Support for Palestine does not equate to anti-semitism

First published in the Morning Star on 23 July 2014 https://morningstaronline.co.uk/a-c9a5-support-for-palestine-does-not-equate-to-anti-semitism-1

We're caught up in our internal debate in Scotland as to whether independence or devolution is the best strategy to deliver social justice at home. 

 

Whatever the result, the world outside will be the same and, especially at times like these, we must resist looking inwards at the expense of our long and proud history of internationalism.

Asking difficult referendum questions is essential

Despite some recent press coverage, UNISON's position on the referendum remains one of challenging both sides of the referendum debate on how their plans will create social justice, bring an end to austerity, poverty and health inequality. We want to know what they will do about building social cohesion, a more equal society and a world without nuclear weapons.

The referendum differs from the devolution campaign of the 1990s. There is no 'settled will of the Scottish people'. There is a divide. So, more important that taking positions of Yes or No, is pushing home the difficult questions for both camps and getting answers for our members.

And we need to be clear what the camps are...

Glasgow Girls and inspiration to campaign in UNISON

I challenge anyone not to have been moved by the Glasgow Girls story on BBC Scotland last week. The way that these young women, girls at the time, campaigned, organised and made a real difference to how asylum seeker children were treated, was nothing short of inspirational. (Still available for 6 days at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b049n0js/glasgow-girls)