ScottishLeft Review Issue 101 September/October 2017 - £2.00 d’ (a) re st e ‘b 8052_SLR_Advert_3.qxp_Layout 1 18/08/2017 09:35 Page 1 2 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 101 September/October 2017 feedback comment No silly season ccording to the London-based Yet this is still not the kind of mobilization be done. As Scottish Left Review called for media, August and September that is required of these times. Sure, we in its last editorial, Dugdale needs to be Aare routinely denoted as the ‘silly need and want the end of the Theresa removed by a leadership challenge. The season’ because, with Parliament in May Tory government at Westminster – Labour left in Scotland must quickly find a recess from late July to early October, or one led by any other Tory like Philip candidate to do this. there are seemingly few serious political Hammond or David Davies. And, we developments to cover. Consequently, want their replacement by a Corbyn-led Then Ian McNicol, current general stories of a far lesser stature make and Labour government because Labour is reviewssecretary of British Labour, needs to dominate the headlines. But, equally by far the most politically progressive be removed as does Brian Roy, current routinely, manifest politics - and the of all the major political parties – and general secretary of Scottish Labour. importance of these to everyday lives - that includes the SNP. Yet, Labour is Control of Labour organization through does not stop. Thus, it should be noted unfortunately playing a waiting game of a these general secretaries prevents the that Jeremy Corbyn has made a very parliamentary nature. While it may try to Corbyn current washing through the timely tour of Labour marginals (some defeat the Tories in parliament with this rest of the Labour Party. We only need 90-100 seats) throughout the summer. vote and that, and John McDonnell says to recall the 1983 People’s March for This is to be welcomed because of the the government could collapse at any Jobs to remember that Labour itself prospect of another general election point, it would be much better if Labour did – and could again – organize mass given the Tory weakness in Parliament also sought to mobilise all its voters demonstrations. Only with control of the and because of Corbyn’s strength as a and supporters in campaigns and other party machine can such initiatives be speaker at popular rallies. Moreover collective actions (like demonstrations) taken and be successful. And then there recent research from the London School against the effects of Tory government is the issue of mandatory re-selection of Economics and Political Science policy outside the parliamentary orbit. So of sitting MPs in order that the right highlighted that in the constituencies the People’s Assembly demonstration on is removed from the Parliamentary where Corbyn conducted these rallies, 1 July could have been that much bigger Labour Party so that parliamentary the Labour vote was up much more than – maybe one million strong – if Labour candidates and elected MPs reflect the in constituencies where didn’t do such as an organisation had put a call to all its new will of the mass of Labour Party rallies. members to attend. There is also more to members. Therefore, the issue of de- selection cannot be ducked. If it is, the Blairites will use Venezuela or any ScottishLeftReview other forthcoming issue to keep trying Issue 101 September/October 2017 to undermine Corbyn. To not act in these ways would be a tragedy because what Corbyn and Corbynism represent Contents is not just the articulation of a deeply Editorial comment – no silly season .................................................................................3 and long held revulsion at the market Bouncing Brexit into being benign Neil Findlay ................................................................5 and neo-liberalisation but also giving Free movement of labour, the EU and Scotland’s economy John Foster ........................6 that revulsion of a new found sense of Breaking bad Brexit Mike Danson ....................................................................................8 credibility and vigour which can create an upward, virtuous spiral. Where stands the cause of independence now? John Bratton .................................... 10 Reclaiming our economy Richard Leonard ................................................................... 11 Moving out from this, the radical left in For a people’s ScotRail Stuart MacLeod ....................................................................... 12 Scotland is now at another historic fork More than no monarchy Graham Smith ....................................................................... 15 in its road. Wanting a major and radical reform of society ranging from social Make Britain part of the non-nuclear club Arthur West................................................ 16 democracy (where the state ameliorates Making of a mess: orange and green, and red, white and blue Brian Campfield ......... 17 market outcomes) to socialism (where Grenfell and housing: putting profite before people Dave Sherry................................ 19 significant restrictions in the operation Firefighters demand justice over Grenfell Denise Christie ........................................... 20 of the market exist), it faces a situation Is strike action over? Stephen Smellie .......................................................................... 21 where the balance of political forces has Trying to make sense of ‘October’ Ian Gasse ............................................................... 22 tipped away from independence. For Book and film reviews Stewart Maclennan, Jackie Bergson, Gordon Morgan, Tommy ideologues of either the pro- or anti- independence left in Scotland, this is Sheppard, Colin Darroch, Sean Sheehan, Jim Phillips and Robin Jones ......................... 23 either ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Vladimir McTavish’s Kick Up The Tabloids ..................................................................... 30 For those supporting independence, the 3 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 101 September/October 2017 forward momentum has clearly ebbed But what matters is that Corbynism has But there is also another reason why away in the last eighteen months. This yet to be defined as anything more that matters are not so simple. If the Tories was evident from the Brexit vote and social democracy rebooted or a version continue to survive and Labour is seen solidified by the 2017 general election 2.0 of it. The term ‘socialism’ is used – as an ineffectual opposition (inside and result. In the former, the SNP over- though not often enough. But it has to outside Westminster), the demand estimated how Brexit would reinforce the be laid out and explained. Is Corbyn’s yet for independence may well rise up demand for independence, and in the unstated vision of socialism one of the again to the top of the political agenda. latter it lost considerable ground to the parliamentary road to socialism as per What opposition the Scottish Labour Tories. Indeed, the fortunes of the SNP, the varieties of the Communist Party of Party provides will be a key part of not a social democratic party as it claims, Britain or the Socialist Party (formerly this equation, and this then relates to has been further dented as it becomes Militant)? And what is the strategy to get whether the SNP decides to move to more evident that it has started running from where we are to where we want the left or the right – or stay where it out of steam. Its recent re-launch of to be? All this is critical because any is - depending on its assessment of the both the Scottish Government and the attempts to introduce radical reform will Corbyn effect in Scotland and what it case for independence gives a stronger come up against the might of the British needs to do to regain ground from the sense of political paralysis than renewed state and the massed forces of the right. Tories in the north east of Scotland. vigour and resilience. Typical of the We only need to recall what has been Consequently, the SNP will have to decide SNP, the re-launches have been devoid happening in Venezuela to see how the whether it can ride two differing horses – of significant policy developments and right can mobilise to kill off what it sees simply put, these are the workers in the more about influencing and managing as a threat. Central Belt or the farming and fishing perceptions. No one in the leadership communities in the north-east. But matters are never that simple as of the SNP seem to appreciate that its Scottish Left Review has always tried the singularity of a step forward for ‘don’t scare the horses’ approach to the to be constructive in its criticism. the British road to socialism and a referendum in 2014 was what prevented Therefore, Stuart MacLeod’s article on simultaneous step back for the Scottish the adoption of a programme that would renationalizing Scotrail is offered to help road to socialism. This is because have appealed to working class voters – flesh out what often remains as just a some support for independence was the majority in any capitalist society. And, demand or slogan. In this regard, we as conditional as it was instrumental. there seems to be a strong possibility of can recall the SSP’s pamphlet of 2004 that farce turning into tragedy if there is According to this perspective, the means called Reclaiming Our Railways which another referendum. The SNP continues to the ends are not as important as advocated a third each