Edinburgh Evening News - Top Stories - SSP's bid to scrap drug charges
NEWLY-elected Lothians Socialist MSP Colin Fox today revealed plans for a Bill in the Scottish Parliament to abolish prescription charges.
He said the current charge of £6.30 per item was a tax on illness which hit the poor hardest.
And he claimed scrapping the charges would help to improve the health of Scotland's population.
Friday, May 16, 2003
Algerian’s deportation cancelled at eleventh hour
Ali Serir was sitting in a van at Greenock prison yesterday, ready for a flight home to his native Algeria, when his deportation order was cancelled.
Had the removal order not been lifted, Mr Serir, whose Scottish wife is expecting a baby, faced torture and certain death on his return, according to Aamer Anwar, his lawyer.
The U-turn follows an intervention by Mr Anwar and Tommy Sheridan, the Scottish Socialist party leader, who sent a letter to David Blunkett, the home secretary, on Monday.
A Home Office investigation is now under way, with Les Hodges, a chief immigration officer, confirming that the order had been cancelled until all matters raised by Mr Sheridan have been addressed. The Herald
Ali Serir was sitting in a van at Greenock prison yesterday, ready for a flight home to his native Algeria, when his deportation order was cancelled.
Had the removal order not been lifted, Mr Serir, whose Scottish wife is expecting a baby, faced torture and certain death on his return, according to Aamer Anwar, his lawyer.
The U-turn follows an intervention by Mr Anwar and Tommy Sheridan, the Scottish Socialist party leader, who sent a letter to David Blunkett, the home secretary, on Monday.
A Home Office investigation is now under way, with Les Hodges, a chief immigration officer, confirming that the order had been cancelled until all matters raised by Mr Sheridan have been addressed. The Herald
New First Minister faces fight on votes - Evening Times
Following the strong showing of Tommy Sheridan's Scottish Socialist Party at the elections this month, Labour could be expected to lose at least 20 councillors and possibly more, to opposition parties under the new Single Transferable Vote system, where the vote is for the party, rather than the individual.
Following the strong showing of Tommy Sheridan's Scottish Socialist Party at the elections this month, Labour could be expected to lose at least 20 councillors and possibly more, to opposition parties under the new Single Transferable Vote system, where the vote is for the party, rather than the individual.
Wednesday, May 14, 2003
Edinburgh Evening News - Scotland - SSP backs nurseries cash fight
A MOTION has been tabled in the Scottish Parliament in support of nursery nurses who are threatening to strike over a pay dispute.
The Scottish Socialists have thrown their weight behind a campaign which has seen almost 5000 nursery nurses vote overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action.
Nearly 500 nursery staff in Edinburgh have agreed to walk out in an attempt to force council chiefs to review their salaries for the first time in 15 years.
Eighteen council-run nursery schools and a further 80 nursery classes within city primary schools will be hit by the move, which is expected to start later this month.
The Scottish Socialists' motion calls for the parliament to support regrading of the pay from a current maximum of £13,800 after eight years' service to £17,000.
Carolyn Leckie MSP, who lodged the motion, said: "It?s a disgrace that qualified nursery nurses are having to go on strike to achieve their regrading claim, and we?re supporting them fully."
A MOTION has been tabled in the Scottish Parliament in support of nursery nurses who are threatening to strike over a pay dispute.
The Scottish Socialists have thrown their weight behind a campaign which has seen almost 5000 nursery nurses vote overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action.
Nearly 500 nursery staff in Edinburgh have agreed to walk out in an attempt to force council chiefs to review their salaries for the first time in 15 years.
Eighteen council-run nursery schools and a further 80 nursery classes within city primary schools will be hit by the move, which is expected to start later this month.
The Scottish Socialists' motion calls for the parliament to support regrading of the pay from a current maximum of £13,800 after eight years' service to £17,000.
Carolyn Leckie MSP, who lodged the motion, said: "It?s a disgrace that qualified nursery nurses are having to go on strike to achieve their regrading claim, and we?re supporting them fully."
