Aberdeen SSP to stand candidate in Aberdeen North in 2010 General Election
Posted by CelticEwan on March 13th, 2010
The Aberdeen SSP branch is intending to stand branch secretary Ewan Robertson as a candidate in the coming General election, in the Aberdeen North constituency. In due course we will unveil our full policy platform and campaign, however central themes will be, firstly, opposition to any cuts to public services, including cuts to education, instead arguing that the bankers and bosses can pay for their economic crisis. Instead, with progressive taxation policies, cutting defence spending and scrapping Trident, among other measures, we can in fact improve health and education provision, reduce poverty, redistribute wealth and improve standards of living for all. Secondly, we will call for the withdrawal of British troops from Afghanistan and an end to the destructive and immoral occupation of that country. Finally, we resolutely oppose the possible use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) to evict the residents from the Menie estate to make way for Donald Trump’s elite golf course.
Overall, we will be putting forward the case for real, participatory democracy in both political and economic planning, reversing the policies of New Labour and the Tories by redistributing wealth from the super-rich to the rest of society and eradicating poverty, and arguing for a modern, inclusive democratic republic in Scotland, stating our belief that another world is possible and stating the case for socialism in the 21st century: for people, not profit.
If you agree with the above sentiments, then now is the time to join us and help out with our campaign. Details of up and coming meetings and chances to get involved will be updated.
As a warm up to the election, Aberdeen University Students Association (AUSA) organised a “Question Time” hustings on Friday 12 March, with representatives from various parties who intend to stand in the Aberdeen area in the election. Below are a couple of photos, including AUSA President Robin Parker (right) and Ewan Robertson posing after Ewan signed a pledge that if elected, he will resist and vote against any policy to increase tuition fees for students in the next parliament. A few of the others are from our public meeting on Afghanistan at Aberdeen University on Wednesday 17 February, and some members of the Aberdeen SSP branch standing outside on Aberdeen University campus with our (still a work in progress!) banner.
