A Scottish left prospect?

Members, supporters and friends of Democratic Left Scotland will find much of interest in the latest issue of Scottish Left Review (April - May).

The ongoing crisis at Dundee University, covered recurrently on this website, is the focus of a thoughtful piece by Angela Daly, who describes the positive trade union response to the management 'fiasco'.

Dundee University's new Rector, Maggie Chapman (Green Party MSP, Scottish Left Review deputy convenor and DLS member, amongst other things!) co-authors a piece with Peter McColl on the recent Scotonomics conference.

This explored 'heterodox' but progressive ideas that could reshape our economy in ways which rebuild the social fabric.

Singer-songwriter Calum Baird is interviewed about Cuba's record of cultural resistance - Calum was the only Scottish artist to perform at the 2024 Havana Biennial.

In amongst all these articles is a piece to stimulate debate as to whether a radical left alliance can and should be put into place in time for the 2026 Scottish elections. A range of trade unionists, poets, writers, lawyers, and anti racist campaigners set out the case - part of their argument for 'meeting together to forge a new unity' and to 'develop a united Scottish left alternative' is the possibility that 'Reform might gain a dozen seats, perhaps more, in these elections, as disillusion with mainstream political parties intensifies'.

There will be a range of views - and questions - amongst regular visitors to this website about the appropriate response to the prospect of Reform advances - but we can all agree that identifying effective ways to develop and implement progressive politics is becoming ever-more urgent.

Published 28 April 2025