We Said It Then, We Say It Now (12)

The leaflet is a call for a vote to show support or otherwise for the ideas of socialism. We want to make it clear that we are not seeking to 'represent' anyone and are not promising to do anything for anybody. We are not would-be leaders, just names, a legal requirement for standing in an election, for people to put an X against if they want a classless, stateless, moneyless world of common ownership and democratic control. At most, in the unlikely event of us being elected, we'd just be the mandated delegates, the office message-boys(and girls), of those who elected us, who would be convinced of the need to replace capitalism with socialism and would have instructed us to speak up for this. A Socialist Party (GB) candidate for election a member has to subscribe to our Party rule "Candidates elected to a Political office shall be pledged to act on the instructions of their Branches locally, and by the Executive Committee nationally". We would therefore expect a candidate who reneges on this rule to lose the support of the constituency who then may well take whatever effective measures they deem fit to express their disapproval and to demonstrate his illegitimacy to continue as their MP.

 Socialists are working for a different and better world

This is a message to those who are fed up –

• Fed up with the failures of this dreary system

• Fed up with leaders and the false promises of career politicians

• Fed up with poor hospitals, poor schools, poor housing and an unhealthy environment

• Fed up with having to live on a wage that struggles to pay the endless bills

• Fed up with serving the profit system and seeing poverty amidst luxury

What happens in any local council depends mainly on what happens in the country and even in the world. That is why socialists are working for a different world. But it can't happen unless you join us. The job of making a better world must be the work of all of us.

The world we want is a one where we all work together. We can all do this. Co-operation is in our own interests and this is how a socialist community would be organised – through democracy and through working with each other.

To co-operate we need democratic control not only in our own area but by people everywhere. This means that all places of industry and manufacture, all the land, transport, the shops and means of distribution, should be owned in common by the whole community. With common ownership we would not produce goods for profit. The profit system exploits us. Without it we could easily produce enough quality things for everyone. We could all enjoy free access to what we need without the barriers of buying and selling.

Most politicians blame our problems on lack of money, but this is not true. Money doesn't build hospitals, schools, decent housing and a healthy environment. The things that make a good community can only be created by the work of the people. We have an abundance of skills and energy. If we were free from having to work for the profits of employers we would be able to work for the needs of everyone.

The profit system is oppressive; it dominates our lives. It plagues us with bills. The rent and mortgage payments, the food bills, the rates, gas, electricity, water and telephone bills. Money is used to screw us for the profits of business. If we don't pay, we don't get the goods. Without the capitalist system, a socialist community would easily provide for all of its members..

The challenge now is to build a world-wide movement whose job will be to break with the failures of the past. It won't be for power or money or careers. It will work for the things that matter to people everywhere – peace, material security and the enjoyment of life through cooperation.

This is the challenge that could link all people in a common cause without distinction of nationality, race or culture. 

We in the Socialist Party reject the view that things will always stay the same. We can change the world. Nothing could stop a majority of socialists building a new society run for the benefit of everyone. We all have the ability to work together in each other's interests. All it takes is the right ideas and a willingness to make it happen.

If you agree with this you can show it by voting for our candidates....

2010 Local election leaflet