Birmingham Labour Briefing no. 24

REINSTATE AMIR KHAN AND KEVIN SCALLY

The campaign for the reinstatement of expelled Labour Party members has Two constituency

two got off to a good start. parties in Birmingham have submitted conference resolutions cailing on the Labour Party National Executive Committee

(NEC) to readmit. Amir Khan and Kevin Scally to membership. This means that there is now a good possibility that

the issue can be debated at party conference this autumn.

Amir Khan, a Birmingham City Councillor and Kevin Seally, former secretary of Sparkhill ward of Sparkbrook constit-

uency Labour Party, were expelled last November for ‘bringing the party into disrepute’.

The charge against Khan arose because

Sparkbrook possibility

meeting in the

he organised a constituency to discuss of setting up a Black Section.

Scally was expelled because he appeared

on a television programme, 'Tne Bandung File', after he discovered that 57 of the 140 new membership applications received by Sparkhill Ward in December 1983 were irreguiar but was unabie to persuade the constituency party

to hoid an investigation.

Appeals ‘to the National Executive Committee by both comrades were rejected, with Sparkbrook's MP, Roy Hattersley, voting to uphold the expulsions. Since the expulsions were instigated by the constituency party and simply confirmed by the NEC, Khan and Scally do not

have an automatic hearing at conference.

The Campaign for of Amir Khan and Kevin nas issued an appeal signed by prominent Tribune Group and Campaign Group of Labour MPs. Other sponsors inciude Peter Hain, Ken Livingstone and Nigel Williamson, the editor of ‘Tribune’. The appeal is being circulated by the Labour Co-ordinatirg Comm. ttee, the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy, the Labour Committee on Ireland and the Black Sections.

The campaign

right to a the Reinstatement Scally (CRAKKS) wnich has been members cf the

organisers stress that @ conference debate can only take place if sufficient amendments to the Ladywood and Seliy Oak resoiutions are submitted.

A suitable amendment might be to point out that neither Khan nor Scaily have broken any constitutional ruie of the party. Conference amendments have to be in by 15 August.

Meanwhile, back in Sparkbroek, Scally and Khan's former adversaries have fallen out with each other over who should repiace Khan now he is ineligible for reselection as a counciilor in the Autumn. So far six men are in the running, but that number increases monthly. But on one thing they are

ali united - they ali bacxed the constituency party when it decided in June ta reject a demand for an enquiry into the fiddled membership.

Inside. ..ce eres c ence cere eens Black Section for Birming- | ham...Immigration laws... | Handsworth...Plastic Buliets...South Africa...Is Dick Knowles a sleninist... Sparkbrook...Sinn Fein... Labour Committee on Ireland. }

CAMPAIGN FOR THE REINSTATEMENT OF AMIR KHAN AND KEVIN SCALLY

Hon Treasurer Bob Clay MP

Joint Hon Secretaries Vladimir Derer (CLPD}

Pau! Sharma (Labour Parry Black Section)

10 Park Drive London NW11 7SH 01-158 1501

Joint Hon Chairs Clare Short MP Gul Zarina Khan

Appeal

To Secretaries of AU Labour Parry Organisations We are appealing on behaif of Culr Amir Khan and Kevin Scaily for the suppor of your organisation in winaing their reinsracement as Labour Parry members.

Cilr Amir Khan and Kevin Scally were expelled ty Birmingham Sparkbrock CLP in November 1985. Their appeals were reiected by the NEC on Monday 9 June 1986 by 13 votes ro 12. Both Amir Khan and Kavin Scally were said to have ‘brought the Labour Party into disrepute’.

As the NEC merely these expulsions but did aor :nitiate them, :hey wii! not be referred to int its conserence report. Therefore :hey can only be brought to the attention or this year’s conference through 2 resouution.

Amir Xhan has been an active member of the Traasport & Generai Workers Union for 15 years, having been 2 shoo steward for 3 years. in the Labour Party he has been branch vice-chair and a sub-agent to Roy Hanersley in the 1983 zeneral election. Am: Khan organised a mening in Sparkorook CL? :0 discass forming 2 olack section. For cnis he was accusec by the constituency execurve of “bringing the Labour Parry into disrepute’, Subsequcatly tat Genera: Commines endorsed this charge aad thea went on to expel him from party membershio.

