Scottish Labour - Mair Faces Than Janus

It’s the 4th of July.  US independence day. 

No word of them wanting to rejoin the UK, though the way that US interests are briefing against a Yes vote in the Independence Referendum suggests this can only be a matter of time.

What would be the likelihood of any country voting to give up its independence if the choice was to join rather than to leave a union with our powerful southern neighbour?

I once had the privilege of offering hospitality to a group of First Nations people from the Northwest Territories of Canada.  They had been over in Scotland at an international conference of hunter-gatherer peoples.

Near the end of their stay I asked one guy the standard question “What do you make of Scotland?” His answer surprised me.  

He made the observation that his own and Scottish societies had many things in common; In particular he cited problems with drugs, alcohol and powerful southern neighbours.

Making the assumption that this meant the United States, I was gently corrected.  In his case Joe meant the Chippewan people.

I learned two lessons from this meeting.  One,never to draw conclusions from assumptions that are not shared and two, that human social experiences are more universal than they often appear to be.

One of the arguments against Scottish independence is that of “solidarity”.  Somehow without us English workers will be condemned to endless years of Tory rule.  Such an argument is often advanced by Labour party functionaries still trying to appropriate the language of socialism.

The argument never seems to be made that English workers should show “solidarity” with Scottish workers who wish to live in an independent country. Logically this would be an internationalist and progressive gesture by English workers.

In fact, most English people do wish us well and entirely accept the right of Scottish workers to self-determination. English people often express the wish that they could join us in this experiment in building a socially progressive country. They will of course be very welcome.  

The new Scotland needs new people from wherever to become new Scots.

So why is the argument made in this one-sided way? Why is it that only Scottish workers must show “solidarity”?  Part of it of course stems from the Janus-Faced nature of the “Labour” Party itself.  

Labour MSP Jenny Marra can make the claim “I joined the Labour Party to get rid of nuclear weapons” to a meeting of young people in Kirriemuir while her party is enthusiastically proposing that we renew Trident in order to keep this “United Kingdom” a great world player.

It is pleasing to note that this proposition seemed as contradictory to the young people of Kirriemuir as it does to me.

The “Labour for Independence” grouping within the Labour Party in Scotland probably carry a weight far beyond their apparent numbers.  Without doubt many traditional Labour voters, disgusted at the sight of their leaders in lockstep with the Tories will vote Yes.

There are signs that some Labourites are beginning to get it.  Douglas Alexander MP, brother of the former Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander is known to fancy his chances of joining Alex Salmond’s “Team Scotland” in the negotiations in the event of a Yes vote in September.

On the other hand, operators like Aberdeen MSP Richard Baker are clearly hitching their waggons to a No vote as he manoeuvres to get the nomination for Frank Doran’s Aberdeen North Westminster seat after Frank retires.  

Baker can be relied on to fight for No to the last because otherwise his Westminster career will be over before it has begun.

Many other Labour figures, where they have not already come out for Yes, such as Bob Holman are keeping their own counsel like former First Minister Henry McLeish.

Who will be the next Labour figure to come out for Yes?  I’m sure Henry McLeish will come off the fence for Yes.  Former leader of Aberdeen City Council Barney Crocket is another likely figure.  Lewis McDonald MSP is another Labourite comfortable about the prospect of a Yes vote.

Historically this is entirely compatible with Labour membership.  There is a tradition of looking both ways.  There has always been “Labour Friends of Israel” and “Labour Friends of Palestine”.  “Labour for Europe” and “Labour against Europe”.  “Labour Troops Out” and “Labour Troops In”.  “Labour for Disarmament” and “Labour for the Bomb”. 

This reminds me of my old Granny describing a particularly devious character as "he's nae twa-faced at aa, he's face aa-roond!!"

If anyone needs a translation I shall happily provide one.