BBC NEWS | Scotland | Fresh bid for free school meals
A new bill aimed at giving free school meals to every child is being brought forward by the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP).
Similar legislation failed to gain enough support in the last parliament.
A commitment to delivering nutritious meals and free milk or drinking water for pupils was one of the SSP's core manifesto pledges.
The plans are backed by health and poverty campaigners, trade unions and some church groups and are estimated to cost about £174m a year.
A new bill aimed at giving free school meals to every child is being brought forward by the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP).
Similar legislation failed to gain enough support in the last parliament.
A commitment to delivering nutritious meals and free milk or drinking water for pupils was one of the SSP's core manifesto pledges.
The plans are backed by health and poverty campaigners, trade unions and some church groups and are estimated to cost about £174m a year.
Small parties seek bigger say
For the SSP, Carolyn Leckie said her party was anxious to ensure that the voters' decision to return "a broad, pluralistic, and diverse" parliament was reflected in the make-up of the committees, in the parliament's other practices and in debating time allotted
For the SSP, Carolyn Leckie said her party was anxious to ensure that the voters' decision to return "a broad, pluralistic, and diverse" parliament was reflected in the make-up of the committees, in the parliament's other practices and in debating time allotted
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
LEUCHARS DENIES MISSILE DANGER
The Cupar branch of the Scottish Socialist Party expressed its concern that military hardware, bound for RAF Leuchars, was apparently being transported on public roads. Evening Telegraph, Dundee
The Cupar branch of the Scottish Socialist Party expressed its concern that military hardware, bound for RAF Leuchars, was apparently being transported on public roads. Evening Telegraph, Dundee
BBC NEWS | Scotland | 'Halt deportation' plea to Blunkett
Mr Sheridan said: "Karen and Ali are a normal, loving couple expecting their first child.
"They have lived peacefully in Glasgow for over 18 months. Their lives have now been shattered by an inhumane and racist approach by the immigration authorities.
"Algeria is a dangerous country, yet the authorities are now threatening to tear Ali from his pregnant wife and send him back to danger.
"It is a disgrace that we are treating a human being like this."
Mr Sheridan said: "Karen and Ali are a normal, loving couple expecting their first child.
"They have lived peacefully in Glasgow for over 18 months. Their lives have now been shattered by an inhumane and racist approach by the immigration authorities.
"Algeria is a dangerous country, yet the authorities are now threatening to tear Ali from his pregnant wife and send him back to danger.
"It is a disgrace that we are treating a human being like this."
Monday, May 12, 2003
Guardian Unlimited Politics | Special Reports | Rosie's mission
"Then, on February 14 1997, the police arrived and I saw what the state could do," she says. "I saw 200 police officers and about 300 security guards telling nine women they couldn't be in a park. I was walking down the line with the security guards, crying, and I asked one of them how much he was getting. He said, '£3.20 an hour, and I've got a wife and kids and Christmas has just been.' I told him to call his wife and tell her he had stood up against a working-class woman for £3.20 an hour."
A few minutes later, the security guard, along with seven others, handed in his jacket and went and sat with Kane and her friends. "We were all greeting [crying] and I started to realise then that they were using working-class people in poverty to crush folk who were in the same boat," she says. Rosie Kane on the struggle against the M77 motorway.
"Then, on February 14 1997, the police arrived and I saw what the state could do," she says. "I saw 200 police officers and about 300 security guards telling nine women they couldn't be in a park. I was walking down the line with the security guards, crying, and I asked one of them how much he was getting. He said, '£3.20 an hour, and I've got a wife and kids and Christmas has just been.' I told him to call his wife and tell her he had stood up against a working-class woman for £3.20 an hour."
A few minutes later, the security guard, along with seven others, handed in his jacket and went and sat with Kane and her friends. "We were all greeting [crying] and I started to realise then that they were using working-class people in poverty to crush folk who were in the same boat," she says. Rosie Kane on the struggle against the M77 motorway.