Kevin Scally has beta a party member ‘or 17 years, during which time ae has keid severai positions of responsibility in h:s wara aca constituency. He was expelied Zor being invoived in the Bandung Fie TV programme on Asian invoivement in Sparkbrock CLP. In it he drew attention «® membership irregularities -n the Sparkhi‘l Ward, where as secretary, in December 1983, he ceceived a sudden :aflux of 140 new applications. Ou -nvesigauon many of these turned out to Save not been signed by the apPuicants. Some came from son-enistent addresses. Scaily's request for an exquiry was answered yan instrucion trom the Regional Organiser chat he shauid ‘accept al! future applications in good Sich’. in ox asperation he was perscaded so talk to the Bandung File, Other members of Sparkbrook CL? appeared on. this programme but no disciplinary measures have deen sen against them.

Whatever our personal views about discussing intemal party marers in public, many aationat figures ‘within the party habicually air their own views in che media. Indesé, if the cubious ruie of ‘bringing 3 party inte disrepute’ by speaking 10 the press were appiied eveniy to the Parliamentary Labour Party, mast of its members would have been expelied from party membersaip long ago.

The actions of Clr Amir Khan and Kevin Scaiiy do not substantially differ thom those of other party members. Nor do they breax any of the party's coast:rutional rules or warrant expulsions. This view is endorsed by the widespread opposition to these expulsions that has already bean expressed. ‘We therefore appeal ‘o you to support this campaign and ask that your organisation cakes whatever action seems apropriate so acaieve their senstarement at the earliest possible date.

Elngsicy Abrams llr Para Deas Michael Meacher MP Denass Stinner MP. Cllr Theresa Stewart

| Hassan Akmed ‘Martin Flannery MP Bal Micnie MP

Margarent Beckett MP Eddie Haigh laa Mixarae MP Gavia Sang MP Linda Beltoe ‘Cle Philtio Marpay Reich Vaz

Aan Perfor Mare Wadsworth,

Gir Rov Beniamin Tooy Bean MP David Bluokert

Michael Welsh MP Nigel Wiliams David Wianick MP

Neail Power Olle Miex Rice

Cir Trudy Liviagstone

Support the Ladywood resolution

Since Amir Khan and Kevin Scaily were expelled by their constiruency, and this action was merely endorsed by the NEC, their case will aot appear in the NEC Report. This means that the oniy way of bringing the issue to the anention of conference 1s through a resolution. Such a resoiution has been submitted to

conference by Birmingham Ladywood. This is reprinted beiow. ‘To be timetabied, however, this resolution must be supported by ar least 12 CLPs or affilianed organisa

tians. We are, therefore, 2iso printing an amendment and asking as many CLPs as possible ro submit this.

This is vital if the issue is 10 be discussed. Oo ON

“Conference beiieves thas the party must remain a dread coaiition of various shades of opinion and that toierance

shouid be extended w thase who hold minority views.

‘Conference welcomes this tradition of tolerance, which extends back 10 the election of Harold Wilson as icader in i963.

‘Conference notes: {2.3 That while the majority of the party disapproved of James Callaghan'’s televised denuncianan of the party’s

nuclear defence policies prior to the 1983 general election, he was not subject to disciplinary action. (2.) Thar a large mumber of Labour Party MPs have criticised one or other aspect of party policy, without being

suiject to disceplinary action.

‘Conjerence doem’t necessarily approve of such public dissension but also motes: 11.) The rejection of the appeal against expuision from Birmingham Sparkbrook CLP of Clir Amir Khan and Kevin Scally. Clir Khan was expelled for calling a meeting to discuss the formation of a Black Section. Kevin Seaily was expelled for appearing on a television programme and critictsing the constituency party.

(2.) That botk Khan and Scally are iong standing party members who have given years of service 1a the parry.

Conference believes that hese comrades have not been treated fairly or consistently and cails on the NEC wo read mit them 10 membership. In the last senzence delete ‘calls on’ and insert ‘instructs’.

This change is essential if we are to ensure that the NEC carries our the wishes of the conference, On gast experience, as the resolution stands, chis may uot happen.

