SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 30/01/04
The Scottish Socialist Party group in the Scottish Parliament today issued a statement giving “complete and unequivocal support” to BBC staff and journalists who had taken action in protest at government attacks on the organisation and laid a motion in the Scottish Parliament attacking the Hutton Report as a cover-up conducted by a handpicked member of the establishment with a track record of covering up the activities of the secret state.
The SSP group also attacked Tony Blair for staging a ‘coup’ at the BBC in order to put his own loyalists into position.
Tommy Sheridan said;
“The Hutton report was a classic whitewash by an establishment judge who learned his whitewash techniques over Bloody Sunday in Derry and as a Diplock judge in Northern Ireland.
“I commend the BBC staff who demonstrated yesterday and the Scottish Socialist Party will be supporting them against the coup that New Labour has staged in the BBC.”
Scottish Socialist Party MSP for Central Region, Carolyn Leckie, has lodged a motion on behalf of the SSP group in the parliament attacking the Hutton report as a “cover-up” conducted by a hand picked member of the British legal establishment who had previously attempted to cover-up the role of British paratroopers during the now discredited Widgery Inquiry into the Bloody Sunday massacre of unarmed civilians.
The Socialists view the attacks on the BBC in the Hutton Report as an attempt to create a climate of fear and intimidation within the organisation and further evidence of moves towards the suppression of free and open reporting within the UK.
Their motion congratulates all members of BBC staff in Scotland and the rest of the UK for taking action in defence of journalistic integrity within the organisation
The SSP motion calls on Tony Blair to resign for leading the country into war on the basis of a “tissue of lies”.
[ends]
Friday, January 30, 2004
New demands for justice
Edinburgh Evening News
There have been fresh calls for a Scottish Parliament debate into the arrest of five Algerian men in Edinburgh on terrorism charges.
The charges against the men - and four other men - were dropped last month almost a year after the arrests.
Scotland Against Criminalising Communities today supported the motion tabled in the Scottish Parliament in December by Socialist MSP Colin Fox MSP. The motion says that the issue "highlights the flaws in the Terrorism Act 2000".
There have been fresh calls for a Scottish Parliament debate into the arrest of five Algerian men in Edinburgh on terrorism charges.
The charges against the men - and four other men - were dropped last month almost a year after the arrests.
Scotland Against Criminalising Communities today supported the motion tabled in the Scottish Parliament in December by Socialist MSP Colin Fox MSP. The motion says that the issue "highlights the flaws in the Terrorism Act 2000".
Thursday, January 29, 2004
Three arrested at cannabis café
BBC News Online
Three people have been charged with drugs offences at Scotland's first cannabis café, police said.
A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "Three people have been arrested and charged with possession of drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act."
He added: "Two people were seen using drugs within the premises."
The Purple Haze Cafe, a former greasy spoon, was opened on Thursday afternoon as a private members' club.
Café owner Paul Stewart said that cannabis would not be on sale.
Mr Stewart said he wanted to highlight the discrepancy between the way that the reclassification of the drug was being implemented on different sides of the border.
"In the rest of the UK the presumption of arrest has been taken away, but that presumption still remains in Scotland," he said.
Scottish Socialist Party MSPs Tommy Sheridan and Rosemary Byrne signed up to become members of the cafe.
Mr Sheridan said: "The people in this cafe want to take drugs off our streets and I think most people in Scotland would want to take drugs off our streets."
Earlier, First Minister Jack McConnell had condemned the cafe.
He said: "Those who are attempting to interpret the law for their own ends, I think, should think about the consequences of their actions."
Mr McConnell said Scottish police forces would continue to report cases involving cannabis to procurators fiscals, who would then consider what action should be taken.
He also described the Socialists' position as "shameful" and attacked "those who intend to interpret the law for their own ends".
Three people have been charged with drugs offences at Scotland's first cannabis café, police said.
A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "Three people have been arrested and charged with possession of drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act."
He added: "Two people were seen using drugs within the premises."
The Purple Haze Cafe, a former greasy spoon, was opened on Thursday afternoon as a private members' club.
Café owner Paul Stewart said that cannabis would not be on sale.
Mr Stewart said he wanted to highlight the discrepancy between the way that the reclassification of the drug was being implemented on different sides of the border.
"In the rest of the UK the presumption of arrest has been taken away, but that presumption still remains in Scotland," he said.
Scottish Socialist Party MSPs Tommy Sheridan and Rosemary Byrne signed up to become members of the cafe.
Mr Sheridan said: "The people in this cafe want to take drugs off our streets and I think most people in Scotland would want to take drugs off our streets."
Earlier, First Minister Jack McConnell had condemned the cafe.
He said: "Those who are attempting to interpret the law for their own ends, I think, should think about the consequences of their actions."
Mr McConnell said Scottish police forces would continue to report cases involving cannabis to procurators fiscals, who would then consider what action should be taken.
He also described the Socialists' position as "shameful" and attacked "those who intend to interpret the law for their own ends".
Cannabis Cafe Movement
Call for 'Blind Eye' to Cannabis The Scotsman
SSP backing for Scotland's first cannabis cafe
Kevin Williamson, the drugs spokesman for the Scottish Socialist Party, who is spearheading the SCCM campaign, said he wanted to build a network of tolerance zones across Scotland.
Mr Williamson said: "We want to expand it across the whole of Scotland, with the objective of calling on the Executive, the police forces and the local authorities to create Scottish-wide cannabis-tolerant zones until our parliament has the powers to change the law."
