Bob Crow: unashamed socialist Mass meeting: SSP’s trade union leader’s death is a indy vision attracts blow to the working class hundreds in Ayr • see page 2 • see page 16 £1 • issue 434 • 14th - 27th March 2014 facebook.com/scottishsocialistvoice

• Poverty, dole queue and food banks are the reality of Better Together’s lie

• 870,000 Scots live below the breadline

• A pegged minimum wage cost poorest- paid £675 loss per year for last five years

VOTE YES FOR DECENT WAGE S

£9 AN HOUR FOR ALL – NOW! facebook.com/ScottishSocialistVoice @ssv_voice OBITUARY by , SSP national workplace organiser

IT WAS with terrible shock and sadness that I heard of the death of RMT general secretary Bob Crow – the Bob Crow on 11 March. This is a devastating blow first and foremost to his wife, children, family and friends, but also to the entire working class. And tragic departure it’s a tragically premature loss too, with Bob dying of a heart attack aged only 52. Bob was born in north east Lon - don, the son of a London docker. In of a class figHe rhemainedt a faenatical r fan of his youth he joined the railways, and the entirely unglamorous Millwall as a young lad took up a grievance FC – whose unofficial motto is al - at work through his trade union legedly ‘no one likes us and we (then the NUR) and rapidly gained don’t care’. The difference, of notice as a capable speaker and or - course, being that hundreds of thou - ganiser. He went on to eventually be sands of workers in struggle liked elected the general secretary of the Bob Crow. Bob was passionate and Rail Maritime and Transport work - sincere in his beliefs. He was like a ers union (RMT) in 2002. blunt instrument wielded in defence Bob was above all a passionate, of the working class. He had a tireless champion of working class healthy antagonism towards big people, their rights and conditions. employers, the establishment, and I often witnessed – on picket lines politicians who defend the contin - and meetings I shared with him – uation of the class-ridden capitalist the devotion he instilled from the system. He never shed his class ranks of the RMT. It was like a struggle socialist outlook on life – massive family. He was demonised BOB CROW: 13 June 1961 – 11 March 2014 PHOTO: Simon Whittle and RMT members are the better by the mainstream media – regard - off for having such a leader in their less of any begrudging hymns of strength of the union. Enemies of was expelled by Labour. I am midst. Two of his very recent ac - praise they might now publish on trade unionism and socialism tried proud to have worked alongside tions sum up the man’s principles. his tragically premature departure to denigrate Bob as “a dinosaur”. this giant of the trade union move - from the class struggle that he ded - But this big, burly, blunt-talking ment, and to have presented him Safety of workers icated his life to. Londoner was no fool, and a man with his SSP honorary member - He fought in defence of the safety of great warmth and wit. ship card when he spoke at an SSP and security of London Under - Massive admiration When Jeremy Paxman issued trade union conference I organised ground workers in the teeth of vitri - But he won tremendous loyalty the ‘dinosaur’ insult on Newsnight about ten years ago. olic attacks by London Tory Mayor from RMT members, and indeed recently, Bob immediately quipped You didn’t have to agree with Boris Johnson and whole swathes massive admiration from workers back “Well, they were around for every single aspect of Bob’s vision of the media. And he won rapturous across the trade union movement. quite a long time!” of socialism to warmly like and ad - applause from RMT members at Many were wont to say “If only Bob was a Young Communist, mire him. He was in some ways ‘a branch meetings in Ayr, Aberdeen our union had someone like him but whilst he was no longer in any rough diamond’, but give me that and elsewhere in his passionate ap - leading us we’d be a damn sight political party for many recent any day compared to the smooth- peal for members to vote for Scot - better off.” Under his watch, the years of his life, he vigorously de - talking fakes that infest too many tish independence. In fact, he was RMT membership rocketed from nounced the betrayal of working of the top echelons of the trade due to speak at a public meeting in 53,000 to 81,000 in 12 years. class people by and union movement. Motherwell soon on the issue. For every vitriolic editorial in the New Labour, and called on other Bob’s continued working class He will be sorely missed as the London Evening Standard, Daily trade unions to stop propping up roots – in stark contrast to many battles against poverty, inequality, Mail or even the BBC, Bob’s no- Labour and to establish a genuine union leaders who rise to the top injustice – and the capitalist system nonsense style of tackling the em - working class party instead. and abandon the class they al - he detested – rage on. ployers to enhance the wages, job He successfully led the argu - legedly represent – were perfectly Rest in peace, Bob. We will security, safety and conditions of ment within the union for the captured in his football loyalties. miss your dedication to the work - his union members inspired confi - RMT to affiliate to the Scottish So - Not for him the glory-hunting of ing class, but rest assured the dence in workers and built the cialist Party, for which his union becoming, say, a Chelsea fan. struggle continues.

2 • • issue 434 EDITORIAL by Ken Ferguson Mandy Rice Davies – “they would say that wouldn’t they?” ACROSS SCOTLAND Indeed, far from taking fright at canvassing, packed public the scares of the rich we meetings, serious but should ask the question “what respectful debate. Welcome to are they afraid of?” the world of the peoples’ The answer is of course that, campaign for a Yes vote in Yes is now for the pro-unionist elite September’s referendum. backers of No, they are From Ayr to Cupar, Govanhill to defending position, power and Gilmerton, what Yes campaign wealth such as is only a dream chair Dennis Canavan for the vast majority of Scots, describes as the revival of the a people’s who they never tire of telling public meeting is under way they are “Better Together”. while pro-independence Amidst the media sound and canvassers are knocking on fury of fleeing scares from doors and putting the Yes case financiers, a report by a direct to the voters. campaign number of leading campaign This reality, which is rippling groups pointing out the real out through communities state of deprivation and poverty across Scotland, stands in in Scotland was launched. sharp contrast to the strident fear-filled caricature of debate Money mongers dominating the agenda of the While it got some media mainstream media, which is coverage, attention soon spun increasingly driven by the back to the sayings of the concerns of a pro-British elite a money mongers who, despite million miles away from the having crashed the economy, concerns facing most Scots. are still considered king pins Yet it is the concerns and set against the poor suffering opinions of that tiny proportion food banks and poverty. of the population – variously It is this reality of ‘Better badged as business leaders, Together’ which ranks a close CEOs, bankers and financiers second to the infamous “all in that fill the pages of our it together” lie that is the papers, assault our ears from VOICE FORUM : (l-r) Jonathon Shafi, MSP and were cornerstone of the case for radio programmes and on the panel in at the 8 March SSV Forum ‘Yes beyond Salmond’ breaking with finance- dominate TV debate. dominated failures of the sing in the Tory/Labour/Liberal unconcerned about poverty. British model and taking the ‘Warnings’ trio of how much they love the Yes campaigners, in contrast, path to a society putting So company after company Scots but then switch tune to are meeting the people faced people before profit. – whose main concern is warn us not to be silly enough with the failed reality behind In the battle for a Yes vote, making money for its to vote Yes. the faded British pomp which mobilising those crying out shareholders, not the good of Both groups – bosses and offers the Bedroom Tax, for jobs and justice by the community – issues British politicians – inhabit a poverty for thousands, cut to challenging the priorities of suitably veiled “warnings” that world dominated by city the bone wages, zero hours the City-dominated elite who they “may” up sticks and leave finance, desperately clinging contracts and unemployment. want to keep Scotland under if Scots dare to vote Yes. limpet-like to past military glory, As all the polls show those the Westminster cosh, armed Of course, this is part of a city speculation and the British facing these challenges are with United States-owned wider stage-managed drive by state which guarantees their also to most likely to vote Yes missiles and ensuring the an increasingly worried No wealth power and privileges. in September while support for survival of the world of wealth campaign which This is a campaign by and No increases in proportion to and power, is key. manufactures, from a “may” for a social, economic and the size of your bank balance. By campaigning for the report, a scenario of disaster military elite wedded to a This simple fact should play priorities of the majority we flowing from independence British state serving the same a key role in the battle for a isolate the Tory-funded No which threatens poverty, City fast buck bonus men at Yes vote and, as our captains men, and by fighting for a Yes insecurity, unemployment and home and a bloodstained of finance and business shake vote we open the way to social collapse. Westminster militarism abroad. It is their heads at the prospect of delivering on the priorities of politicians then sink their noisy tenaciously defending a world independence victory, we need the people, rather than the Question Time differences to safe for profit and to echo the famous words of greed of the few.

