SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 31/08/05
Scottish Socialist Party national convenor Colin Fox has written to the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, George Reid, saying that the party has withdrawn from legal action over the suspension of 4 SSP MSP’s for the month of September.
The 4 MSP’s made their protest after the First Minister Jack McConnell repeatedly refused to say he would uphold a vote of the Parliament on 3rd March 2005 upholding the right of peaceful protest at Gleneagles.
Despite claims that a deal had been done to allow a demonstration to take place at Gleneagles, the police and authorities repeatedly tried to prevent a demonstration, culminating in an attempt to sabotage it on the day by using the news media to announce that it had been cancelled.
The SSP has been given legal advice which clearly states that any legal action would have to be preceded by an apology for the protest of the 4 MSP’s on June 30th of this year over the right to protest at the G8 summit at Gleneagles.
Legal advice given to the SSP is that the 4 MSP’s were in effect in contempt of parliament and that contempt would have to be purged with an apology, an apology the MSP’s are not prepared to make.
While the SSP’s legal advice was that the party had an extremely strong case, it was also indicated that if the case was lost and costs were awarded against the party the final bill could be more than £100,000.
With the issue of court action now removed, Colin has written to George Reid asking for the “disproportionate” punishment to be reconsidered by referring the matter to the Standards Committee.
Colin said today;
“Our legal advice is that in order for a judicial review could begin we would have to apologise for our actions in the Parliament on the 30th of June, something we are not prepared to do.
“We have also been advised that the cost of legal action could be over £100,000 if we lost, an amount that a party funded by the subscriptions of working people could not contemplate losing.
“With the possibility of legal action now removed, I have written to George Reid asking that the draconian sanctions be reconsidered by referring the matter to the Standards Committee."
[ends]
Notes: Letter to George Reid
31st August 2005
Dear George,
I understand from Carolyn that at the Parliamentary Business Bureau on Monday you felt that no new discussions could take place on the issue of the suspension of the four SSP MSP’s as the matter was ‘sub judice’.
I wish to now inform you that due to a combination of 2 factors there will now be no legal action via the High Court in respect of our suspensions.
Firstly we have been informed that we would be required to apologise for our actions initially before progressing to judicial review. We are not prepared to apologise for a legitimate protest and disruption of Parliament designed to highlight the right to democratic protest. This right was won decades ago and upheld during the March 2005 debate in Parliament, but the First Minister refused, in our view, to uphold that principle in connection with the anti-G8 protest at Gleneagles. On this occasion we feel our disruption of Parliament was legitimate and proportionate. The subsequent punishment recommended to Parliament by the Standards Committee we believe in contrast to be illegitimate and disproportionate.
Secondly the costs of proceeding with our case, which we are reliably advised is a strong one, could be in excess of £100,000. We are a working class party which relies upon our members and supporters for finance. It is worthwhile remarking that because of the huge costs involved the people represented by the SSP are denied equality yet again via our justice system.
With these two factors in mind we are withdrawing our High Court action and would respectfully now request that the Parliament’s decision to suspend us for 30 days without pay and loss of MSA be re-examined in a calmer and more proportionate manner in the Bureau and the Standards Committee as soon as possible.
I therefore ask you now refer this matter to the Standards Committee.
Yours sincerely
Colin Fox MSP
Scottish Socialist Party
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
MSP Kane to hand herself in to police
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 31/08/05
8.30pm, Wednesday 31st August
Helen Street police station
Glasgow G51 3HQ
Scottish Socialist Party MSP Rosie Kane will hand herself in to the police on Wednesday 31st August after a warrant was issued for her arrest over non payment of a fine in relation to a protest at Faslane nuclear submarine base on the Clyde.
Rosie will report to Helen Street police station at 8.30pm, Wednesday 31st August and will appear at Glasgow District Court on Thursday 1st September, the first day of month long ban of 4 SSP MSP’s from the Scottish Parliament
Rosie has been protesting at Faslane for the past decade, the current charges relate to her arrest on 23rd August 2004 for blocking the highway.
She was fined £170 at Helensburgh District Court but has refused to pay and now expects a jail sentence
Rosie said today;
“As a Member of the Scottish Parliament I am accountable for my actions and so I am handing myself in to the police.
“I have been protesting against nuclear weapons at Faslane for the past decade and will continue to do so at every opportunity.
“This year has been the 60th anniversary of the annihilation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. “The defiant stand that I am taking serves notice that the nuclear disarmament movement will always speak out as long as these illegal weapons continue to threaten the entire human race.
“It should not be anti nuclear protestors who are in the dock but the politicians who are planning the next generation of the UK’s weapons of mass destruction.”
[ends]
Press Release: 31/08/05
8.30pm, Wednesday 31st August
Helen Street police station
Glasgow G51 3HQ
Scottish Socialist Party MSP Rosie Kane will hand herself in to the police on Wednesday 31st August after a warrant was issued for her arrest over non payment of a fine in relation to a protest at Faslane nuclear submarine base on the Clyde.
Rosie will report to Helen Street police station at 8.30pm, Wednesday 31st August and will appear at Glasgow District Court on Thursday 1st September, the first day of month long ban of 4 SSP MSP’s from the Scottish Parliament
Rosie has been protesting at Faslane for the past decade, the current charges relate to her arrest on 23rd August 2004 for blocking the highway.
She was fined £170 at Helensburgh District Court but has refused to pay and now expects a jail sentence
Rosie said today;
“As a Member of the Scottish Parliament I am accountable for my actions and so I am handing myself in to the police.
“I have been protesting against nuclear weapons at Faslane for the past decade and will continue to do so at every opportunity.
“This year has been the 60th anniversary of the annihilation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. “The defiant stand that I am taking serves notice that the nuclear disarmament movement will always speak out as long as these illegal weapons continue to threaten the entire human race.
“It should not be anti nuclear protestors who are in the dock but the politicians who are planning the next generation of the UK’s weapons of mass destruction.”
[ends]
Dungavel hunger striker to be treated in hospital
The Herald
The Scottish Socialist Party, which has been calling for Mrs Mutewba to be freed for fear that "another innocent person would die needlessly in custody in Scotland", remains similarly worried over her condition.
Rosie Kane, the SSP MSP, said: "The Home Office seems to have utter disdain for her life. I spoke to an immigration officer at Dungavel who claimed Charity is not even on hunger strike. They're in complete denial of what's happening."
The Scottish Socialist Party, which has been calling for Mrs Mutewba to be freed for fear that "another innocent person would die needlessly in custody in Scotland", remains similarly worried over her condition.
Rosie Kane, the SSP MSP, said: "The Home Office seems to have utter disdain for her life. I spoke to an immigration officer at Dungavel who claimed Charity is not even on hunger strike. They're in complete denial of what's happening."
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
SSP calls for public sector housing to meet demand
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 29/08/05
Scottish Socialist Party national convenor Colin Fox MSP today welcomed a survey by YouGov on behalf of Shelter, which showed that Scots prioritise safety and long term security over home ownership
Colin said:
"This survey shows that successive Labour-Tory governments have sold the Scottish people a lie.
"We were told by Thatcher that home ownership was the holy grail; that selling off council housing was the future and that the property boom would last forever.
"Yet 20 years on, homelessness is at a record level, and even professional workers like firefighters, teachers and nurses are unable to afford a roof over their heads in our major cities.
"New Labour have perpetuated the myth that home ownership is the only answer.
"Yet this survey shows that despite the propaganda war against social housing, there is still demand for good quality, affordable housing for rent.
"It's time to meet this demand. Instead of encouraging private developers to turn every tiny square of land into yuppie flats, the Executive and local authorities should heed this call for affordable homes."
[ends]
Press Release: 29/08/05
Scottish Socialist Party national convenor Colin Fox MSP today welcomed a survey by YouGov on behalf of Shelter, which showed that Scots prioritise safety and long term security over home ownership
Colin said:
"This survey shows that successive Labour-Tory governments have sold the Scottish people a lie.
"We were told by Thatcher that home ownership was the holy grail; that selling off council housing was the future and that the property boom would last forever.
"Yet 20 years on, homelessness is at a record level, and even professional workers like firefighters, teachers and nurses are unable to afford a roof over their heads in our major cities.
"New Labour have perpetuated the myth that home ownership is the only answer.
"Yet this survey shows that despite the propaganda war against social housing, there is still demand for good quality, affordable housing for rent.
