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CPB Scotland Election 2012 Statement Wednesday, 09 May 2012 23:37 |  |  | 
 The Communist Party welcomed the Labour victories and the heavy defeats for the Con Dems which showed people rejected the working class paying for the capitalist crisis. However with around 60% of people not seeing any point in voting it shows the extent of the job that needs to be done to lift the political level.Mass struggle will need to be conducted on the ground, building alliances between communities and trades unions with trades councils taking the lead. Failure to develope such struggle to compel councils to join the fight against the cuts will result in local authorities, be it Labour or SNP, merely passing on the Tory cuts the loss of jobs and services for working class communities and further disillusionment with politics. We need to make the point that the cuts are just starting, there is more, much more to come. Communists will play their part in building the fightback of the left and putting the alternative of socialism to that of a corrupt capitalist system which has nothing to offer the working class other than hardship and misery Irvine May Day supports the People’s Charter.Tuesday, 08 May 2012 00:08 | | |
Speaking at Saturday’s May Day rally in Irvine, The RMT’s Phil McGarry was applauded as he stated the aims of the People’s Charter http://www.thepeoplescharter.org/- an end to cuts in public services, investment in jobs, public ownership of the railways and other utilities, and the repeal of anti-union laws. Decent jobs and services could be funded by genuine progressive taxation, dealing with tax avoiders and bringing the troops home. His call for making the rich pay their dues was echoed by Louise McDaid of the Farepak campaign. She said that ‘the rogue Farepak’s former Directors should be made to pay. Just being banned from future Directorships was not good enough. No one had received any compensation to date while the fees for the Farepak’s administration had risen to more than £8 millions. This is much more than the thousands of victims will ever receive.” John Jamieson of the PCS said that his members were facing pension cuts as the Government did cosy deals with tax dodging companies. “It’s rank hypocrisy for the UK government to pursue the ordinary people of Iceland for £2 billions when it has let Vodafone off a £6 billion tax bill”, he said. Wael Shawish from Palestine Solidarity spoke of the struggle in his homeland: “East Jerusalem had become a prison with an open door, Palestinians had a choice to stay in terrible conditions or to leave and never return”. He called for the sanction campaign against Israel’s policies to be stepped up. The issue was brought home when local man Jim Henry spoke of his abusive treatment by the Israel authorities during a recent solidarity visit to Palestine. Irvine’s May Day march and rally is now in its twenty second year.
Beyond the Frame Exhibition of Contemporary Cuban Art, being held at the Lighthouse, GlasgowTuesday, 08 May 2012 23:57 | | |
from the 7th to the 13th MayThe event, hosted by the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, will be one of the most prestigious exhibitions of contemporary Cuban art ever held in Britain. Alongside the Cuban work by 26 painters, 20 leading artists from Britain and Ireland will be showing.
The Miami Five - Fernando Gonzalez, Ramon Labanino, Antonio Guerrero, Rene Gonzalez and Gerardo Hernandez - were arrested in the US in 1998, accused of "conspiracy to commit espionage." Although Rene Gonzalez was recently released he has been forced to remain in the US away from his family to serve three years probation. The Five were unjustly convicted and sentenced to long prison terms, three of them for life. In fact, they were not spying on the US government but were in Miami to infiltrate and monitor terrorist groups that had attacked Cuba from Florida. Two of the Five who are exhibiting in Beyond the Frame, Gerardo Hernandez and Antonio Guerrero, have taken up artistic pursuits while in prison. Hernandez has produced a large collection of amusing, sharp, biting cartoons and Guerrero has developed into an accomplished artist whose stunning watercolours of the native birds and butterflies of Cuba have travelled the world, bringing attention to the Five's struggle for justice. The families of the Five have welcomed the exhibition and Hernandez says the exhibition "will be an important contribution to our struggle for justice." The show is also backed by Cuba's National Assembly which sees it as an important step in trying to break into new areas to raise the campaign for justice for the Five. Broad support in Britain is reflected in an impressive list of patrons, sponsors and volunteers who are promoting Beyond the Frame. In Scotland, Glasgow City Council is a major donor as the city is twinned with Havana. Susan Hillier, who had a major solo exhibition at Tate Britain last year, says she's "delighted" to be taking part because in addition to being an an art exhibition "it's a fund-raising event for five imprisoned Cuban men accused of terrorism, who did not receive fair trials in my home town Miami."
