! Because it is class - the Speeches-Briefings/Jimmy-Reid- the interests of national security or divide between those who own and public safety, for the prevention of Memorial-Lecture-1fa2.aspx control business and production and disorder or crime, for the protection of those who sell their labour working health or morals or for the protection under the instruction of others that of the rights and freedoms of others’. Carolyn Jones, is, and always has been, the big Asserting the devolved political powers divide in our society. As a nationalist, Director, Institute of of Scotland and our positive track Nicola prefers to paint and image of record on industrial relations, she Employment Rights us as ‘all Scots together’. A society confirmed: ‘The number of working (http://www.ier.org.uk/) where Brian Soutar and call centre days lost due to strikes has declined It’s always uplifting to hear a political workers have the same rights and by 84% since 2007- that's the highest leader state that ‘unions are a force interests and will share the spoils reduction anywhere in the UK. Last for good in modern society’. Nicola of a society that will be fairer just year, fewer days were lost in Scotland, is right - unions empower people, because we are all Scots. The relative to our working population, providing a voice for those who might reality, of course, is quite different. than in any other part of the UK’. So otherwise go unheard. Her emphasis Under Sturgeon, SNP policy remains on - and rejection of - the Trade Union unchanged serving the interests the Bill is unnecessary as it seeks to Bill as a deeply regressive step, is of middle class Scots at the expense of fix a problem that does not exist. In very welcome and the speech ends the low paid and working class. That 2016, I hope the Scottish Government on a determined note. The Bill will is why it champions the discredited asserts its duties under the ECHR, be vigorously opposed and the Act, if Council Tax freeze whilst bleeding under the Scotland Act 1998 (s59) to and when it comes, will be resisted, local government and kicking 60,000 proactively comply with the ECHR, pledging never to employ agency out of a job; failed to introduce the and refuses to comply with the Bill. It workers in the event of industrial living wage through procurement; would be rather exciting if the Scottish action. Great stuff! My concern is her leaves our railway in private hands, Government took the UK Government emphasis on the concept of partnership selling off the sleeper and ferries; to the European Court of Human Rights and cooperation in industrial relations. protects universities and decimate to argue its case. 12 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 91 January/February 2016 Corbyn: will he be captain of all he surveys? John McAllion foresees more stormy waters ahead he election of socialists to the will be reversed before the next divisions over Europe and the leadership of the Labour party UK general election. Will the U-turn on tax credits, the Tories Thas turned the world of the grassroots revolution that won enjoy a double digit lead over Westminster bubble upside down. such a convincing majority in the Labour in the polls. In Scotland, Previously, Jeremy Corbyn and leadership election be enough to the SNP lead the one-time people’s John McDonnell scarcely impinged take control of the selection process party by 34 points. upon the British establishment’s that will decide the make-up of the However, Labour’s problems run consciousness. Suddenly, they now prospective parliamentary party in deeper than the state of the current command the two major offices of 2020? Will Momentum be able to polls. The Tories won their current Her Majesty’s Official Opposition deliver not just a left leadership but majority with less than 37% of the as well as heading up an army of a left parliamentary party that will votes cast and with the support of grassroots activists committed to go on to open up the Westminster less than 25% of the UK electorate. radical political change well beyond road to socialism? The vast bulk of Tory seats are in the usual Westminster consensus. Corbyn’s plans to democratise southern England where Labour, The British establishment, still the party’s policy-making process Blair years apart, is traditionally in recovery mode following an and to enfranchise ordinary party weak. To win again in 2020, the unexpectedly close run referendum members clearly has the potential Tories need only do as badly as they result and an unforeseen SNP to shift Labour decisively leftwards. did in 2015. It is in the DNA of a triumph in the general election, In doing so, it will also threaten the British state built around the first- was again rocked to its core. long-term survival of those centre- past-the-post electoral system to Nowhere more so than among right MPs opposed to that direction block radical change from the left Labour parliamentarians most of of change. These MPs will neither and to bolster moderate continuity whom had long since given up on roll over and accept the shift from the right. socialism. Corbyn and McDonnell leftwards nor go quietly. The political times are changing. were never going to be acceptable Labour, therefore, faces years of The days of the old Tory/Labour to a parliamentary faction anchored bitterly fought policy battles and duopoly are over. Labour is no to the conviction that Westminster selection contests that will divide longer the only alternative to the elections are won from the political its own membership, alienate many Tories. New popular forces are centre ground. mainstream voters and significantly stirring to the left of Labour and are The open opposition from Labour diminish their prospects of holding demanding democratic and socialist MPs that followed culminated in the their existing seats and winning change well beyond what might debacle of the new leadership being back from the Tories the 94 seats be achieved through a warped forced to accept a free vote on the they need to form a government. Westminster system. The age of bombing of Syria. Humiliation was The alternative is to remain split the Palace of Westminster and of then heaped upon the new leader between a socialist party in the Her Majesty’s Governments and as Labour rebels and the Tory country and a moderate pro-market Oppositions has passed. benches united in cheering Hilary party in Parliament. John McAllion was a Tayside Benn’s defiant trashing of his own Meanwhile the Tories are busy Regional Councillor (1984-1987), party’s opposition to the bombing moving the electoral goalposts serving as Labour Convener of the of Syria. The 66 Labour rebels in the by cutting the number of Council (1986-87) and then Labour division that followed underlined parliamentary seats to 600, MP (1987-2001) and Labour MSP the reality that here was a new redrawing constituency boundaries (1999-2003) for Dundee East. He Labour leader who commands and introducing individual electoral left Labour in 2005, joining the neither his Shadow Cabinet nor his registration, all of which will SSP and remains a member. He is Parliamentary party. increase the Tories’ and lessen an executive member of both the The key consideration for the Labour’s electoral prospects. More Dundee Pensioners’ Forum and wider left is whether it is likely ominously, the wider electorate Scottish Pensioners’ Forum, and is a or even possible that this remain underwhelmed by Labour’s former member of the SLR editorial electorally calamitous situation change of direction. Despite board. Issue 91 January/February 2016 ScottishLeftReview - 13 Huge increases in party members Hope in hard times? in England have not occurred in Scotland for large numbers of citizens Stephen Smellie sees the foundation for future requiring hard work switched off Labour before the iven the left’s history of being Unfortunately, Corbyn has to deal referendum and since. It will take schooled in oppositional with party and parliamentary politics, more than Corbyn to win Scotland Gpolitics without experience the media and next year’s elections. back for Labour. Keneally (SLR 90) of leadership and, therefore, being In each, Corbyn has the difficult made the reasonable suggestion unprepared for victory, there was task of putting forward his policies Labour should attack the SNP as danger Corbyn’s victory would through the actions of others (e.g., ‘being all style and no substance’. But quickly descend into chaos, farce or Shadow Cabinet members, election this needs Labour positions that have both. That it has not is a testimony candidates). Inevitably, this doesn’t themselves some substance. to his personality, political style and always work out. Labour UK’s refusal The opportunity to demonstrate awareness of the thin ice he skates to discuss Trident, threatened revolt Labour anti-austerity substance upon. if there was not a ‘free vote’ on presents itself now with John His first 100 days was marked the Syria and ‘embarrassment’ at John Swinney’s Scottish budget. Scottish Guardian reporting 30% of Labour McDonnell’s frontbench experience Labour’s anti-austerity stance must members don’t think he’ll be were setbacks. However, Corbyn be more than ‘spin and deception leader come 2020 and an interview came out well in each of these by in order to gain one over your with a Blairite advisor suggesting being seen to be true to his values. opponent’ to quote John McDonnell Labour might have to split. Nothing His successes have been his own. (SLR 90). surprising: the 30% who didn’t Using PMQs to highlight issues, vote for him still are not convinced, The SNP has correctly been success of anti-Trident vote at the Blairites hate him and the Guardian denounced as simply passing on Tory continues to promote his inevitable Scottish conference, extremely Westminster austerity by proposing downfall. successful speeches at rallies and the biggest cuts in council funding demonstrations and his confident TV ever. Refusing to raise income tax Yet Corbyn has been largely appearances have all been positive, and continue freezing the Council successful in mobilising his support helping continue building upon his Tax means services to the most and extending the positive radicalism election movement. vulnerable children in schools and that inspired his campaign and older and disabled people being won him the greatest membership But successfully extending that cared for in the community will be mandate of any Labour leader. That movement to take Labour closer to slashed. this has not led to a huge surge in winning office requires other people the polls at either British or Scottish to play their part - to demonstrate However, Labour needs to do more levels is not surprising. Labour has a in words and deeds the party has than denounce this tartan-Tory mountain to climb in the polls and actually shifted towards Corbyn, government. It must demonstrate that won’t be turned around quickly. enabling him to confidently take what it would do differently. On the Scottish shadow front bench, there His leadership must be about the ideas to the electorate and win was resolute refusal to put forward establishing a base within the party votes back for Labour. Signs are not and wider movement for his anti- encouraging. an anti-austerity alternative. Was austerity, anti-Trident, pro-public The Syrian bombing vote affirmed Labour prepared to raise income ownership manifesto and, therefore, that the parliamentary party is tax? Are Labour councils to defy giving confidence to thousands of not won over and is not yet under the Council Tax freeze so to save party, community and union activists sufficient pressure to back Corbyn. services? wishing to advocate them. Anyone In Scotland, there are other Scottish workers watching decimation who is active in unions will know considerations. Party members that of local services and 15,000 council whilst there has been support for recently overwhelmingly elected jobs will be asking ‘What would them, most workers were persuaded Jim Murphy cannot be expected to Corbyn do?’ However, it will be austerity was necessary, nuclear suddenly re-discover their socialist Dugdale and Labour councillors who weapons needed and the public soul. Cook and Kane’s claim of ‘a will be doing the ‘do’. sector had to shrink. genuine sense of grassroots members Stephen Smellie is a Labour member His election has created a situation regaining control of their party’ and UNISON Scotland Depute where the alternative is not only seen (SLR 90) might actually not be quite Convenor. He re-joined Labour after as possible but possibly realisable. as progressive as it sounds if the the 2010 general election recognising If all Corbyn had to do was to keep party members remain committed stopping the Tories was a priority. advocating these alternatives until to supporting candidates whose ‘Disappointed socialist’, therefore, is 2020, the course would be set. allegiance to Corbyn is doubtful. his position. 14 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 91 January/February 2016 Enhancing domestic security without military intervention abroad Bill Bonnar argues you can’t bomb your way to peace and stability or those who argue that in Syria is that it will make Britain East inflame Islamic fundamentalist domestic security is enhanced safe. The basis of this assertion is groups in Europe making terrorist Fby military action abroad, their ludicrous. An ISIS sponsored terrorist attacks more likely. Before the argument falls at the first hurdle. Can attack in Britain will be organised Western attack on Iraq, how many they point to one example where this and carried out by people in Britain; Islamic terrorist attacks took place in assertion is actually true? In contrast, not from some bunker in an isolated Britain? part of Syria. Bombing that bunker the modern history of Britain is We should also recognise the would have no effect on what takes littered by examples where the existence of a terrible double place in Britain in much the same opposite is the case. standard. Two weeks before the Paris way as bombing caves in the Bora The best case is Northern Ireland. attack a terrorist bomb planted by Bora mountains in Afghanistan had Between 1969, when British troops ISIS in Beirut killed scores of people; any relevance to terror campaigns in first went into the province to the almost all of them Muslim. The attack Europe. signing of the Northern Ireland barely registered in the western Peace Agreement in 1996, Britain This brings us to ISIS. ISIS is two media allowing many to draw the was subjected to a ferocious IRA distinct things. The first is a military conclusion that western lives are far bombing campaign in direct response force operating mostly in Iraq and more important than others - again to Britain’s military activities. As to a much lesser extent in Syria. It something likely to inflame the that action increased so did the IRA emerged in direct response to the thinking of a terrorist group. collapse of Iraq following the western bombing campaign. That campaign All of this opens up a much wider invasion and the partial collapse of ended with the signing of the Peace debate around exactly what is Syria. Its declared ultimate aim is to Agreement. Britain’s attempt at terrorism. This isn’t an abstract re-establish a medieval Caliphate destroying the IRA ‘terror bases’ in discussion but rather about the need although this essentially utopian; the province to ‘keep Britain safe’ to challenge some of the narrative was both disastrous and ineffectual. if utopian is the right word. It’s a which has been developed. The And a lie! The British military bit like the Scottish Socialist Party United Nations have a definition campaign was about putting down arguing that its ultimate aim is the of terrorism. An act of terrorism an insurgency in the province and establishment of world socialism; is a ‘military style assault on a maintaining British rule; the safety of true, but not likely to happen defenceless civilian population for British citizens in the mainland was anytime soon. political ends’. The Paris attack would never much of a priority. It certainly In reality, ISIS is driven by much certainly qualify under this definition; didn’t extend to the safety of Irish more immediate political and but what else? The reality is that 99% citizens in Dublin given the British religious conflicts in the region and of all acts of terrorism are carried security forces role in a bombing its primary enemies are other Islamic out by governments. Was not Israeli campaign in that city. movements. In Iraq, the main conflict bombing of Gaza a massive act of The IRA bombing campaign in is between an unstable alliance of terrorism? How many governments mainland Britain was extensive and ISIS and disaffected Sunni elements currently carrying out there new ‘war at times spectacular. It included from the former Iraqi army against on terror’ has themselves committed an attempt to blow up the British the Bagdad government supported terrorist acts. This is particularly true Government in a hotel at the Tory by Shia militias. The second is that of the United States; the biggest party annual conference and the ISIS is a franchise which any individual exporter of terrorism in the world. destruction of Canary Wharf and was or group can claim allegiance to even The only solution to the crisis in at a level far in excess of anything if there is no formal connection. This Syria is a political settlement – a produced by Islamic extremists. The latter point explodes the argument negotiated ceasefire which protects British people only became safe from that Islamic terrorist groups can be the integrity of the Syrian state. Part IRA terrorism when the root cause stopped by attacking their command of that solution is the removal of of that terrorism in Northern Ireland centre in the Middle East. These Assad and his entourage. However, ended. groups, operating in Europe, have no a word of caution is necessary. Syria command centres. The principle claim for taking part in is government by the Baathist Party the bombing campaign against ISIS In fact, western attacks in the Middle which is rooted in the institutions of Issue 91 January/February 2016 ScottishLeftReview - 15 the Syrian state. If the Baathist Party Of course, the argument that Britain claim with absolutely no foundation. is overthrown the likely outcome will needs to bomb Syria to protect Yet it proved very successful with be the complete collapse of what is people in Britain is, and always has one opinion poll on the eve of the left of Syria with further appalling been, dishonest. The government invasion showing a majority of consequences for the Syrian people has been under American pressure American citizens believing that and wider region. The impact of this to bomb Syria for months. What Saddam Hussein was responsible for in neighbouring Turkey, Jordan and Britain has been lacking is an excuse; the 9/11 attacks. In Britain, it was Iraq is beyond imagination. Most something to tell the British people weapons of mass destruction capable likely to emerge from the debris are to justify it. It is a hard sell in a of reaching British forces in Cyprus in groups like ISIS, hence, the need for a country made cynical by the British 45 minutes - another deliberate lie. negotiated political solution. involvement in Iraq and with good So making Britain safe by bombing reason. In that case, the British ISIS in Syria falls into the same The more Britain is involved in Government agreed a deal with the category. military attacks in the Middle East, US administration to invade Iraq. It the more Britain becomes a target. did so, not because Saddam Hussein The way to make Britain safe is not Each attack acts like a recruiting was a brutal dictator; the west has to become a target in the first place. sergeant for domestic Islamic terror a long history of supporting brutal The way to stop young Muslims groups. While the British security dictators as it once enthusiastically being radicalised is to take away the forces can probably prevent most of supported Saddam Hussein. main reason for that radicalisation. these threats, it can never be 100% The way to help integration is to The object was to install a weak, stop portraying Muslims as a kind of successful; and therefore it will fail. dependent, pro-western government enemy within. The way to stop ISIS is All that is required is that one attack in Baghdad and gain strategic control for the British Government to actively be successful for the group to make over the Iraqi oilfields. What was engage in a peace process in Syria. its point. What’s more the cost of lacking was an excuse that could Do these things and the safety of the alienating the Muslim community in be used to sell the invasion to the British people will be secured. Britain through mass surveillance, electorate. In America, the excuse stigmatisation and the inevitable was terrorism; a constant stream Bill Bonnar is the National Secretary miscarriageLRD TUC Sept15_Layout of justice 1only 10/07/2015 acts to 14:09 Pageof misinformation 1 linking the Iraqi of the SSP and a member of the SLR recruit the next generation. regime to international terrorism - a Editorial Board FIGHT ANTI-UNION LAWS

www.rmt.org.uk

General Secretary: Mick Cash President President: PSeaneter P iHoylenkney 16 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 91 January/February 2016 Accounting for Trident? Lies and misinformation abound Mike Danson reveals the spurious employment claims of those arguing for replacing Trident umbers feature as an ‘directly reliant on Trident’. Of essential descriptor of these, 254 were employed by NTrident. From the ever- Babcock Marine and 107 by increasing costs (the latest Lockheed Martin; the remaining projected estimate is £167bn) to 159 were employed by the MoD the codes for the final countdown and, in 2013, 149 of these were to oblivion, they figure strongly. All moved to ABL Alliance in the private the more surprising then there are sector. such variations in some of the basic The 60 engineering and science statistics – for example, over the Lockheed staff are mostly dedicated numbers employed and location of to working on Trident but have firms in the supply chains. These transferable skills which could be are important in the debate and redeployed in the labour market as drivers for estimating the wider and economy fairly readily. The multiplier impacts. 