Labour Briefing no. 48 (the 4-page pull-out is missing)

INSIDE:

@ Special 4-page pull out on the way forward

@ Bash on

ingstone

@ Benn on Spycatcher

@ Feature on Black struggle

ROLLBACK _ REALISM’! —

Labour Party policy should be formed by By ERIC HEFFER MP

members in the Constituency Labour Parties and the trade unions engaging in the fullest possible discussion.

Proposals coming out of the Party's Home Policy Committee to set up “Labour Listens” public meetings will only undermine the active involvement of Party members. The press would make its power felt at such public meetings and will use them to pump their ideas into the Labour Party — ideas tailored to the needs of the capitalist class.

What kind of political party simply echoes whatever ideas happen to be popular at any given time? If people tell us they want to see hanging brought back, does that mean hanging should become official Labour Party policy?

Yes, Labour should listen. it should listen first of all to its own members.

‘These new proposals are simply another means of weakening Party democracy and another excuse to drop socialist policies.

What makes the Labour Party different from other socialist and social democratic parties in Europe is its roots in the organised working class. The trade unions must continue to have a serious input into it — whether or not that input is always what people ‘on the left would prefer it to be. Anything that breaks or weakens this tie with the organise working class — as proposals for “one member, one vote” would do — is dangerous and should be resisted.

The clamour for “‘one member, one vote” has confused many sincere people who want to see an extension of Party democracy. Current proposals offer “one member, one vote” only on the question

new nor realistic — on display at the TUC will also rear its head at Labour Party Conference. Indeed, voices have already been heard arguing for a change in the very nature of Conference. Instead of resolutions and debates and policy-making, the Conference will become a mere talking-shop whilst real power is transferred elsewhere. Videos, workshops, seminars — all middle-class efforts to avoid decision-making — will replace democratic, collective debate and voting. Conference would be transformed into the opposite of what it i

Hf elections for the NEC were held, as has been suggested, on a region by region basis, and importance of the Conference would be further undermined. All this is part and parcel of the attempt to turn the Labour Party into a mere adjunct of the Parliamentary Labour Party.

This year’s Conference will see arguments about “one member, one vote”, about the Home Policy Committee proposals, about a referendum on unilateral nuclear disarmament, about individual share ownership in relation to public owner these represent serious attacks on the polici the Party and attempts to weaken them yet further. Delegates must be alert to these dangers and prepared to fight them.

Coalition is not on the agenda at the moment, but im the long term, if a new party comes out of the merger talks and appears to be doing well, there are people who will say we have to make an arrangement with it. The weakening of socialist policy and party democracy will only make their tasks easier,

What the Party should concentrate on no formulating clear policies to win over a majority of working people. These would include a restatement of the need for public ownership coupled with democratic control, a programme for controlling the

of selection and reselection of Parliamentary being canvassed by the Party Leadership will make > age “ee — not for the Leader or Deputy Leader the Party more democratic. But in a federal party peelings escn Anoviyr a

policy questions or the drawing up of based in the organised working class, like the Labour Socialist foreign policy.

election manifestoes. Party, the most effective and democratic system will -

Here again, the intent is to break up the power of continue to be representative democracy. Only radical socialist policies can deal with the activists in the Party. Proposals for postal balloting, It may well be that Conference will resist the crisis of capitalism. The Chesterfield Conference in particular, would reduce party democracy to a proposed changes. There is a fundamental offers a great opportunity to formulate our ‘sham, contradiction between the electoral college and the alternatives and develop a programme we can fight

Some good people have been kidded that “one “one member, one vote” proposals. How can it be for both inside and outside the movement. member, one vote” and the rest of the changes resolved?

LABOUR— TAKE THE POWER!

Labour Briefing No. 48 Sept 22nd-Oct 13th 1987 page 2

Home News

(On Saturday September 12th, dozens of local labour movement supporters took to the streets of Dewsbury to combat the rising tide of racism in the town.

“They came in response to a call from the socialist teachers of West Yorkshire.

They were collecting signatures for a petition to Keep Racism out of our Schools. Many hundreds of ‘white and black people on the streets of Dewsbury signed, There was very little hostility.

The daily television saga of the poor parents seeking a "bet ter” school for their children has been completely exposed

‘A series of lies concerning Headfield Middle School at ‘Thornhill neat Dewsbury were presented "10 the media Statements that the school was Srientared towards Asian pupils turned “out tobe ‘completely false

The parents were simply seck ing a more “white” school. For this they sere wiling to disrupt land wreck thee children’s lives Say after day

"The highly political nature of the parents” protest as shown, inthe role played by the exright wing Tory MP for Dewsbury. John Whisfield, who. became iheir_ solicitor ‘and organised their daily actions.

H Ray Honeyford, the in famous excheadieacher of Drummond Middle school in Bradford, has also come for- | ‘waed in support “The massive media coverage jis meant to prepare the ground for the inteaduction of Baker's ‘which seth

Se

eee

By Cllr Garth Frankland Leeds

Segregated schools “The response of the Kirklees (Huddersfield) Eduation ‘Authority has mainly been through officials. They say they are defending a multicultural education policy. Unfortunate Iy, there has been little response from local Labour councilors.

"Another problem —s_ that Kirklees’ mulkicultural educa thon policy does not amount 10 very much. There is very little ‘mother tongue teaching and no Serious artempt to extend mult Cultural education Beyond the Schools which have Black Students.

‘Headtield school has 00 teachers capable of teaching the heritage languages of the majorny of its pu

in Leeds 4 special needs pro-

Labour movement response required!

‘gramme was introduced several Sears ago. This increased the teacher/pupil ratio in schools ‘ahich had large Black popula tions. Increased provision was ‘so given to schools which had ‘more pupils whose parents were tenemployed, single, ele ‘Teaching assistants and school liaison officers were intcoduced 10 overcome the problem of a lack of Black teachers.

The Black population of Leeds Know "that these measures, while tackling some lurgent problems, are nor suff ‘dent. Kirklees has lagged eve farther behind.

The excellent initiative. by Socialis Teachers in West Yorkshire (mainly SWP members) should be followed up by a campa labour movement, involving th Socialist Teachers Alliance, 10 defeat the racists and develop proper multi-cultural education in Kirklees,

SCANDAL!

At the Labour Party Conference delegates will undergo massive

They will be frisked, video-ed and have to pass. ‘through electronic barriers as they go in and out of the Conference venue.

The excuse is that this prevents the IRA blowing lp the Conference. But the IRA does not have, and has never had, any intention of doing any such thing.

‘On the contrary, the Republican movement sees the labour movement in Britain 2s one ofits chiet alles in the | Struggle for Wish self | determination. to the lst cou

ple of years Sinn Fein has Sought to establish close links wath Labour Councils, trade Unionists and rank and file Par ty members. There Is more Chonce of the MIS. planting bombs at the Brighton Conference Centre than the IRA.

‘Anyone with the slightest knowledge “of ish polities Knows all this. The Special Branch certainly know it, and so. they know, | the pointlessness from a "secur fy" pont of view. of their endesvours "st the Conference.

"This suggests that their ex ercise has other purposes. Itis 8 political one: to help create ‘an atmosphere of hostility to rsh Republicanism and ‘mistrust of everything trish.

The same occurred recently in an even more outlandish fashion with the arrest in Wiltshire 9 couple of weeks ‘ago of thee Irish people at 3 ‘Campsite. The thres wore tried Sed convicted by the press Delore they even appeared in

j Scottish Labour Briefing

Assembly Campaign: off the ground, but only just!

Same 4,000 people marched in Glasgow on Sey tember 12th as part of a festival for Scottish Demineracy.

‘The event way largely organised by the Labou Parts and trade unions after both Alliance and SNP had walked out, accusing Labour of tack of consultation.

‘The only things that can be said in favour of the event were that it actually took place and that it attracted ‘widespread support with some people travelling hun- } dreds of miles to participate. ] Tt will have done litle 0 ad vance Labour's | Scottish Spokesperson Donald. Dewar's ‘Plans 0 use extra parliamentary ‘Shindigs to put pressure on Seot Tish Secretary Malcolm Rifkind,

‘The Sepiember event it tustrates the problems in this ap proach, On iis own, the call for An Assembly. is just another good idea, af immediate con Gertie very few. If you add 10 this Dewar's view thar mass activity is at best back-up. for Parliamentary horse trading. ‘and at worst a dangerous adven: ture to be carefully controlled, the result i poor mobilisation fand a tuenout which even the beleaguered Rifkind could safe Iy-deseribe as “pretty pathetic".

