Ravenscraig steelworks meeting, in Perth on the 9-11 March, provides the first opportunity to assess the situation, after a general election which left Scotland with one-fifth of all Labour MPs. Labour holds 41 out of 72 parliamentary seats in Scotland.
from 42 to 35 per cent. The Tories can only muster 26 per cent of the vote — which adds fuel to the north of the border.
The problem for Scottish Labour is that our leadership has been reluctant to grasp Tals issue.
Correctly, it saw a united Tront with me Nadorauss would the specifically socialist for and soluDallallulls tions to Scotland's problems.
Yet, by sitting on its hands for the past nine months, the leadership has allowed others to make the running Inal's wny Ine best of the 10 resolutions regional connerence supporting ASCHOEV are those which chart a vigorous campaign led by labour move ment.
The NUM's resolution starts Wilh Tne need organise 'a movement or resistance lo lory policies' on housing, industry allu al -maments, led by the 'Scottrauc Ann Pettifor ensure that women's voices are heard next year. marks the beginning of positive sish about Party as a Party as a whole.
• There will be a WAC fringe meeting at regional City Mills Hotel, 12.45-2pm, Saturday 10 March, chaired by Rosina McCrae women's committee, with Ann Pettifor and Frances Morrell.
OF CONFIDENCE IN THE CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT!
LUNACY!
COMPREHEND THE COMPLEXITY OF But this disguises a drop in the Labour votes, labour movement'. It sees 'the question of a Scottish Assembly (as) an essential part of this struggle Stirling constituency Calls on the Labour Party the people a Scottish Assembly F Assembly'. the party acts in this way 1 can lead a movement cerlain to grow as scotland continues to bear the brunt of Tory rule.
The biggest number of reconnons — 27 out of 176 call for defence develonment of the healtr service and the elmedicin medicine.
Olivalc Scotland has always had a better-financed health service than elsewhere. The recent arrival of Glasgow's first private general THE LONDON Region ment on scale inconceivable further south.
By contrast, questions of local democracy are less prominent because abour councils with the brief exception Lothian before they lost the majority — are nol l direct conflict with the government. That's likely to change in the near future Rate capping already exists, and forced rate rebate of three pence in the pound last yeal.
(Hillhead Labour Party)
Scotland urgently needs coordinated fightback Lauvul authorities. The Pollock resolution — calling for no rent or rate rises, job serLOSSES. vice cuts or economies would important step towards this.
housing is tradiSCULUl tionally of greater concern in Scotland Lothian Regional parcalls for rents to be progressively eliminated housing paid for through taxation. of new house building and rehabilitation, with no cole mouse sales. tions or warrant sales, and end tc relief.
Economic ana industrial affairs weakest part of the Scottish agenda. Most resolu. tions evoke the Alternative Economic Strategy catch-all solution, reflecting movement's as industry col strategy, lapses Tam Dalyell's work, seven resolutions call for an enc to 'Fortress Falklands' and a negotiated settlement WILl Argentina. None call simply for withdrawal, but four want United States' hands off solidarity with Salvador Although the Scottish Labour Party has been in the forefront of nuclear disarmament, none of this year's 10 resolutions offer a rounded affirmation of national policy. they commit the party to building CND and its ac tivities.
women spoke of the pro policy by reaffirming the to commitme within the lifetime of the next Labou government. But Hillhead charts course demanding defence policy around which the can unite to reconcile 'differences within the This year's agenda is disappointing. . Supporting some of the better resolu tions will ensure that the main planks But and some important issues — like witnarawing Dilis! troops Northern ireland. and tree abortior on demand - aren't even raised If the Perth conference and its incoming executive back action around our central policies, Labour Party can take a lead the fightback against the Tories in 1984 A Scottish fightback must figure prominently as part of a mass movement to bring down the Tories in the coming year.
HANDS
OFF COUNTIES come to an end.' Both resolutions were passed with large card-vote ma jorities.
The rest of the day was bound to feel like an anti-climax. Nevertheless the education debate provok ed anger as delegates argued against the ILEA policy of compulsory Lausic. teachers. Finally, squeezed l dal ne ca, resolution. were passed on defending London's public transport system.
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argument of the multi-party Campaign for a Scot- tish Assembly, that the government has no mandate