 | 'If the Scottish Socialists decline to put forward candidates on the
first vote, they could instead back SNP candidates. Such a move,
insiders claim, would help pro-independence parties such as the SSP
and the SNP fight the 2007 Holyrood election without harming each
other's chances. A number of first constituency battles would then be
between Labour and the SNP.' Paul Hutcheon, Scottish Political Editor in the in the Sunday Herald, 5 th February 2006. |  |
THE Scottish Socialist Party are set to avoid fielding
first-past-the-post candidates at next year's Holyrood election. Party
chiefs have drawn up plans to focus exclusively on the regional vote
offered to electors in Scottish parliament polls.
They could also back SNP candidates as a way of helping defeat Labour
MSPs in constituencies across Scotland. Strategists believe the
tactics will boost the SSP vote and help pro- independence parties win
more seats.
The radical approach has been approved by the party's executive
committee and will be debated at their conference next month. SSP
bosses voted for the measure in the knowledge that their six MSPs were
elected via the so-called "list" system.
Voters in Scottish parliament elections currently get two votes, one
for a constituency MSP through the first-past-the-post system, and
another for a party based on proportional representation.The SSP
fielded candidates in nearly every constituency at the last Holyrood
poll but failed to win a single seat and lost a number of deposits.
The new strategy would involve the party fielding constituency
candidates only in "exceptional circumstances" and instead focusing on
regional ballots. Party insiders say the move, which is based on the
approach adopted by the Scottish Greens in the 2003 Holyrood election,
would help them hold their existing seats and gain additional
representation.
They believe fielding candidates in both the first and second votes in
2003 may have contributed to the party failing to win list seats in
the Highlands and Mid Scotland and Fife. The move is also likely to
benefit the SNP, whose vote share fell at the last Holyrood election
as the SSP gained a foothold in a number of west coast seats.
If the Scottish Socialists decline to put forward candidates on the
first vote, they could instead back SNP candidates. Such a move,
insiders claim, would help pro-independence parties such as the SSP
and the SNP fight the 2007 Holyrood election without harming each
other's chances. A number of first constituency battles would then be
between Labour and the SNP.
One source said: "If the party agrees the strategy, then there are
120,000 votes up for grabs on the first vote. We would then keep a
close eye on the other parties, such as the SNP, or left-wing
candidates like independent Dennis Canavan."
This development follows news that the SNP held coalition talks with
the Greens, another pro-independence party, before Christmas.
John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, said
the SSP move would help the Nationalists in marginal seats. "I think
you would be looking at the SNP getting a 2%-3% advantage because of
this," he said.
An SSP spokesman confirmed they were considering a new approach to
Holyrood elections. " It is a discussion that will continue at the
annual conference where delegates will vote on the strategy document
and any amendments to it."
SNP leader Alex Salmond said he welcomed any development that would
help at the Holyrood poll. "Since the key to our campaign is to win 20
additional first- past- the-post-seats, anything that assists that is
to our benefit," he said.
The Scottish Socialists have decided to concentrate on seeking the election of candidates via the regional lists in next year's Holyrood elections.
They said that candidates will only fight for constituency seats if local circumstances are favourable.
Glasgow MSP Tommy Sheridan said the party will do better by concentrating on gaining second votes.
The decision came at the party's annual conference in Dundee, where leader Colin Fox delivered an upbeat message.
The SSP had candidates in nearly every constituency in 2003, where more than half of MSPs are elected via the first-past-the-post system. However, it did not win any seats.
The party's six MSPs were elected through the regional list system, with two in Glasgow and one each in the West of Scotland, Central Scotland, South of Scotland and in the Lothians.
Leading party figures advised that they should now contest constituencies in "exceptional circumstances" and focus on the regional 'top-up' list where 56 of the 129 MSPs are elected via the additional member system.
Mr Sheridan said: "I think we have to maximise the potential of the voting system. That means we go for the second vote only so that we actually get that preference from the elector.
"When we went for the first vote and second, some people would give us their first vote and give their second to someone else. Really it's the second vote that matters to the SSP."
Speaking earlier at the Caird Hall, Mr Fox praised the party's record on issues including asylum, public housing stock transfer, hospital closures and so-called CIA rendition flights.
Mr Fox, who was elected to replace Mr Sheridan at last year's conference, also acknowledged difficulties since the previous leader's abrupt resignation in November 2004.
Among these was the suspension of four SSP MSPs - and subsequent loss of £30,000 wages - for their Holyrood protest over the right to demonstrate at the Gleneagles G8 summit.
However, Mr Fox told delegates: "Many are the voices who suggest the SSP are finished, but they fail to understand the SSP has a hugely important role to play in Scottish politics."
He reiterated demands for the immediate withdrawal of US and UK troops from Iraq and attacked Labour's stance on nuclear weapons and new nuclear power stations.
The SSP leader also launched a campaign for "people not profit", pledging to put the interests of workers ahead of corporations by defending pension rights and public services.
Delegates were told: "The need for socialism and for the SSP is greater than ever."
Mr Fox said the party had enjoyed success in recruiting 150 new members since October - among them former Dundee Labour MP and MSP John McAllion.
He said the party had also played a successful part in the fight against the public housing stock transfer in Edinburgh.
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