Category: Politics

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Thoughts on The National column 12th November 2018

Scott Macdonald

I do not think it “remains to be seen” that the Scottish Socialist Party is a Yes supporting, explicitly working-class-based party. It is that, in its very bones. But it does struggle with considerable illusions in Corbyn’s Labour and an all-things-to-all-people SNP juggernaut. But, much of what is said in today’s column by former SSP MSP Carolyn Leckie comes from a distance. It is a piecemeal second-hand report on the conference, laser-focused on our joint national spokesperson, Colin Fox and makes light of the many contributions SSP members make and continues to make in the grassroots of the Yes movement. … Continue reading Thoughts on The National column 12th November 2018

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Statement – standing for Social Media Officer

Scott Macdonald

I was asked to provide a 500 word statement to the SSP when standing for the post of Social Media Officer. The social media of a political party should reflect its choices, priorities and activism. Each intervention should tell a story. It should address and promote our perspective on current affairs and work done. It is one of the most cost-efficient marketing methods used to syndicate ideas and increase our party’s visibility. It requires investment, it requires labour, it requires feeding, perpetually. The world doesn’t stop turning because a party spokesperson is on holiday, or can’t be reached. I view … Continue reading Statement – standing for Social Media Officer

Independence, PoliticsLeave a comment

Conservative Prospectuses won’t cut it – Outflank Corbyn

Scott Macdonald

There’s been two and a half years of non-campaigning on independence other than marches and rallies to keep spirits up.

Instead of campaigning for independence, we’ve had four SNP elections with milky non-confrontational anti-politics full of slogans like “Stronger For Scotland”. To which I would ask, which Scotland? And how does this strength manifest – there’s been few SNP platforms to inspire and uplift working people.

Corbyn understands little about the national question and is clearly being briefed by reactionary and independence-hostile elements in the branch office. Nevertheless, he is gaining power and popularity by articulating left solutions to social problems. Housebuilding, nationalised energy, public railways – mana from heaven for those one in four Scots who haven’t the means to save for retirement. Continue reading “Conservative Prospectuses won’t cut it – Outflank Corbyn”

Politics, TechLeave a comment

Video Production: a series

Scott Macdonald

The democratisation of our media – including the continuing work of the Scottish Socialist Voice – has given birth to high-quality internet streaming video and affordable camera equipment, often in the form of broadcast quality high-definition video in the palm of your hand. This liberates creators, broadcasters and filmmakers.

Cinema bears its fruit; one of the first films of note that grasped the possibility of home-made media was Jonathan Caouette’s intensely personal documentary, Tarnation in 2003. Telling the story of his life and relationship with his mentally ill mother – the film was initially made for a tiny total budget of $218.32, using free iMovie software on a Mac home computer, and went on to critical acclaim. The power and decreasing cost of cameras, audio capture and computing power have exploded since then.

As your elected social media co-ordinator, I regularly and clearly see the difference in engagement between posts with embedded graphics and video, to those without. Continue reading “Video Production: a series”

Independence, PoliticsLeave a comment

EU and Independence Paper

Scott Macdonald

The Scottish Socialist Party recognised that a Brexit vote under the present circumstances would unlock a “carnival of reaction” – a tidal wave of racism and little Islander mentality which would continue to blame and demean migrants and those seeking asylum for Britain’s catastrophic failures on working class people.

We also noted the revolutionary left Leave argument was strategically inept – and was nowhere near strong or organised enough to counter the brutal right’s mentality – and was one that chose to walk away against the rise of sweeping fascist parties across Europe. Continue reading “EU and Independence Paper”

Independence, PoliticsLeave a comment

Two years on – and the economics of campaigning

Scott Macdonald

Saturday, I went to Stirling. Later in the evening, the Stirling Branch comrades had a curry night, to raise cash for the branch. We ended up with a shade under a hundred quid – which was by no means bad.

sunday_timesThe same night, there was a “supporters of the union” fundraiser – which raised around £300,000. It was attended largely by the filthy rich, and reported in the Sunday Times.

One of the big prizes was – “A fabulous chalet and a family home, with six bedrooms sleeping 12, all en suite. Although the chalet does not come with a chalet girl, we will provide one for you.” Continue reading “Two years on – and the economics of campaigning”

Life, PoliticsLeave a comment

Oppression, equality and respect

Scott Macdonald

There’s an acute shortage of socialists who aren’t fighting with one another. During the past four years of activism two things have become clear.

  • I’ve had no end of people being shut out and ostracised from politics because they’re ill-educated or say the wrong things without meaning to offend.
  • There’s no shortage of folk that are blinded by pious bullshit in the Scottish Left.

Continue reading “Oppression, equality and respect”