Socialist Action No. 67, 27 July 1984
The scan: 067-jul-27-1984-SA-UK.pdf (PDF, Marxists Internet Archive)
Uncorrected machine reading of the whole issue. This text was read by machine (Apple Vision OCR) from the scan and has not been corrected or cut into articles. Each page gives the headlines first, then the columns in order, so one article runs on into the next. Expect misread words. Use it to find things; quote from the scan.
Page 1 scan of this page
ACTION SociAList
The women's
army is
marching!
NOTTS MINERS STRIK
government and the Tory press.
aimed at lining up majority opinion against the NUM. VICTORY
TO
THE MINERS
No. 67 27 July 1984 30p
THE 'WOMEN'S RALLY Against Pit Closures', called for Saturday 11 August is a tremendous chance for the entire labour movement to hit back against the torrent of lies pouring from the Tory
Over the last 10 days Thatcher and her cabinet have dropped all pretence of staying aloof from the strike. Their attacks on 'the enemy within', and their crude denunciations of Arthur Scargill, are
The Tories know that to defeat the must ciner break unt solidarity of the railworkers or shift the coal stocks at the pit heads. To carry out both these policies means they have to shift public opinion behind their attempt to defeat the NUM
If the government succeed the blow to the trade union movement and the Labour Party will be devastating. If Thatcher is seen as capable of bringing the strongest in dustrial union to heel, and the Tories appear all-conquering, then Labour's four percent lead over the Tories in the polls will melt away just as quickly as its' lead did last time when the
*Falkland factor' entered British politics.
Unfortunately, but all too predictably, the TUC and right wing Labou Party leaders, either through political cowardice or stupidity, rufuse to say what is at stake
They have failed to rally behind the miners — and Sirs, Murray, Kinnock and Hammond have stabbed the NUM in the back.
But what an alternative has been shown by the women in this strike! Right from the beginning the women of the mining communities have shaken Thatcher's plans to their
Ine women are int secret weapon of this strike.
If the leadership of the Labour Party and the unions had shown even half the courage and determination the mining women have, this strike would already have been won.
But instead of following the example of Women Against Pit Closures, Neil Kinnock and Len Murray have stuck their heads in the sand. They refuse to recognise even what the ordinary person in the street does.
Three out of four people questioned in a recent opinion poll recognised the miners' strike was political. But it is Thatcher who is acting on that, and drawing the lessons while the top of the Labour Party is treating the dispute as an embarrassing side show.
If the unions and the Labour Party are to resist the Tory onslaught they can only do so by giving open and unstinting support for the miners. That is the way to build on Labour's four percent lead and for the unions to shake off the past defeats inflicted
The 11 August demonstration is the time to turn things round. On that Saturday the trade union leaders and the full national executive of the Labour Party should be marching behind the banners of the mining women and the NUM. Every trade union branch and every local Labour Party must be there
Women Against Pit Closures are showing the way. Now is the time for Neil Kinnock, the TUC, and the entire labour movement to follow their example.
ASSEMBLE
12 noon, Temple Tube, London WC2
GALA 3pm, Burgess Park,
Camberwell Rd, London SES
with stalls, refreshments,
children's entertainment
Page 2 scan of this page
Socialist Action 27 July 1984
Action SOCiALKE
Go to Sellafield Sir
Douglas!
SIR Douglas Biack who headed the Sellafield Enquiry has a message of good cheer. Don't worry that living in Seascale means your children have 10 times more chance of getting leukamia
He and his 'scientific' colleagues admit it's possible, but claim it's by 'no means proven that an increased level of radioactivity has caused an above average experience of leukemia. the kind of reasoning which doubts whether the atomic bomb really did kill all those people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Mind you, Sir Douglas believes in hedging his bets and says given the choice of living in two
not choose Seascale. suggestion for Sir Douglas, and Dr John Cunnwho welcomes the report.
They should both pack their bags and go and live on the Sellafield site and demonstrate the courage of their convictions! Non-nuclear?
WEAPONS IN the hands of, and at the disposal of the British military establishment have but one purpose. They are there to serve the needs ot our ruling class.
In the famous words of von Clausewitz 'War is the continuation of politics by other allow a non-accountable, non-elected military cabal to arm itself — — there can only be one outcome. the interests of Than OWN knowledge and understanding that we should look at the proposals debated at the Labour Party national executive this Wednesday.
Neil Kinnock is now Polaris is going to Df their place we are promised bigger and better 'conventional' weapons. As the report to the NEC says a reduction in tne relative lever or britains derence spentullig 'could not be achieved in the lifetime of a single parliament without which we do not recommend. When you get away from the rhetoric. this means that Britain maintain, tional weapons so it could play its role in NATO. Europe faces a threat from the USSR and that to meet such a policy this threat it must make an alliance with its EEC partdian of liberty politik about it. Even the old like realey nave reached the conclusion that Polaris is now obsolescent and that Trident is too expensive.
They also know that the opposition Knes across the Labour Party nock is suggesting that we turn back to the alliance of
Britain based its policy allance aralist lic banner that Attlee German rearmament down the throats of a reluctant Labour Party Conference at Scarborough
It is also a policy which guarantees that the Russian people, albeit reluctantly, lefence policies. If the western states are armed to the нА А — * ™ see no reason to oppose the policies of the Kremlin bureaucrats.
Labour must recognise that the fight for volves opposing your own ruling class and Kinnock's proposals come nowhere near to recognising that, in fact they give support to the arguments of Reagan anc Thatcher. Thank you Sarah Tisdall Sarah Tisdall was released from jail on Monday. She asked for no special actions or demonstrations and she had the right to do that. After all she served four months in prison for putting the future of humanity Some oo coveric
But it would be wrong if we did not say in Socialist Action thanks to Sarah tion was courageous and unselfish. that there are people who know that you are only free in our society if you stand up against the lies and exploitation of our present government.
Editor: ALAN FREEMAN Published weekly except two weeks in August and the last week of December.
Signed articles by contributors do not necessarily repre sent Socialist Action's views.
Poors.
Send all correspondence regarding subscriptions, sales and receipts to Socialist Action Distribution, 328 Upper Sireet London N1 2XP. (Tel: 01-359 8180)
, Labour's environment spokesperson —
and wher WCas
be the weapons nuclear or 'conventional'
They will use them in TRANS Talen
prepared to cancel Trident. decommisioned by a future
major cuts in our conventional forces
would not only but it would actually build up its conven-
wester
assume to sente custo
In reality this has the stench of real
die hard right-wingers
to cruise stretand beyond. Neil Kin-
support for
in 1954.
will support their leaders'
• peace inabove the squalid con-
Tisdall. Her acIt showed These are expressed in
THE GOVERNMENT marked the end of the dockers' strike with a long string of speeches by ministers attacking Arthur Scargill. For newspapers like the Sunday Times the events of last week show, 'the government is back in control of events.' RED. MOND O'NEILL examines this claim in the light of the real choices facing the government.
With the settlement of the docks strike the government has succeeded in
dable. The last weeks have given a glimpse of just how catastrophic for British capitalism would be the consequences of a defeat for the government by the miners.
But the claim by Sundav limes and other that the government has 'regained control' developments measure up to the basic
developmentary the rea
development dispute. clarified beyond all dosen What been
that government must win this strike. so compromise the
compromise.
Economist put 'She (Thatcher) has a duty to lake unis alsoule wrougu the compromise barrier Mrs hatcher must not tel the miners' leader, Mr Ar-
Scargill, CYCl to win his present UC&l dispute with the coal board over pit closures.
This at least must remain a fixed point after what has been a bad month.
dictates the Soe negotiations between
negotiations between the Num and Ine NUD.
As the Financial Times put
NCB Caved cu ready concede everything right to close pits on
arounus. other words the NCB con-
tial question!
same approach is applied by the government to the class struggle whole. miners, and making all
keep other groups like the dockers out of the battle, is precisely the 'fixed point' of government strategy
I he tremendous blem for the government, however. is that it remain. as yet without any winning
defeat frie NUM itself.
The government did
TENe miners would be able to Slay Oul Hielee weeks. The strategy of pressurising miners 'drift back to work' has
Well, you've heard the result of the case concerning unions at Cheltenham!
Thatcher goes
for broke
preventing a rapid disintegration of its The relief in ruling class circles is understan
been a complete failure.
Even in North Derbyshire, where the coal board's efforts have been most concentrated, retiring, to work numbers
are so tiny that it would take two years for full production to be resumed. Nationally out of the sum total of 397 120,000 miners strike.
far returned to
Not only has no drift back to work emerged but, on the contrary, miners show every sign that they can stay out until Xmas.
This makes the government's strategy of simply sitting out the strike essen-
unworkable. By those means the govern ment cannol will and it risks the kind of usintegranon or is positions that we have witness-
over the past month. The ehowerender scalend on a much grander scale
disrupted by power cuts this winter.
According the Financial Times, for ample there will be shortfall of 30 million tonnes of coal out of the 110 million tonnes annually consumed. This shortage critistart to create a major crisis tober/November wHel electricity consumption starts to rise dramatically In addition the levels of stocks at different power stations vary creating the risk of some running
or coal supplies ever earlier.
The fact is the miners can sit out the winter and the government cannot. And that is one of the chief lessons the government itself has drawn from the crisis it has just passed
If Thatcher is to have
chance oluticalla the miners the government at some point will have to escalate the struggle
A PIECE of the ACTION
And now even you must admit that the judiciary is fair, impartial and unbiased...
tremendous!! with all of the risks this will involve to the government's own position. The purpose of the slander campaign against Scargill, launched by
create best political conditions for this kind of escalation.
options available to the government are that • It can try to move coal to equalise supplies at the
• It
coal at the
the
necessary. • Ii cam o інстеві enormously the
against the
rail
miners.
combination
the strug gle. the the
try isolate
NUM.
are greatly
port the and the refusal of
the miners.
The task of the left-
winter's with the
labour The
prepare make or confronta-
MOVe
• For the
campaign the Tories WILl cantatal
national Labour
For ine miners.