The three include Lesbia Vent Dumois, whose work hangs in the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Havana, and who is a founder member of the National Union of Writers and Artists and has represented Cuba on numerous international cultural bodies. Eduardo Roco Salazar - "Choco" - another internationally renowned artist will simultaneously be featured in an exhibition opening in Boston, US. The third artist is Gustavo Diaz Sosa, a young artist presently working in Madrid. He first travelled to San Sebastian in Spain to take up an art residency he was awarded. There will be opportunities to hear the artists and discuss their work at seminars and meetings in Essex, Manchester, York and Edinburgh, as well as at the evening events on most nights at the galleries in London and Glasgow. Organisers of the exhibition are appealing for support for the exhibition and all the donated artwork is for sale with proceeds going to the campaign for justice for the Miami Five. An electronic sales brochure is available on request for prospective buyers. Full details are at www.cubabeyondtheframe Cuba Solidarity Campaign (0208) 800-0155. http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/117594
Scots tell Tories where to goMonday, 26 March 2012 14:56 | | |
Scottish trade unionists told the Tories to get out of the country on Sunday with a thousand-strong demo outside the Scottish Conservatives' conference in Troon. A group of protesters expressed their anger with the party by marching past shouting: "Tory scum." Police had to cage the Conservative members behind security fencing after several younger demonstrators stopped to voice their disgust at the cuts and let off a flare, prior to joining a rally at the seafront. Organised by the STUC, the demonstration highlighted soaring youth unemployment in Scotland, which has reached 103,000. STUC president Mike Kirby urged people to punish the Tories at the May elections for producing a "wrecking budget" earlier this week. Mr Kirby told the Star that the STUC had drawn up an alternative budget stressing investment in Scottish manufacturing and construction. STUC youth committee vice-chairwoman Kirsty Connell drew roars of approval after declaring to the government: "Let young people work and they will build a better society. This is about the fight for jobs, fight for young workers and all workers." Various political parties and anti-cuts groups were also represented on the demonstration. Communist Party of Britain Scottish secretary Tommy Morrison said: "Today is an expression of our disgust at our youngsters being put on the scrapheap." The peaceful and upbeat demonstration was marred by a police crackdown after the march ended with the kettling of 50 young protesters. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/117032 Explained: The SNP versus WestminsterWednesday, 18 January 2012 13:48 | | |
On Monday (9 Jan) David Cameron demanded that Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond hold a snap referendum on Scottish independence. The following day Con-Dem Scottish Secretary Michael Moore announced that the referendum would be under UK jurisdiction, legally binding and solely for and against independence. At first sight these challenges to the SNP government may appear both strange and provocative. They are certainly fateful. But there is an explanation. It can be found in a little-noticed event which occurred in a committee room of the Scottish Parliament just 10 days before Christmas.
Put the Red Back into Clydeside - Vote Tom Morrison CommunistThursday, 26 April 2012 19:50 | | |
3rd May 2012Clydebank Central WardVote Tom MorrisonVote CommunistUnited we are stronger - On Scottish Independence & PM Cameron RowMonday, 09 January 2012 23:51 | | |
Alex Salmond has previously noted that interference in the consultation process by Westminster would prove a boon for those seeking independence, which seems self-evident. Tories are deservedly an endangered species in Scotland, so the suggestion that Scottish voters may need protecting from themselves by Cameron stretches credibility. The demand for a re So proposals from them to order a vote earlier than planned by the Scottish government or to impose the terms of the question(s) to be put before the electorate would be seen clearly for what they are - an attempt to scupper the democratic process.