"It's time to meet this demand. Instead of encouraging private developers to turn every tiny square of land into yuppie flats, the Executive and local authorities should heed this call for affordable homes."
[ends]
Monday, August 29, 2005
SSP calls for fat cats to pay full whack tax
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 29/08/05
SSP national convenor Colin Fox MSP today responded to surveys on private and public sector executive pay with a call for the government to reverse Tory tax cuts
Colin said:
“Private sector Chief Executives may have dropped to third place behind the US and Germany in the international pay leagues, but we won't be organising a whip round for them just yet.
“An AVERAGE salary of over half a million pounds a year is both ludicrous and obscene.
“Public sector bosses have their snouts in the trough as well - £2 million a year for Adam Crozier at Royal Mail, while the chief of Network Rail gets £1 million.
“With hundreds of thousands of Scots living on the breadline or toiling for a minimum wage, the greed of these people is sickening.
“We call for a reversal of the cuts to top rate taxation implemented by the Tories in the 1980s.
“Greed is not good - it's time the fat cats paid their share.”
[ends]
Press Release: 29/08/05
SSP national convenor Colin Fox MSP today responded to surveys on private and public sector executive pay with a call for the government to reverse Tory tax cuts
Colin said:
“Private sector Chief Executives may have dropped to third place behind the US and Germany in the international pay leagues, but we won't be organising a whip round for them just yet.
“An AVERAGE salary of over half a million pounds a year is both ludicrous and obscene.
“Public sector bosses have their snouts in the trough as well - £2 million a year for Adam Crozier at Royal Mail, while the chief of Network Rail gets £1 million.
“With hundreds of thousands of Scots living on the breadline or toiling for a minimum wage, the greed of these people is sickening.
“We call for a reversal of the cuts to top rate taxation implemented by the Tories in the 1980s.
“Greed is not good - it's time the fat cats paid their share.”
[ends]
Sunday, August 28, 2005
SSP national council backs Parliament protest
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 28/08/05
A meeting of the Scottish Socialist Party’s national council made up of delegates from every branch of the party today voted to fully endorse the actions of the 4 suspended SSP MSP’s in disrupting the parliament on June 30th with only 2 votes against from approximately 90 delegates
4 Scottish Socialist Party parliamentary representatives were summarily suspended and stripped of their pay and parliamentary allowances for staging a silent protest in the Scottish Parliament
This unprecedented and draconian penalty was imposed through a process which makes a mockery of natural justice.
The SSP MSPs were tried in their absence, without any kind of due process, right of appeal or any of the basic human rights that are enshrined in law.
The SSP national council, meeting in Glasgow, debated the MSP’s disruption and the legal and political strategy for a full two hours before the vote was taken.
Allan Green, Scottish Socialist Party national secretary, said after the meeting;
“Today’s meeting of the national council shows that the party is overwhelmingly behind the actions of the 4 MSP’s in disrupting parliament over the right to freedom of protest and of the legal and political strategy that the party has taken subsequently.
“With only 2 votes against from a meeting of 90 branch delegates, the party is united behind our suspended MSP’s and determined not to allow this gross miscarriage of justice to stand.”
[ends]
Press Release: 28/08/05
A meeting of the Scottish Socialist Party’s national council made up of delegates from every branch of the party today voted to fully endorse the actions of the 4 suspended SSP MSP’s in disrupting the parliament on June 30th with only 2 votes against from approximately 90 delegates
4 Scottish Socialist Party parliamentary representatives were summarily suspended and stripped of their pay and parliamentary allowances for staging a silent protest in the Scottish Parliament
This unprecedented and draconian penalty was imposed through a process which makes a mockery of natural justice.
The SSP MSPs were tried in their absence, without any kind of due process, right of appeal or any of the basic human rights that are enshrined in law.
The SSP national council, meeting in Glasgow, debated the MSP’s disruption and the legal and political strategy for a full two hours before the vote was taken.
Allan Green, Scottish Socialist Party national secretary, said after the meeting;
“Today’s meeting of the national council shows that the party is overwhelmingly behind the actions of the 4 MSP’s in disrupting parliament over the right to freedom of protest and of the legal and political strategy that the party has taken subsequently.
“With only 2 votes against from a meeting of 90 branch delegates, the party is united behind our suspended MSP’s and determined not to allow this gross miscarriage of justice to stand.”
[ends]
Friday, August 26, 2005
SSP suspension overturned in Parliament
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 26/08/05
Festival of politics audience votes 3-1 to lift ban on excluded SSP MSP’s
At the ‘Parliamentary Questions’ session of the Festival of Politics held in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, the audience voted 3-1 that the ban on the four suspended Scottish Socialist Party MSP’s should be lifted.
On the panel of 6 MSP’s, only Tommy Sheridan spoke against the ban with the SNP’s Kenny McAskill saying that “the punishment entirely fits the crime and the Greens turning red with embarrassment as Mark Ruskell poured his glass of water over himself.
Tommy Sheridan said afterwards;
“The message from the people of Scotland who gathered in the parliament today was loud and clear; lift the draconian sanctions on the 4 SSP MSP’s immediately.
“There can be no clearer proof that Scotland’s politicians are completely out of touch with the public mood.
“Mark Ruskell of the Green Party made a complete fool of himself by kowtowing to the establishment politicians; his radical colleagues in Green Party’s across Europe will be mortified at his behaviour.
“As for the ex radical lawyer Kenny McAskill, we can only hope that he never becomes Justice Minister in Scotland or flogging and hanging will surely be reintroduced.
“The shame faced politicians need to do a reality check, these draconian sanctions appal the fast majority of the Scottish people and should be lifted immediately.”
[ends]
Press Release: 26/08/05
Festival of politics audience votes 3-1 to lift ban on excluded SSP MSP’s
At the ‘Parliamentary Questions’ session of the Festival of Politics held in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, the audience voted 3-1 that the ban on the four suspended Scottish Socialist Party MSP’s should be lifted.
On the panel of 6 MSP’s, only Tommy Sheridan spoke against the ban with the SNP’s Kenny McAskill saying that “the punishment entirely fits the crime and the Greens turning red with embarrassment as Mark Ruskell poured his glass of water over himself.
Tommy Sheridan said afterwards;
“The message from the people of Scotland who gathered in the parliament today was loud and clear; lift the draconian sanctions on the 4 SSP MSP’s immediately.
“There can be no clearer proof that Scotland’s politicians are completely out of touch with the public mood.
“Mark Ruskell of the Green Party made a complete fool of himself by kowtowing to the establishment politicians; his radical colleagues in Green Party’s across Europe will be mortified at his behaviour.
“As for the ex radical lawyer Kenny McAskill, we can only hope that he never becomes Justice Minister in Scotland or flogging and hanging will surely be reintroduced.
“The shame faced politicians need to do a reality check, these draconian sanctions appal the fast majority of the Scottish people and should be lifted immediately.”
[ends]
Support pours in from around the world for suspended SSP MSP’s
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit Press Release: 25/08/05
Support pours in from around the world for suspended SSP MSP’s
Socialist and left organisations from around the world have rallied to support the 4 Scottish Socialist Party MSP’s who have been suspended from the Scottish Parliament for the month of September.
On the 30 June 2005 four Scottish Socialist Party parliamentary representatives were summarily suspended and stripped of their pay and parliamentary allowances for staging a silent protest in the Scottish Parliament This unprecedented and draconian penalty was imposed through a process which makes a mockery of natural justice. The SSP MSPs were tried in their absence, without any kind of due process, right of appeal or any of the basic human rights that are enshrined in law.
The four suspended MSP’s are Colin Fox, Lothians, Carolyn Leckie, Central Scotland, Rosie Kane, Glasgow, and Frances Curran, West of Scotland.
