ScottishLeft Review Issue 123 May/June 2021 - £2.00 'best re(a)d' 'best

1 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 1912 Scotrail.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2019 11:53 Page 1

ASLEF For train drivers, trade unions & the Labour Party since 1880

ScotRail is failing to deliver for the people of Scotland. The performance of Abellio has been truly terrible. The company has failed to recruit enough drivers, is continually skipping stations, does not have enough rolling stock, has used HSTs that have not been refurbished, and has a history of poor industrial relations. But we don’t want to replace one failing private train operator with another because the model is broken. It is clear to everyone – to businesses as well as passengers, and to everyone who works in the rail industry – that privatisation has failed. The Tories privatised our railways and the SNP refuses to bring our services back into public ownership. But it’s time to stand up for Scotland and run our railway as a public service, not as a vehicle to make a private profit.

Mick Whelan, general secretary Dave Calfe, president Kevin Lindsay, ASLEF’s organiser in Scotland

STUC 2018_Layout 1 09/01/2019 10:04 Page 1 Britain’s specialist transport union Campaigning for workers in the rail, maritime, offshore/energy, bus and road freight sectors

NATIONALISE SCOTRAIL

www.rmt.org.uk General Secretary: Mick Cash President: Michelle Rodgers 2 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 feedback

1912 Scotrail.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2019 11:53 Page 1

ASLEF For train drivers, trade unions & the Labour Party since 1880 comment

ScotRail is failing to deliver for the people of Scotland. The performance of Abellio has been truly terrible. The company has failed to recruit enough drivers, is continually skipping stations, does not have enough rolling stock, has used HSTs Old wine in old bottles? that have not been refurbished, and has a history of poor industrial relations. But hough Charles Dickens did not say without or without the Greens from independence would allow the Scottish we don’t want to replace one failing private train operator with another because ‘It was not the best of times. It was 5 May 2016. One seat does not make Government to do that exactly that – the model is broken. It is clear to everyone – to businesses as well as passengers, Tnot quite the worst of times’ as a huge difference. Even with the SNP deal with the effects of the pandemic he began his novel, A Tale of Two Cities governing as a minority party, this does more effectively. Second, as the ‘new and to everyone who works in the rail industry – that privatisation has failed. The (1859), this is what it feels like for the not change that. This is to see the wood reviewskid on the block’ of party leaders and Tories privatised our railways and the SNP refuses to bring our services back into left after 6 May 2021 elections for the and not the trees. from the centre (and not the left like sixth Scottish Parliament. After months Leonard), Sarwar was always likely to get What explains the SNP’s dominance? As public ownership. But it’s time to stand up for Scotland and run our railway as a of electioneering as well as all the hopes a better press from the Scottish media. ever, it’s a combination of what the SNP and hype, the big picture is actually that But that’s not to ignore that he is a more public service, not as a vehicle to make a private profit. did and what the opposition did not do. things are pretty much as they were effective public performer than Leonard The SNP was virtually untroubled by the before. And, the polls in the immediate turned out to be. If Sarwar was shown opposition. Sturgeon was not wounded Mick Whelan, general secretary run up to 6 May, were not far off either to be incompetent, the media would by Salmond and was strengthened predicting this eventual outcome. Plus have blasted him for it no matter being Dave Calfe, president by her enhanced profile during the ça change plus c’est la meme chose - new and more ‘on message’. pandemic as well as her overall handling Kevin Lindsay, ASLEF’s organiser in Scotland meaning ‘The more things change, the of it. The SNP is pretty managerially The Greens are the only small success more they stay the same’ - does not competent as a governing party so was story for the left. They increased their adequately sum this up. Hence, a bit of not a hostage to any banana skin slip number of MSPs by 25% (from 6 to 8) ‘What the Dickens is going on?’ being ups – just compare Sturgeon to Boris and their list vote share by 1.5%. They needed. Johnson. Some suggested that the SNP were the obvious party to vote for if But before we get on to that, it has would have been in trouble without its the argument for a ‘supermajority’ held to be acknowledged that the SNP independence totem for this would have up to significant scrutiny. But it did not streamrollered the opposition despite caused voters to take more notice of seem to do so, and they remain small fry tactical (pro-Unionist) voting, a strangely its palpable weaknesses on education, (and even smaller after Alison Johnstone becalmed political atmosphere due health and transport. was willingly elected to the politically to the pandemic, and an increased neutral role of Presiding Officer). The Though it lost ground in seats (down turnout (up from 56% in 2016 to 63% SNP has no reason to allow them to two) and votes (down 1%), Scottish in 2021). For a party that has been in play a ‘kingmaker’ role given its own Labour under Anas Sarwar did not office one way or another since 2007, 64 seats. And, the Greens got nowhere tank. Some will say this an achievement that is no mean feat. To go one better near displacing Labour as they said they and endorsement of Sarwar and his on the ‘first-past-the-post’ constituency hoped to. politics. The argument runs that in less seats compared to 2016 is nothing than three months, Sarwar steadied The much-heralded great disrupters of short of miraculous. To have nearly the sinking ship left to him by Leonard, Scottish politics decidedly disappointed. won a majority of seats (65/129) in the giving Labour a good basis to recover One was to wreck the union and parliament from the constituency seats before the next Scottish Parliament the other was to save it. Despite the alone (62 seats) is astounding. If the SNP elections in 2026. But there are some widespread initial publicity given to had not been hamstrung by the D’Hondt obvious holes in this argument. First, it’s Alex Salmond’s new Alba party, not method for calculating the list seats not clear that voters are widely aware only did he not return to Holyrood but apportionment and, instead, had won of what Labour stands for, other than Alba barely gained 45,000 votes across the number of seats according to the opposition to another independence the whole of Scotland, representing size of the vote it received, that would referendum and independence itself. just 1.7%. Clearly, voters dislike have amounted to another 22 seats. The Like down south, its version of ‘Build Salmond and were not convinced by effect would equate to sum of 64+22 = back better’ is not clearly distinguishable the ‘free pass’ argument of vote SNP supermajority. But that is precisely what from that of the governing party (see in the constituencies and don’t waste the choice of the d’Hondt system was below). Merely stating again and your list vote on it in order to create designed to prevent. again, the focus should be on tackling a ‘supermajority’ for independence. All that said, the SNP’s mandate to the effects of the pandemic more They did want to waste their list vote govern is actually not really any different effectively and not independence does – all 1.1m of them. Alba supporters from before. It had a clear mandate not cut much ice with those that think will no doubt try to salvage something 3 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 by saying they are now ‘on the pitch’ with Sturgeon. She - and the SNP - the internal SNP elections earlier this and have 2 MPs and a few councillors have won the case for caution and year. Third, the street strategy of All (all of which defected from the SNP) conditionality. Saying there won’t be a Under One Banner and Now Scotland from which to build from. But this is push for another referendum until the is unlikely to be able to exert much special pleading for Alex Salmond, pandemic is over was clever footwork. It pressure on Sturgeon with her renewed their ‘great communicator’, will find it assuaged some of the concerns of those and slightly enhanced mandate. difficult to communicate to the masses considering voting SNP, especially with Returning to the Dickens analogy, it without being in Holyrood. Alba is support for independence in polls falling was not so much a case of a ‘Tale of another lesson in the huge difficulties since March, and now, post-election, Two Cities’ as a tale of two or more of breakaway parties from established gives her ample latitude to decide when countries. In Wales, things could not parties (as the Scottish Labour Party to go for it. All the evidence suggest that be more different than in Scotland. found in the 1970s when it broke from will not be anytime soon. Labour secured 30 seats, just one shy Labour). But standing back from this, several of a majority, there are no Greens ‘Gorgeous’ George Galloway has long things become apparent. There’s still members and the SNP’s equivalent, since stopped being greeted as such at not much of an SNP strategy to gain Plaid Cymru, trails the Tories. Labour will the polling booths. That last time was a Section 30 order if Johnson refuses govern on its own. In England, Labour in 2012 in Bradford despite various one. And, other than a renewed SNP- got trounced in all but a few places like other forays since. His ‘All for Unity’ dominated mandate for independence, Liverpool, London and Manchester. The attempt for the list seats (securing just how much different is the situation main problem Labour has – and has 23,000 votes across Scotland) included from before? There were 69/129 pro- failed to recognise -is that the Tories urging people to vote Tory where independence MSPs and there are are spending money rather than cutting necessary in the constituency seats. now 72/129 pro-independence MSPs. it so the argument of not spending Like with Salmond’s Alba, it shows that More than a simple majority but not a enough is a much more difficult one successful new political entities cannot supermajority that Johnson would find to make. Starmer being a competent be magicked out of thin air in next to no less easy to ignore. Indeed, the pro- parliamentary performer does not alter time. independence list vote was just 50.1%. this. His ‘management’ of Labour is Some have speculated that the only way increasingly in doubt after the Rayner The far left had another miserable Johnson would agree to a referendum debacle. But more importantly, he is showing despite their being fewer far would be if he was sure of winning one, surely on the slide now because the left parties standing. This was not a mostly likely a case of a post-pandemic ‘red wall’ continues to crumble with case of unity though. Solidarity, led V-shaped economic recovery that would Hartlepool and the council elections. We by Tommy Sheridan, joined Action for be seen as a credit to UK PLC. Yet there will return to this issue as the balance of Independence (see below) and the was one important difference. In 2016, forces between Labour and the Tories in Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) did not the mandate was less specific for a England has significant implications for stand as it saw the pandemic restrictions referendum and based on unknown politics in Scotland, especially in regard as making campaigning for it not outcomes (like Brexit). This time it was of independence. worthwhile. Instead, it concentrated explicitly stated in SNP and Green the upon its campaign for a publicly-owned All in all, maybe not so much as case of manifestos of both the SNP and Greens. National Care Service. The Socialist old wine in old bottles but maybe more Maybe that was why Gordon Brown Labour Party, led by Arthur Scargill, old parties in old parliaments. intervened again with his ‘save the did not stand. Though not standing in Union (via a constitutional inquiry) from all list regions and constituencies, the its Tory destruction’ message. Communist Party and the Scottish Trade Union and Socialist Coalition gained less For the left inside the SNP and the Three tales of a than 4,000 votes between them. pro-independence left outside of it, the problems are multiplying. First, all single city Whilst 34 MSPs did not stand for re- Alba failed and that was after Action The tremendous victory in Kenmure election (up from 20 in 2016, 24 in for Independence (formerly Alliance for Street was followed by mass civil 2011, and 14 in 2007), it is not expected Independence) and the Independence disobedience of a very different that the left will be well represented for Scotland Party threw their lot in with kind in George Square two days within the new batch of 43 MSPs as it by standing down for the election. later. The next day thousands of Neil Findlay, John Finnie, Elaine Smith Even though organisations like All citizens of Glasgow marched from and Alex Neil have departed. We do Under One Banner and Now Scotland George Square in solidarity with the hope, however, that Carol Mochan are neither electoral organisations nor Palestinians in Gaza and the West (Labour, and Secretary of the Campaign political parties, this will make their jobs Bank. The police response to each for Socialism) and Maggie Chapman that bit harder. It will depress some of was somewhat dissimilar. We shall (Greens) will do their best uphold the their activists and followers. Second, look at these matters in the next left. We have a vested interest in this s much of the SNP left decamped to Alba. issue. as both Carol and Maggie are members That means the left inside the SNP is of the editorial committee of the now weaker and it is unlikely that the Scottish Left Review. defectors will be allowed back in to the When it comes to the issue of SNP anytime soon. This particularly independence and another referendum, affects the Commonweal group inside it’s surely a case of ‘All hail the chief’ the SNP given that it made advances in 4 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 Was it another unique election? Only if you ignore the ‘big picture’ issues Looking behind the election facts and figures, James Mitchell reveals the continuing, underlying dynamics of politics in Scotland here is always something in any the Westminster Tory Government. The Class voting at its peak offered a binary election to justify the claim that it Scottish Tories were as keen to pretend choice. And parties without a clear Twas unique and the 2021 Holyrood Johnson did not exist as the SNP was class identification posing as centrists election has many claims. It was fought to act as if he was a candidate in the struggled to insert themselves into against the backdrop of a pandemic. election. debate and voters’ consciousness. There Turnout was the highest on the record was always the opportunity for centrists Being in office offers status, power at 63% and was up across all parts of to pick up support but it was limited. and access. And the SNP was Scotland. The SNP achieved a fourth understandably keen to take advantage But the SNP is a different kind of party. term in a row and missed repeating of its incumbency. While the civil service There are many explanations for its its best ever result in 2011 by the adopts an entirely neutral position rise but a key part of the backdrop is narrowest of margins. Labour suffered during elections, it plays a legitimate the decline of class voting so allowing its worst defeat. More women (45%) part in the development of policies new forms of politics emerged. were elected than previously. The first – throughout a Parliamentary term. And Parties competed on the territory three - women of colour were elected. some of this will inevitably find its way of competence especially as policy The first member of the Sikh community into manifestos. It would be odd for an distinctions between them declined. The was elected. But what it is most incumbent party to announce a radical SNP’s past problem was being damned likely to be remembered for are the change of policy from that which had as tartan Tories in left-leaning Scotland consequences of the clear majority that gone before or one that did not flow and as a socialist party in Tory areas. The support an independence referendum. from existing policy development. In absence of a clear ideological position In one respect, the election was addition, interest groups and lobbyists – and this was more about image than anything but unique. Scotland’s seek to attach themselves to parties in policies – blurred its image. It needed constitutional status has been a office like limpets. Pressure groups are to place itself unambiguously on one perennial issue in Scottish elections and the ‘weather vanes of power’. This has side of the dominant left-right debate will likely remain so as far into the future a number of consequences. Parties gain or shift the debate firmly onto a centre- as it is possible to see, not least because access to expertise and the possibility periphery axis. It has managed more or it concerns a set of relationships. And of endorsements. But the downside less to do both. Thirty years ago, it set relationships always evolve because is that this can result in undue and out to clarify its position as a party of the partners to any relationship never asymmetrical influence. If interest group the left though in recent times it has set remain static and the context in which politics was truly pluralistic, with each out to present itself as a party capable they operate is always changing sectional group having an equal and of competence in office and sought to around them. The notion that there is opposite alternative like Newton’s third appeal to business while retaining its a ‘settled will’ is a slogan that is only law of motion, and all had equal access social democratic credentials. It became ever appropriate in passing. It might to power, then there would be the a catch-all party with light ideological settle when it comes to a constitutional possibility of balance. But as Eric Elmer baggage turning the adaptability which or legal relationship but that is a Schattschneider, the great American had undermined it in the era of class very narrow, albeit not insignificant, political scientist, famously put it: ‘The politics into a formidable electoral definition of what is important. flaw in the pluralist heaven is that the machine. heavenly chorus sings with a strong One feature of Scottish politics these But it has not all gone the SNP’s way, upper-class accent’. Over decades now, last 14 years, set to continue over the not least as it retains an element this imbalance has grown. next few years at least, is that every that welcomed its leftist image and is party is an opposition party. The SNP Political parties aggregate these uncomfortable with the drift rightwards and Tories are each governing and organised interests to provide mimicking New Labour. The SNP’s opposition parties while all the others manifestos setting out plans for Growth Commission was more a political are just opposition parties. This makes government and some interests are than an economic project to convince for a distinct kind of politics. The SNP better resourced and organised. Of business that it could be trusted and has become masterful in riding these course, some parties are ideologically independence. Internal dissidents two horses simultaneously and did so disposed to one set of interests more suggest it has been unsuccessful in again. With a record in government that than others. That had been the basis attracting or even retaining business would have put it on the backfoot if that of class politics of old: Labour favoured support while succeeding in upsetting alone had been the ground on which the unions and the Tories favoured business. the SNP’s left. election was fought, the SNP preferred Each had its anchor preventing drift, But, of course, the SNP has an to make this an election about Boris though sometimes the tide of public unambiguous position on the centre- Johnston. Not only did it seek to do so opinion moved in the desired direction. periphery axis. A generation ago, Labour to attack the Tories but it sought to put At other times, the tide was so strong could claim to be Scotland’s national Labour on the defensive by conflating that office was all but unobtainable party in terms of breadth of support support for the union with support for without throwing the anchor overboard. but also in standing up for Scotland. The 5 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 SNP moved in on space vacated by ‘new’ second party with 31 seats. While the currently have under the Equality Act’. Labour on the left and even its support Greens were described as the SNP’s little The relationship between Scotland’s for independence meant that Unionists helpers, the Tories were undoubtedly constitutional status and ‘standing up tended to see the SNP as standing up for the SNP’s big helpers. The Tories needed for Scotland’ is an example of how Scotland. The salience of independence the constitution to top the agenda to ‘position’ and ‘valence’ issues interact. evade focus on the party in power in in the election worked to the advantage Evidence exists that there are voters London. of the SNP and Tories in much the same who oppose independence and see way that class politics worked before to There has been much commentary independence as contrary to Scotland’s the advantage of Labour and the Tories. since devolution on ‘valence politics’. best interests but nonetheless see Labour has joined the LibDems in being A distinction is often drawn between the SNP’s support for independence squeezed on the centre-periphery axis. position and valence issues. ‘Position’ as a sign of a deep commitment to The SNP’s course is set but it has a concerns matters on which the Scotland and a willingness