Scottish Labour Action Press Release

'Opponents of Scottish Home rule, no matter how venerable, have no right to represent the Scottish Labour Party at the forthcoming general election.'
Scottish Labour Action.

U turn Special July 1996

Shock followed by hurt. That's probably an accurate description of the reaction of Party members towards the imposed U-turn on the role to be played by referendum in securing our Scottish Parliament. We could become obsessed by trying to establish whether it was all thought up by the Shadow Cabinet 'Super Scots', or merely fronted by them on Tony Blair's behalf?

We could fester with outrage at the way in which the Scottish Labour Party's democracy and autonomy was ignored and trampled upon. We could feel shamed at the way our Leaders have treated the other forces in the Scottish Constitutional Convention. But as the initial numbness wanes, genuine supporters of Home Rule must respond to events, and ensure that the prize of a Scottish Parliament is not snatched from our grasp yet again.

There is considerable opposition to the prospect of a referendum. Contrary to the spin promoted by those around the Leaders Office, that opposition is not based on any fear of the Scottish people, or of a lack of confidence. It is based on real referendum experience, and on the memories of what unfolded the early spring of 1979.

Where was Tony Blair on 1 March 1979?

Where was he while we coped with rigged rules, bitter internal party divisions, huge inequalities in campaign funding, and the day by day erosion of the confidence of the Scottish people?

We don't need lectures about referenda. So what do we do?

After two weeks of deliberation and soul searching, this is Scottish Labour Action's view:

More Questions Than Answers

With regard to the proposed 'second' question on the detail of revenue varying powers, we think it is daft that we should abandon an integrated comprehensive autonomy package for 'home rule a la carte'. The proposed second question sends a clear message to the electorate that this particular power is controversial and requires distinct deliberation. It will encourage critics to demand additional questions on other potentially contentious elements of the scheme, e.g., the electoral system, or the objective of increasing women's representation.

When it comes to home rule, history teaches that the devil is in the detail. It should be our objective to unite the Scottish people around a single proposition. Additional questions invite division, cross voting and a confused result. Any parliament worth its name must have the responsibility for raising some percentage of its income.

We know the real reason for the proposed second question. Our 'powers that be' are running scared of the 'Tartan tax' jibe, and they want to kick the issue into touch. It wont work.

SLA believes that we must use the mechanism provided by 'The Road to the Manifesto' exercise to argue that there should be only one question, on the principle of the scheme.

The Scottish Executive meeting on 28 June was not allowed to vote on the option of supporting a single question, and it is essential that the Party has the right to express its view on that specific point. We would therefore urge every Branch, CLP and affiliated organisation to respond to the 'Road to the Manifesto' exercise by arguing for one question only.

There is a view in some quarters that there is room for change on the second question, e.g. it could be incorporated into one unified question, or worded differently. But that will only happen if we use the 'Road to the Manifesto' exercise to express the Party's opposition to the planned second question.

Taking ownership

We accept a referendum on the principle of establishing a Scottish Parliament. Not only do we accept it, we must take ownership of it. What do we mean by taking ownership?

We view it as an opportunity to entrench the creation of the Scottish Parliament in the Sovereignty of the Scottish People.

A parliament established by the votes of the Scottish people could only be tampered with by the sanction of the Scottish People expressed through a subsequent plebiscite. It also means getting involved in directing the party's campaign in favour of a Yes vote, and if it comes to it, a double Yes vote, with SLA minded comrades coming forward to take on the responsibilities of running the campaign at a Scottish and local level.

If the leadership persist with the second question as currently proposed, then we must insist that the party comes out fighting. To date we have been over defensive in our response to the 'Tartan tax' attack. We must impact a sense of vision into this debate by illustrating how we could use additional revenues to change Scottish society for the better by targeting the available money on services which are important to our people.

No More Mr Nice Guy

The Leadership has stated its determination to win the proposed referendum, and to deal ruthlessly with anyone in the Party who exploits the opportunity to argue against our flagship policy. We must hold them to that commitment.

Opponents of Scottish Home rule, no matter how venerable, have no right to represent the Scottish Labour Party at the forthcoming general election.

For further information, speakers etc. Contact our secretary Ian Smart
7 Burngreen,
Kilsyth
or our Convenor Bob McLean
66 Gordon Ave,
Bonnyrig
Midlothian.

SLA can also be contacted through
Action@pictish.demon.co.uk

and now have their own www site

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