Kent Labour Briefing no. 2

The decision to fine the NUM was taken by a class judge enacting class laws’.

Every society in the world makes laws to defend itself. We live in a capitaiist society

so we have laws to defend capitalism.

Not a single judge comes from the working class. They are all from the ruling

class, elevated by the ruling class

to enact ruling class law. It's the

judges who should be democratised

the working class should have a

ballot to decide who the judges are.

We don't recognise class laws as these are. Now the rest of the labour

movement must rally round and become more involved in our dispute. The financial support should continue, but now when one section of the movement is on strike the rest should pile in behind them. We need days of action, weeks of action and months of action. If everyone woke up tomorrow, got out of bed and just sat on their hands the strike would be over, the government defeated, and the whole trade union

movement stronger for it.

< S

\\4 g mo

Labour leaders & organisations must encourage every single worker

“Respect Our Picket Lines !’

Our Choice: Defend the Unions or Surrender

CLASS LAW

by JACK COLLINS

O.K. O.K.... WE SURRENDER !

Photo: JOHN HARRIS

Mary Turner and Les Hartop interviewed Jack Collins, Secretary of Kent NUM, at his home in Hersden on behalf of Kent Labour Briefing.

Briefing; What is the life expectancy of the Kent pits, and how is Kent coal special.

Jack; We can see a triangle of

coal between Ramsgate, C'tbury and Folkestone - and stretching

far out under the Channel. Four seams, between 500 and 1000 ft deep. We've only just worked one seam - so you Can see the potential is massive.

The coal is metalurgic, used as a 'sweetener' to produce good quality coking coal for the steel industry.

But anybody can use it. Some goes to generate electricity, some to paper and cement works. Most is used here, in Kent and

Sussex.

L; How do you see this issue of

"Uneconomic pits" ?

J; They see things from the cheque book point of view. I guess they can make anything profitable or unprofitable. The principle of nationalisation is that we look at the industry as a whole, but I don't know if we should look at the ind. or anything on a profit or loss basis.

The industry, last year, paid back £400, 000, 000, to the moneylenders.

This industry belongs to the nation, so we should go to the government, the army doesn't go to the marketplace to borrow money - it goes to

the tresury.

+++, L CONDEMN VIOLENCE, I ABOMINATE

VIOLENCE, IL DAWN VIOLENCE, ALL VIOLENCE

—ALL VIOLENCE. WITHO FEAR OR FAYOUR.«-

© ws WN

The advanced machinery we use was

developed by the Brit. coal industry, for driving through rock, loading the coal etc. It was perfected by us and then handed over to 'manufacturing' companies. It is then either sold back to the coal board, or hired to them at a fat profit. Corrals is another one - you see their lorries running about. Well their logo is 'PD! - Powell Dufryn, these were coal owners noted for their brutality, even amongst other coalowners. They buy coal at £40

aton, and sell it for £140 or £150.

The industry is paying - it's paying

every bastard but the miners.

I don't like the bloke but, a study on the Brian Walden programme showed it would cost more to shut a pit than keep it open, - what with

redundancy and loss of taxes etc.

The cost of coal to the electricity board is very high we are led to beieve, but they made £960m profit. They could easily bring their prices

down and burn more coal.

L; Privatisation is on the Tories!

minds.

J; Well yes, the people in charge of the coal industry world-wide are the oil companies - ESSO etc. They own the big reserves in America, it seems to me that the same could take place here.

I think that we should question what we mean by full employment - how many days do you think you should

work a week ?

L; About 33.

J; Quite, but most people

what the country wants in 3

that is full employment. I would like to see

technology and science

advance

| will say 5. If we can satisfy days - or | hour, then =

JA

to such an extent that man can direct his energies towards other talents.

If the 180, 000 miners can satisfy the energy requirements of the country in four days then in the present day and age these things have to be questioned. In 1919 the Sankey reort recommended T7hrs a day in the mines, we still have

74 plus winding time.

L; How do you feel the Kent NUM compares with the rest of the NUM ? J; For the last 30 years there was a strong Communist Party branch in Deal, and a strong Labour Party which always found it easy to work together. Then the influence of the CP and socialists in the Labour Party declined, but by this time many of us had obtained leading positions in the union.

The people in the leading positions developed a 'propaganda programme’, and we still have summer schools, day release etc. Almost all our schools had a trade union and political content somewhere in them. We then developed

the canteen meetings, mass meetings,

At these meetings we said repeatedly that we were opposed to pit closures, we gave the assurance to other areas seeking our support, that we would give it. We've always been true to our word and answered any call for assistance from progressive organisations, CND, Anti-Apartheid, Women's Groups

and we got~q majority to vote for it.

