VIJAY PRASHAD looks at the web of militias and drug-trafficking gangs that emerged in the Sweida region through the Syrian civil war, and how they relate to recent clashes and Israel’s intervention

IN NOVEMBER 1922 thousands gathered to cheer off the new group of Glasgow Labour MPs (they were all members of the ILP) as they took the train to London from St Enoch’s railway station.
James Maxton, the newly elected MP for Bridgeton, famously told the crowd that “they would see the atmosphere of the Clyde getting the better of the House of Commons.” He was referring to the culture of the Red Clydeside which emerged during the first world war. It had fostered industrial unrest, rent strikes and revolutionary figures like John Maclean.
There was no such expectation or excitement surrounding the departure of the 35 new and two returning Scottish Labour MPs heading to London this July. To begin with, only one had been identified — by The Times, no less — as a likely recruit for the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs: Brian Leishman.

VINCE MILLS says Scottish Labour has adopted better positions than its Westminster counterpart — but unless it starts to fight for them that will count for nothing

VINCE MILLS cautions over the perils and pitfalls of ‘a new left party’

VINCE MILLS says politicians of various parties are interpreting the result in self-serving ways, but it contains little comfort for the left

VINCE MILLS gathers some sobering facts that would inevitably be major obstacles to any such initiative