SocialistAction 1983–88

The paper of the Socialist League, formerly the International Marxist Group, 1983–88

Briefing's turn on Livingstone

Socialist Action No. 175, 20 November 1987 · p. 2 of the scan · 567 words

The scan: 175-nov-20-1987-SA-UK.pdf (PDF, Marxists Internet Archive, opens at this page)

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page 2 of the scan

discrimination Sectarianism can only be As Ken Livingstone said: 'We must draw the Until British labour, and the British people, FOR EIGHTEEN months Labour Briefingen Carried on a vitriolic campaign ingstone.

vent him from being invited. During the period in Anyone might therefore be surprised to turn to the latest, 10 November, issue of Briefing to read an adulatory two Ree interwith ingstone. Its headline Ken seizes the moment' and its introduction gives its general tone. This reads:

After years relative isolation, Ken LivIngstone las form. Through his interventions at Labour Par. Yesterfield conference he conference and at the has shown that he is firmly realigning himself with the left and establishing credentials as our most articulate spokesperson. With capitalism into crisis, he has chosen his moment well. Briefing is pleased to be able publish the following interview with nim.

Given that Livingstone has decisively set the tone matters since the general the crash and after Briefing came against For example, in 1986 when Livingstone make such a turn. But un fortunately Briefing does not point out that if its course had been followed Livingstone would NOU have been on the NEC to impact he has made with his speeches good if for the SULLIC • Left CLPD, tion, on the NEC.

volved, would imposed conclu41g.

waged Pettifor Women's Action Committee - including trying to prevent being nominated for election to the NEC after Briefing had itself accepted a joint slate. At the same meeting agallist the witch hunt which Livingstone was prevented from speaking to, Briefing opposed the establishment 0f f the Campaign for ment of Amir Khan and Kevin Scally defence campaign probably the effective defence campaign in the Party for •years and which of Khan and Scally against opposition of Roy Hattersley. , In short, what is involved is not individual mistakes but a whole Wallell! of errors which would have disastrous consequences.

Actually the reason for and then the absurd sectarianism, and then absurd sycophancy is because serious estimate is made of what Ken Livingstone is.

He is a (very) left social different light. He is so meone who wants to brin about genuine changes reforms to give them thei name Livingston would take Britain out o He would gran the demands of wome black people in th Labour Party. He woul pursue a completely dif ferent policy towards th ANC, Central America and in Britain's relation with both the USA and th USSR. And if we are no anywhere near which we are not, then al are deepl progressive.

Left That is why the left ca and should work with per ple like Ken Livingstonethe Campaign Group or Ann Pettifor, or other Not on the basis of tric surd illusions and disill sion, but as a ke laying the basis for a re fight for socialism in Bi tain. of mani depression shown Briefing in its attitude Livingstone reveals on their own illusions abo the situation To stop doing furth damage hopefully Briefi will think over the lesso of this debacle both f their attitude to Li Ingstons to oth figures in the labour mov • 11 Citi

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wanted to speak at a conference against expulsions in London, to oppose the expulsion of Militant sup- porters from the party, Briefing organised to pre-

which discussions for the left's NEC slate were tak- ing place Briefing opposed Livingstone.

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