Yes, I'm sure, the Kent miners have

the most progressive attitude of all

the British miners.

OLLINS

B; What exactly are MacGregor's

plans for Kent ?

J; We don't know. They used to deny any plans to close Snowdown, but then they put it on the 'repreived! list in

one of their recent 'compromise's. B; Can you tell us about the scabs ?

J; Well we have about 20 in this field, and generally they are strange people. Of course McGibbon is a profesional, drafted in after strike breaking at Leyland, he has been seen attending

NF meetings in Ramsgate. The others are all people who do not come from the area and intend to move on, plus

a couple who are head cases who we just can't hold responsible for scabbing.

We won a couple back to the picket line.

B; Have you had any help from the socialist countries ?

J; The position now is that no Russian ship will unload any more oil. The only socialist country which is sending fuel is Poland. We have had help from

most socialist and non socialist states in Europe. French and Dutch support hag been very good and the miners in

the USSR are sending money.

B; Have you spoken to Solidarnosc

about stopping exports from Poland ?

J; I wouldn't talk to Solidarnosc, even before Walesa made his infamous

statement, that Thatcher should not give in. I wouldn't attempt to excuse the Polish government or people for sending coal in - their contract to the working class is more important than any contract with the capitalists.

The Polish government aren't very good in Poland either, they haven't

collectivised the land for example.

B; Most regions of Solidarnosc have

made statements supporting British

miners - including mining regions. We

J; Yes Polish miners have committed themselves to a

cessation of the exports,

but the nature of Solidarnosc was clear to me when they stood side by side with Reagan and the Pope.

B; How do you assess the

TUC conference ?

J; The TUC was built-up in some quarters so that if the support was not forthcomeing

it would demoralise the miners. But Arthur Scargill didn't go direct to the TUC leadership,

he went to the rank and file who gave us their support. And as a result the leadership followed them. They are trying to raise money for us and recommending that workers do not cross picket

lines. It is a step forward, but

not a big one. B; And the Labour Party ?

J; Kinnock's not been on a picket line, nor in a village that has been occupied, so where is he getting his information from ? His experience is reading the bosses papers and watching

the bosses TV. He should condemn a society which, in order to defeat the miners, is prepared to starve little kids. Kinnock!s a complete but he's not the L.P. - L.P.

are the people who are putting

dis grace,

their hands in their pockets for

the miners, that are propagating

our ideas, like yourselves. Ina social-

ist society we'll have forgotten all about

bloody Kinnock. Anyone who can't distin-

guish between oppression and the working

class should be thrown out.

B; I think that like Hobsbawm he wants

to move in on the support of the SDP.

J; He is secretly having talks with them-

Steel etc, he's taking out collective insurance, coalitions and everything.

It's obvious that they've no confidence in

the working class -~ just like many people

felt the miners had no determination.

when you prop up the system you h

prop the whole of it up. The only way to

change society is through struggle an

direct action. Change doesn't take p

in Parliament but on the streets. T

are finalised in Parliament but initiated

on the streets.

B; You obviously see that what the L.P. leadership says is important. Have you

ever thought of joining the L.P. ?

J; No, we have enough problems in the C.P., I think that joining the Labour Party would definitely be a step back.

B; Of course you realise that Lenin

encouraged communists in Britain to join the L.P. - infact the Communist Party was affiliated to the L.P., and

you had M.P.s in parliament.

J; Well yes, you can use parliament as a platform for your ideas, but

change won't come about that way.

PMN ae ST

K EE P K

This summer the National Front has tried to build a movement to "Keep Kent White".

Here our intrepid reporter, Tim Schofield from Medway Labour Party, who found himself being dragged off of the bonnet of a police car by his feet, whilst making a class appeal to the driver, looks back on the poor labour movement response to the demonstration organised against the Front.

ENT

On Saturday July 14th the quiet middle class town of Maidstone was awoken from it's summer dreams as the fascists once again took to the streets.

The day had started quietly enough, as Maidstone LPYS held their counterdemonstration through the back-streets

of the town.

Only about 100 people (50 of whom

came on the coach with Brighton Labour

Briefing) from all over the South East, marched along the route laid down by the police. We were not allowed near

the town centre.

But in the afternoon anti-fascists did

hold a counter-demonstration, as the NF, protected by the police marched through the town centre. The broad

EDITORIALS

By waging a real fight against the Tories, the miners gained the support of

the overwhelming majority of delegates to the TUC and Labour Party conferences.

How is it then, that Kinnock's condemnation of picket line violence will now be echoed by the tame shadow cabinet elected by the majority of MPs ?

