This is an introduction given by Allan Armstrong (RCN) to the Edinburgh branch of the Edinburgh Radical Independence Campaign on Monday, September 30th. It is followed by some responses from other socialists. Two interesting articles were published last week. The first one in The Herald (27.9.13) highlighted the recent Scottish census, which pointed out that,…
Scottish Independence March and Rally, Edinburgh, September 21st
RCN members, Patricia Kirk and John Lanigan were at the Scottish Independence March and Rally in Edinburgh on September 21st. Below are posted some of the images and film they took of this event. http://www.flickr.com/photos/45212221@N06/ http://www.youtube.com/user/TrishMaryHill?feature=watch (for other work by Patricia and John see Offensive Behaviour And The Independence Referendum)
Republican Socialist Alliance
Below is a report of the meeting of the Republican Socialist Alliance held in London on 6th July, written by Steve Freeman. This includes a summary of the address given by Allan Armstrong (RCN) on the political implications of the unionist nature of the UK state. It is followed by the unedited version of this talk.…
Behind The Unionists’ ‘Project Fear’, The UK State Mask Slips
Allan Armstrong (RCN) analyses two recent developments in the Scottish referendum campaign. The SNP government’s referendum on the future constitutional status of Scotland – ‘Yes’ for ‘Independence-Lite’ (or as Michael Russell terms it ‘Independence within the Union’), or ‘No’ for acceptance of the UK status quo – is still over a year away. However, two events…
The Perils Of Unity
Eric Chester (RCN) takes a critical look at the proposed Left Unity Party. The Crisis of Capitalism has led to a polarisation of political viewpoints, as a widening segment of the working class feels the devastating impact of the downturn in decreasing wages and benefits, and the rapid deterioration of social services. The Labour party…
Socialist Unity
In the aftermath of the collapse or declining support for recent socialist unity projects in Scotland, England and Wales, and Ireland, there have been renewed discussions throughout these islands about the possibilities of achieving socialist unity. The negative role of organisations like the Socialist Party and Socialist Workers Party in the Socialist Alliance, Respect, the…
Allan Armstrong (RCN) replies to David Jamieson (ISG) – part 2
Since I wrote the first part of my reply (Allan Armstrong (RCN) replies to David Jamieson (ISG) – part 1) I have met David for the first time. Face-to-face discussions are a better way of trying to understand the thinking and positions that others hold. They can also help to overcome some preconceived notions. In the…
Offensive Behaviour And The Independence Referendum
In the following two articles, Jim Slaven of the James Connolly Society shows that SNP government’s Offensive Behaviour Act represents the latest attempt to create a ‘sectarian’ smokescreen to avoid tacking anti-Irish racism in Scotland, whilst the Labour Party’s ‘opposition’ is nothing but the rankest opportunism from a party that has long upheld the UK…
NATO, Nuclear Weapons And Scottish Independence
Eric Chester (RCN and IWW) exposes the contradictions of the SNP’s anti-Trident, pro-NATO stance. The Scottish National Party has insisted that an independent Scotland would be free of nuclear weapons. This position reflects the fact that Scottish popular opinion is overwhelmingly opposed to the stationing of the Trident submarine system at Faslane. These subs, a leftover…
Women And Scottish Independence
Alicia Arquera, a member of the International Socialist Group, gave this Introduction to a discussion on Women and Independence at the Edinburgh branch of the Radical Independence Campaign on April 29th. I just wanted to start by saying that I am pleased I am to have been asked to speak this evening on women and…