He said the campaign also wanted to turn the zones into cannabis information centres and monitor arrests for personal possession of cannabis. The Scotsman
SSP backing for Scotland's first cannabis cafe
Kevin Williamson, the drugs spokesman for the Scottish Socialist Party, who is spearheading the SCCM campaign, said he wanted to build a network of tolerance zones across Scotland.
Mr Williamson said: "We want to expand it across the whole of Scotland, with the objective of calling on the Executive, the police forces and the local authorities to create Scottish-wide cannabis-tolerant zones until our parliament has the powers to change the law."
He said the campaign also wanted to turn the zones into cannabis information centres and monitor arrests for personal possession of cannabis. The Scotsman
SSP worker arrested in parliament over Saudi protest
SSP worker arrested in parliament over Saudi protest
A SCOTTISH Socialist Party employee was arrested in the Scottish Parliament yesterday during a protest against Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to London.
Eddie Truman, a press officer with the SSP, was ushered from the chamber by police after a disturbance in the public gallery as Prince Turki al-Faisal took his seat in the VIP area.
The ambassador was also the target of a silent protest by MSPs from the Scottish Socialists in the main chamber.
Four SSP MSPs stood up holding printed cards that spelled out the slogan: "Despots not welcome here."
The four, Tommy Sheridan, Frances Curran, Carolyn Leckie and Rosemary Byrne, sat down after the Presiding Officer, George Reid, told them: "I will not have demonstrations in this parliament. Please sit."
Carolyn Leckie, the SSP MSP for Central Scotland region, had earlier failed in an attempt to suspend parliament’s standing orders to enable a debate to take place on the visit by the ambassador.
She described Saudi Arabia as "a totalitarian regime" which detained women for riding in taxis with unrelated men and appearing with their heads uncovered, and which beheaded people for adultery.
And she sought a debate "on whether we should welcome the representative of that regime" to the parliament. The Scotsman
A SCOTTISH Socialist Party employee was arrested in the Scottish Parliament yesterday during a protest against Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to London.
Eddie Truman, a press officer with the SSP, was ushered from the chamber by police after a disturbance in the public gallery as Prince Turki al-Faisal took his seat in the VIP area.
The ambassador was also the target of a silent protest by MSPs from the Scottish Socialists in the main chamber.
Four SSP MSPs stood up holding printed cards that spelled out the slogan: "Despots not welcome here."
The four, Tommy Sheridan, Frances Curran, Carolyn Leckie and Rosemary Byrne, sat down after the Presiding Officer, George Reid, told them: "I will not have demonstrations in this parliament. Please sit."
Carolyn Leckie, the SSP MSP for Central Scotland region, had earlier failed in an attempt to suspend parliament’s standing orders to enable a debate to take place on the visit by the ambassador.
She described Saudi Arabia as "a totalitarian regime" which detained women for riding in taxis with unrelated men and appearing with their heads uncovered, and which beheaded people for adultery.
And she sought a debate "on whether we should welcome the representative of that regime" to the parliament. The Scotsman
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
Socialists stage Saudi protest
BBC News Online
The Scottish Socialist Party has staged a protest in the Scottish Parliament against a visit by the Saudi Arabian ambassador.
Four Socialist MSPs stood in silence displaying placards reading "despots not welcome" when Prince Turki Al Faisal entered the chamber.
Earlier, the party had tried to move an emergency motion condemning what they described as the totalitarian regime in Saudi.
However, the move was refused by Presiding Officer George Reid.
The Scottish Socialist Party has staged a protest in the Scottish Parliament against a visit by the Saudi Arabian ambassador.
Four Socialist MSPs stood in silence displaying placards reading "despots not welcome" when Prince Turki Al Faisal entered the chamber.
Earlier, the party had tried to move an emergency motion condemning what they described as the totalitarian regime in Saudi.
However, the move was refused by Presiding Officer George Reid.
RMT Threatened by New Labour over SSP Link
RMT 'breached' Labour party rules
Bob Crow has demanded the right to appeal the decision
One of the unions that helped found Labour has been warned it may have to leave the party because of a row over the rules.
Rail union the RMT has threatened legal action, after the Labour party decided it had breached the rules by allowing affiliation to other parties. BBC News
Labour threatens to cut ties with founding union The Guardian
Union issues legal threat to Labour The Scotsman
Bob Crow has demanded the right to appeal the decision
One of the unions that helped found Labour has been warned it may have to leave the party because of a row over the rules.
Rail union the RMT has threatened legal action, after the Labour party decided it had breached the rules by allowing affiliation to other parties. BBC News
Labour threatens to cut ties with founding union The Guardian
Union issues legal threat to Labour The Scotsman
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Cannabis cafe rolls out challenge
BBC News Online
Campaigners have vowed to break the law by opening a cannabis cafe in Scotland when the drug is reclassified.
Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) drugs spokesman Kevin Williamson said the executive's stance had left the law looking "mangled".
He said: "It's one of these laws that's dishonest and hypocritical and like every dishonest and hypocritical law it has to be challenged."
He added: "We want to build a network of cannabis tolerant zones across Scotland beginning with the Purple Haze Café and expanding it across the whole of Scotland with the objective of calling on the Scottish Executive, the police forces and the local authorities to create Scottish-wide cannabis tolerant zones until our parliament has the powers to change the law."
Campaigners have vowed to break the law by opening a cannabis cafe in Scotland when the drug is reclassified.
Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) drugs spokesman Kevin Williamson said the executive's stance had left the law looking "mangled".
He said: "It's one of these laws that's dishonest and hypocritical and like every dishonest and hypocritical law it has to be challenged."
