Challenges for Republican Socialists and the Left

Challenges for Republican Socialists and the Left

One of the reasons for wanting independence is that it changes the constitutional arrangement in Scotland. This would be good for democracy as a whole. Also a change in the make up of Scottish politics would be good with political parties not taking their orders from London. The change in the Scottish political climate could also herald in a new way of thinking in Scotland which could bring more of a swing to the left from the public.

Scottish leftist parties and the republican socialists set to gain a new popularity as progressive minorities in an independent nation. The campaign for a socialist republic can begin in earnest. The phoenix could indeed rise from the ashes and socialist effort pay off in winning over the mindset of the Scottish masses.

The vision of a New Scotland should bring more egalitarian thinking and desire for social justice and care for our land, buildings, infrastructure and communities.

Scottish Republican Socialists need to tap into this thoughtful change in society and it's people in Scotland. We must convince the populace of the need to create a Scottish Republic and socialist alternative ultimately leading to a Scottish Workers Republic.

Constitutional and political change can lead to transformation in the nation which could bring on the onset of a new socialist society in a democratic republic. Reform itself will not be enough however we need to educate and radicalise the public by utilising all at our disposal as the movement for republican socialism grows and is recognised more in the mainstream of Scottish political life.

The challenge is to build on these changes and optimism inherent in a new Scottish Independent nation. A far cry from the struggle for minorities to have a voice heard which presently exists in the undemocratic structure of the failed British union.

Bringing forward our socialist ideas for revolutionary transformation from mainstream social democracy in an independent Scotland to a Scottish Workers Republic. Campaigning as Republican Socialists in a thoughtful and vigorous way to win over the people to such a goal.

And recognising the hard work and struggle has already begun and must remain somewhat effortless when tapping into new energy levels. Today republican socialists are coming to the fore in grassroots Scottish political life and the need to display unity of thinking and purpose is paramount to success.

Presently the Scottish left is fragmented and defeated except for initiatives like the recent Radical Independence Conference . The family of republican socialists need to focus on the need to follow a movement which already exists in the Scottish Republican Socialist Movement (SRSM.) And the need to speak with one voice and vigorous campaigning while debating and sharing ideas. The SRSM is the sole Republican Socialist organisation in Scotland that carries the torch for republican socialist ideals and principles keeping the memory alive of Scotland's Socialist Saint Red Clydesider John Maclean.

However Scottish independence should essentially open new doors for republican socialists and the Scottish left in general. The haunting spectre of past or present divisions amongst Scottish leftist factions must be avoided. Republican Socialism must be a way of life, principles, and unifying philosophy to win over the masses. And the opportunity to engage in activism and National Liberation struggle must be taken seriously thus avoiding self-satisfaction, complacency or being unconcerned in an independent Scotland.

The vehicle for change in an Independent Scottish nation must be the people while the catalyst has to be Scottish Republican Socialism through organisational activity from enabling or co-ordinated groups such as SRSM.

The building of SRSM and the Republican Socialist Movement over the next two years and beyond into independence is what republican socialists like myself want to essentially focus on and realise. Supporting and engaging in the Yes Scotland campaign is also of paramount importance until 2014. And the process by myself of supporting and assisting SRSM has already begun.

One effort that would not be wasted is for you to join SRSM today and build the revolutionary republican socialist movement in Scotland. https://www.scottishrepublicansocialistmovement.org/Pages/contactus.aspx

Larry