Scotland on Sunday - Politics - Firebrand Brown fights for his life
All of Ron's comrades in the Scottish Socialist Party send their best wishes to a veteran class fighter, friend and comrade.
Monday, February 28, 2005
SSP call for peaceful protest at G8 Summit
Sunday Herald
EVERY Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) MSP is to undergo non-violent direct action training in preparation for demonstrations against the G8 summit at Gleneagles in July.
The party’s six MSPs will each pay around £100 to take part in a two-day training session, run in April or May, by the Scottish Centre for NonViolence in Dunblane. They also intend to call on SSP supporters and others planning to join in the protests to consider undergoing similar training.
Frances Curran, the party’s enterprise spokeswoman, said: “Some of us have done the training before – including [MSPs] Carolyn Leckie and Rosie Kane – but we are all going to do it for the G8 because we are intent on having a peaceful protest. The training teaches you what to do when you’re facing riot police.
“It urges you to think why you are protesting and what are you trying to achieve.”
Thousands of protesters are expected to join demonstrations against the gathering, in Perthshire from July 6 to 8, of world leaders from the G7 group of wealthy nations plus Russia. Anti-capitalist and anti-war protesters are planning a week-long campaign of events around the summit, including a march of up to 200,000 people, in Edinburgh and associated events at Faslane nuclear submarine base on the Clyde (home of Britain’s Trident submarines) and Dungavel detention centre in Ayrshire, where asylum seekers are held.
Police are planning to draft in 10,000 officers, including hundreds from London, to deal with the threat of disruption to the summit.
In response, several groups, including Trident Plough shares and Seeds for Change, are now running courses on non-violent direct action in the run-up to the summit.
Curran added: “We will be calling on other SSP members and suggesting everybody goes through [training]. Most of our members have been on countless demonstrations across Scotland and there has never been one hint of trouble.”
Curran is to meet Tayside police in Perth on Tuesday, and on Thursday the SSP is using its allotted time in parliament for a debate on the summit.
EVERY Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) MSP is to undergo non-violent direct action training in preparation for demonstrations against the G8 summit at Gleneagles in July.
The party’s six MSPs will each pay around £100 to take part in a two-day training session, run in April or May, by the Scottish Centre for NonViolence in Dunblane. They also intend to call on SSP supporters and others planning to join in the protests to consider undergoing similar training.
Frances Curran, the party’s enterprise spokeswoman, said: “Some of us have done the training before – including [MSPs] Carolyn Leckie and Rosie Kane – but we are all going to do it for the G8 because we are intent on having a peaceful protest. The training teaches you what to do when you’re facing riot police.
“It urges you to think why you are protesting and what are you trying to achieve.”
Thousands of protesters are expected to join demonstrations against the gathering, in Perthshire from July 6 to 8, of world leaders from the G7 group of wealthy nations plus Russia. Anti-capitalist and anti-war protesters are planning a week-long campaign of events around the summit, including a march of up to 200,000 people, in Edinburgh and associated events at Faslane nuclear submarine base on the Clyde (home of Britain’s Trident submarines) and Dungavel detention centre in Ayrshire, where asylum seekers are held.
Police are planning to draft in 10,000 officers, including hundreds from London, to deal with the threat of disruption to the summit.
In response, several groups, including Trident Plough shares and Seeds for Change, are now running courses on non-violent direct action in the run-up to the summit.
Curran added: “We will be calling on other SSP members and suggesting everybody goes through [training]. Most of our members have been on countless demonstrations across Scotland and there has never been one hint of trouble.”
Curran is to meet Tayside police in Perth on Tuesday, and on Thursday the SSP is using its allotted time in parliament for a debate on the summit.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Students to vote for a Coke boycott at unions
Edinburgh Evening News - Students to vote for a Coke boycott at unions STUDENTS are set to ban Coca-Cola from shops and bars at Edinburgh University over alleged human rights abuses at an overseas factory.
The Edinburgh University Students’ Association is next month expected to back a proposed boycott of the giant drinks firm.
The move would mean the company would lose its £120,000-a-year contract with EUSA and all advertising rights in buildings owned by the student union.
Eleven other universities worldwide - including four in England - have already introduced similar boycotts.
A global campaign was launched amid allegations that Colombian workers who attempted to unionise one of the firm’s factories were tortured, and another activist was murdered outside the plant’s gates.