191 Babcock engineering and Jackie Baillie argued in the debate science workers are less dependent in the Scottish Parliament on 3 on Trident and again could find November 2015 that c.13,000 comparable work in other naval and jobs were under threat in west civilian facilities. Similarly, logistics central Scotland, while GMB staff could secure and do socially (letter to members, 26 October useful work elsewhere in the 2015) recorded a long list of economy; their skills and attributes companies involved in defence in are in demand and essential in the Scotland which, by association, are Scottish economy’s future. dependent on Trident. Linking all these jobs and firms necessarily Analyses of their work (and others to the replacement of Trident, at the Clyde submarine bases) thus, becomes a critical and by the STUC and Scottish CND in elemental factor in considering the 2015, calculated down to the hours implications of not investing in a expended on different tasks, shows new generation of submarines and the effort and skills required are system and the 13,000 figure is weapons systems. Let’s look at their very similar between Trident and exposed as without foundation. But respective claims as they are the other nuclear-powered (but not what of the future, with a potential main and leading proponents of nuclear-armed) submarines and build-up of new employment renewal, and so should be open to surface ships. Based on MoD and opportunities as Trident is scrutiny as they stand against the private sector companies’ own replaced? accepted position of the majority analyses, data from Babcock and Well, there is no proposal the of the population, the Scottish others offer a much more honest replacement will be a generator Government, Parliament and labour appraisal of Trident dependency of new jobs. Instead, perhaps, movement. than the exaggerated and obfuscated suggestions that Bailey standstill in the total private The joint Scottish CND and STUC and the GMB propagate. sector employment might be study on Cancelling Trident: anticipated. The question then The economic and employment So, of those 520 Scottish workers becomes what happens to those consequences for Scotland (2007) directly dependent on Trident, currently employed in the Clyde conducted forensic analysis and almost all have skills in demand bases on maintaining submarines interrogation of the MoD responses locally and elsewhere in defence with armed nuclear weapons if to FOI and Parliamentary Questions and the wider economy; with plans for replacement are not in Westminster in 2012. These transferable attributes and pursued. As the current Trident confirmed that only 520 civilians experiences, they are not submarines require servicing and employed at HMNB Clyde were dependent on this unique weapons decommissioning over the next Issue 91 January/February 2016 ScottishLeftReview - 17 few years, there will be a need to innovation and enterprise here. engineering and technology over continue to employ most of the the next decade or so to replace For west central Scotland, there is existing staff anyway. The average any remaining Trident-based a question regarding the number age is currently about 50 and employment. Scotland has over 40 of jobs locally and the ongoing rising, with increasing proportions years of recognised experience of need to address where new posts reaching 64 over the next decade. policies and strategies for economic can be created for those entering By 2028 half of existing workers will regeneration, partnership working, the labour market. During the have reached retirement age so, development agencies, enterprise debates over the replacement of with redeployment and voluntary zones and enterprise areas. Poseidon with Trident in the 1980s, exit from the sector, the problem the Alternative Employment Study The proposal for a Scottish Defence of redundancy will have become Group (AESG) in 1985 undertook Diversification Agency was drawn largely ‘redundant’. detailed work on the supply chains on and informed by participation This review of the actual for the bases, on the comparable by the STUC, most unions and dependency on Trident and its position of such military complexes local authorities in such strategic replacement reveals numbers of in the US, and on possible economic interventions. The civilians directly employed is small, diversification strategies locally. aims and objectives of such an and there will be work for the next When diversification of defence agency are consistent with the 12-15 years for those still at the and of public expenditure generally economic development strategy bases if there was no investment. was explored in the 2007 SCND/ for West Dunbartonshire, the There appear to be no grounds for STUC and 2015 STUC/SCND reports, wider labour market area and concern, therefore, for the existing supported by many other studies Scotland. Renewables and workforce either on the Clyde and reports, similar arguments and offshore engineering, logistics, Submarine bases or in the wider conclusions were drawn. creative industries, software labour market. In fact, the wider and IT and sustainable tourism Crucially, before any development defence sector in Scotland is poorly will all require skills offered could be started then in the US, served and supplied by Trident. by apprentices, graduates and its Department of Defense had to Rather than this being its anchor, it residents of the region. A fraction construct credible regeneration is a drain on the defence and public of the recurring annual billions of plans for any community where sector budgets. annual expenditure on Trident will a military installation was being generate that employment. The accelerating dominance of proposed – even if its working life maintaining an independent was to be half a century or more. Trident is a uniquely ineffective deterrent with a replacement Since 1988, the Base Realignment way to create work; it inevitably Trident inevitably means that and Closure Act has applied and this leaks very high proportions other areas of the defence sector requires five years advance warning of expenditure out of the are threatened with cuts in of any closure and the ‘Defense region, Scotland and the UK to jobs and orders. The Financial Industry Adjustment’ is tasked multinational defence enterprises, Times and others have noted to redress the impact of reduced exacerbating the negative effects the consequences for Clyde defence orders on manufacturing on the economy and supply shipbuilding of privileging of Trident communities and creating chain. Despite the negativity in a decreasing defence budget and alternative employment locally. and criticisms offered by the ‘it is clear that there will be major supporters of replacing Trident, employment consequences for These efforts at regeneration have their arguments do not stand up to Scotland if Trident is not cancelled’ been successful as the case studies scrutiny and a disservice is being with fewer orders of new Type-26 in ‘Trident and Jobs’ (STUC/ SCND done to the workforce, those in frigates. Failure to appreciate this 2015) have shown. Successive manufacturing and bases across by Trident promoters is exacerbated UK governments eschewed such Scotland, and the new generations by their lack of understanding socially responsible planning looking for meaningful work locally. of the implications of importing requirements. Nevertheless, the The spurious figures on jobs and technologies and weapons studies by AESG and STUC/SCND enterprises dependent upon Trident compared with producing and have identified better applications should be consigned to the dustbin servicing them domestically. Buying for the skills, experiences and of history along with these WMDs. from abroad necessarily means expertise of the civilian personnel potential multiplier effects are employed at Faslane and Coulport. Mike Danson was involved in the reduced and so fewer jobs, supplies Significant levels of cynicism and AESG reports and ‘Cancelling and incomes are retained within wilful miscalculation are required Trident: The economic and Scotland and the UK – reliance on to suggest that 250 new jobs employment consequences for US suppliers destroys employment, cannot be created in science, Scotland’. 18 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 91 January/February 2016 was predictable bit popular pressure did influence the result. Friends Taking the temperature of the Earth Scotland immediately launched its new campaign for a Fossil Free Scotland, raising the bar for after the Paris talks campaigners and the government in Eurig Scandrett and Matthew Crighton say we must remain defiant and active Scotland. The campaign opposes dirty orld leaders in Paris in low price. energy, promotes clean energy and December congratulated All the same, there were signs of vigour works to get billions of public pension Wthemselves on signing a and optimism from civil society. With money out of the likes of BP and Shell commitment to tackle climate change Paris still under a state of emergency, and into socially-useful projects here in at the end of the 21st Conference of the police banned marches and Scotland. Parties to the Framework Convention demonstrations. But thousands of With Scotland’s elections coming up, on Climate Change (CoP21). Started protestors came from different parts of many are already demanding concrete in 1992, its heyday was the Kyoto the world to demand climate justice. proposals in party manifestos to move protocol, a seriously flawed agreement Friends of the Earth International towards a zero-carbon future. The time that collapsed in Copenhagen in had brought together campaigners is right for thinking practically about 2009. Subsequent attempts to revive against fracking, coal extraction and moving away from employment which the process staggered towards oil pipelines, as well as organisers of relies on fossil fuels and opportunities Paris. That 195 states agreed about community renewable energy and to create climate jobs. So far the the importance of tackling climate small scale food producers. Scottish Government hasn’t had the change is remarkable and explains the Innovative protest comprised several courage to do that. But with support celebrations but doesn’t justify them. hundred people in small groups building within the labour movement The agreement falls short of the dispersed throughout Paris, who and civil society, Scotland could maybe legally-binding deal of Durban in when locating themselves online show the way forward. 