issue 434 • Scottish Socialist Voice • 3 MSP by John Finnie MSP highlights the challenge there is within the Parliament to move the de - IF WE really want to reach out to bates away from the ‘big party’ tribal - those disengaged from our political ism. We will continue to seek process then pro-independence changes to ensure that all voices, in - MSPs must break with the ‘Punch BAD ACTOR cluding minority views, are heard. and Judy’ negativity, which has so TASTE: We use social media and every First Minister’s far dominated the constitutional de - other opportunity to share our visions Questions... bate, and present a reasoned case where the of a radical independent Scotland. A for a Yes vote. MSPs like to Scotland that isn’t a wee version of This approach is never more evi - ham it up, the UK, where the elites continue to dent than at First Minister’s Ques - every week prevail. We hope to advance that tions (FMQs), the least productive cause by dismantling unionist argu - half hour of my Parliamentary week. ments not denigrating opponents. I am certainly up for ‘animated’ Constitutional change is the op - debate and loathe the unionist ne - portunity to remove these elites who oliberal consensus, however, I be - drive the UK agenda, to get out of lieve that loathing individuals, rather NATO, to ditch the real ‘benefit than their views, is wasted energy HOLYROOD MUST scroungers’, the royal family, and to which should be directed to the fight dis-engage from the ‘love-in’ with for social justice. corporate interests. Recently, Parliament agreed ad - CHALLENGE PUNCH The way to respond to unionist ditional Scottish Government sup - shouting is not to match it, it is to talk port to ameliorate the Bedroom Tax. in ever more measured terms that Everyone, with the predictable ex - AND JUDY POLITICS articulate the worthy aspirations of ception of the ConDems, working to - gested to a journalist that, rather on proportionality of seats won. ordinary folk; a decent house, a job gether for the common good. than the half hour of ‘theatre’ that is That proportionality applies to com - where you are your health and FMQs, the public might enjoy hear - mittee places too and debunks safety are respected and quality Sustained assault ing of the committees’ endeavours. unionist conspiracy theorists who health care and education for you I support that extra help but I am He roundly rejected such a no - assert ‘the SNP has stacked com - and your community. frustrated that, yet again, the UK tion, saying ‘people like theatre – mittees with its backbenchers’. Cru - government’s pernicious and sus - people pay to go to the theatre!’ cially, proportionality applies to Take charge tained assault on the vulnerable has I fear he’s right, so the challenge speaking time in Chamber. Sadly, Labour’s ‘something for been softened by Holyrood using to those of us detached from Punch So, regardless of the subject, re - nothing’ condemnation of universal - money, from its cash-limited budget, and Judy is to provide thought-pro - gardless of prior involvement in the ism does appeal. It appeals to the which could have been spent on voking drama, rather than continuing report/enquiry, regardless of ‘exper - electorate of the 150 odd non-met - health or housing. the pantomime and farce. tise’, real or perceived, it’s only when ropolitan seats in the south east of Parliament’s Committees are vital So, how do my fellow Independ - a debate extends beyond four these islands that Labour will need to our parliamentary process. They ents Jean Urquhart, Margo Mac - hours, and next to none do, that a to win over if they are to form the scrutinise proposed legislation to en - Donald and our Green colleagues - GrIndy is ‘entitled’ to speak . next UK government. sure good law-making and under - sometimes collectively known as When we are called to speak in I believe Scotland’s social demo - take enquiries to inform government ‘the ‘GrIndies’ - contribute at Holy - the Chamber it’s because the other cratic consensus which delivered of gaps in service provision. rood? The answer is infrequently parties have ‘undersubscribed’ to a free personal care and free prescrip - The committees usually work and with difficulty. The Scottish Par - debate, or we are called to speak at tions can prevail. Indeed it can, and very consensually. Recently, I sug - liament’s procedures are all based the discretion of the Presiding Offi - must, be built on by measured pros - cer. We have the same number of ecution of the message that we can MSPs as the Lib Dems, who are achieve greater equality. regularly given the third question at We can remove the profit motive To subscribe, fill in this form and send it to: Scottish Socialist Voice, Suite 370, FMQs. However, when we first from our utilities and transports sys - 4th Floor, Central Chambers, 93 Hope St, Glasgow G2 6LD. formed our Group, the Parliamen - tems. We can take charge of our Cheques payable to ‘Scottish Socialist Voice’ • Tel: 0781 126 5388 • tary authorities were very anxious to own affairs and refocus on public Twitter: @ssv_voice • Facebook: facebook.com/scottishsocialistvoice tell us that we would not be treated service not private profit. Name...... like the Lib Dems, because we were I fear that Punch and Judy will Address...... not ‘a party’ and we would not be keep fighting. Perhaps they are ‘ge - ...... given a routine FMQ. netically programmed’ to do just that. Phone...... So, whilst each week individuals in Meanwhile, the GrIndies and our Email...... the Group submit numerous FMQs, good friends in the Scottish Socialist I enclose: g £5 for 5 issues g £10 for 10 issues g £20 for 20 issues unlike a select few from across the Party will continue to work with all four parties we don’t get an opportu - who seek an independent, socially Solidarity rate: g £6 for 5 issues g £12 for 10 issues g £24 for 20 issues nity to question the First Minister. This just Scottish republic.