You're not listening to me, are you?
involved with an
with the treachery of Murray and company and issue the call from the TUC con gress for a national day of action port of the successful follow the regional days of action.
For the TUC Labour Party and all sections of the labour movement to make clear Wal ally steps move from the nitheads or to use the law to break up solidarity, will be met by a general strike in support of the miners.
The Tory government cannot 'regain control of the defeating the miners. They Please forgive my inattention...I was
INNOCENT obscure art-form." MAN!"
• composing headlines.
News
stepping up the struggle enormously this winter. The government are acting on that basis no com. promise is possible, one side or the other will suffer a crusting deltar.
It is time the labour movement's leadership got off its knees and woke up to what's at stake in this struggle. The task of the left-wing over the summer fight for tha understanding of what's al
This autumn, even more openly than now, the labour movement is going to face its greatest conthe general strike. The stakes really are that high.
*CORMAC
How do you like my latest opus "HORROR SHOCK!
WINE BEFUDDLED JUDGE FREES
Striking!
Page 3 scan of this page
ALL OUT ON 11 AUGUST
News
SAVE
MY
DA D'S
Learning the
lessons ...
OVER 150 WOMEN House in Cardiff last week for the first area meeting of women's support committees in the South Wales coalfield. Representatives from 12 groups from the South Wales valleys, as well as some from as far away as Reading, met with Greenham women to share their experiences and coordinate activities.
All agreed that the role of women in the strike extended beyond the provision food and funds though the extent of NUM support for the women's activities varied from area to area.
Some lodges have recognised the central role of women in the strike and have supported
aululll110U5 mobilisations of women Others have not. Ull picket lines.
By Petra Hughes, Cardiff women's support group An area committee delegates has been set up to coordinate action and put pressure on the NUM
support women's tions. The first women's picket will take place soon in South Wales; and there is a women's raily at Abertillery on 27 Ju-
Earlier links between women in the mining communities and Greenham women have been Sene neneu. And suggestion of march from one of the valley pits to a nuclear power station has received uleiaicus support.
Women for Life on Earth organise the three or four dav event. including child care and transport. march will accentuate the Tories' wasteful
NOAH ABLEIT ERDIN WILA descended on Transport dangerous energy policy which provides plutonium for Thatcher's nuclear war drive and threatens destroy the mining communities.
arier marching aow] the valleys to Cardiff
of the SollC niCilOCS seamen's union will ferry WUnCI aUss the River Seven from Barry: Such a march will gain widespred support in South Wales snowing the miners determination to win this fight to the benefit of the whole labour movement.
The lessons of Greenham are being put to good use in South Wales elsewhere.
Organising women's pickets raised the question
police brutality. Women have no illusions aboul lne extent lo walca they will try to crush our actions. And we have no illusions that by combined effort, we will ensure they don't succeed.
One supoort groun has already accepted the offer of the Greenham wuliici lo noia non-violent airecı action workshops in their communy
Women left the area meeting of support groups with more strength and determination SCCUIC their role at the front of the miners strike ane. to win victory for us all with a call for support from all women, inside and outside the mining communities.
NATIONAL UNION OF MINEWORKERS
SMEZ LDE HOUSE NCAR LASE ZE
apnone: 0742 7003B8
13th suiy, 198%
concily d
UsA. P.C
s e e inencietei 50 or ceornd ary durther vesae
Yours fraternaily
Anne Scargill SINCE DAY ONE of the miners' strike women from the mining communities have stood solidly with the men — not behind, not at the side of, but right out front with them. Women have picketted, demonstrated, spoken at public meetings, and provided the material and moral support that has held whole munities steady throughout the strike.
By Carol Turner
They have robbed the Tories of the invaluable propaganda of the 'women demand their husbands return
work' type we've seen in other strikes. No one in the slightest doubt that women support the strike and are up front fighting for it.
By their actions they have advanced the cause of women's liberation by giant
Socreary P E HEATHFIELD
Helashfeld
it the:
Bersy Heathfieid stride. During the dispute they have learned the lessons of how to organise and how to win. As the weeks go by their activities become more and more effective.
Women in the mining communities have made valuable links with other struggles the fight of the Greenham women refuse the nuclear missiles in Britain, and the fight of women in the Labour Party to make their voices heard and their opinions count.
These lessons will remain long after the dispute is over.
On 11 August Women Against Pit Closures are organising a national demonstration in London. On 1l August women will lead the way - by linking all parts of the working class movement in a tremendous show of solidarity with the miners.
YOU
COULD
GE NEXT!
•..
volvement
portant for women to organise. THE MAIN reason velallt involved In the miners wives support committee was concern about getting the families fed. But I also wanted to back the men on strike. It the men hadn't had that hacking they wille lave been driven back to work, which a few were beginn. ing to do.
We started a mother
tod braile gee isoto help
WedK ISOAION Women sitting at home worrving about the bills piling up and how to make the money go further. We made jokes about these things it relieved the tension.
Since then we've been Gul leat etting door door and collecting food. Women also speak at meetings which they have done
HICVC before. Some of the women in the SUVOIU group work in the kitchen feeding the flying pickets who have stayed at Bold and Sutton Manor pits.
woher tave picketing only once so far, but we intend to do so again..
We have been in touch with women from other support groups locally, and now we have regula meetings with other loca groups. We have had a lot
support from CND Hemaes and from Greenham support groups. And we've been supported by women from
Making the links
LORRAINE JOHNSON is the wife of a miner at Bold colliery in Lancashire. Her involvement in the Bold miners wives support committee is her first in-
in political activity. She told CATH POTTER what the group is doing and why it's im-
the Manchester Labour Partv women's sections, Women must organised S0 that the things they are doing have more effect. They must organise to get support for the policies they believe in world of women and men. So women should have theil say and the right to decide Ol wilal lacy wall.
In the support group
the way we organise. We just get on with it, and
WHAT YOU CAN DO: • Publicity -Labour Party branches,
march and publicise it.
especially WOMCT
sending messages of support. • Money the
is needed now.
tion.
to: 'Women Against Pit
SI 2EX.
Socialist Action 27 July 1984 3
NCB WANTS
OUR BLOODY
that's great. It's the first time that most wives have ever been involved anything of this sort.
Before I just voted Labour and left it to others to get on with things. We voted Labour because our parents before us had.
The strike has opened up a lot of wives' eyes. Now I'm joining the Labour Party, and so are some of the other women
Maybe some of the wives will just drift back to the kitchen when the strik! is over. But a lot of us have had our eyes opened to what's going on in the world today, and we wan to be involved in changing things.
— spread the word to trade union and local wUkulac. women's organisations, peace groups and other groups in your area. Get them to join support the
• Support — get your MPs and local councillors,
publicly suppori the demonstration. Ask any well known figures if they will support the demonstration by joining it and by
publicity surrounding the demonstration will help raise more money for the miners, but to get things off the ground, especially to organise transport from the pit villages, money
Can vour organisanon sponsor coach seats? £6 brings someone to the demonstra-
Leaflets, posters and more information from: Kate Bennet, Trade Union Support Unit, Braganza Street, SE17; or phone 01-582 0987. Donations
Closures', NUM, Si James House, Vicar Lane, Sheffield, South Yorks
Page 4 scan of this page
Tories prepare to move coal stocks
Socialist Action THE POLITICAL attacks on Arthur Scargill and the NUM after the ending of the docks strike are deliberate policy by the Tories. They have brought up this business of the Falklands and the enemy within.
The Falklands cost 250 British and 1000 Argentinian lives. Ine war was ail electoral gimmick
the relieve DICSSUIC Thatcher. Before that she was the most disliked person in Britain.
This just goes to show that there is no limit to the
which this government will go. This Is another gimmick : to try to gain support.
To the Labour Party 1 say you nave got to give us support. There are four million unemployed in Brirain. The miners strike is about defending jobs for
the miners.
than could have been achieved.
The settlement means
that the employers will
stop for now
undermine the
Dock Labour
They have given an under-
taking that they
non-registered labour only
after applying to the local
dock labour board - on
and CLUCIS
anions are equally
represented.
This is however only
what they are supposed to
do under existing
agreement. They have
given no new agreement of
i kind would pre-
of the
scheme which led to the
words,
27 July 1984 ourselves and children. If they don't support us in this, what will they support?
By Jim Robinson, South Notts strike coordinator
The Tories are preparing to move coal stocks.
They have plans already laid. have heard reports that various forms OTI army transport have been moved into Territorial Army depots in Notts.
They are already moving some stocks. for exam. ple, at Cotgrave there used 3500 tonnes.
Now there are none.
They are using lorries non-stop. They are even building new roads, without planning permission, the lorries can drive in one side and out the others.
Docks — half a victory
THE SETTLEMENT of the docks strike has been greeted with a huge sigh of relief by the ruling class Now they can get back to the main task of dereating
If they succeed in that they will return for the dockers another day. The dockers have had a limited victory. This is in itself good news. But it is far less
they will behave themselves — for now.
By Pat Hickey
More importantly, neither they nor the government have given any guarantees about maintaiance of the Dock Labour Scheme, and they have made no secret or tne fact that they want to get rid of it.
The TGWU had golden opportunity to secure guarantees for the scheme but failed to tak advantage it. Even looking at it from a purely sectoral angie, it is clear
They will have to use lorries to get around the rail workers most of them are refusing to move coal.
The government are setting up scab firms in conjunction with private Coals The army has the
equipment load the coal, but Hall power to move it. They will use a civilian army 01 highly paid scabs, , and do I county oy county, even in areas where the strike is
They will use the police to get the scab army in and out, breaking the myth inal ine ponce are were lo protect the miners who Wall LO WOrK
It is a strike-breaking police force.' They are hoping to break the resolve of
miners this. The whole must support us now.
that the government
deal more to avoid fighting
Any major concession
would have made it much
more
Tories to hold the line
against
stead not only has the
TGWU failed make
gains it has stored up a real
problem for the future.
The unity achieved at
impressive. Ports such as
He ixstowe and Dover,
which did not support the
last national strike in 1972,
came out.
