SSP co-spokesperson Colin Fox will contest the Liberton / Gilmerton ward of the City of Edinburgh council in a by-election to be held on Thursday 9th September.
Colin said; "Voters in Liberton/Gilmerton can send yet another ‘pro cuts’ Labour, SNP or Liberal Councillor to the City Chambers on September 9th or they can elect a representative who will stand up for what South Edinburgh needs most - better schools, more Council houses, improved services, scrapping the Council tax and putting the interests of ordinary people ahead of the corporate elite and the banks".
Showing posts with label Elections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elections. Show all posts
Sunday, 8 August 2010
Sunday, 9 May 2010
SSP Election Results 2010
Aberdeen North, Ewan Robertson, 268, 0.71%
Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintiloch East, Willie O'Neil, 476, 1.16%
Dundee East, Angela Gorrie, 254, 0.63%
Edinburgh South West, Colin Fox, 319, 0.70%
Glasgow Central, James Nesbitt, 357, 1.17%
Glasgow East, Fances Curran, 454, 1.41%
Glasgow North East, Kevin McVey, 179, 0.61%
Livingston, Ally Hendry, 242, 0.51%
Paisley and Renfrewshire North, Chris Rollo, 233, 0.53%
Paisley and Renfrewshire South, Jimmy Kerr, 375, 0.94%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A total of 3,157 votes in 10 constituencies.
The Scottish Socialist Party would like to thank each and every one of those voters for their support.
Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintiloch East, Willie O'Neil, 476, 1.16%
Dundee East, Angela Gorrie, 254, 0.63%
Edinburgh South West, Colin Fox, 319, 0.70%
Glasgow Central, James Nesbitt, 357, 1.17%
Glasgow East, Fances Curran, 454, 1.41%
Glasgow North East, Kevin McVey, 179, 0.61%
Livingston, Ally Hendry, 242, 0.51%
Paisley and Renfrewshire North, Chris Rollo, 233, 0.53%
Paisley and Renfrewshire South, Jimmy Kerr, 375, 0.94%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A total of 3,157 votes in 10 constituencies.
The Scottish Socialist Party would like to thank each and every one of those voters for their support.
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Putting Socialism on the Agenda
by Frances Curran
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thirteen years after Tony Blair hailed the Tory defeat, proclaiming “a new dawn has broken”, night is closing in on the New Labour era.
In contrast to the confident predictions of a third way which would ensure permanent peace and prosperity Brown’s government is sinking fast in a sea of economic crisis, bloody war and sleaze.
However perhaps the most striking fact about the coming Westminster contest is how slight the differences are between the so called ‘major’ parties.
At the heart of this is the reality that from Salmond’s praise of now dead Celtic tiger economies to Brown’s grovelling to now exposed City of London speculators all four backed the greedy globalised capitalism now collapsing before our eyes.
Forget the essentially irrelevant debates about when the bankers debt will be paid back - the one certainty is that all four intend the innocent public to pay the bill with lost jobs and slashed services.
And all four dutifully wave the flag and lie to the public that the ever worsening war in Afghanistan is a noble crusade to make us safe rather than bloodstained disaster doling out death to largely working class soldiers and innocent Afghans alike.
Beside such policy disasters the spectacle of expenses laden ex ministers hawking their inside track contacts for £5,000 a day simply seals the public revulsion with politics.
It is against this background of anger fear and cynicism that Scottish Socialists will fight in ten Westminster seats with the message that it doesn’t have to be like this, that another way is not only possible but essential.
On the doorstep, in hustings and public meetings on street stalls and in leaflets and the media SSP candidates will hammer home the messages against war and to make the rich pay for the disaster they have created.
At the poll the SSP stands out as the only party which demands an immediate withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and an end to the war.
Centrally they will argue that the ingenuity knowledge and money exists to solve peoples problems but the greed of the rich and their lust for profits blocks the way.
Only by removing that roadblock, making the rich pay and putting the needs of people before the greed of profit can a different, just and peaceful future be won.
That will be the socialist message of hope over fear and war that SSP candidates will put to voters in the weeks ahead.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thirteen years after Tony Blair hailed the Tory defeat, proclaiming “a new dawn has broken”, night is closing in on the New Labour era.
In contrast to the confident predictions of a third way which would ensure permanent peace and prosperity Brown’s government is sinking fast in a sea of economic crisis, bloody war and sleaze.
However perhaps the most striking fact about the coming Westminster contest is how slight the differences are between the so called ‘major’ parties.
At the heart of this is the reality that from Salmond’s praise of now dead Celtic tiger economies to Brown’s grovelling to now exposed City of London speculators all four backed the greedy globalised capitalism now collapsing before our eyes.