4 • Scottish Socialist Voice • issue 434 30 YEARS: MINERS STRIKE by Dusty Miller

“No one under 40 knows what it is like to live in a country where trade 30 years on from the start unions are a force in the land – where heavy industry, and those who work in it are considered vital to the British economy – that was of the great miners’ strike, Britain before the 1984-85 strike” ‘Marching To The Fault Line’ by Francis Beckett & David Henke what does it tell us today? We can do it again. When Shel - THE STRIKE was not simply, ley wrote “Rise like lions after or only. about pit closures, but what slumber, In unvanquishable num - Antonio Gramsci called “the pre - ber, shake your chains to Earth like vailing ideology” – in this case the dew, Which in sleep had fallen on ideology of an unfettered free mar - you, You are many – they are few” ket political economy which he meant you and me. would, if successful, strip away all Before he was taken out to be the gains of organised labour since shot by a firing squad on a trumped 1945 onwards. up charge the US union organiser To achieve this the strongly or - Joe Hill wrote on the wall of his cell ganised sections of heavy industry “Don’t mourn – organise!” had to be defeated. Perhaps the prospect of an inde - A trial bout with steelworkers in pendent Scotland will, I hope, 1983 had proven successful, but the open the door for the working miners were regarded as the spar - class to grasp the dream of Shelley tans of the working class the cutting and Joe Hill. edge, the guards regiment, all the 1984: Lesley pseudo military cliches applied and Boulton of Carbon capture were largely true. Women Against I come from five generations of The mining industry had to be Pit Closures is miners and hope I can give final destroyed not for environmental or attacked by plug for the industry in face of le - even economic reasons but for po - mounted police gitimate green opposition. Nobody litical reasons. at Orgreave advocates the building of more coal PHOTO: John Harris fired power stations but the existing State forces acceptable infringement of per - time, 1,471 had been arrested. By 11 ones are burning imported coal Defeat the NUM and the walls of sonal freedom but is now common - March 1985, 766 had been sacked while Scotland sits on huge re - the citadel were down and open for place. 581 complaints were made by the National Coal Board. Ask serves of high quality fuel. free market plunder – and the forces against the police more than 50 per those who were active what was the We import coal from Poland, the the state mobilised were truly awe - cent involving assault. major contribution to the defeat and Czech republic and Australia with some in their ruthless application. There were 1.5 million police most will say “the media”. the UK sitting on vast reserves of 168,508 pickets for turned away deployments from 43 forces en - The assaults by the police, the re - coal now a net importer of fuel. from the Nottinghamshire coalfield gaged with 8,100 fielded at the Or - pressive bias of the judiciary, the The loads of imported coal drive in first 27 weeks of the strike – more greave coking works alone. betrayal of the scabs – all these past Longannet, Eggborough, Drax than 600 a week. By the end of February 1985, thing we could handle with courage and Ferrybridge while British min - A denial of access to the public 9,750 had been arrested, 10,335 and determination but against the ers sign on. Carbon capture can be highway which before the strike charges made resulting in 4,112 con - nauseating establishment bootlick - researched. It’s worth a try, if only would have been considered an un - viction while in Scotland by this ers of 90 per cent of the media we in memory of those who fought the had no defence. The strike, its con - good fight. duct, and the lessons will be re - RAVENSCRAIG membered and learned – the battle • Dusty comes from a long 1984: miners was lost but the war goes on. line of miners. He was NUM clash with police We the working class fought for youth delegate for Scotland’s as they try to the eight-hour day and we won. We biggest pit, The Michael stop coal-filled fought for the five day week and Colliery, and NUM secretary Yuill and Dodds we won. We fought for adult wage of Europe’s then biggest pit, lorries from at 18 rather than 21 and we won, Kellingley in Yorkshire during entering the We fought for paid holidays and the strike, sustaining a broken steelworks overtime premiums and we won. leg on the picket line

issue 434 • Scottish Socialist Voice • 5 COLIN FOX by Colin Fox

THERE ARE now six months to go until the independence ref - erendum and if you thought the events of the last few weeks Socialist case can were intense you have seen nothing yet. As the contest en - ters the final straight the opinion polls still have the No side in secure Yes mawhicjh soees onre ini thrtee hyouse - front albeit with a lead that has holds struggle to pay gas and shrunk considerably. The ques - electricity bills. It means no tion on every Yes supporter’s more food banks – the modern lips therefore is how are we to day equivalent of the 1930s secure that illusive majority? ‘soup kitchens’. There are many outstanding It means no more Trident nu - factors that can shape the out - clear weapons based on the come of September’s vote. Clyde, no more hounding the Labour’s ‘devo max dilemma’ disabled out of their benefits as it has been dubbed could rep - and no more scapegoating im - resent a dramatic turning point. migrants for failures caused by In order to stop large numbers of the bankers. ‘Don’t knows’ from voting Yes Independence gives us the Labour needs to promise signif - chance to provide affordable icant extra powers for Holyrood. housing for all Scots as a right If it doesn’t offer enough it as well as improved conditions risks losing the Referendum. At at work, increased pay, greater the same time their proposals opportunities for our kids and must get through a Westminster providing the quality public Parliament packed full of services we desire. Labour and Tory MP’s hostile Socialist ideas like these can to any further ‘devolution’. A BETTER SCOTLAND IS POSSIBLE: socialist ideas can be decisive be decisive in winning more Moreover the Labour Party in in winning more working class voters to Yes PHOTO: Craig Maclean working class voters to Yes. It is Scotland is itself deeply split a vote for independence but it is over the correct tactics to em - come would again put into sharp comparable equivalent asset on also a vote against the economic ploy. Many of their MPs have focus the contrasting political the No side. Mobilising the neoliberalism at the heart of spoken out against minimal climate North and South of the working class – the strongest their oppression. proposals such as devolving in - Border. Such right wing anti-im - supporters of independence – to come tax and welfare decisions migrant, anti-claimant policies turnout and to persuade others No more Tories to Edinburgh. now so prevalent in England are to do likewise will be crucial Voting Yes means we escape largely abhorrent to Scotland. and involves inspiring people being governed by the Tories Support swing There is also growing evi - politically and making clear that again in 2015, we escape further Most MSPs on the other hand dence that ’s huge their interests can be advanced austerity and cuts, and further fear these measures will be insuf - grassroots campaign is having most in a post-Yes Scotland. privatisation, further attacks on ficient to stop thousands of vot - an important impact in winning ac - our pensions, our pay and con - ers joining the Yes ranks. With further independence support. tivists have been making that case ditions, further attacks on trade the result now on a knife edge The biggest campaign since throughout the last 18 months. union rights, further scapegoat - these devo max supporters could the anti-Poll Tax movement 25 The fact is the economic, social ing of claimants and immi - easily swing the final outcome. years ago now has hundreds and political circumstances of grants, further warmongering. Another issue likely to effect and hundreds of local groups working class Scots can be ad - But independence is not the undecided voters in the weeks across Scotland out every night vanced considerably with a vote end it is simply the means to an ahead could be the European of the week organising public for independence. end. Working class people must Parliament Elections. meetings, conducting door to Yes is a vote that allows us to continue to resist attacks on Where no surprises are antici - door canvassing and street to redistribute Scotland’s enor - their living standards wherever pated in Scotland – the Liberal De - street persuasion. mous wealth with priority given they come from. mocrats are widely expected to And if, as many analysts an - to those most in need. It means Progress will continue to re - lose their single MEP here to either ticipate, the vote in September we can tackle the scandalous quire struggle and solidarity and Labour or the SNP – in England is close the role of this grass child poverty our youngest en - an awareness of the class nature UKIP may emerge as the biggest roots movement could be deci - dure on a daily basis. It means of our society with no illusions in party with most MEPs. This out - sive especially as there is no we can eradicate fuel poverty those ultimately out to betray us.

