The explosion of human talent and energy that was released during the exciting and exhausting two years of the independence campaign will, we all hope, be the lasting legacy of this extraordinary experiment in democracy. With a record number of people registering to vote, to the incredible turnout at public meetings across the country, we began to see that politics in Scotland and across the UK presented us with challenges old and new, but also exciting possibilities. Activists and advocates from all backgrounds stood together to push for constitutional change. Yes Scotland and the wider independence movement benefitted from the Scottish Socialist Party’s vision of an independent, socialist republic in Scotland. The SSP was well rewarded from taking part in the campaign – our membership has grown, our determination has been focused and we cannot abandon those causes that we fought for during the referendum. We must not abandon those ambitions for an independent, socialist Scotland that puts people before profit. We know that we are in need of radical social, economic and political change.
The SSP should be at the front of the push for this change. During the referendum we brought a unique vision to the table. Whilst we worked with our colleagues in the Scottish Greens and the Scottish National Party (and countless others affiliated to no particular political party or ideology), we stayed true to our principles, and took firm stances on many issues including reaffirming our commitment to see Scotland established as a republic. We disagreed with the SNP on currency and corporation tax. Our politics never became diluted – we were and remain committed to fighting for social justice and equality in the best way we know how. We still stand unequivocally on the side of workers and condemn the austerity agenda of the Westminster parties. We were involved in the Radical Independence campaign – which proved that when we want to those on the left can work together. Our members swelled the ranks of Women for Independence groups and National Collective activities the length and breadth of the country. The SSP can work with others to advance its goals and enact real change. We make good partners for anyone wishing to challenge austerity and Westminster elitism.
Jonathan Shafi, co-founder of RIC, recently attended a Stirling SSP branch meeting to answer questions from members about a new venture – the Scottish Left Project. In the project’s opening statement, it reads “There is a need for something truly new and original to be born out of the independence movement…we do not presume to have all of the answers, but we intend to start a conversation around certain core principles that must be represented in politics once more.” The Left Project is not and has no intention of becoming a political party. It is a coalition of the activists, advocates and political actors of the left – a place for discussion but also a place for action. The 2016 Holyrood elections present the left in Scotland with a challenge and an opportunity. It is imperative that we see a strong, united, credible challenge from the left in the Holyrood elections. Just as the SNP could not have achieved the incredible 45% yes vote in the referendum alone, the SSP cannot change Scotland without working with our comrades outside of the SSP. Just like the referendum, this isn’t just about political parties. In trying to create an opposition and an alternative to the SNP, the left must organise. We cannot let factionalism or party loyalty overshadow what is the real issue – letting the people of Scotland be heard.
The Left Project could potentially facilitate dialogue between forces on the left in order to ensure socialist representation at Holyrood. The SSP must be at the centre of this dialogue. A coalition of the left in Scotland without the SSP lacks credibility. Just like when the SSP worked with others in previous campaigns, we know that when we work together we achieve great things. We lost the referendum – but 5 years ago who would have ever thought that 1.6 million people would support the case for independence? We were part of that – and in order to continue to make an impact we need to continue to work together.
What’s more, the SSP knows this. We proposed a Yes Alliance made up of the three pro-independence parties and other pro-independence activists to field candidates in the upcoming general election. The other two parties made the political decision not to participate in an alliance, which was their decision to make. Now we are being asked to work with others to advance socialism in Scotland by joining another coalition. How can we decline the invitation?
We as a party have the chance to participate in something new and fresh. It’s a chance to pull all our resources, our talents and our ideas together. We can still organise our own meetings, formulate our own policies and use our voices the way we always have. Undoubtedly there will be differing views as to which candidates involved in the Left Project should stand where; but as comrades we can come to these decisions together without factionalism or tribal loyalties – but with vision and support for those who speak in favour of our ideals.
The SSP in itself is like a coalition – we’re made up of Marxists, feminists, Trotskyists and everything in between – but we make it work, and our diversity enhances our policies and our aids in our evolution as a political party. We have a chance to retain our identity as members of the SSP, but also to help push for greater political diversity – to grow and blossom as part of a coalition that stands for the ordinary working people of Scotland and demands that socialist voices be heard. As the Left Project opening statement asserts: “Let’s talk, lets act and lets work together to ensure that at 2016 there is a co-ordinated socialist challenge engrained in the communities and campaigns who are at the forefront of changing Scotland.” These are things that should come easily to us.
Ultimately it will be up to party members to decide to engage with the Left Project or not. But I for one will be arguing for our involvement and look forward to the SSP taking a leading role in a project, another experiment, that has the potential to radically change Scotland.
By Jenni Gunn
For more opinion on the Scottish Left Project, see Dave Mundt's article.