Whoever wins the election workers will lose

Are you angry and frustrated with the usual kind of politics? But, nevertheless, still committed to a fundamental change to society. We have to confess, there does exist a certain amount of skepticism about voting but the Socialist Party runs candidates in elections as it is a time when people are more open to thinking about politics. For socialists, standing for parliament represents an opportunity to put forward the key elements of socialist principles.

The expansion of voting rights is one of the recurring themes of history. Many people understand the limitations of ‘democracy’. They see pro-capitalist parties imposing austerity upon the people and giving generous breaks to the plutocracy. Everyday people think the world is overdue for change. For those sickened by the whole affair, there is good news: there are candidates worth voting for, even if in just a handful of constituencies. The Socialist Party is the only party in this election which stands resolutely against the present economic system and for the overthrow of wage-slavery. The Socialist Party’s campaign is to show that the system doesn’t work and that the world capitalist system is rotten to the core and must be replaced before it’s too late for society. We say everything depends on the building a genuinely socialist party of the working class.

There’s barely a difference between the Labour Party and the Conservatives. Not surprising, given that both aim for the same thing: to manage the capitalist economy. Both are in the pockets of big business and the corporations. Both have zero to offer the working class. Neither party has the determination to genuinely address climate change. The jockeying between the two parties over who can be rougher on benefit claimants and tougher on immigration is a despicable. Regardless of which party gains government the majority of people in this country, the working class, will be worse off. Whoever wins will continue to oversee measures that will profit a tiny minority of rich, the capitalist class. Whoever wins will continue to promote the decline of the real wages of workers. Whoever wins will continue to subsidise wasteful environmentally and climatically destructive methods of production that ultimately threaten our very existence. Whoever wins will continue to exercise xenophobic immigration rules. Whoever wins will continue to protect the socially, economically and environmentally unsustainable system of capitalism, a system driven by consumerism rather than social need that enslaves the majority of the world’s population

The Socialist Party is committed to both democracy and socialism. In fact, the path to socialism has largely been one of winning battles for democracy. Socialism will widen participation and public engagement beyond even democracy’s best practices today. We have no illusions about capitalism; we will need to move beyond it and replace it. Basic change never comes from elections alone, but it almost always proceeds through electoral battles. We are not simply looking to redistribute wealth. We want to take down the structures of class.

One of the greatest obstacles to winning working people to the perspective of a socialist revolution is the widespread and deeply ingrained illusion — inculcated in their minds day-in and day-out— that through reforms passed in parliament, people can defend and advance their interests. On the contrary, parliament is an instrument of capitalist rule.  Socialism can only realistically be implemented with the wide public support of an awakened working class. The chief objective of the Socialist Party at the moment is educational, to enlighten the workers for the conquest of political power and to arouse working people to a realisation of the historic role they are called upon to play, namely, their self-emancipation from the yoke of capitalist exploitation.

The Socialist Party practices transparency. Not only members but non-members are welcome to attend all meetings of our administrative bodies, and we openly publish regular reports of discussions and our finances. Those granted with special responsibilities are all elected. If you feel these views are in tune with your own, we strongly urge you to make contact. The more politically conscious workers are becoming increasing aware that politics is not about choosing the lesser of two evils at the ballot box: it’s a year-round class battle in our workplaces and in our communities. Voting for a lesser evil does not bring relief to working people. There is a better way of doing things, and it is called socialism. To achieve this, we must convince the majority that socialism is not only preferable, it is possible.  A society based on satisfying human need is totally realistic.

The anarchist slogan “Don’t vote, it only encourages them” must now be replaced by the not-so-cynical slogan “Not voting only reinforces them” when there is a genuine socialist candidate in the race, for a change.

The Socialist Candidates 
Steve Colborn - Easington;

Robert Cox – Canterbury;

Mike Foster - Oxford West and Abingdon;

Brian Johnson - Swansea West;

Danny Lambert - Vauxhall;

Bill Martin - Islington North;

Kevin Parkin - Oxford East;

Howard Pilott - Brighton Pavilion;

Jacqueline Shodeke - Brighton Kemptown:

Andy Thomas - Folkestone and Hythe.

If there is no Socialist Party candidate in your constituency, that doesn't stop you helping us via the internet and social media.