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Solidarity

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From: The Socialist issue 485, 3 May 2007: Time for a new workers' party

Search site for keywords: Solidarity - Scotland - Election - Glasgow - Tommy Sheridan

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 [email protected] for further details.

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Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.