Richard Parker: You Can’t Be a Socialist and a Pessimist

Six months ago, the Edinburgh branch of the Campaign for Socialism was re-founded to the inspiring words of Katy Clark, with three primary objectives: the championing of socialist discourse in the city; supporting our elected representatives; and becoming a vehicle of hope for members. A steering committee elected, we began our labour.

An event organised by the brilliant Councilor for Leith, Katrina Faccenda, proved the spark to catalyze our strategy. She had invited Neil Findlay to speak about his experiences as an organiser, socialist and MSP, in the Scottish Labour party. Neil was outstanding and the talk electrified those present, the quote used as the header for this article particularly spoke to us, ‘you can’t be a socialist and a pessimist’.

The atrocities committed by Hamas on October the 7th, the beginning of the advance of the armoured columns into the city of Gaza, and apparent endorsement of collective punishment by the leader of the party at Westminster, was weighing heavily on us and hope seemed far away.

Yet, as we reflected on it, Neil’s words resonated. A call to work in praxis, to put our ideals into action and not surrender to despondency and despair. We found both refuge and a path to follow in organising events, just as Katrina had, to sustain our hope and champion the socialist discourses that will transform Britain into the fair and just society for all, that each and every citizen deserves.

In the turning of the New Year, our hard work took form in the first of a series of six events spanning 2024, with the eminent Richard Leonard addressing us on the opportunities that Labour governments in Westminster and Holyrood would have to transform Scotland into a cooperative powerhouse, a “Mandrogon of the North” where, through Marcora Law, workers would have agency over their futures and the right of first refusal. Marcora Law is a process, conceived of in Italy, where redundant worker can use their accumulated unemployment benefit to capitalise a buyout of the business for the purpose of transforming it into a workers’ cooperative. The talk was engaging, intriguing and a deeply hopeful start to our branch’s journey towards our goals.

Our events will always be free, welcoming and open to all. I hope to see you at the next one!

Richard Parker is the acting Chair of CfS Edinburgh.