The Edinburgh University Students’ Association is next month expected to back a proposed boycott of the giant drinks firm.
The move would mean the company would lose its £120,000-a-year contract with EUSA and all advertising rights in buildings owned by the student union.
Eleven other universities worldwide - including four in England - have already introduced similar boycotts.
A global campaign was launched amid allegations that Colombian workers who attempted to unionise one of the firm’s factories were tortured, and another activist was murdered outside the plant’s gates.
Edinburgh Youth Against the War film wins award
Scotland Today: "With the Oscars taking place this weekend, on Wednesday February 23 all eyes were on on some young filmmakers from Scotland who were in London being honoured for their own work. Jude Law, Stephen Fry and Sir Ian McKellen were among the judging panel who heaped praise on the pupils' short films.
The First Light film awards, celebrating films made by young people, was held at the Odeon West End in London's Leicester Square and it was a great day for Scotland and a group from Edinburgh.
Actor Colin Salmon announced: 'The winner of the first light award 2005 in the category of best documentary is - quite right too - Old Enough To Know Better.
Brian McLeod and Nick Erdly, John Cooper and Devon Simonsen are Pilton Video and they produced a documentary on the mass protest and school walkouts in Edinburgh in the days leading up to the Iraq war.
On had to lend their support to the proceedings were Lord Of The Rings star Sir Ian McKellen and Rupert Grint, famous, of course, as Harry Potter's mate Ron Weasley.
Rupert Grint said: 'It's wicked because I sort of started out quite young when I was 11 and it's such good experience, it's really good fun so it's good to see like younger ones as well getting into film as well.'
Sir Ian McKellen added: 'The films I've seen are quite extraordinary. I could have done nothing like that at their age or my own age.'"
The First Light film awards, celebrating films made by young people, was held at the Odeon West End in London's Leicester Square and it was a great day for Scotland and a group from Edinburgh.
Actor Colin Salmon announced: 'The winner of the first light award 2005 in the category of best documentary is - quite right too - Old Enough To Know Better.
Brian McLeod and Nick Erdly, John Cooper and Devon Simonsen are Pilton Video and they produced a documentary on the mass protest and school walkouts in Edinburgh in the days leading up to the Iraq war.
On had to lend their support to the proceedings were Lord Of The Rings star Sir Ian McKellen and Rupert Grint, famous, of course, as Harry Potter's mate Ron Weasley.
Rupert Grint said: 'It's wicked because I sort of started out quite young when I was 11 and it's such good experience, it's really good fun so it's good to see like younger ones as well getting into film as well.'
Sir Ian McKellen added: 'The films I've seen are quite extraordinary. I could have done nothing like that at their age or my own age.'"
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
SSP leader Fox accuses ministers of censorship
Edinburgh Evening News - Politics - SSP leader Fox accuses ministers of censorship
NEW Scottish Socialist Party leader Colin Fox has accused the Scottish Executive of censoring debate on his Bill to scrap prescription charges.
A decision by the Scottish Parliament’s business bureau means the Bill will not be debated in the parliament until Christmas - a full two and a half years after it was first lodged.
Mr Fox, a list MSP for the Lothians, claimed the Executive parties, which have a majority of the votes in the bureau, were deliberately delaying the proposed legislation despite widespread public support.
"So much for the idea the parliament is ready to spring into action on new ideas," he said. "This suggests it has all the spring in its step of an extinct dinosaur.
"It means 75,000 people in Scotland will face another year when they will go without medicines they need because they don’t have the money."
Scottish Campaign to Remove All Prescription Charges
NEW Scottish Socialist Party leader Colin Fox has accused the Scottish Executive of censoring debate on his Bill to scrap prescription charges.
A decision by the Scottish Parliament’s business bureau means the Bill will not be debated in the parliament until Christmas - a full two and a half years after it was first lodged.
Mr Fox, a list MSP for the Lothians, claimed the Executive parties, which have a majority of the votes in the bureau, were deliberately delaying the proposed legislation despite widespread public support.
"So much for the idea the parliament is ready to spring into action on new ideas," he said. "This suggests it has all the spring in its step of an extinct dinosaur.
"It means 75,000 people in Scotland will face another year when they will go without medicines they need because they don’t have the money."
