Mayday 2003 March



The annual Mayday march organised by the Edinburgh Mayday Committee took place today with hundreds marching through the streets in the sunshine. They were addressed by speakers including representatives of the FBU and Scottish Friends of Palestine. But the biggest cheers were for newly elected socialist MSP's Colin Fox, Tommy Sheridan and Rosie Kane. Superb music from the legendary Dick Gaughan rounded off a great day.

Glasgow Council Results

The big surprise was the dramatic increase in support for Tommy Sheridan's Scottish Socialist Party. The extra votes still returned only one SSP councillor, but the party came second in 19 seats, forcing the SNP into third place. Keith Baldassara managed to hold Pollok for the SSP by just 30 votes after a recount. The seat was previously held by Mr Sheridan, who quit the council to concentrate on Holyrood.

Mr Baldassara said: "Labour said I was a paper candidate and the SSP would be incapable of holding a seat in Glasgow unless Tommy was standing. We proved them wrong." Mr Sheridan, who was at the council count when he heard the SSP had won a sixth Scottish Parliament list seat, said: "It has been a tremendous result for the SSP in Glasgow and in every part of Scotland. "To return this council seat here is the icing on the cake. Keith Baldassara will be a tremendous councillor for the people of Pollok."

Glasgow Evening Times

The Scotsman - SSP pledge to shake-up parliament

"Tommy Sheridan, the leader of the SSP, was as ever direct in his approach, vowing to launch a revolution that would "engulf" Scotland and put socialism back on the agenda across Europe.

While talking up the merits of an independent, socialist Scotland, he said getting rid of the council tax and providing free school meals to all children were two policies that were of primary concern to his party.

However, it was left to Mr Fox to offer a more thoughtful analysis of the likely future of the fringe candidates.

He said: "We know there was a protest vote because of the firefighters strike and the war in Iraq. When those issues begin to fade, it will be up to us to keep those voters by delivering on what we stand for and by operating with principle and honesty."

Sheridan's Socialists now a countrywide force The Herald

SSP CALL FOR SECOND VOTE TO CREATE POLITICAL RUMPUS
The Scottish Socialist Party are engaged in a final push to get their vote out, buoyed up by the latest poll in its political enemy, the Daily Record which shows the SSP at an estimated 10%, ahead of the Tory party. This backs up the other three polls this week which put the SSP at 9-10%.

Tommy Sheridan said,

“The SSP is on the verge of a historic breakthrough if these polls are correct. We will elect a group of socialists on Thursday who will create a political rumpus in the Scottish Parliament on behalf of the poor and the powerless in Scotland. I urge every Labour voter in Scotland to give us their second vote and send a message to Blair that they can’t take Scotland for granted.”

TOMMY SHERIDAN’S MOVEMENTS TOMORROW AND FRIDAY:

THURSDAY 1 MAY

11 A.M. – Voting at Cardonald Primary School, Cardonald
11 – 12.30 P.M. & 2.30 – 4 P.M. – Campaigning in Pollok
12.30 – 2.30 P.M. – Campaigning in Argyle Street, Glasgow City Centre

FRIDAY 2 MAY

2 P.M. – VICTORY PRESS CONFERENCE
AT GLASGOW FILM THEATRE, ROSE STREET
with Tommy Sheridan and the newly elected SSP MSPs

For further information contact Tommy Sheridan on 07887 795075
or Hugh Kerr on 01620 890518/07713 063647

Edinburgh Evening News - Mosque Meeting

"And anger among Edinburgh's Muslim community over the war in Iraq surfaced at a hustings meeting in the Central Mosque at Potterrow last night.

The Evening News revealed last week how the Lothian Muslim Voting Committee is urging Muslims to vote tactically to oust Labour MSPs in protest at the war. Their recommendation includes a vote for the Scottish Socialists on the list.