Forget the essentially irrelevant debates about when the bankers debt will be paid back - the one certainty is that all four intend the innocent public to pay the bill with lost jobs and slashed services.
And all four dutifully wave the flag and lie to the public that the ever worsening war in Afghanistan is a noble crusade to make us safe rather than bloodstained disaster doling out death to largely working class soldiers and innocent Afghans alike.
Beside such policy disasters the spectacle of expenses laden ex ministers hawking their inside track contacts for £5,000 a day simply seals the public revulsion with politics.
It is against this background of anger fear and cynicism that Scottish Socialists will fight in ten Westminster seats with the message that it doesn’t have to be like this, that another way is not only possible but essential.
On the doorstep, in hustings and public meetings on street stalls and in leaflets and the media SSP candidates will hammer home the messages against war and to make the rich pay for the disaster they have created.
At the poll the SSP stands out as the only party which demands an immediate withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and an end to the war.
Centrally they will argue that the ingenuity knowledge and money exists to solve peoples problems but the greed of the rich and their lust for profits blocks the way.
Only by removing that roadblock, making the rich pay and putting the needs of people before the greed of profit can a different, just and peaceful future be won.
That will be the socialist message of hope over fear and war that SSP candidates will put to voters in the weeks ahead.
Thursday, 22 April 2010
Welfare State will be used to "Opress and Discipline the Poor" - John McAllion - SSP Press Release
Welfare state will be used to "oppress and discipline the poor" - former Labour MP
SSP press release - 11/04/2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The welfare state, which was once seen as a towering achievement by Labour, will be used as a “weapon to oppress and discipline the poor” as spending cuts bite after May 6th.
That is the stark warning from former Labour MP and MSP John McAllion, now an SSP member, writing in the party’s fortnightly paper Scottish Socialist Voice.
It comes as both Labour and the Tories showcase policies aimed at selling the idea of “getting tough” with the unemployed and sick in an attempt to present them as scroungers.
Branding all three Westminster parties as Thatcherite, McAllion contrasts the assault on claimants with the spectacle of MPs charged with corruption and ex ministers touting for lobbying work at £5,000 a day.
He writes:
“With unemployment still rising in Scotland, none of the big parties campaign to reverse New Labour’s welfare reforms that are now forcing lone parents back into low paid work; requiring the long-time unemployed to work for their benefits; and transferring jobcentre contracts to the private sector.
“What was once a welfare state that protected workers from the cradle to the grave will be used in coming years to oppress and discipline the poor.
“The three big mainstream parties contending for office in Westminster are now cast from the same mould as Thatcher’s Tories.
“Thatcher herself has boasted that New Labour was her “greatest achievement”. Clegg’s Liberal Democrats have positioned themselves midway between the two other Thatcherite parties.
“All three are now committed to reducing the national debt by a policy of slashing and burning the public sector. “
Mr McAllion is to host the Scottish Socialist Party’s election launch on Tuesday 13th April in Edinburgh.
SSP press release - 11/04/2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The welfare state, which was once seen as a towering achievement by Labour, will be used as a “weapon to oppress and discipline the poor” as spending cuts bite after May 6th.
That is the stark warning from former Labour MP and MSP John McAllion, now an SSP member, writing in the party’s fortnightly paper Scottish Socialist Voice.
It comes as both Labour and the Tories showcase policies aimed at selling the idea of “getting tough” with the unemployed and sick in an attempt to present them as scroungers.
Branding all three Westminster parties as Thatcherite, McAllion contrasts the assault on claimants with the spectacle of MPs charged with corruption and ex ministers touting for lobbying work at £5,000 a day.
He writes:
“With unemployment still rising in Scotland, none of the big parties campaign to reverse New Labour’s welfare reforms that are now forcing lone parents back into low paid work; requiring the long-time unemployed to work for their benefits; and transferring jobcentre contracts to the private sector.
“What was once a welfare state that protected workers from the cradle to the grave will be used in coming years to oppress and discipline the poor.
“The three big mainstream parties contending for office in Westminster are now cast from the same mould as Thatcher’s Tories.
“Thatcher herself has boasted that New Labour was her “greatest achievement”. Clegg’s Liberal Democrats have positioned themselves midway between the two other Thatcherite parties.
“All three are now committed to reducing the national debt by a policy of slashing and burning the public sector. “
Mr McAllion is to host the Scottish Socialist Party’s election launch on Tuesday 13th April in Edinburgh.
Sunday, 18 April 2010
North East Fife - Westminster Election
The SSP are not running in North East Fife, however it is still important to make an informed vote. Below is a list of canidates and their parties: -
Rod Campbell - Scottish National Party
Mark Hood - Scottish Labour Party
Sir Menzies Campbell - Liberal Democrats
Miles Briggs - Conservative Party
Mike Scott-Hayward - UKIP
There is also the option of abstaining from voting.
