Edinburgh Evening News AMERICA’S only socialist congressman is to lead this year’s May Day parade through Edinburgh.
Bernie Sanders, who sits for the state of Vermont in the US House of Representatives, is one of his country’s most outspoken critics of the war in Iraq. And he has led opposition to a spate of corporate scandals rocking America.
Congressman Sanders says he champions "the cause of ordinary hard working American families".
And as the only member of the House of Representatives who does not belong to the Democrat or Republican parties, he occupies a unique position in US political life.
Scottish Socialist Party leader and Lothians MSP Colin Fox said he expected the visit to spark huge interest. He added: "Many people will be surprised to hear that there is a socialist sitting in the US Congress.
"Bernie Sanders is a truly remarkable figure. In 1991 he became the first Independent to be elected to Congress in 40 years. He is now the longest serving ‘Independent’ in American history.
"He has been re-elected six times since to represent the people of Vermont. Bernie is living proof that promoting socialist ideas can win popular support Stateside."
The Edinburgh May Day parade will take place on Saturday, April 30. Mr Fox said: "It is quite a coup for us to get Bernie to come over here and lead our parade."
