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This document was adopted at the first-F.-‘.'_

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National Party Confetence of PEOPLE

held in Coventry, 8th/ 9th June, I974’

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CONTENTS A MANIFEST

INTRODUCTION — A Manifesto for SurvivalA View of a Stable Society

CON ST IT UT ION

POPULATION

ECONOMY

EMPLOYMENT

RESOURCES1. Energy and Fuel I2. Agriculture and the Environment

TRANSPORT '

SOCIAL WELFARE

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

EDUCATION ' DEFENCE

HOUSING

FOREIGN POLICY

THIRD WORLD

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FOR SURVIVALConventional wisdom is increasingly perplexed by the mounting problemsof our society: viciously accelerating inflation, pollution,overcrowding ,and the many manifestations of worsening social breakdown. PEOPLEbelieves that these are only the symptoms of a sick society,.-and that thereal problems arise from the careless way in which we have let the obses-sive quest for material things dominate the process of industrialisation.Whilst most of the world has too few materialijicomforts, the over-developedWestern World has perfected themeans of mass producing material goodsto a point that not only exceeds the real requirements of Man, but whichexploits the planet Earth in a way that cannot continue. In achieving oursophisticated industrial technology we have brought about a gradual disin-tegration of society,by overloading the social system with too many people,by increasing mobility which hampers proper socialization, and by reducingthe power of public opinion necessary for society's capacity for self-regulation. The attempted cures only hasten this process: more politicians,more bureaucrats, more laws, more tribunals and so on.

Our ambitions could literally cost the Earth. To pursue them furtherwould lead to total social disintegration, famine, warfare over dwindlingraw materials and the slow poisoning of the natural world on which our survivalultimately depends, when these things will happen is open to argument. Thatthey must happen is not indoubt, unless civilization changes course in time.PEOPLE believes therefore thata stable, ecologically sound way of life willeventually develop whether we like it or not, but that the risks of allowingit to do so ‘naturally’ are unacceptable—and avoidable,

PEOPLE accepts the growing body of scientific evidence that the twinevils are economic growth and continued increase in population, and intendsto work towards a transition from a growth—orientated society to one whoseguiding principles are minimum disruption of ecological processes; maxi-mum conservation of materials and energy; a population in which recruit-ment equals loss; and a social system in which the individual can enjoy,rather than feel restricted by the first three conditions. This will, however,be an immense task, and whilst PEOPLE is quite clear on the new direction

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we must take, many features of a stable society are as yet indistinct. It isinappropriate therefore to try to offer immediately a comprehenslve set ofproposals. At this stage we have dealt with the more fundamental andurgent aspects on which policy changes are needed,

A View of a Stable SocietyIn order to visualise the impact of our policies, it is necessary to outline,so far as is possible at this stage, a picture of life in a society not centredon economic growth, There is no such place as Utopia, and never will be,The world will not become problem —free, just different. Most of our ideasare the opposite of the rat-race view of things. For instance, the idea ofeveryone being expected to work full -time for a living will have to go; asthe three day week foreshadows, for the next few years there just are notlikely to be enough jobs to go round. Odd as it may seem at first,anyonewho is content with bare subsistence needs and who does not wish to competefor employment is to be commended, not condemned. On the other hand,those with ambition must fulfil it without making demands on our preciousresources. This is the new limiting factor on our prosperity, not willingnessto work harder. -

We shall aim at a society in which basic needs are met, but sheer luxurieswill become harder to obtain. Satisfactions will have to be found in waysother than from material possessions. Precisely what these ways are will beup to the individual. There will be more leisure time for household im-provements, for sport, or whatever gives the individual the greatest sense ofsatisfaction and self -respect.

Large-scale business enterprises will not find a steady-state economycongenial, excellently fitted as they are to the exploitation of a bygonesituation of cheap and abundant resources. On the other hand,Trade Unionswill come to be seen as fighting the wrong battles. Their main impetusnow‘ derives from the growth economy in two ways: from the unrealisticexpectations which it engenders, and the sheer fear of inflation whose rootcause is increasing pressure on scarce resources, There will be considerablescope for initiative and enterprise, but for the ‘little’ man--the painter anddecorator, the cobbler, the small shopkeeper, and the rag and bone man,who will be-come the front line in the recycling industries on which muchfuture prosperity will depend.

Although employment prospects will temporarily be reduced, it is possibleL -‘I :

to re--organise firiancial incentives in such a way that what work is availablewill be shared, not fought over. Unemployment as we understand it neednot exist at all. Some congenial, useful jobs will be created,but mindless

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factory drudgery will no longer be necessary, After the first few years itwill be expected that everyone should again serve the community in someway, but not necessarily full time, so that economic security still cannot betied to it. However, extravagance or misuse of resources will belfcfiome a muchmore serious matter than it is in the ‘throw away‘ society. t as

Many services will tend to become communal, e.g,buses and launder-ettes instead of private cars and washing machines, although for those whoprefer it, there will be long-life goods bought on terms more akin to amortgage than to a hire purchase agreement,

Pollution and traffic congestion will be reduced, and inflation checkedsimply because people will stop expecting the moon. We should also dis-courage further growth of big towns and cities, which breed anonymity, andpromote a return to smaller communities as far as possible, Science andtechnology will however have an important part to play in the transition toecological methods, 51,

