SRSM Political Programme

Adopted by SRSM Ard Fheis 12 January 2003

National Liberation

We believe the struggles for National Liberation and Socialism to be inseparable, that is that one is not possible without the other. The question of National Liberation is not merely about the ending of British political rule in Scotland but about the ending of all economic, political and cultural Imperialism in Scotland. The National Liberation struggle will not be won until the workers of Scotland exercise complete control over the material resources, economy and political administration of Scotland.

This brings to the fore competing class issues in Scottish society. The interests of the Capitalist class are tied to and subservient to the interests of Imperialism. They will always seek to preserve their own position and therefore constantly undermine the struggle for genuine National Liberation.

The National Liberation struggle has to be fought by those whose interests are not tied to Imperialism. That is it has to come from the majority of the Scottish people – the working class. It is about the complete transfer of the wealth and resources of Scotland into the hands of those who use these resources to create the wealth. It is, in short, the building of a Socialist society; a Scottish Workers’ Republic, and it must be the working class that leads the struggle for National Liberation. Such a demand meets Scotland’s aspirations as a nation with the workers aspirations as a class.

There is no British nation and therefore no British working-class. Any unity between the national components of these islands has been forced from the top down, and does not represent unity in the internationalist sense. Until the achievement of National Independence, without which there can be neither Republic nor Socialism, the chief work of the SRSM shall be to engage in the struggle for National Self-Determination.

Socialism

Scotland is a nation composed of two classes – those who live by earning wages or salaries, the vast majority of our people – the working class, and the wealthy minority whose luxurious lifestyles are derived from the exploitation of the working class. The capitalist state is nothing other than the means whereby the exploiting minority asserts its power to own the means of production, distribution and exchange – thereby stealing from the workers the true value of their labour. The interests of the workers of Scotland have nothing in common with those of the exploiters.

Only a Socialist Republic could carry through the revolutionary transformation of every aspect of Scottish life which is so urgently necessary and build, on the basis of a Socialist Economy, a new civilisation as brilliant as it is truly human. The structures of the Capitalist State could not cope with the fundamental changes to the productive system that we wish to bring about. They have to be replaced with new structures based on workers power through workers councils or soviets, thus laying the basis for a practical organisation of socialist society.

For the human race knows only one road to its emancipation and it is the revolutionary road. History has shown that reformism and all it entails has got mankind nowhere. We must put an end to wages slavery and construct a new social system that will transform human nature and for once allow man to master nature.

We believe in the Marxist concept of class struggle and as such agree with Karl Marx that, ‘the emancipation of the working class is the task of the working class themselves’. The proletariat as the only revolutionary class must abolish class itself. As such it is the duty of Republican Socialists to raise the class-consciousness of workers to take responsibility for their own liberation.

We are agreed that;

· Socialism, often abandoned and betrayed, has not failed.

· Socialism remains the highest and best form of social organisation for the World, Country and time in which we live.

· the only ‘liberty’ to disappear under Socialism is the liberty to exploit others; all other Human, Civil and Democratic Rights, shall, in our Republic, be vastly extended and guaranteed.

· recognising the difficulties involved, the Socialist Republic will be prepared to take all steps necessary to defend the Revolution.

· the SRSM will accept no form of Socialism until the Republic is declared and will accept no form of Socialism except Republican Socialism.

· The model of Socialism represented by the former ‘Communist Bloc’ does not represent the society which we seek to build.

Republican Socialism

The SRSM is part of a distinct tradition in the evolution of Scottish political thought. It is a tradition represented by those who have stood in the best interests of the Scottish working class.

From the remnants of the abortive rising of the United Scotsmen, whose ideals were amongst the most progressive of their time, was born a working class led movement which culminated in Scotland’s first General Strike, the formation of a Provisional Government of Scotland and the Radical Insurrection of 1820. It contains the Republican Chartists, Land Leaguers and those involved with the birth of the Scottish Labour Party. It was the comrades of John MacLean in the Scottish Workers Republican Party who, like James Connolly and comrades in Ireland, first applied Marxist tactics to the Scottish ‘national question’ and adopted the revolutionary demand for a Scottish Workers Republic, rejecting the increasing Moscow and London control over Scottish Communist thought. It includes the Volunteers of the Clydeside Battalion who fought with the people of Spain and many other individual Republicans and Socialists notably Oliver Brown, Hugh MacDiarmid, Nan Milton and Bill Johnstone.

Republican Socialists seek to build a mass movement of the working class to smash British control of Scotland and build a new society based on common ownership. Recognising that none other than the working class can carry through this task, it bases itself solely in the working class, rejecting the middle class academic orientation of most British Left groups.

Scottish Nationalism

We oppose the efforts of the ‘British’ Left to demonise Scottish Nationalism as a reactionary project of the middle classes. We reject this analysis as quickly as they reject all things Scottish.

