The Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party (SSCUP) were formed in February 2003, in time to contest that year's elections to the Scottish Parliament. The leading figure in their formation was John Swinburne, previously a director of Motherwell Football Club. He is currently the party's leader. Swinburne was inspired to form the party after reading the UK Government's plans for pensions in December 2002 and he felt that it was unfair that people may have to work longer in the future and consequently have less time to enjoy their retirement.

Co-incidentally, on the same day the SSCUP was launched, a Scottish Pensioners' Party was formed in Fife. The SSCUP made an electoral pact with this party for the Scottish Parliamentary elections.

Former Scottish international footballers Billy McNeill, who played for Celtic and Eric Caldow, who had played for Rangers both stood for the party in the 2003 Scottish Parliamentary elections.

John Swinburne is the SSCUP's sole representative in the Scottish Parliament, representing Central Scotland.

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