Posted on 18-11-2003

Scottish Socialist MP tours NZ
Colin Fox MSP NZ Speaking Tour November 2003

The Alliance Party is proud to host Colin Fox, Member of the Scottish
Parliament, who is touring New Zealand prior to attending the Party's
national conference at the end of November.

Colin Fox is one of six members of the Scottish Socialist Party elected to
Scottish Parliament in 2003, and will be talking about the growing mood of
activism amongst ordinary people in Scotland and the UK that has the
status quo parties worried. The Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) is
Scotlandýs fastest growing and most active political party. The SSP has
exciting and radical policies such as free, nutritious school meals for
all school children, a fair alternative to council taxes that will make
the rich pay their share, opposing council housing sell-offs and public
service privatization, fighting racism, supporting asylum seekers, and
opposing the Bush/Blair war in the Middle East.

Colin Fox is the leader of the SSP in the Lothians. He lives in the Inch,
Edinburgh, with his partner and two children. Formerly a Labour Party
Young Socialist, he went on to become a founder member of the SSP, after
first becoming involved in politics during the steelworkers strike in
Motherwell in 1980. Since his election as a Member of the Scottish
Parliament, Colin has represented the SSP on the Justice committee and is
SSP spokesperson on Justice; Tourism; Culture and Sport. He has over 20
years experience as a campaigner for socialism, working with trade
unionists, community groups and working class people on a variety of
campaigns and struggles. Colin takes a keen interest in Scottish culture
and has promoted an annual Robert Burns evening in Lothians to celebrate
the life and work of Robert Burns.

When he was sworn in at the official opening of the new Holyrood (Scottish
Parliament), he burst into Robert Burns ode to equality ýA Man's a Man for
a'Thatý, the unofficial anthem of the Scottish parliament. Like his new
colleagues, Colin had indicated that he would follow the example of his
party leader, Tommy Sheridan, and take the oath of
allegiance to the Queen under protest. Colin is also responsible for
resurrecting Edinburgh's May Day celebrations and in the last two years
founded and organised the
Edinburgh People's Festival to promote working class culture during August
when the International and Fringe Festivals also run in Edinburgh.

For further information contact Mike Treen, Alliance International
Spokesperson, Mobile 021 2547440; Phone 09 3616989; Fax 09 3616991 Email
mike.treen@alliance.org.nz