Socialists to table motion opposing M74 extension
THE Scottish Executive's planned £500m extension of the M74 will be placed firmly on the new parliament's agenda today when the motorway is made a key issue for the second term by the Scottish Socialists.
The SSP's Rosie Kane cut her political teeth as an environmental campaigner fighting the M77 and now her first motion in the Scottish Parliament will be in opposition to the M74 extension.
Ms Kane and her party's convener, Tommy Sheridan, will hand in their party's submission to the consultation process at Glasgow City Chambers today. Patrick Harvie, the city's Green MSP, will hand his party's response in at the same time, as the two parties make clear their joint opposition to urban motorway building.
Ms Kane will table her first motion this morning on the M74 issue. It invites the parliament to express its opposition to the motorway building project and states that the project will have "failed the people of Glasgow."
The motion also condemns the executive's lack of alternative public transport provision for the area involved.
THE Scottish Executive's planned £500m extension of the M74 will be placed firmly on the new parliament's agenda today when the motorway is made a key issue for the second term by the Scottish Socialists.
The SSP's Rosie Kane cut her political teeth as an environmental campaigner fighting the M77 and now her first motion in the Scottish Parliament will be in opposition to the M74 extension.
Ms Kane and her party's convener, Tommy Sheridan, will hand in their party's submission to the consultation process at Glasgow City Chambers today. Patrick Harvie, the city's Green MSP, will hand his party's response in at the same time, as the two parties make clear their joint opposition to urban motorway building.
Ms Kane will table her first motion this morning on the M74 issue. It invites the parliament to express its opposition to the motorway building project and states that the project will have "failed the people of Glasgow."
The motion also condemns the executive's lack of alternative public transport provision for the area involved.
Sunday, May 11, 2003
Sunday Herald - Holyrood Sisterhood
'I think,' adds Frances Curran, 'women have taken the brunt of a number of different issues in our society, childcare, poverty, domestic violence, and therefore it can have a radicalising effect. But I think there are two issues in women's lives. There is the issue of gender experience in society, and there is also the issue of class. You see, middle-class and upper-class women don't experience society in the same way as working-class women. Put it this way, we were told that when Blair's babes got elected it would make a significant difference for working-class women. But it didn't. Based on experience, I don't have a lot of confidence in middle-class women who get elected to positions to represent me.'
'I think,' adds Frances Curran, 'women have taken the brunt of a number of different issues in our society, childcare, poverty, domestic violence, and therefore it can have a radicalising effect. But I think there are two issues in women's lives. There is the issue of gender experience in society, and there is also the issue of class. You see, middle-class and upper-class women don't experience society in the same way as working-class women. Put it this way, we were told that when Blair's babes got elected it would make a significant difference for working-class women. But it didn't. Based on experience, I don't have a lot of confidence in middle-class women who get elected to positions to represent me.'
Saturday, May 10, 2003
Guardian Unlimited Politics | Special Reports | A new hymn sheet
It started with a song. In a strong voice, above the protestations of Scottish parliament officials, Colin Fox, Socialist MSP for the Lothians, launched into A Man's a Man For a' That, Robert Burns' great paean to egalitarianism.
It is the Scottish parliament's unofficial anthem but the words were sung in rebellion, before a chamber that held its breath, learning that Holyrood has changed and new political forces are at work in Scotland.
It started with a song. In a strong voice, above the protestations of Scottish parliament officials, Colin Fox, Socialist MSP for the Lothians, launched into A Man's a Man For a' That, Robert Burns' great paean to egalitarianism.
It is the Scottish parliament's unofficial anthem but the words were sung in rebellion, before a chamber that held its breath, learning that Holyrood has changed and new political forces are at work in Scotland.
