Saturday, 26 June 2010
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
The poor will pay... SSP on today's disasterous Budget...
Sunday, 13 June 2010
SSP to stand in Holyrood regional seats next year
The Scottish Socialist Party has announced its bid to regain a presence in Holyrood next year through the regional list system.
Party spokesman Colin Fox said that the decision to contest next year's Scottish parliament elections "underscores the SSP determination to put our socialist policies before voters."
Morning Star story HERE
Saturday, 12 June 2010
EIS conference backs fight against cuts
In light of what happened in East Dunbartonshire over the last fortnight (the shortest and most effective campaign in the history of the Campsies?) it is fantastic to come to the conference of Scotland’s overwhelmingly largest teaching union – the EIS – and find that teachers are ready to stand up for our communities and services beyond the classroom door.
If there was a theme to day two of the conference, it was the opposition of teachers to the cuts, and like the small political parties, highlighting the fact that there IS an alternative to them other than the solution given by the large, mainstream parties. Motion 51 was passed unhindered. It calls for a ballot to strike to fight the budget cuts next March. If the membership vote for this, this will give a clear message to the mainstream parties and millionaire run press that even the professional middle classes are not “getting” the need for these cuts.
David Cameron and the Tories have been very clever in how they are playing public sector worker off public sector worker. They have re-framed their message from “cuts are inevitable” to “who do you want to suffer rather than you?” Trying to play off profession against profession, worker off worker – building on the disgusting Thatcherisation of society begun back in 1979. Thank Marx that the Scottish people do not buy this selfish and self defeating message. The last time we had a debt as huge as this (one not created by millionaires, but by World War Two and the fight against fascism) the government took the only line that could ensure no-one starved and everyone benefitted – they set up the welfare state, and indeed our wonderful NHS, the envy of the world. Unfortunately all of the mainstream parties are wanting to get rid of what was the countries saviour in those debt ridden and austere times in order to save the rich from paying for their crisis.
Speeches from the EIS podium called for redistribution of the billionaires and bankers wealth. People called for the scrapping of trident, and one speaker even called for the disbanding of the army, asking the question, “what has the military ever given us only the death of our soldiers?” Others spoke about the waste of people and resources in the Afghanistan theatre of war and others said “keep the dustmen and sack the spin doctors – who would you miss first?”
Amongst other superb debates, one that stood out, and will be revisited I am very sure, was one on banning the BNP, SDL or EDL from educating our children. Even though this motion was defeated (only just- and because some people were unsure banning was the most effective way to fight the fascists), what emerged from conference was an overwhelming distaste for the fact that fascists are allowed near our children. Those who led and spoke on the anti-fascist side on this issue were brilliant, emotive (one delegate spoke about the recent anti-Semite threats her daughter had received) and persuasive.
All in all, the conference has shown our teachers to be progressive and are definitely on the side of the working classes – and PTA’s – in this fight against the unrepresentative ConDemNation.
To see bigger version of SSP EIS Voice, please click on the images below.
If there was a theme to day two of the conference, it was the opposition of teachers to the cuts, and like the small political parties, highlighting the fact that there IS an alternative to them other than the solution given by the large, mainstream parties. Motion 51 was passed unhindered. It calls for a ballot to strike to fight the budget cuts next March. If the membership vote for this, this will give a clear message to the mainstream parties and millionaire run press that even the professional middle classes are not “getting” the need for these cuts.
David Cameron and the Tories have been very clever in how they are playing public sector worker off public sector worker. They have re-framed their message from “cuts are inevitable” to “who do you want to suffer rather than you?” Trying to play off profession against profession, worker off worker – building on the disgusting Thatcherisation of society begun back in 1979. Thank Marx that the Scottish people do not buy this selfish and self defeating message. The last time we had a debt as huge as this (one not created by millionaires, but by World War Two and the fight against fascism) the government took the only line that could ensure no-one starved and everyone benefitted – they set up the welfare state, and indeed our wonderful NHS, the envy of the world. Unfortunately all of the mainstream parties are wanting to get rid of what was the countries saviour in those debt ridden and austere times in order to save the rich from paying for their crisis.
Speeches from the EIS podium called for redistribution of the billionaires and bankers wealth. People called for the scrapping of trident, and one speaker even called for the disbanding of the army, asking the question, “what has the military ever given us only the death of our soldiers?” Others spoke about the waste of people and resources in the Afghanistan theatre of war and others said “keep the dustmen and sack the spin doctors – who would you miss first?”