‘Torbe effective. the Assembly ‘campaign needs to be linked 10 the immediate problems facine large. sections of the Scotiish people, 10 the attacks on state Education andthe Bealth ser Vice, the privatisation of basic

dospoo0o000000

services and the introduction of the poll tax. Our campaign Should. not only demand an ‘Assembly with powers (0 lackle these problems but should also take practical sleps 10 Fight the

sues here and now

for a cam paign aimed simply at Keeping Eabour’s clecoral suppor ia Sedtland intact, What is needed a campaign whose clear goal

is mobilising mass resistance to the Tories" plans in Scotland. ‘Only this type of campaign can deliver an Assembly. with real power to determine Scotland's Future,

Scottish LCC: no way forward on poll tax

The Labour — Coordinating Committee continues to play a very influential role in the Scottish labour ‘movement.

‘Aconference organised by them on “Labour's mandate in Scotland” attracted over 300 people.

Platform speakers includ. ed the General Secretary of the STUC, Chair of the Labour Party Scottish Ex. ecutive, and fromibench Labour spokespersons. Councillors and labour movement activists from all ‘ver Scotland attended

‘All the more disappointing then, chat nothing came out of ie. Alas, the LCC aze not going to be able to ake the timid campaign devised by Keir Hardie Fiouse by the scruff of the neck ‘and point it in some meaningful Sirection

‘Ail the pieces of the jiesas were there. Workshops on the pol wx, exira parliamentary ac {ivity, the Scottish economy. the role of the unions, etc. But

nobody seemed able oF willing {o pot them all tozeth

Ifthe imposition of the poll tax, for example, is to be soe cesfully resisted, "somebody. Sometime. is going {0 have break the law. Reasoned argu: meat anda silent majority SSgninst the tax are no! going (0 Givert the Tories from their course. Either local authori feluse to collect the ax. unions ‘Organise to lock iss adminisra tion, or people refuse en manse: to register for i oF pay i

& vious during the LCC Con. ference, local authorities are un willing to break the law (0 oppose the tax aid nowhere was There any evidence that a cam paign was planned in the unions fo block administration. So tall Seemed to be down to the punter im the street, with only the sket hiest of hiea of bow such a mas campaign was 10 be ‘organised,

The poll tax i 10 be the frst niajos postclection fight in

Scotland. What happens here| ‘and now wil shape the next fse|

Sears. It wil also set the agenda Tor resistance to the tax in the rest of the UK

Te should be common coin that all levels of the labour Fight the imposition of the tax in deed as well 5 words. No con Dllence with the poll 12x is the! Only foundation on which mass fesistance can be built.

‘Sech non-compliance will re rain a dead letter if isnot led from the very top. vital part of any campaign agains the poll fav will be to maintain man. imum presure on those who Claim 0 speak for the labour movement in Scotland — our 50 Labour MPs. the STUC. our tamion leaders, and our Labour fed councils, 10. commit themselves openly 10 resisting its imposition ap o and beyond the Tims of the ta

"A commitment 10 anything less aves the working peole of ‘Scotland exposed and forces on them an impossible choite: fight the poll tax alone — or pay up. All the signs at the conference seers that the LOC dest Quite the same way.

By Geoff Bell Member, LCI NC

For the Today newspaper they, were "IRA assassins ‘who tried fo bomb the home of “Tom King”. For the Daily Mirfor it wes an "IRA bomb Grama" and inthe Suna Comper was quoted as saying thet becouse the three had tish accents "7 looks 3s though they were with the Ra"

Later, the Daily Mirror went on to give @ phone. number Sihich readers were urged to

use to call the police if they came across any suspicious Trish people. “People should not be affaid to. make @ ‘mistake,"" said the Mirror. And. ‘with that the entire trish com-

game. for Intimidation.

‘The Wiltshire Three have ittle chance of a fair til. I is exactly the same type of at mosphere and prejudice in ‘which the Birmingham 6 and Guildford 4 were framed and ‘convicted, To be Irish in Britain You can stil be guilty unless Proved innocent, and even if You're proved innocent you Bre still 100. often declared guity.

SPYCATCHER

Continued from page 3

report, Uf illegaliies came 10 Tight they scould be dealt with mad punished. No one exempted from the la

RR: tse't there a case I rxuing thatthe cad of secu Services should report directly 10 the cabinet, mot just the Prime Minister 2 at present? [sa"t there also-a ease for some kind ‘of parliamentary serutiny? Br You've got a problem with abinet. How leak-proof is it? There ate some seeress, like the budget, which have to be Keptand which are only given to members of the Cabinet at the fast posible moment ¢ could be provision ive responsibility for Cabinet minister could raise a guotion about them and the BAP would have to answer it 10 the satisfaction of the cabinet. ‘On. Partiameniars. scrutiny the first thing that's deeded ia Enquiry into the present security

Senices at which anyone could Some and present evidence in Spen session, Out of that could be hammered the outlines of a Controlling structure which ould then be. debated and.

RR: Lets move om to American conne’ oughly what the between the CIA. and. MI tamely, thatthe British government via MIS ge the Rimericans. certain Kinds of ies in C3pras and. the Middle East and also Cheltenham GCHQ, in retur

Leaving out the politics

Dear Briefing

‘We feet compelled to protest about the treatment of our att le in Briefing no. 47, entitled (not by us) Practical Solidarity Work

Tt was bad enough that whole chunk of the article which Fepresented our political analysis of the South African miners strike was eft out, but What we found inexcusable wan To'summarise™ it in the words ‘Spespite some drawbacks in the final settlement

"Your readers can judge the scale of this distortion if We {uote the ommitted passage

“With the Chamber of Mines clearly shaken by the rejection oftheir offer’, COSATU's leader J Naidoo threatening 10 calla general strike and the South African siale moving 10 overtly take on the strikers, Cyril Ramaphoss and the (SA) NUM ‘leadership unfortunately Ghose not to. face the conse ‘quences of fighting on and ca Ed in. The 1erms agreed on were fo beter than those voted down by the strikers days earlier, and

ino. guarantees of

tement for the Bundreds

for which it allegedly receives Americas mtelligence information. There's alsa srhole nexus operating through NATO" and

TA: When we were an empire we had the most elaborate Sccurity” services all. primarily Concerned to identify, in order to crush, any anticimperialist ‘movements. That's the Origin of MIs

The nub of what is called the special relationship is the fauclear relationship. Candidly, the deal is this: they will let us have Polatis, and now Trident, fn return for which they vet — through MIS and through spying directly, on their ow in Br tain — the'nature of dissent in Britain,

In return we get nuclear weapons and access. {0 the World-wide American it {elligence system and, a5 in the Falklands, access to the satellite system, which was how we were able (0 sink the Belgrano.

Zircon was. af alempl 10 provide an alternative satelite System 0 that we weren't 50, Aepeadent on the Americans bout Tread now that it proved tod expensive and has been Gropped. The security sersiees fre the new form of amperial control

reakine down interslated system as part of a move towards non alignment would mean great changes People will have dilfeccmt views fn this but sou mustn't pretend canbe achieved simply throgsh parliamentary. oF cabinet vontrol of MIS.

“The result was a setback for the South African working cass nd a boost for the employers and the. slate; iMlustated tragically. by the hanging. of {Tantejies and Micics 10 days, iater.”

‘We gather that the reason for the omission of this was that the article would necessarily appear fon the same page as an article Concerning the South Alrican miners” strike which Briefing had: commissioncd, and. which hhad an almost diametrically op: posed political line 10 ours, and That it sas felt therefore 10 be ‘untenable fo have both analyses fon the same page.

