Will RISE offer a way forward for socialists, trade unionists and those fighting austerity?

Socialist Party Scotland told “you’re not welcome” in new “left alliance”

Socialist Party Scotland statement

Socialist Party Scotland stands for the building of a new mass working-class party that can challenge the political establishment who are implementing austerity, including the SNP, as well as fighting for socialist change. We have a long record of helping to develop broader left parties, alliances and coalitions as a step towards the building of such a party. We are currently involved in the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC), alongside the RMT trade union. TUSC stood the largest number of left candidates in the recent Westminster general election.

A new “left electoral alliance” – in reality a party – is being launched on Saturday in Glasgow. RISE (Respect, Independence, Socialism, Environmentalism) is, primarily, a coming together of the leadership of the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) and the International Socialist Group (ISG – a split-off from the Socialist Workers Party) who played a leading role in the Radical Independence Campaign (RIC).

Over the last few months these groupings have been working under the banner of the Scottish Left Project (SLP) which, according to their website, “takes inspiration from the rise of groups like Spain’s Podemos, which has made great progress in creating a citizens’ politics.” Politically they align themselves to the “two spirits of ’45: the vast grassroots movement that inspired 45% of the population to vote Yes for social justice and equality in an independent Scotland; and the year of 1945, when the generation that had defeated fascism created the National Health Service, even while public debt was at its highest ever.”

As the example of the comparison with 1945 Labour government indicates, it seems likely that the leadership of RISE will not put forward an explicitly socialist programme, limiting itself to a “social alternative” to neo-liberal capitalism, more akin to Podemos in Spain and Syriza in Greece. In practice, as the experience of the Syriza government shows, a policy of seeking a “fairer” capitalist model to relieve the horrors of savage austerity will lead to the failure of a left government unless it is prepared to carry through bold socialist policies.

not welcome

Socialist Party Scotland has been informed by the RISE leadership that: “We want RISE to be a coalition of the social movements”, rather than socialist organisations. We were told we would not be able to participate in RISE with our own organisation and program. Which begs the question as to why some socialist groups – the SSP and ISG – are allowed and others are not? 

The answer to this question is completely linked to the plans by the RISE leadership, it seems, not to launch this party as an explicit socialist organisation. Or as a political party that bases itself on the working class and the trade unions as the key to the struggle to defeat austerity and to lead the fight for socialism.

The RISE leadership has already announced that it intends to stand candidates for the regional lists in the Scottish parliament elections in May 2016. In preparing this new electoral alliance its leadership have, unsurprisingly, not sought to meet with the already existing left and socialist electoral coalition, the Scottish Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC). This is despite TUSC writing to the SLP requesting a meeting on two occasions.

The refusal to meet with TUSC, in our view, indicates that RISE is likely to have a radically different approach as to how to build a mass left alternative.

Will RISE call for, as Scottish TUSC and Socialist Party Scotland does, the SNP to use its huge electoral mandate to refuse to pass on another penny in Tory austerity in Scotland? Will it call for Scottish councils to set needs budgets and actively defy the cuts? Will it stand for the democratic public ownership and working class control of the banks, oil and gas, big industry, transport and the privatised utilities? Will it have, as its primary orientation, a consistent approach to the working class and seek to build support in the trade unions?

Moreover, we have been informed that strong consideration is being given to not allowing the right of platforms or groups to be organised as part of RISE. Any new formation that opposes a federal structure – refusing the right of different political trends to openly organise to put forward its ideas – cannot be democratic and will be a barrier to young people and the working class joining and staying involved with RISE. As will the decision to exclude an organisation like Socialist Party Scotland and Scottish TUSC, both of whom have workers leaders in its ranks and a long history of leading mass struggles. The fact that one of the most militant trade unions in the country, the RMT, who play a key role in TUSC, are not worthy of consideration by RISE leaders is very significant.

RISE is being launched on Saturday in the absence of any discussion or debate on the political platform that should underpin this organisation. Nor will there be any discussion on the democratic structures. These will be decided at a conference in November, apparently.

For the reasons explained above, Socialist Party Scotland will continue to develop Scottish TUSC as an electoral alternative with a 100% anti-austerity and socialist platform. We will also continue to discuss with others on the left to strengthen this platform. In attending RISE events we will outline what we believe are the central tasks facing the socialist left in Scotland. As a contribution to that discussion we have produced a special leaflet for the RISE conference which can be read below.

Building a 100% anti-austerity election challenge for 2016

Socialist Party Scotland believes that to be successful a left/socialist electoral alternative needs to be based on some key policies.

• That the Scottish Government and SNP and Labour councils should refuse to implement a penny more of Tory cuts and set NO cuts budgets instead.
• A minimum wage of £10 now without exemptions
• Opposition to the bosses’ EU
• For democratic public ownership of the banks, the privatised utilities, transport and big business
• An independent socialist Scotland. End austerity and capitalism

There is an electoral coalition in Scotland that stands on such a platform. Since 2010 we have played a lead role in the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC). TUSC is a coalition of trade unionists, socialists and anti-austerity campaigners. Crucially, it also has the backing of the RMT transport workers union. Scottish TUSC stood the largest number of left candidates in Scotland at the recent Westminster election and has pioneered building a 100% anti-austerity electoral challenge to both Labour and the SNP.