Rod Campbell - Scottish National Party
Mark Hood - Scottish Labour Party
Sir Menzies Campbell - Liberal Democrats
Miles Briggs - Conservative Party
Mike Scott-Hayward - UKIP
There is also the option of abstaining from voting.
SSP Westminster Battle
The Scottish Socialist Party have announced that they will contest the following ten seats (with the following candidates) in this years general elections: -
Aberdeen North - Ewan Robertson
Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintiloch East - Willie O'Neill
Dundee East - Angela Gorrie
Edinburgh South West - Colin Fox
Glasgow Central - James Nesbitt
Glasgow East - Frances Curran
Glasgow North East - Kevin McVey
Livingston - Ally Hendry
Paisley and Renfrewshire North - Chris Rollo
Paisley and Renfrewshire South - Jimmy Kerr
The Party's manifesto is as follows (Source scottishsocialistparty.org): -
For an independent socialist Scotland
No cuts, no wars, for an end to corruption
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On May 6th voters will be offered a dismal choice of cuts, sackings and wars by politicians tainted by corruption, duck houses and other expenses fiddling.
All three Westminster parties are in a race to see who can make the deepest cuts while the SNP wring their hands and blame London.
They all recommend cuts to vital public services which will hit the most vulnerable hardest and directly threaten the jobs of 100,000 Scottish workers.
In contrast the unequivocal message from the Scottish Socialist Party is that there is an alternative which avoids cuts and insists instead that the greedy pay for the disaster they created, that also ends our involvement in the Afghan war and offers jobs and justice not misery and war.
This belief is reflected in our programme for a Scotland which aims to meet peoples’ needs, not pander to the rich, for people not profit.
100,000 jobs Are directly threatened by the cuts promised by the Westminster parties and vital services for our most vulnerable citizens will go.
We say that faced with such a threat words are not enough—action is needed. Scotland needs nothing less than a resistance movement of mass peaceful protest on the scale of that which defeated the poll tax. We will bring all the experience of the SSP to build such a movement.
Jobs for youth
The spectre of mass unemployment has returned twenty years after Margaret Thatcher was ejected from office. Many communities in Scotland are still suffering from the legacy of the 1980s with the poverty, heroin addiction, alcohol abuse and crime that goes with this chronic joblessness.
Today the SSP says: 'Mass unemployment No More'. Instead of slashing Scotland's budget, the SSP will fight for emergency funding to protect our young people from becoming another wasted generation.
Let's Get Out of Afghanistan
This is a senseless military occupation which damages Britain's international reputation and does nothing to make the world a safer place. We are occupying a country that doesn't want us to be there. More than 50,000 innocent Afghan civilians have been killed. Some 280 British soldiers have also died. All the polling evidence suggests that 70% of the population here want our armed services withdrawn. The Scottish Socialist Party gives voice to that majority.
Clean up the Westminster 'midden'
In just 12 months Westminster has gone from 'the mother of parliaments' to 'the mother of all corruption'.
The public has watched open mouthed as MPs attempt to justify obscene expenses claims which would get an ordinary worker sacked. MP's have repeatedly shown how they are all out of touch with the people they pretend to represent.
For the SSP the answer is simple and it is to end the circumstances where becoming an MP brings a huge salary and expenses. We have long argued that MP's should live on the wage of those they represent. Our MSPs did just that at Holyrood thus keeping them in touch with the real lives of voters.
For a Green, Socialist Republic
The Scottish Socialist Party is a pro-independence party - no ifs, buts or maybes. We say Yes to an independence referendum and Yes to independence
We will work with other pro-independence parties to deliver a resounding referendum YES vote.
Beyond that, we stand for an independent socialist republic where the wealth is fairly distributed; where protection of the environment is paramount.
Such a republic would prioritise the needs of people over profit and our environment over the greed of profiteers.
The development of our colossal natural resources would be publicly owned to ensure the skilled jobs required are based in Scotland and the profits generated used to provide services not multinational profit
All citizens would be equal irrespective of gender, race, religion or sexuality in a country where the economy is no longer driven by greed and profit.
Aberdeen North - Ewan Robertson
Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintiloch East - Willie O'Neill
Dundee East - Angela Gorrie
Edinburgh South West - Colin Fox
Glasgow Central - James Nesbitt
Glasgow East - Frances Curran
Glasgow North East - Kevin McVey
Livingston - Ally Hendry
Paisley and Renfrewshire North - Chris Rollo
Paisley and Renfrewshire South - Jimmy Kerr
The Party's manifesto is as follows (Source scottishsocialistparty.org): -
For an independent socialist Scotland
No cuts, no wars, for an end to corruption
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On May 6th voters will be offered a dismal choice of cuts, sackings and wars by politicians tainted by corruption, duck houses and other expenses fiddling.
