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It is traditional for socialists of the British Labour Party variety to take a firm and principled stand against nationalism. "We are Internationalists" they declare, "We oppose all barriers between men. This, no doubt, explains their frequent calls for immigration restrictions and import controis. And, no doubt, the insistence of their devolution White Paper on the sovereignty of the British parliament and the British Queen.
From their inflexible viewpoint, the debate on the Assembly is crystal clear. The enemy is nationalism. Concessions are needed to appease the enemy. But too much must not be given away lest the enemy take all.
This approach shows contempt for the working class and for the true ideals of socialism. This only makes it sadder that many marxists have mimicked the same approach.
It is true that the SNP presents a tremendous threat to working class unity. But the SNP only exploits the disunity imposed on the working class by continued failures of its own leadership: including its failure to recognise the particular regional and national problems of the Scottish working class and the right of Scottish workers to decide themselves how to tackle these problems.
The editorial commitment given in our first issue stated: *As a socialist journal appearing in Scotland it is incumbent on us to take a clear stand on the national question. We uphold the right of Scotland to self-determination, and hence its right to an elected government. We recognise no higher authority than that of the Scottish people in determining the powers of the Assembly"
We do not think that the assembly will usher in socialism, or even meet the simplest social needs of working people. There is room for wide debate concerning the attitude which Scottish workers should take towards it. But on one question there should be no debate. The Scottish people in their majority are clearly for an lected Assembly. Any attempt to bar its passage, to make it conditional, or to limit its powers, negates the right of the Scottish people to determine their own future, a right which no socialist can deny.
The recognition of this right by the whole British working class, and a recognition of the justified democratic feelings of the Scottish workers and the particular social problems they face, is the best possible guarantee of unity in the common struggle imposed by a common capitalist class.