{"id":4342,"date":"2012-11-28T20:07:36","date_gmt":"2012-11-28T20:07:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/?p=4342"},"modified":"2021-03-08T20:05:50","modified_gmt":"2021-03-08T20:05:50","slug":"uniting-the-left-in-scotland-on-a-principled-basis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/2012\/11\/28\/uniting-the-left-in-scotland-on-a-principled-basis\/","title":{"rendered":"Uniting The Left In Scotland On A Principled Basis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>On February 5<sup>th<\/sup>, 2011, after the ending of the court proceedings arising from \u2018Tommygate\u2019<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_4342_1('footnote_plugin_reference_4342_1_1');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_4342_1('footnote_plugin_reference_4342_1_1');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_4342_1_1\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_4342_1_1\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">See:- <a href=\"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/2011\/02\/03\/rcn-statement-following-the-tommy-sheridan-perjury-trial\/\">RCN statement following the Tommy Sheridan Perjury Trial.<\/a><\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_4342_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_4342_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>, the SSP held a special meeting in Glasgow to discuss the lessons to be learned from the whole affair. The SSP annual conference, held in Dunfermline in April, also considered aspects of this.<\/p>\n<p>It became quite clear, that not only was the leadership of the SSP not prepared to examine its own conduct during this period in a critical manner, but that it had also retreated from the decisions made at the party\u2019s post-split Conference in 2006. Then the leadership had advocated a unanimously supported pro-socialist unity strategy. That conference had also pledged the party to oppose any initiation of action in the bourgeois courts, or resort to the bourgeois media, over disputes amongst\u00a0socialists, a decision that was subsequently breached.<\/p>\n<p>The sometimes highly personalised attacks, either made by, or allowed without any criticism from the leadership, upon comrades who had stuck by the party through the whole of \u2018Tommygate\u2019, led to both resignations and the emergence of party dissidents not in any platform.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Attacks were also made upon RCN platform members (which had become, in effect, a &#8216;dissident&#8217; platform in the SSP<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_4342_1('footnote_plugin_reference_4342_1_2');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_4342_1('footnote_plugin_reference_4342_1_2');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_4342_1_2\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[2]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_4342_1_2\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">The RCN ceased to be an organised SSP platform in January, 2012. See:- <a href=\"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/2012\/02\/11\/the-rcn-platform-and-the-ssp\/\">The RCN Platform And The SSP<\/a><\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_4342_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_4342_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>). The RCN had provided one of the most consistent and thoroughgoing political critiques of Sheridan and his political supporters. However, we were not prepared to go along with the demands for uncritical loyalty to leadership figures when they had made mistakes or breached party policy. It was precisely such practice that had led to \u2018Tommygate\u2019 in the first place.<\/p>\n<p>Some of the \u2018dissidents\u2019 organised two meetings in Glasgow, where a number of very important issues were aired. Members of the RCN were invited. The organisers of these particular meetings asked the RCN to arrange a further meeting in Edinburgh.<\/p>\n<p>This was organised for September 15<sup>th<\/sup> in the Out of the Blue Centre in Leith. 25 people attended, with several others giving their apologies. It attracted comrades from Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow in almost equal proportions, as well as a comrade from Bradford, who used to be in <cite>the commune<\/cite>.<\/p>\n<p>This meeting though, went far beyond \u2018Tommygate\u2019<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_4342_1('footnote_plugin_reference_4342_1_3');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_4342_1('footnote_plugin_reference_4342_1_3');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_4342_1_3\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[3]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_4342_1_3\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">For a full RCN account of the SSP experience see <a href=\"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/2011\/12\/23\/beyond-the-ssp-and-solidarity-forgive-and-forget-or-listen-learn-and-then-move-on\/\">Beyond The SSP And Solidarity \u2013 \u2018Forgive And Forget\u2019 or \u2018Listen, Learn And Then Move On\u2019?