All three Westminster parties are in a race to see who can make the deepest cuts while the SNP wring their hands and blame London.
They all recommend cuts to vital public services which will hit the most vulnerable hardest and directly threaten the jobs of 100,000 Scottish workers.
In contrast the unequivocal message from the Scottish Socialist Party is that there is an alternative which avoids cuts and insists instead that the greedy pay for the disaster they created, that also ends our involvement in the Afghan war and offers jobs and justice not misery and war.
This belief is reflected in our programme for a Scotland which aims to meet peoples’ needs, not pander to the rich, for people not profit.
100,000 jobs Are directly threatened by the cuts promised by the Westminster parties and vital services for our most vulnerable citizens will go.
We say that faced with such a threat words are not enough—action is needed. Scotland needs nothing less than a resistance movement of mass peaceful protest on the scale of that which defeated the poll tax. We will bring all the experience of the SSP to build such a movement.
Jobs for youth
The spectre of mass unemployment has returned twenty years after Margaret Thatcher was ejected from office. Many communities in Scotland are still suffering from the legacy of the 1980s with the poverty, heroin addiction, alcohol abuse and crime that goes with this chronic joblessness.
Today the SSP says: 'Mass unemployment No More'. Instead of slashing Scotland's budget, the SSP will fight for emergency funding to protect our young people from becoming another wasted generation.
Let's Get Out of Afghanistan
This is a senseless military occupation which damages Britain's international reputation and does nothing to make the world a safer place. We are occupying a country that doesn't want us to be there. More than 50,000 innocent Afghan civilians have been killed. Some 280 British soldiers have also died. All the polling evidence suggests that 70% of the population here want our armed services withdrawn. The Scottish Socialist Party gives voice to that majority.
Clean up the Westminster 'midden'
In just 12 months Westminster has gone from 'the mother of parliaments' to 'the mother of all corruption'.
The public has watched open mouthed as MPs attempt to justify obscene expenses claims which would get an ordinary worker sacked. MP's have repeatedly shown how they are all out of touch with the people they pretend to represent.
For the SSP the answer is simple and it is to end the circumstances where becoming an MP brings a huge salary and expenses. We have long argued that MP's should live on the wage of those they represent. Our MSPs did just that at Holyrood thus keeping them in touch with the real lives of voters.
For a Green, Socialist Republic
The Scottish Socialist Party is a pro-independence party - no ifs, buts or maybes. We say Yes to an independence referendum and Yes to independence
We will work with other pro-independence parties to deliver a resounding referendum YES vote.
Beyond that, we stand for an independent socialist republic where the wealth is fairly distributed; where protection of the environment is paramount.
Such a republic would prioritise the needs of people over profit and our environment over the greed of profiteers.
The development of our colossal natural resources would be publicly owned to ensure the skilled jobs required are based in Scotland and the profits generated used to provide services not multinational profit
All citizens would be equal irrespective of gender, race, religion or sexuality in a country where the economy is no longer driven by greed and profit.
Saturday, 13 March 2010
St Andrews "Radicals" run for positions in the Student Union
St Andrews Socialists, Greens and Anarchists run again this year for positions in the St Andrews Student Union in an attempt to change the policy and structure of the University.
Terry Fulton is running for Director of Representation, Benjamin Bridgman is running for Asscoiation Chair and James Morris for SRC Accommodation Officer.
Results will be posted here after the election on Friday 19th.
Terry Fulton is running for Director of Representation, Benjamin Bridgman is running for Asscoiation Chair and James Morris for SRC Accommodation Officer.
Results will be posted here after the election on Friday 19th.
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
Independence and Socialism
By John McAllion
THE class struggle in Scotland has always been both nationalist and socialist.
The 1787 massacre of striking Calton weavers by British soldiers near what was then Glasgow is generally recognised as marking the beginning of an organised, effective Scottish labour movement.
The weavers’ banner on that day, and subsequently on many other days up to its seizure by Tory magistrates in 1819, showed Scotland’s national hero William Wallace striking down the beast of tyranny.
Scots Wha Hae, Scotland’s unofficial national anthem penned by Robert Burns in 1793, deliberately sided with early working class struggles against the reactionary Pitt government in London and its despotic manager in Scotland
Henry Dundas.
The Scottish radical uprising and general strike of 1820 united behind the slogan “Scotland Free or a Desert”. So, from the very beginnings of the labour movement in Scotland, there has existed a radical tradition that consistently connected the struggles for workers’ rights with the demand for Scottish independence.
