A former Labour MSP is calling for an independent socialist Scotland to provide an alternative to the "cuts agenda" of Westminster.
John McAllion, who served in the first term of the Scottish Parliament from 1999, said Labour has betrayed those who put trust in the party.
He made the comments the day before the Scottish Socialist Party launches its autumn campaign for independence.
"Labour has now joined forces with the Tories and Lib Dems in defence of the Westminster set-up which is slashing jobs and services in the teeth of Scotland's wishes," he said.
"They have betrayed those who put their trust in them and would, if returned to Westminster, carry on the same cuts agenda. Only an independent, socialist Scotland can meet our needs."
Mr McAllion joined forces with former SNP MSP Campbell Martin in calling for Scotland to leave the UK.
Mr Martin was a regional MSP between 2003 and 2007 but was expelled from the SNP in 2004, sitting from then as an independent.
He said: "We are not interested in an Edinburgh government bribing the rich instead of a London one. We also want to see Scotland breaking with the outdated monarchy and become a republic and oppose membership of Nato and the hosting of nuclear weapons in Scotland."
The campaign launch in Edinburgh will be chaired by former Socialist MSP Colin Fox, whose party supports the wider Yes Scotland pro-independence movement.
The independence referendum is expected to take place in autumn 2014.