As long as there were the resources to fuel a growth economy,it wasundoubtedly able to raise absolute material standards. It follows thereforethat there will have to be a degree of redistribution if a stable society isnot to create hardship for some sections of the community,

Not only is this picture not complete, but it is not the only possiblescenario. PEOPLE does not claim to know all the answers,merely to belooking for them in a new direction, and it is in this context that thefollowing proposals must be read,

CONSTITUTIONThe British Constitution, unwritten as it is, is designed for operation bystatesmen and reformers, not by career politicians. It functions best whenthe p1'1l'1'l€ rnterest of those using it is not personal ambition but mattersof national concern,

The two-party system, an historical accident,has become enshrined asif it had been handed down from the mountain to Moses, Recent develop-ments have demonstrated the difficulties to which rigid adherence to thissystem leads, In a world as complex as that in which we live it becomesfoolish to take as firm a stand on so many issues as the major parties seem

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we must take, many features of a stable society are as yet indistinct. It isinappropriate therefore to try to offer immediately a comprehensive set ofproposals. At this stage we have dealt with the more fundamental andurgent aspects on which policy changes are needed,

A View of a Stable SocietyIn order to visualise the impact of our policies, it is necessary to outline,so far as is possible at this stage, a picture of life in a society not centredon economic growth, There is no such place as Utopia, and never will be,The world will not become problem -free, just different. Most of our ideasare the opposite of the rat-race view of things. For instance, the idea ofeveryone being expected to work full -time for a living will have to go; asthe three day week foreshadows, for the next few years there just are notlikely to be enough jobs to go round. Odd as it may seem at first,anyonewho is content with bare subsistence needs and who does not wish to competefor employment is to be commended, not condemned, On the other hand,those with ambition must fulfil it without making demands on our preciousresources. This is the new limiting factor on our prosperity, not willingnessto work harder. -

We shall aim at a society in which basic needs are met, but sheer luxurieswill become harder to obtain. Satisfactions will have to be found in waysother than from 1'l'13.lI€IlEl.l possessions. Precisely what these ways are will beup to the individual, There will be more leisure time for household im-provements, for sport, or whatever gives the individual the greatest sense ofsatisfaction and self -respect.

Large-scale business enterprises will not find a steady-state economycongenial, excellently fitted as they are to the exploitation of a bygonesituation of cheap and abundant resources. On the other hand,Trade Unionswill come to be seen as fighting the wrong battles. Their main impetusnow‘ derives from the growth economy in two ways: from the unrealisticexpectations which it engenders, and the sheer fear of inflation whose rootcause is increasing pressure on scarce resources, There will be considerablescope for initiative and enterprise, but for the ‘little’ man--the painter anddecorator, the cobbler, the small shopkeeper, and the rag and bone man,who will be-come the front line in the recycling industries on which muchfuture prosperity will depend.

Although employment prospects will temporarily be reduced, it is possibleL -‘I :

to re--organise firlancial incentives in such a way that what work is availablewill be shared, not fought over. Unemployment as we understand it neednot exist at all. Some congenial, useful jobs will be created,but mindless

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factory drudgery will no longer be necessary, After the first few years itwill be expected that everyone should again serve the community in someway, but not necessarily full time, so that economic security still cannot betied to it. However, extravagance or misuse of resources will beilclome a muchmore serious matter than it is in the ‘throw away‘ society. t we

Many services will tend to become communal, e.g,buses and launder-ettes instead of private cars and washing machines, although for those whoprefer it, there will be long-life goods bought on terms more akin to amortgage than to a hire purchase agreement,

Pollution and traffic congestion will be reduced, and inflation checkedsimply because people will stop expecting the moon. We should also dis-courage further growth of big towns and cities, which breed anonymity, andpromote a return to smaller communities as far as possible, Science andtechnology will however have an important part to play in the transition toecological methods, 51;

As long as there were the resources to fuel a growth economy,it wasundoubtedly able to raise absolute material standards. It follows thereforethat there will have to be a degree of redistribution if a stable society isnot to create hardship for some sections of the community,

Not only is this picture not complete, but it is not the only possiblescenario. PEOPLE does not claim to know all the answers,merely to belooking for them in a new direction, and it is in this context that thefollowing proposals must be read,

CONSTITUTIONThe British Constitution, unwritten as it is, is designed for operation bystatesmen and reformers, not by career politicians. It functions best whenthe prime interest of those using it is not personal ambition but mattersof national concern,

The two-party system, an historical accident,has become enshrined asif it had been handed down from the mountain to Moses, Recent develop-ments have demonstrated the difficulties to which rigid adherence to thissystem leads. In a world as complex as that in which we live it becomesfoolish to take as firm a stand on so many issues as the major parties seem

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to feel necessary to maintain a clear distinction between them. This dis-tinction is in fact artificially created over a large number of issues sinceit is acknowledged that the broad legislative programmes initiated in recentyears contain many uncontroversial and unexceptionable items which canonly be of benefit and would be otherwise approved by the OppositionParties. However, their very status as ‘Opposition’ leads to resistance inprinciple and the sterile situation the country now faces is perpetuated.The system of Parliamentary ‘Whips’ is the root of this particular evil andthe result of it is in the number of about -turns witnessed in the policies ofthe major parties in the past decade.

