The independence debate has created a 'New Scotland'. Weighing up in turn the implications of a Yes and a No vote, Ben Wray argues that a new left party is essential if campaigns for democratic renewal and social justice are to have a fighting chance.
As against approaches which dichotomise reform and revolution, Ben Wray argues that left parties should develop a strategy of 'revolutionary reforms' which promotes concrete gains within capitalism whilst emboldening further movement against it.
Ben Wray argues that a clear distinction between movement and party, and a respect for the different pace of politics and ultimate objectives of each, is essential if both are to succeed.
In response to Ben Wray's 'What Sort of Left Party Do We Need?' series Ellenor Hutson outlines how we could go about organising around a radical constituency office.
Ben Wray argues that politics is something more than a set of individually held beliefs, even when publicly enumerated. He argues that we must begin with a consideration of how to influence the mass of society with our ideas.
In the third part of his series on left organisation, Ben Wray argues for a clear, simple democratic system subjected to a culture of constant renewal and carried out in the context of engagement with real social forces.
Ben Wray argues that the left too easily conflates being anti-establishment with being anti-professional. If we are to effectively engage in changing our society, we need to systematically develop and generalise the necessary skills and expertise.
In the first part of his series 'What sort of left party do we need?', Ben Wray argues for participation in elections, noting that without engagement in parliamentary politics, the left quickly descends into an 'echo-chamber'.