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The Editorial Board of the Scottish Left Review magazine mourns the death of their Convenor, Jimmy Reid. A fine writer and journalist, Jimmy foresaw developments and opportunities in mass communication and 10 years ago was the driving force in founding the Review as an online forum for the Left in Scotland. Associate Editor and long-time friend Bob Thomson said: “Jimmy Reid was a courageous and steadfast fighter for working people and their families. At The UCS work-in he proved that organised workers could defeat an unthinking government and uncaring big business. A self-taught intellectual and philosopher, he did not curry favour or seek self-advancement. He told the truth, often at great cost to himself. A lifelong socialist, he argued eloquently and passionately against the insanity of the capitalist system which once again has caused a major recession where the many will pay for the greed of a few. In 1972 in his inaugural speech as Rector of Glasgow University he famously said “The rat race is for rats”. He believed humankind could create a fairer, more compassionate and better society. We have lost a great Scot and a true internationalist”. To read Jimmy's Rectorial speech in full - Click here |
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REDEMPTION The last nine months have not been ones during with the UK’s political parties –and others – have covered themselves in glory. In fact, it has been a period for which redemption should be sought. But what would that mean for each of the parties involved? We asked seven writers to consider this: John McAllion and Gordon Morgan on the SSP/Solidarity Vince Mills on Labour Kevin Williamson on the SNP Peter McColl on the Greens Gordon McKay on the trade unions Isobel Lindsay on civic Scotland
In addition the issue has articles from Carole Ewart on human rights and Henry McCubbin on Europe. Click here for pdf |
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Many of you will find this a dispiriting issue. Many of you will be unsurprised by this because you will be finding this a dispiriting time to be a socialist, social democrat, progressive or however you choose to style yourself. And that’s because there is every reason to be dispirited. Let us begin by explaining what was the idea behind this issue. |
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John McAllion of the SSP and Gordon Morgan of Solidarity debate the path to bringing a fragmented Scottish left together - and hope for a 'movement of movements' |
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Vince Mills sees no easy route to change in a Scottish Labour Party with a complacent leadership "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our mind" ( Redemption Song, Bob Marley) |
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Kevin Williamson argues that the SNP holds some aces – if it can play them properly |
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Greens find it too easy to resort to opposition to policies which are harmful to the environment, argues Peter McColl. If they are going to make a breakthrough they are going to have to sell a more radical agenda. |
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Gordon McKay argues that trade unions have no option but to stick with Labour |
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There is a very real possibility that any campaign against the cuts in Scotland will be undermined by a divided civic sector. New leadership is needed, argues Isobel Lindsay |
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Carole Ewart discusses the establishment of a human rights consortium in Scotland - and what that means in the context of a UK government hostile to the Human Rights Act |
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Henry McCubbin looks at the implications for Europe of the Greek crisis - and what it means for a vision of a progressive European Union |
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Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada - Reviewer Hamish Kirk Broonland, by Christopher Harvie - Reviewer Henry McCubbin |
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Our theme this edition is a comment on the outcome of the General Election - but what do the parties think of their own positions in this regard? Their own web sites give us an insight to their self opinions. Firstly the Lib Dems in Scotland appear to be very pleased at making the world a safe place for bankers again just when the invisible hands had become visible thus making it easier to clamp handcuffs round their wrists. Their Scottish site can be viewed at http://www.scotlibdems.org.uk/ |
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by Vladimir McTavish ELECTION PROBE AS VOTE FOR LIB DEMS TURNS OUT NOT TO BE WASTED AS PROMISED |
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