to stand up light anchor when it comes to interest electorate is divided and parties have for Scotland. And another referendum articulation. Its leadership has to keep to take sides. Examples are specific offers reassurance that voting SNP does the troops happy, showing evidence that issues like nuclear disarmament or not directly lead to independence. nuclear energy. ‘Valence’ concerns independence remains its ‘north star’. Scottish politics is framed around a matters on which there is broad All SNP leaders have faced criticisms centre-periphery axis that combines agreement and voters choose which that they are not navigating to the the valence issue of ‘standing up for party is deemed most likely to deliver promised land but have put down Scotland’ and competent government or have most credibility. Across a anchor preferring office to the pursuit of with positions on Scotland’s broad range of issues, there is little that goal. Sturgeon faced criticisms from constitutional status. The 2021 election enemies within her party for failing to to choose from between two or more suggests that competence may not be advance the independence cause while parties in the election. Who doesn’t as important as it was in the previous being attacked by outside opponents for claim to believe in a more successful three Holyrood elections. With a 14-year pursuing independence to the exclusion economy, protecting the NHS, improving record in office that only loyalists could of all else. There had been considerable educational standards etcetera? The describe as impressive in public policy evidence of unease inside the SNP prior question for the voter becomes who is terms, the SNP romped home with little to the election with deep divisions most trusted and credible in delivering opposition. on strategy, economy, currency and these. And a crucial valence question James Mitchell is Professor of Public gender. But internal grievances do not has long been who will best stand up for Policy at the University of Edinburgh. His easily translate into electoral support ‘Scotland’? And when that issue is seen recent Jimmy Reid Foundation pamphlet, for breakaway parties. Alba’s biggest as important, there is now only one ‘The Scottish Question Revisited’, is mistake was to think that it could attract likely winner. But that was not always still available for purchase at: https:// voters who were largely uninterested the case. Labour previously managed reidfoundation.scot/the-scottish- in, if even aware of, these internal SNP to become Scotland’s national party for question-revisited-pamphlet/ battles. It takes more than attracting years before devolution. Part of reason disaffected party activists and members this has changed is that ‘standing up for to win electoral contents even in a party Scotland’ is now closely associated with the SNP’s large membership. with a party’s constitutional status. While the SNP does not have the Another valence issue that the ideological anchors of other parties SNP has successfully claimed its manifesto reads as if written by a has been gender in its various committee of various interests. There is manifestations. The SNP has had a sense it allowed itself to be captured significant success in address its by a variety of interests - though it may previously relatively weak support equally be said that many interests amongst women. Where it has have been captured by the SNP. There struggled, however, has been with is a symbiotic relationship that works respect to trans rights. This is a tricky area in which competing for both party and groups. One of the principles have clashed. In such constraints on interest group capture is circumstances, the best course thriving party democracy and a healthy is to tread carefully, listen and independent think tank sector either seek to accommodate different directly or indirectly linked to the party. views. The SNP blundered The SNP has neither. into this in the belief that What was also notable about the there were votes to be won election was the extent to which so amongst young elements in much was subsumed into debates on the electorate and have had Scotland’s constitutional status. The to retreat, promising to work extent to which this took place varied by with a wide range of people party. The Tories have almost become to improve rights which a single-issue party which accounts for will ‘not affect the rights or it retaining its position as Scotland’s protections that women 6 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 A different radical Scotland: limits of Scottish nationalism and social democracy Gerry Hassan sees the 2021 election in a longer lens to assess the current state of Scottish democracy and point up some ways forward cottish politics are defined by manoeuvre and sense of morality while Scottish nationalism and the SNP many factors - fourteen years of allowing them to be uber-pragmatic. alone will not be enough to win any SNP dominance, seven years of independence referendum on their own. S All of this has contributed to the record Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister, and They don’t have the range of appeal or of 22 years of the Scottish Parliament. the arrogance of Westminster. But votes. This is true numerically of the There has been much progressive underlying these factors at home is the SNP which has never won a majority of rhetoric, initiatives and some intent, sense of autonomy and difference, and the popular vote – in 2015 when it won contributing to these is the reach of but across area after area there has 49.97% of the vote and in 2021 when it Scottish nationalism and sentiment of been an absence of urgency, honesty won 47.7% of the constituency vote. Scottish social democracy. Yet with these and prioritisation. Take the 2021 SNP There is a similarity here between the latter two forces, things are not quite as manifesto. In a difficult fiscal context, it SNP and Labour at their peaks. Scottish simple and straightforward as they first makes all sorts of new offers to voters: Labour never ever won a majority appear. And, they throw up big issues free dentistry, and all sorts of small pots of the popular vote, hitting a high of which warrant further investigation for of money for this and that. What it does 49.9% in 1966 heralding Harold Wilson’s the sake of politics and self-government. not do is promise to affect real change in many of the areas it is offering new second term. Hence, this meant that The establishment of the Scottish monies, rather being content to be seen non-Labour Scotland was always a Parliament has changed our politics and to do something. And scandalously, it majoritarian force compared to Labour, become part of the everyday fabric of does all this with no sense of priority: with fears of majority Labour rule a public life. But while it has as an idea presiding over the atrophying of any critical fear factor among non-Labour become the new normal compared to local democracy and local services, while voters. This was a critical issue in the pre-1999, it has also articulated a form not daring to progress anything but the 1979 devolution referendum when of politics of institutional and system mildest redistribution of resources. Labour’s plans for a 145-150 seat capture – under Labour and now the ‘first-past-the-post’ Scottish Assembly SNP. With the latter as with the former, Similarly, Scottish nationalism might were seen as deeply unattractive by incumbency always comes at a cost, mostly be benign and cosmopolitan but non-Labour voters who preferred the irrespective of what headline figures say. it is also banal – which has contributed existing status quo of Westminster rule Away from the SNP’s impressive record to its ubiquity. Scottish nationalism compared to one party rule by Labour in winning four Holyrood elections in is not the ownership or property of on a minority of votes. a row, the party’s political antennas – the SNP – but rather can be found Fast forward through eighteen years internal and external – are increasingly across the political spectrum – a point of Tory Government to the 1997 becoming desensitised by the length of hard Labour unionists now ignore at devolution referendum and by then its period of office and dominance of the their peril. In a public debate I did Labour had learnt the lessons from political landscape. with Donald Dewar just before the 1979. It had realised it could not win on Take the state of social democracy. It has establishment of the Parliament, he said its own. It had recognised the limited become a cliché through the devolution in a typical Dewarism – ‘I am a Scottish appeal of Labour one party rule and era to refer to Scotland as a country nationalist with a small S’ – by which in agreed to a 129 seat Parliament elected defined by social democracy. But if this his misspeaking he meant the distinction by proportional representation – and has any truth, then it is a very thin kind between nationalism with a capital ‘N’ hence the likelihood that parties, Labour of political philosophy and outlook. One and smaller ‘n’. included, would be minorities. Of which has a lack of intellectual ballast as It is obviously a nationalism – different fundamental relevance to the present well as a vagueness about its values and from the majority nationalism of the UK day, Labour recognised that it could what it stands for - as opposed to what state. The Irish writer, Fintan O’Toole, not convincingly win a devolution it is against, namely, Blairism and ‘new’ has powerfully expressed the limits referendum just with Labour and Lib Labour on the centrist-left and obviously of nationalism in our or any debate, Dem voters, but needed the votes Thatcherism of any kind. These commenting that ‘it is like a rocket ship of SNP supporters too. This led to a rhetorical devices allow it to appear fuel’ in that ‘it can get you into orbit, choreography of events leading up to radical while actually being conservative but burns up quickly and offers no the 1997 referendum to make sure and defensive. guidance for in terms of direction of that Labour, Lib Dems and SNP would officially take part in a genuine cross- These characteristics have been travel or what to do once in orbit.’ That party campaign to aid an emphatic reinforced by years of Labour and now is a pithy summary of the characteristics majority for a Parliament - which is what SNP dominance, parties which have of Scottish nationalism which have happened. seen it as in their self-interest to define contributed extensively to our sense social democracy in the manner of how of nationhood and difference but, A future independence referendum UK Labour governments used to define ultimately, does not provide a road cannot be won by the SNP alone; nor socialism, namely, as what they do in map for governing Scotland, whether can it won convincingly by just SNP and office. This gives these parties room for devolved or independent. Green voters. Rather, it will require 7 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 Labour and even Lib Dem voters and time, believing its own hype and that it constituencies who will contribute those of no party. This will require was automatically going to win. Since to making a convincing majority and the creation of a genuine cross-party 2014, there has been an absence of recognising the many strands of those campaign unlike 2014 and more like heavy lifting in terms of rethinking who have yet to be convinced of 1997: less ‘Yes Scotland’ and more independence, its offer and how it is independence. ‘Scotland Forward’. The 2014 ‘Yes’ presented, and understanding how it Alongside this, the fundamental campaign body was not a genuine cross- lost in 2014. This is not to say there inadequacy of status quo – a ‘steady party independent organisation, not has not been some exemplary work as she goes Scotland’ on offer from the having enough autonomy and distance by the likes of Voices for Scotland on SNP and Scottish Government - needs to from the SNP, whereas the 1997 campaigning and messaging. More be challenged by serious, detailed work campaign was. that, it has just been nowhere enough. Smith put it powerfully: ‘There is a lack and politics, coming up with ideas and One constant running through politics is of understanding and analysis of 2014 proposals for changing and healing our that dominant parties find it difficult to by the SNP. If they don’t fully know society. But more than that, in an age cede a degree of control and power to why they lost, how do they make a new where the political philosophies of the others, regarding all their competitors as case?’ It is that simple: understanding nineteenth and twentieth centuries are not equals and somehow less than they electoral defeat is a key to catharsis exhausted, compromised and hollowed are. This is how Labour viewed Scotland and renewal and it has been until now out, we need to come up with notions in the 1979 vote; only learning from the mostly missing. of what our defining credos and political sum of its mistakes by 1997. Similarly, the values should be. SNP in 2014 went through the pretence Seven years after the first independence of being cross-party but retained control. referendum, we have seen little After the failure of neo-liberalism and For any future vote, it will to have to serious work by the SNP to remake the collapse of social democracy, how do understand what it gains by having the independence offer or an awareness we put together a political project insight and intelligence to let go, loosen that next time the offer - process, tone, and philosophy which champions up and give up a degree of control. campaign and its structure - will have to redistributing power, resources and be completely different. It cannot offer opportunities, and then links it to the This brings us to the defining political the Panglossian, bright shiny continuity cause of greater self-government? We credos of a future Scotland. Perhaps, the and insistence that everything will be should at least be asking the question politics of a future referendum can offer just fine under independence of last - because Scottish nationalism is an a prefigurative shape of the best of a time. Rather, there has to be a profound inadequate guide for the future and the post-independence country. As Scottish understanding of the nature of risk, and conservative character of what passes nationalism and the SNP on their own accepting that there is risk inherent for social democracy here is not up to cannot win, any coalition of support has in independence – with the central the challenges we will face. to draw ecumenically from Scotland’s question being who manages it and in other political traditions: from Labour Dr Gerry Hassan is a writer, whose interests. and the union movement; from the commentator and academic, and author social democratic and communitarian This entails the wider independence and editor of over a dozen books on traditions; from democratic socialists, movement finding a different path than Scottish and UK politics, including ‘The radical leftists, Greens, feminists, anti- the binary choice between SNP caution Strange Death of Labour Scotland’ and statists, liberals and those who simply and the impatient voices wanting an the recently published ‘Scotland after believe in democracy and Scotland’s instant referendum as soon as possible. the Virus’. His writing can be found at: right to decide. This should well- That means recognising the different www.gerryhassan.com handled, be a strength not a weakness, but it will require an awareness from those in the SNP of the limits of their appeal and politics. One political authority who understood the above was the late Nigel Smith, the organiser of the 1997 devolution New Jimmy Reid Foundation paper: referendum campaign who created the ‘Liberal education in a neo-liberal world: re-culturing body which brought SNP, Labour and Lib Dems together to make the case for the and recalibrating’ by Boyd, Kelly and Maitles Parliament. He was anti-independence in 2014, but in early 2020, just before Available at https://reidfoundation.scot/2021/04/new-jrf- he died, he recognised that the issue paper-liberal-education-in-a-neo-liberal-world-re-culturing-and- was not settled, telling me: ‘This is not a settled issue, but rather a live one which recalibrating/ has to be concluded one way or another by at some point having another To be launched by zoom meeting 7pm, 7 June: independence referendum.’ As someone who was an authority on https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/liberal-education-in-a-neo-liberal- referendums, he told me at the time world-tasks-for-the-new-scottish-govt-tickets-155913331973 that ‘Yes’ had to avoid hubris next 8 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 Lots of labouring still be done for Scottish Labour Carol Mochan says there’s a mountain of political leg work needed but that it can be done cotland’s status as a devolved the SNP by most and those who remain in Scottish Labour’s 2021 manifesto. nation worthy of its place on the wedded to our cause are clear that for This reflected a fact I witnessed time Sworld stage is in no doubt after many of their friends and family the and again whilst campaigning, namely, yet another well contested election. SNP is now the obvious anti-Tory vote. voters do not want another referendum But the most recent campaign did In order for Labour to have taken the when the worst economic effects of little to evidence the life changing anti-SNP (or more accurately the anti- the pandemic are yet to hit. Scottish debates going on in our country and, independence) vote, it would have to Labour correctly attempted to move the where serious alternatives were come from behind and usurp Douglas emphasis towards the future of work presented, they were drowned out by Ross’ faltering Scottish Conservatives. and improving incomes by guaranteeing the constitution – again. The pandemic When the dust settled over the weekend every young person a job and should have sparked renewed attention following the election count, we were developing a community recovery fund to the arguments of the left, but with not even close. That is of serious that was not simply a soundbite. These the UK government perceived to have existential concern to a party that once building blocks are now in place, and handled the vaccination programme utterly dominated Scottish political life. alongside the clearly set precedent that well and the popularity of the SNP still For two elections running, the Scottish Labour can never again return to being incredibly consistent despite a decade of Conservatives have effectively mounted a party of austerity, there is a basis for underwhelming managerialism, it was a very simple list campaign targeted pushing forward with a radical platform not to be. at unionist voters when at times, based on the needs of the many not the I stood again in my home constituency in Scottish Labour, it seemed our few. I see it as my duty to deliver those of Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley messaging was designed primarily to promises as best I can and to hold my and as the second placed candidate for maintain the three constituencies we party to its commitments. Scottish Labour on the South Scotland held on to in 2016. Overall, our vote It would not be a Scottish election list. As such, I am in the strange position dropped across Scotland in terms of analysis without mention of the of now writing as an MSP representing the constituencies and the regional constitution. I have been a candidate the region I am from and have raised my lists, and on the latter the Tories were and a campaigner in innumerable family in after my party secured three comfortably ahead of my party. In a elections now in which Scottish list MSPs for the region. I hope from that ‘first-past-the-post’ system we would be Labour has campaigned on an unclear position I am able to reflect both on the heading for Liberal Democrat levels of constitutional platform, an issue on limited successes of the campaign and annihilation, I take that very seriously, which the membership is for the the failures. and I know my colleagues do as well. most part split. As someone who has There is no doubt that it could have Yet now the election is over and we did always backed a reformed union with been worse for Scottish Labour, as manage to secure 22 MSPs there is time our friends across this island (and will was made abundantly clear by results and space to build a new alternative. continue to do so), I am, of course, coming in from Hartlepool and many It will be no surprise to anyone who dismayed that again we have seen a English councils over the days following knows me that I believe the policies gigantic victory for the SNP – a party the 6 May election. But at the same and priorities of Labour’s 2017 ‘For the that does not appear to prioritise time, we cannot present our worst ever Many, Not the Few’ manifesto should helping the poor or building the sort electoral performance in a Scottish be the model for how we begin again. of state that can truly tackle economic Parliament election as a good result. Popular targeted socialist investment inequality. Yet instead, it seeks to Socialism has to be built on an honest is not the past – it is an absolutely capitalise on the politics of separation. assessment of what the people of this necessary future. In fact, outside of the This is not news and we should not have country are telling us and based on that 2017 General Election, Scottish Labour expected anything else, nor is it news it is clear we have once again not done has not advanced its share of the vote in that the Conservatives have one policy well enough. a Scotland-wide election since Gordon and one policy alone - protecting the In my own constituency, a place that Brown was Prime Minister in 2010. interests of the union without an inch was once one of the safest Holyrood It seems odd then that ever since so of reform. It is difficult to understand seats for Scottish Labour, we finished little has been done to understand why how Scottish Labour can break free of third behind the Tories for the first time Jeremy Corbyn bucked the trend. For that vice without either mimicking the ever. I was over 18% behind the winning me it is obvious: he presented an image Tories or