The Irish Socialist Network has sent a message of solidarity to the Scottish Socialist Party.

international | anti-capitalism | other press Friday September 22, 2006 20:03 by Conor J. McGowan - The Irish Socialist Network (ISN) irishsocialistnetwork at dublin dot ie http://irishsocialist.net/contact.html

The Irish Socialist Network has sent a message of solidarity to the Scottish Socialist Party following the exit from that party of former convenor Tommy Sheridan, the Socialist Worker and CWI (Socialist Party) platforms and a number of others.

The Message is posted on the ISN website; irishsocialist.net and reads as follows:

Comrades,

On behalf of the Irish Socialist Network, I wish to express our solidarity with the SSP at this challenging time. In recent years, the SSP has been a source of encouragement to radical socialists who are working to build new parties of the working class. Like many, we are dismayed by recent attacks, both personal and political, on SSP members. We are glad to see that the SSP has rebounded from recent setbacks, to continue challenging capitalism in Scotland by building a class struggle party fighting for an independent socialist Scotland.

While closely following the development of the SSP, we have never tried to slavishly follow a particular model, and we know the comrades in the SSP respect the right of socialists in different countries to chart their own road towards liberation. True internationalism is based on an equal cooperation and respect between parties, not dictation from distant ‘centres’ or instructions from all-powerful leaders. As a participatory, democratic and revolutionary socialist organisation, we share with the SSP an anti-war, anti-imperialist outlook firmly grounded in class politics and a commitment to working class unity.

We salute your firm stand in favour of internal democracy, equality, and accountability. Our mutual commitment to principle is not the same as dogmatism and that we know that we must learn new ways of organising, including a commitment to participatory educational processes and democratic structures. We look forward to working with comrades in the SSP, and throughout the world, in building societies controlled from top to bottom by working people.

Paul Moloney
National Secretary
Irish Socialist Network