That tradition was carried into the 20th century by the likes of Keir Hardie who throughout a parliamentary career in which he represented only English constituencies remained a passionate believer in the cause of Scottish home rule.
Most notably, of course, it was upheld by the great internationalist John Maclean who was calling for an independent Scottish Socialist Workers’ Republic at a time when Ramsay MacDonald was priming the British Labour Party for its historic role as a safe and respectable alternative to Tory government trapped within a capitalist, imperialist and constitutional monarchy.
Today Scottish socialists like Jimmy Reid, one of the leaders of the 1970’s UCS workers’ struggle, continue to campaign for socialist change from within the SNP, while the bulk of the Scottish nationalist Left carry on the fight for Maclean’s socialist republic as part of the SSP.
They represent a continuing tradition of libertarian and democratic struggle from below that stands in stark contrast to the Westminster model of a parliamentary elite making change happen from above.
Breaking free from the stranglehold of that Westminster model remains one of the key challenges facing the Left across Britain today.
Genuine popular control over state institutions and the economic levers of power cannot happen in a British state in which the people are designated as subjects and political sovereignty rests with the Crown-in-Parliament.
The radical participatory politics that characterise revolutions in Venezuela and other Latin American countries are ruled out here by a British two-party electoral system that effectively blocks radical change and restricts political choice to voting for either of the two big pro-business parties committed to defending the neo-liberal status quo.
A democratic revolution cannot happen in a Britain in which an hereditary monarchy and an unelected House of Lords keep a tight political rein on a Commons majority elected last time with the support of less than a quarter of those entitled to vote.
It cannot happen either in a Britain without a Bill of Rights and where citizens can be arrested and held without hard evidence or charge for up to 6 weeks.
It is time to recognise that the breakup of the authoritarian British state is now a precondition of securing progressive socialist change for the peoples of this island.
The national struggles that will follow the break-up of Britain open up opportunities for the Left to force a radical political agenda that otherwise remains excluded from mainstream politics and forever stymied under the ancient regime of the British constitution.
The ending of the British warfare state, constitutional guarantees of civil liberties, republican citizenship, participatory democracy, genuinely popular control of public services, an economy run for the people rather than for profit - these and many other important areas of policy will be thrown into the melting pot from which people’s republics in Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland will emerge.
The alternative is to remain ensnared within the carefully contrived limits of a constitution that for more than 300 years has been successfully blocking all threats of radical change in order to preserve the stability of the oldest capitalist state form in the world. Socialists owe no kind of loyalty to that Britain.
We do have a responsibility to help its peoples escape from the chains of British history.
THE class struggle in Scotland has always been both nationalist and socialist.
The 1787 massacre of striking Calton weavers by British soldiers near what was then Glasgow is generally recognised as marking the beginning of an organised, effective Scottish labour movement.
The weavers’ banner on that day, and subsequently on many other days up to its seizure by Tory magistrates in 1819, showed Scotland’s national hero William Wallace striking down the beast of tyranny.
Scots Wha Hae, Scotland’s unofficial national anthem penned by Robert Burns in 1793, deliberately sided with early working class struggles against the reactionary Pitt government in London and its despotic manager in Scotland
Henry Dundas.
The Scottish radical uprising and general strike of 1820 united behind the slogan “Scotland Free or a Desert”. So, from the very beginnings of the labour movement in Scotland, there has existed a radical tradition that consistently connected the struggles for workers’ rights with the demand for Scottish independence.
That tradition was carried into the 20th century by the likes of Keir Hardie who throughout a parliamentary career in which he represented only English constituencies remained a passionate believer in the cause of Scottish home rule.
Most notably, of course, it was upheld by the great internationalist John Maclean who was calling for an independent Scottish Socialist Workers’ Republic at a time when Ramsay MacDonald was priming the British Labour Party for its historic role as a safe and respectable alternative to Tory government trapped within a capitalist, imperialist and constitutional monarchy.
Today Scottish socialists like Jimmy Reid, one of the leaders of the 1970’s UCS workers’ struggle, continue to campaign for socialist change from within the SNP, while the bulk of the Scottish nationalist Left carry on the fight for Maclean’s socialist republic as part of the SSP.
They represent a continuing tradition of libertarian and democratic struggle from below that stands in stark contrast to the Westminster model of a parliamentary elite making change happen from above.
Breaking free from the stranglehold of that Westminster model remains one of the key challenges facing the Left across Britain today.
Genuine popular control over state institutions and the economic levers of power cannot happen in a British state in which the people are designated as subjects and political sovereignty rests with the Crown-in-Parliament.
