ALTHOUGH they lost the vote supporters of Black Sections devastated the platform in the debate on the floor of Labour Party conference. itself, those in favour of Black Sections up slightly to 1,222,000, was a victory after a year in which the Black Section has been under heavy attack from the party leadership and facing the attempt to substitute the undemocratic Black and Asian Advisory Committee (BAAC) for democratic Black Sections. They were also faced with the expulsions of Black Section supporters Amir Khan and Kevin Scally.
In the debate speaker after speaker pointed out that Black Sections had succeeded in greatly black membership black involvement in the Labour They have done highlighting the issue of which the bally address in order to build links with black communities. se ce tion of six Black Section members seats British ties Section.
Coun cil, this stuctive with the Committee. pointe name introduce black people.
Delegates announced with 11 | either resigning, to seek the London which Secretary Television Allied general of conterence of when he the wishes Black the platVISIDIY The vote simply asking for tue right to choose how to organise themselves within the party, in the same way as th black South Africa are fighting for th right to choose how their The only floor speaker againa back sectors wa Muff -Sourani, Tass He repeated the argument that Black Sections are divisive - ignoring. the truth that it which divides and that black self-organisation necessary to highlight combat racism, and thereby create principled anti-racist basis for unity: Martha Osamor appealed at the Black Section fringe meeting for support for the black youth at In a cynical move the NEC agreed to the request representative on the NEC and a Militant supporter reply to the debate or of the NEC's positions. created spectacle of Curran acting as the tool of the rightwing against black party members just days alter that same right-wing had the expulsions of her own fellow porters. Delegates were aisgusted and slow-hand. clapped Curran's speech.
Overall this conference was an important step forwared for the Labour Party Black Section. They played a central role in the campaign ar to reinstate Kevin Scally in which they won 2,7000,000 votes. They in creased support for Black Sections, and exposed the failure of the Black anc Asian Advisory, CommitThey organised a sucLCC. cessful fringe meeting which gave a platform to the defence of the Black Communities.
Over the last year support for Black Sections has of definition of what the left is, as opposed to the backwardness representer by Militant and the Morn ing slar — wiica usea lo be able to successfully counterfeit for socialism in the British labour moveIn an outstanding year of achievement for the Black Sections it has achieved its most vital task of deepening its roots in the black community, and established that suppor black Section. prerequisite for any gebeen arrested fences supposed for original vast have operation, The police were out show who rules. what They heavily armed for This contrast to operation. the defence committee involving those can Paul's Community Association, Community Centre, Viraj Mendis appeals for support to prevent his ire Tori government. Mendis is a he is in danger if he is deported to : Section has given Viraj their =s plit the collection from their ringe meer, 2: Labour Party conference with his