EVENTS ARE now moving very rapidly in the Labour Party. Their driving forces are the continued problems of the Thatcher overnment, and the huge crisis in South frica. Their effect is to bring about a rapid reorganisation of the left wing of the party.
The first, and most important, development which has taken place in recent weeks is the rapid arrival at a common agenda for the left of the party.
South Africa, the campaign for the removal of all US bases from Britain, successes in the unions on raising the issue of British withdrawal from Committee for an electoral college to elect the women's places on the NEC, continuing support for Black Sections, the launching of a campaign against the expulsions of Khan and Scally are all important steps forward. They widespread demand for an end to nuclear power. Without this political agreement it is impossible for the left to go forward.
In the constituencies an important step forward has been taken with the formation of Labnour Left Liaison. Supported by the most important campaigns in the party, Labour Left Liaison has the potential to powerful organisation in the constituency section of the party.
This will be the most important public meeting of the left since Tony Benn's 1981 deputy leadership campaign.
In the constituencies an important step forward has been taken our Left Liaison. Supported by the most important campaigns in the party, Labour Left Liaison has the potential to become easily the most powerful organisation in the constituency section of the party.
Another important development has been the launching of the Labour Youth Campaign Group. Kingsley Abrams, the Black Section candidate for the LPYS NEC place, knit together the left leading to this year's LPYS conference. The Labour Youth Campaign Group can build on this and also take up the struggle for the politics of the Campaign group against the Labour Coordinating Committee's domination of the National Organisation of Labour Students.
In the unions there is undoubtedly a shift to the right and a rallying around Kinnock in the run up to an election. But even here it is possible to gain successes. The vote by ference this week to support the demands of the Women's Action Committee is one exampie. The major votes in favour of black sell-organisation ai the NUT conference, and the victory at the NUJ success of Rail Against Apartheid. meetings than ever before have been held at union conferences on Ireland. It seems clear at least some unions will vote for the demand for US bases out at this year's party conference.
What is also significant is that the launching of Campaign Group News gives the Campaign group, for the first time, a voice with which to begin to actively constituencies, the unions, and all sections of the party.
What still remains to be achieved is to fit all these developments together.
It would of course be completely false to present all this in too positive a light. Overall the pressure in the party, particularly in the unions, to rally around the party leadership is strong.
wing unions themselves very strongly in the election for the NEC at this year's conference.
But what is taking place is a maturing of the left. Not only is the left much socially deeper than previously, based on the most oppressed sections of the working class, but it is getting a much clearer idea of its perspectives. It is not out to oppose anyone. It is presenting a clear and coherent perspective for creating a majority for socialism in Britain.
That left is still the largest part of the CLPs. It is based on major campaigns in the party. It is a minority, but a significant minority in the unions.
It is beginning to get itself together - although a higher level of cooperation between its different parts has to be achieved.
agenda which is being created for the left is however its key to success. The demand for sanctions against the initiative of the Women's Action fill out the become easily the most the formation of Labalready helped the NUR conare other examples. So also is the Larger influence its supporters in the are likely to assert That new political