Edinburgh Evening News - Top Stories - Key seats will decide who is to control city

Colin Fox, the area organiser in the Lothians for the Scottish Socialist Party - the party with the strongest anti-war stance - is standing in Alnwickhill, a seat expected to prove crucial in determining the make-up of the council.

Mr Fox says: "The SSP is putting up 34 candidates in the election, compared to just one four years ago.

"Although we're not expecting to win any seats we think our vote is going to determine who does in seats like Alnwickhill and Newhaven, where Steve Cardownie has a majority of 450 and our candidate, Julie Smith, could well prove the kingmaker."

BBC NEWS | Scotland | Tussle over independence

Frances Curran, of the SSP, said the nationalists would delay seeking independence if in power.

She said nationalists would seek to tie Scotland's future to the EU and await change from Westminster instead of believing in the "sovereignty of the Scottish people".

She said: "If the pro-independence parties win a majority in the parliament, we're in favour of a referendum in the first 12 months of the parliament.

"We also don't just want fiscal autonomy, nor do we want independence in Europe which is merely transferring rule by Westminster to Europe.

"We're obviously in favour of an independent socialist Scotland but all of this is regardless of whether the lord advocate or Westminster say it's legal."

Election 2003 - Campaign news - Elder now backing Scottish Socialist Party The Scotsman

NEWS.scotsman.com - Latest News - Poll Shows Fall in Labour Campaign Lead

The YouGov independent poll also reveals a low personal rating for Labour leader Jack McConnell, with voters most impressed with Scottish Socialist leader Tommy Sheridan instead.

In another blow to Labour, some 31% of those surveyed felt Mr McConnell had performed badly since becoming First Minister following the resignation of Henry McLeish.

Voters also found SNP leader John Swinney the least impressive leader.

Like Labour, the SNP's popularity has slipped since 1999, with greater support in 2003 for the Scottish Tories, the Lib Dems and the Scottish Socialist Party.

SHERIDAN SHOWS SOLIDARITY WITH FIREFIGHTERS and
VISITS GLASGOW FIRE STATIONS ON SUNDAY 20 APRIL
Tommy Sheridan, Convenor of the Scottish Socialist Party was the only political party leader to visit FBU picket lines during the recent strikes, and the only political party leader never to falter in his support of the firefighters and their pay and conditions claim.

On Sunday 20 April he will be visiting the firefighters at Maryhill Fire Station, Maryhill Road, at 12 noon and Pollok Fire Station, Levernside Crescent, at 1 p.m. He will be joined by Jimmy Scott, SSP candidate for Govan, and Donnie Nicholson, SSP candidate for Maryhill.

Due to Jeff Ord's refusal to allow political candidates to visit stations, the firefighters will have to meet Sheridan on the pavement outside the station.

Tommy Sheridan said,
"We have one of the greatest fire services in the world, precisely because the FBU has resisted job cuts and privatisation. Firefighters deserve the European Decency Threshold pay of at least £7.32 - that's the minimum you need to earn to be above the Working Families Tax Credit threshold. It's a disgrace that firefighters - professional men and women who risk their lives - are forced to claim benefits on top of full-time jobs to make ends meet."

"When the government talks about 'modernising' the fire service, what they mean is slashing staff numbers which means, and be in no doubt about it, more injuries, more destruction and more deaths”, added Jimmy Scott, who is a firefighter himself.

The Scottish Socialist Party is increasingly being recognised as the party of trade unionists, the party that shows solidarity with ordinary working men and women and supports them in the struggle against poverty pay, wretchedly long hours and privatisation.
[ends]
For further info contact Tommy Sheridan 07887 795 075 & Jimmy Scott: 07967 028 977

END OF THE ROAD FOR M74?

SHERIDAN TO JOIN MOTORWAY PROTESTORS ON SATURDAY 19 APRIL

On Saturday 19 April Tommy Sheridan, Convenor of the Scottish Socialist Party will join motorway protestors in Rutherglen at 10.45 a.m. in front of the Mitchell Arcade, Main Street, Rutherglen. Campaigners will be distributing pre-printed postcards of objection, addressed to the Chief Road Engineer at the Scottish Executive, from 10.30am at:

Kwik Save, Crown Street, Gorbals
Somerfield, Victoria Road, Govanhill
In front of Mitchell Arcade, Main Street, Rutherglen.

