14.08.1997

Statement from the Scottish Committee, CPGB

Comrade Tommy Sheridan of Scottish Militant Labour asked at a National Council meeting on August 10 for us to disassociate ourselves from some terms used by Jack Conrad in his pamphlet, Blair’s rigged referendum and Scotland’s right to self-determination. In particular he objected to Conrad’s use of the term ‘national socialism’ to describe his belief that SML is now combining a turn towards nationalism with its project for socialism through parliament. In Tommy’s view the term ‘national socialism’ made it appear that we thought SML to be fascist and he could not understand why we are in the same organisation as those we believe to be fascist.

In response we would like to make a number of points clear:

(a) Jack Conrad’s views on SML are not a policy of our organisation. His views, as every other individual’s views, are there to be agreed or disagreed with - openly, in print. However, we in Scotland do agree, as we have made clear in countless articles, that SML is on a very slippery slope in combining nationalism with left reformism.

(b) Individuals within our organisation do not put forward their criticisms to insult comrades in SML and they should not be taken as a personal slight. We do so because we take the organisation seriously and believe it our duty to openly express our views. It is up to those who disagree to respond - openly, in print. Politics for us is not about ‘making friends and influencing people’ but a search for the truth.

(c) Therefore we take the opportunity to invite comrades from SML to respond. A break from solely internal debate is needed.