PEOPLE would therefore propose no immediate reform of the Parliamen-tary system as such, merely a change of approach to the selection of aspir-ing operators of it, and a greater reliance on their judgement once elected,It is hoped that the party's central ethic is sufficiently strong to shape theviews of those who represent it so that no coercion will be necessary todirect their voting in a way acceptable to PEOPLE.

For example, the party's dedication to the reduction of unit size in acommercial and community context to a scale to which human beings canrelate without strain would evidence itself politically in an effort to ensurethe devolution of local government powers to much lower levels than atpresent. The 1974 local government reorganisation, planned on a ‘bigger:better’ basis was the complete antithesis of PEOPLE's policy in the matter,It would be the intention to function local government so far as practicableat a ‘market town‘ level, so that members of a community would haveready access to those wielding power over them, Some intermediate levelbetween truly local and national government is clearly necessary,and inthis connection a degree of regional autonomy will be implemented.

The current vast armies of bureaucrats employed on Civil Service andLocal Government work is in need of re-appraisal and true rationalisationto ensure job satisfaction for employees of the State no less than for em-ployees of private concerns. It is felt that while the stability offered by aCivil Service and Local Government structure which remains unchangedwhile governments of widely differing central purpose hold power alter-nately is to some extent desirable, the power which in fact resides in theCivil Servants and local Government Officials should be subject to Parlia-mentary review more easily than at present when its full extent is not evenknown. _ ,_ —Candidates i S 1. PEOPLE candidates should; have a

ye , . strong connection with the constituencythey represent, .

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Whips

MPs’ Salaries

' Register of Interests

, Ministries

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2. PEOPLE will operate no ParliamentaryWhips. All voting will be at the freechoice of the party's individual Membersof Parliament bearing in mind the viewsof their constituency, p3. PEOPLE will have careful regard tothe level of remuneration of Members ofParliament compared with that of theaverage wage earner, taking into con-sideration the responsibility of the posi-tion and the expenses incurred, PEOPLEconsiders that Members of Parliamentshould have no other employmentIconnec-tion, since throug-h increased contact withtheir Constituencies, Memberswill retaina better understanding of economic,social and associated problems,4. PEOPLE would institute a compulsoryregister of the interests of Members ofParliament in commercial concerns andany sponsorship or similar financial back-ing that they receive. This would beavailable for public inspection,5. The Department of Health and SocialSecurity shall be retitled the DepartmentofCommunity Health and Welfare, T hereshall be created a Department of NationalIncome and Taxation to replace the In-land Revenue, Customs & Excise, SocialSecurity, National Insurance and Pensionsadministrations. The Department of theEnvironment shall encompass inter aliathe Alkali Inspectorate, the Water Boards,Electricity and Gas Boards, National CoalBoard, the present Ministry of Sport,sewerage authorities, Forestry Commis-sion, Ministry of Transport inspection de -partments and the Ministry of Agricultureand Fisheries,

A Department of Housing, PublicTransport and Fuel shall be created,

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POPULATION

. ' +-A stabilised and ultimately reduced population is essential.

PEOPLE's policies for Great Britain stem from two problems easilyillustrated, Firstly, the current density of population in this country is suchthat if it were possible to herd the entire population of the world into theNorthAmericanContinent, the number of people per acre would equal thatin Britain now, Secondly, despite the fact that the British birth rate has beendeclining since 1964 the latest offieial projections still expect a populationincrease of 6 million on top of our present 56 million by the year 2000.The rapid decline of the birth rate since 1972 is probably the result ofbirths being postponed rather than the desire for smaller family size. Evenif the family size were to drop to a replacement level of 2.1 the inherentage structure of the present population would lead to a further increase inour number of at least 5 million. With such an increase the people ofBritain will continue to face such problems as those of sewage and refusedisposal, of producing and transporting food supplies and of providing shelter.

_ The sustainable level of population for Great Britain is approximately80 million, This is the number which it is generally accepted can be fed atan adequate level without the necessity for food imports. Even if that is toolow a figure, and a substantial increase to say 45 million is allowed,by theyear 2000 it still means the population will be far too large unless drasticsteps are taken immediately.

Education 1. PEOPLE will promote the ideal familysize as one or a maximum of two child-ren. A re—education campaign to changethe emphasis on child —bearing from thepresent position whether the positive deci-sion for a woman to make is not to havea child, to a position where the positivedecision to be made is tohave a child,Sex education classes in schools are anobvious starting point, A

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COflt|'aCepli()|1 ‘ 2.. There will be freely available contra-ception and sterilisation and advice at nocharge." Oral contraceptives and certaincontraceptive devices would remain un-der the control of the medical profession

Abortion Zutrrgould be available free. if‘prescribed,. eplace of abortion within the over-

~ all framework of a population policy willI ‘ be re -considered,

|mmIgf8tIOfl 4. In view of the population problem in‘I this country immigration control will be

strictly enforced, and subject to review_ _ v annually,

Em|Qr3tl0n 5. Emigration will be encouraged bygrants of amount to be fixed,to allthose leavirfg the country. There arecountries in the world where the popula-tion level is too low to permit labour-intensive agriculture of all suitable landand they may be pleased to offer to takeour surplus population. This possibilitywill need to be explored,