Scottish Nationalism, as expressed in support for the SNP is a direct consequence of the failure of the Labour movement to deliver on the ‘national question’. This rise in political nationalism is directly attributable to the inadequacies of the bureaucratic British Labour movement to come to terms with the struggle for self-determination, a founding principle of that movement.

In its best elements it is a progressive anti-Imperialist force which sets it diametrically opposed to the nationalism displayed by the British State and all its agents, which is imperialistic, jingoistic, chauvinist and racist. The difference between the nationalism of the oppressed peoples of the world is completely different to the nationalism of the oppressors.

We fully understand the dangers associated with Nationalism, those of racism, xenophobia, fascism and intolerance and strive to fight all such manifestations.

Insofar as nationalists strive to bring about an end to British political control over Scotland we support them. But as Republican Socialists we reaffirm that any ‘independence’ that leaves untouched the class struggle is unacceptable to us. Such a strategy fails to take account of the fundamental contradiction in society between the wage-earning class and the ownership of the means of production. Real independence must mean independence for the working class from the ravaging effects of global capitalism.

Internationalism

The SRSM is an Internationalist Organisation. We reject the infantile ethnocentrism of the ‘British’ Left and do not equate Internationalism with anti-Nationalism – still less with the subjection of the Celtic peoples to rule from London. The right of Oppressed Nations to Self- Determination is, for us, a matter not of tactical convenience, but of fundamental Socialist principle.

We hold it to be still true that the major contradiction of our age is that between Imperialism and the Peoples of the whole World and we maintain unshakeable solidarity with our brothers and sisters who in every land struggle for National Liberation, Socialism and the Emancipation of all Humanity.

True Internationalism has to begin at home. The first duty of an Internationalist is to make the Revolution in his or her own country, or, since the Cause is always and everywhere the same, in the country of residence or exile and that the first duty of citizens of an Oppressor Nation is to be ‘democrats for the Oppressed Nation’.

As Members of the World Wide Movement of the Peoples for Socialism and against Imperialism and War: we consider the chief of those obligations to be that of rescuing our Country from the two Imperialism’s which imprison and make of her a threat to World Peace.


Cymru, Eire & England

Foremost amongst our Internationalist duties is to support those who struggle against Imperialism and for Socialism in these western European islands.

For centuries now Scottish soldiers have been used to suppress anti-Imperialist forces across the globe in the name of British Imperialism. Nowhere has this been more evident than in Ireland. We demand that ‘Ireland’s Tragedy’ is no longer ‘Scotland’s Disgrace’ and show our solidarity with those who fight for a 32 County Socialist Republic, free from all the vestiges of British occupation.

There have been many from Ireland’s history who are an inspiration to our own struggle notably Connolly, Larkin, the volunteers of the Irish Citizen Army, the hunger strikers of 1981, and activists of the Irish Republican Socialist Movement. In memory of these comrades, and many others;
BRITAIN OUT OF IRELAND! SCOTLAND OUT OF BRITAIN!
We call on the Irish in Scotland to rally to our side in the fight with British Imperialism.

The people of Wales have also suffered from the same forces that have wrought such misery to the histories of Ireland and Scotland. We unconditionally support the struggle of the Welsh people for national self-determination as another weakening in the chain of British Imperialism. We further support the cause of our comrades in Cymru Goch to establish a Welsh Socialist Republic.

Anticipating the victories of tomorrow we look forward to a long era of harmonious co-operation between our Republic and (among many others) a Welsh Socialist Republic and a 32 County Irish Socialist Republic. We will work with genuine Socialist forces in England who will work collectively with us on a basis of national equality and independence. We support the creation of a Socialist Republic of England.

Loyalism

The SRSM rejects every variety of Unionism/ Loyalism (including the infamous ‘Two Nations Theory’) and trusts that the inherent contradictions of this nauseous creed will lead soon to its destruction. The SRSM denies the right of Unionists to solve their identity crisis at the expense of the Scottish Nation. Loyalism is a thoroughly reactionary political ideology, based on notions of cultural/ racial supremacy. As such we oppose it as we oppose all forms of racism.

European Union

The SRSM seeks ultimately to build harmonious relationships with Socialist States across Europe. This cannot be done through the channels of the European Union, which has been since its foundation the preserve of big business and international capital.

The budgetary cuts being made by governments across the continent in order to meet the convergence criteria to join the EMU are only one example of the anti working-class measures imposed by this institution. The complete scope of these measures are fundamentally opposed to our objective of workers control of industry, such ideals are not permissible within the EU. We do not believe that the EU can be reformed on a Socialist basis – it can only be replaced by a truly democratic Europe of the Peoples, ultimately a confederation of European Socialist Republics.


