in a number of ways.
Firstly because the DouT Party's support in the unions in the 1983 General Electior has severely threatened the party's claim to speak on behalf O1 the working because, seconel since 1978, the number of the pontical levy has fallen from 82 to 77 per In a Coll. like the AUEW only 65 per Lulil of members pay the levy.
Thirdly because
government's new Bill, designed weaken the finances of the Labour Party, will subject pontical runas lo a Dallo. of union members every vears. starting in early 1986.
How do we respond to these combined threats?
thusiastic effective DolICa Camodel desperately needed. But lucre are grouus lo collcern that the TUC General Council's agreement with Employment Minister Tom King will be seen by some as thẹ end of ilenge eis real challenge government-imposed 1986 Three ships carrying coal have already been turned awa. The effects of stopping these imports will starve kavenscraig steel or coal reduce InHaH U DOOCOn Mick McGahey also explained that it was the aim of the government to eliminate the coal industry Scotland. "Let me io defend the Scoitish people thes would not be gerchei doing io ire Sarie indusir lodal. he added. THE POLITICAL and financial links between the trade unions and the Labour Party are under attack ballots designed IO take advantage of a situa• tion where trade unionists LOnZe automancally support the Labour Party.
The. only effective response must political campaign. But it is also amusing to note that this campaign will in evitably draw attention to Tory Party finances, and in particular to the limited legal contro! over the pan dulatiuis Tories Maybe unionists will not only unequal way in willci unIons COm. panies are treated, but also 1 cluzllist the fact that employers eager to finance a party of capital to secure their own class interests.
We have been told that traue #HOnISTO politics separate tivities. Indeed many trade leaders have subscribed that division This naivé dangerous dichotomy must be abandoned.
it now looks especiallv false when employment is threatened in the pits due Doncaster demonstration and rally SUPPORT THE MINERS Saturday 14 April 1lam Coal House, Doncaster Speakers include:
Dennis Skinner MP Organised by Doncaver Trade.
Council
decisions; when jobs will be lost because of the abolition of the Metropolitan Councils: and when the wholt philosophical basis mHouctaltsll begins undermine the social and welfare gains of the labour This list of unted Lo urade utonsl and their families is almost inexhaustible •I his 15 • t|1( seed corn of the political of the coscuc campaign must be to proclaim the natural political links without embarassment at all levels of the It is not sufficient ululs. simply holding special conference of executives, sending circulars local branches. It is in the worko aces activist rank file that the Hclci . arguments must be taken.
This means the campaign cannot be the property of general secretaries ui-me must belong to the acOVISIs. gain strengll commitment accordingly.
Our task is to ensure that each individual trade organises: such The unity must calivalsil be broad, as the threat to the political arm of .the laDou neoverenI fundamental. of Notts miners ballot against company unionism CITY• SHEFFIELD FALLOT BOX