ECONOMYIt is perhapsin this most complex field that PEOPLE's approach differs mostLriarkedly from the present system. The_aim is a steady-state economy,

ased on stock rather than flow economics where wealth is assessed from

what we haw instead of how ill-1i¢l<ly we use it. This is essential both toconserve resources and cutdown pollution,

PEOPLE believes that 13116 111111161186 power held by international companiesoften enabling them to override governments, is contrary to the interests ofany nation. PEOPLE therefore emphasises the need for their dispersal intotheir component parts. The development of community—based industry andc 11- . . . . .0'0Wl1@I5 1p by employees will mitigate unemployment and mdustnalunrest,

- 8In order to finance the various schemes which are proposed, drastic cuts

in expenditure will be needed, Such projects as the third London airport atMaplin, the Channel Tunnel,Concorde and the road-building programmeswill almost certainly be halted, The labour forces from such works cantransfer to agriculture and capital works.

PEOPLE bases its economic programme on a return to fundamental prin-ciples. In accord with its policy of simplification, the aim is to reduce thenumber of taxes and the agencies dealing with them. As a result of thereduction of tax collection agencies the net revenue after administrationcosts may well be higher than at present.

Thecentral purposes of taxation are twofoldi one, to finance the State'sexpenditure, and two, to regulate the economy in whatever way is considereddesirable by the government. These have become confused. It is proposedtherefore to have for the first purpose, income tax and corporation tax. Forthe second purpose, Value Added Tax will be used, All other taxes will beprogressively abolished. The system of death duty taxes will be revised, toensure a levelling off of personal wealth, ' V

In order to achieve ecologically-—and therefore socially-—desirable ends,the rates of Value Added Tax will be adjusted, Thus for example,theperson or, organisation producing goods of a disposable rather than long-lifenature will find that his raw materials are purchased subject to a high rateof tax and that his selling price is also correspondingly higher. Eventuallyhis market will fall away. If the market continues, then the State will haveensured that the tax provided sufficient revenue to compensate the nationfor the undesirable thing, Similarly, a negative-Value Added Tax willapply to assist those firms or businesses providing socially desirable goodsor facilities, , A

Income tax will be ohanged in accordance withthe National IncomeScheme, The Ministry of National Income and Taxation will take over theadministration ofboth taxation collection and payment of National Income.

Repeal of FiscalLegislation nal Insurance Schemes and social security

and related benefits, income, corporationand other taxes will be repealed,

Capital PFOIBCIIS 2. The Maplin, Channel Tunnel, road-' building, nuclear-generating plant build -

, ing, Concorde and defence spending bud -gets shall all be reviewed and for themost part closed ,

1 . All current legislation creating N atio—'

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Scales of Taxation

Collection of Taxes

Computation of Income

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3. Income and Corporation Taxes, ValueAdded Tax and revised death duty taxeswill be implemented through the MinistryofNational Income and Taxation, Scalesof taxation rates shall be drawn up forIncome and Corporation Taxes whichencourage work and reward profits up toa level of income or profit to be agreedwhereafter the tax rate shall be 100%,

4, All tax collections and payment ofNational Income will be transferred to a

snew departrrient of the Civil Service withlocal offices. The Department of Healthand Social Security payments sectionwill be disbanded as will the IncomeTax ottices as presently constituted,

National Income Payment Orders forthose not employed will be issued by theDepartment of National Income andTaxation and will be cashable at Banksand Post Offices,

5. Employees, employers, the self-employed and corporations will provideaccounts or proof of income for the pur-poses of tax computation annually, TheP.A',Y.E. system will operate, Studentswill be deemed to be employed and theireducation authorities will provide theMinistry with higher rate payment autho-rities. Income from investments will beproved annually to the Ministry byrecipients.

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EMPLOYMENT

PEOPLE's aim is twofold, satisfying employment for those who work and asnear full employment as possible, A change to labour—intensive rather thancapital—intensive industry will lead eventually to full employment. In theshort term while the machinery of capital—intensive industry remains therewill be a surplus of labour. This once-and-for-all opportunity to employ amassive work force must not be missed, It is the last chance to clean up theinheritance of years of 'disposability‘ and industrialisation. The State willtake into employment any person who seeks work, in the ’-Task Force’. Theclearing of derelict canals, reclamation of mine and excavation spoil heaps,litter and debris clearance in towns all will improve the physical environ-ment in which so many people live, work and use their leisure. The capitalworks referred to in the ‘Energy’ section will require labour forces in theshort term,

In the long term since the Earth's resources do not permit of the produc-tion of throw—a.way' articles, more people will be required for maintenanceand service work,and a greater degree of craftsmanship will be called forin production methods, There must be a return to regarding work as a partof a full life instead of a wasteof time on five days a week which must beendured to pay for pleasures. I

The Trade Unions were formed to present management, or more accur-ately at the time, the owners, with an opposition strong enough to bargainfor basic human consideration in employment, Such considerations havenot yet been fully achieved and whilst PEOPLE believes that its policies inall fields provide for the continuing improvement of working conditions, itin no way challenges the right of any group of labour or management toorganise legally in support of, or in opposition to, the declared objectives ofthe employer.-'

PEOPLE believes that decentralised, labour-intensive industry is a pre-requisite for the creation of ecologically self sufficient communities, Multi-national firms a?’nd' multi-company organisations including unions mustnecessarily be restricted in their activities to provide instead for the stimu-

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lation of small-scale, community—based industrial concerns.