He added: "We want to build a network of cannabis tolerant zones across Scotland beginning with the Purple Haze Café and expanding it across the whole of Scotland with the objective of calling on the Scottish Executive, the police forces and the local authorities to create Scottish-wide cannabis tolerant zones until our parliament has the powers to change the law."
Chilly start to Saudi prince's visit
The Scotsman
The visit has drawn ire among members of the Scottish political community.
Carolyn Leckie, a Scottish Socialist MSP, has lodged a motion in the Parliament describing the Saudi government as a dictatorial and oppressive regime and calling on MSPs to boycott a forthcoming reception with the ambassador.
The prince was due to host a dinner last night for politicians, academics and business leaders with an interest in the Middle East at the Caledonian Hilton Hotel, Edinburgh.
Jack McConnell, the First Minister, had already indicated that he could not attend, because of other engagements, and Ms Leckie urged other MSPs to snub the prince.
She said: "Scottish Executive ministers will be dining with a despot and they will be guilty of gross hypocrisy for doing so.
"These same ministers sent Scottish troops off to die in a war ostensibly to rid the Middle East of a dangerous tyrant, and yet here they are sitting down in one of Edinburgh’s most expensive hotels to take dinner with a member of the Saudi Royal Family, a totalitarian regime whose security forces arbitrarily arrest and detain citizens who have no legal ability to change the government."
She added that the regime was guilty of suppressing freedom of speech and expression.
The visit has drawn ire among members of the Scottish political community.
Carolyn Leckie, a Scottish Socialist MSP, has lodged a motion in the Parliament describing the Saudi government as a dictatorial and oppressive regime and calling on MSPs to boycott a forthcoming reception with the ambassador.
The prince was due to host a dinner last night for politicians, academics and business leaders with an interest in the Middle East at the Caledonian Hilton Hotel, Edinburgh.
Jack McConnell, the First Minister, had already indicated that he could not attend, because of other engagements, and Ms Leckie urged other MSPs to snub the prince.
She said: "Scottish Executive ministers will be dining with a despot and they will be guilty of gross hypocrisy for doing so.
"These same ministers sent Scottish troops off to die in a war ostensibly to rid the Middle East of a dangerous tyrant, and yet here they are sitting down in one of Edinburgh’s most expensive hotels to take dinner with a member of the Saudi Royal Family, a totalitarian regime whose security forces arbitrarily arrest and detain citizens who have no legal ability to change the government."
She added that the regime was guilty of suppressing freedom of speech and expression.
Sunday, January 25, 2004
Sheridan voted number 2 Greatest Living Scot
Sunday Herald
The 39-year-old anti-nuclear, anti-poll tax, anti-sunblock Scottish Socialist leader appealed to readers scunnered by mainstream politics, who repeatedly attached to him the words “honesty”, “integrity” and “passion”.
His mum said: “I am very proud of what Tommy has done.”
Scottish Conservative chief whip Bill Aitken said: “The ego-tripping antics of Tommy Sheridan … are an affront to all honest citizens and an abuse of our police and courts.”
You said: He’s “a visionary within a political environment which has sunken to managerialism”; “hopefully he’ll go down in history as the first president of the Republic of Scotland”; “great tan”.
The 39-year-old anti-nuclear, anti-poll tax, anti-sunblock Scottish Socialist leader appealed to readers scunnered by mainstream politics, who repeatedly attached to him the words “honesty”, “integrity” and “passion”.
His mum said: “I am very proud of what Tommy has done.”
Scottish Conservative chief whip Bill Aitken said: “The ego-tripping antics of Tommy Sheridan … are an affront to all honest citizens and an abuse of our police and courts.”
You said: He’s “a visionary within a political environment which has sunken to managerialism”; “hopefully he’ll go down in history as the first president of the Republic of Scotland”; “great tan”.
Friday, January 23, 2004
City health chiefs 'have suppressed evidence'
Evening Times
HEALTH bosses were today accused of "suppressing and distorting" evidence against the closure of the Queen Mother's Hospital.
MSP Carolyn Leckie has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament calling on Greater Glasgow NHS Board to come clean on key advice from clinicians and interest groups on the reasons for keeping the maternity hospital open.
The former Glasgow midwife said the board must now publish all expert submissions it received as part of a much-criticised pre-consultation process on the proposed closure.
She said: "If health boards are confident of their arguments they should produce all the evidence and research.
"Unfortunately, it would appear Greater Glasgow NHS Board suppressed and distorted submissions by eminent clinicians in relation to the Queen Mother's consultation."
HEALTH bosses were today accused of "suppressing and distorting" evidence against the closure of the Queen Mother's Hospital.
MSP Carolyn Leckie has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament calling on Greater Glasgow NHS Board to come clean on key advice from clinicians and interest groups on the reasons for keeping the maternity hospital open.
The former Glasgow midwife said the board must now publish all expert submissions it received as part of a much-criticised pre-consultation process on the proposed closure.
She said: "If health boards are confident of their arguments they should produce all the evidence and research.
"Unfortunately, it would appear Greater Glasgow NHS Board suppressed and distorted submissions by eminent clinicians in relation to the Queen Mother's consultation."
Thursday, January 22, 2004
Sheridan Receives Apology over Tax Rise Jibe
Scottish Press Association
Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan today won an apology from finance minister Andy Kerr over “a slip of the tongue” in a Holyrood row over council tax.
The row took place in Parliament on December 17 when Mr Kerr said those on the national minimum wage would pay more under the SSP’s proposed “Scottish service tax” than they do at present under the council tax.
Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan today won an apology from finance minister Andy Kerr over “a slip of the tongue” in a Holyrood row over council tax.
