4 May 2003. For immediate release.
The Socialist Alliance in Tasmania today welcomed the breakthrough made by the Scottish Socialist Party in winning six seats in the Scottish Parliament elected on May 1. This is an increase in their representation from one parliamentarian to six.
The members elected are:
Tommy
Sheridan (Glasgow region)
Rosie Kane
(Glasgow region)
Frances Curran
(West of Scotland)
Carolyn Leckie
(Central Scotland)
Colin Fox
(Lothians)
Rosemary Byrne
(South Scotland)
“This is the most important socialist electoral breakthrough in the English-speaking world in recent times,” said Socialist Alliance spokesperson Alex Bainbridge.
“The result in Scotland is an indication of the emerging rise in mass support for socialist ideas in the West with party leader Tommy Sheridan scoring 28% of the vote in his local seat,” said Bainbridge. “The Scottish result follows on from the 10% won by the far left in the first round of the French presidential elections last year.”
“The popular opposition to profit-driven corporate globalisation and US military aggression is fuelling the shift in support to the left,” said Bainbridge.
“The Scottish Socialist Party campaigned on issues including free meals for school students, opposition to the war on Iraq and the idea that the wealth of Scotland belongs to the people of Scotland. These sorts of ideas have relevance in Australia as well,” said Bainbridge.
“The Greens increased their representation in the Scottish parliament from one seat to seven and we welcome that also,” said Bainbridge. “The socialist result is significant however because it is the beginning of a new rise in support for socialism in the west.”