Scottish Militant Labour facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Scottish Militant Labour
Abbreviation	SML
Founded	October 1991
Dissolved	1998 (merged into SSP) 2001 (Dissolution of ISM)
Split from	Militant
Succeeded by	ISM/SSP
Ideology	Trotskyism Scottish independence
International affiliation	Committee for a Workers' International
Politics of Scotland Political parties

Scottish Militant Labour (SML) was a political group in Scotland during the 1990s. They believed in a type of socialism called Trotskyism. This meant they wanted big changes to how society worked. SML was part of a bigger international group called the Committee for a Workers' International. Later, SML became known as the International Socialist Movement before it stopped existing.

What Was Scottish Militant Labour?

Scottish Militant Labour (SML) was a political party that operated in Scotland. They were active for most of the 1990s. Their main goal was to bring about big changes in society. They wanted to create a more equal system for everyone.

How SML Began

SML was formed in October 1991. It started when a group called Militant split up. Militant had previously worked inside the Labour Party. But they decided to form their own separate group.

One of the most well-known members of SML was Tommy Sheridan. Another important person behind the scenes was Alan McCombes. SML had some success in local politics. They had six councillors elected in the city of Glasgow. These councillors served between 1993 and 1995.

Working with Other Groups

In 1998, SML announced its support for Scottish independence. This meant they wanted Scotland to be its own country.

SML also played a big part in forming new political groups. In 1996, they helped create the Scottish Socialist Alliance. This group was a first step towards the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP). The SSP was formed in 1998. As part of these new groups, SML changed its name. It became known as the International Socialist Movement (ISM). Many of the main members of SML also became leaders in the SSP.

Later, some disagreements happened within the ISM. These debates were about what the SSP should be. They also discussed what a revolutionary party is. Because of these debates, the ISM split. Most ISM members left the Committee for a Workers' International. A smaller group stayed with the Committee. This smaller group created the International Socialists (Scotland). They said they were the true followers of SML's ideas.

Today, Tommy Sheridan is a leader of another party called Solidarity (Scotland). The International Socialists are now a part of Solidarity.

Electoral Results

Scottish Militant Labour took part in national elections. Here is how they performed in some Westminster Elections: