The Ghost Of James Connolly – Book Launch

THE GHOST OF JAMES CONNOLLY James Connolly and Edinburgh’s New Trade Union, Independent Labour and Socialist Movements(1890-96) James Connolly’s role in Irish history is well known and celebrated. However, Connolly also played a prominent part in the ‘New Union’, independent Labour and Socialist movements in Edinburgh. Allan Armstrong, who conducts Radical Walks in the city, has…

2nd Radical Independence Conference – ‘After The UK: The Future Of 4 Nations’

The RCN received the unanimous backing of the Edinburgh branch of RIC to ask the RIC National Steering Committee to organise a session at the second national RIC conference on November 23rd in Glasgow, entitled ‘The break-up of the UK – the case for ‘internationalism from below’’. This was then unanimously agreed by the Steering Committee, subject to…

2nd Radical Independence Conference ‘Emancipation & Liberation’ Special

Our Emancipation & Liberation Radical Independence Conference Special will be available at the conference on Saturday, November 23rd.     CONTENTS   Editorial(also posted below) Scottish Self-Determination: For a Scottish Wannabe Ruling Class or for Scotland’s People? – RCN Why is Venezuela relevant to Scotland’s Radical Independence Movement? – Ewan Robertson Women and Independence –…

Philip Chevron – 1957-2013

Philip Chevron was a guitarist with the Pogues, the London-Irish punk/traditional Irish fusion band. He died on October 10th. Stuart Munckton wrote this tribute for the Green Left Weekly, the biggest selling Australian socialist paper. Philip Chevron. “I am a gay, Irish, Catholic, alcoholic Pogue who is about to die from cancer — and don’t think I don’t…

The Case For The Republican Socialist Platform In The Left Unity Party In England

There has been considerable interest shown in the proposed Left Unity Party in England and Wales, which it is intended to launch on November 30th. We have already posted one proposed platform – the Socialist Platform (see The Socialist Platform). In an interesting development, some members of the Republican Socialist Alliance in England are Making the Case…

This Land Is Your Land

We have been sent the words of this famous Woody Guthrie song, updated for today. It was written in response to the Scottish Defence League’s attempted march in Dundee on September 12th. Was listening to some music yesterday when up popped the Woody Guthrie classic This Land Is Your Land. Applying this sentiment to the…

SEAMUS HEANEY: THE DEATH OF AN “INTERNAL EMIGRE”

Mary McGregor (RCN) writes this appreciation of the celebrated Irish poet, Seamus Heaney, who died on August 30th. Heaney was a poet of international acclaim. His skill and ability to convey emotions in words and images is exceptional. He was part of the land and appreciated its importance in shaping its sons and daughters. For…

Radical Lallans Poet: Rab Wilson

Working class voices are often underrepresented in poetry. James Foley of the International Socialist Group interviews Rab Wilson, a pioneering voice in contemporary Scottish poetry, who writes in the Lallans Scots dialect to narrate the working life of miners and rural labourers. Rab Wilson has established himself as one of Scottish poetry’s unique voices. Writing…