Fishing Party (Scotland) Explained

Country:Scotland
Fishing Party
Leader:George Geddes
Foundation:2003
Dissolution:2004
Ideology:Single issue

The Fishing Party was a political party in Scotland[1] [2] [3] [4] formed and officially registered in 2003.[5] Largely a single-issue party,[6] [7] its formation was prompted by those involved in the fishing industry angry at cuts in the quantity of fish they were being allowed to catch as a result of the European Union Single Fisheries Policy.[4] The rationale behind its formation was that they were in the best position to represent the fishing industry as they were part of it themselves.[3] The party was led by George Geddes, formerly vice chairman of the Scottish White Fish Producers' Association,[3] supported by the then Chairman Mike Park,[8] with the aim of securing seats in the Scottish Parliament.[9] The party was supported by Albert McQuarrie, the former Conservative Member of Parliament for Banff and Buchan, but he refused to stand as a candidate on the grounds of age.[10]

There was speculation that this might result in the loss of votes for the Scottish National Party,[6] as traditionally it has won the majority of the votes of those involved in the Scottish fishing industry. However, the Fishing Party did not win any seats in the 2003 election to the Scottish Parliament. Its only candidate, George Geddes, received 5,566 votes (2.28%) on the regional list in North East Scotland.[11] The best result was in the Banff and Buchan Scottish constituency, where the party polled 2,007 votes (7.7%). The party did not stand any candidates in the single-member constituencies.

The party was deregistered as a political party with the Electoral Commission on 23 March 2004.[5]

Notes and References

  1. News: Fishermen to form political party . . . 24 January 2003 . 6 December 2014 .
  2. News: Fishing Party will fight election . . London . 4 March 2003 . 6 December 2014 .
  3. News: Fishing Party trawls for votes . . . 3 March 2003 . 6 December 2014 .
  4. Book: Arter . David . The Scottish Parliament: A Scandinavian-Style Assembly? . Routledge . 2013 . 271 . 9781135768768 . 6 December 2014 .
  5. Electoral Commission Registration record - The Fishing Party (Ref PP292). Accessed 16 May 2015
  6. News: Fishing Party to fight on fringes at polls . . 4 March 2003 . 6 December 2014 .
  7. News: Smaller parties bang drum for fishing, hospitals and more people power . Russell. Ben. . 22 April 2003 . 20 June 2020 .
  8. News: SNP enmeshed in row over fishing leader's role . . Glasgow . 12 March 2003 . 20 June 2020 .
  9. News: Fishing party aims to net two Holyrood seats . . Glasgow . 4 March 2003 . 6 December 2014 .
  10. News: Fishing Party's plea to veteran . . Glasgow . 3 March 2003 . 6 December 2014 .
  11. Web site: Scottish Parliament election region North East Scotland . . . 6 December 2014 .