The freedom of the shops (1974)

From the September 1974 issue of the Socialist Standard

The following letter was sent to the Hampstead and Highgate Express, London, commenting on a statement by the Tory MP for Hampstead — where the Socialist Party is contesting the next General Election.

Dear Sir,

Despite Mr. Finsberg’s statement that only a Conservative government could guarantee the “freedom to shop at the shop of our choice, and not at second-rate co-operatives”, it is only too apparent that after 70 years of Labour, Liberal and Conservative governments the “shop of our choice” is the one that suits our wage-packet.

Why is it that many old people in Hampstead go to buy small quantities of perishable foods from a stall in Haverstock Hill? (H & H p. 6). Is this their freedom of choice or is it perhaps that they cannot afford to buy their necessaries in larger quantities?

No doubt many of the people in Mr. Finsberg’s constituency would dearly love to be able to shop at Harrods or Fortnum & Mason’s or at the better class of shop in Hampstead, but find that like other workers they must cut the corners and shop at “second-rate Co-operatives” to make ends meet.

Working-class people have always had to endure shoddy or second-class goods and this will always be the case as long as capitalism lasts. Mr. Finsberg’s words are belied by the facts.

In a Socialist society there would be no second rate goods — only the best would be produced and this would be for human need, not profit. Goods would be freely available in much the same way as the atmosphere is today.