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Many men and women feel an urge,having spent twenty years in onetype of work, to change. It is proposed to make facilities for re —trainingand study later in life more readily available, The National Income schemewill make this easier. S

Labour-intensiveIndustry 1

1. Legislation will be introduced to im-pose taxes upon employers who employcapital rather than labour in their busi-

- nesses. It is appreciated that certain pro-cesses such as power generation are bynature capital-intensive, but manufactuning industry and the retail market will beparticularly affected, Subsidies will beavailable to those fulfilling their obliga-tions, of ap amount equal to the productof the tax; less only the administrationcosts of collection and distribution,

Trade Unions I 2. The Trade Union Movement will beapproached and asked to support and par-ticipate in these economic and socialchanges which will finally result in asociety which is both ecologically soundsocially and economically just, andpsychologically and philosophicallysound,

-I-aSS"|( FOI'Qe' 8, A Task Force will be set up by theState to take into employment all thosenot otherwise employed who wish to beemployed, Its purpose will be to dealwith cosmetic environmentalism,clearingderelict land, creating parks and leisureareas, making canals serviceable, ensur-ing that footpaths are clear, demolishingdisused factory buildings and unfit housing,and clearing and recycling the contentsof scrapyards and dumps,

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RESOURCESThere are three classes of raw materials: those such as food,trees, latexand cotton, which are biogenically renewable; those like most metals,which are in finite supply but can be re-used; and there are those such asuranium, coal, oil and refractory clays, that are destroyed in their use. It isobvious that special care must be taken in the use of resources which areirretrievable .

1. ENERGY AND FUEL If the world continues its profligate use of energy there will be an acutefuel shortage in the near future, The supply of fossil fuels is not infiniteand must not be regarded as such. For too long costs of production haveignored the price of air and water which are regarded as free. The costswill now include cleaning the air used, and cooling, cleaning and filteringof all water before returning it to source, I J p

The centralised supply of power has been the aim of planning for years,but this being completely contrary to PEOPLE's principles of self-sufficiencyand decentralisation the policy will be reversed as far as possible. PEOPLE'saim for energy supply is to make each building, by the use of many sourcesof power, as nearly self-sufficient as it can be. The technologies of solarenergy usage, wind and water generators, heat exchangers, geo-thermal heatextraction, hydro-electric and tidal barriers are all known and should beexplored as possible alternatives to present energy sources, Presently ac-cepted economic terms must be rejected in favour of conservation , recycling,and social and environmental considerations.

Electricity 1. PEOPLE will continue research into-I ‘ nuclear fusion reactors but will prevent

the building of any other type of nuclearreactor on safety grounds. PEOPLE willalso dismantle existing reactors, Windgenerators, solar energy and small scalehydro-electric tidal barrier schemes will

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be promoted. The Ministry of Fuel shallbe empowered to research,develop andconstruct such schemes, An overall policyofdecentralisation of power supplies andreduction of consumption will be adopted_.

NOI"|Zh S93 Oil and 2, The reserves of oil and gas in theA North Sea will be utilised by careful de-

w velopment and the rate of extraction shallbe as slow as possible: controlled, throughthe nationalisation of the oil industry ifnecessary. Environmental considerationswill be the deciding factor in choosingmethods of extraction, refining, storageand distribution. The breathing spaceoffered by -iyivirhis local power source willenable other aspects of policy to take

~ effect well before the supply is exhausted,

CQa| 3, Britain's considerable coal reservesmust be extracted and used with carefulregard to environmental considerationsand also thought of as an interim supplyonly,

Tafiffs 4. Tariffs for fuel will be adjusted sothat unit cost increases in direct propor-tion to the amount consumed. Considera-tion will be given for special rates in thecase of essential services.

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2 . AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENTOn the question of renewable resources,PEOPLE believes that agriculture isof primary importance, and that the survival of this country depends uponit, The agricultural policies that have in the past led to farmers concen-trating for economic reasons on methods of farming they know to be un-sound must be reversed and their effects corrected, Mono-cultural systemsonly work while artificial fertilisers and pesticides can be pumped intowhat ceases to be soil and becomes merely a root-holding medium. Sincethe agro-chemical industry is an immense energy consumer, and energy

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supplies are becoming increasingly limited, the fate of mono-culture andall intensive factory farming methods is clear. PEOPLE plans to encouragea transition to small farms which are run on ecological linesbearing inmind that more of the population could be supported if less plant proteinis fed to animals and more eaten directly by people. _

The line between us. and starvation is thin—-it is the topsoil out of whichtrue cultivation coaxes our food, Britain currently imports nearly half itsfood. with world population figures rising, and famine spreading, food willbecome more difficult to buy from other countries,‘ The pressure of our owngrowing population will increase, Intensive cultivation is desperately re-quired if we are to be self-sustaining in food, and the first requirement isgood soil to cultivate. One generation of artificial fertilisers and pesticideshas destroyed the fruit of a thousand years of farming. If we are to survive,it must be replaced,

Grants and Subsidies 1. PEOPLE ‘s first priority in government_; would be to change entirely the emphasisof farming subsidies and grants, True

icrop rotation will be a pre-condition andin the initial two years of the programmefarmers would be encouraged to under-take whatever measures might be neces-sary to restore their land to good hearteven if this might mean a temporary re-duction in productivity. Imports wouldneed to be increased to supply the defi-ciency, but it would need to be_rnade_;clear in a re-education programme for

_ the public that dietary requirements willchange in coming years as food suppliesgrow scarcer, S

I-3b0UT S 2. Every encouragement including finan-.Q cial assistance for those undertaking agri-

cultural retraining will be given to assistI farms in becoming labour-intensive, Tax

reforms will be introduced on some pesti-cides and mechanisation to make it moreeconomic to be labour-intensive.

