port for independence and increasing scepticism about the prospects or a Labour gover ment, this can only partly stem the tide.
A further measure of the swing to the SNI' is The Sun's conversion to nationalism. It recently devoted nine pages to promoting the SNP, includinga front page call to Rise now and be a nation again'!
Murdoch has switched sides for commercial reasons, as part of an attack or the Daily Lecond's circulatior hoping that more readers will identity with them than the Kinnockite line. Whether the SNP will directly gain from it is questionable, but it is their first endorsement from the established, albeit gutт, press They have targeted Labour':
around "Nationalise Ravenscraig. - Scrap Trident. Their official slogan, Scotland free in "93', is not mentioned. Their leaders describe themselves as socialists, and the SNP as social democratic.
I would dispute this, but most trade unionists see them as an alternative with policiesto Labour's left. Certainly few would see it as a betrayal of socialism to vote SNP.
Labour Scotland hamstrung by its national and London reduces flexibility. The major issue at Labour's conference will be party devolution, or how to transform themselves into a Scottish Labour party Although we support the and by vote in scotland, there is d option. Many believe the last chance has already been missed. ple posts. Carey has pledged to
return of a Labour government implication a Labour
widespread feeling that this is independence will be the only