‘Briefing is meant to be a broad. paper which can incor orate many differing views. Bur shat happened in the case of our article was. that the politics were arbitrarily remov~ 4, and the article published

funder the tile “Practical Solidarity”

‘We feel very strongly. that fighting fora politcal

linderstanding of the. South ‘African struggle must be a cen tral. component of solidarity ‘work and that Briefing would have plaved a more useful role in this ight had it allowed both articles co be printed in Tul. ‘Yours in struee,

Two Oxford Briefing supporters

Labour Briefing No. 48 Sept 22nd-Oct 131h 1987 page 3

Editorial

BRIEFING

TAS OUR — TAKE THE POWE

HER MAJESTY’S LOYAL OPPOSITION: The failure of the PLP

Denis Healey once said that being attacked by Sir Geoffrey Howe, the Foreign Secretary, was “like being savaged by a dead sheep.”

Unfortunately, although Thatcher doesn’t have such a good turn of phrase, she could well say the same of Kinnock and his front bench team. Their record of opposition in Parliament is abysmal.

The Thatcher government, during its last term and lection, could have been effectively attacked in at least three major areas — on matters of policy: on their banana skins and on scandals — but Kinnock and his “team” have shown themselves incapable of taking any advantage in any of these areas.

On matters of policy Kinnock’s response to the radical and thoroughgoing nature of the Tories’ pro: gramme is truly pathetic. The Tories intend to change fundamentally the democratic and social rights of large sections of the working class population — the right to a roof over your head, the right to a job, the right to a say in local democracy, the right to effective trade tunion support, the right to a decent education, to a Health Service — the list is endless.

But despite the extreme nature of the Tories’ manifesto, Labour in Parliament is unable to muster an effective attack.

‘We had the same story on the banana skins of the last Tory government — the Belgrano affair, the Libyan at tack from US bases in Britain, Westland, Rover. Again the list is long and again the Labour front bench made nothing of them.

Finally the scandals — in the City, insider-dealing and the Guinness affair; in the Secret Service, the Wright tevelations and the scandalous use of the courts to gag the press

‘The only group in Parliament who have done an even half decent job in exposing these things are sections of the Campaign Group. Dalyell (who has since left the Group! on the Malvinas, Skinner and Sedgmoor on the

"Casino Economy’, Livingstone on Ireland, and Benn fon the Secret Service. Some of them have a good record of trying to support struggles and strikes too.

Just imagine how different things would be today if Labour's opposition in Parliament were led by Tony Benn, and if that coalition of forces which the miners’ strike inspired had been allowed its voice in Parliament as the authentic alterngtive to the forces Thatcher represents! Whereas thé Kinnock leadership, by con trast, have at best kept quiet on for example the miners’ strike and Wapping: at worst they have actively disowned them

Why does this Labour leadership seem worse than ‘most in opposition? Why was Wilson able to score points off Heath and Hume while Kinnock seems to tail end and even capitulate to Thatcher most of the time? ‘Why can Benn and the Campaign Group succeed where the front bench fail?

To answer these questions and show that it's possi ble to make good socialist propaganda in opposition we need to look back at what has happened over the last ten to fifteen years.

Until the 1979 election both Tory and Labour govern: ments had worked within an agreed reformist consen. sus — agreement on the importance of the welfare state, full or near-full employment, a Keynesian ‘economy; agreement on foreign policy, Atlanticism and defence; bi-partisanship on Ireland; democratic rights and 2 low-profile for the forces of the state. But the economic crisis, from 1974 onwards, changed all that and the election of Thatcher, with answers to the ‘economic crisis on behalf of hér class, has meant that she’s been able to take this consensus and shift it dramatically to the right.

The disgrace is that the Labour leadership have been, unable to do anything about it

It is to the credit of the small minority in Parliament like Benn, that they do raise things which make it un comfortable for the government. The reason why he and not Kinnock can do it is that only socialist policies and approaches can answer the crisis in the interests of ‘our class. How can you answer the free-market economy with second hand Keynesianism? How can you reply to privatisation with a “socialist” version of a “share-owning democracy”? How can you attack the free reign of the Secret Service to undermine a

democratically elected government if you accept the need for such a Secret Service in the first place? How can you support workers in struggle if you accept the ruling class's right to rule?

It is because some members of the Campaign Group understand some of these questions on the class nature of society, on the role of the state and the police, on the role of international capital, that only they in Parliament can attack some aspects of Tory rule

With the Tories’ large majority they are easily going to win all votes in Parliament. What then is the role of an Opposition? First and foremost the PLP should use the platform of Parliament’and the publicity to be gained to support workers and the oppressed in struggle. Labour MPs should see themselves as tribunes of the people’’. Secondly, they should expose at every opportunity the repressive and frequently illegal workings of the state. Thirdly, they should present a real alternative,

and collective answer to the reactionary and list policies of the Tories. ‘The PLP should be questioning the Tories’ right to rule in Scotland, supporting demands for a Scottish ‘Assembly, discussing the question of devolution. They should be exposing the undemocratic nature of the Tories’ proposals on local government, on the disgracefully short 5-week consultation for the break up of the ILEA, for example. They should be demanding action on the huge profits hotel owners are making out of homelessness in the inner cities by calling for a pro ‘gramme of Council house building. They should be sup porting the struggles of the Black communities in Tot tenham, Brixton, St Paul's, Chapeltown, etc., in their struggle to survive against the harassment of the police ‘and courts.

This list is also endless.

When the Campaign Group of MPs was set up one of the aims it set itself was to organise more effectively in Parliament. While this has been achieved to some egree, much remains to be done. But it is to them we must look to try and develop an effective opposition in Parliament

Tony Benn on Spycatcher

A conspiracy

REG RACE interviewed TONY BENN about the recent Spycatcher controversy. RR: Do you find the allegations in Spyeatcher eredible? Should thes be investigated? TB: Yes. What Peter Wright says in effect is that MIS, and the right wing of MIS in par Vicular, operated as a state within’ a state, with its own politcal objectives, which they pursued by a number of ilegal facts, directed mainly against Labour governments” but also ‘against others they dide't like {asa member of the Labour governments of the time and many of the things he refers t0 1

the mythology of an indepen ‘ent judiciary. When the media {eel that it's necessary t0 break the law in pursuit of what they See as their duty, they do it ‘When the miners do the same, they are denounced.

“The whole affair has helped to strip away the myths surroun ding the British government and confirmed everything the left hhas been saying for years about ow Britain is really run Ironically, it's not the left that's ddone this. but the extreme right It's independent confirmation of what we have always said that the government is neither democratic nor accountable

Knew about, bol unill now thad RR: What levels of destabliseno. confirmation from inside tion actually occurred during be MIs. 197052

Newspaper proprietors in TB: False stores were regularly

those days liked to pour scors published. MIS appears to have

against democracy

‘other forms of resistance — From the cisil service, the Cit land indeed. the Parliamenta Labour Parts. How cam these forces be controlled?

Ti: Vd be wary of lumping the PLP, which i an internal Party

matter, in. with these other Forces

(Certainly. those who. wield Adminitrative and judie

aby lef initiative ever taking off ‘sil public support

RR: But a Labour government were elected on a Fadical,ecialist programme fad looked ay it was going to implement it, would not MMS fpurstie precisely the kinds of Sestabitination We used inthe 19705 sehen thee ayaa the post-war comsemsis emerged on the tefl? Haw du we deal with tation’ Isn't there a ease

IMIS should be

pped Irom top 10 hottom and. replaced. with an entire, TH Lihink these The real problem is that the struggle arises long before you gelinto office. Inthe past 10 be accented 25 legitimate, Labour Teaderships have had (6 conte 10

