FIGHT THE CUTS

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11 Years Working In Your Community

11 Years Working In Your Community
Scottish Socialist Party Website

Monday 25 April 2011

Colin Fox on abolishing the council tax.


Time To Abolish The Council Tax - Not Freeze It

The opinion polls suggest Labour and the SNP are neck and neck in the race for Holyrood 2011. Interestingly both parties now support a freeze in Council Tax bills for the next year. They arrived at this 'freeze' via different routes however.

Like the Scottish Socialist Party the SNP are opposed to the Council Tax in principle, believing, as the majority of Scots do, that it is unfair and hits the less well off disproportionately hard. The Council Tax is indeed a regressive tax that bears no relation to a person's income. Consequently the least well off are hit hardest as the wealthy pay coppers. Since they have not been able to replace it with an income based alternative, the SNP have settled for second be stand 'freezing' the current charges.

Labour on the other hand has no principled objection to the Council Tax. They argue for a freeze on the grounds that they purportedly want to 'help hard working families in this time of austerity'. Most people believe that it has more to do with avoiding being politically outmanoeuvred by the SNP. Either way freezing the Council Tax does nothing to address it's fundamental unfairness. Indeed it may be argued a freeze helps the rich most of all.

As things stand the wealthy in Scotland pay a tiny tiny percentage of their income on this bill. For example,Stephen Hestor (the CEO of RBS) was just awarded a £7.7 million pay package for the coming year. Living in Edinburgh his Council Tax bill will again be frozen at £2,338 or 0.03% of his salary whilst some pensioners are paying 25% of their income on theirs.

The Scottish Socialist Part believes this is utterly unacceptable and this week we will highlight our fully costed proposals for a local income tax to replace the Council Tax. Our plans would mean the burden would be lifted from the shoulders of of pensioners, low paid workers and the poor and at the same time force the wealthy to pay their fair share for a change.

Here's how it works. Each individual in Scotland will pay towards the funding of local services but the more you earn the more you pay. So, for example, if your income is less than £10,000 you are exempt. That's too low to force people to contribute. Thereafter, on incomes over £10,000 and up to £30,000 you pay 4.5%. So if you are on £200,000 your bill is £450 [4.5% of the earnings over £10,000] If you earn more than £30,000 you pay nothing on the first £10,000, 4.5% on the next £20,000 and 10% on the earnings over £30,000. The next incremental step is to 15% on earnings over £50,000 and 20% on earnings over £100,000. This graduated rate (which the SNP opposes) is fairer and ensures that as your income goes up so does your tax obligation.

Economists at Paisley University who scrutinised these figures found that 77% of Scots will be better off compared to now. Furthermore, using the latest Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs figures, they are able to demonstrate that these proposals would bring another £1.5 billion into Holyrood's Treasury.

So, not only would this tax be fairer and redistributive, it would also halt the need for any cuts to public services in Scotland. And that's a freeze we DO need.
Taken from Colin Fox's blog @ http://sspcolinfox.blogspot.com

Saturday 16 April 2011

SSP MANIFESTO LAUNCHED

Colin Fox on SSP manifesto launch.


The Scottish Socialist Party launched our manifesto for the 2011 Holyrood elections yesterday at a press conference in Glasgow. With me at the launch were the other top of the list candidates from across Scotland. Frances Curran (Glasgow), SSP Councillor Jim Bollan (West of Scotland), and myself briefly outlined the main points in our magnificent manifesto [which can be downloaded from the SSP website] for the assembled press pack.
We gave the people of Scotland a cast iron guarantee that if they elect SSP MSPs on May 5th we will not vote for cuts to public services, to jobs, wages or conditions. This is a very important commitment because this will be the first Parliament faced with a reduced budget so MSPs will either vote for cuts or fight them.
The SSP has never, in twelve years, voted to cut public services or the standard of living of working people and we have no intention of starting now.
Second we stressed that we are committed to scrapping the hated and unfair Council Tax. We intend to replace it with an income based alternative which sees the wealthy pay more and the poor exempted.
And last, but by no means least, is our support for an independent socialist Scotland, a modern democratic republic. Whilst other parties dilute their commitment to independence we remain passionate about it. And as we will endure the sycophants cooing over a Royal wedding in the last week of this election campaign we felt it important to restate our commitment to a modern democratic republic for Scotland.
The press conference was well attended as the picture shows. As well as the BBC and STV film crews, several other photographers and journalists were present and their questions reflected their growing recognition that support for the SSP is increasing noticeably.
The coverage of our manifesto launch has, as usual, been patchy; some good, some bad, some non-existent. STV news carried a full interview and the greatest column inches were found in the Aberdeen Press and Journal. So, hats off to them for fair coverage and Dunces Caps to the BBC, The Daily Record and the other tabloids for ignoring us once again.


