It's often said that the SNP is well placed to take on the mantle of centre-left social democracy deserted by Labour in its quest for power.
The SNP can be quite lefty when the issue is one that sets it apart from Westminster with little consequence, and attending the STUC with a cheesy smile, a few jokes and some warm words is also a relatively low risk option.
But when it come to supporting Scottish workers who have been pushed into industrial action to protect pensions, where are they?
Poignantly for the nationalists, as with the poll tax, this attack has been launched north of the border, with the pension rights of the company's Runcorn workforce so far untouched. Yet even with this added incentive, where are they?
Swinney and Salmond fielded questions today with replies that spoke of getting an actuary to help the two sides resolve their dispute. This could be seen as mildly laudable or mildly laughable, but whichever, it is completely devoid of any hint of working class solidarity. They even turned down the opportunity to express nationalist solidarity.
OK, leave aside for the moment the questions of legal action against the union putting a damper on talks, and company warnings of fuel shortages promoting unnecessary panic; and accept that Ministers are constrained in what they can say (although the even handed approach in Westminster did not prevent commendation of the unions actions and acknowledgement of the importance of their objectives): what about SNP backbenchers? After all, being in power never stopped Labour backbenchers showing solidarity.
Grangemouth's MSP and MP have helpfully tabled motions for their colleagues to sign - and guess what? Signatories so far do not include anything remotely resembling evidence that the SNP is anywhere near supplanting Labour in the left of centre working class social democratic solidarity stakes ...
Check for yourself - in the Scottish Parliament, Cathy Peattie S3M-01760 and in Westminster, Michael Connarty motion 1391
The SNP can be quite lefty when the issue is one that sets it apart from Westminster with little consequence, and attending the STUC with a cheesy smile, a few jokes and some warm words is also a relatively low risk option.
But when it come to supporting Scottish workers who have been pushed into industrial action to protect pensions, where are they?
Poignantly for the nationalists, as with the poll tax, this attack has been launched north of the border, with the pension rights of the company's Runcorn workforce so far untouched. Yet even with this added incentive, where are they?
Swinney and Salmond fielded questions today with replies that spoke of getting an actuary to help the two sides resolve their dispute. This could be seen as mildly laudable or mildly laughable, but whichever, it is completely devoid of any hint of working class solidarity. They even turned down the opportunity to express nationalist solidarity.
OK, leave aside for the moment the questions of legal action against the union putting a damper on talks, and company warnings of fuel shortages promoting unnecessary panic; and accept that Ministers are constrained in what they can say (although the even handed approach in Westminster did not prevent commendation of the unions actions and acknowledgement of the importance of their objectives): what about SNP backbenchers? After all, being in power never stopped Labour backbenchers showing solidarity.
Grangemouth's MSP and MP have helpfully tabled motions for their colleagues to sign - and guess what? Signatories so far do not include anything remotely resembling evidence that the SNP is anywhere near supplanting Labour in the left of centre working class social democratic solidarity stakes ...
Check for yourself - in the Scottish Parliament, Cathy Peattie S3M-01760 and in Westminster, Michael Connarty motion 1391
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