SCOTTISH LEFT REVIEW ISSUE 124 JULY / AUGUST 2021 - £2.00 1 - SCOTTISHLEFTREVIEW ISSUE 124 JULY/AUGUST 2021
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Scottish Left Review
'best re(a)d'
Issue 124 July / August 2021 - £2.00
1 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 124 July/August 2021
Non-death of neo-liberalism
comment
and ‘new’ Labour returns
T
his is an editorial of two parts. If we can talk of a particular period consensus’ where both Labour and Tory
reviews
The first parts deals with the of ‘COVID capitalism’, we are still, parties, in and out of office, agreed on
strange non-death of neo- nonetheless, talking about an economic the balance between private and state
liberalism and the second with the and social system where power and activity. In amongst all this, there were
changing class alignments and voting wealth lies in the hands of a tiny price controls on the likes of food and
patterns, especially in terms of Labour. minority of people. Here, the state has rent. Indeed, the consensus led to a
So, nothing much about the new SNP been colonised and taken over by their new political term to be created in the
Scottish Government or independence friends and advisers so that the state 1950s called ‘Butskellism’ as the Tory’s
as nothing much has happened on supports the interests of this tiny group Rab Butler and Labour’s Hugh Gaitskell,
these in ‘big picture’ terms since 6 May of people. when Chancellors of the Exchequer,
2021 and is not likely until the summer This is to be able to see the ‘wood’ pursued similar economic and fiscal
is over at least. rather than the ‘trees’ because you’d policies.
So, with extensive - and sometimes think at times that BoJo’s government Yet, capitalism endured as property
unprecedented - economic and social was anti-business and even anti- rights were protected. The protection
state intervention for well over a year capitalist given the howls and shrieks of property rights meant that wealth,
now, it would be easy for anyone with coming from some companies, whether in turn, meant power. Despite rent
left-wing political inclinations to think exporters to mainland Europe or those controls, much rented private housing
that the neo-liberal, ‘free market’, in the tourism, hospitality and leisure was very inadequate. And so much so
Thatcherite economic model has had sectors. that the notorious behaviour of London
its day. That’s certainly what many Going a bit further back in time slum landlord, Peter Rachman, gave
people hope. But unfortunately, it’s provides us with an even more rise to the popular term, ‘Rachmanism’,
just not true. The leopard of capitalism illuminating illustration of the for flagrantly ripping off tenants. He
has not fundamentally changed its power, adaptability and resilience of pioneered avoiding rent controls and
spots. Indeed, it’s a bit like expecting capitalism. After the Second World War, subdividing houses many times over
that Boris Johnson would be a more British capitalism was on its knees. In into flats. Sound familiar today?
considerate and compassionate human 1947, it was bailed out by the Anglo- These limited incursions into the
being after recovering from his near American Loan Agreement – effectively freedom and power capitalism were
death COVID illness. Marshall Aid – for Britain from the not permanent features of society
It’s not just because the considerable United States. In return for a low in Britain as Labour MP, Anthony
state intervention is temporary, whether interest loan, finally paid off in 2006, Crosland, predicted in his influential
in terms of lockdown movement British markets at home and abroad book, The Future of Socialism, in 1956.
restrictions, emergency business funding were opened up to US capitalism. We all know about the spectacular
or the job furlough scheme. It’s really But British capitalism as a system success of Thatcher and the Tories
more of a case of state intervention was also bailed out by domestic in dismantling the limited controls
being used to support capitalism in state intervention. This was the great on capital that had been previously
order to get it through the pandemic reforming Labour government led introduced.
and then return to what it once was – a by Prime Minister, Clement Attlee, When we look back at COVID capitalism
free market version. and the intervention took the form in years to come, alas, we will not have
There is an obvious recent historical of the nationalisation of the railways, seen a return to something akin to the
parallel. In Britain, after the Global coal, steel and so on along with the constraints that existed under the likes
Financial Crisis of 2008-2009, huge creation of the welfare state and NHS. of Clement Attlee. This will not have
sums of public money were used to While there was an obvious benefit been a return to some kind of halcyon
to workers as the ‘five evils’ of want, days of social democracy where there
support the financial system especially.
disease, ignorance, squalor and was a mixed economy. Capitalism may
This led to talk of ‘nationalisation’ and
idleness were attacked, it was also the
even ‘socialism for the bosses’. Not only at times take on different complexions
case that key sectors of the economy
did the use of public money not bring but fundamentally it is defined by the
were stabilised and modernised for the
about popular control of the banks like freedom of a minority of capitalists
benefit of capitalism overall.
RBS and Lloyds-TSB but government to pursue profit at the expense of the
shares were returned to private Such state intervention laid the basis majority. From the 1800s onwards
ownership as soon as possible. of what was known as the ‘post-war when capitalism first emerged in
2 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 124 July/August 2021
Britain, the period of 1945-1979 was worsening for Labour. Its majority (BFAWU) union in June. Still treated
the exception and not the norm. over the Tories fell from 8,961 votes as an embarrassing relative at a
in 2017 to 3,525 in 2019 (albeit having family gathering, the BFAWU has
If there are any differences to emerge
risen from 6,057 in 2015). Even if been angered the absence of any
between pre- and post-pandemic
we attribute the better performance consultation with it over Labour’s
capitalism, they are more likely to
in 2017 to Corbynism, and pan out policy to Covid workplace regulations.
be about the terms of trading for
from Batley and Spen to the rest of Its survey showed that while 88% voted
capitalists of different nations in
England, the evident trend still suggests in the 2019 election only 53% voted
terms of customs and tariffs. Social
something very worrying is going on Labour. Only 24% ‘felt strongly’/’felt’
inequalities will continue to grow
for Labour at a more deep-seated that Labour represented their
and workers’ rights be kept in check. values and interests while 51% ‘felt
level. The wild card in Batley and Spen
Those are the main things that the strongly’/’felt’ it did not. 53% felt the
was George Galloway. It would be too
competing capitalists certainly do have union should disaffiliate from Labour.
easy to say that all of his 8,264 votes
a consensus on.
