The Lennox, 6 September 2006:
SSP Stands United
Two Scottish Socialist party stalwarts fired parting shots at their former leader as he set up his new party on Sunday. Renton councillor Jim Bollan and Les Robertson, the SSP's Dumbarton & Vale branch organiser, hit out as they also help re-launch their own party without the charismatic MSP.
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Councillor Bollan said:" The SSP has travelled a difficult road over the last two years, but I genuinely believe we will be stronger and more able tp pursue a socialist alternative, by concentrating on working in our local communities with local groups to support them in their struggle against justice and inequality. The Solidarity Party will be devisive and has split the lSocialist left in Scotland. A divided left will be welcomed by the right wing establishment. They will be celebrating the birth of the new party. The SSP intends to look forward and focus on the key issues that affect Scottish people in their daily battle in their communities."
"We intend to pursue our People not Profit campaign vigorously. It is our belief that a redistribution of wealth and power in our society is needed to help fight injustice and secure equality for all our citizens."
Mr Robertson added: " Saturday's rally was a time to celebrate the achievements of the Scottish Socialist Party, and to reafirm our committment to the long hard fight for socialism. There is no doubt that it has been a tough old time for the SSP. But we have made it through. Saturday's rallying call was unity, integrity, soicialism and activists from all over Scotland found a bit of time and space to look forward to the future. Tommy Sheridan may have won his legal battle against the News of the World. He will not defeat the Scottish Socialist Party."