The radical participatory politics that characterise revolutions in Venezuela and other Latin American countries are ruled out here by a British two-party electoral system that effectively blocks radical change and restricts political choice to voting for either of the two big pro-business parties committed to defending the neo-liberal status quo.
A democratic revolution cannot happen in a Britain in which an hereditary monarchy and an unelected House of Lords keep a tight political rein on a Commons majority elected last time with the support of less than a quarter of those entitled to vote.
It cannot happen either in a Britain without a Bill of Rights and where citizens can be arrested and held without hard evidence or charge for up to 6 weeks.
It is time to recognise that the breakup of the authoritarian British state is now a precondition of securing progressive socialist change for the peoples of this island.
The national struggles that will follow the break-up of Britain open up opportunities for the Left to force a radical political agenda that otherwise remains excluded from mainstream politics and forever stymied under the ancient regime of the British constitution.
The ending of the British warfare state, constitutional guarantees of civil liberties, republican citizenship, participatory democracy, genuinely popular control of public services, an economy run for the people rather than for profit - these and many other important areas of policy will be thrown into the melting pot from which people’s republics in Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland will emerge.
The alternative is to remain ensnared within the carefully contrived limits of a constitution that for more than 300 years has been successfully blocking all threats of radical change in order to preserve the stability of the oldest capitalist state form in the world. Socialists owe no kind of loyalty to that Britain.
We do have a responsibility to help its peoples escape from the chains of British history.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Colin Fox takes on Chancellor Darling in General Election Challenge
Colin Fox takes on Chancellor Darling in General Election challenge - Source www.scottishsocialistparty.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSP joint national spokesman Colin Fox will challenge Chancellor Alistair Darling in the General Election and the party will look to target 10 key seats across Scotland in the poll.
Colin Fox said :
"The SSP will fight the General Election on two key battlegrounds, the economy and Afghanistan.
"We will take the fight to Alastair Darling in his own constituency on his stewardship of the economy, the fact that he took this country into the deepest and worst recession in 80 years and because he now intends to slaughter the jobs and services of working people to pay for his incompetence and his banker’s greed.
"Equally, we will be the only party in this election opposed to the ongoing occupation of Afghanistan and calling for an immediete withdrawal of British troops.
“Despite the undemocratic voting system and exorbitant cost of standing candidates the Scottish Socialist Party will offer a bright alternative to the 4 neo-liberal, warmongering parties in Scotland—Labour, Lib Dem, Tories and SNP—who are shamefully trying to outdo one another to see who can make the most savage cuts in jobs and essential services.
“Our message is clear therefore—those who caused the banking crisis should pay for it. That means higher taxes and sacrifices by those enjoying their luxury lifestyles. Working people like nurses, teachers, firefighters and postalworkers didn’t cause the crisis and they shouldn’t be expected to pick up the bill for it with pay cuts and sackings. That's the social justice we believe millions of Scots expect to see.
“In what will be an unsavoury 'doom and gloom' election contest about which party can best satisfy the City of London's demands for slashed public services and cuts jobs the SSP will stand out as a bright alternative, a welcome light of optimism, with our message that there is no way we will accept cuts and hardship for working people. There is an alternative, the SSP say another way is possible.”
“I particularly relish the prospect of challenging Alastair Darling the former revolutionary socialist and now arch conservative neo-liberal Chancellor justifying his plans for feather bedding the rich and assaulting the pay and conditions of those who used to be Labour’s key supporters in Edinburgh South West.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSP joint national spokesman Colin Fox will challenge Chancellor Alistair Darling in the General Election and the party will look to target 10 key seats across Scotland in the poll.
Colin Fox said :
"The SSP will fight the General Election on two key battlegrounds, the economy and Afghanistan.
"We will take the fight to Alastair Darling in his own constituency on his stewardship of the economy, the fact that he took this country into the deepest and worst recession in 80 years and because he now intends to slaughter the jobs and services of working people to pay for his incompetence and his banker’s greed.
"Equally, we will be the only party in this election opposed to the ongoing occupation of Afghanistan and calling for an immediete withdrawal of British troops.
“Despite the undemocratic voting system and exorbitant cost of standing candidates the Scottish Socialist Party will offer a bright alternative to the 4 neo-liberal, warmongering parties in Scotland—Labour, Lib Dem, Tories and SNP—who are shamefully trying to outdo one another to see who can make the most savage cuts in jobs and essential services.
“Our message is clear therefore—those who caused the banking crisis should pay for it. That means higher taxes and sacrifices by those enjoying their luxury lifestyles. Working people like nurses, teachers, firefighters and postalworkers didn’t cause the crisis and they shouldn’t be expected to pick up the bill for it with pay cuts and sackings. That's the social justice we believe millions of Scots expect to see.
