Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/485/2360
From The Socialist newspaper, 3 May 2007
Packed election rally for Scotland's Solidarity
OVER 500 people crowded into Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall for a Solidarity - Scotland's Socialist Movement election rally on 25 April. Tommy Sheridan and George Galloway left those attending enthusiastic for the final week of campaigning to elect socialist candidates to the Scottish parliament and local councils on 3 May.
Tom Penman, International Socialists (CWI Scotland)
Earlier in the week, despite heavy rain Tommy Sheridan spoke to hundreds of students in open air meetings at two Glasgow universities, and the night after the Glasgow meeting 70 people attended a public meeting in Dundee. These full meetings show the support of working-class and young people for Solidarity.
The election rally started with a performance by Scottish rapper Eastborn but quickly moved onto the political speeches. The first was from a striking worker from Sunvic Controls where management are trying to massively cut wages and worsen conditions before selling off the plant.
She thanked Solidarity for its support and compared it to a local Labour councillor who said he showed his support by just tooting his car horn as he passed the picket line.
Next up was Mohammed Asif, an Afghan refugee who thanked Solidarity members for supporting asylum seekers and refugees in Glasgow. He also condemned the NATO occupation of Afghanistan and called for the withdrawal of troops.
Tommy Sheridan spoke with his usual passion, raging against the poverty and inequality in Scotland today. He outlined Solidarity's demands for free school meals, free education, the scrapping of the council tax and the scrapping of Trident.
His speech electrified the room, receiving a standing ovation. George Galloway then gave his support for Solidarity in a funny speech in which he said that if Tony Blair is the Dr Evil of British politics then First Minister Jack McConnell is definitely his 'Mini-me'.
Those waiting for improvements when Brown took over as prime minister were wasting their time as Brown and Blair were "different cheeks of the same arse".
The size and success of the rally shows the potential to rebuild the socialist movement in Scotland. Hopefully George Galloway will learn the lessons for Respect, that standing on a clearly socialist platform and appealing to voters on a class basis, including those from the Muslim community, does not scare working class people away from getting involved in politics but instead attracts them.
For more about events in Scotland and for analysis, subscribe to International Socialist, the monthly paper of the Socialist Party's sister organisation in Scotland, International Socialists. Email cwiscotland@yahoo.co.uk for further details.
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In The Socialist 3 May 2007:
2007 election analysis: Time for a new workers' party
Scottish Elections: Labour rocked as SNP wins
Socialist Party election campaign
NHS cuts... privatisation... widening wealth gap
Campaign for a New Workers' Party conference
Socialist Party NHS campaign
NHS: A matter of life and death in Swansea
Socialist Party workplace news
PCS: Fighting for jobs, pay and services
Socialist Party editorial
Widening wealth gap needs working-class response
Socialist Party election campaign
Packed election rally for Scotland's Solidarity
Irish election - Socialist Party takes on the establishment
New Labour panics and resorts to lies
Yorkshire ISR and Socialist Students day of action
Global Warming
Alternative energy: Winds of change?
Education
Socialist Students
Seattle students walkout against the Iraq war
Pressure mounts for troops withdrawal
Socialist Party Marxist analysis
Russia April 1917: Lenin returns from exile
Comment
Women must have the right to choose!
Socialist Party news and analysis
What 'public-private partnerships really mean
Oppose legal aid contracts tooth and nail
Socialist Party workplace news
Remember the dead but fight for the living
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