2011, spectacularly failing to meet using smart phones, spelt the words To ask Nicola Sturgeon to help deliver the ‘People’s Test’ demanded by the CLIMATE JUSTICE PEACE (see www.foei. a fossil-free Scotland go to: http:// climate justice movement: immediate, org). When 15,000 people gathered act.foe-scotland.org.uk/lobby/ urgent and drastic emission reductions; in front of the Arc de Triomphe for FossilFreeScotland adequate support for transformation; a red lines action, we had a de facto Eurig Scandrett lectures in sociology justice for impacted people; demonstration. When we moved en at Queen Margaret University and is and no false solutions. Although masse to the next action at the Eiffel active in UCU and Friends of the Earth. acknowledging the Earth’s surface Tower, we became a march. He is a candidate for South of Scotland must stay ‘well below’ 2oC above pre- The climate justice movement which for the Scottish Green Party. Matthew industrial temperatures (and even to emerged from frustrations with Crighton is active in Friends of the ‘pursue efforts’ to achieve 1.5oC), the CoP includes indigenous peoples’ Earth, Edinburgh World Justice Festival document recognises the combined organisations, unions, small farmers’ and Scottish Venezuela Solidarity commitments of signatories will lead to movement and environmentalists Campaign. a rise nearer 3oC. among others. It spans the street That would most likely result in protests outside and the lobbying NGOs unstoppable reactions from the inside CoP as well as a parallel process frozen poles, tropical deserts and the of building alternatives (including social ScottishLeft Review Issue 89 September/October 2015 - £2.00 deep oceans, resulting in widespread forums between CoP meetings). There collapse of production, food insecurity, have even been some impacts on the loss of life and livelihood. The union agreement: inclusion of aspirational slogan ‘no jobs on a dead planet’ is not call for countries to ‘pursue efforts’ o idle scaremongering - it’s a predictable towards 1.5 C; and reference (in the non-binding preamble) to ‘a just outcome of the Paris agreement. transition of the workforce and the Whilst increased reporting on progress creation of decent work and quality is required, there are still no sanctions jobs’. Small concessions though these against defaulters. And the market- are, they are only there as a result of based ‘false solutions’ are still there, pressure from environmental, social with plenty of scope for private justice and labour movement activists profiteering from climate mitigation. and they provide a tool to continue Moreover, no sooner was the ink dry the battle for climate justice at home. on the (still to be ratified) agreement, Despite the agreement falling than business as usual resumed. India’s far short of what is needed, Narendra Modi rushed back to launch campaigners left Paris with new a gas pipeline from Turkmenistan and energy to push harder for the just Cameron wants to permit fracking transition to a zero-carbon economy. Issue 89 September/October 2015 under national parks (in England). The inadequacy of the outcome ScottishLeftReview - 1 Media attention turned back to oil’s Issue 91 January/February 2016 ScottishLeftReview - 19 Make education for agitating and organising start in schooling John Daly argues that philosophical inquiry is good and necessary for a decent, fulfilling society arly this year, the Jimmy philosophical inquiry to explore individual's personality and talents Reid Foundation is planning and, in some cases, change the way is the pre-condition for everyone's Ean innovative project for children learn and teachers teach. development. primary schools. The aim is taking It's generally called Philosophical His speech on alienation, delivered philosophical debate into the class Inquiry for children, but school to Scotland's academic elite, attacks and staff rooms to critically explore staff and teachers shouldn't be the 'rat-race' culture and mentality and develop ideas and issues. denied the benefit of engaging in produced by blinded pursuit and Philosophical Inquiry for children the process. If you're attempting to worship of profit. He appealed to has been around for decades and effectively change a culture, it will students to reject the profit-driven is practised in some classrooms take all of the people within it to do forces of big corporations that and schools that have realised the so. devalue and minimise the worth of great benefit the practice brings to workers. Once he made clear the learning. Jimmy Reid gave us some valuable insights into the important role ethical and moral argument for an Better thinkers obviously make education has in society. In his inclusive society where poverty is better learners. However, outside rectorial address in 1972, he said: eradicated, he envisioned a future 5th and 6th grade, philosophy in where people have to be educated schools is still the exception and To unleash the latent potential of not only for the work place but usually left to a few wise teachers our people requires that we give for hugely increased leisure time. to introduce it. One project in them responsibility. The untapped Telling his audience of esteemed Clackmannanshire a decade ago resources of the North Sea are as academics that the 'whole concept claimed to have raised the IQs of nothing compared to the untapped of education' will have to change if primary school pupils participating resources of our people. I am it is to equip people for life as well in Philosophical Inquiry by as much convinced that the great mass as work, he laid responsibility for as 6%. Schools from all over Britain of our people go through life unleashing Scotland's potential at and elsewhere for years have without even a glimmer of what their feet. Given how important reported similar transformative they could have contributed to learning is for shaping the future benefits for children and schools. their fellow human beings. This of our society, Jimmy warned Since all the evidence shows that is a personal tragedy. It's a social education should be leading social young school children have the crime. The flowering of each changes not trailing behind them. conceptual capacity to tackle the big questions and there's academic benefit from engaging in philosophical discussion, you would imagine it being given a central place in children's education. Maybe the reason why it isn't lies in the fact that critical-thinking, along with creative-thinking, are notoriously difficult to test and measure as objective outcomes. But today, in these times of accelerating social changes, the skills to give children for managing that change are precisely critical and creative thinking. Almost any topic or idea can be used as the subject of philosophical exploration. The aim is to have the school itself as the subject of 20 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 91 January/February 2016 There is no doubt schools now gained by starting early on the plans to introduce a national offer a very different educational subject. testing system have been strongly experience from last century criticised as a step backwards after But not everyone agrees philosophy when the main concern was to introducing the Curriculum for is good for children. Plato for one provide heavy industries with a Excellence (CfE) which was designed would be horrified at the thought suitably educated labour force. partially to get schools away from of primary school kids engaging No one, apart from the odd the endless testing and working- in philosophical discussions. He exceptional teacher, would've then to-pass-tests learning styles. believed education for the great considered taking philosophy into Introducing more testing ignores mass of people should certainly the classroom. The requirements the growing evidence it does little avoid any philosophical learning of such places like coal mines, but harm for pupil education, or thinking whatsoever. Only the factories and shipyards meant serving only governments’ need elite few should be tutored to deal a lot of emphasis placed on to measure precisely what their in such matters and even then instilling discipline and obedience. policies and tinkering have philosophical training begins only Questioning and critical-thinking achieved. Employers may like them after age thirty. Children's instincts were something that generally got too, but they certainly don't need were not to be trusted, he felt, until you into trouble. Passive learning all 14 years' worth to tell them who education had formed them into was the norm. At the end of this they're taking on. useful citizens. vessel filling process, in effect, as In any case, an education system Billy Connolly tells it: 'The school In Plato's Republic - maybe the overly keen on measuring objective opened its doors and the shipyard world's first comprehensive theory results will tend to marginalise opened theirs, then we all flooded of education - education of citizens subjects and activities that involve in' - ready and nearly willing. The was viewed principally for the unknown outcomes. Any subject teachers' role in industrial Scotland state’s benefit and requirements. with definite pre-set answers that wasn't so complex. They had a clear This, he argued, serves the best can be tested leaves no room for idea what kind of world school interests of the people because critical and creative thought and leavers would inherit; one with a each would find their natural place limits potential growth beyond job, trade or career pretty much in the order of things. Once Plato's clearly defined boundaries. By guaranteed and often for life. No vision of the perfect city state is contrast, CfE is designed to offer space or need for philosophical formed, a blue-print for educating a more flexible and enriched thinking there. the people to run it easily follows. learning experience from 3-18 Skills for trades, crafts, merchants, In Jimmy's case, despite having years old by focusing on the finance, guardians and rulers would an exceptionally high IQ, he left individual and creating 'successful be formed out of this education formal education at fourteen. Of learners, confident individuals, system. Regular testing and his old school days, he once told a responsible citizens and effective streaming would ensure the right conference of Librarians; ‘I have no contributors'. It's not clear yet people are taught the right skills. recollection of my formal education, how successful this approach will particularly at secondary school, Plato’s Republic contained some be, but, if in general, teachers are stimulating or generating the stark contradictions. At one point, given more responsibility over slightest interest in any subject, any through Socrates, he is saying; how they teach and children have subject at all ...’. ‘anything in youth assimilates itself more responsibility over how and Jimmy's striking erudition was of to the model whose stamp anyone what they learn, it's reasonable the DIY variety created in Govan's wishes to give to it’ meaning to think the potential unleashed library and nurtured and honed education can mould children in this unbounded fashion shall in debate and discussion with into anything that's required. Yet, exceed expectations. We see the fellow working-class intellectuals. elsewhere he argues the opposite philosophy for children programme From there, he read voraciously with this line on child-centred we're introducing in schools and studied numerous subjects learning that could easily have enhancing all the elements and including philosophy, not to come from Rousseau or Dewey: principles of CfE and we've even pass exams or to improve job ‘Don't use force in training the come up with a unique way of prospects, but purely in the children in the studies, but rather measuring any progress we make pursuit of knowledge for its own play. In that way you can better without testing. As my granny used sake. As a schoolboy, studying discern what each is naturally to say: ‘Weighing the pig disnae the great philosophers surely did directed towards’. make it any fatter’. Jimmy's intellect no harm in its Today in Scotland, our education John Daly works in the care industry development. In fact, it's yet more system too appears to be pulling and is a facilitator of philosophical evidence of the potential benefits in two different directions. Recent inquiry Issue 91 January/February 2016 ScottishLeftReview - 21 Open letter to Phil Gormley, new Police Scotland chief constable Niall McCluskey says there much do to after Gormley takes up his post on 6 January Dear Mr Gormley stopped in London and the death of 88-year-old dementia sufferer, Janet The recent departure of your McKay, who went missing. She was predecessor, Sir Stephen House, found dead several days after a was welcomed by some both novice police officer forgot to pass within Police Scotland and without. on details of a sighting. Certainly, Sir Stephen never seemed to be far from controversy during Attacks on the force came to a head his tenure. There seemed to be in August after officers took three constant public concern over days to respond to a motorway police tactics and Sir Stephen's crash report. When they finally management style. The