Scottish Campaign to Remove All Prescription Charges
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Free School Meals for All
The Herald Editorial
It is enough to have Gordon Brown choking on his bowl of rice. The chancellor, who is visiting China, is a firm advocate of targeting state benefits on the basis of need. He believes universal benefit, with the odd exception, is wasteful. The Scottish Executive is at one with Mr Brown on the matter of free school meals. More than two years ago, it opposed a private member's bill in the name of Tommy Sheridan of the Scottish Socialist Party to introduce universal free school meals for primary and secondary pupils, in place of the means-tested model. The bill was defeated in the Scottish Parliament. Ministers argued that, if introduced, it would be a costly and wasteful policy.
Much to the discomfort of ministers, universal free school meals will not disappear from the political menu. The Herald reports today that the policy has been endorsed by academics at Dundee University in a paper welcomed by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG). One of the authors is an SSP activist who supports the policy. The other describes himself as the "departmental Conservative". This suggests that the collaborators' findings are balanced. They certainly deserve to be taken seriously by Scotland's political class.
The authors concede there would be a cost in extending free school meals to all Scottish children. However, they maintain that the price would be worth paying because it would have a disproportionately beneficial impact on poor families. Some 100,000 Scottish children live in poverty and, according to the CPAG, many are either ineligible for free school meals or do not claim them. Serving them a meal a day (perhaps the only one) would mitigate the effects of poverty. Providing nutritious, appetising food would also improve long-term health prospects; encourage the habit of healthy eating; and raise educational standards over time.
These are also the executive's aims. Ministers are, however, dead set against universal free meals because they say the cost would be some £200m a year and maintain that resources would be better targeted on those who would benefit most. But, according to the academics, many of those who could benefit most, do not. Universality would include them. Opponents argue that the policy flies in the face of common sense because better-off families do not need it. Including them is therefore seen as a waste of resources. The report's authors conclude that waste becomes a significant factor in the case of only the wealthiest 10% of families. Many probably send their children to private schools, where the policy would not apply.
But where is the waste if children take free school meals? The uptake in those Scandinavian countries where there is universality (around 100%) suggests the initiative would also be effective in Scotland. The academics say poor families would gain most. Universality would remove the stigma attached to receiving the benefit. It would also be more cost-effective to administer. The paper makes a compelling case for the policy. If ministers are serious about tackling poverty, they must pay it proper heed so that, when universal free meals next come before the parliament for debate, they do not merely write the policy off as the work of an irritating opposition party. There is too much at stake for that.
It is enough to have Gordon Brown choking on his bowl of rice. The chancellor, who is visiting China, is a firm advocate of targeting state benefits on the basis of need. He believes universal benefit, with the odd exception, is wasteful. The Scottish Executive is at one with Mr Brown on the matter of free school meals. More than two years ago, it opposed a private member's bill in the name of Tommy Sheridan of the Scottish Socialist Party to introduce universal free school meals for primary and secondary pupils, in place of the means-tested model. The bill was defeated in the Scottish Parliament. Ministers argued that, if introduced, it would be a costly and wasteful policy.
Much to the discomfort of ministers, universal free school meals will not disappear from the political menu. The Herald reports today that the policy has been endorsed by academics at Dundee University in a paper welcomed by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG). One of the authors is an SSP activist who supports the policy. The other describes himself as the "departmental Conservative". This suggests that the collaborators' findings are balanced. They certainly deserve to be taken seriously by Scotland's political class.
The authors concede there would be a cost in extending free school meals to all Scottish children. However, they maintain that the price would be worth paying because it would have a disproportionately beneficial impact on poor families. Some 100,000 Scottish children live in poverty and, according to the CPAG, many are either ineligible for free school meals or do not claim them. Serving them a meal a day (perhaps the only one) would mitigate the effects of poverty. Providing nutritious, appetising food would also improve long-term health prospects; encourage the habit of healthy eating; and raise educational standards over time.
These are also the executive's aims. Ministers are, however, dead set against universal free meals because they say the cost would be some £200m a year and maintain that resources would be better targeted on those who would benefit most. But, according to the academics, many of those who could benefit most, do not. Universality would include them. Opponents argue that the policy flies in the face of common sense because better-off families do not need it. Including them is therefore seen as a waste of resources. The report's authors conclude that waste becomes a significant factor in the case of only the wealthiest 10% of families. Many probably send their children to private schools, where the policy would not apply.