Financial Appeal

We appeai to ail Labeur Party organisations acd individual members to support the ‘Campaign for the

Re:starement of Am:r Khan and Kevin Scally’ and ‘9 contribute :9 the cost of its work. The campaign's objective is to win sufficient support co ensure that Amir Khan and Kevin Scally’s case

is discussed at this year’s annual conference, and that a resolution is passed instructing the NEC co reinstate then into party membership.

To succeed in this it is vital that the campaign takes its case to all sections of the party, whether they be constituencies, party or rade union branches or other aifiliated organisations.

‘Te pay for this work we depend entireiy on financial contributions Srom party organisations and individual members.

Any con:r:bution, however small, would be appreciated. But please give generously. This will elp to sure that Amir Xhan ard Kevin Scaily’s case does not 4ail :rough lack of funds and that we achieve the

outcome we delieve ‘sin the dest interests of the party.

Please sead contributions to Bob Clay MP House of Commons

Londen WCiA 0AA Cheques should be made payable to ‘Campaign for the Reinstatement of Amir Khan and

Kevin Scally’ or ‘CRAKKS*. Sponsor the Campaign for the Reinstatement of Amir Khan and Kevin Scally :

1/We wish ta add our names to the List of sponsors for the Campaign for the Reinstatement of Amm Khas and Kevnn Seaily.

Individual Sponsor

AGGIES oo eee eee ce eee eee eee ee ee eeee

Sponsoring Organisation

Name and address of officer w whom furure correspondence concerning this campaign shouid

TAWe enclose a contribution of £ .. rowands che expendirure of the Campaign for the Reinstatement of Amir Kban and Kevin Scally.

Please send tx: Campasgn for she Reinstasement of Amir Khan and Keom Scaily 10 Park Drres, London NOPIt 7SH.

The next issue of Birmingham Labour Briefing wili be a special conference edition, out on 16 September, a little

later than usual. Deadline for articles for this issue will be Friday 5 Septem-

ber. Send all articles to 48 Thornhill Road, Handsworth, B21 98S, telephone

021-551 9174.

Handsworth - the Council's

response

After the Dear Report, the Silverman Report and the scathing West Midlands County Council report, ‘A Different Reality’, Birmingham City Cotmeil has respondec with its action proposais for the area in the aftermath of what it terms ‘the Handsworth Riots’.

Nct surprisingly; -it was unemployment which generated the greatest response to the council's censultation procedure. The main concern within this was the empioyment of itocal labour in schemes within the area.

In response, amongst other things, the action plan proposes that at

least 30% of those employed on city ccuncil projects in the inner city will be iocal people and that ‘a

register and other measures! will be set up to encourage the employment of local labour on inner city duilding work. Presumably some form of contract compliance is envisaged. Exactly what, however, is not spelled out.

Alsc, the y council is te ser @ date by which time its workforce will reflect the composition of the

city's population by ethnic origin. The censultation procedure neted that few pecple ‘from the ethnic minorities‘ are in senior manag

posts. No apparent notice is of this point however,

Also worth noting, as 'A Different Reality’ suggested, that only just over half of Handsworth jobs are taken by local people and about one third of the popuiation works outside the area, economic and employment iinkages with firms outside the inner city are alnost as important

as the future ef locai business. This seems to have been overlooked, as indeed is the fact that the few growth areas in the inner city tend

te be in firms employing ilow-paic, non-unionised casual or part-time labour, usuaiiy women — as the AEXTA research, reviewed in "Briefing! iast month revealed.

In the fieid of housing, further urban renewal housing refurbishment

schemes are pianned to start in the Handsworth/Scho/Lozells area in the next two years at a cost of over £10 miliion.

In the field of comrunity facilities and social services, a commi is made to ‘identify more closely and with urderstanding the needs of peopie from the etamic minorities’. No mechanism for doing this is outlined however.

In other proposals are largely superficial or impossibly vague. Additional car parks in Villa Roaé and Lozells Road will do nothing - aword which is singulfrom the orcposals. Yet 'A Different Reality' identified ingham as ‘the cagital of racial discrimination Zritain’ witn statist— ics and eviderce back up the asser— tion.

