SSP PUTS WAR ON POVERTY, NOT IRAQ ON PARLIAMENT AGENDA

Tommy Sheridan, Scottish Socialist Party MSP and National Convenor, will next week promote a war on poverty in Scotland, not against Iraq in the course of the SSP’s annual 90-minute debate slot.

Next Thursday morning Tommy Sheridan will propose two motions. The first will call on the Scottish Parliament to support the replacement of the unfair council tax with a redistributive and progressive Service Tax based on individual income. This radical tax measure would effect a wealth transfusion in Scotland from the millionaires and the wealthy to the low paid and pensioners.

Tommy said,
“Our Scottish Service Tax proposal would improve the disposable income of 77% of Scots. Pensioners and low paid workers would benefit most. Instead of being hammered by the unfair council tax, they would be taxed according to their income and those on less than £10,000 a year would be exempt. The wealthy and millionaires in society would pay more. This measure is a radical assault on poverty and delivers significant wealth redistribution throughout Scotland. This is what the Scottish Parliament has failed to do in the last three years.”

Tommy’s second motion will urge support for the Scottish Coalition for Justice Not War’s demonstration on 15 February.

Tommy Sheridan said,
“The overwhelming majority of Scots are opposed to the Bush-driven war for oil. They know this war has nothing to do with justice, weapons of mass destruction or the war on terrorism. It has everything to do with Bush’s desire to control world oil and extend the American empire.”

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