We have just published a new pamphlet titled Republicanism, socialism and democracy It is available for £1 including postage from the usual address. A short extract follows. For socialists republicanism in the United Kingdom describes the movement from below for a radical and militant democracy. Republicanism addresses those immediate democratic issues faced by the working…
Emancipation & Liberation Index 16
Emancipation & Liberation, Issue 16, Spring 2008 SSP – Learning the Lessons, RCN The role of platforms in the SSP, RCN Prospects For Socialists In Scotland, Allan Armstrong Respect Split, Ed Walsh Cartoon, Rod MacGregor Ken Livingstone: The End of Road, Gerry Fitzpatrick Paisley’s Legacy, Matt Siegfried ‘Celtic Tigers’ And ‘Celtic Lions’ Both Pussycats For…
The Role Of Platforms In The SSP
Platforms, tendencies, factions – call them what you will – exist in all organisations, not just in political parties. Sometimes they are suppressed (by the controlling and usually undeclared, leadership faction, of course), sometimes they are tolerated and occasionally they are welcomed. This article argues that not only are platforms inevitable, but that they are…
SSP – Learning The Lessons
As the SSP’s 2008 conference approaches, our party is still feeling the effects of the long running perjury investigations and charges linked to the libel trial brought by Tommy Sheridan against the News of the World. The reality is whatever the outcome of any future court case, the fight for socialism has not been made…
James Connolly
Still An Inspiration Today Today we march to commemorate the 90th anniversary of James Connolly’s death on Friday, 12th May, 1916, at Kilmainham Jail in Dublin. Although severely wounded, Connolly was shot by a British firing squad after being tied to a chair. In the face of rising political pressure, to at least delay his…
The Republican Communist Network Welcomes The Formation Of The SSP United Left
Shared values and concerns The RCN welcomes the formation of the new SSP-UL platform. The SSP United Left Statement (June 9th, 2006) makes a number of important points with which we are in agreement. The SSP, since its inception, has been a beacon of hope to the workers’ movement in Scotland and internationally. We also…
The State, The Crisis In The SSP And The Republican Response
Life for socialists and anti-imperialists is never easy – the bosses, the media and the state ensure that. However, some injuries can be self-inflicted. The current, very public spat inside the SSP highlights the relative weakness of forces with the experience and methods needed to combat what is clearly an orchestrated media attack on the…
RCN Statement on the Split in the Scottish Socialist Party.
The Scottish Socialist Party has been held up throughout the UK and beyond as a model for socialist unity. It was built on the firm ground of direct action and working class resistance. It included the vast majority of socialist organisations in Scotland and local branch organisations of British trade unions. The SSP is now…
Statement from RCN platform in the SSP
The one big loser in the Tommy Sheridan versus NOTW libel case has been the Scottish Socialist Party. The folly of dealing with any political attack on a socialist organisation via the courts has been evident for all to see. The enemies of the working class and agents of the state must be sleeping easy…
RCN motion to October 2006 SSP Conference
This SSP National Conference agrees to adopt the following policies:- 1 SSP members should not resort to the state’s courts when seeking redress for politically motivated attacks on their behaviour. 2 When SSP members are subjected to politically motivated attacks by the state or media, they should be able to call upon the support of…