<\/a><\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_4342_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_4342_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>, or the SSP. It examined the whole culture of the Left, and its inability to provide a meaningful alternative to capitalism, despite the deep-seated crisis (indeed crises) that has engulfed the world since 2008.<\/p>\n<p>Everybody present thought that this was a very successful meeting. Here is an account of the issues addressed by that meeting and its conclusions:-<\/p>\n<h3>\u2018REUNITING THE SCOTTISH LEFT\u2019, Out of the Blue, Leith. 15<sup>th<\/sup> September 2012<\/h3>\n<p>Main themes from the discussion groups based on the two questions:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Can we develop a new politics and what will it look like?<\/li>\n<li>What are the barriers to this and how can we overcome them?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3>What is the vision?<\/h3>\n<p>Possibilities \u2013 of an alternative society; a clear articulation of communism rather than a diluted \u2018popular\u2019 alternative; shared political aims, despite political differences; built on integrity, an ethical framework and militant democracy; needs to address the issue of power \u2013 an enabling power; will it inform our politics and organisation?<\/p>\n<p>Language was a big issue \u2013 do we use established \u2018left\u2019 lexicon or develop a new one?<\/p>\n<h3>Ethos and mode of practice<\/h3>\n<p>Comradely, respectful debate; emphasis on democracy and what we mean by it; creativity, critical thinking and self-questioning encouraged; open, honest and transparent participation; development of trust; no \u2018great leader\u2019 or unofficial \u2018elite groupings\u2019; radical socialist education \u2013 based on <em>how<\/em> to think not <em>what<\/em> to think; acceptance that people can and will change over time.<\/p>\n<h3>Organisation of \u2018new\u2019 politics<\/h3>\n<p>Creating engaged, democratic and participative forms of organisation; based on principled unity, possibly at three levels \u2013 united campaigns on issues, united fronts at elections and a series of meetings on the left; electoral or not; looser structure of groups and individuals coming together for specific purposes; how to create unity with diversity; need local, national and international structures e.g. local campaign work\/discussion groups, broad coalitions [but problems if \u2018good\u2019 Labour\/SNP\/TU \u2018lefts\u2019 are supported by some], difficulties in establishing truly democratic \u2018internationals\u2019; how do we relate to women, ethnic minorities and other sections of people often neglected\/ignored by left groups?<\/p>\n<h3>Independence Referendum<\/h3>\n<p>Opportunity to engage with others and challenge the SNP\u2019s notion of an independent Scotland; debate about whether to get involved with Radical Independence Convention; what would a Scottish Socialist Republic look like?<\/p>\n<h3>Consciousness, socialisation and \u2018human nature\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>Much of what is considered \u2018human nature\u2019 is learned behaviour and so can be challenged and changed; transforming society can be about transforming ourselves too, in the process of class struggle or through an understanding of our own psychology; if there is to be mass participation \u2013 and emancipation of the w\/c is an act of the w\/c \u2013 the class needs to regain the idea of individual and group power, at work and in communities; the left needs to regain credibility within our class. It has very little influence at present.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p>It was agreed to organise further meetings on a geographical basis in a rota to include Glasgow and Dundee. The next of these meetings will be held in Glasgow on December 8<sup>th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n<h3>Agenda<\/h3>\n<p>(drawn up by Glasgow organisers)<\/p>\n<p>12:30 &#8211; Start of meeting and personal introductions<\/p>\n<p>12:40 &#8211; Break into groups for general discussion of 1<sup>st<\/sup>\u00a0theme \u2013How can we build a socialist organisation that is truly democratic and non-hierarchical?<\/p>\n<p>13:40 &#8211; Group feedback<\/p>\n<p>14:00 &#8211; Lunch<\/p>\n<p>14:50 &#8211; Group discussion on 2<sup>nd<\/sup>\u00a0theme \u2013 What issues would such an organisation find most important to address in the current political situation in Scotland?<\/p>\n<p>15:50 &#8211; Group feedback<\/p>\n<p>16:10 &#8211; AOCB<\/p>\n<p>16:30 &#8211; DONM<\/p>\n<p>Edinburgh RCN, 29th November 2012<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p>The Edinburgh based comrades, who attended the September 15<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0meeting, have also decided to form a local group. This had its first meeting on November 3<sup>rd<\/sup>, where it was agreed to organise further monthly meetings. The contents of the letter, originally sent out to those who could not be contacted directly, also provides additional information about RCN thinking in regards to principled socialist regroupment, and can be found in the comments section below.