Friday, May 09, 2003
Intervista a Tommy Sheridan dei socialisti scozzesi
"Il New Labour - in caduta libera" Liberazione - Paper of Rifondazione (Italy)
"Il New Labour - in caduta libera" Liberazione - Paper of Rifondazione (Italy)
BBC NEWS | Scotland | Backlash over Holyrood 'reforms'
Tommy Sheridan said Mr McConnell's offer was not enough - and insisted he wanted to be able to grill the first minister every week.
"It's true we are only a small party but we have gained a remarkable increase in support across Scotland, increasing our second vote by 245%, so the idea of one question with one supplementary a week is the least we would expect," he said.
Tommy Sheridan said Mr McConnell's offer was not enough - and insisted he wanted to be able to grill the first minister every week.
"It's true we are only a small party but we have gained a remarkable increase in support across Scotland, increasing our second vote by 245%, so the idea of one question with one supplementary a week is the least we would expect," he said.
McConnell could impose fire deal
Last night, Tommy Sheridan, leader of the Scottish Socialist party, predicted Mr McConnell would have a "ferocious battle on his hands" at Holyrood if he tried to impose a deal. "This is going to be a very important test of the new Scottish Executive," the Glasgow MSP said. "I hope the Socialists, the SNP, and the Greens will unite against imposing a shoddy deal on a free trade union." The Herald
Last night, Tommy Sheridan, leader of the Scottish Socialist party, predicted Mr McConnell would have a "ferocious battle on his hands" at Holyrood if he tried to impose a deal. "This is going to be a very important test of the new Scottish Executive," the Glasgow MSP said. "I hope the Socialists, the SNP, and the Greens will unite against imposing a shoddy deal on a free trade union." The Herald
Thursday, May 08, 2003
Guardian Unlimited Politics | Special Reports | Holyrood socialists voice their defiance Burns ode to equality sung in protest over royal oath
The Scotsman - Politics - Citizen Kane has the oath on hand
Frances Curran, another of Tommy's Trots, said democrats should not be forced to swear allegiance to unelected monarchs. Then she mumbled the oath so inaudibly that she might have been saying, "I'm a pink toothbrush, you're a blue toothbrush."
...But the show belonged to the Socialists. They’ll get panned, of course, but they won’t care.
And neither will your sketch-writer. The shock on the faces of the Establishment-minded was a joy to behold: "What, people with principles! How dare they! So childish!" The same folk who complained about the place being boring were now complaining that it had become interesting.
Frances Curran, another of Tommy's Trots, said democrats should not be forced to swear allegiance to unelected monarchs. Then she mumbled the oath so inaudibly that she might have been saying, "I'm a pink toothbrush, you're a blue toothbrush."
...But the show belonged to the Socialists. They’ll get panned, of course, but they won’t care.
And neither will your sketch-writer. The shock on the faces of the Establishment-minded was a joy to behold: "What, people with principles! How dare they! So childish!" The same folk who complained about the place being boring were now complaining that it had become interesting.
Wednesday, May 07, 2003
Above: Rosie Kane MSP makes a clear statement.
The SSP MSP's took the oath of allegiance under protest today. Colin Fox MSP was prevented from singing Robert Burns egalitarian anthem 'A Man's A Man'.
"I and my party colleagues were elected on a clear and honest commitment to an independent Socialist Scotland, a Socialist republic, a Scotland of citizens not a Scotland of subjects.
"We will continue to fight for such a Scotland."
Tommy Sheridan MSP, SSP group leader
FT.com / Lib Dems seek third Scottish cabinet post
Both the SSP and Greens have won the right to representation on the Edinburgh parliament's corporate body, which decides the timing and subject of debates. And both parties, previously one-man-bands at Holyrood, will also claim wider representation on parliament's committees, which in Edinburgh not only vet legislation and monitor the executive, but can also generate new bills.
In policy terms, this is likely to see the SSP pushing hard for reform of Scotland's council tax, which it wants replaced by a far more progressive "Scottish service tax". Mr Sheridan will also press the executive to pledge free school meals.
