Solidarity emerged from a damaging split within the SSP in 2006. We were formed on the understanding that the intrinsic struggle in society is one between a conscious ruling class, determined to maintain a status quo of gross inequality and iniquity, and a working class that finds itself under a sustained and relentless assault in line with the ruthless and rapacious hunger for profits regardless of the human, social or environmental cost that describes capitalism.

The class struggle takes many forms and is fought on different fronts. Solidarity takes pride in the face that we have engaged in this struggle on every one of those fronts. Throughout 2007 our members have played key roles in the trade union struggles in support of public sector workers, postal workers, and most recently the Glasgow Day Care workers. We have been active in the antiwar movement, the ongoing campaign in solidarity with the Palestinians, and domestically in local campaigns the length and breadth of Scotland.

The Scottish elections in May proved a setback for socialism as an electoral alternative to the free market parties. The SNP, cleverly and effectively, posited itself as a progressive alternative to New Labour. However in the months since the Scottish elections the SNP's progressive cloak has been pulled back to reveal its neoliberal heart. Their vision of an independent Scotland is of a Scotland which competes for the favours of global corporations, involving Scottish workers in a race to the bottom with their European counterparts. Solidarity unreservedly rejects this vision for Scotland. Instead we strive for the break-up of the British State, a state built on exploited labour at home and abroad, and the husbanding of Scotland's human and natural resources with the objective of building a society based on social and economic justice.

Solidarity Convener, Tommy Sheridan, was arrested and charged with perjury recently. His arrest came after a 14 month investigation arising from his defamation victory against the Murdoch Press in 2006. The resources applied to this investigation by Lothian and Borders Police reflects the extent of the devastating impact of Tommy Sheridan's victory against the Murdoch Press and the Scottish legal establishment.

Our message to all of those who may have derived satisfaction from Tommy Sheridan's arrest - an unholy alliance made up of the racist and reactionary Murdoch Press, the legal establishment, and former socialists within the SSP - is a simple one: Tommy Sheridan does not and will not stand alone. Along with leading trade unionists, political activists, socialists, and the thousands who have inundated our office with messages of support for Tommy Sheridan, we are prepared for one hell of a battle in 2008.

We are Solidarity and we believe in taking sides.