would have gone to Labour had he not
Alongside Labour’s decline, we also
What other conclusions can be drawn stood. Many were likely to have been
must consider the relative rise of the
here? Neo-liberalism is not over by anti-Labour votes from the Muslim
Greens. Save for first-past-the-post,
a long way; state intervention has community and the left the Greens could replace the LibDems
been to support, not supersede, This journal has covered the situation as the fourth largest party in Britain
neo-liberalism; the state and neo- in Scotland in the last editorial and, in overall. In early June, voting intentions
liberalism are not anathema to each this issue, Darren Williams analyses the amongst among 18-24 year-olds
other. Indeed, the state can be used situation in Wales. So, let’s return to showed Labour was at 35% (-21 since
to create new markets (in the likes of what’s happening in England and how 2019 general election), and the Greens
care). Lastly, Keynesian is not solely does this relate to class? Are the Tories on 27% (+23), according to YouGov.
synonymous with state intervention – becoming the party of workers (at least
here the key issue is which class is the The importance of focusing upon
by voting support)? Leading political Labour’s leadership is often misplaced.
beneficiary from the intervention. scientist, Professor Matthew Goodwin If Starmer stood down and was
Let’s now turn to the issues of voting of the University of Kent, makes the replaced by Angela Rayner, who is
patterns and class alignments. It seems following type of argument: Labour hardly of the left, only a very slight
both red northern and blue southern was built by and for organised labour positive difference might be made
walls are starting to fall apart where based on being the left to the Tories’ in as much as she is perceived as a
the common denominator is Labour’s right. Even with that, and setting aside northern traditional whereas Starmer is
poor performance. The debate rages 1997 (which was no red revolt), Labour perceived as a southern cosmopolitan.
as to whether Labour’s decline is has not won a solid majority for more Identifying Labour’s 44 most vulnerable
secular or cyclical. In the Chesham and than half a century. This then raises seats, Matthew Goodwin calculated
Amersham by-election in June, saying the issue of why so many workers – 39 are outside of London and the
that there were idiosyncratic, local the biggest social class – do not vote south and calls them ‘Red Wall 2.0’.
factors is not enough to explain Labour Labour if it is the party of labour. Today, Without at least securing them, he
getting just 622 votes (1.6%) - less than Labour is strong in the metropolitan argues Labour has no route back to
Greens and less than there are Labour areas amongst the more middle-class office if it has any prospect of winning
members in the constituency. ‘cosmopolitans’ but not amongst the the popular vote in England (which it
more working-class ‘traditionalists’ in has not done since 2001). For Labour
This built pressure on Starmer after urban areas, highlighting, he argues, not to win the next election, it needs
the Labour lost Hartlepool in May. so much class fissures but those of age, about 125 seats, eclipsing the swings
In a Piers Morgan interview in early education attainment and geography. Attlee and Blair achieved in 1945 and
June, Starmer predicted the easing of This is why some say we live in an age of 1997. Labour needs to be 12 points
restrictions would allow the political identity politics. The Tories are no longer ahead when it is, on average, 10 points
space to open up for Labour and that just the party of the rich and Labour is behind.
this summer was potentially make no longer the party of the poor.
or break for the party. It seems he The paradox of Starmer is that he is
was wrong on the first and the jury is Other analysts suggest the situation is ‘new’ Labour having progressively
still out on the second. Indeed, since even more straightforward. In fact, they ditched Corbyn-era policies (which
suggest that it is the voting behaviour he claimed he would not do in his
the Covid-19 vaccination programme
of older people (65+) who are home- manifesto for the Labour leadership).
began, Labour has slumped in the
owners, more numerous and more And yet, he does not have the cutting
polls and that’s despite Hancockgate,
likely to vote than 18-24 year-olds that edge or elan that Blair gave ‘new’
cronyism and the like.
explains why the Tories are eclipsing Labour. Hence, many voters say they
Winning the Batley and Spen by- Labour. This analysis says talk of blue do not know what Labour stands for
election in July by just 323 votes and red walls is fatuous as it’s a grey anymore. So, policies are important
meant Starmer survived what would wall that is the main determining but they are in themselves not the
have amounted to vastly increased factor. full picture. We could be witnessing a
pressure to resign. And though a Some indication of Labour’s widening long-term and deep-seated class re-
by-election result is not synonymous woes was revealed by the membership alignment of party politics.
with preceding general election results survey conducted by the Labour-
in the same seat, the trend is ever affiliated Baker and Food Workers’
3 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 124 July/August 2021
Calling out the climate emergency:
creating concrete outcomes at COP26
Mary Church and Niamh McNulty lay out what the conference needs to do and what will be done in Glasgow to push it toward that
G lasgow is to play host to COP26
- otherwise known as the 26th
conference of the parties to the
United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change - at a critical moment
progress was made at the recent virtual
intersessional talks, while attempting to
hold complex multilateral negotiations
online with power cuts and poor
connectivity hampering discussions
and the poorer countries of the global
South - who have done least to cause
the climate crisis - focus on these
questions which are key to unlocking
essential global cooperation. These
for the international climate emergency demonstrated why an in-person summit questions are present across numerous
response. While there is relatively (when safe to do so) is necessary. negotiation tracks.
little in terms of major outcomes
The 2015 Paris Agreement represented Drawing on these principles,
to be reached in the negotiations
an important step forward in terms of international civil society organisations
themselves (for example, compared to
enshrining the critical 1.5℃ threshold. have come together as the Civil Society
the Copenhagen and Paris talks), the
But the price of securing almost Review to publish a series of reports
summit takes place as the devastating
universal ratification was a voluntary assessing global climate action under
impact of global 1℃ increased warming
pledge-and-review approach to bringing the Paris Agreement through a ‘Fair
is becoming the ‘new normal’, as
down emissions rather than a science- Shares’ lens. This work shows rich
public support for climate action is at
based cap, with the remaining carbon historical polluters are not taking
an all-time high, and as governments’
budget allocated equitably between anywhere near their fair share of climate
abject failure to respond to the crisis
states. Countries were supposed to action, in terms of emissions reductions
and implement the Paris Agreement
submit updated and enhanced pledges and climate finance, while many global
is increasingly apparent. As such it is a
for action under the agreement by the South countries are committed to taking
litmus test for the global climate regime.
end of 2020. Few met this, with the up their fair share - or more - of action.
