The plea that immigration controls should be imposed and certain the foreigners are to be excluded should have no place in a workers movement that is calling upon the exploited of all the world to unite for their emancipation. Policies advocated by those who call themselves ‘socialists’ for the exclusion of other suffering wage-slaves is more consistent with the attitudes of the callous capitalist class rather than of the movement whose proud boast it is that it stands uncompromisingly for the oppressed and down-trodden of all the world. It is even more pertinent in the centenary year of when other supposed socialists abandoned the workers internationalism and embraced national chauvinism. Indeed, one group under HM Hyndman to demonstrate their patriotic ardour went as far as to set up a National ‘Socialist’ Party.
Immigrants have just as good a right to enter this country as British workers have in exiting it. The Socialist Party will not sacrifice principle and jeopardise our goal for some immediate advantage. We will not turn our backs upon fellow workers lured here by the glimmer of hope that their burdens may be lightened by the promise of some improvement in conditions. Barring entry to the very people in need of relief acts against the cardinal principle of the socialist movement - solidarity. If revolutionary socialism does not stand unflinchingly and uncompromisingly for the working class and for the exploited and oppressed of all lands, then it stands for none and its claim is a false pretense.
If we risk losing support because we refuse to call for the border gates be closed in the faces of our own brothers and sisters, we will be none the weaker for spurning such cowardly tactics to acquire false friends. All the votes gained would do us little good if our party ceases to be a revolutionary party, yielding to public opinion to modify our principles for the sake of popularity and membership numbers.
The Socialist Party recognises no worker as an outsider because of nationality, race, creed or sex. It is first and last the party of the workers. It matters nought where wage-slaves come from. The Socialist Party was founded to support them to the best of our ability and influence. In good and bad times, in victory and defeat, we have stood by our fellow workers. In the class war and the battles of the workers, wherever and however fought, they are always and everywhere the battles of the Socialist Party.
To re-iterate, the Socialist Party is the party of all workers, regardless of place of birth. We stand resolutely for world socialism and if this is too encompassing for some - so be it. We shall leave them to their various national ‘socialisms’.
Immigrants have just as good a right to enter this country as British workers have in exiting it. The Socialist Party will not sacrifice principle and jeopardise our goal for some immediate advantage. We will not turn our backs upon fellow workers lured here by the glimmer of hope that their burdens may be lightened by the promise of some improvement in conditions. Barring entry to the very people in need of relief acts against the cardinal principle of the socialist movement - solidarity. If revolutionary socialism does not stand unflinchingly and uncompromisingly for the working class and for the exploited and oppressed of all lands, then it stands for none and its claim is a false pretense.
If we risk losing support because we refuse to call for the border gates be closed in the faces of our own brothers and sisters, we will be none the weaker for spurning such cowardly tactics to acquire false friends. All the votes gained would do us little good if our party ceases to be a revolutionary party, yielding to public opinion to modify our principles for the sake of popularity and membership numbers.
The Socialist Party recognises no worker as an outsider because of nationality, race, creed or sex. It is first and last the party of the workers. It matters nought where wage-slaves come from. The Socialist Party was founded to support them to the best of our ability and influence. In good and bad times, in victory and defeat, we have stood by our fellow workers. In the class war and the battles of the workers, wherever and however fought, they are always and everywhere the battles of the Socialist Party.
To re-iterate, the Socialist Party is the party of all workers, regardless of place of birth. We stand resolutely for world socialism and if this is too encompassing for some - so be it. We shall leave them to their various national ‘socialisms’.
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