And how is it, that Willis is able to sit on his backside, not even commenting, whilst the courts sequestrate the funds of the country's strongest union ?

The clue to the answer can be found right here in Kent.

Since the beginning of the miners!

dispute the Kent Trade Union Alliance has led the solidarity in most of Kent. The official movement, under this pressure, has just started to get it's act together, and put itself on the line.

Make a date with KENT LABOUR BRIEFING

{oe tweetay December 17th, 8 pm, LPHQ 32a New Road Rochester.

If someone were to take the lead nationally, like the KTUA has in Kent, then the pressure would be doubly felt by the national officials.

The right wing of Kent Labour Party has had an easy ride so far.

For our part Kent Labour Briefing calls on the County Labour Group & Party to condemn the violence being done against workers in Kent, by the police.

We are on the threshold of a great victory. If the miners

win it will give a massive boost to the whole trade union movement. On the crest of this victory we must be ready to build the movement at the base. But the lesson of the KTUA is, to get the movement, and the officials to do this, we must, at the same time, organise the left.

2)

NA Z

photo, Mary Hartner

I1- FREE

left alliance ofcounter demonstrators successfully prvented the Nazi scum trom putting across to the people of Maidstone, their evil lies and propaganda.

At Brenchley Gardens, with the permission of the Liberal Council, the NF held their rally.

ircled by 3 lines of police their deputy Fuhrer, megaphone in hand, shouted his obscene message toa small band of fanatics.

Thirty arrests, and the NF still marched, was it worth it ?

Millions have suffered and died at the hands of the fascists, we cannot stop the fight now, we must not allow the Fascists to spread their lies.

' . . 4 ‘disclaimer | 1 The views expressed in this, 1 magazine, are the personal, ' opinions of the contributors: named on each article.

Unless specifically stated Kent Briefing accepts no responsability, to any

persons or organisations

named in this magazine. .

published by Kent Briefing, c/o 69 Richmond Road Gillingham Kent. ME7 1LN

' ' 1 ' ' ' ' ' ' ' 1 '

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ' Kent Briefing is 1 1 ' L

lis printed by Dot Press,’ 1 389 Cowley Rd, Oxford.

OPEN PAGES

Kent Briefing, inthis, our second, edition, would like to make it clear that our columns are open to all sections of the Broad Left movement.

The Labour and Trade Union Movement are under the most sustained & determined attack since the General Strike of 1926. This government is smashing a battering ram against the doors of the NUM in order to storm the WHOLE working class movement.

We cannot afford any divisions in our ranks if we are to overcome this assault, we must put aside those differenc@s which, compared to the seriousness of the present situation are often trivial and petty. Our pages are open to various opinions and debate, which is vital if we are to fashion useful policies.

If you have something constructive to say, then we will endeavour to see it gets printed. All we ask of you is that you make the effort.

Editorial meetings for Issue No 3.

CANTERBURY; s@ackay January 8th 8 pm, 'Prince of Wales',

King Street.

THREAT to FREE PRESS in Gillingham L.P..

Gillingham Constituency Labour Party has spent months arguing over the sale of Militant on Party premises. As Socialists we have

nothing to fear from open debate and a truly tree press.

We can

vy choice buy or refuse to buy any newspaper 4@s we see fit, that

is our individual choice. with any ban grounds.

No member or our Party should sf a Left Wing Publication on political and/or selective If the selling of a newspaper is found to have a disruptive

30 along

effect on a meeting then the same must apply to all Publications of

the Left.

If it makes sense to ban

tant then it must follow

that all Publications must be banned from distribution on Party

premises.

If any attempt to ban any other Left a National or constituency decision

Party premises is made, be we will oppose it. If, with a Militant majority deci

Labour Weekly on Party premises, how many of

passionately supporting the N.E.C., We appeal to all comrades to think

same committment? We would.

If not the ban is purely

let us say, ided to advocate a ban on the sale of

on political grounds. Wing Puolication from sale on hypothetically, a future N.E.C.,

our members now so decision would maintain the

deeply before pursuing what is for Socialists an unjust cause. Let

us leave the book-burnix change Society to one

showing tolerance ar who have that aim at

heart.

to the Fascists and Nazis. Socialism and that will only come by by encouraging open debate between members

Our job is to

by Derek Spencer, member of Gillingham L.P.

T HANET oun g Socialists

Apologies seem to be due to Thanet North CLP. In the lst issue of Kent Labour Briefing

We received a letter from the secretary of the CLP saying that they have always had a cooperative and constructive relationship with their YS. We have not heard from the YS involved.

