The LCC is anxious to explore the basis for a unity on Labour left. Our anxiety is underlined by the different reactions the Brighton ference and to the new amongst various Photo: CHRIS DAVIES (Report groups.
Even before the conference, the left severely split, not least between those based in London and those in the rest of the country.
Such divisions reflect a serious fragmentation 1981, Will groups almost completely marginalising at Brighton, LCC one of the few groups Peter Hain in his campaigning days correctly judging both the leadership election and the post general election mood at rank and file level Just as the been damagea in years by a rigid left/rightfragmentation of the left warring prevents dialogue points of agreement which Co-ordinating committee. Roy Hattersley The key discussion was Briefing's response to the LCC proposals for unity behind Kinnock.
Approaches between Organiser Action supporters.
John Bloxam Socialist Organiser pushed for outright rejection while Socialist Action supporters stressed the need to importance of So we combed all h the psychiatric hospitals and found a genuine (dyed-in-the-wool Neil Kinnock the '83 conhas leadership left The absence of for the was volved le contributed sone structive lICW leadership.
Inelselves and with the In Neil who would Party has toral college. recent and more current the majority tions.
We should THE NATIONAL Labour Briefing Editorial Board met on Sunday 23 October. The meeting was larger than the previous EB meeting, reflecting the success of the first issue (6300 sold) and the impact of the decision to produce a daily bulletin at Labour Party Briefing is now clearly seen as the most open forum for debate in the Party for those who are critical of the deals and compromises being proposed by Neil Kinnock and his advisers in the Labour isolating around left unity ourselves. differed Socialist Socialist byn should be reply for action HOL concrete A PIECE of the ACTION psychoHowever, the LCC re kind of unity operating in which although effective in pro. mouillg acuvily on a lalrow range of issues such as suppressed real differences between various left groups.
UUCl and honest political basis compromises inunity has ICIS to recent In finding out whether there is anv basis tor a new able unity, the LCC believes a attitude to the but It has already boosted the Party internally and externally.
Kinnock we have the kind of left leader never have won as recently as three vous aco betore mie ece Even Roy Hattersley is more radical committed to of policies than were many of us predecessors irom int right in leadership posirecognise that the new leadership has fight son, Cell Briefing those who voted for Kinnock in the Party by having clear proposals for left Eventually the meeting decided that Jeremy Cor has asked to Briefing outlining a basis for unity. The basis of this unity would against the Tories, for the defence of conference policies and a commitment to • an authentic nuclear defence J created space in which the left can prosper.
must also that the Party abides by the democratic verdict of the electoral college — our electoral college. This ap plies both to leader and depuly wno each won majorities in all sections of the college.
It does not mean giving the leadership a blank che que. Narner Il means giv ing a priority to other matleft developed almost obsession with the leadership, perhaps understandafter the appalling Wilson/Callaghan legacy, strategically short-sighted in its neglect of the overwhelming necessity to rebuild the shattered base of our movement.
For historic and other adopt an 'oppositionalist' stance in the Partv. In the current circumstances that is a luxury we cannot alford. Instead, the left must take the initiative in turning the Party outwards to construct a new, wide base of support.
Above all, the believes there must now be an absolute priority given the witch-hunt.
Briefing was also to have an editorial specifying its own views.
Future issues will include a reply to Neil Kinnock's article Socialism' by Jo Richardthe debate on EEC will continue and two different views of the reNato d Campaign conference will be pubished An International SubCommittee nas been sel up under the chairpersonship of Peter Gowan. Tario Ali agreed to speak Briefing Coventrv Saturday November followed by the next tional Briefing EB at Lanchester Polytechnic Sunday 26th November.
The deadline for Briefing articles is 7 November.
‹Perhaps to campaigning create support for socialist values and Party policies insist However, paigning' matter of better or slicker presentation of policy it is or snoula de aimea al en couraging people to fight for themselves. Within this context, lonowing basis lor unity. 1) Joint policy areas been social policy; decentralisavean has tion tion); ecology; Ireland; a (including genuinely foreign policy; and an up dated economic strategy capable crisis. 2) Joint campaigning to win union ballots for affiliation to the Party and strengthen Party/union links. 3) Joint action to ensure that the Party campaigns effectively to branch level 4) An absolute commitment to unilateralism of defence strategy. 5) Building support for LCC the minimum and for campaigns to de'My the The Street Life Supple ment collective is calling a national meeting in November.
for the ahead and produce a daily meeling Na- bulletin Labour Party Conference There were only two votes against this - John Bloxham and Tony Greenstein, supporters of That sounds a little risky tome.
you're right.
ta such 'camis not simply a aule challenges suggest the discussior which have hunt. nolaoy devolu- tional non-aligned alternative volvement tackling a deepening from national non-nuclear statutory wage policy, dISCUSSIOT The final decision of ICXI terview ingstone.
Socialist fend local democracy and the health service.
6) Unless circumstances unexpected way, no leader and deputy, at least until atter the next general 7) Defence of nall datory re-selection and the electoral college, • ana OI position to any new witcl 8) Support tor constitu reforms to extend women's rights 9) Encouragemen wider consultation and indecision-making through local CLP and union branches, whilst maintaining opposition to postal ballots 10) Support for Tribune's continued existence as an free from legal attacks by party Te Support for a broad tolerant Party, with no left group putting its own interests above those of the We look forward to your comments and to seeing whether you can agree with this 11-point plan for unity in action.
LCC Executive, Organiser.
All Briefing Groups are entitled to send two representatives as are na tronal campaigns that support Briefing.
Liv#31 To/8s - But on the other hand, it seemed to us a marginal improvement Yon Ronald Reagan!
Socialist Action 4 November 1983 • Labour Group for • Exhibition on plastic For Marxist • Nottingham Labour
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path..... Photo: JOHN HARRIS
pathological killer! rAnd we've placed h him in charge of Britain's