But where is the waste if children take free school meals? The uptake in those Scandinavian countries where there is universality (around 100%) suggests the initiative would also be effective in Scotland. The academics say poor families would gain most. Universality would remove the stigma attached to receiving the benefit. It would also be more cost-effective to administer. The paper makes a compelling case for the policy. If ministers are serious about tackling poverty, they must pay it proper heed so that, when universal free meals next come before the parliament for debate, they do not merely write the policy off as the work of an irritating opposition party. There is too much at stake for that.
Monday, February 21, 2005
Defend the NHS
icWestlothian - New Socialist leader makes his first official visit to West Lothian
Feb 18 2005
THE new leader of a major Scottish political party is set to make his first public engagement as convenor in West Lothian.
Lothians MSP Colin Fox was recently elected convenor of the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) taking over the post from former leader Tommy Sheridan.
Mr Fox will speak at a public meeting on the NHS in St Margaret’s Academy, Livingston, on Monday, February 21, ay 7.30pm.
The new convenor explained: “I am looking forward to the public meeting on Monday night and it isgreat that my first task as convener will be to speak in Livingston.
“Under New Labour our NHS has got worse – prescription charges have risen, we’ve seen the influx of the private sector which means that a journey to hospital means people now have to pay £10 to park their car.
“Now key services are being taken from our excellent publicly owned hospitals like St John’s and moved to the privately owned such as New Royal.
“At this public meeting we’ll be asking the people of West Lothian not to give up the fight, to get involved in the broad campaign and push for all services to be returned to St John’s.”
Steven Nimmo, SSP candidate for Livingston, who will also speak at the meeting, added: “Whilst the SSP has been actively campaigning on behalf of the broad campaign to save services at St John’s, we also want to speak to people about why we think there are the current problems in the NHS and how we would change them for the better.
“The SSP is an advocate and defender of universal benefits for all, the NHS being the prime example of a service that should be available locally and free at the point of need.”
Feb 18 2005
THE new leader of a major Scottish political party is set to make his first public engagement as convenor in West Lothian.
Lothians MSP Colin Fox was recently elected convenor of the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) taking over the post from former leader Tommy Sheridan.
Mr Fox will speak at a public meeting on the NHS in St Margaret’s Academy, Livingston, on Monday, February 21, ay 7.30pm.
The new convenor explained: “I am looking forward to the public meeting on Monday night and it isgreat that my first task as convener will be to speak in Livingston.
“Under New Labour our NHS has got worse – prescription charges have risen, we’ve seen the influx of the private sector which means that a journey to hospital means people now have to pay £10 to park their car.
“Now key services are being taken from our excellent publicly owned hospitals like St John’s and moved to the privately owned such as New Royal.
“At this public meeting we’ll be asking the people of West Lothian not to give up the fight, to get involved in the broad campaign and push for all services to be returned to St John’s.”
Steven Nimmo, SSP candidate for Livingston, who will also speak at the meeting, added: “Whilst the SSP has been actively campaigning on behalf of the broad campaign to save services at St John’s, we also want to speak to people about why we think there are the current problems in the NHS and how we would change them for the better.
“The SSP is an advocate and defender of universal benefits for all, the NHS being the prime example of a service that should be available locally and free at the point of need.”
Friday, February 18, 2005
Youth Anti-War Film up for Prize
Edinburgh Evening News
YOUNG filmmakers from the Capital are to rub shoulders with the UK’s biggest movie stars after being nominated for a national award.
A programme highlighting the city’s youth anti-war movement in 2003 is in line for Best Documentary at the First Light Film Awards for films made by young people between the ages of five and 18.
The young filmmakers will be guests at the glittering "mini Oscar" ceremony in London’s Leicester Square next week.
Alfie star Jude Law, filmmaker Stephen Fry and Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint are among the panel of celebrities judging the films.
Made by Edinburgh Youth Against The War, Old Enough to Know Better documents the mass school walkouts staged by thousands of schoolchildren in protest against the Iraq war.
The documentary, produced by Pilton Video, was part of a four-film project with an overall budget of £48,000, and has already received critical acclaim and a host of awards after being shown at film festivals around the world.
YOUNG filmmakers from the Capital are to rub shoulders with the UK’s biggest movie stars after being nominated for a national award.
