Workers' Liberty

RMT has disaffiliated from the Scottish Socialist Party, by request of its Scottish regional council. This follows Tommy Sheridan's split from the SSP, after he prioritised his personal reputation over the party and the socialist cause with disastrous results. If he had shrugged off the News Of The World's scandal-mongering, we might still have a united SSP making progress in Scotland, and RMT still affiliated.

RMT should have had held a referendum of members about its original affiliation to the SSP, but instead took the decision via branches, the region and the Executive. That’s not undemocratic, but was a missed chance to convince and involve people via an active pro-SSP, ‘Vote Yes’ campaign.

So the SSP and RMT’s relationship was at head office level rather than rank-and-file level. Without a grass-roots link between union and party, people feel more attached to the leader with the big profile. Loyalty to leaders - particularly those with a record of fighting for the working class - is part of RMT’s culture. That's good at times; but can be too deferential at others.

Sadly, we are now left with disillusioned activists, and working-class political representation back to its previous low.