Scottish Socialist Freedom Group

Welcome to the Scottish Socialist Freedom Group Website

Supporting an independent socialist nuclear free Scotland and Solidarity Scotland's Socialist Movement

"We believe in an independent Scotland where our vast wealth and abundant resources are harnessed and democratically owned for the benefit of all, not the obscene enrichment of the few."
http://www.solidarityscotland.org

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Join The Forum for Scottish Democracy

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scottishdemocracy

This group supports the establishment of an independent Scottish republic that is socialist and egalitarian. Members are welcome who wish to debate about constitutional change for Scotland and the future of the nation. Also there should be support for an independence referendum.

The group recognises that debate on constitutional change for Scotland is not merely the preserve of the SNP in the independence movement. A wider debate is more healthy concerning constitutional change.

Supporters of Scottish nationalism, republicanism or Scottish socialism welcome

Note this is a broad based and non-sectarian forum.

Moderators
Forum for Scottish Democracy

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Scottish Republican Socialist Newsletter

http://dawnofliberation.blogspot.com

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Bring on the Scottish Workers Republic!

Today let us look at the Internet based organisation The Scottish Socialist Freedom Group (SSFG) and what we represent. The SSFG has been in existence for around two years promoting the most genuine beliefs in Republican Socialism. In more recent times we have set up a Yahoo news & discussion group.

With a small membership our political belief's are clear. Our minimum demand is a Scottish Republic and our maximum goal is a truly Independent Scottish Workers Republic. We support debate using the tool of the Internet to get our message across.

In the community we seek active solidarity for political prisoners and International "left Wing socialist" struggle. Unlike any other movement who claim to be Scottish Republican Socialist we reject the idea that the parliamentary model or constitutional nationalism will deliver true Socialist Freedom for the Scottish people. In short the reformists who have taken to supporting the SNP have abandoned the socialist struggle for a Scottish Workers Republic.

Alternatively the SSFG set up a website to present a layout from support for Solidarity Scotland's Socialist Movement to setting out our Scottish Marxist principles. unlike others we believe in Scottish independence that begins with a Republic and end's with a Scottish Workers Republic. Changing the flag from buthcher's apron to Saltire alone is meaningless for workers without any attempt to bring about a social system to serve need instead of greed.

We do see Solidarity as the platform at present to build the Socialist Movement in Scotland and view those who support the SNP to build a fair society are like flying a kite in a tornado. You go round and round and everywhere and get nowhere.

A referendum for Scottish independence is only significant where we can secure a Scottish Republic. However to lend support to any type of referendum on independence is not the wrong thing to do. Even a referendum that is drawn up by reformists in constitutional nationalism will throw a spanner in the works and create some panic for unionists in the future.

Significantly with costitutional change must come revolutionary change. Without public control of our banking and financial institutions and widespread radical & revolutionary change to the capitalist system then independence alone is worthless. Independence should mean an end to the queen and her crown powers in Scotland and the formation of a true accountable state in a Scottish Republic.

The SSFG seeks like minded individuals to promote real change for Scotland and struggle for a Scottish Socialist Workers Republic. The SSFG can now be found on bebo
and anywhere ideas and positive ideas for change can be encouraged on the Internet.
Larry

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Vote Solidarity in East Ayrshire

Solidarity, Scotland's Socialist Movement have announced their candidate for the forthcoming by-election for the Ballochmyle ward of East Ayrshire Council.  Danny Masterton from Muirkirk was selected by local activists to carry the Solidarity banner in the ballot.  Danny, 54, a former professional footballer, is a well-known local trade unionist who has worked as a miner, fitter and then 10 years in open casts.  He is now a full-time carer.  

Danny is a member of Coalfields Solidarity, formed by workers in Scotland's coal industry. 

"I am proud to be chosen as Solidarity's candidate for this by-election.  If elected, people know that I will not let them down.  I know the problems facing local families as fuel bills and living costs go up, and wages come down.  This area needs jobs, but not by bribing employers with grants, who disappear when the free rent runs out, real sustainable, local jobs rooted in the community." 
 
Solidarity Convenor Tommy Sheridan  said:
 
"This is great news.  Danny Masterton is a real working class fighter who will stand up for his community.  Solidarity is delighted that he has accepted the nomination and I am looking forward to joining Danny, campaigning in East Ayrshire."

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Sheridan & Galloway ask PM to Drop Bank Charges

Sheridan & Galloway ask PM to Drop the Charges

Solidarity Co-Convenor Tommy Sheridan and Respect MP George Galloway have launched an online petition, with a call to the Prime Minister to put an end to punitive bank charges.

Sheridan said:

"Gordon Brown has the shares, and therefore the clout, to demand an end to this practice in HBOS, RBS and Northern Rock"


George Galloway, MP for Bethnal Green & Bow added:

"The government is pouring hundreds of billions of pounds into the banks, at the very least we, the public, must have a say in how these part-public-owned banks operate.

