Socialist Action No. 29, 14 October 1983

Socialist Action · 14 October 1983 · 12 pages, 15,730 words read by machine

The scan: 029-oct-14-1983-SA-UK.pdf (PDF, Marxists Internet Archive)

Uncorrected machine reading of the whole issue. This text was read by machine (Apple Vision OCR) from the scan and has not been corrected or cut into articles. Each page gives the headlines first, then the columns in order, so one article runs on into the next. Expect misread words. Use it to find things; quote from the scan.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Page 1 scan of this page

"The problem is that Hattersley and Kinnock while appearing young and dynamic seem poised to turn the party rightwards.

No. 29 14 October 1983 ACTION TORIES IN TROUBLE Labour: keep left for victory

IR

Photo: JOHN HARRIS

30p

SoCiAlist

ERNA

people's papers Sunday Times and Finan cial Times are beginning to criticise

ficulty is Labour's oppor

SUCW

with

AS THE TORY conference approaches evidence piles up that Thatcher's government is in trouble. Even Tory die-hards are raising questions about the advisability of further privatisation and health cuts, while the Cecil Parkinson scandal is undermining le governches moran

The root of Thatcher's troubles however is no scandal, but the growing awareness in ruling class circles that the long-heralded economic 'upturn' is not coming - indeed the capitalist crisis is getting

why LO E like the pearly

Thatcher's The Tories' dif-

The problem is that the Market

Labour leadership.

Britain.

In

toral

the first place,

less.

pletely disarmed

row' economic crisis vinced very few.

Faced

left made

socialist COSTS

and

ment,

HOUSE be

majority, policies,

socialist

to end

We'll be there on

22 October

- but where

is CND going?

See back page

After Labour's

conference:

interview

Tony

Benn

page 3

the while having the public

voung 'dynamic', seems poised to turn the party rightwards On the key policy issues of unilateral nuclear disarma-

the Common and incomes a new approach has to be signalled by the

document Campaigning for a Fairer

other words, the Kinnock-Hattersley leadership is working har to junk these policies

argument that Labour must get rid of left wing poncies to gam ciec

success short-sighted and dangerous

direction ini

points in the direction worsening economic crisis To meet this Labour needs more left wing policies not

Without the na tionalisation of the banks. financial institutions and skev monopoles academ government will be com-

The policy at the last election - that we 'bor

our way out of -COL

with a media barrage, of course some

wing policies can be unpopular; - being left wing isn't an instant route to popularity. But the question is whether the Party will fight consistently and in a united way to convince a majority for a

answer to the

The lessons of the past 19749" Labour particular the

govern have to be learned the idea that evervthing

subordinate to scraping a parliamentary

irrespective irrespective working class support for

measures, bankrupt from beginning

It just prepares the way for new and more vicious Tory

Labour must rebuild and prepare for sweeping

Tories from office

That isn't a question o walling Tol election 1988, but of moving now

support the numbers of working peo De coming into head-o conflict with the Tories.

it macans Labour sup port for the Telecoms engineers in their battle against privatisation: for the health workers fighting against the cuts; for the miners in the fight against

tor the peace movement In the battle against cruise and Trident.

Only in these struggles will the battle for socialist policies be won.

If the Kinnock-Hattersley idea is to keep quiet about socialism and to do everything to flatte the opinion polls, then it's not a dream ticket but a encaster

Socialism is not a matbut a vital issue for the here and now.

Political power isn't worth having if it means saying no to socialist measures. Nothing less can defend the enfect. people from of capitalist crisis. Nothing less will break unemploy. ment and poverty defeat the threat of nuciear war

We should demand nothing less of the nev leadership

MODERN

TIMES

It's just like I said -

Page 2 scan of this page

Socialist Action 14 October 1983

Can Kinnock's

'historic

compromise'

succeed?

THE EIGHTY-SECOND annual

conference of the Labour Party ended last

timer, continuous week with the majority of its delegates leaving Brighton filled with optimism. They had overwhelmingly elected Neil Kinnock as a leader pledged to bring unity and elec-

value toral victory to the party. They had also The for this seen the majority of the left policies on which the party campaigned reconfirmed orenosI with the and had witnessed a stinging rebuff from the conference to ex-premier Jim

rightly that the Callaghan, who had wished to reverse the party's commitme

furiate the press. The ment.

True, there were Peter was some worrying aspects building Kinnock's which had in- political

cated by vote Kinnock against lelegates

Dand the parties and sullaly campaign Briefing bul of MP's voted for ble and

onference. They

him No unions

ated to th

the Militc

the too, and Ali

om the Pa

the parties The scale of of the NEC their They excused the band wagon built up around Kinnock in the

Hattersley. the of branch with Polaris the being

support •Michael management committee apdelegates. be to Heffer •policies, to delegates who

LOCK But the final Tony in The did NO L

large right

The discontent of the throughout the labour hard left delegates could

attributed membership except the SOUl

apes. Their candidates in

leadership election did starting lo organised

orse than was expected

'dream ticket' of Kin- Transport General

c* and Hattersley spon- Workers who

ared by the major unions endorse- and Briefing O Here i the hard WCC caucuses.

Eric Heffer the left candidate for leader

ceived 6.3 per cent of the conference

dee of the electoral col

= as compared with 71.3

cert for Veil Kinnock In the the levertheless 19.3 ior Roy Har- 100 this int the oche

REP

every

Militant were

Tariq though,

Kinnock ordinating

ary.

through

Labour

social

dinavia

keynote he

tuguese

themselves

the Lial

2SCCT E

address

of his

board ejected

Notable

unsure alr

obviously

the initial

Committee

organisa-

its base, in-

possible

Young

youth in Scan-

the sort

as leader

• Por.

Greek

He said

nothing

Party

ER BRIT

Can the new 'dynamic duo' save Labour without ditching socialist policies?

But the problem of

00003

just an question.

electoral around issues NHS, itself to the

This promise despite pledges to that the Party must policy

nion in general

with-

It is the left

long.

tions where

tion

and the

conference.

The trade union con-

TOTE:

ject. The

Even Parkinson prospects look ment and

ing,

crease

gradual North Sea

Under

tion

that an

if necessary

Labour not yet themselves

power. advocated

ImOT

slare

will

Thatcher

the the Tories Unemploy.

will

either the

both

of

revenues

these cir-

fall of

The ruling

be

have demonstrated sufficiently

the right

Chancie

:T

SETTE

News

battle between the

creasingly explicitly

of the Kinnock will

the forces

defeats promises with the

It

the SUCCESS EV LU deal economic crisis

Oil.

It must organise the links between the Labour Party and the trade unions, it must organise to commit Kinnock to the pledges he has made at the

It it does all this then the left will increasingly begin to win over those who have supported Kinnock as the best wav ol getting Thatcher out.

By rebuilding itself and basing itself on the struggles against the Thatcher government the left can therefore not only begin to put itself back on the road

in the fight for the leader-

the 2330 Trie.

Treat. au: ja give a

alternative to those who

will be fighting the Tories

Page 3 scan of this page

The meaning of Labour's

Interview

Interview with Tony Benn

At this conference, on many of the votes, the union block vote seems to have been further away from the constituency delegates' vote than for some time. Did you detect this and what do you think it represents?

I don't know if that's so, but I'm in favour of all conference votes being recorded because I think that conference will never be really effective until at trade union conferences people can along and say 'why did the union vote for this, and why didn't we vote for that'. This year we are recording votes for NEC elections which will be highly significant.

I think there is a genuine desire for unity in the Party as a whole. I think that some of the trade unions possibly feel by voting for certain policies they may be contributing to unity, they desperately want to see the Thatcher government out. And if there is a shift from the past, then I think that is possibly the explanation.

The vote for Eric Heffer, just over six per cent of the electoral college, obviously reflected the fact that the left was split in the leadership election and was probably a disappointment to many people on the left. Do you not think that the left should have backed him in the leadership fight earlier and more vigorously in the way that it backed Michael Meacher for the deputy leadership!

Well I think probably, but not being in parliament I was not involved in any of the stages of nominating. But as far as I was concerned when he invited me to go and, speak for him on his plattorm . went.

The election did provide in Eric Heffer's candidature a genuine choice tor people and some constituencies took it — and I think that it's very important elechoos should around political choices and not just about individuals. So I think that it was an important candidature.

Whether his vote could have improved if other actions had been taken I can't really say, because wasn't directly involved in the planning of his campaign.

If you had a vote as an MP, you would have voted for Eric Heffer? Rather than Neil Kinnock? Certainly. I made that absolutely clear, 1 did vote for him. but I voted for him as a delegate for Kensington, but a vote I thought was correct. Did you think that it was surprising that Michael Meacher voted for Neil Kinnock?

Well I'm not going to comment on what other people did.

In the speech you made to conference you referred to the Labour Party programme as a 'minimum programme . hme document which has presented to the conference, paigning for a Fairer Britain seems like a minimum version of a minimum programme....

No I don't see it like that at all. The campaigning document says that we re-affirm the policies which we put forward to the electorate, so it actually confirms the manifesto.

But of course the position is wholly different. The manifesto is drawn from Labour's Programme for Britain 1982, and therefore what we've actually got now with the Manifesto replaced by a defeat, is that

conference

back to Labour's Programme 1982. The little campaign document we produced this time is only just because we thought it right to say something to the Partv at this year's conterence. But it doesn't in any way erode or shift the Labour Programme 1982 But don't you think that the way the document is written and the which it gives to policy is indicative that some people want to policy, for example in the way opposition to the EEC is replaced with a section entitled 'a socialist Europe'? come Well we've never doubted that. I've always been in favour of a socialist voice in Europe, my objection to the Treaty of Rome is that it silencies a socialist voice in Europe.

I think you're nit-picking, which is understandable given the position vol take. instead of looking at the real thing. What's happened this week is overwhelming re-affirmation and of our basic position.

Now we haven't actually had a debate on the EEC because our first job now is to fight the European elecnons, in order to see lal lne Labou vote and the Labour campaign on the

on unemployment about non-nuclear it's about the whole range of policy and that is our priority.

