Scottish Socialist Party Pàrtaidh Sòisealach na h-Alba
Leader	Colin Fox MSP (Convenor)[1]
Founded	1998
Headquarters	70 Stanley Street Glasgow, G41 1JB
Political Ideology	Socialism, Feminism, Environmentalism, Scottish independence
Political Position	Left-wing
International Affiliation	none
European Affiliation	European Anticapitalist Left
European Parliament Group	n/a
Colours	Red, Yellow, White
Website	www.scottishsocialistparty.org
See also	Politics of Scotland Political parties Elections in Scotland Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (842x595, 142 KB) Licensing This is a logo of an organization, item, or event, and is protected by copyright and/or trademark. ... Colin Fox MSP Commie Fox (born June 17, 1959, Motherwell) is the Convenor (leader) of the Scottish Socialist Party, and a member for Lothian in the Scottish Parliament. ... Glaswegian redirects here. ... Socialism refers to a broad array of doctrines or political movements that envisage a socio-economic system in which property and the distribution of wealth are subject to social control. ... Feminism is a collection of social theories, political movements, and moral philosophies largely motivated by or concerned with the social, political and economic equality of the sexes. ... For the psychology topic, see Environmental psychology. ... Walter Thomas Monningtons 1925 painting called Parliamentary Union of England and Scotland 1707 hangs in the Palace of Westminster depicting the official presentation of the Acts of Union, the law that formed the Kingdom of Great Britain. ... In politics, left-wing, political left, leftism, or simply the left, are terms which refer (with no particular precision) to the segment of the political spectrum typically associated with any of several strains of socialism, social democracy, or liberalism (especially in the American sense of the word), or with opposition... The European Anti Capitalist Left (EACL) is an informal network for European anticapitalist left wing parties with a certain representativeness. ... Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 625–750 nm. ... A yellow Tulip. ... This article is about the color. ... The Politics of Scotland forms a distinctive part of the wider politics of the United Kingdom, with Scotland one of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom. ... Parties represented in the Scottish Parliament (in order of number of representatives): Labour Party - Centre-left, unionist - 50 MSPs Scottish National Party (SNP) - Centre-left, pro-independence- 27 MSPs Conservative and Unionist Party - Centre-right, unionist - 18 MSPs Liberal Democrats - Centre, federalist - 17 MSPs Scottish Green Party - Environmentalist, pro-independence... Scotland has elections to several bodies: the Scottish Parliament, the United Kingdom Parliament, the European Parliament, local councils and community councils. ...

The Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) (Scottish Gaelic: Pàrtaidh Sòisealach na h-Alba) is a radical left-wing Scottish political party which campaigns on a socialist economic platform and for Scottish independence. // Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. ... In politics, left-wing, political left, leftism, or simply the left, are terms which refer (with no particular precision) to the segment of the political spectrum typically associated with any of several strains of socialism, social democracy, or liberalism (especially in the American sense of the word), or with opposition... Motto (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity Wha daur meddle wi me?(Scots)1 Anthem (Multiple unofficial anthems) Scotlands location in Europe Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic, Scots3 Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Queen Queen Elizabeth II  -  Prime Minister Tony Blair MP  -  First Minister Jack McConnell... // Parties represented in the Scottish Parliament (in order of number of representatives): Labour Party - centre-left, unionist - 50 MSPs Scottish National Party (SNP) - centre-left, pro-independence- 27 MSPs Conservative and Unionist Party - centre-right, unionist - 17 MSPs Liberal Democrats - centre-left, federalist - 17 MSPs Scottish Green Party - environmentalist, pro... Socialism is a social and economic system (or the political philosophy advocating such a system) in which the economic means of production are owned and controlled collectively by the people. ... Walter Thomas Monningtons 1925 painting called Parliamentary Union of England and Scotland 1707 hangs in the Palace of Westminster depicting the official presentation of the Acts of Union, the law that formed the Kingdom of Great Britain. ...

It operates through a branch based structure with additional networks for identity or campaigning groups, as well as accepting open platforms who are allowed to organise within the party. A political faction is presently an informal grouping of individuals, especially within a political organisation, such as a political party, a trade union, or other group with some kind of political purpose (referred to in this article as the “broader organisation”). It may also be referred to as a power...

It currently has four Members of the Scottish Parliament and two local councillors, although its main focus is on grassroots community campaigns. Its primary campaigns at the moment are the provision of free nutritious school meals and free public transport as well as opposition to the war in Iraq and campaigning against the council tax. Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament. ... The term free school meal refers to a sum of money provided for individual pupils in schools throughout the United Kingdom to purchase a lunch time school meal, or to the meal itself. ... Skytrain Bangkok. ... There have been three conflicts in the late 20th century and early 21st century called Gulf War, all of which refer to conflicts in the Persian Gulf region: Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) (aka First Gulf War). ... The Council Tax is the main form of local taxation in England, Scotland and Wales. ...