After appealing for solidarity from socialist and left parties and individuals, the SSP has received messages of support from all over the world. Immediately after the suspensions were announced 41 Members of the European Parliament and 8 members of the Portuguese Parliament contacted the SSP to offer their support. In the weeks following messages of support have been received from;
Partido Socialismo E Liberdade, Brazil
Socialist Alliance, Australia
Freedom Socialist Party, USA
Parti Sosialis,Malaysia Esquerra Unida i Alternativa, Catalogne, Spain Red-Green Alliance, Denmark
Ligue communiste révolutionnaire, France
Socialist Party, Ireland
Socialist Workers Party, Ireland
In addition trade unions have responded to the call for assistance and solidarity with the RMT trade union pledging £2,500 and Edinburgh’s CWU postal workers branch donating £500. Messages of support have also come from Merseyside TUC and the Hospital Employees' Union, Canada
Colin Fox , Scottish Socialist Party national convenor and one of the four suspended MSP’s said today; “The support and solidarity we have received internationally has been an inspiration and a vindication of the stand we took over the right to protest at Gleneagles. “The events in Scotland during the G8 summit have echoed around the world and the attempts of the police and authorities to sabotage the right to peaceful protest right up until the last minute prove that the protest action we took was necessary to defend civil liberties. “The SSP thanks every organisation and individual that has sent messages of support and solidarity, we remain committed to raising the banner of protest against injustice and for a democratic socialist world at every opportunity.” [ends]
Support pours in from around the world for suspended SSP MSP’s
Socialist and left organisations from around the world have rallied to support the 4 Scottish Socialist Party MSP’s who have been suspended from the Scottish Parliament for the month of September.
On the 30 June 2005 four Scottish Socialist Party parliamentary representatives were summarily suspended and stripped of their pay and parliamentary allowances for staging a silent protest in the Scottish Parliament This unprecedented and draconian penalty was imposed through a process which makes a mockery of natural justice. The SSP MSPs were tried in their absence, without any kind of due process, right of appeal or any of the basic human rights that are enshrined in law.
The four suspended MSP’s are Colin Fox, Lothians, Carolyn Leckie, Central Scotland, Rosie Kane, Glasgow, and Frances Curran, West of Scotland.
After appealing for solidarity from socialist and left parties and individuals, the SSP has received messages of support from all over the world. Immediately after the suspensions were announced 41 Members of the European Parliament and 8 members of the Portuguese Parliament contacted the SSP to offer their support. In the weeks following messages of support have been received from;
Partido Socialismo E Liberdade, Brazil
Socialist Alliance, Australia
Freedom Socialist Party, USA
Parti Sosialis,Malaysia Esquerra Unida i Alternativa, Catalogne, Spain Red-Green Alliance, Denmark
Ligue communiste révolutionnaire, France
Socialist Party, Ireland
Socialist Workers Party, Ireland
In addition trade unions have responded to the call for assistance and solidarity with the RMT trade union pledging £2,500 and Edinburgh’s CWU postal workers branch donating £500. Messages of support have also come from Merseyside TUC and the Hospital Employees' Union, Canada
Colin Fox , Scottish Socialist Party national convenor and one of the four suspended MSP’s said today; “The support and solidarity we have received internationally has been an inspiration and a vindication of the stand we took over the right to protest at Gleneagles. “The events in Scotland during the G8 summit have echoed around the world and the attempts of the police and authorities to sabotage the right to peaceful protest right up until the last minute prove that the protest action we took was necessary to defend civil liberties. “The SSP thanks every organisation and individual that has sent messages of support and solidarity, we remain committed to raising the banner of protest against injustice and for a democratic socialist world at every opportunity.” [ends]
Thursday, August 25, 2005
SSP MSP's donations
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 25/08/05
The Scottish Socialist Party today issued the following statement in relation to a story that appeared in The Herald on SSP MSP's donations to the party.
An SSP spokesperson said;
"All the SSP MSP's are pledged to live on the average wage of a skilled worker, approximately £25k.
"The amount all our MSP's gives to the party is calculated according to a formula which takes into account the loss of benefits that an individual would have received were they on the average wage of approx 25K.
"The major benefits lost would be the working families tax credit, childcare tax credit and the young student bursary.
"They would also lose any means tested disability benefits.
"All the payments to the party released by the Electoral Commission comply with the formula agreed by SSP conference.
"The SSP is immensely proud of the fact that our MSP's have fulfilled their pledge to live on the average wage of a skilled worker, in stark contrast to MSP's from every other party who are happy to draw a salary and receive allowances that the vast majority of working people in Scotland can only dream of."
[ends]
Press Release: 25/08/05
The Scottish Socialist Party today issued the following statement in relation to a story that appeared in The Herald on SSP MSP's donations to the party.
An SSP spokesperson said;
"All the SSP MSP's are pledged to live on the average wage of a skilled worker, approximately £25k.
"The amount all our MSP's gives to the party is calculated according to a formula which takes into account the loss of benefits that an individual would have received were they on the average wage of approx 25K.
"The major benefits lost would be the working families tax credit, childcare tax credit and the young student bursary.
"They would also lose any means tested disability benefits.
"All the payments to the party released by the Electoral Commission comply with the formula agreed by SSP conference.
"The SSP is immensely proud of the fact that our MSP's have fulfilled their pledge to live on the average wage of a skilled worker, in stark contrast to MSP's from every other party who are happy to draw a salary and receive allowances that the vast majority of working people in Scotland can only dream of."
[ends]
SSP solidarity call with public sector workers
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 24/08/05
SSP MSP Colin Fox today backed the first ever strike by police support workers and called for a living wage for the whole public sector
Colin said:
"Essential workers such as police support workers have the same right to strike as any other worker, and the SSP fully backs this strike action.
"For far too long, local and national government have relied on the goodwill and dedication of underpaid public sector workers.
"1 in 3 Scots earns below £6.50 an hour - a third of them in the public sector. That's a disgraceful statistic.
"The cost of living is rising, driven by oil prices, and public sector workers are rightly demanding a wage rise to reflect this.
"We wish the police support workers - as well as the public sector workers fighting pay cuts in Aberdeen - every success."
[ends]
Press Release: 24/08/05
SSP MSP Colin Fox today backed the first ever strike by police support workers and called for a living wage for the whole public sector
Colin said:
"Essential workers such as police support workers have the same right to strike as any other worker, and the SSP fully backs this strike action.
"For far too long, local and national government have relied on the goodwill and dedication of underpaid public sector workers.
"1 in 3 Scots earns below £6.50 an hour - a third of them in the public sector. That's a disgraceful statistic.
"The cost of living is rising, driven by oil prices, and public sector workers are rightly demanding a wage rise to reflect this.
"We wish the police support workers - as well as the public sector workers fighting pay cuts in Aberdeen - every success."
[ends]
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Edinburgh Rally - Defend Civil Liberties!
SSP Rally
Civil liberties under attack!
Defend:
Rally 6th September - 7.00pm St George’s West Church Shandwick Place, Edinburgh
Hear the MSPs they tried to ban
Four SSP MSPs have been banned from the Scottish parliament for the month of September. Their entire month’s wages have been docked - all of them live on a skilled worker’s wage - all have young families.
The month’s wages of their backup staff have been docked - even though they were not even part of the protest!
The public will be denied access to these MSPs in parliament in September - whether by phone, by post or by email.
The MSPs’ crime? A brief, peaceful, silent protest in the parliament on 30 June, demanding that Jack McConnell uphold its own previous decision (last March) to defend the right to march against the G8 summit in Gleneagles on 6 July.
Three quarters of people in Britain believe there is a link between the illegal occupation of Iraq and the terrorist attacks on London.
Break the spiral of death - Bring the Troops home from Iraq! Jean Charles de Menezez was executed Police. Oppose shoot to kill!
Low paid workers for Gate Gourmet have been denied the right to organise in their workplace. Fight to repeal the anti-trade union laws! Racist attacks on our minority communities have increased. Oppose racism - defend our communities.
Civil liberties under attack!
Defend:
- Civil Liberties
- Right to free speech
- Trade Union Rights
- Right to peace
Rally 6th September - 7.00pm St George’s West Church Shandwick Place, Edinburgh
- Colin Fox SSP Convenor - Expelled from parliament in Sept
- Suhayl Saadi - Author (tbc)
- Margo MacDonald MSP
- Gate Gourmet striker - denied the right to organise
- Jean Charles de Menezes family campaign
- Alex Brownridge - CWU
Hear the MSPs they tried to ban
Four SSP MSPs have been banned from the Scottish parliament for the month of September. Their entire month’s wages have been docked - all of them live on a skilled worker’s wage - all have young families.
The month’s wages of their backup staff have been docked - even though they were not even part of the protest!
The public will be denied access to these MSPs in parliament in September - whether by phone, by post or by email.
The MSPs’ crime? A brief, peaceful, silent protest in the parliament on 30 June, demanding that Jack McConnell uphold its own previous decision (last March) to defend the right to march against the G8 summit in Gleneagles on 6 July.
