Scottish parliament: SSP has six seats

The Scottish Socialist Party has chosen Colin Fox as its new convenor.

Following a vote at the party's annual conference, Fox took 252 votes compared with 154 for challenger Alan McCombes.

The new convener will take on the challenges of uniting the party and continuing the electoral progress made under previous leader Tommy Sheridan.

Fox, the Lothians MSP, said he would seek to regain the confidence of the 130,000 people who voted for the party in 2003.

"There is a huge reservoir of support out there and we intend to tap into that," he said.

With a Westminster election approaching, the SSP will be pleased that its leadership issue has been resolved by a clear margin.

While its strong showing in the last Holyrood elections is not expected to translate into any Westminster seats, the party will still be looking for a strong showing.

Fox said he would "refocus" the party on its key issues, such as pushing for an independent socialist Scotland.

Sheridan, who stepped down as SSP chief last autumn for personal reasons, welcomed the outcome.