The People's Charter was a campaigning document devised by a commission of Trade Unionists with the intention of uniting the left and providing an alternative to the neoliberal political agenda. The Charter demands public control of the banks, along with energy, water and transport, ensuring that there is investment in these services instead of money being creamed off to corporate shareholders. It also calls for a fairer tax system, with the wealthy and big business paying their way, investment not cuts in public services, the creation of millions of new homes, and sustainable jobs with decent wages.
Contents
Points covered by the Charter
The six slogans of the People's Charter are:
Endorsers
The People's Charter has been endorsed by the following Trade Unions: RMT, CWU, FBU, PCS, NUT, NUJ, BFAWU POA (Scotland), UCU, and the TUC.
The People's Charter attracted support from various high profile politicians including Jeremy Corbyn, Tony Benn and John McDonnell, and a number of personalities from the arts' world including Billy Bragg, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Mark Thomas and Ken Loach.
It has also been endorsed by the Communist Party of Britain, Labour Representation Committee, the Scottish Campaign for Socialism, and the Socialist Party.
Criticisms
The People's Charter has been criticized by some parties on the left, particularly the AWL for being too limited in its scope, and for being Social Democratic rather than revolutionary.