The historic connection between WATCH OUT! There's tion of the socialist societies and the Co-op from the pally• document, filiation of small single purpose organisations to constituencies affiliates in December. Comments must be in by 1 March. So constituencies don't have much time to respond.
The report catalogues the history of party affilia tion: from the early days of the federation seeking parliamentary representa tion, through the 1918 constitution establishin ndividual membership, t the 1937 decsion to allow socialist societies and the Co-op to affiliate.
explains the situation of •nonlalous some organisations being affiliated (like the Fabians an innocuous-looking and Paole Zion), while others have been refused (like the Middle the CASI Counci Christian Socialist Movement).
Three options are laid out for consideration: no change, disaffiliate all organisation except the unions, or extend the affiliation category. Socialsts the Jall) should argue strongly for the third and against the second option.
It is an inappropriate time to raise the spectre of The Tories are doing their level best to force the trade unions to sever their links with an attempt to depoliticise the unions and weaken the Labour Party.
Fighting this will be an uphill battle The last thing the party needs is a plan for further erosion of unifying character the British Labour unique for bringing the wings of the labour move. ment. This tradition is well worth defending against those who would have u follow the model of other social democratic parties.
pollulll) argue favour OI expanding filiation. The only conditions should be agreement with the aims and objects of the party and that af filiates don't stand candidates against Labour.
• much more usefi ole for the NEC would t investigating the extension affiliation that organisations COT women and black people could periences of sexism in the labour movement, is years ahead of Militant's moralistic propagandising.
The resolutions on the GLC are sure to be suppor Labour tre London London stands a fighting chance of join. Such a proposal need not the autonomy organisations But these it would strengthen the links between the party and the broate ment.
Would organisations apply for affiliation solely VOLC annual ference? I doubt it. Even why should the party SO fear this? Would their vote UDSC the barons' calculations? It would be sad to return to the bad old days when right wing constituencies used to tell new applicants 'sorry, we re full up'!
It's not often the NEC asks the rank and file what they think. So seize this chance. Make sure your constituency or affiliated organisatior schedules discussion before the enc of February cast your vote to extend the affiliation category. ground lost over the past the national groun‹ few years.
Amendments to the preliminary agenda are out Compositing meetings will take place at Herbert Morrison House on Saturday 4 February Regional conference is on the weekend of Saturday 3/Sunday 4 March.
#42 GIVEN TIME LEN THE WHOLE TRADE UNION MOVEMENT TO THE. STATUS OF A LAPDOG!!;
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document circulating inside the party from the Naitonal Executive Committee. It's implications are anything but innocuous. It could lead to disaffilia