even if the leadership of Unison, to which the nurses belong, opposed it.
He said: "We, in this party, will continue to support those nursery nurses whilst other unions affiliated to New Labour are not, because that is what working class solidarity is all about."
Tommy also called on other trade unionists to break from New Labour and join the only party in Scotland which represented working Independence
The SSP conference reaffirmed its commitment to campaign for Scottish independence. The SSP will attempt to bring together all supporters of an independent Scotland in a convention to campaign for this aim.
There were a number of motions attacking the SSP's moves to establish a convention. These were supported by around 20% of conference delegates. A much smaller percentage of the party's membership is opposed to independence.
Comrades who support the anti-independence resolutions say that the break up of the British State would be a step back for the English working class. If we follow this logic we would ordie supporties, he indian platforms within occupation of the six counties, politically and militarily, so as not to "divide" the Irish working class from the English working class.
In fact a motion on Ireland (defeated) from some of these comrades did suggest the to attract broader need to unite Irish and English workers. Another argument from some of the British Left is that we can only support an independent socialist Scotland, not an independent capitalist Scotland.
They claim to defend the right of selfdetermination, but they argue that the Scottish working class does not want independence. How they argue this is confusing.
If you believe in self-determination then you must support the right to raise the democratic demand for independence, and that means under capitalism or socialism.
At the present time the demand for an independent socialist Scotland is not on the agenda, but independence is. The proposed convention will open the discussion on a The existence of organised the party allows it. forces and to conduct serious political debates. • Scottish Workers' Republic.
Alan McCombes announced that the Scottish National Party and the Green Party are now officially supporting the convention which it is hoped to launch later this year. Nursing a grievance: 4,000 Scottish nursery nurses have been out on strike for five weeks • • How socialists take up the national question will be key to the success in the fight to develop a socialist consciousness within the Scottish working class, particularly given the divisions throughout sections of the bourgeoisie in Scotland.
As part of this debate there was a motion calling for independence to be enshrined in the party's constitution i.e. not subject to change by the usual 2/3 rule.
This was born out of frustration from some comrades on the continuing debate on independence. It should be noted that the same small minority, including the CW and the SWP, have argued against independence at every recent conference of the SSP.
Many speakers opposed to this motion said that the party is pluralistic and democratic and that conflicting views and minority rights must be safeguarded.
Co-Chair Catriona Grant said that the executive were opposing it, not out of any opposition to independence, but because such a proposal was a bureaucratic attempt to solve a political problem. The motion was overwhelmingly lost. Religion in Schools
Conference rejected calls for a ban on all faith-based schools after a debate in which many delegates fought to advance the party's support for secular education. The conference upheld the party's commitment to a secular Scotland in the long run, and to continue the existing policy of accepting religious schools where these had strong local support
It was accepted that change had to come through maximising the arguments and support for removing religion from schools Many delegates pointed out that most so called non religious schools were in effect Protestant schools.
All the motions and amendments on the North of Ireland were defeated. The existing policy, which includes calls for a united Ireland and withdrawal of troops therefore remains.
One such was a motion from Dundee West and supported by the Committee for a • Workers' International (CWI) Platform -which called for working class unity, such as the demonstration of postal workers after the shooting of a colleague and the Protestant and Catholic school kids who marched together against the war in iraq part that the British state plays. The continued British presence in Ireland maintains and perpetuates sectarian conflict in the north Socialists who preach Protestant and Catholic working class unity without reference to the reality of the British military presence only serve to entrench sectarian divisions amongst the working class
Only by calling for the withdrawal of all British troops and the establishment of a united Ireland, which accepts the rights of minorities, can we truly begin to see working class unity
This again was a hot issue with many different opinions; part of this debate has a major relevance on the national question in Scotland and Wales. SSP members accepted that there has to be a clearer policy on this question - for all socialists in the British State Prostitution
There was a debate on prostitution and the tolerance zones being advocated in the bill from independent MSP. Margo MacDonald. Angela McCormick, urged delegates to back tolerance zones to minimise the risks faced by sex workers.
Others opposed the Bill as it could mask the problems of other sex workers not covered by the proposals and legitimise pimping and exploitation. The motions on prostitution were withdrawn and submitted to National Council for a fuller debate.
For a good analysis of the question of tolerance zones comrades should read Cationa Grant's article in Frontline issue 12 (www.redflag.org.uk) Respect and Europe
The conference passed a motion welcoming the establishment of Respect and sending fraternal greetings. The European elections in June will provide a real opportunity for both the SSP and Respect to work together to present an alternative to New Labour both north and south of the border:
Conference agreed to support any slate put together for the Euro elections by the anti-capitalist Left. This is seen as very important issue for the party. Felicity Garvie heads the SSP's Euro list and the election of an SSP member to the European Parliament will have a big impact on pushing the project of the anti-capitalist left in Europe. Conclusions
The conference demonstrated that the SSP is a serious force in Scotland. The existence of organised platforms within the party allows it to attract broader forces and to conduct serious political debates.
This does not hinder its effective operation in campaigns or elections
The Scottish Socialist Party faces many challenges in the months and years ahead There can be little doubt that the party will continue to grow and strengthen through its campaigning work such as the Scottish service tax campaign and its continuing work amongst the working class
The SSP is a good model for the type of party that socialists in England should be trying to create
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sistance April 2004 One year after Iraq invasic