The addition the
major non-scheme ports
Sanente
(which handle 70 per cent
of non-tue trafic) meani
that the roll-on roll-off
trailic was at a standsti!.
It showed the enormous
Not the
dock workers. But, as the
miners have demonstrated
unity has to be fought for.
Dover came out after a hotly disputed show hands. Ai Felixstowe the workers were ordered out. Knowing this the national leadership should have prepared for mass pickets
that the strike held solid. Instead, the intitiative passed to those who wanted to return to
backed up by the lorry drivers. Changes
At Dover they were allowed off the motorway into the town by the
Once there, they blockaded passenger traific, adding that women and children might hurt'. The thick blue lin was nownere to De sten.
The Dover shop stewbefore this reactionary pressure was
Dover dock at the beginning of the strike
mistake. It was even worse for the national leadership
under such conditions. Instead, they should have called for dockers nationally and the miners - • to join them
in fighting this blackmail.
lorry drivers across Europe are emerging as a major right wing force Many of them are owner-drivers mortgaged
and the knife-edge of bankruptcy. They are a growing threal 10 the labour movement and must be smashed.
it was well witnin int power of the dockers to do so. Instead they gave these scabs an easy victory.
When the Tories and the Port Employers return to settle accounts with the remember the Dover Fac- dockers, will tor'. So Will ine lorry drivers. The labour move. ment had better learn the lesson also.
Free
holidays
for miners
DUMBARTON district council, returned with a massive Labour majority in the elections, is to provide free holiday accommodation for striking miners and their families.
Groups from CarGowall Ayrshire and Dalkeith • 200 people in all will guests of honour in the district over
three weeks.
They will be over acces ANDDEU all the council's : recreation facilities and, with the sponsorship of local unions, taken on free outings the local
i country-side.
By lan Cameron, Dumbarton LPYS
Dumbarton LPYS are organising regular discos
gigs STOr the many young people from the mining communities who will be visiting the eel as coldier dais well as Consults street collections for the NUM strike fund.
This kind of practica solidarity by the Labour Party is a vital boost strikers' morale as well as helping others to unders tand the real issues in the dispute not churned out by the media.
Just to emphasise the point, the council voted to display a 20-foot banner
the council chamber proclaiming:
Dumbarton District Council Supports the Miners'
Other Labour controlled Scottish councils should follow suit and publicly themselves as supporters of the miners struggle.
News
Miners'
Support
Committee
Leicester So st steonens ka Tel: Leics 552386
Coventry Donations to: D Jones, 11 he compion close Keresley, Coventry.
Bristol
c/o TGWU, Transport House, Room 1, Victoria »i. Bristol Bol
Manchester c/o FTAT. 37 Anson Rd, Victoria Park, Manchester
Preston c/o John Parkinson, Trade Union Centre, St Mary's St North, Preston
Huddersfield c/o Friendly and Trades Club, Northumberland St. Huddersfield
Vauxhall c/o Joan Twelves/Greg lucker. a version rsc Kennington Park Estate. London SEIl
Southall 14 Featherstone Rd
Southall, Middx
Birmingham c/o Trade Union Resource
Centre, 7 Frederick St.
Ealing
Union Cluh, 33 Action High St. London W3
Southampton
/o NUPE District Office.
93 Leigh Rd, Eastleigh,
Hants
Cardiff
Room 219, Transport
House, , 1 Cathedral Rd,
Cardiff. Tel: 0222 31176
Hounslow
c/o lan MacDonald, 220
Hounslow, Middx. Tel:
01-577 3429
Medway
c/o Vince Drongin
Medway Towns Trades
Union 1 Council, 19 Randal
Rd. Chatham. Kent
Bury
c/o Brian Marden, 061-764
9648
Oxford
c/o Claimants Union,
Princes St. Oxford
Leeds
9 Queens Sq. Leeds 2
c/o Labour and Trade
Union Club. Limes Grove.
Lewisham, London
Haringey
c/o Unemployed Workers'
Centre, 28 High Rd
London NI7.
York
c/o Terry, 3 Scaife St.
York. Tel: 0904 25223
Brent
375 Willesden High Road
London Nwli
Birkenhead
Unemployed Resources
Centre, Argyle St South
'next to Central sin)
Birkenhead. Tel: 051-647
3904.
Leamington
Meets Sunday 7.30pm,
Stoneleigh Arms, Clemen
Page 5 scan of this page
Mitterrand heads right
International
IRELAND
UNFREE
Demonstration against informer trials in Belfast The Bernie Tohill frame-up LAST WEEK Bernie Tohill visited Birmingham. Her son, Bobby, is a victim of the informer system of justice in the North of Ireland. Bernie met Birmingham city and county councillors, trades council represen-
as meetings. She was particularly well received at the miners support committee, where she
Bobby Tohill was arrested in March 1982, accused of conspiracy to murder. Despite constant refused bribery to become another informer, the next tactic of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
was relused Dall pointolank, wife having a nervous breakdown and his son suflene a terma duess.
The third tactic of the RUC was to have him tramed bv an informer caled Goodman. Bobhi went on hunger strike for eight days in protest at
Then Goodman retracted his evidence and
But the RUC promised to get him out of the way somehow, and they kept their promise. He was rearrested and charged with different offences by a different informer, Harry Kirkpatrick.
mand awalling nis iral wien won t lake place ti
The preliminary hearing was abandoned after the judge walked out, saying justice could not be
identify the 34 men with a special branch man whispering to him!
When he finally comes to trial, Bobby Tohill's only chance is to break the credibility of informer Kirkpatrick, and force a retraction. If this happens he will go free. If not. he faces a very long sentence from a non-jury court solely on the word of a paid
Bobby's case highlights several points. First,
usually
make him sound convincing when giving evidence.
Thirdly, when all else fails, the 'suspect' is rearrested on the word of another informer. one case of a Kepublican charged under five dif-
This whole process is justified by Prior as 'the only way to put terrorists away'. Quite apart from the increasingly wide definition of who is a 'terrorist these days, the show trials beg the question of what kind of society needs this kind of 'justice'
British labour movement are essential to put the spotigat on me procecags ana report back
promised support; and the case has been publicised throughout Ireland and America.
Even Peter Archer, the Labour spokesperson humanitarian grounds at Bobby Tohill's case.
taken up and publicised throughout the Britsh labour movement. This corrupt system of justice, and the corrupt society it supports, must be ended.
maintained his innocence was tutored for six hours a day to
MPs Clare Short and Rob Clay have
LUNCHIL
whole system of show trials needs to be
THE COMMUNIST Party's exit from Francois Mitterrand's French politics. The last fifteen years have seen a major shift in the relation of forces in the French workers' movement away from the Communist Party and towards the Socialist Party. ALAN JONES looks at the long term aims of Francois Mitterrand's 'Eurosocialism'.
the shift in French working class politics that has taken place in the last fifteen years it is necessary to put it in an historical context.
From until the mid-1970s the French communist tarly was the party of the
workine cass. had behind it the tremend-
of the PCF's role movement to the Nazi oc- in the i costalle
cupation and of the Popular Front government of 1936. The PCF's post-war vote reached a peak of 25 per cent: It controlled easily the most powerful trade union federation in France
the CGT.
In contrast the vote of
pathetic five per cent.
Trace From 1958 onwards, when
allosin relevance
polarised OCLWCCI LIlc vote at the euro-election: Fell carity yee Socialist
was well down on its level
Party has gained a solid base ot sunport in
years since 1969 has seen a
the PCF and towards the
Fi a dramatic damentally reversed by the
Was
marks a sharp turn in In order to appreciate just how fundamental is
strength in two enormous
Not support - from 1934-50 in ine period of
the Popular Front and in
June period Nazi Ger
Tesslance
Each of these years of growin corresponded to a period of international alliance of major sections
he Soviet on The
the Soviet years 1934-36 were those of the Franco-Soviet 1941-45 the military mee allied 1 nose war OI 'against Germany.
National
front' in each case had not
the alliance of France with
al
LUSi Lne
alliance with the USSR the policy was followed by de
prepared to make tactical
Moscow the base of support of the
saw veil
the second most important
Ey. The SEC
CCOONIC
its closest ally in Europe.
arilalice will Kassa
Communist Party leader Marchais Mitterrand alliance with West Ger-
against the Soviet Union.
Within this scheme of politics there was no place either for a 'special' rela tion between France and weigh or he PC. USSR, nor the
The shift in international alliances required a shift in the internal structure of French politics itself. The axis required was to break the power of the PCF
The
ormed this necessary ro for French capitalism was Francois Mitterrand and his Socialist Party.
The French capitalist parties could never have fundamentally cut into the working class support of he PCF. But th Socialis Party could and did
Throughout his long tactical alliance with the PCF in the 1970s Mitterrand never had any doubts
was the
Socialist Action munists, not capitalism, mia were me rea enemv ne had to attack. The refor
the PCF, slavish adherence to Moscow, in turn made it easy prey for Mitterrand's revamped Socialist Party.
Today Mitterrand has largely achieved the objectives he set himself. Only the tidying up operations remain — the most important being introducing a system COT proportional representation at the next elections. This will tree the Socialist Party from the neea to make any electora pact with the PCF. With that goal achieved Mitter rand can prepare the way directal capitalist partie the alliances with France
The nature of Francois Mitterrand's government has always been totally misunderstood on the left in Europe - and by much of the French left. It was seen as a 'left' govern-
27 July 1984 5 ment, as some sort ot repeat, on a lesser scale, of the Popular Front of the 1930s. In fact Mitterrand from the very beginning was in the NOSI sense a direct • agent of French capitalism - in his effect on the workers movement the most successful president French capitalism has had since de Gaulle
Indeed even de Gaulle never succeeded demoralising the workers movement, weakening the PCF, and creating an 11 •ci cent mascist racist vold
The less miter her
lessons Mitterrand's operation for the French working class are bitter noeed
And lessons fo Britain? Neil Kinnock's cuire suvic all strategy
or the Labour Paret based on Mitterrand's Socialist Party.