The proposed M74 North East extension - an eight-lane elevated motorway which will run from Fullarton Road Junction to the Kingston Bridge at Scotland Street - will, says the Scottish Executive, reduce congestion and create jobs in unemployment blackspots. But the opposite is true. Research has consistently shown that where a motorway is built, traffic and therefore congestion increases. Not only that, but motorways ensure that people drive straight through communities without stopping to use local shops and businesses which, after a relatively short time, devastates local economies. In addition, the expected 110,000 cars (Scottish Executive figures) that will use this motorway daily will dramatically increase noise and air pollution.

Tommy Sheridan said,
“The M74 Northeast extension is bad news and JAM74, supported by Transform Scotland, the Scottish Socialist Party, Friends of the Earth and many community campaigning organisations, is determined to stop it. We have until 18 May 2003 to make our objections known - let's ensure we leave the Scottish Executive in no doubt.”

EDITORS NOTE:
The anti-M74 campaign has organised a hustings meetings at 7.30 p.m. 29 April, in St Columbkilles Church, Kirkwood Street, Rutherglen. MSPs have been invited.
[ENDS]
For further info contact Roz Paterson on 0777 333 1943/0141 423 7605 or Tommy Sheridan on 07887 795075

DOROTHY GRACE ELDER COMES OUT FOR SSP

At a Press Conference today, the former SNP MSP Dorothy Grace Elder announced that she was backing the Scottish Socialist Party in the election.

She said,
“The SNP no longer represents the ordinary people of Glasgow. The SSP reflects much more my concerns for the poor, the sick and the oppressed. Although I am not a member of any political party, I feel the SSP is attracting a lot of good people, like Rosie Kane here in Glasgow. I will be happy to give her the benefit of my experience of environmental campaigns in future. I give my full support to Tommy Sheridan, Rosie and the SSP across Scotland and would urge people to use their peach-coloured 2nd vote for the SSP.”

Dorothy’s former Assistant Evelyn McKechnie, a long-standing SNP member before she also quit the party to join the SSP last year, said,
“The SNP has deserted the grass-roots activists. I feel that to achieve independence we have to gain the Labour heartlands across Glasgow, the West of Scotland and the central belt and that is why I am out here campaigning for the SSP.”

Tommy Sheridan, SSP National Convenor said,
“I am delighted to get support from Dorothy. She was one of the best MSPs in the last Parliament, fighting tirelessly on behalf of the people of Glasgow. I hope that I and another SSP MSP can carry on the campaign she began for the people of Glasgow and Scotland.”
[ends]

PRESS INVITATION

PROTEST FOR PEACE PRESS CONFERENCE

MONDAY 21 APRIL, 11.30 A.M.
SCOTIA BAR, GLASGOW


The Scottish Socialist Party will feature their campaign for peace at a Press Conference on Monday, the day before the “Really Big Blockade” of Faslane on Tuesday 22 April.

Tommy Sheridan, SSP National Convenor said,

“On Monday we will be outlining the SSP’s policy for peace including getting rid of the weapons of mass destruction we have only 30 miles away from Glasgow at Faslane. On Tuesday I will be back there with thousands of others including many SSP candidates. I am prepared to be arrested and go to jail again to rid Scotland of these vile weapons of indiscriminate death and destruction.”
[ENDS]
For further information contact Tommy Sheridan on 07887 795075 or Hugh Kerr on 01620 890518/07713 063647

Election 2003 - Campaign news - Tommy Sheridan answers your questions The Scotsman

Belle and Sebastian benefit gig for the SSP



Leading Scottish band Belle and Sebastian, who have a massive worldwide following, played a low key benefit gig for the SSP last night in Glasgow. The band took a break from recording their new album to play 5 new songs together with some classic cover versions. They were supported by the Hugh Reed Experience and the night was compered by comedian Sandy Nelson. Rosie Kane gave a well-received speech on behalf of the SSP.

