WHAT DOES THE LABOUR PARTY BELIEVE IN ?

The Labour party's fundamental belief is that self-interest and the common good can work together. This is illustrated by our belief in the following principles:

1) SOCIAL JUSTICE: 

The interests of the many are served, not just those of the rich and powerful. To struggle against poverty and inequality and to show compassion. 

2) SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:

This is a two-way responsibility which stresses society's responsibility to the individual as well as the individual's responsibility to society.

a) Society has responsibilities to the citizen to ensure that certain fundamental provisions are provided eg. National Minimum Wage, Healthcare provision based on need rather than ability to pay, High quality education for all, not the privileged few.

b) The citizen has responsibilities to his/her fellow citizens eg. show respect and tolerance to each other, not to pursue anti-social behaviour.

3) EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY:

We aim to create a society based on meritocracy, whereby citizens are able to meet their full potential based on their talents. They are not denied opportunity because of their race, creed, religion, social background.

4) SOLIDARITY & COMMUNITY:

We are committed to creating a social culture whereby citizens are aware of the importance of their mutual obligations.           

Perhaps our beliefs are best summed up by the following extract from our party constitution:

"The Labour Party is a democratic socialist party. It believes that by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone, so as to create for each of us the means to realise our true potential and for all of us a community in which power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many, not the few, where the rights we enjoy reflect the duties we owe, and where we live together, freely, and in a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect.”