6 • Scottish Socialist Voice • issue 434 JONATHON SHAFI by Jonathon Shafi

IN SCOTLAND around 4 million people are eligible to vote. Many don’t. Scotland’s last parliamentary election saw just over half of these 4 million people take part. It would not be unfair to characterise this as a “missing million” but the bigger point is that democracy or the exercise of the right to vote is something that is done in greater numbers by more privileged parts of Scotland. In many ways this shapes – and distorts – political debate. When it comes to the refer - endum campaign this has never been more true. Those WORDS IN TO ACTION: the pro-indy left is spreading the word that wider reforms can be won PHOTO: Simon Whittle who stand to gain most from in - dependence are often missing from a self-serving mainstream discussion. Our task is to re-en - gage people and mobilise a Yes vote that feeds into a movement for radical social MBritain hOave Ba comIbiLned IySears wIe hNave seGen a re -bTirth Oturned oWut to masIs cNanvas s change. But to do that we need wealth of £318billion. That’s of left wing ideas. The socialist Easterhouse. This included a to first understand why so many increased by eight times since argument for independence is mix of local people who led the people don’t vote. The answer 1989. The mainstream media not just the purview of small canvass teams, experienced to this is usually summed up in fails to represent the interests meetings in that same old socialist activists, students and one word: apathy. But in reality of working people – in fact it pubs. They have flourished as around 30 or so people who it is best understood by some - fudges the whole question of part of the Yes movement and have never been involved in thing else: alienation. class. They stay firmly within as a distinct campaign of its political campaigning before. the neoliberal consensus. own. Bringing our utilities into Of the nearly 300 canvassed Different planet And while the rich get richer, public ownership, ending tri - 50 per cent said they would The formal political process instead of engaging with the dent and war, investing in vote Yes, with only 16 per cent seems to carve out the interests poorest and most vulnerable, green energy and fighting for saying No. People understand of ordinary people. The West - Westminster chooses to dis - genuine trade union rights are that our best chance at rolling minster parties lead the way in place the blame. Instead of in - top of the political agenda. back years of attacks is designing policies that suit the vesting in education and through the platform the Yes continuation of vast inequality amenities in the poorest com - Wider reforms vote provides. Socialists will and poverty. They don’t go to munities, they tell us to blame For the first time in a long need to grasp that opportunity. the communities their policies the immigrant, the benefit time, left wing ideals can reach But in reality it wasn’t the effect. The millionaire Tory cab - claimant, and the disabled. a mass audience. But ideas in canvass data that inspired peo - inet has no idea what life is like The whole political and eco - our own heads are not worth ple that night. It was the fact working on minimum wage, or nomic system is geared to - much. We have to get them out that people invited us in to their being unemployed, or having to wards the interest of a there. We have to say that the own homes to discuss the ref - go through the despair of fuel privileged few. Isn’t that the real opinions of working people erendum and that people stood poverty. They live on a different reason why people are disen - matter and that through a Yes on doorways to talk politics. planet altogether. If anything it is gaged with mainstream poli - vote we can win much deeper Apathy is the excuse of a they who are apathetic. Apa - tics? Isn’t it now obvious that and wider reforms. To the credit failed ruling class. Winning a thetic about the living standards after decades of repeated ne - of the hundreds of socialist ac - Yes vote requires the mass of working people. oliberal policies that so many tivists all over Scotland we have mobilisation of the million or so This has gone on for feel that no matter who the vote turned our words in to action. who don’t vote, but not just so decades. In the last 40 years for – Lib/Lab/Con – they will be Recently as part of the that we can win on 18 Sep - our society has grown more un - served the same menu of cuts, launch of the Radical Inde - tember. So we can build a equal. Its a cliché but of course privatisation and war. pendence ‘Britain is for the movement that can ensure our we are not all in it together. This is why the referendum Rich, Scotland can be ours’ progressive demands are met The richest 200 people in is important. In the last two campaign, around 80 people in an independent Scotland.

issue 434 • Scottish Socialist Voice • 7 WORKPLACE by Richie Venton, SSP national workplace organiser

“A HUMAN catastrophe” is how its authors described the findings of a new study of poverty in Scotland by a clutch of anti-poverty projects. A devastating 870,000 Scottish people officially live below the breadline. They simply cant afford a decent life. For many they can’t meet the mounting food bills, or the BETTER TOGETHER? rocketing cost of heating, let a new study says one in alone eat AND heat their five Scots lives in poverty. homes without worrying. What good is the union As said at the actually doing us? PHOTO: Craig Maclean recent Scottish Socialist Party public meeting in Ayr: “I grew up during the second world war. There was rationing, but nobody starved. Now people are destitute. “Some who oppose independence claim to be proud Scots, I am not. Scotland living in poverty Back in the mid-1990s the The press hype about this “How can anyone be proud dVespite aOt least onTe of theEir forYerunneEr to theS SSP – t he F“iOnflation-bRusting 3 peAr cent when kids are in poverty?” parents working. Scottish Socialist Alliance – rise” doesn’t impress the An absolute majority of the organised the one and only hundreds of thousands Skinflint benefits kids below the breadline – 52 demo in Scotland demanding marooned in a sea of poverty. The fact of not far short of per cent of them – have one or a national minimum wage. Even less cause for a million Scots living in such more parent working, and in Fifteen years ago Labour celebration is the 2 per cent dire straits in the world’s two parent families that introduced it. But from the ‘rise’ for younger workers, eighth richest country is a proportion rises to 72 per cent. outset it was shot through and the £2.68 slave labour searing condemnation of Work is no longer a route with more loopholes than the rate for Modern Apprentices. successive governments and out of poverty, as generations worst insurance policies of a A decent living wage for all the system of capitalism they have been told it is. A lethal dodgy salesman – and the at 16, scrapping the lower subscribe to. cocktail of rock bottom hourly level set was pathetic from youth rates, and with equal Skinflint benefits and the pay, widespread day one. pay for women, must be a ruthless cuts to them by underemployment and part central plank of any anti- Westminster are one major time jobs, not to mention zero Sea of poverty poverty strategy. source of poverty. Pitiful hours contracts, add up to an In recent times it’s mostly It is morally justified. It is Pensions – one of the Lowest ocean of poverty in got even worse. Because the easily affordable in one of the in Europe – are another. Scotland’s workplaces. national minimum wage – richest nations on the globe. But whilst it’s old news for When I was a child my even the ‘adult’ rate that is – And it makes perfect many of us, the most mother and father would has failed to keep up with economic sense, because appalling indictment of the occasionally advise ‘don’t inflation, every worker on it amongst other reasons, current system is the fact wish your life away son’, as I has lost a total of £675 in the working people spend their 436,000 of those in poverty yearned for some future date, past five years. extra earnings and thereby are actually in jobs. like reaching my teens or 18. Today, over one in five boost the economy and boost The working poor now Now, more than a few workers earn below the job creation – unlike the one make up the biggest single moons later, I share the fate officially recognised ‘living per cent of obscenely rich on group whose standard of of far too many in work: wage’. incomes over £150,000, who living don’t match even the praying for pay day for at The current £6.31 an hour can afford to hoard their most miserly standards set by least two weeks, ‘wishing for workers aged 21 upwards wealth or squander it on the government. A new report your life away’. What kind of is set to pole-vault to an luxury items that do nothing shows 80,000 children in society is that?! Olympian £6.50 in October! to boost employment.