Don't say you haven' been warned
Page 6 scan of this page
For a mass, campaigning LPYS
paper.
The left of the Labour Party has traditionally been indifferent to the Two members of LPYS regional committees, BERNIE WILDE and DAVE SHEPHERD, writing in a personal capacity, have issued an open letter appealling for the left to break with this attitude and build a mass campaigning LPYS using the methods and policies which have built CND and YCND, the women's liberation movement and the campaigns of the GLC.
TRACY DOYLE, GERRY KIRK and DAVE REES look at some of the campaigns and steps that are being taken to build this type Labour Party Young Socialists.
MIDLANDS
YOUTH CN
Socialist Action 27 July 1984
An open letter
and democratic youth section, with its own lively and interesting youth reversed. Part and parcel of this is clearly building a strong, campaigning youth will have to be built up. have a hope in hell of defeating the Tories and the Alliance, support among of the YS remains at the feeble level of about 3000. If Labour is going to Labour Party Young Socialists is presently very weak. The real membership the LPYS. Drastic measures are needed. must organise now with YS members to make good ideas a reality and build would win many youth to the Labour Party and the LPYS. with Youth CND would not only boost support for the strike but The pathetically low vote for Labour at the last election must be national LPYS 'Youth for the miners' demonstration and festival Tories since the health workers strike in 1982 - the miners strike. A potential to interest young people in the biggest battle against the 'Jobs for a Change' and the carnival against racism to see the ONE ONLY has to look at the massively successful GLC events like There is an urgent need for a discussion on the left about youth. The Wishful thinking is not enough however. Activists in the Labour Party
own decisions, to be democratic and independant. can and will build the LPYS, we must defend the right of the YS to make its interest and at worst proposing to cut our budget and trying to dictate what can and cannot be sold or distributed at YS events. This must stop. Socialists in the Labour Party must discuss and take part in actions that But the response of the Labour Party leadership is at best total lack of NO CRU
NO TRIDEN
O TONA
THE
NO Brighton LPYS
National TGWU CND
on the march.
Bases
CND Youth CND as well.
ning an representatives Youth movement,
the
peace movement,
leadership
with it!
nothing programme. politics.
SUPPORT LPYS
POLGY NO COMPULSION MATIS
Photo: JOHN HARRIS
system
YCND's summer march
By Tracy Doyle, Youth CND national committee member and
activities.
SUPPORT FOR the Youth CND 'Bases Tour of '84' is growing fast.
trade unions like the and FBU, have taken publicity material. The NUM keeps writing to ask for more, and we hope to have lots of young miners
The slogans of the march - 'No US
Jobs not Bombs' — clearly links the fight of the miners and the fight against nukes. We've proved that by doing so we can build support for
Meetings en route of the march will have guest speakers and cover many of the issues facing us today. We are plan
International Raily from the Sandinista women from the in Comiso, European youth from peace organisations and, of
miners. Other meetings society. nanned wil be about women and the
support for the miners, and the fight against racism. LPYS members on the Youth CND Call
national committee are hoping the YS
that will march fully. Youth CND is organising a stall at YS summer camp with posters,
Two sets of attitudes in the party must be overcome. firstl
that youth are useful door-knockers but of course, if the LPY
wing or too 'political' its budget will be sliced to stop it from
saying anything. Secondly the attitude of many on the left of
been to ignore the YS and leave the present leadership of the
Why are these attitudes a problem? The main thing is th
witch hunt, whether it be a cut in the YS budget, dictats on
particularly expulsions can be tolerated. It is vital that in a
organisation we have the right to make our policy decision
way forward for youth. On the other hand, ignoring the I
The conditions exist for the creation of an LPYS that
tens of thousands and it is to this task that the left must
a YS will not and cannot be built on the basis of a narro
It will be built only be involving itself in, and giving
direction to, the struggles that young people are involve
such as CND, women's liberation, campaigns against r
, and industrial struggles such as the miners strike.
Such a campaigning YS would strengthen no end u
in the labour movement as a whole and would be cap
overcome the apathy and hostility among a large sect
It will only be built, however, if the left as a who
building the YS and taking it out of the hands of th
by political rather than bureaucratic or organisatio
There is a growing minority in the Young Soci
to just such a campaigning approach. Its ranks are
campaigns such as CND, and groups such as Lesl
Socialists. These are alongside support for the Law
Jobs not
By Dave Rees, YCND national committee member and Selly Oak
DURING September, as more youth are thrown on to the dole West Midlands Youth CND and Labour Party Young Socialists will be organising a joint 'Anti-Trident, Jobs not Bombs' campaign drawing the link between the much neglected issue of Trident - Britain's very own nuclear weapons the worsening unemployment situation.
The campaign will culminate in a mass youth demo and rally where there will be speakers from both the labour movement and the anti-missiles movement. We will be aiming our campaign
badges, and march publicity and will be supplying a speaker for the official meeting on joint YS and Youth CND
In the Southern Region the LPYS has agreed to distribute march publicity in their regional mailing. The LPYS is to have a speaker at the carnival on 19 August. We hope that from now on the LPYS will play a full role in building Youth CND instead of abstaining and maintaining the abstract position 'we will only achieve disarmament through socialism' — which like it or not has cut the YS off from thousands of youth in the past few years.
If we are to win CND across to a labour movement orientation and away from its present 'new realist' line we'll need the active support of the left in the Labour Party and the unions. The first step is to prove that the Youth CND march concentrating on US bases and Jobs not Bombs, can be a success. We wetu lo prove inere Is an alterialive, a way forward for CND that will take it into the most oppressed sectors of our
The LPYS has a role to play in this If it takes up the struggles of youth it become mass campaigning organisation. From all points of vier the Bases Tour of '84' and the carnival welcome it, al c vital and deserve the support of the whole labour movement - YS included!
Page 7 scan of this page
gets too left. ine idea he party has. oing or YS to get on t no form of jolicy and and map out the outh 'YS solves umbers in the Idress itself. Such , sectarian upport and
Campaigns cism, gay liberation in. e position of the left ble of beginning to in of young people to plays an active part in present leadership -sts which is committed I means.' rawn from the mass In and Gay Young bur Committee on
bombs
at this year's school leavers either on the dole or YTSs, producing leaflets explaining why we think that all youth should oppose nuclear weapons.
There will be a series of stunts to publicise our campaign; outside some of the larger YTS schemes
the This is and Your in the est
and Youth Midlands, hopefully now we can start to unite all youth opposed to Thatcher and Reagan's war drive in one mass campaign. • Look out for 'Youth Fightback' the West Midlands YS Bulletin for more details.
in the LPYS.
Women's Action Committee.
has all too often been ignored. sections.
own campaigning politics. a mass campaigning Labour Party Young Socialists. both in a personal capacity with pickets
West
THE BASES
TOUROF '84
YOUTH END
JOBS NOT BOMBS!.
NO U.S. BASES!
other international issues which have received increasing support from youth Ireland, the campaign against Reagan's war urave in Central America and bulletins and caucuses at national Young Socialists events around such things as defense of the political levy, support for the demands of the This current is beginning to organise through regional 'minority'
winning the demands of the Women's Action Committee and building black solidarity with the miners, defending the cities, defending the political levy, Labour is to have the kind of campaigning youth wing it needs. youth organisation and to begin to build up the links that will be necessary if open letter has been to open the debate about the way forward for Labour's these activists and deepen our links with the rest of the left. The aim of this The left wing of the party has been throwing itself into activities such as A discussion has begun about launching a national journal to organise But the important task of building up Labour's youth organisation young people. The left must break with this and win the LPYS over to its leadership cutting it off from tapping the huge potential which exists among Instead narrow and sectarian politics have been pursued by the LPYS We appeal to the left at all levels of the party to join with us in building Dave Sheperd, Southern Regional Committee Member Bernie Wilde, West Midlands Regional Committee Member
Young
other
Call Bulietin
the
such, Socialist
play forum
south. and
SCOTTISH LPYS
Bulletin
By Gerry Kirk, Dumbarton LPYS DUMBARTON LABOUR Party
Socialists has producing its own local bulletin for nearly two years now. In a recent issue we put out an invitation to
Scottish support and participate In Scottish-wide bulletin. provoked a very good response representatives from 10 attended an organising meeting and decided to go ahead and put out the Bulletin.
The first copy of this will available at the coming national LPYS Summer Camp. Hopefully this Bulletin
become monthly, and we confident that the number sponsoring branches will increase as the
widely know gecounts nore and read.
YS sorely lacks an campaigning journal which represents
views of all tendencies in organisation and reflects the debates which go on in the branches. The YS newspaper, Socialist Youth, does none of these things, representing only the views of the current leadership and, as
remains an irrelevant, sectarian rag, more likely to bore than to win potential recruits.
We continue to fight to
Youth into campaigning newspaper which members of the YS can contribute to -being realistic though, we fear that this is, unfortunately, not an immediate prospect.
It's our belief that the Bulletin can
La large part in helping build the LPYS, and can establish itself as a
for debate Socialists, as well as of course winning new recruits to the LPYS.
Our Bulletin has the sponsorship of the following
Dumbarton, Maryhill, branches:
Coatsbridge, Blantyre, Aberdeen
Gordon, Edinburgh Central, Motherwell North, Dundee East. We think the YS can be forced out of its rut
towards youth In the campaigns writing for
, around such bulletins can help do this and build the YS. • If you want more information or advice about how to set up a bulletin in your area, write to: Gerry and lan, c/o 7 Hardie Street, Alexandria, Scotland.
VOTE
LABOUR
MIKE WONGSAM, black section national steering member, in a personal capacity, assesses the progress of black sections in the Labour Party to date, and what still remains to be done. FOUR BLACK section resolutions to Labour Party conference last year, 20 this. That's just one measure of the success the fight for black sections is haying inside the party. But the fight to ensure a real hearing at this year's annual conference still goes on. been
party resolutions are urgently needed to strengthen our hand. Local parties who have supported the black section, but haven't prioritised a resolution on the
to subject, are especially encouraged to
think about sending in an amendment This to conference.