We are unable to reprint the whole of the letter from the CLP, due to it having been

NORMAN WILLIS

Gen. Sec. of the TUC IN MEDWAY Nov23

HOT ON THE HEELS of Mrs. Windsor, Norman Willis, Len Murray's replacement, will be speaking at Chatham Town Hall at 7.30pm

at the invite of Medway Trades Council.

Also on the platform - Eric Heffer MP.

lost, but it was succinct and we hope that we have conveyed the meaning it had here.

SUBSCRIBE

to KENT LABOUR

we appealed for information regarding rumours of moves , by the CLP against the LPYS.

WW Southern Reg Southern Region Labour Party now has it's own mailing/magazine written for and by women members

This now provides a yehicle for the views of

ead Briefing per issue. Extra copies add 20p each. Payable to

Kent Labour Briefing, c/o 69, Richmond Rd, Gills.

women in the LP.

Get yours from S.R.L.P. Woking Surrey. More info from Brenda Wilkinson 45 Loder Rd Brighton Sussex. tel. 0273 559564

Subscribe..-.now. £1 a year

Owen Hse, Heathside Cres.

35p

Don't You Think It's About Time To

Join the Labour Party

Trade unionists, Women, CND members,

People everywhere trying to fight for working people ; MUST GET TOGETHER,

Only the Labour Party provides the frame- Eds; Don't be work for hammering out a socialist program a wally. Collect covering all political issues. JOIN the that levy 1 Labour Party and make it fight for YOU. 5

K ent oblidarity

Committee

NE

ELVINGTON -

We have seen, for some years, the Post Office's two-tier service, but I never thought that I would see the day when we had a two-tier police service.

In Elvington we have seen discrimination by the police depending on whether you are a working or a striking miner.

On the evening of tuesday 4th a group of miners, their wives and children, were demonstrating outside a 'working' miner's house. The 'working' miner came out

with a shotgun. He was told not be silly and to put the gun down.

His response was to fire the gun. As it was dark, there was panic and the men women and children

went running in all directions.

A letter from Nick Bradley, on

behalf of the Kent Association of Trades Councils, and a circular from the KTUA, attracted about

150 people to the inaurgural conference of the 'Kent Solidarity Committee', - Kent's official miners!’ solidarity campaign. Everyone present saw the tstablishment of this body as a big step forward, both in terms of building greater unity, and in terms of pulling the officials

into ongoing work for the miners.

There were platform speakers from; NUM, South East Region of the TUC, NUPE, and the KTUA. It was unfortuneate that nobody spoke specifically on behalf of the KATC (who called the meeting), nor were the women's support

groups given an official slot.

A very open discussion was had however, with plenty of opportunity

for contributions from the floor.

SIDED COPS

VILLAGE UNDER SIEGE

In the rmorning when I heard about

the incident, I asked the Superintendant in charge at Tilmanstone

colliery if he would stop the scab

bus to arrest the man. He said that

I would have to make a written

formal complaint .

wrote one to the Chief Constable.

I immediately

I followed this up with 15 individual, signed, complaints from all the people involved that I could

trace. I have still not heard if

this is being investigated.

Another evening (Sept. 12th) I was contacted by a striker who was in a state of panic. He and a friend had been chased by police. The police had surrounded the

house and the two men were

"BUILD

Several delegates spoke about practical activities, like door-todoor collections. Paddy Sutcliffe, from Dover, described how he used old Labour Party canvass cards, to avoid encounters with 'Sun' readers. Another delegate from Aylesham, thought that we should be breaking new ground however and described how he organises teams of 3 per street, one with a clip-board noting the

doors that contribute, so as they

can return only to thet give.

If there was'a general theme to the conference it was the building of mass pickets to stop the movement of coal during the winter. One delegate, from Greenwich, called on the SERTUC to officially build the mass pickets of power stations. Several people on the platform and other delegates spoke

on the same theme.

MINEWO mittee cor for 2 Dec Hall, La Skinner te petrified. When I arrived at the village there was a small demon-

stration outside the house, and

the police had gone. The wives and children of the two men were close to tears.

I was told that three men had been walking around the village with the women's support group when a police transit van pulled up alongside and the police jumped out and indiscriminately chased the group. One of the Ten was arrested, whils’ the other 2 had managed to run hom They heard an officer outside ask whether to break the door down.

If there was a group of thugs outside you would phone the police. But whe it was the police outside, what coul(

you do ?

