"You can the Special Branch are in — always, they're the ones off Bryon tell when pickets dressed as DIANE ABBOT is a Labour councillor in the Paddington area of London, and one of the few black women elected as a delegate to Labour women's conference in Swansea two weeks ago.
The women's conference overwhelmingly endorsed the call to give constitutional rights to black sections of the party. Diane spoke forcefully in the debate. JUDE WOODWARD talked to her about why black sections are so crucial.
'When first " dy selecicu councillor my Paddington. 1 was very concerned not to fall into the trap that many other black people elected such Phat is to become cut other black people.
wanted be accountable black people in the But when I looked at mv local party there were no black people there, even though the majority of voters are black.
'So I organised a black caucus of party members Paddington was then. The main thing that we tound was that there were actually rather a lot black members. 1 ney came oul of the closet so to speak ana became active tor the first time.
'The organisation of the black caucus helped channel black people into the mainstream of Labour Party activity. People who wouldn't have had the confidence do that without a group of black peopic to relale to.
Since Inen Westminster North, as it now is, has become one of formal recent on the recognition black sections.
'In my view there are four main aims to black Firstly, I've said, they encourage black to feel confident and able to talk. Secondly it gives them a framework to discuss and form policy things of concern to black people. Force "Thirdly they allow black people to organise to fight for those things in the mainstream of the Labour fourthly through Cal organise tor more black MPs, governors and so on. But framework where they are accountable to black people.
'I don't think white people are going lo give people anything in the Labour Party. If black people want power the waiting for the paternansac wales to gem us as we are constantly urged to do, has got black people nowhere.
'I think it is very important that women's conhas passed the resolution on black sections. It adds to the force being brought to bear on the leadership on this issue.
'It appears that the leadership the party is against black caucuses. 'If blacks want powers, they should take it!' ROI HE ARGI
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GAY THEATRE