AS WE go to press the Labour Party's Na tional what is, in essence, its first draft election manifesto.
Some on the left, such as the Labour Coordinating Committee and the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy, have already concluded that we should settle for this draft, unite behind it and draw a balance sheet after the result.
This would be wrong. this first draft Healey and the right have no intention. of carrying out policies.
Leaked
This is reflected in the leaked accounts of the document. The National Economic Assessment is revealed as a new 'Social Contract'. Careful clauses have been inserted 'unilateralist' declarations to American bases this alliances'.
The right wing therefore must be challenged now.
But there is another problem which Bermondsey revealed and the pre-Darlington polls have done nothing to allay. sentiment among Labour voters, albeit whipped up by the media and boosted by the NEC's witch hunt, which can be used to siphon votes towards the Alliance and stop Labour winning an overall majority.
This has opened the door to a new and dangerous departure by the right wing: a possible coalition which all of Labour's promises would be scrapped.
This means that the left has to take responsibility for winning the election for Labour.
It is no answer, as some leading figures in the Communist Party are canvassing, Labour's policy in order to win over the middle ground. with the Alliance itself.
The idea of an 'Anti-Tory League', though not put forward with the same intent, runs the same but for Labour and those policies which meet the immediate and burning needs of the The foundation of Socialists for a Labour Vicdeclaration lists those policies which can give a decisive labour movement answer to the social ano economic crisis. ranks and win back people drifting to the SDP.
The declaration calls for an end to the witch by Bermondsey voters for voting Alliance. also declares categorically here and now it will not enter coalitionist deals.
But most importantly the declaration commits itself to support all actions against the Tory government here and now. paigns like CND and fights against unemployment can discredit the Tories and their policies.
Some argue that with defeats such as those suffered by the miners it is now too late to turn But supporting action now is the best way to prepare for whatever the outcome of the general election, and for our goal of a Labour government committed to socialist policies.
Editor: ALAN FREEMAN Published weekly except two weeks in August and the last week of December.
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•10 Socialist Action 25 March 1983 Executive Committee is finalising Whatever appears in Labour's conference In the draft's avoid removing disturbs existing These polls reveal a with the SDP and the Liberals in to weaken This simply paves the way for a deal LIC anolner reason Wlan Deng the street protesting the death of Colin. For this I have been falsely charged with threatening behaviour, assault on the police, obstructing the highway, obstructing police.
In the van along with other demonstrators I was insulted, intimidated and assaulted. I was grabbed was twisted until it bled. I was held until Monday morn ing, then taken to court.
On 24 February under a pretext ot looking tor man who had supposedly entered my house. without a warrant my house was raided by nine police officers accompanied by two do Two days later the