A Happy New Year to SSP members and supporters everywhere

May I take this opportunity to wish the tens of thousands of SSP members and supporters all the very best for 2007.

Today is traditionally a day for looking forward and consider what the future may bring and I have not the slightest doubt that Scotlands biggest, best and most successful socialist party has a bright future ahead of us.

Our party is again going, like the lion in the car commercial, from strength to strength.



How horrifyingly fitting that the worlds news headlines as the new year begins should be dominated by events in Iraq. The execution and humiliation of Saddam Hussein serves to remind us that Iraq is the political issue which towers above all others in the world today. And that will continue in 2007 as will the SSP's principled opposition to the brutal Shia/Sunni sectarian bloodbath unleashed by Bsuh and Blair.

Our position at the forefront of the anti war movement in Scotland will continue.Only the SSP offers a principled opposition to the war in Iraq based on an anti imperalist, socialist alternative.



We have been involved in many campaigns in recent months as that sense that New Labour do not give a damn about working people sweeps across Scotland. The SSP's suppport for an independent socialist Scotland represents something profoundly important in Scottish politics. We are determined to see the independence movement benefit from polls showing majority support.



We built our party and our reputation by opposing the slaughter in Iraq, by supporting trades unionists and comunities across Scotland in defending their interests and living standards. We have in recent months stepped up that work. We proudly assisted hundreds of thousands of Farepak customers swindled out of their savings. We stood shoulder to shoulder with public sector workers seeking eqaul pay for work of equal value, something long denied them despite legislation promising just that. We have pledged our determination to support working people in the upcoming civil service battles in January.

And we have proudly 'raised the scaret standard high' in the anti nuclear movement – both power generation and ballistic missiles. And we have also launched innovative and imaginative plans to provide everyone with free public transport options.



But it is to those many new members of the SSP who have joined in recent weeks that I especially want to thank.People like Johanna Dind from Edinburgh and Chris Sagan from Bishopbriggs. Such talented new members invigorate the rest of us. As does working with remarkable people like 'Unfairpak' campaigner Suzy Hall. I feel privileged to have worked with them on various issues in recent weeks. I know there will be many hundreds more new members like them in the weeks and months to come as the SSP's campaigning for the 2007 Holyrood and Council elections really gets underway.



We are proud to be the party which defends and articulates the principles of universal benfits and public ownership, of justice and equality for hard working decent honest people. We have a proud proud record and are well aware that 131,000 people entrusted us with their vote in 2003 and look to us still.

We can look forward to 2007 . I wish every SSP member and supporter a peaceful, healthy and prosperous New Year.



Colin Fox

National Convenor