BBC NEWS: "Earlier this week plans were set in motion for a peaceful protest at next year's event.

A meeting was held in Glasgow by the G8 Alternatives, a coalition of organisations and individuals who are also planning a counter-summit.

'What unites us is our belief that another world is possible and that we need to have a massive mobilisation that brings together anti-capitalists, international development campaigners, trade unionists, peace activists, environmentalists, human rights campaigners and more to discuss, debate and demonstrate,' said a spokeswoman.

Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan, who attended the meeting, said that the G8 leaders had 'failed miserably' so far.
"

BBC NEWS: "Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan asked a series of questions, including how many children remained in poverty, how many new homes would be built for the social rented sector and how much had been set aside for addressing the 'equal pay gap' between the wages of men and women, particularly in the public sector.

Mr Kerr said 'too many children are still in poverty' and the executive had to continue to work hard on addressing that.

With Mr Sheridan shaking his head in disapproval, Mr Kerr referred the question on new homes to the communities minister.

He added that the executive ran 'very forward-looking pay policies to ensure that does not occur' within the administration.

Mr Sheridan later said the minister had failed to answer all of the questions put to him."

Scotsman: "Tommy Sheridan, of the Scottish Socialists, said: 'After five years in power, the Scottish Executive unveils its plans to improve the health of our children and their generosity amounts to free water for school pupils. It is absolutely pathetic.' "

Prescription Charges – The case for Abolition

Colin Fox MSP writes:

I was on Princes Street in Edinburgh on Saturday. The Scottish Campaign to Remove All Prescription Charges was conducting a street stall. The response from the public was fantastic. It always is. It is easy to see why the polls show support for scrapping this 'tax on the sick' running at 7 to 1. And can I say a big thank you to all the Scottish Mirror readers who stopped to sign our petition.

One senior citizen I met, a man called Tommy from Livingston, asked if I knew why the charges were introduced in the first place. I did but let him tell me anyway. 'To pay for Britains involvement in the Korean War.' He told me. And he was right, at least in part. 'Surely', he laughed, 'after 53 years we must have paid for it by now!'

Read More Here

(from Scottish Daily Mirror 27th Sept.)

Evening News: SSP call to renationalise utility firms

MASSIVE fuel price rises have made the case for renationalising gas and electricity companies, Tommy Sheridan has claimed.

The Scottish Socialist Party leader said the recent increases made a mockery of the Scottish Executive’s plans to reduce fuel poverty and proved the free market did not work. He said the only way to deal with the situation was to take the energy companies back into public ownership.

Record increases in British Gas prices came into effect last week, putting gas bills up by 12.4 per cent and hiking electricity bills 9.4 per cent.

And ScottishPower has announced a ten per cent rise due to come into effect on Friday.

Mr Sheridan said: "ScottishPower and Scottish Gas are clearly exploiting their market dominance to fix prices.

"Privatisation and competition are driving ever more Scots into fuel poverty, making a mockery of the Scottish Executive’s pledge to reduce fuel poverty.

"The case for publicly owned power companies is there for everyone to see. Scotland has a surplus of power and yet prices go up with yet more Scots facing fuel poverty.

"The power companies should be taken back into public ownership and the obscenity of Scots who can’t afford to heat their homes ended."

ic Dunbartonshire - Soap factory dispute goes on

Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan and Glasgow MSP Rosie Kane have joined the picket line at the Soapworks factory in the city.

Workers at the facility, which makes soap and other beauty products, are taking the action amid a pay dispute.

Last week, TGWU members staged a two-day walkout at the company, a subsidiary of the Body Shop."

SCRAP: Scottish Campaign to Remove All Prescription Charges

Colin Fox, Scottish Socialist MSP for the Lothians, is introducing a bill into the Scottish Parliament to scrap prescription charges. The campaign to support this move has now got a website. Check it out for full details.

Aims and Objectives of the Bill

* The main objective of the Bill is to provide free access to all people who require drugs, medicines or appliances, or pharmaceutical services regardless of their medical condition or their ability to pay.

* Abolition of the current charging scheme removes the need to grant exemptions to sufferers of designated chronic conditions. The Bill will ensure greater fairness by enabling all sufferers of chronic illnesses (whether designated or not) and those who require drugs, medicines or appliances to cope with their conditions by obtaining free prescriptions.

* This approach will also address the inequity of the current remission arrangements particularly for those who cannot afford prescription charges and yet fail to meet the criteria to receive assistance.

* The Bill should contribute to the overall health and well-being of those living in Scotland.

* The abolition of prescription charges will bring Scotland in line with Wales, where their First Minister Rhodri Morgan confirmed in June 2003 that the Welsh Labour administration will fulfill its election manifesto pledge to abolish all prescription charges by 2007.

Daily Record

Scottish Socialist leader Tommy Sheridan said elected representatives should be restricted to one paid job.

Sheridan added: 'MSPs and MPs are paid fantastically well for the job they do.

'Politicians are overpaid. If we had performance-related pay we would be paid a damn sight less.'

Sunday Herald

Tommy Sheridan, the Scottish Socialist leader, blasted McConnell for not sending out a clear message to Chinese authorities, adding: “It is an outrage that the promotion of human rights is not central to the trip . It would be a disgrace if the man who is supposed to be Scotland’s leader goes to China just to do the bidding of big business.”

[Sunday Herald]

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) cut its links with Labour in June in protest at the government’s behaviour in its recent strike. It plans to fund individual candidates who oppose the private finance initiative and support public services.