But the Treaty of Rome is a major obstacle to the united Europe I want, a united socialist governing states.

And nothing that's been said or done can alter that; but of course there are people who were always proCommon Market and in the aftermath of an election everyone should be able to speak their minds. Sure, but it's not just on the Common Market but on other things. There are aspects of poicy about yesterday, policy on jobs, which should be in the forefront of the programme -pear.... been Cam-

Tony Benn

But there was a resolution which was passed this week which re-affirms that...

...and again on unilateral disarmament, although this conference rewe're affirmed it, the

change

VULC and is

ucicue sualegy,

Europe of self-

most minimum version of it.

which you talked defence strategy, for example party the 35-hour week,

strategy'. the negotiations.

document has the which

sualegy

A FAIRER, BETTER BRITAIN

Interview with

Tony Benn

Polaris.

I don't think so. It says a non-nuclear I know

nuclear free Europe and an end to foreign bases.

But it doesn't say get rid of Polaris. underestimate. It does, it says 'a non-nuclear defence

_renecl a

half an hour.

VIeW

of Militant? sion?

been

will all change.

It says that we should put Polaris into

Well in opposition you urge what the government should do. We're not the government, and what we've said is that we favour a non-nuclear defence

the end of right. lucalls

lege, the

that IDDI Ine what you think, that there's a betrayal here, let's warn people about a betrayal there — but you

The really important thing that's happened here this week is the re-affirmation of our position. And whatever mav be in the campaigr document, it was written by the office

general desire to put something before conference.

It isn't a major document, it's never been through the Home Policy committee and went only once to the National Executive and was dealt with in

But it neither replaces nor amends Labour's programmme. Even the old executive, which was very right wing, voted against asking the TGWU to remit their unilateralist resolution. So come on, get out of your gloom.

It's not a question of being gloomy it's question of trying to see what the trend of direction is What is your

of the conterence decision confirm the expulsion of the editors

I think that's a mistake. I've been opposed to it from the beginning.

Does it not disappoint you that the new leadershin which the conference and the party is being asked to unify around explicitly support this expul-

Well the views of individuals have

known from une beginning. think it's a mistake, and in the end it things

I was there when Michael Foot was expelled from the PLP and when Nye Bevan was expelled from the PLP, and when my predecessor as Bristol MP Stafford Cripps was expelled from the Party — in the end these things are put

Socialist Action 14 October 1983 Well you have confidence that it will be put right. But don't you recognise that there is a fear in some sections of the party that these expulsions are not

aberration, to something more extensive?

There will be those who favour it. I don't think it will happen.

What's your general view of the attitude that socialists inside the party, should take to the leadership? It's a leadership elected by a system we campaigned very hard to create. The Rank and File Mobilising Committee fought very hard to get an electoral college. We got the electoral col

we used it, we got a leadership and I think the party should accept that in the same way as it accepts the vote of the conference on political matters.

This year's conference has built confidence, I think we've confirmed

policies, we've used the machinery which is now beyond argument — nobody's ever going to sug gest now that we change the electoral college - and I think that all the work

, WCIL in which was very necessary over the last four years, ha produced results which are in confor mity with the wishes of the Labour Party as reflected at the conference.

If we hadn't done all these things we might very well be faced with David Owen just about to be elected to the leadership of the Labour Party by Labour MPs, including the SDI defectors, world have shifted to wards the SP Labour

Indeed the SDP as such might not have appeared.

So I think it's a very considerable achievement. and i think it wouid o foolish of people who were engaged in

• campaigns for the democratic changes and for the policy changes, as soon as they've occured, to go around nit-picking and say it's all a disaster, it's all a failure, we're all going to be expelled. I fear it's the pessimistic line that Socialist Action takes. I don't know why you do it.

Well we do it because we think that there are people in the Party, in the leadership of the Party, who have seen over the past few years & stron! trend to the left with which you abov all people have been associated, and who want to stop, and say it's gond too far.

And the fact that in the present leadership, among others, were people who refused to vote for you in the deputy leadership campaign, who signified they were doing this as part of trying to stop the left. And we fear they may be starting this process of moving to the right.

But there's been a right and a left of the Party for years. But if you really want to know where the Party is now.

compare the ovation given to Michael Foot at the end of his speech, when it was in some ways the old Michael Foot, and the reception given to Jim Callaghan. After three years ago he was at this conference as leader of the party.

And if you can't look at that and see what's happened to the Labour Party, you're missing a very impor tant thing. Of course there are people who wish it had never happened and would like to push it back. The fact is that they are a minority now, and the reforms made DONC and organisation are well established. Don't be surprised if you discove people in the Party who want to push

back. I ne difference is that once they were in a majority and now they are in a minority, I think a per-

Interview by Phil Hearse

Page 4 scan of this page

Lies! Lies! Lies!

Socialist Action* 14 October 1989

IRELAND

UNFREE

Setback at Labour conference IT WAS inconceivable that attacks on left policies spurred on by 'dream' leaders would leave intact Labóur's Irish policy. Confused. though last year's position had been with its notion of getting a united reland without upsetting the Loyalists, decisive.

Preparations for the debate were good. One thousand people attended the fringe meeting with erry Adams. OBOSIEI clear policy options for conference. Labour Committee on posals. One made plain the need to break the veto exercised by the Unionists over proposals for a united Ireland.

The other suggested Labour should stop backing the sham Northern Treland Assembly set up by the Tories and debilitated by Sinn Fein's electoral results. Instead, it said, about withdrawal.

Coming to the rostrum from the ranks of the constituencies, Tony Benn moved the main resolution with well-ordered reason. He stressed that the war was Britain's responsibility and that the reactionary Loyalist veto should be rejected. He commented favourably on the dialogue with Sinn Fein and rounded on those trade union leaders who capitulate to the pressure of the Loyalists inside

Sheila Healey from Brent East, seconding the unable to produce political solutions, resorted to repression and threats. She described the sexual naso owoer arud

Despite the good start, the rambling succession of speakers to the platform underlined the failure of the left to adopt the cause of Ireland as its own. The third resolution, born from a deal between the Militant and the Labour Representation Committee (LRC), called for Labour to end the 'racist' ban on recruiting from the Six Counties.

This Orange lobby brought havoc to the pat formulae of the left. A letter written from Michael Foot's office in reply to a Belfast application to join the party was read out. In it Foot avoided all the issues and claimed that Labour would organise in the North were it not for the financial crisis of

As Clive Soley argued in the New Labour and Ireland magazine Labour has no business in the North — through its troops, or through its constituencies. But the Transport and General Workers Union was poised on the brink of supporting this resolution. The LRC, from a position of irrelevancy, now has big backers. They say they are over-

Of course, the Labour Party would make no impression at all on the nationalist community Wice arguments of Sinn Fein.

A new Northern Ireland Labour Party, if it ever got off the ground, would be a new Orange

The danger in the argument is to suggest the future of the Labour Party. is endangered by its support for a United Ireland. If we are to avoid a return to the worst bipartisanship, this question

a Piece of the Action

So... tell me about the Conference.

Christ! Would

you belleve it?

On the train I wa molested by some creep crying to cop a feel! s

reversal was

three Dul Two SWYCIC Ireland-sponsored pro we should start talking ao ącręcałans Mou naMols

The time spent at mocodand olmss wasn't wasted then?

Wythenshawe

replies

AFTER WAITING for four days to take Wythenshawe CLP's case Chair Sam McCluskie dragooned the Labour conference into recording a 'no' vote against reference back of the NEC report dealing with its suspension of the party.

NEC conceded an open Annual General Meeting on

will vindicate us.

The strength • of our case was proved by the fact that the right wing did not dare to call for a card vote.

They knew union after union naa been convinceu of our case after hearing our arguments.

By Alf Home, Wythen. shawe CLP Chair

But conference was misled by one of the most scandalous pieces falsification it eve heard. Russell Tuck's speeci contained four clear lies.

Lie number one: 'Wythenshawe refused to meet the NEC prior to its suspension'.

The truth! The CLP was never invited to meet the NEC until after it was suspended. meetns on 15 April to which Tuck reterred was between the

vard party the district party and the regior discuss problems of ward selection — a procedure in woich tne dsact aacaol the constituency ofCres. CALCEC, was not involved and did

allene because wasn't invited.

Lie number two: The of ficers suspended agent Joe Paie or no oe The truth: was suspended on full pay. The NEC's own interim report says so!

Lie number three: "The party refused to ros el the freezing HalC.

November for application of the 12 month rule on selection.

The truth: In fact the freeze advised by Hughes, Deceiober. National Agent was OHLY subsequently, without any written Ho CaLO. did Joe Paine, the WythenNove ber. Morepvr the propose 15 November. freeze date was changed after shortlisting took Diale

• Not at all. And l must confess I couldnt restrain a smile as the disgusting wimp rolled y on the floor. J

The moral victory is ours. Russell Tuck of the

- a meeting which we are convinced

Lie number four: The parj ty's AGM was out of order

number trade union delegates complained that they were not notified of the meeting. The truth: Only one delegate complained: Pat Jones of USDAW. Pat was not an accredited GMC delegate a delegation was CavCu four davs ulel the AGM. He himself publicly admitted this.

In consequence of these outrageous lies, which we could have easily refuted had we been allow-

the rights of any CLP which seeks to run its affairs without arbitrary NEC interference remains in doubt.

Help us by: • Getting out the facts. Ensure you these facts to your ward, COISI• tuency or union and invite

Send letters of protest to the NEC demanding our reinstatement and publication of the full facts of the case. • Support our appeal for a national conference to discuss the problems arising from our case. e Help ons tiäns financially. Send and messages of support to: Alf Home, chair, Wythenshawe CLP, 39 Mullacre

Benchill, Manchester 22.

(From Labour Briefing conference bulletin.)

First issue of the national supplement. 20p.

Contributions on the witch hunt, LP women's conference, local coun-

Central America, Ireland and

opies irom 23 Leghor

d, London NW10

Life is ofüen like that. And so, at times, was the Labour Party Conference...