8 • Scottish Socialist Voice • issue 434 WORKPLACE

GETTIING ORGANIISED :: we mustt demand tthe eradiicattiion off tthe criimiinall povertty tthatt blliightts workers and ttheiir ffamiilliies,, beffore and afftter tthe refferendum PHOTO:: Crraiig Macllean

And what would a decent all the wages paid – not only devoted to boosting the the door to the unions and lDevel of gEuarantCeed miniEmum NmakesT it very moLdest, Ibut VprIofitsN of big buGsiness a t thWe socialisAts to orGganise anE d be? Certainly not the insulting also helps to close the expense of workers wages, vigorously demand a decent £6.50 graciously promised by gender gap, and guarantee and where Miliband’s Labour living statutory living wage for the Westminster Coalition of its automatic updating to is busy dismantling the all at 16 years of age – £9 an millionaires for October. reduce the growing scissors influence of the trade unions hour in today’s figures, Not even the recently- opening up between the in their party – hardly a uprated accordingly uprated £7.65 Living Wage; lowest and highest incomes harbinger of socialist whenever an independent welcome though that would in society. measures from any potential Scotland tackles this issue. be as an immediate step, it is That’s what the government at That’s why the SSP is still far below what workers Socialist Party has argued for Westminster! campaigning to convince need to live, and more to the since our 1998 founding people to ‘vote Yes for a point it is entirely voluntary, conference. But 15 years Other visions decent living wage for all at dependent on the whims and later, not only is it even more The SNP White Paper is 16’. Kick the door open to this fancies of the employers. urgent that we wage a war on what it says – the vision of path by voting Yes, but also poverty pay, but we also have one party, the SNP. Other by organising before and £9 an hour a unique historic opportunity visions of Scotland’s future beyond the referendum to A good start for a decent to stride in that direction. are being fought for, including shape the future, to demand living wage would be the A vote for self-government, that of the SSP. But the White eradication of the criminal demand popular in most a Yes vote in September, Paper does pledge a Fair poverty blighting workers, trade unions 30 years ago; would vastly speed up the Pay Commission, with trade their families, their children. two-thirds male median chances of getting such a union involvement. With 630,000 members, earnings as the statutory decent income guaranteed. The SNP promise the the Scottish trade union national minimum. Let us be clear, it will take a minimum wage will rise “at movement has the potential In today’s figures that fight to achieve it, even with least by the level of inflation”. power to achieve this goal, by would mean over £9 an hour independence. A modest step forward, but championing a decent living for every worker and trainee But it is far more a realistic far too modest, and certainly wage and linking it with over 16. Not a princely sum, prospect than if we remain not a route out of poverty if support for Scottish self- but a decent wage. imprisoned by Westminster the starting rate is the current government, getting shut of The fact it is calculated on capitalist rule, where three minimum wage. the purveyors of poverty pay, the median male wage in this factions of Thatcherism However, by establishing a decades of successive country – the middle wage of compete over who is most forum on pay, this rams open Westminster governments.

issue 434 • Scottish Socialist Voice • 9 ALAN BISSETT by Alan Bissett

ON 21 March 2014 we should reach a new stage in the independ - UNIONISTS QUEUE UP WITH ence campaign: the moment when Scots realise there is no viable plan for us if we vote No. The NO VOTE POWER DEAL OFFERS Scottish Labour conference in has already spoken of his desire for Perth is when we will at last hear a ‘UK-wide health policy’, which Johann Lamont’s proposals for en - in effect means taking NHS Scot - hanced devolution, but these will land away from Holyrood as a first wither the second they are ex - means of privatising it. posed to the air for one simple rea - Without the threat of independ - son: Lamont does not have the ence as a bargaining chip what else authority to implement them nor could Scotland lose? Labour and the backing of those who do. the Lib Dems were quick to side Labour is riven from top to bot - with the Tories to deny Scotland a tom over further devolution, for a currency arrangement, setting a number of reasons. Some, such as precedent for future consensus over Scottish Labour’s former finance the removal of our powers. Yet they spokesman Ken Macintosh, fear cannot unite as easily to offer Scot - more powers will mean ‘indepen - land more. After all, if the UK gov - dence by default’. ernment was serious about devo Others are worried about their max then David Cameron would own seats in Westminster, since have fought for it to be included on further devolution may have to be the ballot paper. Instead he fought traded for a reduction in Scottish 1979: despite No camp ‘promises’, Scotland got 18 years of hated Tory against it, without a whimper of MPs. Still others, such as East Kil - rule, spiralling unemployment and the decimation of our economy protest from the other parties. Why bride MP, Euan McCann, believe on earth would this be so if they ac - greater autonomy for Scotland is an value like socialism, history tells us warded. The chances, then, of Scot - tually intended to deliver more de - affront to the quintessential that the redistribution tends to go land ever benefiting from Lamont’s volution? ‘Britishness’ of the Labour Party. only in one direction: south. compromised proposals will be re - Given such a fractitious back - mote indeed, which is exactly why Weak promises Block grant drop, Lamont will only be able to she will sound so confident when Of course, we have been here Glasgow South West MP Ian reach a watered-down deal, which announcing them. before. In 1979 we were promised Davidson meanwhile warns (cor - will achieve nothing like the trans - As for the Liberal Democrats, by Lord Alec Douglas-Home a rectly) that increasing Scotland’s formation Scotland needs to reduce Sir Menzies Campbell has offered ‘better bill’ from the Tories if we tax base will lead to a reduction in our shocking levels of poverty. Scotland a vague, insubstantial voted No to a Scottish Assembly. the block grant we receive from Delivery of it will depend not ‘federalism’. This is a fine-sound - The Daily Mail warned: Westminster. Douglas Alexander only on Labour winning the UK ing concept but one which no one “How much of Scotland’s econ - favours a Constitutional Conven - election of 2015, but on the full bothers to define. Its one concrete omy will be left intact if a Scottish tion (ie. talking shop) while Gor - backing of Labour’s English MPs. policy involves the transfer of pow - Assembly gets the go-ahead on don Brown will only countenance Their support is unlikely, since UK ers from Holyrood to local author - March 1? Will our coal mines go powers which will allow Scotland Labour know that their target ities, where, handily, the Liberal gaily on? Will Ravenscraig or Lin - to continue ‘pooling and sharing’ swing-voters in the south-east of Democrats and Labour still have wood thrive? Will Bathgate flour - resources with the rest of the UK. England will want to see Scotland presence. What this would mean in ish and Dounreay prosper?” While this might sound at face punished for our rebellion, not re - practice is Holyrood being by - What did Scotland receive instead passed altogether, as the parties in of a parliament? Eighteen years of Westminster devolve to themselves hated Tory rule, spiralling unem - in local councils, tightening the grip ployment and the decimation of our of the Union over Scotland. economy, including all of the indus - FJill in thois form iandn send it to: tScothtish Soceialist P artyS, Suite 3S70, 4th FPloor, Central Chambers, 93 Hope St, Glasgow G2 6LD. Tel: 0781 126 5388 We should also remember that tries mentioned by the Daily Mail. A Online: scottishsocialistparty.org/join-us/ any Scottish powers can be over - glance round at the our intensifying g I would like to join the SSP g I would like more info turned by Westminster just as easily food, jobs, health and housing crisis Name...... as they are given. At the end of last – the real legacy of 1979 – shows Address...... year, the unelected House of Lords how weak the promises of the ‘jam ...... stripped away our control over re - tomorrow’ brigade are. newable energy without a murmur Contrast this with the overflow of Phone...... of consultation. The Shadow willingness to transform Scotland Email...... Health Secretary, Andy Burnham, which emanates from Yes. While

