THIS SATURDAY and Sunday the London Labour Party meets for its annual meeting. Amongst the usual bland statements it will be discussing there are already a few arguments building up.
no reason for an argument, will be a debate on the political levy. APEX trade union left -calls for 'a campaign of activity and education to win the arguments for trade union affiliation to the Labour Their composite points out the need for effective campaign in every constituency and makes a few modest proposals: that material be made available on the links between the unions and the that constituencies should be encouraged to Sel up ad hoc campaign crous win local unlols that the London work with the SERTUC and local trades councils on the issue, and MOLESWORTH, February acres of flat bleak land, a disused airfield, ringed now by a barbed and razor-wire fence coiled high. Beyond that, almost fully-erected, a high metal fence topped by more barbed wire.
Seeing this on 20 Febmade me teel that 1 was witnessing a process that could lead to the militarisation of Britain, if it was not exposed, resisted and reversed.
Forrest Fields Peace Group I was there as a ticipant in East Midlands' day of action, part of the national CND campaign to. defend Molesworth, and — on behalf of the . majority OI British people — to resist turning it into a second US cruise missiles base.
was hard to distinguish between the police those guarding the base. It telt like a continuation of the military operation begun at night a few weeks before in what the Daily Express had termed the 'Battle of Molesworth' The barbed wire and the military presence combined to say 'keep out', and seemed to carry a threat of lorce Denna Il Involvement confirmed my leelng that defence of Molesworth cannot be just a CND campaign. It is a campaign by people opposed to a Tory governWIIO art their intent to meet dissent and protest with torce il necessary. The Tories are determined to turn Molesworth into.. a base capable of playing its part in nuclear genocide.
The campaign to stop Molesworth must and wil succeed. The action on 20 illustrated the rcollary determination of people to continue their protest. to refuse to be silenced.
physical was maintained presence throughout the dav. alu expressed itself through chanting music, a vigil, decoration of the perimeter fence, and highly successful nonOne of the most ridiculous, because there should be - that well-known bastion of the will be moving a composite which that where abolooliale workplace Labour Party branches be formed.
Vauxhall Labour Party Proposals hardly likely to set the world on fire, but nevertheless a practical start TO a campaign well Alas all this is too overdue LOIN regions! caeculive They cannot bring themselves to support 1985. Eight hundred Molesworth protest, 20 February violent direct action.
Despite Illllary control perimeter fence, people successfully entered the base They carried a message of protest and resistance to its heart.
The response to this action revealed the de icacy of the balance between contro and intimidation. With some exceptions the the resolution.
instead ther Will be calling for remission and, WIL APEX probably willing to agree, that will be that.
The reason for the lack of support? Apparently the resolution might encourage constituencies to meddle in the affairs OI unions. Many of the trade union national campaigns on the political ballot aim not to menuon ine Labour Party at all.
Unortunately ine lories won't go away you lie down and play dead. Those union activists who know even if this composite is remitted, its calls for action do not go unheeded.
On other issues the regional executive has not been so weak They supporting two clear composites on Northern Ireland: one calling for immediate and unconditional British withdrawal and the other dialogue with the Republicans including inviting representatives to next year's annual meeting.
On black sections there should •e sel-olect debate between the Young LOSO London parties who have DacK sections. The long LPYS resolution boils COWI sentence attracted to she Labobe attracted the basis of special constitutional arrangements.
The other composite seeks to extend the debate first to call on the Labour Party as a whole to fight to eradicate racism, second to delena lose parues wne might become threatened by the party nationally bethey have black Lause sections, and third to allow black sections be represented at a regional level.
In line with last year's the regional accisions. executive will be supporting the pro-black section composite Vauxhall delegates will be attempting to question the annual report's total silence on gay rights. After thorough last year, a resolution spelling out a programme of action on gay rights was passed. ine regional execulive na: done nothing whatsoever шаке с csoluol d reality.
At the best of times ignoring resolutions is bad enough. a time when homophobia being inflamed by the media, it 1s the duty Socialss CLO unite in defence of those Defence from attack of another kind of sexual harrassment at work will feature in an emergency resolution originally from the regional comantice anu being presented by the execular events in the London Fire Brigade, it is bound to cause controversy.
Though the incidents involved have had some have not come out. So delegates will have to beware of smoke-screens.
The resolution is clear in its demands relating to the Fire Brigade that firm action be taken against the harasser - • but also spells out a series of general demands on the GiC as a emplover whict other councils would do well lo nole. It urges all trade unions to examine their own attitude to the problems of sexual harrassment at work. Greg Tucker YARDLEY WITCH-HUNT