And wt

fon anyone who claimed MUS made facsimiles ‘of reports on terms — before achieving power ‘was politically active and accuse individual Labour ministers, vith all the sitadely oF the them of left wing paranoia, some of which may have be status quo, Now they want to publish the totally fabricated, and Therese had 40 say tothe story themselves! distributed them to the world's scunlly serves! We WOOL "The British establishment — press imiorfete ith yout, The Including Labour rm OAS far the actual conessions 10 he Cit, th hhas depended on MIS for along destabilisation of the govers edu, NATO. the” Comm fime, Anyone who inherits ment, | 1ook back 20 1968 when the ideas put forward for com- Market, the, csi serge dee power has inthe past had fo do Cecil’ King, then a director of rolling the Security Services has made before “sou sme AMO deal with the security services, the Bank of England and pro- been a select committee of poser ‘Thedeal is that we will not open, prietor of the Daily Micror, Sup re That weld Bek Security policy. shomd be Suu emt wim tile yourrolefor public disewssion if posedly @ Labour paper, wax Sep forward, but you would sol dca than minis lave no righ, AA! But what do you do when Jou will assist us in dealing with going round the country saying still have on that “committee aN wher to know abot individual you're there? ‘ur rites, particularly our there would be another devalua- people imbued with precisely vain Operations. This ts an effect a TBe Fits, sou would have oo Gris oie ee tion, Nothing could be more those values you'se been cancs. where there wa threal 40 guaranice that fo oialter who appoint somebody 10 be it Here isa book containing ma- damaging to a government. it describing. ‘or example. the sccurity. wins am cketion the security. charge of them with a let jor allegations of criminal ac. turns out that King was an MIS TB: Y erties. woukl have to ae Forces cam carry on in the same brie!# (0. proveet secuty as ity. Yet the police have not man cS id base to be was they have alwars dane slefived by egianion. You Acted. The government's claim "These charges, m: it na able fortheir acts tothe "It the dowsers weve opened, would prohibit the ise of the meone within MIS, 2 fot am x st public ‘9sto of them sould prove to bo sovuity services for dcaling with

to'be the upholders of law and

tabout dinsent

pressing the Book has exposed security serviees goes alongside

PHOTO: Stafano Caproni

Labour Briefing No. 48 Sept 22nd-Oct 13th 1987 pase 4

Trade Union Briefing

Des

to the right in the trade unions since the election in June has been a bit slower and more difficult than thas been the case inside the Labour Party

That is one conclusion which can be drawn from the events at the TUC Congress.

Willis hoped that the hardening out of the new realism over the past year would be endorsed by the Congess.. He hoped that his central idea that the election results prove that i is im-

TUC Congress When Norman’s

eyes lost their twinkle

possible to challenge the Tory government — and that therefore no one should try — would go through on the nod

He wanted unchallenged acceptance of the new kind of trade unionism he is franically promoting, based on welfare benefits, credit cards and slick advertising videos.

It did not turn out exactly that way

What pushed this off course was a development in the class struggle _ itself, represented by the 77% vote for action by the miners and the decision of the NUM ex. ‘ecutive to set 2 deadline for the ban the day before the Congress opened (even

Eric Hammond: stil drawing the TUC to the right

through this action has now been disastrously watered down by the right wing majority on the NUM. Ex. ecutive to ensure S$ day working)

By Alan Thornett

It was probably this result which stood behind a series of confident and effective interventions into the Con gress by Arthur Scargill — which helped back up important stands which w made by SOGAT and CPSA.

The successful refer back by Tony Dubbins of the TUC position on the print strike was the first and

biggest rebuff of the week Dubbins was greatly helped by revelations carried by the Guardian about the ac: tivities of Eric Hammond’s scab EETPU in Wapping during the strike

The reference back will not lead to very much without a very sharp fight by the print unions; but at least the issue is still open and the TUC position not endorsed

Willis won the day, however, on the crucial issue of no-strike deals, with Con. ress voting to refer the issue toa sub committee to prepare for a decision next year. But it was a bruising debate which he did not

Nor was Willis happy when the Congress voted for a CPSA resolution caling for 2 campaign of opposition to the forthcoming new round of Tory anti-union laws. It is not so long since the TUC ropped all opposition to the last lot.

Despite these problems for Willi, it was definitely “new realist” Congress. Hammond was-able to strut around as a major force ‘even if the smile was wiped Off his face a few times.

The TUC is still moving to the right, and nothing happened to'change that. Some Of the things being said by Bill Jordan in the defence debate could have come straight out of a Tory election campaign brief.

Although a resolution for a referendum on nuclear ‘weapons from the AEU was rejected, the main challenge to the policy of unilateral nuclear disarmament is planned for next year. The mat: ter of nuclear energy was left until then as well

‘On the matter of women’s involvement in the TUC there was a typical TUC fudge. A COHSE resolution

calling for a women’s department, which would be a long overdue step forward,

Dut so was a resolution

was adopted General Counc!

Wilis loses out on the print dispute; but wins out overal.

which stopped well short of it! 1 wonder which one they will prioritise for implementation...

It is clear from the Congress that the problem of how to mount a challenge to the march of the new realism is a major problem for militant trade unionists

Tn this respect the fight put up at the Congress by Scargill and Macreadie in particular is important. It points the way for those Struggling for principled alternative and class struggle politics in the unions.

Trade Union Solidarity Conference Leeds Trades Counci! Club ‘Savile Mount, Leeds November 7th, 11-6 November 8th, 9.30-4.30 £3 (woged), £2 (unwaged: ‘creche available Credentials and correspondence to: Janet ‘Seymour, 3 Hill Steet, Bamoldswick, Coin, Lancs. (0282 612863)

This approach says that the working class is bruised but not beaten by That cherism, and that if a lead is

given the response will be here. That was how the Yorkshire miners responded

to Scargill’s stand and

One step forward — two

The decision by Yorkshire Area NUM to ballot their membership ‘on an effective overtime ban is a correct response the National Executive’s decision to draw the teeth from the national action.

Despite the 77.7% vote for industrial action against Bets Coa’s imposition of

jetatorial mary code, and despite deciding tundgr pressure Irom Scargill

the’ September 2ist

deadline for the action, the National Executive still botted out at the final moment

— and opted for an ineffective action which would barely affect production.

The Yorkshire membership has been consistently ‘out in front of the right wing NEC and of their own area leadership who have wobbl. ‘ed-and wavered-all surmmiet

on the issue.

‘AL first Yorkshire area had called its own overtime ban to start on September 14th, in response to the vie timisation and sacking of Ted Scott, secretary of Still ingfleet branch in the new Selby coalfield.

‘Scott had been offered re employment (not_reinstatement) at the doomed Wheldale colliery (an agreed closure in March 1988). This was seen as a six month “suspended —_sentence"™ before he was again switched fo another pit not of ‘his

choosing.

The National Executive, far from backing the Yorkshire stand with national action, unilaterally called off the Yorkshire

The response from the Yorkshire branch officers, meeting at Kellingley Social Club, was to reaffirm support for Ted Scott and call for a Yorkshire-only unof ficial overtime ban.

The same meeting also pressed the Yorkshire area to instruct Ted Scott not to, accept the British Coal offer

steps

of re-employment — so making it a dispute with the whole union rather than him as an individual,

However, this proposal was overturned after the ‘Barnsley Barons” Taylor and Thompson intervened to oppose it. Taylor's line came as no surprise: his intervention in the midst of the 16,000-strong unofficial strike against victimisations at Frickley Collierty helped sabotage the mass move. ment over the disciplinary code, and obstructed the possible reinstatement _ of

fight” speech at the NUM Conference.

What is lacking in the trade unions at this time is even the focus for a discus. sion on such a fight back. There is no serious rank and file work taking place and little opportunity for a serious discussion of the political problems of leadership which the working class hhas faced in recent years.

Many groups of workers, large and small — from the miners and the printers to the Silentnight workers and Hangers have been through tenaciously-fought struggles which in the end led to isolation and defeat

The lessons of those strug. gles have never been adequately discussed amongst a broad audience within the trade union movement.

‘An. important initiative along these lines has been taken by the ex-Silentnight strikers, along with many others " including Trade Union Briefing; they have called a two-day Solidarity Conference in Leeds on November 7th and &th. They are organising it as an open, broadly-based conference with a wide ranging agenda and the chance 10 gel to grips with some of these issues. Be there!

‘Arthur Seargitl vehemently and correctly attacked nostrike deals at this year's TUC: yet Taylor: still exerices a veto on strikes: in Yorkshire. Perhaps someone should teli Taylor?

‘A resounding vote for a real hard-hitting overtime ban in Yorkshire would show once more where the rank and file stand and Strengthen this vital. fight against the disciplinary code.

PHOTO: Gerard LivettiFrame

Labour Briefing No. 48 Sept 22nd-Oet 13th 1987 page 5

Trade Union Briefing

A key instrument of the Thatcher revolution has been PRIVATISATION

First it, was the health service — that was the — testing ground for the new ideology; the new way of transforming state expenditure to private profit,

Now local government workers face a massive onslaught; an attack which will come quicker and that more heavily given that the trade union leaderships have given up any desire to ht back.

