Background to the Scottish Republican Socialist Movement
The 'Scottish Republican Socialist Clubs' were a cross Party organisation formed in April 1973, to introduce socialism to Scottish National Party members and Scottish Republicanism to members of British Socialist organisations. The John MacLean Society at the time was infiltrated by 'left' Brits, rubbishing MacLean’s Republicanism and this led to the need for the SRSC.
SRSC banner at Strathaven 1820 Martyrs Rally 1970s
Following the expulsion of the '79 Group from the SNP moves were made to reorganise the Clubs on a Party basis and the Scottish Republican Socialist Party was formed in 1982. Like the Clubs the SRSP had a stormy history leading to attacks and infiltration by British Special Branch Agents causing arrest and imprisonment of some of our members. This appears to have abated now. Perhaps the Brits have succeeded temporarily in frightening possible recruitment. We still have to combat the usual smears from the British Left and Right wing Nationalists.
In January 1999 the SRSP took the decision to affiliate to the newly formed Scottish Socialist Party, conditionally on account of their support for a Scottish Socialist Republic. Scottish Republican Socialists have consistently worked for the maximum unity of the anti-imperialist forces in Scotland and have worked with others who share the same goal.
When the previous Scottish Socialist Party was formed in the late 1980s we declared that, "there is no room for the '57 varieties' of socialist organisations fighting each other for Scottish independence." Unfortunately that organisation did not stand the test of time.
However we were similarly involved with other organisations and grass-root activists in the early 1990s to form the Movement for a Scottish Republic and the Scottish Republican Forum.
When the present Scottish Socialist Party was formed we maintained our non-sectarian stance and entered discussions with its leadership, despite considering our own electoral challenge. As a result the SRSP was reconstituted as the Scottish Republican Socialist Movement and affiliated to the SSP. We remain committed to the vision of John MacLean of a Scottish Worker's Republic within a Socialist International.