History

see main article History of the Scottish Socialist Party

The Scottish Socialist Party was formed from the Scottish Socialist Alliance (SSA), an alliance of left-wing organisations in Scotland, Following reasonable results by the alliance in the 1997 General Election, the decision was taken to transform the SSA from an electoral alliance into a single party to contest the first elections of the new Scottish Parliament. The SSP polled unexpectedly well in this election and saw the then National Convenor Tommy Sheridan elected to represent Glasgow. The Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) was formed in 1998, from an alliance of left-wing organisations in Scotland. ... The Scottish Socialist Alliance (SSA) was a coalition of left-wing bodies in Scotland which existed from 1996 to 1998, and was the forerunner of the Scottish Socialist Party. ... The UK general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997. ... The Scottish Parliament election, 1999 was the first general election of the Scottish Parliament, with voting taking place on May 6th, 1999. ... Tommy Sheridan Tommy Sheridan is a Scottish socialist politician. ... Glasgow is one of the eight electoral regions for elections to the Scottish Parliament from which 7 of the parliaments 56 Additional Members System (AMS) MSPs are elected. ...

The period following that election saw sustained growth for the SSP, including a boost to membership when the Socialist Workers Party in Scotland joined the SSP, and the Scottish section of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers affiliated to the party. During this period of sustained and rapid growth it recruited extensively from former members of the Labour Party and the Scottish National Party, in addition to trade unionists, environmentalists, and community campaigners. The Socialist Workers Party (SWP) is a political party of the far left in England. ... The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) is a trade union in the United Kingdom which unionises transport workers. ... The Labour Party has been, since its founding in the early 20th century, the principal political party of the left in England, Scotland and Wales. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

SSP Poster

The 2003 elections to the Scottish Parliament saw the SSP gain five additional seats across Scotland, becoming the foremost left-wing force in Scottish politics. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The polling date for the second Scottish Parliament election was held on May 1, 2003. ...

On November 11, 2004 Tommy Sheridan announced his resignation as convener of the party, citing personal reasons as being behind his decision, although it later emerged that he had effectively been recalled by the National Executive of the party. He was replaced by Colin Fox - SSP MSP for the Lothians, by a 5:3 margin in a contest with Alan McCombes - the SSP's policy co-ordinator. November 11 is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 50 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Tommy Sheridan Tommy Sheridan is a Scottish socialist politician. ... Colin Fox MSP Commie Fox (born June 17, 1959, Motherwell) is the Convenor (leader) of the Scottish Socialist Party, and a member for Lothian in the Scottish Parliament. ... Alan McCombes Alan McCombes (born 1955) is one of the leading members of the Scottish Socialist Party. ...

Wikinews has news related to:

Scottish Socialist Party to split as Sheridan launches new party

On 29 August 2006, Tommy Sheridan announced his intention to leave the Scottish Socialist Party and found a new socialist political party called Solidarity.^[2] The split was formalised in September 2006.^[3]. Image File history File links WikiNews-Logo. ... Wikinews is a free-content news source and a project of the Wikimedia Foundation. ... Tommy Sheridan Tommy Sheridan is a Scottish socialist politician. ... Solidarity (full name Solidarity - Scotlands Socialist Movement) is a political party in Scotland, launched on September 3, 2006 as a breakaway from the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP)[1] in the aftermath of Tommy Sheridans libel action. ...

In the aftermath of the split, the SSP first met at a national rally in early September 2006, and again at a national conference in mid October 2006, where all of the postitions of the party were re-elected.. A decision was also taken to review all of the party's structures including the role of the national convenor, the staffing arrangements of the party and the role of elected representatives with a view to adapting the structures to further strengthen members' participation and the party's internal democracy.

The SSP is standing on the regional lists for Holyrood in 2007, and in council elections across the country. The name Holyrood may refer to: the official seat of the Scottish Parliament, or the Scottish Parliament Building Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh Holyrood Park near Edinburgh, facing the palace one of the areas of Edinburgh Holyrood is an anglicisation of the Scots haly ruid (holy cross). ...

Campaigns

National Liberation

The SSP strongly supports autonomy for Scotland and national liberation through Scottish independence. Wars of national liberation were those conflicts fought by indigenous military groups against an imperial power in an attempt to remove that powers influence. ... Walter Thomas Monningtons 1925 painting called Parliamentary Union of England and Scotland 1707 hangs in the Palace of Westminster depicting the official presentation of the Acts of Union, the law that formed the Kingdom of Great Britain. ...