SSP leader Tommy Sheridan was given a rousing reception when he told the meeting the British people had been "cruelly conned" into supporting the invasion of Iraq. But city councillor Alan Tweedie, representing Labour, was given a hard time when he argued tackling racism in Scotland was a more important issue for the elections than Iraq. "

Telegraph | News | Fringe hopefuls pin their hopes on 'top-up' votes

Rosie Kane, number two to Mr Sheridan on the Glasgow list, has a chance of breaking through as do Carolyn Leckie in Central Scotland, Frances Curran in the West of Scotland and Rosemary Byrne in the South of Scotland. Daily Telegraph

Times Online - Will this man be the real winner tomorrow?

"With most of the main parties doing little more than marking time in the final days of the campaign, the polls reveal a big surge for Tommy Sheridan and his uncompromising vision of Scotland as 'an independent socialist republic, an international symbol of fairness and justice'." London Times

The Scotsman - Politics - Risking voters' anger is better than guaranteeing their apathy

Mr Sheridan does not go out to win popularity contests. He advocates his policies, however unpalatable they may be to many people, and he asks voters to support him.

He does not try to move with the fickle public and at the very least this generates respect.

How many times have voters declared over the past five weeks: "I don?t like his politics but I respect the fact that he is standing up for what he believes in."

That could only be said about one of the party leaders. It is unlikely anybody would ever say that about Mr McConnell, Mr Swinney, Mr Wallace or Mr McLetchie.

The difference appears to be because conviction and principle do win votes.

The Scotsman - Politics - SNP's last dash to halt Labour

"The Scottish Labour leader has also become increasingly aware of the threat from the left, with the rise of the Scottish Socialist Party liable to take thousands of votes away from Labour tomorrow.

Mr McConnell used a speech yesterday to target Tommy Sheridan's SSP for the first time, an indication of the scale of the party's concern.

The Scotsman - Politics - Scots political leaders are lacking that vital X-factor

"The Scottish leader who made the biggest positive impact was Tommy Sheridan, of the Scottish Socialist Party, who had a positive effect on 16 per cent of the sample."

‘If Fettes can have classes of 10, why can’t we do that in state schools?’

Audience members quiz Tommy Sheridan. The Herald

No longer the one-man band

Alf Young quizzes the party leaders No.5: Tommy Sheridan. The Herald

SSP'S FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE WED 30 APRIL
- PUSH FOR SECOND VOTE
WEDNESDAY 30 APRIL AT 11 A.M.
GLASGOW FILM THEATRE,
ROSE STREET, GLASGOW

The Scottish Socialist Party will hold its final press conference of the campaign at the Glasgow Film Theatre tomorrow at 11 a.m. It will emphasise the final push to secure a group of SSP MSPs on Friday.

Tommy Sheridan said,

“We have had two more good polls today that show the SSP in a strong position. However, we need to translate those poll intentions into votes on Thursday. We are distributing ½ million peach-coloured leaflets emphasising the second vote. We will also be engaged in an email and text message campaign.

The SSP could be the sensation of the Scottish Parliament election if we get our vote out. It’s clear our radical policies of scrapping the council tax and attacking poverty have struck a chord with voters.”
[ends] For further information contact Tommy Sheridan on 07887 795075 or Hugh Kerr on 01620 890518/07713 063647

Minority parties are tipped to gain more seats in low turnout

"Tommy Sheridan, the SSP leader, would be the big winner, according to these findings, with eight new MSPs beside him in the next chamber.... Indeed, on the second vote, which is crucial to the smaller parties relying on list seats, the SSP has moved one point ahead of the struggling Tories" The Herald

Herald System 3 Poll

"the poll was even better for the Scottish Parliament's minority parties, which appear set to make significant gains, with up to nine MSPs from Tommy Sheridan's Socialists and perhaps four Greens forecast to join the opposition benches at Holyrood."

ABOLITION OF COUNCIL TAX A VOTE WINNER, SAYS SHERIDAN
At a press conference in Glasgow today, Tommy Sheridan greeted the results of a new poll showing the Scottish Socialist Party at 10% in the polls.