YSS ing in the original. One suggestion 1s
pressing for black community groups sympathetic to the Labour Party being allowed to attilate
be tee is asking that the Norwood CLP
resolution - calling on the leadership to submit a rule-change amendment to
are of 1985 party conference to allow black sections to be set up — be amended to
include opposition to disciplinary action against constituencies which have already established black sections open
August. And constituencies should give
the priority to choosing a black conterence
delegate.
being set up in 22 constituencies. These are: London - Battersea, Westminster North, Vauxhall, Deptford, Peckham, Lewisham East, Holborn and St Pancras, Leyton, Woodle Green, Tottenham, turn Wood lively, Streatham, Greenwich,
and Norwood; Ladywood and Perry Barr; Manchester
North.And at least 42 constituencies were represented at the recent black section conference in Birmingham.
The initial Labour leadership Young man, Hattersley, et al - has been much
publicised. Neil Kinnock is quoted as saying he was 'still open to persuasion' official on the issue. But subsequent comments
YS leave little room to doubt whether the
Labour leadership will willingly accept black sections.
has been less than comradely (to put it mildly'!) towards the black activists in mass the party and building black sections as a way
drawing more and more black people into the party Party really LADOU represent the interests of black people in this country.
Jim Thakoordin, Paul Sharma, Mark Wadsworth and Billy Poh at a black
Black sections
take off!
committee one very
An
'racially
Lalll Amendments to the constituency
Wing movement.
especially
'The party It only needs a word or two chang
The black section steering commit- too. By
to fighting for.
All amendments must be in by 17
Black sections already exist or are
to encourage
Hampstead and In Hornsev and estonishmen Putney, Southall, Brent South, Birmingham
Central and Gorton;Bedfordshire — sections.
response from the for Kinnock, KaufI formed,
ches;
So far the Labour Party leadership
ference
who are committed to of
and ensuring the does
section press conference. in act bunding black sections li
important way of turning Labour into a mass campaigning party which champions the interests of all the oppressed and exploited sections of society. It should be recognised as such by all activists in the party
argument trequently used against black sections is that we are
segregationalist'. In reality, our definition of black is primarily political, embracing the racially and culturally oppressed minorities in Bri-
Diversionary arguments shouldn't be allowed to deflect from
The radicalisation of black people
black youth, over the las few years is a significant development inside the British labour movement
whole turn towards this radicalisation, and show it really does support the interests of the black communities in Britain.
And there is a special part for the Labour Party Young Socialists to play
making the youth section of the Labour Party habitable to young black people — by taking up their campaigns and espousing their rights — the LPYS can grow in strength as well as in size, and make sure that it is helping to build the sort of Labour Party of the future that all socialists are committed
Norwood Labour Party resolution:
This conference welcomes the in. itiatives taken by some constituenc) Labour Parties to tackle racism and
members of ethnic minorities to join the Labour Party.
particular welcomes the of in dividual Afro-Caribbean and Asian members and acknowledges that it is the wish of these members that such sections be formed and called black
It instructs the national executive committee: 1. to submit to the 1985 conference amendments to the rules
constituency Labour partie. which will allow black sections to b
where members so desire,
with the right to send delegates to general mamagement committees and executive committees in the same way as women's sections and YS bran
2. following consultation throughou the party, to submit to the 1985 con
draft regulations on the
organisation of black sections; 3. to allow existing black sections to continue, recognising that they have a valuable contribution to make ir the formulation of the party's policy
anti-racism and th wishes of black people.
Socialist Action 27 July 1984
Page 8 scan of this page
Something new in British polities?
8 FOR THREE CENTURIES the British State mainly exported its violence. Its ships plundered Africa for slaves whilst its armies pillaged their bloody way over five continents. Its violence abroad paid the bill for having a less violent regime at home. here when people stepped out of line the state cracked down on them as at Peterloo and Tolpuddle to name but two of many instances.
no empire to finance reforms at home. violence is now coming to Britain itself. It's ugliest face has been seen on the streets of the six counties of the North of Ireland and those who warned that Belfast and Derry were dress rehearsals for the streets of the mainland have been proved prophets in their own time.
In the biggest police operation ever mounted in this country the state nas done all it can to beat the miners back to work
Those WIND have counselled respect for the law like some of the TUC and Labour leaders have been only wrong but dangerously wrong, for their advice hasis led to nothing but defeatat and disaster. Now with the events at Dover last week the ruling class and their
MOLES
EYE
VIEW
Get a suit
get a job
YOU THOUGHT peo-
ple couldn't get a job
ecause the bosses didn't
want to emply them. Not
really. It's because most
0I those four million
unemployed
will not be nice to their
interviewer wear
their best suits.
to the
throne, Charlie told 350
jobless youth: "Try
concentrate on
across well in an inter-
view ... une way you aress
makes a difference
That's a bit funny from a
guy who his job
ancestors
were never nice to
In fact they stole and
murdered their way in to
Socialist Action 27 July 1984 Vow funnily enough none of this lot were at Dover to stop the lorry drivers' threatened rampage
• but even
Now things are changing at a rapid rate. There is
So the state have not only shown their willingness use 'legal' violence through their police force but they lave been SeCl
and give encouragement to the illegal violence of the lorry drivers.
this article BOB PENNINGTON looks at what happened at Dover and places it in the context of the growing polarisation that is taking place in Britain's class society. Ineir lobs. Then again from someone who owns halt of cornwal and has his dirty little paws in all sorts of inherited financial fiddles he never had any difficulty buying a suit. For some funny reason the DHSS won't give unemployed peopie a cheque to go and get fitted out in Saville Row.
Never mind. Next week One awa Buckingham Palace Charlie is addressing 'right-to-work med i his and then him and mam and dad are dishing out free interview gear to all the attenders.
Spies galore
end?
Every day another top person loins the Kussian & spy list. Even the former head of MIS Sir Hollis is
LAST WEEK, supervised UV police escorts. strikebreaking lorry drivers were allowea to enter Dover. As the convoy converged on the port the drivers were openly threatening smash through a police
blockade, lulurway the police obligingly let them through and into the Dover car park.
The situation was obvious to the local dockers. On one side you had over 1000 incensed lorry drivers breathing mayhem against the fairly smal] dock labour force and alongside the lorry drivers stood a • police force whose svmpathies lay with the strikeleakers.
The lorry drivers knew thev had got the go-ahead
when a police spokesper
on told them: 'We rely ol the commonsense of the lorrv drivers... It makes it more understandable that at that point, the dockers began to decide to call off their embargo. Once again the ponce and ine scabs had joined together, but
said to have been doing nus ni or lae reds
According Peter Wright a former MI5 officer, Hollis and twenty more of the British spy outfit were all working for the other side. At one time some fool in MiS thought former Labour prime minister Harold Wilson was a soviet spy.
self-respecting
knows Harold walCilcI Wilson did all his spying
real masters British imperialism and his loyalty never deviated.
The other lot, well maybe not. Personally I hope they were. What's more I hope they infiltrated lots and lots
of their mates.
Anything that undermines that gang of reactionary hoodlums
So if Mr Wright gets a few names wrong who cares? Confusion and destabilisation tain's security forces can only be for the good of the human race.
Moles' Eye View is compil-
INGTON. Contributions should be sent to arrive not
man nursday arter-
this time the police had a force do head bashing for them if the need al ust
The labour movement has said little or nothing in orotest a wiarraopened at Dover. Nor strangely enough have many of the people and organisations normally noted for their defence CIVIl rights. Perhaps the significance of tnis new sinister rignt wing violence has escaped them.
Lorry driver D Rowley spokesperson said: "There's been no violence so far, but
10pm | don't know what will happen. If the drivers can't leave, they will burn the place down.
won't just be blockades, they will go on the rampage. And it won't stop at the port. If there are
children around can't guarantee their safety?
But it has been noted in some Peregrine quarters. Worsthorne Mr
who scratches out a living writing lead articles for the Sunday Telegraph which invariably espouses very right wing causes is very pleased about Dover. He described it as 'Something
•Stiring in British politics saying it was not VETS Thatcher's police who kept the ports open.
was the turious lorry drivers.... Firm firm believer sin the ruls of Worsthorne the upper classes and he reckons thev have a new ally who could bring 'violent trouble'. These new and violent trouble makers are he says the unorganised self-employed, from one-man DUSICSSES
This 'new army' has an added attraction for Worsthorne and his like. He says *they are just as fond of a bit of aggro as the toughest miners and not all that more impress ed by the sanctity of parliamentary either.' Now I don't doubt
Photo: JOHN HARRIS
that all those 'sensible' and 'moderate' movement leaders will dismiss Worsthorne's article as the ranting of an eccentric right-wing columnist. But that won't wash.
Worsthorne is right The
Covers KEDI Dover open with the help of the police course! Nor will this be the last time a right-wing rabble colludes with the police. In a Britain torn by economic and social crisis
polarisation taking place. whose terests lie with the ruling
menace that must be destroyed.
They back the anti-trade union legislation. Thev like to see the polici baton the miners' pickets. They welcome the law courts' decisions against strikers and the women of Greenham. They are the natural allies of the employers and their state.
In the Wiemar republic their 1ke wore brown uniforms and helped the
and communists. In Chile
with the army against Allende and Popular Front government. What happened at Dover is not a
peaceful British life.'
More
It will happen and more if the labour movement does not treat it seriously. And treating it serious v means cracking down these strike breakers. The unions should have
docker and take your registration number and you and your firm will never be allowed to drive a lorry out of any British port again.'
That is the way to keep them in line and the trade
movement must make sure done if this happens again. une intimidation againsi the Dover dockers shows they like any other striking worker can expect no help from the police. That means they organise in future their own cerence against the police and the scabs.
It's a lesson that Britain's black community have learned and the trade union movement take good note of that lesson — it will serve them well in future disputes.
Women's
Hospital occupation committee of
Women's Hospital, vention
the convention, reports.
ALL OF the
Eastern Europe represented issue was relations with the Eastern unofficial peace movements.
