Open Letter to Labour Groups:
We welcome the position you have taken against rate-capping. stand up and be counted provides the basis for a real working-class alliance against the Tories. united front of councils, workers and tenants will have the most powerful mobilising effect within the working class. Such a movement, we are confident will give us victory against rate-capping.
We are, however, faced with a problem which needs to be resolved rapidly. Quite simply it is this - will individuals stand by the Labour Group's commitment to fight? For our part, along with the tenants, there is no alternative but to wage an uncompromising fight against Thatcher. defeated our fates is quite clear — the dole queues, and the impoverishment of our communities.
As individuals you have a number of options. You can, in one form or another, attempt 2b carry out Tory policy — unthinkable, of course for any one considering themselves to be a part of the Labour movement. This option of resigning also remains open to you.
The third option is to carry out what Labour Groups have publicly stated — it, to take on the Tories. It will put considerable strain on the individual and the consequences are potentially extremely unpleasant, for example surcharge, banning from office and even imprisonmeat. As trade unionists our history is scattered with examples of workers being penalised and even jailed for their principles. We don't look to such a confrontation with any something that may be necessary.
We realise that for a whole series of personal resasons you may not be able to go down such a road. Under suca circumstances raderstand that you should need to resign now before the battle really starts, and we can respect ch a position. arried out in a disciplined fashion (we have put orward our views in the which, if co-ordinated, on a London-wide basis by the A.L.A., will provide an important boost for our campaign.
Such a disciplined working class approach will be as important for us as for the comrades on the Labour Group who are able to see the struggle through to its conclusion.
Resolution to Labour Parties, LGCs and Labour groups:
This ....... supports the Council's stand of non-compliance with rate-capping. could mean surcharge, banning from municipal office and even imprisonment. We pledge our support as a party to mobilise the maximum forces to defend the Council's stand on socialist principles.
We realise that personal reasons may impede individuals ability to carry out the Labour Group stand. In support of the London Trade Unions organised in London Labour Group to identify those unable to carry ont the policy of non-compliance. For the Labour Group in conjunction with the ALA to set a London wide date for resignations and new elections. Those elections to be fought on a common London wide platform of non-compliance, defense of jobs and services, mobilising point for the fight against rate-capping. Reselection will be based on the following criteria: a. Support for the policy of non co-operation. b. Preference to be given to workers and tenants, particular women and members of ethnic minority groups. We believe that your willingness to A If we are to make a fight of relish but simply we can fully Of course resignations should be enclosed resolution)
will to Photo: GM COOKSON