Moreover, what is on the negotiation
latest UN synthesis report showing The fair shares model is increasingly
table has the potential to fatally
that pledges submitted to date put the cited by global South parties in the UN
undermine the Paris Agreement’s goal
world on track for a 3-4oC increase in talks.
of limiting the global heating increase to
warming. New research shows more
well below 2℃ and pursuing efforts to Analysis based on this methodology
recent targets announced by parties
hold it at 1.5℃. shows how bringing emissions to real-
(including the US) would limit increased
Scheduled to take place as the world warming to 2.4℃ though the policies zero in Britain is barely half the story
continues to battle the covid-19 to deliver them - assuming they were when it comes to doing our fair share
pandemic, and with vaccine apartheid implemented - would fall short of that of climate action. We need to make
raising major challenges in hosting a fair, inadequate goal and take us to a 2.9℃ substantial emissions cuts happen
accessible and transparent summit, it increase. internationally to fulfil the other part
also brings into sharp focus the multiple of our fair share. Climate finance and
COP26 will, therefore, see a reckoning other forms of support (including, for
crises and deeply entrenched injustices
of the Paris regime which is failing example, technology transfer) for global
interconnected with the
to deliver the urgency and ambition south countries are central to this. If
climate emergency, and
needed, with the science Britain was to reduce its own emissions
the calls for a
showing that, at present, to real-zero by 2030 (the current target
global green
emissions rates for the is net-zero by 2050), it would still be
recovery.
remaining carbon responsible for an estimated £1trillion
Little, if
budget of an 1.5℃ equivalent in support for developing
any,
increase will be used countries, with Scotland being
up in as little as five responsible for a portion of this in terms
years. of mitigation and finance.
Most of the At Copenhagen in 2009, global North
issues arising countries promised $100bn pa by
at COP centre 2020 to support global South countries
around mitigation and adaptation efforts.
questions This nice round figure was plucked
of equity, from thin air rather than based on any
historic robust analysis, such as the fair shares
responsibility methodology, of what was needed
and capability or owed. Progress towards even this
to act - inadequate goal has been painfully slow.
principles The OECD put climate finance at $70bn
that are pa in 2017, however only a fraction
enshrined in of this is grant-funding, the majority
the UN Climate being in the form of interest-accruing
Convention and loans or private finance. Oxfam analysis
that are at the heart demonstrates even these figures are
of climate justice. grossly inflated, based on significant
Long-term tensions over-reporting, and that climate finance
between the rich historical is taking a growing share of overseas
polluters of the global North development assistance. Climate finance
4 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 124 July/August 2021
- and the lack of anything like the sums zero urgently. Even if time wasn’t an power for system change. We also seek
needed on the table - is always a hugely issue, there is no evidence that carbon to use the COP as leverage to advance
contentious issue at COP. This year’s markets are effective, with both the climate justice at the domestic level,
summit will see discussions on a new EU emissions trading scheme and the including by securing wins from the
long-term finance goal begin. Success Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Scottish and UK Governments, and to
will be judged on whether progress is Mechanism failing to reduce emissions. exert pressure on the UN process itself
made towards ensuring the new long- Crucially, the Paris Agreement fails to to ensure the best outcome possible.
term finance goal is based on science set the science-based cap necessary
Furthermore, we are coming together to
and the needs of global South countries, for ensuring carbon trading could deepen our understanding of the root
unlike the current unfulfilled goal. work, even theoretically. On top of causes of, and the common solutions
As the reality of climate change at this, offsetting and trading schemes are to, the multiple inter-connected crises
only 1℃ warming starts to hit home, associated with serious human rights of climate and nature emergency,
adaptation to impacts and support for abuses and land grabs, particularly poverty and hunger, racism and neo-
loss and damage are becoming ever impacting Indigenous peoples. Because colonialism, sexism and gender violence
more pressing. The Paris Agreement of the pressure to secure an outcome to name but a few. In doing so, we seek
requires action on adaptation, including on Article 6, the danger is of bad rules to grow, strengthen and connect justice
financial support for global South getting through, like those developed movements for the struggle that will
countries, but action to date is hugely in Madrid which would have seen huge continue long after COP26 has left town.
inadequate. COP26 needs to secure amounts of ‘hot air’ carbon credits being
carried forward, busting an impossibly COP26 will see powerful decentralised
progress towards a new global goal
large hole in remaining carbon budgets. mobilisations, with a focus on Glasgow,
for adaptation, including ensuring that
Opposing carbon markets will be a as part of a global call to action (5-6
50% of climate finance goes towards
major focus for climate justice groups at November), and a hybrid in-person/
adaptation.
COP26. virtual Peoples’ counter-summit (7-10
Loss and damage addresses what November) taking place as the focal
happens when countries can no longer For progress to be made at COP26, point of the climate justice movements
adapt to the impacts of climate change, Britain needs to show leadership by activities. Our mobilisations and events
encompassing both economic and non- acknowledging and taking steps towards will connect to, hear from and exert
economic losses. Ultimately, it is about delivering its fair share is key to this. pressure on what’s going on inside the
identifying liability for causing climate But it is a distant prospect under the talks. An important part of our work
impacts and providing compensation current Government, with its focus on is centring the voices of those most
to those at the sharp end. Key to loophole riddled net-zero targets, and impacted by the climate crisis including
global South countries’ demands is inadequate climate finance further frontline and Indigenous communities in
that additional resources for loss and undermined by hypocritical support the global South. This involves practical
damage are required - otherwise the for fossil fuel expansion and cuts to action like creating spaces and providing
risk is of the finance cake simply being overseas development aid. Meanwhile, platforms as well as support for visas
cut into smaller slices. A key COP26 test the Scottish Government is adept in and travel. It is also an important
will be whether it ensures the rapid the language of climate justice and moment to connect global struggles
and effective operationalisation of the just transition - the latter of which will to local issues, building support for
Santiago Network, the purpose of which be a major theme for its work around local campaigns such as Free our City
is to catalyse technical assistance on loss COP26 - but neither ambition nor action and Glasgow Calls out Polluters to put
and damage, in line with global South yet live up to the rhetoric. That’s why pressure on the local, Scottish and UK
needs. climate justice groups will be using the Governments to move past the rhetoric
summit to pressure both governments and towards concrete action on climate
One of the main issues on which a to do their fair share of climate action: emergency and just transition.