Last European
aliena
lauves or buropean
apologised to the Soviet delegation.
nuclear defence strategy within NATO
IOT OPpOSItIOn
movements in Eastern Europe
of its speakers to the
ncial peace movement
campaigning against NATO in the West.
News
South London
Hospital lie-in
'THIS ISN'T the end, it's just the beginning. We intend to stay in the hospital for as long as it takes to ensure we get a guarantee that it
one of the South London
bearing witness to the anger felt at the Tories'
At the end of this week, hundreds of women will join those already in occupation for a two-day lie-in at the hospital. Wandsworth Health Authority plans to close it
The action is the climax of an 18-month campaign to keep the women's hospital open, and the occupation committee is appealing for hundreds of women to join the
Labour's spokesperson on social
• Women can join the lie-in at the South London
Clapham Common Side, London SW4 from 6pm onvards, on Thurs-
Julie on 01-674 1924, or Rachelc. 11-403 0300 ext
No cruise,
no NATO
MORE THAN 1000 delegates attended the third European Nuclear Disarmament Con
Perugia, Italy, DICK WITHECOMBE, Labour CND delegate to
major Western European peace movements and the official peace movements of
and the Soviet Union were at the convention. The dominant European
There were a series of protests, led by the German Greens, against the refusal of the Soviet and
governments to grant visas to representatives of the unofficial peace movements
the convention. Both the organisers of the convention and the represen-
social democratic parties disassociated themselves from the protests, and
In the workshop discussions on strategy two main currents emerged. The first, represented in particular by the social democratic parties, argued for pressure on governments to adopt a non-
The second represented most forcefully by the German Greens, argued for opposition to NATO,
the Wes European Defence Union (described as the 'Third Reich') and for continuing mass action against the deployment of
It was these same forces that were most vocal in arguing for defence of the unofficial
A meeting of women, called to protest against the male domination of the convention plattorm. issued a call for an international women's peace conference. Significantly the meeting chose as one
convention's final ses sion a representative of the East German unot-
She received a tremendous standing ovation when she concluded her speech with a call for sup port for the peace campaigners in the East and
Page 9 scan of this page
Militant economism
Surplus Value
MILITANT'S POLITICS often appear as a bewlidering combination of left wing rhetoric and right wing practice - - of leading struggles such as Liverpool and lining up with the extreme right wing of the party on issues such as Ireland and black sections.
But behind Militants rhetoric lies a fundamental unity of its politics, one which Lenin termed 'imperialist economism'. ROSS looks at the fundamental character of the Militant current. THE MILITANT newspaper is well known on the left for its extreme sertarianism, its support for struggles such as the miners and Liverpool, and its extreme opposition to the women's #peraton movement, black secuions in the Labour Party, or the dialogue of the left of the Labour Party with Sinn Fein.
ror those JUIC familiar Militant's politics it is also marked by its sectarian positions towards CND,
opposition to demanding British withdrawal from NATO, disgraceful capitulation to British imperialism over the (Falklands) war — Militant refusing to ODDose even the sending or the British fleet to the South Atlantic.
All these positions are panied by continual rhetoric presenting socialism as the 'nationalisation of the top 250 monopolies'
Militant appears turns,
tremely sectarian and extremely pool, and support the miners, white - simultaneously to lead Liveropenly lining up with the right wing of the party on Ireland, war, black sections, NATO and the demand of women for control of their own organisations in movement.
Position
Despite the apparent inconsistency of its positions however coherence of Militant's politics car easily be demonstrated by considering
of the fundamental categories of Marxism.
Lenin, in his famous book What is to be done, stressed that by itself even the most militant economic struggle
politics and bourgeois domination of the working class. 'trade unionist politics of the working class is precisely bourgeois politics of the working class , and class trade unionist politics is precisely working class bourgeois politics'.?
These formulas of Lenin are not polemical excesses. The struggle for economic demands, for example for wage increases or against cuts, is in itself in no way incompatible with bourgeois politics or capitalist class rule.
In the United States extremely millitant trade unionism has been associated with support for straightforwardly bourgeois parties. In continental Europe formed ov the Christian churches. In Britain the entire history of the working class movement since the mid-19th century is a combination of militant economic struggles dominance by reformism therefore by capitalism.
Lenin
In Lenin's sharp but precise formulation, "The economic struggle of the workers often nected.... with bourgeois and even. in certain circumstances, 'trade unionism means the ideological enslavement of the workers by the bourgeoisie'.4
The fact that it supports or pursues militant would not in itself rule out Militant being CYCLE bourgeois political current — although for other rcasons Millam is ooviousy not a capitalist current within the working class.
In order for a political current to represent a really revolutionary workIlg class force the movement it must defend the interests
JOHN gay liberation,
with
and its
Malvinas
accom-
and istant, ex.
right
Malvinas
the labour
the
bourgeois
Lenin stressed
'working
of the class struggle.
in
ty and to the state as an were Class political and
be
what class
politics',
every manifestations
learn apply
reformist the life and activity
and tion."
burner STARE
labour
TED GRANT
of all the exploited and oppressed, on all issues, national and international,
WOTa Marxism. 'represents the working class....in its gle relation to all classes of modern socie-
organised political force. Hence, it follows that not only must Social Democrats (the name used for Marxists at the time — JR) not confine themselves exclusively to the economic struggle, but that they must not allow the organisation of economic exposures to become the predominant part of their activities. '5
Again in Lenin's words, 'Working class political consciousness cannot
genuine political consciousness unless the workers are trained to res. pond to all cases of tyranny, oppression, violence, and abuse no matter
is affected....The sciousness of the working masses can-
be genuine class consciousness, unless the workers learn....to observe
other social class in all the of tenetic ethical, and political life, unless they
wallice • the analysis and the materialist estimate of all aspects of
o1 all classes. groups of the popula-
It also means, again in Lenin's
will, 'never be dble to develop the political consciousness of the workers (to the level of Social Democratic (i.e. Marx- tionary
ist) political consciousness) by keeping within the framework of the economic struggle, for framework is too narrow'?
The tendency to reduce the strug-
working economic struggle was termed Lenin, 'Economism or "strikeism'. Instead of the supremacy of economic, Marxism asserts, Lenin's words, the primacy politics. "Politics must precedence over economics. To argue otherwise is to forget the ABC of Marxism."
give a classic, if terrible, lustration of the truth that even the most militant economic struggle by itself does not mean a break with bourgeois domination we the outbreak of the First World War.
Miners
In the decade leading to August 1914, no section of the British working class waged a more militant and bitter struggle than the miners — a 'movement culminating in the general
strike 1912. Violence, deaths, and military occupation of towns were habitual in these confrontations - which far exceeded the present miners strike in their violence.
Yet rapidly following the break of war in 1914, over 100,000 miners volunteered to fight 'for Britain' in the imperialist slaughter. The militant economic consciousness of even the most advanced sections of the working class had still left it under
political domination perialism, chauvinism and other reac-
capitalist ideologies
Poster: MILITANT
Malatant
RODRNUS
THE CGHT CC
DAL ISN
ton and Terry Fields MP speaking in Liverpool politics.
Today political domination that capital continues to be shown in com-
binations of militant economic struggle with support for the Malvinas war, the racism, sexism,
Ireland and other reactionary tions. the breaks from all these positions, and
in takes up 'all cases of tyranny, oppres
of sion, violence and abuse no matter take what class is affected' does it attain
real political consciousness and break with bourgeois domination.
Deep
In the epoch however economism specific and virulent form — that of imperialist economism'°, a current with longer and deeper roots in Britain than any world Imperialist economism sists not simply struggles primarily to an emphasis on economic struggle but in particular refusing to fight against imperialism and the effect of imperialism in the working class movement. Imperialist economism is, as Lenin put it, 'persistently of imperialism perialism (just as the Economists of Out- blessed memory slid from recognition
capitalism to capitalism'."
Imperialist economism, and adaptation to imperialism, takes the form not simply of direct apologies for imperialism but also of im- ultra-left rhetoric used to cover up a
de facto refusal to fight against the and imperialist system — and in particular
state.
phrase,
the
Italy
'imperialist
Wing
Attack Hite
tional politics.
perialism society.
Peter Taafe, Steve Sullivan, Tony Mulhearn, Derek Hat-
dary Marx's words,
is,
Britain
chauvinism on posiOnly when the working class
the
tion of
historical
01 imperialism takes everything that exist.
other society in the
systematic CUL perialism.
I teacHe
Notes: "sliding" from recognition 3: 377 Lenin Lenin, CW, 5:412: apology for " ne economism', caricature furthermore, economIsi 11. Lenin, 23:29; 41: 14. Trotsky. gramme
Socialist Action 27 July 1984
against the imperialism of one's own
Imperialist economism, in Lenin's
continually engages in
rhetoric of the type socialism alone
"way" out'.' It uses this language, for example, to refuse to support non-imperialist states in their conflicts with imperialism.
Taking a later case when fascist
attacked Ethopia in the 1930s the leadership of the then Indepen
economism',
because it was ruled by the slave own.
Emperor Haile • Selassie. justified its refusal to take sides against imperialism on the grounds that 'the Italo-Ethiopian war is conflict between (wo dictators" '13
Anyone familiar with Militant's refusal to support Argentina during the attack on it by the British imperialist state during the Malvinas war will recognise that mode of argument!
The second consequence of adap. tation to imperialism is a refusal to take up the demands of the most op pressed sections of society. As Trotsky put it, 'Opportunist organisations by their very nature concentrate their attention on the top layers of the working class'. 14 The hostility of Militant towards black self-organisation,
women's liberation movement, gay liberation is all of a piece with its adaptation to imperialism on interna.
Finally sectarianism is not the fundamental feature of Militant. Militant is sectarian because it is opportunist, because it reflects the pressure of im-
within the workers move. ment. Militant hates and loathes all that is most politically progressive in
new developments within the workers movement precisely because Militant represents an adaptation to the rotten, imperialist past of British Political
Militant's sectarianism is a secon-
feature arising because, "The development of socialist sectarianism and that of the real working class movement always stand in inverse ratio to each other. In other words the more advanced g political current, the less sectarian it
more backward a political force the more sectarian it is.