LABOUR BRIEFING

NATTINA No October 1985

TREBE ISALHT

AT ERRATIVE!

by Cormac

I-a comedy to

those who think

and a tragedy

to those vho

Fi feel!

A delegate tries to catch the eye of McCluskie at Labour Party conference

Support

A NEW FACTOR in the organisation of the left at this year's conference was. an open conference bulletin produced by National Labour Briefing and sponsored by a series 'of campaigns and pressure groups.

By Redmond O'Neill

Over the week of conference this bulletin established the ability of National Labour Briefing to act as an open forum of ideas and as an organiser on the left of the Party.

The bulletin carried naces estenells CLPD'S Nomen's AC- like CND, mitur Commit Labour CND,- Labour tee on reland, Against the Witch Hunt Aie ey otie,

It published debates involving individuals like Tony Benn, Ken Living-

David Blunkett StUle and dozens of CLP and trade union delegates.

What makes Labour

News

photo. IOHN HAPPIS

Labour Briefing

Briefing so effective is the fact that it is based on and under the control of its readers. Its editorial board meets monthly and delegates from local labour lefts, affiliated campaigns and Briefing groups can attend and vote.

In this way Briefing is able to act as a genuine oroaniser of the rank and file left wing within the Party. . The success of its bulletin at conference reflected this fact.

For example, Briefing's was the only slate to he elected in the CLP's section of the NEC election. It was the clearest voice for unity Socialist deren of policies and opposition to the witch hunt.

Following the conference Briefing can play

decisive role stimulating the necessary debate on where the left goes from here and örganising a network of left caucuses throughout the country.

Briefing's next editorial meeting will be on Sunday 23 October, at llam, County n LocoR

Page 5 scan of this page

News

YET AGAIN, this year's Labour Party conference chose to ignore and deride the demands of women members for more democracy in the Party. In fact the women's demands were minimal.

They were embodied in

composite resolutions calling for the Labour Women's Conference to elect women's places on the NEC; for a rules conference to draw

rules for the women's conference • so that it can no longer be ignored; and for at least five resolutions to go forward from women's conference to national conference — again hardly an excessive amount of time to ask for. All the more outrageous then that these resolutions were so resoundingly defeated.

Women were

ignored

Below we

ANNE CROWDER of Nottingham East CLP to

the Labour Party conference. She put the case for

the policies for women's rights in the Party. (From

Labour Briefing conference bulletin).

'WE HAVE heard much rhetoric about the

need for the Party to win back the support of

called for socialist policies. The louder you

shout, the louder the applause you can get.

people who are shouting louder than most

others but are being ignored and prevented

from pushing forward the policies that they

per cent of the population. Despite the fact that we

have been the ones to bear the brunt of capitalism

and despite the fact that women have turned to the

Labour Party to support them.

become more active. But when we get near to win-

ning the demands which will make a difference for

women — when men will have to clear out of the

countable to the rank and file women .

socialists should have thrown off and rejected cen-

The present NEC is hostile to women's demands in

action, and the block votes will be against us. But I

ask the trade union leaders who are against change

in favour of women: how far did you consult with

your women membership?

ay on this platform, unless you are prepared, to

what is important to

what changes they seek, and let women carry them

out, whilst remaining accountable to women at the

Labour

conference

ignores

women's

demands

Anne Davis, in opposing all the demands for the NEC, made a speech full gestures towards women - even going so far as to offer a polite reprimand to Chair Sam McCluskie for addressing women delegates 'girlie'. But for the most part though she was engaged in tipping her forelock to the'men on the NEC.

She claimed that: 'Although have the correct policies we are seen as a Party dominated by men'. There are two inaccuracies in this. First, the reproduce extracts from a speech by 'We have applauded speeches that have

'Well, comrades, in the Party there are

"This is despite the fact that women make up 52.

'The activity of women has enriched the labour 'I don't think this resolution will be carried.

'Don't pretend you've got something good to

women. Let women decide

Labour Party did not fight

clear policies about women. On abortion, for example, the manifesto reneged on conference policy for abortion on request.

By Judith Arkwright (Islington North

CLP delegate)

Second, how can anyone bemoan the male domination of the Party with sincerity and then so rigorously oppose any steps which try to give women. facility break down this male

You may be wondering why the opposition to such minimal demands was so emphatic Many Haic delegates revealed their attitudes in the debate itself by talking and groaning very loudly when a woman speaker tried to point this out. One begins to wonder whether the Labour and trade union leaders. will ever learn.

If the leadership of the labour movement would

Reductionism run riot

LARGE Americans with

lots of cash have always

been willing to pay vast

sums for any treatment

which claims to reduce

their weight.

Now the crude

melnoa or simply culling

large chunks of fat with a

scalpel peel

superseded by new tech-

.In the form

'suction lipectomy'.

This entails inserting lube _attached

pump into the area to be

reduced, ate all

sucking out unwanted

fat. Up to half a stone

can be excavated in one

session

take a clear stand for women's liberation we could begin to break down sexist attitudes and dangerous divisions between men and women in the movement.

(From Labour Briefing conference bulletin).

'AS PREDICTED women. But we almost won the

forward for women in the Party

win.

Pettifor, 39 Caldervale Road,

A step was made towards this in the vote for the resolution for a rules conference which was defeated by only a narrow majority 01 3,000,000 3,134,000. Unions like the

MALE

ORDER

Plastir

ment £500 to

merchants are clear : about target

tionately

domens.'

the and isn't

future the third worid.

AND I AM GLAD TO REPORT THAT 52% of THE MEMBERSHIF IS NOW FEMALE!

WELCOME To

ICONFERENCE

TGWU and the NUM supported this resolution now we have to fight for them to be bolder in the future and back women all the way We have to take the Women's Action Committee

conference voted against composite calling for a rules conference for the women's organisation. This in itself is a tremendous step

'The WAC has been consistently calling tol the women's organisation to be democratised along the lines of the rest of the Party. We need your help if we are to continue this pressure and

'If you can help in our campaign, contact: Ann

London SW4.

fight into the unions, especially unions like the NÜR and the POEU which have a left leadership but whose position on women na ward at all. We must look

POSITIVE

ACTION

FOR WOMEN

WORKERS

for equal opportunities in the union All are available Department, NALGO, 1 Mabledon Place; London WCIH 9AJ.

Socialist Action 14 October 1983

...and the leadership?

to the mas. of women who are joining unions at twice the rate of men and organise them to challenge their leadership and bring their strength to bear in the Labour Party.

Women are getting their foot in the door. The CLPD Women's Action Commiee must turn I attention to organising women at the base of the Labour Party itself and in the unions has very few local affilia

and ColE pared to its national impaul.

In the unions we need to draw up model resolutions, organise fringe meetings conferences and promote rank and file organisation for women.

In addition, women ir the party must fight for the right policies on women. Women want power Party but not power in a vacuull political demands only and our

campaigning energy will really mobilise women action. And this is the

Watch your

language!

WATCH your language! and Positive Action for

from the Publicity

5 Cartoon: LIZ MACKI 'NALGO pamphlet 'Watch your language' — see Male Order below)

TUC

CTIO

DAY

ост.

29

lifeblood of our movement

— if only the Labour Par-

it would but understar d

Competition

NO ENTRIES were received to Male Order's recent competition write the funniest reply to the question Is the Pope real? couldn't you make up you! minds?

Anyway, this time: • l've made it a bit easie and will simply award the prize to the funniest en. try sent to the columo before the end of October.

Your limit is 300 words and the

• One le newly published bock Greenham Women Everywhere by Alice COOK and Gwyr Kirk (Pluto Press, £3.50)

Compiled HILAR) DRIVER. Send contriba

'Male

Stret, arrive not later than Thurs day a week prior to pablica tion.

Page 6 scan of this page

Eurosociąlist Kinnock?

Socialist Action WHEN Neil Kinnock was crowned Labour leader last week, he took red roses from his wife's bouquet and held them aloft — surely not an accidental gesture. For the red rose in a fist is the symbol of Europe's socialist parties, and Kinnock made explicit reference to their success in his acceptance speech in What are the politics Eurosocialists, and how does Kinnock intend to imitate them?

The place to start is with Francois Mitterrand, Carrenl President France, and par excellence founder of 'Eurosocialism'. the general strike of 1968 occurred in rrance. Communist Party easily the dominant party of the retce woou cros. The Socialists, that

organised in the SFIO (French Section of the Socialist International) were by comparison a grouplet. In the 1969 presidential election they were crushed by both the Gaullists and Communists, receiving only 5 per cent oi le volc But the traumatic events of 1968

had radicalised a whole generation, and the vast majority looked first to the mass parties of the working class rather than the far left groups.

Mitterrand saw his opportunity to rebuild the Socialist Party. The first thing he realised was that to gain a mass base, to break with the SFIO's image of a staid party of parliamentary manoeuvre, the Socialist Party had to be built as a left wing party.

Sy Paul Lawson

Mitterrand took the socialists into the alliance with the Communists, the union ae la aucne, ana neroea 10 daborate the Programme Commun of the alliance. Through this alliance, the Socialists built themselves, but on

very particular political line. Socialists went simultaneously to the right and the left of the Communists. On certain crucial issues economy, defence, NATO adopted a political line well to the right of the Communists.

But on social questions such as democratic rights; reform of the archaic and centralised state apparatus, ret management 1n industry. adopted a line to the left of the Com-

terand democratic rights beautifully illustrated when the Trotskyist Ligue Communiste was banned in 1973. While the Communist Party held aloof, Mitterrand rushed to be photographed with the handcuffed Ligue leaders.

Mitterrand's project amounted to this: while certain crucial guarantees had to be given to the bourgeoisie, to convince it that the SP remained a porential party of government, leftist demagogy could be used to build the SP's base.

In the mid-1970s libertarian socialism' could be used Socialist Parin, arainst the French, Greek and Spanish

their munist Party rivals, weighed down by the burden of a Stalinist past and residual links with Moscow.

Only in Italy could this project not succeed, because the Italian Communist Party moyed to occupy any political space that could otherwise have been used the democrats.