concrete outcome is sought in Glasgow by reducing emissions to real zero, by Find out more about how you can get
is under the Paris Agreement’s Article 6 paying their carbon debt, by ending involved in our ongoing work for climate
which deals with voluntary cooperation support for oil and gas expansion and by justice at: www.cop26coalition.org
between parties to help achieve moving beyond the rhetoric to deliver a
emissions reductions. This may sound just transition. Mary Church is Head of Campaigns at
positive, but it is the part of the Paris Friends of the Earth Scotland and Niamh
Agreement that Shell boasted it wrote. Glasgow hosting COP26 presents a once- McNulty is co-founder of Climate Camp
It opens the door to global carbon in-a-lifetime opportunity for building Scotland.
markets that would allow polluters to the climate justice movement here in
continue emitting greenhouse gases, Scotland. Activists and organisations
for a price, either through trading or have come together under the umbrella
offsetting. It is the last part of the Paris of the COP26 Coalition to organise
Agreement on which more detailed around the summit in a way that centres
rules need to be established. Both the transformation and climate justice, and
2018 Katowice talks and 2019 Madrid to create space for hope.
talks failed to agree here, and there will
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
The COP26 Coalition includes unions, Bill Bonnar Lilian Macer
be huge pressure on COP26 to secure an direct action groups, students and
outcome, with the success or failure of youth, migrant and racial justice groups, Carole Ewart Carol Mochan
the UK Presidency being assessed in no NGOs, faith groups, and grassroots Roz Foyer Gordon Morgan
small part on it. and international climate justice Gregor Gall Dave Sherry
Carbon markets have no role to play in networks. We have established an Editor Stephen Smellie
responding to the climate emergency. International Committee to ensure Tommy Kane Chris Stephens
Given the carbon budget for 1.5℃ runs we are accountable to international Pat Kelly Maggie Chapman
out in a few years, there is no time climate movements. Our aim is to use Convener Bob Thomson
left to trade emissions anymore. All the summit as a moment to strengthen Bill Ramsay Vice Convener
countries need to reduce emissions to the climate justice movement to build
5 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 124 July/August 2021
Freeports or greenports: Guantanamo
Bays of neo-liberalism or marrying
economic and environmental concerns?
Peter Henderson surveys the dangers of freeports and wonders whether the SNP’s ‘greenports’ policy can square the circle.
T he latest UK Government proposals
to regenerate the economy are
freeports while the Scottish
Government’s alternative has been
labelled ‘greenports’, incorporating
the freeport but in areas far from their
actual location. There is, of course, an
immediate threat to local jobs and local
economies and local workers’ rights, but
things go wrong or worse? What future
for local regeneration planning in the
face of such unfair competition? Crucial
also is the potential to misunderstand
the freeports invidious reach is much what a twenty-first century ‘freeport’
aspects of its Fair Work and Net Zero greater. The attraction to concentrate actually is. It’s not just a coastal port as
agendas. The freeport concept is, of industry in one centre for tax benefits it can include airports and sites quite
course, not new and has been tried in is easily understood but all of the far inland too. Often, they are industrial
many jurisdictions before. In essence, downsides need to be considered. estates, usually a fenced-in area of up to
goods and materials can be taken into 300 hectares.
an area (which is much larger than the There are security issues too - not only
port itself), manufactured, and then local but national ones too. There is While research and development of
re-exported without the payment of the obvious risk to goods being fed into green technology and net zero targets
duty or tax. Elsewhere in the world, the economy. Goods from Freeports, may benefit from freeports, is there
the nomenclature is normally ‘free being duty, VAT and tax free, could be not an alternative system that can be
trade zone’ and, sometimes, ‘export diverted to the home market and not put in place under existing controls and
production zone’. exported, so undermining revenue and protections? On enquiring if there would
taxation income, and the domestic be recruitment for additional control
Notwithstanding the differences in industry leading to loss of employment. staff and inspection, I am informed that
emphasis between the Scottish and Freeport companies still make their there are no plans to do so. It’s ironic
UK governments’ version, there are profits but their cheaper goods into that the freeport model is on the retreat
no union recognition agreements that home markets have major effects if in other parts of the world and the EU,
are enforceable and no stipulations there are no checks and controls. For though possibly another consequence
where companies are registered. This is example, goods can be ‘lost’ in transit of Brexit. After a career in customs
important in terms of accountability if between sites, with environmental risks and excise in the UK and overseas
things go wrong - as experience shows, if there are not adequate controls. For jurisdictions and now a senior local
they often do. If the operators are not example, there are potential threats in government elected representative, I
registered in the UK, how can they be terms of illegal goods, counterfeit goods, appeal to all involved, both at UK and
meaningfully acted against? How can illegal chemicals, firearms and other
employment rights be pursued? There Scottish levels, to think through all of
potentially hazardous materials. All these issues.
are no guarantees that at least the could leave the freeport unchecked or
Scottish living wage will be paid, no unverified as such because in a sense as SNP Councillor, Peter Henderson, is
guarantees that UK health and safety they were ‘never there’. the Leader of South Ayrshire Council.
regulations and laws will be applied.
He continues to be a Prospect union
How will environmental rules and Then there are the challenges faced
regulations be applied? And if so, how by the local authorities in the places member. He was previously a lay official
will they be enforced? where the freeports are located. On for a number of civil service unions and
the environmental front will they have is currently a Convention of Scottish
Freeports can work and provide
responsibility for cleaning up any mess if Local Authorities (COSLA) representative.
employment, but they also require to be
strictly controlled. Examples are rife of
counterfeit products being transferred
through them. Goods such as stolen
artwork, smuggled goods, goods that
have infringed trademarks have been
trafficked though freeports. Freeport,
therefore, have potential undermine
trade and with it the wider economy.
Launch of critique of Scottish Government’s
As such we must ensure that HMRC ‘Fair Work’ policy, 17 August 7pm
has the powers to intervene, and
that environmental health, Scottish The Foundation launches the critique by Professor Gregor Gall on
Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Tuesday 17 August at 7pm. The discussant is Roz Foyer, STUC general
trading standards and port control can
all apply all their appropriate controls. secretary. The paper can be accessed at https://reidfoundation.
Freeports could be hugely damaging to scot/2021/06/critique-of-scottish-governments-fair-work-policy-
the environment with the possibility of
heretofore banned substances leaking published/
into the surrounding area or passing into
local economies. Register for the launch at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/critique-
There is a major danger of employment of-scottish-governments-fair-work-policy-tickets-162134208783
displacement not only in the locality of
6 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 124 July/August 2021
Flamingo Land’s Lomond Banks: just fun
and frolics for the economy or frivolous
fallacy for the environment?
