Issue 15
Mar - Apr 2003
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It is one of those questions that the partial-democrats mock, but it has never been more crucial; what is your vote for? Too much of our political culture in Britain (although this is changing in Scotland) still sees a vote as a weapon of last resort. Democracy, for the partial democrat, is about giving legitimacy […]
Five MSPs argue why someone from the left should vote for them Labour I believe that Labour in the Scottish Parliament has made real progress in the areas of everyday life which affect most directly working men and women. Aneurin Bevan in ‘In Place of Fear’ wrote that “There is no test for progress other […]
Tommy Sheppard and Dorothy Grace Elder explain why they can no longer bring themselves to vote for their old parties I joined the Labour Party in 1979 just before my 21st birthday. Politically active for four or more years previously, the decision was a considered choice, eschewing the myriad of alternative left organisations on the […]
David Miller explains how you can use your second vote to achieve change in Scotland The second vote in the Scottish parliament elections is potentially a very significant tool for establishing the diverse Parliament that the rhetoric of devolution promised. Yet at the last election only two MSPs from smaller parties were elected to Holyrood. […]
Isobel Lindsay asks what the impact and the implications of the new political parties emerging in Scotland might be? What should be the response of the left to the emergence of single-issue candidates, new parties and independents who have signalled their intention of standing in the May elections? Some may drop out but the fact […]
Robin McAlpine explores what policy issues are up for grabs It is one of the disingenuous chants of the political classes – “disgrace, disgrace, stick to the issues!” This is what they shout when it is their turn in the cycle of electioneering to be on the receiving end of negative campaigning rather than when […]
Matt Smith of UNISON challenges parties to revitalise public services UNISON, the largest Scottish union, is to mount an £80,000 campaign to challenge all the political parties to deliver in the crucial area of Scotland’s public services. Recently the union, which represents 150,000 Scottish public service workers, issued its manifesto for the election. Entitled Revitalise […]
Henry McCubbin looks at how MSPs voted over the last four years on the crucial issues and asks “who’s worth re-electing”? When in that House M.S.P.’s divide, If they’ve a brain and cerebellum, too, They’ve got to leave that brain outside, And vote just as their leaders tell ‘em to. But then the prospect of […]
James Higney argues the case for democratic governance of further education in Scotland Cronyism, nepotism, lack of probity, impropriety, fiscal mismanagement, unaccountability, undemocratic decision making, accusations of corruption, threats of widespread industrial action, allegations of union busting, bullying, harassment, threats of violence, gagging clauses, a substantial increase in industrial tribunals, management imposed disciplinary and grievance […]
Andrew Noble charts the rise of American imperialism through the words of the great American writers Despite the ringing cheers for his Iraq policy from the Tory Party (the best Prime Minister they never had?), Tony Blair is under increasing pressure from both his own backbenchers and the Labour Party countrywide to explain his commitment […]
by Henry McCubbin Much has been written on bias in the media. But, at a time when the reactionary and conservative leaders of Britain and the US are pushing for war under the Orwellian slogan “the push for peace”, it is time to expose that the leap has been made from bias to lying. Bias […]
Fresh breath, Govan-style Top QC and Govan MSP Gordon Jackson is one of our better politicians in the humour stakes. Unlike a lot of them you don’t have to surgically extract his sense of fun. This was very much in evidence recently. Whacko was watching a football match on the telly and enjoying a couple […]