Norman Lockhart, Borders SSP THERE WERE several significant landmarks for the Scottish conference was belatedly rearranged for Perth instead of sions. had anything new to add to the debate and discussion. of horrific examples of such actions as beheadings. who were clearly also anti-abortion for religious reasons. with 70 per cent of party policy. granted. more media and latterly internal party interest. another comprehensive discussion later this year. worth having to learn from rather than avoided. occasional staged debates in The Voice. Socialist Party national conference this February. There was the best attendance ever by delegates and observers, although the Aberdeen as originally intended. It was encouraging that there was also a larger number than previous years for Sunday as well.
The most obvious landmark of party growth was the first ever delegation representing the Rail Maritime Transport trade union. They not only moved their own motions but also spoke in other debates, which added weight and significance to policy discusMy overall impression was of a more mature party, as delegates did not feel they had to get up regardless of whether they
There was a useful and necessary debate on the political basis of solidarity in the context of Iraq. This began to address aspects of unconditional solidarity in anti imperialist struggle but critical
It was interesting to hear a fraternal re examination of the principal issues for socialists defending a woman's right to control her body in response to an executive pro-choice position, but including comrades identified as activists in socialist movement
This reminded me of a priest in the party several years ago when challenged about this answered by pointing out he agreed
For me this indicated that there is an audience new to many of the arguments that those who have been active in the socialist movement since Thatcher's reign had been tempted to take for
Elections using a Single Transferral Vote system were held for every significant party position. Media interest was focussed on the convenor's post, which is elected every year anyway, but as Tommy Sheridan had resigned earlier in the year had stimulated
Proposals to change the status and election method were considered not to be an emergency and have luckily been deferred to
I was disappointed that, for the second year running, there was no debate of Tweedale branch's motion supporting a single secular state for Israel Palestine as it seems to be a debate that is
This raises a more general issue about contentious issues. Essentially conference can only deal with 3 or 4 issues of controversy and National Councils only 1. Thus many policy issues are never discussed. We need discussion bulletins over and above
Overall this was a positive and comradely conference.