LABOUR leader Jeremy Corbyn visited Scotland recently to bolster socialist Elaine Smith’s campaign for re-election to the Scottish Parliament for Coatbridge and Chryston in May.

Addressing hundreds of trade unionists and party activists, Corbyn defended Smith’s record on standing up for her community, and Scottish Labour’s policies to take action against the worst Tory assaults. 

He said that “all over the world people are rallying against austerity” and that in Scotland there was a clear choice between using the Scottish government’s new powers to “break with austerity” or accept the cuts as the SNP intend to do.

He also spoke exclusively to the Star about Labour’s manifesto, the need for strong trade unions and the practical implications of opposing Trident while responding to defence unions’ concerns for the thousands of jobs at Faslane.

Opposing Trident has become a major issue in Scottish politics in recent years. The SNP’s opposition to nuclear weapons has been an attractive policy to many, and there is no doubt that Corbyn’s election as leader in September last year and the accompanying grassroots activists’ movement influenced Scottish Labour’s decision to oppose Trident at its conference a few weeks later. 

While Corbyn welcomed Scottish Labour’s opposition to Trident, he said he recognises the issues for workers at Faslane. He told the Star that the consultation sent out by shadow defence secretary Emily Thornberry is “key to investment in maintaining jobs and not losing a highly skilled workforce.”

On the subject of skilled workers I asked about the steel crisis and the failure or the Conservative government to act to aid the British steel industry, as well as the thousands of jobs under threat. 

Corbyn said that the steel industry was “vital” to manufacturing and that Labour would ensure it continues. 

He said Labour would take steps to “challenge the dumping of steel” and where necessary “take a public stake or public ownership of the steel plants.”

He added that it was “not right that multinational companies are able to take decisions on the future of workers in Port Talbot, Scunthorpe and Motherwell.”

As the Scottish government is granted new powers over income tax through the Scotland Bill, Corbyn praised Scottish Labour’s plans to raise taxes on higher earners, telling the Star: “It will go a long way to ameliorate the effects of Tory cuts.”

He said Labour’s commitments had “opened up debate” in Scotland, and he said First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s refusal to raise taxes on those earning over £150,000 “represents a clear division between Labour and the SNP.”

Corbyn sent his greetings to trade unionists attending the STUC conference. He said: “We need strong unions in Scotland to oppose the Trade Union Bill, oppose the privatisation of the CalMac ferry service and fight for our communities.”

If the polls are to be believed, it will be an uphill struggle for Labour in the Holyrood elections next month, despite a manifesto which stands to the left of the SNP. 

Many voters from working-class communities were alienated and drifted away from the party during the Blair and Brown years.

For many, Scottish independence and the SNP seemed to offer an escape from years of misery inflicted by Tory cuts and austerity. It was particularly galling for many that as the Tories waged war against our communities, Labour stood on a platform with them through Better Together, though there were many Labour activists and politicians who distanced themselves from this. 

I asked Corbyn if he had a message for voters in Scotland who had drifted from the party in recent years. 

He asked voters to “understand our opposition to austerity, and understand our absolute commitment to tackling poverty and inequality, and providing housing, education and opportunity to communities across Scotland.”

Smith said: “Jeremy stood on a clear platform for a return of public services that actually serve public — not line the pockets of big business — and a compassionate approach to welfare, lifting people out of poverty and into fairly paid work. 

“While Jeremy and other Labour MPs are fighting a right-wing government, the Tories at Westminster, Scottish Labour is also fighting a right-wing government, the SNP at Holyrood. While the SNP talk left and claim to be anti-austerity, they act right by inflicting huge cuts on public services and refusing to use the powers they have to protect ordinary workers and families. 

“I will also be clear on what I stand for. If re-elected I will not stand by and watch an SNP government allow our hospital to move out of the Monk-lands area and I will continue my fight to stop the closure of our dermatology ward. 

“I will also campaign for a minor injuries unit in Coatbridge and a health centre in Chryston. Scottish Labour doesn’t support Trident renewal as long as we have proper job diversification. We are totally against TTIP and, unlike the SNP, we are clear: no ifs, no buts — no fracking.”