Eventually I did call the police and after a lot of arguement an Inspecto

agreed to come out.

the MA

Other ideas were also given an airing;

the production of a regular bulletin by the committee,

the need for the NUM to send full-time officials to other countries to get support, and,

the possibility of making contact with solidarity groups in other areas areas of the country, with a view

to building national initiatives,

Jim Griffiths GMBATU Nick Bradley NUPE

Eric Humphries TGWU Sheila Morgan USDAW Ray Allow NGA Reserved for NUR/ASLEF

WIVES SUPPORT GROUPS:

Liz French DEAL

Kay Sutcliffe AYLESHAM OTHER SUPPORT GROUPS: C'BURY/WHIT/M'GATE/FAV Ruth Manley or Alan Grimley M'WAY/G'END/D'FORD/ SIT/ Graham Moody or Jack Osborne DOVER/M'STONE/A'FORD/ F'STONE/ROMNEY MARSH

KETS

NUM:

Kent Area Rep

George Beever SNOWDOWN Reserved for Tilmanstone Reserved for Betteshanger

Trades Council

TRADE COUNCILS: Vince Drongin M'WAY Bob Herley M'WAY Nigel Sheahan

LABOUR PARTY:

Chris Jone T. WELLS Eddie Pynn M'WAY Eric Seagull F'STONE UNEMPLOYED:

Andy Roberts

YOUTH:

Andy Gilbertson M'WAY

thereby putting pressure onto the Paddy Sutcliffe or Lesley Gaskin

Christine Pugh national officials.

At the end of the conference, groups elected people to the regular committee (see list). 24 places in all, but if your organisation would

like to send a delegate, get one

elected, .inform the committee

c/o Nick Bradley, Garland Hill Hse, Sandy Lane, St Paul's Cray, Orpington, Kent, BR5 3SZ, and the

committee will then decide on

whether to co-opt her/him, to it.

{KERS’ Defence Comerence now confirmed aber in Camden Town jon. Scargill, Benn, peak plus workshops.

Details from the campaign c/o Ken Livingstone at County Hall or phone 01-981 3289. Publicity available now.

He alleged that a man had thrown a

brick at a working miner's house,

An emotional moment: Bill Martin (Medway Picket Organiser) speaks, after his release, outside Rochester Police Stn. He was arrested on the 500 strong march organised by the Kent Assc. of Trades Councils. Four more people were arrested whilst picketing for Bill's release. A fund has been set-up

for legal costs, c/o Vince Drongin 19 Randall Road, Chatham.

and they believed that the descrip-

tion given may have fitted one of the

three men.

Il asked the inspector what would have happened if the two men who phoned me had not got away. He said that they would have been detained identified and released.

I put it to him that if the men had by BESETTING THE HOUSE WITHOUT

LEGAL AUTHORITY’. One of the

men turned out to be a farm labourer

Fina P ‘ Boe indeed been arrested but then ingly] 38ked Bim: why“'wor king

released, the police would then miners were being protected but

be open to being sued for wrongful 7 Ripe la ‘ who was on his way to buy a loaf of bread. ),

comment.

P 7% d th di inst arrest, and to avoid this the men ane thFeats Mads against fhem;, wes

The Inspector refused to

not. He informed me that the role

would have been charged under

f i i 'd the wide ranging Conspiracy and of the police is to 'defend the

minority against the majority’.

Protection of Property Act, 1875. I then asked the Inspector whether

It appears therefore, that the

(6 men had been charged under the brick throwing had been reported

police no longer defend the public

this act the previous day, their in an emergency call or in a

atlarge !

crime was to walk past 'working! written formal complaint.

miner's house on the way to the shops - or 'WATCHING OR

He told me they had responded to an

A~J.SANSUM emergency call!

Dover District Councillor.

Snips _

compiled by Derek Spencer

Prom "Tribune™ 6th July 1984.

A taste if you will excuse the pun, of gs to come in the privatisation of the National Health Service:- according to Jack Massey of the Hospital Corporation of America. "The potential in hospitals is unlimited. Its even

better than Kentucky Fried Chicken".

Its hard to follow that you might think, but just try this one from "The Worker" 30th July 1984.

When Claud Cockburn interviewed Al Capone in Chigago, the gangster talked philosophy. "Listen, don't get the idea I'm one of these goddam radicals. Don't get the idea I'm knocking the American system". He praised freedom, enterprise and the pioneers; he spoke of “our heritage", says Cockburn. Several times he repeated: "My rackets are run on strictly American lines and they're going to stay that way .... This American system of ours, call it Americanism, call it capitalism, call it what you like, gives to each and every one of us a great opportunity

if we only seize it with both hands and make the most of it".