Indeed, the health service union leaders have had their work cut out keeping back militant rank and file workers from fighting privatisation.

There is still time for public sector workers, and service users, to unite and defend our services. On this page we look at the current situation in the NHS and for _ local

government workers. —

Just three months after the General Election, health authorities all over the country are counting the costs of the Tory victory as they grapple with huge cash es and draw up nic packages of spending cuts.

‘© Doncaster health authority is to axe 69 beds to cuts £800,000;

‘© West Berkshire plans to close 70 beds and cut 3,000 operations this year — almost doubling Reading's waiting lists — to claw back £1.3m.

‘@ Darlington faces cuts to meet a £900,000 overspend.

‘@Liverpool has slashed back 1m; Manchester and Birmingham face traumatic cuts; Brighton has closed beds; Basildon ‘and Thurrock is planning to close an accident unit to help cut £600,000.

‘@ The leafy Tory pastures of Surrey are being ravaged by bed cuts, ambulance cuts and other desperate economy measures; even Hampshire is being hit by the threatened closure of the Grove _ maternity hospital in Barton-on-Sea.

In London, disaster has hit almost ‘every health district; three of the four health regions covering London have _ reported heavy overspending, with NW Thames leading the pack projecting overspen. ding of £15m, and SE Thames not far behind on 9m. The upshot is 2 succession of panic cuts packages at local level:

‘@Paddington DHA is discussing a cut of up to 250 nursing posts. closure of beds, wards, theatres

and whole units, communi: ty clinics and other cuts to save £1.6m.

‘© Brent DHA has already hacked back community and other services to save £1.3m;_ Tower Hamlets faces £750,000 cuts; and Barnet, Harrow, Hounslow, Riverside, Lewisham and Merton are among the districts chopping _ back services, with more to ‘come next month.

By JOHN LISTER

This latest round of health cuts stems directly from government policy — and not least from the elec tioneering 9% pay award to nurses agreed by the Tories in the spring. While the Tories picked up a few votes, the health authorities were left to pick up the extra bill Without additional funding

‘producing an immediate deficit averaging upwards ‘of £250,000 for each district

‘On top of this comes the impact of inflation, which is running much higher for NHS supplies equipment and services than the general price index.

In fixing this year’s cash limit the Tories allowed only 3.75% for pay and price inflation: yet no pay settlement has been less than 5%, while prices are rising at 7.44%. Ministers have made it clear that they will give no extra cash to meet these bills.

Even before these back door cuts London's health districts were facing an overall cut in_ spending, and every health authority was struggling to cope

sd

THE CUTS. STOP HERE

a ®

& &

VONHS trade uni

Wat future for our children, unless, as the placard says, “The Cuts Stop Here”? 2

with ever increasing demand — especially for services for rising numbers of elderly people — with ever more inadequate cash limits.

Te cap it all, the Tories have insisted since 1984 that health authorities have had to make “‘cost improvements” {a polite word for cuts in wages and staffing levels} amounting to 1.5% of their budget ‘each year. Most managers have long ago run out of easy options for these cuts, and services are

suffering. ‘Management reaction to this catalogue of

calamities is predictable. After years of blandly de. ying that the NHS is in crisis, most managers

Public sector workers

The facts behind the

pay deal

‘The worst thing about Eric Hammond's “what the EETPU does now the other unions will do next year” — is that he tends to be right.

The latest and biggest sweatheart deal is being forced on local government manual workers. by. the leaderships of NUPE, GMBATU and TGWU — aii three opposed in theory to the Hammond line.

What is more, the deal involves flexible working

‘a measure that even Bill Jordan is having difficulty {oisting on to his members.

The origins of the deal go back to 1985 when the pay deal agreed to a job evaluation which was supposed to do something about low pay. and the low ay of women workers in particular

In some quarters this was even held as an exam ple of the union coming to terms with their women members and with feminist politics.. The reall

ty was different

The evaluation, publish ed in February, made very little change in the relative positions of “male” and female” jobs — with the ‘exception that home helps went up the scale and refuse workers went down

By Brian Elkington Hull

Warse was to come. The employers made it clear that they would only discuss the evaluation it the unions would discuss “flexibility” and the absorption of existing enhancements. The unions agreed without any man: date from any membership body.

‘The final offer, published in July, contains the evaluation plus 2 pay offer of at least £5. It also in cludes a commitment to talk at local level on the number and spread_ of hours in'a working week and the plus payments for

weekend working as p: of the normal week

What the employers want to do is to cut out plus payments and over time by changing the pat. tern of the working week The example that is given is gardeners, who would ‘work longer in the summé when itis light, and short in the winter when it i dark: over the year they will” have worked the equivalent of 3 39 hour week

In an industry with such low pay. overtime and enhancements are an im. portant part of pay, and conditions are pretty poor as they are

The unions concemed ‘with this are the 3 unions who pushed the “keep quiet and wait for a Labour government” _ campaign. Having successfully sabotaged every attempt at a fightback in the last 3 years, they have finally had to face the reality — there was not g a Labour government

their conchision — 1ey would fight privatisa tion by agreeing to pay cuts; they would defend the national agreement by allowing the most impor tant issue to be negotiated locally.

While it is true that there is a status quo clause, itis more than. balanced by conimitments to “‘genuine

negotiations”, “realising that changes in the role and operation _of

authorities will have to be faced in the years ahead,

‘There is a recognition by Council workers that the talk of “good news” and major breakthroughs is 2 sham, but it is not enough just to reject this deal. This Geal is the leadership's only response to the attacks on local government. If itis thrown out, workers must then build their own response,

The leaderships won't change their politics — unless Eric Hammond is ‘about to lead a 12 month strike of the EETPU!

have now adopted a new line: drawing up cuts proposals while arguing that the NHS can no longer ex pect to be properly funded through taxpayers’ money.

The Institute of Health Service Managers is doing the Tories’ job for them by drawing up a report on in: jecting private cash into the NHS. The financial ‘squeeze is creating just the ‘scenario the Tories need to move forward towards 3 major extension of private health care.

Worse is the passive at titude of trade union and Labour leaders who might have been expected to lead the opposition to this abject surrender. While some local campaigns have got off the ground —

notably new “Health Emergency”” campaigns in Pontefract and Wakefield — in general the labour movement has failed to recognise or respond to this root and branch attack

on health services. Whatever the managers may believe, the NHS is Still fantastically populer: and health workers are still prepared to defend it, given any sign of support from local campaigns. Labour Parties and Trades Councils which fail to build a fightback to this round of cuts are missing a major ‘opportunity to alert their members and the public to ne of the most fundamen: tal Tory attacks while there is. stil time to do something about it.

PHOTO: Wayne Edginton

Next meeting Oct 22nd 1987 10am Camden Town Hall London Authorities Joint Trade Unions

Labour Briefing No! 48 Sept 22nd-Oet 13th 1987 pose 6

Labour Party

Chesterfield Conference Whose

Mobilise for social

Conference

A fresh start for the left! is it?

The Socialist Con- tor ofthe fact tha sociatsm ference to be held in r0u0y,nanee Sok PY Chesterfield on October @To begin developing 3 24-25th is a significant socialist programme for the devclorenane nian ene 1900x:ana hing 20 to br

ing. forward. arguments an whole labour move- 09. owed saynonts 20s

ment. eglected in the past. ‘The conference is spon- | @To reassert the need for sored by Campaign fundamental changes inthe

structure of economic life in Britain

pe Con Ne To find ways of putting ference of _ Socialist ccialiem on the agenda —

Economists, as well 83 both in society as a whole, and ‘numerous individuals from in the political and trade union

Group of Labour MPs, Socialist Society, the Ci

across the labour organisations of the move movement. ment, where it has been undermined by revisionists

Its aims are simple: and so-called ‘new realists”

eTo generate practical | @To show that there is no

discussion, in'a non-sectarian future in the coalition politics, Way, on. the future of now. being mooted asa Socialism in Britain in recogn- serious proposition by the

Conference shows By Paula Watson

Gould faction of the Party Power: and the Democratisa- | every sign of being as Westminster South CLP.

