International Socialist Group (Scotland)

International Socialist Group (Scotland)
Leader	Collective leadership, Steering Group
Founded	International Socialist Group (2011)
Split from	Socialist Workers Party (UK)
Headquarters	Union Street, Glasgow, G1 3TA, Scotland, United Kingdom
Newspaper	Communiqué
Ideology	Revolutionary socialism, Marxism, Leninism, Marxist Feminism
Political position	Far-left
Website
www.internationalsocialist.org.uk
Politics of Scotland Political parties Elections

The International Socialist Group is a revolutionary socialist organisation based in Scotland which was formed in April 2011 by former members of the Socialist Workers Party.^[1][2] The group produces a free monthly broadsheet and online blog - Communiqué^[3] - and operates a website with articles and features on current events and socialist theory. The ISG participates in a number of campaigns, such as the Coalition of Resistance, Stop the War Coalition, and Radical Independence Campaign.

Notable figures within the ISG include Jonathon Shafi, co-founder of the Radical Independence Campaign,^[4] and Cat Boyd.^[5]

History

In April 2011, 39 members of the Socialist Workers Party in Scotland, including Central Committee member Chris Bambery, the majority of the elected Scottish leadership, and the circulation officer for Socialist Worker, resigned from the SWP, stating that the party had no credible strategy to fight the government's cuts agenda.^[1]

The resignations were followed by the formation of a new Marxist organisation called the International Socialist Group. It was predominantly based in Glasgow at first, but later expanded into Edinburgh, Dundee, and Aberdeen. In 2012, the ISG opened its National Office in Glasgow City Centre.

Theory

The ISG has focussed on left-wing unity and renewal in its written output. Articles have discussed the progressive potential of Scottish independence^[6][7] and its implications for the rest of the UK.^[8] They have also criticised 'Left British Nationalism'.^[9] Other issues discussed include the need for a realistic appraisal of the trade union movement and its relationship to the rising level of social movements,^[10] the rightward shift of Scottish Labour,^[11] and the need for new formats for left unity.^[12]

Practice

The ISG takes part in the Coalition of Resistance,^[13] which campaigns against austerity and has organised numerous demonstrations and actions including a women's march against cuts,^[14] the "We Are All Hana Shalabi" campaign which has organised demonstrations^[15][16] and occupations^[17][18] over Palestinian hunger strikes and Israeli assaults on the Gaza Strip, and the Radical Independence Campaign to campaign for Scottish independence on a progressive platform.

Publications

Along with various books and pamphlets, the ISG publishes a free monthly colour broadsheet, Communiqué, with a Scottish editorial focus.^[19] The ISG's position on Scottish independence, outlined in Britain Must Break: The Internationalist Case for Independence by James Foley, received positive reviews from the Scottish left.^[20]

• Women on the Left (2013)
• Britain Must Break: The Internationalist Case for Independence (2012)

References

External links

• Official website