The extent of the left demagogy of the Eurosocialists could be gauged by the statements of the

ader of the Greek PASOK, Papandreou. He described the EEC as dub multinational

NATO as ine military pressive machine - the state multinational capital'.

When Franco died in Spain in 1975 the now-legalised Socialist Party held mass rallies with red flags, clen-

14 October 1983 Brighton. of the

of •LIC

When

was

time The

the - they

they

was ist Party, did SP leader Felipe

the theme of repress his left wing.

The manoeuvres

Com- change the fundamental

these narties

abbalalus. capitalist system.

eating By 1982

social lainca stale power.

Led rapidly to the right.

wing Mitterrand's

cratic reforms.

Koyeucul

'a abolished the monopolies'

sup-

- OI

table to the ruling class.

Internationally,

Kinnock will use radical phraseology in imitation of his 'Eurosocialist' colleagues ched fists and renditions of the Internationale. Only three years later, after frappe, having outmanoeuvred the Commun-

Gonzalez move to drop the word 'Marx- crusade. Ism trom tae barty s consutunion ana

oi the Eurosocialists in the 1970s however did not

nature of - the fact that they were after all social democratic parties, tied to administering the bourgeois state

ultimately loyal to the

The proof of the pudding is in the

PASOK and the French and Spanish CPs had all at-

All or tach mov-

government did carry through a number of demo-

decentralised administration, death penalty, it granted an extra week's paid holiday for all. But faced with the major ques. tions of national and international politics, it adopted solutions accep-

Mitterrand has played an exceptionally reactionary

role, supporting the French force de

sending French troops Lebanon and Chad, and becoming part of the international anti-Moscow

At home he has imposed stringent austerity.

Gonzalez's government is at least as right wing as the German SPD government of Helmut Schmidt. And the PASOK leaders have gone back on all their anti-NATO and anti-EEC demagogy. Example

If Kinnock really wants to follow

example the European socialists, and all the signs are that he does, then the formula is very simple — go right and left simultaneously.

To get the Labour Party into a situation where it can be part of a governmental team sanctioned by the bourgeoisie, Kinnock has to dump left wing policies on the EEC, , disarmament and incomes policy. But he's got three or four years to do it, and changing the line on the EEC is virtually already accomplished.

But he also has to rebuild the Labour Party. On all kinds of social

questions police, fighting the cuts, defence of local government, trade unions rights — Kinnock can atford a leftist stance in the short term.

By pulling into his team of advisors the erstwhile lefts Labour Co-ordinating Committee, he will be well briefed on these issues. Doubtless he will clean up his act on women's rights.

No suspicions about his future intentions, or his willingness to lead Labour towards coalition with the Alliance at the next election, should make us think that he represents a return of the right wing.

Eurosocialism has another deeper meaning. In this period of accelerated economic crisis and deeper international economic competition, increased buronean economic and militarı integration is towards defending capitalism against Japanese rivals.

Britain slayıll.

Market is absolutely fundamental.

All ine burosocialst parues are now pro-EEC. defending European basing economic and foreign policy

JULY democratic rights, the

health service

labour

trom the democracy

Illg Class for

response European its US and

Towards this end, European

the Common These

Eurosocialism means

imperialism; , ning to us all.

Surplus Value

on this option rather than an antiquated Atlantic alliance.

The Eurosocialist analogy is of

The British movement has no mass Stalinist party to compete with social

The trade unions are affiliated to the mass party of the work-

LAU+ there •limited percentage in trying to build a party on the issues which attract intellectuals and 'middle' layers in society. Most of all, the project is difficult in a party which already has a powerful and entrenched left wing.

Imperialism

But its fundamentals - support European imperialism, going right and left simultaneously, trying to incorporate a section of the lett -can be applied. But in case anyone thinks that this heralds a new socialist dawn, they should look closely at the

experience especially of Mitterrand and Gonzalez.

are social govertnclls democratic governments of austerity, cold war, the Common Market and working class demoralisation. A war-

Page 7 scan of this page

and friends

Surplus Value

THIS WEEK AT Blackpool the Tories meet in ference. Thatcher fresh from her June election victory will get a rapturous from the rank and file.

But in the more astute circles of the ruling there is just a euphoria and complacency. The British bourgeoisie nothing if it is not hard-headed and realistic. They are just a little worried that over the years the Tory Party has been losing ground and between 1964 and 1979 lost four elections out of five.

Some of the ruling class think it is not a bad idea to hedge their bets and this means giving a nod and a wink to the Alliance.

In this article which is based on the last chapters of the book Thatcher and friends JOHN ROSS we look at what has been happening to the Tory Party and SDP/Liberal got friends in high places.

DESPITE ITS LARGE parliamentary majority the Tory Party is in decline. From 1886 onwards the Tories won the largest share of the vote in 12 out of 13 general elections.

After crushing the general strike and marginalising the trade

thirties. such mass support that their votes in the 1931 and 1935 elections are easily the largest ever recorded in Britain under any electoral system. For nearly 78 years up to 1964 the Tories were virtually continously in office.

Then after 1964 a new Conservative crisis set in. For 11½ out of the next 15 years they were in opposition. They lost four out of five general elections.

Weakness

Thatcher came forward task of halting this slide. brilliantly utilised Labour's weakness and the undemocratic nature of the British electoral system but she has still not . been able to halt her decliné.

Despite getting more seats than in the last parliament the orv vote this year still slithered downwards. Her vote on 6 June 1983 was the lowest real vote ever recorded by a Tory permier. In the last election the Tories got 42 per cent of the votes, compared to 44 per cent in 1979 and 53 per cent in 1935. (see table for detailed breakdown of votes since 1935).

In Scotland the Tory slumped by 22 per cent since 1935. The Labour Party is in deep crisis, revival of Toryism under should not blind us to the fact that the Conservative Party is in decay. The attempt to rebuild a mass popular Conservative Party in the post-war years has essentially failed - a failure which inevitably calls into question the entire form of the party system in which the Conservatives were born.

The days when the Tory Party could integrate the political fabric of British society in an immense party political domination alcover The decline of the Conservative Party, and of the modern British party system is a product of the rise and British imperialism itself. The immense complex of economic and social forces Which made up classical British imperialism are breaking down.

To attempt to get over that, British capitalism must abandon economic formulas created in the 1840s and link itself to new rising forces - in

con-

reception

class little less

is SDP/Liberal

two

by

why the Alliance has

union

iney Dulll

with the

She has

party's capitalism of the

vote has

change in the party system. but the

Thatcher

such

British politics

bring itself into existence.

Partv and the economic

decline of mechanisms that

imploding political and beginning to be required.

the old

55 50 45 40 35 particular, to the powerful European

EEC. This entire reorganisation of the mechanisms of the British economy needs a complete

It is only possible to outline what

La new party system will be. It would as far as the ruling class is concerned consist of a Gaullist-type Tory Party, the creation of the SDP/Liberal 'pro-EEC' Party and the creation of a reformist Socialist Party as opposed to the Labour Party. Over the last 30 years

has been about the struggle of that new party system to

It's aim, naturally, is to forestall any socialist alternative to the longdrawn-out-decline of the Conservative

socia By the 1960s and 70s the economic contradictions of the old imperialist system were

British society. New had 'economic formulas were

The results were the 'retreat from the Empires, the decision to enter the EEC and that period from 1964 to 1979

Thatcher

1960

Tory percentage of the vote since 1931

when the Tories lost four general elections out of five. This was when the social alliances of the Tories began to break down. In October 1974 the Conservative vote fell to the lowest level for 115 years. Heath campaigned for a 'national' and not even a specifically Tory government. Strategies

In society as a whole it was a period of disturbance and conflict, wịth the activity of the anti-Vietnam movement, student upheavals and in the 1970s the largest trade union struggles since the general strike. In the Labour Party a new left wing emerged led by Tony Benn. British capitalism had not faced such problems for 50 years and they showed the weakening of the mechanisms through which the Torie

carried out their stragegies. Now the most important thing for the British ruling class is how to put a stop to these processes.

Whilst vote has

declining the Conservatives have proved incapable of gaining support from it

1980

and thus stopping their own electoral decline. Large sections of the working class have not shown themselves as deeply attached to Labour in the way many assumed. historically has shown itself to be op posed to the Tory Party. Anti-Toryism, not support for Labour is the most profound and widest of all traditions in the British working class movement

This is why the Tory Party has no mechanisms for institutionalising links with sections of the working class breaking with Labour. and 1983 Thatcher inflicted tremendous defeats on the Labour Party but she could not succeed in winning votes for the Conservatives. In fact 700,000 fewer people voted Tory in 1983 than in 1979.

Had Thatcher re-created mass supold port for the Conservative Party, had she succeeded in reversing 50 years of political Tory decline, had the Party now found some mechanism to integrate in workers and others been Labour, British capitalism political systall.

servative Party.

development. coherent pressures

Fi ne

cient.

political

was supported by (chair

Edmund

nard Doyle, McConnell.

advertising election, Spencer

EMI,

Minority

representative

main

'second' party

they But the working class

its

1979 Between Conservative

its support the skilled

breaking from there would be no need for

reorganise its f2.50.

British capitalism

Socialist Action 14 October 1983 7

could rest content today, with what it enjoyed in the years between the wars - a mass authentically popular Con

Thatcher's defeat of Labour is not enough to create political stability. The old system of rule still continues declin. ing. That is why the levels of support of each party in 1983 formed part of such

long-term pattern Is also why the for fundamental reorganisation of the political system have not been overcome

emergence of the Socia Democratic/Liberal Alliance bears testimony to the fact that important

of the ruling class recognise that Thatcherism alone is not suffi

Nothing could be more naive than the view that the Alliance is the

expression of the 'middle class'. At its foundation the Alliance

John Harvey Jones of ICI), Clive Lindley (ICI group), Claude Wilson (Rothchilds),

Dell (ex-Labour cabinet minister and now a merchant banker), the chief executive of the SDP was Ber

former head of Booker

On 24 January the Guardian noted that "The SP is planning a £250,000

call balki money donated, it is believed, by Mr David Sainsbury of the supermarket family? Earlier Lord Sainsbury another backer of the SDP launch had noted that 'we are simply offering a more stable environment for business'. Of the major firms with annual reports prior to th

Thorn, EMI and Marks and had donated funds to the SDP/Liberal Alliance. In 1981 Thorn,

ICL, Marks and Spencer Sainsburys along with Booker McConnell were among the 100 companies with the largest turnover.