Amongst other superb debates, one that stood out, and will be revisited I am very sure, was one on banning the BNP, SDL or EDL from educating our children. Even though this motion was defeated (only just- and because some people were unsure banning was the most effective way to fight the fascists), what emerged from conference was an overwhelming distaste for the fact that fascists are allowed near our children. Those who led and spoke on the anti-fascist side on this issue were brilliant, emotive (one delegate spoke about the recent anti-Semite threats her daughter had received) and persuasive.
All in all, the conference has shown our teachers to be progressive and are definitely on the side of the working classes – and PTA’s – in this fight against the unrepresentative ConDemNation.
To see bigger version of SSP EIS Voice, please click on the images below.
Sunday, 6 June 2010
SAVE OUR SCHOOLS IN EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE - Public Meeting
Public MeetingWednesday 9th June at 7.30pm
Campsie Memorial Hall Lennoxtown (Hall opens at 7pm)
Chair:
Willie Telfer – local SSP campaigner
Speakers:
Gerry McTiernan – Lennoxtown Primary Parents Council (in a personal capacity)
Richie Venton – Glasgow Save Our Schools organiser
Charles Kennedy – Campsie independent Councillor
Willie Telfer – local SSP campaigner
Speakers:
Gerry McTiernan – Lennoxtown Primary Parents Council (in a personal capacity)
Richie Venton – Glasgow Save Our Schools organiser
Charles Kennedy – Campsie independent Councillor
Unite and stop all school closures!
Demand smaller class sizes- not fewer schools – 20’s plenty in any class!
Unite and campaign for the funds from Holyrood and Westminster to invest in our schools and other community services!
Attend the meeting to hear a report of what is happening. Help set up a campaign- to make sure we are ready for the next attempt at making our children pay for the bankers bailout.
See below for reports
Bearsden Freedom flotilla to Gaza organiser to speak in SSP meeting in Glasgow
Joint SSP / SSY Public Meeting
speakers:
Bearsden man HASAN NOWARAH, chair of Justice for Palestine, one of the organisers of the aid flotilla to Gaza - just back home with broken bones from the Israeli Defence Force assault
JENNY HASTON - SSY, who visited Palestine
Tuesday 8th June 2010, 7.30pm
Piper in the Square bar (upstairs),
George Square Glasgow
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Over 1000 signatories to the "no to education cuts" petition in Milngavie today...
Milngavie parents still angry.
Today we ran a stall in Milngavie town centre, calling on local people to join with others across the East Dunbartonshire constituency in setting up a "Save Our Schools" Committee and Campaign.
We spoke to many local parents and education workers who are very angry at how the Council launched these proposals on the communities and who were confused by exactly what had gone on in the council Chambers on Thursday night. Local SSP activist Willie Telfer was on hand to explain the minutae of the decision and also to explain why the machinations on Thursday night only mean a temporary stay of execution.
This stay of execution is not even a not principled one - we believe this was engineered by the Lab-servative coalition to save their own political neck. Next year, we have the Scottish Elections and the following year are the Council Elections.
This proposed East Dunbartonshire wide campaign must put councillors on the spot and show them that it is unacceptable to make communities and young people pay for the cuts.
Please follow us on twitter for updates: www.twitter.com/sspcampsie
Please click on the leaflet below and print - let others know in your school when the meeting is:
Today we ran a stall in Milngavie town centre, calling on local people to join with others across the East Dunbartonshire constituency in setting up a "Save Our Schools" Committee and Campaign.
We spoke to many local parents and education workers who are very angry at how the Council launched these proposals on the communities and who were confused by exactly what had gone on in the council Chambers on Thursday night. Local SSP activist Willie Telfer was on hand to explain the minutae of the decision and also to explain why the machinations on Thursday night only mean a temporary stay of execution.
This stay of execution is not even a not principled one - we believe this was engineered by the Lab-servative coalition to save their own political neck. Next year, we have the Scottish Elections and the following year are the Council Elections.
This proposed East Dunbartonshire wide campaign must put councillors on the spot and show them that it is unacceptable to make communities and young people pay for the cuts.
Please follow us on twitter for updates: www.twitter.com/sspcampsie
Please click on the leaflet below and print - let others know in your school when the meeting is:
Thursday, 3 June 2010
CAUTIOUS VICTORY TO THE SCHOOLS CAMPAIGNERS
The Labour/Tory coalition has been rattled by real people power.
