WHAT NOW FOR THE SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT? AND REPORT OF THE RIC AGM OF 30.6.18

Meeting held on Wednesday, June 27th

Speaker- Jonathon Shafi 

                       

Facilitator -   Pat Smith 

                        

(Jonathon's contribution was filmed and we hope to post it here soon)

There was a good discussion in which everybody participated. This discussion also formed the basis for the debates at the National AGM held in Glasgow on Saturday, June 30th. 

MINUTES OF RIC AGM, 30.6.18, GLASGOW

Present- Jonathon S (Convenor); - Angus C (Angus & Mearns); Craig L (East Kilbride); Allan A, David S, Nick G, Pat S, Pete C (Edinburgh); Grant B (Fife); - Jane L (Glasgow South) Stirling - Billy McC (Stirling); Steve F (London).

Apologies- Cat B (Glasgow), Stuart F (Dundee)

1. Introduction - Jonathon gave a political outline of the situation RIC faces. This was followed by contributions from all those present.

2. Motions Discussed 

i) Motion from Angus in bold with preamble

Meetings of Radical Independence Angus have repeatedly agreed the need to be more forthright in demanding a new referendum on independence without delay. Although our group is committed to this, at present, it appears to be the position of RIC, as a whole, that, while we will, of course, play an active part in any new referendum campaign (if and when one is called) we don't appear to be actually demanding a new referendum. So :

"The case and the mandate for a new referendum on independence is well established, and the risks involved in delay are greater than the risks of pushing ahead vigorously. We demand the Scottish Parliament act. Either an MSP from the Green Party or from the SNP could put to the Scottish Parliament a proposal for a new referendum on independence to be held within a specified time (such as six months) of their proposal. The Scottish Parliament should back such a proposal. Our demand is addressed to the Scottish Parliament, NOT to Westminster. We don't recognise Theresa May or any other Member of Westminster has a right to say 'Now is not the time'."

This motion fell by 7 votes to 3, with 1 abstention

ii) Motion from Edinburgh in bold with preamble

In view of the deteriorating political situation since the Brexit vote, highlighted by:-

a) The government's growing centralisation of power in the UK state, which threatens the existing Devolution arrangements, and hard border

partition in Ireland

b) the growing state attacks on migrants (with no long term guarantees for existing EU residents), and on non-white British subjects (i.e. a return to old-style British racism shown in the Windrush Affair), and the refusal to take in Syrian refugees (despite being directly involved in the war there)and in view of the positive example given by the Catalan people in voting for a Catalan Republic in defiance of the Spanish state, and the British government and Labour opposition's silence in the face of Spanish state repression. So

"RIC urges its supporters to:

Part 1

a) re-establish local RIC groups

b) develop the proposals discussed at the RIC Spring National Conference on 10.3.18

c) participate in the local autonomous, non-party Yes campaign groups (brought together, along with bella caledonia and Commonspace, by the Scottish Independence Convention at the Building Bridges conference on 4.11.17)

d) support the activities of the Scottish Catalan Defence Committee

e) support others opposing reaction and pushing for greater democratic rights, e.g. in Ireland, Wales, Euskadi

f) continue to provide support for workers in struggle and for

democratically run campaigns organised to fight exploitation and

oppression

g) back cultural initiatives which promote a Scottish internationalist outlook

Part 2.

Within the broad autonomous Yes campaign, RIC will:-

a) continue to uphold its Five Principles

b) highlight the obstacles in the path of a UK state sanctioned IndyRef2 due

to the reactionary unionist nature of the current government

(Conservative/DUP alliance) and the encouragement it takes from theSpanish government clampdown

d) emphasise that any new independence campaign under the current or future Tory governments will have to be in defiance of the UK state

e) call on Corbyn and Labour to recognise the right of Holyrood (given its already established mandate) to hold an independence referendum

f) highlight the impossibility of a federal constitutional settlement under the UK's Crown Powers

g) support the right of the Scottish people to determine its future

relationship with other bodies, and with reference to the EU to be given a choice between:-

         i)   membership of the EU

         ii)  membership of European Free Trade Association

         iii) membership of neither of these

h) uphold the principle of a civic Scottish nation against all attempts to redefine Scottishness on the basis of racial or ethnic criteria, including attempts to restrict any franchise on this basis."

This motion was passed unanimously

iii)     Steve Freeman, international supporter, London

a.     This meeting recognises that a majority of the Scottish people voted to remain in the European Union.

b.     We condemn the Tories imposing a hard anti-working class ‘all British Exit’ on Scotland.

 c.     We call on the Scottish government to hold a ratification referendum on the Tory deal. 

 d.     We note that if a majority of the Scottish people vote against the Tory deal this would be a justification to trigger a second Independence referendum.

This motion passed 7 votes to 3, with 2 abstentions

3. It was agreed to organise a major conference later in the year

4. The next RIC National Forum would be in Edinburgh at 13.00 on 12th August (venue to be circulated) (this has now been changed to 11th August)