Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party

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The Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party (SSCUP) was formed on 3 February 2003, in time to contest that year's elections to the Scottish Parliament. The leading figure in its formation was John Swinburne, previously a director of Motherwell Football Club. He is currently the party's leader. Swinburne was inspired to form the party after reading the UK government's plans for pensions in December 2002: he felt it was unfair that people may have to work longer in the future and consequently have less time to enjoy their retirement.

Coincidentally, on the same day the SSCUP was launched, a Scottish Pensioners Party was formed in Fife. The SSCUP made an electoral pact with this party for the Scottish Parliamentary elections. Former Scottish international footballers Billy McNeill, who played for Celtic and Eric Caldow, who played for Rangers, both stood for the SSCUP in these elections.

John Swinburne is the SSCUP's sole representative in the Scottish Parliament, representing Central Scotland.

[edit] Aims

The party lists 9 key aims on its website^[1]:

1. An index-linked basic weekly state pension of £160 for all senior citizens
2. Remove all senior citizens from poverty in Scotland
3. Abolition of means-testing for senior citizens
4. Replace council tax with a fairer system based on ability to pay
5. Local authorities to set up more residential homes for senior citizens
6. Free nationwide travel for all senior citizens - out with peak travelling times
7. 50% reduction in television licences for senior citizens aged 60 to 75
8. 50% reduction in Road Tax for all senior citizens
9. Establish a Scottish Lottery, with all profits going back into the community

[edit] Reference

1. ^ Aims and Manifesto, sscup.org

[edit] External link

• Official website

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