AS we go to press the South African government has banned the United Democratic Front and all of the other apartheid organisations in South Africa. The apartheid regime has also banned the Confederation of South African Trade Unions from all from calling events like the general strike in commemoration of the Soweto Apartheid has again shown that it cannot tolerate even the most minimal democratic rights for the black majority in South Africa.
It is the duty of the entire labour movement to mobilise in defence of the anti-apartheid organisations and trade unions of South Africa with pickets, lobbies and demonstrations.
EVEN BEFORE the recent upturn in industrial struggles started, Kinnock continued to be under pressure on two fronts where the relation of forces was more favourable than other issues What has happened on one of those key issues, black sections, has some important general lessons.
'A savage witch hunt was launched by the party leadership against the Labour Party Black Section immediately prior to the general election. certed attempt was following, the last Labour Party conference.
But despite this the pressure of the black community and the growing black working class on the Labour Party continued to mount. Two months ago Bill Morris, deputy TGWU, proposed in Tribune the creation of a black socialist society affiliated to the Labour Parly. While not granting the Black Section's full demands, this would represent a significant concession to them. Notably, it would secure offical black delegates on GCs.
Neil Kinnock almost certainly hoped that this proposal would be turned down by the Black Section. A splitting campaign directed against the Black Section had been opened up by Paul Sharits ex-London organiser, in mediately following the election. issue will be decided by the Black Secion AGM in March, the public statements by leaders, such as Narendra Makanji in the Guardian indicate that they are not going to fall into Kinnock's trap. for Black Black Section socialist society doubtedly it would be.
As a result, contusion nas now amongst the right wing. NEC member John Evans haș denounced the black socialist society option as •black sections under another name' isn't, even though it would strengthen the fight for black sections in some variants. Kinnock himself has launched the ridiculous organisation formed under the Morris proposals should be open to white people - which is rather like opening up the women's sections to men, the section pensioners, organisations to those under 20. Meanwhile, the late and unlamented Black and Asian Committee has desappeared from view.
After a difficult period of witch hunt - and the struggle to defend Sharon Atkin is still going — it is clear that Kinnock's attempt to defeat the Black Section has totally tribute to the strengthening of the campaign in the Labour Party. Most of all it reflects the growing reality of the expanding black working class which, despite Neil Kinnock's hopes, is not going to go away or bow down to racism.
nock is a question that will have to be decided by those in the Black Section campaign itself. The left has the duty to ensure that the demand for Black Sections is again placed firmly on the agenda at this year's Labour Party conterence.
main antipolitical activity and specifically uprising. emergency meetings, women and black people. made to isolate it at, and general secretary of the Tribune imBut while the Black Section While maintaining the campaign • Sections Makanji indicated that the would see an affiliated black which unbroken out which it proposal that an pensioners? his is a How to respond to new tactical moves by Kin-
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Botha's ban on the UDF