Taken from Colin Fox's blog. original article

Tuesday 12 April 2011

Letter sent to local media on prescription charges.

Scottish Socialist Party national spokesman Colin Fox today
welcomed the abolition of Prescription Charges in Scotland after 50
years and insisted it would not have happened without the SSP.

After his election to Holyrood in 2003, SSP MSP Colin Fox launched a
Private Members Bill to to scrap prescription charges.
He told us
'The SSP's Bill won the backing of hundreds of health groups, unions,
and patients groups across the country and even the Scottish Parliament's
own Health Committee. But it was voted down by an unholy
alliance of Labour, Lib Dem and Tory MSPs. Otherwise this double tax
on the sick would have become law 6 years ago.

'I am delighted nonetheless that at last our visionary idea has been realised
and that a great injustice has been eradicated. The NHS promised back in
1947, rightly, to provide healthcare free at the point of need and paid out
of general taxation. But prescription charges broke that promise to patients.
Without our Bill, and the SNP Governments decision to pick it up,
prescription charges would be £7.40 per item today as they are in England.

Ally Hendry (List candidate for the Lothian region) added

Colinf Fox and Ally Hendry.
'This achievement shows the people of Scotland what a difference SSP MSPs
at Holyrood makes to their lives and in particular to those of the low paid, sick
and vulnerable. I urge people to remember this on May 5th.

Tuesday 5 April 2011

SSP STANDING CANDIDATES IN ALL REGIONAL LISTs THROUGHOUT SCOTLAND


VOTE SCOTTISH SOCIALIST PARTY ON 

MAY 5TH!


Vote SSP for an MSP on a workers wage

Vote for Scotland's serious and principled socialist party


The SSP was founded over a decade ago on the principle of challenging greed and inequality.
All elected SSP politicians are obliged to take home no more than the average wage of a skilled worker.
In Holyrood, six Scottish Socialist MSPs took only half their salary - and donated the rest to the cause of socialism and equality.
SSP MSPs elected in 2011 will do exactly the same.
Jim Bollan, SSP councillor and Regional List candidate in the West of Scotland region says;
“MSPs are in the top three per cent of UK earners. How can they represent low paid workers, pensioners and people living on the breadline? How can they possibly understand what life is like for millions of Scots?”

Scottish Socialist Party List Candidates


Central Scotland
1) 
Kevin McVey
Kevin McVeyKevin McVey is 45 and has been actively involved in politics since 1984. Expelled from the Labour Party in 1989/90 for his involvement in local and national anti-poll tax campaigning, Kevin was a founding member of the SSP.
Kevin worked in the Tax Office for 20 years and PCS branch secretary for 3 years. Kevin is currently SSP National Secretary.
Also standing: 2) Cathy Pedersen 3) Lynsey MacGregor 4) Wullie O’Neill 5) Fraser Coats 6) Joan Duguid

Glasgow
1) Frances Curran
Frances CurranFrances, 49, was SSP MSP for the West of Scotland from 2003-2007, introducing a bill to provide free school meals which was ultimately voted down by the Parliament. Frances got involved in socialist politics when she joined the Labour Party Young Socialists in the early years of the Thatcher government, eventually being elected onto the Labour Party National Executive at 23 years old. Frances is currently co-spokesperson for the SSP.
Also standing: 2) James Nesbitt 3) Daniel O'Donnell 4) Anthea Irwin 5) Carol Hainey 6) Andy Harvie 7) Wullie McGartland

Highlands and Islands 1)Pam Currie
Pam CurriePam is 35 years old and lives in Glasgow with her cat, Banjo. She teaches in a Further Education college and is an activist in the EIS teachers’ union.
A Gaelic learner, Pam sings in a choir, enjoying her first trip to the National Mod in October 2010.
Pam is a Quaker, a feminist and an LGBT activist who has been involved in campaigns ranging from the peace movement to the Vigil for a Scottish Parliament. A graduate of the University of Paisley, she has also studied with the Open University and at Ruskin College and believes ‘lifelong education’ should be available and affordable to all.
Also standing: 2) Willie Hamilton 3) Ian Hogg 4)Linda Howie 5)Roz Paterson 6) Andi Rossetter