Far from fairness, what the Tory leader is about is attempting to take control of a process in order to deliver an outcome acceptable to his party or to its corporate backers. Cameron's spokesman blew the gaff in saying that "business" was worried about whether Scotland would remain in the UK, affecting its readiness to invest. "That uncertainty can have a detrimental impact on the economy and that is why he is saying that he thinks we need to get on with this sooner rather than later," he added. The Westminster-based parties have to accept that they lost the Scottish parliamentary elections. The SNP has an overall majority and democracy dictates that it should decide when its proposal should be put before the Scottish electorate. If and when that time comes and there is one question facing voters - a straight Yes or No to Scotland leaving the UK - the Morning Star will advocate a No vote. This is based on our paper's traditional position of backing devolution within Britain rather than secession, supporting socialism and the essential role of working-class unity throughout Britain to achieve this. England, Wales and Scotland do not have separate ruling classes. The British ruling class is united and powerful. Combating it requires similar unity and strength on the part of working people. The SNP parliamentary majority at Holyrood confers on the nationalist party the right to govern, but its leadership knows that not every vote it received can be translated into a firm declaration for national independence.
This process was enhanced by the confident and accomplished nature of its leadership, which contrasted with the shambles that was Scottish Labour. However, Salmond's advocacy of a northern European "arc of prosperity" looks far less attractive now, as does his intention of slashing corporation tax and offering other sweeteners to lure overseas "investors." The Morning Star believes that Scotland's working people have more to gain from standing alongside their Welsh and English brothers and sisters to defeat the Con-Dem coalition and fight for socialist change rather than from embracing the SNP strategy of a Scottish tax haven at the service of capitalist speculators. Editorial Comment 10 Jan http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/113956 STUC Communist Party Information Bulletin #STUC12Monday, 23 April 2012 01:21 | | |
115TH ANNUAL CONGRESS #STUC12Monday 23 – Wednesday 25 April 2012, Eden Court Theatre, InvernessThis year's STUC Annual Congress in Inverness will highlight the 'There is a better way' campaign which promotes a clear and distinct economic alternative to current policies of the coalition government. Congress will attract over 330 trade union delegates representing 37 Trade Unions, 24 Trades Union Councils as well as a number of international guests and speakers from the world of politics. The following Communist Party Bulletin went out to every delegate, informing them of what the active Communist Party in Scotland is doing, and what we hope to achieve alongside the labour and trade union movement. Sections include:
Download here: http://www.scottishcommunists.org.uk/docs/article/210/CPBinformationBulletinA3Apr12.pdf The anger of workers can't be edited out - The battle begins tomorrow #n30.Wednesday, 30 November 2011 01:16 | | |
Cries of illegitimacy come from right-wing blogger Guido Fawkes - presumably referring to the ballot results of the three big unions peppering the 30 per cent mark. Of course there is no recognition that the government gained power propped up by the Lib Dems with around 36 per cent of the public vote. More ridiculous was the Daily Mail's assertion that tomorrow's walkouts represent the start of "months" of strike action. How ironic that many lay members would welcome that if it were true, albeit for reasons of convincing the government to back down rather than "holding the country to ransom" as right-wing ranters would have us believe. And union leaders are portrayed as "bosses and barons" ordering their lot into an unjust and selfish fight, neglecting to explain that lay members voted for action and will be the ones putting themselves in harm's way to defend their hard-won pension rights. Some obscure non-unionised private-sector workers have been rolled out to play the role of kow-towing servants - grateful for their own measly pension arrangements while castigating public-sector workers for wanting to maintain a decent standard of living in retirement. What is missing from this coverage is the public-sector workers themselves. Who are these people who empty our bins, keep our elderly safe, heal our sick and protect our communities? Why would such people - doing jobs that engender a different kind of ethos to work, one of service and commitment - want to withdraw their labour on such a mass scale? I caught up with Unite members at a strategy meeting in Bristol recently to try to understand the reasons why. Branch secretary for Unite at Plymouth and city council Diane Beals doesn't consider herself a militant trade unionist. But the pension changes were just the latest pinch for an already undermined workforce.
