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.
To fight elections in Scotland, the SSCUP registered with the UK Electoral Commission on 3 February 2003. Under the provisions of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, the party has also registered alternative names for use on ballot papers, including "Scottish Senior Citizens and Pensioners", and "Alliance of Scots Greys".
On the same day the SSCUP was launched, the Scottish Pensioners Party was formed in Fife. The SSCUP made an electoral pact with this party for the Scottish Parliamentary elections, whereby they did not stand candidates against each other. 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 was the SSCUP's sole representative in the Scottish Parliament, representing Central Scotland from 2003 until 2007.
Read more about Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party: The Party's Aims and Recent Elections
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