Three quarters of people in Britain believe there is a link between the illegal occupation of Iraq and the terrorist attacks on London.
Break the spiral of death - Bring the Troops home from Iraq! Jean Charles de Menezez was executed Police. Oppose shoot to kill!
Low paid workers for Gate Gourmet have been denied the right to organise in their workplace. Fight to repeal the anti-trade union laws! Racist attacks on our minority communities have increased. Oppose racism - defend our communities.
Brazilian Solidarity with SSP
A message from PSOL Brazil
SOLIDARITY MESSAGE
Dear comrades of the SSP, this message is to express to you the solidarity and support of myself and my party, PSOL, with the four SSP members of parliament who were unjustly punished for their silent five minute demonstration in the Scottish parliament in favour of the right to protest against the G8 meeting in Scotland in July this year.
I want to express the very strongest protest against this arbitrary attack not only on the four MSPs and their workers but also on the SSP itself, whose tireless struggle against imperialism and neo-liberalism have made them the objects of attacks from both the right wing and from the major parties in Scotland.
I stand alongside all those across the world who are fighting so that democracy, liberty and freedom of expression will triumph over the repressive and totalitarian system that capitalism is intent on imposing across the world.
Luciana Genro Member of the Federal Parliament of Brazil for PSOL (Freedom and Socialism Party), Rio Grande do Sul
SOLIDARITY MESSAGE
Dear comrades of the SSP, this message is to express to you the solidarity and support of myself and my party, PSOL, with the four SSP members of parliament who were unjustly punished for their silent five minute demonstration in the Scottish parliament in favour of the right to protest against the G8 meeting in Scotland in July this year.
I want to express the very strongest protest against this arbitrary attack not only on the four MSPs and their workers but also on the SSP itself, whose tireless struggle against imperialism and neo-liberalism have made them the objects of attacks from both the right wing and from the major parties in Scotland.
I stand alongside all those across the world who are fighting so that democracy, liberty and freedom of expression will triumph over the repressive and totalitarian system that capitalism is intent on imposing across the world.
Luciana Genro Member of the Federal Parliament of Brazil for PSOL (Freedom and Socialism Party), Rio Grande do Sul
Calls to free hunger striker
The Herald
CAMPAIGNERS called last night for a Ugandan hunger striker to be released from Dungavel detention centre after the news that another had been released south of the border. The Scottish Socialist Party said that 28-year-old Charity Mutewba should be set free immediately or "another innocent person would die needlessly in custody in Scotland". Mrs Mutewba, who has not eaten for 26 days, was transferred last week from England. She says she is prepared to starve to death rather than be deported to Uganda. She came to the UK in September 2003 seeking political asylum, claiming she had been tortured and raped for being a member of an opposition political party. She went on hunger strike last month with nine other African women at Yarl's Wood immigration detention centre in Bedford in protest at the conditions and their deportations. Harriet Anyangokolo, a spokeswoman for the group who had not eaten for 29 days, was released yesterday. Rosie Kane, the Scottish Socialist MSP, said: "Charity requires both medical and psychological help as she is a rape victim. She should never have been forced to sit in a van for 12 hours when being transferred. Once again it just shows the utter disdain the Home Office has for human life." Mrs Mutewba said she would continue without food for as long as it takes until the government reviews her case.
CAMPAIGNERS called last night for a Ugandan hunger striker to be released from Dungavel detention centre after the news that another had been released south of the border. The Scottish Socialist Party said that 28-year-old Charity Mutewba should be set free immediately or "another innocent person would die needlessly in custody in Scotland". Mrs Mutewba, who has not eaten for 26 days, was transferred last week from England. She says she is prepared to starve to death rather than be deported to Uganda. She came to the UK in September 2003 seeking political asylum, claiming she had been tortured and raped for being a member of an opposition political party. She went on hunger strike last month with nine other African women at Yarl's Wood immigration detention centre in Bedford in protest at the conditions and their deportations. Harriet Anyangokolo, a spokeswoman for the group who had not eaten for 29 days, was released yesterday. Rosie Kane, the Scottish Socialist MSP, said: "Charity requires both medical and psychological help as she is a rape victim. She should never have been forced to sit in a van for 12 hours when being transferred. Once again it just shows the utter disdain the Home Office has for human life." Mrs Mutewba said she would continue without food for as long as it takes until the government reviews her case.
Does suspension fit the SSP's crime?
Edinburgh Evening News: "TWO and a half weeks from now, MSPs will be back from their summer recess. But unless they can overturn a decision of parliament through the courts, four of Scotland's elected representatives will be missing.
Four Scottish Socialist MSPs who staged a protest in the chamber on the last day of business before the recess have been suspended for the whole of September.
They've not just been barred from the parliament's premises, but stripped of their salaries and allowances too, with a knock-on effect on staff wages.
MSPs in the other parties were enraged at the SSP's 'antics', which brought parliamentary proceedings to a halt for about an hour. But there is now a feeling in some quarters that the unprecedented penalty imposed on them was over the top.
The protest, during First Minister's Questions, was over what the SSP claim was Jack McConnell's failure to uphold a previous resolution passed by the parliament supporting the right to march on the G8 summit at Gleneagles.
The four Socialists - SSP leader Colin Fox and fellow MSPs Carolyn Leckie, Rosie Kane and Frances Curran - left their seats at the back of the chamber and stood behind Mr McConnell's chair, holding up pieces of paper which said 'Defend Democracy'.
Presiding officer George Reid suspended the four until the end of the next day, the maximum penalty he could impose, but also referred the matter to the parliament's standards committee, which agreed the further measures.
Mr Fox claims the sanctions are 'an authoritarian over-reaction' and the SSP has embarked on court action, arguing the four were tried in their absence without due process.
The 30-day suspension does seem harsh compared with past penalties imposed at Westminster, where five days' suspension is the norm. When flamboyant Tory Michael Heseltine swung the Mace, symbol of the Queen's authority, over his head in 1976 he was only suspended for the rest of that day's sitting. In 1987, former Leith MP Ron Brown was suspended for five days after he seized and dropped the Mace and refused to apologise. And in 1972, Bernadette Devlin was back in the chamber within five minutes after she physically attacked Home Secretary Reginald Maudling over remarks about Bloody Sunday."
Defend Scottish Socialists - Socialist Worker Online (USA)
Four Scottish Socialist MSPs who staged a protest in the chamber on the last day of business before the recess have been suspended for the whole of September.
They've not just been barred from the parliament's premises, but stripped of their salaries and allowances too, with a knock-on effect on staff wages.
MSPs in the other parties were enraged at the SSP's 'antics', which brought parliamentary proceedings to a halt for about an hour. But there is now a feeling in some quarters that the unprecedented penalty imposed on them was over the top.
The protest, during First Minister's Questions, was over what the SSP claim was Jack McConnell's failure to uphold a previous resolution passed by the parliament supporting the right to march on the G8 summit at Gleneagles.
The four Socialists - SSP leader Colin Fox and fellow MSPs Carolyn Leckie, Rosie Kane and Frances Curran - left their seats at the back of the chamber and stood behind Mr McConnell's chair, holding up pieces of paper which said 'Defend Democracy'.
Presiding officer George Reid suspended the four until the end of the next day, the maximum penalty he could impose, but also referred the matter to the parliament's standards committee, which agreed the further measures.
Mr Fox claims the sanctions are 'an authoritarian over-reaction' and the SSP has embarked on court action, arguing the four were tried in their absence without due process.
The 30-day suspension does seem harsh compared with past penalties imposed at Westminster, where five days' suspension is the norm. When flamboyant Tory Michael Heseltine swung the Mace, symbol of the Queen's authority, over his head in 1976 he was only suspended for the rest of that day's sitting. In 1987, former Leith MP Ron Brown was suspended for five days after he seized and dropped the Mace and refused to apologise. And in 1972, Bernadette Devlin was back in the chamber within five minutes after she physically attacked Home Secretary Reginald Maudling over remarks about Bloody Sunday."
Defend Scottish Socialists - Socialist Worker Online (USA)
SSP: women's needs must come top in maternity debate
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 24/08/05
SSP Central Scotland MSP and former midwife Carolyn Leckie today spoke out in support of a critical report by the Scottish Women's Convention on maternity services.
Carolyn said:
“This report confirms the views of thousands of women living in the areas affected by maternity service cuts and centralisation.
“Forcing women to travel hundreds of miles to have their babies is not just an inconvenience.
