Friday, February 28, 2003
Thursday, February 27, 2003
SCOTTISH SOCIALISTS CONDEMN NHS WHITE PAPER AS "REARRANGING THE DECKCHAIRS"The Scottish Socialist Party today condemned the new Executive White Paper on Health “as merely rearranging the deckchairs” instead of addressing the crisis in health care in Scotland.
SSP Spokesperson Carolyn Leckie, who is leader of Glasgow’s hospital workers and as No. 1 for the SSP in Central Region likely to be an MSP after the election, said:
“For a paper which is supposed to transform Scotland’s health services, this is a deeply disappointing document. Of course we welcome the abolition of NHS trusts but we ask, who is going to manage and control the health service at local level? The NHS boards, it is clear, will only deal with strategy and policy and there is a real issue of accountability and democratic control over our health services.
Could it be that Malcolm Chisholm is trying to slip in foundation hospitals through the back door? The real crisis in the NHS is lack of money, lack of staff and lack of beds. This White Paper does nothing to address the real crisis in the NHS, it is simply rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic of the NHS.”
[ENDS]
For more information, contact Carolyn Leckie on 07799 642929
or Hugh Kerr on 0131 348 5631/07713 063647
Anger after call for pupils to join demo - Evening Times Keef Tomkinson, youth and student co-ordinator of the Scottish Socialist Party, said it hoped their actions would prevent Iraqi youths suffering.
He said: "We hope that this will contribute a period of civil disobedience where Scotland makes clear it will not be silenced."
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
SSP MAKES HUGE GAINS ON BACK OF ANTI-WAR MOODToday Scottish Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan spoke at an anti-war rally at Stirling University. 250 students attended and 48 joined the SSP. At St Andrew’s University on Monday 150 people attended and 50 expressed an interest in joining the SSP. In Cupar, Fife, on the same evening 100 people attended and 25 joined the SSP.
Tommy Sheridan said,
“The SSP is at the cutting edge of the anti-war movement and we are reaping the benefits. In the last month, over 500 new members have joined the SSP and I predict that more than that number will have left the Labour Party.
Today Labour members are in rebellion at Westminster and they are divided at Holyrood. Labour Party members are voting with their feet in Scotland and on May 1st they will vote with their crosses to punish New Labour. I shall be speaking at a school and students’ strike in Glasgow on Friday lunchtime and I predict that many will respond.”
YOUTH & STUDENT STRIKE
FRIDAY 28 FEBRUARY AT 1 P.M.
GEORGE SQUARE, GLASGOW
SPEAKERS INCLUDE TOMMY SHERIDAN,
SCOTTISH CND
Contact Tommy Sheridan on 07887 795075 or Hugh Kerr on 0131 348 5631/07713 063647
SOCIALISTS CALL FOR CHANGE IN DRUG LAWS At a Press Conference today, Tommy Sheridan, Scottish Socialist Party MSP will call for radical changes in the drugs laws. Shortly afterwards at Question Time, he will challenge the Scottish Executive on their drugs policy in relation to cannabis, taking into account the reclassification of cannabis in England and the UN attack on that decision.
Tommy Sheridan, Scottish Socialist Party MSP, said today:
“The English decision on cannabis is a sensible one as far as it goes for users. However legalisation of cannabis is the only way to break the link with the drug dealers. But in Scotland, we still have police wasting time and resources chasing people for possession of small amounts of cannabis. The statistics relating to drugs convictions illustrate clearly that cannabis users and suppliers represent over 70% of illegal drug convictions and drug seizures. Far too much police time is wasted in pursuit of cannabis and it’s time politicians had the courage to change the law.
The Scottish Socialist Party does not promote the use of any drugs, whether illegal or illegal. We would ban advertising for alcohol too. However, from a social, political and economic point of view, it is time cannabis was legalised, licensed and regulated to provide the funds for the health service and drug rehabilitation facilities.”
PRESS CONFERENCE
THURSDAY 27 FEBRUARY, 1.30 P.M.
AUGUSTINE UNITED CHURCH,
GEORGE IV. BRIDGE, EDINBURGH
Contact Tommy Sheridan on 07887 795075 or Hugh Kerr on 0131 348 5631/07713 063647
The SSY MovementACTION ALERT!
Youth and Student Anti War Walkout - Strike Against War
Let the disobedience begin!
Anti War Rally - Fri, Feb 28
1pm, George Sq, Glasgow
Called by Scottish Socialist Youth
supported by the Scottish Coalition For Justice Not War
Where Are We?
On Feb 15 100,000 people marched in Glasgow against war with Iraq. Scotland said NO to war. Tony Blair’s response was I DON’T CARE. His desire for war is similar to a vampire’s thirst for blood. That contempt means that we must step up the campaign against the war.
What Next?
SSY is calling for school, FE and uni students to join us in an anti war walkout at lunchtime on Friday Feb 28th. Those taking part should go to George Sq in Glasgow for 1pm. There we shall rally against war and for peace. We hope that this will help launch a period of civil disobedience where Scotland makes clear it will not be silenced.
Why Should We Strike?
On Feb 28th Hans Blix will report back to the UN Security Council. The report will play a significant role in Britain and America’s war plans. SSY believes that we should not sit behind desks while UN diplomats sit behind desks carving up Iraq’s oil and ignore the mass carnage which will follow.
What Will Be The Consequences?
SSY realises that a walkout from school or college is a big step for people, especially school students who will face the threat of punishment. However, SSY feels that this is a cause worth fighting for. 40% of the Iraqi population are aged under 15 years old. The impact of our actions can play a role in preventing a terrifying attack being launched against fellow Iraqi youth and students.
Monday, February 24, 2003
Sunday Herald Profile of Tommy Sheridan