creation arrived at the scene, John Yuill was of Police Scotland was probably already dead and mother-of-two, never going to be anything other Lamara Bell, 25, was conscious than a baptism of fire but neither but she later died in hospital. That Sir Stephen nor Police Scotland as scandal led to Chief Constable Sir an institution bathed themselves in Stephen House resigning. glory in endeavouring to establish The problems in Police Scotland the reputation of Scotland's first by our national press. Sadly, the extend far beyond the chief unified police force. In my view, performance of Police Scotland constable. Officers and staff work Chief Constable you face a tough over its two-and-a-half years' round the clock to keep people job in attempting to turn things infancy period has left many, public safe. The controversy of Police around. and police officers alike, somewhat Scotland's creation has dragged I am a supporter of the concept of bothered and bewildered. their reputation unfairly through a single police force in Scotland. Replacing the leader or trimming the mud. Scotland after all is a small country. the leadership team will not resolve Police Scotland needs to review Criminal justice is the same in one the fundamental weaknesses its management style, operational part of Scotland as it is in another. embodied in the structure of competence, ethical behaviour and However, most countries have Police Scotland. The new leader policing priorities. The management local police as well as national needs to be more accountable, style needs to be less top down and organisations. While retaining the more transparent and far more more based on positive example. benefits of a national structure consultative with the community Operational competence needs to through Police Scotland, power and their staff. Police Scotland demonstrate but humility needs to and direction must be devolved has been an organisation without be shown when things go wrong. to quasi-autonomous local police proper oversight for too long and Ethical behaviour means critically forces, each under the control of has had to endure cuts from the examining why statistics such as a chief constable and subject to SNP Government which have left stop and search are far higher in local oversight. Police Scotland, the force under-resourced and over- Scotland than elsewhere. Policing in attempting to create national worked. It would be very dangerous priorities need to focus more on consistency, simply failed to take if the Scottish Government now safety rather than control. account of local differences and believe that the problems are I still believe Police Scotland can be practices and was insensitive to the resolved by the departure of the a great institution but it has to learn needs of local communities. Chief Constable from its mistakes and put in place It is imperative the next chief The unified force has been procedures to review its activities constable addresses morale within embroiled in several scandals over honestly and have a willingness to the force. Police Scotland must the deployment of armed police change. operate openly but independently on the streets, a stop-and-search Yours sincerely of political interference. It must policy that at one point saw police anticipate continual examination in Scotland stopping more than Niall McCluskey, advocate and comment in the public interest five times the number of people specialising in criminal law 22 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 91 January/February 2016 Dangers posed by imminent fiscal trap Current negotiations, Jim Cuthbert argues, represent a clear and present danger lthough negotiations on will only work if Scotland becomes impossibility of simultaneously the fiscal settlement to more regressive than rUK, and a satisfying all the guiding principles Aunderpin the Smith reforms haven for the rich. which Smith had laid down. This are being conducted in secret means the Smith principles will Let’s look at why we are in this between Scottish and Westminster inevitably have to be modified by situation. The Smith report didn’t governments, the broad scope of identifying which principles are spell out the detail of the fiscal what is currently being considered vital, and which others can be settlement which should operate has become clear. The picture relaxed, and by how much. once its reforms were implemented, emerging is disturbing indeed. instead setting out broad principles, Yet the IFS report didn’t do this in a All of the options on the table leaving detail to be determined judicious and even-handed fashion, involve Scotland having to by negotiations between the two instead giving certain principles participate in a fiscal race with the governments. primacy on arbitrary or ill- rest of the UK, (rUK). Here, Scotland considered grounds while entirely At their very core is a technical would have to grow its income tax neglecting others. For example, sounding, but vital, issue: how revenues at least as fast as rUK. it concentrated on analysing abatement to the Scottish If Scotland manages to keep up, three methods for indexing BG government’s block grant (BG) it would get the same funding as adjustment: indexed deduction should be adjusted. Under under the Barnett formula. But if (ID); per capita indexed deduction Smith, the Scottish government it doesn’t, it’ll be penalised. The (PCID); and level deduction (LD). will receive its funding from a) penalties could be severe: public devolved or hypothecated tax like All three assume growth in BG expenditure per head on devolved income tax (devolved), half of VAT abatement is linked to the growth services in Scotland could well (hypothecated) and b) Westminster in income tax revenues in rUK. The fall to 50% or less of comparable BG. The starting point in calculating decision to concentrate on methods spending in England. BG will be the existing Barnett related to growth in rUK tax Scotland’s chances of avoiding being formula with the formula BG revenues has crucial consequences. penalised in the Smith fiscal race reduced (i.e., abated) to allow for (Other indexation options are depend critically on whether the revenue the Scottish government possible like growth of the tax base, Scottish government has adequate will now receive directly. So how i.e., aggregating taxable incomes: or powers to grow the economy. Given should abatement be adjusted? use of an indexation factor fixed in the Scottish government’s lack of real terms.) Tax revenue Late last year, the Institute for Fiscal powers, our chances in the race indexation Studies (IFS) published a view on don’t look good. this. One thing it got right A senior unionist negotiator was the argued Scotland will have the powers it needs, namely, to outcompete rUk on income tax by lowering the upper rates to below those in rUK. Thus, Scotland would become so attractive to wealthy individuals it would increase its tax revenues, winning the fiscal race. Therefore, while John Swinney affirmed his resolve to use the income tax powers under Smith to construct a more progressive tax regime, the other side let slip that the new fiscal arrangements

Issue 91 January/February 2016 ScottishLeftReview - 23 was not envisaged by the Smith adequate economic powers to give about trying to foist on us a system report or the then Westminster it a sporting chance? Well, Scotland requiring growing our income tax coalition government, where post-Smith will lack many of the revenues 14% faster than rUK. indexation on tax base was taken as most important economic powers Therefore, it’s is clear it’s pushing the starting points. like control over monetary policy, this option as a negotiating tool. The danger is, when it eventually Growth in tax revenues depends corporation tax, borrowing as well gives up on the LD approach, this not just on growth in the size of as competition policy, international may be claimed by the Scots as a tax base but also on the richness trade development, licensing of significant concession wrung from of the tax base, i.e. whether more North Sea oil, utility regulation and the Treasury: and the Scots may people are paying the higher bands. labour markets. then be prepared to settle for one If BG is indexed on tax revenues, Operating under the IFS kind of the other, still disastrous, options what this means is Scotland has of indexation rules, the risks of involving revenue indexation. to grow its tax revenues as fast as Scotland falling behind, and being rUK if it to avoid being penalised: penalised would far outweigh the Other viable options are available. so Scotland is exposed to the risk potential benefits if Scotland were There’s no need to agree to any not just that the size of its tax base to outperform rUK. It is a striking indexation arrangement which might not grow as fast as rUK, but lapse of judgement that the IFS pitches Scotland, with its limited also that the tax richness of the tax report concentrates on indexation economic powers, into an economic base might not grow as fast either. arrangements which imply such race with rUK – whether this race So indexing on tax revenue, not tax grave risks for Scotland, without involves matching rUK on tax base, exposes Scotland to new risk examining or acknowledging the revenues, or just on tax base. A of adverse differential movement in resulting asymmetry between perfectly viable alternative would the tax richness. risk and potential reward given involve indexation on a low, fixed real indexation factor, accompanied Additionally, the risks involved vary Scotland’s limited economic by regular reviews, under agreed greatly between the three methods. powers. ground rules which would provide To see how, considering under what What’s become clear is the IFS adequate incentives for Scotland to conditions the different methods options now define the grounds develop its economy. would be neutral is instructive, for current negotiations. From namely, what would Scotland have the unionist side, this is perfect But the immediate requirement is to do to obtain the same funding because there are influential to strip away the secrecy currently that it would have obtained if elements there who think Scotland clouding the fiscal settlement the Barnett formula remained in has already done too well in public negotiations. ‘Trust me, I’m a operation. Under PCID, Scotland expenditure, and who want to politician’ is not good enough would have to grow its income tax squeeze public expenditure per justification for maintaining secrecy, receipts per head at the same rate head in Scotland down relative to especially when the indications are so clear Scotland has been as rUK. Under ID, Scotland would rUK. Other elements clearly do not manoeuvred into fighting on a have to grow its income tax receipts trust the Scots, wanting to see a disastrous part of the battlefield. per head about 0.35% faster than firmly rule based system in place, This is not Flodden – yet. We can rUK. Under LD, Scotland would have where the Scots will suffer in silence still march our troops back up the to manage to grow its income tax and others would be delighted hill to fight for better. receipts a whopping 14% faster with a system which forces Scots to than rUK. implement regressive tax policies to Jim Cuthbert is an independent Moreover, penalties are severe avoid fiscal collapse. This would be statistician and economist. He if Scotland fails to keep up in disastrous for majority of Scots who was formerly Scottish Office this economic race with rUK. If want to implement a programme of Chief Statistician. See