THIS CLP notes the effacts of privitisation and the cutbacks in NHS facilities on women's ac*as to sare uree aborlolls on the NHS. We note the boost that the election of ine rory government nas riven to the right-wing Moral Majority' in organisations like LIFE and SPUC io launch attacks on women's freedom of choice over the termination ot her Ne also note the mobilisations of similar organisations in Ireland, Spain and the USA. As the economic crisis drives women out of the workforce we believe that these organisations will step up their campaigns for restrictive legislation.
nas conterence reaffirms its commitment to a free and comprenensive ahortion service avalabic through the National Health Service.
we merce to canoden for a statutory duty on the NHS to provide adequate abortion facilities in all areas and for an end to all legislation which restricts a women's right to choose.
In the light of conference and TUC policy on this issue we note with alarm the clause referring to abortion in Labour's Manifesto which simply talks of 'defending. women's existing right of choice'. suchakowi by the NEC on women's nahts will not win women's votes away from the SDP/Liberal Alliance.
This conterence therefore resolves to censure the NEC for misrepresenting conference policies and betraying the demands of women in its 1983 manifesto on this LODIL Jo Richardson knows best credibility' and their own political careers.
this potent combination thoroughly felt in such true courteous and brotherly buts.
Feminists in the party fought a desperate rearguard against che weight of the brotherly advice as they saw their one chance of having real especially when it comes to 'political Jo Richardson might have stood (for deputy) if hadn't made itself SO fashion — 'well, ... Jo really isn't very well ... and In the two or three days of furious discussion about the left's candidates not one man raised his voice in unequivocal enthusiasm for Richardson's candidature — it was aft hedged round with ifs and voice in a party campaign being taken oh-sogenuly - from them It is perfectly true that Jo Richardson suffers from arthritis. But a proliferation of other Labour Party notables aren't 100 per cent fit either including Tony Benn they don't incur patronis. ing worry about their capabilities.
Kinnock.
Moreover, Richardson for supported leadership was Joan Lestor was given the Cabinet, for very leadership offer.
would involving who It would have focussed on dividual.
herself rushing around the country fulfilling all the speaking herself.
have in, really ment. to liballowed the right to be the only Dunthough she woody has the Naously WAC demcracy famous with Peter Shore.
the only leadership, ed it -responsible for the abortion on request from Feminists manifesto will have no option but to Heffer through vote u loyalty to the left and feeling that they at least stand better chance under the of his policies, but women are becoming very of being ignored by the left in the party when it comes to crunch issues like leadership elections. Pink This only leaves Michael Meacher of the Co-ordinating Committee. Meacher took very little persuading stand by as a deputy candidate while his colleagues were expressing deep concern about Jo Richardson no sooner had Richardson declined than pink knight was — plop! - into the ring.
• While Meacher is certainly the best reminists have got - he at least gives verbal support to women's we've known his LLOWE ilk of old. " In practical campaigning and fighting terms 'support usually tokenists. 'Mote the merest over, Meacher is a prominent LCC member and the LCC bless their pale pink socks aren't even supporting Heffer for the leadership, Kinnock instead.
further point should be made about this debacle. This COCCE slates for the NEC elections.
Frances Morrell, a leading member of WAC, was per. suaded to stand for a second time for Section. Now she is suddenly Iroppe the LCC/CLP: A member teler Hon LCC member Peter Schonfield worried by Morrell's prin.
opposition CLPD's support for 'witch-hunting' register.
principled feminists watch out.
Needless feminists in the Party are finding their patience with such masculine cavorting running out. their next meeting on County Hall London) will be discussing its position or the whole wretched business What seems clear now is that • WAC wil not be throwing its campaigning strength behind any of the leadership candidates, but will be working out ways to consolidate its rank and file support among women in the party.
proposal is that the WAC demand for al least woman on parliamentary snort-lis! be changed to insist on all woman short-lists. Such radical thinking indicates feminists increasing determination to make a moreresolute-than-Thatcher stand within the Labour
Socialist Action
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IN THE FRANTIC flurry to line up trade union votes in the Labour Party leadership stakes women have once again been swept aside. Masculine ego