The Interim Constitution of Solidarity

1. Name

The name of the organisation shall be Solidarity (whichever name is agreed by a ballot of Solidarity members at Conference).

2. Aims

Solidarity will be a political party which will be a coalition of groups, parties, organisations, trade unions and individuals which is:

2.1) A campaigning movement – against social injustice and poverty, for a decent living wage and pensions for all, against hospital closures and local service cuts, for empowered communities and trade union rights, in opposition to racist discrimination and bigotry and all forms of oppression, for our civil liberties, and for public ownership and democratic control of our major industries, land and assets. 

2.2) A democratic movement – for an independent socialist Scotland, a modern pluralist republic that harnesses our collective energies, talents and wealth for the benefit of all our citizens while safeguarding and respecting individual freedom in all its aspects.

2.3) A workers movement – that will support trade unionists and all workers in struggle, fighting for the rights of workers in Scotland and internationally whether or not they are already organised in a trade union, for the repeal of all anti-trade union laws.

2.4) An anti-war movement – opposing all imperialist wars wherever they occur and the current occupations of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Palestine.

2.5) A grass roots movement – that will be active in campaigning around the issues that matter in all parts of Scotland, from the borders to the Northern Isles, from the Hebrides to the oil rigs of the North Sea, in our streets, in our communities and our workplaces, reaching out to people, and engaging in constructive political debate.

2.6) An environmentalist movement – campaigning against new nuclear power stations and for the removal of Trident nuclear missiles from the banks of the Clyde, campaigning positively for massive investment in renewable technologies, and a truly integrated and modern publicly owned transport system, for environmental justice for all. 

2.7) A young peoples movement - that aspires to be the natural political home for young people, supporting campaigns for a decent minimum wage, free education and affordable housing.

2.8 ) An internationalist movement – committing ourselves to solidarity with working and oppressed peoples in struggle across the globe, engaging with and supporting international resistance to capitalism, neo-liberalism and globalisation.

2.9 ) A socialist movement - that fights for the redistribution of wealth and political power from big business and the millionaires to working class people and their families.

3. Membership

 3.1)          Solidarity is a broad, open, pluralist and inclusive organisation based on voluntary participation but which encourages all members to participate in its campaigns and activities.

3.2)    Anyone who broadly agrees with the aims and objectives of Solidarity, and is prepared to accept the democratic decisions and the democratic accountability of the party, can join.

3.3)    Trades unions at a national, regional or local level may affiliate to Solidarity. They will have the right of representation at annual and other conferences and delegates to the appropriate national, regional and local committees. The number of delegates each union is entitled to will be set by national conference. Delegates from affiliated trade unions to party committees must be members of Solidarity. 

3.4) Campaigning bodies can affiliate to Solidarity on the same basis as 3.3.

3.5) Members have the right to organise themselves into platforms/caucuses as they see fit.

3.6) Membership of Solidarity involves a financial as well as a political commitment.

3.6.1) The suggested membership fees will be decided by the annual conference.

3.6.2) Membership fees can be collected at branch, regional or national level as suits individual circumstances.  Where regional committees agree a proportion of the subscriptions can be retained by the branch for local activities. This proportion should be discussed and agreed taking into account the nationally agreed budget which should be set by national conference annually.

3.6.3) Branches, regions and the National Office will co-operate in keeping their membership lists updated monthly.

3.7)    Debates and discussions amongst comrades, should be conducted in a positive way, with the avoidance of personal attacks and with adequate space for the participation of individual members.

3.8)            Disputes relating to membership will be dealt with by the NSC

3.9)            Serious disciplinary issues, should they arise, will be dealt with by a committee elected by national conference. 

4.  Organisation and Structures

4.1)          The basic unit of Solidarity will be the local branch. The structure of branches will have to be flexible to take account that we are a new and developing organisation.

4.2)          Branches will require a basic membership of 3 members, subject to recognition by Regional Council.

4.3)          Local branch members may hold meetings at whatever time of day they democratically decide, e.g. in order to accommodate single parents.

4.4)          Workplace branches may be set up to accommodate workers, especially those in a particular industry or those who work shifts. These branches would have the same status as local branches.  Members may only be a member of one branch, however, are entitled to attend meetings of other branches.

4.5)          Branches should aim to meet on a regular basis (at least monthly). Branches should elect officers and/or an executive committee to ensure the smooth running of the branch. Branches should aim to be the consistent, public campaigning face of Solidarity in their area.

4.6)          Decision making at branches should be by a simple majority vote.

4.7)          Local Branches should raise local funds in the way they so determine, e.g. by regular local donations and fund raising.

4.8)          Regional Committees should be established to co-ordinate the work and party strategy within the region. They should regularly report back to branches, making recommendations and providing a link between the branches and the National bodies.

5.  National Structures and policy making

5.1)    National Conferences of Solidarity will be held in November 2006, February 2007, May or June 2007 and a full two day National Conference in November 2007, where party structures will be decided.  

5.2 )     National policy will be decided by a National Conference.

5.3 )    The implementation of national policy and national activities between             conferences will be carried out by the National Steering Committee (NSC)

5.4 )    The party will have two co-conveners whom will chair and convene NSCs and lead Solidarity into the 2007 election; A National Secretary, Press/Media Coordinator and National Treasurer.  These positions would be elected annually through OMOV with every member having the right to vote. 

5.3)          The NSC will be made up of the National Officers, 3 delegates from each region and 1 from each recognised platform (with more than 40 members.  In addition NSC places will also be available for each nationally affiliated Trade Union. The NSC will be responsible for running the organisation, finance, membership, distribution of information to branches, liaison with other organisations, and any other duties delegated to it by the annual conference.

5.4)          The NSC will be directly elected by members in the regions on a one member one vote basis.  The NSC will meet at least 10 times a year.

5.5)          Voting for internal party posts and positions will be carried out using the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system to help ensure an outcome that represents the range of views, including minority opinions, within Solidarity   

5.6)          The NSC should seek consensus, as much as possible, in decision making but where this is not possible decisions should be by simple majority vote. 

5.7)          Policy groups may be formed to study and develop areas of policy and organisation which will report to the appropriate national bodies and national conference.

5.8)          The constitution of Solidarity may be changed by decision of the annual conference by a majority of delegates. With the exception of the aims and name of the party which would require a two-thirds majority to change.

6) Elected representatives

6.1) The national officers will be elected by one-member-one-vote.

6.2) Elected MSP’s will be accountable to the NSC and national conference.  Regional Committees will decide whether candidates will stand in FPTP or list seats.

6.3) MSP’s will accept only a skilled workers wage and donate the reminder of their salary to the party.

6.4)  The national officers will be elected by one-member-one-vote and members should seek to take into account the issues of gender, ethnicity, impairment, regionality and/or platform.