"We have endured a three-year pay freeze, had terms and conditions slashed and overtime has been cut. "The pensions is just the next thing on the horizon." Anger is palpable in her region, she continues, but that doesn't always lead to an organised constructive response on November 30, she warns. "There are various pockets such as street-sweeping where members are angry. "But bluff and bluster is one thing. Whether they deliver on the day is another." However Beals believes ministers have misjudged public-sector workers and popular opinion, mistakenly seeing people like her and colleagues as a soft option to dish out austerity to. "They have assumed we would not take action," she says. "And the action itself will involve the public, as many schools will be hit. It will become a family day out." Despite 24 unions being involved in the action, media scare stories have revolved around teachers, UK Border Agency staff and council workers. But what about the Ministry of Defence? Jan Fellows, a supervisor for the MoD guard service, believes that Unite is mixing the old with the new in a positive way. "General secretary Len McCluskey is from the old school," she says with a beaming smile. "To me he is a leader like from the '70s and now he is passing all that knowledge on to us." But interestingly despite this enthusiastic endorsement of Unite's leader, she remains cautious about herself being branded a "militant" trade unionist. "The union has a role to play in building community opposition to the cuts," she says. "The public need to know that it's the ones in the union that need that backing and that November 30 is just the starter of what we are doing." Fellows points out that a unique facet of this action is how women will be affected by the pension changes. With so many women under the current system still failing to reach parity of pension with men in the public sector, government proposals will drive everybody to a new low. "I will end up paying £58 a month instead of 23 and end up losing £7,000 in my pension" she says. But Fellows retains her optimism in being able to fight back, highlighting history and the groundwork done by reps in branches. "We have being fighting since Pankhurst for pensions - to get equality with men," she says. "With new members who have problems we sit them down, show them past case works, grievances and how we have won bullying and harassment actions, showing that you can't lose your jobs 'just like that' because a manager says so. This is all part of mobilising people." Members are all too aware of their union's strong backing of the Labour Party and its current leader Ed Miliband. But what has also not gone unnoticed is his refusal to back the action this Wednesday. Secretary of Dorset County Council Paul Kimber believes that only trade unionists on the ground can convince Miliband to change tack. "Ed will see the power of feeling of trade union movement," he says confidently. "This will be one of many strikes and days of actions. If he is not convinced now he will be later." Although not calling for Unite to cease funding for Labour, he adds that fellow workers are becoming politicised elsewhere. "Trade unionists are working with all left parties, including the Communist Party. "There are other economic arguments and that is something that needs to be taken into the Labour Party." Whatever the coverage or media perspective on the day, a camera or a newspaper cannot edit out the anger of workers, of their families or those affected by the strike. The battle begins tomorrow. http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/112492 |
The Communist election campaign (the first in nearly 40 years in Clydebank) produced 94 votes, 2.9% of the vote beating the Tory candidate. Over a two week period 6000 leaflets were delivered by a small team of communists, a public meeting was held, and a limited amount of canvassing was carried out. The aim was to re establish the branch in the area and this is now a distinct possibility with a number of expressions of interest in the Party. Election agent George Kirkpatrick and candidate Tom Morrison thanked comrades for their help in the campaign.
All of the artwork has been generously donated in support of the goal of the exhibition -to raise awareness about the injustices of the case of the Miami Five and at the centre of the exhibition artwork by two of the Miami Five will be on show.
Four members of the families of the Miami Five and three exhibiting Cuban artists will attend the exhibition.
Suddenly we are in the middle of a constitutional crisis.
If David Cameron is sincere in his protestations of not wanting to see Scotland leave the UK, he should abandon efforts to meddle in a question proper to Scottish voters.
ferendum on independence is a Scottish National Party policy. None of the unionist parties at Westminster or Holyrood projected such an initiative.
When Cameron offers a "fair, legal and decisive" solution to this or any other political issue, hackles rise.
Many of its votes, especially from working people, were cast in response to a feeling of having been let down by the pro-banker policies of new Labour at Westminster, echoed by its Scottish franchise.
"People are suffering already," she says.
Clydebank Live - Return to Red ClydesideThursday, 19 April 2012 20:52 | | |
Read from from the interview of the Communist candidate Tom Morrison with Clydebank Live.