Lothians
1) Colin Fox

Colin FoxColin joined Motherwell Labour Party Young Socialists in 1980, beginning a life of campaigning for socialism that continues 30 years on. Colin was SSP MSP for the Lothians from 2003-2007 and is co-spokesperson for the SSP. As an MSP Colin pioneered the campaign to abolish Prescription Charges which has resulted in free Prescriptions in Scotland. Colin co-organises the Edinburgh Mayday Festival and re-founded the Edinburgh People's Festival in 2002. Aged 51, Colin lives in the Inch area of Edinburgh with his wife and two children.
Also standing: 2) Catriona Grant 3) Laura Benniston 4) Ally Hendry 5) Andy McPake 6) Barbara Scott

Mid Scotland and Fife
1) Morag Balfour
Morag BalfourMorag is a Quaker, vice-chair of Scottish CND and a member of the Iona Community. A firm believer in nonviolence, Morag regularly participates in peaceful direct action at Faslane. Morag has been a tireless campaigner for nuclear disarmament and to prevent the building of a massive landfill site in the West of Fife.
She has recently been involved in a pioneering befriending scheme supporting ex-young offenders released from Polmont YOI and is a former national co-chair of the SSP.
Also standing: 2) Felicity Garvie 3) Thomas Macaveney 4) James Morris

North East Scotland
1) 
Angela Gorrie
Angela GorrieAngela Gorrie, 23, first came to Dundee in 2005 to study at Dundee University where she was active in the campaign to remove Special Branch from campus and the fight for young workers' rights. Now working in customer services and a member of USDAW, she has recently been involved in campaigns ranging from the retention of local services and calling to end unfair hospital parking charges to highlighting the inequality of the current Council Tax.
In her spare time Angela enjoys walking, football, cricket and music.
Also standing: 2) Euan Benzie 3) Alan Graham 4) Soraya Kasim 5) Helen Fortune

South Scotland
1) 
Colin Turbett
Colin TurbettAn SSP member since 2001, Colin was a candidate for the Party in the 2005 and 2007 elections. He has been a qualified social worker since the late 1970s, working with the victims of a system that breeds inequality, racism and poverty. Very interested in rural affairs, he is author of the SSP pamphlet ‘Rural Socialism and Scotland in the 21st Century’ and is an ardent campaigner for the rights of Scottish Gypsy Travellers.
Colin is a longstanding trade union activist, he is currently Chairperson of North Ayrshire UNISON branch.
Also standing: 2) Gillian Tyrer 3) Yvonne Dalziel 4) Aidan Simpson

West of Scotland
1) 
Jim Bollan
Jim BollanJim is SSP councillor for Leven Ward on West Dunbartonshire council. 63 years old, Jim first got involved in socialist politics 40 years ago when shop steward at Babcocks. Jim was at the forefront in the campaign to save Leven Cottage care home and the campaigns to save two primary schools, Christie Park and Renton Primary.
When he has any spare time Jim can be found walking his dog.
Also standing: 2) Ann Lynch 3) Pauline Bradley 4) Neil Scott 5) Davy Landels 6) Mary Rocks 7) Roisin Kelly 8) Gerry McCartney

