Issue 28 May/June 2005 scottishleftreview £1.50 / £1.00 claimants unwanted guests the G8 comes to Scotland scottishleftreviewIssue 28 May/June 2005 Contents Feedback.........................................................2 Bringing the G8 home...................................14 Corporate Watch Signs of life .....................................................4 You are a terrorist .........................................16 Robin McAlpine Tom Nairn Marching - a waste of time? .........................18 Briefing ...........................................................6 Isobel Lindsay July 2 - cancel everything .............................20 G8 and the art of being fooled ........................8 Margaret Lynch David Miller Occasional democracy..................................22 The spin doctorr’ss prescription...................12 Noam Chomsky Emma Miller Feedback ommy Sheppard and Elaine Smith’s exchange of views on there could be more independents and mavericks in the future. T‘can you vote Labour?’ in the last issue of the Scottish Left Might one, given Labour’s history, look at such a perspective Review (SLR issue 27) vividly illustrates the dilemma faced by against the background of the British political scene over left voters in the recent General Election. But narrow party decades, project the possibility of winning a lasting progressive politics are prominent in both points of view. majority of our people for centre-left and social democratic policies which face down and curb the powerful market forces Tommy says he holds no brief for the Liberal Democrats that dominate our society and our world? Such a majority could and Elaine seems to agree. Yet their the Labour Party is in a be won by alliances and cooperation on issues transcending governing coalition with the Liberal Democrats in the Scottish narrow party boundaries and permanently isolate the Tories, Parliament – a coalition which has taken Labour beyond its but it requires a break with the Thatcherite agenda, and serious own policies on proportional representation, tuition fees and constitutional change. Surely the signs are there given present free care for the elderly. And a broader unity in Scotland, problems with the ‘turn off’ from ‘party politics’ that there is a transcending party politics, faced down Brian Souter and the prise to be won, even if it is a long road ahead, and it’s clear that Catholic church on Clause 28. Blair is not going along that road despite murmurs some years back about possible cooperation. So there’s still the problem of Our Scottish Parliament, despite the ‘Mickey Mouse’ and changing Labour that Tommy and Elaine discuss. ‘pretendy parliament’ slurs by some politicians who should have known better, was established as a result of years of Most of the problems they raise will remain after the election, campaigning on a broad basis, and especially by the pluralist so it is not just about voting – the exchange of views has been leadership of the Constitutional Convention with all parties invaluable. There is also the even more complex connecting involved except the Tories and the SNP and supported by problems of the ‘commodification of life’ culture. The left has churches, the STUC and other progressive organisations. long underestimated the role of culture in the broadest sense. The narrow party politics of the SNP kept them outside the But that’s another engrossing subject for conversation. Convention. John Kay Tommy and Elaine forget Labour Party and labour movement history. The first MPs to represent working class and trade union interests were liberals know as Lib-Labs before the formation of the Labour Party in 1904. The Labour breakthrough our readers may or may not know about the campaign electorally was enabled by Liberals not standing a candidate in Yfor an independence referendum, Independence First. around 25 constituencies in the 1906 General Election, and a Independence First is trying to achieve as broad a consensus as total of around 56 Labour MPs were elected. With this ‘leg up’ possible for independence. Under our plans secondary issues Labour was able to overcome the huge difficulties that new and like republicanism or EU membership would be left up to the smaller parties face in a ‘first past the post’ electoral system. people of Scotland after the initial objective of breaking up the UK through a straightforward ‘yes or no’ referendum. Tommy sees a Lib Dem ‘constituency’ to the left of Labour – presumably in their policies on taxation, proportional This campaign has received considerable support since it was representation for Westminster and perhaps local income launched a few months ago. The former leader of the SSP, tax, and interestingly raises a perspective of a “huge swathe Tommy Sheridan, sent the campaign the following message of Liberal, Nationalist and maverick MPs” in Westminster. And of support: “As a socialist I believe passionately in genuine 2 Editorial Committee Aamer Anwar John Kay Tom Nairn Mark Ballard Jacqueline Kelly Andrew Noble Reviews .........................................................24 Bill Bonnar Isobel Lindsay Jimmy Reid (Convener) Moira Craig John McAllion Tommy Sheppard Roseanna Cunningham Robin McAlpine (Editor) Alex Smith Web Review ...................................................26 Colin Fox Henry McCubbin Elaine Smith Gregor Gall David Miller Bob Thomson Kick Up The Tabloids ....................................27 Articles for publication: [email protected] Illustrations: Letters and comments: [email protected] Website: www.scottishleftreview.org Tel/Fax 0141 424 0042 Cover: Sandy Wood email Scottish Left Review, 741 Shields Road, Pollokshields, Glasgow G41 4PL All other illustrations: Nadia Lucchesi Printed by Digisource, Unit 12, Dunlop Square, SW Deans Industrial [email protected] Estate, Livingston democracy and the right of nations to self-determination. our next National Council meeting in May and I would anticipate My party’s vision is of an independent socialist Scotland but it receiving the party’s support.” we absolutely endorse and promote the right of citizens in Scotland to democratically decide now via a referendum if they We have also received messages of support from the wish an independent country. I see the British imperial union as Free Scotland Party and the Scottish Independence Party. a reactionary barrier to social progress and want that British Independent MSP Campbell Martin sent us this message: union dismantled to encourage progressive and democratic “Independence First is yet another manifestation of the desire ideas to flourish in the individual entities of Scotland, England within Scotland to re-take our independence and become, once and Wales. The campaign for an independence referendum again, a normal nation. However, the organisations creation is deserves support from all socialists and democrats alike.” also evidence that many pro-independence Scots are becoming increasingly frustrated at the pace of our nation’s move towards Sandra White SNP MSP said “I’m happy to get behind anything independence. Many Scots see the benefits of an independent that advances the cause of Scottish independence. I definitely Scotland but don’t see politicians making sufficient progress support this grassroots movement, Independence First, in their towards achieving that goal. Independence First shows that demand for a Scottish referendum on independence. Please pro-independence Scots are not necessarily members of one or keep me informed of any further developments.” Stewart of any political party and that, in pursuit of the main prize, we Maxwell SNP MSP said “I support the holding of a referendum must all work together to deliver independence in the shortest on Independence as the Scottish people have never had the possible time. Independence First can only help in that fight and opportunity to express their opinion on this option.” I welcome its creation and offer it my support.” A number of SNP candidates at the UK general election, Author and historian David R Ross wrote: “Scotland is a nation including Bill Wilson and Stuart McMillan also expressed their state. We owe it to all the generations of Scots yet unborn to support for the campaign. Stuart McMillan wrote: “Since the deliver a heritage of freedom, of pride, of self determination. day that the parcel of rogues sold out Scotland’s independence For many generations Scots have strived to create the in 1707, Scotland has never been asked the direct question ‘do independence that our nation rightly deserves. Let us be the you want to be independent?’ The time has come to put aside generation to deliver that freedom -and those Scots to come the distractions and let the Scots decide. If Independence First can grow without the burden that weighs so heavily on our helps foster a collective of individuals and organisations to do shoulders and stops us taking our rightful place, with our flag this, then I fully endorse it and welcome its contribution.” flying as an equal amongst the other nations of this planet. I therefore support the Independence First campaign and wish it Green MSPs Mark Ballard and Shiona Baird have both sent every success.” messages of support. Shiona Baird wrote: “Along with my colleagues in the Scottish Green Party, I am committed to I hope absolutely everyone who supports Scottish independence supporting demands for an independent self-governing will consider supporting this campaign, which is open to Scotland, while recognising that