Scotland politics isn't Labour vs SNP

Neil poses this as a credible alternative to Cameron/Clegg and SNP "kilted neoliberalism"

The problem for the comrades grouped around the Red Paper Collective is that their strategy is essentially that of the British Road to Socialism, which failed decisively in the 1970s and '80s when the labour movement was far bigger, more organised and with far more influence than it has now.

If it lost out then in the pre-new Labour years, where are the forces capable of implementing it now? How many left colleagues does Neil have on the Holyrood's Labour benches?

Fortunately there is another choice on offer to Scots who can support independence without buying the SNP's business friendly policies.

This has certainly been the message that the Scottish Socialist Party has been putting in our packed public campaign meetings across Scotland and was the view of the 900 who attended the radical independence conference last December.

The real choice for Scotland is staying with a failed British state in which all parties including new Labour back cuts and austerity, Trident and war, or taking the path of independence and opening new terrain for progressive, green socialist change at the subsequent election.

Ken Ferguson

Newburgh