Even acting alone during the last parliament, Mr Sheridan made an impact. In 2000, a personal campaign to have warrant sales abolished resulted in a members' bill winning parliamentary approval. And the 39-year-old firebrand, who has been imprisoned three times as a result of his political campaigns, narrowly missed having his campaign for free school meals adopted.
Mr Sheridan spoke after his party's breakthrough in the polls of a "new political force being formed" in Scotland. It is not one that either Labour or the Lib Dems, nor for that matter the Scottish nationalists who lost votes to the SSP, will easily be able to disregard. Financial Times
Both the SSP and Greens have won the right to representation on the Edinburgh parliament's corporate body, which decides the timing and subject of debates. And both parties, previously one-man-bands at Holyrood, will also claim wider representation on parliament's committees, which in Edinburgh not only vet legislation and monitor the executive, but can also generate new bills.
In policy terms, this is likely to see the SSP pushing hard for reform of Scotland's council tax, which it wants replaced by a far more progressive "Scottish service tax". Mr Sheridan will also press the executive to pledge free school meals.
Even acting alone during the last parliament, Mr Sheridan made an impact. In 2000, a personal campaign to have warrant sales abolished resulted in a members' bill winning parliamentary approval. And the 39-year-old firebrand, who has been imprisoned three times as a result of his political campaigns, narrowly missed having his campaign for free school meals adopted.
Mr Sheridan spoke after his party's breakthrough in the polls of a "new political force being formed" in Scotland. It is not one that either Labour or the Lib Dems, nor for that matter the Scottish nationalists who lost votes to the SSP, will easily be able to disregard. Financial Times
Blair Misses War Bounce
Polling before the election suggested that a substantial number of traditional Labour Party voters would bolt because of their anger over Blair's prowar stance, and that appears to be precisely what happened. The militantly antiwar SSP, whose leader Tommy Sheridan appeared frequently at antiwar rallies throughout the campaign and continued to wear a "No More Wars" pin even after the fighting in Iraq slackened, had held a single seat in the previous parliament. On May 1, the SSP won six seats.
The Nation (USA)
Polling before the election suggested that a substantial number of traditional Labour Party voters would bolt because of their anger over Blair's prowar stance, and that appears to be precisely what happened. The militantly antiwar SSP, whose leader Tommy Sheridan appeared frequently at antiwar rallies throughout the campaign and continued to wear a "No More Wars" pin even after the fighting in Iraq slackened, had held a single seat in the previous parliament. On May 1, the SSP won six seats.
The Nation (USA)
BBC NEWS | Scotland | Oath protest as MSPs start work
On Wednesday morning the 129 MSPs, both old and new, must swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen.
As a republican, Tommy Sheridan and his Scottish Socialists will do so under protest.
In 1999 Mr Sheridan - at that time the party's only MSP - took the oath with a raised fist.
Speaking before Wednesday's ceremony, he said: "Each of us will take the oath under protest, but the form of the protest will be entirely up to each individual member.
"I will be raising the clenched fist. I don't know whether the other comrades will.
"We will be verbally protesting when we take the oath. We were told last time that we weren't allowed but we did, and that's set the precedent."
On Wednesday morning the 129 MSPs, both old and new, must swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen.
As a republican, Tommy Sheridan and his Scottish Socialists will do so under protest.
In 1999 Mr Sheridan - at that time the party's only MSP - took the oath with a raised fist.
Speaking before Wednesday's ceremony, he said: "Each of us will take the oath under protest, but the form of the protest will be entirely up to each individual member.
"I will be raising the clenched fist. I don't know whether the other comrades will.
"We will be verbally protesting when we take the oath. We were told last time that we weren't allowed but we did, and that's set the precedent."
Tuesday, May 06, 2003
BBC NEWS | Scotland | Protest over Afghan asylum move
Scottish politicians are backing calls for a halt to the forced deportation of Afghan asylum seekers.
Refugee groups have already attacked the UK Government's decision to start sending people back to Afghanistan following the fall of the Taleban regime.
