International Socialists (CWI Scotland)

National tensions over the issue of Scottish independence were raised significantly following the blundering intervention of David Cameron and the ConDem coalition this week.The UK Westminster government attempted to force the hand of the SNP Scottish administration into holding a referendum within the next 18 months, rather than SNP First Minister Alex Salmond’s preferred option of late 2014.

Over 70 trade unionists, community campaigners and socialists gathered for a conference in Glasgow on December 10, to launch the Scottish Anti Cuts Coalition. The coalition will stand candidates across Scotland in the May 2012 council elections.

Millions of workers took part in the biggest strike seen in living memory against attacks on pensions and cuts by the Con-Dem government on November 30th. The next step in the battle against cuts is to prepare a further public sector shutdown in the new year At the same time many public sector workers will be discussing how we can build a political voice to represent us in elections. A meeting is taking place on Saturday in Glasgow to launch an anti-cuts coalition to contest the Scottish council elections next year.

“November 30th will see millions of public sector workers taking strike action against the Con-Dem’s savagery. Our members have also seen an SNP government implementing year-on-year wage freezes and making deep cuts to public services in Scotland. By standing anti-cuts candidates we can begin to offer an alternative to all those facing cuts, while the bankers who created the crisis get off without a scratch.” Cheryl Gedling PCS NEC members in a personal capacity

As towns and cities across the UK basked in a record October heatwave, the 1st October “People First” demonstration in Glasgow took place in an unrelenting deluge of rain. The PCS emerged as the most popular union on the demo, not just for its leading role in fighting the cuts, but also for its generosity in handing out many “PCS poncho’s” for soaking marchers. (see picture)  

As the lively and colourful Scottish Anti-Cuts Alliance and PCS protest at the Scottish parliament made clear – we didn’t cause this crisis and it’s about time the elected politicians refused to make the cuts. The alternative would have been to set a needs budget and to have demanded a return of the billions stolen by the bankers and the Con-Dem government. Such a stand would gain mass support.

Around 60 local residents in Ardler in Dundee attended a public meeting in the local community centre on Tuesday (06/09/11). The local GP Practice was closed following the retiral of the GP there a few weeks ago. Since then 1,700 local residents had been left without a service and NHS Tayside have been slow to address a number of concerns. There was no consultation with the local community.

Snouts in the trough

SNP government ministers have made huge windfalls by selling their second homes, after the mortgage interest was paid for by the public purse. John Swinney, who as Finance Secretary has slashed public spending and imposed wage cuts on public sector workers in Scotland, cashed in by making a £75,000 profit when he sold his Edinburgh residence for £430,000.

Socialist Party Scotland hosted two successful and inspiring public meetings this week on the theme of fighting the cuts and the case for socialism. More than 70 socialists, trade unionists and young people came along to our meetings in Glasgow and Dundee. A majority of those attending were not yet members of the Socialist Party. 

 
The Scottish National Party (SNP) has won the elections to the Scottish parliament by securing an unprecedented 69 MSPs, an increase of 23 on 2007, gaining an overall majority. This is the first time any party has been able to hold more than half the 129 seats in the Scottish parliament since its establishment in 1999.