N30 - hear the truthWednesday, 30 November 2011 01:10 | | |
Are public sector pensions "gold plated"? No! Do the general public support the strike? Yes! Strike November 30thMonday, 28 November 2011 18:08 | | |
In a matter of hours millions will join a one-day strike over government plans for big wage cuts to fund lower pension payouts. And Mr McCluskey accused ministers of making the strikers scapegoats for an economic crisis of "epic proportions." "Fear stalks the global markets, and yet our political leaders seem incapable of steering a course out of the despair," he writes in the Morning Star. "At home, our government offers no hope to the millions on the dole. "Calls from the sensible majority to rein in economic sadism and instead grow the economy go unheeded, while inhuman ideas like slashing benefits and access to employment tribunals take hold." The Unite general secretary said of Wednesday's strike: "It may be about protecting the pensions of our members against the Osborne onslaught, but just as importantly it is about standing up for an alternative policy, an alternative society." And he leapt to the defence of the trade unionists subjected to increasingly hysterical propaganda that echoed the tactics of past governments.
"Today no-one can deny that it is unregulated, untamed capitalism to blame." The Unite leader hit out as the government tried desperately to maintain the impression that it remained in control. Treasury Secretary Danny Alexander claimed that striking unions were turning their backs on a "pretty good deal." He issued veiled threats that a supposed compromise offer would be withdrawn. It attempted to split older workers from their younger colleagues by offering them exemption from some of the changes, but it did not address the concerns of those facing doubled contributions, cut-price pensions and a higher retirement age. Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude again threatened to clamp down on workers' rights if the walkout goes ahead. But PCS union general secretary Mark Serwotka retorted: "The latest threats about further curbs on strike laws and offers being withdrawn follow ridiculous claims earlier this week that the strike could cost £500 million and put jobs at risk. "The Cabinet Office Minister talks about a perverse incentive to strike, but what is perverse is that ministers are planning to raid public-sector pensions to pay for a deficit caused by the greed and recklessness of wealthy bankers. "Such erratic behaviour and wild allegations are becoming increasingly frequent from ministers who claim negotiations are ongoing even though they say they've made their final offer." Labour shadow chancellor Ed Balls also entered the fray today, telling a newspaper: "I have huge sympathy with them." http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/112473 Communists contesting Clydebank once againTuesday, 03 April 2012 23:23 | | |
CPB Scottish Secretary Tom Morrison is contesting Clydebank for the Communist Party in the forthcoming local elections. Tom is a welfare rights officer in Clydebank, is Chair of West Dunbartonshire Unison branch and secretary of Clydebank Trades Union Council. He has been a key figure in developing the local campaign against cuts in public services. "We are contesting this election to expose the lies about the need for cuts and to show the need for alternative Left policies," he said. 10,000-strong anti-cuts army unite in Glasgow to oppose cutsMonday, 03 October 2011 16:30 | | |
Demonstrators from trade unions, charities and religious communities across the city marched on Kelvingrove Park to protest against the Con-Dem cuts agenda. Union officials told the Morning Star that they considered it an "excellent turnout" given the weather, with storm warnings issued across Scotland. 
STUC general secretary Grahame Smith said the march had sent the coalition a clear message. "We need a Plan B now to avoid recession, rising poverty and damaging cuts in services. "But it also says to politicians of all parties civic society will come together to ensure that policies at all levels of government serve the purpose of redistributing wealth and protecting those hit by cuts in services." The march comes amid looming public-sector strikes across Britain, with several unions under the STUC banner set to join a mass walkout on November 30. Speakers on Saturday included Labour leader Iain Gray, ex-Labour MP Tony Benn and SNP member for Glasgow Kelvin, Sandra White. Read more http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/110243Comrade Barbara Dowling jailed - 3 Month Prison Sentence for Anti-Nuclear Court Graffiti ProtestWednesday, 21 March 2012 01:12 | | |
Barbara Dowling jailed  Two peace activists were sentenced today in Dumbarton Sheriff Court for painting "political graffiti" on the walls of the court following a 2010 trial in which they maintained that the court did not uphold international law with respect to the illegality of the Trident nuclear weapon system. Barbara Dowling, a retired Occuptational Therapist, 67, of Knightswood was given 3 months in prison and Janet Fenton, 64, Secretary of Scottish CND was given 120 hours Community Service. Barbara Dowling also has an ongoing court case in relation to the 2011 Census. Her trial in the census case is scheduled for 15 May in Glasgow Sheriff Court, with an intermediate diet on 6 May.
