FROM: THE TIMES, MONDAY NOVEMBER 27 2000 Sheridan seeks pop fans votes BY FRASER NELSON, SCOTTISH POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT TOMMY SHERIDAN, the Marxist MSP, is to record a Christmas pop single. The Jasmine Minks, a veteran rock band committed to the downfall of capitalism, have asked him to perform a rap-style monologue for their next release. His soliloquy will denounce new Labour and praise class struggle. All proceeds will be donated to the Scottish Socialist Party, which he leads. Mr Sheridan said yesterday that he had had to bring forward the recording date as he could soon be imprisoned for refusing to pay a fine imposed after a protest at Faslane nuclear base. He confessed he was not an avid fan of the Minks. "The boys told me they had a big international following, but I had to be honest and say I had never heard of them," he said. "They e-mailed me with the lyrics, which rubbish Tony Blair's claims that the class war is over. This gives me a chance to raise money for the party - we need all we can get as we prepare to stand in the general election." He is not the first MSP to show off his musical talent.Dennis Canavan (Ind, Falkirk West) performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with an impersonation of John Swinney, leader of the Scottish National Party. The catchphrase he invented for Mr Swinney - "I'm so angry I'm going to say a sweary word" - has become repeated around Holyrood. Cathy Peattie (L, Falkirk East) sang to the Scottish Parliament during a debate about traditional music. Pauline McNeill, (L, Glasgow Kelvin) assembled a band called The Kelvinettes and sang in Glasgow Anniesland last week, helping the party's by-election effort. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________
