Simon Barrow is Secretary of the Trade Union Group and sits on the SNP’s Policy Development Committee
With a dangerously failing Westminster government, deep frustration among a broad swathe of people in Scotland about cost-of-living issues, and the far-right looking to make electoral inroads on the back of discontent, it is quite clear that the SNP needs to make a bold, fresh offer to the Scottish people at the upcoming Holyrood elections. There is clear political space to the left of a rightward drifting Labour Party, and that space can be used and occupied profitably with progressive policies, with a visionary message to what Scotland could be (based on our renewables future), with a willingness to confront the scapegoating of vulnerable communities by the right, and by creating a visible link between effective use of the limited powers of devolution and the transformatory possibilities of independence.
So what are the roadblocks to such a bold approach? One is financial. Devolution is running out of road as Labour opts for meaningless fiscal rules and a continuation of austerity. Put bluntly, the Scottish Government needs more money – for housing, for local government, for education, for health and for investment. That is why the SNP Trade Union Group (TUG) is putting forward a motion (no. 7) on maximising revenue generation for Scotland at the upcoming party conference which calls for negotiations with HMRC about a local wealth tax, which is within our powers and would also send out signals about further redistribution of wealth.
That ties in with the policy we successfully proposed last year calling for examination of targeted land, wealth and asset taxes on the wealthiest. All of this is based on solid research from the STUC (Scottish Trades Union Congress) which looks at how the great majority can be protected, the richest made to pay more, and up to £3 billion generated for public spending and investment through fuller use of the powers at our disposal. This can and should be tied to the case for full employment, immigration, tax and economic powers need to be in Scotland’s hands. In short: effective choices with limited powers illustrates the need and potential for better and more with real self-government. As well as more revenue to confront existing challenges and those that will lie ahead, we also need a more joined-up policy approach in a number of areas.
One of these concerns is Scotland’s industrial and energy future. After 18-months of hard work, the TUG has also got an important motion on this (no. 22) onto the final agenda. The aim here is to put public control, enterprise and ownership to work – something which is presently lacking in the Scottish Government’s approach – based on consultation through KPMG – which focusses on inward private investment with too few controls. The danger here is that more and more of our natural and energy resources end up being owned outwith Scotland by companies and enterprises more interested in profit extraction than benefitting us. In the big picture, political independence also requires economic power and leverage. Our motion points us back in the right direction with some tangible and effective measures, again derived from positive engagement with the STUC, our friends at Common Weal and other experts. This resolution clearly affirms that an active state is essential to take Scotland forward and proposes six actions to drive change. First, achieving equity stakes in renewable energy projects and companies via the Scottish National Investment Bank, with trade union recognition as the standard for delivering Fair Work.
Second, appropriate ownership term limits and active break clauses in contracts and operational leases with overseas investors, and in relation to final planning applications.
Third, focusing investment on domestic industries and developing local supply chains across transport, energy, construction, manufacturing and housing – with the priority of meeting climate targets through public- sector led retrofitting and offshore wind.
Fourth, considering establishing an asset-based national energy initiative through municipal collaboration, to drive forward vital public stakeholding in our renewable energy future.
Fifth, investing in training and support schemes for oil and gas workers through a roadmap for Just Transition and an accompanying Jobs Register – the latter already being SNP policy, but unimplemented. And
sixth, putting communities, workers, trade unions and SMEs at the consultative heart of green industrial and energy policy.
Passing these two resolutions will be a significant step forward. The TUG is also delighted that the NEC and Conferences Committee has responded positively to our proposal that Roz Foyer, General Secretary of the STUC, should address our party conference as a whole, not just a side event.
That will now happen at 12:15pm on Saturday 11 th October. Then at 9:15am on Monday 13 th October (Meeting Room 5, Level 1, TECA) the TUG is hosting a fringe meeting with trade union leaders from UNISON and the RMT, former MP Chris Stephens (who is also standing for National Secretary) and Scottish Government Finance Minister Ivan McKee MSP. The theme is Prosperity not Austerity: Public Investment in Scotland Today and Tomorrow.
All this matters. But on its own it is not enough. There is a growing gap between the bold action our party wants to see, and the continuing caution of the SNP government in a number of areas. This needs to be addressed moving forward. We need more dialogue and engagement. Our party leadership needs to see that sensible, well-thought out but bold policies are political and electoral assets at this moment. The left bloc within the SNP – represented by the TUG (the party’s largest affiliate). SNP Socialists, the Climate and Environment Group and others can and should play a major role in steering the party in a positive direction up to and beyond the 2026 elections.
That also requires far greater engagement with trade unions and others working for change in civil society. To make progress on transforming Scotland and achieving independence, we have to create the vision, the policies, the pathway, the messaging and the unity which wins more and more people over to what we can be together.
Photo Credit: Bill Harrison / TECA (The Event Complex, Aberdeen)