With the benefit of hindsight: ‘Scottish Independence and the British state ten years on’
Ten years on from the Scottish independence referendum – a report of a Conter conference held on 14 September 2024
The problem of independence
While a range of neoliberal and reactionary politics threatens to dominate the Scottish independence movement, Marcus Docherty argues that the influence of right wing leaders is not the only problem for socialists.
No exit from the Brexit crisis
What does the Brexit crisis mean for British politics and the European Union?
EU debate: A socialist case for leaving the EU
Neil Davidson, in a piece originally published on Bella Caledonia, makes the case from a Scottish perspective about why socialists should support leaving the EU.
Jim Murphy’s election: a view from inside the Labour Party
The pro-independence left have written off the Scottish Labour Party, writes Jim Monaghan – but polling figures for left of Labour parties are tiny, and we need unity to fight austerity and war. The election of Jim Murphy as Scottish Labour leader will have a profound effect on Scotland’s current fluid political landscape. From optimistic […]
Jim Murphy’s election: a death sentence for Scottish Labour?
Jim Murphy is the new leader of the Scottish Labour Party. That he was even a candidate for the job, writes Pete Cannell, shows how little the Labour Party understood what was happening in Scotland during the referendum campaign. The final months of the referendum campaign were a festival of democratic participation. The objective was […]
Scotland and Spain: lessons from contemporary social movements
Scotland and Spain have both seen mainstream politics in crisis in recent months. Neil Davidson and Luke Stobart discussed the significance of recent events at a meeting organised by rs21 in London on 30 November 2014.
Radical Independence Conference – hopeful, energetic, impressive
Three thousand people took part on Saturday in the Radical Independence Conference in Glasgow. Christine Bird reports from an inspiring event, part of the renewal of the left in Scotland.
Scotland: the Social Movement for Independence and the Crisis of the British State
During the last week we’ve published a major analysis of Scottish politics after the independence referendum by historian and activist Neil Davidson in five parts. Now here it is all in one place.
Scotland – what next?
In the fifth and final part of his analysis of Scottish politics after the referendum, written in late September, Scottish historian and activist Neil Davidson looks at events since the vote.
Scotland – Understanding the result
In the fourth part of his analysis of Scottish politics after the referendum, Scottish historian and activist Neil Davidson looks at the detail of the referendum results.
Scotland – project fear and the ruling class panic
In the third part of his analysis of Scottish politics after the referendum, Scottish historian and activist Neil Davidson looks at the No campaign. Occasionally, writers have to resort to what might be called historically-informed speculation about the collective attitude of political actors. For the British ruling class in the referendum crisis, however, no speculation is necessary since its […]
Scotland – the Yes campaign as a social movement
In the second part of his analysis of Scottish politics after the referendum, Scottish historian and activist Neil Davidson examines the Yes campaign.
Scotland – the reality behind the referendum
Part one of a major five-part analysis of Scottish politics after the referendum, by Scottish historian and activist Neil Davidson.
Scottish independence: Why didn’t the working-class Yes vote win the day?
Class was central to the Scottish independence referendum, writes Matt Myers. The low-waged, unemployed and young were more likely to vote Yes – so why did enough working class people vote No that the vote was lost? In the aftermath of the referendum one thing remains clear: the vote was neither about dry constitutionality, nor nationalism per se, […]
Yes campaign falls short, but its legacy must endure
Pete Cannell reflects on a momentous referendum campaign, the significance of which goes far beyond the result. The enduring legacy of the last few weeks and months in Scotland will be the energy, clarity and vision of all those grass roots campaigners who campaigned for a Yes vote. This is what a mass movement looks like. […]
The class divide is clear to see over the Scottish independence referendum
Hanif Leylabi gives his impressions of #indyref day The energy and debate generated by the referendum was clear from the moment my train pulled up at its first Scottish stop. The sheer volume of campaign stickers tells you that this referendum has engaged and involved huge swathes people, including those who have never voted before. What was also immediately […]
Huge turnout as Scots head to the polls
Graham Campbell reports from Glasgow George Square last night was like Glastonbury. 10,000 people filling the square and a joyous party atmosphere: mostly, but not exclusively younger people. Bands and pipers played, reels were danced. Today’s voting has been amazing. The turnout is so high at Alexandra Parade, Dennistoun there was a queue akin to […]
Confidence and empowerment against pessimism and cynicism in Scottish referendum
Ahead of tomorrow’s historic Scottish independence referendum, Nicholas Cimini tackles some of the arguments coming from the left in support of No In support of a No vote in tomorrow’s independence referendum, there are some Labour supporters, and others on the left, who warn against the dangers of identity politics and Scottish nationalism, stressing the […]
Something’s going on in Scotland
Pat Smith, from the International Socialists Scotland and the Radical Independence Campaign in Edinburgh, makes a case for why socialists should support Scottish Independence (Originally published in the autumn 2014 issue of the rs21 magazine) Something quite remarkable is happening in Scotland. Most active socialists in Scotland, outside of the Labour Party, have been involved […]
Strong support for Scottish independence in mass canvas
The Radical Independence Campaign (RIC), on Tuesday released the findings of their recent mass canvas of 18,000 Scottish voters, showing a lead for Yes over No in the forthcoming independence referendum. A Unite rep discusses how the results contrast to official polls. Canvassing over 18,000 voters in 90 working-class communities across the country, RIC […]
The evolution of the Scottish independence question
Historian and socialist activist Neil Davidson’s responds to questions about his article ‘Yes: a non-nationalist argument for Scottish independence’ about how his position on Scottish independence has developed.