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Scotsman, 3rd November, 1976 20 Melville Terrace.
Edinburgh. Sir, - If the witch-hunt which disfigured the Scottish Labour Party Congress in Stirling, and nearly put paid to the party itself, was not the most ineptly staged "happening" in political history, it will do until the most ineptly staged happening comes along — if it ever does.
The International Marxist Group presence in the Scottish Labour Party was neither big enough nor powerful enough to warrant the treatment it got. The sledgehammer blow dealt by the party leadership certainly made contact with the IMG, but unfortunately it made a sorry mess of the party's limbs into the bargain.
The question-begging word, used insistently by those supporting the platform line, was "revolutionary" Any Socialist worthy of the name wants, and works for, a revolutionary transformation of society. That is what he is striving for, that is his ultimate aim. If it is not so, then he — or she — should fly different colours.
There are some who hold that the IMG are the modern equivalents of the "primitive rebels" of earlier days - the present-day counterparts of the soldiers of that avenging "Army of Redressers" commanded by Captain Swing and General Ludd. This is an arguable proposition. It is not, however, the point at issue here. If individuals who may previously have been members of the IMG - or indeed of other political groupings, such as the Scottish Workers Republican
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party - decide to join a new party, it is surely quite unfair to them, as well as impolitic generally, to assume from the word go that they will not accept party disciplines.
If, having participated in congress debates, and argued for their point of view, they do not accept congress decisions, and are seen to be working actively against such decisions, disciplinary action is bound to follow, once the evidence has been properly sifted. But in this case nothing resembling hard evidence was ever brought forward.
As first chairman of the Edinburgh Scottish Labour Party I got to know most of the people concerned personally. Indeed, in the case of one of I marched side by side with his father in the demonstrations protesting against Chamberlain's betrayal of Czechoslovakia to Hitler in 1938. I respect him now as I respected his father then, and know him to be a sincere and devoted man, willing to sacrifice much for what he believes in. Nothing, but nothing, will stop me regarding him as a comrade.
It is not too late to heal this lamentable breach. The import of Neal Ascherson's article today - "Exit the entrists" should be but we'll let that flea stick - is only too clearly that the leadership over-reacted to a largely imaginary threat, and that the whole ghastly business was unnecessary. Jim Sillars and Alex Neil have already admitted an error of judgment with regard to one Press conference. If they can have the consequence, and the strength of mind and character, to admit that they made a major error of judgment when confronted by the existence of a small but vocal Left minority in the party - and act on that recognition - the two conferences
fortnight's time can be one congress. due to take place in Stirling in a And Alex Neil and Jim Sillars will reassume their rightful position as leaders of a healthy, vigorous and united party, eager to get to grips with he problems and opportunities tacing a Scotland moving forward towards independence.
HAMISH HENDERSON