his http:// Scotland’s per capita tax receipts greater social justice, and a taxation reidfoundation.org/2015/12/ grow slower than in rUK, its public system which is more, not less, scottish-fiscal-settlement- expenditure will ultimately turn progressive. negotiations/ for further detail and the Jimmy Reid Foundation for a negative under ID, and will be It looks as if Scottish negotiators reduced to around half rUK levels forthcoming paper on the credible are committing the classic mistake options. under PCID and LD. of letting the enemy choose the This then brings us to the arena ground on which battle will be of economic powers. If Scotland is fought, especially as this lets the forced to participate in an economic Treasury’s preferred option, the LD race, facing stringent penalties if method, onto the negotiating table. it doesn’t keep up, does it have The Treasury cannot be serious 24 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 91 January/February 2016 The battle over the bill continues … Mary Senior highlights the regressive forces opposing change in university governance hat we’ve witnessed such institutions is public divisions amongst an important Tstakeholders over the future safeguard of Scottish higher education (HE) alongside last year is a matter of regret. the academic Sadly, since the proposals to freedom of reform university governance staff – or which threatened were first mooted in the 2012 von certainly be an effective for the status of the institutions where Prondzynski review, we’ve seen the consideration. sector split into two camps. The our members work. But we accept University and College Union (UCU), Ministers’ word that government It is important though to focus on staff, other education unions, and does not want increased powers what the Bill actually seeks to do, NUS and students on one side, and that the bill will be amended and what the Scottish Government, with all but one of the principals during the parliamentary process to Labour as main opposition party, and current, unelected chairs of take out any clauses which threaten STUC and education unions want universities on the other. As well as this. from it - namely, to bring greater democracy, staff and student giving a bad impression to policy When the Bill was first mooted, engagement, and transparency to makers generally, the split has also there was no consensus over the HE decision making by providing for been unhelpful at a time when all way for electing chairs of governing chairs elected by staff and students, voices should be pulling together bodies would work in detail. and for unions and students to to ensure the HE budget does not Universities Scotland and current have nominees sitting on governing suffer. unelected chairs of court simply bodies. This surely has to be in refused to countenance these It’s also worth recalling when the best interests of education, measures becoming legislation. In the Governance Bill was first students, the wider community, the the face of this, the Bill was drafted announced, Universities Scotland public purse, and the staff working to allow space for the sector to - the body lobbying for university in HE. principals - argued electing chairs come together, seek consensus and Universities in Scotland have a long of university governing bodies was agree workable proposals – hence, the language in the Bill of saying tradition of democratic governance. undemocratic and union members that chairs will be elected, but in a To our collective shame that power nominated onto the governing body manner later to be determined by has withered in recent years wouldn’t be able to act without ministers. with the elected chair in ancient breaking the Nolan principles of universities effectively being But allowing this space also standards in public life. For a sector handed over to unelected senior provided opportunity for those you think would be able to debate governors. The Bill returns our opposing the Bill to raise their fears its future on academic principles ancient universities to a position of ministerial powers and a raft of collegiate debate and evidence- of having an elected chair of court of arguments on losing charitable based argument, the last few and brings that same democratic status (which the Charity Regulator months have sorely disappointed. governance to our newer had already addressed) along Principals - bizarrely joined by universities and institutions for the possible ONS reclassification. first time. Making our universities such odd bedfellows like whistle- Some commentators have called more democratic, accountable blower, Edward Snowden, and the these arguments a ‘smokescreen’ and transparent is a prize worth Institute of Directors - argued the designed to scare the government winning and can ensure the sector Bill - by increasing government into dropping the Bill. Whether this continues to be successful. It is an control - could lead to the Office was the intention or the concerns ambition which needs to remain of National Statistics (ONS) were genuine is immaterial. at the forefront of the debate reclassifying universities as public ONS doesn’t provide running while the opponents of reform use bodies with dramatic, detrimental commentary on its thinking so if every argument and tactic at their consequences for finances. you were looking for a smokescreen disposal to derail progress. UCU would not support any then the ONS reclassification issue measures which either increased - based on knowing there can’t be Mary Senior is the Scotland Official government control over a definitive answer in advance of for UCU Scotland universities – the autonomy of legislation being passed - would Issue 91 January/February 2016 ScottishLeftReview - 25 Westminster trials and tribulations Tommy Sheppard reflects on his new job so far ‘Are you enjoying it?’ is the most Commons, and the Tories are hell- ordinated messages and actions. common question I get asked about bent on creating even more. I’m We play our part in running the being an MP. It’s not the verb I’d amazed there’s not more public UK for as long as the Scottish choose. But I’ve been a political outrage about this. Most of all, population chooses to be part of it. activist of one kind or another for the governing party in the elected For a long time it felt like we were 40 years so being able to do it full- chamber can have a comfortable the only vocal opposition to the time and get paid for it is certainly a majority with just over a third of Tories as Labour disarray resulted privilege. the popular vote thanks to the first- in inertia or worse. The SNP led You get to meet an incredible array past-the-post system. the fight on the welfare cap, tax of people doing amazing things. credit cuts, gerrymandering the EU You get the chance to learn about We play our referendum, Trident, air strikes and and be involved in issues that pass so much more. most people by, especially in the part in running With Labour in a more stable field of international policy. It’s an positon I hope we can get down to honour to speak up for the people the UK for the business of building a united that elected you and prosecute the opposition. There are signs of hope. mandate given to you. And every as long as New Labour and SNP MPs are so often you can really help people, forging closer personal and political making a difference to their life, the Scottish relationships as they discover they which makes the job worth doing. agree on most things at British and But, at times, it can be frustrating as population international level. The new Labour hell. I spent eight hours bobbing up front bench seems less sectarian and down on those green benches chooses to be than the old one. Indeed, it’s trying to enter the Syria debate. I interesting the most vicious attacks didn’t get called but my calves got on Corbyn come from his own a good workout. Every month, we part of it. backbenches, i.e., the right wingers get to enter a draw to ask cabinet These major structural inadequacies who most hate the SNP. ministers a question – about 1 in 20 combined with the pantomime Despite the Tory majority being is successful. But even with a well- procedures are what maintain only 12, they’ve never won a vote researched, well-crafted question the gulf between governed and on economic policy with anything and incisive follow up, ministers can governors. In Scotland, that applies less than 30 (even when Ulster just waffle and obfuscate knowing with knobs on as a single elected Unionists oppose them - which isn’t the next question will change the Tory confronts the will of the often) because some Labour MPs subject and the focus moves on. people like a 21st century Governor are simply not there. I hope that Holding the executive to account it General. This is the greatest improves in 2016. certainly isn’t. frustration of all. It was never part Tommy Sheppard is the SNP MP for of the game plan to have a Tory Parliament is riven with procedures Edinburgh East and a member of majority facing us pushing through and practices from not just the last the SLR editorial board. His blog is policies even Thatcher would have century but the one before that. at http://tommysheppardmp.scot/ Referring to other MPs in the third thought unacceptable. Had there person and not addressing people been a (slightly) more balanced by name is just one of the ways the result this would have been so debate gets rarefied and removed much more fun – and we’d have got from the experience of ordinary a lot more done. people. But the worst things about Still, you play the cards you’re dealt. parliament are the way in which it is And that’s what I and my colleagues set up rather than how it runs. have been trying to do. As the We are one of the few developed elected government in Scotland countries where only a minority of pushes London for more power or members of parliament are elected. more money, it’s our job to try to The unelected Lords has 200 hold UK ministers to account. Being more members than the elected part of the one party allows co- 26 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 91 January/February 2016 No talking to the taxman as the taxman isn’t listening Joy Dunn exposes the madness of HMRC cuts hen the UK government the Wick tax office, we showed the face higher commuting costs and announced plans to office collected £14.3m pa, costing put greater pressure on transport Wclose all but 17 of HM less than £0.5m on staff and rent. infrastructure. Revenue and Customs’ 170 UK Not only do the cuts hit HMRC's As well as damaging local offices, it was a variation on a now ability to do its job, centralisation economies, we believe HMRC will all too familiar theme: cut public within 13 large regional centres become more remote from the sector jobs, cut services, roll back and four specialist sites runs individuals and businesses which the state. While the ideology fits, counter to the policies of previous have to pay their taxes. When it’s impossible to reconcile on any administrations. From the early HMRC consulted on closing the 281 impartial level the wholly illogical 1990s, there has been a strong face-to-face offices two years ago, and counterproductive thinking. push to move public sector jobs it admitted a ‘high proportion of At a time when ‘balancing the out of the main cities and into respondents’ opposed closure. The books’ is the new political Holy communities. Many Whitehall main beneficiaries of those offices Grail – providing the justification for jobs have moved out of London, – as well as just regular