The ruling class see in the SDP/-Liberal Alliance as a way of cutting into the Labour vote and later perhaps into the labour movement, in a way that the Conservatives are clearly unable to do. It has the potential to fracture Labour's support into its two historical components — that part which was authentically pro-Labour and that which is primarily anti-Tory. That discerning voice of the interests of the ruling class, the Financial Times said: "In a more

voting system. the Alliance could emerge tomorrow as the

alternative to . Mrs Thatcher, which we would count as a strong gain. The ruling class will not succeed in their objective of making the Alliance the

But by building up the Alliance, and winning over the traditional anti-Tor vote of sections of the working clas they hope to create a situation whereb if the Tory vote slumps even further ondith, a loet the DP/Libera cannot Alliance and the Tories could make Labour a permanent minority party.

Thatcher and friends tomy of th

John Ross Pantone s Thatcher and friends - The anatomy of the Tory Party by JOHN ROSS Published by Pluto Press,

Page 8 scan of this page

THE ACTION INTERVIEW

8

Interview with LUIS JALANDONI

National Democratic Front of the

Can you explain the background of

the killing of Aquino, the leader of

bourgeois opposition party in the

Philippines, the United

Democratic Organisation?

All evidence points to the respon-

sibility of the Marcos government.

TIC retrie

Philippines, there was a convergence

of factors whien we in the Nauonal Democratic Front believe about the assassination.

First was the advance of the armed

resistance and the struggle of the New People's Army. There were 300 tactical offensives from March 1982 to

The second factor, was the ad-.

with the spread of mass protest actons in many cities teachers,

people. This had the effect of exposing the brutalities of the military and the economic crises of the regime.

The third factor was the polarisation towards the left.

This widespread, economic that Aquino could unite the moderat opposition. thet, with a cooperation of the revolunior ary left and the moderate opposition Marcos could lose the elections in May 1984. This was too much for Marcis and Aquino was assassinated. Сап ус и say something about United States s'akes in the Philippines?

Admiral Robert Long, the US commander in chief describes this much more powerfully than I can.

I will read you something from a statement he gave to a foreign affairs subcommittee. "The starting point of any discussion concerning strategic value of the US military facilities in the Philippines must be the examination of US interests in the Asia-Pacific region. As you know this region is of vital countdoltance to the United States.

'Our trade last year continued to outpace that of any other region, both I terms of its total dollar value some $136 billion — and as a percentage of all US foreign trade cent. These figures do not include the additional $160 billion of oil

oceans last year en route to world markets.

For these reasons, the racınic region represents our sungle largest economic area of interest and i conunues to grow in importance each year

'As our economic and political inlerests increase, so must our interest in its security.. The Philippines sits astride the vital sea and air lanes of the Western Pacific and the gateways to the Indian Ocean. It is in close proxumity to Soviet installations in '

US forces in the Philippines are deally positioned to give

flexibility in that part of the world'. The Clark alrbase and the Subic naval base in the Philippines are the largest bases outside the United States itself. Sis race done ran are been like places

the Reagan administration are

farcos regime?

Of course. In June this year a senior

aid was quoted as saying that political instability in the Philippines will endanger access to vital military

He said the US embassy is making contacts with the moderate opposiDOn. He explained that this did mean the destabilisation of the Marcos regime, that the regime was entering its twilight.

he sala 'We don't want to find

Socialist Action 14 October 1983

Philippines

Nationalist

At the

brought

assassination Marcos feared

Pacific

the

did in Iran'

Since policy of the HOTC strongly

30 рег

which

Led.

Pacific

play.

• Asia-

ment that grows

moderate opposition.

cessions to the opposition.

Economic materests or orners

political DOWCH!

The official US max

comedy of the elections.

parliamentary means.

credibility through Do you

hold the ground demonstrations. some other choice.

UNIDO has

strengthened their support? UNIDO has

honary not they mobilising causes, cos.

International representative of the

CONTINUE THE STRUGGLE F

FREEDOM : DEMOCRACY

K

Students from the Philippines University demonstrate after Aquino's ourselves in the same dilemma as we

and Nicaragua, the United States has been link with the porters. moderate opposition in order to have an authority in case a regime in power become so unpopular that it is toppl-

But if they try to do this in the Phy. Phere othe revolutis nary move other factors come into Sandino,

strength and works painstakingly to win over this

There is a regime which is brutal strength. and desperate and will not make con-

Through its greed it is even taking over the

To grant concessions in terms of principles would endanger Mar- peasants. cos himself. So the US has found that So

position of the moderate opposition is to boycott the up.

The murder

Aquino is the death knell of any

The dilemma of the US is they see a slim chance of getting the election the through. It Marcos cannot gain more

seemingly 'fair' and if the regime cannot against militant une may make .

called demonstrations wise against the Marcos regime, has this

grown ilising. strength of course. They are mobilising in cooperation with the revolustrength is tore seen in the realrowing Their growing

genuine for popular like the resignation of Mar-

The NDF see this as positive, we

Luis Jalandoni

want to encourage all these other forces to mobilise as a mass so that it

will be difficult for the Marcos regime to pinpoint who are the NDF sup. Nicaragua shere you joined the opposition to the US back.

ed regime and where, in the words of

peasants go all the way.

There are similarities. The revolu-

forces have the principal They are the strongest builders of the opposition. Therefore we are able to develop this kind of

with the moderate opposition without compromising basic

and interests

the • revoll. tionary land reform. elimination of exploitation of the ocasalll. and abolition of landlordism are not given

The interests of the workers will

From a position of strength we are able to negotiate for cooperation with

other including the business sector who would agree to campaign for civil disobedience for the resignation of Marcos, an end to US support for the regime and the 'release of political prisoners

The present situation calls for broadening of unity. It would be un-

NDF to moderde oobosror. don't get the credit now, we are the ones mobilis

We contue moo. This will help us topple this dictator and any political tyranny thai may take its place.

Eventually we expect it to lead to

independence revolutionary people's coalition ment, an economy without exploitation of peasants and workers. It will

specifically Filipino type

0 Miles 200

CHINA

Clark Air Force

US Nava SI

al susic Bay KALIMANTAN

'We are in an era of

revolutionary upheavals

throughout the world'

socialist economy. In between, there

Will be many steps. There will be the

immediate danger

military rule.

The revolutionarv movement ir

the rural areas is now spread over 39

guerilla fronts, in 56

the support of about 10 million peo

ple. It cannot be crushed any longer

The revolutionary movement in the

urban centres is broader and the fight

cal grow sulunger

But of course we will have to g

through difficulties until we are able

to gain more victories and set up a

provisional

ment, which will be the transition to

nationwide victory

lurks the danger of US intervention

So for us the international the for diplomatic support, as well as in-

ternational solidarity from the people

becomes crucial.

The comrades in El Salvador are

able to deflect large scale intervention

and Nicaragua

aSO. The Latin American struggies

against intervention will be of tremen-

uous assistance. lo us.

share networks,

tions and analysis then we may be able

to deflect US intervention in one of its

kev bastions and so contribute to the

weakening of US

al cas We are just beginning

dialogue. I have just

comrades

Salvador here in the

many. I have talked to the African

National Congress

Do you think there are lessons to be

learnt from i the

government and the

LIVELICE use

against imperialism?

In various fields of struggle we can

learn from each other — international

diplomacy, mass of guerilla warfare.

material

PHILIPPINES ment

tisan warfare

LUZON

into the PHILIPPIL

mutually

SAMAR Do the ship?

education,

MINDANAO

NDF. organisation teachers.

peasants

and vouth course the

revolutionary Then the

confidence and

and we

going

barefaced

conndence that

ferent era

tionary goverl

In between there

work the will of the force.

been successful revolutionary

developed alu It we could LiNC contacts, organisa- The

munist

intervention talked to claser

• the of the FMLN-FDR of El Britain and in Ger-

Nicaraguan up their EI Salvador established

mobilisations

recognised

mobilisation, We want lots of Marcos regime.

News

sent to the Philippines

English, Spanish and French on the

different aspects - the combination

of mass mobilisation with the armed

struggle, the combination of political

struggle and armed struggle, the com

bination of the open peasant move

with the peasant wa and the

guerilla warfare with armed city par-

We have to work together. This is

vital for the future, not only during the struggle but also later

We have rich natural resources

and we hope that we won't have to get

financial system dominated by the United States. We can have

beneficial trade with pro-

gressive movements who win.

people mobilising against

Marcos look to the NDF for leader.

Very much so because of the political

the and

organisation of the NDF

Eight organisations make up the There is the underground working among Then there is the health

association which works among doc

tors and nurses. They provide medica care to the guerillas and training to

in alternative health pro organise in they own sector. Then we have the student

workers in the revolutionary workers' movement and the

peasants' movement Christians for National Liberation and the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Are you optimistic for the future?

Oh yes! It is an optimism based on a

win. But the sacrifices will be tremendous

who had been fighting under the old leadership (of the PKP, the old Communist Par ty) when the programme was wrong and there were many mistakes.

He is now fighting with the NDF

New Peoples Army. He said, 'Before, we used to carry heavy packs

were walking, walking. We did not know what was in the packs and we did not know where we were

Now we are also walking and carrying heavy packs, but we know what is in the packs, it is precious gold, and we know wacle we are going

So there is a conviction. There is continuing education, analysis from the grass roots to the top. There is a

UȘ imperialism and the regime can be defeated.

