Photo: The members of the Scottish parliament.

The shift in political gravity from London to Edinburgh has been matched by a shift in consciousness

By Jim Slaven - AP-RN 27 May 2004

While the political landscape in Ireland has been transformed over the last years, the same can also be said of Scotland. Tony Blair's devolution-all-round policy heralded the first Scottish parliament for nearly 300 years. While the debate continues as to the effectiveness and limitations of the devolutionary settlement, there is no doubt the political centre of gravity has shifted from Westminster to Holyrood.

The British Government's stated aim in establishing the devolved parliament was to retain power and 'park' the national question for a generation. However, there have been some unintended outcomes which have altered the nature of politics in Scotland in a dramatic way. Firstly, the electoral system allowed small parties and independents to be elected. This has allowed a more pluralistic political discourse than previously. Furthermore, most of the small parties, such as the Greens and the Scottish Socialists, support further constitutional change.

Perhaps the most important change in Scottish political life has taken place largely unseen. The shift in political gravity from London to Edinburgh has been matched by a shift in consciousness. Scottish people have long struggled with the question of identity. Over the last few years, poll after poll have shown that ever greater numbers consider themselves Scottish, not British. The amount of space given to Westminster politics in the press is tiny, with all attention centred on the Scottish parliament.

The issue for republicans is how we can utilise this changed political environment to advance the struggle. The success of Sinn Féin's lobbying in London and Washington has shown what can be achieved in such arenas. There is no reason why such lobbying operation could not succeed in Scotland. Indeed, there is a certain logic in republicans identifying with others throughout these islands who have a commonality of objectives. While London is correctly viewed as the 'belly of the beast', there is a compelling argument for dealing with the British state where it is at its weakest; Edinburgh and Cardiff are certainly that.

To meet the new challenges facing us, republicans have launched a new organisation, Cairde na hÉireann, to co-ordinate all the activities of groups, bands and individuals who support our aims and objectives, which are laid out in our constitution as:

• To campaign for a united Ireland.

• To support sister organisations in Ireland.

• To promote a new Ireland based on the principles of justice and equality.

• To support initiatives aimed at improving the material conditions of the Irish community in Scotland.

• To campaign against racism and sectarianism.

A national organisation will ensure cohesion and accountability in solidarity work. Cairde na hÉireann organises throughout the country and is involved in several areas of work including,

Campaigning

Cairde na hÉireann has already been campaigning in support of the Colombia Three and the Castlerea prisoners and over the summer will be focusing on collusion. Events are planned throughout Scotland highlighting the nature of collusion in the Six Counties.

Information Service

We have recently launched and electronic information service, which keeps people informed of political developments and events. This service also acts as a debating tool and allows members throughout the country to exchange ideas.

Political Education

Cairde will this summer be running political education classes for under 25's. Many of the young people who engage in solidarity work have requested classes based on the history of republicanism, socialism and nationalism and other topics. The course will be informal and aimed at equipping the group with the political tools necessary to improve their effectiveness as activists.

Marches and Bands

Republican marches in Scotland have come under sustained attacks from our political opponents. The media has misrepresented the nature of these events. Republicans in Scotland have a responsibility to ensure the political purpose of marches are made clear to the communities that host them. Republican marches will include publicity materials and speakers on any given theme. Marches are already planned to highlight collusion and the Castlerea campaign.

Republican flute bands working within the Cairde na hÉireann structure have all agreed a code of conduct. This sets out the required political and financial accountability required to make a positive contribution to the struggle and gives bands the same status as other solidarity groups working throughout Scotland. Having agreed to work in a constructive manner in support of our political project, the following bands, and only the following bands, are available for commemorations and other events in Ireland. Requests for bands should be made through Cairde na hÉireann.

Vol Billy Reid RFB

Vol Martin Doherty RFB

Vol Sean McIlvenna RFB

James Larkin RFB

Roll of Honour RFB

Good Relations

Scotland is not only Ireland's nearest neighbour but potentially a valued political ally. Goodwill exists throughout the country for Ireland and its struggle for self-determination. Our job is to transform that passive support into tangible political strength. Only through an accountable national organisation co-ordinating and prioritising our activity is such a project possible.

Since launching Cairde na hÉireann, several of our activists and supporters have been targeted by Special Branch and MI5. Details of these incidents of harassment and intimidation have been passed on to our solicitor with a view to further action. Details have also been passed to a Scottish human rights group. We would ask anyone who is approached to come forward immediately.

Cairde na hÉireann can be contacted at cairde.scotland@ireland.com

Cairde na hEireann

Campaigning for an Ireland of Equals

From TÁL Fanzine - Issue 38, May 2004

For generations people in Scotland have worked in solidarity with the Irish people in their struggle for self determination. Over the last thirty years throughout Scotland republicans have campaigned in support of POWs and against British involvement in Irish affairs. Over the last ten years the political landscape has been transformed. In Ireland the historic IRA initiative in 1994 gave impetus to a peace process which has seen the republican struggle move forward at great pace. In Scotland the end of Tory rule brought with it Blair’s devolution all round strategy for maintaining British rule.

These political developments are of course related and offer republicans new opportunities to advance the struggle for Irish freedom. As the nature of the struggle has developed so to must the solidarity we offer develop. In Scotland there is huge potential for Irish republicans. Throughout the country there is a good will for the republican ideal. It is our responsibility to turn that passive support into political strength.

To enable republicans in Scotland to play a full and positive part in the struggle for a new Ireland a new national organisation has been formed. Cairde na hEireann is an umbrella group established to co-ordinate those forces campaigning for a united Ireland. As well as all Scotland’s republican flute bands and established solidarity organisations like the James Connolly Society, Cairde na hEireann has groups in every major town and city in Scotland.

Cairde na hEireann’s constitution outlines it’s aims as

·        To campaign for a united Ireland.

·        Support sister organisations in Ireland who campaign for a united Ireland.

·        To promote the creation of a new Ireland based on the principles justice and equality.

·        Support initiatives that are aimed at improving the material conditions of the Irish community in Scotland.

·        To campaign against racism and sectarianism.

The support for the republican struggle in Scotland exists within a hostile environment. The political context in Scotland determines that republicans must organise themselves in a coherent and disciplined manner. Cairde na hEireann will be organising marches and other public events throughout the country. All of these events will have an explicit political purpose. This is essential as we have seen the media and all of Scotland’s political parties consistently misrepresenting republican marches as sectarian.

Such attacks do not happen in a political vacuum. Rather they are an attempt to portray the conflict in the north as sectarian and therefor irrational. While this cynical attempt to confuse and deceive the public should be condemned it comes as no surprise. Those of us campaigning for maximum change in Ireland must ensure we organise ourselves in a way which challenges our political opponents.

Cairde na hEireann has also launched an information service which will keep the people informed of political developments and events in Ireland and Scotland. We also organise a  political education course for members which will challenge the Scottish media bias and ensure the continuing development of activists. Regular visits to Ireland including meetings with political parties and community groups will give Cairde na hEireann members a unique insight into Irish political life.

From Aberdeen to Ayrshire and right across the central belt all those people who wish to play a positive part in the struggle for an Ireland of equals are joining Cairde na hEireann. “Everyone ,republican or otherwise, has their own particular part to play. No part is too great or too small. No one is too old or too young to do something.” Bobby Sands

For more information contact

cairde.scotland@ireland.com

0796 303 8448