Again, what kind cf real commitmens te tackle the problems of the area

areas,

is contained in glib proposals lixe: ‘Additional {education} staz are te be sought to work in inner ci

area net necessarily mean propesec are themselves

S be opposed. The proslen iies with > narrowness, heir apparent ure to undersvand the nature and the fact that no real

snift in power is envisaged, As 'A

2 Reality’ noted: ‘The City Council's Race Relations Unit was regarded as "a joke". It had actually

ereated more conflict by i the Black

incenpe

communi t)

. approa was invisible Conmunicy by its none son-relatiorship, and

we: backed by a racist bureaucracy ard poiiticai administration

did not give two noots for the conc

of Bleck pecple. The whole apparatus of power remains firmly in the hands

of White peopie in the City and they

nave ensureé that the resou, investrents, apart from the pet cash, have remained in ite control and pockets.'

And it certainly is only ‘petty cash that is at stake here. A recent Association of Metropclitan Authorities review of Urban Policy revealed that che Urban programme comprises only 0,0052% of totai planned governnen expenditure in 1985/6. That is ‘she extent of the crumbs for which Black organisations compete with each ether and with White groups and with multi-~ raciai groups, Meanwhile, the aain spending programmes Black scrutiny cr realiocation,

remain free of

In essence, se proposals change nothing. And nothing will change with the present leadership of the

party in Birmingham which refuses to take up the District Party's Equal Cpportu es and Race Relations poiic~ ies - something which the anodyne section on Race Relations and Equal Opportunites in Dick Knowie's personal manifesto for the May city council eiections singularly failed to do.

A Black Section for Birmingham ?

founded three years

movement has

Since it was ago, the Black Section grown explosively. More chan thirty constituency Black Sections have been responding to the lack of Black

set up, representation in the party and to the lack of anti-racist policies. Indeed, it would not be inaccurate to say that many of Labour's policies are racist in effect. There have been two fierce debates at Labour Party Conference.

The issue ‘as once again appeared in motions for this year's conference.

The Black Section movement has already reap resuits. Not only was large increase in the number

councillors after the May local elections (in Birmingham and elsewhere) but at the next Generali Election there wiil he at least three Black MPs and in ali probability six. The Black Sections have now egun to formulate policy on a number of issues, including Azania (South Africa), policing and immigration laws and are now tackiling the task of fighting for tne Labeur Party to adopt these policies.

But does Birmingham need a _ Black Section? A strong case can be made just on the grounds of strengthening the national movement. However, the state of Birmingham District Labour Party and Birmingham politics in general really makes the case.

begun to there a ef Black

CAR,

the

One fifth of the population in

city is Black. This is not represented in the Labour Party's structures - on General Management Committees and on the District Party for example. Only fourteen of the city's 117 councillors are Black. While the proportion is slightly healthier in the Labour

Group itself, it still does not reflect the level of support for the Labour Party among the Black population. Despite having fourteen to choose from, the Labour Greup could not bring itseif to appoint more than two to its ninestrong delegation to the Race Relations and Equal Opportunities Committee. A white man was appointed to chair the committee.

The expulsions of Amir Khan and Kevin Scally from Sparkbrook CLP is another indication of the attitude cowards Black people cf the leadership

of the party in Birmingham. This attitude

is reflected in the weakness of the party in tackling racism locaily. whether you are convinced or not,

come along to a meeting to discuss whether a 3iack Section should be formed and, if the decision should organise it and what issues we should take up. The meeting is on Sunday 7 September at pm in Committee Room 3, the Council House, Coinore Row, Birmingham.

in Birmingham is yes, how we

TIME PASSES - BUT SOME THINGS DON'T CHANGE

Some things don’t change. The following

is an extract from 'The Municipal Journait for 21 November 1958: —

Early in £951 Birmingham education committee opened Clifton Institute, a centre for coloured people living in Balsall Heath, one of the suburbs where coloured people have congregated. This offers an educational and recreational service to students and the programme is specially planned to meet the needs of coloured people.

Birmingham Corporation set a valuable lead when it approved the following minute in April 1955: “that this council accepts the principle that applicants for any position within the corporation should be appointed on the basis only of their ‘suitability for the post and without any discrimination as to race, creed or colour, and that committees be informed accordingly.”

