[…] As Laura Eaton-Lewis
has pointed out previously, “a campaign is not a democracy.” Our many, varied, brilliant
campaign groups in the yes movement were broad coalitions of people working together,
and working hard, but with a very specific end-goal in sight. While they should
continue, none should continue as they have.
To say this is not to
do a disservice to the brilliant work that these groups have produced, often with
a serious lack of resources. But for these groups to continue as they have done
would be a real disservice to that brilliant work, which was all about fighting
for a better Scotland; fighting for change. Fundamentally, it was also about striving
to be the change we wanted to see, so it’s about time we started that process.
By necessity, and in some
cases by design, these groups are broadly unconstituted, with no real structure,
and no elected leadership. Where leaders exist, they do not have a mandate, often
calling leadership due to longevity of service, or other undemocratic forms of ownership
such as an ability to work 24/7 on the campaign, which in itself is a privilege.
Nobody owns a movement, it is built by the movement, and therefore, these groups’
popularity and their platforms were built with the sweat and tears of all of us
who got on board. We need to ensure that we are supporting true leadership, or becoming
leaders ourselves. We also need to ensure that the democracy we are fighting for
starts in our own movement.
The core organisers of
these grassroots groups, while dedicated, hard-working and to be fully admired,
should therefore take the time to consider how they organise. Before they do a single
inch of campaigning, they need to regroup with their actual membership and ask them
what they think is necessary. How is the group organised? Who is “in charge” and
why? Is the group democratic? Is it actually as effective as it could be? Is it
organised in a way that actually allows dissent, and what happens if there is a
disagreement in terms of direction? Is it organised in a way that actually allows
a plurality of viewpoints? Is it in a way that is truly collective, with everyone’s
views being respectfully engaged with? Do you feel valued in your hard work? […]
[…] Let’s have a look
at who is claiming authorship and ownership of this movement. Let us ask of them
what their authority is for this. Ask how boards and appointments are being made
in our progressive groups, whether that is in our political parties, in newly forming
platforms, or in the grassroots movement. […]
'On Where Next And How', Jenny Lindsay, Bellacaledonia, 22 September 2014
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