A protest against that decision was being held in Glasgow on Tuesday.
Those taking part were to include Labour MP Mohammed Sarwar, Scottish National Party MSP Sandra White and Scottish Socialist MSPs Tommy Sheridan and Rosie Kane.
Scottish politicians are backing calls for a halt to the forced deportation of Afghan asylum seekers.
Refugee groups have already attacked the UK Government's decision to start sending people back to Afghanistan following the fall of the Taleban regime.
A protest against that decision was being held in Glasgow on Tuesday.
Those taking part were to include Labour MP Mohammed Sarwar, Scottish National Party MSP Sandra White and Scottish Socialist MSPs Tommy Sheridan and Rosie Kane.
Edinburgh Evening News - Top Stories - Greens and SSP to get top Holyrood jobs
The SSP's first choice would be the convenership of the social justice committee but, failing that, it would settle for the petitions committee, which was chaired in the last parliament by Labour left-winger John McAllion, who lost his seat to the SNP in the elections.
The SSP today promised to use its new strength in the parliament to make a serious assault on poverty. The party said it is already planning what legislation it can introduce to improve the lives of people in Scotland's most deprived communities. SSP leader Tommy Sheridan is determined to reintroduce his bill for universal free school meals, one of the core policies included in the election manifesto.
And the party believes attempting to get other redistributive measures on to the statute book should be its priority in parliament for the next four years. Politicians in other parties seized on comments by Rosie Kane, one of the new SSP MSPs, at the weekend that she hoped the parliament would become "a bit like the Big Brother House". People would be "amazed at all the madness and craziness that's going to happen in there", she said.
But today Lothians SSP MSP Colin Fox said the party would be setting about the serious business of promoting legislation to tackle poverty and inequality.
He said: " We are going to be more pro-active in putting forward legislation in parliament. After four years, we want to be able to point to certain things and say: 'We brought that in, it's not socialism, but it has made a real difference to the lives of people in Scotland'."
Mr Sheridan won a dramatic victory with his Bill to abolish warrant sales when he gathered enough Labour rebels to force the Executive to drop its opposition to the move. But his Bill to give free school meals to all Scots children - at a cost of £174 million - was defeated in June last year .
The SSP's first choice would be the convenership of the social justice committee but, failing that, it would settle for the petitions committee, which was chaired in the last parliament by Labour left-winger John McAllion, who lost his seat to the SNP in the elections.
The SSP today promised to use its new strength in the parliament to make a serious assault on poverty. The party said it is already planning what legislation it can introduce to improve the lives of people in Scotland's most deprived communities. SSP leader Tommy Sheridan is determined to reintroduce his bill for universal free school meals, one of the core policies included in the election manifesto.
And the party believes attempting to get other redistributive measures on to the statute book should be its priority in parliament for the next four years. Politicians in other parties seized on comments by Rosie Kane, one of the new SSP MSPs, at the weekend that she hoped the parliament would become "a bit like the Big Brother House". People would be "amazed at all the madness and craziness that's going to happen in there", she said.
But today Lothians SSP MSP Colin Fox said the party would be setting about the serious business of promoting legislation to tackle poverty and inequality.
He said: " We are going to be more pro-active in putting forward legislation in parliament. After four years, we want to be able to point to certain things and say: 'We brought that in, it's not socialism, but it has made a real difference to the lives of people in Scotland'."
Mr Sheridan won a dramatic victory with his Bill to abolish warrant sales when he gathered enough Labour rebels to force the Executive to drop its opposition to the move. But his Bill to give free school meals to all Scots children - at a cost of £174 million - was defeated in June last year .
Socialists to take oath 'under duress'
Mr Sheridan said the swearing-in ceremony, with its pledge "to be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law" had no place in a modern Scotland, whether as a religious oath or as an affirmation. He said: "Our position on this is very clear.
"We think it is a democratic disgrace that a parliament elected on the basis of honesty and integrity forces many members to tell a lie on their very first day.