In the spirit of encouraging a united left approach for the elections TUSC wrote to the Scottish Left Project seeking a discussion. Given that TUSC is the only left coalition with trade union support, the lack of a response by the SLP so far is a surprise.

Scottish TUSC will continue to request such a discussion with the SLP/RISE as to the possibility of a joint approach for the 2016 elections.

Defeating austerity

The working class and young people are facing an onslaught by this austerity-obsessed Tory government.

The recent budget was a declaration of war on the working poor, the unemployed, the sick and disabled and young people. The trade unions are also in the gun-sights of the Tories.

The Trade Union Bill is a one of the most vicious attacks on the organised working class movement in decades. It is vital that the full power of the trade unions are mobilised in a mass campaign of coordinated and sustained strike action. Only in this way can both the austerity agenda and the attacks on trade union rights be defeated.

There is huge opposition to austerity in society. The election victory of the SNP was an expression of this. As is the current enthusiasm among young people and trade unionists for the Jeremy Corbyn Labour leadership campaign.

SNP

Socialist Party Scotland is clear that neither the SNP leadership, even less so Scottish Labour, are prepared to build a struggle against cuts. By setting a no cuts budget and demanding a return of the billions stolen from public spending, the Scottish Government could put themselves at the head of a mass campaign of defiance. Instead they have passed on every penny of austerity.

The SNP leadership have taken this position because they support capital- ism and pro-business policies. In practice this means acquiescing to the austerity that goes with it.

The space to the left of the SNP will, over time, grow substantially. The need for a stronger left and socialist alternative is clear.

Capitalism: A system in crisis

Internationally, capitalism is in a deep and systemic crisis.

The possibility of capitalism being able to afford sustained and long-lasting reforms for the working class – as some on the left believe – is ruled out. The struggle against all cuts is vital but at all times this should be linked to the need to build a socialist alternative to capitalism.

Paul Mason in his new book outlines an inevitable transition to a “post-capitalist” society. But in reality the capitalist class will fight tooth and nail to hold onto their power and wealth.

Only a mass movement led by the working class to overthrow capitalism can open up the possibility of genuine “post-capitalist” world, based on socialism

Socialist Party Scotland is striving to build that alternative, including supporting the building of a new mass working class party.

Contact us for more information. Our branches in Scotland meet regularly to discuss socialist and Marxist ideas and analysis as well as the practical steps that need to be taken to organise the fightback against savage austerity. We are also part of the worldwide socialist international the Committee for a Workers’ International. www.socialistworld.net

Lessons from Greece – What kind of left do we need?

The Scottish Left Project, according to its website, seem to want to emulate Podemos in Spain and also Syriza in Greece.

But the lessons from Greece are crucial. In practice neither Podemos nor Syriza have a programme that can face up to what the left needs to do when in power.

Socialist Party Scotland welcomes all electoral successes for the left. We and our sister parties in the Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI) are play- ing a pioneering role in this. In the US in 2013, Kshama Sawant was the first socialist to be elected in over 100 years in the city of Seattle. The Socialist Party and the Anti Austerity Alliance (AAA) in the Republic of Ireland have won a se- ries of election victories recently.

Greece

Despite being elected on an anti-austerity mandate – and having that mandate strengthened even further by the referendum in July – the Syriza government have now voted to implement the austerity demanded of it by the Euro- pean capitalist institutions.

This is a severe blow to the young people and working class in Greece who invested at least some hope that Syriza would deliver on their promises.

The only alternative was to take the socialist measures that would break the dictatorship of the market. This would have meant the repudiation and non- payment of the Greek debt. The nationalisation of the banks. A programme of public ownership of the economy and a reversal of the previous austerity attacks. Alongside these measures would have been an appeal to the peoples of Spain, Italy, Ireland, Portugal and across Europe for a mass movement in support of Greece.

Because Tsipras and Syriza wanted at all costs to stay in the euro, linked to their support for a reformed capitalism through the EU, they ended up carrying out the policy of the hated Troika.

Now Syriza has split, with a new left, anti-austerity “Popular Unity” movement being formed.

This is a potential step forward in the building of a more clearly defined socialist and revolutionary left in Greece which is now essential to take the struggle forward after Syriza’s capitulation.

Democracy vital

Democratic debate and decision making is crucial in any working class, socialist organisation. The RISE conference will have little time for democratic discussion on key questions like policy and democratic structure.

These fundamental issues will be discussed, it seems, in the run-up to another conference in November. Socialist Party Scotland will make our views known as part of this discussion. However, any attempts to establish RISE without the right of platforms or groups to openly organise to put forward their ideas will represent a major step backwards in terms of democracy and will be a barrier to workers and young people from participating.

The crucial role of the working class

Socialist Party Scotland bases itself on the working class and young people as being the key to achieving social and political change.

Without doubt the working class are the most powerful force in society. As the victories for the RMT workers at Network Rail, the Glasgow Homeless workers and the Dundee hospital porters have all shown recently: when workers take action, everything stops.

We campaign for the building of a 24-hour general strike against austerity and for the unions to help launch a new mass workers party based on socialist policies.

For the left to be successful in Scotland there also needs to be clarity on being 100% anti-austerity and 100% socialist in order to bring the most effective challenge to the parties of capitalism and cuts.