Annie Morgan takes the Scottish Government to task for not sinking the proposal to profit from environmental destruction
S cottish Enterprise, owner of the
land, recently withdrew from the
potential planning application
by the Lomond Banks, a subsidiary of
theme park operator, Flamingo Land,
communities who are often excluded
from participation in local decision
making about their places’. The EA is
also flouting the Scottish Government’s
own policy and the statutory objectives
tickets, visits to the many unique aspects
of our history and natural heritage. To
offer the development to a theme park
operator with no knowledge of history,
culture, or landscape, demonstrates a
after Lomond Banks submitted a request of the National Park, a policy which has lack of respect.
for an Environmental Impact Assessment the declared aim of ‘Protecting Scotland,
Fostering a strong connection with
(EIA) or ‘screening and scoping option’. Renewing Scotland’.
the natural world can be the heart
This request represents a preliminary of protecting the environment. Agri-
The Scottish Government has declared
step towards a proper planning an intent to protect and promote tourism can foster this protection.
application. Scottish Enterprise’s biodiversity and the First Minister states Sustainable tourism, in its truest sense,
withdrawal should not be taken at face that Scotland must lead the way in recognises the fragility of tourism and
value as it was done without consulting facing challenges to biodiversity. This its importance to the Scottish economy.
or informing local campaigners. then is the ‘national significance’ flag. The pillars of sustainable tourism
In this context, this article calls upon the The conference of the parties to the include social justice, environmental
Scottish Government and its relevant United Nations Framework Convention integrity and fair work principles.
ministers – primarily, Kate Forbes, on Climate Change (COP) emphasises
The hospitality sector is fraught
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the that biodiversity is essential for human
with practices which the Fair Work
Economy, and Michael Matheson, life. The Inter-Governmental Science-
Convention (FWC) must address. Loch
Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy Policy Platform on Biodiversity and
Lomond hotels often use zero-hours
and Transport - to intervene with Ecosystem Services (IPBES) stated in
contracts, seasonal work with no career
reference to the impact upon the its 2019 report that ‘the loss of species
pathways and low pay. The Flamingo
environment, specifically with regard to and habitats poses as much danger to
Land proposals do not contain re-
the Drumkinnon Woods, the National life on earth as climate change does’.
assurances on fair work adherence. The
Park reserve and local communities. In the Scottish context, the 2019 state
touted large number of prospective jobs
of nature report, containing the best
The Save Loch Lomond campaign seeks (600) in construction and hospitality
available data on Scotland’s species and do not provide a lasting legacy in
to give voice to the local communities’ habitats, shows a 49% decline in the
concerns and to halt the conditional employment prospects for the local and
studied species and that one in nine surrounding communities. The Jimmy
missive, that is, the exclusivity species are threatened with extinction.
agreement (EA) with the developers. Reid Foundation recently highlighted the
Some 13,000 signatories have called The immediate environment of failure of the FWC to regulate (without
for it to be scrapped. This follows Drumkinnon Woods would be impacted statutory underpinning) to ensure
the 60,000 objections to the original negatively and the National Park Reserve employers offer regular hours, career
planning application from Flamingo has a statutory responsibility to protect pathways, decent pay and job security.
Land, amounting to being the most – as a haven for wildlife. Wildlife, insects, There is no mention of ensuring the 600
unpopular planning application for land birds, trees, water-species, woodlands, jobs will offer the aforementioned.
use in Scottish history. In cases where and rivers, are especially vulnerable. The local community has alternative
developments are controversial or of Noise, light, traffic emissions, increased concepts best outlined by themselves.
national significance, they can be taken pollution, are all exacerbated by a high Other regeneration examples, for
out of local planning authorities to concentration of visitors in one area. Jet instance, Raploch in Stirling, point to
be decided by Scottish ministers. This skis and speed powered boats currently a community-based campus offering
potential development is undoubtedly adding to the problem. training in keeping with local interests
both. The main artery to the loch, the A82 is and retro-fitting and regenerating the
constantly busy, often congested with housing stock. Regenerating agriculture,
The EA is contrary to Scottish
resulting particulate pollution for the growing spaces, climate jobs, just
Government policy on community
local and surrounding communities. transition, are all key aspects for
involvement as set out in its Programme
It is reported that over 80% of visitors recovery from the pandemic and central
for Government of September
to Balloch come by private car. Yet the to climate, environmental protections.
2020. This programme emphasises
community-led place-based renewable Dumbarton Chamber of Commerce Overcrowding plagues most tourist
programmes. Community-led land CEO recently calls the proposal an hotspots, including Loch Lomond, and
acquisition should be supported, in ‘appropriate development’, inviting threatens the careful management of
the various words of the programme a holiday park to give visitors ‘more the National Park to support a whole
captured in its statements: ‘Harness the reasons to come, stay longer, spend range of animal species, flora and fauna.
more’. The message is clear – take care of our
energy of communities to ensure they
are a core part of how we do economic To subordinate environmental interests natural world and ‘no’ to Flamingo Land.
development in Scotland’; ‘Critical value in concern for profit contradicts the
Annie Morgan is a climate activist with
of community power and local economic biodiversity ‘intent’. Agri-tourism,
energy’ and ‘Democratic decision and sustainable tourism encourages ScotE3 and a member of the Unite union
deficit that afflicts so many of our movement, public transport use, rover retired section
7 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 124 July/August 2021
End the overcharging for Scottish
renewable energy
Gordon Morgan exposes the crazy circumstances in which green energy is unnecessarily made more expensive
F
ar from encouraging renewable the four tariffs including the wider Government to ensure Net Zero carbon
energy in Scotland, Office of Gas geographical tariff which splits the UK emissions are reached. According to
and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) and into 14 regions (excluding Northern the UK Government’s Net Zero white
which supports the Gas and Electricity Ireland). It is this that specifies the paper published last year, the issue of
Markets Authority, actively discourages cost difference between the north of transmission charges was supposed to
any new generation in Scotland. Scotland and the south east of England. be issued for consultation. Yet Ofgem
Moreover, it is consulting on increasing The situation is even worse for island has done nothing so far. This has
the amount of electricity imported communities which could easily build subsequently been raised by Scottish
from Europe rather than from Scotland. wind farms but are prevented by high Wind, and MPs in the Commons,
These facts are highlighted in a February connection charges even although all with the UK Government as an issue
2021 report from Scottish and Southern the power is used on the island. preventing the auction of the new
Energy Networks (SSEN) Transmission round of offshore wind permits – which
The system may once have made sense.
