The Socialist Workers
Sir: I would like to thank Peter Paterson for his informative article on the Socialist Workers Party (20 August). He was as unbiased as any avid capitalist writing about a revolutionary socialist group could be. However, Mr Paterson became so obsessed with labelling the SWP as a fanatical bunch of revolutionary extremists that he failed to mention that the SWP are socialists.
This was a very grave error by Mr Paterson because it explains the reasons for the various SWP campaigns, but, more important, it correctly answers the question, 'Who are the Socialist Workers?' which he failed to do.
A true socialist is one who strives for a socialist society where all men are equal in status and where all the wealth created by the society is fed straight back into it for the benefit of all the people. A socialist also believes in democracy in its true definition of 'rule by the people'. The National Front are Nazis and totally undemocratic. When the British troops fought against such people in the early 1940s they were acclaimed as heroes, but when the SWP do the same thing in 1977 they are called a bunch of fanatical thugs.
The SWP creed is not one of violence (as is that of the NF), but it is a creed of direct action to combat all social injustice. The fact that the NF exist is a social injustice as is all racial and sexual discrimination, as is police victimisation, as is capitalist exploitation of the working classes, and who campaigns actively and tirelessly against all these? Not the Labour Party because they are not true socialists and certainly not the Tories or Liberals — no, it's the Socialist Workers Party who, despite slander and abuse from all sides, strive to help the workers of this country fight for democracy and socialism.
Paul J. Grill 241 High Road, Southgate, London Ni I
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