“Both mothers' and babies' lives will be put at risk by delaying access to specialist consultants and putting mothers through the ordeal of travel at a time when they should be concentrating on their health.
“The debate on maternity services will not go away until the Executive and the Health Boards take the opinions of service users and local communities seriously.”
[ends]
Press Release: 24/08/05
SSP Central Scotland MSP and former midwife Carolyn Leckie today spoke out in support of a critical report by the Scottish Women's Convention on maternity services.
Carolyn said:
“This report confirms the views of thousands of women living in the areas affected by maternity service cuts and centralisation.
“Forcing women to travel hundreds of miles to have their babies is not just an inconvenience.
“Both mothers' and babies' lives will be put at risk by delaying access to specialist consultants and putting mothers through the ordeal of travel at a time when they should be concentrating on their health.
“The debate on maternity services will not go away until the Executive and the Health Boards take the opinions of service users and local communities seriously.”
[ends]
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
SSP convenor calls for bravehearts in fight for independent socialist Scotland
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 23/08/05
SSP convenor Colin Fox today called for Scots to fight for an independent socialist Scotland, crying 'freedom' from poverty, inequality and injustice
Colin said:
"Clearly things have moved on from William Wallace's days.
"We might not be waging war on an invading army, but it doesn't mean we've won.
"Scots are still fighting daily battles against poverty, inequality and injustice.
"Our young men aren't being hung, drawn and quartered in the Tower of London
- but they are being signed up to fight an illegal war in Iraq, marched off to Barlinnie or dying of drug misuse.
"Wallace's demands were simple - freedom for the people of Scotland.
"We echo those demands in the twenty first century. We want freedom from the burden of poverty, debt, violence, racism and oppression.
"Independence on its own wouldn't change a thing. We call on all those who look to Wallace for inspiration to join the fight for an independent socialist Scotland - and REAL FREEDOM!"
[ends]
Press Release: 23/08/05
SSP convenor Colin Fox today called for Scots to fight for an independent socialist Scotland, crying 'freedom' from poverty, inequality and injustice
Colin said:
"Clearly things have moved on from William Wallace's days.
"We might not be waging war on an invading army, but it doesn't mean we've won.
"Scots are still fighting daily battles against poverty, inequality and injustice.
"Our young men aren't being hung, drawn and quartered in the Tower of London
- but they are being signed up to fight an illegal war in Iraq, marched off to Barlinnie or dying of drug misuse.
"Wallace's demands were simple - freedom for the people of Scotland.
"We echo those demands in the twenty first century. We want freedom from the burden of poverty, debt, violence, racism and oppression.
"Independence on its own wouldn't change a thing. We call on all those who look to Wallace for inspiration to join the fight for an independent socialist Scotland - and REAL FREEDOM!"
[ends]
Sunday, August 21, 2005
SSP: Moderator’s remarks use the language of hate
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 21/08/05
Scottish Socialist Party national convenor Colin Fox today accused the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland of views akin to that of the British National Party and of making remarks that will further justify the wave of racist and Islamophobic violence sweeping the country.
Colin said today;
“It is absolutely astonishing that the Moderator of the Church Of Scotland should choose this moment in time to parrot the racist and Islamophobic language of far right racists like the British National Party when there has been an unprecedented rise in violence and abuse directed at Muslims and black and Asian members of our community.
“It is absolutely unacceptable for an individual in Reverend Lacy’s position to use the language of hate when the current situation facing Muslims and ethnic minorities in our communities is one of violence and abuse.
“The comments of the Moderator will instil fear in Muslims and give succour to those who direct hate and fear towards our Muslim brothers and sisters.
“The Scottish Socialist Party unequivocally condemns the Reverend Lacy’s remarks and I will be seeking a meeting with the Reverend Graham Blount, the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Officer, at the earliest opportunity to convey my grave concerns about the intervention of the Moderator in this volatile situation.”
[ends]
Press Release: 21/08/05
Scottish Socialist Party national convenor Colin Fox today accused the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland of views akin to that of the British National Party and of making remarks that will further justify the wave of racist and Islamophobic violence sweeping the country.
Colin said today;
“It is absolutely astonishing that the Moderator of the Church Of Scotland should choose this moment in time to parrot the racist and Islamophobic language of far right racists like the British National Party when there has been an unprecedented rise in violence and abuse directed at Muslims and black and Asian members of our community.
“It is absolutely unacceptable for an individual in Reverend Lacy’s position to use the language of hate when the current situation facing Muslims and ethnic minorities in our communities is one of violence and abuse.
“The comments of the Moderator will instil fear in Muslims and give succour to those who direct hate and fear towards our Muslim brothers and sisters.
“The Scottish Socialist Party unequivocally condemns the Reverend Lacy’s remarks and I will be seeking a meeting with the Reverend Graham Blount, the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Officer, at the earliest opportunity to convey my grave concerns about the intervention of the Moderator in this volatile situation.”
[ends]
Friday, August 19, 2005
SSP's council tax alternative 'would lower 86% of bills'
Glasgow Evening Times
MORE than 86% of Glasgow council tax payers would have lower bills under an alternative local government funding scheme which will be discussed by MSPs when the Scottish Parliament resumes next month.
Figures produced by Holyrood officials for the Scottish Socialist Party show more than 235,000 households would pay less, while almost 38,000 would face bigger bills.
The calculations were made by the Parliament's independent Research and Information Centre for Glasgow MSP Tommy Sheridan's attempt to abolish the council tax and replace it with a Scottish Service Tax.
MORE than 86% of Glasgow council tax payers would have lower bills under an alternative local government funding scheme which will be discussed by MSPs when the Scottish Parliament resumes next month.
Figures produced by Holyrood officials for the Scottish Socialist Party show more than 235,000 households would pay less, while almost 38,000 would face bigger bills.
The calculations were made by the Parliament's independent Research and Information Centre for Glasgow MSP Tommy Sheridan's attempt to abolish the council tax and replace it with a Scottish Service Tax.
SSP backs council staff over pay levels
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 19/08/05
The Scottish Socialist Party in North Scotland has said it will full back any action taken by Aberdeen council staff in defence of current pay levels and has called on Aberdonians to back the mass protest organised by Unison and the GMB this Friday, 19th August.2005.
SSP spokesperson Steve Arnott said ;
"Pay equalisation should not be at the expense of workers and their families facing real pay cuts.
These workers are absolutely right to stand up and demand that Aberdeen City Council doesn't force through a flawed pay equalisation project at their expense.
“I believe ordinary folk in Aberdeen will back these workers because if the council get away with simply cutting pay by fiat, then who's next.
“Recently, refuse workers in Inverness took work to rule action when Highland Council tried to force a similar equalisation process through and forced the council to back down. “These workers are facing a just fight they can win and deserve our full support."
[ends]
Press Release: 19/08/05
The Scottish Socialist Party in North Scotland has said it will full back any action taken by Aberdeen council staff in defence of current pay levels and has called on Aberdonians to back the mass protest organised by Unison and the GMB this Friday, 19th August.2005.
SSP spokesperson Steve Arnott said ;
"Pay equalisation should not be at the expense of workers and their families facing real pay cuts.
These workers are absolutely right to stand up and demand that Aberdeen City Council doesn't force through a flawed pay equalisation project at their expense.
“I believe ordinary folk in Aberdeen will back these workers because if the council get away with simply cutting pay by fiat, then who's next.
“Recently, refuse workers in Inverness took work to rule action when Highland Council tried to force a similar equalisation process through and forced the council to back down. “These workers are facing a just fight they can win and deserve our full support."
[ends]
Thursday, August 18, 2005
SSP: dairy farmers must get a fair deal
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 18/08/05
SSP MSP Rosemary Byrne today called for action to tackle the agri-business crisis facing Scotland's dairy industry
Rosemary said:
“We support the direct action being taken by Scotland's dairy farmers.
“Dairy farmers deserve a fair price for their product - instead, they're being squeezed by the vice-like grip of agri-business and the supermarket chains.
“Wal-mart, Tesco and Co. won't rest until they have driven every small farmer in the country out of business.
“We need action from the Executive to tackle this problem head on.
“Scotland's supermarket chains might sell their products cheap, but they're bad for our health, our environment and our farming industry.”
[ends]
Press Release: 18/08/05
SSP MSP Rosemary Byrne today called for action to tackle the agri-business crisis facing Scotland's dairy industry
Rosemary said:
“We support the direct action being taken by Scotland's dairy farmers.
