The ruling SNP council in West Dunbartonshire have a nasty Christmas present
for the people.
"If
ever evidence was needed of Labour's capitulation to Thatcherism look no further
than their disgraceful complicity with Royal Mail management in their provocative
attempts to break this week's national postal strike."
As
a minimum first step, the STUC, TUC and national unions should call national
demos and rallies against unemployment; in defence of jobs; for a 35 hour week
without loss of pay to create jobs; and for an increased minimum wage.
On the 1st of February 2009, 9 members of the Scottish Socialist Party travelled
to Havana to take part in a 15 day programme of meetings, visits and cultural
events organised by the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party. The
Delegation consisted of 3 members of the Executive Committee, two of which
were also on the international committee. Members were from branches in Glasgow,
Edinburgh, Rutherglen and Fife.
Latest
Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign 5 on trial for protest
Allan Armstrong on the 5 campaigners facing charges of ‘racially aggravated breach of the peace’.
New SSP branch established in Gordon Brown's constituency
The Scottish Socialist Party held another successful public meeting
against the war in Afghanistan on Monday 1st February with 5 new members
joining the party in Kirkcaldy. Two others rejoined having been members
until 2007.
On a dreadful rainy evening the meeting heard Joan Humphreys, John McAllion
and Colin Fox outline the case for withdrawing British troops.
The new Kirkcaldy branch will be inaugurated in 2 weeks time.
Colin Fox takes on Chancellor Darling in General Election challenge
SSP will look to target 10 seats across Scotland
Labour's war against public services in Glasgow
The Labour council in Glasgow have launched a savage war on jobs, services, its own workers and many of the most vulnerable people in local communities. Read more here...
Glasgow Council Workers Voice (PDF) here...
Strike to stop driver only trains
The SSP gives full and unqualified support to RMT members in dispute with Scotrail over their attempts to impose Driver
Only trains.
Scotrail want to drive a whole fleet of trains through the franchise
contract with the Scottish government – which insists on two staff on
every train.
Everyone knows that the higher level of training required for a Conductor/Guard
is to ensure they can deal with any safety or operational problems at
any point on the route, including potential disasters - as well as at
stations.
It is not just an issue of who opens and closes the doors, as the mainstream
media have sneeringly alleged.Download
Railworkers Voice (PDF file)...
Read Colin Fox on politics in 2010 here...
Afghanistan
'Socialist and Afghan leaders join forces for anti-war talks' Edinburgh Evening News story...
Time For Peace
Each week the toll mounts and another family watches the coffins unloaded to promenade through Wooton Basset while grubby politicians mouth platitudes and squabble as to who can best run the war.
But there is another story.
Across Scotland, from Aberdeen to Edinburgh, the SSP has been campaigning against the war and finding the growing mood of opposition to it and support for a withdrawal.
Read Ken Ferguson, 'Time For Peace' here...
Grandmother of Dundee soldier killed in Afghanistan joins SSP
"I
am delighted to welcome Joan into the party and can promise her we will redouble
our efforts to end UK involvement in this senseless occupation and in favour
of creating jobs at home and securing a sustainable future for everyone." Colin
Fox
Do you support the SSP's call for the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan ?
Troops out of Afghanistan
Photos from Edinburgh demo for end to occupation of Afghanistan
Afghan war grinds towards defeat
Afghanistan - how many more will die ?
Shameless politicians declare Afghan victory
Afghanistan for the Afghans
Campaigning material, PDF files
Paisley tenants defeat housing sell off
The campaign for a ‘No’ vote was led by the SSP in conjunction with Unison, the Scottish Tenants Organisation, Renfrewshire Anti Cuts Committee and other organizations and individuals.
Read SSP Renfrewshire Branch statement here...
See Paisley Daily Express article here...
Fascist 'Scottish Defence League' routed in Glasgow, Read Andy Bowden on the SSY blog
Pictures by John Lanigan here...
'Let's all stop the fascists'' by Liam Turbett
Read the SSP's leaflet for the event here (PDF file)
Colin Fox: BBC puts fascists on prime time tv...
Join the SSP in the fight against racism and fascism today !
Pictures from the Youth March For Jobs in Springburn, Glasgow North East...
Pictures from Nae tae G20 in St Andrews !
Read Raphie De Santos on the G20 here...
There is an updated version of Raphie's 'The state of the UK economy' document here. Download a PDF file of it here...
Fighting for a fairer share
Colin
Fox letter in the Morning Star...
Independence & republicanism
Tam Dean Burn with Colin Fox and Rosie Kane at the SSP's Calton Hill republican event 2004
Union Jack Gordon bows the knee to House of Windsor...
Thatcher's legacy kept alive by Brown
"At the heart of the New Labour project lies its complete rejection of any Socialist politics and endorsement of the Thatcherite view worshiping the free market and the rich." Read Ken Ferguson...
Lordy, Lordy, Lordy
Labour’s government of the unelected
"The Labour Government is a caricature of a Britain long gone, a vivid
testament to how Labour has abandoned its founders.
"The first vote passed at the first Labour conference in 1900 was to abolish the House of Lords.
"In 2009 Labour depends on it to rule the people."
Colin Fox on the need for a modern, democratic, republic here...
Voting reform: Brown's timid window dressing
Andrew Weir looks at the different possible voting systems in the wake of the Westminster constitutional crisis. Read more here...
Greedy MPs expose Westminster
"The ongoing crisis over MP’s expenses has unexpectedly holed the British ship of state below the water line. Suddenly, the Mother of all Parliaments faces a collapse of political authority without parallel in its modern history. The first Speaker forced to resign in disgrace in 300 years has quickly been followed by the first Lords to be suspended for corruption in 300 years." Read John McAllion here...
Viva La Repblica ! Read Allan Armstrong on socialism and republicanism here...
Allan Armstrong on the Republican Socialist Convention...
"The class struggle in Scotland has always been both nationalist
and socialist.
The 1787 massacre of striking Calton weavers by British soldiers is generally
recognised as marking the beginning of an organised, effective Scottish labour
movement.
The weavers’ banner on that day showed Scotland’s national hero William
Wallace striking down the beast of tyranny."John
McAllion on socialism & independence ...
Scotland's Hidden History
Read Eddie Truman on Scotland's hidden history here...
2009
has seen capitalism’s recession bite and cause great hardship for people all
round the globe. Socialists have put an alternative to the chaos and crisis
of the capitalist system. The SSP campaigns to build the resistance to capitalism’s
onslaught against workers and the poor.
Read the Leftbanker blog with regularly updated commentary on the worldwide economic crisis...
State of the UK economy briefing paper (PDF)...
Marxism rises from capitalism's ashes'...
[letter by Alan McCombes in Scotland On Sunday]
'This greed was beyond irresponsible'...