He said,

“I am delighted that we are showing a significant increase in our support in the polls. I have no doubt that one of the key reasons is our pledge to abolish the unfair council tax and replace it with the Scottish Service Tax. Our own opinion poll shows that 70% of people in Scotland back this measure, which will benefit 77% of Scots.

After Thursday there will be a determined group of SSP MSPs who will pursue this objective. The days of the council tax like the poll tax before it are numbered.”
[ends]For further information contact Tommy Sheridan on 07887 795075 or Hugh Kerr on 01620 890518/07713 063647

SCOTTISH SOCIALISTS SHOWCASE FREE SCHOOL MEALS
PRESS INVITATION:
TUESDAY 29 APRIL AT 2 P.M.
AUGUSTINE UNITED CHURCH
GEORGE IV. BRIDGE, EDINBURGH
“SLOW FOOD, NOT FAST FOOD FOR SCOTLAND”

In attendance:
Joanna Blythman, Scotland’s leading food writer; Dr David Player, eminent public health expert; Felicity Garvie, SSP candidate for Ochil; and parents and children.

Last year Tommy Sheridan, Convenor of the Scottish Socialist Party, introduced a Private Member’s Bill for free school meals into Parliament which gained widespread support across Scotland. Universally free, nutritious school meals with milk and water for all Scotland’s state school pupils is one of the SSP’s key pledges and they plan to reintroduce it after the elections.

Tommy Sheridan said,
“Our policy of free school meals will attack poverty amongst our children but also help to change Scotland’s poor diet and severe health problems. On the basis of today’s poll showing increased support for the SSP, we will have a group of six – eight SSP MSPs who will give this their priority.”
[ends]For further information contact Hugh Kerr on 01620 890518/07713 063647

FT.com / Comment & analysis / The never-ending wait for a tartan roar

"Tommy Sheridan's vigorous Scottish Socialist party could increase its MSPs from one to three."

SSP TO CAUSE MAJOR POLL UPSET
A sensational new poll in today’s Daily Telegraph by YOUGOV suggests the SSP could be the sensation of the Scottish Parliament elections on Thursday. It suggests that Labour and the Liberals should be able to form another coalition government; however the big winners in the election could be the SSP on 10% of the second vote, up from 2% in 1999.

It also shows that Tommy Sheridan is rated as the most impressive party leader in Scotland, with twice the level of support of Jack McConnell and David McLetchie and three times the level of support of John Swinney.

Tommy Sheridan said,

“This poll is sensational. It shows that the SSP is within sight of staging a major upset on Thursday. On the basis of this poll we could win 6-8 seats. This backs up what our members are finding on the campaign across the country. People are fed up of the grey porridge of the four main parties and are ready to embrace a socialist alternative. Our final three days of campaigning will be emphasising the importance of the peach vote, the vote for the regional list, in particular. I would appeal to Labour voters: Even if you want to vote for your local MSP, give us your second vote, as a second vote for Labour will be wasted. It will also send a message to Tony Blair that he can’t take Scotland for granted.”

SSP press officer Hugh Kerr said, “This is a remarkable poll three days before the election. It shows that the SSP could be the story of the election. The ratings for Tommy Sheridan also show what many people now acknowledge, that he is the most impressive party leader in Scotland and unlike many politicians, he tells the truth and is not in politics to make himself rich. These results are even more remarkable in the face of the virtual blackout of most of the media of the SSP in the course of this election.

Can I appeal to all editors and producers in the last three days of this campaign to give the SSP the attention it warrants, otherwise on Thursday the election results will come as a surprise to Scotland’s citizens who have been kept in the dark about the SSP.”
[ends]For further information contact Hugh Kerr on 01620 890518/07713 063647

SHERIDAN TO VISIT STOBHILL HOSPITAL TODAY
Tommy Sheridan, Convenor of the Scottish Socialist Party will visit Stobhill Hospital this afternoon at 3.30 p.m. to be given a tour of the hospital currently under threat of closure. He will meet members of staff to discuss the current situation and declare his solidarity with those campaigning to keep the hospital open.

