Allan Grogan

Allan Grogan

Political party Scottish Labour Party (2010-2014)
Scottish Socialist Party (2014-)
Website http://www.allangrogan.com

Allan Grogan is a Scottish political activist in Angus, an ex-professional wrestler,[1] and the founder of the Labour for Independence (LFI) campaign.[2] Since October 2014, he has been a member of the Scottish Socialist Party.[3]

Political career

Grogan says that he has been a Labour sympathiser for as long as he can remember, joining the Labour Party in his late teens. He remained a member into his early 20s, until he left the UK to work in Asia. He returned to Scotland and rejoined the party in 2010, working for it in election campaigns.[2] In 2012, he launched LFI as a "home" for pro-indy Labour voters,[4] and spoke out against Labour's decision to join the Conservatives in the Better Together campaign.[5]

In 2014, Grogan was invited to make the case for Scottish independence at a Scottish Labour spring conference fringe event hosted by the Law Society of Scotland. He shared a platform with shadow Scottish secretary Margaret Curran and former First Minister Henry McLeish.[6] McLeish urged conference attendees to be "tolerant of dissident voices" after Grogan's advocacy of a Yes vote prompted jeering from the audience.[7] Writing after the debate, Grogan said that "independence need not mean UK lite, but a progressive nation that cares for all its citizens", and that Labour "can play the leading role in this, but it must accept their follies and embrace the need for real and lasting change".[8]

After the referendum results were announced, Grogan left the Labour Party and stood down as LFI's co-convenor.[9] In October 2014, Grogan joined the Scottish Socialist Party ahead of its annual conference.[3] Writing in the Scottish Socialist Voice, he admitted that the SSP "reflect the real socialist values that I have campaigned on during the referendum and throughout my life as a Labour Party member".[10]

At the SSP's annual conference in May 2015, Allan Grogan was elected to the party's ruling Executive Committee.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Claims SNP members seen supporting 'Labour for Independence'". The Herald. 31 July 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  2. 1 2 Robbie Dinwoodie (29 July 2012). "Yes Scotland wins support from Labour rebel group". The Herald Scotland. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Labour for Indy founder quits and joins SSP". The Herald. 22 October 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  4. ↑ SCOTT MACNAB (30 July 2012). "Scottish independence: Labour dismisses rebellion". The Scotsman. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  5. ↑ EDDIE BARNES; TOM PETERKIN (23 September 2012). "Scottish independence: Alex Salmond hails independence on Edinburgh march". The Scotsman. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  6. ↑ "Yes vote Labour backer joins debate". The Courier.co.uk. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  7. ↑ "'Stop hating Salmond and the SNP', warns former First Minister". The Herald Scotland. 23 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  8. ↑ Allan Grogan (23 March 2014). "Labour Party Conference". Labour For Independence. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  9. ↑ "After 23 Years With a Heavy Heart". 23 September 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  10. ↑ "Labour for Independence leader joins Scottish Socialist Party". Scottish Socialist Voice. 22 October 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  11. ↑ "SSP conference sets out party strategy for the year ahead". Scottish Socialist Voice. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
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