laying out their own alternative SNP candidate and I know that despite of a completely different Labour Party to nationalism and the status quo. the COVID pandemic restrictions we did and a new Britain separated from the Despite promises from leaders of the a great deal to speak directly to voters economic greed of the past. That should left, centre, and right of the party that in the area. The sad fact is though we be at the forefront of our thinking going alternative has never seriously come to are no longer met with anger on the into next year’s council elections and fruition and it is obvious that the notion doorsteps or the phones, what remains beyond. of federalism remains largely academic is a worrying indifference. Labour simply Fortunately, there was a distinct with little public support. If we reach the is not seen as a serious challenger to emphasis on an investment led recovery next Scottish Parliament election with 9 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 the same muddled priorities, I think it Growth Commission). Campaign for Socialism/Momentum is more than likely our vote will drop What space for the left of the Scottish endorsed candidates were elected this further. Labour Party in the years to come May including Katy Clark, Paul Sweeney, then? I cannot pretend the left is well Mercedes Villalba and myself. Add this Fundamentally, the Labour Party has organised within the party and in terms to the presence of Richard Leonard and at its very foundation the concept of of targeted activism and education, other MSPs with a history of taking a self-determination. Given the SNP and there is a lot of work to be done. Sadly, clearly left Labour outlook and you have Scottish Greens are highly likely to form some of the brightest young minds of the biggest left wing grouping in the the government, either formally or our movement either took on party Scottish Labour Parliamentary Party for informally, it is impossible for my own roles during the Corbyn era or felt some time. party to claim there is not an appetite in underwhelmed by the perhaps inflexible My message to members across Scottish a large part of the country for another nature of groups on the left that are Labour then is this. We can organise for referendum. Whether Nicola Sturgeon slow to respond and overly focused on a serious socialist future, but you have will actually attempt to hold one is talk rather than action. It is no surprise to get involved. In the age when social uncertain, few have done as well as also that many people who joined the media posturing online has become the her at stoking the flames of separation. party to support Corbyn’s vision of currency of activism for some, some Why would she stop now? Despite a compassionate socialist state have will have to wake up from that. It’s a this, I would warn against removing subsequently left in light of decisions smokescreen and an echo chamber. I ourselves from the territory of calling by Starmer’s administration to distance am one of the least likely people to ever out the SNP’s hypocrisy on this matter. themselves from that vision. Combine become an MSP, I never saw myself in It is absolutely clear that we were told this with the party still not publishing this position, but it happened because I the 2014 referendum would settle the the findings of the Forde Inquiry, sacking saw the devastating effects of austerity matter for a generation and given the popular member-focused regional on ordinary people who are under the large mandates the SNP have won off secretaries, not voting against parts boot of capitalism. the back of a perceived democratic of the Spycops Bill, sacking all of the I want you to come to Holyrood with deficit, it is deeply concerning that they Community Organisers who did their me, but it starts on the streets and have done so little with it. Let’s not best to bring about a new form of doorsteps of Scotland. I will see you forget Scotland is now the drugs death grassroots organising, as well as pushing there. capital of Europe, we have suffered out of the cabinet anyone vaguely left Carol Mochan is a Labour MSP for two years of gargantuan incompetence wing, and I think we could be in for a the South of Scotland and secretary regarding school exams, and we are concerning decline in the number of of the Campaign for Socialism group sitting with a public spending deficit people we can deploy as members to within Scottish Labour (http://www. of over £15 billion (a figure set to only get out our message. campaignforsocialism.org.uk/). She get worse due to Covid-19) with little is also a member of the editorial to show for it. Under these conditions, There is, however, cause for positivity in committee of the Scottish Left Review. it will take a great leap to convince a Scotland as we saw Monica Lennon run majority of Scots they want to go over for the leadership on a cohesive the economic cliff edge into Andrew left wing platform that gained Wilson’s vision of a country built for the support and attention of a Scottish Left Review the rich at the expense of the poor (as lot of people both within and The Scottish Left Review is a non-profit making publication. Please subscribe or make a donation by going to www. laid out in the report of the Sustainable without the party. Equally four scottishleftreview.org where you can pay by credit card or by filling in your details in the form below and returning to Scottish Left Review, 14 West Campbell Street, Generational Glasgow G2 6RX generosity Name Let the old and knackered who are within five years of their state Address retirement age retire early. Their jobs should be ‘swopped’ with an unemployed person under the age of 25. Such a scheme is likely to be cost neutral as the extra cost of paying early state pension is offset by the reduction in dole payments and savings in mental and Tel: physical health provision. This would be a proper job swap scheme. It would not apply to those at the top of the scale and at the end of E-mail: their career who want to swap with an incoming trainee on lower pay and conditions. In consequence, it would apply more to manual Subscription/Donation employees such as cleaners, drivers, supermarket workers and all others that can swap their job on a ‘like-for-like’ basis. It’s about Date: 215 time manual workers got a break. Moreover, it is these jobs which Subscriptions: £18 (waged), £14 (unwaged), £24 (local would make a dent in youth unemployment. 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10 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 How the left won the Scottish Green Party and how that will change Scottish politics Maggie Chapman looks back on not just a quantitative but also qualitative shift for the Scottish Greens he Holyrood 2021 election on a platform opposing what they called the heart of our campaign. It resonated reflected a number of trends ‘the Queer agenda’ created a very clear with everyone I spoke to during the Tthat we have seen in previous division for pro-independence voters on election. elections, but gives significant hope the list: either Greens with a substantial While Greens benefitted hugely from for workers’ rights, a just transition, history of fighting for equality or Alba an effectively deployed tactical voting a second referendum and the left in rehashing arguments from the 1980s message in 2003, this has become Scottish politics. campaign against gay liberation. I was more of a problem than an opportunity delighted that voters across the country The first trend is that the Greens for Greens in subsequent elections. chose equality. For some time, people have a fully developed analysis of Focusing on tactical voting messages have made the argument that the what needs to be done. This is partly distracts from the core political Scottish public is resistant to trans rights. due to a broader development in the messages of any campaign - and that The contention was that the electorate environmental movement, and partly is now much truer of other particular would vote out those who support trans parties! The current electoral system due to the broader shifts in politics. But people given the chance. It turns out encourages far too much focus on it is, in no small part, due to a concerted that much of the assertion that trans tactical voting, and the intervention of intervention by radicals in the Scottish people’s rights were unpopular was Alba aiming to game the system should Greens over the past decade and a half. based on social media bubbles and a be a signal that we need to change. The This has allowed the development of misunderstanding of the issues. That’s system should be there to reflect voter a political programme based on a just not to underplay the ongoing assault intentions, not to create new political transition from fossil fuel dependence on trans people, who still need our dynamics of its own. Obviously, there to zero carbon. When contrasted with solidarity. It is just to note that those are other important issues, but one aim the emerging ‘green capitalism’, this who saw attacking trans rights as an of proportional systems is to prevent becomes globally significant. easy ticket to parliament lost and lost considerations about how to game the badly, despite their assertion that this Those of us in the Greens who argued electoral system becoming the focus of was widely popular. Both Alba and the that our politics should be first and an election. The aim should be to have Greens are committed to a second foremost about the transition of a system that enables more authentic referendum, so the seats won by the the economy to one based on care, political choices to be exercised. Most Greens show that the agenda in that creativity and collaboration have finally significantly, this would end the status of referendum must be a progressive one, won the argument in our party. Policies the Tories as an anti-independence list rather than that pursued by Alba. that were historically contentious, like party, and allow a debate about what free public transport, have become each party actually stands for. Green wins. Combining social justice with decarbonisation is essential to There are challenging times ahead. We make sure that the transition to zero know that we have less than a decade carbon becomes a driver of equality, to act decisively to halt the climate rather than just another fix for emergency. It is never too soon to stop capital. We see from the Gilet Jaunes abuses of human rights, and when we (yellow vests) protests in France how can do both things at once we need to attempts to divorce climate justice seize the opportunity. The big challenge from workers lives will end. The for the coming parliament will be engagement of the left in the Greens The third trend is that the Greens have, reorienting away from the policies of shows how a progressive party can be for the first time since devolution in the past. We have to move from road comprehensively won for the left. Scotland, run a campaign on the basis building to allowing more people to of policies rather than personalities work from home in a way that increases There can be no social justice without or tactical voting messages. And their wellbeing. We must pivot rapidly climate justice. Climate action without gratifyingly, it delivered a much better from oil and gas to renewables, storage social justice will become a site of result than at previous elections. This is and the development of the caring resistance by workers. So, we must take a reflection of the end of the long 1990s, economy. We need to build public a just transition approach to build a the era in which personality came to support for these changes too. But the Green economy. One that values peace, dominate politics. The left has persisted 2021 election was a good starting point. human rights and human dignity as with personality politics long since it Scotland can become the place where well as tackling the climate and nature ceased being effective for progressive the just transition is prefigured. It is time emergencies. parties. Especially without the platform to get to work! offered by government. The second trend is that this election Maggie Chapman is the Green MSP for crystallised the current culture war in The focus on a transformational agenda north-east Scotland and a member of a contest for list seats in the Scottish always offered more for Greens. It is the editorial committee of Scottish Left Parliament. The Alba Party’s intervention great that we were able to put this at Review 11 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 Onwards down the yellow brick road - the SNP will do what it says it has on its tin Chris Stephens says the populace is behind the SNP’s prospectus for a socially just independent Scotland even days after Scotland went to it turns out, there are occasions when Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP to secure the polls to elect the most diverse social media works as a campaigning our recovery and, ultimately, deliver Sparliament in its history and on tool, rather than just a means to the commitments in the manifesto the morning that new and re-elected reinforce opinion and mobilise party - including a second independence MSPs were being sworn in, Home members in an election campaign. referendum? So, it’s fair to say this Office removals officers were carrying Activists had already prepared election was one of the most important out a dawn raid in the city of Glasgow. themselves by halting evictions of since the creation of the Scottish Whatever motivated the timing and asylum seekers by Serco and had the Parliament, and it’s important to look location of the attempt to evict and networks in place to ensure people back at where the SNP has come since detain two asylum seekers, it was crass would gather to prevent this dawn then. and insensitive to the point of stupidity raid. It also turns out that the practice Up until the 1999 election, all votes to choose Pollokshields, one of the of freedom of peaceful assembly also were by ‘First-Past-The-Post’. In the most multi-ethnic communities in works. last pre-devolution election, Labour Scotland where many of the residents The main lesson, however, is that as well gained 56 out of 72 seats from 46% of were celebrating Eid. There has been as political representatives and activists, the vote, whereas the SNP got only 6 speculation that it was a deliberate trade unionists, and campaigners seats from 22%. A ‘fair’ proportion for decision to attempt a forced removal on gathering to prevent this raid, it was the SNP would have been 16 SNP MPs. the day when the local MSPs’ attention the reaction of the local people who It was normally the case that MPs got was elsewhere and that a political point turned up in large numbers to protect elected with less than half of the vote, was being made to underscore the their neighbours that demonstrates and organisations like the Electoral limits that the First Minister has over the strong community spirit, anger, and Reform Society described the remainder immigration policy. However, it’s more determination to prevent the injustice as ‘disenfranchised’ or, even, as ‘wasted likely that ignorance and lack of political that should make the Home Office and votes’. nous informed the action and serves as the UK Government rethink its ‘dawn Fortunately, the Scotland Act 1998 a classic illustration as to how divergent raid’ strategy. legislated to include some form of the politics of the UK have become. proportional representation for the So how does this narrative of divergence There is a narrative that anti- new Parliament – a principle and from UK government policy sit within immigration messaging plays well with policy long supported by the SNP and the context of the 2021 Holyrood a section of voters to explain Brexit Liberals. Labour supported this with election and do the results strengthen and why ‘red wall’ seats turned and some reluctance - mainly as a means the case for independence? appear to be staying blue. When out of achieving consensus and with an campaigning, I encountered one woman There were a variety of opinions and expectation of securing an ongoing who said she ‘just wanted things to be counter-arguments about the best route Lab/Lib centrist majority that would the way they used to be in the 1950s’, a to secure an independence referendum squeeze out the left and the SNP. The hefty dose of nostalgia for a golden era for months before the election. We law of unintended consequences meant that never was (especially for women). saw the emergence of smaller ‘fringe’ that SNP and Green activists became But on inquiring what she meant, sadly independence parties, borne out of full-time politicians/staffers, and she said she wanted to see fewer black impatience and offering a very different although it was a slow start eventually faces on the streets. I do believe that’s vision of how best Scotland’s people public debate on Scotland’s future was a minority view and it didn’t stop over should be offered the option to decide amplified, not stifled by the creation 133,000 people voting for a high profile, their future. These parties attracted of the Scottish Parliament. Nor should former asylum seeker, Roza Salih who people who had felt let down by internal it be forgotten that proportional headed up the SNP list in Glasgow at squabbles within the SNP, and global representation for local government a time when other parties were trying pandemic notwithstanding, were elections in 2007 created even more to gatecrash the SNP’s ‘Both Votes’ anxious that Covid was being used to opportunities for hundreds of local strategy. Nor did it stop the voters of push independence as an option off the campaigners in the Greens and SNP to Glasgow Kelvin electing the first woman table. become semi-professional activists for of colour to Holyrood on constituency Ultimately, though, these smaller independence. vote, Kaukab Stewart. parties such as Alba were never going The fortunes of the SNP fluctuated in to succeed and cut through with the the Scottish Parliament, but in 2011 The key ‘take’ over the Battle of average voter. This election came down it won 53% of seats on 45% of the Kenmure Street, is that it was not a to a straight choice for the people of constituency vote (44% on the list vote), battle in the physical sense, but a battle Scotland. It was a choice between two and in 2016 it won 49% of seats on 47% of ideology, between the UK state which futures. Were they going to put their of the constituency vote (42% on the list believes it can ride roughshod over trust in Westminster and Boris Johnson’s vote). This year, it won 49.6% of seats on human rights, and the people, who man in Scotland, Douglas Ross, or 47.7% constituency vote (40.3% on the sought to defend those human rights. As would they again put their trust in list vote). 12 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 In the last three elections, the SNP has, and directionless? Far from it! It should It’s important to recognise that this therefore, been proportionally over- now be apparent that there will be election saw the highest ever turnout represented in its results. Nonetheless, another referendum within the first half in a Holyrood election. However, the many people described the non-SNP of the new term, possibly as early as Scottish election was not only the list votes as being ‘wasted votes’. Taken summer next year. Local and national highest ever turnout, it was an election along with recent polling showing a ‘Yes’ ‘Yes’ groups will become very busy with with the widest voter franchise of any vote hovering around 50% - and the fact Covid restrictions now easing, and the UK election in history. The simple reality that the pro-independence parties got Scottish Government will have a lot facing our opposition is that a pro- 56% of MSPs – it would appear that we to do in preparing the legislation and independence majority was returned have an even better majority than the re-writing its ‘offer’ to the voters in that with the promise of delivering a second polls or votes would indicate. We are not referendum. Nothing concentrates the referendum. No Westminster politician can, or should, be allowed to stand in under-represented and that, therefore, mind more than being busy on essential the way of that. takes us on to the ‘supermajority’. projects. The overwhelming majority An aim of the new pro-independence of the ‘Yes’ movement’s members did The wishes of civic society need to be parties was to gain a ‘supermajority’ not fall out with each other, simply at the heart of a new prospectus for by winning even more regional MSPs, recognising that there were different independence, proposing more credible standing only on the list. This begs views on priorities and how to achieve and palatable answers to the currency issue, and proposing positive solutions the question: Why? Even the UK’s them. A busy movement should easily to the economic and social quagmire unwritten constitution recognises a put most of that aside, whereas our that the Tories would impose on post- majority vote as a decision. Seeking a unionist opponents have clearly become Brexit Britain. Workers’ rights need to ‘supermajority’ only risked setting the more rattled and divided on how to be restored and enhanced, rather than bar unrealistically high for a mandate. respond. Both the Scottish Government trashed. Pensions must start moving Fortunately, the electorate – and much and the broader ‘Yes’ movement have towards the European norm. Scotland preparatory work to do before framing of the international community – seem must become a place where all who live the ‘offer’ to the electorate. It is clear to understand that a legitimate mandate here feel at home. has, indeed, been achieved, and a few that the ‘offer’ of 2014 must change more list seats were not needed to substantially. The interim suggestions of Chris Stephens is the (SNP) MP for enhance that. the Sustainable Growth Commission - Glasgow South West since the 2015 The question now is: where does on, for example, currency, austerity and general election. He is a member of the this leave the pro-independence debt – have now been overtaken and editorial committee of the Scottish Left movement? Is it hopelessly divided appear to be withering on the vine. Review.