SSP - THE INDEPENDENCE PARTY
DOROTHY GRACE ELDER ENCOURAGES VOTERS TO SUPPORT SSP

The Scottish Socialist Party will hold a press conference tomorrow on independence. The SSP will lay claim to be the party that promotes a genuinely independent Scotland, unlike the SNP with its contradictory “Independence in Europe” stance.

The SSP will be supported on tomorrow’s platform by former SNP MSP, Dorothy Grace Elder, and a number of former SNP stalwarts who are now SSP members. Colin Bell, a former high profile broadcaster and SNP member, issued the following statement in support of the SSP:
“After many years in the SNP I recently joined the SSP and would urge all voters who want to see an independent socialist Scotland to vote SSP on May 1st. I have been helping to train many of the SSP candidates and I’m very impressed by their quality.”

Tommy Sheridan, SSP National Convenor, said today,
“Since the formation of the SSP four years ago, we have been committed to an independent socialist Scotland. We want Scotland to be independent from poverty, independent from low pay, independent from racism and independent from nuclear weapons. Our new Scotland will be democratic and therefore a republic independent from monarchy and inherited privilege. Scotland is rich enough, mature enough and smart enough to stand on its own as a beacon of social justice throughout the world. We are not frightened of independence, we promote it with confidence.”

PRESS CONFERENCE

FRIDAY 18 APRIL, 11.30 A.M.

GLASGOW FILM THEATRE
ROSE STREET, GLASGOW
[ends]
For further information contact Tommy Sheridan on 07887 795075 or Hugh Kerr on 01620 890518/07713 063647

NEW POLL - SSP POISED FOR MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH
Despite the poor coverage and tabloid distortion of the Scottish Socialist Party, the latest Herald/System 3 opinion polls show the SSP is well placed to secure a major advance in representation in the Scottish Parliament.

The poll predicts the SSP will win at least three seats while the regional breakdown shows the Party is within touching distance of one MSP in every region.

The SSP records 12% support in Glasgow, which suggests Rosie Kane will join Tommy Sheridan in representing Glasgow. The SSP is sitting on 6% support in North East Scotland and the Highlands &Islands, and 5% in each of the other five regions. Another percentage point or two is all the SSP needs to secure representation in every region of Scotland.

Tommy Sheridan, SSP National Convenor, said today,
“The latest opinion poll shows the SSP’s anti-poverty manifesto could deliver a huge breakthrough for the Socialists on May 1st. Despite the poor coverage of our campaign and the constant tabloid distortions, we are on course for at least three seats and within touching distance of between four and six. Every single vote on the crucial list ballot paper is vital to our success. The Labour voters who want wealth redistribution and abolition of the unfair council tax on the agenda should not waste their 2nd list vote. Voting Labour twice is simply a wasted vote that helps the Tories.”

Tommy continued,
“The SSP is the party that wants wealth redistribution at the top of the political agenda in Scotland. Scrapping the council tax will benefit 77% of Scots who will pay less under our Scottish Service Tax replacement because it is linked directly to personal income. The pensioners and low paid workers will benefit most while the rich and wealthy will pay more. That’s what wealth redistribution is all about.”
[ends]
For further information contact Tommy Sheridan on 07887 795075 or Hugh Kerr on 01620 890518/07713 063647

SHERIDAN SLAMS GORDON BROWN ON THE ECONOMY
Scottish Socialist Party Convenor Tommy Sheridan speaking in Inverness at the STUC today slammed Gordon Brown’s claims on the economy.

He said,

“Gordon Brown has made great claims about the Scottish economy today, but the truth is very different. The real figures for unemployment in Scotland are three times higher than the official figures he uses. They record only those unemployed and claiming benefit but they exclude a further 200,000 who would like to work but can’t claim benefits.

