SSP Sign International Statement on the European Crisis

International Statement On The European Crisis
Signed by anti capitalist organisations across Europe

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1. The global economic crisis continues. Massive amounts of money have been injected into the financial system – $14 trillion in bailouts in the United States, Britain, and the eurozone, $1.4 trillion new bank loans in China last year – in an effort to restabilize the world economy. But it remains an open question whether or not these efforts will be enough to produce a sustainable recovery. Growth remains very sluggish in the advanced economies, while unemployment continues to rise. There are fears that a new financial bubble centred this time on China is developing. The protracted character of the crisis – which is the most severe since the Great Depression – reflects its roots in the very nature of capitalism as a system.

2. After a harsh wave of job cuts, in Europe the focus on the crisis is now on the public sector and social welfare system. The very financial markets that have been rescued thanks to the bailouts are now up in arms about the increase in government borrowing this has involved. They are demanding massive cuts in public expenditure. This amounts to a class attempt to shift the costs of the crisis from those who precipitated it – above all, the banks – to working people – not just those employed in the public sector but also all those who consume public services. The demands for austerity and public sector ‘reform’ are the clearest sign that neoliberalism, intellectually discredited by the crisis, nevertheless continues to dominate policy-making.

3. Greece is currently in the eye of the storm. It is one of several European economies that are particularly vulnerable, partly because of a buildup of debt during the boom, partly because they find it hard to compete with Germany, the giant of the eurozone. Under pressure from the financial markets, the European Commission, and the German government, the government of George Papandreou has torn up its election promises and announced cuts amounting to four per cent of national income.

4. Fortunately Greece has a magnificent history of social resistance running back to the 1970s. Following on from the youth revolt of December 2008, the Greek workers’ movement has responded to the government’s cuts packages with a wave of strikes and demonstrations.

We also welcome the example of the Iceland referendum in which people rejected debt refunding imposed by the banks.

5. Greek workers need the solidarity of socialists, trade unionists, and anti-capitalists everywhere. Greece is simply the first European country to have been targeted by the financial markets, but they have plenty of others in their sights, first of all, Spain and Portugal.

6. We need a programme of measures that can lift the economy out of crisis on the basis of giving priority to people’s needs rather than profits and imposing democratic control over the market We need to stand for an anti capitalist answer: our life, our health, our jobs before profits.

• All cuts in domestic public expenditure to be halted or reversed: stop pensions ‘reform’; health and education are not for sale;

• A guaranteed right to work and a programme of public investment in green jobs – public transport, renewable energy industries, and adapting private and public buildings to reduce carbon dioxide emissions;

• For a public banking service and financial system under public control!

• No scapegoating of immigrants and refugees: legalize them!

• No to military expenditure: Withdrawal of Western troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, drastic cuts in military spending, and the dissolution of NATO

7. We resolve to organize European solidarity activities again cuts and capitalist attacks. A victory for Greek workers will strengthen resistance to the cuts elsewhere.

Greece : Aristeri Anasynthes, Aristeri Antikapitalistiki Syspirosi, Organosi Kommuniston Diethniston Elladas-Spartakos, Sosialistiko Ergatiko Komma, Synaspismos Rizospastikis Aristeras ;

Portugal : Bloco de Esquerda ;

Austria : Linkswende ;

Belgium : Ligue Communiste Révolutionnaire - Socialistische arbeiderspartij ;

Britain : Socialist Resistance, Socialist Workers Party ;

Croatia : Radnička borba ;

Cyprus : Ergatiki Dimokratia ;

Denmark : Socialistisk Arbejderparti ;

France : Nouveau Parti Anticapitaliste ;

Germany : internationale sozialistische linke, marx21, Revolutionär Sozialistischen Bund ;

Italy : Sinistra Critica ;

Ireland : People Before Profit Alliance, Socialist Workers Party ;

Netherlands : Internationale Socialisten, Socialistische Arbeiderspartij ;

Poland : Polska Partia Pracy, Pracownicza Demokracja ;

Russia : Vpered ;

Scotland : Scottish Socialist Party

Serbia : marks21 ;

Spanish State : En lucha/En lluita, Izquierda Anticapitalista, Partido Obrero Revolucionario ;

Switzerland : Gauche anticapitaliste, Mouvement pour le socialisme /Bewegung für Sozialismus, solidaritéS ;

Turkey : Devrimci Sosyalist İşçi Partisi, Özgürlük ve Dayanışma Partisi.

Fife and Dundee European Election Results

Fife: -

Electorate: 278,380
Turnout: 28.6%
Valid Votes: 79,239
Rejected papers: 322

Votes for SSP: 587

Dundee: -

Turnout: 26.9%

Votes for SSP: 372

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.

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.

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

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):

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).

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).

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.

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

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)