FOUR hundred people founded the Scottish Socialist Alliance (SSA) last month.
The SSA's founding conference on April 20 committed it to clear socialist with democratic ownership. It stands for solidarity with all those fighting injustice. The SSA opposes goverment Quangos, all discrimination and bruse nucial weapons. wi ro mote international solidarity amongst workers and oppressed peoples and stands for worldwide socialism.
The SSA emerged from the Scottish Socialist Movement. The Movement party. The Communist Party of Scottook part.
The SSA developed after Arthur Scargill made it clear that his Socialist Labour Party would have no Scottish section. SM supporters decided against joining the SLP. Instead they tornca an allance suitca to the pointics of Scotland.
The SSA stands for Scottish self-determination. They fight for a sovereign Scottish parliament able to decide which powers to retain in Scotland. The parliament would determine its rela. Europe.
The 200-strong Glasgow conference opened discussions around draft Charters for women and young people. The SSA will be around a Charter for Socialist Change". It is a pro. ronmental policies relevant to Scottish deback aimed at making socialism relevar to scound's working class Ehe most lively discussion was around electoral tactics. Althoush noSSA should stand candidates for the Scottish parliament, the discussion remains unfinished. The SSA will win six of the 127 seats if Labour and Liberal party plans for proportional representation go ahead. All agreed that the SSA will not stand where this might allow a Tory to win. Nor will it oppose socialist candidates of the SNP or Labour Party. The SSA will stand only in constituencies The SSA sees itself as a organisation which campaigns against cuts and redundancies made by Labour- or SNP-controlled councils where it will set a good vole. This will allow it to retain the financial deposits paid oy candidaies Local SSA groups will take the final decisions. A National Council may de. cide against standing candidates, but may not force local groups to run candidates The SSA sees itself as a campaigning organisanon. It is commitico o electoral activity. It campaigns against cuts and redundancies made by Labour-or SP-controlled councils. It supports occupations of schools and tions. The SSA is campaigning for a snorter working week with a minimum wage. The campaign was started by the Scottish Socialist Movement. The Scottish TUC has added to widespread support within the Scottish labour The SSA's support reflects special Scottish political features. It is linked Party and the SNP. Labou kftwiegor. lert. Ine leit in the sive and environ mental activists and feminists. It aims for both socialist economic and social policies, and for the socialist stance on the national question.
This is vitally important. Labour's commitment to British unity nante it from supporting set-fule for Ireland Scotland and Wales. Labour proposes a toothless assembly for Wales. It faland. Labour has capitulated to Ulster Unionism. Tony Blair is committed to British capitalism.
The SNP has a new slogan: "Inde. pendence in Europe. It supports Euro. pean Monetary Union and the imperialist military alliance of the Western Europe Union. There is some Socialist Outlook welcomes the formation of the SSA. Socialist Owlook supporters active in Welsh Labour Action welcome discussions with those wn poitics are stomar to the ssa WLA campaigns in the Wales Labour Party for a Welsh Assembly similar to the Scottish parliament. • Contact the Scottish Socialist Alliance, Clo 39 Regent Park Square, Glasgow, G41 2AF.
Socialist Outlook 101 • May II, 1996.