“In what will be an unsavoury 'doom and gloom' election contest about which party can best satisfy the City of London's demands for slashed public services and cuts jobs the SSP will stand out as a bright alternative, a welcome light of optimism, with our message that there is no way we will accept cuts and hardship for working people. There is an alternative, the SSP say another way is possible.”
“I particularly relish the prospect of challenging Alastair Darling the former revolutionary socialist and now arch conservative neo-liberal Chancellor justifying his plans for feather bedding the rich and assaulting the pay and conditions of those who used to be Labour’s key supporters in Edinburgh South West.”
Monday, 8 June 2009
European Election Results
The Scottish Socialist Party gained 10,404 votes in the recent European Elections (0.9% of all votes), although a drop of 4.3% since the last European Elections in 2004, it was still a large success with parties such as the NPA (the New Anti-Capitalist Party whom the SSP is linked with) gaining 4.9% of French Votes.
Thanks to all those who voted.
Thanks to all those who voted.
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Recent News
(Sorry for Lack of Posting - Internet has been 'Down')
Taycoast SSP members have been highly active these past few weeks in preparation for the European Elections (last Thusday) with stalls having been held in Perth, Cupar and St Andrews. As well as the extensive leafletting of St Andrews before and during election day.
Results for the European Elections are out tomorrow, thanks for everyone's support for the Make Greed History Campaign.
Taycoast SSP members have been highly active these past few weeks in preparation for the European Elections (last Thusday) with stalls having been held in Perth, Cupar and St Andrews. As well as the extensive leafletting of St Andrews before and during election day.
Results for the European Elections are out tomorrow, thanks for everyone's support for the Make Greed History Campaign.
Thursday, 21 May 2009
SSP's European Election Rallies
The SSP's European Election Rallies will be taking place as follows:
Glasgow: Tuesday 26th May, 7.30pm
Piper In The Square, George Square
Scottish Socialist Party candidate Nick McKerrell will be speaking alongside a Glasgow Save Our Schools Campaigner and a member of the New Anti-Capitalist Party (France).
Dundee: Wednesday 27th May, 7.30pm
Queens Hotel, 160 Nethergate
Angela Gorrie SSP Candidate will be joined by John McAllion and a member of the New Anti-Capitalist Party.
Edinburgh: Thursday 28th May, 7.30pm
The Melting Pot, 5 Rose Street
SSP Candidates Colin Fox and Raphie de Santos will be accompanied by post office worker Willie Marshall and a member of the New Anti-Capitalist Party.
Friends and comrades are encouraged to attend, all are welcome...
Remember to visit the Make Greed History Hompage
Glasgow: Tuesday 26th May, 7.30pm
Piper In The Square, George Square
Scottish Socialist Party candidate Nick McKerrell will be speaking alongside a Glasgow Save Our Schools Campaigner and a member of the New Anti-Capitalist Party (France).
Dundee: Wednesday 27th May, 7.30pm
Queens Hotel, 160 Nethergate
Angela Gorrie SSP Candidate will be joined by John McAllion and a member of the New Anti-Capitalist Party.
Edinburgh: Thursday 28th May, 7.30pm
The Melting Pot, 5 Rose Street
SSP Candidates Colin Fox and Raphie de Santos will be accompanied by post office worker Willie Marshall and a member of the New Anti-Capitalist Party.
Friends and comrades are encouraged to attend, all are welcome...
Remember to visit the Make Greed History Hompage
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Make Greed History Update
The Make Greed History (SSP European Elections Campaign) was officially launched on the 13th of May in Dynamic Earth Edinburgh attended by former MSP for the Lothians Colin Fox (top of the SSP EU Election List), the SSP’s youngest candidate Angela Gorrie and Willie Marshall Secretary of Scotland No.2 Branch CWU (Postal).The campaign is now well under way with the party being featured in the BBC's Politics Today and by an array of news sources. Our Election Broadcast will take place on the 21st of May on BBC 2 at 17:55 and BBC 1 at 18:55.
However the SSP need to raise £15,000 to pay for the election campaign. To date we have raised £11,500 from our members, supporter and friends for the campaign fund.
If you wish to help the SSP in the Euro Elections you can make a financial contribution* to the fund by texting Jim McVicar your donation details to 07810205747 with your e mail address, he willl get back to you with the details of how to pay your donation to the SSP Euro Election Fund.
*The SSP can only accept financial donations from UK registered voters
Pictures from the Campaighn Launch (taken by Eddie Truman and Craig Maclean):
However the SSP need to raise £15,000 to pay for the election campaign. To date we have raised £11,500 from our members, supporter and friends for the campaign fund.