The row took place in Parliament on December 17 when Mr Kerr said those on the national minimum wage would pay more under the SSP’s proposed “Scottish service tax” than they do at present under the council tax.
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Drugs Advice
Drugs advice for worried parents
Kevin Williamson, the Scottish Socialist Party's spokesman on drugs, told BBC Radio Scotland that education and information about drugs should come form those who have been directly involved with them.
"The reason children aren't going to their parents to talk about drugs is because the information that has been put out there is very disapproving and judgemental.
"Rather than having parents thinking that if their child is taking drugs, it's a one-way ticket to heroin addiction, we should be telling parents not to panic and to listen to the kids without judging them."
He added: "The best people to be giving out information is people who have used drugs themselves, and people who have dealt with people on drugs - not the Scottish Executive." BBC News
Kevin Williamson, the Scottish Socialist Party's spokesman on drugs, told BBC Radio Scotland that education and information about drugs should come form those who have been directly involved with them.
"The reason children aren't going to their parents to talk about drugs is because the information that has been put out there is very disapproving and judgemental.
"Rather than having parents thinking that if their child is taking drugs, it's a one-way ticket to heroin addiction, we should be telling parents not to panic and to listen to the kids without judging them."
He added: "The best people to be giving out information is people who have used drugs themselves, and people who have dealt with people on drugs - not the Scottish Executive." BBC News
Socialist MSP talks his way into Oxford
Socialist MSP talks his way into Oxford
SCOTTISH Socialist firebrand Colin Fox is preparing to take the bastions of privilege by storm after being invited to speak at the Oxford University Union.
The world’s most famous debating society - often seen as a testing ground for future Prime Ministers - has asked the Lothians list MSP to help propose a motion lamenting the decline of student militancy. Edinburgh Evening News
`New Labour represents the rich' says union leader Green Left Weekly
SCOTTISH Socialist firebrand Colin Fox is preparing to take the bastions of privilege by storm after being invited to speak at the Oxford University Union.
The world’s most famous debating society - often seen as a testing ground for future Prime Ministers - has asked the Lothians list MSP to help propose a motion lamenting the decline of student militancy. Edinburgh Evening News
`New Labour represents the rich' says union leader Green Left Weekly
Kane Hits Out at Home Office Deportation Move
Press Association
Socialist firebrand Rosie Kane today branded Home Office officials “little Englanders” over a move to deport a mother and daughter given refuge in her home.
The Glasgow list MSP went on the attack after a decision to remove Mercy Ikolo, a 32-year-old asylum seeker from Cameroon, and her 18-month-old daughter Percie.
Socialist firebrand Rosie Kane today branded Home Office officials “little Englanders” over a move to deport a mother and daughter given refuge in her home.
The Glasgow list MSP went on the attack after a decision to remove Mercy Ikolo, a 32-year-old asylum seeker from Cameroon, and her 18-month-old daughter Percie.
Monday, January 19, 2004
Refugees Staying With MSP to be Deported
Refugees Staying With MSP to be Deported
A MOTHER and daughter given refuge in the home of Rosie Kane, the Glasgow MSP, are to be deported after losing their battle to stay in Scotland.
Mercy Ikolo, a 32-year-old asylum seeker from Cameroon and 18-month-old Percieliz have been ordered by immigration officials to be removed to Ireland, where the child was born.
The pair had been staying with Ms Kane, the Scottish Socialist MSP, and her two teenage daughters, since leaving Dungavel detention centre in Lanarkshire last August.
Ms Kane called news of the deportation "heartbreaking". She said last night: "They are family to us. Mercy and I are like sisters. We just feel numb."
Ms Ikolo, a qualified teacher, who has aspirations to train as a social worker, said: "Our hearts are broken and we are afraid. I wish we knew what was in front of us."
Ms Ikolo was seven months' pregnant when she fled Cameroon where, she claimed, her family were targets for political violence. The Herald
NO MERCY: MUM AND BABY BOOTED OUT Sunday Mail
Rosie Kane column in the Sunday Mail:
WE'RE GOING TO MISS MERCY AND PERCIE..SO WILL SCOTLAND
£1 BN M-WAY IS A DISASTER ON STILTS
A MOTHER and daughter given refuge in the home of Rosie Kane, the Glasgow MSP, are to be deported after losing their battle to stay in Scotland.
Mercy Ikolo, a 32-year-old asylum seeker from Cameroon and 18-month-old Percieliz have been ordered by immigration officials to be removed to Ireland, where the child was born.
The pair had been staying with Ms Kane, the Scottish Socialist MSP, and her two teenage daughters, since leaving Dungavel detention centre in Lanarkshire last August.
Ms Kane called news of the deportation "heartbreaking". She said last night: "They are family to us. Mercy and I are like sisters. We just feel numb."
Ms Ikolo, a qualified teacher, who has aspirations to train as a social worker, said: "Our hearts are broken and we are afraid. I wish we knew what was in front of us."
Ms Ikolo was seven months' pregnant when she fled Cameroon where, she claimed, her family were targets for political violence. The Herald
NO MERCY: MUM AND BABY BOOTED OUT Sunday Mail
Rosie Kane column in the Sunday Mail:
WE'RE GOING TO MISS MERCY AND PERCIE..SO WILL SCOTLAND
£1 BN M-WAY IS A DISASTER ON STILTS
Saturday, January 17, 2004
Scottish Executive “dining with despots”
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 17/01/04
The Scottish Socialist Party Parliamentary group today issued a warning to the Scottish Executive that they would be “dining with despots” if they were to accept an invitation from His Royal Highness Prince Turki Al Faisal for dinner at the Caledonian Hilton Hotel on Monday, 26th January.