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Farm Size

Land Use

Nationally ControlledLand

Pollution

Task Force

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3, Farm Unit size will be reduced byprogressive taxation at a rate increasingover a period of years, Units of say 200acres or more (larger in the case of hillfarms) farmed or managed by the sameperson will receive no grant or subsidiesand will be subject to tax at a rate in-creasing over 5 years.

4, The principal use for land must bea‘gricultural,Although no extensive Stateownership of land is advocated,strict con-trol of land use is essential (and in somecases State or Municipal ownership maybe advisable). No use will be permittedupon penalty of prohibitive fines and im-prisonment, which diminishes the qualityof the land, .

5, Forestry Commission and NationalTrust land shall be subject to strict con-trol, The use of Ministry of Defence landshould be reviewed, and the need for itconsidered,

6, The Alkali Inspectorate, Water BoardInspectorates, Factory Inspectorates andall other agencies concerned with theenvironment in which people live andwork shall have their staffs very substan-tially increased. Their reports shall beavailable for public inspection, Theyshall have power to prosecute offendersand new legislation will impose severefines increasing indefinitely in magnitudewith an option to spend on anti-pollutionmeasures. This legislation will be strictlyenforced.

'7 , Task Forces shall be available for theinitial ‘clean up‘ operation of the coun-tryside and towns.

Re-cycling I

Sewage Disposal

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tax incentive will be given to pro-duce long-life goods and to make them in. 'such a way that materials are easily re-claimed when they are scrapped, Refusecollection and disposal agencies will begiven grants so that the separation ofpaper, glass and other waste is achievedand metals are reclaimed. Disposal ofrefuse shall be carried out in such a waythat heat and other by-products are usable,

9, Legislation will be enacted to pro-hibit any industrial effluent being allowedinto the sewage system and an extensivecapital works programme will convertexisting sewage schemes. ~Methane gasproduction shall be undertaken and theend product after treatment will be soldto farmers at low cost.

TRANSPORTPresent transport systemsin Britain are for the most part dependent on con-tinned plentiful cheap energy. The effect of petrol scarcity has been seenin a minor way recently, but no major re-planning to minimise reliance

Public Transport

Roads

Vehicle Design

upon fossil fuels or the continued consumption of agricultural land for roads Se T t “has been undertaken, This must be done, The emphasis must move from »-road transport to rail, canal and sea transport; and from individual trafficto public transport,although in the long term a substantial reduction is fore-seen in personal mobility.

Railways, and CanalsF

1 . The annual budgets of British Rail andthe British Waterways Board will be in-creased by State grants to permit the pre-servation, renovation, possible extensionand improvement of present railway andcanal systems,

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2. PEOPLE will set up a Consultancy onTransport systems and will promote bymaking its expertise available and alsoby loans the development or extension ofpublic transport services at local levels,whether by privately owned business orlocal authorities.

3. The road building programmes curren-tly in hand will be carefully reviewed inthe light of the move from individualroad transport and curtailed as necessary.Very few new programmes will be und er-

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4, Emission and safety Regulations of amore stringent nature will be introducedand the penalties for contraventionagainst user and owner will be high.Manufacturers will be required to designvehicles in such a way that the metalsand other resources used in manufactureare reclaimable on scrapping.

5, In an effort to increase water-bornefreight transport, loans will be availableat low interest rates to towns with localdocks or wishing to create such docks,

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6. The Transport Consultancy will beempowered to develop and promote newtransport systems which are sociologicallyand environmentally desirable.

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SOCIAL VVELFARE

PEOPLE sees present-day society in Britain as schizophrenic,on the one handoffering a paternalistic system of welfare benefits which permits the indi-vidual to abrogate his responsibilities if he chooses,-and on the other handcriticising and despising those who take this opportunity, The Socialist andCapitalist views, irreconcilable as they are, both prevail, Benefits of somany sorts now exist that the inadequate, who need to receive most, cannotcope with the bewildering variety and sink further down the poverty scale,_Indeed the plethora of welfare organisations and financial assistance createsits own inadequates—the level of competence required to deal with beingpoor rises daily, The list of benefits is long: income tax reliefs, socialsecurity payments, pensions,unemployment pay, sickness benefit, familyincome supplement, disability pensions, family allowances, free milk, ratesrebates, rent rebates, mortgage option schemes, the national health serviceare all overlaid upon each other, and in consequence require large numbersof officials to administer them who are placed in a powerful position as aresult by reason of the discretion allowed in the award of benefits, It isproposed to sweep all these payments away,

National Income Rates

19 'Department of National Income andTaxation will set up local offices to ad-minister the distribution of National In-come payment orders. These will be re-deemable through Post Offices or Banks.