After the SSP’s call for a demo outside the council chamber at tonight’s planned butchery of our children’s schools and our call for a public meeting next Wednesday (see HERE), over 150 members of the public crammed into the council chamber and overflow annexe. The outpouring of disgust at the planned school closures crossed the constituency as PTA’s, parents and independent councillors joined with us and made sure those who had planned using our children to pay for the bankers cuts knew we were not going to stand for it. The council, because of people power, kicked their own report and planned closures, temporarily, into the long grass rather than risk a split vote which could have brought down the unholy alliance of Tories and Labour.
Local SSP campaigner, Willie Telfer said, “getting so many people out in such short notice has been a victory for working class people in the East Dunbartonshire area. We will not pay for the casino money making that these millionaires have been doing with our savings and tax money. These schools are a credit and an asset to our communities and must stay open!”
He went on, “Although this is undoubtedly a temporary victory through pressure placed on the councillors by parents and parent councils, the majority who listened in the annex were left in no doubt a campaign must remain in place in order to keep vigilant as we know they will try to spring this on us again in the next 6 months- year.”
The meeting in Campsie Memorial Hall at 7.00-9.30 on Wednesday night will be going ahead in order to explain to parents and education workers what happened in the council chambers and what it means. We will also be planning a Save Our Schools campaign - making sure we are ready for the next attempt at making our children pay for the cuts.
Speakers will include SSP activist Willie Telfer; Lennoxtown Primary School parent and campaigner Gerry McTiernan; local Independent Councillor Charles Kennedy and Glasgow Save Our Schools coordinator, Richie Venton.
After the SSP’s call for a demo outside the council chamber at tonight’s planned butchery of our children’s schools and our call for a public meeting next Wednesday (see HERE), over 150 members of the public crammed into the council chamber and overflow annexe. The outpouring of disgust at the planned school closures crossed the constituency as PTA’s, parents and independent councillors joined with us and made sure those who had planned using our children to pay for the bankers cuts knew we were not going to stand for it. The council, because of people power, kicked their own report and planned closures, temporarily, into the long grass rather than risk a split vote which could have brought down the unholy alliance of Tories and Labour.
Local SSP campaigner, Willie Telfer said, “getting so many people out in such short notice has been a victory for working class people in the East Dunbartonshire area. We will not pay for the casino money making that these millionaires have been doing with our savings and tax money. These schools are a credit and an asset to our communities and must stay open!”
He went on, “Although this is undoubtedly a temporary victory through pressure placed on the councillors by parents and parent councils, the majority who listened in the annex were left in no doubt a campaign must remain in place in order to keep vigilant as we know they will try to spring this on us again in the next 6 months- year.”
The meeting in Campsie Memorial Hall at 7.00-9.30 on Wednesday night will be going ahead in order to explain to parents and education workers what happened in the council chambers and what it means. We will also be planning a Save Our Schools campaign - making sure we are ready for the next attempt at making our children pay for the cuts.
Speakers will include SSP activist Willie Telfer; Lennoxtown Primary School parent and campaigner Gerry McTiernan; local Independent Councillor Charles Kennedy and Glasgow Save Our Schools coordinator, Richie Venton.
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
1/4 of Primary Schools to close in East Dunbartonshire
After the extremely flawed survey sent out to all homes in September last year, the Labour/Conservative coalition in Tom Johnston House have decided to close eight Primary Schools in East Dunbartonshire. (Our response to the "review" is HERE)
There will be a demonstration outside Tom Johnstone House, Kirkintilloch tommorrow (Thursday 2nd June) at 5.30pm to meet Councillors who have taken part in this decimation of provision to our children.
A meeting has been called in Campsie Memorial Hall (see below for directions to hall), Lennoxtown next Wednesday 9th June 7pm-9.30pm - representatives from all schools and communities effected(parents, education workers, PTA etc)are welcome. This meeting will be to help set up a Save Our Schools campaign in the area - a non-party campaign. Introducing the meeting will be local campaigner, Willie Telfer and Glasgow Save Our Schools coordinator, Richie Venton, who will be offering advice in building a campaign - and offering facilities to help with the campaign.
All issues will be discussed, including school rolls, travel etc.
Closures announced :
Twechar Primary School
Auchinairn Primary School
Baldernock Primary School
Gartconner P.S.
St Agathas P.S.
Lennoxtown P.S.
Lenzie P.S.
St Josephs P.S.
Directions to Campsie Memorial Hall (click on "view larger map" for road directions)
View Larger Map
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