Such an attitude strikes a contempory chord. Capone would be a great supporter of privatisation, a form of daylight robbery in which the public get fleeced.

soth pieces, though short on words, speak volumes. For example in a long sympathetic article on Frank Chapple, General Secretary E.E.7.P.U. in the "Evening Standard" on 16th August 1984 an impression of the man's position in Trade Union History can be ascertained by noting two of the most telling parts from the interview. If Prank Chapple had not become a union leader

he would have liked to have become a womaniser. He reflects on this while his Chauffeur waits outside the Savoy and we talk inside .... And after speaking on one of his favourite pastimes, pidgeon racing, in his early years, he says "Forty years later I was having lunch with the Queen at Buckingham Palace and we talked for ages about pidgeons".

Inside information tells us that there is no truth in the rumour that when the Queen entered the room Frank Chapple waited for her to courtsey!

How about this revelation of the workings of capitalism taken from the "Morning Star" 29th August 1984 under the heading "Labour kicks out Edinburgh blues" and quoting Labour Group Leader Alex Wood. "While still in opposition Labour's Councillors and thousands of Council tenants in Pilton were scandalised by the selling off of 719 houses for a knock down price of under £4m. to Property Developers notorious as among

Sometimes I like Uo just sit and ponder those things which are i erable.

Labour CND newsletter /op

CONTACT JOY HURCOMBE CHAIRPERSON

11 PEMBURY ROAD,

WORTHING, SUSSEX PHONE: WORTHING 206588

OR PHONE CAROL TURNER

DURING THE DAYTIME ON 01-359 8180

REMEMBER

The money required

to provide adequate food, water,education , health and housing

for everyone in the world has been estimated

at $17 billion a year.

It isa huge sum of money

f when is a greemhou effect effective? Is there balm in Gilead”

? =

...about as _much as : the world

spends on arms every two weeks.

will the price of the Cickets for the heat death of the universe be exorbitant? And the great impon- (derable question of

the biggest contributors to Tory Party funds. The Developers were then grant aided by the Government to the tune of £3.6m. to upgrade the houses and sold them at around £20,000.00 each. They made millions; Edinburgh lost hundreds of dwellings and Council tenants went on coughing, shivering and re-papering the walls".

All this proves is, that you don't have to carry a gun or rob a Bank if you are a beneficiary of the system which is so favourable to the well off.

Finally let us allow a Tory to make

the most telling point in relation to the Miners’ current dispute with the N.C.B. This comes from "Tribune" comment 31st August 1934. Speaking of the T.U.C. instruction of a return to work in May 1926 after a nine day General Strike, Lord Halifax said that the T.U.C. leader's surrender “was so humiliating that some instinctive breeding made one unwilling even to look at them".

Will Neil Kinnock. ever support a working class

Let us hope that when this current dispute is over the T.U.C. will be able to look us directly in the eyes!

If there isn't a quote from your favourite paper have patience. will come.

It

QUESTION; What do we need a womens! section in the Labour Party for ?

ANSWER; To help us win the next election, and end discrimination against women.

Without coherent Labour policies designed to meet the particular needs of women, we will not attract women voters, more votes from women we will not be able to gain power and put our policies for women into practice. Women's Sections in

the Labour Party play a crucial

role in reaching out to more women

Firstly, evidence has to be gather-

ed and attention drawn to the vast range and extent of discrimination against women, and policies have to be made to put an end to it. There is no reason why this research and publicity should not be done by both men and women, but unfortuneately history shows us only too clearly that men show little interest in these areas, and it is only when women themselves get together, and organise, that

anything gets done.

The initiative has to come from women themselves. Involvement and support from men are welcome and, indeed, necessary, but without continual pressure from well organised and committed women, experience teaches us, that policies for women tend to get a low

priorirty.

Secondly, we need more women in the Party, and women's sections are necessary to attract women into the Party locally. They can organise around local issues - as we did in Canterbury against the threatened closure of a day

nursery - make contact with local women, as consumers and workers, and demonstrate clearly by example that only through political consciousness and socialist action can our services be preserved and increased.

Many women feel more comfortable, initially at least, with other women, and are likely to be more open to

approaches from women Party

members to get involved and attend

Party meetings.

and, without

/if/

TIONS

SEC

Labour Councillor a

for Canterbury.

//

Moreover, women often tend to

feel overawed by the usually male dominated and bureaucratic atmosphere of many branch meetings, with the complex ramifications of debating procedures, standing orders etc. Women's sections can provide a safe and unthreatening introduction to the Labour Party for many women, who, through lack of previous opportunity, are completely unfamiliar with the processes of conducting and taking part in formal meetings.