Scottish Socialist Party National Convenor Tommy Sheridan denounced the visit in the strongest possible terms, saying;
“Jack McConnell and his band of tinpot democrats are going to commit an act of breathtaking hypocrisy.
“They were cheerleaders for the illegal war on Iraq, partly on the basis that Saddam was a dictator and a lack of democracy in that country.
“Now we find them putting on their lounge suits for a dinner date with members of the Saudi Royal Family, despots to a man, ruthless rulers of a country that the CIA reports its citizens ‘have neither the right nor the legal means to change their government’”.
Sheridan accused the Saudi regime of consistently denying it’s citizens basic human rights, of being involved in the torture of detained prisoners and of the prohibition or restriction of freedom of speech, the press, the right to assembly, association , movement, the practising of religion and the rights of workers.
Sheridan said;
“The Scottish Executive don’t need to take my word for it, they just need to read the US Department of State report on Saudi Arabia as I have.
“In it they will find a detailed account of the activities of the despots who run Saudi Arabia.
“What I read turned my stomach and neither I nor any other Scottish Socialist Party MSP will be accepting our invitations to dine with these monsters.
“Jack McConnell is presumably able to take dinner with Prince Turki Al Faisal knowing that his government beheads women.
“The Scottish Socialists will not be dining with despots.”
[ends]
Notes:
US Department of State report on Saudi Arabia
Press Release: 17/01/04
The Scottish Socialist Party Parliamentary group today issued a warning to the Scottish Executive that they would be “dining with despots” if they were to accept an invitation from His Royal Highness Prince Turki Al Faisal for dinner at the Caledonian Hilton Hotel on Monday, 26th January.
Scottish Socialist Party National Convenor Tommy Sheridan denounced the visit in the strongest possible terms, saying;
“Jack McConnell and his band of tinpot democrats are going to commit an act of breathtaking hypocrisy.
“They were cheerleaders for the illegal war on Iraq, partly on the basis that Saddam was a dictator and a lack of democracy in that country.
“Now we find them putting on their lounge suits for a dinner date with members of the Saudi Royal Family, despots to a man, ruthless rulers of a country that the CIA reports its citizens ‘have neither the right nor the legal means to change their government’”.
Sheridan accused the Saudi regime of consistently denying it’s citizens basic human rights, of being involved in the torture of detained prisoners and of the prohibition or restriction of freedom of speech, the press, the right to assembly, association , movement, the practising of religion and the rights of workers.
Sheridan said;
“The Scottish Executive don’t need to take my word for it, they just need to read the US Department of State report on Saudi Arabia as I have.
“In it they will find a detailed account of the activities of the despots who run Saudi Arabia.
“What I read turned my stomach and neither I nor any other Scottish Socialist Party MSP will be accepting our invitations to dine with these monsters.
“Jack McConnell is presumably able to take dinner with Prince Turki Al Faisal knowing that his government beheads women.
“The Scottish Socialists will not be dining with despots.”
[ends]
Notes:
US Department of State report on Saudi Arabia
Friday, January 16, 2004
Flat plan fuels Yorkhill fears
Evening Times
DEVELOPERS have been given permission to build three blocks of flats on land next to the closure-threatened Queen Mum's Maternity Hospital.
Glasgow MSP Carolyn Leckie said: "Housing developers must be licking their lips at the prospect of building on the hospital site because of the price of properties in the area.
"People are kidding themselves if they believe flats will not be built on the hospital land if the site is sold off."
DEVELOPERS have been given permission to build three blocks of flats on land next to the closure-threatened Queen Mum's Maternity Hospital.
Glasgow MSP Carolyn Leckie said: "Housing developers must be licking their lips at the prospect of building on the hospital site because of the price of properties in the area.
"People are kidding themselves if they believe flats will not be built on the hospital land if the site is sold off."
SSP MSP calls for equal access to sexual health education and services.
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit Press Release: 15/01/04
Scottish Socialist Party MSP calls for equal access to sexual health education and services.
Scottish Socialist Party Health Spokesperson Carolyn Leckie, commenting on the Executive's Sexual Health Strategy, today called on the Scottish Executive to commit enough resources through core funding to enshrine the rights of all to comprehensive sex and relationships education throughout their life.
Carolyn said;
"In supporting the aims of the Sexual Health Strategy, we must also understand that, without the eradication of poverty and gender inequality, our achievements will be limited.
"I am concerned that the local consultations to which the strategy refers might lead to unequal access and provision.
"That must be tackled head on.
"Every child and person in the country, no matter what school they go to or what community they live in, should have equal access to advice and provision."
Carolyn specifically called for women to be given equal access to terminations and an end to the ability of individual consultants to frustrate access to terminations on the basis of their own value judgements.
She said that every woman should have access to termination services within one week and that women and staff should be free from harassment.
Carolyn said that there was a particular need to cater for women suffering from domestic violence; the last thing they need is being obstructed from obtaining a termination beyond the 1st trimester. Carolyn called for 24 hour availability of emergency contraception which should be free.
Ms Leckie took to task politicians who were critical of women who have children at a young age.
Carolyn said; "We should not blame young women individually and tar them as irresponsible.
"I have looked after a lot of these young women in my career as a midwife; they have impressed me enormously with their stoicism, maturity and commitment to their responsibility.
"Lots of these young women show wonderful commitment in dealing with the situation in which they find themselves.
"Instead of blaming them and seeing them as irresponsible, we should blame the sort of society that leads a significant number of women in their teenage years to conclude that the only way for them to feel valued or important is to become a mother."
