THERE HAS been a change front bench sure against the government.
We had one debate in the House of Commons in July, ana that was forced on the PLP because the NEC demanded such debate. Apart from an adjournment debate, which gave MPs an opportunity to raise the miners' dispute in the eariv hours of thi morning (again back bench effort) that has been the only debate till now.
The left have been criticised because demanded that parliament carry out its duties. If you want to look at it in parliamentary were saying use parliament for what it's supposed to be used for, debating matters of grave importance to the country!
The running has been made by the back benches by left wing members the party. What was hap pening prior to that - the silence in the House - - has been knocked back a bit.
That doesn't mean we have io arop our guard. but there's a unity in the now because of our actions months ago there was a feeling on the right that they ought to begin a campaign to root out the left That has been pushed back. Whether it's temporary depends on us.
Party miners are questioning where their stand on issues like the miners' They ry ite right. When the pardetermined policy struggles like miners' members have the right to ask their MPs where they stood. And, if they feel dissatisfied, they also have a right to reselect tnem. I've delenaca Wal of mood in the The right has been the miners' dispute, and the fact they've put down a vote of cenright and I intend to defend it now.
Neil Kinnock has giver a 'guarantee ' that the next time enemie next conference or the next reselections TONIO don't know) that the whole situation would be changed: there would be one person one vote in the constituencies We all favour the extension of democracy but in the minds of some peoway of trying to avoid the of being reselected if they are unpopular among the activists of the party The last NEC of the Labour Party decided to expel Brychan Davies South Wales wasn't carried by a big maNEC reversed the position. te preveral one that quite powerful one would like to see an all-ou left-wingers throughout the country. This decision could be a green light for those constituencies dominated by the right to begin the proof weeding out Mili. tant first, others at a later stage.
vriginauy the proposa to the NEC was that a should be Commutte established to look into Militant and others in the party and statement on democratic of such a kind Militant and couldn't That was changed by the NEC We did agree establish committer (which has good people on it) to look at the • best wa!
projecting democratic socialism. This has to be based on the constitution and Clause 4.
If there's an attempt to use that for a witch-hunt it will be seriously resisted.
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Parliamentary Labour Party. pushed back a bit, shown by the fact that the Labour agreed to a debate
Sat Feb 9 Octagon Centre, Sheffield