Hundreds queue up to hear the socialist case for independence
350 people attended the ‘socialist case for independence’ meeting in Dundee on 15 April to hear Tommy Sheridan and Socialist Party member, John McInally. One hundred people had to stand as all 240 seats were full 15 minutes before the meeting started.
Chairperson Sinead Daly introduced the meeting, explaining that it was organised to offer a vision that was absent from the official Yes campaign. “This meeting will discuss how the powers of independence could be used for the working class. It doesn’t matter if you change the flag over Scotland unless you go about preparing for the building of a new society, socialism, from the ground up to end cuts and austerity.”
John McInally, vice-president of the PCS union and speaking as a Socialist Party member, gave an excellent speech explaining the need to build unified and coordinated strike action by trade unions to defeat austerity. John pointed out the need for public ownership and the building of a new mass working class party to represent the majority. That hundreds of thousands were looking to independence to escape poverty and low pay, zero-hour contracts, etc. But to do that socialist policies are needed and a party to deliver them.
Tommy Sheridan made a very powerful speech railing against poverty, food banks and cuts. He lacerated the Labour Party and Project Fear and called for public ownership of gas, electricity, oil and the pharmaceutical industry, for a living wage and an end to zero-hour contracts and the removal of Trident.
During the question and answer session there was clear opposition to the SNP’s currency union plan, to the Queen remaining as head of state, to the bosses’ club of the European Union, as well as real anger towards Labour. There was also strong support for public ownership and for a new working class party.
Copies of the Socialist Party Scotland ‘Ten questions on socialism and the indy referendum’ leaflets were snapped up as people entered the hall. We sold out of copies of the Socialist newspaper. 135 people put their names down for more information about the case for an independent socialist Scotland and £480 was collected at the end of the meeting.
Hope Over Fear – the Case for an Independent Socialist Scotland tour will run for the next few months and thousands are expected to attend to hear a socialist alternative.