Thirty years on and the council is still struggling with the same issues. Still there is no effective

race relations and equal opportunities

policy, as the council's employment proposaisfor the inner city, outlined on page 3 of this month's ‘Briefing'

indicate. Maybe someday there will be an effective policy - but not until the issues are taken seriously in practice, not in the small print of adverts.

aa

IMMIGRATION LAWS - NEW RULES ATTACK WOMEN'S RIGHTS

The introduction of new immigration rules after the European Court ruling on the Immigration Widows cases repre~ sents a further attack on the rights of women, The situation is far from improved.

The Home Office claimed the rule changes were necessary ‘to avoid future sex discrimination cases'. But ‘equality!

IMMIGRATION

Kasse cg cee ceed

as possible.

is achieved by reducing the position of wives and fiancees to that of their male counterparts. Entry clearance now has to be obtained before female partners are allowed into the country (with the exception of wives of Common wealth citizens settled before 1973 and EEC citizens).

The postive result of the court's decision is that women who are settled here, but not British citizens, wiil have the right, in theory, to be joined by their husbands. In practice, there are still Likely to be obstacles. One such obstacle is likely to be the 'primary purpose’ rule now being applied to women seeking entry as well as men. No

provision is made in the rules for relationships other than heterosexual marriages. Nor is any hope of reunion given to those women here under less permanent categories like work permits

or student visas.

Entry clearance now depends on satisfy— ing each cf five conditions: the couple must have met; they must intend to

live together permanently @s man and wife; the primary purpose of the marriage must not ‘be immigration; the couple must have adequate living accomodation;

Attempts have been made to make the system as simple

they must be able to maintain

‘without recourse to public

With the extension to women primary purpose rule, and the imposition of the stated imntention of iivirg together permanently, subject incoming wives and fiancees to ‘the impossible task of proving future intention. The

requirements for maintenance anc accomod— ation are an excuse for further surveiil-— ance by imigration officers and others.

Now, for the first time, ‘pubiic funds' referred to in previous immigration rules, have been defined for

They consist of supplementary benefit, housing benefit, family income supplement and housing under the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act. Clearly, the hardest hit will be those who are lowest paid and live in the worst housing. Among these, Black women already figure disproportionately. Access to these benefits will now be based not on need, nor even on contributions made, but on immigration Tatus. ‘Recourse to public funds’ is also forbidden to other peopie coming to this country, like other relatives coming for settlement or getting leave to enter ‘with a view to settlement.

the first time.

REGISTRATION

OFFICE

Inplementing these new rules will mean disclosure of information between police, immigration officers, local

authority housing workers and Department

of Health and Secial Security staff. It is tikely that the resulting fam separation will lead to more induced repatriation.

The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants is monitoring the new rules. You can contact <hem in London at 1:5 Old Street, London £Cl, tei: OL261 8706.

Local information and advice can : be obtained from the West Midlands ; Divided Families Campaign, 2 Alum | Rock Road, Saltley, Birmingham BB 1JB, j

telephone: 021 327 4659.

SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIALIST IN BIRMINGHAM

A South African from the New Jnity visited Birmingham cn 9% and Members of the Socialist Teachers at Josiah Sixth fifteen meeting. At

five staff in a heated of the

Moverent 1G July. Alliance Mason form

hasted

Lleges. staff attended a Joseph Chamberlain and students - toox discussion of various Liberation struggle.

A Sccialist Teachers heard

cwenty part aspects

Alliance ithe the The into

public racism South school white sectors,

ders

in sm that African education systen is rigidly divided joureé, ~ndian and African with Siack teachers allowec teach only their respective schools. Married women cannot %¢ appointed principals ef schools or colleges.

Teachers in Sou have a y long histo crade unicn and polit

dominat system.

neering and se:

to

africa, however, y of progressive =sation.

org:

Movement's ‘forerunners were able to maintain a semi-legai, public existence even in the dark years of the 1960s and post-Sharpeville repression, by publishing a journal called ‘Educational Review". This dong term werk has assisted the creation of two non-racial militant teachers unions in late 1985 in response to the crisis in the schoo-s.

The visiting comrade was appéal on behaif of one of these wunicns, che Western Cape Teachers Union, 70 che Birmingham District Labour Party meeting on @ July. The collection of £45 will assist legal defence for arrested officiais of the many of whom have deen detainhed the recent ciamp~ down.