UCS work-in 50th anniversary report Given that the work-in started fifty years ago in June 1971, we are pleased to showcase the work of Derek McKechnie on the back cover – see p31 for information on him. Our sister organisation, the Jimmy Reid Foundation (JRF), has held three successful online meetings on the work-in so far this year. Some 250 attended the three meetings. The meetings are available to watch at: i) UCS: lessons for today - speakers: John Foster, Jimmy Cloughley, Stella Rooney and Morgan Horn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJkbd60mnUU&ab_channel=STUCCovid-19updates ii) Leadership in struggle - speakers: Alan McKinlay, Bill Knox, Mary Alexander and Roz Foyer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hALf4xITgy8&ab_channel=STUCCovid-19updates iii) The struggle for decent work: UCS to BiFab - speakers: Mary Alexander and Bob MacGregor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9yhqqJ3-pc&ab_channel=UniteScotland In conjunction with UNITE Scotland, the JRF will also be publishing a pamphlet later this year called ‘What UCS means to me’. It will comprise a series of contributions from different people on what the work-in means to them. Among them will be the speakers at the above meetings. Professor Gregor Gall, director, JRF

13 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 Elections are important but radical social change comes from the bottom up Surveying the political landscape, Linda Somerville asks: what will it mean for workers and the working-class? ailed by the media as the most its ‘‘People’s Recovery’’ plan. SNP plans workers’ terms and conditions, delivered important election yet for the for £1.5bn investment in its National through union-led collective bargaining. HScottish Parliament, the 6 May Infrastructure Mission looks unlikely to The Scottish Greens are committed to a plebiscite will, indeed, go down in tackle the looming jobs crisis. We need publicly-owned national care service and history. Holding a national election while a transformative plan to tackle climate have shifted their policy to support calls mainland Scotland was still living under change and invest in green jobs. The for care workers to be paid at least £15 significant restrictions was certainly Scottish Greens hope to deliver their per hour. a first. Voters also delivered the most pledge to invest £3bn in warm and While issues of importance to workers diverse range of MSPs in the Parliament’s zero-carbon homes and buildings. But were raised by unions throughout the history - the first and second women of their plans for 75,000 jobs relied on election during hustings and online colour, a group of MSPs with disabilities leveraging £7.5bn in private investment campaigns, Scotland’s mainstream media, including the first permanent wheelchair rather than a publicly-funded programme. pollsters, pundits and twitterati focused user, and an increase in the number of What we need is a street-by street home upon the constitution, often to the women, now totalling 45%. retrofitting programme, funded nationally exclusion of other key issues. Analysis is but directly delivered by local authorities Democracy was also reported to be a not yet complete but we can be confident and a publicly-owned energy company winner with record turnouts. This was that part of the increased turnout was that designs, builds and generates even more remarkable since the outcome driven by voters’ determination to cast renewable energy. - the SNP remaining the largest party and their ballot either for or against parties forming the next Government - was not Young workers face huge challenges in based on their stance on independence. in doubt. There was no mention of those the months ahead as furlough ends. The Parliamentary majority for still not registered to vote nor those who With 13% of young people unemployed, independence cannot be ignored and did not make the rainy journey to vote. many more have no idea if their jobs will we believe that the power to hold a No one seemed interested in why they return as large parts of hospitality and referendum should rest with Holyrood, did not take part or who will represent retail close permanently. The SNP pledge not Westminster, Government. their views. But, as the MSPs start their to provide free bus travel for under 22s As we move beyond the pandemic, we term of office, one question remains is welcome for apprentices and young can guarantee that the ruling class will unanswered: Does this ‘historical’ election workers if public transport is a viable use its representatives in Westminster really make any difference to workers option for them. But the SNP manifesto to embolden rogue employers, attack across Scotland? has nothing to say on public transport workers’ terms and conditions, divide ownership. Our call to support all workers As usual, on paper, all the parties had our communities with their phoney and their families in a ‘People’s Recovery’ something to offer ranging from the culture war and suppress resistance. would ensure our buses were taken back LibDems’ proposal for £5,000 training The introduction of voter identification, into public control with free bus travel bonds to reskill workers and their change the new policing bill, and the higher piloted in our major cities. career to Scottish Labour’s pledge to education freedom of speech law testify ensure no publicly procured contract For those in work there are worrying to this. uses zero-hour contracts. However, trends as employers introduce insidious The next five years will be more most of these manifesto commitments ‘fire-and-rehire’ to push workers into important to workers than this election. may never see the light of the debating signing new contracts on inferior terms We know that radical change is driven chamber. The SNP held the headlines with and conditions or pushed out the door. from the bottom up by collective action of populist promises of free kid bikes and We welcome the SNP’s pledge to back working-class people not political parties, free dental treatment. While welcome, our call for the devolution of employment as evidenced by Glasgow’s community these give-aways will not tackle the issues law to Scotland and review its Fair Work response to the forced removal of their facing workers and their families who criteria to include specific reference to neighbours by immigration officers. As experience increasing job insecurity, rising ‘fire-and-rehire’. But we demand the always, we will not see the transformative living costs and declining public services. practice is stamped-out of the public change needed with bold and ambitious And, all the parties focused on the need sector where colleges have used it. policies that materially improve the lives for economic recovery, setting out varying One area of consensus across the parties of working-class people in Scotland unless investment plans for green jobs. Yet there was the need to focus on care as the we organise to demand it. was a lack of ambition on tax to radically pandemic laid bare the challenges of Linda Somerville is a Deputy General alter the current arrangements as they underfunding, staff shortages, complex Secretary at the Scottish Trades adhered to the longstanding narrative contracting and low pay. The SNP’s pledge Union Congress (STUC). She tweets @ that tax hikes loose votes. to deliver a National Care Service is a test lindasomervill. A summary of the STUC’ The SNP’s green recovery promised a of its commitment to public investment, People’s Recovery’ can be found in the range of low-carbon funding pots but worker representation and Fair Work. Our Nov-Dec 2020 issue of Scottish Left Review their scale fell far short of the £13bn ‘People’s Recovery’ calls for removing the (see https://www.scottishleftreview.scot/ stimulus package the STUC argued for in profit motive and the standardisation of stucs-response-to-the-covid-calamity/) 14 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 Where now for Alba? And, what is to be done? Kenny MacAskill looks back at Alba’s debut campaign and forward to its future ometimes in politics, as in life, for independence, as well as a radical will then see the merits of Alba’s case. the concept can be correct but platform, has only been confirmed by Rhetoric on independence from the Scircumstances and timing are results both sides of the border. SNP Scottish Government will not be wrong. And so, it was to prove for Alba matched by tangible actions, let alone Previously, Nicola Sturgeon had given in the Holyrood election. That an SNP progress. Frustration at SNP on the a veto to Boris Johnson by ceding vote on the list would be wasted and let constitution will also be mirrored on that a Section 30 Order was not only in unionists was proven spectacularly social and economic policy. Attacks on required but the only route. That sterile correct. An even larger SNP vote saw women’s rights will increase through debate will continue as it suits both even fewer list SNP MSPs returned. But the SNP/Green coalition on the Gender SNP and Tory to posture that they’re what was sound in theory didn’t get Recognition Act at least, if not on wider pushing hard for or defending vigorously through to reality. For Alba, it was too policy areas, and the general drift to respectively - even if the reality is that short a campaign with an almost total centrism rather than radical action will media blackout, disgraceful given past it’s a charade where both know it’s not only accelerate. indulgences to UKIP, and with an SNP happening anytime soon. But at least it Electoral results both sides of the border denial of the basic electoral arithmetic. keeps their partisan audience satiated. also open up opportunities for Alba. That latter aspect is all the more ironic Even that charade has now been Labour went backwards in Scotland given Unionist tactical voting to save manifestly rendered dated with this election despite Anas Sarwar’s able constituency seats, thus, denying the the declaration that there’ll be no media performances. Constituency seats SNP an overall majority. independence referendum before a were only won through Tory transfers, So where now for Alba? Well, with coronavirus recovery. Well, how long’s and so radicalism there will have to be 2 MPs, 20 councillors and over 5000 that to be? The pandemic’s easing eschewed. Besides the real problem members it’s not going away. That’s and vaccinations are being rolled out lies in the catastrophe that took place more MPs than Labour and more but the full economic impact is still to south of the border. There’s no cavalry members than the Liberal Democrats be felt. It’s going to get worse still as coming over the hill from UK Labour and - and no one’s calling for their factories and businesses come out of if it cannot win in England, it shows only dissolution. Indeed, the membership furlough or rather don’t - either staying independence can save Scotland. whilst disappointed in the outcome, shut permanently or with a greatly reduced staff. It’s not that a recovery’s So, it’s game on for Alba. Council has equally been energised by it. The elections next year will see Alba justification for many in either leaving starting. It’s that the worst is still to come. Johnson doesn’t require to veto candidates promoting the cause of the SNP or joining Alba at all was simply independence and espousing radical reaffirmed on 6 May. a Section 30 Order. All he has to say is ‘now is not the time’. The First Minister policies. Work on the policy issues of The electoral debate was changed by has now not only given the Prime borders, currency, pensions and almost Alba’s arrival and it’ll continue to play Minister a veto but has allowed him to everything else that SNP have failed to a part in Scottish politics. Indeed, the set the timing. do will be prepared. Alba will also work outcome and some early declarations with others defending jobs and services by the First Minister give further Besides, how can Scotland recover and campaigning for independence as impetus to the Alba’s twin track push without the necessary economic and lockdown restrictions ease and people for independence and the promotion fiscal powers which Holyrood is denied? power can be unleashed. Limited borrowing powers and the of a radical agenda. This election was Kenny MacAskill is the Alba MP for East absence of other fiscal levers, leave too soon for Alba to succeed but the Lothian outcome justifies its birth, and ensures the Scottish Government impotent its necessity. or, at best, beholden to Westminster. The house construction and building Of course, that does mean that the retrofitting so necessary for job creation, administration and bureaucracy of stimulation of the economy and the Alba will require to be formed but addressing of global warming will be that’s well underway. Plans for an limited. Instead, it’ll be Westminster EDITORIAL COMMITTEE inaugural conference are in motion and pet projects that’ll be funded all Bill Bonnar Lilian Macer enthusiasm is increasing. The mundane delivered centrally and plastered with Carole Ewart Carol Mochan parts of democracy that can be dull and the obligatory Union Jack. Prospects for Roz Foyer Gordon Morgan tedious are still vital. But the resource recovery, therefore, will be hindered Gregor Gall Dave Sherry base is there and members can look from the outset and the journey to Editor Stephen Smellie forward to having the opportunity to independence, which alone can change Tommy Kane Chris Stephens set their constitution, elect their office it, further delayed. Pat Kelly Maggie Chapman bearers and debate and decide policy. Convener Bob Thomson For the need that was evident before All that makes Alba’s case and the Bill Ramsay Vice Convener the election for a hard and fast push many who supported SNP this election 15 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 The state of our nation’s health? Not great and not getting better after the election Dave Watson is the secretary of the Socialist Health Association Scotland here are plenty of new faces in the 1999/00 to just 3% in 2019/20. This is more preventative action. The scandal Scottish Parliament, but will they not necessarily bad if the money was of drug deaths in Scotland has given Tmake any difference to the nation’s allocated to preventative spending in greater focus to the issue, with promises health? Even a pandemic that has killed areas that impact Scotland’s persistent of long-term funding. Still, most parties more than 10,000 people in Scotland health inequalities. A point I will return shied away from radical action as it and has driven 25,000 to the mental to. requires the combination of devolved health helpline did not put health at the and reserved powers. Other NHS reforms in the SNP manifesto centre of the debate. That is one of the got less attention. Abolishing dental There was also a near consensus that worst outcomes in Europe, but when charges at the cost of around £75m social care needs to be reformed. There the comparison is with bungling Boris is a welcome reform, ending the last is a now clear majority in Parliament Johnson, the First Minister looks at least remaining routine care charge. However, for creating a National Care Service competent. The ‘mistake’ of discharging dental services will take a long time to with national collective bargaining. vulnerable elderly people into care recover from the pandemic with the The debate will be about the degree homes at considerable cost to life didn’t growing use of private care to access of centralisation involved and funding. dent this perception. care. This should be an opportunity to The SNP funding commitment barely When health did get some attention, expand NHS dentistry services, calling does more than plug the funding gap it was the NHS that was debated. In time on the small business model. This and certainly won’t cover the necessary fairness, it is hard to criticise politicians was in the Scottish Labour manifesto, increase in care workers pay. for this as it always tops the voter’s along with a commitment to integrate Less positive was the minimal attention health concerns. Almost everyone relies GP services into the NHS. given to Scotland’s deteriorating health on this universal service, so everyone inequalities. For SHA Scotland, this cares about it. In many ways, the NHS is should be the biggest health priority. a victim of its own success. Professor Harry Burns attempted to Lots of big numbers have been bandied insert this issue into the election debate about along with commitments (Herald 21 April 2021), highlighting the to ‘support and renew our NHS as £4bn cost to the NHS Scotland in dealing it recovers from COVID-19’ (SNP with illnesses that can be directly linked Manifesto). There is a genuine challenge to poverty and inequality. As he said: for the NHS as it attempts to get back ‘Spending money to support struggling to normal. Over 100,000 patients families will save billions across the life are waiting for a critical diagnostic course. That is what this election should test, including cancer, and planned be about.’ operations have dropped by 35% (Public Sadly, it wasn’t. The SNP manifesto Health Scotland, February 2021). The barely mentions it, not surprising given British Medical Association (BMA) and their record in government, which has others have warned that the actual seen missed key targets on housing, The SNP manifesto also includes a consultant vacancy rate is just over fuel poverty and child poverty. Only commitment to ‘review the number, 15%, with nearly half of senior staff Scottish Labour put increasing healthy structure and regulation of health planning to retire in the next five years. life expectancy as their main health boards … to remove unwarranted For other NHS staff, the exceptional and care ‘national mission’. This duplication of functions and make effort and trauma caused by COVID-19 demonstrates that we have much to do best use of the public purse.’ This was has left them exhausted and will have in persuading the wider public and then a previous manifesto commitment, a long-term impact on their health and politicians that inequality is not just wellbeing. but nothing happened. It is achievable bad for the poor but also impacts our for acute services, but the barrier is The promised 20% increase to NHS economy and society. community services. The creation of funding over five years sounds a National Care Service may be the Overall, the election campaign did impressive, but at £500m a year, it opportunity to remove that barrier. little to indicate that the new, sixth is little more than a catch up from Scottish Parliament is prepared to take the £479m increase in 2016/17. One positive development was the the radical action necessary to tackle As the Institute for Fiscal Studies attention all the political parties gave Scotland’s pressing health issues. A few analysis (April 2021) of the Scottish to mental health services. Increasing tweaks appear to be the limit of our Government’s spending plans shows, spending to 10% of the frontline NHS national ambition. it has not allocated the full Barnett budget would be an important step ‘consequentials’ to the NHS. The forward, along with doubling the Dave Watson is the secretary of the difference in spending between Scotland spending on Child and Adolescent Socialist Health Association Scotland and England has shrunk from 22% in Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and (http://www.shascotland.org/) 16 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 Social care in Scotland: People before profit! Iain Ferguson shows why the case for a publicly-owned and controlled care service is unanswerable n 19 April 2021, BBC Scotland financial crisis. The report also found of residents and their families from the published the Covid-19 deaths that HC One had paid no corporation fear of losing their home and of staff Oby care home in Scotland, based tax since 2011 (it is registered in Jersey of losing their jobs. As the collapse on Crown Office figures. They made and the Cayman Islands) but instead of Southern Cross in 2011 and Four grim and tragic reading. Of the 10,000+ had received net tax credits of £6.5m Seasons in 2019 showed, however, Covid-related deaths, around a third - at since a reorganisation in 2014. Ironically, continuity of care is one more thing that least 3,400 - occurred in care homes. ‘HC’ stand for health and care and its a market-based system of care cannot Deaths in care homes in Scotland were, logo includes the words, ‘The kind care guarantee. As recently as March 2021, in fact, higher than in any other part company’. HC One announced the closure of ten of Britain. As Public Health Scotland homes in Scotland. There is nothing Other major care providers in the top recently acknowledged one factor in Feeley’s proposed Social Covenant contributing to that toll may well have twelve include Advinia Healthcare (195 on social care that would prevent such been the decision – based on a mixture deaths), Four Seasons (165 deaths) closures and the massive distress they of panic and ageism - to discharge and Care UK (75 deaths). Like HC cause. almost 5,000 patients to care homes One, several of these companies have The outgoing SNP administration between 1 March and 31 May 2020, the headquarters in offshore tax havens, accepted Feeley’s proposal for the vast majority of them untested. Given are financially highly unstable and abolition of charges for home care, that 78 of those who were discharged are typically anti-union. Care UK, for saying they would implement this ‘as had tested positive, this seems a distinct example, became notorious in 2014 soon as possible’ This is welcome, possibility. The comment of Richard when it was involved in a bitter and although it will probably take a Horton, editor of medical journal, the protracted strike with 70 employees campaign along the lines of the Lancet, that ‘one of the lasting legacies from Doncaster who had been Bedroom Tax campaign to make this a of Covid-19 