personal austerity – it ought to be common including HMRC policy jobs going to and business taxpayers wanting sense to invest in the department Salford. help – were pensioners, tax credit collecting the taxes that fund our claimants and migrant workers, other public services. with the latter making up almost Since 2010, hundreds of tax offices 25% of all users. and 10,000 jobs have been cut from The threat to revenue collection, HMRC. Meanwhile, we estimate the our communities and the public amount of tax lost through evasion, is severe. It’s hard to understand avoidance and non-collection is In Scotland, successive the motivation behind the plans. more than £120bn – almost 10 administrations have overseen It can't simply be outright hostility times the annual budget of the moves from Edinburgh, including to maintaining a functioning and NHS in Scotland. Yet instead of crofting grants administration effective public sector - though it is investment, HMRC blunders on with to Tiree, central enquiry unit to difficult to read it any other way. cuts, patching up delays and errors Kinlochbervie, the Scottish Public HMRC has refused to hold a proper Pensions Agency to Galashiels and with ineffectual but expensive public consultation and did not SNH to Inverness. Other agencies sticking plasters. want its proposals to be subject to include the Office of the Scottish So as MPs and government full parliamentary scrutiny. That Charity Regulator in Dundee and auditors line up to criticise HMRC is one of the reasons why we are the Accountant in Bankruptcy in performance – from its ‘woefully supporting John McDonnell's review Kilwinning. inadequate’ efforts to tackle tax of HMRC's role and resources in fraud to its ‘staggeringly bad’ While we have had reservations order to analyse its needs and customer service – HMRC is about decentralising posts where it expose its shortcomings. has led to job cuts or worse terms spending £45m recruiting extra We are committed to opposing the and conditions, we recognise there people just months after 1,000 closures, as we are all cuts across are advantages, with cheaper office permanent and fixed term staff our civil and public services. This costs and local communities gaining were made redundant. If this was campaign goes to the heart of the from employment. an episode of the Apprentice, fight against austerity, on our side someone would be leaving the It is questionable, however, what of the border and across the UK. boardroom. the intent of the UK government Joy Dunn is a former President is in centralising HMRC work in It should not need pointing out that of the STUC and now the Edinburgh and Glasgow. In East to collect taxes, you need to employ parliamentary and campaigns Kilbride alone up to 2,500 jobs will staff. After staff costs, the average officer for PCS Scotland. HMRC tax professional brings in go from a community that cannot £945,000 a year in revenue. During afford to lose one of its major our campaign against the closure of employers. Those who relocate will Issue 91 January/February 2016 ScottishLeftReview - 27 The beginning of the end for the Bolivarian revolution? Francisco Dominguez argues the right can be pushed back but it require huge effort enezuela’s parliamentary expressed their unwavering support considering the privatization of key elections on 6 December for the Bolivarian democratic areas of the economy. No doubt, Vtook place amid severe system which rules out the they and their US mentors have the political and economic aggression, possibility of a Chile-type coup. privatization of oil in their sight. similar to that in Salvador Allende’s Besides, the right does not have a Venezuela has an estimated reserve Chile. It greatly impacted the results mass movement while chavismo of 298,353,000 barrels of oil, the of the elections. has been in constant mobilisation largest on the planet. before, during and after election. With the economic war, the To counter this neoliberal The chavista’s parliamentary size is country’s distribution system of offensive, President Maduro the result of 2m voters abstaining – food and medicine was attacked has called upon the people and deciding to punish the government by hoarding and smuggling, forcing the Bolivarian Armed Forces to but not choosing not to vote for the ordinary Venezuelans to queue for defend the gains obtained in 16 right. hours. years of Bolivarianismo. As is well A two-thirds majority gives the right known, education and health World media, Luis Almagro, immense possibilities to attack and care are free, illiteracy has been Secretary General of the dislocate the entire constitutional eradicated, historical poverty Organization of American States, edifice of the Bolivarian process. and extreme poverty have been and spokespersons from various For example, it will have the power drastically reduced, all forms of right-wing governments led by the to appoint both Supreme Court discrimination are banned, and US government falsely questioned judges and CNE directors. social inclusion has made millions the credibility of Venezuela's of hitherto impoverished, excluded democratic government and the The ghosts of Chile (1973) and and oppressed Venezuelans active transparency of its electoral system. Nicaragua (1990) loom large on citizens. The National Electoral Council the continuity of the Bolivarian (CNE)’s impeccable behaviour, Revolution. For five years, the The US has never hesitated to confirmed in 20 elections in 16 Venezuelan economy has been use any means, legal or illegal, years, belied the flood of malicious under attack both internally and political or criminal, to carry out falsehoods trying to discredit the externally through large-scale its plans. From the moment of electoral system’s integrity and hoarding and shortages of basic the election of Hugo Chavez to the democratic credentials of the commodities, smuggling in gigantic the presidency in 1998, with the Bolivarian political system. The CNE proportions to Colombia, and support of Venezuela’s right, it has announced the results confirming highly damaging speculation in done virtually nothing else but to a majority in the national assembly the national currency. To top it all seek the violent overthrow of the for the MUD: a coalition of thirteen up, there’s been the drastic fall in Bolivarian government. centre and extreme right wing oil prices due to US fracking, from The revolution has entered a parties. US$148 to below US$35 a barrel. period of deep reflection in order The CNE announced MUD obtained With the right’s victory, the US and to prepare its supporters to face 7.7m votes, giving it a majority of its Venezuelan accomplices have the challenges posed by the new two thirds in parliament with 112 created a context in which they situation. We cannot allow the US deputies. Despite this, 5.6m (42%) can attempt the liquidation of the to carry out a pinochetazo against voted for the socialist option, giving revolution. Such a prospect puts in Bolivarian Venezuela. We must 55 Socialist deputies in the National jeopardy all the socio-economic and redouble our efforts in solidarity Assembly. Undoubtedly, chavismo political gains Venezuelans have with the revolution in danger. is still a formidable electoral obtained in 16 years of revolution. Dr Francisco Dominguez is head of force. Furthermore, the Bolivarian Already FEDECAMARAS, Venezuela’s the Centre for Brazilian and Latin Revolution still has control over 20 CBI, has formally requested the new American Studies at Middlesex out of 23 governorships and 76% of right-wing parliamentary majority University, and secretary of the the municipalities. to abolish the labour law, the law Venezuela Solidarity Campaign. He It is also worth noting that of fair prices and, authoritative came to Britain in 1979 as a Chilean Venezuela’s Armed Forces have spokespersons of the right-wing are political refuge. 28 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 91 January/February 2016 Fair trade coffee: unfairness comes as standard Azeez Abiola Oyedele shows there little substance to the claims airtrade is a trade deal based This is what producers get for their middlemen offered prices below the upon transparent negotiation 3-5 years of intensive labour to market rate. One farmer informed Fwith respect to producers’ produce the coffee and does not the BBC he sold one kilogram for efforts in order to seek international allow for the aforementioned social $0.33, highlighting most producers trade equity. Established to assist cost premium. Local middlemen in developing countries face producers in the developing receive $0.05 on each kilogram inequality and exploitation. Going countries achieve a better and and there is a $24 profit margin to by the impressive provisions and sustainable trading environment, coffee retailers. This profit margin recommendations contained in Fairtrade advocates for equitable on every 1kg of coffee produces for Fairtrade, coffee retailers like pricing that guarantees the retailers cannot be justified or Starbucks need to be asked whether improvement of the welfare, explained by the Fairtrade Labelling there’s any evidence of a fair deal environment and social standards Organisations International (FLO). in the current coffee trading system of the producers. they use. In 2007, the BBC investigated The trade deal gives consumers the situation in Ethiopia, finding in the developed countries the impression the cost of coffee is fair while at the same time ensuring Table 1: Earnings per kilogramme that producers in developing countries are earning fair income at different stages of coffee trade commensurate with their labour. This creates a psychological mind- Farmer’s traded price $0.14 set that consumers and producers are ‘all winners’. Local middleman’s margin $0.05 Local mill transportation cost, milling and miller’s Progressive opinion believes $0.05 producers need to earn a minimum margin price that is sustainable for their Production Bagging cost and Kampala transportation cost $0.02 production activities and their cost of living. In addition, there should Total price for Kampala exporter $0.26 also be a social cost premium of between 5%- 10% of the minimum Processing, off-grade discarding taxes & margin $0.09 price for technical and development Bagging, Indian ocean port insurance & transport $0.10 assistance for the producers. Furthermore, the trade deal should FOB Standard price for Robusta $0.45 make it mandatory for traders to buy from the producers and their Freight cost and insurance $0.07

organisations directly by means Export CIF price $0.52 of long term contracts in other Importer landing charges, roaster’s delivery facility to reduce middlemen, promote $0.11 stability and encourage long-term & margin planning. Factory delivered price $0.63 However, current developments Soluble weight loss adjustment ($0.63*2.6) $1.638 in countries like Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia are at odds with the Total so far $2.241 intentions of both the founders of Fairtrade and progressive opinion. UK Retailer’s UK retail soluble price for 1kg $26.40 Oxfam research showed in 2002 Price one kilogram of coffee beans was traded by the farmers directly to Source: Oxfam (2002) the local middlemen in Uganda at Azeez Abiola Oyedele is a researcher at the School of Business and the farmer-gate price of $0.14. Enterprise, University of the West of Scotland Issue 91 January/February 2016 ScottishLeftReview - 29 Poets’ page We’ve carried some poems before and readers sent us this crop so we are glad to print them.

