Election Campaign Workshop

Speakers Test: The proposed "Modern Speakers Test"The draft of the proposed new test was discussed by the EC on 6th September and, as has been announced, has been circulated for consultation as part of the EC report to ADM next month.To answer a question, I think we can assume the consultation will be on the questions rather than answers. I think we will have to leave the latter to the judgement of the examiners.The EC has yet (pending consultation) to adopt the text, but as I recollect did agree to request addition of a quesion on immigration/population (which appears in the existing test as question #22).I am sure that every Branch will be looking foward to discussing the suggested new text, and will be assisted by this if as many members as possible are able to see the text in advance.Here is the text as it appeared on the EC agenda last week (the layout may not be the same as I have had to copy it from another file format):"This Modern Speakers’ Test is designed to replace what became known as the ‘New Speakers’ Test’ in the previous century. In many ways it representsa break from the past. This is because the previous test was really a knowledge test, and was sometimes explicitly referred to as such by Partymembers. In particular, it was a test of knowledge of Marxian theory, especially Marxian economics, and some of its key definitions.Knowledge of Marxism is still important, though the previous test had become outdated in many ways. Rarely if ever will a Party representative now be asked whether peasants produce surplus value. In the modern media age, lines of questioning are more likely to require Party representatives to applytheir socialist understanding, rather repeat stock definitions. This test is designed to prepare interested candidates for such situations. A number of the questions appear to be ‘closed’ ie requiring ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers for this reason, a common technique of interviewers trying to expose contradictions or entice an interviewee into an overly stark response they are then unable to defend.When you read the questions below it might help to imagine them being asked by Andrew Neil, Jeremy Paxman or Evan Davis. . . there is also a natural ‘flow’ in that the likely answer to one question generally prompts the next one.Finally, it should be noted that this test should be applied in the context of wider media training for aspirant Party speakers and candidates.* More people are thriving today under capitalism than ever before, and with higher standards of living – is it really so bad?* Why not unite with some of the other socialist parties? Surely more can be achieved in unison than in isolation?* Without doubt previous attempts to construct socialism were disastrous weren’t they?* Why are you so hostile to the state? Don’t most people feel it is there to help and protect them?* If democracy in capitalism is a sham, why does the Socialist Party stand in elections?* Would a Socialist Party representative elected to parliament take the oath of allegiance?* Why bother standing in local elections? What do you hope to achieve?* In practice, what reforms would the Socialist Party be prepared to support?* When the Socialist Party takes state control, won’t you create a dictatorship of the proletariat?* Does the Socialist Party always support the actions of trade unions?* Why do you always seem to support wage increases? Don’t they cause inflation and often damage the economy?* Don’t Marxists believe that capitalism will collapse?* If you believe in democracy why don’t you believe in wars for democracy? Didn’t you even oppose the Second World War?* Isn’t it the case that you’re really a bunch of pacifists?* Don’t you support the rights of ‘oppressed peoples’ like the Palestinians?* Wouldn’t people like the Scottish and Welsh be better off if they could control their own destinies?* Isn’t it true that all of us living in the developed ‘First World’ exploit those in the so-called ‘Third World’?* Do you support or oppose the European Union?* Isn’t the class struggle now just antiquated nonsense?* Why do you support industrialism? Doesn’t it lead to pollution and unemployment?* Does the Socialist Party believe in ‘zero growth’?* Wouldn’t socialism involve those who refuse to work exploiting those who do?* The SPGB presumably believes in British socialism. How would this work?* In a socialist society, who would do the ‘dirty work’?* How efficient would socialism be? Would surgeons perform operationswhen needed? Would the trains run on time – if at all?* Hasn’t history proved people are just innately aggressive?* You sound like anarchists. Are you. . . ?* Why is the Socialist Party so hostile to religion? Can’t religious people have socialist beliefs too?* Capitalism is the basis of innovation and entrepreneurship. Why do you seem so opposed to this?* Do you believe in taxing the rich out of existence?* Don’t people have the right to take home the fruits of their labour withoutit being taken in tax?* You imply that poverty causes crime, but shouldn’t people always take responsibility for their own actions?* If competition is so bad, do you think competitive sport should be abolished?* How can society possibly function without leaders?* If the Socialist Party has no leaders, who are you to represent them?* If the working class runs society from top to bottom and is as clever as you say, why have they been rejecting socialism for over a century?"NB  Sorry about the line spacing – its been copied from another location and not too well.