NATO

The SRSM demands the immediate withdrawal of all Scottish troops from the so-called NATO “peacekeeping” forces. These forces are used as the frontline of the Imperialist powers against those who stand up to the ‘new world order’.

We have no grievances against the peoples of the world and will not be used to carry out the orders of the U.S aggressors. It is NATO that is the threat to real world peace as the defenders of Global Capitalism and Imperialism.

The SRSM proposes that Free Scotland;

· should leave the NATO Alliance and remove any remaining nuclear weapons, and all imperialist troops, bases, stores, installations, warships, military aviation etc. from the National Territory.

· should pursue policies of Strict Neutrality and Non-Alignment.

· should be driven from such a position into other military alliances only by ‘’destabilisation’ on the part of former allies and rulers, of such intensity as to seriously threaten her sovereignty, integrity and survival.

· should be defended by democratically controlled armed forces, capable of protecting National interests and which, relying on conventional weapons, constitute no threat to anyone, save an invader.

· should, on becoming a Socialist Republic, rely for her defence, primarily upon a Defence Force drawn from the broad popular masses.

Nuclear Free

Nuclear Weapons, Nuclear Waste and the Industry that makes the one and excretes the other are all alike, useless and dangerous to the Scottish People. Existing weapons and Industry, the SRSM can and must oppose. New weapons, bases and installations, it can and must resist. The Dumping of Nuclear Waste it can and must help to prevent.

The SRSM demands that existing waste be on no account transported anywhere but instead be stored above ground at the point of production, and constantly monitored until science provides a truly safe and universally acceptable method of disposal.

The SRSM takes its stand with those who will not suffer the dumping of any grade of nuclear material in or under any part of Scotland’s National Territory (including territorial sea, sea-bed and Islands) nor anywhere sufficiently near to endanger Scotland’s population, resources and environment. To expose a country, against it’s will and interest, to many thousands of years of danger (500,000 in the case of high grade waste) can scarcely be constructed as a friendly act.

If, then, we regard those who plot such things in secret, as Enemies not of Scotland alone but of the Human Race, they must not affect surprise. The short-term energy gains from this industry cannot weigh against the permanent death of a Land and People.


Environment

Whilst rejecting the nuclear industry as a source of potential power the SRSM still recognises the damage being caused to the environment and planet by the continued reliance on fossil fuels as the primary source of energy through the release of ‘greenhouse gases’ into the atmosphere. This destruction of the planet is due to the need for capitalism to maximise profit at the expense of all other concerns.

Scotland is a country with a natural abundance of material resources that have the ability to be converted into clean, renewable energy. All available resources must be put towards the development of efficient methods of utilising our resources of wind, wave and solar power for the common good of humankind. A system of production based on human need, must consider environmental protection as an integral aspect of production.

The SRSM opposes the potential environmental catastrophe represented by GM crops being forced upon us by multi-national corporations and supports the use of direct action against these crops. We demand a vast increase in Recycling facilities and see this as the only sustainable long-term option to the environmental hazards of land-fill waste disposal.

Industry

Capitalism is failing humanity. Workers across the globe face increasing unemployment, poverty and misuse of the world’s resources, whilst our class enemies live in luxury. We stand for the complete transformation of society on a Socialist basis.  

The Society we envisage will have a Planned Economy, based on Common Ownership for the benefit of all. This Common Ownership shall extend to the means of Production, Distribution and Exchange - and, most necessary to Scotland, Land and Natural Resources. Common ownership means that control of these resources will be in the hands of democratic workers, or community, bodies. It does not represent the nationalisation of previous Labour governments. Nationalisation implies the payment of rent and interest; the ‘socialisation’ of production and distribution means the payment of neither rent nor interest. The Republic must end the curse of landlordism forever, and return all land to the common ownership of the people of Scotland.

The characteristic feature of capitalism is the ownership of land and the means of production by a small class. The motive of ownership is not the material comfort and well-being of the whole community, but getting rich quick at the expense of the non-owners. It is this economic cleavage which has brought into being the class war and that we seek to end forever.

Public Services

We oppose all cuts in public services. We will fight privatisation of any part of the public services, which only increases the exploitation of workers within these industries. Because of the addition of a profit margin the only way private companies can operate on a cheaper basis than the public sector is by either eroding workers pay and conditions, or slashing services.

We demand:

· a free nationalised Scottish Health Service, the abolition of prescription charges, the development of a national pharmaceutical company to break the stranglehold of the multi-nationals, the employment of more doctors and nurses and give GP’s lee-way in providing the right prescription for patients free of budgetary concerns.

· free public integrated transport benefiting both urban and rural areas.

· free public housing run by local communities.