You can write to Barbara at:
Barbara Dowling Press Release from Trident Ploughshares
19th March 2012
3 Month Prison Sentence for Anti-Nuclear Court Graffiti Protest
In October 2010 Barbara Dowling and Janet Fenton appeared at a session of the JP court within the Sheriff Court building in Dumbarton accused of a breach of the peace during a blockade of Faslane naval base, home to the UK's Trident nuclear weapon submarines. Justice Ross refused to hear their defence and, according to the defendants, appeared to have made up her mind before all the evidence was put before the court. She would not allow them to put their argument that they had a right to disrupt the illegal work at Faslane under international humanitarian law.
Immediately following the trial they painted on internal walls of the court slogans indicating the failure of the court to uphold international law. At the trial last month Barbara and Janet accepted that they had painted the court's walls but maintained their not guilty plea as they felt that the public needed to know that the court did not uphold international law. Finding them guilty Sheriff Anderson deferred sentence until today in order to obtain Social Enquiry Reports.
The women still felt justified in their actions and were disappointed that the Social Enquiry Reports did not accurately represent their positions.
Barbara Dowling said " I did what the courts refuse to do: I upheld international law in regard to nuclear weapons. I am not guilty of a crime and I am not co-operating with an unjust punishment"
Janet Fenton said "I consider that I do Service for the Community all the time in working for peace. Doing 120 hours for the Community shouldn't be a problem"
Notes:
Trident Ploughshares is a part of the international nuclear disarmament movement. Trident Ploughshares activists have pledged to disarm the UK Trident nuclear weapons system in a non-violent, open, peaceful, safe and fully accountable manner.
Nazi SDL march banned in EdinburghFriday, 19 August 2011 17:59 | | |
Edinburgh City Council's licensing sub-committee turned down the application from the Scottish Defence League, which wanted to march on September 10. The council said the decision was taken unanimously. Grahame Smith, general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Council (STUC), said: "The STUC welcome the decision of the regulatory committee to reject the application by the Scottish Defence League to spread their hatred on the streets of Edinburgh. "This sends out a clear message that racism and fascism has no place in Scotland's towns and cities."
More information here: http://news.stv.tv/scotland/east-central/266962-far-right-groups-march-banned-in-edinburgh/ and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-14591243 The Scots, many Communists, who Fought FrancoMonday, 06 February 2012 20:05 | | |
Short of weapons and training, the Scots who joined the International Brigade suffered heavy losses in their fight against fascism. The exhibition is going on display in Dundee 75 years after the battalion of British volunteers went to Spain.
BBC video, click link below, from Reporting Scotland 6 February 2012 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16908024
Details of the International Brigade Trust Exhibition @ Dundee Central Library, opening times etc, are available on this link. Runs from Monday, February 6th to Saturday, February 18th 2012 PCS Rally George Square Glasgow June 30Monday, 11 July 2011 01:38 | | |
If it wasne for the Union..... PCS Scottish Secretary Lynn Henderson addressing the PCS Rally in George Square Glasgow on 30 June 2011 |
"Heavy industry may be long gone but one candidate in the upcoming Council election believes Clydebank needs a return to Red Clydeside."
A march planned by a far-right group through the streets of Edinburgh has been rejected over fears for public safety.
The sacrifices of 500 Scottish volunteers who fought Franco during the Spanish Civil War are being marked in a new exhibition which is being seen for the first time in Scotland.-
Wed 06.06.2012 | 19.00PM
EDINBURGH: WILLIAM MORRIS AND THE SOCIALIST LEAGUE IN SCOTLAND
