THE GENERAL atmosphere of the debate at the North West regional Labour Party conference which took place on 9-10 March was lacklustre — the outcome of an apparent lack of interest in regional organisation.
for example. BP Don the North West region and sitting vice-chair of president of the North West recently confidenced' area of the NUM, wasfirmly reelected to regional execu, tive committee.
The NUM had passed the no confidence motion for his absence during the miners' 3120 unfortunately forgotten to remove delegation leader.
emercency motion demanding the NEC support a full amnesty for the miners was passed. But politically, floor focus emerged around Action Committee motions.
Militant spoke against motions guaranteeing debaling ume lor three resolutions submitted from reyou womens comerence So much so, they failed to speak in favour of their own motion which was supported by WAC, which called for three women's seats on the executive to be elected bi women's conference.
As a result. all the reso lutions supported by WAC fell. Militant's resolution fell on a card vote of 450,000 607,000. The TGWL alone contributed 250,000 of those in favour.
meetings went definitely the highlights of une conierene WAC spoke thể platform organised by • of MPs 'CLPD. Eric made a fighting speech o behalf the , but the meeting did not address itself to the tast of organising the left in the region on an ongoing basis.
van chester cv coun cil's fringe meeting, entitled Which way forward for the Labour Party in the North West' brought together the left from across the region. Hardly surprising, since the council involved struggle against the government.
Speakers Bob land MP, Graham Stringer (leader, city council), and John Nicholson (deputy leader) talked of more seriously and the nees bring the lett across the region.
If the left can success fully organise Gunny lik year, next year's conference could be more exciting.
OUR