Calton Hill Poster

It co-ordinated the rally for independence at Calton Hill in October 2004 and wrote the Declaration of Calton Hill , which sets out a vision of an inclusive and outward looking Scottish republic, based on the key principles of liberty, equality, diversity and solidarity. A follow up event to mark the initial declaration was held in October 2005. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... This article requires some copyediting, to be brought in line with the Manual of Style and does not cite its references or sources. ... Liberty is generally considered a concept of political philosophy and identifies the condition in which an individual has immunity from the arbitrary exercise of authority. ... Egalitarianism (derived from the French word égal, meaning equal or level) is the moral doctrine that people should be treated as equals, in some respect. ... Diversity is the presence of a wide range of variation in the qualities or attributes under discussion. ... Solidarity (Polish:  ; full name: Independent Self-governing Trade Union Solidarity — Niezależny SamorzÄ…dny ZwiÄ…zek Zawodowy Solidarność) is a Polish trade union federation founded in September 1980 at the Lenin Shipyards, and originally led by Lech WaÅ‚Ä™sa. ...

It also supports the Independence First campaign which demands an immediate referendum on Independence for Scotland. In 2006, it participated in the "Rally for Independence" together with the other political parties who campaign for independence as part of a broad based campaign to demand the right of self-determination for Scotland. Independence First or Independence 1st is a political movement in Scotland, first proposed through internet discussions in September 2004, then formally constituted on 19 February 2005. ... Ballots of the Argentine plebiscite of 1984 on the border treaty with Chile A referendum (plural: referendums or referenda) or plebiscite (from Latin plebiscita, originally a decree of the Concilium Plebis) is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. ...

The national self-determination sought by the SSP is driven by internationalist rather than nationalist concerns. It seeks to build an inclusive republican state which is run by and for the benefit of all who live in Scotland. As such, it supports the rights of asylum seekers to settle there, without fear of detention or deportation; opposes the expansion of the UK state, for example through ID cards; and seeks the abolition of the monarchy. International Socialism redirects here. ... Nationalism is an ideology that creates and sustains a nation as a concept of a common identity for groups of humans. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Deportation is the expelling of someone from a country. ... Enabling legislation for the British national identity card was passed under the Identity Cards Act 2006 [1]. The multi-billion pound scheme [2] has yet to enter procurement. ... Forms of government Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      A monarchy, from the Greek μονος, one, and αρχειν, to rule, is a form of government that has a monarch as head of state(KING)In most monarchies the monarch usually reigns as head of state for life; this is...

Through prioritising national liberation as a key component in its political philosophy, it stands in the tradition of John MacLean who set up the Scottish Workers Republican Party in the early part of the 20th century, combining socialist economics with national self determination. John Maclean. ... The Scottish Workers Republican Party (SWRP) were formed by the Marxist activist John Maclean MA (1879-1923) in the 1910s. ... Socialist economics is a broad, and sometimes controversial, term. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

Reform of Local Government Taxation

The Scottish Socialist party has been at the forefront of the campaign to reform local government taxation.

Prior to the establishment of the SSP, a number of SSP members, along with many others, were subject to warrant sales after refusing to pay the Poll Tax, a flat tax, in which no account was taken of either wealth or ability to pay. One of the first bills that the SSP put forward once elected to Holyrood became the Abolition of Poindings and Warrant Sales Act 2001, an immensely popular action, which successfully transformed debt recovery systems in Scotland. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... A poll tax, head tax, or capitation is a tax of a uniform, fixed amount per individual (as opposed to a percentage of income). ... The Abolition of Poindings and Warrant Sales Act 2001 was an act by the Scottish Parliament which abolished the previous practice a debtor’s goods are priced (poinding) in preparation for the enforced sale of the debtor’s possessions (warrant sale) by amending the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 . ...

The SSP propose a Scottish Service Tax, a form of local income tax, based on the ability to pay to replace the current Council Tax, brought in after mass public non-payment made the Poll Tax non-viable. A bill proposing such a system was presented in 2005, however it was overwhelmingly defeated. The two other parties in the Scottish Parliament who also claim to support such a reform, the Scottish Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party opposed its introduction. The Scottish Service Tax is a proposed replacement for the Council Tax in Scotland. ... The Council Tax is the main form of local taxation in England, Scotland and Wales. ... A poll tax, head tax, or capitation is a tax of a uniform, fixed amount per individual (as opposed to a percentage of income). ... The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal political party in the United Kingdom. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Free Prescription Charges

In 2005, Colin Fox MSP proposed a bill to abolish prescription charges similar to that which allows Welsh citizens free prescriptions on the NHS. ^[4] Despite widespread support and success at committee stage, it failed to become law ^[5]. Colin Fox MSP Commie Fox (born June 17, 1959, Motherwell) is the Convenor (leader) of the Scottish Socialist Party, and a member for Lothian in the Scottish Parliament. ... Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) (Ball Pàrlamaid na h-Alba (BPA) in Gaelic) is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament. ...