10 • Scottish Socialist Voice • issue 434 WELFARE detractors, sometimes rightly, point to the SNP’s policy on cutting cor - poration tax, they conveniently ig - nore the vast, multiplying ideas that FFoooodd bbaannkkss are rising within a peoples’ cam - paign which has long since dwarfed the SNP in size and scope. ssyymmppttoomm These include truly socialist policies – gaining strength and prominence all the time – about the ooff wwiiddeerr nationalisation of industry, about returning land to common owner - ship, about making childcare free, aattttaacckk about council house building, about the re-industrialisation of Scotland, about green energy, about estab - lishing a national oil fund, about by we live in. The safety net we take for granted is being giving trade unions a greater say in torn apart. Crises payments are now being adminis - industry, about removing nuclear THE SCOTTISH welfare committee heard evi - tered by local authorities. However those whose ben - weapons, about encouraging immi - dence last week from two social researchers from efits have been sanctioned are not eligible to apply. gration to increase our tax intake, Heriot Watt University. Dr Nicola Livingstone and Dr Benefit sanctions have almost tripled since 2008 and about ensuring a living wage, about Filip Sosento presented the findings of two years of they are becoming much harsher. Many people are steering clear of illegal foreign research into an overview of the providers of food left without any income for up to three months. The wars, and about how to reverse aid in Scotland. only means of support they have is food aid or using savage public sector cuts. Their evidence backs up the voices of users of a soup kit. Food aid providers rely on donations from food aid in Scotland about the impact of welfare re - global corporations for food they can supply Some Mandate for change form and benefit sanctions on the most vulnerable in may call this global responsibility others global guilt. Even a 51 per cent Yes vote in society. As part of their research they interviewed Politicians of all colours may murmur that food aid September shows a raised political food bank providers from all over Scotland from rural should not exist but are always happy to pose for consciousness and a mandate for Angus to Glasgow City. All of them said that food aid pictures in the local press on why we should donate change. No one will have thought use had increased since benefit sanctions had be - a can. Most of the coverage given is to food banks themselves towards Yes because come more serious and with the introduction of wel - provided by the Trussell Fund meanwhile some food they want things to stay the same. fare reforms in April 2012. aid providers are running out of food. This week in The right wing consensus which They pointed out that Lord Freud’s statement that Glasgow sees Glasgow Central Station being used has prevailed since Thatcher will the use of food banks had increased before welfare as a depot for donations of food as they have ran be exposed as a busted flushed. reforms was “inaccurate”. Of all the food aid providers out of provisions. At last, Scotland will be poised the Trussell Fund remains the biggest. In Glasgow for a radical transformation of our 20 per cent of food aid providers were community Safety net political and economic culture, one based. Throughout the rest of Scotland all the Food aid is becoming part of the safety net. Social which delivers for the people, not providers were the Trussell Fund. This is concerning. workers, psychiatric nurses and those working with the financial giants whom Better As previously reported with their links to the Con - the most vulnerable as part of statutory services Together counts among its support - servatives and churches their aim is emergency food now as a matter of course refer those they support ers. The true aim of Better Together provision only. They will only provide users with a to food aid providers. We on the cusp of an inde - is not to deliver more power for three day of supply of food three times a year. What pendent Scotland have to ask ourselves do we wish Scotland – that’s why it’s the No do people do to survive after this? Only in Glasgow to go down the route of America and Canada and campaign! – but to ensure the con - City can people in need rely on a regular supply of quietly, slowly, but carefully allow them to be seen tinued rule of the British elite and food. Groups like the Maryhill food bank have gone as part of the welfare state. the permanence of austerity. For beyond the limitations set by the Trussell Fund. In In Canada the Freedom 90 group campaign com - this reason, they must thwart a po - partnership with local groups and churches they pro - pletely against the use of food banks and insist that tentially socialist Scotland, lest vide weekly food and a cafe which provides hot food. people having enough to eat is a human right and the workers in the rest of the UK re - very basic that a government should provide for its alise that the rightwards drift of Access to a hot meal citizens. Writing this, I reflect that things are getting British politics is not inevitable. For those that cannot afford to cook, this may be worse even since the Voice reported on food aid use Do not listen to them. Promises their only access of a hot meal. Those who rely on a few months ago. The report from social researchers of ‘more powers’ from a campaign food banks are different from the users of soup backs up all the anecdotal evidence. I hope those in that didn’t even want us to have this kitchens, they usually have their own home. The ev - power will listen to the report, not just quote how ter - vote are empty. If we can but ig - idence presented to the committee was that people rible food aid is. Our aim should be to share that they nore their distractions the true prize in their own home find that they cannot afford the should not be necessary and campaign for an inde - is within reach: an independent, so - basic essentials of food and even being able to afford pendent Scotland where they have no place. That is cialist Scotland. the energy costs of cooking a meal. What a society the vision we have a responsibility to share.

issue 434 • Scottish Socialist Voice • 11 HIDDEN HISTORIES charts class and nation in the run up to the Second World War and beyond

ON 7 June 1935 Ramsay MacDonald resigned as Britain’s Prime Minister. MacDonald had been expelled by the Labour Party after agreeing to lead a ‘National Government’ including Conservative and Liberal MPs. Tory MP Stanley Baldwin replaced MacDonald as Prime Minister. At Westminster the issue of Scottish JARROW CRUSADE: the Labour Party opposed the Home Rule had been all but forgotten, march and the Trades but in Scotland the Scottish National Union Congress wrote to Party, formed in 1934, began to organise Trades Councils around behind the call for a . Britain, indicating that The collapse of the capitalist economic they should not offer support to the marchers system in 1929 led to what became known as the ‘Great Depression’, with soaring unemployment and deepening poverty across the United Kingdom. Throughout this period a growing sense of class-consciousness was seen as more important than Scottish claims to national sovereignty. Unemployed workers in Scotland From thecases t heGir ‘crimer’ wase refusaal to be t joined with the working class of England conscripted into the British armed forces, to demand jobs and the right to work. a position adopted by many men across In 1936 many Scots travelled south to Britain for various reasons. join unemployed workers from the One prominent SNP member, Arthur Durham town of Jarrow in a march to the Donaldson (later to lead the party House of Commons in London. Today, between 1960 and 1969), was arrested almost 80 years later, the march is still and imprisoned following a British secret remembered as a classic example of service raid on his home, during which it working class solidarity. as Prime Minister of Britain’s ‘National was claimed by MI5 that “subversive Government’. Two years later, with war literature” and “a large cache of Labour Jarrow opposition clouds gathering, it was Chamberlain weapons” was found. Donaldson and his However, at the time, the Labour Party who returned from a meeting with wife, who was present during the raid, opposed the march and the Trades German leader Adolf Hitler. Facing denied any such finds were made. Union Congress wrote to Trades newsreel cameras, Chamberlain waved Councils around Britain, indicating that a piece of paper and infamously MI5 ‘informant’ they should not offer support to the declared “peace in our time”. It was later also claimed by an MI5 marchers. By September 1939 Britain was ‘informant’ that Donaldson and the SNP Back in Scotland, the fledgling SNP plunged into a Second World War as the were plotting to set up a ‘puppet’ initially supported the creation of a Fascist Government of Nazi Germany government in Scotland following a Nazi devolved Scottish Assembly within the reneged on Chamberlain’s ‘peace invasion of England. United Kingdom, rather than agreement’ and launched all-out war in No evidence has ever been provided independence. This reflected the position Europe. to substantiate any MI5 claims against of the Scottish Party, one of the two The period of the Second World War is the SNP or its members during the political parties that had merged to form often cited by political opponents of the Second World War. the SNP. SNP as the party’s darkest hour. Even In fact, in official documents released However, as former members of the today, some British unionists still claim long after the end of the war, it emerged other co-founder – the more left wing SNP members were Nazi sympathisers – MI5’s interest in Scottish nationalism was National Party of Scotland – ascended to apparently prepared to work with the sparked by an intercepted war-time positions of power within the SNP, the Fascist regime of Adolf Hitler on the communication between the Head of party moved to support an independent promise of an independent Scotland to Legation at the German Embassy in Scotland. be created when England was defeated. Dublin and his superiors in Berlin. In May 1937 Neville Chamberlain Certainly, some SNP members were The memo made reference to a group replaced his fellow Tory Stanley Baldwin jailed during the war. However, in most called the ‘Scottish Independent

