January 12.
James D. Young (An idea whose time has not yet come, January 8) either
woefully misunderstands or wilfully misrepresents the position of
Scottish Militant Labour on a whole range of issues.
It is completely false to suggest that SML is ''hostile to Scottish
national aspirations for self-government''. Since its launch two years
ago, SML has promoted the idea of a radical socialist Scottish
parliament. We have consistently supported the demand for a referendum
on Scotland's future, and have backed the campaign for a recalled
Scottish parliament in defiance of Westminster.
At the recent meeting of the John MacLean Society, referred to by
James Young, we did not oppose the idea of a ''Scottish workers'
republic'' but spoke against what we considered to be a narrow and rigid
proposition that the only means of achieving socialism is through a
Scottish workers' republic.
James Young goes on to make the bizarre accusation that Tommy Sheridan
and SML have a ''theological'' belief in the inevitability of socialism.
If that were the case, we would have no need to waste our time building
a socialist political movement. As we state in the SML policy pamphlet,
Struggle, Solidarity, Socialism, ''Unless people band together in
organisations like SML, nothing will ever change''.
The point is also made that ''while the profit system continues to
rule our lives, mass unemployment, poverty, violence, ill health, damp
housing, homelessness, alcohol, and hard drug abuse will continue to
blight the lives of millions''.
Yet James D. Young makes the absurd assertion that Tommy Sheridan (a
co-author of the above pamphlet) blames the Government for creating
poverty. Yes, we blame the Government for aggravating poverty; but it is
either ignorant or dishonest to suggest that SML is unaware of the fact
that poverty has always existed under capitalism.
Finally, neither Tommy Sheridan nor SML ''dismisses the threat posed
by the BNP in Scotland''. In fact, no other political party has been
more active than SML in organising to ensure that the BNP has been
unable to parade its poisonous racist-fascist ideology in Scotland's
cities.
Instead of relying upon ''radio and press statements'' for his
information, James Young should at least make an effort to read our
publications before rushing into print to condemn Scottish Militant
Labour.
Alan McCombes,
Editor, Scottish Militant,
896 Govan Road,
Glasgow.
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