Daily Record
Jul 29 2004
THE Scottish Socialists are the most active MSPs at Holyrood, according to an on-line survey.
Every MSP's contribution was assessed by taking into account speeches in the chamber, voting records and other activities around parliament.
The SSP come top of the league table, followed by the SNP and the Scottish Greens.
The coalition parties of Labour and the LibDems came next, while the Scottish Tories trailed in bottom place.
The average contribution per MSP for the SSP was 226.3, the SNP came next on 195.1 and the Greens scored 189.1.
Labour came in at 140.1, closely followed by the LibDems on 138.6 and the Tories trailed the field on just 124.1. The survey by politics.co.uk also analysed the topics most discussed at Holyrood.
Constitutional issues came top with an index score of 3209, followed by the NHS on 784, personnel issues on 385 and public health on 357.
Rural communities came next on 252, then energy on 225 and education on 224.
Children scored 212, the criminal justice system 208 and the issue of roads was last on 192.
The SSP claimed the survey was vindication of the work record of their MSPs, who give half of their pay to the party.
Nationalist MSP Stewart Stevenson had attacked the SSP's lack of attendance in the chamber, singling out Rosie Kane.
SSP leader Tommy Sheridan said: 'Clearly, Scotland's Socialist MSPs represent the best value for money.'

Letter in the Herald

I sincerely hope rank-and-file SNP members do not dig deep in to their pockets to alleviate the £750,000 deficit the party finds itself in. Members voted last year for their elected representatives to pay a levy of £250 per month. According to The Herald (July 27), most or all have refused to pay anything. It doesn't take an accountant to work out that had they undertaken this modest sacrifice their party would, after 12 months, have been £102,000 better off. No small amount, I am sure you'll agree.
There are perhaps two reasons for the shortfall. Either the elected representatives have ignored a binding decision of conference, or they have decided to pocket the money because it was voluntary donation. Either way, the rank and file must surely now question the commitment these politicians have to the party.
The Scottish Socialist Party, however, has a very different approach. It makes it clear from the very start to those who wish to represent the working class by being elected that they will only take the average wage of a skilled worker – approximately £24,000. The rest is paid to the party. If the SNP had the same policy, it would have £544,000 in the bank from that alone.
Te effect of this policy is twofold. It makes sure that they do not become accustomed to the lavish lifestyle that featherbeds other politicians. Secondly, it means extra resources can be targeted at supporting causes and struggles of the working class in their constituencies.
Not for the first time, the SNP rank-and-file has been betrayed by its leadership. The future looks little different with the antics of those vying for leadership of the party.

Davy Landels, west of Scotland regional secretary, SSP, 35 George Street, Paisley.