"We completely oppose swearing allegiance to a privileged elite to which we have no allegiance, and therefore we will do so under duress. There will be no agreed party wording on this. The MSPs will make their own different statements."
Mr Sheridan said the swearing-in ceremony, with its pledge "to be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law" had no place in a modern Scotland, whether as a religious oath or as an affirmation. He said: "Our position on this is very clear.
"We think it is a democratic disgrace that a parliament elected on the basis of honesty and integrity forces many members to tell a lie on their very first day.
"We completely oppose swearing allegiance to a privileged elite to which we have no allegiance, and therefore we will do so under duress. There will be no agreed party wording on this. The MSPs will make their own different statements."
The Scotsman - Politics - What do the left-leaning Greens want?
The Greens are noticeably wary of getting too close to the socialists at this stage. They know they share some common ground, but are equally aware that they will scare off many of their voters if they ally themselves too closely with militant left-wingers such as the SSP. It is a delicate balance to strike
The Greens are noticeably wary of getting too close to the socialists at this stage. They know they share some common ground, but are equally aware that they will scare off many of their voters if they ally themselves too closely with militant left-wingers such as the SSP. It is a delicate balance to strike
Monday, May 05, 2003
Power to the people as the wee parties steal show
IF THERE was an award for the best celebration of Scottish election night it would, without doubt, go to Colin Fox of the Scottish Socialist Party.
Hearing that he had been elected as a regional list MSP for the Lothians, in the early hours of yesterday morning, he leapt off the platform, over a barrier and jumped up and down cheering with his fists in the air, before running back to hug party comrades. London Times
IF THERE was an award for the best celebration of Scottish election night it would, without doubt, go to Colin Fox of the Scottish Socialist Party.
Hearing that he had been elected as a regional list MSP for the Lothians, in the early hours of yesterday morning, he leapt off the platform, over a barrier and jumped up and down cheering with his fists in the air, before running back to hug party comrades. London Times
Sunday, May 04, 2003
Scotland on Sunday - Politics - Will Independents' Day bring fringe benefits or chaos to Holyrood?
Sheridan, with his snappy suits, sun-tan, rigorous fitness regime and tendency to be arrested for demonstrating outside nuclear bases, has become an icon of the Scottish parliament, again among young people attracted by his powerful rhetoric and the SSP policy to legalise cannabis. Many were scandalised by Sheridan's raising a fist in protest at having to take an oath to the Queen when taking up his position as an MSP. For others the move was seen as symbolic of the spirit of Red Clydeside in the new Scottish parliament.
The SSP produced some of the most stylishly cheeky advertising of the whole campaign. One leaflet compared the choices available to a pizza menu. New Labour's pizza was 'greasy, cheesy and full of mince' while the SNP's offering was 'half-baked'.
Professor John Curtice of Strathclyde University's politics department, said: "This was the result Tommy Sheridan has been campaigning for for four years, and he has pulled it off with his style of campaigning. He wove himself into the anti-war campaign. He is a charismatic leader and has made his party a natural resting place for disaffected Labour voters.
Sheridan, with his snappy suits, sun-tan, rigorous fitness regime and tendency to be arrested for demonstrating outside nuclear bases, has become an icon of the Scottish parliament, again among young people attracted by his powerful rhetoric and the SSP policy to legalise cannabis. Many were scandalised by Sheridan's raising a fist in protest at having to take an oath to the Queen when taking up his position as an MSP. For others the move was seen as symbolic of the spirit of Red Clydeside in the new Scottish parliament.
The SSP produced some of the most stylishly cheeky advertising of the whole campaign. One leaflet compared the choices available to a pizza menu. New Labour's pizza was 'greasy, cheesy and full of mince' while the SNP's offering was 'half-baked'.
Professor John Curtice of Strathclyde University's politics department, said: "This was the result Tommy Sheridan has been campaigning for for four years, and he has pulled it off with his style of campaigning. He wove himself into the anti-war campaign. He is a charismatic leader and has made his party a natural resting place for disaffected Labour voters.
