A PRO-INDY group has called for an “independent” Scottish party affiliated with the Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana’s Your Party to be set up.
The Platform for Socialism and Independence (PSI) was launched on Friday, with its founding statement calling for an “an independent Scottish left party that stands for socialism and independence”.
It comes after Sultana responded to the launch of the first Scottish branch of the nascent party – which is currently canvassing for suggestions on a permanent name – saying that “Scotland has to have autonomy” within Your Party.
A statement issued by Owen Maitland said the new group had been founded by Scottish Socialist Youth (of which he is the chair), the Republican Socialist Platform, Socialists for Independence, members of the Aberdeen Marxist Caucus, and individual members of Revolutionary Socialism in the 21st Century and the Scottish Greens.
The statement said: “The sudden appearance of the Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana new left project (Your Party) and its 40,000+ sign-ups in Scotland represents the largest mass engagement in left politics in years.
“However, as pro-independence socialists, we assert that any new left party in Scotland should be led by the movements, activists and communities in Scotland. We publicly appeal to Your Party to empower Scottish activists at the grassroots by creating an independent Scottish party, affiliated to the project taking shape in England.
“We believe that the relationship between the Scottish and English Green parties is a prime example of how this can be achieved – a relationship that is collaborative and supportive, but respects the right of a Scottish party to determine its own path. We welcome Zarah Sultana’s comments in The National recently expressing support for Scottish autonomy in this process.”
Your Party were approached for comment.
