Scottish Socialists set their sights on new targets
The Scottish Socialist Party will hold its 5th Annual Conference in Dundee on March. This will be the first conference held since the SWP joined, its first delegate conference and the main preparation for the 2003 Scottish Parliament Elections. Over 500 delegates are expected to attend.
Following criticisms last year that conference papers were not sent out in advance, there has been ample preparation this time.
Resolutions were submitted early December, compositing before Christmas, amendments by early January and compositing a month before conference, reports presented by all National officials. Electronic distribution ensures that all branches have had the opportunity to debate contentious issues
The reports point to the significant advances the SSP has made in the last year. We stood in all 72 seats at the General Election and achieved a national profile with 3.3% of the vote.
In Parliament the SSP followed through the success around the abolition of Warrant Sales by presenting bills – which have been rejected – to replace Council and Water Taxes with income based taxes, to call for Trident to be scrapped and to reintroduce free school meals.
The Party has been at the front in campaigns for drug liberalisation, anti Trident, anti globalisation, anti racism and pro refugees, against privatisation and Stock Transfer and of course against the War.
Our members have been active in several successful industrial disputes including playing leading roles in the medical secretaries’ dispute.
Our paper, Scottish Socialist Voice moved in May from a fortnightly 12 page paper to a weekly 16 page obtainable in most newsagents. Membership increased significantly with the SWP joining. The Party now has between 2,000 and 3,000 members of whom 1/3 are women and has 66 branches.
The SSP has played a role in the international movement - sending delegations to all the main European demonstrations in Genoa, Brussels etc. We participated in the European Anti-Capitalist Left conference in Brussels and held a fact-finding visit to socialists in Pakistan.
The most contentious issue in the lead up to conference has proved to be the method for selecting candidates for the forthcoming Scottish parliamentary elections. The Scottish Parliament and MSPs are the focus of public and media attention in Scotland and thus the elections in 2003 are extremely important.
If the SSP can win more than one seat, as most polls say is likely, then the possibility exists to qualitatively strengthen our influence beyond its current base of support. The choice of electable candidates is therefore crucial – it is vital to ensure at least some women are in these positions.
At this stage the SSP cannot win by first past the post. Any successful candidate would be elected from the top of the list of additional members. The SSP already has a policy of 50/50 in terms of gender, so it is essential that 4 men and 4 women are selected to top the 8 regional lists.
The women’s network proposed a way of achieving this: to have elections for a male and a female list in each region with the National Council deciding in advance which regions would be topped by men and which by women.
The oppositionists who claim to support 50/50 oppose this proposal on the grounds of giving excess control to the National Council.
Unfortunately their alternative proposal would not be likely to deliver 50/50. I strongly support the women’s network proposal, and believe the top two additional regions where we are likely to have electoral success should have women topping the list. This is likely to be one of the most controversial debates at conference.
Another area of discussion will be around what our attitude should be in the referendum on the Euro. The Executive is proposing we have a special conference to discuss this. Many members including myself believe this conference should decide to support a Vote No position.
There is no one arguing for a Yes vote: however, a small group believe the SSP should abstain in the referendum.
I believe the vast majority support the Vote No position, and that we should build a campaign leading to a public conference rather than delay the decision.
Last year’s conference set up a working party to look at making the SSP’s structures more democratic. Following the SWP joining work began on this, however, anti-war activity has delayed the group reaching conclusions.
A special conference may be held to consider these.
There are however, a number of organisation changes proposed for this conference which should improve the efficiency of the party apparatus and the accessibility of information to members.
At present the SSP has no National Membership system or bank account. Each region has traditionally maintained its own membership list and finances. With the rapid expansion of membership, these systems effectively broke down.
It is now proposed to formally establish national accounting and membership procedures and improve feedback to regions and branches. This should end the tragic situation where new contacts wishing to join get their applications lost or not followed up.
The party is also proposing to expand its apparatus to allow the National Secretary to become partly full time and expand the number of regional organisers.
These proposed changes are ambitious and require additional finances: however, they are vital if we are to increase our profile and support in the lead up to the Scottish elections.