Following the General Elec- tion of our society. Working g son atest tie takpad — grins walcovera wise mgs | Canna’ Scat TUC. the present Labour Of individual issues. On Sun leadership aims to dismantle Gay there will be an open | A glance at the

managed as tl Campaigns there is no

mention of the proposed

‘2s many of the Party's com. discussion on how we can | indicates that the reorganisation, although

mitments to radical and relaunch socialism as

'3 | Conference Arrangements this group has 26

Socialist policies 9s possible, dynamic force in British | Committee has been up to motions, which are,

‘Smee by Te Campa Grp fate

Chesterfield - Winding Wheel Centre ‘ath and 25th October 1987

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SPEAKERS ® GROUP DISCUSSIONS

Discuss the future of socialism in Brain

(© Develop solidarity to renew sels es and obtain sass support foe ther,

© Challenge the dominant ideas promoted ty the Tories.

© Develop Sova ideas and an agen fr the next five years

© Share your experieness of campaiging and developing allematve pais

‘THEMES:

© The problems of Peace, Internationalismn and Development.

© The ending of discrimination against all ‘oppressed groups

© Visions and strategies for a Socialist Economy.

© Extending democracy and curbing state power.

‘© Now is the time to start fighting back.

‘The Conference is open to all Socialists.

aan ‘represented by the delegations together now. | Keep controversial items Fortunately, there is an "Ihe Conference wil be ed- tr conctiuency Labour Party | St Party headauarters, this at last may reach the national speakers. But i wil portunty to report back. and | up to 40 workers and the ‘As usual the motions on oreo acing ge dae mallee Soning me closure of Labour Weekly. the economy have been ment wil have @ major voice. ‘The Chesterfield Con- | New Socialise and divided in such a way as Development: ‘Economic. See these papers, the whole ownership, for instance, © BOOKING FORM © Conference. Yet the Economy, making

ie wat tated he Conn

agenda has been arranged compositing tricky. It is

in such 2 way as to make useless to discuss the

this extremely unlikely problem of, say, low pay Three resolutions on the outside the context of an

papers have been hived extension of common Off into a section of its ‘ownership.

own headed "Party Hf Conference is not to Publications", which is become some sort of Tory most unlikely to reach the style rally, itis vital for conference floor. But in _the left to get a majority the section on on the Conference Organisation and Arrangements Committee.

Fe ee eas el VER, Oe Coe Co See)

(CONFERENCE FEE per pe: 55 magn, SE ee (ese med meng woh se). Sleatees ea Oe sume air ots wou be vy ae Pee mtn compte a Cheques paabieto ‘Sct Conor Oe Socinint erence ‘Pesan oy ‘Sand See Linden WIV 306 "Bieghne 017382

‘PLEASE REPLY AS SOON AS FOSSIBLE

Hackney NUPE Officers branch

Sends greetings to Conference

Defend Jobs

and Services!

NUPE

March for Civil Rights and Justice!

- October 3rd «

Fringe Meeting at Labour Party. Conference

Thursday, October ‘st, 50m Preston Suite, Westbeach Hotel, 135 King’s Road, Brighton With:

Tony Gifford Tony Benn Dolly Kiffin Stafford Scott Sharon Raghip _ Bill Silcott

Sponsored by:

The Movement for Civil Rights & Justice Organised by:

The Broadwater Farm

Youth Association

Greetings to Conference Delegates from

VERSO

- socialist publishers

Just Out:

Labour and the Unions by John Kelly, with a foreward by Jim Mortimer, published in conjunction with the Campaign Group of Labour MPs, 48pp, £2.95, This timely pamphlet argues that Labour's links to the trade unions are a vital source of strength. Labour's failure to tap that strength was a critical weakness in the 1987 General Election campaign.

Also available:

Peace through non-alignment: the case for British withdrawal from NATO, by Ben Lowe, £1.50.

A Million Jobs a Year, the case for full employment, by Andrew Glyn, £1.50. _

Justice: the Miners’ Strike 1984-854, by

Dennis Skinner. et al, £1.95-

SOCIALIST LEGAL SERVICES CAMPAIGN

Calls on all delegates to vote for the introduction of a national legal service as an essential part of Labour Party policy.

Secretary: Valerie Vaz 18 Elthorne Park Avenue, London W7

Labour Briefing No. 48 Sept 22nd-Oct 13th 1987 page 11

Features: black struggle

Anti-racism after Dewsbury

What do the following have in common:

Cat Stevens, Bernie Grant, Muslim’ Parents Association, Ray Honeyford,” Roger Scruton, Cllr Rabbi’ Abraham Pinter (Lab), Cllr Anibrozine Neal (Con) and Cir Yasmin ‘Ahmed (All?

‘Yes, you guessed it — they all support increasing state funding for separate religious and ethnic schools.

Such strange politcal alliance should surprise no one. I is the logical outcome of two different forces that have gained strength ‘over the past decade.

On the one hand, right wing ideas are. inthe” ascendant, especially in the field of educa: tien. Notions deemed bythe fducational establishment ‘of Yesterday to be beyond the fe Inge are. suddenly” respectable dnd turn up as central plans it the Tory manifesto,

Right wing think canks with overlapping -membership. have been churning.” out "Black Papers" and policy. documents

For years, They include: ‘the Centre for Policy Studies GGhich was set up by Sie Keith Joseph and Margaret Thatcher io think the unthinkabley, eine: Institute for Eee Aifairs: fethe Campaign for Real Education (amongst. whose leadership are Black Tory Clir Amibrorine. Neal and Liberal Ciir Yasmin Aheved): eine Hillgate Group (R.

:ruton and Baroness Cox): ‘eParenial Alliance for Choice

Education (whose member Fred Naylor is closely involved with the Dewsbury rebet

parents).

“The second force involved in the present crisis is much closer to home, It has its roots in the fesponse of local Labour ‘Authorities to the rebellions of 1981: the setting up of "mult cultural units” and “ethnically Sensiive™ polices without any Critical analysis of how to fight

These policies have come home to Foost in more ways than one. The left in the Labour Party "has ‘been ideologically bewildered over how the stale should relate to. culture, feligion, and ethnicity

The “parents in "Dewsbury have helped to clarify the situa tion with their litle stage Fehearsal of what will happen if and. when grant status for feligious and voluntary schools is extended. (Roman Catholic

PHoTo.co.oP: CCORRY BEVINGTON

and Church of Ensland schools apresent have grant stafus and the equal oppertuniss argue the demands of Nosim schoo seeking sna stats)

The argument goes: “The minorities have every right to reserve ther religion and thir Eistoms to. thes exent they ‘vsh.” This from Ronald Bu, the right wing columnist of he Times who then takes Tos logical conclusion by adding the

national majority have aright to preserve theirs f00.”

To. their chagrin, multicultural in focal Authorities now find _theie vocabulary and ideas hijacked bby an ever more belligerent and sophisticated right

‘The Dewsbury rebel parents, no doubt with some help from Fred Naylor, say their concern is not racial but “cultural. As ‘good parents they are worried bout sending their children To Headtieid School where 85° of the children are Asian.

“They fear that their children will iss out on the culteral traditions “of English people (read white peopie). They allege that "Shrove Tuesday and ‘Christmas are not celebrated in the traditional religious manner

nthe tabloids, Ray

Honeyford and other right w

ideologues have been busy ‘whipping up support for the parents" right to chose to retain their English culural traditions. ‘The campaign has not been confined tothe popular press alone. Even the beloved Guardian got jn on the act, lured perhaps by a strong whiff of new realism (or in this case pure Thatcherism!).

Ms prize-winning new columsist, Melanie Phillips, wanted 10 Know how the parents could be bigots when some of them were

By Shahid Tilley Haringey Labour Briefing

Asian themselves, She then add ed, “the parents ate wortied that their children will be disad: ‘antaged by mising with so may children for whom English 15 ‘not their first language. Is this concern necessarily, 10 be ‘despised?

‘Yes, Ms Phillips, it i.

The’ parents’ actions are nor based on culture but on racism The standard and. level of education in Headfield Schoo! s ‘ot significantly different to any

focal sheool. This was mon knowledge from the Start of the dispute

As the dispute dragged on. the parents changed tack. They have now hoist the banner of “Freedom of choice” and arc hoping to sweat it out until Baker's Bill becomes [aw

Though the contents of the Bill have not been. finalised, there is one thing we can say for sure, given the government's lack record. Poor and working people will lose our

“Though led by a former Conservative MP, most of the Dewsbury pareats have a work: ing class background and will find that under the new dispensation many local schools will ‘become “sink schools”. Only small sections of the skilled Working class and middle class which have escaped the Blight of ‘manufacturing industry in West ‘Yorkshire will be able to afford 10 move out to escape the i evitable decline in local ‘cducation.

