http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scott ... -20957031/
Oh the fucking irony!!!
"However, individuals are less important than the case for socialism itself - and the case has been damaged by bitterness and division.
"No one wanted to be divided but that was the reality. It is irresponsible to live in the past. We have to look to the future."
Tommy Sheridan calls for left-wing parties to call a truce
Dec 9 2008 By Magnus Gardham
TOMMY Sheridan yesterday called on Scotland's warring socialist parties to call a truce and work together at the next General Election.
The former MSP claimed the ongoing feud between his Solidarity party and the Scottish Socialist Party was "irresponsible".
And he called for a pact to stop left-wing parties in Scotland - including Arthur Scargill's Socialist Labour Party - from standing against each other at the next election.
Sheridan was a founder member of the SSP but quit to set up Solidarity two years ago, after his defamation case against a Sunday paper caused a bitter split in his old party.
The rift has been blamed for both parties' poor showing at the last Holyrood election, when neither won a seat after fighting each other at the polls.
But yesterday, Sheridan said: "It's our desire to work towards a situation where, in the future, we can support a united socialist candidate."
He added: "There is no one in Solidarity who is aware of the depth of the bitterness more than me.
"However, individuals are less important than the case for socialism itself - and the case has been damaged by bitterness and division.
"No one wanted to be divided but that was the reality. It is irresponsible to live in the past. We have to look to the future."
Sheridan did not propose a merger of parties.
But he urged left-wing trade unions to "bang heads together" to forge a pact between Solidarity, the SSP, SLP and single-issue campaigners.
He claimed the failure of left-wing parties to work together was letting down working class families.
Sheridan, now a law student, said the pact was "not dependent" on his ongoing perjury case.
Sheridan spoke out at the launch of a Solidarity pamphlet, The Bubble Bursts, calling for nationalisation of the banks and energy companies.
The move is the first olive branch from either side in the Solidarity and SSP split.
Two years ago, Sheridan won £200,000 in court after a Sunday paper claimed he took part in drug-fuelled sex parties.
But during the hearing, the jury heard conflicting evidence from SSP members.
Sheridan and wife Gail, a key witness, were charged with perjury last December after a 14-month police probe.
Prosecutors have until next March to continue the case or drop the charges.
The former MSP said: "It's deeply frustrating. We have no information whatsoever. We look forward to a speedy and positive conclusion.
"I've always believed and I continue to profess my complete innocence of perjury."
The perjury investigation has cost more than £1million, it was revealed at the weekend.
