Socialists for Independence was set up explicitly to be a vehicle for people who shared a socialist outlook to come together and in a friendly and cooperative environment work out ways to develop the ideas that might increase the influence of left-wing ideas in working class communities across Scotland.
That seems as relevant at the start of 2025 as it did then. Indeed, as we look at the political landscape for the new year there is perhaps an even greater urgency for socialists to elaborate an alternative that is not predicated on hate and division.
With Trump entering the White House there is no doubt that the far right will be feeling emboldened in their attempts to portray themselves as the disruptors of political systems that many people feel are failing them. In Scotland this is manifested in opinion polls that worryingly suggest that Farage’s repugnant Reform ‘party’ could win as many as 15 seats in the Scottish Parliamentary elections next year.
Far from offering a solution to the many problems facing working class people hucksters like Trump and Farage represent the brutal and vicious face of 21st Century pirate capitalism. Genuflecting before them are the rapacious titans of the Silicon Valley and Amazon whose obscene wealth comes from the savage exploitation of their workers and who are hitching themselves to Trump’s wagon because they see it as their way of not only further enriching themselves but in burning down all regulation that may interfere in their pursuit of profit in any way.
Similarly, as some parts of the globe literally go up in flames the right are crying that we should ‘drill, baby drill’ and continue to burn the planet. From the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce to the oil barons of Texas again it is powerful big business interests that are driving the agenda of the right, and it is people and planet that will face the consequences.
Perhaps it is these developments amongst others that have seen support for independence in Scotland grow over the past few months.
Despite the shortcomings of the Scottish Government and the drop in profile of the independence movement it appears that the failings of the newly incumbent Labour government and the increased threat from the right is driving up support for a new Scotland. It will be interesting to see how this develops in 2025.
This is the context for socialists in Scotland and beyond for the coming year. Events in France last year show that a united left can stay the hand of the right. Practical proposals like a wealth tax on land and property which could provide finance to halt the drip-by-drip austerity that is hollowing out communities and the services that support it could help unify people in the face of divisive politics that splits us apart.
The need for unity in thought and action is as urgent in 2025 as in any other year if we are to avoid being dragged down what could be a pretty dark road. Socialists for Independence stand ready to be part of achieving that unity.