This im turn will give further impetus to race, “class and religious segregation in educafon. And from educational segregation 10 residential segregation is otly a short step.

‘Socialists in the Labour Party ‘nom have to ask to questions

Has the anti-racist strategy of the past couple of years been successful?

(IT not (which should be obvious post-Dewsbury), where do we go from here?

Much of the elfort of the left in the Party and in local Authorities has gone either into

‘multiculturalism’ or into try ing 10 elect anticracists. and Black people to posts within the Panty.” Unfortunately” for. the former (and for the whole Black community) its rheroric has been lifted and put to new and frightening uses by the likes of Fred Naylor, Ronald Butt and Ray HoneyTord,

‘We now find that we have no effective, coberent critique of their campaign.”

“The other strateay — focuss ing our energies on winning labour movement positions — Jeaves usin the lurch when those wwe lect fail to develop an i: Gisive anti-racist policy or indeed simply retreat into

‘Our failure is clear. The tacks upon the Black communi

ty have continued relentlessly Unemployment, homelessness, poverty, police brutality. and Separtations are all on the it frease ~ yet they hardly reach the bottom of the. agenda, Maybe we have reached 4 stage where we need ta shift avay From ethnic sensitivity" “cultural” traditions", and ‘deat polities, — ane in stead infleet our antisacist work with a more socialist

‘A fringe meeting at the Tory Party Conference being organis: cd by Sir Alfred Sherman will feature M. Le Pen (leader of the French National Fron. Sir Alfred. calls. for separateness and unmixability of cultures

‘The right’ have used race (long ‘with patriotism and greed) 10. consolidate. popular Support. Sir Alfred's Centre for Policy Studies ideas on educa on came in from the. cold ‘There is no reason to doube thai Sir Alfred's and Le Pen's ideas fon systematic repatriation will ‘Bot also take centre stage in the coming years

How do we face up to Thatcher’s third term?

UNMESH DESAI, longtime activist in the struggles of Britain's Black

especially for longstanding involvement in the Newham Monitoring Project, speaks to DAVE PALMER of Haringey Labour Briefing about the present impasse in Black British polities.

DP: Thatcher's third term has already seen a major increase in racist activity and levels of popular racism. Events i Not

fing. Hill, moves towards Sexregation in Dewsbury. the Tower Hamlets eviciony: the Harwich prison ship — ail are

clearly linked to the Tories" pro gramme for the inner eities and their altacks on local govern iment. Where is this leading? UD? in Thatcher's fest termi we had the attempt to crush trade Union scombavies, Tin her se Sond, ‘she Tinished "oft the politcal opposition and Aiscredited “socialist hleas

In her third, we are going 10 see a. Tundamental. ideological Xersion of Thatcherism on the Fampaye— ‘which altos at a Sosial and cultural revolution.

Tn the Black community, swe reed an honest assessment of ‘where we are going. IT sou look fr two or three resent evens — Dewsbury. Toner. Hamlets, Harwich ~ there is no national organised response, [deological Ig we are mot intervening Irom the left into the debate on these issues, More than ansthing else Dewsbury proves that

The tele fy nor effectively ing its available platforms 10 shallenge these developments ‘The Dewsbury debace has beet couched in the Tories terms — Tack of choice, freedom of

“The situation will clearly get worse. The. authoritarian Thich har developed. inthe Thatcher yesre ‘wil now ‘be unrestrained. We need 10 sex pond. by changing how we Srpanise” by developing our emands. ‘This ie why debate over" iniatves tke "a. Chil Rights Movement is $0 important.

DP: Debate in the Labour Parts

‘over Black. issues has been

dominated by the question of

Black Sections. Also the Black

Tell has. been

“pron oF am in/Labour Parts ‘debate secms to. have

Th become a bit sterile. How can we break the polarisation dawn?

UD: Not only is that debate becoming sterile, i's. also

becoming irrelevant. What we heed is masimum units around et of principles in order to ad ance the cause of Black people asa whole. The ground is Being taken away ftom under us by Thatcher. We have o start (0 comider a loc of unpalatable things.

The question of whether we Join the Labour Parts of not fan ao longer be used as a hit mus test of purity. This has led tis down a blind alles_ tt has hindered the development of 3 strong. effective Black

‘We have to go back co basis At a national level we have to admit we have failed miserably <"however cllestive. certain local initiatives may have Dee.

‘DP: "There iy clearts then 2 need Tor national initiatives in two. areas: fist. against state Facien Secondly against the massive at

tack on democratic rights roughout Britain. These quesions are obsiows! linked. But ‘cam they be joined ina single movement? Is it possible to build such 2 movement? UD: W's nov just a question of whether it fs possible 10 build Such a movement tial that we make build it

The two developments are no way contradictory, On the fone hand the fight against state Facism. requires specific Organisations and _strateses, That in tse is part of a broader fieht

First, ne have failed to build relationships between different Campaigns and to. crssallise

Secondly. we have failed to make an impact on established political’ processes. The light felated to wider sets of demands as wal

[As to whether such 2 move rent can be built — this 1 the challenge we now Face. That is ‘here any debate about any CGinil Rights Mormenct should be. We have got caus! in a fake debate about © the erm Chil. Rights yap propriate or noi. What name Should we call it. who should {ake part in it

The quewion that should be posed is how broad can we fmake it? How mans progressive

The fe is on the defemive The hey question i 10 make a lear socials correlation bet ‘ween differem struggles. Th ‘we cam use thar siength to af feet developments inthe Labour Pars polities

We can influence things at a focal level where our prionticn ‘iced 10 be ie this new period Simply. because se obtivn flonal level straight a3

“The debate which should take place after the Broadwater Farm Civil Rights March should allow us the opportunity 10 tackle these issues — though T fam afraid on past experience Such debate will ‘not take place.

DP: The events on Broadwater Farm have had a huge resonance but potential support Sreoms never to have been realise a. The March on October 3rd “obviously “= useful way to carry things forward. How do you think a Civil Rights Move- ‘ment should proceed

UD: The Broadwater Farm after the dlection, gave uw a 00d opportunity 10. start th Sebate on aw to procted Sraight aay. Unfortunatele that opportunity was. wasted That's water under the bride

ood turnout forthe March es

is coscntial to show th port for building 3 We need to war

At the local le ‘ements OF the left slong» Black organisations need vi we are going i order to Platforms and om Ideological cha

we sie it_from The whole term “Cail Rights” means the linking up of

issues rained around Broad: ‘water Farm sith those raised by Wapping acd. the Miner. Sinke. The hey i building alliances. alliances of principle

Protest against Tower Hamlets racist evictions

to make sure those demands stay on the political agenda.

Tf we can do that in our own areas there is no reason it can't eventually come together ina hational movement. The threat of Thatcherism needs to knock Some sense into our heads and bring us together.

DP: the Campaign Against the Police Bill” (CAPR) wan something of a failure. 1 had

ino different model: one for 4 labour movement-baved alliance ‘and the other based inthe Black communis and led bs. Black people. Neither model worked. Could either work now? Which ‘would son choose

UD: For me the debate now bot in that framework 1 8oukd hot counterpose the 180, We ted to marry these elements We nood ta look at the hard fime'we are in and learn trom, the mistakes of the CAPB. One fo these was, L think, tring 16 asc a set of polical_prinples, opoved Io how Ks thoxe principles inte action and ‘sin the broadest powible sup= port for them, The debate took Place in she CAPB at the lars theoretical level and had the Mulfing Anocked oat 0! before i ever’ got oll the sround

DP: Une Labour Parts national- {i distancing itself from any

form of Black struggle in order tonce again to adapt to the ne Framework Thateher fet Gin cements in it be pulled ick in any way? Dsl think the trend in he Labour Party nationally wll be hard to reverse. Polising. nd ‘Sil liberties insses were. hat ough 0 puil_am the tab Party's agent when times were better AS long as. this nes realism” sense prevails i wil be hard te mote thers forward Having said that, here: are

Jaege sections in the wnionts ad the [about Party which aie el ing out for some. siya danvvers. They dar ot want the

Tshour Party (0. bevee. a SDP Mark IL They hes task fs tw offer these people some sort

fF involvement. some. set 3) Perspective This is why initiatives the a

Civil Rights Mosement ates) important, Hinking Labour Pat fs people with Torees active ot seit. offering. scope fa involvement

The question before a is whether these elements, con bined with people an detence sarmpaigns anid Trom she Bach Sommianitien, are capable ‘ol making any fusdamenal den inva bods politic that has been completely” remolded bs Thateheri?