On attitudes towards sex Carolyn said;
"We must tackle the double standards in our society whereby sex is regarded as a matter of titillation to be sniggered at.
"At worst, sex can be used by men to abuse and have power over women. "Tabloid newspapers compete to have the most provocative front page on which women are reduced to body parts, with their faces often not shown.
"The general portrayal of sex is that it is something that is done to women – and the younger the better – by men.
"Such attitudes to sex are a monumental problem for society.
"They place huge pressure on everybody, particularly the most vulnerable; they distort relationships and contribute to young people's negative experiences."
Scottish Socialist Party MSP calls for equal access to sexual health education and services.
Scottish Socialist Party Health Spokesperson Carolyn Leckie, commenting on the Executive's Sexual Health Strategy, today called on the Scottish Executive to commit enough resources through core funding to enshrine the rights of all to comprehensive sex and relationships education throughout their life.
Carolyn said;
"In supporting the aims of the Sexual Health Strategy, we must also understand that, without the eradication of poverty and gender inequality, our achievements will be limited.
"I am concerned that the local consultations to which the strategy refers might lead to unequal access and provision.
"That must be tackled head on.
"Every child and person in the country, no matter what school they go to or what community they live in, should have equal access to advice and provision."
Carolyn specifically called for women to be given equal access to terminations and an end to the ability of individual consultants to frustrate access to terminations on the basis of their own value judgements.
She said that every woman should have access to termination services within one week and that women and staff should be free from harassment.
Carolyn said that there was a particular need to cater for women suffering from domestic violence; the last thing they need is being obstructed from obtaining a termination beyond the 1st trimester. Carolyn called for 24 hour availability of emergency contraception which should be free.
Ms Leckie took to task politicians who were critical of women who have children at a young age.
Carolyn said; "We should not blame young women individually and tar them as irresponsible.
"I have looked after a lot of these young women in my career as a midwife; they have impressed me enormously with their stoicism, maturity and commitment to their responsibility.
"Lots of these young women show wonderful commitment in dealing with the situation in which they find themselves.
"Instead of blaming them and seeing them as irresponsible, we should blame the sort of society that leads a significant number of women in their teenage years to conclude that the only way for them to feel valued or important is to become a mother."
On attitudes towards sex Carolyn said;
"We must tackle the double standards in our society whereby sex is regarded as a matter of titillation to be sniggered at.
"At worst, sex can be used by men to abuse and have power over women. "Tabloid newspapers compete to have the most provocative front page on which women are reduced to body parts, with their faces often not shown.
"The general portrayal of sex is that it is something that is done to women – and the younger the better – by men.
"Such attitudes to sex are a monumental problem for society.
"They place huge pressure on everybody, particularly the most vulnerable; they distort relationships and contribute to young people's negative experiences."
Thursday, January 15, 2004
'Campaigning' Kane Returns to Politics after Illness
Press Association
Rosie Kane made a characteristic return to politics today with a passionate plea to the Home Office to allow two Latvians living in her constituency to stay in the country.
Ms Kane, who has just returned to work as a Socialist MSP for Glasgow, is known for her campaigning against the Dungavel Detention Centre in Lanarkshire.
And after a five-week break to recover from depression it seems her ire has not died.
Following the news Latvian couple Genadijs Suhotskis and Jelena Serenja have been detained in Dungavel for deportation back to Latvia, the MSP fired off a letter to Home Office Minister Beverley Hughes in protest.
Rosie Kane made a characteristic return to politics today with a passionate plea to the Home Office to allow two Latvians living in her constituency to stay in the country.
Ms Kane, who has just returned to work as a Socialist MSP for Glasgow, is known for her campaigning against the Dungavel Detention Centre in Lanarkshire.
And after a five-week break to recover from depression it seems her ire has not died.
Following the news Latvian couple Genadijs Suhotskis and Jelena Serenja have been detained in Dungavel for deportation back to Latvia, the MSP fired off a letter to Home Office Minister Beverley Hughes in protest.
Hain dismisses Holyrood example
BBC News Online
Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan said the Scottish Executive should adopt the Welsh Assembly's positive approach.
Mr Sheridan said: "The Welsh Assembly has put into place some radical measures that the executive could very easily implement if they had the political will to do so.
"Policies such as the provision of free breakfasts to all primary school children and the abolition of prescription charges are the kind of progressive policies the executive refuses to even contemplate.
"In stark contrast, the executive seems determined to prevent any kind of progressive change in Scotland."
Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan said the Scottish Executive should adopt the Welsh Assembly's positive approach.
Mr Sheridan said: "The Welsh Assembly has put into place some radical measures that the executive could very easily implement if they had the political will to do so.
"Policies such as the provision of free breakfasts to all primary school children and the abolition of prescription charges are the kind of progressive policies the executive refuses to even contemplate.
"In stark contrast, the executive seems determined to prevent any kind of progressive change in Scotland."
SSP calls for poet laureate move
BBC NEWS | Scotland | SSP calls for poet laureate move: "SSP calls for poet laureate move
Scotland should appoint its own poet laureate as a tribute to Robert Burns, according to the Scottish Socialists. Socialist MSP Colin Fox said a poet should be appointed every January to produce verses 'true to Burns' egalitarian beliefs'. The MSP for the Lothian region said it would mark the bard's significant contribution to Scots culture.
Mr Fox sang Burns' 'A Man's A Man For A' That' during the swearing in ceremony in parliament in May. Andrew Motion, the UK's poet laureate, was appointed in 1999 and succeeded Ted Hughes. Mr Fox said Scotland should appoint its own poet laureate.