and a May 2021 Renewables UK report is due soon - as well as the projected
It was designed to discourage new
(see links at end). Electricity generators next round of Contracts for Difference
generation in unsuitable locations, e.g.,
are charged for connecting to the auctions – which are due in December.
new coal or gas power stations. This
grid and separately for distribution It seems likely that charges will continue
works in a situation where most of the
to customers. There are four tariffs, for this year and that any consultation
energy cost was the cost of fossil fuels:
the most significant being the wider will be designed to conclude before the
coal, oil and gas. It makes no sense to
geographical tariff. end of this calendar year.
continue these charges year-after-year
The SSEN report states that under the for free energy produced by wind or As the total cost of the transmission
wider geographical tariff, an offshore solar where the only significant cost system is set to fall marginally per
wind farm such as Beatrice off Aberdeen apart from the construction of the MWH as its capacity triples, it makes
is charged £11.5m pa (£4.50/Megawatt wind or solar farm itself is the up- far more sense to charge businesses
hour (MWH)) to connect to the grid, front cost of cables to the grid, being and consumers on their electricity
whereas a similar sized wind farm off an initial connection cost. Moreover, bills rather than the generators for
London, Greater Gabbard, receives one of the major disincentives to providing the transmission cost of this
£2.1m pa (-£1.09/MWH) for a similar ‘repowering’, i.e., replacing old turbines power. Consumers and most businesses
connection. Taking all the tariffs into with larger new ones, will be these already have this in their bills as
account, ‘North Scotland’ is charged ongoing charges. These wind farms charges to generators are passed on to
£7.34/MWH and ‘South England’ around are already connected to the grid, so the electricity companies who in turn
£0.40/MWH. This situation is forecast there is no additional cost to continuing charge customers. Overall, no additional
to get worse and by 2025 the north of the connection. However, faced with net charge across the UK will result.
Scotland could be charged £10/MWH the cost of replacement turbines Although there is a cap on end user
and the south of England around £0.08/ combined with ongoing connection bills, on average bills are higher in rural
MWH. charges often no ‘repowering’ takes ‘North Scotland’ communities. An initial
place as it is uneconomic to do so. In a connection charge could be made for
This can result in the costs of a
situation where the UK needs to triple laying cables to new generators, but this
windfarm in Scotland and, hence,
its generation capacity, this makes no would be predictable prior to starting
the price of its electricity being 15%
sense and explicitly disadvantages new the project. Clearly where projects have
higher than an equivalent in England.
generators in Scotland and, indeed, commenced generation under Contracts
Moreover, these charges vary year by
industries attracted to the potentially for Difference which guarantee a fixed
year and are unpredictable more than
low cost of energy in Scotland. payment, the removal of connection
a year in advance. The result is that
prospective developers of wind farms All this puts the objective to make charges could result in super-profits so
are discouraged from making what could Scotland the lead generator of green an adjustment to the guaranteed price
be 10-year investments. electricity at risk. Given the price of could be made.
recent auctions, large wind farms energy However, the principle that a consumer
This is not a new situation. Since
is expected to come in at £47/MWH and or home in the south of England should
2005, Scotland has been part of the
may fall to £35/MWH later this year. pay the same per MWH as the north
single UK transmission network which
However, if £5.50 has to be added in of Scotland is one that surely can be
costs around £2,400m pa to maintain,
connection to the grid plus whatever
including profits to the three energy instituted under a unified electricity
is charged by Scottish Crown estates,
networks (SSEN, Scottish Power Energy system or else the case for Scottish
Scottish consumers could pay 20% more
Networks and National Grid Energy Independence is inescapable. Resultant
for electricity unless capped.
Transmission). However, rather than increased bills in ‘South England’ could
a single per megawatt charge per The underlying tariff system charges be phased in over a year. Given the
customer across Britain, each generator are set by Ofgem which has so far overall cost of £2.4B any variation is
is charged based a combination of been given no instruction by the UK likely to be less than £10 per year.
8 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 124 July/August 2021
Savings in Scotland could be much capacity of 6.1GW and cost of £6.1bn. farms. They may have helped meet a
higher. The reduced costs to generators This would provide a total of 10.9GW need over the past years. However,
and encouragement for renewables capacity through interconnectors. building 40GW offshore windfarms by
would more than compensate. 2030 and the much greater capacity
It is worth pointing out that the first set
from other technologies to reach net
A revision to the rules could be of connectors are being built by National
zero requires no distractions and greater
combined with an increase in the Grid Ventures, an unregulated part of
investment in Scotland and the UK.
Carbon Tax floor to around £50/CO2 the mega-profitable National Grid PLC
ton as recommended recently by the which as well as running the electricity Reform of transmission charges to
International Energy Agency and under network in England and Wales runs remove geographical charges and
discussion at the International Monetary much of the US network as well. The cap provide certainty to developers and
Fund (IMF). This would complete and floor regime guarantees the owner lower costs to Scottish consumers is a
the divestment from coal, end coal of the interconnector will recover their must. We must continue to press the
generation completely and ensure that costs and profit at an internal rate of UK Government to instruct Ofgem to
gas and oil power stations are only used between 4.5% and 6.7%. adapt their cost allocation formula
in extreme cases. Consumer gas prices (Transmission Network Use of System,
Ofgem has been forced to concede
could be fixed and increases phased in TNUoS) to ensure Net Zero. The
that the economic case for new
slowly in line with boiler replacements. principle that a consumer or home in
interconnectors has been undermined,
the south of England should pay the
The aforementioned Renewables UK particularly for peak demand. Indeed,
same per MWH as the north of Scotland
report goes further in highlighting the it shows a total welfare loss of £682m
must be included in the new formula.
effect of interconnectors which transmit for the three proposed interconnectors
This will provide equity in energy bills
electricity from Europe to the UK and to France, Germany and Norway. The
between consumers in England and
occasionally the other way - to date 90% socio-economic models are based on
Scotland where most generation will be
is imported compared to 10% exported). a report by AFRY which concludes that
located.