In the absence of men (who can unwittingly intimidate women at branch meetings) the women's section meeting allows women the chance, for the first time in their lives for many, to run meetings, be Chairperson, Secretary ete ana to develop the confidence to speak in

debates,

Women are badly needed at all levels of the Party organisation ~ on local, regional and national

executives, as MPs and Counci-

llors.

ination that continue the Labour Party - only 4.9% of MPs,

Women's sections play two roles here. Firstly, they give women the confidence to stand for these positions, and secondly they

continually draw attention to the

appallingly high levels of discrim-

to exist in

and 17% of Councillors are

women, etc, and the sections can demand changes in Party struc-

ture to end this discrimination.

Organisational changes were being demanded at national conference this year, to enable more women to fill offices and posts in the Party.

Directly as a consequence of grass-roots pressure through

women's sections and the women's conference, numerous resolutions on this subject were sent in by constituencies and trade unions. It is essential that women are represented properly in these positions - so that Labour is

seen clearly to be THE party for women, and so that women's policy issues are discussed and not ignored, as can be the danger with a predominantly male membership.

Representation by women, at these levels, accustoms party members to the FACT of women's participation at higher levels, and makes them realise that women caj

do the job as well as men.

Until genuine equality of opportunity is acheived both in the Labour Party and in all areas of women's lives, we will continue to need women's sections, to lead the fight against discrimination.

We need women's sections -

not. to discriminate against

men, but to lead the campaign

to redress the present inbalance, towards equality of treatment for all, and to gain thé support of women voters at the next

election.

The death of Sean Downes during the visit to Northern Ireland of a

NORAID representative, coupled

with the moving of a private

LES HARTNER members! Bill to relinquish

SUPPORT SINN FEIN sovereignty over Northern Ireland

Ireland has always had an enormous impact on political developments in Britain. The repeal of the interest in the problems of the 6

Corn Laws, and the adoption of Home Rule by the

Liberal Party, were both watersheds in British history. Not only that but Irish politics showed their cussion around the issues raised.

greater potential for socialist and revolutionary

advance when in the Easter uprising of 1916 they turned Lenin's dictum 'turn the world

war into civil war' into reality. NEGOTIATE But unlike ther a As socialists we cannot accept the colonies, Ireland still : mn : gd continued presensce of British has direct British rule : troops on the streets of Northern

over one part of it. Ireland caer tH li lasses and Similar to other colonies reland, protecting the ruliig. Coseo oF

60% of capital in Southern Ireland is still owned by

by Tony Benn, has created more

Counties. Below we start a dis-

TIM SCHOFIELD;

united under an independent and democratic state.

Britons, but crucially, it's native It is suggested that this can best be acheived by ruling class is too weak compared support for the IRA, and the armed struggle. But to it's working class to rule on it's does the violence acheive anything ? owne

Northern Ireland is one of the few remaining Though they oiten resort to waving colonies left in the British Empire. It is instructthe Green flag, to maintain their ive to look at how the others gained their

support, the main bourgeois parties | independence. in Southern Ireland fear a real move

towards a united Ireland. For this reason repub-

Although some tried to rid themselves of us by

_ force, it was only

oe ae § when the British people actually expressed their indignation about the British control of these colonies that they gained their independence.

- This cannot be gained by the murder of innocent people and indeed can only serve to alienate the British people from the Irish cause.

No small colony can combat a modern army

These are big changes and must not be dismissed, ?Y military methods. Continued war as opportunism. Opportunists do not lie on their will will only cause the deaths of more

death beds like M.P. Lobby Sands and say '' I was people. aye only a working class boy......I shall not settle Tn the late 1960's we acodie the Dr sinels until I acheive the liberation of my country, until people gradually becoming enlightened

Ireland becomes a sovereign indepentent socialist} ° the wrong that was happening in republic.". g - van Northern Ireland, but when the British

troops went in all this was lost in the We must treat the republican movement like Karl ensueing violence. Marx when he defended the Manchester Martyrs. Not create another Labour Party with affiliations continued on next page in Britain, thus deepening the divisions between Northern & Southern workers, and alienating republicans from us, but blame the whole war on

yo Britain, and demand total troop withdrawal.

. ae eel

lican politics in Ireland are profoundly working class in their dynamic.

This is being proved today. With Gerry Adams as leader, Sinn Fein regards itself as a

socialist organisation, and is building a mass base, both in the north and south of Ireland. They want to talk to Kerf Livingstone and other Labour lefts. They even have a growing feminist women's section.

_ Labour Party

CONF. ‘84

MICHAEL McKEEVER (POEU Broad Left supporter, and treasurer of

National Labour Briefing)

As delegates arrived in Blackpool for the eve of

Labour Party Conference, few were ready to guess

at how the major debates would go.

