Rowland Sheret, Stirling County, Scottish Socialist Party
link / contact details for potential supporters
Rowland Sheret, 17A Bruce Street, Stirling FK8 1PD
01786 471554
rowland.sheret@btopenworld.com
i.
what do you think is the most important issue in this election?
Poverty at home and abroad. New Labour has done nothing to
redistribute wealth
and reverse the policies of Thatcherism which has left so many in poverty at
home and
hence the social problems we have. The war in Iraq defines New Labours support
of
Imperialism and the support of free trade policies show their refusal to address
world
poverty despite all the latest spin pre the G8 summit.
ii.
why did you make the decision to stand in this constituency and for
this party (as an independent)?
The Scottish Socialist Party position of an Independent Scottish
Socialist Republic
and their consistent work in opposition to the war in Iraq convinces me that to
stand
under their banner is an honour and privilege. Stirling is where i have lived
for the past
40 years.
iii.
what kind of vote are you expecting on May 5th?
At the last Scottish Parliament election and with no Green Party
candidate standing
we polled 5% and saved our deposit. At the European election and with a Green
Party
candidate standing as well as us we polled 3%. This time both the SSP and
Greens are
standing so to save our deposit would be a good result. We are of course
campaigning to win.
iv.
aside from the vote what are you hoping to get out of this campaign?
We wish to show the socialist alternative to New Labour and recruit new
members.
Most important we wish to build confidence that another world is possible and a
fight back can be built against the capitalist free market policies of all the
major parties.
v.
in your view what is the greatest threat to our civil liberties at
the moment?
Tony Blair. It was the war in Iraq and its occupation which has heightened
world
tensions and created a political situation which is now being used to attack
civil liberties
in Britain.
vi.
Blair has taken us to war three times since coming to power (not
including the occasional ad hoc bombing raid) in the Balkans,
Afghanistan and Iraq.
Can war ever be justified?
Poverty and inequality cause war. Make Poverty History requires us to make
capitalism history as it is the production for profit and the Imperialist
relationship
of the industrialised world to other countries which continues poverty and
inequality.
However wars of liberation against Imperialist domination cannot be condemned.
Vietnam is the ultimate example
vii.
There is very little left to privatise in this country, if you had
your way what would be brought into public hands.
We should start with the Railways as workers in that industry are setting
an
example by making demands for this.
A planned economy run by the people rather than the bureaucratised
centralisation
of past models is necessary for making capitalism history. All the major
industries
should be in public hands and production for need rather than profit. It is not
as
far fetched as some would have us believe and is necessary to overcome the
anarchism and exploitation of capitalism.
viii.
Some environmental campaigners have started talking about nuclear
power as a way to bring down CO2 emissions - what do you think of
this?
None of the arguments against nuclear power have gone away. It is a major
hazard
to society in that a nuclear accident can only be a devastating disaster. The
question
of waste disposal cannot be resolved. Scotland in particular is always looked
upon
as a favoured site for dumping nuclear waste. No Thanks.
ix.
Asylum and immigration will be central issues in this election.
What action on this issue would you like to see the next government
push through?
The immediate closure of the Dungavel centre. Refugees and asylum seekers
should be welcomed rather than driven out by the horrific policies we have
seen under New Labour. Scotland needs a positive attitude to immigration.
x.
What question do you wish was on this list but doesn't appear?
The question of the break up of the British State which has just given
us the imperialist war in Iraq has not been addressed. The National question in
Scotland
and Wales and the unification of Ireland are questions directly related to the
continued existence of the British State. The question of declaring republics
is surely important for socialists.
2005
