A report from DLS convenor Stuart Fairweather
Saturday May 20th saw members come together from across the country to meet in Dundee. This first face-to-face Annual General Meeting in the last few years was a productive event. Surprisingly so, perhaps, give the difficult times we are in.
The run-up to the next British General Election looks like being a torturous time. The Conservative government are in turmoil but there is limited enthusiasm for a Keir Starmer led Labour win. Added to this turmoil is the difficulties endured by the Scottish Government and the Scottish National Party. Our democracy is not in good health.
This situation is compounded by the British Government’s refusal to countenance a second Scottish referendum on independence. Irrespective of the degree to which independence would addresses the issues of poverty, inequality and climate crisis, the right to choose is central to our democratic future.
Debate took place about how to respond to this problem. Whilst it was agreed to work with Socialists for Independence on events in Aberdeen and Dundee focusing on the right to decide, it was also felt that discussion needed to take place about the prospects of a Labour government agreeing to a vote on independence.
But there is more to politics than parties. An assessment was made of the reception received by the various politicians that spoke at the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC). Thought was given to campaigns where Labour, Green and SNP politicians take part alongside each other. This was considered in contexts that there are limitations (real and imagined) on elected politicians. However, this needs balanced against the experience of picket lines, and of campaigns Living Rent and Power to the People. We need to ask, who holds the power?
We also need to take the longer view. 2024 will mark twenty-five years of Democratic Left Scotland, and more fundamentally it will mark a quarter of a century of devolution. We need to cultivate opportunities to consider the past and look to the future.
One of these, in November 2023, will be a significant Democratic Left Scotland supported conference, 'The Break-Up of Britain?', celebrating the contribution of Tom Nairn.
DLS aims to add a wider perspective to all our activities, and will continue its relationship with the Party of the European Left (EL). Attending events and working in partnership with EL will be an important continuing feature of our work, helping to ensure that our internationalism has a practical dimension.
Published June 2023