Sheridan said,

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to visit Stobhill and proud to support the campaign that is fighting to stave off closure of this vital NHS facility. The fact that the hospital is still open is a tribute to people power and the way local campaigners have exploited all the democratic possibilities to save their hospital. The Scottish Socialist Party has not stood a candidate in this constituency to give Jean Turner who is campaigning to keep the hospital open a clear run. I sincerely hope she is able to beat Labour on May 1st as they have now become the party of hospital closures in Glasgow rather than trying to extend and improve acute health care in the city.”

He added,
“In particular I will be talking to staff at Stobhill today about the Scottish Socialist Party’s minimum wage policy of £7.32 an hour. There is an abysmal low wage culture within the NHS that the SSP is determined to get rid of forever. Cleaners, caterers, porters and other ancillary staff do vital jobs without which our hospitals wouldn’t be able to function. £5 an hour is simply not adequate and means that nowadays you don’t have to be unemployed to be poor – New Labour has presided over a low-wage economy within our public services to create more profits for the private catering cleaning and portering firms which have usurped our NHS. The SSP would ban the private companies from our hospitals and return all ancillary staff to NHS contracts and decent working conditions.”
[ends]For further information contact Tommy Sheridan on 07887 795075 or Hugh Kerr on 01620 890518/07713 063647

Sunday Herald - Report damns big four's road plans

The SSP are praised for setting out 'a huge range of policies, most of which would be very positive in impact'.

Ananova - Land access protest at al Fayed home

"Supporters of the Scottish Socialist Party are protesting outside the Highland home of Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed in opposition to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act.

The SSP claims to be the only political party prepared to address 'concerns' the act does not go far enough and all Scottish land should be able to be accessed freely."

Election 2003 - Campaign news - Labour holds steady

LABOUR look set to retain its hold on power but could be discomfited by a breakthrough by Tommy Sheridan's SSP...

Meanwhile, the SSP seems to be on the verge of a breakthrough. On average the polls give the socialists 7% of the second vote, just above the 6% threshold they need to surmount to start picking up seats across much of Scotland. Our projection suggests their current rating could be enough to give them eight, including two in Glasgow. Scotland on Sunday

POLITICIANS TO BE HIT FOR EXTRA £1M UNDER SSP TAX PLAN

SSP Press Conference
MONDAY 28 APRIL, 11 A.M. Glasgow Film Theatre
Rose Street, Glasgow


Under the Scottish Socialist Party's plan to replace the Council Tax with a new Scottish Service Tax, Scotland's 209 MPs, MSPs and MEPs would pay an extra £1 million towards local services. The new system would be based on income rather than property and aims to shift the burden of local taxation from low-income to high-income households. Right now, Scotland's politicians pay an average of around £1,500 in Council Tax. A cabinet minister can expect to earn 12 times more than a hospital ancillary worker - yet they will pay just twice as much in Council Tax.

Under the Scottish Socialist Party's proposal:
* Scotland's MPs will have to stump up an extra £625,000 (£734,872 compared with a combined Council Tax bill of £108,000)
* MSPs will pay an extra £400,000 (£602,024 compared with £193,500)
* MEPs will an extra £28,000 (£40,000 compared with £12,000).

SSP leader Tommy Sheridan said:
"The Council Tax was designed on the back of a fag packet by the last Tory government when their Poll Tax fell apart. It was blatantly rigged to protect the rich and punish the poor. Even under the old rates system there was a 14:1 differential between the highest payers and the lowest payers. Under the Council Tax that differential is just THREE to one - even though the wealth gap has widened spectacularly since the Council Tax was introduced exactly ten years ago.”

Tommy Sheridan attacked Scotland's Labour politicians for complicity in a ten year long Tory Tax:
"Scottish politicians are benefiting to the tune of over £1 million from the Council Tax. That's the amount they would be forced to cough up under a fair system based on income. Maybe that's one reason why they're so reluctant to get rid of this painful hangover from the last Tory government.”
[ends]
For further information contact Tommy Sheridan on 07887 795075 or Alan McCombes on 07881 988337