will be the silent human transferred from the NHS to Care UK, reality. But we should go much further. destruction it wreaked on the most only to find that their wages were being The SNP Election Manifesto stated: ‘We unprotected older members of society’ slashed by up to 35%. believe social care services, just like should have a particular resonance It is not unreasonable to expect, then, health care services, should be provided in a country which prides itself on that the ‘Independent Inquiry into Social on a truly universal basis, free at the being more caring than its southern Care in Scotland’, set up last November point of use’. Good. neighbour. by Nicola Sturgeon under former NHS But that should apply not just to home But what the Crown Office figures Scotland CEO, Derek Feeley, would have care but to residential care. We should also highlight is the extent to which seen curbing of the power of these end the system where older people in the residential care of older people in sharks and vultures as a priority. The NHS care pay nothing (rightly) while Scotland is dominated by care providers most effective way to do this would those in social care homes often pay whose primary concern in not the care be by bringing them back under public eye-watering fees. That would mean of vulnerable people but rather their control. The profit motive has no place a social care system, funded through profit margins. Thus, in a list of the in the NHS. Why should it dominate a wealth tax, with much greater twelve care providers in whose homes social care? In fact, Feeley’s report democratic control by workers and most deaths occurred, ten are owned by explicitly ruled out that option: service users. A good starting point large private care companies. Leading The evidence suggests that would be a moratorium on any new the pack both in terms of size and also nationalisation would not in and of itself private sector involvement in social the number of deaths is HC One with improve outcomes for people using care. Anything less will mean simply 523 deaths. HC One is the biggest care care … Evidence from the pandemic tinkering at the edges of a system which provider in Britain since the collapse of indicates a correlation between size the Covid-19 crisis has shown is broken Southern Cross in 2011 (which it bought of care home and quality of care, with beyond repair. over). It came under the spotlight when smaller facilities faring better than Iain Ferguson is co-editor of ‘People one of its properties, Home Farm Care larger ones, but no evident link between Before Profit: The Future of Social Care Home in Skye, was taken over by the type of ownership (public, private or in Scotland’ available from https:// Scottish Government last November, third sector) and quality. We therefore www.calton-books.co.uk/books/people- following outrage over ten deaths at think that the evidence does not support the home. Private care home providers before-profit-the-future-of-social-care- nationalisation into public ownership often plead poverty. Yet a Financial in-scotland/ on the basis of improving the quality of Times (10 May 2019) report in 2019 care. found that HC One had paid out more than £48.5m in dividends over the The Crown Office figures quoted above previous two years, despite claiming suggest exactly the opposite. And a that local authority funding cuts have key ingredient of good quality care is brought the sector to the brink of a continuity of care, freedom on the part 17 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 How can SNP and Greens end the housing crisis in Scotland? Regina Serpa argues the SNP promise of ‘a safe, warm, affordable home’ for all is possible with a pro-independence majority kimming the headlines for post- many have been required to socially asset (placing a premium on exchange election autopsies, I find only a isolate, the crucial importance of safe rather than use value), and instead Shandful of political analyses that and secure housing provision has been towards ambitious policies that cement criticise the 2021 Scottish elections as reinforced, alongside its connection with redistribution and equality. ‘boring’ or ‘zombie’-like, which might be other rights, including health, work and Locating a right to housing within surprising given the lack of campaigning education. Much of what ails society has a human rights framework moves due to the ongoing pandemic, or the a common epidemiology – inequality. the debate beyond means-testing continuation of similar themes on Persistent problems of housing and distinctions between so-called from the 2016 elections - for example, supply, quality and affordability offer ‘deserving’ and ‘undeserving’ groups another SNP victory, rising support for considerable challenges for housing (on which many welfare systems are independence, and the further collapse policy, some 20 years following premised), and instead focuses on a of Scottish Labour. Personally, I eagerly devolution in Scotland. Despite universal entitlement to an acceptable awaited the sixth Scottish Parliamentary standard of living. For example, a election more so than the five previous the expansion of rights for the housebuilding programme on the same elections – as a new Scot, this was the homeless, private tenancy reform, and scale as the expansion of social housing first election I was eligible to vote in, after improvements to housing condition seen in Scotland in the 1960s and having become a UK citizen following 10 standards, there is still scope for the 1970s (some 30,000 to 40,000 homes years of residency. I happily performed Scottish Government to have bolder per year), alongside a programme to my new civic duty, scouring political ambitions for housing. Although there buy back housing lost through the manifestos and monitoring the editorial is much to applaud in the Scottish Right-to-Buy, would be consistent with pages of journals and newspapers. Government’s ‘Scotland’s 20 year vision for housing’ (such as promising to such a right to housing framework. To Being a life-long housing activist and deliver 100,000 affordable homes over put these figures in context, the SNP early career housing academic, I was the next decade, advancing tenure- have delivered just over 4,000 homes dismayed to see that only two of the neutral housing quality standards, and for social rent per year, since being in 11 parties featured in BBC’s Scotland instituting a ‘Rented Sector Strategy’ to control of Scottish Government from election manifesto guide – SNP and address increasingly unaffordable rents), 2007. Greens – had mentioned ‘housing’ a third Sturgeon government (if the SNP The human right to housing is not as a top political priority for 2021 2021 manifesto is an indication) is likely merely a right to shelter, but more – particularly disappointing after to steady the course, incrementally, broadly, the right to live in security, over a decade of a ‘housing crisis’ in battling headwinds along the way as a peace and dignity. It is promising that Scotland. Perhaps, if the left had more marginal, minority government. both the SNP and the Greens advocate prominence in BBC political coverage a right to housing in their respective (and not just limited to mainstream Influenced by the radicalism of political manifestos – albeit both limited political parties), housing would have the Greens, a more confident and to the context of homelessness. As likely assumed greater credibility as a progressive SNP could well be on the two pro-independence parties major political issue. course for delivering ‘a safe, warm, affordable home’ for everyone by 2040 holding the majority of seats in Scottish Understandably, the crisis du jour (or by continuing their gradual, business-as- Parliament, the SNP and Greens view perhaps more accurately, de jure) usual approach to policy change – but constitutional change as a vehicle for concerns public health, rather than without institutional change, housing delivering a more ambitious, progressive bricks and mortar. However, I would justice is likely to be partially, rather political agenda – but for now it would suggest that there is more than enough than universally, realised. Alternately, appear that a second referendum is on space on the political agenda to address, advancing a new social agenda based the backburner, as the country limps today, the concerns of a generation on a ‘right to housing’ could bring about towards post-pandemic recovery. We (including, notably, the climate change the radical change necessary to fully should not have to wait for a second emergency and the migration ‘crisis’). It guarantee universal access to high- independence referendum, to introduce is far more ambitious, and productive, to quality, genuinely affordable housing. a right to housing – there is no better view big societal problems as a whole, A right to housing has the potential to time than the present to end the than to construct moral hierarchies to positively impact multiple domains of housing crisis. prioritise one emergency over another. social life and can challenge significant Dr Regina Serpa is a Research Fellow in The emergence of the Covid-19 disparities in material wellbeing and Housing at the University of Stirling. The pandemic has reinforced deep, strengthen the foundations of a socially article is adapted from Serpa, R., Gray, structural inequalities within society just and democratic society. Importantly, N., and Saunders, E. (2022) ‘Towards a – not only with respect to health, but genuinely achieving such a right requires right to housing in Scotland’ in Gall, G. in all manner of social life, including radical political, material and ideological (ed.) ‘The Wealth of a Nation: Ensuring inequalities in access, affordability and change, away from the current neo- Economic and Social Solutions for a quality of housing. At a time when liberal approach that sees housing as an Fairer Scotland’ (Pluto). 18 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 Making work work for all Jane Carolan lays out an alternative approach to that offered by the SNP Scottish Government n the election, employments rights most obvious and where ‘Fair Work’ employers comply. Creating effective were on the Scottish political agenda. limitations are exposed. ‘Fair work’ enforcement machinery has to start ISeveral party manifestos maintained is voluntary, relying on collaboration, at the heart of government with a the policy of Scotland as a country engagement and partnership, operating strong voice at the cabinet table with of ‘Fair Work’ and made promises on through the ‘good’ employer. The Fair an individual responsible for industrial how that Fair Work agenda could be Work Convention provides advice but relations to develop coordinate and maintained or even reinforced. ‘Fair not comprehensive standards and no implement a radical vision. Specifically, Work’ through the previous Scottish effective means by which standards the cabinet secretary for labour would Government’s ‘Fair Work Action Plan’ can be monitored or enforced. The collaborate with unions and employers (FWAP) says it is about ‘focusing on FWAP monitors a range of statistical to establish a register of employers encouraging and supporting employers’ labour market indicators but what it committed to the Charter and a robust to foster diversity, security of pay, cannot demonstrate is that any changes machinery for reporting and monitoring and skills development and having recorded for better or worse are in any compliance by these employers. These an effective voice in the workplace’. way linked to its own work. processes should be mandatory in public However, the pandemic exposed a procurement and licensing decisions, The case for workers’ rights cannot deeper reality in the working life for where legally possible having regard depend on the wishes of employers. many Scots, bringing food bank use and to the extent to which prospective Scotland remains the part of the ‘most private sector evictions centre stage, contractors are registered and after lightly regulated labour market of any and highlighting the predicament of the due diligence found to comply with the leading economy in the world’ as Blair ‘working poor’. Why in 2021 is a wage provisions of the charter, a provision to stated. From Thatcherism onwards, not sufficient to provide for living costs? be extended to all public authorities and legislation has consistently diminished public bodies. One statistic from the recent ‘Fair Work’ workers’ rights and the role of unions. plan starts to answer this. Some 64% of The prerogative for legislative changes In addition, the Scottish Government the workforce in Scotland is in secure remains at Westminster until the must commit to a timetabled rolling employment, meaning 36% are in constitutional settlement changes. programme of sectoral collective insecure conditions, usually classed as However, these legislative constraints bargaining in order to have agreed terms ‘precarious work’. It combines low level should not prevent the Scottish and conditions for all workers concerned of certainty over job continuity, poor Government testing the limits of the across an entire industry. Sectoral control over working hours, a low level possible. collective bargaining does not remove of protection (against unemployment or the need for minimum standards set There is an alternative. Workers’ rights discrimination), and little opportunity down in legislation but builds upon and union rights are fundamental for training and career progression. Such these statutory standards and ensures human rights enshrined in charters workers are classed as casual, agency that minimum rights do not become and treaties in international law or seasonal like those on zero-hour the maximum. Across sectors such as which Britain has chosen to ignore contracts, or ‘gig’ workers. social care, hospitality, construction and but which remain the responsibility early learning, such bargaining, common The emergence of the ‘gig’ economy of governments. Based on that throughout Europe, can raise wages and undermines this regulatory framework international law, ‘The Charter for begin to enhance worker protection. and strips employment of any Workers’ Rights Scotland’ makes the meaningful legal protections as well arguments for an approach based on For more on the work of the Institute as legal obligations such as national the recognition of workers’ rights, of Employment Rights in Scotland, see insurance and pension contributions, encompassing employment status, https://www.ier.org.uk/projects/charter- the minimum wage, paid breaks and working time, the living wage, pay of-workers-rights-for-scotland/ paid holidays. So-called ‘independent equality, measures to ensure gender, Jane Carolan has coordinated the work contractors’ enter into a formal race and disability equalities, health of IER Scotland on which this piece is agreement to provide services to a and safety and wage protection. Such based. See ‘Scottish Charter of Workers company’s client. It is sold on the basis individual rights need to be balanced Rights’ @ https://strathprints.strath. of ‘being your own boss’, making your by the reassertion of collective ac.uk/67615/ own hours and income. In reality the rights - to recruit without anti-union work situation is dominated by apps and discrimination, to organise with access algorithms dictating every move. It was to workplaces and facilities, to have a service agreement excluding drivers rights of union recognition, and to take from the status of being ‘workers’ industrial action. Unions are democratic under UK law that are being slowly but organisations that exist to defend the successfully legally challenged by the rights of members and need to have the likes of couriers and drivers. ability to organise freely. It is at the extremes of working Enumerating rights is not the sole aim conditions that the lack of protection of the Charter for it recognises the need for Scottish workers is seen at its for a coercive element that ensures that 19 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 Can Greens green the SNP on transport? David Spaven assesses the likelihood of the future of decent, environmentally transport getting better ransport is rarely a key factor in of hitting the SNP’s target of a 20% But improving digital connectivity was national elections in the UK. One reduction in road traffic by 2030. flagged up in the SNP manifesto and has to go back to 1964 – when could link to longer-term land use T Strangely, the Green manifesto said the Beeching programme of rail cuts planning to render motorised transport nothing specific about rail electrification. was only just getting underway – to less necessary. And in the short term The SNP was already committed to find a campaign in which transport was there is plenty of scope to create electrifying all the inter-city routes a major source of controversy. And so, ’20-minute neighbourhoods’ through by 2035, but this will mean stop-gap the 2021 Scottish Parliament election traffic reduction and re-allocating street provision of expensive ‘bi-mode’ trains was no exception, despite transport space to make walking and cycling after the diesel ‘High Speed Trains’ now being by far the biggest contributor easier, safer and more enjoyable. become life-expired in 2030. Might the to climate change of all sectors of Greens press for the latter date as a new Perhaps, the most symbolic example of Scotland’s economy. Not only is our car- target for electrification? the ongoing Scottish Government bias centric culture fuelling climate change, towards investment in unsustainable Bus users and pedestrians have long air pollution, and the sedentary lifestyles transport infrastructure is on the Perth- been the ‘Cinderellas’ of transport policy (which contribute to obesity and Inverness corridor. The Highland Main diabetes epidemics) but the increase delivery. Yet, 28% of Scottish households Line (HML) railway is still two-thirds in car use over the post-war period has do not have regular access to a car. In single-track, but public funding is being also been a key driver of inequality. Edinburgh, it’s 41%; and in Glasgow the devoted overwhelmingly to dualling figure is as high as 47% (and nearly a All five main parties flagged up the parallel A9 at a likely ultimate cost third of households, being distant from transport problems and opportunities of £5,000 million. Yet back in 2008 rail or subway, are entirely dependent in their manifestos, but there were the Scottish Government’s ‘Strategic on privatised and deregulated bus inconsistencies and omissions almost Transport Projects Review’ identified services). everywhere. Yes, all were in favour of upgrading the HML as the third-top more provision for ‘active travel’ – the Re-regulation of local bus services on priority among 29 road and rail schemes over-used umbrella term which blurs the continental (and London) model – across Scotland. Funding of up to £450m some important differences between the with franchised operations controlled by was envisaged – but to date the rail needs of walking and cycling – but in less local authorities or their agencies – has investment has been just £59m, and a ‘cuddly’ areas, where hard choices are to be at the heart of rebuilding the bus significant upgrade has been kicked into needed, there was a marked reluctance network post-Covid. But the Greens the long grass (yet again), to post-2025. to make any commitments. Cutting back made no reference to re-regulation in A pessimist would conclude, in the on road-building and introducing demand their Holyrood manifesto, and the SNP – light of long experience, that politicians management (congestion charging etc) past beneficiaries of donations from the generally prefer to skim the surface were virtually no-go areas – except in the Stagecoach boss, Sir Brian Souter – have when it comes to transport. They’re case of the Greens. shown little appetite for upsetting that unwilling to face up to some hard particular apple cart. But might the new parliamentary choices between, on the one hand, arithmetic lead to delivery of some of The framework for delivery of transport consumerism and individual mobility, the radical changes which are needed is crucial to change. Most transport and on the other hand, equity and the to move Scotland towards a fairer, safer is local or regional, but the regional wider public good. But, for an optimist, and more sustainable transport system? councils (with their strategic transport the Greens engineering a substantial The prospects are mixed. and land use planning powers) were switch of A9 funding to the HML would scrapped by the Tories in 1996, and signify that a fundamental change of The Greens can point to their holding the SNP’s period in power has been transport policy direction was taking the balance of power for the SNP characterised by emasculation of shape, at long last. resulting in a number of transport local authorities and centralisation of successes in the last parliament: David Spaven is a sustainable transport decision-making. Could the Greens increased investment in cycling and consultant and railway author. He a win an enhancement of the powers walking, creation of a Local Rail co-author along with Ellie Harrison and and funding of the seven statutory Development Fund, and free bus travel Caitlin Doyle Cottrill of the chapter on Regional Transport Partnerships? These for under-22s. But none of these wins transport and infrastructure in Gall, G. were established in 2005 to strengthen were in ‘difficult’ - and fundamental - (2022) (ed.) ‘The Wealth of a Nation: the planning and delivery of regional Ensuring Economic and Social Solutions areas, like switching investment from transport, but were later drastically for a Fairer Scotland’ (Pluto). unsustainable trunk road building to reined in by the SNP such that they have the long-neglected rail routes north of spent much of their subsequent history the Central Belt. And without demand desperately seeking European Union management – strongly supported by project funds to justify their ongoing the Greens, but studiously avoided existence. by the SNP – there is, as noted by the sustainable transport alliance Transform Too often neglected is the importance of Scotland, ‘absolutely zero chance’ reducing the need for physical transport. 