A programme highlighting the city’s youth anti-war movement in 2003 is in line for Best Documentary at the First Light Film Awards for films made by young people between the ages of five and 18.
The young filmmakers will be guests at the glittering "mini Oscar" ceremony in London’s Leicester Square next week.
Alfie star Jude Law, filmmaker Stephen Fry and Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint are among the panel of celebrities judging the films.
Made by Edinburgh Youth Against The War, Old Enough to Know Better documents the mass school walkouts staged by thousands of schoolchildren in protest against the Iraq war.
The documentary, produced by Pilton Video, was part of a four-film project with an overall budget of £48,000, and has already received critical acclaim and a host of awards after being shown at film festivals around the world.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Solidarity with Iraqi workers
Public Meeting
Solidarity with the Iraqi workers
Speakers
7-30pm Wednesday 16th February 2005
Partick Burgh Halls, Burgh Hall Street, Glasgow.
Nearest Underground and train station Partick, Buses 9, 16, 16a, 62, 89, 90
Solidarity with the Iraqi workers
Speakers
- Hassan Jumaa Awad, president of the General Union of Oil Employees, Basra, Iraq
- Frances Curran MSP, Scottish Socialist Party
- Rose Gentle, Justice4gordongentle.
7-30pm Wednesday 16th February 2005
Partick Burgh Halls, Burgh Hall Street, Glasgow.
Nearest Underground and train station Partick, Buses 9, 16, 16a, 62, 89, 90
SSP's Best Days Are Ahead Of Us
Statement by new SSP National Convenor Colin Fox.
I am thrilled and honoured to have been elected as National Convenor.
The SSP has come through a difficult few months. Alan McCombes and I both agree that the real winner from this weekend is the party itself. We are united and strengthened by our experiences.
I have known Alan for more than 25 years. He is a friend of mine. He is an enormous political asset to the SSP. He was the first person I told I would stand for the post and he was the first person I spoke to after I heard the result on Sunday.
We intend to work closely over the next few months to bolster the confidence of the 130,000 people who voted SSP in May 2003.
I want to assure SSP members that we share a commitment to an Independent Socialist Republic in Scotland. We also share a vision of a party based on rank and file democracy and rooted in the politics of the streets, communities, workplaces and colleges. We will work together outside and inside Parliament.
Where do we go from here?
* Our first priority is to get back to what we are good at - taking the fight to New Labour and New SNP.
* The General Election is around the corner. The SSP will be standing candidates in every seat in Scotland and we will be campaigning on the issues which are important to people - health, education, jobs, pensions and of course Labour's murderous deceit in Iraq.
* And with the huge G8 protests set for Edinburgh in July we get a golden opportunity to present our unique anti-capitalist message to an audience at home and abroad.
There is much for the SSP to look forward to in the next couple of months and beyond. The best days of the SSP are ahead of us.
I am thrilled and honoured to have been elected as National Convenor.
The SSP has come through a difficult few months. Alan McCombes and I both agree that the real winner from this weekend is the party itself. We are united and strengthened by our experiences.
I have known Alan for more than 25 years. He is a friend of mine. He is an enormous political asset to the SSP. He was the first person I told I would stand for the post and he was the first person I spoke to after I heard the result on Sunday.
We intend to work closely over the next few months to bolster the confidence of the 130,000 people who voted SSP in May 2003.
I want to assure SSP members that we share a commitment to an Independent Socialist Republic in Scotland. We also share a vision of a party based on rank and file democracy and rooted in the politics of the streets, communities, workplaces and colleges. We will work together outside and inside Parliament.
Where do we go from here?
* Our first priority is to get back to what we are good at - taking the fight to New Labour and New SNP.
* The General Election is around the corner. The SSP will be standing candidates in every seat in Scotland and we will be campaigning on the issues which are important to people - health, education, jobs, pensions and of course Labour's murderous deceit in Iraq.
* And with the huge G8 protests set for Edinburgh in July we get a golden opportunity to present our unique anti-capitalist message to an audience at home and abroad.
There is much for the SSP to look forward to in the next couple of months and beyond. The best days of the SSP are ahead of us.
Sunday, February 13, 2005
SSP Elect Colin Fox to convenorship
Colin Fox was today elected to the convenorship of the Scottish Socialist Party at our annual conference in Perth.