A rising route Everything Must Go...* by David Betteridge by Rab Wilson We gave our care, our voice, our leap of heart The Kaiser Biscuit American Bald Eagle and intellect, as jurors in the case of Scotland Present Realised almost half a million dollars; versus Scotland Past. More absurd and obscene lots soon followed; The latter we found guilty of arrested hope. A set of ten gilt miniature oil barrels... Readied now, and rendered new, Mencken’s Dictionary of Quotations, we face the world before us with less trammelled scope. Hammered down for only fourteen grand; An Emes and Barnard George IV inkstand; To frame our own determined ends, Cinderella flounce and ostentation. subject to no over-rule, then set the means thereto: But now the room’s abuzz, they look askance, that is a good of governance, self-evident, Blood drips from each hedgefund manager’s maw, that the course of history has brought our nation closer to. As ravenously they surge and push and paw, For surely now, the pièce de résistance; There is a way in politics, Kellingley Colliery and its miners renowned, akin to Neptune’s Staircase or the Falkirk Wheel; Who’ll start the bidding! Surely, come, a pound ...? it can raise us from the place that we would leave directly to a further state: *On 15 December 2015, Christie’s held a sale of property belonging to Margaret Thatcher, realising more than this way requires that we extend the best that time £4.5m. She waged war against the miners during bestows; the1980s. Two days after the sale, the last deep coal mine annul the worst; and the residue transmute. in Britain, Kellingley, closed. An age-old longing powers us. Ahead, what dizzying routes and quandaries of direction open up, a rising route! Wallace Street by James Aitchison Estate ‘Wear your school blazer, school tie and white shirt, speak properly and nobody will guess by James Aitchison 246 Wallace Street was your fist address. Not that there’s anything wrong in good clean dirt.’ I couldn’t find them when we cleared the house – his birth, marriage or death certificates. When I left my parents’ You Are Here And he was too young to have made a will. I added colour to their pencil maps, A will? He had no money, no property. filled in their local, vocal, social gaps with adolescent arrogance and fear. When he died sixty-five years ago a bit of my boyhood brain was cauterized. A lichened boulder on the Isle of Coll In a last sifting of family photographs is a picture of the Earth from outer space, I found him smiling at me in black and white. and on a fair day bow-wave rainbows grace the Calmac ferry through the Sound of Mull. He’s sitting with workmates at the open door I forget my past when I’m at sea of a cabin in a logging camp but when I come ashore I have to greet somewhere in 1930s’ Canada. the foul-mouthed boy I was in Wallace Street. Sixty-five years. Our lives seem far apart. I dress my nakedness in poetry. I write a poem; my father fells a tree. I write another line, another page. But I have his genes. I inherit his estate. I know my mapmaking will never match By the time he died he had made his mind the plain truth of my parents’ pencil sketch. in mine a dangerous, legendary place. And now I’m almost twice my father’s age. I’m writing this to certify his life. I’ll print out a hard copy of these lines. He looks invulnerable in the photograph.

30 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 91 January/February 2016 VLADIMIR McTAVISH’S Kick up the Tabloids

s we enter a New Year, and her Tory-voting husband, Norrie, his behaviour. A few years ago, as we look forward to 2016, who have established their own Edinburgh University took away Ait is inevitable that we also traditional on calling on us on the an honorary degree they had look back on the previous twelve last Sunday before Christmas at conferred on Robert Mugabe, as if months. While a New Year always the kind of time of the morning he would be less likely to commit offers hope for change, Hogmanay when only Christians are awake. genocide his own people, due to is often a time for reminiscence. Thankfully, they couldn’t come this no longer holding some bogus This is ironic in itself, as by the time year because they live in Kinghorn. academic qualification. the bells have sounded midnight, It’s all very reminiscent of how many of us have difficulty in Well done to remembering our own names, and the Scottish Fred Goodwin’s crimes were come New Year’s Day itself, our handled. The government, who memories of Hogmanay are sketchy Government by then owned RBS stripped him at best. of his knighthood, but allowed for taking away him to keep all of his bonuses, Scots do revel in nostalgia at this which totalled in the region of time of year. Indeed, as 2015 drew Trump’s business forty million pounds. In effect, all to a close, many people’s memories he had to do to hang on to the drifted back to more exciting ambassador status money was to change his name very However, a remarkable thing times. Some cast their minds back slightly, from Sir Fred Goodwin to happened when they phoned to to the inspiring events of May’s Mr Fred Goodwin. There are few say they were not coming. I found SNP landslide, others further back people alive who would turn down to the heady days of September myself agreeing with Norrie about that kind of money if all that was 2014. This is partly because by politics. We were both disgusted by required was a change of name. the end of 2015, many Scots had Donald Trump’s comments about In fact, if anyone offered me as resorted to the old concerns of Muslims.. But for different reasons, comparatively little as ten million complaining about the weather, of course! In my opinion, Trump’s quid on condition that I moved to getting depressed about the state remarks were not only racist and Gloucester and changed my name of the national football and looking inflammatory, but damaging to to Fred West, I’d bite their hand for someone to blame for a bridge global peace given that they came off. However, I’d want a hell of a having to shut. from the mouth of a man who aspires to be President of the lot more dosh before I considered For the first time ever, people in USA. Norrie was more worried changing my name to Donald Edinburgh were heard to complain that ‘it might mean the Open Trump. that they could not get to Dundee. Championship doesn’t come to The irony of this was not lost Finally, hats off to a group of true Turnberry’. on Dundonians either. Having Scottish heroes, those hardy souls overwhelming voted in the autumn Well done to the Scottish who have set up camp outside of the previous year for Scotland to Government for taking away Holyrood, and are not going to be independent from the UK, they Trump’s business ambassador move until Scotland becomes suddenly found themselves in a status, and withdrawing him from independent. I suspect they may situation fifteen months later where the Global Scot network, but it be there for quite some time. Let’s they were effectively independent doesn’t really go far enough. If it is hope it’s a mild winter, and wish from the rest of Scotland. serious about letting Trump know them all the best for 2016. what it thinks about him, it should For me personally, coming as it did Vladimir McTavish, Keir McAllister build a wind farm and a mosque at the height of the festive season, and Mark Nelson will be appearing on the nearest available land to his the closure of the Forth Road Bridge in The Stand Comedy Club’s monthly Turnberry golf complex! was one of the best Christmas satirical show TOPICAL STORM at presents I have ever received. Likewise, while one commends the Edinburgh Stand on Wednesday We normally are subjected to a Robert Gordon University for 20 January and the Glasgow Stand visit from my church-going Better stripping him of his honorary on Monday 25 January, both shows Together activist cousin, Lena, and degree, it’s hardly likely to alter start 8.30pm Issue 91 January/February 2016 ScottishLeftReview - 31 Welcome The Jimmy Reid Foundation will bring together voices and minds from across the spectrum of left politics in Scotland

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32 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 91 January/February 2016