<\/p>\n<p>Allan Armstrong<\/p>\n<h3>Footnotes<\/h3>\n<div class=\"speaker-mute footnotes_reference_container\"> <div class=\"footnote_container_prepare\"><h3><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_label pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_4342_1();\">References<\/span><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button\" style=\"display: none;\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_4342_1();\">[<a id=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_4342_1\">+<\/a>]<\/span><\/h3><\/div> <div id=\"footnote_references_container_4342_1\" style=\"\"><table class=\"footnotes_table footnote-reference-container\"><caption class=\"accessibility\">References<\/caption> <tbody> \r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_4342_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_4342_1_1');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_4342_1_1\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>1<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">See:- <a href=\"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/2011\/02\/03\/rcn-statement-following-the-tommy-sheridan-perjury-trial\/\">RCN statement following the Tommy Sheridan Perjury Trial.<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_4342_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_4342_1_2');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_4342_1_2\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>2<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">The RCN ceased to be an organised SSP platform in January, 2012. See:- <a href=\"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/2012\/02\/11\/the-rcn-platform-and-the-ssp\/\">The RCN Platform And The SSP<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_4342_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_4342_1_3');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_4342_1_3\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>3<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">For a full RCN account of the SSP experience see <a href=\"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/2011\/12\/23\/beyond-the-ssp-and-solidarity-forgive-and-forget-or-listen-learn-and-then-move-on\/\">Beyond The SSP And Solidarity \u2013 \u2018Forgive And Forget\u2019 or \u2018Listen, Learn And Then Move On\u2019?<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> function footnote_expand_reference_container_4342_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_4342_1').show(); jQuery('#footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_4342_1').text('\u2212'); } function footnote_collapse_reference_container_4342_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_4342_1').hide(); jQuery('#footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_4342_1').text('+'); } function footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_4342_1() { if (jQuery('#footnote_references_container_4342_1').is(':hidden')) { footnote_expand_reference_container_4342_1(); } else { footnote_collapse_reference_container_4342_1(); } } function footnote_moveToReference_4342_1(p_str_TargetID) { footnote_expand_reference_container_4342_1(); var l_obj_Target = jQuery('#' + p_str_TargetID); if (l_obj_Target.length) { jQuery( 'html, body' ).delay( 0 ); jQuery('html, body').animate({ scrollTop: l_obj_Target.offset().top - window.innerHeight * 0.2 }, 380); } } function footnote_moveToAnchor_4342_1(p_str_TargetID) { footnote_expand_reference_container_4342_1(); var l_obj_Target = jQuery('#' + p_str_TargetID); if (l_obj_Target.length) { jQuery( 'html, body' ).delay( 0 ); jQuery('html, body').animate({ scrollTop: l_obj_Target.offset().top - window.innerHeight * 0.2 }, 380); } }<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On February 5th, 2011, after the ending of the court proceedings arising from \u2018Tommygate\u2019[1]See:- RCN statement following the Tommy Sheridan Perjury Trial., the SSP held a special meeting in Glasgow to discuss the lessons to be learned from the whole affair. The SSP annual conference, held in Dunfermline in April, also considered aspects of this.&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1852,1867,1873,1854,1874,1868,18,1875],"tags":[230],"class_list":["post-4342","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-how-communists-organise","category-emancipation-liberation-and-self-determination","category-against-unionism","category-the-left-crisis","category-republicanism","category-against-imperialism","category-political-campaigns","category-scotland-against-unionism","tag-author-allan-armstrong"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"views":6806,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4342","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4342"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4342\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18375,"href":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4342\/revisions\/18375"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4342"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4342"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4342"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}