In response to the bill and the publicity that it generated, the Scottish Executive announced a review of the impact that the charges had on the chronically sick and full time students just three hours prior to the bill being debated. This move was seen as a means of warding off the popular support that the campaign was receiving The Executives logo, shown with English and Scottish Gaelic caption The term Scottish Executive is used in two different, but closely-related senses: to denote the executive arm of Scotlands national legislature (i. ...

Free Nutritious School Meals

Frances Curran MSP is leading a broad campaign with widespread support through many children's and anti-poverty organisations to provide free nutritious meals for all Scottish schoolchildren to tackle the twinned problems of poor diet and rising obesity amongst children. ^[6]. Frances Curran Frances Curran is a member of the Scottish Parliament for West Scotland. ... Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) (Ball Pàrlamaid na h-Alba (BPA) in Gaelic) is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament. ... The term free school meal refers to a sum of money provided for individual pupils in schools throughout the United Kingdom to purchase a lunch time school meal, or to the meal itself. ...

This would have eradicated the stigma associated with the current means tested system and also ensured that meals provided in school conformed to minimal nutritional standards. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

A bill to this effect was proposed in parliament in 2002 but was defeated, however there is an increasing awareness of the role of diet on childrens health and a subsequent Scottish Executive consultation found that 96% of respondents were in favour of free school meals The Executives logo, shown with English and Scottish Gaelic caption The term Scottish Executive is used in two different, but closely-related senses: to denote the executive arm of Scotlands national legislature (i. ...

A redrafted bill was launched in October 2006 was resubmitted to the parliament, however in November 2006 it was announced that this bill would not be taken in the current session of parliament due to time pressures. Frances Curran has pledged that the SSP will resubmit this bill early in the next session of parliament and announced a text service for supporters to text Jack McConnell to demonstrate their support for the free school meals bill.[3] Frances Curran Frances Curran is a member of the Scottish Parliament for West Scotland. ... SMS may refer to: Short message service, a form of text messaging on cell phones Sega Master System – an 8-bit video game console from the 1980s Seiner Majestät Schiff, His Majestys Ship in the German Kaiserliche Marine and the Austro-Hungarian Navy SMS (comics), a British comic... The term free school meal refers to a sum of money provided for individual pupils in schools throughout the United Kingdom to purchase a lunch time school meal, or to the meal itself. ...

In the run-up to the 2007 Scottish Parliament elections First Minister Jack McConnell declared his intention to double current provision of free school meals if Labour is re-elected.

Free Public Transport

The SSP proposes the scrapping of all fares on public transport within Scotland in order to reduce carbon emissions, cut road deaths, reduce air pollution and boost the incomes of workers reliant on public transport. The capital costs involved in the project would be raised by reducing planned roadbuilding programmes, in particular the M74 motorway extension, which the SSP has been active in opposing. Skytrain Bangkok. ... Motto (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity Wha daur meddle wi me?(Scots)1 Anthem (Multiple unofficial anthems) Scotlands location in Europe Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic, Scots3 Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Queen Queen Elizabeth II  -  Prime Minister Tony Blair MP  -  First Minister Jack McConnell... Top: Increasing atmospheric CO2 levels as measured in the atmosphere and ice cores. ... A car accident in Yate, near Bristol, England, in July 2004. ... Air pollution is a chemical, physical (e. ... M74 near Larkhall. ...

Such a scheme has a precident in Hasselt, Belgium, where the city centre was revived by the provision of free public transport, and was a key plank of the Greater London Council's policy platform in the early 80s. Hasselt municipality and district in the province Limburg Hasselt is a Belgian city and municipality, and capital of the Flemish province of Limburg. ... Arms of the Greater London Council The Greater London Council (GLC) was the top-tier local government administrative body for Greater London from 1965 to 1986. ...

Fuck Abstinence

Fuck Abstinence is a campaign of the Women's Group within Scottish Socialist Youth, which seeks to educate young women denied adequate sex education, through the distribution of information on reproductive rights. Young women involved with the campaign have been targeted by anti-abortion group UK Life League who have sent them intimidatory graphic material. Demonstrator at a Scottish Socialist Youth cannabis reform protest. ... Sex education is a broad term used to describe education about human sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse, and other aspects of human sexual behavior. ... Reproductive rights (also Procreative liberty) refers to human rights in areas of sexual reproduction, including the rights to reproduce (such as opposition to forced sterilization) as well as rights not to reproduce (such as support for access to birth control and abortion), the right to privacy, medical coverage, right to... ... UK Life League is a British pressure group that opposes abortion[1], contraception[2], sex education[3], euthanasia[4], stem cell research[5], gay rights legislation[6] and some modern approaches to medical ethics. ...

