Tommy Sheridan on the resignation of SNP leader John Swinney
from the Scottish Daily Mirror

So John Swinney has fallen on his claymore and the SNP is looking for a new leader.

My guess is that he finally had his fill of his shadow cabinet colleagues who publicly said he was the only man for the job but could be seen scuttling up and down the corridor briefing the press that he was the worst ever leader of the SNP.

John is a nice man and at least he had the decency to resign his job when he didn't think he was up to the mark.

Compare that to the Labour ministers who appear barely competent and preside over departments making almighty cock ups but who wouldn't dream of giving up the chauffeur driven ministerial car for such a thing as political integrity.

The problem that the SNP have is nothing to do with their choice of leader but is far more fundamental.

The SNP have become just another variety of the same old establishment political parties, their 'brand' is no different to that of New Labour and the Old Tories, it just has a tartan spin put on it by highly paid media advisors.

In the new Scotland the SNP have discovered that this approach will just not cut it.

The voters are tired of establishment politicians who do nothing to challenge the obscene wealth and power of the rich, who condemn poverty and inequality and yet are more than happy to pocket the kings ransom every month that gives them a very comfortable life. The problem the SNP have is that It doesn't matter who they elect leader, they are going to have to recognise that the rise of the SSP and other independence supporting parties has forever changed the political make up of Scotland.

The SSP has offered a vision that appeals to many of those who have supported the SNP in the past; a clear vision of a socialist and republican independent Scotland.

The 'New SNP', pro big business agenda that John Swinney and the SNP leadership adopted has been an abject failure and he has paid the price.

The SSP will continue to advocate our pro-working class, pro- socialist, pro-independence programme and we appeal to all SNP supporters who share that vision to now join us in building a party that fights for an independent socialist republic for Scotland.

BBC NEWS | Scotland | Resignation reaction: "Tommy Sheridan, leader of the Scottish Socialist Party:
The Swinney resignation was a watershed in Scottish politics, he said.
'John Swinney has been a honourable victim of Scotland's new politics and the rise of the new independence supporting parties, particularly the Scottish Socialist Party.
'The 'New SNP', pro-big business agenda that John Swinney and the SNP leadership adopted has been an abject failure and he has paid the price.'
Mr Sheridan said it didn't matter who was leader of the SNP.
He believes whoever takes on the position will have to come to terms with the fact that the SSP is on the rise."

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Scottish Socialist Party
Press Release: 22/06/04

Sheridan: Swinney resignation watershed in Scottish politics

Scottish Socialist Party national convenor Tommy Sheridan said today that the resignation of John Swinney marked a watershed in pro independence politics in Scotland and that Scotland’s political terrain would never be the same again.
Tommy said;
“John Swinney has been a honourable victim of Scotland’s new politics and the rise of the new independence supporting parties, particularly the Scottish Socialist Party.
“The Scottish Socialist Party has offered a vision that appeals to many of those who have supported the SNP in the past; a clear vision of a socialist and republican independent Scotland.
“The ‘New SNP’, pro big business agenda that John Swinney and the SNP leadership adopted has been an abject failure and he has paid the price.
“John Swinney’s resignation marks a watershed in the development of pro independence politics in Scotland, Scotland’s political terrain will never be the same again.
“It doesn’t matter who the leader of the SNP is, they are going to have to recognise that the rise of the SSP and other independence supporting parties has changed forever the political make up of Scotland.
“The SSP will continue to advocate our pro-working class, pro-socialist programme and we appeal to all SNP supporters who share that vision to now join us in building a party that fights for an independent socialist republic for Scotland.
“The SSP calls on the new SNP leader to join all those who have helped to build the Independence Convention into a vehicle that can unite all those who are campaigning for an independent Scotland.”