Social Progress Party
Politics to serve all of society, not just the wealthy and powerful.
SPP Core Principles
Through our voting in national and local elections we delegate our decisions on how our society functions to politicians and political parties, they make up our government, our Parliament and our local councils.
It should not be too much to ask that we understand what we are choosing when we place our vote for the people and parties that will represent us in matters such as: international negotiations; creating, amending and enforcing our laws; shaping our society and future; deploying our armed forces; confidential matters of national security; and spending our money.
In order to cast their votes confidently, the electorate needs to be given clarity on the principles upon which their delegated decisions will be based.
Unfortunately, these cannot be understood through a narrow list of unaccountable manifesto promises, many of which are subsequently forgotten or diluted, or may be overcome by unexpected events. The sheer breadth and detail of topics that Parliament has to deal with precludes any party from being able to publish specific policies for every eventuality.
The SPP therefore proposes that by law all political parties must publish their ‘Core Principles’ for voters to review and understand, and that their subsequent policies and behaviour must meaningfully reflect these principles, so that voters can reliably understand how the party and its representatives will most likely behave if elected.
The 18 principles below should give you a clear view of what the SPP believes in, and how we would be likely to behave if we were in a position to propose or influence legislation.
Founding Principle
"Positive social progress should be the overriding aim of the UK Government, measured over time through improvements in social cohesion, mobility and equality, and national environmental, educational, health and happiness indicators as well as reductions in absolute poverty, discrimination and crime."
Taxation
"Taxation should be fairly assessed and proportionally applied, with the biggest financial beneficiaries of the UK’s economy, protections and infrastructure required to contribute most to supporting its maintenance and development."
Environment
"Minimising, and if possible reducing, the impact of the UK economy and society on the global and national natural environment and climate should be considered a priority in all policy discussions. The reinstatement or utilisation of natural features to reduce the impact of historic development and pollution should be the initial solution considered in any such schemes."
State Obligations
"Reasonable levels of Education, Healthcare, Childcare and Eldercare Provision should be funded by the state on a consistent and reliable basis."
Prioritising the Future
"Future contributing members of a society are as important as its current contributing members, and this should be reflected in policy and spending decisions."
Transparency
"Political debate and government should be based, where possible, on constructive, meaningful discussion, verifiable facts and transparency; the electorate has a right to the information it needs to make informed decisions when voting, presented in a clear and unbiased format."
Incrementality
"Incremental progressive change is better than maintaining an unsatisfying status quo simply because significant change is prohibited by legacy, financial, political or legal challenges, nor should tangible current improvement be abandoned in the pursuit of theoretical future perfection – not least because there is no possibility of “perfection” when it comes to progress and society."
The Economy
"A strong economy with businesses unencumbered by excessive regulation is hugely important, but this must be balanced by the environmental and social needs of the UK; where these are mutually exclusive, the priority should be (i) the environment, (ii) society and (iii) the economy."
International Cooperation
"International relationships that allow UK interests to be promoted and protected should be based on co-operation, negotiation and integrity; the UK should be engaged in and contribute to international organisations that shape and deliver global security and regulation.
Aid and assistance should be made available to victims of international humanitarian crises."
Support for the Disadvantaged
"The most disadvantaged in society should be given the most support to overcome their challenges; government intervention in this should be targeted directly at individuals where possible, not devolved to or filtered through religions, charities, action groups or businesses."
Businesses
"Businesses must not treat their workers or customers unfairly or unreasonably, or allow such treatment of workers in their supply chain.
Employees have a corresponding obligation to comply with all reasonable contractual terms of their employment."
Nationalisation
"Services that are essential to the security, maintenance and delivery of national infrastructure should not be privately owned."
Social Rights
"Individuals have a right to behave, worship and pursue relationships as they see fit, provided that this remains within the confines of the law and that such behaviour does not tangibly or materially injure, impede or limit the rights of others or the environment."
Housing
"Where desired by the recipient(s), any individual or family unable to secure safe and appropriate housing should be provided with access to it by the state."
Public Consultation
"Community and stakeholder sentiment and impact must be understood and meaningfully considered by national or local government or regulators when making decisions that have a major impact on local infrastructure, institutions, planning and/or access to services; the consultation process should outline all the factors considered and how and why they will be impacted by any likely decision."
Individual Rights
"The rights to life, religion, democratic involvement & process, justice, protection from crime and discrimination, speech and meaningful protest shall always be protected."
International Conflict
"The deployment of armed forces or military weapons on foreign soil should be seen as a last resort, and must only be with the consent of Parliament, to be given based on the best possible knowledge of the circumstances, planned outcomes, remedial actions to be taken, and any related risks (such briefing to be given confidentially if appropriate)."
Animals
"The rights of animals to fair and appropriate treatment should be protected by law, whether they be domestic pets, farm animals or wild creatures, and whether at sea, on land, or in the air."