Maybe in an earlier time the US could decimate the people. But today they cannot destroy the Salvadorean or Filipino people. We are in a dif-

It is an era where there are revolu

• upheavals throughout the world and even revolutonary strug gles in the heartlands of capitalism

The US thought they could break

people with superio . This is where thev made thei mistake because they cannot break the will of the people

The international struggle will be an integral and enriching part of the

theory that is being and created by workers peoples al this This was not really there in 1945 comparty, the PKP, was celebrate their victories and no prepare for the counter attack of the enemy. When they were defeated, in stead of looking at their errors, they started to blame the people

This PKP leadership refused to listen to the criticisms of marxist militants who were coming out in 196l and were organising mass mobilisations against US bases and the US intervention in Vietnam. In December 1968 the young militants decided to set

organisation, the Communist Party, Communist Party of the Philippines.

Today the PKP organisations are

and they - send them abroad to Prague and other places. But it is not a political force anymore because it has collaborated with the

Page 9 scan of this page

Interviewi

Tony Banks' vote

BEFORE RUSHING into print to demand of Tony Banks an explanation as to why he voted for Kinnock as opposed to Heffer in the Labour leadersnip erecuon, socialls! Action should check the LaCs

This would have revealed that far from voting centre-right off his own bat, as your piece imples, was mandated by the full Newham North West GC to vote Kinnock-Meacher,

What is more lon had made it clear from me start or te icaterslup campaign that he supported Heffer. However in Newham, after fighting hard to rid the | party of the lies of Reg Prentice and Arthur Lewis, Tony Is as aware one reo the Labour voters and party workers tual tie fundamental reason for democratic re-selection was to ensure that MPs follow the party line. He requested a mandate.

It was at precisely this stage that the centre-right Kinnock supporters reveacu meir true colours and proposed that we leave it up to lony This was crushed and

The Cause of Ireland

THE MAKERS of the above programme would like to publicise the fact that the film The Cause of Ireland, as transmitted on Monday night at 11.00pm, was not the original film as edited by Platform Films, but a shorter version, cut at the request of Channe Hour Television, who informed us that the following four sections of the film contravened the Independent Broadcasting Authority's Television programme guidelines:

A sequence of shots inside the country house of a master of the hunt in Northern Ireland, followed by a fox-hunting SCCIC.

Two sections of an interview with a representative of the Confederation of British Industry in Belfast.

American City

THE SACKING of the Cowley workers reminded

neapolis in the thirties.

was a bloke called Vincent

Dunne. A book describing the strikes called American City by Charles Rumford Walker tells about Dunne's union activity and his work on the coal

From 1921 on VR Dunne earned his living in the coal yards Minneapolis. He had gone to work for the De Laitre Dixon Coal Company and stuck with them for twelve years. He shovelled coal, drove truck became weigh-master, dispatcher

dent. All these years he spoke publicly, wrote tor his party's press - the Communist Party - and gave a substantal part ol his earnings to the revolu-

belonged. Why wasn't he fired from the De Laitre Dixon Company for beingt a Communist? ... the De Laitres were millionaires several times over from lumber holdings. Ray Dunne they liked personally and found

Westminster

Tony Banks joins the GLC fares protest procedure to mandate adopted.

This did not give the result that we on the left wanted. but to ditch mandation for temporary gain

KIMNOPORSTU

MIN

3. The section of commentary:

'For, while the firepower of Republicanism is usually aimed at the securityforces or pudlic representatives of the British state. Loyalist violence has been directed indiscriminately at the Catholic community.

4. The section of

Write to us!

This is your page. Send us your

congratulations. But please be brief -

Write to: Letters, him a highly intelligent weigh-master. Lecturing

repeatedly his radical views, they nonetheless refused to fire him when he spoke at street meetings and attended plenums of the Communist Partv. A streak of Tory radicalism made them despise the idea of firing man for his political views they respected Dunne and found him a more than comparent epc, even

of Durine turned them

Dunne down. Instead, he worked as hard as he could organise a rank and file revolt — in their own war the De Laitres respected him for that too. Finally, in 1933 the coal company entered into a business ar-

with Fuel Distributors, a Ford owned corporation was transferred to the new concern. For several weeks the Ford manager tried to make up his mind to fire

Communist weighmaster who had come to him with the OK of the De Laitre Dixons. First he asked him to resign'. was such a unique episode that I believe it deserves 2.

London Transport

100% Increase

Trom would have been another victory for the centre-right.

P. SIKORSKI, London E13.

JKLETTERSTU

commentary: "Those Protestants who have been trained in the Ulster Defence Regiment or the R.U.C. would remain a real threat to Catholics in the North of Ireland. (in the event of a British withdrawal).

CHRIS REEVES JOHN UNDERHAY Platform Films comments, criticisms or even

letters over 300 words will be cut.

Socialist Action, 328 Upper Street, London N1 2XP. (Tel: 01-359 8180)

place in the record. 'Is il because of my work?' Ray asked his boss. 'No, No. The work is alright — you know that Dunne'. 'Do I get on alright with the men?'. course relations with the men are fine. "Well what is it?'

Believe it or not, the Ford manager was embarrassed. He put off the firing until another day. But after all, it was too much for a Ford company harbour a trade unionist who at the moment was organising the coal heavers of Minneapolis under his Hose and was Communist to boot. VR Dunne

Fascist rally. A week latei the manager gave him his last pay cheque.'

This wonderful book, but quite unobtainable was published New York in 1937! SA readers should contact their local library and see if it can uncover some copies.

CHARLIE VAN GELDEREN, London.

THE ROYAL ACADEMY in London is notorious for being Britain's most reactionary artistic institution. Nevertheless, the Academy will host (until 13 November) a major exhibition of revolutionary art. Entitled 'Art of Avant-

June Garde in Russia', the exhibition is a collection of paintings, drawings and illustrated books from the October 1917 Revolution and its aftermath.

The 'Russian garde was never a single unified movement, more a

variety 'isms':

Suprematism, to name only a few. What linked these groups KWaN the spirit of revolution. In part. the avant carde was an artistic rebellion.

Epitomising this is one of the exhibition's major pieces, Olga Rozanova's extraordinary slashing green stripe on a white background - a dramatic swipe at the pictorial conventions of the day. And, as the exhibition shows, the bulk of avall. garde's work was in this abstract, non-representational vein, concerned to decomplicate or simplify

through a focus on questions of form and colour.

But the avant-garde was more than a rebellion against the artistic conven-

avant-garde artists embraced the proletarian revolution and placed their art at its service. Revolu-

like Lissitsky tirelessly produced propaganda in defence of the embryonic workèrs'

Video for peace

two 30 minute films,

If Love This

when he The answer when the

of the is usea. to

are each times as

the Second World Dr

of such

In the near future she

ficial will

on for million: a nuclear

that 90 per

Those will either

the ozone will be

Art of the Avant-Garde in Russia

state. Avant-garde artists reecred me nouon or tne

artist as an independent, dool ouserver producing art for the rich elite who could afford it.

Instead, the revolutionary artists. of the avant-garde saw them-

selves as workers engaged in the production of art for the and an art which also had 'use value'. This synthesis of art and function represented in the exhibition with, among dune things, the futurist geometric clothes theatre designs of Exter and Popova, and architec-

Klucis.

There is also an interesting

illustrated books by such major artists as Mayakovsky.

sky's the

This

art was the

But the rise

restoration of ruling

Where capitalism such control money

•Stalinism

artists of the

museums.

In of the in-

-art of avant-garde,

dogma Socialist

AS PART of its peace year, the Greater London Council is lending out for free a video containing If You Love This Planet, by Helen Caldicott and Protest and Survive, by Schools

fallout,

music,

She but con-

dividuals' and lives by emotions tenderness and love

why is escalating

world ICCOST

The Against

effective -

music

nuclear almost

for

Socialist Action 14 October 1983 Realism. This consisted of little more than an endless array of portraits of bureaucrats and Stak farms. confirming and glorifying Stalin's tyran.

By 1930, the brilliant flowering of Rus-

avant-garde art was dead.

One man, George Costakis, owns all the 300

tion (and this is only fragment of his total collection). Although Costakis has played an important part in rescuing Russian avant-garde

thi obscurity which it was condemned by Stalin, it is a scanda that art originally produc-

for Soviet should now belong to one

NuCLEnP

WEAPON

ARE NO

SFEN

CND protest at 1983 Labour Party Conference

It exposes these plan. as ridiculous and it includes a chilling interview with controle for Humberside He has th power over the police and army during and after nucicar war. me even na. control over who to have shot for taking food to stay alive

The video steers clear of blaming the US for escalating the arms race and that makes it difficult for head teachers to ban it

on the grounds that it is 'unbalanced'.

'Monument for the Third International' man, and hang on the

the Royal Academy for the gratificanon of tae culture vulture: of the bourgeoisie.

However, the exhibition still remains remarkable tribute to the boundless creativity unleashed by the world's first socialist revolution Interestingly, , the Russian avant-garde is the only art movement known where women played an equal role. For anyone interested

Russian Revolution, this exhibition essential viewing. * Art of the Avant-Garde ir Russia at the Royal Academy Piccadilly. London WI Daily 10am-6pm.

Finishes November 13.

does adopt unilateral school sitide and urges shudent

Schools Againsi the Bomb or Youth CND, t organise and demonstrate

It's a pity there are so few young women doing interviews and that they are all white and I can't se why they include David Owen in their interviews with 'experts.

that,

impac teachers and YCND take to schools and colleges

Page 10 scan of this page

DIARY

(These listings are free for all major labour movement and

activities. Semiadvertisements Sp per word and must be paid Sociavar Send to: Diary,

328 Upper street. Lonaon NI 2XP Thirsday, one week prior 1o later than puoucation). • Exhibition on plastic bullets at Islington libraries:

Central 3-15 Oct: Archway 17-29 Oct; Essex Rd 31 Oct-12 Nov; Manor Gdns 14-26 Nov; Finsbury 28 Nov10 Dec. Organised by Islington TOM with Islington Council.

talk by Selma James to commemorale luc centenary of Marx's death. Mon 24 Oct, 7.30pm, North London Poly, Room 08, LalUlUKC Hse, Highbury Grove NS.

Wheelchair accessible Further details: 01-837 7509.

Hindess

Ken Livingstone, • Democratising the unions

• Struggle for black rights Jenny Bourne, Unmesh Desai

Sunday 30 October

• Socialist foreign policy Joy Hurcombe, Alan Freeman • Women and family policy Judith Arkwright, Mica Nava

10 - Socialist Action 14 October 1983

" central A merced Nobody's Backyard.