Militant's sectarianism is a product of its political backwardness -its capitulation to British imperialism. Militant is the most backward current of any significance falsely claiming to be Marxist in the whole of Europe, outside the Communist Parties. It is
most adaptationist to im perialism, the most open in its rejec-
the demands of the oppressed. It is a fitting comment on the
backwardness of workers movement in Britain that only in this country could such an aber-
caricature of Marxism stands for
From that nature flows also the future. Militant represents the past of
Drilall past of adaptation to British im, Militant represents precisely the politics Marxism in Britain has to break from if it is to go forward
5:400; 4. Lenin 5:400; 5:400; Chenin 8. Lenin,
nascen trend imperialist , Lenin, CW, 23:13, and 'A of Marxism anc imperialist CW, 23:26: Lenn 12. Lenin CW, CW 13. Trotsky, Writings 1935-36 The Transitional Pro Fourth International; 15. Marx to Bolte, 23 November 1871
Page 10 scan of this page
Defend reselection!
10 change in the procedure
This is an attempt to get rid of reselection.
That's what Eric Hefter. Labour Partv chairperson had to say when Socialist Action asked for his views on the move to introduce one member one ¡ole as a new opton Tor choosing MPs. It is a clear attempt by Labour's right and centre to protect the seats right wing MPs. According
will grouping So dar isk 25 sitting MPs
including Peter Shore, who has distinguished himself by attacking le miners, Frank Field of Rainbow
The proposal going to Wednesday's of
Hicculls the Labour Party national executive, and whole-
under attack
TARGET LABOUR Government has been the subject of a media attack since its launch at the end of June. Why?
The campaign was established to fight for wouldst Manico orde next general election and
Labour candidates committed
#premelling party policy.
particularly highHas ne need o enooce women black didates in DEODORIOL their weight in the population as a whole London has been targetted for per cent women and 15 per cent black Labour candidates, to match the sexual ana racial composition of the capital.
SuIC media have used the opportunity to smear Lie baugur lett with accusations of plots and con-
Their campaign
Socialist Action 27 July 1984 •I AM ABSOLUTELY OPPOSED to the suggested
for reselecting MPs.
Nobody can be against the principle of one member one vote, but that isn't what we're arguing about.
heartedly backed by Neil Kinnock, is an attempt to claw back the gains of four years ago, by reopening the whole reselection debate.
By Carol Turner
Then the right wing fought reselection on the grounds OI parliament's sanctity, just as they later fought the electoral college the grounds that only WelC CavaDic deciding, the party's leader. At that time thev introduced the idea of one member one vote too late to gain any headway.
Now they are coming back for another nibble at
Target Labour government
is designed support those rioht wing MIPs who do have something to fear from beino accountable to their local Labour Parties.
By Pat Hickey
Target Labour Government is not about conspiracies. is about winning governmental power.
To achieve that. it is necessary to encourage all of society traditionally excluded from power - black peo. ple, women, manual workers and socialists to realise that they are exactly the kind of potential Labour MPs most urgently required.
They are the kind of people needed to replace
class, pro-capitalist M's who still control the Parliamentary Labour Party.
Target Labour Government
Labour Briefing Fringe Meeting
at 1984 party conference speakers:
Tony Benn Ken Livingstone Women's Action Committee Black Sections Steering Committee
Labour Movement Lesbians
Sunday 30 September, 7.30pm Claremont Hotel, North Promenade, Blackpool
the debate. They must be
today as they were in 1980.
Fleet Street's lie machine is already geared
the media are championing the new option at the same time as they are denouncing the Target LaDOUT Government's campone plot. campaign •Liv-
Just like Labour's right wing, they are posing
the defenders of democracv. But what they want is an individual vote without any discussion. I ney Deneve such a volt would be a vote more influenced by the rantings of the bosses press than by reasoned debate within the party
One member one vote an extension democracy inside the Labour Party. Selecting
The editorial statement in the August issue Labour Briefing national supplement puts the point
nicely: *The present PLP must be broken open, cleaned out, and revolu-
tom • so that it becomes
movement instead of the OBJUSILE and becomes habitable for ordinary people who have no stake in the present sexist, racist and capitalist structures of power
Labour Briefing
National Supplement
available!
Price 40p. from 31
Cranwich Road,
London N16.
A fighting mood
Party local government
of a fierce onslaught on local councils.
defence of the GLC and metropolitar councils, the fight against rate capping, and the bat-
by Liverpool council were all at the centre of the fightback acclared many delegates. And icial action by councils necessary.
There was obvious pleasure govern ment's decision to cancel AS take overe m and metropolitan counties
LOnference was determined to
fend these councils and to force elections.
The main issue now was the need for non-compliance with the Tory plans by Labour councils and local
Support for the fight by Liverpool council was a strong feature of the conTerence. Liverpool deputy leader, Derek Hatton, got the applause, when he explained how
MPs by
private ballot makes them
local parties.
By severing the link with the general management committee the
party's policy mak. ing body the relation-
ship between an MP and her/his local party greatly weakened. And the role of the wards, which send delegates the GMC are undermined as well. Political
Ultimately, makes belonging to the Labour Party less relevant by eroding the collective structures of the local par-
y, structures by which or
dinary members make their presence felt.
The direct relationship between an MP and each
Local government conference:
A MESSAGE OF defiance to the Tory government attacks on local councils was issued by the Labour conference on 7 July. Representatives of Labour councils and their controlling parties were meeting in Sheffield in the face
Liverpool had shown that confrontation with the government was necessary.
By Mike Picken, delegate from Oxford Labour Party
The Labour reader ship, in particular shadow environment spokesper SOT Jonn Cunningham and Neil Kinnock, came in TOI strong criticism for their failure to lead the campaign and for their attacks on Liverpool.
The plight of ratecouncils was discussed at length, including secret sessions for those councils believed to be on the hit-list
proposal by Ted une Knight and other London
leaders TOT strategy of not setting a rate next May was welcom ed by many delegates. This
was arguru, would
individual party member
democracy con. does away win une meda of controlling the party's public
[corescuilalives.
This system lays the ground-work for robbing annual conference of its right to determine party policy ana to ensure representatives publicly JUDOOr anu that policy
Not only would this new option tend to reduce ordinary volvement in the affairs of the party, but would
disenfranchise whole section of the membersno the hundreds of thousands trade affiliated through their unions.
At a time when the Tory anti-union legislation is attacking the links between the party and the unions by threatening their political funds, the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy: the argument for reselection was won in 1980 enable councils to unite in a common fight to confront the government
Both supporters and critics recognised there were problems with this strategy - - the tact thai some 'uppity' authorities (including the GLC) had a statutory obligation to raise a rate by a certain LillIC. and that council house rents would still be paid, creating divisions between tenants and nontenants.
Nonetheless many
GOVERNMENT
POLICIES
Eric Heffer: 'an attack
one member one vote op-
chosing MPs would further weakendelegates felt that those councils due to be ratecapped face no choice other than to unite ano refuse to set a rate. The il legal budget strategy also had support at conference particularly from the
Liverpooldel gation.
no single Sureral support commanded recognised that confrontation and illegality necessary.
The old-style right. wing municipal politics of
100
LOCAL
COUNCILS
News
those links. Participation in the party at a local level by trade union branches 1
vital component of drawing the two parts of the labour movement closer together.
The Labour left must take up the argument that the party's future rests on the greater involvement of members in the collective structures and activities of
party particular Photo: GM COOKSON women, black people anc mama workers must won to the party and be given a real say in its direction and its policies.
This means positive discrimination in the selection of candidates and
fight tOl ac countability at all levels in the Labour Party. Only ar active and informed membership can achieve
challenge LOIS reselection must be tackled neal on.
Photo: JOHN HARRIS
the Labour Party, represented by Birm ingham leader LICH Knowles was clearl marginal. The final ference statement read by party chair Eric Heffer emphasised non compliance and illegality (no voles were allowed).
The need to take the battle into October's party conference and to win sup port from the trade unions Waich the conference end- was highpoint ed. 000
Page 11 scan of this page
News
Stop sweetheart
deals
THE EETPU executive has launched a major campaign to sell its 'no-strike agreement' policy. In October, a delegation led Sanderson will be visiting agreements with companies investing in Britain. The deal will be that, in return for sole recognition, the union will give agreements which rule out the use of strikes.
In a further step along the business-union road, the union has produced a
which will be sent to ahout 500 companies in Britain, outlining the benefits to employers
such agreements with lie mol.
Tory
enolonell secretary Tom King who is currently engaged in pushing through another round of anti-union
on the closed shop and political funds, has 'warmly welcomed' the EETPU move.
Chairperson of the Central Electricity Generating Board, Sir Walter Marshall, is quoted in the brochure as saying «Your union is a haven of common sense and rational thought.'
The union has already reached such agreements wiin firms like I osniDa. Sanyo, and Optical Fibres. At Hitachi in Hirwaun,
NOTICE OF closure
has just been posted on
Marylebone Station
in the same week as the
sale of Sealink to
private ship-owner. The
Marylebone site, worth
millions to capitalist
property developers, is
yet another national
asset to be sold for a
The recent closure of
the British Rail workshop
in Shildon is another hor-
story means
thousands more people
will be thrown out of work
in ine nortn east
These attacks are all
part of ine government's
productivity drive, which
includes slashing the work-
force and imposing poorer
wages and conditions. In
the all
estimated 20,000 jobs are
for the chop over the next
five years.
So how do we stop ine
rot? The miners and their
Tames showing the
way. Now is the time to
prepare for battle.
We need action against
the Shildon closure,
against Ine Marvlebone
closure, and against every
rall jobs whatever form this takes We need a
national strikes in defence
of any section, grade, line
For depot under threat, The Save Marylebone
Campaign, led by the local
federation of NUR and ADLEr nas bulll wide support over the last 12 months. Next week there is a ublic meeting on varveDone calcu vy lll district federation mittee. All London-based rail workers should attend and help launch the fight for the future.