2, The scale of National Income bene-fits shall be fixed. Rate (a) shall applyto children under 5. Rate (b) shall applyto children between 5 and 14. Rate (c)shall apply to persons between the agesof 14 and 60 unless otherwise authorisedat Rate (d), and Rate (d) shall apply topersons over the age of 60, the disabled,members of the Task Force and others

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with higher-rate authorities. It is intendedthat Rate (c) shall be sufficient to meetbasic food requirements at current pricesand to provide for clothing replacementand heating. It shall also include a com-ponent fixed for each Housing Autho-rity area according to the average cost ofrenting accommodation in'that area, but

. - - fIn substitution there will be introduced the National Income scheme, Wflllld be Welghted Sllghtly 1“ favour 0administered by the Department of National Income and Taxation. The funda-mental principle underlying the scheme is that every person resident inBritain is entitled to a basic subsistence allowance,without any qualification,All persons earning income whether from assets invested or from their workwill be subject to tax, This is more fully discussed elsewhere, Childrenwill, according to age, receive less than the standard Nationallncome andit will be paid to the person having care and control of the child, Theretired will receive a higher rate of National Income payment, Studentswould, while satisfying the education authority requirementsbe in receiptof authorities for higher rate payments,

The National Health Service will be retained while its financing willalter somewhat, National Insurance Stamps will cease to exist,

Natiqnal Inqgme I 1, A Working Party will be set up to. consider the administration of the Natio-

I: A nal Income, but it is envisaged that a-I

Local Services I

less densely populated‘ areas so as to dis-courage further movement into conurba-tions. Rates (a) and (b) shall, after atransitional period, decrease according tofamily size. Tentatively suggested pro-portions are 95% where there is one olderdependent (i. e. person under 14) in thesame household ; 90% where there are two;and '7 5% where there are three or more.

3, The reduction of community size willbe encouraged by government grants tolocalAuthorities providing local help forthe disabled and disadvantaged and par-ticularly to assist in home care wherepossible.

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20SeIf- help Basis 4, Grants to Local Authorities will be

principally available for self-help organi-sations. Schemes promoting communitydevelopment and integration will beparticularly fostered, whilst institution-alisation within communities will be dis-couraged, "

LOCAL GOVERNMENTDecentralisation is the keynote of PEOPLE's policy. Its aim is to reducebuildings, communities, organisations and government to a scale compre-hensible to the human being,and to which he can comfortably relate,Accordingly, the 1974 reorganisation of Local Government will be repealedand a new system based on an optimum size of 20, 000 inhabitants will beintroduced, _

The present rating system works unfairly and PEOPLE is of the view thatthe members of a community should pay for the facilities which they prin-cipally if not solely enjoy, whilst such things as education which accruesfor the benefit of the State should be financed from income tax and paidfor by the National Exchequer,

It is not felt that bigger means better, nor that it is even more economic,PEOPLE's feelings are that the prime factor must be the well-being of theindividual and that this means that the type of services provided at locallevel must be administered and controlled by people whom the individualfeels to be accessible,

Unit SIZE 1.PEOPLE will introduce legislation to re-duce the unit of Local Government areas.An optimum size of 20,000 population

.would be the target for the control of thelocal budgets for social welfare services,housing, leisure services, fire and ambu-lance services, police services, transport,waste reclamation and disposal and pub-lic health, Sewerage and water supplieswill be dealt with at local level,

Community Levy

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Education expenditure will be trans-. ferred to the National Exchequer, while

being largely administered at local level,Universities and all institutes of higherand further education will be the con-trollers of their own budgets, not subjectto local control,

2, The current rating system will be re-placed by a community levy upon personsinstead of properties, whereby those’ resi-dent in a locality will pay for the ser-vices made available to them, In eachJanuary and June an advance payment ofthe levy for the year would be required,such sum being the amount of the local-ity's projected expenditure less nationalcontributions divided by the number ofinhabitants,‘ Proportionate reliefs wouldbe available to those unable to partici-pate fully in certain faciiities such as,perhaps, a viliage not served by publictransport, or to the aged,

Enforcement 3, Enforcement proceedings will beagainst the person liable to make pay-ment of the levy,parentsbeing jointlyand severally responsible forthe levy oftheir children under 14. -There would beexemption for anyone who could show thattheNational Income was his only possiblesource of income.

EDUCATIONFor too many years the aim of the school years has not been education butexam-cramming, School facilities should be more available for the use ofthe community and teaching should also be readily accessible to those whowish to pursue their education, p

Nursery Education

School Utilisation

Teacher Utilisation

Schoo Leaving AgeOptioh.

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1. Nursery school places should be avail-able in all communities for children aged3 and over for half a day, As smallerfamilies become the norm, this will be-come increasingly important to the socialintegration of children,

2. The use of school, college and uni-versity buildings should be re-planned toprovide for more intensive use overlonger periods by the community as awhole,

3. Teachers should be trained to workwithin the total community, The teacher/pupil ratios will be drastically reducedand parental and community involve-ment will be encouraged in all schools.