20 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 Chimera of consensus on radical recovery from COVID? Or grounds for optimism? Mike Danson eyes the prospect of cross-party cooperation for a boldly ‘building back better’ s I wrote in Scottish Left Review but the start: strategies and resources entrenched and emboldened (Jan/Feb 2021), there is a for implementation and empowerment Conservative regime in Westminster, if Aremarkable degree of consensus are essential to fulfilling these promises the Internal Market Act 2020 and other across Scotland, its Scottish Government and potentials. Whether in significantly utterances are anything to go by. But Commissions, STUC, Commonweal, reducing the disgraceful levels of child promises of a future convention on Business for Scotland, the Wellbeing poverty, though these are less than federalism, devo-max and some other Alliance, think tanks and visionaries as elsewhere in the UK, or pursuing the chimera, with the Tories continuing to how we should be planning for the fair work and public procurement in power for this decade, means this recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. agenda, for example, the context of the will be an academic argument and I argued there that a better, greener, Conservative and increasingly alt-right a distraction for the priorities and fairer Scotland is envisaged by many and Government in Westminster holding strategies that the electorate in Scotland possible if we collectively don’t waste substantial reserved powers over taxes, has voted for they will be unfulfilled this opportunity. Rather than ‘build back regulations and expenditure areas must and lost to the cost of the people, better’ in conventional terms, we need be recognised. Ameliorating some of the environment and economy. to adopt the genuinely radical set of cuts to the real values of social security However, even if a suite of powers were proposals being offered. benefits and addressing the costs of to be devolved, the unionist parties During the election campaign, a number Brexit have been important elements would not countenance the loss of of organisations across the political of the Scottish budget in recent times ‘federal’ jurisdiction over defence – so spectrum and ‘third sector’ interests but these come at an opportunity cost, Trident would remain, over immigration collated manifesto commitments under constraining investment and inclusion and border control - so the racist and their own respective sets of criteria and initiatives elsewhere. anti-humanitarian philosophy and confirmed a good deal of congruence Limitations on the Scottish Parliament tactics played out on Kenmure Street on across the SNP, Labour and Greens. to embrace its aspirations for a better 13 May 2021 would continue, and the These bodies also identified where there Scotland include the failure of the Smith neo-liberal and imperial underpinnings were gaps, challenges and barriers to Commission to deliver powers over of the City and economic policies fulfilling the progress of policies towards taxing savings and dividends wealth would remain untouchable. These implementation. Alongside these at higher rates which are important constitutional fault lines confirm that analyses, a reading of the manifestos for redistributing from the mega-rich independence debates are about more and the media appearances of the to the people and so to breaking up than the economy, and union and main parties, apart from one, and of large estates for community benefit community activism can be expected to their leaders, apart from one, again has under land reform. Other constraints, come more to the fore in the months shown a high degree of similarity in for example, are the reserving of ahead on these other issues. identifying priorities and offering policy employment law, regulations over Mike Danson is Emeritus Professor solutions. public procurement and renewable of Enterprise Policy at Heriot-Watt Leaving aside the constitutional energy licences to the UK level meaning University and depute-convenor of question, the consensus was evident that key areas underpinning the Just the project board of the Jimmy Reid on land reform, fair work, localism and Transition to a net zero economy Foundation. He was a Commissioner on foundational economies, just transition, require an unsympathetic and hostile the Just Transition Commission. reskilling education and training Conservative Government to cooperate young people, housing and social over fundamental changes to developing care, piloting universal basic income/ a green recovery. These powers are Useful links: minimum income guarantee, reducing crucial to realising the STUC’s ‘The child poverty are common themes. People’s Recovery’ and the plans https://www.gov.scot/publications/ Again, however, that other party was described in the ‘Green Jobs Report’ transition-commission-national- fixated on ‘independence’ and yet and reflect their calls for employment mission-fairer-greener-scotland/ simultaneously building dependence of law to be devolved. As the electorate in https://reidfoundation.scot/2021/04/ families, communities and the nation on England deepens its support for Brexit, new-jrf-paper-liberal-education-in-a- Westminster and its neo-liberal agenda. isolationism and implicitly a further neo-liberal-world-re-culturing-and- Away from the sideshows, therefore, strengthening of the centre/Executive recalibrating/ overwhelmingly the circus seems fairly over the rest of the country/Parliament, settled on what are the priorities for so the Scottish Parliament will have https://www.stuc.org.uk/files/Policy/ building the Scotland we want it to be. to demand the transfer of essential Research-papers/peoples-recovery- powers to delivering agreed, consensus full.pdf As we agreed on the Just Transition strategies. Commission, and as the latest paper https://www.stuc.org.uk/files/Policy/ from the Reid Foundation on education Devolution of such powers is highly STUC_Green_Jobs.pdf has analysed, words and policies are likely to be given by the increasingly 21 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 With ‘fire-and-re-hire’ raging, will BoJos’ Brexiteers get their way in trampling over workers’ rights? Mick Rice considers a new way to skin this Tory tiger on work and employment ith Tory Brexiteers dreaming employed in comparable jobs within to their own employer functions. This of turning Britain into a laissez the European Union’. This clause can be is easily understood when you think Wfaire paradise, the labour referred to as the Comparable European of governments having dual roles. movement needs new strategies to Employment Clause (CEEC). In one fell Governments legislate to impose defend worker rights. Already, uber swoop, all European workers’ rights conditions on others but they also Brexiteers are signaling that they wish (without any opt-outs) are included in make decisions about their own to abolish the EU working time directive every individual worker’s employment affairs, i.e., they have a legislative (notwithstanding that the UK had an contract. role (imposing conditions on others) opt-out). They want to undercut EU and a curatorial role (imposing Contracts of employment are standards and still be able to export conditions on themselves). So, devolved enforceable in the courts and providing to EU countries! Of course, the EU administrations and other public bodies you can show that comparable workers Commission has made clear that such could adopt the following resolution in the EU have better conditions then behaviour could result in the imposition which would not contravene the UK they also apply to you. In practice, of tariffs on British goods. But relying on Internal Markets Act: applications to the courts, as a EU bureaucrats - or even our own Labour consequence of this provision, are likely This [insert name of public body] agrees MPs - to defend worker rights will not to be collective applications submitted that from [insert date] all directly guarantee success. There are other ways by a union. employed staff and all staff employed of skinning this Tory cat and maintaining by bodies that receive funding as a our rights. The British union movement Many decent employers will agree consequence of a budget approval by must show solidarity with our EU sisters to this provision – partly because this [insert name of public body] shall, and brothers to defend labour standards. employers are often interested in a level as a condition of receipt of such funding, Moreover, we need to protect ourselves playing field in case they are undercut have contained within their contract of against British spiv employers. by competitors. Furthermore, there employment the following: ‘Your terms is no immediate cost to the ‘bottom Whilst legislation has played an and conditions of employment shall be line’ as this is a commitment to protect increasing role in industrial relations, no less favourable than those who are conditions which are largely already it is not its essential characteristic. employed in comparable jobs within the applicable. But there could be many Abolishing EU regulations does not European Union’. who would not agree to incorporate automatically mean that individual this clause in their staff contracts of Further, all contractors providing goods contracts of employment will be employment. What can we do to make and services to this [insert name of amended. In the UK, legislation tends them see sense and behave as decent public body] and to any other bodies in to provide minimum standards. employers should? receipt of funding as a consequence of Actual contracts of employment, a budget approval by this [insert name that is, what workers actually get, I suggest making a note of all employers of public body] shall, as a condition are overwhelmingly determined by who do not agree to CEECs. In the of the contract to supply such goods collective bargaining (or its absence). subsequent round of negotiations seek and services, include a commitment This means that unions negotiate an ballot approval for 1 and 2-day per week that its staff shall enjoy conditions of agreement with the employer which strike action. Get all those workers who employment no less favourable than is then applied to all the workers in have secured the CEEC to contribute to comparable workers employed within the bargaining unit. Quite often, such a levy to support workers’ rights. Use the European Community. agreements will be used as benchmarks the fund to provide full wage benefit to and applied to workers who are not workers in targeted firms and call them If the Scottish and Welsh parliaments directly involved. An example would be out on strike. Who doesn’t want to be adopted CEEC resolutions, as well the voluntary sector as most workers in on strike when being paid full wages? as the Northern Ireland Assembly, this sector ‘follow’ the local authority this would leave the Tory ‘English’ The Tory Westminster Government has agreement. parliament exposed. For this strategy realised that devolved administrations to become reality one prerequisite is So, here is an easy way to incorporate might introduce legislation to maintain needed: union leaders that have at all EU worker regulations into UK EU regulations. For this reason, it least a little imagination. After a lifetime contracts of employment. During introduced the UK Internal Markets campaigning in the union movement, I the next round of wage negotiations Act 2020. However, whilst the UK am not holding my breath. get each and every union to demand Government may be able to control that contacts of employment should the legislative purview of devolved Mick Rice was a research officer for the contain the following: ‘Your terms and administrations, it cannot stymie the AUEW engineering union. He is now the conditions of employment shall be no role of devolved administrations and, secretary of the UNITE Retired Members less favourable than those who are indeed, all public bodies, with regard branch in Glasgow. 22 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 Breaching the ministerial codes: Not just a Scottish special concern Jonathan Deans casts an eye down south to survey a climate of political unaccountability or many months, Scottish politics similar claim against Patel was settled judicial review action was raised, which was engrossed with the inquiry back in 2015, to the sum of £25,000. So would have forced the Government to Finto the Scottish Government’s far, Patel’s actions as a bullying leader disclose documents between Jenrick’s handling of sexual harassment and have cost taxpayers £395,000 (plus legal department and Desmond. To avoid misconduct allegations against Salmond. costs on both sides), along with the cost this, Jenrick conceded that he acted The connected Hamilton inquiry also of investigating her behaviour. unlawfully and had shown ‘apparent investigated whether Sturgeon had bias’. In February 2021, the High Court in breached the Scottish Ministerial Code England ruled Hancock breached his legal In June 2020, Labour used an opposition by knowingly misleading Parliament obligation to publish ‘Contract Award day debate to force the Government to as to when she was first aware of the Notices’ within 30 days of contracts for disclose those communications. They allegations. If she did so, then she would PPE being awarded to private companies. showed that Desmond had lobbied be expected to resign. The Hamilton This is a legal requirement detailed in the Jenrick from November 2019, shown inquiry concluded Sturgeon did not Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and, as him a promotional video at a private breach the ministerial code, and that it applies to all public contracts entered fundraising dinner, and then exchanged while Parliament was misled, she did not by the Government, no competent texts and emails discussing how planning do this knowingly or purposively. Secretary would be ignorant of this permission would be obtained. One Members of the current Conservative requirement. of the emails showed that Jenrick had directly pressured members of his own Government, however, have escaped It is important to note that acting staff to figure out the quickest way to calls to resign and media scrutiny over ‘unlawfully’ is not the same as acting overrule the Planning Inspectorate. comparable and arguably worse acts while ‘illegally’. Hancock did not commit At this time, Jenrick had not disclosed holding public office. Priti Patel, Home a crime here, instead he, whether his own conflict of interest to his Secretary, was found by an inquiry to have negligently or maliciously, failed to department. breached the Ministerial Code by bullying comply with regulations. However, staff. Matt Hancock, Health Secretary, Hancock could have fixed this error So, ministers in Johnson’s government acted unlawfully by failing to publish immediately by his department release have breached the Ministerial Code, contracts for PPE during the coronavirus the Contract Award Notices. Instead, acted unlawfully, and acted where they pandemic. Robert Jenrick, Housing as noted by the High Court Judge, he had a clear conflict of interest. These Secretary, unlawfully approved a housing ordered that the legal case be defended ministers have not faced the same development sought by a Tory donor. fully in Court, causing £207,000 of clamour for resignation as Sturgeon has In February 2020, Philip Rutnam, the taxpayer money to be spent on legal fees in Scotland. This may be because the most senior civil servant in the Home for a case which was unwinnable, as the SNP was a minority administration while Office, resigned, accusing Patel of a obligation was clearly detailed in the Tories have an 80 seat Westminster majority and the SNP Scottish ‘vicious’ campaign of bullying against regulations. Furthermore, the Good Law Government was in the run up to facing him. It then transpired she had faced Project, the organisation which won the the electorate in May this year, making bullying complaints from staff in 2015, initial High Court case, has had to raise this the ideal time for political point- when she was Employment Minister; in further court proceedings in March 2021, scoring, while Johnson’s government will 2017, when she was Secretary of State as Hancock’s department has continued likely not be facing an election until 2024. for International Development; and in to act unlawfully by heavily redacting 2020 from multiple staff members in the the contracts that they have released. However, these matters are serious Home Office. The public has a right to this information enough that they should not be seen and Hancock’s department is breaching as mere party-political issues. The A Cabinet Office inquiry concluded in the law to prevent the contents of these opposition should be calling on these November 2020 that Patel had breached contracts being disclosed. ministers to resign and the press should the ministerial code by failing to treat be placing the Government under more civil servants with consideration and Aside from the incredibly questionable scrutiny. It should be remembered respect during her time in all three use of the ‘Towns Fund’, where the Government distributed £3.6bn of the opposition did manage to get departments. However, the PM rejected Leon Brittan to resign in 1986 over the inquiry’s findings and refused to take funding across constituencies which were Tory targets in the 2019 election, the Westland Affair, and Nigel Lawson any action, causing Alex Allan, the Prime Jenrick has also been involved in a more to resign in 1989, despite Thatcher’s Minister’s chief advisor on the Ministerial straightforward breach of ethics in public Government having a majority of 102 Code, to resign in protest. office. In May 2020, he overruled the seats, and the next election being far off In March 2021, the Government paid Planning Inspectorate to approve a £1bn in 1992. Rutnam £370,000 (plus legal costs) from luxury housing development for Richard Jonathan Deans is a newly qualified taxpayers to settle his employment Desmond, a prominent Tory donor. The solicitor and Treasurer of Dennistoun tribunal claim without Patel’s conduct timing of the approval allowed Desmond Community Council. He is a registered being called into question in a public to avoid a council-imposed infrastructure member of Scottish Labour. tribunal. It was also revealed that a tax, which would have cost him £50m. A 23 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 The Jerusalem Declaration on anti-Semitism Chris Sutherland assesses a major advance for having a balanced definition of anti-Semitism o many column inches have been at St Peter’s College, Oxford, there was Nakba. She was forced to flee her written on the 2016 ‘International a concerted campaign to ban him for Jerusalem home along with her family SHolocaust Remembrance Alliance’ alleged ‘holocaust denial’, an outrageous recounted in her autobiography ‘In (IHRA) definition on anti-Semitism with smear against one of the most Search of Fatima’. Today, she reaches 7 of its 11 accompanying examples honourable figures on the anti-racist out to both communities but this did proscribing criticism of the state of left. A similar campaign was recently not stop the CAA branding her an Israel. Across the media, including the directed against Shami Chakrabarti by anti-Semite and attempt to destroy her liberal media (BBC, Guardian), it’s been the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism reputation and career. portrayed as the ‘gold standard’ of (CAA) to ban her from speaking at an There were plenty of warnings about defining and seeking out anti-Semitism International Women’s Day event at the effect the IHRA would have on and anti-Semites, with pressure to sign St Paul’s School in March 2021, again free speech and how the conflation up to the IHRA on governments across quoting the IHRA, describing her report of anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism the world, councils and ministries on anti-Semitism in 2016 as a ‘joke of a would impact on the ability to speak of state, corporations, mass media, report’, when it was anything but and out against Israeli policies towards colleges and universities. It was one of well-praised at the time. Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank the weapons used against Corbyn and Attention has recently shifted back to and the blockaded Gaza strip, as well as the Labour left and against supporters the university campuses (where much discrimination against non-Jews within of Palestinian human rights and of the pro- and anti- Zionist battles Israel itself. As a consequence, there is campaigners for ‘Boycott, Divestment have been fought both in the US and now very little reporting by mainstream and Sanctions’ (BDS). Boris Johnson the UK and increasingly now in the EU) media about the on-going, active settler now confidently states that he wants to with currently on-going attempts to colonialism in the Occupied Territories ban BDS, with similar calls for bans in get Professor David Miller sacked from nor the death of the two-state solution the US and EU, making non-violent civil his position at the University of Bristol. by illegal Israeli settlements and military resistance to Israeli policies illegal. Miller has long been a thorn against occupation. The IHRA was as it was The ‘New Anti-Semitism’, as represented corporate lobbying, including various intended, a weapon to shut people by the IHRA definition, claims a clear studies detailing the intricacies of the up. But now the ground is shifting and causal link between criticism of the Jewish lobby both in the UK and the EU. people are speaking up. state of Israel and anti-Semitism, with He was also one of the co-authors of the In December 2019 one of the original Israel seen as the ancestral home of first critical analysis of the anti-Semitism drafters of the IHRA, Kenneth Stern, world Jews and any attack on Israel campaign being waged against Labour a lecturer on anti-Semitism hate translating to an attack on Jews. It in Bad News for Labour (Pluto, 2019) studies with the American Jewish supplanted ‘classical anti-Semitism’ with and a founding member of ‘Spinwatch’ Committee, has publicly criticised his its traditional definition of ‘hatred of which monitors corporate lobbying. own definition: ‘It was created primarily Jews as Jews’ which avoided conflating In the 2010 general election, David so that European data collectors could anti-Semitic racism with Zionism. Under Cameron, described lobbying as the next know what to include and exclude. ‘Classical anti-Semitism’, Zionism is great scandal to be exposed following That was anti-Semitism could be used in its correct context, namely as a the expenses scandal. Miller would monitored better over time and across political and social movement towards a therefore be a prized scalp for the British borders. It was never intended to be a Jewish state for a Jewish people. This is establishment. A vigorous campaign has campus hate speech code … this order now enshrined in the 2018 ‘Nation State been launched to defend not just him as [by Donald Trump] is an attack on Law’ in which only Jews have rights over an individual but in defence of academic academic freedom and free speech.’ A self-determination and statehood in freedom as a whole. year later 122 Palestinian academics Israel. In April 2020, Palestinian academic, from across the world published letter Since then, there has been a procession Dr Ghada Karmi, lecturing at Exeter in the Guardian (29 November 2020) of high-profile cases in which the IHRA University on ‘conflict and peace- insisting on their rights to free speech Jewish has been invoked to attack prominent making’ was attacked by the and the right to frame the settler Chronicle and CAA for an article in Palestinian activists, Corbyn being colonial analysis based on their own real ‘Middle East Eye’ in which she stated the chief target (and most prominent experiences, historical evidence and that ‘terminating Zionism [was] the victim), with countless suspensions national identity subject to the normal only way to permanent peace’. This is and expulsions on the Labour left (like peer-group scrutiny. a view shared by most adherents of Ken Livingstone, Chris Williamson, the ‘one-state solution’: based on the In January 2021, the Israeli human rights Marc Wadsworth and John Davies) idea of a secular Palestine from the sea monitor, B’tselem, dropped a bombshell and including prominent Jewish anti- to the river Jordan in which Jews and by publishing its report, A Regime of racist campaigners like Jackie Walker, Palestinians co-exist as citizens with Jewish Supremacy, in which it described Tony Greenstein, Moshe Machover and equal rights. The CAA unsuccessfully the illegal occupation of the West Bank, Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi. attempted to whip up a campaign to the Gaza Blockade and discrimination When veteran film-maker Ken Loach have her sacked. Karmi was a child against Arabs as a form of ‘apartheid’ was invited to address his alma mater victim and eyewitness to the 1948 covering the entire geographic area of 24 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 Palestine: ‘two separate regimes operate international definition designed to speech does not have to be measured, side by side, separated by the Green replace the IHRA which moves back proportional, tempered, or reasonable Line’. towards a more classical definition to be protected … Criticism that some of anti-Semitism, but which places may see as excessive or contentious, or The Guardian, one of the early it firmly within the context of post- as reflecting a ‘double standard’ is not, proponents of the IHRA, suddenly got IHRA experiences of suppression of in and of itself, anti-Semitic.’ the jitters. In an editorial of 17 January free speech and producing the kind of 2021, it grudgingly conceding that ‘Israel The ink on the Jerusalem Declaration witch-hunt where committed anti-racists has a problem of historic discrimination’ on anti-Semitism (JDA) is barely dry suddenly became the racists, where begging ‘B’tselem’s heretical question: and it remains to be seen whether it innocent people became subject to what if there is only, in reality, one gets the same kind of ‘gold standard’ denunciation without evidence and even regime between the River Jordan and treatment the IHRA received from the act of denial seen as proof of guilt. the Mediterranean Sea, rather than one the bulk of the British political and Here at last is a workable definition: political power that controls a territory media establishment. It still has its ‘Anti-Semitism is discrimination, in which there are two distinct regimes?’ critics. Palestinians boldly state that prejudice, hostility or violence against they don’t need permission to assert All of a sudden one of the examples Jews as Jews (or Jewish institutions as their national and political rights, but in the IHRA making it anti-Semitic to Jewish).’ It comes in three parts: already the parameters under JDA have describe Israel as a ‘racist endeavour’ Part A: General categories 1-5: suddenly widened, and so discussion was shattered by its own human cover character traits and negative and debate has been liberated (to a rights monitor. The report covered generalisations but importantly states degree). Suddenly people are free to immigration and citizenship, population that ‘what is true of racism in general is speak without fear of a witch-hunt control, civil and military law, expulsions, true of anti-Semitism in particular’ – in and that there is freedom to disagree. administrative detentions, pseudo-civil other words that racism has universal There is context within international administration, denial of freedom of qualities and does not involve a law guaranteeing freedom of expression movement, house demolitions and land hierarchy of racism. The five guidelines (including Zionist views) – Rowan confiscations, permits and check-points, cover tropes, conspiracy theories, anti- Atkinson, in his famous ‘feel free to political and civil exclusion, deliberate Semitic acts, holocaust denial, direct and insult me’ speech of August 2018 policies of under-development in indirect anti-Semitism, anti-Semitism in asserting his right ‘to be offended’. Palestinian areas, land and water words, visual images and deeds, coded The JDA to me represents an historic apartheid, building restrictions, the statements, concepts of evil, meanness. opportunity to roll back the IHRA and construction of Jewish only roads, the start the debate afresh. So, let’s get continued expansion and building of Part B: Israel and Palestine 6-10 – talking. illegal settlements, separation walls examples that, on the face of it, are Chris Sutherland is a lifelong socialist, across the West Bank, and settler anti-Semitic. living in St. Andrews, a member of the violence. These all move towards the Part C: Israel and Palestine 11-15 – Palestinian Solidarity Campaign but not constriction and control of Palestinian examples that, on the face of it, are not of any political party. living space into smaller and smaller anti-Semitic. areas. Part C is a major departure from the Israeli hegemony took another blow IHRA in that it allows for support for when the International Criminal Court Palestinian demands for justice and the (ICC) announced that it had jurisdiction full granting of political, national, and to investigate Israeli war crimes in Gaza civil human rights as encapsulated in Cover: Nadia Lucchesi and the occupied territories from June international law; it allows for criticizing 2014, specifically to look at atrocities or opposing Zionism or arguing for ([email protected]) against civilians in the invasion of Gaza full equality whether in two-states, a Proofing services: in 2014, the shooting of unarmed bi-national state, unitary democratic John Wood and John Daly Palestinians in the Great March of state, federal, or in whatever form; it Return in 2018-19 and the illegal also allows for evidence-based criticism Editor Email: Gregor Gall settlements in the West Bank. of Israel that ‘even if contentious, it [email protected] In February 2021, 62 UK academics is not anti-Semitic, in and of itself, to signed a letter condemning the compare Israel with other historical Web: www.scottishleftreview.scot attempt by Education Secretary, Gavin cases, including settler-colonialism or Tel: 0141 424 0042 Williamson, to force universities into apartheid’. In another major departure adopting the IHRA or face losing from the IHRA, it recognises the role of Address: Scottish Left Review, funding and blamed the IHRA for non-violent forms of political protest 14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow having ‘a chilling effect on academic including BDS and other forms of non- violent civil opposition. G2 6RX freedom’. Then on 25 March 2021, a direct challenge to the IHRA monolith Finally, and crucially, it enshrines the Printed by was made with the announcement principle of free speech as protected by Hampden Advertising Ltd, of the ‘Jerusalem Declaration on Article 19 of the Universal Declaration Anti-Semitism’ (JDA) – signed by 200 of Human Rights, and Article 10 of 403 Hillington Road, G52 4BL, global academics, Jewish as well as the European Convention on Human Tel: 0141 429 1010 Palestinians. This is a brand, new Rights which assert that ‘Political 25 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 Poetry page – plenty to please The 80s Showing a way The yards were saved: the bold idea, David McKinstry David Betteridge in act, had proved its worth. But now, four decades on, what’s left? The Keegan perm gave way to the mullet ‘We are witnessing an eruption not of lava In place of gain, a creeping dearth. And CD replaced LP, but of labour … the labour of working men Not only ships have sunk, or gone for scrap, Whilst Essex boys whistled and women ...’ but yards as well, and jobs, and skills, ‘Maggie’s the girl for me’. Jimmy Reid, Glasgow Green, 18 August 1971 and with them, hope. Along the river, as throughout the land, and world, Once upon a time – here, Unemployment was rising we feel a cutting wind that kills. in the real world, for this is not a fairy tale – Whilst the Belgrano was sinking, Economic winter has us in its grip. a bold idea changed If to That. We were told to consume Imagine, acted on by many, Without conscience or thinking. For Capital, the battle that it lost in ‘71 took on the force of hard material fact. was clarion-call and school; This happened forty years ago; The nation watched it learned far more than we. the place, the shipyards of the Upper Clyde. Royal wedding at St. Pauls’, The wonder is, given the world’s wounds It learned to hone its tools of shock, Whilst we prayed in our new since, displace, lay off, and rule. Cathedrals of shopping malls. the bold idea has not yet died. Ganging up and doing down, it made too many of us settle, first for slices We were told to ‘Tell Sid’ All rivers have their storied past, of the loaf we made, then beggars’ crusts, To buy his gas shares, in part the same, in part unique. then bugger all. Ruthlessly, But something was smelling More than a few have known the pride it grabbed again its habitual crown. More than the industry of ships well made and safely launched; They were selling. and also known, when fortunes ebb, For us, a tragedy ensued, a shadow-side. But here, at UCS, its playing-out still under way: We rocked at Live Aid a Labour victory was ours; comrades at loggerheads and each others’ Whilst gravestones told us, and Capital, out-classed, endured reversal, throats; ‘Don’t die of Ignorance’ and a loosening of its powers. lost sense of purpose and of common cause, Of our own Aids. confusion and the side-track having won the The reason is not hard to seek: day; The eighties, a decade big on any scale, a volcano, not of lava unions and parties pulled apart, offering Of decadence and dole, but of Labour, burst in flame. The action least, Hoodwinked by market forces that eight thousand shipyard workers took not best resistance in a losing war. As we sold our national soul. filled the bright skies of politics. Briefly, social order’s deep assumptions shook. What should – what could – we have That is the core of Clyde’s especial claim. attempted otherwise, or more? Lame duck, said Capital, dismissive and devaluing of the yards. Can we combine to build afresh that bold Levellers idea James Aitchison Never mind the lives invested there, the teeming skills, the order book! that found expression and a home at UCS? My parents were levellers: they’d been Never mind the hinterland they served, Can we re-launch it on the carrying stream levelled down that equally in turn served them! of people’s wants and dearest dreams? To a two-room shell in the poorest part of Can we extend it to the point it captures town. Dead duck was what it wished to see, greater powers, and thus rebuts, Slums segregate the proletarian mass little knowing that our bird would fly, with allies everywhere, From decent people of a better class. and soar, deriving strength from thousands, the might that Capital will bring to bear? then from tens of thousands more. The world shifts restlessly; a rising flood My literate father worked twelve hours a day Unite and fight! In tandem, and in full, To earn the least the ironmasters would pay. of tremors agitates beneath; fresh rifts heeding the maxim’s dual elements, in what we thought was solid mass appear. And while my father worked all day to earn not from the dole outwith the shipyards’ Five pounds a week, I began to learn Deep energy demands release. gates, Eruptions can’t be far: the forecast’s clear. The dignity of the levellers’ creed: but working from within: there Freedom from the slum mentality and from lay the workers’ stratagem, Present struggle cries to know greed that helped us win. the complex story of its past. Take it! And the self-righteousness of overlords. Save it from erasure, or revision’s grasp! My father read and taught me respect for The shipyards’ mail bag, What happened here in ’71 words. like a farmer’s sack of seed, spilled out can be no Terra nullius of the mind, open its daily bulge of contents: news received for errors to invade. It’s where, I loathe the money-laundering gangsters who of rallies, demonstrations, strikes; ablaze and wise, we entered history, stole the banks. well-wishers’ words, and sometimes flowers; and showed a way whereby a future The slums are far away. and cash, from corner shops, from churches, might be made. I still give thanks children, unions, and the whole wide To my dead parents for that. listening world, David Betteridge is the editor of a I’m old and ill and it’s late sums both large and widows’ generous mites compilation of poems, songs, prose memoirs, My levelling disposition’s a steady state – sent in comradeship, to keep photographs and cartoons celebrating the And now so innate the struggle’s fire alight. 1971-2 UCS work-in called ‘A Rose Loupt Oot’ I don’t even have to try. (Smokestack Books, 2011). When I stop levelling is the day I die.

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Steve McQueen, director, empowered the Conservatives towards victory in 1970. Small Axe: Mangrove (2020) Reviewed by Jackie Bergson Outstanding performances by the film’s actors include that of Sam Spruell, who rtistry and realism synergise plays Frank Pulley, a police officer who perfectly within screenwriter instigated and enacted relentless raids Aand director, Steve McQueen’s, and violence against Crichlow and his body of work, much of which includes friends, amongst whom were activist historical drama films which have been and broadcaster, Darcus Howe, (Malachi inspired by real people and events. Kirby) and the female leader of the This is also true of his recently released British Black Panthers, Altheia Jones- Small Axe anthology of five films; each LeCointe (Letitia Wright). In a recent consequently included. MacDonald of which focuses upon a different story interview, Spruell shared the point that would later state in a legal journal: ‘The about black British people and their following the trial of the Mangrove Nine, Mangrove Nine trial was a watershed communities; all of which reflect cultural a popular newspaper at the time carried because we learnt through experience and political realities between the late the headline that Pulley was ‘the worst how to confront the power of the court, 1960s and the mid-1980s. police constable in Britain’. Pulley and because the defendants refused to play The first in the series is Mangrove which his colleagues’ actions in the film reflect the role of ‘victim’. the fact that they were driven by their depicts events surrounding the infamous McQueen stated in a recent interview own racist assumptions, in seeking to trial of the Mangrove Nine at London’s that he wanted to make the Small Axe criminalise their targets. Spruell leads Old Bailey in 1970. Popular press at anthology of films as a means of both these action scenes with unsympathetic the time created the designation ‘The preserving and throwing light upon realism and with no holds barred, Mangrove Nine’ to classify nine black important social and political events largely thanks to McQueen’s directing British men and women who were which took place within his parents’ style. We, thus, understand that Pulley arrested and tried under charges of communities. His voice clearly speaks for and his colleagues reveled in their own inciting a riot at a protest against generations of his ancestors who were prejudices, racism and brutality, both police. One of the nine, Frank Crichlow oppressed, brutalised and effectively within the film and in historical reality. (Shaun Parkes) owned The Mangrove silenced. Yet, his films transcend politics restaurant, a ‘hip place to be’ according Through tracking unfolding events through taking us through the feelings, to McQueen. It was a place to which which saw criminal charges which the joyousness, the tragedy, the pain local activists and intellectuals along were eventually brought against the and the humane resilience of those with internationally famous musicians Mangrove Nine by Pulley and his real lives he has chosen to depict. and artists gravitated having opened in colleagues, anger on both sides is Juxtaposing lively, life-affirming images 1968 within an increasingly culturally exposed. Thus, truthful reflections and with moments which either shock diverse part of London’s Notting Hill. portrayals take precedence over bias or appear suspended in time, every McQueen has emphasised in interviews in this as much as in any of McQueen’s second of his films is truly captivating. Described by some of his cast and crew that the Caribbean restaurant remarkable films. Emphasis, however, as being ‘a magician with a camera’, the represented a sense of belonging and a is again upon throwing clear light depth of cultural learning experienced stake in British culture to Crichlow, his upon institutionalised racism which through McQueen’s films is genuinely family, his friends and his customers. was successfully challenged, if not extraordinary, both inside and outside of The film director also reminds us that adequately punished. his filmmaking process. His creations are Mangrove relates to a particular era Renowned Scottish QC Ian MacDonald an honour and a treasure to behold. within which Enoch Powell publicly (Jack Lowden) provided legal counsel delivered what became known as his and representation for a number of Jackie Bergson has worked in the ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech, in 1968. Ted the Nine who were not representing voluntary sector and commercial Heath consequently sacked Powell themselves at the trial. He fought for business development in technology and for making inflammatory remarks changes to the decision to deploy an all- creative sectors. Educated in and living which amplified racial hatred but not white jury against the black defendants in Glasgow, her political and social views before white supremacist sympathisers and won: two black British jurors were chime left-of-centre. 