Do you think also that the Chesterfield by-election showed that it was possible for the Labour Party to campaign in a very united fashion and at the same time for discussion on policies to take place?
Absolutely right. But I think its absolutely necessary that solidarity extends to our parliamentary colleagues right across the board. Because that is a necessary part of the solidarity in the defeat of the present administration. and an end to witchunts.
Yes. Certainly. You've simply got to accept, a socialist party must that the future lies with a discussion about socialism including tendencies within the party.
And I think its interesting, in passing, that it is the socialist press that is under attack. The Communist Party is attacking the Morning Silkin's attacking Tribune, and the National Executive has been Militant. There is undoubtedly a vested interest in certain parts bureaucratic establishment in preventing presses which contain the ongoing socialist debate from operating. And l think that's a very important issue just to put on the record.
D accept, all the in the trade unions. There is the Campaign group of MPs in parliament, but Labour Party.
Star, John attacking I think the Campaign group is a great development. It came out of the events of the of 1979-81 and in fact came into being after 1981. So it's been going for a couple of years in various forms. idea is not to be a parliamentary faction battling internally but to be a forum which connects the parliamentary paro you have any ideas or proposals on how the left wing of prepared to do. organise itself, and the left wing useful initiatives.
nothing equivalent wiatever But its ty with the movement outside, which the old Tribune group was never And it's done very useful work in my opinion. It's pro. moted and developed quite a number of I think if you're looking at the movement as a whole it mustn't be factional in intent or nature. It must be really a movement for the regeneration and advocacy of socialism wherever you happen to be. Whether you're in the trade unions, or the local party or It should be constructive and active in its concept and should have a very strong element of socialist education. And people who are involved should always be there when they're needed. And I personally think there is a tremendous audience for this type of work. But it should now be very open in nature and should be prepared to encourage discussion and debate - and hut lallow inward looking in character.
I think inevitably from 1979-83. when we were engaged in an historic task of saving the Labour Party for socialism you had no alternative but to fight it out in a way that, it could be argued, was a diversion from fighting the Tories. But it had to be done that way, there was no alternative.
Now I think it's an outward looking type of socialist education that's re quired. And there's room in that for ali sorts of opinions.