CHESTERFIELD CAN AND must turn the tide for Labour. The Tories are starting to look like an injury prone party. A majority of public opinion -stretching well beyond Labour voters against government plans to close down the metropolitan councils.
That same opposition exists on cruise missiles, rate capping, and the banning of trade unions at GCHQ. Inflation is sure to rise again this year. The affair of the Oman contract and Mark's job with Cementation keeps on nagging at Mrs Thatcher.
As the cracks begin to appear the government no longer looks as impregnable as it did last June. This by-election gives Labour its chance to show that it is the only realistic alternative to the Tories. A resounding win for Benn would drive that lesson home and start a process whereby Labour could regain the ground it has lost since the days of the Callaghan government.
A defeat for Labour would be a serious blow. It would weaken position against both Tories and the SDP/Liberal Alliance, thus helping Thatcher to weather her present difficulties. The would see the result as a signal to speed up their atis tacks on Labour's links with the unions. The Alliance would get another boost -as the most likely victors if Labour lose - which would split even more the Tory' vote.
The right, in the party unions, blame it all on Benn and the 'looney left'. use this to ditch Labour's more radical policies and they would move again to get rid of the troublesome far-left'.
When the stakes are as high as they are at Chesterfield exceptional measures are called for. Nothing can be left to chance. Labour Party union branch should send teams of canvassers Chesterfield.
The town must be flooded with Labour whose campaigning presence will carry Labour to victory and Benn to Westminster on 1 March.
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