The following article written by Ewan Gibbs was first posted on bella caledonia. It points to the forthcoming RMT strike highlights the class divide between the SNP leadership, ever eager to bow to both Scottish and multi-national corporate interests, and their hostility to organised labour. But the sacrifices demanded from the working class now would…
Sinn Fein election ‘victory’ blunted as DUP blocks Assembly formation
The following article from Socialist Democracy (Ireland) analyses the results of the recent Stormont election. SINN FEIN ELECTION ‘VICTORY’ BLUNTED AS DUP BLOCKS ASSEMBLY FORMATION The huge significance of Sinn Fein becoming the leading political party in the north after its success in last week’s Assembly election has been emphasised in commentary across the board. …
A flag for a future republic
The following article by George Gunn was first posed by bella caledonia. It oulines a planned challenge in Golspie on June 4th to Elizabrit’s platinum jubilee. In this it follows the footsteps of James Connolly’s protest in Dublin against Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee in 1897. A FLAG FOR A FUTURE REPUBLIC On Saturday 4th June Yes…
Socialist Democracy statement on the Stormont Assembly election
The following statement from Socialist Democracy (Ireland) addresses the Stormont Assembly elections on May 5th and examines the further hardening of sectarianism and the future of the Good Friday Agreement if the DUP no longer holds the First Minister’s role for the Unionists SOCIALIST DEMOCRACY (IRELAND) STATEMENT ON THE STORMONT ASSEMBLY ELECTION No to sectarianism…
Earth champs
This article written by Mike Small was first posted on bella caledonia. It highlights Labour’s continued gallop to the Right, this time over the environment. EARTH CHAMPS Earth Day has long-gone as a meaningful exercise in anything other corporate greenwash as the grim realities wash over our exhausted timelines. The Sierra Club of America offers…
The odd couple: Ruaraidh Erskine and John Maclean
We are posting this article by Johnnie Gallacher, who provided his own introduction:- As society stands hesitating at the ecological fork in the road to either ecosocialism or suicide, reflecting upon the unlikely political alliance between John Maclean, the revolutionary socialist, and Ruaraidh Erskine, the aristocratic Gaelic nationalist, can offer valuable insights. These relate to…
The human cargo of voluntary departure
The following article written by Mike Small first appeared in bella caledonia. It examines the ongoing assault on migrants, which has become the centre-pice of the Tories’ attacks on democratic right across the board in Brexit Britain , THE HUMAN CARGO OF VOLUNTARY DEPARTURE “Anyone entering the UK illegally… may now be relocated to…
P&O, Brexit Britain and Empire2
This is a slightly edited version of an article by Allan Armstrong, first posted by bella caledonia. P&O, BREXIT BRITAIN AND EMPIRE2 P&O, or what became the Peninsular and Orient Steam Navigation Company, was established in 1822. One of its co-founders, Brodie McGhie Willcox, was a London ship broker. When he died in 1862, he…
Developing the case for a republican, all-islands, ‘internationalism from below’ coalition
Allan Armstrong is writing a review of three books which address the political situation Socialists face, first of all in Ireland, but also extended to Scotland, Wales and England. EL&SD is posting the introduction to this review, and the link to its first part. The other parts are still to be written and the…
Self determination and sovereignty in Europe
This article by Mike Small was first posted on bella caledonia. It highlights the Gadarene stampede to the Right by media commentators following Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Ian MacWhirter, for a short period a supporter of Scottish independence, but now following his longstanding attacks on public sector workers, followed by transgendered people and environmental activists,…