DeeTillEhDeh Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 http://m.heraldscotland.com/politics/13620831.Revealed__new_Scottish_left_party_named_as_RISE/ SCOTLAND’S new left-wing electoral alliance is to be called RISE, the Sunday Herald can reveal. The grassroots anti-austerity movement, anchored around the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) and the Scottish Left Project (SLP), has been taking shape over the last eight months under the nickname the Scottish Syriza. However it will be be formally launched as RISE, which stands for Respect, Independence, Socialism and Environmentalism, in Glasgow next Saturday. Up to 1000 activists are expected to attend the Marriott Hotel for the event, which will include more than 30 speakers and examine policies for next May’s Holyrood election. Among those taking part will be representatives from Syriza, Spain’s Podemos movement, Quebec Solidaire and Black Lives Matter, plus Independent MSP Jean Urquhart, German MP Andrej Hunko of the Left party Die Linke, and Mike Small, founder of the Bella Caledonia blog. There will also be a message of support from veteran journalist Tariq Ali. Describing itself as “Scotland’s Left Alliance”, RISE will field candidates exclusively on regional lists, from which MSPs can be elected with as little as 5.2 per cent of the vote. As part of an electoral pact to maximise the chance of socialist MSPs being elected, the SSP will refrain from standing candidates, giving RISE a clear run. The umbrella model is based on Syriza in Greece, which was formed in 2004 as a coalition of 13 radical groups, including Maoists, Trotskyists, feminists and environmentalists. The Respect element of RISE refers to equalities - it has no links to George Galloway’s party. The new name, with its whiff of revolution, is intended to catch the attention of voters drawn to the Left in response to the Tory government, but who doubt the commitment of Scottish Labour and the SNP to radical change. SSP co-convenor Colin Fox, who hopes to be a RISE candidate, said even if Jeremy Corbyn became the next UK Labour leader it would not fundamentally change the party. “I fully expect Labour’s existential crisis to deepen whether Jeremy Corbyn wins or not. He does not support independence or further powers for the Scottish Parliament. That offers very little to attract the progressive left opinion that’s gathered round the SLP. “If Corbyn becomes leader he’ll also be a prisoner of the right wing of Labour from day one. They’re already orchestrating a coup against him. “We’ll be looking to take the fight to the SNP. Nicola Sturgeon says they’re against austerity and privatisation, but they have a different track record. The SNP is no place for a socialist.” Trade union activist Cat Boyd said: “We want ordinary people in Scotland to have a voice against the onslaught of austerity, against the erosion of our trade union rights and against the unchallenged privileged and power of the few who think they have the absolute right to rule.” Playwright Alan Bissett said he was "really excited" about RISE, adding: "The left had been struggling until the injection of energy and momentum from the referendum, when working-class and young people started to engage with politics. A pro-Yes voice, to the left of the SNP and Scottish Labour and committed to the working-class, should be a prerequisite of our parliament.” Refugee rights campaigner Pinar Aksu added: “This fresh approach will provide a voice that will put people at the forefront, not the corporate interests which dominate our society.” RISE organiser Jonathan Shafi, who also co-founded the Radical Independence Campaign in the referendum, rejected the suggestion that Syriza’s current problems and splits showed the Left’s high hopes in Scotland were doomed. “Greece actually underlines the need for similar left movements to develop in northern Europe to provide support to other governments of the radical left - to prevent them being isolated.” Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: “Presumably this leftist movement hopes to have slightly better longevity than Syriza, which U-turned on its anti-austerity platform and is now collapsing into typical infighting. But one wonders how long before RISE becomes FALL?” The advent of RISE means unprecedented competition for Holyrood’s 56 list places, as the strength of the SNP means Labour, the Tories, LibDems and Scottish Greens are now all reliant on the list system for MSPs. Convicted perjurer Tommy Sheridan is also standing for Solidarity in Glasgow. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeTillEhDeh Posted August 23, 2015 Author Share Posted August 23, 2015 Thoughts? Will it affect the elections next May? My own view - in a word - no. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillonearth Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 Probably not once people read far enough into it to realise that what's left of the SSP is involved. They're currently so far round the U-bend they make the LibDems look healthy. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dorlomin Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 I smell swappies. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Rational Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 (edited) TL DR. Will it get off the ground? No. Are folk worried about them splitting the vote? No. Close the thread. Edited August 23, 2015 by Mr Rational 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongTimeLurker Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 Given Syriza have basically achieved diddlysquat in terms of what they set out to do, I'd say they are about a year too late with this, but they do have a possible opening as a way for left-leaning SNP voters to give Labour a kicking on the regional list if a wipeout looks on the cards at the constituency level. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjw Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 They'll do more fighting amongst themselves than anything else. If the give people who wouldn't otherwise vote something to think about though, then good luck to them. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invergowrie arab Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 good luck to them - up to a point. however, if you look at how the SSP polled in recent years they have no chance. My experience of the SSP, which allowed about half a dozen different factions to operate within the party, was that they spent more time attacking each other than focussing on what to do. To be electorally successful you need the discipline of a party that broad movements just can't provide. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky88 Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 They'll do more fighting amongst themselves than anything else.at least theyll be following in the footsteps of syriza in that respect 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loondave1 Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 They can apparently see through the SNP though I'll give them that. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1320Lichtie Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 They can apparently see through the SNP though I'll give them that. The irony 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 They can apparently see through the SNP though I'll give them that. The fact that even pretending to be socialist or (dread phrase) anti-austerity gets you huge votes bodes well for Corbyn. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeTillEhDeh Posted August 23, 2015 Author Share Posted August 23, 2015 The fact that even pretending to be socialist or (dread phrase) anti-austerity gets you huge votes bodes well for Corbyn. Didn't work for the SSP. Did work for the SNP. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 You have got to admire the persistency of the loony left. Even when its clear the electorate isn't interested. Can't see that party lasting till 2020. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenconner Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 The Scottish Left/trots had their chance and blew it big time. Probably take a generation for that to work it's way through. Their best bet is post independence/Federalism/Home Rule/FFA. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Did work for the SNP. That's what I meant. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky88 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 They can apparently see through the SNP though I'll give them that.parties like tusc stood at the last election saying pretty much the same thing about the SNP. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AsimButtHitsASix Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Surely the far left parties are aware they'd do better in an independent Scotland? A bit of RealPolitik from them and not fielding candidates and instead urging folk to vote SNP/Greens until independence is achieved would be better for them in the long run? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeTillEhDeh Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 That's what I meant. I know you did - I wouldn't call the SSP socialist either. Back-stabbing shitebags maybe, but not socialists. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fide Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 You have got to admire the persistency of the loony left. Even when its clear the electorate isn't interested. Can't see that party lasting till 2020. Aw Lex. I'd forgotten about you. And before you fire in with a gag about our teams being in the same division next year, given the way the Maureen's season has been going, I doubt it. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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