‘A new handbook for the Scottish labour movement’: Brian Leishman reviews 'Keep Left'
November 2024: Protest against plans to close the Grangemouth refinery | Image by: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo
3 min read
As we seek to regain the trust of disillusioned Scottish voters and stem the lure of the far right, Baroness Bryan succeeds in presenting a compelling case for realistic, socialist solutions
In the introduction to 1975’s highly influential book, The Red Paper on Scotland, editor Gordon Brown stated: “Clearly it is easy to overestimate the potential for radical social change in Scotland today – but it is dangerous to underestimate the demand for it.”
Fifty years after its publication, Keep Left: Red Paper on Scotland 2025 has presented a convincing case for realistic, socialist solutions that will attend to the needs of our communities – and consequently deter Scottish voters from diverting to the far right.
I was privileged to attend the launch of the book at the Scottish Trades Union Conference in Dundee and speak with the editor Pauline Bryan, who has truly excelled in assembling some of the best academics, politicians, trade unionists, writers and activists within the Scottish socialist movement. A diverse range of topics are discussed from a leftist perspective, including local democracy, social care, trade unionism, education, the economy and culture.
As expected, there are calls for popular, socialist policies such as a wealth tax, a just energy transition, and nuclear disarmament. Bryan has consequently succeeded in presenting “a different vision for Labour, a vision full of hope”.
The loss of the Grangemouth refinery is a dangerous example of an unjust transition
As the MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, it is no surprise that I was drawn immediately to Rosie Hampton’s chapter, “Towards a just energy transition”. This section is vital for those seeking to understand why the loss of the Grangemouth refinery is a dangerous example of an unjust transition; one that will damage our communities far and wide, leaving them at the mercy of private capital and potential foreign ownership.
In line with traditional socialist ideology, Hampton proposes the need to “reclaim the energy transition from the market and place the power firmly back in the hands of workers”. Indeed, a key theme of this edition as a whole is the urgency to allow for full democratic participation in all spheres and not just elections. It is clear to see that inequality has increased as power and control have continued to be passed to the elite minority.
Overall, Keep Left provides a compelling case as to why we must continue to champion ideas such as the redistribution of wealth and democratic socialism. As our Scottish Labour MPs descended on Westminster last year, many within the movement did not foresee the catastrophic stray from socialist ideology with the denial of justice for Waspi women, the proposed cuts to welfare benefits and the changes in eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment. The message “keep left” could potentially be interpreted as a warning to those in our movement that are tempted by populism and centrist ideology.
As we look to the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections, we must do better to challenge reformist and extreme right-wing rhetoric. Keep Left must therefore be the handbook of the current labour movement as we seek to regain the trust of disillusioned Scottish voters and work towards the end goal of a fair, inclusive and democratic society.
Brian Leishman is Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth
Keep Left: Red Paper on Scotland 2025
Edited by: Pauline Bryan
Publisher: Luath Press