Reform of Drug Laws

The party has proposed the legalisation of cannabis and the licencing of premises to sell cannabis under licence. It has aslo proposed the provision of free synthetic heroin on the NHS, under medical supervision to combat the problems of drugs in working class communities, as well as calling for a massive expansion in residential rehabilitation and detoxification facilities for addicts. Heroin ((INN) Diacetylmorphine, (BAN) diamorphine) is a semi-synthetic opioid. ... The National Health Service (NHS) is the publicly-funded healthcare system of the United Kingdom. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Detox, short for detoxification, in general is the removal of toxic substances from the body. ... Addiction is an uncontrollable compulsion to repeat a behavior regardless of its negative consequences. ...

Although a minority position when proposed, the call for free heroin on prescription is rapidly being taken up by health^[7] and law enforcement professionals.^[8]. This approach has increased in public support following the murders of five women with drug addiction problems in Ipswich in 2006 ^[9] The bodies of victims were found at various locations around Ipswich. ...

Anti-war campaigns

SSP Antiwar Banner

The SSP has campaigned extensively against the Iraq War. The SSP was one of the founding members of the Scottish Coalition for Justice not War[4] at its establishment in September 2001. The February 2003 march in Glasgow was widely attended by SSP members, and later that year SSP MSPs were threatened with disciplinary action after one of their activists staged a protest in the Scottish Parliament ^[10]. In 2004, STV and Grampian threatened to pull a party political broadcast by the SSP which accused Tony Blair over the pretext for the war. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... For other uses, see Iraq war (disambiguation). ... Kevin Williamson at the Glencoe Rally. ... For other people of the same name, see Tony Blair (disambiguation) Anthony Charles Lynton Blair (born May 6, 1953)[1] is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, Leader of the Labour Party, and Member of Parliament for the constituency... For other uses, see Iraq war (disambiguation). ...

It works closely with Military Families Against the War, particularly in the Justice 4 Gordon Gentle campaign, standing down in the 2005 general election for Rose Gentle in the East Kilbride constituency ^[11]. This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... Gordon Gentle was a 19 year old soldier from Pollock, Glasgow, who died in Iraq after only 6 months training. ... Rose Gentle was the mother of Gordon Gentle, a 19 year old from Pollok who was killed while serving in Iraq. ... East Kilbride (Cille Bhrìghde an Ear in Scottish Gaelic) is a large town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. ...

It has also led campaigns against rendition flights, including introducing a debate in Holyrood over the issue[5], and against the tacit support of the UK government in Israel's war on Lebanon. The name Holyrood may refer to: the official seat of the Scottish Parliament, or the Scottish Parliament Building Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh Holyrood Park near Edinburgh, facing the palace one of the areas of Edinburgh Holyrood is an anglicisation of the Scots haly ruid (holy cross). ...

SSP Poster

It has supported the non-violent direct action as a tactic to oppose the presence of Weapons of Mass Destruction in Scotland and strongly opposes the replacement of Trident. It has participated in the blockades at Faslane nuclear base since its inception and a number of SSP members have been fined and/or jailed after blockading the naval base at the annual Big Blockade. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Nonviolence (or non-violence) is a set of assumptions about morality, power and conflict that leads its proponents to reject the use of violence in efforts to attain social or political goals. ... For the album, see Weapons of Mass Destruction (album). ... Faslane Naval Base, officially HMS Neptune, is a Royal Navy base situated on Gare Loch, which connects to the River Clyde in Scotland. ... Faslane Naval Base, officially HMS Neptune, is a Royal Navy base situated on Gare Loch, which connects to the River Clyde in Scotland. ...

In 2005, Rosie Kane locked herself on to a 25 foot Trident replica outside the Scottish Parliament, only releasing herself after the replica was dismantled after 14 hours. Later that year she was fined £150 for the demonstration and in October 2006, she was jailed for 14 days after refusing to pay the fine. Rosie Kane Rosie Kane (born Rosemary Kane on June 5, 1961 in Glasgow) is a member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow. ... The Trident missile, named after the trident, is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) which is armed with nuclear warheads and is launched from submarines (SSBNs), making it a SLBM. The Trident was built in two variants: the I (C4) UGM-96A and II (D5) UGM-133A. The C4 and D5...

