PARTIES of the left unite to make impact again

SCOTLAND’S political landscape has become polarised since the referendum along yes and no to independence lines, at least at election time.

It has replaced the left versus right debates that once divided opinion.

The SNP is appealing to a broad base while promoting some left leaning polices of universalism.

It has also increased its share of the anti-Tory vote more than anyone else in Scotland in recent years.

However it is difficult to argue it is a socialist party when it passes up the opportunity to radically reform tax and increase the upper rate.

Despite Kezia Dugdale promoting Scottish Labour’s most left wing policies in a long time, Labour is still struggling to shake of the legacy of Tony Blair and Better Together looks like casting a long shadow.

So there should be an opportunity for an undisputed left wing party to fill the void.

The fact the SNP has taken ownership of the Yes movement has made it difficult for independence backing, socialist parties that actually have socialist in their name, to make gains.

It could’ve been so much different. The Scottish Socialist Party, out of a collection of similar but different left wing groups, was using Scotland’s new political system to build a meaningful movement and was on the verge of a serious breakthrough.

In 2003 it had six MSPs, two of which Tommy Sheridan and Rosie Kane, were in Glasgow, a feat that no other party outside the SNP and Labour has achieved.

It is remarkable that it was then just behind the SNP on the regional vote in Glasgow and had the same number of city MSPs.

Then between the 2003 and 2007 elections it all came spectacularly crashing down.

From winning 128,000 Scottish votes in 2003 it collapsed amid scandal, court actions and the all too familiar left wing ability to tear itself apart.

External organisations may have played a part in its downfall but it was largely self-destruction.

In 2007 fewer than 13,000 people voted SSP and the fledgling party was wiped out electorally and the Scottish left movement was stopped in its tracks.

The independence movement and Yes Scotland undoubtedly benefitted from the networks built up by the SSP and from the activism and commitment of many of its former members.

It should have followed that after the referendum the grassroots left should have benefited more than it has.

Instead the SNP has taken almost all of the yes vote. Last year’ General election it was the only pro-independence party capable of winning under first past the post.

This year could be different with the PR system but so far it looks like only the greens are grasping that opportunity.

While the SNP has created the most united, disciplined, controlled party ever seen the left has fragmented once again into Rise, Solidarity and TUSC fighting for the same section of the electorate.