Thatcher LAST Monday's emergency the three key developments: a ruling class rallying to Thatcher, increased support going to the SDP David Owen, total humiliation for Neil Kinnock. JOHN XOSS looks at these THE UNFOLDING of ie Westland crisis continues to show with shattering clarity the fundamental forces at work in British politics.
First and foremost, shown clearly over the weekend and in Monday's debate in parliament, was the rallying around Thatcher by the ruling class. It was symbolised by Heseltine's grovelling performance in the House of Comwhen he pledged his loyalty to the government.
Heseltine's approach was backed up by every major ruling class paper on Tuesday.
Not single capitalist mouthpiece, not even the 'anti-Tory' Guardian, proposed Thatcher should go. On the contrary the Guardian wrote a long editorial stating that the entire affair had now been revealed long 'bungle.' This is despite the fact that. Tony Benn pointed out in the House of Commons, not believe Thatcher's account of the affair of the leaking of the letter the Solicitor General. It is a of British govercal, known to only may the content of dovice Trom the government law officers not be made public but even the mere fact that they have given such advice cannot be revealed.
The idea that this basic rule could be broken by two civil servants — Thatcher's press secretary and principal private secretary without the minister's agreement is absura. I lney nad oeen gullty of such a thing without Thatcher's agreement they would have been sacked instantly. The fact that they weren't sacked Thatcher's own admission of guilt.
With that admission out in public if the ruling tion of it, had wanted to rid of Thatcher they could have done so by a campaign on Tuesday morning. Instead every section of the press, and every Tory spokesperson rallied to Thatcher.
matter that the removal O prime minister would have provoked profound crisis which would have weakened the entire ruling class. question that the Thatcher wing of the ruling class is by far the strongest within British capital.
British capital did want some reorganisation of policies and methods compared to the last months.
American policy, autocratic methods, and lack of sufficient mass base to confront the working class in a completely effective way, meant that important sections of British capital evidently wanted an ad- editorialised: 'Dr Owen justment within the overall arew blood with his framework pursued shrewd powerful Thatcher. This they will observations.' - that The Guardian. is what all the talk in the trasting Owen favourably COn papers about col- to Kinnock, noted: 'Owen ICCLIVC cabinet function- al least produced the ing' is all about. rather than the But the ruling class on- blunted broadsword.' wattled Thatcher CUl The scab Times carried down to size, its second editorial the more individual idiosyncratic of her 'Alliance Chance'. policies. British capital did With the Tories in long either her term decline, and ThatNO L removal or, even less, that Wall cher in immediate crisis, the ruling class needs to or ner government build up 'anti-Tory' But if Margaret That- alternative to Labour. The cher's premiership was the SDP, with its firm support Monmain for attacks on the labour day's debate in the House movement and its proof Commons the fits the bill key winner was the SDP perfectly. and David Owen. The Tories remain the The Daily Express gave chief ruling class party. Owen an ecstatic write up But they are becoming too declaring under a photo of weak Dr Death himself: 'David themselves. They require a Owen: He lashed no. 10 in new junior partner. That is tough, effective attack? It the role of the SDP. Heselline would have put down ar immediate vote of no confidence in the government. It would have demandec an immediate election.
Kinnock proposed precisely nothing. At least Owen demanded either that Thatcher go or her top civil servants go. Kinnock had precisely nothing to propose as the way out of the slalon It is almost incredible, but true, that the Labour leadership go through the greatest internal Tory Right ther to TENe distancing struggle.
wing the that right The local right would of the undel no any with the be Kinnock thoroughly
Socialist Action 31 January 1986