Nathan Taylor, Glasgow Marxists
On the 6th October, tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Edinburgh calling for an independent Scotland. Official estimates put the number in attendance at between 80,000 and 120,000, making it one of the biggest mobilisations in Scottish history. While Scottish politics might seem uneventful at the moment, it is clear that the appetite for independence is still very much alive and well.
By Ross Walker
September/ October edition of Revolution out now. Articles on the need for free education, defending asylum seekers from Serco landlords, Amazon workers, the orange order and fighting bigotry, the impact of Trotsky’s death, dialectical materialism and the Euro crisis. Read here, the editorial by Ross Walker from the IMT Edinburgh branch.
Tam Burke, IMT Edinburgh
People are shocked and outraged at attacks on the Sikh Gurdwara at Sherriff Brae, Leith, and the damage to the nearby YMCA in Junction Place on 28th August. Fortunately, soon after the attacks a passer-by saw fire and smoke coming from the door of the Sikh Temple. The fire brigade soon arrived and put out the flames, which were caused by a lit rag stuffed into a canister of petrol. A 49 year old man has appeared in court in relation to the attack.
By Ellen Morton, Glasgow Marxists
Earlier this month the multimillion-pound company ‘Serco’ demonstrated how far it is willing to go in the callous pursuit of profit. It issued notices to refugees and asylum-seekers stating that in 7 days the locks to their homes would be changed, leaving them out on the streets with no-where to go. Similar evictions, albeit on a smaller scale, have been happening across the UK in the past year and highlight the complete inability of private contractors to provide safe, high-quality and consistent housing for some of society’s most vulnerable people.
Continue reading Defend Asylum Seekers’ Homes: Lock Out The Landlords
By Shaun Morris, Glasgow Marxists
The shadow of sectarianism loomed large this summer, as the annual Orange Order marches drew criticism and outrage. In Belfast and other parts of the North of Ireland, loyalist mobs clashed with police and intimidated nationalist communities when bonfires were removed on safety grounds. In Scotland, a Catholic priest was spat on by a passing Orange parade.
The Tories will leave students with £1 trillion in debts that can’t be repaid. So much for “conservative fiscal responsibility”!
By Alex Johnson, IMT Edinburgh
Stressed out teachers are leaving the profession in droves, an overhaul of GCSEs has led many students to feel suicidal and declining conditions are hitting university staff. The British education system is in crisis left, right and centre. Young people are bearing the brunt of this crisis with ever-mounting debts from maintenance and tuition fees and a lack of career prospects. The worst outcomes and highest debts are falling on the shoulders of working-class students.
Continue reading Tories will leave students with £1 trillion in debts that can’t be repaid
by Ross Walker
The July/August Revolution is out now. Subscribe on our website to get it delivered to your door. Articles on the Growth Commission Report, the move to the left in USDAW, left opposition within the SNP, John Maclean, Israel and Palestine and more. Read here the editorial written by Ross Walker of the Edinburgh IMT branch. If you like our analysis and aims, do not hesitate to contact us and join.
Continue reading Class Struggle Begins to Thaw (Issue 22 Editorial:)
By Shaun Morris, Glasgow Marxists
Since becoming a party with a mass membership, there has been an underlying tension between the SNP members and their leaders. The constraints of the SNP’s old structure have been shown on multiple occasions at conferences and on election campaigns, when members have mobilised themselves and had to drag the party’s officialdom with them. The party has opened a constitutional review to look into how it could reform.
By Marios Kalomenopoulos, IMT Edinburgh
The publishing of the Growth Commission report, “Scotland – A New Case for Optimism” has raised the question of whether independence can work under capitalism clearer than ever before. This paper has received criticism not just from raging unionists, but importantly large elements of the YES campaign and indeed within the SNP itself and mostly from the left. The discussion around this document is a very welcome development, and with the SNP promising to hold public meetings over the summer on the report, it is likely to provoke a debate where socialists should present a clear alternative.
Continue reading Growth Commission report: No to Scottish Capitalism, For a Workers’ Republic!
By Max wright, IMT Edinburgh
Over 300 Properties at Glasgow Harbour[1], as well as two new Hospitals, have been revealed to have the same deadly Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding which added to the devastation of June 14th’s Grenfell fire. Now the tenants of the cheap building efforts are being made to foot the bill.
Continue reading Who’s to pay? Glasgow Harbour Tenants vs Private Construction