Public meeting: Wednesday August 6.30 pm. Friends House, Fuston Rd. Sneakers: Jim. my Knapp, Ray Buckton, frank Dobson MP, plus Marylebone speaker
by national officer Roy
Japan to to get
South Wales, the EETPU has colluded with management against olner unions to secure a no-strike deal in return for sole recogniLOB.
This question is being taken through the TUC disputes procedure. The TUC however, is reluctant to take on the EETPU on this issue.
By Tony Pertil, EETPU
Their new Strategy Document goes a long way to condoning such deals. Clause 79 states: "The most practicable way to increase union organisation
to ueveor rcla tions with employers, parLicularly those opening Hew plants, and to conclude on the best possible terms. Even though such terms might not be satisfactory they would, nevertheless, lead to unionisation among employees
Save Marylebone
Save rail
and provide a basis for future claims for improved terms and conditions.
In other words, the key question is getting in the subscriptions, performing the role of trade unions comes second. This is the
these 'sweetheart' deals.
As union membership declines due to unemployment, some sections of the union alre seeking boost their membersalp all way possible.
The AUEW has also been engaging in the com-
for members through no-strike agreeLICHILS At the moment, By Jane Austin, Marylebone NUR (pers. cap)
this development is affecting mainly new plants, but there is every reason to believe that it will extend to established plants in the future.
The position of
weak the TUC on these agree. ments threatens to open a Pandora's DOX heart deals. The general council is trying to avoid a discussion on the issue at the September while the EETPU says that it will split from the TUC on the issue if necessary.
The left in the unions must contront this issue. 11 should be forced onto the
all sain See berned.
such deals banned.
By Bob Findlay, Kewal support committee
THE WEST Midlands small textile industry is notorious for low pay and poor working conditions. The majority of the workers are black women and few belong to trade unions.
— 12 of whom are wome
came out on strike at Kewal Brothers, DIlllingham. After a year of
persuade Lying minn enreement three of management sign the main TGWU activists were made redundant. This was seen workers as a clear attempt
Despite the managescab MerI Coville labour and inviting police
the strikers are holding firm. Recently Ine pickel ine har OCCI visiting miners adding
support, and local trade unionists have established a support committee.
Increasing pressure has come from management are respected members of the Sikh com. munity which has made it difficult the
BlaKe dispute into the local temples.
A significant factor in this strike is the activity of the Asian women working alongside the local Black Sisters Group. These women have ensured that Their anons on now le strike should develop have Deci care
This important strike Birmingham deserves the support all trade unionists. CHRIS donations, and messages of support, write to: The Ăsian Resources Centre, 101 Villa Road, Lozells,
Birmingham; or phone Sarinder on 021-523 0580.
Unions agreeing to them shoud be • excluded from the provisions of the Bridlington Agreement.
In the EETPU Hammond does not speak for all EETPU I members. The left in that union deserves the support of every trade unionist in fighting the right wing. the TUC were to oppose the EETPU leaders ; it would be an enormous doos lo lucou position to Hammond et al.
In the meantime Flashlight, the broad left paper this issuento the top of its in the union should agenda.
Kewal
Bros -
fight
for
unions
THE FIRE Brigades Union has beaten back an attack on jobs by the Labour controlled Strathclyde regional council.
by Roy Wilkes, secretary Blackley FBU
Redundancy notices were served on 18 fire control staff following the recent move to com-
nitense• conto svstem
Strathclyde FBU control
responded with a one day strike on Sunday
22 July, to be followed b all-out strike action from 1 August (when the notices were due to come into effect).
Mass meetings were organised throughout the country in preparation for
national recall conterence And genera secretary Ken Cameron warned the council that any redundancies would be met with national strike action.
Last Wednesday, the notices were withdrawn.
Militants in the unions are in no douol lal ine example of the miners
Socialist Action 27 July 1984
Bill Albertina, chairperson of Lairds occupation
success because we have got the whole trade union
movement in Merseyside behind us.
Lairds occupation
- 3rd week
end of this month.
Three hundred and sixty jobs have already been lost this year and 450
are in the pipeline after July. These TOHOV more than 400 jobs lost through voluntary redundancy since August last year.
By Carol Turner
If the British Ship. builders get their way on Ine "DrOOLCLVIL •tal only 1700 jobs will be lef by December 1984 - and these too are threatened if shipbuilding orders fail to materialise
Since the beginning of this year the craft unions have been picked off one by one, yard by yard. The occupation by non-craft workers represents an attempt to reverse the situation.
Management are tightening on the tion. With an oil rig on the slipway needing three days work to get into the wale and destroyer stranded in the wet dock, their next move must be to clear the way for scab labour needed to shift the stranded vessels.
Support from the
FBU victory on jobs
strike has contributed to the renewed willingness to fight and to this particular victory.
This should warn the government that its plans
11 committee: 'The occupation is having an enormous CAMMEL LAIRDS shipyards, Birkenhead, is now entering its third week of occupation by 150 workers fighting the 800-plus redundancies threatened at the
joined was
Derbyshire.
Bolsover
with meeting
and ine mittee condemned
Circle' who has polici
and volun
• protected.
cupation redun cancer bulli throughout the labour
should be sent to: •Cam. mell Lairds Occupation Support Group, , c/o Wir Trades Council, Trade Union and Unemployed Resources Centre, Argyle Street South, Birkenhead, Merseyside; phone Mick Cashman on 051-647 6122. to vage e re service through rate capping anc the abolition ot the UL( and metropolitan counties will resistance.
Page 12 scan of this page
No change in Israel after election
DAILY
Mirror
FORWARD WITH BRITAIN
sodoy, Hety 23, 1984 rror
PAIGN
Peted miser briter
and mode arena die are one else ice
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STOP RESELECTION! Defend the right wing! Smash the lunatic left! This is the aim of the campaign for one member one vote opened up by Neil Kinnock and the right wing. is the opening shot in a battle to try to wipe out most of the democratic gains made in the Labour Party over the last five years. The dream ticket mask has
Labour careerists who ride rough-shod over party policy. The people who were responsible for the debacle of the Wilson-Callaghan years are fighting to win back their monopoly of power.
The left should be under no illusion about the seriousness of this attack.
The right are on the march again. Mr Robert Maxwell, quired a slice of the free press, through the votes of millions of pounds, made this clear in Monday's Daily Mirror.
The changes in reselection proposed by Kinnock
assure. L'S, 'would be small step towards sanitv'. It goes or to say ...it would be a dramatic beginning'.
Precisely. A beginning.
The Labour Party that EARLIER PRESS predictions of sweeping gains for Israel's Labour Party in the general election held on Monday have not borne fruit. If the Labour Party is able to form a new government it will be in alliance with several right wing religious parties.
returns to power or the Likud government under Shamir is able to continue, is that there will be no change in the fundamental Israeli policy towards the Palestinians.
Labour sought popularity during the campaign by pledging
Israeli troops Hom canon wilin six months which undoubtedly gained it support among Israeli
But Israel's Lebanese occupation has become a financial and military nightmare in any case. Withdrawl from Lebanon will not alter the fundamental foreign policy of the Israeli state.
The proposed change in the rules on reselection
dominated the Mirror and the right wing are fighting for is not the party of the poor, the disadvantaged, and the exploited. It is the party of incomes policy. tion laws, and the status
By Donald Johnson
Kinnock's statement •i one member one vore was hailed as 'the most challenging of his month leadership'. Certainly it contrast to his luke-warm support tor ine miners The chief result of the election, whether Labour
On the crucial question of the Israeli occupation
the West Dall the Labour Party has already made clear it will not abandon any settlements established by the Likua governmeal.
By John Marshall
Labour favours negotiations with the Hussein government of Jordan to try to reach an agree-
The Mirror entirely
with pollicy.
According to Maxwell, the Labour Party must be d party which believes in the supremacy of parliament, not violent and in-
Labour Party whose e deci sions cabinet not a conspiracy.* taken
Loyalty
This is why the Mirror supports Shore, whose atacks on Arthur Scargill
put him below the level of the lowest scab.
It is also why the Mirror supports Frank Field who would deliver Labour
anti-trade union, pro•
ant-unilateralist SDP
Such a Labour Party callliu tolerate tability. It needs cabinet
and the 'sanctity' of parliament.
'Kinnock's decision to line up with these forces shows clearly where he intends to take the party. ment behind the backs of the Palestinians
Even however, what Labour has to offer amounts to almost
The would agree to is some form of joint control with Jordan - a control which would completely exclude all the Israeli settlements and military bases in the al ca.
Labour totally rejects any Palestianian state on the West Bank or any
with accuration. recognised leadership of the Palestinians the Palestine Liberation Organisation.
During the election campaign the press, the
Labour Party leadership, and the Jordanian government all attempted to present Israeli Labour as the 'peace' par-
The aim of the Kinnock wing to defeat and smash up the Bennite left. To that end, they will opp
establishment of black sections, real power TO women in short, anything thai moves
towaras being ar active, campaigning party with real Illas. Ilvove ment
This attack on democracy the party must be fought to the finish Behind Kinnock's
found courage stand the bully-boys of the right, whose favourite weapon is the witch hunt and whose policies are those that led to the catastrophes of the Wilson and Callaghan governments.
Our holiday
THE NEXT issue of Socialist Action will be out on 29 August.
We will be bringing out a special four page issue for the demonstration on 11 August. This will he out on 8 August. Hussein - a spokesperson for
declaring 'We somehow feel the road to
shorter the Labour Party wins'.
Deep-rooted
The 'Labour' Party is in fact the party of the Israeli establishment. The trade union federation the Histadrut, it is linked
the second largest
The chronic economic crisis in Israel, with 400 pel cent inflation, is created by the enormous military build up supported equalls by Labour and the Likud
was Labour which waged Israel's full-scale
of 1949, 1956, 1967, and 1973. Wals Whoever forms the government in the next weeks, nothing fundamen-
going to change is lal Is Israeli policy.
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