The results of the elections were Colin Fox 252 votes (62%), Alan McCombes 154 votes (38%).
Alan and Colin both took to the stage following the announcement in a show of friendship and unity. To a standing ovation from the conference Lothians MSP Colin pledged to continue the party's implacable opposition to war and poverty and to bring that message to the general election and to the protests at the G8 summit later this year.
The results of the elections were Colin Fox 252 votes (62%), Alan McCombes 154 votes (38%).
Alan and Colin both took to the stage following the announcement in a show of friendship and unity. To a standing ovation from the conference Lothians MSP Colin pledged to continue the party's implacable opposition to war and poverty and to bring that message to the general election and to the protests at the G8 summit later this year.
Friday, February 11, 2005
Our Commiserations
Edinburgh Evening News
TOMMY SHERIDAN wants the Scottish Parliament to congratulate Prince Charles for making an honest woman of his "bidie-in" - but extend its sympathy to Camilla Parker Bowles on marrying into a "dysfunctional" family.
The former leader of the Scottish Socialist Party - which believes in an independent, republican Scotland - has tabled a motion on the forthcoming Royal nuptials, which he hopes will be called for debate.
TOMMY SHERIDAN wants the Scottish Parliament to congratulate Prince Charles for making an honest woman of his "bidie-in" - but extend its sympathy to Camilla Parker Bowles on marrying into a "dysfunctional" family.
The former leader of the Scottish Socialist Party - which believes in an independent, republican Scotland - has tabled a motion on the forthcoming Royal nuptials, which he hopes will be called for debate.
Monday, January 31, 2005
Iraq elections
The Scottish Socialist Party today warned that many more Scottish soldiers of the British Army would face being killed in the illegal occupation of Iraq and that the thousands of Iraqis who had voted in the elections would be desperately disappointed if they believed that by voting they would be able to free Iraq of the occupiers.
An SSP spokesperson said today;
"The SSP does not believe that elections imposed by an illegal military occupation can be regarded as legitimate. "The elections that have just been staged by the occupiers cannot be regarded as legitimate as they were deliberately manipulated using national rather than provincial voting rolls in order to reduce Sunni representation and to anoint US-supported groups who will allow this occupation to continue.
"The SSP does recognise that after decades of dictatorship under Saddam there is very real desire amongst many Iraqis to express themselves at the ballot box with tens of thousands voting for party's that are opposed to the occupation.
"The SSP also recognises that an enormous propaganda and news manipulation exercise was orchestrated by the occupiers in order to convince Western public opinion that these elections were legitimate. "Those Iraqis who voted in the election in the hope that the occupiers will leave if the Iraqi people wish them to will be desperately disappointed.
"The US invaded Iraq not to bring democracy to the people but to plunder the oil and resources of the country and to alter the military balance of power in the region.
"Military experts estimate that the US is in the process of constructing 12 permanent military bases in Iraq as an extension of US power and influence in the Middle East.
"The occupiers will not leave Iraq unless forced to do so by a united movement of the Iraqi people, crossing ethnic and religious divide. "To that end the Scottish Socialist Party offers support and solidarity to all those independent and free trades unionists in Iraq who oppose the occupation and have no links to the puppet regime of Iyad Allawi and to all those Iraqis who wish to see an independent and free Iraq.
"The Scottish Socialist Party warns that many more soldiers of the occupying armies will be killed if the occupation continues and that the only solution is for the immediate withdrawal of all occupation troops.
"The SSP unreservedly condemns all atrocities committed against the civilian population of Iraq committed by both by the occupying armies and religious extremists with statistics showing that the vast majority of civilian deaths have been perpetrated by the occupying military forces." [ends]
An SSP spokesperson said today;
"The SSP does not believe that elections imposed by an illegal military occupation can be regarded as legitimate. "The elections that have just been staged by the occupiers cannot be regarded as legitimate as they were deliberately manipulated using national rather than provincial voting rolls in order to reduce Sunni representation and to anoint US-supported groups who will allow this occupation to continue.
"The SSP does recognise that after decades of dictatorship under Saddam there is very real desire amongst many Iraqis to express themselves at the ballot box with tens of thousands voting for party's that are opposed to the occupation.