In January 2007, three of its MSPs were arrested after blockading the base as part of the Faslane365 campaign, ^[12]later being released without charge. The Camps Side Entrance Faslane Peace Camp is a permanent peace camp sited alongside Faslane Naval base in Argyll and Bute, Scotland (Google Maps link). ...

Make Capitalism History

The party was highly active in the protests against the G8, joining the Make Poverty History march in Edinburgh and participating in the G8 Alternatives Summit. // The Make Poverty History campaign (which is written as MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY) was a British and Irish coalition of charities, religious groups, trade unions, campaigning groups and celebrities who mobilized around the UKs prominence in world politics in 2005 to increase awareness and pressure governments into taking actions towards relieving absolute... G8 Alternatives was a coalition of activist groups set up to co-ordinate actions around the 31st G8 summit held at Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland. ...

After the public were denied the right to march in Gleneagles despite prior agreement by the executive that peaceful protest would be facilitated, the SSP MSPs made a silent protest in the chamber at Holyrood. They were debarred from the parliament for a month, their correspondence was deleted and they were fined £30,000.

Platforms

The party (unlike most others) allows for the organisation of internal factions (which it describes as platforms), the intention is to ensure that socialists can work together on the issues on which they agree, however to respect the opinions of other socialists on the issues on which there is dispute. A political faction is presently an informal grouping of individuals, especially within a political organisation, such as a political party, a trade union, or other group with some kind of political purpose (referred to in this article as the “broader organisation”). It may also be referred to as a power...

Current Platforms

• The Republican Communist Network was a founding member of the SSP. Although numerically small, it is considerably influential within the party, printing an internal journal Emancipation and Liberation.

• The Workers Unity Platform is an amalgam of members from small left groups who came together to form a platform within the SSP.

• The Solidarity Tendency consists of supporters of the Alliance for Workers Liberty.

Republican Communist Network (RCN) is a platform of the political party, the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP). ... Emancipation and Liberation is a journal produced by the Republican Communist Network, a platform of the Scottish Socialist Party. ... The Alliance for Workers Liberty (AWL), also known as Workers Liberty is a small Trotskyist group based in the United Kingdom. ...

Former Platforms

• The United Left was not officially incorporated as a platform within the SSP, however it operated in a similar manner and was largely regarded as such. It was formed in June 2006 and dissolved in January 2007.

• The supporters in Scotland of the Socialist Workers Party joined the SSP in 2002 becoming the Socialist Workers Platform. In 2006 they left the party.

• The Scottish Republican Socialist Movement whose major focus is independence and republicanism for Scotland. It emerged from the Scottish Republican Socialist Party which was one of the founding platforms of the SSP. The SRSM officially disaffilated from the SSP in November 2006, although some individual members remain in the SSP.

Two of the platforms in the SSP both emerged from British Section of the Committee for a Workers International, following the "Open Turn" Debate of the early 90s, which was largely led by Scottish comrades. In 1998, the "Scottish Debate" led to the establishment of the SSP, however within the UK movement this was not widely welcomed. Tensions between many leading Scottish comrades including Alan McCombes and Catriona Grant and the UK leadership led to a split within the CWI into two separate platforms: The Scottish Socialist Party United Left is a new grouping in the Scottish Socialist Party. ... There are various Socialist Workers Parties throughout the world. ... The Scottish Republican Socialist Party (SRSP) was a political party operating in Scotland. ... The Committee for a Workers International (CWI) is an international association of Trotskyist Parties. ... Alan McCombes Alan McCombes (born 1955) is one of the leading members of the Scottish Socialist Party. ... Catriona Grant is a founder member and former co-chair of the Scottish Socialist Party and the partys equalities spokesperson. ...

• The International Socialist Movement was a breakaway organisation from the CWI, formed in 2001 and made up primarily of former CWI members. It published the journal "Frontline" until its dissolution in 2006, where upon Frontline became an independent Marxist journal.

• The International Socialists consisted of a small number of individuals who remained affiliated to the CWI when the ISM was formed in 2001. In 2006 the platform left the party [6].

The International Socialist Movement is a Trotskyist current inside the the Scottish Socialist Party. ... Frontline Journal is an independent Marxist journal produced in support of the Scottish Socialist Party. ... Marxism is the political practice and social theory based on the works of Karl Marx, a 19th century philosopher, economist, journalist, and revolutionary, along with Friedrich Engels. ... The International Socialists is the Scottish platform of the Committee for a Workers International in Solidarity (Scotland). ...

SSP's Role in the Sheridan Libel Trial

See main article Sheridan v News International.

