Workers Party of Scotland
Encyclopedia
The Workers Party of Scotland, also known as the Workers Party of Scotland (Marxist-Leninist) was a small Marxist-Leninist political party
based in Scotland
. It was founded in 1967 and campaigned for Scottish independence
. Many of its founder members had previously belonged to the Committee to Defeat Revisionism, for Communist Unity
. The party published the Scottish Vanguard until at least 1980. Another publication that was published was Red Clydesider.
The party stood in a few by-elections before Matt Lygate and three other party members were convicted in 1972 of armed robbery of the Royal Bank of Scotland
to raise party funds.
The four individuals received the longest jail sentences in Scottish history for non-violent crimes. They were originally to be convicted of treason, the first case since John Maclean, but the case was later dropped to bank robbery so as to not make political prisoners. Despite only being convicted of two bank robberies, Lygate received a sentence of 27 years, most of which he served in class A along with the biggest murderers and gangsters in Scotland. On his release after 18 years, he sought to continue the work he was jailed for and along with others in the movement like Linda Lygate, started the anti-poll tax
movement, beginning in Maryhill
and spreading out all over Scotland.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
based in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It was founded in 1967 and campaigned for Scottish independence
Scottish independence
Scottish independence is a political ambition of political parties, advocacy groups and individuals for Scotland to secede from the United Kingdom and become an independent sovereign state, separate from England, Wales and Northern Ireland....
. Many of its founder members had previously belonged to the Committee to Defeat Revisionism, for Communist Unity
Committee to Defeat Revisionism, for Communist Unity
Committee to Defeat Revisionism, for Communist Unity was a small British Marxist-Leninist group, that had left the Communist Party of Great Britain in 1963. CDRCU was led by Michael McCreery. CDRCU was sympathetic towards the Communist Party of China and the Party of Labour of Albania...
. The party published the Scottish Vanguard until at least 1980. Another publication that was published was Red Clydesider.
The party stood in a few by-elections before Matt Lygate and three other party members were convicted in 1972 of armed robbery of the Royal Bank of Scotland
Royal Bank of Scotland
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group is a British banking and insurance holding company in which the UK Government holds an 84% stake. This stake is held and managed through UK Financial Investments Limited, whose voting rights are limited to 75% in order for the bank to retain its listing on the...
to raise party funds.
The four individuals received the longest jail sentences in Scottish history for non-violent crimes. They were originally to be convicted of treason, the first case since John Maclean, but the case was later dropped to bank robbery so as to not make political prisoners. Despite only being convicted of two bank robberies, Lygate received a sentence of 27 years, most of which he served in class A along with the biggest murderers and gangsters in Scotland. On his release after 18 years, he sought to continue the work he was jailed for and along with others in the movement like Linda Lygate, started the anti-poll tax
Poll tax
A poll tax is a tax of a portioned, fixed amount per individual in accordance with the census . When a corvée is commuted for cash payment, in effect it becomes a poll tax...
movement, beginning in Maryhill
Maryhill
Maryhill is an area of the City of Glasgow in Scotland. Maryhill is a former burgh. The population of Maryhill is about 52,000. Maryhill stretches over along Maryhill Road...
and spreading out all over Scotland.