Programme of meetings

organised Dy Norin London Central America Group, Tuesdays at 7.30pm, Hampden Community Centre, 150 Ossulston St NW1. £5 for full course or £l per meeting £2/50p unwaged). 25 Oct "Seeds of Revolution' film on Honduras:

I Noy Tim INicaragua - a Dangerous Example?'; 8 Nor Central America and Luc acale 15 Nov Liberation Theology:

Option for the poor; Nov 'The First Casualty' 29 Noy Viva Centro America! Further info Duncan Ureen 01-339 39/0 Meetinge in solidarity with Peace on Trial in Turkey. lurkisn reace Association Speakers: Dr Mehmet Ali Dikerdem (Campaign for Derence orIrAl. JOY Hurcombe (sec Labour CND), Cahit Baylau (Exec member Bank-sen), Briar uninin (chair I0 CND).

Fri 14 Oct, 7.30pm Transport Hse, Bristol. Org by Bristol CND TU group. • London Peace Day organised by the GLC, Sat 22 Oct. In Jubilee Gdns

International

A weekend of socialist debate and discussion

FACING 1984: THE

SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE

Saturday 29 October

• British politics: facing 1984 Andrew Gamble, Doreen Massey, John Ross, Barry

• Rebuilding the Labour Party

Vladimir Derer, Jude Woodward

Kate Holman, speakers from union broad lefts

• Socialist economic policy and the AES John Harrison, Hilary Wainwright

• Economic strategy for European Labour Ernest Mandel, Stuart Holland MP, John Palmer

Other sessions include: Tariq Ali on Pakistan; Devolution; Ireland.

• Rally on Sunday, 3.30pm: Building socialism in the

80s Jeremy Corbyn MP, Ernest Mandel, Stephanie Grant

Sat 29 & Sun 30 October Kingsway Princeton College, Sidmouth street, off Grays Inn Road,

London WC1 (Kings Cross tube)

Just £5 for the whole weekend, or £4 if booked in advance. £2.50 for one day only. Send cheques/POs payable to 'International' c/o

PO Box 50, London NI 2XP.

Creche facilities available by prior request.

starting 1lam, music from Carol Grimes Crocodiles, Breakfast Band, Mainsoueeze. The Guest Stars, Teresa Trull & Barbara Higsbie, High Jinx and Jan. warmor. rus new Variety from Cast, puppets and beer tent. All events free

Peace day concert at 8pm at The Ace, Hall Parade, Brixton with Edwin Starr veno washingion d the Mo Jo Kings, Super Karla. £4/£2 concession: box O|UCC VI-13/ 4000.

West London Labour

naugural mccune and report from LP Conf. Open to all West Londoners wishing to join. Mon 17 Oct, 7.30pm, , Malvern Arms, Bevington Rd, W10 «dubroke Jrove tuoc). • Nicaraguan community politics in action Public meeting with two reps from ine sandinista Derence Citees. Fri 14 Oct, Camden Town Hall,"

Buston Na

• The Caribbean and Central America Public meeung called ov srent South & East Labour Parties.

Corbyn MP, James

Dunkerley, Debbie Delange, Jenny Pearce and Billy

Thur 20 Oct, subm. Harlescer Methodist Church Hall Tavistock Road, NW10.

• CND National Demonstration London, 22 Uct, 1lam, Victoria Embankment. For details of

CND national office 01-263-0977. • Week of Action on Namibia Thur 27 Oct-Wed 2 Nov. Includes march and rallv in London on 29 Oct: Benefit dance 29 Oct Islington Town Hall with The Republic & Supercombo. Details of these & other events from NW5 NSC • rU DOX 10. LonGoI • TUC Women's Action Day 'A woman's place is ir her union yet. Hoi details of events contact your

TUC region or write congress use.

Russell St, London WCÍ, 01-636 4030.

RED MOLE T-SHIRTS, red

yellow. $2.75 only $2.15 each for orders of 10

more (include post) State size: S/M/L From The otner rrintsnop, to riccadil ly, Manchester 1.

• Glasgow Labour Campaign for Gay Rights meeting, Thur 13 Oct

AUEW Hall, West Regent Street, Glasgow.

VICTO HAM SANENT LONDON. BE THERE.

• El Salvador Solidarity Holiday in Cuba: 2nd prize Video Recorder; 3rd prize barrel or beer. Tickets £2.50 for book of five from ELSSOC , 29 Islington Park St. London NI. Draw takes place 21 October.

• Midland anti-racist conference, Sat 29 Oct 11-4pm, Digbeth Civic Hall,

• Urganisea Dy Birmingham Campaign Against Racism and

Council, 191 Corporation St. Speakers include Prem Singh. Avtar Johai.

Muhammad Idrish and Clare Short MP.

• Anti-Privatisation Newsletter produced by Public Service Action Fourth issue out now

material on council nouse sarcs, tallies o private contractors, and on

NHS,

British Rail, British Gas etc sup each Irom SCAl Publications, 27 Clerkenwell Close, London EC1, 01-253 304/.

No ntervention tr Central America (NICA) is a broad based coalition of sonaanly grouos. nullan rights orgs, aid agencies and political parties. The NICA •enon acadine has nov

been extended to 24 October. Copies of petitions or more

Compton Terrace, London N1 01-226 6747.

• Labour Movement conterence on neand -Peace through Democracy. Sat 26 Nov. Speakers include Tony Benn. Ker Livingstone, and Clive Soley.

• Hands off Central America South Londor labour movement Rally 28 Oct, Lambeth Town Hall, Speakers include: Tony Benn, Alan Sapper, Salvador Moncada (FDR/FMLN) and

Nicaragua and rena winer details/leaflets from

Vauxhall CLP, 01-582 2955

as nortomo workshops organised by

outhwark Unemployed Centre and Southwark CND Sat 15 Oct, 10-4pm , 83 Peckham High St, SE15

evellllig d Dominica Centre, 69 Peckham High St, 8pm. The Republic plus disco. £3 aamission

• Southwark CND week of action, 15-22 Oct. Many events (see above) including rally lue 18 Oct at Nort! pecknam civic centre did Kent Rd, 8pm; free films at the Ace cinema, High St from 6.30pm. Fri 21 Oct; Feeder march for national demo with float & steel band starts y.30am on Camberwell Green on 22 Oct.

Oct.22

Where

will you be?

CNDS

AcTion

Join the

fight for

socialism

L

PICKET

LINE

strike continues

CONTRARY to

dispute at the Stockpor

Messenger has not been

settled.

for 13 weeks with six Na. tional Graphical Association members still out on official strike.

Members of the journausts union did return O worker a coul. junction, but when

7 of the 18 NUJ member was escared refused to cross picket

Chloride strike sack

threat

STRIKING workers at the Chloride Power Storage Works in Swinton Manchester have

been threatened with the sack

Letters sent by the 560 workers last Friday said that their strike ended and they returned to work on Wednesday this week they would be fired.

This is the latest of a series of intimidating letters aimed at ending the dispute. The only result nas been to turme crease the workers' • resolve to win.

Twenty-four hour pickets are being stepped up and support has been pledged from the rest of

Chloride group PERFORMING:

LINTON KHESI SCENSEN Dub Deet

ARFCUE Chilean Music Crcup NYAN SINGERS

Thursday October 20.1983

7.00 pm

THE AFRICA CENTRE, 35 kine st. Wc2 Name

Address Age Union/CLP (if any) If you want more information about Socialist Action or to be put in touch with local supporters send this form to Socialist Action, 328 Upper Street, London N1.

Diary

Stockport Messenger

lines.

This will lead to further attacks on the

under Tebbit's

On ı Friday 7 October an NGA full time officer was hauled into the courts for contempt. The NGA had contacted

to re quest they boycott the

despite court order banning such ac tion (John Cutts)

should any workers be sacked.

Management's reply

the workers' - wage claim was the introduc-

fear icad lo a new wave of redundancies, a real tear considering over 2000 workers used to be employed at Chloride

The strikers are members of the Trans-

and General Workers Union

• Messages of support and donations to:

Branch Dispute Fund, c/o R. Butcher, 8 Ethel Ave, Pendlebury, Salford Lanes (Tony Pertill)

MAU MAU FREEDOM FIGHTERS DAY

senorens

Tel

Page 11 scan of this page

Luton crumbles

In the Unions

VAUXHALL WORKERS

cluding a substantial minority at Luton, amused by the results of their short-lived strike.

leaderships involved obligingly ran a mile to pick up and deliver the new offer.

The original claim for £25 across the board, plus shorter hours. longer anc

workers conveniently

ment and additional 0.05 UCL the

WOrKerS looked strong set for

give in at

to lay the

But

abdication

like Duffy their down-

ine factors in-

number of workers in the

declined the last four through 457,500 in 1979 to

this period decline has place, this time in

Photo: JOHN HARRIS

National and Local Government Officers

support with 2000 people attending.

at Ellesmere Port's works canteen last week were offered a pudding called 'Luton crumble'. But many of the workers, in-

weren't

The company moved but an inch and the union

1979, per cent were osI through com-

even

cent strike.

Wing profits,

industry suffered from decline WaLes. tivity resulting reductions staffing

losses. cap. off, Tories were SURINCI break the the prevent

mosphere confidence and among car workers. i ne strike was the

workers cull ally.

their years. But political Muhammad Idrish on a demonstration in Birmingham protesting threatened deportation. The demonstration, backed by. Muhammad's union the

tone set bv the election and the gallop to the right of the TUC, combined with the steady erosion of union organisation and militancy, meant that the majority of Vauxhall workers were ready to seltle for the 7.75 per cent Ged.

For. al these reasons the fact and the outcome

not be taken an dicator of likelv developments the coming. autumn wages round

Already Ford workers nave put in for a l› per cent flat rate increase while at British Leyland they are due only cent the second half of

acal seems more and more like-

tle for 5-6 per cent, the NCB having made what they declare to be a 'first and final offer which practice means about 3,8

Colt average earnings.