Tommy Sheridan sued the News of the World for defamation when, immediately following his controversial resignation, it was alleged that he'd had an extra marital affair. As a result of his lawsuit (Sheridan v News International), the minutes of the SSP executive meeting held on 9 November 2004 were subpoenaed by the newspaper. The party initially declined to hand them over. A raid was conducted on the SSP's offices in May 2006 and Alan McCombes, the SSP's national policy co-ordinator (who had possession of them) was jailed for 12 days. In response to a call from Sheridan to release the minutes, the party eventually handed them in to the court. It transpired that in that meeting the party executive had decided, unanimously, to ask for his resignation because he intended to take the News of the World to court for libel over allegations that were in fact true. Sheridan v News International (Thomas Sheridan v News Group Newspapers Ltd. ... Tommy Sheridan Tommy Sheridan is a Scottish socialist politician. ... The News of the World is a British tabloid newspaper published every Sunday. ... Sheridan v News International (Thomas Sheridan v News Group Newspapers Ltd. ... A subpoena is a writ commanding a person to appear under penalty (from Latin). ... Alan McCombes Alan McCombes (born 1955) is one of the leading members of the Scottish Socialist Party. ...

Sheridan claimed in the press that a cabal within the party's Executive Committee were out to destroy him, ^[13] and expanded on this statement in an open letter to party members on 28 May 2006, claiming there had been a long-standing slander campaign conducted against him by senior party figures and MSPs.

At his court case eleven SSP members testified that Sheridan admitted during the 9 November meeting to having attended a swingers' club, an admission which is noted in the disputed minutes, repeated to Charlie McCarthy ^[14] and five other leading comrades in the SSP^[15], as well as recorded on a videotape which surfaced in October 2006.^[16] Sheridan eventually won his court case though an appeal has been lodged on behalf of the News of the World. In addition, investigations into possible perjury charges in connection with the case are continuing, with computers from both the SSP and Sheridan's Parliamentary offices seized for forensic examination and several key witnesses already questioned. On 1st April 2007, The Sunday Herald reported that Lothian and Borders Police had reached a conclusion about the disputed minute.^[17] Swinging, sometimes referred to in North America as the swinging lifestyle, is non-monogamous sexual activity, treated much like any other social activity, that can be experienced as a couple. ... Charlie McCarthy is joint health spokesperson of the Scottish Socialist Party. ... Lothian and Borders Police are the police force for the Lothian and Borders regions of Scotland, including Edinburgh, Galashiels and Livingston. ...

Criticism

The Socialist Workers Party and others on the left have criticised the SSP for having sectarian tendencies and no longer being a broad and open mass party of the left, and cited this as one of their reasons for splitting from the SSP to form Solidarity. The SWP and others on the left have also argued that the SSP has not responded adequately to wide public anger at recent wars.^[18] The Socialist Workers Party (SWP) is a political party of the far left in England. ... Solidarity (full name Solidarity - Scotlands Socialist Movement) is a political party in Scotland, launched on September 3, 2006 as a breakaway from the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP)[1] in the aftermath of Tommy Sheridans libel action. ...

Other Information

The SSP distributes a weekly newspaper, the Scottish Socialist Voice. Scottish Socialist Voice is a weekly Scottish political newspaper, published by the Scottish Socialist Party. ...

The SSP is a founding member of the European Anticapitalist Left. The European Anti Capitalist Left (EACL) is an informal network for European anticapitalist left wing parties with a certain representativeness. ...

The SSP has an active youth wing, Scottish Socialist Youth. A youth organization is a formal organization aimed at children and adolescents for education and socialization. ... Demonstrator at a Scottish Socialist Youth cannabis reform protest. ...

The SSP has an active women's network, the Socialist Women's Network This is a list of womens organisations. ... The Socialist Womens Network organises women within the Scottish Socialist Party and campaigns on issues particularly affecting women. ...

SSP members helped establish Second Life Left Unity In the virtual world of Second Life, there are a number of in-world business and user-groups founded specifically for the game, some of which have become legal entities in their own right, as well as preexisting companies and organisations that have involved themselves in the world. ...

Elected Representatives

SSP MSPs

• Frances Curran (West of Scotland)
• Colin Fox (Lothians)
• Rosie Kane (Glasgow)
• Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland)

Frances Curran Frances Curran is a member of the Scottish Parliament for West Scotland. ... West of Scotland is one of the eight electoral regions of the Scottish Parliament which were created in 1999. ... Colin Fox MSP Commie Fox (born June 17, 1959, Motherwell) is the Convenor (leader) of the Scottish Socialist Party, and a member for Lothian in the Scottish Parliament. ... The Lothians is one of the eight electoral regions of the Scottish Parliament (Holyrood) which were created in 1999. ... Rosie Kane Rosie Kane (born Rosemary Kane on June 5, 1961 in Glasgow) is a member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow. ... Glasgow is one of the eight electoral regions for elections to the Scottish Parliament from which 7 of the parliaments 56 Additional Members System (AMS) MSPs are elected. ... Carolyn Leckie Carolyn Leckie is a member of the Scottish Parliament for central Scotland. ... Central Scotland (Meadhan-Alba in Gaelic) is one of the eight electoral regions of the Scottish Parliament which were created in 1999. ...