Saturday, May 03, 2003
Mayday 2003 March
The annual Mayday march organised by the Edinburgh Mayday Committee took place today with hundreds marching through the streets in the sunshine. They were addressed by speakers including representatives of the FBU and Scottish Friends of Palestine. But the biggest cheers were for newly elected socialist MSP's Colin Fox, Tommy Sheridan and Rosie Kane. Superb music from the legendary Dick Gaughan rounded off a great day.
The annual Mayday march organised by the Edinburgh Mayday Committee took place today with hundreds marching through the streets in the sunshine. They were addressed by speakers including representatives of the FBU and Scottish Friends of Palestine. But the biggest cheers were for newly elected socialist MSP's Colin Fox, Tommy Sheridan and Rosie Kane. Superb music from the legendary Dick Gaughan rounded off a great day.
Glasgow Council Results
The big surprise was the dramatic increase in support for Tommy Sheridan's Scottish Socialist Party. The extra votes still returned only one SSP councillor, but the party came second in 19 seats, forcing the SNP into third place. Keith Baldassara managed to hold Pollok for the SSP by just 30 votes after a recount. The seat was previously held by Mr Sheridan, who quit the council to concentrate on Holyrood.
Mr Baldassara said: "Labour said I was a paper candidate and the SSP would be incapable of holding a seat in Glasgow unless Tommy was standing. We proved them wrong." Mr Sheridan, who was at the council count when he heard the SSP had won a sixth Scottish Parliament list seat, said: "It has been a tremendous result for the SSP in Glasgow and in every part of Scotland. "To return this council seat here is the icing on the cake. Keith Baldassara will be a tremendous councillor for the people of Pollok."
Glasgow Evening Times
The big surprise was the dramatic increase in support for Tommy Sheridan's Scottish Socialist Party. The extra votes still returned only one SSP councillor, but the party came second in 19 seats, forcing the SNP into third place. Keith Baldassara managed to hold Pollok for the SSP by just 30 votes after a recount. The seat was previously held by Mr Sheridan, who quit the council to concentrate on Holyrood.
Mr Baldassara said: "Labour said I was a paper candidate and the SSP would be incapable of holding a seat in Glasgow unless Tommy was standing. We proved them wrong." Mr Sheridan, who was at the council count when he heard the SSP had won a sixth Scottish Parliament list seat, said: "It has been a tremendous result for the SSP in Glasgow and in every part of Scotland. "To return this council seat here is the icing on the cake. Keith Baldassara will be a tremendous councillor for the people of Pollok."
Glasgow Evening Times
The Scotsman - SSP pledge to shake-up parliament
"Tommy Sheridan, the leader of the SSP, was as ever direct in his approach, vowing to launch a revolution that would "engulf" Scotland and put socialism back on the agenda across Europe.
While talking up the merits of an independent, socialist Scotland, he said getting rid of the council tax and providing free school meals to all children were two policies that were of primary concern to his party.
However, it was left to Mr Fox to offer a more thoughtful analysis of the likely future of the fringe candidates.
He said: "We know there was a protest vote because of the firefighters strike and the war in Iraq. When those issues begin to fade, it will be up to us to keep those voters by delivering on what we stand for and by operating with principle and honesty."
"Tommy Sheridan, the leader of the SSP, was as ever direct in his approach, vowing to launch a revolution that would "engulf" Scotland and put socialism back on the agenda across Europe.
While talking up the merits of an independent, socialist Scotland, he said getting rid of the council tax and providing free school meals to all children were two policies that were of primary concern to his party.
However, it was left to Mr Fox to offer a more thoughtful analysis of the likely future of the fringe candidates.
He said: "We know there was a protest vote because of the firefighters strike and the war in Iraq. When those issues begin to fade, it will be up to us to keep those voters by delivering on what we stand for and by operating with principle and honesty."
Friday, May 02, 2003
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