Platform for Socialism & Independence
As the Scottish and British political landscape continues to change a group of pro-independence organisations have said there is “space for a new left party in Scotland” as a new socialist party is being founded by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana.
The newly-formed Platform for Socialism & Independence (PSI) is appealing to the fledgling Your Party to empower activists at the grassroots by creating an independent Scottish party, affiliated to the project taking shape in England.
PSI pointed to the existing relationship between Britain’s Green parties as an example of one which is “collaborative and supportive”, but “respects the right of a Scottish party to determine its own path”.
The left-wing Scottish platform said Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana’s new left project and its more than 40,000 sign-ups in Scotland represents the largest mass engagement in left politics in many years.
In a founding statement, PSI members wrote: “We as pro-independence organisations see a space for a new left party in Scotland.”
“We as pro-independence organisations see a space for a new left party in Scotland. The Platform for Socialism & Independence (PSI) is seeking to create a credible vehicle for pro-independence socialists who have no political home.”
“We firmly believe that it is only through left-wing ideas that Scotland can be transformed into a country that serves the interests of its people. As pro-independence socialists, we assert that any new left party in Scotland should be led by the movements, activists and communities in Scotland.”
PSI said they are open to working with any pro-independence left groups who share their ideals and our commitment to working together with fairness and respect.
They also welcomed confirmation from Zarah Sultana that she supports autonomy for the new party in Scotland.
PSI added: “We invite anyone who shares our perspective to sign up toour new joint platform. Together, we will respond to developments in the Your Party project and continue to advocate for an independent Scottish left party that stands for socialism and independence.”
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Not another bloody party! There is already a Scottish Socialist Party, they are a left wing independence party, why would we need another?
This party have attracted significant interest, way beyond the SSP. Surely this momentum should be capitalised upon even if its not exactly to your wishes?
Oh fantastic. Another group to splinter the Independence movement.
The independence movement needs lots of groups coming together. The SNP has sucked in most of the movement and essentially demobilised it when compared to its pre referendum forms.
I think this could add a helpful demention to the movement rather than splintering it.
It’s happening anyway, would you prefer it to be pro independence or not?
Seize the moment ! 40K sign-ups in Scotland already. For me this is a no brainer. So long as it remains a new eco-socialist movement where the disenfranchised from a hopelessly corrupted old political system can come together to look at a new way to do politics, the phenomenon that provisionally calls itself ‘Your Party’ is to be welcomed.
2 year old “Assemble” are offering their skills in organising citizens assemblies and community engagement. Those of us with experience in the SNP, Green Party, SSP and Alba, as well as disaffected Labour, Liberal and even Reform previous voters should be doing likewise.
Robin McAlpine’s powerful article in today’s Common Weal Newsletter really brings home just how serious the climate crisis is as a driver of migration. We need a populist movement like ‘Your Party’, embedded in the communities most affected by the consequences of the climate crisis and, above all, the corporate/financier causes of that crisis to have a powerful new movement to counter the cynical misinformation being used to stir up hatred and to manipulate people’s discontent by the Reform Party.
More than ever, it is incumbent on all of us who understand the climate and nature crises to work together, irrespective of which political party we give our first vote to in next year’s Holyrood elections. For all of us who seek the recognition of Scotland’s nationhood by the international community, the ‘Your Party’ phenomenon might just become the catalyst for the collapse of the Westminster Labour Party and the opportunity for an independence majority in Scotland to negotiate for an eco-socialist, independent, republican, modern, new Nation, in tune with all of the world’s other indigenous peoples.
I’m cool with all that has been said here. If everything was alright and we were progressing towards independence, I’d say otherwise. But we’re not.
We are NOT marching towards Independence.
So, we have to change. I’m an SNP member and donator.
If what I’m doing doesn’t work? Then I’ll change what I’m doing. I think that’s intelligent thought?
The UK is shite, even the pro union right wing are saying that.
Yet we have half the country wanting to stick to the toxic status quo.
They won’t change, so we have to change.
You can’t just repeat the same things and expect change.
So change!
“……. where the disenfranchised from a hopelessly corrupted old political system can come together to look at a new way to do politics..,,,,,”
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That reads like an invitation to the SLab busted flush to flock to the SNP in 2015.
How did that end up?