He also fails to mention that many of those in work are still in poverty due to their low wages. The latest figures on poverty show that 40% of the poor are actually in work, but on the poverty-level minimum wage he set at £4.20 an hour.

Only the SSP’s policy of a minimum wage of £7.32 an hour can lift the working poor out of poverty. This would apply not only to the over 21’s but to all those aged 16 and over so that the bosses would not be able to employ young staff on a cheaper wage.”
[ends]
For further information contact Tommy Sheridan on 07887 795075 or Hugh Kerr on 01620 890518/07713 063647

Unions attack Boots for way it decided to close plant in Airdrie

"But Labour's continuing difficulties with its traditional union support was evident last night when the Highlands and Islands division of the Fire Brigades Union sent a message of support to a rally organised in Inverness by the Scottish Socialist party, saying it would remember those who had backed it during the dispute". The Herald

Kane comes out of her tree for next step on political ladder

IF Tommy Sheridan realises his ambition of leading six or more socialists into the next parliament, then Rosie Kane, in second place on the Glasgow list behind her leader, is certain to be among them.

It would mark the latest milestone on a political journey that began up a tree. Eight years ago. she was among the environmentalists who took to the treetops near Pollok, on the city's south side, as they tried to halt work on the M77 extension.

Ms Kane remembers the time vividly. "We were up trees for days, fighting against the motorway. It was the first time I raised my voice and it was then I realised that I was a socialist," she says. The Herald

Times Online

Times Poll Says SSP To Win Six Seats

In terms of seats Labour would have 58, two more than they achieved in 1999. The SNP would have 38, three more than in 1999. The Tories would have 13 (down five), the Lib Dems 12 (down five), the Scottish Socialists six (up five).

The biggest winner in terms of recognition is Tommy Sheridan, the charismatic leader of the Scottish Socialists. Only 9 per cent say they have never heard of him — 4 per cent less than Mr McConnell.

SSP WINS GROWING SUPPORT FROM TRADE UNIONISTS

Scottish Socialist Convenor Tommy Sheridan is today visiting the Scottish Trade Unions Congress conference in Inverness. He is holding a news conference and later speaking at a fringe rally alongside Bob Crow, General Secretary of the Railworkers’ RMT Union and Mark Serwotka, leader of the civil servants union, the PCS.

The SSP has had pledges of support from many trade unionists at the STUC, including firefighters from the Fire Brigades Union who have deserted Labour and a number of whom are standing for the SSP as candidates for both Parliament and council elections.

Tommy Sheridan said,

“I am heartened by the growing support from trade unionists for the SSP. Many of them have decided that the Labour Party no longer represents trade unionists and that the SSP’s policies of a minimum wage of £7.32 an hour, a 35-hour working week, an end to PFI and free school meals is much more in line with trade union policies than New Labour.”
[ends]
For further information contact Tommy Sheridan on 07887 795075
or Hugh Kerr on 01620 890518/07713 063647

Doorstep campaigners who turned a deaf ear to the soundbites

Keef Tomkinson, 26, who grew up politically aware in the Nationalist heartland of Moray, has also grown disenchanted with the SNP, and joined the SSP after the last elections to become youth co-ordinator for the party.

Mr Tomkinson said: "I became disillusioned when, in my opinion, the party seemed very much just about meetings and political careerism. By the 1999 election, it was taking the SNP vote for granted and fighting only over floating voters.

"With the SSP, I am using my boot leather, getting out and speaking to people and finding out what they want." The Herald

Alarm for Labour as just 1% of firefighters say they will back party

John McDonald, Scotland's FBU executive council member, said: "It is clearly a huge change in political support and we see huge swings to the SNP and SSP (Scottish Socialists). It will have an effect on their families as well as their friends and others who see the politics of this." The Herald

NATIONAL TRADE UNION LEADERS SUPPORT SSP AS SHERIDAN GOES NORTH

The Scottish Socialist Party will call on workers and trade unionists to turn their backs on Labour at a major public rally timed to coincide with this week's STUC conference in Inverness.