Trade Unions

The SRSM offers solidarity to all workers taking industrial action to improve economic and social conditions. We stand in support of all union campaigns for the benefits of our class as a whole such as; Equal pay for women; Equal rights for disabled workers, part time workers and such like. Equally we support campaigns such as the ‘Make the Break’ campaign to stop the funding of the anti-worker, new Labour Party. However such demands will always fall way short of the potential standards the productive capacity of the workers could easily achieve in a socialist society. Industrial action will continually fail unless linked closely to positive and direct political demands and actions. Whilst active involvement in trade union sphere of activity is a primary method of raising class-consciousness of workers, it is not a substitute for political agitation, and is only one aspect of the class struggle.

Whilst we strive for the maximum Union representation in every workplace as a means of organising workers against the bosses, we also recognise that workers have to fight not just the capitalist class but also their own trade union officials. The Unions themselves need to be reclaimed by rank and file workers. We will support the creation of national rank & file movement to lead & co-ordinate workers’ struggles and point to the Clyde Workers Committee (CWC) as a pioneering example of independent rank and file workers organisation.

Ultimately though we are committed to the One Big Union ideal as outlined by John MacLean. That “in industrial affairs there should be One Union, inclusive of all workers, subdivided according to industry for economic purposes, and resubdivided again for technical or craft purposes since craft crosses industries. The One Union implies workshop committees representative of everyone inside particular works – a scientific reorganisation from the bottom up through the district and national committee. The national committee must be a permanent one, linking up all industries and organising the production and distribution of wealth.” We support Scottish workers being joined in one big industrial union with their European comrades against industrial capitalism.

Equality

The SRSM is opposed to all forms of discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, gender, sexual preference, age or disability. All of these methods are used to divide working class people be it Protestant v Catholic, Black against White, Men against Women, Gay against Straight etc. The SRSM will oppose all attempts to so divide the working class. Discrimination is a result of social conditions and its elimination can only come about through the achievement of a socialist society.

Asylum Seekers

Scotland is a nation formed by refugees. The original ‘Scots’ came from Ireland. They eventually displaced the Picts. Over the course of time there have been influxes of Scandanavians, Normans, Flemish, Baltics, Jews, Poles, Irish, English, Pakistanis, Chinese, Indians and many, many others. Over this time Scots have been forced to become economic and political refugees to all corners of the world. For Scots to attack asylum seekers shows a complete ignorance of the history of Scotland, and indeed the human race.

Scotland is an underpopulated country with a decreasing population. Job losses in Scotland are a result solely of the present economic system: Capitalism. Scottish workers have more in common with working class refugees from other countries, than with the capitalist media and politicians, who whip up anti-refugee sentiments. We call for an end to ‘criminalisation’ of asylum seekers and demand proper resources/ funds from councils/ govt. for benefit of local residents and asylum seekers.

Culture

The Republic must encourage a great renaissance of the Scottish culture. Socialism will bring self-expression and creativity to that culture where capitalism has brought oppression. We must do everything to defend that culture’s most precious jewel, the Gaelic language. To ‘defend that jewel’ Gaelic has to be a working/living language and measures should be taken in Education, Broadcasting, Public Services and the Law to ensure that this is the case. The British state’s onslaught on the Gaelic language and culture has been a two-pronged attack of national and class oppression. We will also support the cultural and legal recognition of Scots/ Doric/ Lallans.

Elections

The SRSM welcomes the Scottish Parliament as a first, small, step to National Freedom. However Home Rule per se it regards as a snare and a delusion. The SRSM respectfully urges upon all it’s fellow citizens the only real remedy unilateral repeal of the union and the resumption of national independence. Our slogan: REVOLUTION NOT DEVOLUTION !

Convinced that the keys to Scotland’s freedom and future are not to be found there: the SRSM turns it’s back on the Palace of Westminster. If the Movement contests Parliamentary Elections, its successful candidates will sit only in a Scottish Parliament where they will swear allegiance to none other than the Scottish People.

We have no illusions about the Parliamentary road to Socialism. This road leads to the entrapment/accommodation of revolutionary forces. The Socialist society we seek will be achieved through the working class taking power through workers councils etc. Elections provide us with a platform for raising our arguments and should be utilised as such.

The SRSM

Until the coming of the Republic, our Movement must be:

· Guardian of Scottish Republican Socialist Principles but, beyond essentials, undogmatic.

· a ‘broad kirk’ - open to all who support in word and deed this Declaration - but not a cult, or the property of a sect or individual.

· single-minded as to its objective, but flexible as to its route.

· internally democratic but united in action.

We therefore pick up Socialism’s Red Banner (so contemptuously discarded by others) attach to it the Flag of our Nation - as in Scotland’s once and future Marine Ensign and adorn it with the Crinan Knot, symbol of the coming Republic, calling on the Youth of Scotland to rally to it and inviting all to follow who love Socialism, Liberty and Scotland.

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