If You Don't Run They Can't Chase You

It would be easy to despair at the state of the world today. But we must not. Indeed, we cannot. In this book Neil Findlay brings together first-hand testimony from people who have played crucial roles in social justice campaigns. Their stories are personal, political and unforgettable. They say a lot about dignity, integrity, courage and humanity. We can apply what we learn from them to build a sustainable and fair society for generations to come. Activists, social justice campaigners, trade unionists and environmentalists will find this collection inspirational, emotional and educational. And they will understand why it is titled If You Don't Run, They Can't Chase You. With contributions from 'Andrea', Margaret Aspinall, Alex Bennett, Brian Filling, Maria Fyfe, Elaine Holmes, Mark Lyon, Alistair Mackie, Olive McIlroy, Tony Nelson, Paul Quigley, Terry Renshaw, Dennis Skinner, Dave Smith, Jim Swan, Louise Taggart and Yvette Williams. We must examine the campaigns and struggles people have gone through, listen to their stories, study their actions and in turn look at the world now, and apply what we have learnt.

Neil Findlay left school at 16 and worked as an apprentice and tradesman bricklayer along with his father. Whilst working he attended evening classes at college before going to university. After graduating he worked as a housing officer and school teacher. He was politicised by the Miner's strike and the poll tax and joined the Labour party at 18. In 2003 he was elected onto West Lothian Council and from 2011 - 2021 he was an MSP in the Scottish Parliament. He is a campaigner, a socialist and a trade unionist. He lives in the mining community of Fauldhouse in West Lothian and is married to Fiona, they have one daughter, Chloe.