“Dairy farmers deserve a fair price for their product - instead, they're being squeezed by the vice-like grip of agri-business and the supermarket chains.
“Wal-mart, Tesco and Co. won't rest until they have driven every small farmer in the country out of business.
“We need action from the Executive to tackle this problem head on.
“Scotland's supermarket chains might sell their products cheap, but they're bad for our health, our environment and our farming industry.”
[ends]
Monday, August 15, 2005
SSP: Oil revenue windfall must be spent on Scotland’s public transport
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 15/08/05
Scottish Socialist Party national convenor Colin Fox MSP today called for the estimated £1.6 billion windfall in tax revenues that the Treasury will receive because of the high price of oil to be returned to Scotland for a massive programme of investment in public transport.
Colin said;
“The Scottish Socialist Party campaigns for an independent socialist Scotland which would nationalise North Sea oil to allow the Scottish people to benefit from a resource which is theirs by rights, enabling a complete transformation of Scotland through an end to poverty and a massive programme of public works.
“With oil selling at over £36 a barrel, the Treasury in London is set for a windfall of some £1.6 billion of which Scotland will receive just 10 percent.
“This is theft on a scale which the Enron directors could only dream of; Scotland’s oil resources are being pillaged by the Westminster government while millions of Scots are forced daily to contend with a public transport system that is just not up to the mark.
“While we are regularly told that we must use the car less, for hundreds of thousands of Scots there is absolutely no alternative because of the hopeless inadequacy of the public transport system.
“We live in a country that produces over two million barrels of oil a day and yet we have some of the most expensive petrol prices in Europe and a public transport system that leaves no option for people in areas outwith the central belt to do anything other than run cars that are increasingly expensive to keep on the road.
“The £1.6 billion windfall the Treasury gets from the high price of oil must be returned to Scotland and invested in public transport, allowing Scots to travel cheaply and safely and making a real difference to the environment.”
[ends]
Press Release: 15/08/05
Scottish Socialist Party national convenor Colin Fox MSP today called for the estimated £1.6 billion windfall in tax revenues that the Treasury will receive because of the high price of oil to be returned to Scotland for a massive programme of investment in public transport.
Colin said;
“The Scottish Socialist Party campaigns for an independent socialist Scotland which would nationalise North Sea oil to allow the Scottish people to benefit from a resource which is theirs by rights, enabling a complete transformation of Scotland through an end to poverty and a massive programme of public works.
“With oil selling at over £36 a barrel, the Treasury in London is set for a windfall of some £1.6 billion of which Scotland will receive just 10 percent.
“This is theft on a scale which the Enron directors could only dream of; Scotland’s oil resources are being pillaged by the Westminster government while millions of Scots are forced daily to contend with a public transport system that is just not up to the mark.
“While we are regularly told that we must use the car less, for hundreds of thousands of Scots there is absolutely no alternative because of the hopeless inadequacy of the public transport system.
“We live in a country that produces over two million barrels of oil a day and yet we have some of the most expensive petrol prices in Europe and a public transport system that leaves no option for people in areas outwith the central belt to do anything other than run cars that are increasingly expensive to keep on the road.
“The £1.6 billion windfall the Treasury gets from the high price of oil must be returned to Scotland and invested in public transport, allowing Scots to travel cheaply and safely and making a real difference to the environment.”
[ends]
Friday, August 12, 2005
Sheridan: I don’t want to be British, I’m Scottish
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 12/08/05
Scottish Socialist Party MSP Tommy Sheridan today attacked the assault on multi-culturalism by “racists, Islamophobes and British chauvinists” and said that he would fail a British citizenship test being talked of for immigrants.
Tommy said that he specifically rejected any semblance of British identity; an identity which was dripping with the blood of the people enslaved by the British empire around the world and more recently with the blood of Iraqi’s slaughtered by Britain’s role in the invasion of Iraq.
Tommy accused Conservative politicians of making remarks that were identical to the language used by the National Front in the late 1970’s and more recently by the British National Party.
Tommy said;
“The past weeks have seen a tidal wave of British chauvinism, Islamophobia and racism descend on us, stirred up by the far right, the Conservative Party and, shamefully, from some liberal and left wing commentators,
“For Conservative shadow ministers to talk of deporting people who reject a British identity puts them in the same sewer as the far right neo Nazi’s like the BNP.
“Those who demand we all swear allegiance to a British identity had better prepare to deport every Scot who sees themselves as a republican.
“I want to see Britain broken up and the Crown made redundant, not swear allegiance to them.
“An independent Scottish socialist republic which banished poverty, obscene inequality and nuclear weapons would secure my allegiance.
“I consider Britain to be a blood-thirsty monster which spread it’s influence across the globe at the end of a bayonet and a canon.”
[ends]
Press Release: 12/08/05
Scottish Socialist Party MSP Tommy Sheridan today attacked the assault on multi-culturalism by “racists, Islamophobes and British chauvinists” and said that he would fail a British citizenship test being talked of for immigrants.
Tommy said that he specifically rejected any semblance of British identity; an identity which was dripping with the blood of the people enslaved by the British empire around the world and more recently with the blood of Iraqi’s slaughtered by Britain’s role in the invasion of Iraq.
Tommy accused Conservative politicians of making remarks that were identical to the language used by the National Front in the late 1970’s and more recently by the British National Party.
Tommy said;
“The past weeks have seen a tidal wave of British chauvinism, Islamophobia and racism descend on us, stirred up by the far right, the Conservative Party and, shamefully, from some liberal and left wing commentators,
“For Conservative shadow ministers to talk of deporting people who reject a British identity puts them in the same sewer as the far right neo Nazi’s like the BNP.
“Those who demand we all swear allegiance to a British identity had better prepare to deport every Scot who sees themselves as a republican.
“I want to see Britain broken up and the Crown made redundant, not swear allegiance to them.
“An independent Scottish socialist republic which banished poverty, obscene inequality and nuclear weapons would secure my allegiance.
“I consider Britain to be a blood-thirsty monster which spread it’s influence across the globe at the end of a bayonet and a canon.”
[ends]
SSP calls for solidarity with striking airport staff
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 12/08/05
SSP calls on Sots holidaymakers to show solidarity with striking airport staff
Scottish Socialist Party MSP Carolyn Leckie today called on Scots holidaymakers to show solidarity with workers taking unofficial strike action at Heathrow airport.
Carolyn said;
“The sacking of hundreds of workers by a megaphone announcement is completely unacceptable.
“These workers are defending themselves against a callous employer by the only means at their disposal – industrial action.
“While facing delays going on holiday may be a disappointment for those caught up in the dispute, the workers at Gate Gourmet have lost their livelihood for daring to stand up to an employer that treats them like slaves.
“I would urge Scots holidaymakers to show solidarity with the workers taking strike action in support of the Gate Gourmet workers.”
[ends]
Press Release: 12/08/05
SSP calls on Sots holidaymakers to show solidarity with striking airport staff
Scottish Socialist Party MSP Carolyn Leckie today called on Scots holidaymakers to show solidarity with workers taking unofficial strike action at Heathrow airport.
Carolyn said;
“The sacking of hundreds of workers by a megaphone announcement is completely unacceptable.
“These workers are defending themselves against a callous employer by the only means at their disposal – industrial action.
“While facing delays going on holiday may be a disappointment for those caught up in the dispute, the workers at Gate Gourmet have lost their livelihood for daring to stand up to an employer that treats them like slaves.
“I would urge Scots holidaymakers to show solidarity with the workers taking strike action in support of the Gate Gourmet workers.”
[ends]
Thursday, August 11, 2005
SSP: Scottish Power is a legalised extortion racket
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 11/08/05
SSP: Scottish Power is a legalised extortion racket
Scottish Socialist Party national convenor Colin Fox today accused Scottish Power of being no better than a legalised money extortion business after the company announced that it had made £147 million pounds profit in just three months.
Colin said;
“It is absolutely stomach churning that Scottish Power are raking in massive profits when all across Scotland low paid workers and pensioners struggle every week to pay their energy bills.
We all know that come winter time there will be pensioners who die because they cannot afford to adequately heat their homes.
“Scottish Power is no better than a legalised money extortion business, preying on the most vulnerable members of society in order to line their shareholders pockets.
