The only way to develop and build a party of a new type that in any way threatens capitalism is at the same time to develop and build the mass movement around it, argues BILL GREENSHIELDS

JUST IN CASE there was still any reason to believe that somehow Scotland does not harbour an anti-immigrant and racist right, this last year has demonstrated beyond doubt that such assumptions are very wide of the mark. The evidence has not only come in polling forecasts, and actual votes, but from the streets.
For 58 weeks there was a stand-off outside of Erskine’s Muthu Glasgow River hotel, where around 150 refugees were housed.
As covered faithfully by the Morning Star, members of the right-wing Patriotic Alternative and Homeland Party protesting about the presence of the refugees were faced down by Paisley and District TUC supported by Clydebank TUC, Stand Up to Racism, the local Young Communist League and many other individuals.

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