SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
08/12/03

All of the Scottish Socialist Party MSPs are under incredible pressure.
Collectively and individually, they have played an outstanding role carrying the banner of socialism into a hostile environment, fronting numerous local and national campaigns, preparing private members bills based on our key manifesto policies, liaising with numerous voluntary organisations, dealing with a multitude of day-to-day problems in their constituencies, and promoting the party's policies in the media.
Since her election seven months ago, Rosie Kane has made a phenomenal impact on Scottish public consciousness.
She is now a household name, with almost every word she utters tracked by opponents in the parliament and the media desperate to undermine her.
Unfortunately, the intensity of the last six months have created overheads for Rosie personally.
Recently she has suffered some fairly serious health problems and is on medication for stress and depression.
Rosie now feels that she should go public and explain her health problem first to the party to the party membership then to the wider public.
This would remove some of the pressure that she's under and help cut across some of the ignorant criticisms directed towards Rosie in parliament and in the press.
She also feels that it's important to be honest with party members, supporters and the wider public rather than try to cover up the fact she is suffering from a common health problem that especially blights the lives of many working class women.
Every SSP member will be naturally be anxious that Rosie makes a speedy recovery and returns to continue the magnificent work that she's begun.
At the same time, the Scottish Socialist Party will offer her whatever personal and political support that we can, and at the same time give her the time and space she needs to recuperate.