Fight

For the rest of the public sector, it's possible that the fire fighters will be the first to break through ¡nalcner s o per cent casn limit on pay.

loday tnere are more issues facing trade

solely size of their wage packet. Privatisation, cuts, shorttime working, redundan-

tion are just some that spring to mind.

against his

Association, achieved magnificent

A fight around pay can no longer be successful in the long term unless combined with a fight to defend services, jobs and the unions. This also involves

political offensive, to contront head on the wide. ly accepted Tory fallacies that it is all for the comrighten heir belts and ars good workers cept with open arms the

the 'free market' economy.

The necessity of a joint trade union-Labour Party campaign for a plan which fights the Tories and puts the cost of the crisis onto Tne employers and the state should be the aim of

and the Labour Party.

Within such a frame

work, fights like Vauxhal can be given a political focus. The HUTS step towards realising such

trade allu Labour Party action must be taken by the left wing of the labour movement organising around such a plan.

Next year's Labour Party and TUC Congresses must see the left on the offensive around such policies instead of reucating verore tne union leaders who engineered the Marylebone workers picket Thatcher last May THE SAVE Marylebone Campaign lobbied the Special General Meeting of the National Union of Railwaymen last week.

We lobbied for support to stop the closure of Marylebone station and collected signatures endorsing the aims of the campaign.

The signatures included a number of leading trade unionists, such as Jimmy secretary of the NUR, Ray general

Buckton, general secretary of the train drivers union ADLEr, and Mick MeGahey, president of the Scottish National Union of Miners.

The Save Marylebone Campaign is a joint rail union initiative local level. •The campaign co. ordinating committee is calling on the newly formed Federation of Railway Unions to spearhead a na tional campaign against cuts and closures

We want to be part of that national fight, while receiving full backing

N

REDU

District

Save Marylebone!

from the Federation for all une mulatives we take to save jobs at Marylebone.

The campaign was launched at public meeting held this July and organised NUR and ASLEF branches in the Marylebone area.

Since we have started bulletin, held a workplace campaign

meeting, and Save Marylebone Campaign meeting.

By an NUR member

This was attended by delegates from a number of depots - British Rail and London Transport -the Post Office Engineering Union, Labour councillors and passenger from the Standard Commuter Club. The meeting showed strong support for

backed by we canval. concrete proposals for action.

However the going till then was not always easy.

co-ordinating committee had already argued long and against planning application for housing the

Socialist Action 14 October 1983

о В ВУ

ANCIES

HEN.

Asian workers on a mass picket of the GM Plastics factory in Redditch near Birmingham. The mass picket was called to protest against the sackings of nine workers whose only crime was to join a trade union — the National Society of Motor Mechanics. Donations and messages of support to J. Langford, Sandwell Secretary NSMM, 70 Lionel Street, Birmingham B3 IJG.

Marylebone site.

This proposal came from the local tenants' and residents' federation, and had the support of some Labour councillors.

We explained that for

vices and housing ser

vices housing is all one. The labour movement must be united in its opposition to Tory tacks. If public transport is threatened then . ue• fend it wholeheartedly.

We cannot defend Marylebone, while at the same time suggesting an alternative use for the site.

The unions councillors must stand firm together on this and every other question where Tories attempt to divide and rule.

The Campaign has now won the support of the tenants' and residents' federation and has receiv. generous from them. The federation RAIONI are helping set up a cam4101- local residents, to put the case for railway SCIVILC and jobs in the area.

The fight for

11 Marylebone is one of many come Railworkers at nearby Willesden have started a campaign stop the closures of the freightliner depot, and delegates from Marylebone and Willesden attend each other's meetings.

The Marylebone coordinating committee cludes delegate from

NUR. will be our closest allies i there is any sign of work ing our trains into Pad-

This is the level of solidarity we want — joint action between railworkers against Tory attempts to smash the railways.

We will not be lulled by the 'five year plan' which is Serpell Part 1, not the whole story

We will not be deceived by the tactic of carefully timed leaks to the press, to test the response followed by a refusal to confirm the rumour.

We are preparing for s long hard battle, and we are ready to join forces WIll all other workers fighting to defend jobs and public services.

Page 12 scan of this page

THE TORY government

business telecommunications Mercury.

Last Monday 2500 More li the London region were lockea oul, li cluding 400 from the London North Central Internal (LNCI) branch and 1400 from the International exchanges.

The lock-out came after management responded to a union work to rule in une internadonal exchanges by carrying out

night and physically ejecung we workers.

The stepping up of started Wednesday 5 • October. Project Mercury manage-

Subscription

Tates:

Inland: 6 months S8;

1 year §15.

Overseas: (1 year only): Surface

and Europe &17/Air mail $24.

(Please delete as appropriate)

Name:

Address:

Please send me as special offer .. Reglered a Carin Enemith eh, Poo. London NI. Printed By

SociAlist

ACTION

TELECOM

ENGINEERS

FIGHT

MASS

LOCKOUT

SOICE ENGINEER

¿LONG DISTANCES l

FARA

is orchestrating a systematic attack on the Post Office Engineering Union membership in British Telecoms. The union is counter-attacking through its campaign against privatisation of the industry and the planned private

network Project

ment issued a writ against union under Tebbit's 1982 Employment Act to stop against Mercury and its financial underwriters Barclay's Bank, BP and Cable and Wireless. The action could result in ine fined up to £250,000.

By a POEU member

BT management's action against workers in the international exchanges came after the work to rule had led to 50 percent of in-

subscribe

For multi-reader institutions double the above rates

Send to Socialist Action, 328 Upper Street, London N1 2XP.

ternational circuits being out of service. At one site police were also involved in the operation.

Supervisors were dragged from their out POEUS members' work on pain of dismissal. Management will now be trying to force the locked-out members to give undertakings of 'normal working'.

The Broad-Left led union is determined to stand firm in the face of this attack. Union members locked-out have been promised full union support Including their wages being paid.

Given management tactics little store can be put by the promises (!) of industry minister Cecil Parkinson of iob securits and indexed pensions for the present Bi stati

SPECIAL OFFER For readers who take out a year's inland subscription we are offering a free copy of Hard Times, a new book in the Arguments for Socialism' series by Bob Sutcliffe. The book normally costs 22.50.

Alternatively we are offering Alan Freeman's book, The Benn Heresy. For new readers there is our'special introductory offer of 8 issues for &2.

All subscriptions are posted first class on day of publication.

missiles in Britain, Holland.

will be those in the streets.

This means that building support in Britair for the 22 October demon stration must unite every socialist, trade unionist Labour Party member and peace activist in the next few weeks.

Despite massive media Caval aralist the peace Britain the Labour Party conference last week affirmed the case unilateralism.

Ron Todd for Transport and General Workers Union Was plicit in his summing 'There is no winner in a nuclear war. We have to get rid of Polaris, refuse to have cruise and Trident and get rid of all nuclear bases in the lifetime of the next Parliament.

When James Callaghan mounted rostrum to defend himself against Gavin Strang, who had criticised him for his

of Polaris other nuclear weapons in the general election, wave OI anger swept through the conterence HOOS

Both Duffy Callaghan had a hard time getting the attention of the

their multilateralist views and their COUL OU 396 was heavily defeated. The vote for unilateralism actually increased.

Other unions are being asked to hack our stand Telecoms unions abroad are being asked to bovcotl the exchanges concerned. Forty per cent of BT's profits last year came from international business.

The government

decided on a showdown because of the effectiveness of the POEU cam-

paign. But the leadership

of the union is no longer the passive

belt for management decisions that it used to be and the powerful Central London branches are fighting

all the way. Action against

and against

privatisation will be mainDebate

At the same time

debate is opening up in the

union about how to bring

cessful conclusion. tral to this is the restora-

tion of the weekly levy of

the whole union member

ship to back the action to

meet the costs of the pre-

sent action. A national

overtime ban must now be

on the agenda too.

Jock Campbell of the London City branch says,

It essential that

whole of the trade union

movement is involved in

this struggle and supports

it in every possible way.

To this end the London

POEU branches, with of-

ficial support, are organis-

public sector unions under a conference of al

threat of privatisation to

begin coordinating

fight back in the absenc

of any lead from the TUC

We'll be there on

22 October

IN LESS than three weeks from now demonstrations will take place all over Europe in opposition to NATO's plans to site cruise, Pershing and Trident

Italy, West Germany

It now seems clear that the Americans are unwilling to make any real concessions in their planned escalation of nuclear weapons through the Geneva talks. The only voices that will be raised in protest

But the NEC allowed Denis Healey to introduce the debate and both he and Alex Kitson stuck to the views expressed in

Polaris must be put into the disarmament talks and that a non-nuclear defence policy had to be Labour's 1n campaigning theme.

for re- By Valerie Coultas

the This was a clear fudge and a continuation of the ambiguities Labour's disastrous disarmament policy in the general election.

Neil Kinnock wasn't able to persuade the T&G to remit but we have start organising now to de fend unilateralism at next conterence Healey has already nounced his intention getting the trade conference to. reverse this and year's decision.

The best start for a campaign is to build for the 22 October in the trade unions and the CLP's and that and MOVCHCHI banners present.

The European tions will provide another forum to put the case for unilateralism and nuclear-free Europe. elections demonstrations are not the has Centhe that

and

the that

only forum available.

On 5 October one and

to half million

unionists answered the call from the West trade union federation for Dent

an- five minute

strike and walked union their factories to protest

against their government's support such plans.

CND should answering the government with a similar labour strategy. Shell shocked by

the general election defeat

al C

the CND leaders are trying elec- to switch CND

"freeze' 'new consensus' une. established. and This is a political con

cession to the Tories and

the right wing's lateralism because

trade gests WHE

government does German ine missue.

on negotiations wit d out of Thi

tracking on CND a unilateralist strat combined with a re NATO's have a bold camp

the trade unions to arguments for

Tory

Trade Labour Party and CND activist have power

to the Tories if we ch

Bring your ban 22 October show

-OCCI

what you think ab plans for your nuc nihilation.

Soon you'll be pay through the nose to private enterpri for your phone cu