SCOTLAND: Socialists' support surges

According to a poll published in the March 7 Glasgow Herald, support for the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) has surged because of its steadfast opposition to a war in Iraq, with or without UN backing.

"The Scottish Socialist Party has made opposition to war one of six key election pledges", noted the Herald's editorial. "Voters would probably find great difficulty naming the other five, but they know where [SSP member of the Scottish Parliament Tommy] Sheridan's party stands on Iraq. In addition, they seem to approve."

For the first time, the SSP's support has hit 10% in the polls for the next Scottish Parliament election, putting it level-pegging with the Conservative Party. In working-class Glasgow, SSP support is a whopping 22%, just behind the Scottish National Party and just 8% behind the Labour Party.

If these results are repeated in the May election, the SSP would win 10 seats.

"The new poll suggests other factors are at play to explain the rise in the SSP's popularity. Sheridan is a charismatic politician who has built a reputation on fighting for the underdog. He has taken up principled popular causes ... such as free school meals. His brand of old-style socialism is anti-business and would probably damage the Scottish economy", warned the Herald editorial. "However, he appears an attractive option when people feel powerless and are disillusioned with the mainstream political process. A growing number of people feel that way, with the [British] prime minister seemingly prepared to ignore their concerns (shared by the majority) over Iraq."

From Green Left Weekly, March 19, 2003.

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From GLW issue 530