The petition states:

We, the public, as owners of Northern Rock, majority shareholders in RBS and the biggest shareholder in HBOS, ask the Prime Minister to instruct these banks to end the system of excessive, punitive bank charges immediately.

and can be signed at:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stopthecharges/

Tommy Sheridan said on the launch of the petition:

"It can easily be forgotten that these 'poor' banks who got the bail-out are the same banks who in recent years have been declaring billions in profits and dividends, while charging their poorest customers excessive amounts for slips in their finances. Many people are still locked in a court battle with the banks, who want to protect their right to extort money from customers. Gordon Brown has the shares, and therefore the clout, to demand an end to this practice in HBOS, RBS and Northern Rock"

George Galloway, MP for Bethnal Green & Bow added:

"The government is pouring hundreds of billions of pounds into the banks, at the very least we, the public, must have a say in how these part-public-owned banks operate.

"Bank charges have been a con for years, hitting the lowest paid who often slip into exceeding their overdrafts by mistake.

"They should be ended now and the government should use its stake in the banks to ensure that. Mortgage repossessions by Northern Rock are up, despite the fact that it is wholly publicly owned. There should be no punitive charges and no evictions. What was a matter between consumers and banks is now a plainly political issues between the people and the government. Gordon Brown has been given fair warning."

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Forthcoming Scottish Events

A People’s Budget for Peace: How would you spend £20billion of public money in the next 5 years?

Bruce Kent (CND)
Judith Robertson (Oxfam)
Matt Smith (UNISON)
Dave Gibb (music) plus others

Saturday 25th October, 12 noon, George Square, Glasgow

Organised by;

Scotland’s for Peace

Sponsors include;

STUC, Scottish CND, Stop the War, Campaign Against the Arms Trade, UNISON, Oxfam, Scottish Islamic Foundation, Justice and Peace Scotland, The Church of Scotland

Climate Change Demonstration – 6th December

On Saturday 6th December 2008 there will be a Global Day of Action on Climate Change with demonstrations in 90 countries including Scotland. The demonstrations are intended to coincide with the United Nations Climate Talks(COP13/MOP3) in Poznan, Poland, December 1st to 12th 2008.

The 'Call to Action' for these demonstrations and related events is as follows:

“We demand that world leaders take the urgent and resolute action that is needed to prevent the catastrophic destabilisation of global climate, so that the entire world can move as rapidly as possible to a stronger emissions reductions treaty which is both equitable and effective in minimising dangerous climate change.

We demand that the long-industrialised countries that have emitted most greenhouse gases currently in the atmosphere take responsibility for climate change mitigation by immediately reducing their own emissions as well as investing in a clean energy revolution in the developing world. Developed countries must take their fair share of the responsibility to pay for the adaptive measures that have to be taken, especially by low-emitting countries with limited economic resources.

Climate change will hit the poorest first and hardest. All who have the economic means to act, must therefore urgently and decisively do so.”

We feel that there is an overwhelming need to create a groundswell of global opinion to push for the urgent and radical action on climate change, without which we risk a global catastrophe of unimaginable proportions.

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Scottish Socialist Freedom Discussion Group

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/scotsocialistfreedom

News & Debate group on political and cultural issues affecting Scotland and Internationally.

"We believe in an independent Scotland where our vast wealth and abundant resources are harnessed and democratically owned for the benefit of all, not the obscene enrichment of the few."

To join give a short bio of yourself in a brief paragraph regarding your political views and interest in an independent socialist Scotland.

We are essentially republican socialist and support Solidarity Scotland's Socialist Movement. socialist activists and/or Solidarity members welcome.
SSFG (Alba)

Defend Tommy Sheridan Rally on 7th June 2008

Defend Tommy Sheridan For up to date information on the campaign and messages of support.

In a massive show of support for the Sheridan 7 and defiance of Rupert Murdoch over 250 people packed Langside Halls on the 7th June to attend the Defend Tommy Sheridan / Defend the Sheridan 7 rally.

Messages of support were read from Bob Crow and Ricky Tomlinson and others who were unable to attend, however, a series of impassioned speeches were heard from prominent Trade Union speakers and Miscarriages of Justice speakers amongst others including Tommy Sheridan.

Fortunately most speeches were recorded and some of these can be replayed from You Tube by clicking on the links below

Paddy Hill Birmingham 6 and Mojo

Gerry Conlon Guildford 4 and Mojo

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May Day Rally in Edinburgh on Saturday May 3rd

 The May Day Rally kicked off in Edinburgh on Saturday from Market Street along Princes Street and onward to Princes Street Gardens. Despite a smaller than expected parade it was a good day culminating in hearing speakers from Colombia and CND. May Day events are great family outings for folks and I hope many others not just in the Labour and Trade Union Movements will take advantage of these world wide events in the future.

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: dotSCO Scottish Government E-Petition

Hi,

Help the dotSCO campaign and sign the Scottish government e-petition on lead up to the .sco application process; 


http://epetitions.scottish.parliament.uk/view_petition.asp?PetitionID=216

We need as many signatures as possible to help get support from the
Government. 
 
Thank you! 
 The dotSCO Campaign 
 
http://www.dotsco.org/ 
 
Sign the e-petition today and help give the dotSCO campaign a massive
boost! 
 http://epetitions.scottish.parliament.uk/view_petition.asp?PetitionID=216

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