It is projected that by 2030, 30% to over time the UK could export more
36% of electricity could come through energy than it imports, thus, damaging Gordon Morgan is a member of the
interconnectors. However, European the domestic case for interconnectors Scottish Left Review editorial committee
generators do not pay the same price by raising bills but making money for https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/
to connect to the grid. Indeed, in 20 National Grid PLC among others. media/5261/ssen-transmission-tnuos-
countries generators are charged paper-february-2021.pdf
Despite this, the Ofgem consultations
nothing. The report calculates that on
state: ‘We recognise that the allocation https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.
average European generators pay £0.46/
of benefits from the modelling suggests renewableuk.com/resource/
MWH whereas generators in ‘North
a negative impact on GB consumers resmgr/210524_tnuos_paper_final_for.
Scotland’ pay 16 times as much: £7.36/
from a socio-economic standpoint, pdf
MWH. Thus, we are importing electricity
however we consider that the modelling
from often coal fired generators or gas
methodology and assumptions
generators rather than from expanding
underplay interconnectors’
clean Scottish generation. It also means
electricity consumers in Scotland pay
socio-economic value. It is also
important to consider that in
Scottish Left Review
The Scottish Left Review is a non-profit making publication.
more to heat their home.
our modelled scenarios GB Please subscribe or make a donation by going to www.
On the issue of interconnectors, Ofgem prices are materially lower scottishleftreview.org where you can pay by credit card
seems to have dug their heels in. They than present day, so consumers or by filling in your details in the form below and returning
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over the next 10 years. It argues that that interconnectors play in
they have kept the lights on over the these scenarios is therefore
Name
last years and are cost effective. Ofgem different. The wider benefits
has, however, had to try and justify this that we expect interconnectors
Address
into the future. To this end they set up to deliver in the future, as
4 workstreams to assess: 1) the cap and discussed in workstream 3 of
floor system; 2) socio-economic models; the review, are not captured
3) wider issues of interconnectors; and in this socio-economic
Tel:
4) multi-purpose interconnectors. The assessment’. This is sophistry
first two of these have reported and the - it commissioned the AFRY
E-mail:
other are out for consultation, having report and then choose to
been published 18 June and closing on ignore it. As many as possible
Subscription/Donation
16 July. need to respond to these two
consultations by 16 July.
The review of cap and floor projects Date:
states that two new interconnectors To sum up, interconnectors
215
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are under development with projected supply from connecting wind
9 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 124 July/August 2021
What is the significance of Welsh
Labour’s election success?
Assessing and explaining Labour’s new high tide in Wales, Darren Williams points out the continuing challenges
W elsh Labour won an
impressive set of results
in the Senedd (Welsh
Parliament) elections on 6 May,
securing exactly half of the
contrary to the poll predictions –
which represents a welcome reversal
of UKIP’s success in 2016. Welsh
Labour also won three of the four
Police and Crime Commissioner
social care workers and a programme
of low-carbon house-building for
social rent), informed by the same
progressive, egalitarian ethos as the
party’s governmental record to date.
institution’s 60 seats - equalling the elections, the party’s best result since The slogan, ‘If you value it, vote for it’
party’s best previous performance – the posts were created. probably had some resonance in this
and ensuring a further five years in respect. While hardly a mandate for
Welsh Labour’s success, especially in
government. Since the previous vote ‘socialism’ or ‘radicalism’, therefore,
comparison to Labour’s dismal overall
in 2016, the institution had changed the election result represents a
showing in England, has occasioned
its name from the National Assembly sufficient degree of popular consent
much comment – and much
for Wales and extended the franchise celebration within the Welsh party for continuation with the same
to 16 and 17 year olds, as well as to and the wider Labour left. Its total of incrementally reforming programme.
foreign nationals resident in Wales. 30 seats confounded expectations, The other card that the party seems
Of course, that five-year period had exceeding the predictions of all but to have played to some effect was its
also seen momentous changes like the one pre-election opinion poll. affirmation of its ‘Welsh’ credentials
Brexit saga; the defeat of the Corbyn
By common consent, the greatly – reassuring voters of its patriotism
project, two changes of Prime Minister
enhanced public profile of the First and political distinctness from the
and the Coronavirus pandemic. It
Minister, Mark Drakeford due to Covid UK Labour leadership and, thereby,
is remarkable, then, how stable
and the widespread appreciation squeezing the Plaid vote. While
Welsh Labour’s support has proven,
for his reassuringly serious and support for Welsh independence is
its Senedd presence registering a
at record levels, with membership
net increase of one seat.
of the cross-party/non-
The party won almost
party, Yes Cymru, movement
40% of the total vote
rising from 2,000 to 17,000
for the 40 constituency
in twelve months, this was
seats and 36.2% in the
not translated into electoral
second, regional vote – in
support for Plaid Cymru. Not
both cases, a roughly 5%
only is independence almost
increase in its vote share
as popular among Labour’s
over 2016.
voters as among Plaid’s
The Tories were in second but attitudinal research by
place with 16 seats (a net psephologists has revealed
gain of five), overtaking that Mark Drakeford is
Plaid Cymru, but taking very popular among Plaid
only one seat directly supporters – perhaps
from Labour. They failed, understandably, when it has
however, to repeat their success in responsible approach to the pandemic fallen to him to defend the interests
the 2019 general election, where - in contrast to Johnson’s criminal of Wales against the Westminster
they took all but one of Labour’s irresponsibility - played a significant government, week in and week out –
North Wales seats, plus Bridgend in part in Welsh Labour’s success. on a public platform furnished by the
the south. Labour’s one constituency This probably complemented the pandemic.
defeat was compensated by an longstanding general approval among We should be careful not to
additional regional seat and the the party’s traditional base for its exaggerate the scale of Welsh Labour’s
party also recaptured the Rhondda implementation of a recognisably victory, however. The net increase in
from former Plaid leader, Leanne ‘Labour’ policy programme over the the party’s tally of seats won was only
Wood, who had won it in 2016 - the last 22 years. one, giving it the same number of
departure from the Senedd of Leanne,
In the 2000s, Rhodri Morgan (with members elected as in 2003 and 2011;
a fiercely principled socialist, is one of
Mark Drakeford as his policy chief) and while there is no question about
the election’s negative outcomes.