Tuesday 8 February 2011

Won’t Get Fooled Again or Imagine

Letter from a comrade
George Mackin
Is it just me - or have you felt angry this week? Enraged. Just under third of a million deprived of all benefits this year and worse to come, much worse. What planet are these people on? Tories: lower than vermin; add to the pile the unctuous and venal Liberals. Back to the workhouse, back to the soup kitchen. Targets to be met, after all it is only common sense. George Bush on the perils and joys of water-boarding; a royal wedding; red poppies; student tuition fees; and a certain criminal and less than civil case which shines a whole new light onto the phrase the personal is political.
Never mind I’m not in the Scottish Socialist Party any more. I have done my bit. Thirty years of that political stuff. What thanks do you get? Anyway some of the Left are just bonkers.: one party states and would be little Napoleons handing out truth on high in condescending three hour rants. Gerry Healey and… make your own list of snake oil salesman … Want to know the truth? Read this book. Look no further. The stories I could tell of people on the Left treating other people like feudal underlings.
Never has political quietism been so appealing. Rock Guitar anyone? Hurry up Harry come on, were going down the pub. Dah Dah Dah.
So why do I feel enraged? A soon to be fifty year old whose best days are over. Winter’s breath upon me, not much time left, best to enjoy every sandwich.
There is a big neo-liberal train that has been a rolling all my adult life, like the Terminator it never stops. It is inexorable and loathsome. Vote Labour? Nah! Just a slower train but the same direction and let’s not forget Jim Murphy. Set Scotland Free vote by voting tweedle dee SNP. Nah just a different flag ( mind you I do detest the Butcher’s Apron).
The Labour Party; The SNP; The SSP, I have been in all three. In fact let’s not forget Militant Tendency I was a supporter/ reader of that party/ tendency/paper many years ago.. Another story, comrade. World Prospectus 1981 anyone ? SWP: the non-thinking man’s millenarian cult. That’s the problem with Capitalism : too much choice.
Which party are you in now? Not a question but a sneer riddled with guilt None. None?
Yet out off all the groups left standing which party to I most identify with ? Easy: The SSP. I’m Pleased that the Greens won a seat in England, though. Political parties, not the battle but the echo of the battle as James Connolly used to say.
How do you feel about that? Not being in a political party? Great. Shite. Relieved, Bereft. Depressed. Happy. Bitter. Angry. Enraged. Sad, so sad, what a waste. numb so numb.
Mind you if you think some of the Left are bonkers you should see the SNP.? Another story, comrade.
Imagine or Won’t Get Fooled Again? Which sentiment suits me best?
A credible Left, a Republican Left, a non-patriarchal Left, a smash up the hated British State Left, a radical Left; not content to live within the confines of capitalist Left, a non-neo-Stalinist Left, a Green left, a non-sectarian Left, an anti-nuclear Left, a non-primate dominance in any form Left. A humanist and sceptical Left..
A big rock fell upon us. Devil and the deep blue sea or A rock and a hard place, call it what you like. Hard choices were made. Ken what I mean? No textbook for those difficult paths. Nobody comes out squeaky clean. There is no one to cast the first stones. But let us not to be too hard on ourselves or on others.: we all could have done things better. We forgive as best we can; we learn our lessons as best we can - we move on. We make history but not to our own making.
The struggle continues; we rebuild. Life is green but the truth is grey as they say and life goes on until the end. No consolation for us materialists. One life and one life only. Do we accept? Or do we act? Do we let people exercise power over us or do we challenge their authority?
A Time to rage; a time to grieve; a time for sadness; a time for hope; a time to regroup.;a time for praxical reflection; a time for optimism and pessimism; a time to talk.

Friday 4 February 2011

LETTER TO PAPERS ON BANKERS BONUSES



Whilst the Coalition Government with its ill-judged ‘recovery’ policies must share responsibility for the existing financial mess the country is in, the public should not lose sight of the fact that the previous Labour Government is at least equally if not more culpable.

We only have to think of Fred Goodwin who under that Labour Government received a knighthood for services to the banking industry. Even though he drove the Royal Bank of Scotland to within twenty minutes of bankruptcy his parting gift from the government-rescued bank was an enormous ‘golden goodbye’ and gargantuan pension.

Also let’s not forget that Tony Blair headed the Labour Government during the time bankers were being given free rein to act recklessly in pursuit of super profits. He is currently amassing millions of pounds from the lecture circuit and for working as an advisor to a number of the companies who are slashing thousands of British workers’ jobs.

Consequently, it is quite rich for the Labour Party, which once upon a time in a far-off land professed to be “Socialist”, to be calling for a ‘progressive front’ to oppose the ‘cuts’.

As for the Coalition Government, the hypocritical phrase “we are all in this together” which David Cameron and Nick Clegg are peddling has to be placed in its true context. Despite hundreds of thousands of public sector jobs currently being sacrificed or downgraded in a desperate effort to resolve the current financial crisis, the top bankers largely responsible for precipitating the economic downturn are still being awarded obscene bonuses and inflated salaries.

The working man and women are “together” in the mire and the bankers and politicians are “together” in the gravy. How long will this cycle of exploitation and abuse continue to be tolerated by the British public?

Ally Hendry 
West lothian branch