"MSP Analysis" - Tommy Sheridan

[njw]

Having met Tommy Sheridan of the SSP, and seeing him in action in parliament several times, i would like to see more politicians like him being placed in power... although not always having agreed with the SSP's policies its great to see someone as enthusiastic about his job, and so strongly about his policies. Ok sometimes his actions become slightly petty, but i'm guessing that is due to him being a minority in parliament.

I was in parliament last thursday(20th), when John Swinney questioned McConnell on the way he was treating the 'Iraq' issue and what is being done to support the views of scotland, Sheridan heckled the leaders of all the other parties in parliament (excepting Robin Harper), which, whilst amusing, was unnecessary.

What do other people think about his attitude towards politics?

[AlanG]

Ive met him twice, once at Dundee College before the 1999 elections and once at Abertay at a meeting about the Afghan crisis. Both times he was as charasmatic as on the telly, shows great speechgiving skills and wears his heart on his sleeve. He lets you know exactly what he stands for and doesnt give a shit if people like that or not, which is what we need in politics. Even a mate of mine whos an out and out Tory admires his leadership abilities. If nothing else hes shown that one man from a minority party can push a bill through that Labour promised 100years ago. This can only be a good thing to show hoe democracy can work in this country.

Incase you havent guessed Im SSP

[Ally G]

Tommy's alright in my eyes- he is an excellent public speaker, he's honest and upfront.
But i would never join the SSP, even though I consider myself to be far left in my politics. Why? I don't like the way the party is centered round him- it's unquestioning, sort of a cult of personality thing. Same problem as Tony Blair.

[AlanG]

The party isnt centred around Tommy its just as the only current MSP hes the only face in the party most people would recognise so when theres an interview say and they want an SSP spokesman its him that gets asked. Unlike in say Labour where they can choose from loads of people. The party works from the ground up, and as an alliance of all the Scottish Socialist partys has loads of subgroups within it. At the conference each of these put their own view across on each policy and had it voted for or against and thats how it works. So a faction within that has 10members can get a motion passed to become policy if everyone else agrees with it. This is unlike the other parties where the big shots make all the policies and the normal members vote for/against it.

[Roddy]

Ah the Tango Man. Yes I think he's a great man and does good work and I'd support his actions if they meant reform within our current system but Im probably more of a green party man if I'd vote at all.

[Ally G]

Originally posted by Alan G
The party isnt centred around Tommy its just as the only current MSP hes the only face in the party most people would recognise so when theres an interview say and they want an SSP spokesman its him that gets asked. Unlike in say Labour where they can choose from loads of people. The party works from the ground up, and as an alliance of all the Scottish Socialist partys has loads of subgroups within it. At the conference each of these put their own view across on each policy and had it voted for or against and thats how it works. So a faction within that has 10members can get a motion passed to become policy if everyone else agrees with it. This is unlike the other parties where the big shots make all the policies and the normal members vote for/against it.

Well, not that different from the big parties where the idea is that different policy groups come up with policies and then the members vote on them- hence delegates from all local parties to conferences etc. I see your point though.
Have to say though, most of the SSP members I meet don't seem to have to much interest in questioning Tommy's policies.
I was impressed by what he did at faslane though.