27 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 Edith Hall and Henry Stead, opportunities for boys in Aberdeen and Sean Sheehan writes for The Irish Times, the north-east; the publishing ventures LensCulture and The Eye of Photography. A People’s History of of George Millar in Dundee and the Classics: Class and Greco- Peebles-born Chambers brothers; the use Thomas Carlyle made of classical Trevor Royle, Roman Antiquity in Britain myth in his denunciation of capitalism; Facing the Bear: Scotland and Ireland and the novel Spartacus by Lewis Grassic 1689-1939, Routledge, 2020, pp670, Gibbon. and the Cold War, Birlinn, 2019, £25, pp368, 9781780275260 £29.99 (pb), 9780367432362. Part III, ‘Underdogs, underclasses, Reviewed by Hamish Kirk Reviewed by Sean Sheehan underworlds’, brings to light extraordinary working-class individuals (‘ragged-trousered philologists’) whose love of classical learning never earned them recognition and for whom adversity became their environment. They include Andrew Donaldson, born in the Fife village of Auchtertool, whose poverty and eccentricities prevented him making a success of his accomplishments as a classicist. Fluent in ancient Greek, William Wilkie, the ‘Scottish Homer’, composed a nine-book epic about Thebes while ploughing his fields to plant potatoes. Glaswegian James Moor was able to achieve academic success, becoming a Professor of Greek at Glasgow University, but his grew up in Scotland in the 1950s and proletarian habits alienated colleagues: 1960s not far from the Rosyth naval base. Awareness of the danger of n Britain, collusion between Classics living with his working-class wife in a I nuclear war between the superpowers and class is portrayed in terms of poor quarter of the city and frequenting led me to CND and some token activism. a privileged few brandishing their taverns, he died insolvent. I I recollect when in 1962, I acquired a pot acquaintance with Greek and Latin as Equally absorbing material in this of emulsion and a brush. In the middle an emblem of their place at the top of part of the book unearths more that of the night, I sneaked out and painted a hierarchical society. Hall and Stead, will be new to most readers, looking ‘No Polaris’ in huge letters on the well aware of this and its material basis at how Greek was used in various pavement of Kirkcaldy High School. That in family affluence and private schools, recherché contexts, from sex manuals to was my contribution to the struggle. tread a path-breaking course by opening shopkeeping. A chapter traces the ways 50 years later I witnessed an SNP up a new approach: the unplumbed role performers of the human body, the likes government committed to the removal of classics in working-class culture. of strongmen, strongwomen, dancers, of nuclear weapons from Scotland. actresses, contortionists – invariably The first of their book’s four parts Correspondence in the Herald and other working-class – referenced the classical covers the emergence of Classics as Scottish papers recently has brought world to authorise and widen their a discipline and the challenges to its that policy into question. The SNP has appeal. elitist status from readers, poets and already endorsed NATO but is now being visual media. Part II looks at the ways The book’s final part brings to the fore urged to accept Faslane as a base for communities mounted their challenges the importance of classical material in submarines with nuclear weapons. A to ruling-class hegemony over the the experience of work for the labouring proponent of this is Trevor Royle. classics. The chapter on Scotland points classes. Wanlockhead in Dumfries and He is very knowledgeable about the to the country’s egalitarian tradition Galloway is given due recognition for its history of the development of the which saw a huge number of unofficial Miners’ Library founded in 1756 and the Cold War. For me, this was part of ‘adventure schools’, not unlike the village school where children had access the fascination of the book. Equally Irish hedge schools, develop in the to a classical education. Other chapters fascinating were the anecdotes. I had seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. cover trade union banner art and the never heard of the marine, Andrew It was in one of these, in Alloway, that work of communist theatre practitioners Conron, of Bathgate. After being Robert Burns studied Latin, nurturing his in the 1930s. taken prisoner, he decided to stay in future renown as a cultured Scot able to A People’s History of Classics is a The People’s Republic of China and contest the destiny that his status as a trailblazer, opening up to view a fertile contribute to the construction of labourer made seem inevitable. landscape that has for long been socialism. He learned Chinese, and The Scotland chapter examines four obscured by clouds of class partiality. worked as a translator. Other anecdotes particular aspects of the way ancient Each of its twenty-five and fully include a mention that the much- Greece and Rome were experienced referenced chapters acts as a signpost vaunted V-bombers had no provision for by the Scottish working class: the to byways that are full of surprises and the crew to bail out and did not have bursaries that provided educational lessons to be learnt. sufficient fuel to return to Britain after 28 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 delivering their deadly cargo. a 1943 essay written by Eric Bentley (an and Russia, for example, provides essay which asks the question ‘Is Hitler considerably more detail on the stagings Nor had I heard of ‘The Laird’s Lug’ in always right about Wagner?’), the music of Wagner in the early Soviet Union Edinburgh Castle. This is a medieval critic for The New Yorker, Ross provides where the most frequently performed of listening device built into the Great two examples from the 1882 Bayreuth Wagner’s operas was Rienzi. Nowadays, Hall. It enabled a listener above the Festival production to illustrate the most productions of Rienzi adopt a hall to listen on to conversations. When fundamental condition of Wagnerism. derogatory, critical perspective on the Gorbachev was invited to speak there, Firstly; whilst Wagner never intended eponymous hero, portraying him, at his minders became aware of this and to ban applause from Parsifal, he did best, as a populist demagogue or, at asked for it to be bricked up. I was not request that there be no curtain calls worst, a proto-fascist. Such productions aware of the role of my alma mater, after Act II so as not to ‘impinge on provide an affirmative to Bentley’s Edinburgh University, in providing the impression’. When though, at the famous question and, Ross argues, platforms for discussion on Strategic end of the performance, the audience grants Hitlerite thinking with a belated Studies between East and West. simply stood up and left, Wagner was cultural victory. Royle is clearly an insider. It seems left plaintively asking whether they Since Wagnerism is not a book about evident that he played some role in the liked it or not: Wagner’s word could what Wagner thought, but what others intelligence and defence apparatus. unintentionally become law. Secondly, thought and made of him and his works, I still have my unilateralist opinions, when at that same performance the it matters not, writes Ross, what Wagner reinforced by the possibility of Scotland ever enthusiastic Wagner called out thought about Jews or people of colour leaving Britain. That possibility still poses ‘Bravo!’, his intervention was roundly - what matters, in this context, is what the question, ‘What is to be done with hissed by the audience. Even Wagner they thought of him. Amongst those Faslane?’ could not be allowed to spoil the who make a simplistic conflation of race Wagnerians’ worship of Wagner. In I am prepared to continue a dialogue on and culture, W.E.B. Du Bois’ Wagnerism these two moments, Ross asserts, that question although for me ridding us is rarely discussed. Ross resurrects Du Wagnerism took leave of its Master. of these nuclear weapons is still on the Bois’ lifelong personal and political agenda. So too is an end to the wars Following an initial case study of the engagement with Wagner and it will in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya and ambivalent relationship between surprise many that The Souls of Black Yemen. Foreign affairs and defence do Wagner and a young acolyte that Folk, published in 1903 and described not get much exposure in the political Ross labels ‘the first Wagnerian’, the as the definitive text of the African sphere - in Scotland or in the wider UK. philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, the American literary tradition, should Can we take steps to put them up there central chapters broaden out to national culminate in a remarkable reworking of for discussion again? As part of that, I and cultural case studies. This includes Wagner’s opera Lohengrin. For Russell have invited Trevor to come and talk to chapters on Wagner’s influence on A. Berman, Ross writes, both Du Bois’ us in Rothesay on these matters. decadence, esotericism, Zionism, gay story and Wagner’s opera are tales of rights, modernism, feminism, the list incommensurability, but ‘when the Hamish Kirk is a retired teacher, linguist white woman in the New York opera and translator living on the Isle of Bute. goes on and on, until it gets to the most successful, and the most persistent of house recoils from the touch of a black the appropriations: that by far-right man sitting beside her, it is the music German nationalists in the 1920s. of Lohengrin that holds out to him an Alex Ross, alternative model of human relations; Wagnerism: Art and Politics Scottish Wagnerism is sadly absent, one in which she would not question and Ross has surely missed the in the Shadow of Music, 4th his rank or race’. Thirty-three years opportunity to reflect on the tragic later, when Du Bois shunned the 1936 Estate, fate of Glasgow School of Art. Amateur Berlin Olympics to attend the Bayreuth 2020, £30, pp769, 9780007319053 stagings of Wagner operas were Festival, he reported that he suffered no performed there in the 1890s. Later Reviewed by Graeme Arnott Mackintosh and Macdonald would eaders will be more than familiar use leitmotif techniques to achieve with the whole panoply of profound aesthetic and psychological Rpolitical ‘-isms’ that range from consequences. More recently, Alexander those of collective struggle to those Stoddart has acknowledged that his named after specific individuals. The modernism is solidly built on Wagnerian same is rarely true for artists, or more foundations. Perhaps then, it was just specifically, musicians. So, whilst we a tragic irony that led to Mackintosh’s have Leninism there is no such thing gesamtkunstwerk on Garnethill being as Lennon-ism; Stalinism but not consumed by flames like Walhall at the Shostakovich-ism, Trotskyism but not close of Götterdämmerung. That, or Tchaikovsky-ism; such ‘-isms’ simply criminal negligence. One of the two. do not exist. And whilst each of these Ross is wise and gracious enough to artists remain influential, admired and acknowledge that much of the national even inspirational, none of them sired European studies that he recounts an -ism: Wagner, however, did. have been written, in finer detail, Borrowing the term ‘ambivalence’ from elsewhere. Rosamund Bartlett’s Wagner 29 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 race prejudice and that in the hotels and Does he mean it is fatalistically too late to Covid and the Brexit Referendum. restaurants of the town, he was treated to stop Johnsonian English nationalism To get his way over Europe Johnson with nothing but respect. That Du Bois or that this book is designed to reveal immediately removed the whip from felt less open hostility in Nazi Germany that nationalism is as much a parody 29 MPs, thus depriving the Tory party than Roosevelt’s America is rightly of genuine English tradition as Johnson of any remaining wisdom and integrity. judged by Ross to be a devastating is of Churchill and so thwart it? The Gavin Esler correctly believes that verdict on liberal, egalitarian American following witty passage clarifies this the appearance of right-wing English race relations. problem to some extent: ‘I should nationalism heralded the death of the also thank British governments over UK. If the Irish descended Catholic The most frequently used word in the past few years, in particular, that Biden had not won, we might well have the many reviews of Ross’ book is become an annex of Trumpian America. ‘masterpiece’. It’s mentioned four of Boris Johnson. They have inspired times on the dust jacket alone. As me to think how it came to pass that Dr Andrew Noble is a Leverhulme Ross documents in this consuming, such a creative, competent and diverse Emeritus Fellow enthralling read, poets, politicians, group of people inhabiting these islands writers and tyrants have all appropriated has ended up with a generation of for their own particular purposes. leaders of astonishing complacency and incompetence’. The Red Paper Everyone, it seems, wants a piece of Reviewed by Vince Mills the Master. Ross’ book is a treasure Esler is not alone in reviling post-Brexit In the latest issue of the Red Paper, it is house of gossipy anecdotes of the half- Johnson. He is able to ruthlessly expose argued that the Scottish Parliament has mad, the nearly always eccentric, the Johnson’s perverted historical rhetoric fallen far short of the kind of parliament decadent, the dreamers, the obsessive, and ideas (in so far as the PM is capable we need in these days of footloose, the desperate and the just plain lonely. of consistent thought). The use or rather vampire capitalism. The current, dire It is consequently sad, poignant and, abuse of Edmund Burke is particularly state of the Scottish economy and the in places, immense fun. At over seven absurd in that it stresses English organic need for a radical strategy to address hundred pages Wagnerism will, of evolution while everyone else evolves it are covered by Professors Byrne course, appeal primarily to the already from fabricated ideologies. There is and Foster. Mike Cowley contests initiated - but loved and loathed there a post-Trumpian echo in Johnson’s the strategies for change that radical is not a path into the twentieth century ‘England First’. This logically entails the independence movement are putting that bypasses Wagner. break-up of the UK. Johnson’s totally forward, while arguing that the left counter-productive foray in Scotland Graeme Arnott is a member of the across the political spectrum must find a does not mean a change of heart. It Wagner Society of Scotland way to work together to build a socialist means that he knows that by decree response to the current crisis. Alongside the PM who loses Scotland has to resign Neil Findlay’s article (see SLR Mar/Apr Gavin Esler, How Britain Ends: immediately. 2021), Tommy Kane also argues that if English Nationalism and Esler balances his intelligent negativism we are to resist the poverty and misery towards Johnson and company with his contemporary capitalism is inflicting the Rebirth of Four Nations, profound positivism towards the UK. on Scottish communities, we need Head of Zeus, 2021, £9.99, He seems always to have had a deep appropriate powers at the appropriate 9781800241053 need to know each part of the UK. As level and this requires a more powerful Reviewed by Andrew Noble a student he went from Scotland to parliament. Together, Findlay and Kane two English universities to study Irish both argue we can win consent for Born in a Clydebank council house, Esler literature. With the BBC, he has had such a powerful parliament by having is the descendant of Protestant refugees the benefit of working in every British a third option on the ballot paper of from Germany during the Thirty Years capital. This makes his profound distaste any future referendum on Scotland’s War of 1618-1648. Further, in 1912 six for the English ruling class ever sharper. constitution. Professor James Mitchell of his Ulster relatives living in Belfast It has given us austerity, marketisation shows, in compelling detail, how that signed the Ulster Covenant in the of the NHS that devastated it prior democratic exercise can be undertaken hope of remaining British rather than fairly. Sean Griffin and Beth Winters becoming Irish. In a sense, this book argue that instead of an increase in carries on the family tradition of political powers to devolved nations, precisely resistance. He is, however, the reverse of the opposite is happening and that in a dogmatic conservative. When he was order to give capitalism more scope the main presenter on BBC’s Newsnight, for increasing profits across Britain, he was creatively flexible and ethically the existing powers of the devolved firm. He is an extremely erudite radical parliaments are being attacked, mainly with no rigid ideology. As a writer with but not exclusively, through the Internal How Britain Ends, he has produced a Market Act 2020. This issue is available book completely relevant to Britain’s at https://www.scottishlabourleft. dire political conditions. In the midst of co.uk/articles--reports/red-paper-on- a combination of economic and medical scotland-january-2021 health chaos, he says ‘I want to explain why the UK cannot survive English Vince Mills is a Labour left activist in nationalism.’ Glasgow 30 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 VLADIMIR McTAVISH’S Kick up the Tabloids

s spring arrives and we slowly on two counts. Firstly, it has delivered emerge from the winter a clear mandate for a second It is possible that not all the relaxations lockdown, we appear to have independence referendum, no matter A will apply in Moray, due to the worrying entered some bizarre parallel universe which way the Tories want to spin the spread of the virus in the area. where Dominic Cummings preaches figures. Secondly, if the current PM Although, a much more worrying virus about honesty, integrity and ethics; has his way, it could have been the has existed in Moray since 2017, in the last time you voted without having to where Alex Salmond pledges to ‘put form of its local MP. A man who has produce photo ID. This is a sinister plan women front and centre’ of his party’s the twin roles of leader of the Scottish to disenfranchise the most already- policies; and where Gordon Brown Conservatives and the SPFL’s most pro- disadvantaged in society, in the guise of warns ‘Project Fear won’t work’. I Rangers referee. While he was elected preventing what is a near-non-existent suppose it’s no more bizarre than unopposed to the former, competition crime. And, unsurprisingly, a complete Amanda Holden judging talent. for the latter of those two titles is volte-face from the PM. Boris Johnson claimed that ‘there’s extremely fierce. When Blair proposed introducing nothing to see here’ in the cash-for- Having done his best to deny Celtic identity cards back in 2005, Johnson curtains scandal. And, obviously, there getting to ten-in-a-row, Douglas Ross claimed that if he was asked to produce was nothing to see, as the £840-a-roll thankfully failed to prevent the SNP one, he would ‘take it out of wallet wallpaper was hidden behind several winning four-in-a-row. Which was very and physically eat in the presence of grands worth of curtains. I’ve been good news for travelling communities whatever emanation of the state has seriously thinking of setting up a the length and breadth of Scotland, who demanded I produce it.’ That statement crowdfunding page to help with the can sleep soundly in their caravans for explains one thing at least. Namely, that refurbishment of the PM’s flat, providing the next five years. When questioned if he is prepared to put any old shit into it’s done using the same cladding as what he would do in his first day as First his mouth, it is no surprise so that so Grenfell Tower. Minister, Ross famously replied that he much shit comes out of it too. Johnson is reputed to have ranted that would ‘bring in tougher enforcement on Vladimir McTavish is one of the regular he would rather watch the bodies pile gypsy travelers’. Wow! Ethnic cleansing on Day 1. One shudders to think what panelists on ‘The Thursday Show’ live high than order a second lockdown. was in his long-term plans for Scotland. on Twitch and YouTube every Thursday Tragically, when faced with the choice of evening at 8pm. piling up bodies or ordering a lockdown, South of the border, the biggest political he chose to do both. news of the year was the stunning result in the Hartlepool by-election. The Derek McKechnie explains why he However, it does strike me as being a Conservatives’ victory in the seat was created the UCS work-in image on the perverse way of keeping the economy the first time since 1954 that the town back cover open. Hospitality and non-essential has elected a Tory MP. However, from retail may have been particularly hard- My parents grew up during the 1970s 1992 to 2004, they did vote for Peter hit over the past fourteen months, but in Glasgow to working class families Mandelson, which is pretty much the and both their fathers worked on the not many people are going to want to same thing. go down to the pub if the beer garden shipyards. I think the UCS work-in is full of corpses. Likewise, it’s pointless Brexit was a major issue in the directly had an effect on the people they for Primark to be open for business if Hartlepool vote, which should come became. Both became social workers, the fitting rooms resemble makeshift as no surprise. After all, this is a place both joined unions, and both protested morgues. where, according to local folklore, the for the miners. And as their parents have townspeople hanged a monkey during influenced them, they have influenced Hopefully, you will be able to read this the Napoleonic War because they me by imparting a desire for social column in your local pub, as Scotland thought it was a French spy. It would justice and equality. This is why I chose embraces a further lifting of restrictions. appear that a high degree of residual to research the UCS for my honour’s From mid-May, we will be able to gather Europhobia has lingered on, more than year art degree at the Gray’s School of in groups indoors, to stay overnight in two hundred years later. Art at Robert Gordon University. As it other people’s houses, to travel overseas is 50 years since the work-in, it seemed Keir Starmer said he ‘took full and to hug each other. In other words, appropriate to investigate a topic I have responsibility’ for the Hartlepool result. all things that professional footballers been aware of the majority of my life And to prove how much responsibility have thought it was OK to do for the but have never fully understood. I was he was taking, he sacked Angela Rayner, past ten months. I should qualify what I immediately intrigued and revered the and completely re-shuffled the shadow mean by ‘travel overseas’. UK passport- power of solidarity of the workers, the cabinet. How responsible, non? holders are now free to visit any country support they generated and the impact they choose. As long as they choose Anyway, the results are in for another the protest had on Scottish history. The Portugal. election, one which may be historic legacy of UCS should never be forgotten. 31 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123 May/June 2021 32 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 123see p31May/June 2021