If you wish to help the SSP in the Euro Elections you can make a financial contribution* to the fund by texting Jim McVicar your donation details to 07810205747 with your e mail address, he willl get back to you with the details of how to pay your donation to the SSP Euro Election Fund.
*The SSP can only accept financial donations from UK registered voters
Pictures from the Campaighn Launch (taken by Eddie Truman and Craig Maclean):
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
St Andrews Make Greed History Stall Success
Three Taycoast Branch SSP members along with two members of the University of St Andrews' Left Society ran a successful Make Greed History stall this Monday to help gain local interest in the campaign.
It was recieved generally well by the public with the group gaining a few hundred signatures for a 'Say No to Privatising the Post Office' petition, as well as handing out numerous campaign leaflets.
It is hoped that the five will meet again prior to election day (details will be left on this blog for anyone else interested in attending).
It was recieved generally well by the public with the group gaining a few hundred signatures for a 'Say No to Privatising the Post Office' petition, as well as handing out numerous campaign leaflets.
It is hoped that the five will meet again prior to election day (details will be left on this blog for anyone else interested in attending).
Saturday, 9 May 2009
Make Greed History Stall - St Andrews - This Monday
There will be a Make Greed History (SSP European Elections) Stall in St Andrews this Monday from 10.30am till mid-afternoon.
We will be distributing Make Greed History Leaflets, selling copies of the Scottish Socialist Voice and attempting to gain stickers for the Make Greed History Petition.
If you are interested in getting involved and coming to help at the stall meet across from St Andrews Post Office (South Street), near to Holy Trinity Church, or contact James (07854444640).
We will be distributing Make Greed History Leaflets, selling copies of the Scottish Socialist Voice and attempting to gain stickers for the Make Greed History Petition.
If you are interested in getting involved and coming to help at the stall meet across from St Andrews Post Office (South Street), near to Holy Trinity Church, or contact James (07854444640).
Thursday, 7 May 2009
Sign the Make Greed History Petition
Quoting Make Greed History:
'We, the undersigned, support the call by the Make Greed History campaign for a one-off, 10 per cent wealth tax on every millionaire across the EU to create jobs and end recession.
According to the World Wealth Report 2008, Europe’s ‘High Net Worth Individuals’ (those with at least 1 million in cash assets) last year owned a total of trillion. Last year, a ten per cent levy would have raised 1 trillion dollars.
Even allowing for reductions in personal wealth of up to one third as a result of the global financial crash, a ten per cent wealth tax on the rich could create at least 5 million new jobs. That in turn would boost the wider economy and lift Europe out of recession without any extra government debt or spending cuts.
Big problems need big solutions. A European-wide wealth tax is a big idea whose time is long overdue.'
Sign the petition here.
'We, the undersigned, support the call by the Make Greed History campaign for a one-off, 10 per cent wealth tax on every millionaire across the EU to create jobs and end recession.
According to the World Wealth Report 2008, Europe’s ‘High Net Worth Individuals’ (those with at least 1 million in cash assets) last year owned a total of trillion. Last year, a ten per cent levy would have raised 1 trillion dollars.
Even allowing for reductions in personal wealth of up to one third as a result of the global financial crash, a ten per cent wealth tax on the rich could create at least 5 million new jobs. That in turn would boost the wider economy and lift Europe out of recession without any extra government debt or spending cuts.
Big problems need big solutions. A European-wide wealth tax is a big idea whose time is long overdue.'
Sign the petition here.
Sunday, 3 May 2009
Edinburgh May Day - Big Success
The SSPs European Election Campaign - Make Greed History had its first outing yesterday where the parties banners took pride of place in the Edinburgh May Day March (celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution).
Hundreds turned out to participate in and watch the march and rally, giving the SSP a superb chance to start distributing campaign leaflets which were received with pleasure and support.
Click Here To Visit The Make Greed History Homepage
Hundreds turned out to participate in and watch the march and rally, giving the SSP a superb chance to start distributing campaign leaflets which were received with pleasure and support.
Click Here To Visit The Make Greed History Homepage
Monday, 27 April 2009
Colin Fox Tops SSP List for Euro Election
SSP co-national spokesperson Colin Fox will head the party's list for the European elections on June 4th.
1. Colin Fox (Edinburgh South)
2. Angela Gorrie (Dundee West)
3. Johanna Dind (Edinburgh South)
4. Nick McKerrell (Glasgow Shettleston)
5. Raphie de Santos (Edinburgh North)
6. Felicity Garvie (Central Fife)
1. Colin Fox (Edinburgh South)
2. Angela Gorrie (Dundee West)
3. Johanna Dind (Edinburgh South)
4. Nick McKerrell (Glasgow Shettleston)
5. Raphie de Santos (Edinburgh North)
6. Felicity Garvie (Central Fife)
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