SSP leader Tommy Sheridan will share a platform with Bob Crow, General Secretary of rail union RMT and Mark Serwotka, leader of the civil servants’ union PCS at a meeting this Tuesday 15 April at 7.30 p.m. in the Spectrum Centre, Inverness. Both union leaders have made it clear that, in their view, the party in Scotland which now best represents the interests and aspirations of ordinary working class people is the SSP.

Tommy Sheridan said,
"Our anti-poverty policies of scrapping the council tax, universal free school meals and a decent wage for public sector workers address the real needs of people the Labour Party has long since turned its back on. Our support for democratic public ownership stands in stark contrast to New Labour's obsession with privatisation. That's why thousands of trade unionists and disenchanted Labour supporters are turning to the SSP."

Bob Crow, leader of the RMT, has called for trade union political funds to be diverted to parties like the SSP which "support our policies." He described the trade unions’ relationship with Labour as "a rocky marriage heading for divorce. We didn't walk away from the Labour Party; they walked away from working class people."

PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka said: "If I lived in Scotland, I'd be a member of the SSP and I'd be campaigning right now. These are exciting political times. What the SSP is doing in Scotland acts as a genuine beacon of hope for England and Wales."

The public rally is part of a two-day visit to the area by the SSP's leader. The party has taken note of national opinion polls showing that it is possible for them to win a list seat here in the Highlands and Islands and are urging voters to use their second vote to elect a Socialist MSP from this area.
[ends]
For further details of Tommy’s itinerary, call Steve Arnott, SSP Highlands Organiser on 01463 221939 (e-mail: stevessp@freeuk.com) or contact Tommy on 07887 795075

If I Were First Minister

Peter Mullan - Actor and Director The Herald

Socialists aim to bank votes in £1m tax giveaway

THE Scottish Socialists were taking to the streets of Edinburgh today to give away "£1 million".

Activists were handing out wads of mock £20 notes to passers-by to highlight how much the average person would gain from replacing the council tax with a local income tax.

SSP Lothians spokesman Colin Fox admitted the action was a "blatant attempt to buy votes on May 1".

He said: "It's a fair cop. All the other parties deny they are trying to buy votes but we have decided to come clean.

"We have a cool million in crisp £20 notes and we intend to give it all away right in the middle of Princes Street. It was good enough for the rock band KLF.

"All we're asking people to do is answer two simple questions - tell us how much they pay in council tax and tell us their income band. We calculate how much they save under our Scottish Service Tax plan and they can pocket the difference."

Mr Fox said academics had estimated 77 per cent of Scots would be better off under the SSP's proposals.

People with incomes below £10,000 a year would pay nothing. Others would be liable to higher tax bills as their income rose. Only those on salaries above £30,000 would be worse off than currently.

Mr Fox added: "Of course, we intend to get our million back by taxing the rich at a higher rate. So look out up there at Jenners and Harvey Nicks, here we come." The Scotsman

SSP DEMAND FAIR TAXATION - SCRAP THE COUNCIL TAX - TAX THE WEALTHY NOT THE PENSIONERS

The Scottish Socialist Party will tomorrow release more details of their Scottish Service Tax scheme to replace the unfair council tax and deliver a significant redistribution of income across Scotland. The SSP want the council tax to become the “big issue” of the Scottish election.

Tommy Sheridan, SSP National Convenor, said today:
“The council tax is very unfair. The low paid and pensioners pay too much, while the rich and wealthy pay too little. Our Service Tax proposal is the “Big Idea” of the Scottish election. It is a progressive income-based tax, which will benefit 77% of Scots who will pay less than under the unfair council tax. We are concretely tackling poverty by putting more money in the pockets of our pensioners and low paid workers. Only those who can afford to will pay more. The Scottish Service Tax is fair, progressive and delivers a significant redistribution of wealth in favour of those on a low and average income.”

More details will be released at the press conference tomorrow:
MONDAY 14 APRIL AT 11.30 A.M.
GLASGOW FILM THEATRE
ROSE STREET, GLASGOW

For further information contact Tommy Sheridan on 0141 883 1268
or Alan McCombes on 07881 988337