famously pledged to put ‘clear red Labour’s right to govern, the Drakeford
Although Plaid secured one more water’ between his administration and administration will still be dependent
seat overall than five years before, the then Blair leadership in London to some degree on the support of
its performance has been reckoned a and this was manifested in policies other parties. Labour’s vote-share
disappointment, given the extravagant like the abolition of the NHS internal was higher than in 2016 but lower
promises of major electoral gains market, the scrapping of prescription than in 2011 and 2003, on both of
that have regularly come from Adam charges and maintenance of the which occasions it exceeded 40% of
Price, who ousted Leanne as leader in comprehensive principle in secondary the constituency vote. The Tories also
2018. The LibDems narrowly avoided education. This year’s manifesto increased their vote-share and both
a complete wipe-out, losing their one played to Welsh Labour’s strengths they and Plaid increased their Senedd
constituency but gaining a regional in this respect, promising modest but presence. Furthermore, while the
seat. The hard-right populist parties valuable gains for ordinary people turnout was the highest yet under
also failed to win any seats – again, (such as the real living wage for devolution – albeit only marginally
10 - ScottishLeftReview Issue 124 July/August 2021above the 1999 figure – at 46.6% it in 2018 included a commitment is the practical point that any such
still means that more than half of the to strengthen accountability and change would require an amendment
electorate did not feel sufficiently empower members and in his first to the UK party rulebook, which it
engaged to participate in the vote. few months there were a few positive is hard to imagine Keir Starmer and
initiatives in this regard – most the current NEC majority agreeing to
The relative position of the left in notably, the introduction of ‘one grant. Finally, and most importantly,
the Senedd Labour Group has been member, one vote’ (OMOV) elections a clear-headed assessment needs
strengthened slightly by the Senedd for the ‘Wales’ seat on the Labour to be made of the likely political
election results, inasmuch as two of NEC, which had previously been in the consequences of the change. There is
the three new Labour Members of Welsh leader’s gift. Other priorities simply no reason to believe that the
the Senedd (MS) are members of the subsequently intervened, however, collective leadership tier of the Welsh
left-wing activists’ network, Welsh and the snap general election in 2019 party – comprising the MPs, MSs, local
Labour Grassroots, although neither disrupted the progress of the Welsh government leaders, union officials
has a long history of involvement with Labour Democracy Review. This has and full-time party officers, as well as
the organised left. But even with these now been re-launched, with a view the elected leadership – is any more
two new members, the left (broadly to any changes being agreed at next progressive than its counterpart at
defined) accounts for barely more March’s Welsh Labour conference. UK level. While Mark Drakeford might
than a third of the thirty Labour MSs The left needs to push hard for be able to exercise some leftward
and fewer than half of these could democratic reforms, including greater pressure as long as he remains leader,
be considered as anything more than accountability in the make-up and that positive influence might well be
‘soft’ left in their politics. The right election of the Welsh Executive brought to an end and reversed in
has pretty much the same strength, Committee; a more transparent policy- a couple of years depending on the
leaving a centre-ground consisting of making process; and reduction of the outcome of the subsequent leadership
those with less coherent views. The threshold for an open selection in election.
influence of the Labour left in the trigger ballots for Senedd Members.
Senedd, however, is at least stronger Nevertheless, the debate about the
than in the Welsh PLP, where Beth A significant element of the Labour constitutional future of the party and
Winter is its only standard-bearer, and manifesto was the commitment to the government will undoubtedly be
in Welsh local government, where the push for constitutional reform across taken up by the Welsh Labour left,
number of ‘left’ councillors in most the UK and greater devolved powers alongside the issues of pandemic
Labour groups could be counted on for Wales. With the respected left- recovery and rebuilding the economy
the fingers of one hand. winger and proponent of ‘radical on fairer and more sustainable
federalism’, Mick Antoniw now in foundations, over the months and
Most of the Senedd Labour left are in the Cabinet to drive this agenda, years ahead.
their 60s and 70s and the majority can there is a much greater chance that
probably be expected to step down at Darren Williams is the Secretary of
Welsh Labour will finally conduct the Welsh Labour Grassroots and co-
the next election in 2026, representing meaningful debate within the party
a significant cumulative loss of author of ‘Clear Red Water: Welsh
and Welsh society that it should have Devolution and Socialist Politics’
knowledge and experience, albeit led years ago. Alongside this, there is
also an opportunity to bring forward (Francis Boutle Publishers, 2009).
growing support among well-placed
a new generation of radical political left-leaning elements within the
leaders - if the left can successfully Welsh party for a push to devolve
mobilise for this. Even before that, we responsibility for the party rulebook
will have to address the leadership from the UK to the Welsh level.
succession to Mark Drakeford, who The arguments for this include the
has consistently said that he intends principle that, if we are to push for
to step down part-way through the deeper devolution within the state,
current Senedd term, allowing his then we should do the same within Cover: Nadia Lucchesi
successor a reasonable ‘run-up’ to the the party; and the suggestion that
2026 elections. While we cannot, of devolution of disciplinary procedures (nadia.shemail@gmail.com)
course, be sure who the candidates would result in fairer outcomes.
will be, it is widely assumed that the Proofing services:
These arguments are likely to find a
Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, sympathetic hearing among at least John Wood and John Daly
Education Minister, Jeremy Miles, and a section of the Labour left, at a time
Health Minister, Eluned Morgan, will when a growing proportion of party Editor Email: Gregor Gall
stand – the first two of these being members are at least ‘indy-curious’ gregorgall@outlook.com
clearly on the right and the third in and when the Welsh leadership is
the centre. The left does not have a to the left of the UK leadership - Web: www.scottishleftreview.scot
huge choice of potential champions, conversely, there was little appetite Tel: 0141 424 0042
not least because of the age profile of on the left for intra-party devolution
its members, and might end up having when Jeremy Corbyn was UK leader Address: Scottish Left Review,
to give critical support to a candidate and Carwyn Jones Welsh leader.
seen as the lesser, or least, evil. 14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow
There are some caveats to bear in
In the meantime, the election result
G2 6RX
mind, however. There is, first of all, a
represents an enhancement of question as to whether it would make
Mark Drakeford’s personal political sense for the rules governing members Printed by
authority within the Labour Party in Wales on non-Welsh-specific issues Hampden Advertising Ltd,
and he could make use of this to to be different from those applying
back a renewed effort to improve in England, if Welsh Labour was
403 Hillington Road, G52 4BL,
party democracy. Mark’s election anything short of a legally distinct Tel: 0141 429 1010
platform as a leadership candidate and autonomous party. Then there
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