'At this time of year when the whole country thinks about Burns with Burns suppers and so on, I thought that there's not really a living monument, something the country can look towards in celebration,' he said.
'There are other things ongoing, such as the plan to rename Prestwick Airport as Rabbie Burns International, but rather than looking back I thought we should come up with something newer and fresher.'
Mr Fox said the poet laureate should be elected each year either by members of the poetry community or in a wider vote across Scotland.
'This would give up and coming and aspiring poets a chance to get work for one or two years, paid for by the Scottish Executive,' he added.
Mr Fox revealed that he has been swamped with requests to speak at Burns Suppers this year after television pictures of his performance at the swearing in ceremony.
He said: 'I've been inundated with requests. I don't know how I'm going to do them all but people have said they want me to do the Immortal Memory as I'm a bit of a Burns celebrity.
'So I'm going to try and go to as many as I can and have a wee dram, but I'll probably be sick of haggis by the end of it.'
Robert Burns was born on 25 January, 1759 in the village of Alloway near Ayr."
Scotland should appoint its own poet laureate as a tribute to Robert Burns, according to the Scottish Socialists. Socialist MSP Colin Fox said a poet should be appointed every January to produce verses 'true to Burns' egalitarian beliefs'. The MSP for the Lothian region said it would mark the bard's significant contribution to Scots culture.
Mr Fox sang Burns' 'A Man's A Man For A' That' during the swearing in ceremony in parliament in May. Andrew Motion, the UK's poet laureate, was appointed in 1999 and succeeded Ted Hughes. Mr Fox said Scotland should appoint its own poet laureate.
'At this time of year when the whole country thinks about Burns with Burns suppers and so on, I thought that there's not really a living monument, something the country can look towards in celebration,' he said.
'There are other things ongoing, such as the plan to rename Prestwick Airport as Rabbie Burns International, but rather than looking back I thought we should come up with something newer and fresher.'
Mr Fox said the poet laureate should be elected each year either by members of the poetry community or in a wider vote across Scotland.
'This would give up and coming and aspiring poets a chance to get work for one or two years, paid for by the Scottish Executive,' he added.
Mr Fox revealed that he has been swamped with requests to speak at Burns Suppers this year after television pictures of his performance at the swearing in ceremony.
He said: 'I've been inundated with requests. I don't know how I'm going to do them all but people have said they want me to do the Immortal Memory as I'm a bit of a Burns celebrity.
'So I'm going to try and go to as many as I can and have a wee dram, but I'll probably be sick of haggis by the end of it.'
Robert Burns was born on 25 January, 1759 in the village of Alloway near Ayr."
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
Top of the Polls
Daily Record
POP Idol winner Michelle McManus is set to score another No 1 in the Scottish Parliament.
The nation's favourite is set to win more votes than any other motion tabled in the Parliament's five-year history.
Scottish Socialist MSP Carolyn Leckie has tabled a motion applauding Michelle'ssuccess in becoming the first Scottish female singer to enter the charts at number one with her debut single.
It looks certain she will get the backing of almost all of the 129 MSPs at Holyrood.
Leckie said: ''I believe her victory can be an inspiration to women everywhere to follow their own dreams.''
POP Idol winner Michelle McManus is set to score another No 1 in the Scottish Parliament.
The nation's favourite is set to win more votes than any other motion tabled in the Parliament's five-year history.
Scottish Socialist MSP Carolyn Leckie has tabled a motion applauding Michelle'ssuccess in becoming the first Scottish female singer to enter the charts at number one with her debut single.
It looks certain she will get the backing of almost all of the 129 MSPs at Holyrood.
Leckie said: ''I believe her victory can be an inspiration to women everywhere to follow their own dreams.''
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
Forestry areas could be targeted as sewage dumps
The Scotsman
The Scottish Socialist MSP Rosemary Byrne has tabled a parliamentary motion, calling for a complete moratorium on the practice until the Scottish Executive provides details of the number of sites across Scotland where this form of disposal is taking place.
The Scottish Socialist MSP Rosemary Byrne has tabled a parliamentary motion, calling for a complete moratorium on the practice until the Scottish Executive provides details of the number of sites across Scotland where this form of disposal is taking place.
Monday, January 12, 2004
Friday, January 09, 2004
RMT to hold Special General Meeting on political affiliation
RMT - News- RMT to hold Special General Meeting on political affiliation: "The RMT branches given leave by the executive to affiliate to the Scottish Socialist Party are: Edinburgh and Portobello; Glasgow 1&2; Glasgow Engineering; Perth No 1, and Wishaw and Motherwell. Requests for permission to affiliate to the SSP have also been received from the Scottish Regional Council and from the Fort William and North Clyde branches."
Thursday, January 08, 2004
RMT Executive back SSP link
Labour threatens to end ties to RMT The Labour party has threatened to axe its links with one of the unions which helped found the party, after some branches decided to affiliate to the Scottish Socialist party.
Five branches of the railway workers union the RMT in Scotland, including Edinburgh and Glasgow, have already broken with Labour to support Tommy Sheridan's party, in protest at Tony Blair's policies on the railways and support for privatisation.
But now the RMT executive has also backed the move, prompting Labour to write to the union threatening formal disaffiliation.
The union has been reducing its financial support to Labour over the past few years in protest at the party's refusal to renationalise the railways, and now only gives the party £12,500 a year.
In a letter to the union from Chris Lennie, Labour's deputy general secretary, the union was told that the SSP was opposed to the Labour party.