12 • Scottish Socialist Voice • issue 434 HIDDEN HISTORIES

ANEURIN BEVAN : “The collective principle asserts that... no society can legitimately call itself civilised if a sick person is denied medical aid because of lack of means”

MDovemeent’ andp claimedr theye proposed a sPrimie Moinister Wninston Cthurcohill thIn Sceotland, byN 1949, cHalls for aS German-Scottish alliance as “a weapon expected to lead his Conservative Party Scottish Parliament, all be it one within in the fight against the gross materialism to victory. However, the people of Britain the United Kingdom, had grown on the of the capitalistic-communistic union of had other ideas. back of the Scottish Covenant, a petition English, Americans, Bolsheviks, etc”. The Labour Party, led by wartime initiated by prominent Scottish Of the SNP, MI5 war-time files Deputy Prime Minister Clement Atlee, Nationalist John MacCormick and revealed intelligence reports describing swept to a landslide victory and promoted by the Scots Independent party members as “mischievous and embarked on delivering the most newspaper. potentially dangerous” but the party itself socialist agenda of any British The petition was signed by two million as being “of little consequence”. government before or since. Scots, from a total population at the time In April 1945 a war-time by-election Amongst the Labour Government’s of 5.1 million. The wording of the was held in Motherwell, following the accomplishments were reinstating the Covenant read: “We, the people of death of Labour MP James Walker. goal of full employment and absorbing Scotland who subscribe to this Given the highly unusual circumstances returning war veterans into society and Engagement, declare our belief that of an election during a period of war, all the jobs market; nationalising the coal reform in the constitution of our country the main political parties called a truce industry, railways, road transport, is necessary to secure good government and decided not to field candidates electricity, gas, steel, cable and wireless, in accordance with our Scottish against Labour. civil aviation and the Bank of England. traditions and to promote the spiritual The Communist Party of Great Britain, and economic welfare of our nation. which had previously had an MP elected Social house building “We affirm that the desire for such in Motherwell, also signed-up to the In addition, the welfare state was reform is both deep and widespread truce. The SNP, however, decided to field expanded through the Family Allowances through the whole community, a candidate. Act and the National Insurance Act. transcending all political differences and At the election, on 12 April, the SNP’s Just for good measure, the 1945 sectional interests, and we undertake to Dr Robert McIntyre secured victory over Labour Government also introduced the continue united in purpose for its Labour’s Alexander Anderson, with a National Health Service Act, which achievement. majority of 617 (SNP 11,417 – Labour brought hospitals into public ownership “With that end in view we solemnly 10,800). This was the SNP’s first and provided free universal medical care. enter into this Covenant whereby we success in a parliamentary election but The Atlee administration also pledge ourselves, in all loyalty to the Dr McIntyre held the seat for just three embarked on one of the largest-ever Crown and within the framework of the months. programmes of social house building. United Kingdom, to do everything in our Victory and peace brought the first UK All of which was achieved against a power to secure for Scotland a General Election for 10 years – held on 5 background of a massive national debt Parliament with adequate legislative July 1945 – with the charismatic wartime accrued while fighting a world war. authority in Scottish affairs.”

issue 434 • Scottish Socialist Voice • 13 WELFARE by Stephanie Pride

SUCH IS the perceived consen - sus on the need for welfare cuts that opinion pollsters routinely ask Can we really not afford who we most trust to wield the scissors. Earlier this year, George Osborne warned another £25bil - universal benefits? lion of savings would target the rations, and rather than heralding welfare budget, while Labour more progressive taxation, they spokeswoman Rachel Reeves are likely to be predicated on has promised the party will be “what we can afford” in the current “tougher than the Tories”. economic climate. And if you be - As benefits become increas - lieve the Tories, it was over-gener - ingly targeted and selective the ous state provision that got us into underlying assumption is that the this mess – that we were “living country cannot afford previous beyond our means”. levels of state largesse for the un - Greece is held up as a prime employed and working poor. example of such fecklessness. Yet Talk of capping benefits pay - it has been shown that labour pro - ments at around £26,000 a year ductivity increased twice as fast in disguises the fact that when hous - Greece as in Germany from 1999 ing and children are taken out of to 2009, that Greeks work many the equation, an out-of-work cou - more hours than their Nordic HANGIN’ TOUGH: Labour’s ple is expected to exist on less Rachel Reeves has promised that counterparts and pensions at than £60 a week each. Anything her party will be “tougher than early retirement are so low that above that is defined, insultingly, the Tories” on welfare cuts hardly anyone makes use of as ‘excess income’ for council tax them. Economists have also reduction purposes – another sioned by the Financial Times into than enhances the status of the shown that low national debt is not benefit that has been slashed the impact of austerity. poor. It is inefficient and reduces a predictor of economic success while the rich pay less and less. It warns: “As the government the quality of services rationed for and austerity pursued at the rate It is argued that without more considers further deep welfare those on the lowest incomes with - of the UK government is most cuts, public services will be cuts in the June spending round, out the majority ‘buy-in’ for those likely a break on growth. eroded still further and the direc - the FT’s research underlines the services. tion of travel is away from any potential risks to economic regen - The paper, also stresses the in - Radical solution form of universal entitlement – eration and private sector busi - terdependence of a universal wel - Against this background, it is ironically under the guise of Uni - ness prospects in poorer areas fare system with a higher, more vital to defend the hard-fought versal Credit. where the local population faces progressive tax base and notes gains of the welfare system which the loss of a large slice of pur - that wherever we find a move represents a historic compromise Austerity chasing power.” from universalism to selectivity we between the working class and Justifying his choice to target Hardly a recipe for stimulating find privatisation and corporate the ruling elite. At its best, it is a welfare again after around £83bil - job growth. Yet the government profiteering. system based on the principles of lion of previous cuts, the chancel - acts as if being unemployed is a The Scottish Government’s ‘from each according to their abil - lor said: “When you see people on lifestyle choice and people can be White Paper on independence ity to each according to their the telly who say that welfare can’t “incentivised” back into work by has some positive proposals need’, but is increasingly tilted to - be cut anymore – or, even worse, making the benefit regime so when it comes to welfare. In addi - wards the capitalist mantra of promising they will reverse the punitive and conditional that no- tion to scrapping Universal Credit, ‘from each as they choose to each changes we’ve already made and one would “choose” to be work - it proposes a guaranteed single- as they are chosen’. increase housing benefit – ask less. According to the Jimmy Reid tier pension, a level of benefit for Full employment, for those who yourself this: what public services Foundation, the key trend is a those who can’t work that “en - are able, has long been aban - would they would cut instead?” move away from universalism in sures dignity and enables partici - doned as an ideal, but is it not time In fact it has been shown that the welfare system – made palat - pation in society”, lifelong social to consider the more radical solu - the “choice” to take £19billion a able by asking why the wealthy investment and the right of tion of a reduction to the working year out of working-age social se - should continue to benefit from claimants to receive individual week, as advocated by the Scot - curity between now and 2015 will free bus passes and the like. Yet, support rather than single house - tish Socialist Party? Keynes be - hit the local economies of north - according to the authors of The hold payments. It is estimated the lieved the inexorable rise in ern towns and cities as much as Case for Universalism, moving latter alone would benefit 888,000 productivity meant that within a five times as hard as the Conser - from universalism to selectivity in - individuals, many of them women. few short decades we would all be vative heartlands of the south, creases social and economic in - The paper admits such working 15-hour weeks. Now that according to research commis - equality and diminishes rather changes might be long-term aspi - is just a recipe for poverty.