He also spoxe at a supporters of the magazine 'International’ and at a public meeting of the Troops Out Movement. The latter was alongside a Sinn Fein councillor,

The New Unity

political

able to

union, in forum organised

by

condemnation Africa and general was

His South in

Lily | Fitzsimmons. ef Britain's role British imperialism well appreciated.

At the ‘International’ meeting, the comrade explained his organisation’s

in

socialist perspective. They agree with the main organisations of the liberation movement, the ANC and the JDF, that

the aim of the struggle i 'To build a single, undivided, independent non-racial and democratic South Africa.! But they also argue that this is possible oniy with the leadership of the working class. Thus they add: ‘in which the interests of the workers and the rural poor shall be paramount.' Finally, for ‘Briefing' supporters, it is worth noting that the comrade addressed the ‘first public meeting of the ne formed ‘Coventry Labour Briefing! on 3 July.

(Stuart Richardson)

PLASTIC BULLETS

The thirteenth death by a plastic bullet has done little to dampen the enthusiasm of British poiice te possess the weapon.

The latest victim was hit by one of the 148 plastic bullets fired by the Royal Ulster Constabulary during a viot in Pertadown in Apri Keith

White, the victim, was the first loyalist to be added to the list of deaths by plastic bullets in the north ef ireiand. *t was just two days after this at the West Midlands Police Authority ave permission to their force to buy plastic bullets and launchers. Chief Constable Geoffrey Dear said at the time: 'I cannot guarantee that we can overcome a riot unless we have this ew equipment as a last resort! (Daily Mail, 17.4.86).

Then, in Many the Home Douglas Hurd announce new to by-pass those police who have refused to allow to buy these weapons:

‘Where such authorisation and the chief officer's of need endorsed by HM

Secretary, arrangements authorities their forces

withheld, assessment Inspector

is

is

of Constabulary, I regard it as essential that the equipment should be provided..,In such circumstances equipment will be provided from the central store of equipmenz at Home Office expense! (Hansard

sé}.

Hurd announced at the same time that training in the use of these weapons wouid aiso be provided centrality where

a local police authority was not prepared to pay for it. He added:

'It is cleariy right that chief officers snouid nave baton rounds (the euphemism for plastic bullets - ed.) and CS equipment available following the unprecedented ferocity of the disorders last autumn.'

In a further circular to chief constables, the Home Office added a further loophole to the democratic process: ‘Emergency Supplies 6. Any police force requiring equipment for a particular operational emergency iand having officers trained in its use) should contact the Home Office irect. If the request is agreed, appropriate stocks of equipment will be made availabie immediately from the central store! {Home Office circular 19.5.86).

LETTER

parkbrook stinks

Dear Comrades,

In a recent copy of read a letter from Roger attempted to smear both Amir Khan and Kevin Scally. Mr Murray's allegations made Amir and Kevin out to be a pair of liars who aim to fool the Labour Party. I know them both and spoke in their defence at the GMC when they were expelled. I totally reject as slanderous Murray's claims and feel moved to speak in public for the first time on the politics of Sparkbroox CLP.

Io was a Ward and a

‘Tribune’ I Murray which

member of the Sparkbrook delegate to the GMC from ASTMS. I say 'was' because I have moved constituency since the expulsion. My stay in Sparkbrook was always painful, both at a political and a personal level, and =I am glad to be free of is. It tock me a great deal of effort to join the Sparkbrrok Ward because the secretary ignored my application for months. It toox a personal visit to a meeting before he agreed to process my membership. We never had a notice for meetings or a circulated agenda. You had to turn up and nope there was a meeting that particular Sunday morning.

No sooner had I gained my membership ecard than I experienced my first taste of comradeship: ‘I'll have you out! I know your game!’ I was subjected to verbal abuse and intimidation each time I attended meetings or social events. These attacks were made because i nad been in far left groups during the i970s but also included personal jibes due to my disability.

My ‘trot! background was something MR Murray often spoke of during meetings by bad-mouthing me as the ‘IMG speaker' and hoping, no doubt, the rabid right would seize upon it and expel me. Yes, Roger Murray, ex-Communist Party member, sought to prove his Labour Party loyaity by threatening those who appeared to his left or might expose his careerist Plans.

