Kevin Gore came to public notice with his songs supporting independence during the Independence Referendum.
Well used to public performance he now feels ready for Holyrood, but his political journey really started during his student days. He became the vice president of the University of Edinburgh’s student association when he organised protests against Tory education cuts. He graduated from Moray House/Edinburgh University with a professional qualification in Community Education.
We met him after a day at work with a social welfare agency which focuses on helping those living in the south west of the city.
He is determined to create a better fairer and more equal society with emphasis on social justice and equality. He lives in Leith and has three children.
He told us: “I am the first list candidate for Solidarity. I was very much involved in the Yes campaign for independence. I am a musician and my independence songs that I wrote got quite a lot of airplay. When I met Tommy Sheridan during some of the demos at that time, it reminded me of the old Labour party and the socialist values I liked when I was growing up.
#SP16 Kevin Gore Solidarity candidate Lothian from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.
“I am a community worker in Wester Hailes. That was another reason for getting into politics. For the last 25 years I have seen the causes and effect of poverty in the peripheral housing estates around Edinburgh. I have done a lot of work to find ideas and initiatives to relieve poverty in these areas.
“I get very frustrated and maybe this is a way to become a fire prevention officer rather than a firefighter.
“I have directed people to food banks for quite a long time now, when the Labour Party was in power as well not just the Tories.
“First and foremost Solidarity wants independence just as soon as possible – and we are looking at 2018. Some of the people we represent cannot wait any longer than that.
“We feel that to say that it needs a trigger for independence is not quite the situation that we have now. We are not sure what other triggers we need particularly with 56 SNP MPs at Westminster
“I think that to get back to a true socialist Scotland independence is the way forward. After we get independence then I think that socialism will again rise in Scotland. Whether it is Solidarity or another socialist party that will be the main party in the Scottish Parliament.”
Kevin has a Facebook page for his campaign here.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