14 • Scottish Socialist Voice • issue 434 INTERNATIONAL by

A LITTLE over a year since the tragic death of President COUNTER-REVOLUTION MUST Hugo Chavez, Venezuela is in the full throws of an attempted counter-revolution. BE DEFEATED IN VENEZUELA The aim, to overthrow the democratically elected govern - ment of President Maduro and to crush the Venezuelan Revolu - tion. The tactics being deployed are a combination of street protest, economic sabotage and organised violence leading to the de-stabilisation of the country. It is a strategy that students of imperialism’s role in Latin America will be familiar with. The campaign began after the last presidential election which President Maduro won narrowly. The right wing opposition re - fused to recognise the result claiming electoral fraud. This de - spite being able to offer no evi - dence to back up this allegation and the report from international observers that the election was WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON? although the counter-revolutionaries do have some genuine grievances, this basically free and fair. It also ig - opposition movement has a violent, racist core which wants to destroy the Venezuelan revolution itself nored impressive victories by the government in regional elections cist core which is violent, racist This should not, however, to reach out and have dialogue a short time later. and wants, not only the over - distract from the many achieve - with these elements to turn them throw of the elected government ments of the revolution in terms away from counter-revolution. Drive-by shootings but the destruction of the revolu - of lifting millions out of poverty They also recognise that the The opposition immediately tion itself. By extension this also and giving a sense of pride and opposition campaign is in part at - launched a highly organised means they want an end to dignity to the poorest sections tempt to provoke the government campaign of violent protests Venezuela’s democracy which of society. into a violent reaction. To avoid which included the gunning allowed the election of a left this and despite claims to the down of seven government sup - wing government in the first Dilemma contrary, the government has porters in drive-by shootings. place. Another factor to be taken into been measured and restrained in This campaign has intensified in Drawn from the ranks of the consideration is the role of the their response to the opposition recent times. wealthy, white middle class their United States. By their own ad - campaign. Whether it can main - Allied to this have been a sys - hatred of the government is but a mission Washington has provided tain this position is questionable. tematic campaign of economic reflection of their hatred of the $90million of aid to the opposi - The bottom line is that the sabotage and a media campaign poor and dispossessed. tion since 2000; many believe the government needs to face down to support the counter revolution. This is not to say that there are real figure is much higher. They this attempted counter-revolution It should be pointed out that not genuine grievances. The op - have waged a major international and defend the gains of the revo - much of the media in Venezuela position claim serious misman - propaganda effort aimed at isolat - lution and democracy itself. remains in private ownership and agement of the economy by the ing the government claiming that Whatever happens, solidarity is virulently anti-government. government. With rampant infla - the government in Caracas are a with the Venezuelan revolution is In the past few weeks scores tion and serious shortages of dictatorship while the opposition needed more than ever. To quote of people have been killed food and supplies there is more are democratic. the Woodie Guthrie song – mostly by counter-revolutionar - than an element of truth in this. The Venezuelan government ‘whose side are you on?’ ies protesting at the arrest of the The government has also find themselves on the horns of a The Scottish Socialist Party opposition leader, Leopoldo failed to deal with rampant vio - dilemma. They recognise that not stands full square behind the Lopez, detained after inciting his lent crime although ironically all the opposition are fascist government in Caracas and in supporters to violence. there is evidence of armed crim - counter-revolutionaries and con - full support of the Venezuelan The opposition are broad inal gangs operating within the tain elements which have gen - people at this turning point in based but have at its centre a fas - opposition movement. uine grievances. They are trying their history.

issue 434 • Scottish Socialist Voice • 15 for Socialism, Independence facebook.com/scottishsocialistvoice and Internationalism [email protected] Issue 434 14th - 27th March 2014 by Ian Brotherhood, Ayrshire SSP

AN AUDIENCE of over 220 crowded into Ayr Town Hall on the cold evening of 3 March to hear Colin Fox and Jim Sillars de - Massive SSP indy liver impassioned appeals for a re - sounding Yes vote come 18 September. All available seating was filled meeting rocks Ayr with a full half hour to go before the meeting kicked-off, but many dozens more stood, or viewed the speeches via monitors in an ante- room as SSP Ayrshire stalwart Liz Swan told the crowd her reasons for becoming a socialist, and what she hopes independence will achieve. Her confident, moving testimony was warmly received by the packed hall.

Discredited BBC Colin Fox then laid out a pow - erful, heartfelt vision of a rein - vigorated Scotland freed from rotten Westminster rule; freed AYR MEETING: 220 locals packed into the SSP’s meeting on socialist independence on 3 March from an embarrassing, offen - sively anachronistic monarchy; mainstream media on a daily basis one minute past 10pm on 18 Sep - MSP! Ayr Town Hall was literally freed from putrid City of London – despite what the discredited tember) the first Scottish citizens wall-to-wall working class, of all casino-banking parasites. BBC says on the hour, every hour, to decide the democratic gover - ages, rapt with attention to the Jim Sillars packed his allotted we CAN have our own currency nance of our nation. speeches. time with practical, sensible solu - if we so wish; we CAN eradicate Colin Turbett skillfully gathered “The most uplifting feature of tions to some of the ludicrous the shameful poverty which a broad range of incisive questions this superb meeting was the inten - scare stories being flung at the blights so many lives; we CAN from the audience in an atmos - sity and high level of discussion Scottish people via compliant and WILL become (at precisely phere of excitement and genuine from the audience on issues rang - curiosity, and the answers did not ing from currency, oil, banks, disappoint. It was refreshing and monarchy, childcare, Trident, ben - VOICE FORUM REPORT welcome that such a public meet - efits systems, war – to above all OVER 50 people gathered in Edinburgh on 8 March to ing – widely publicised and open the whole issue of socialism. question a how workers can be won to vote Yes. Speakers to all – did not degenerate into one “What would Labour’s Johann including Colin Fox, independent MSP Jean Urquhart, of those undignified slanging- Lamont make of this, since she be - Jonathon Shafi from RIC, the Greens’ Gary Dunion and matches which some mistake for lieves Scottish working class peo - Labour For Independence’s Alan Grogan covered a wide ‘debate’. One of the biggest, most ple are not genetically programmed range of issues during a stimulating four hours of successful SSP public meetings of to make political decisions?! discussion. Sharp differences with the SNP’s approach to recent years heard a final rallying “As one woman said during the NATO and currency union emerged alongside demands for call from Richie Venton, who co- meeting – ‘We’ve heard great ar - action on jobs, housing and workers rights. Participants ordinated the grassroots publicity guments for independence tonight, stressed the need to provide a vision not just of how campaign across Ayr in the weeks totally different arguments, that independence might radically change Scotland. One of the prior to the meeting. we never hear in the media’. most interesting discussion centred on the need to maintain Richie, reflecting on the success “That’s why we need an organ - pressure for change in the negotiations which would follow of the meeting, told us: “This was ised voice for socialism and inde - a Yes vote, with wide support for maintaining a mobilised the biggest meeting of any kind on pendence. That’s why large mass campaign with many backing a mass left gathering to the referendum held in Ayr so far, numbers at the meeting re - achieve this on the Saturday after the referendum. Once advertised unashamedly as ‘the sponded to my appeal to join the again the event showcased the reality that Yes is a mass socialist case for independence’ – SSP and shape our futures. The movement bubbling with fresh and radical ideas. in an area which also has a Tory SSP truly is on the march!”