Radical Independence Conference

The Radical Independence Conference (http://radicalindependence.org/), being held this Saturday, 24th November in Glasgow, is likely to be the biggest gathering of the Left in Scotland for many years. The RCN has been covering this event since the first open organising meeting in June. We have produced a special issue of our magazine, Emancipation & Liberation,…

Pro-Choice In The US Needs To Take A Left Turn

Susan Dorazio, Women’s Liberation activist and past-convener of the Women’s Commission of the Socialist Party USA, currently residing in Scotland, highlights the dead-end into which the Democratic Party has taken the once vibrant US Women’s Liberation Movement over abortion rights. Since the U.S. pro-choice and pro-life campaigns spring from the same source, namely the ‘new politics’ and…

When Will We See Tanks In Barcelona?

The following article first appeared in International Viewpoint, the journal of the United Secretariat of the Fourth International. The Unionists’ Better Together campaign has invoked the Spanish state in its opposition to Scottish independence. Esther Vivas, an activist in Barcelona, highlights that the reason for the Spanish state’s attitude can be found in the unreformed Francoist elements still…

For a Socialist and Feminist Republican Scotland: Gender Equality and Beyond

Susan Dorazio places Scottish independence firmly within the struggle for global emancipation and liberation against capitalist and patriarchal exploitation and oppression. A Socialist and Feminist Republican Scotland would establish equality for women, but it wouldn’t stop there. Scots, no matter how gender-identified, would recognise that liberation and justice for one is liberation and justice for…

The End Of The Road For The ULA?

The RCN has been chronicling the sectarian actions of the SWP and Socialist Party in breaking up socialist unity in England and Wales (Socialist Alliance) and in Scotland (SSP). It appeared, though, that their sister organisations in Ireland had made a real breakthrough when the United Left Alliance got 5 TDs elected to the Dail…

The Radical Independence Conference – Which Way Forward?

Murdo Richie who runs the blog (http://murdoritchie.blog.co.uk/) argues that the Radical Independence Conference faces a choice of taking one of two political paths – tail-ending the official SNP campaign or developing the best policies for an independent Scotland The Radical Independence Convention can only travel in one of two directions after the Conference of Saturday, November…

Merkel Is Unwanted In Greece!

The announcement of Merkel’s visit is a provocation to the People of Greece. The German Chancellor is unwanted. Being the leading force of the EU and using debt as a pretext and the Memoranda as an instrument, Merkel and Germany turn the workers of Europe into slaves of the German and European Capital. She represents a…

Scottish Self-Determination And The ‘Actually Existing’ Labour Movement

A response to the Red Paper Collective’s Power for Scotland’s People – A labour movement view The ‘Independent Scotland Debate’ was organised by the Edinburgh Peoples Festival on September 9th. 86 people attended this well-conducted event in the Out of the Blue Centre in Leith. The speaker supporting independence was Kevin Williamson of bella caledonia,…

The Chicago Teachers Strike

The recent strike of Chicago teachers marked a watershed in the class struggle in the United States. In the aftermath of the disintegration of unions in the private sector, teacher unions have become a prime target. The attack has been mounted across the board, undermining wages, benefits, working conditions and job security, while also undercutting…