"The fact that the poorest Scots have to pay more for their energy through pre-payment meters while the better off get discounts by other payment methods is an absolute disgrace.
“Scottish Power must be brought back into public ownership immediately; the continued existence of this privatised utility is an obscenity in the 21st century.”
[ends]
Press Release: 11/08/05
SSP: Scottish Power is a legalised extortion racket
Scottish Socialist Party national convenor Colin Fox today accused Scottish Power of being no better than a legalised money extortion business after the company announced that it had made £147 million pounds profit in just three months.
Colin said;
“It is absolutely stomach churning that Scottish Power are raking in massive profits when all across Scotland low paid workers and pensioners struggle every week to pay their energy bills.
We all know that come winter time there will be pensioners who die because they cannot afford to adequately heat their homes.
“Scottish Power is no better than a legalised money extortion business, preying on the most vulnerable members of society in order to line their shareholders pockets.
"The fact that the poorest Scots have to pay more for their energy through pre-payment meters while the better off get discounts by other payment methods is an absolute disgrace.
“Scottish Power must be brought back into public ownership immediately; the continued existence of this privatised utility is an obscenity in the 21st century.”
[ends]
SSP backs Muslim Association of Britain London demonstration
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 11/08/05
The Scottish Socialist Party Executive last night unanimously agreed to support the call by the Muslim Association of Britain for an all Britain demonstration on 24th September in support of civil liberties, support for the victims of the London bombings, the condemnation of terrorism and in solidarity with the Muslim community in Britain.
Two of the SSP’s MSP’s, Colin Fox and Tommy Sheridan will speak at public meetings in Edinburgh and Glasgow in the run up to the demonstration.
Colin Fox, SSP national convenor, today highlighted the headlong assault on civil liberties by the New Labour government since the July 7th London bombings and the massive rise in anti Muslim racism that has swept the UK in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.
Religious hate crimes, mostly against Muslims, have risen six-fold in London since the bombings, figures show. There were 269 religious hate crimes in the three weeks after 7 July, compared with 40 in the same period of 2004.
Racist attacks in Scotland have risen by almost a quarter since the London bombings, according to police figures. There were 438 incidents reported from 7 July to the end of the month. That was up by 79 on last year, with 64 of those directly linked to the bombings.
Colin said today;
“The SSP unequivocally denounced the terrorist bombs in London immediately after the attacks and we do so again today.
“These were acts of barbarism that have no place in society and the fact that amongst those killed were several devout Muslims shows that the bombers were in no way a part of the Muslim community a whole.
“The headlong rush into repressive legislation by the government must be resisted by all progressive forces in society; repression will never defeat terrorism as 30 years of history in Northern Ireland shows.
“The legislation the government is proposing is absolutely draconian and the SSP will be joining with the Muslim Association of Britain and other organisations in opposing this grave threat to our civil liberties.
“We stand together with the Muslim community in opposing the wave of racism and anti Muslim violence that has swept the country following the bombings in London.
“The SSP calls on all it’s members and supporters to make their voice heard in opposition to racism and Islamophobia and against the draconian measures being put forward by the New Labour government.”
[ends]
Press Release: 11/08/05
The Scottish Socialist Party Executive last night unanimously agreed to support the call by the Muslim Association of Britain for an all Britain demonstration on 24th September in support of civil liberties, support for the victims of the London bombings, the condemnation of terrorism and in solidarity with the Muslim community in Britain.
Two of the SSP’s MSP’s, Colin Fox and Tommy Sheridan will speak at public meetings in Edinburgh and Glasgow in the run up to the demonstration.
Colin Fox, SSP national convenor, today highlighted the headlong assault on civil liberties by the New Labour government since the July 7th London bombings and the massive rise in anti Muslim racism that has swept the UK in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.
Religious hate crimes, mostly against Muslims, have risen six-fold in London since the bombings, figures show. There were 269 religious hate crimes in the three weeks after 7 July, compared with 40 in the same period of 2004.
Racist attacks in Scotland have risen by almost a quarter since the London bombings, according to police figures. There were 438 incidents reported from 7 July to the end of the month. That was up by 79 on last year, with 64 of those directly linked to the bombings.
Colin said today;
“The SSP unequivocally denounced the terrorist bombs in London immediately after the attacks and we do so again today.
“These were acts of barbarism that have no place in society and the fact that amongst those killed were several devout Muslims shows that the bombers were in no way a part of the Muslim community a whole.
“The headlong rush into repressive legislation by the government must be resisted by all progressive forces in society; repression will never defeat terrorism as 30 years of history in Northern Ireland shows.
“The legislation the government is proposing is absolutely draconian and the SSP will be joining with the Muslim Association of Britain and other organisations in opposing this grave threat to our civil liberties.
“We stand together with the Muslim community in opposing the wave of racism and anti Muslim violence that has swept the country following the bombings in London.
“The SSP calls on all it’s members and supporters to make their voice heard in opposition to racism and Islamophobia and against the draconian measures being put forward by the New Labour government.”
[ends]
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Friday, August 05, 2005
MSPs get £1m to buy second homes
BBC NEWS: "MSPs have been paid more than £1m by the taxpayer to purchase second homes in Edinburgh, it has emerged.
BBC Scotland has confirmed that the money was claimed by 38 politicians.
Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan has called for an official inquiry into what he calls widespread abuse of the Edinburgh Accommodation Allowance.
But a spokesman said the present scheme was approved by the Scottish Parliament in 2001 and that the regulations had been followed in every case.
The allowance enables MSPs who live more than 90 minutes' journey from the Scottish Parliament to have subsidised mortgages for second homes in the capital.
They can claim up to £10,600 per year towards housing expenses.
Mr Sheridan called for an investigation into three former Scottish National Party MSPs who he said had made more than £100,000 profit after selling their subsidised flats.
They had claimed mortgage allowances of £90,000 before selling up.
Another four MSPs, who have now left the parliament, have kept flats with a current market value of nearly £500,000. They claimed subsidies of almost £130,000.
A parliament spokesman said the regulations had been followed.
However, Mr Sheridan said the rules need to be changed.
The Socialist MSP has already accused Scottish Executive ministers of using the accommodation allowance scheme to cash in on Edinburgh's property price boom.
Since 1999 the taxpayer has paid 11 executive ministers almost £340,000 towards the costs of the second homes they have bought in the capital.
The average house price in the city has almost doubled over that period."
BBC Scotland has confirmed that the money was claimed by 38 politicians.
Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan has called for an official inquiry into what he calls widespread abuse of the Edinburgh Accommodation Allowance.
But a spokesman said the present scheme was approved by the Scottish Parliament in 2001 and that the regulations had been followed in every case.
The allowance enables MSPs who live more than 90 minutes' journey from the Scottish Parliament to have subsidised mortgages for second homes in the capital.
They can claim up to £10,600 per year towards housing expenses.
Mr Sheridan called for an investigation into three former Scottish National Party MSPs who he said had made more than £100,000 profit after selling their subsidised flats.
They had claimed mortgage allowances of £90,000 before selling up.
Another four MSPs, who have now left the parliament, have kept flats with a current market value of nearly £500,000. They claimed subsidies of almost £130,000.
A parliament spokesman said the regulations had been followed.
However, Mr Sheridan said the rules need to be changed.
The Socialist MSP has already accused Scottish Executive ministers of using the accommodation allowance scheme to cash in on Edinburgh's property price boom.
Since 1999 the taxpayer has paid 11 executive ministers almost £340,000 towards the costs of the second homes they have bought in the capital.
The average house price in the city has almost doubled over that period."
Thursday, August 04, 2005
SSP Attacks Ministers Gravy Train
BBC NEWS: "Scottish Executive ministers have been accused of using an accommodation allowance scheme to cash in on Edinburgh's property price boom.
Under the scheme, MSPs can claim up to £10,600 per year towards housing expenses if they live too far from Holyrood to commute.
Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan said at least three ministers used the scheme to subsidise property speculation.
A parliament spokesman said it was a scheme approved by MSPs.
He said all the payments were within the rules and allowed MSPs who lived far from the capital to do their jobs properly.
Under the scheme, MSPs who live further away than a 90-minute train journey from Edinburgh can claim allowances to cover hotel bills, flat rentals or interest on mortgages on property bought for overnight stays.
Since 1999 the taxpayer has paid 11 executive ministers almost £340,000 towards the costs of the second homes they have bought in Edinburgh.
The average house price in the city has almost doubled over that period.