Being set up as the 'IMG' in Sparkbrook

wasn't my onty problem either. I was almost suspended from the party for writing an article in '3irmingham Labour Briefing’ which was critical of Labour councillors. We were told that only party officials could write articles and speak to the press. Besides, 'Briet— ing! was anti-Labour and my actions were anti-Labour too! @ rotten borough and its MP is the deputy leader of the Labour Party. What hope has truth, honesty and socialism against these odd?

While the odds look present I am sure the truth will out. You can’t fool the people ail the time. In the meantime, I hope Mr Hattersley sleeps well, but he shouid keep his eyes open because there's another man in his company who looks a little like Judas!

Yours for socialism and peace,

Bob Findlay

at come

against us

little episode Labour Co published

what's funny about this is the fact that Murray's ordinating Committee builetin the same time carried glowing support for Italy's euro-communists which never upset anyone. Double standards are common in this constituency.

The ovackground information I have given here is to show that Mr Murray is

not an innocent party in the expulsions of Amir and Kevin. He is an opportunist who fights dirty on every occasion and saw both men as a threat to his plans. Roy Benjamin was aiso a target after appearing on the ‘Bandung File’ programme on Sparkbrook, but thankfully

good upset

the GMC accepted that he acted in faith, Nevertheless, Roy's escape certain people who wanted to use Ais ‘expulsion’ to deselect him as the local souncillor. I have been informed by local Asians chat Koy was put down by a certain GMC member because he was blind. Underhand also Like

common to know

action is in Sparkbrook. You may that Murray's ‘Tribune! al_egations mirror those that appeared in a secret unsigned document that was circulating in Birmingham. The only major difference between them is the length and the fact that the document contained both racist and sexist comments «eewill we ever know the author?

The situation inSparkbrook Amir and Kevin are pawns ina game. There are many reasons why they had to be expelled. I believe their expulsions were supported by certain people beyond the local party.

The ‘Bandung File’ the creation of a Black Sparkbrook in the public gaze. the CLP's leadership feared further probes and sought to warn anyone else off by expelling the three members. what else is clear is that the Sparkbrook action was taken after careful consideration and taixs with a leading Trade Union Labour Party member. The green light was a call for 'kili and Cure’!

I will not remain silent anymore. Sparkbroox is rotten through and chrough. What was said about Liverpool is “rue of Sparkbrook on a smailer scale. Politics

stinks.

programme and SEction put I believe

are am excuse to maintain individual power structures. The Labour Party rarely talks about policies and is racist in its treatment of the locai people. Black people are merely used to keep the existing status quo. The

true needs of the white and Black working class are never adequately discussed. Participation is discouraged.

Amir Khan and Kevin Scally are party members because they put the interests of people before their own and stand squarely on the side of social~ ism. In Sparkbrook this is a crime. In Sparkbrook the aim of politics is to get to the top by using any method available and the aims of the party are a means tc an end. Sparkbrook is

bad

The NEC vote on the appeals

of Khan and Scally.

THE APPEALS of Amir Khan and Kevin Scally were rejected by the NEC ona narrow margin of 13:12. Those voting to uphoid the appeals of Khan and Scally were: Benn, Clarke, Curran, Blunkett, Heffer, Maynard, Haigh, Meacher, Skinner, Richardson, Wise and Sawyer. Becket, OBren and Hough were fot present at the meeting.

DICK KNOWLES - A LENINIST ?

On 31 July, Dick Knowles and Derek Robinson spoke at an Erdington Constituency Labour Party Education meeting. When he was asked why he issued the Labour Party manifesto for Birmingham in his own name, without proper consultation with the District Labour Party and with scant regard for its policies, Dick replied , extolling the virtues of Lenin's form of leadership. Firm leacership, he declared, was necessary in polities, as he brushed aside the District Party's condemnation of his actions. He also contrasted the virtues of Lenin's politics with the ‘perversion’ ef socialist politics represented by

Leon Trotsky.

Order Witch Hunt News Make cheques payable to: ‘Witch Hunt News” 20p per copy (includes postage) ; £1 for 10 copies (includes postage)

Send orders to: WitchHunt News, c/o 36 Melbourne ~ Road, London El7.

Eritis4

’ the

impact on the

nationalist cormunities. Aithough

it's supposeé te be a device to undermine support for Sinn Fein, it's had very iittie success. Peopie see it for what it is and although Sinn Fein's standing may have dipped siightly since the deal it's unlikely to cause any long tern damage to support for Sinn Fein.!

