Possibly the most contentious debate at SSP conference was on the question or tae environment
A motion from Kelvin SSP which demanded the continuation of weekly bin collections was amended to support "carbon rationing" approach to consumption, which it was argued "would provide a reduction of consumption whilst avoiding the imposition of regressive taxation."
"carbon Well OIII rationing | would provide both a redistribution of wealth and a societal shift towards sustainability" but did not in my view at least explain how this would take place.
Calls to defeat the motion and amendment on the basis that they did not take the question of climate change seriously enough WCIC rejected by conference and a call to remit the whole issue to the incoming National Council was rejected by the LUVCLO
There seemed to be an approach from that recycling was not practical on working class estates though this was sharply rebutted by others.
There was talk by speakers making points in support of different stances 1n the debate of the need to and possibility of converting refuse workers jobs so that they worked around recycling - both as collectors and educators.
The debate reflected the fact that many of those attending conference were passionate about the issues involved - with more people wanting to speak than was possible to hear. his was the only occasion during the day that this happened.
This was
nol lne only motion on the environment that conference debate. A motion from Borders and Tweeddale branch did not make the prioritised agenda but was taken it the final mop-up session of the day -which actually resulted in the whole agenda being completed. Moved by Socialist
supporter is Illegal' Norman Lockhart, the motion focuses on the fact that the party agreed to produce a pamphlet on the Environment which has not yet seen the light of day -although it exists in draft form. It notes the importance of environmental politics to young people in particular and suggests that the party hold a series of regional day schools to develop "the links between green and red". The motion, which was agreed unanimously, also commends Socialist Resistance book "Ecosocialism or Barbarism". There were other areas of contention al an event which was better attended than the preceding days educational discussion and slightly tenser as well. National Secretary Currie pointed to one of the Norman Lockhart Conference gave priority to work around Housing and unanimously supported a motion in support of 'No one potential reasons for the difficulty in moving the recommendations Irom the internal commission that was set up following the split with Solidarity - that a conference in October means many branches will
meet once atter the break and motions and amendment may not be adequately prepared.
Certainly it did seem to me that a number seemed rather rushed in their preparation.
At any rate it was agreed that after packed months ahead with a special OUC day conference in March 2008 to agree new internal structures, followed by a further meeting to carry out elections in May, the party would then return to the cycle of a Socialism was quite sharp.
The original motion made three points : that the current situation in Scotland where by Tne Catholic Church can veto the employment of qualified Teachers in stale catholic schools if they don't meet their approval is unacceptable, that the SSP supports the phasing out of religious schools and that it "wishes to end the practice of collectively worship in school assembles" but to replace them with "inclusive assemblies which could draw on religious and nonreligious traditions used in a balanced way, in order for children to have the opportunity to reflect upon moral issues, and to encourage respect for other people's beliefs".
here were two amend. ments to the motion. lhe first argued that it should be down to local communities to decide whether or not they wanted particular types of schools. This was not agreed by conference which I was relieved about as I thought it could well end up entrenching existing sectarianism. The second, which deleted the final part saying how collective worship should be replaced, was agreed.
Conference agreed a series of motions around campaigning with little dissent.
gave priority to work around Housing. It unanimously supported a motion in support of No one is Illegal and also supported the Hands off Iran campaign without dissent.
On destine a monon from Kelvin branch that focused on practical support for the campaigning priorimes onde ocorusa desune Solidarity campaign particularly around A boycott of Eden Springs Withdrawal of charitable status from the Jewish National Fund The release from Israel of Vanunu Was overwhelmingly supporter. A supporter of the Alliance for Worker's Liberty made the usual ritual (and particularly vitriolic) speech in denunciation that apparently impacted on no one.
The final issue on which there was some debate was a motion moved by supportof the Republican Communist Platform within Ine SSP which "invites socialists from Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England to discuss a republican strategy current us and British plans to maintain imperial control over these islands on behalf of global corporations" to a conference in 2008.
Alan McCoombes strongly objected to the fact that the platform, in their latest publication
"Whatever happened to the independence election" refer to him as a left nationalist - an objection in which I support him and I'm sure most of the rest of conference would do to. But I didn't see why that meant the conference was a bad idea and neither did many others in the room who carried the motion.
It is clear that this proposal cannot be the main priority of the SSP leadership over the next year which has to concentrate on a number of internal tasks to further reorganise the party, but given that the difficult task of deciding who to invite has rightly been delegated to the international committee, it could be all interesting event.
It is certainly one that should interest Socialist
supporters in England - given that George Galloway's comments on Scottish independence on Question Time recently showed that there will continue to be important differences on question within Respect Renewal.