by Allan Armstrong Commemorating William Wallace, yesterday and today This year is the 700th anniversary of the death of William Wallace. He was brutally killed at what is now Smithfield Market in London, on the orders of Edward I, the Plantagenet King of England. How is this event viewed today? Whatever the real significance of…
Two Words Collide – Nationalism and Republicanism
Allan Armstrong reviews Two Worlds Collide – power, plunder and resistance in a divided planet by Alan McCombes Earlier this year, Scotland hosted a series of activities in response to the G8 Summit held in Gleneagles. The key events were the official ‘Make Poverty History’ march in Edinburgh, held on July 2nd, and the G8…
Helen Macfarlane: A Feminist, Revolutionary Journalist and Philosopher in mid-nineteenth century England
by David Black, Published by Lexington Books, Maryland. Tribute to Helen Macfarlane— That the Parliament notes the forthcoming launch of the book, Helen Macfarlane: A Feminist, Revolutionary Journalist and Philosopher in mid-nineteenth century England; welcomes the fact that this radical Scotswoman will at last be rescued from obscurity and given her place of importance in…
Our Day Will Come!
Opposing the Imperial and Corporate Plan for the North Atlantic Region G8 protestors will visit a ‘strange state’ and a ‘peculiar country’ This July, socialists and communists will figure prominently amongst the international visitors coming to Edinburgh and Gleneagles to protest against the latest G8 summit. Many will pass through ‘her majesty’s passport control as…
Galloway, The SWP And Socialist Unity
Allan Armstrong analyses recent attacks on the SSP and points the way to an ‘internationalism from below’ perspective Galloway resorts to the gutter press George Galloway’s recent attack upon the SSP has raised the issue of socialist unity in these islands in a stark manner. Galloway’s suggestion that he could stand, on a joint ticket…
Another Europe Is Possible
The Left and the Euro-elections Allan Armstrong assesses the state of the left in Europe after the Euro elections A euro-sceptic SSP? The SSP has in the past described its attitude towards Europe as pro-Europe; anti-EU. In the run up towards the Euro-elections, held on June 10th, Alan McCombes subtly shifted the emphasis stating, We…
The Scottish Independence Convention
Independence under the Crown or a Scottish Republic? Allan Armstrong examines the case put by the proponents and opponents of the Scottish Independence Convention in the SSP and develops the RCN’s distinct republican approach. The political nature of and the ambiguities in the Pro-Convention camp After last May’s election to the Scottish Parliament, Alan McCombes,…
Beyond Broadswords and Bayonets
Challenging left nationalism and left unionism in the SSP 1. Socialist Approaches to History in Scotland i) Book publication produces political storm ii) Scottish marxists and Scottish history – the long silence iii) The Scottish Left begins to rouse from its unionist sleep iv) The symbiotic relationship between British left unionism and Scottish left nationalism…
You are the weakest link! SSP Special Conference, the Left and No to the Euro Campaign
Allan Armstrong (RCN), mover of the active boycott motion assesses the SSP Special Conference How the debate was handled The SSP SC on June 22nd, voted by a 4-1 margin to campaign for a no vote when Tony Blair finally decides to set the date for the Euro referendum. An extended morning session was given…
Republicans ‘celebrate’ the jubilee
Allan Armstrong reports on how republicans around the UK expressed their disloyalty to the Crown So how did the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations go from a republican perspective? A quick survey of the three and a bit nations making up the UK shows quite a wide variation in response. Undoubtedly the best protest and republican celebration…