Trade unionists, party members and political activists braved vicious downpours at Glasgow's annual May Day rally yesterday.
Up to 1000 people marched through the city centre before seeking sanctuary from the weather in the Old Fruitmarket in the Merchant City, the first time the festivities which follow the parade have been held indoors. An estimated 3000 people attended the event throughout the the day.
The broad spectrum of Scotland's Left was represented, from the Labour Party, through to fundamentalist communists, the major unions and former comrades-turned-bitter rivals, Solidarity and the Scottish Socialists. Only the SNP, also represented, could claim to be buoyant after Thursday's election. The hangover of the historic poll still lingering, it was left to Labour MSPs Pauline McNeill and Malcolm Chisholm to rouse the leftist factions, which they managed with some success by avoiding party partisanship.
Ms McNeill, who referred to the election as "an extraordinary time for the nation", urged the UK government not to neglect the issue of a Palestinian state and slated the BNP's efforts to raise its profile in Scotland.
In keeping with the spirit of trade unionism, she also praised efforts north of the Border to assist those whose health has suffered through working with asbestos as well as endorsing yesterday's cause celebre', the striking workers at Sunvic Controls in Uddingston, Lanarkshire.
In his speech, Mr Chisholm launched an attack on his party at Westminster, criticising the policy of dawn raids on asylum seekers, the war in Iraq and the plans to renew the Trident nuclear arsenal.
He said: "I hope the decision to renew Trident is revisited in the near future. It is both morally and strategically wrong. Even many on the right now believe this to be the case.
"Staff employed in the manufacturing of nuclear would be much better employed in exploring renewable energies." The Maydaze festival, which is normally held on Glasgow Green, followed the political speeches, with folk group Salsa Celtica and Eddi Reader providing the entertainment.
Gordon Matheson, who was returned to Glasgow City Council to represent the Merchant City area, said: "Best estimates have around 3000 people here. We've changed venue this year, which given the weather was a good bit of planning.
"Despite that the Maydaze festival has retained its essence of celebrating the labour and trade union movement, and the sense of unity here has been widely welcomed by all who've attended."
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