Scottish Labour Party in rebellious mood

Cathie Jamieson, a member of the Scottish Labour Party Executive, reports on the recent conference of the Scottish Party.

The first Scottish Conference after the spectacular General Election and Referendum results was at times a strangely muted affair. Some interpreted this as partly due to the fact that many of the delegates and visitors are aspiring members of the Scottish Parliament, who were keen not to blot their application forms by speaking out of turn or being seen with the wrong people. Indeed, much of the frenzied activity that is normally associated with lobbying for votes for the Executive seemed to have transferred to aspirant MSPs desperately seeking their MPs and other worthies to sign their application forms, and provide the required hundered word reference.

However, Conference was in no mood simply to accept the Executive's recommendations. The first card vote, on scrapping Trident, was carried by 60% to 40%. Conference then rejected (by 65% to 35%) the Executive's recommendation to remit a Transport composite. This resolution included calls for a reversal of policy on scrapping of Duty Free, and a free concessionary travel scheme throughout Scotland for all severely disabled people.

The now famous resolution strongly critical of the Government's changes to lone parent benefit was carried on a card vote. A resolution from UNISON opposing PFI was narrowly lost because some delegates had used the wrong voting cards! There were hotly contested questions within the Scottish Executive itself. A TGWU resolution on workers' rights (including repeal of anti-union laws and the right to take solidarity action) was supported by the Executive, and subsequently passed by Conference.

Despite attempts to change the Executive's position on supporting the principle of OMOV for selection of candidates for the Euro Elections, agreed only at the February meeting, the Executive restated its position on this -- and, although the resolution was eventually not called due to pressure of time, was recommending support.

Following Partnership in Power, proposals were put to Conference which create similar structures for the Scottish Executive. Numbers will be reduced, with the Party organisations losing two seats elected across Scotland, but retaining the geographical basis of electing eight seats, in future by OMOV. Trade unions also lose two seats, and the womens' seats also disappear, with quotas now applying in all sections. The Co-op Party also loses its right to an automatic place on the Scottish Executive, but after challenging the original proposal for the Co-op Party and Socialist Societies to have only one seat between them, did manage to get agreement for an extra seat on the Scottish Policy Forum as of right, and an increase to two seats in the Co-op / Socialist Societies section, showing that hard lobbying can sometimes be worth it!

The Campaign for Socialism meeting held a fringe meeting entitled "Socialists in a Scottish Parliament". Chaired by Cllr Irene Graham from Glasgow the meeting heard excellent contributions from John McAllion MP, Alex Falconer MEP and Marlyn Glen (Scottish Executive candidate ) and a Scottish Executive report from myself. Highlight of the event was Audrey Wise MP who gave a tremendous and rousing speech not just on lone parent benefit, but on a whole range of issues concerning children and families. It was a pity that the group of Young Labour members who were apparently being shepherded round various meetings with a TV crew in attendance didn't wait to hear Audrey's speech -- they would certainly have learned a great deal about the basic principles of socialism and the sorts of policies which can put these principles into practice.

Last but not least, I was re-elected to the Scottish Executive, and would like to thank all those Party members who have supported me over the past two years.

LLB supports Cathie's nomination for the Constituency Section of the NEC.

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