"The decision of the executive to approve the application of five branches of the RMT to affiliate to the Scottish Socialist party and any decision to approve the affiliation of the Scottish regional council to the same party, constitutes a fundamental breach of the rules and the essential nature of your affiliation to this party and amounts to a repudiation of the RMT's affiliation to this party.
"The RMT has placed itself outside the constitution of this party. Unless the decisions regarding affiliation to the Scottish Socialist party are immediately revoked, the matter will be reported to the National Executive Committee at the earliest opportunity with a recommendation that the RMT be treated as disaffiliated from this party forthwith."
RMT general secretary Bob Crow - a leftwinger who has clashed with the prime minister on several issues - said his union's annual meeting had agreed last year that branches should be free to support organisations and campaigns that follow the union's policy objectives.
"The Labour party is now saying that there is a constitutional conflict and the matter can only be resolved by the union's supreme governing body," he said.
RMT branches in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Motherwell have already affiliated to the SSP and further requests have been received from a number of other Scottish branches. The special meeting will be held in Glasgow on February 6 to discuss the union's next move. The Guardian
RAIL REBELS FACE LABOUR AXE Daily Record
Labour threat to expel RMT over Scottish Socialists link The union is to consider whether all of its Scottish region should forge links with the SSP. The Independent
Labour warns rail union on SSP link The Scotsman
RMT to break Labour ties unless SSP decision overturned The Herald
Five branches of the railway workers union the RMT in Scotland, including Edinburgh and Glasgow, have already broken with Labour to support Tommy Sheridan's party, in protest at Tony Blair's policies on the railways and support for privatisation.
But now the RMT executive has also backed the move, prompting Labour to write to the union threatening formal disaffiliation.
The union has been reducing its financial support to Labour over the past few years in protest at the party's refusal to renationalise the railways, and now only gives the party £12,500 a year.
In a letter to the union from Chris Lennie, Labour's deputy general secretary, the union was told that the SSP was opposed to the Labour party.
"The decision of the executive to approve the application of five branches of the RMT to affiliate to the Scottish Socialist party and any decision to approve the affiliation of the Scottish regional council to the same party, constitutes a fundamental breach of the rules and the essential nature of your affiliation to this party and amounts to a repudiation of the RMT's affiliation to this party.
"The RMT has placed itself outside the constitution of this party. Unless the decisions regarding affiliation to the Scottish Socialist party are immediately revoked, the matter will be reported to the National Executive Committee at the earliest opportunity with a recommendation that the RMT be treated as disaffiliated from this party forthwith."
RMT general secretary Bob Crow - a leftwinger who has clashed with the prime minister on several issues - said his union's annual meeting had agreed last year that branches should be free to support organisations and campaigns that follow the union's policy objectives.
"The Labour party is now saying that there is a constitutional conflict and the matter can only be resolved by the union's supreme governing body," he said.
RMT branches in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Motherwell have already affiliated to the SSP and further requests have been received from a number of other Scottish branches. The special meeting will be held in Glasgow on February 6 to discuss the union's next move. The Guardian
RAIL REBELS FACE LABOUR AXE Daily Record
Labour threat to expel RMT over Scottish Socialists link The union is to consider whether all of its Scottish region should forge links with the SSP. The Independent
Labour warns rail union on SSP link The Scotsman
RMT to break Labour ties unless SSP decision overturned The Herald
Monday, January 05, 2004
New members shake up Scottish parliament
New members shake up Scottish parliament
What happened at Holyrood in May was little short of a coup. Dismayed by the priorities of the established parties and horrified at the growing scandal of the new parliament building, the electorate dismantled the old four-party system, depleting the ranks of Labour and the Scottish National party and bringing in six Scottish Socialists, seven Scottish Greens and four independents.
"We touched a raw nerve because we tapped into a great feeling across Scotland and the UK of complete antipathy to establishment politicians," said Tommy Sheridan, the leader of the Scottish Socialists.
Mr Sheridan, who has been transformed from maverick MSP to elder statesman by the arrival of five colleagues, says the SSP is making a difference...
Peter Lynch, lecturer in politics at Stirling University, agrees that the newcomers have made their presence felt.
"They are head and shoulders above some of the others who came in at the start." The Guardian
The house that Jack is trying to build
So any new excitement in politics must be a good thing? Not quite. Especially not if it is provided by those colourful characters in the Scottish Socialist party.
"I don't think the behaviour of the Trots has helped over the past six months," says McConnell. "I don't agree with this view that the parliament has become more exciting because you have a few people running around in jeans, chanting slogans and shouting abuse at each other." The Sunday Times
What happened at Holyrood in May was little short of a coup. Dismayed by the priorities of the established parties and horrified at the growing scandal of the new parliament building, the electorate dismantled the old four-party system, depleting the ranks of Labour and the Scottish National party and bringing in six Scottish Socialists, seven Scottish Greens and four independents.
"We touched a raw nerve because we tapped into a great feeling across Scotland and the UK of complete antipathy to establishment politicians," said Tommy Sheridan, the leader of the Scottish Socialists.
Mr Sheridan, who has been transformed from maverick MSP to elder statesman by the arrival of five colleagues, says the SSP is making a difference...
Peter Lynch, lecturer in politics at Stirling University, agrees that the newcomers have made their presence felt.
"They are head and shoulders above some of the others who came in at the start." The Guardian
The house that Jack is trying to build
So any new excitement in politics must be a good thing? Not quite. Especially not if it is provided by those colourful characters in the Scottish Socialist party.
"I don't think the behaviour of the Trots has helped over the past six months," says McConnell. "I don't agree with this view that the parliament has become more exciting because you have a few people running around in jeans, chanting slogans and shouting abuse at each other." The Sunday Times
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