"The SSP also recognises that an enormous propaganda and news manipulation exercise was orchestrated by the occupiers in order to convince Western public opinion that these elections were legitimate. "Those Iraqis who voted in the election in the hope that the occupiers will leave if the Iraqi people wish them to will be desperately disappointed.
"The US invaded Iraq not to bring democracy to the people but to plunder the oil and resources of the country and to alter the military balance of power in the region.
"Military experts estimate that the US is in the process of constructing 12 permanent military bases in Iraq as an extension of US power and influence in the Middle East.
"The occupiers will not leave Iraq unless forced to do so by a united movement of the Iraqi people, crossing ethnic and religious divide. "To that end the Scottish Socialist Party offers support and solidarity to all those independent and free trades unionists in Iraq who oppose the occupation and have no links to the puppet regime of Iyad Allawi and to all those Iraqis who wish to see an independent and free Iraq.
"The Scottish Socialist Party warns that many more soldiers of the occupying armies will be killed if the occupation continues and that the only solution is for the immediate withdrawal of all occupation troops.
"The SSP unreservedly condemns all atrocities committed against the civilian population of Iraq committed by both by the occupying armies and religious extremists with statistics showing that the vast majority of civilian deaths have been perpetrated by the occupying military forces." [ends]
Friday, January 21, 2005
MSP says half the cost of axing pills charge would be recouped
Scottish Socialist Party MSP Colin Fox said the estimated £45 million that would be lost through introducing free prescriptions would be offset by up to £20m of savings, mostly as a result of fewer people needing hospital treatment.
The Lothians list MSP was today formally unveiling his Bill to abolish prescription charges, following the example of the Welsh Assembly, which voted to scrap the charges last year.
Mr Fox said: "Prescription charges are a lie to the promise the health service gave in the 1940s that it would provide universal healthcare free at the point of need.
"It’s not free and 75,000 people in Scotland have gone without the medicines they needed because they did not have the £6.40 per item for the prescription."
Mr Fox branded the current charges a tax on the sick. But he said an analysis of the financial impact of abolishing the charges, carried out by parliament officials, had shown large savings could be made through lifting the cash barrier to people getting medicine.
Scrap Prescription Charges website
The Lothians list MSP was today formally unveiling his Bill to abolish prescription charges, following the example of the Welsh Assembly, which voted to scrap the charges last year.
Mr Fox said: "Prescription charges are a lie to the promise the health service gave in the 1940s that it would provide universal healthcare free at the point of need.
"It’s not free and 75,000 people in Scotland have gone without the medicines they needed because they did not have the £6.40 per item for the prescription."
Mr Fox branded the current charges a tax on the sick. But he said an analysis of the financial impact of abolishing the charges, carried out by parliament officials, had shown large savings could be made through lifting the cash barrier to people getting medicine.
Scrap Prescription Charges website
Thursday, January 20, 2005
SSP MSP Carolyn Leckie jailed for nuclear protest
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit Press Release
SSP MSP Carolyn Leckie jailed for nuclear protest
Scottish Socialist Party MSP for Central Region Carolyn Leckie has been jailed for seven days for non payment of a fine after being arrested at Faslane nuclear submarine base. Carolyn appeared at East Kilbride District Court on Thursday and after making it clear that she would not pay the fine in protest at the continuing presence of weapons of mass destruction in Scotland. Carolyn had said previously; "I won't be paying the fine, to do so would be an indication that I had done something wrong. "I was protesting against Britain's weapons of mass destruction, I regard that as a duty not a crime."
Carolyn faces the possibility of losing her ability to practise as a midwife after the Nursing and Midwifery Council wrote to her advising that she was being investigated for "misconduct" in relation to the court case.
Fellow SSP MSP Frances Curran has also been arrested at Faslane and said this afternoon; "The Scottish Socialist Party is proud that we have representatives who are prepared to take a stand on issues of principle. "Carolyn is a woman in public life with principles who is prepared to risk her livelihood in order to take a stand against nuclear weapons. "I am outraged that Carolyn has been jailed for taking a stand in the best democratic traditions. "Carolyn has been criminalised for dissent and that is an outrage."
SSP MSP Carolyn Leckie jailed for nuclear protest
Scottish Socialist Party MSP for Central Region Carolyn Leckie has been jailed for seven days for non payment of a fine after being arrested at Faslane nuclear submarine base. Carolyn appeared at East Kilbride District Court on Thursday and after making it clear that she would not pay the fine in protest at the continuing presence of weapons of mass destruction in Scotland. Carolyn had said previously; "I won't be paying the fine, to do so would be an indication that I had done something wrong. "I was protesting against Britain's weapons of mass destruction, I regard that as a duty not a crime."
Carolyn faces the possibility of losing her ability to practise as a midwife after the Nursing and Midwifery Council wrote to her advising that she was being investigated for "misconduct" in relation to the court case.
Fellow SSP MSP Frances Curran has also been arrested at Faslane and said this afternoon; "The Scottish Socialist Party is proud that we have representatives who are prepared to take a stand on issues of principle. "Carolyn is a woman in public life with principles who is prepared to risk her livelihood in order to take a stand against nuclear weapons. "I am outraged that Carolyn has been jailed for taking a stand in the best democratic traditions. "Carolyn has been criminalised for dissent and that is an outrage."
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
MSP Leckie: Redeploy Iraq medical troops to disaster zones
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 28/12/04
MSP Leckie: Redeploy Iraq medical troops to disaster zones.
Scottish Socialist Party MSP Carolyn Leckie today bitterly condemned the amount of money being given by the advanced industrialised countries in aid relief to the victims of the tsunamis that swept across the Indian Ocean from Thailand to Somalia.
Carolyn called for troops to be re-deployed from Iraq to the disaster zones, specifically the 150 Scottish health service staff who have been called up for military duty in Iraq.
So far the US has announced a package of just $15 million while the European Union has managed just 4 million Euro’s.
Carolyn said that Europe seemed more concerned that shares in travel companies and the holiday industry would suffer as a consequence of the disaster.
Carolyn said;
“This is a disaster of horrific proportions and it is not over yet.
“Countries already living in poverty and squalor have been visited by catastrophe and now face the prospect of populations devastated by disease and thousands made homeless.
“It is an affront to humanity that the worlds richest nations can only bring themselves to provide a pittance in disaster relief.
“The US has spent $147 Billion to reduce Iraq to rubble while Britain is spending £1.5 Billion a year to keep troops in Iraq.
“The response of the Western governments to this disaster for humanity tells you everything you need to know about their priorities.
“At the very least the British government must immediately re-deploy troops from Iraq to assist in this humanitarian disaster and more particularly the 150 health service staff that have been called up for military service must be sent to the disaster zones.
“I’m sure Scottish people will be as disgusted as I am that Europe’s stock brokers are more concerned that shares in travel companies and the holiday industry will suffer rather than how companies can do something to aid the relief work.
“Those companies who profit directly from this area of the world should turn over those profits to the disaster relief effort.”
[ends]
Press Release: 28/12/04
MSP Leckie: Redeploy Iraq medical troops to disaster zones.
Scottish Socialist Party MSP Carolyn Leckie today bitterly condemned the amount of money being given by the advanced industrialised countries in aid relief to the victims of the tsunamis that swept across the Indian Ocean from Thailand to Somalia.
Carolyn called for troops to be re-deployed from Iraq to the disaster zones, specifically the 150 Scottish health service staff who have been called up for military duty in Iraq.
So far the US has announced a package of just $15 million while the European Union has managed just 4 million Euro’s.
Carolyn said that Europe seemed more concerned that shares in travel companies and the holiday industry would suffer as a consequence of the disaster.
Carolyn said;
“This is a disaster of horrific proportions and it is not over yet.
“Countries already living in poverty and squalor have been visited by catastrophe and now face the prospect of populations devastated by disease and thousands made homeless.
“It is an affront to humanity that the worlds richest nations can only bring themselves to provide a pittance in disaster relief.
“The US has spent $147 Billion to reduce Iraq to rubble while Britain is spending £1.5 Billion a year to keep troops in Iraq.
“The response of the Western governments to this disaster for humanity tells you everything you need to know about their priorities.
“At the very least the British government must immediately re-deploy troops from Iraq to assist in this humanitarian disaster and more particularly the 150 health service staff that have been called up for military service must be sent to the disaster zones.
“I’m sure Scottish people will be as disgusted as I am that Europe’s stock brokers are more concerned that shares in travel companies and the holiday industry will suffer rather than how companies can do something to aid the relief work.
“Those companies who profit directly from this area of the world should turn over those profits to the disaster relief effort.”
[ends]
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