The first day was one of success. With the miners recieving solid support from the delegates, and Kinnock, and his friends on the 'right' recieving a massive defeat on their plans to change the procedures for reselecting MPs.

But the euphoria of monday was overshadowed by a sell-out of the miners on tuesday, by the Transport & General Workers Union. Moss Evans mounted the rostrum and withdrew an emrgency proposal that gave concrete support to the NUM. This was carefully disguised behind the old trick of knocking the media, to detract attention from this TGWU retreat.

details

from 01-278 8394

Prany

To counter the extreme media bias, a series of 13 video's are available from the NUM which cover everything from the decline of

the British coal industry to the vital role of the womens Support groups. Organise a meeting show a video & raise some cash for the NUM.

IRELAND (Tim Schofield) continued;

The must commit itself toa electoral procedures, However,

who have to come to terms with the idea - cr

answer to the problem can only be in Westminster. phased withdrawal of the troops, and the removal of the Unionist veto.

these things must be done through negotiations with the Unionist people,

Contribute

WE NEED PEOPLE TO HELP MAKE KENT BRIEFING BETTER,

SEND REPORTS TO US ABOUT THINGS IN YOUR AREA.

WRITE AN ARTICLE ABOUT YOUR ACTIVITY, YOUR ORGANISATION, OR YOUR IDEAS,

TELL US WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW, Phone Derek Spencer on 0634 366887. Write to Kent Briefing, c/o

69, Richmond Rd, Gillingham, Kent. ME7 1LN

On the wednesday we were witness to an alliance between the 'right' and Militant supporters - to stop the official endorsement of Black Sections. -

It is a pity that our comrades in Militant do not recognise the inherent racism that exists in the structure of the Labour Party, and in all it's members. I would ask them to explain, why even in areas where they are strong, hardly any propositions come forward on issues that effect black people. Black Sections are here to stay, they will not go away, and in time will be seen as an essential part of the Party, like Youth and Women's Sections.

In both the deabtes on Ireland and women the arguements of the Labour Cmte on Ireland and the Women's Action Cmte, had grown much stronger. Very interes was how, on these and other i like reselection, the NUM were fully involved and supportive of the left. They even issued a statement saying they wanted a debate on Gay rights !

On thursday evening 'Briefing' held a public meeting in defence of the NUM. Arthur Scargill made his famous statement "Gaol us - at

our peril'', and the 700 people een raised a collection of £1200.

(Eds; Perhaps a Militant supporter would like to reply to Michael's point, in issue no. 3 of KLB ?)

The next Labour government an end to the undemocratic

another civil war will replace the old one.

Only in thi ituati r i iati y in this situation can we hope to begin ne gotiationé towards a united Ireland. Se

11

CONFERENCE Cnatham

UNION ALLIANCE .... toss!

TONY STEVENS (Convenor K.T.U. A)

Lebbit reckons this is the dispute to "break the shackles of trade unionism in Britain". In their desperation the Tories are having to destroy all opposition.

This has galvanised our class, restored our confidence, and

our strengths have come to the fore.

But this struggle has also highlighted weaknesses in areas like Kent. The neglect of many trade union branches particularly in the industrial sector. The decline of many Trades Councils, and the appalling state of the KATC.

In many cases union machinery

is rusty or downright defunct. The fact that, out of 16 miners' support groups in the county, only 4 were set up by Trades Councils, speaks volumes.

Therefore the KTUA, an

unofficial body, emerged out of necessity. It's existance is an

indictment of the official lack of leadership,

The KTUA is not however a long term solution, or an end in itself. The times necessitate that we draw together the best of the official with the unofficial.

And also draw in the women's groups, unemployed, independant support groups, and the youth.

All this is why we participate in the, long overdue, Kent Solidarity Committee.

But we need to look ahead also. The situation at Reeds, APCM,

in the old people's homes, on the railways, with the school meals service - will all need inter-union support.

After the miners' dispute, we can not afford to go back to square one and let all the old problems reemerge. If the support groups & women's groups dissappear, it will be at our own cost.

This is why the Kent Trade Union Alliance has called a conference in conjunction with the Kent NUM.

We urge all activists to contribute to the discussion at the conference. We can use the conference to take the spirit of the miners struggle into every sector of the movement in Kent.

Majorspeakers: Workshop?

to 25;

What Future for the S upport Groups

for more information about the conference,

or the KTUA, write Beacon Road, Herne Bay,

or phone Tony on 02273 62664.

Sell Briefing

photo, Mary Hartner

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