4. The school leaving age option will bereduced to 14 years, It shall be illegalI0 pay a young person between the ages of14 and 18 a wage in excess of the NationalIncome except for evening or weekendWOIR. This will lead to the child whowishes to continue his education beingable to do so if he wishes, since it will beno longer financially more profitable toleave school,

SChOO| CUI'l'iCU|8 5. In accord with PEOPLE's declared in-

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tention of stimulating community de-velopment reversing current social trends,schools‘ curricula should be based uponthe principles of community education,This must involve the reversing of currenttrends towards the centralisation of edu-cation into ever larger and more capitalintensive institutions.

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DEFENCE

This is one of the most expensive items in the annual budget. PEOPLEtakes the view that Britain's geographical position 1s such that 1n the eventof nuclear war no nuclear weapon of hers will achieve anything other thanextra destruction of our planet, In the meantime to maintain such weaponsmerely as deterrents harms the cause of arms limitation and costs a greatdeal of money. It is therefore proposed to curtail the Defence Ministrybudget where it relates to nuclear weapons. Activity and expenditure in allspheres of the armed forces will be reviewedsregularly and reduced wherepossible.

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NUC|€3l' Disarmament 1, Because the present financial and* potential environmental cost of nuclearweapon systems far out-weighs any bene-fits, they shall be dismantled and thebases closed.

Permanent Al'lTled 2, The permanent armed forces to beForces forces responsible primarily for the train-

? ing ofa militia.

Militia 3, Instead of ever-increasing reliance onsmall, technically sophisticated, armedservices, operating complex and enor-mously expensive weapons systems, therewill be a complete change of emphasis infavour of a compulsory national part timemilitia,The resulting millions of trainedpotential guerillas represents the ultimatedeterrent to any would—be occupyingpower.

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HOUSING

.A movement of population away from the larger towns and the cities isaimed for, It is not necessary to house a thousand-strong work-force neara factory when the factory has no raw materials on which to work At pre-sent there are enough houses for all those seeking homes,but many are re-gardedas being in the ‘wrong’ place. Decentralisation will change thisview.

The Building Regulations are relics of a time when Jerry—building wasrife—now they contain certain provisions that are irrelevant. T hey will bereplaced with new regulations designed to ensure that every building is sofar as is possible self-sufficient in energy,

The emphasis on agriculture which follows from being self-sustaining infood will lead to renewed rural development so that Town Planning restric-Ii0I1S will require amendment, '

Planning 1. PEOPLE will introduce Planning Regu-lations designed to encourage rural de-velopment,prevent further urban develop-ment. and reduce the permissible size ofbuildings,

_BUl|dll1g Regulations 2. The existing Regulations will be re-placed by new Regulations which require,inter alia,so1ar energy collection panels,wind driven generators, w.c. units withsewage treatment facilities to provide

gmethane gas and humus, improved in-sulation and heat exchange facilities,The aim would be to reduce each livingunit's dependence on central powerSOl1I'C€S,, ~

25 L ‘|n-tegration of 3. In community estate planning, provi-

Communities ‘ sion for schools, old people's housing.disabled persons‘ housing, probation hos-tel accommodation and other Jgommunityneeds shall be made within each area.

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FOREIGN POLICY,“_ | ‘l-\.._

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As PEOPLE's policies are designed to promote self—sufficiency in the lifeof individuals and the nation, initially foreign policy will be of a similarsort, cutting Britain off from some of its links, However,this is the shortterm policy only and when the re-planning is under way a more outward-looking policy can follow.

The E_E, C _ will hamper the adoption of survival policies unless a major-ity of member states also adopt the principles on which PEOPLE is foundedand it is therefore necessary to secede from it. The Commonwealth coun-tries being food producing or rich in natural resources and on the whole lowin population will assume even greater importance.

1, Efforts will be made to enlist the aidof other countries in implementing poli-cies designed to lead to a post industrialsociety, which PEOPLE believes will beadopted on la world scale in the near

Co-operation

future,

Technical Developments 2._ International co-operation will bepromoted on new energy and power sourceresearch.

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PEOPLE is acutely aware of the physical and cultural damage that Western‘civilisation’ continues to inflict on the less technologically sophisticatednations, sometimes rapaciously, but sadly, also from the highest humanitar-ian motives, ill-informed as to the overall ecological consequences. Someof those nations which are rich in natural resources have benefited from adegree of poetic justice in the growth-induced price rises in commodities,Others however have not, A concern for social justice for oneself is cynicalif it does not extend also to those less fortunate, Moreover it is arguablethat the mutual interdependence of all countries of the world is such thatmutual co-operation on the basis of individual self-sufficiency is an essen-tial aim if peace and stability are to be more than pious hopes.

Talks will be instituted asa matter of urgency with a view to additionalaid on a selective ecological basis on as large a scale as this country canafford, toa selected country (e,g,Bangladesh) as a pilot scheme. The aimwould be to make such a country more self—sufficient, PEOPLE will placegreater emphasis on making people with knowledge available rather thancash hand—outs, It will be intended to be linked to effective populationcontrol in whatever form is acceptable to the recipient country, and mustform part of a coherent overall plan of development based on a full under-standing of the problems of that country in an ecological context. Existingaid schemes need not be affected, unless the recipient country felt that theycould be more effective as part of such a plan.

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