BELFAST COUNCIL:

‘It's ruled by 4 soyalists. They use a number of tactics to undermine the presence ef a handful of Sinn Fein counciliors: they try tc bar them from speaking, place ther on unimportant committees (iike the one in charge of the upkeep of graveyardsi and try to vest all the powers cf the council in one,

i-lovalist, This is

coalition of

al

Sinn Féin councillor speaks to ‘Briefing’

Sinn Fein Councilior, Lily Fitzsimmons was recently in Birmingham as part of a speaking tour to

outline the

annual Troops to Ireland.

Ireland:

policies of Fein and generate support for the Out delegation ‘Briefing' spoke to her about some of the pressing issues in

Sinn

currently courts.'

being challenged in the

THE LABOUR PARTY:

*Support for withdrawing the troops seems to be growing amongst rank and file members, but the present Labour ieadership seems littie ¢ifferent fror previous ones. There seems to be no serious desire on the part of the leadership to consider taking est the troaps and removing the ieyalist veto. It's {ust as ilixely that withcrawai cculd be achieved under «= Tory government aS a Labour one.'

SINN FEIN'S ROLE:

'Sinn Fein is concentrating on tackling the welfare and social problens affecting nationalist . comm— unities. This involves running advice centres and community centres. It's & way of building support for Sinn Fein and aiso of providing. nationalist

communities with services they are ctherwise deprived of.‘

ELECTIONS:

‘The greatest tension within Sinn Fein is over the question of elections and whether Sinn Fein should participate in them. The majority feeling is that while it would be wrong to accept seats in a British parliament it would be wrong to leave nationalist communities who vote for Sinn Fein unrepresented locally. But there are some in Sinn Fein who say abstentionism is a principle. They think Sinn Fein should abstain from ali elections under British rule.!

ABORTION:

‘The recent Ard Fheis was dominated by this issue. It's indicative, I think, of the growing politicisation of Sinn Fein and also of the growing importance of women in Sinn Fein.'

News from the L.C.I.

SINN FEIN COUNCILLORS TO TOUR

The Labour Committee on Ireland is organising a tour of Sinn Fein councillors later in the year. The counciliors will meet local trade unionists and councillors and will be available to speak at labour movement and other meetings. The tour is likely to be around 20 - 25 October. If you are interested in the councillors speaking at a meeting contact Anita Richards on: 021-523 3608.

NEC BACKTRACKS ON STRIP SEARCH

DEMONSTRATION

Despite the overwhelming decision of National Labour Women's Conference to call on the NEC to organise 2 National demonstration against strip searching, we now hear that the NEC has declined to do so. Instead, they have decided to issue a statement on the. issue. Once again we witness the failure of the NEC both to campaign on its policies and tc concede to the democratic decisions of the Labour Party membership.

NO WORKING PARTY REPORT TO CONFERENCE?

It now looks as is the NEC working party on ireland wili not be making its long-awaited report to this year's national Labour Party Conference. Emergency resolutions may well now be forthcoming if this is the case. Look out for further details next month. me

RUN FOR SOCIALISM !

Roger Kiine and Mick Barr, two supporters of the Labour Committee on Ireland are going to give you a run for your money. On Saturday 14 September they'll be going on a 20 km run. Your sponsorship is needed. Money raised will go to the Labour Committee on Ireland and the Campaign to Reinstate Amir Khan and Kevin Scally. Get sponsorship forms and more information from: Bernie Wilde or Anita Richards, c/o 7 Frederick Street, Birmingham Bl 3HE, telephone (021) 236 8323.

Trades Council - South Africa lobby

Birmingham Trades Council is taking its struggle to get trade unions involved in the campaign against Apartheid to this autumn's

Trade Union Congress. A resolution to the July Trades Council meeting reaffirmed its commit-

ment to fighting for trade union action against Apartheid, including a union boycott of all goods to

and from South Africa. The same resolution then resolved to organise a lobby of the TUC on the day of the debate on South Africa.

No date has yet been set for the debate so the date of the lobby is as yet uncertain. Nevertheless, planning is underway to organise the lobby.

The first meeting is on:

Saturday 23 August 12 noon

Trade Union Resource Centre 7 Frederick Street, Hockley.