A number of ministers have bought flats, sold them and then used the profits to buy more expensive properties.
Mr Sheridan, a list MSP for Glasgow, said it was an 'outrageous abuse of taxpayers' money'.
He said: 'The Edinburgh Accommodation Allowance was never meant to be a get-rich-quick scheme for any politician, let alone well-paid Cabinet ministers.'
Mr Sheridan highlighted the cases of former deputy first minister Jim Wallace, Transport Minister Tavish Scott and the deputy minister for enterprise, Allan Wilson.
Mr Wilson bought a flat in Edinburgh for £65,000 in 2000.
He sold it last year for £108,000 and has since bought another apartment for £238,000."
The deputy minister has been paid £34,000 towards the costs of his Edinburgh properties.
Mr Sheridan said: "We have got individuals like Mr Wallace, Mr Wilson and Mr Scott who each have received over £30,000 in taxpayer's subsidy and each have made over £30,000 in personal profit.
"That is a disgrace. That is a particular gravy train that has got to be brought to a stop."
The ministers named by Mr Sheridan declined to comment on the accusations.
Under the scheme, MSPs can claim up to £10,600 per year towards housing expenses if they live too far from Holyrood to commute.
Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan said at least three ministers used the scheme to subsidise property speculation.
A parliament spokesman said it was a scheme approved by MSPs.
He said all the payments were within the rules and allowed MSPs who lived far from the capital to do their jobs properly.
Under the scheme, MSPs who live further away than a 90-minute train journey from Edinburgh can claim allowances to cover hotel bills, flat rentals or interest on mortgages on property bought for overnight stays.
Since 1999 the taxpayer has paid 11 executive ministers almost £340,000 towards the costs of the second homes they have bought in Edinburgh.
The average house price in the city has almost doubled over that period.
A number of ministers have bought flats, sold them and then used the profits to buy more expensive properties.
Mr Sheridan, a list MSP for Glasgow, said it was an 'outrageous abuse of taxpayers' money'.
He said: 'The Edinburgh Accommodation Allowance was never meant to be a get-rich-quick scheme for any politician, let alone well-paid Cabinet ministers.'
Mr Sheridan highlighted the cases of former deputy first minister Jim Wallace, Transport Minister Tavish Scott and the deputy minister for enterprise, Allan Wilson.
Mr Wilson bought a flat in Edinburgh for £65,000 in 2000.
He sold it last year for £108,000 and has since bought another apartment for £238,000."
The deputy minister has been paid £34,000 towards the costs of his Edinburgh properties.
Mr Sheridan said: "We have got individuals like Mr Wallace, Mr Wilson and Mr Scott who each have received over £30,000 in taxpayer's subsidy and each have made over £30,000 in personal profit.
"That is a disgrace. That is a particular gravy train that has got to be brought to a stop."
The ministers named by Mr Sheridan declined to comment on the accusations.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
SSP warns of racist and Islamophobic violence after Tory remarks
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 03/08/05
SSP warns of racist and Islamophobic violence after Tory remarks
Scottish Socialist Party national convenor Colin Fox tonight warned of a tidal wave of Islamophobic and racist violence as a result of comments being made by politicians and inflammatory material published in the press.
Colin was speaking on the eve of a visit by Scottish ministers to Glasgow Central Mosque to meet leaders of the Muslim community in Scotland.
Colin said that comments by Gerald Howarth, the shadow defence minister, were identical to those espoused by the racist British National Party.
The Tory politician was reported as saying that “If they don't like our way of life, there is a simple remedy: go to another country, get out.”
The Scottish Socialist Party has written to Muslim and ethnic minority organisations across Scotland offering support and solidarity and pledging to continue its campaigning efforts against the occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq, against racism, for the defence of civil rights and for peace and justice.
Colin said;
“Every politician who makes the kind of remarks that Gerald Howarth did must share responsibility for the massive upsurge in racist and Islamophobic violence over the past weeks.
“These kind of remarks are fuelling hatred on our streets and giving racist thugs the respectable cover they need to carry out attacks in broad daylight such as the one on two Asian men in Leith last week.
“It is absolutely outrageous that a Tory shadow minister should be espousing ideas that are identical to the racist British National Party.
“We are also hearing demands that people should swear allegiance to Great Britain to prove that they are loyal citizens.
“This is absolute nonsense.
“Along with hundreds of thousands of Scots, Irish and Welsh, I too do not wish to be associated with ‘Britishness’; does that mean that the Conservative Party want to see us deported ?
“There is a very real danger that the racist and Islamophobic remarks of politicians along with inflammatory material in certain sections of the press will launch a tidal wave of violence against our ethnic minority communities.
“The Scottish Socialist Party pledges to stand alongside Scotland’s Muslim and ethnic minority communities against racism and Islamophobia and to continue our campaigns against the occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq and in defence of our civil rights and for peace and justice.”
[ends]
Press Release: 03/08/05
SSP warns of racist and Islamophobic violence after Tory remarks
Scottish Socialist Party national convenor Colin Fox tonight warned of a tidal wave of Islamophobic and racist violence as a result of comments being made by politicians and inflammatory material published in the press.
Colin was speaking on the eve of a visit by Scottish ministers to Glasgow Central Mosque to meet leaders of the Muslim community in Scotland.
Colin said that comments by Gerald Howarth, the shadow defence minister, were identical to those espoused by the racist British National Party.
The Tory politician was reported as saying that “If they don't like our way of life, there is a simple remedy: go to another country, get out.”
The Scottish Socialist Party has written to Muslim and ethnic minority organisations across Scotland offering support and solidarity and pledging to continue its campaigning efforts against the occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq, against racism, for the defence of civil rights and for peace and justice.
Colin said;
“Every politician who makes the kind of remarks that Gerald Howarth did must share responsibility for the massive upsurge in racist and Islamophobic violence over the past weeks.
“These kind of remarks are fuelling hatred on our streets and giving racist thugs the respectable cover they need to carry out attacks in broad daylight such as the one on two Asian men in Leith last week.
“It is absolutely outrageous that a Tory shadow minister should be espousing ideas that are identical to the racist British National Party.
“We are also hearing demands that people should swear allegiance to Great Britain to prove that they are loyal citizens.
“This is absolute nonsense.
“Along with hundreds of thousands of Scots, Irish and Welsh, I too do not wish to be associated with ‘Britishness’; does that mean that the Conservative Party want to see us deported ?
“There is a very real danger that the racist and Islamophobic remarks of politicians along with inflammatory material in certain sections of the press will launch a tidal wave of violence against our ethnic minority communities.
“The Scottish Socialist Party pledges to stand alongside Scotland’s Muslim and ethnic minority communities against racism and Islamophobia and to continue our campaigns against the occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq and in defence of our civil rights and for peace and justice.”
[ends]
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
SSP oppose BNP involvement in 'Trafalgar' event
Scotsman
SCOTLAND'S biggest celebration of the Battle of Trafalgar is being organised by an official of the far-right British National Party, it was revealed yesterday.
Kenny Smith, the Scottish regional secretary of the BNP, heads a committee planning "Trafalgar at the Fort", which is to be staged at Fort George, near Inverness, in October.
Fellow organisers were previously unaware of his links to the BNP, but say they support him "100 per cent" and have insisted the event should go ahead.
But his involvement brought strong criticism from the Scottish Socialist Party.
Steve Arnott, the SSP's Highlands and Islands regional organiser, said: "The BNP are trying to pretend they are a serious political party but they avowedly promote racist and religious hatred.
"I'm sure the people of Culloden and Smithton will be horrified to learn that such a senior figure of the BNP also holds an influential role on their community council."
SCOTLAND'S biggest celebration of the Battle of Trafalgar is being organised by an official of the far-right British National Party, it was revealed yesterday.
Kenny Smith, the Scottish regional secretary of the BNP, heads a committee planning "Trafalgar at the Fort", which is to be staged at Fort George, near Inverness, in October.
Fellow organisers were previously unaware of his links to the BNP, but say they support him "100 per cent" and have insisted the event should go ahead.
But his involvement brought strong criticism from the Scottish Socialist Party.
Steve Arnott, the SSP's Highlands and Islands regional organiser, said: "The BNP are trying to pretend they are a serious political party but they avowedly promote racist and religious hatred.
"I'm sure the people of Culloden and Smithton will be horrified to learn that such a senior figure of the BNP also holds an influential role on their community council."
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