| Description | The Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) is a left-wing party that espouses a Marxist economic platform as well as Scottish independence. In this they seek to be an alternative to both Labour and the Scottish National Party (SNP).
The roots of the SSP are in the Scottish Socialist Alliance, which contested the 1997 Westminster elections. Following better than expected results, the group formed into a formal party in order to contest the initial Holyrood elections in 1999. This election was also seen as a success and party leader Tommy Sheridan was elected to a Glasgow list seat. The 2003 Holyrood election saw a significant shift from the SNP to the SSP in its late stages and the SSP increased its representation to six seats. However, following Sheridan's resignation as leader in 2004 and subsequent formation of the Solidarity movement, the SSP's fortunes have declined. Neither left-wing party kept any of its seats in the Scottish Parliament and the SSP won only one council seat in the 2007 elections. Their vote has run ahead of Solidarity in more recent by-elections, but continues to lag behind its earlier vote shares.
Leaders: Colin Fox and Frances Curran
EU Affiliation: European Anticapitalist Left
International Affiliation: None
Party Colours: Red, Yellow |
