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7/11/00
Dennis Canavan: Sheep in Sheep's clothing
The Falkirk Branch of the Scottish Socialist Party expressed how disappointed it was in Dennis Canavan's announcement that he was seeking to re-enter New Labour at his press conference on Friday.
SSP Falkirk West general election candidate, and by-election choice, Iain Hunter, said, "I am deeply saddened by Dennis Canavan's about face. He occupied a distinctive position in Scottish politics, presenting a challenge to the New Labour and a rallying point for those in the front line of New Labour attacks. I thought he was a man of his word, a man with principles. I, along with many in the constituency, feel betrayed." He called for Canavan to resign his Holyrood seat and attempt to regain it under a New Labour banner. "New Labour were soundly defeated here in the Scottish Parliamentary elections, with an explicitly anti-New Labour candidate taking 55% of the vote to their 19%. It is unacceptable that the people of Falkirk who voted resolutely against New Labour should find it imposed on them now."
The SSP's Falkirk East candidate, Mhairi McAlpine added, "In standing up against the New Labour control freaks, Dennis Canavan was part of the solution; now he's just applied to re-join the problem".
The £70, 000 that Dennis Canavan stands to gain by re-joining New Labour, through his dual Holyrood/Westminister salary and the re-settlement allowance he will obtain when he stands down as an MP at the next Westminister election, was noted.
Despite his posturing, Canavan accepted the full MP/MSP renumeration package, unlike the Scottish Socialist Party MSP, Tommy Sheridan, who accepts only £20, 000 - the average wage of a skilled worker - donating the rest back to the Labour movement, in line with party policy on remuneration for elected representatives.
Falkirk Branch, Scottish Socialist Party
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