SSP Local Councillors

• Keith Baldassara, (Pollok Ward, Glasgow City Council)
• Jim Bollan (Renton and Alexandria South Ward, West Dunbartonshire Council)

Keith Baldassara is a Glasgow city councillor, and a member of the executive of the Scottish Socialist Party. ... The City of Glasgow is one of the 32 Scottish unitary authorities and came into being in 1995. ... Jim Bollan is a councillor in West Dunbartonshire in Scotland. ... West Dunbartonshire (Siorrachd Dhùn Bhreatainn an Iar in Gaelic) is one of 32 unitary authority areas in Scotland. ...

2007 Elections

The SSP will be contesting the Scottish Parliament election, 2007 in all of the eight regions. The party is not contesting First Past the Post constituency seats. The candidates heading the regional lists are:- The Scottish Parliament election, 2007, is the third general election[1] to the devolved Scottish Parliament since it was created in 1999. ...

Central Scotland: Carolyn Leckie

Glasgow: Rosie Kane

Highlands and Islands: Donnie Nicolson

Lothians: Colin Fox

Mid Scotland and Fife: Lorna Bett

North East Scotland: Felicity Garvie

South of Scotland: Colin Turbett

West of Scotland: Pamela Page

A full list of SSP candidates is available here. Central Scotland (Meadhan-Alba in Gaelic) is one of the eight electoral regions of the Scottish Parliament which were created in 1999. ... Carolyn Leckie Carolyn Leckie is a member of the Scottish Parliament for central Scotland. ... Glasgow is one of the eight electoral regions of the Scottish Parliament which were created in 1999. ... Rosie Kane Rosie Kane (born Rosemary Kane on June 5, 1961 in Glasgow) is a member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow. ... The Highlands and Islands is one of the eight electoral regions of the Scottish Parliament which were created in 1999. ... The Lothians is one of the eight electoral regions of the Scottish Parliament (Holyrood) which were created in 1999. ... Colin Fox MSP Commie Fox (born June 17, 1959, Motherwell) is the Convenor (leader) of the Scottish Socialist Party, and a member for Lothian in the Scottish Parliament. ... Mid Scotland and Fife is one of the eight electoral regions of the Scottish Parliament which were created in 1999. ... North East Scotland is one of the eight electoral regions of the Scottish Parliament which were created in 1999. ... South of Scotland is one of the eight electoral regions of the Scottish Parliament which were created in 1999. ... West of Scotland is one of the eight electoral regions of the Scottish Parliament which were created in 1999. ...

References

1. ^ Note that the SSP does not have a leader in the traditional sense but a convenor.
2. ^ "New socialist party for Sheridan", BBC News, 29 August 2006, (retrieved 10 September 2006)
3. ^ SSP crisis archive containing all the relevant materials from all sides.
4. ^ Call to scrap prescription charge
5. ^ MSPs retain prescription charges
6. ^ Campaign for Free School Meals
7. ^ http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8122-2466584,00.html Hardened addicts given free heroin in secret NHS trial
8. ^ Give addicts heroin, says officer
9. ^ Prostitution: the problem is not sex ... it’s drugs
10. ^ [1]
11. ^ [2]
12. ^ Trident protest politicians held
13. ^ "SSP votes to hand over documents", BBC News, 29 May 2006 (retrieved 10 September 2006).
14. ^ "text of letter from Charlie McCarthy, SSP Health Spokesperson"
15. ^ "Guardian Article about open letter from Glasgow activists"
16. ^ [http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sheridanscript.shtml Sheridan's Confession Tape
17. ^ Jersey Visit for Sheridan Police Probe
18. ^ Socialist Worker Platform statement on Scottish Socialist Party, Socialist Worker Online, 21 August 2006 (retrieved 5 October 2006).

External links

• The Scottish Socialist Party's Home Page
• The SSP's weekly newspaper
• International Socialist Movement The International Socialist Movement was a platform within the SSP descended from Scottish Militant Labour
• Republican Communist Network The RCN is a platform within the SSP
• SSP United Left a former platform within the SSP, dissolved in January 2007