Tommy Sheridan is preparing to sidestep possible political humiliation at the hands of his former comrades by ditching plans to reclaim the leadership of the party he founded and instead setting up a new one of his own.
The firebrand Glasgow MSP has said that he now thinks it is time to form “a new party of the left” to carry on the socialist struggle rather than fighting to retake control of the Scottish Socialist Party. In a message to supporters within the SSP, he asks them to consider “leaving infighting behind” rather than continue the civil war within what he says is “the colossal train wreck” of the SSP.
The statement is widely seen in Scottish political circles as the first public admission by Mr Sheridan that he may not have the internal SSP support he believed he had and that his hopes of ousting the present party leadership are unrealistic.
In the immediate euphoria of his recent court victory over the the News of the World when he won a £200,000 defamation claim, Mr Sheridan expressed confidence that the bulk of the party would back him in his bid to return as head of the party he established eight years ago.
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Since the case ended, the ultra-left SSP has been engaging in extraordinary factional squabbling. Mr Sheridan has claimed that 11 SSP senior members, including three MSPs, who testified against him were liars and perjurers. After his victory, he branded them “scabs”.
The party is now in open civil war, with the pro-Sheridan SSP Majority faction pitted against the anti-Sheridan United Left, which includes most of the ruling executive committee.
The anti-Sheridan group have compared him to a combination of “Walter Mitty, Josef Goebbels and Benny Hill”, threatened to take legal action against him and derided his chances of making a comeback. The scene was set for the infighting and blood-letting to come to a head during a leadership contest at a party council meeting in October but Mr Sheridan’s tactical retreat may now avoid that.
In his message to supporters, Mr Sheridan claimed the SSP may have reached its “historical limits” and that “a new movement” was called for which working people could believe in.
Mr Sheridan said he was sure he and his supporters could “recapture the party apparatus and leadership” in October, but asked if it would be worth it when the United Left would be a constant thorn in their side.
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“I have in mind a new movement that would continue the battle for the vision we all hold dear - an independent, socialist Scotland,” he said. He also invited party members to a meeting in Glasgow early next month, where they would have what he said would be a historic decision to make.
Mr Sheridan’s comments were the cue for a blistering attack from his erstwhile SSP colleagues who accused him of cowardice and running away from a debate on the party’s future to form a minority Sheridan cult.
Carolyn Leckie, MSP, claimed:”It’s clear he’s not prepared to argue the issues. He’s a coward and he’s running away.”
Alan McCombes, SSP policy co-ordinator, who opposes Mr Sheridan, added: “Ten days ago Tommy said he was going to destroy the scabs who tried to ruin him. Now he’s on the run. If he wants to form a coalition of sycophants, fine.”
Mr Sheridan is also under pressure from his wife Gail - who testified on his behalf in court - to give up politics altogether.
Mrs Sheridan has told how the past two years have placed the couple under enormous strain and said she would love him to retire from politics in favour of his family.
“Tommy and I are utterly exhausted, between the case and all the political in-fighting”, she told a tabloid newspaper last week.
There has also been speculation that Mr Sheridan may attempt a link-up with the left-wing Respect Party formed by George Galloway but this was dismissed by Sheridan allies. “That is not on the table”, said one. Mr Sheridan himself was not available for comment.