Campaign for Socialism | |
---|---|
Abbreviation | CfS |
Secretary | Richard Parker |
Co-Chair |
|
Treasurer | Frieda Park |
Founded | 1994 |
Headquarters | Glasgow |
Membership (2024) | 600 |
Ideology | |
Political position | Left-wing |
National affiliation | Scottish Labour |
UK affiliate | Momentum |
Endorsed MSPs | 7 / 22 |
Website | |
Official website | |
Campaign for Socialism (CfS) is an autonomous political organisation of Scottish Labour Party members and supporters who campaign for left-wing policies and candidates within the party.[1] In 2016, CfS agreed to a joint membership scheme with Momentum, a UK-wide grassroots movement supportive of Jeremy Corbyn and his leadership of the Labour Party.[2][3]
CfS was originally established in 1994 to campaign against the removal of Clause IV from the Labour Party's constitution.[4] By 2012, it was one of the only remaining ideological-based groupings in the party — but Gerry Hassan and Eric Shaw, writing that year, claimed that CfS "has few members, little organisational presence and has had a negligible influence on the direction of the party".[5]
CfS played a key role in organising Neil Findlay and Katy Clark's leadership bid in the 2014 Scottish Labour leadership election. Though unsuccessful, CfS claims the campaign "built the foundations for Jeremy [Corbyn]'s campaign just a few months later" by "giving many new, young volunteers experience and a network of contacts across the country that would help quickly mobilise an effective campaign".[6]
In 2016, Scottish Labour Young Socialists — founded in 2015[7] — became CfS's official youth wing.[8]
In 2017, five CfS members won seats on the Scottish Labour Party's national executive.[9] They called for the then Scottish Labour leader, Kezia Dugdale, to pursue a socialist agenda and work more closely with Jeremy Corbyn's team.[10]
CfS endorsed[11] Richard Leonard to be the next leader of Scottish Labour following the resignation of Kezia Dugdale in August 2017. Leonard went on to win the leadership with 56.7% of the vote.[12]
In the 2021 Scottish Labour leadership election the CfS endorsed Monica Lennon to be the next leader of Scottish Labour following Richard Leonard's resignation in January 2021.[13] She lost the election to Anas Sarwar, gaining 42.4% of the vote to his 57.6%.[14]
Notable members of CfS include: former Convenors Elaine Smith MSP and Neil Findlay MSP, former MPs Danielle Rowley and Hugh Gaffney (2017–2019), and Baroness Pauline Bryan.