The question is ate we srong encugh, mature, united enough fo rise to that challenge

PHOTO: Paul Mattsson/Frame

PHOTO; Andrea Campbel

Labour Briefing No. 48 Sept 22nd-Oet 13th 1987 page 12

ORGANISE THE RESISTANCE!

Labour Briefing Labour Party Conference Fringe Meeting PRESTON SUITE, ROYAL ALBION HOTEL Sunday 28th September, 6pm

Speakers: ‘Sharon Atkin, NEC-removed PPC Eric Heffer MP

‘Send snippets and info to Greg Bassett, Periscope. PO Box 457. London SW2

Terry French, victimised miner

Sarah Roelofs Graham Bash, Briefing Chair: Jeremy Corbyn MP

uz

ASTMS officials go underground

F The looming prospect. of & merger betweon ASTMS nd TASS has led to some panic menoouyres "and ow some red faces. ‘The latest problem arises from. the politial if ferences between the two

unions. While Ken N@ulag” Gill's TASS

Ieadershsp Tests on 8

‘Stalinist,

“Broad Lett”

ny which runs the whole

Junion from top to bottom, in ASTMS the most recent Broad Left was a genuineIg laft wing, rank and file challenge to the Jenkins

Teadership. dust before the TUC a small clique of self-secxing

ASTMS bureaucrats jumped the gun, and ‘pled to organise their own TASS-style “Broad Lett” before the merger as their passport to fame and fortune when Ken Gill takes over the show.

However, one of the conspirators. Having dug ed in too much TUC ae ROS mistake of inviting = ‘nuine left winger a fone of their clan meetings

1 of Students hac fare now hoping agai that they hai

ved thelr tracks sutth 10 avoid the chop.

| Things that go Bonk

rape typing ecror has been Dintned ar the root eause of the ‘vents exposed in the recent ‘Smbarrasong confessions of George. Haviaway MP. the fustanding. energete former : director of his own charity Reporters had gasped when George, one of the left-leaning ‘members of the Laisons and i ‘Copulation Commeice (UCC), sdmicced having sex with fumerous Greek women, 2 {gost # kebab and an Eigin Mar Ble during 2. 2hour business sopover im Athens Iwas all 2. ghastly misake, VHataway told Perocope im 2 Westrater wine bart was Feturnig afer” completing 2 ound the world sponsored Bonk when received ds note feom Head Office: Ie had beon Imatyped It should have said 24 fourr to. stew some money

‘ur ofthe Greeks” How was! Une chs ory broke, Havicaway Tad been ssen a5 more on the Cuddly” than the "hard lef

Priorities?

Fighting sexism is all very ‘well — but among Brent Council leaders it clearly takes second place to fighting any militancy among the workforce

‘The dismal rally against ‘privatisation organised fast weekend by. Bre Counc ‘was made even more embarzassing by the sttects of abundant free It ‘Quor on at least two trade inion speakers. In par Hoular it appeared to Joosen the tongue of one TOWU official

Lurehing to his feet to speak from the platform. he fumbled his way agonis. ingly through some of his notes before stopping in a ghastly silence. Recover-

ing. he was quick to ex

Outrageous more appropriate

twa ras tant contribut vehicle main

Seward. wh: in fighting pr

No strikes please, we're nurses

London COHSE officathas set 2 ‘new low in trade union solar ty by attempang urses, pation Senin strong workers.

COHSE officer Brian Lynch issued prest.release "seemingly falored for the ight ne press. Headed "Nurses Prevehted from caring for the Sek. i cals on NHS manage ent to ensure chat "prowsions re made to enure that sft {get to work in the bkely even ‘f pobke transport stoppages

A supporter ofthe tesh “Workers Party". Me Lynch makes 90 ‘Statement of support for the ‘bus workers who have been sariking agaist _privats3b00 instead he cals for DHSS na oral gudelines and france #0 be salable "i and when these emergencies ase

Se ‘nurses would have Scab buses laid on ‘by. management. But

market. away from the ew Sunday Sport style "T donked for Britain” soaraway Star ‘The departure of Labour MP Joe Ashton from the paper is eagerly awaited De

Free thinking

The Evening Standard revesied Shockchorror detals of Pie lane's acacks on lovable CPSA General Sereeary John Es

‘Their degracels actions conssted (of taking away fis free car and ‘heeacening — wait for — hes ‘American Express card

what do they donk they are! “Trade unonsts? oc

Quick Conversions II

eport

"yellowbelly ed — correctly had fatlod to learn th lessons of the struggic Broadwater Farm nounced Grant to resssure her t Farm was eafe fro: We don't want to be saf when everyone el ing atiaoked. Tt will on turn the rest of the cor munity against us

Responding to Dolly’ ‘sts Labour meoting. Grant m: position clear:

1’ gon’t owe angthing.” he

Brighton sends tose nd ! Labour greetings to Fight the Tories Briefing Conference all the way! Kate Allen, Steve Bevington, Angie Bit, Labour Party Camden ne Holding, Gla Black Labour Sanda Fame, Ceaheer Sections Briefing a sends saidarity ana | | Semés-sreetins to | | per contrence rom greetings to all S ‘Camden Councillors conference delegates. | | No ifs, no buts... Geese! ; rs for defending Support Diane Fight back council workers and Abbott and Linda against the ee Bellos for the NEC! Tories! ec hee % Oppose all expulsions and disciplinary actions LTA. Devon inst socialists in ee soning oat | [N@rcaminccom | Labour gate gee UT retcrens. Briefing {| inner London |_| sends oreetings to Conference Tottenham Gee Fight the cLP sends grestnvs to the | | Witch-huntt Women’s | [isour Pareyconterence| aa

Section Women Leading

the Struggle for Socialism!

Hanover Branch, Brighton Labour Party

sends greetings to all 1987 Labour Party Conference delegates and -observers

a Labour}

Briefing

NO CUTS IN JOBS OR SERVICES!

MARCH FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND JUSTICE, OCTOBER 3RD!

HARINGEY FIGHTS BACK!

Beers | [ieieesiepionns

Labour Briefing

supporters

send greetings to Conference delegates

No cuts in jobs

The fight against the imposition of Baker conditions and for the restoration of negotiating rights goes on.

Socialist greetings to all Conference delegates! Hackney North & Stoke Newington CLP says: Make Ireland an Issue!

Free the Guildford Four and Broadwater Farm Three!

Whoberley Ward Labour Party, Coventry South-West CLP

Comradely greetings to all socialists from The Officers of the Coventry North-East Constituency Labour Party

Alf Lomas

MEP London North East,

sends greetings to Conference

Hornsey & Wood Green Young Socialists

sends greetings to all Young Socialists and calls on all delegates to Party Conference to: Keep the age limit at 26!

@ Reject the Sawyer proposals!

[Chessington South Briefing readers send greetings to [Labour Party Conference

Hackney Labour Briefing calls on councillors to stand firm. We say: No cuts in

council jobs and services; no rent rises!

TAI MOVEMENT CAMPAIGN for PALESTINE

Fringe Meeting Tuesday 29th, 5.30pm Westbeach Hotel

Speakers: Ken Livingstone Sharon Atkin Harry Cohen Chair: Jeremy Corbyn

Labour Briefing No. 48 Sept 22nd-Oct 13th 1987 page 13

The way we were... —

If.voting changed anything, was only with the 1981 GLC ad- inevitable ‘conclusion from hit

theyd abolishitt Kea ministration that they” finaly " Previous record Livingstone, Collins, £12 on ee eed ah Few of the leading figures ‘ s the traditional agenda of the ee ae

Ken Livingstone’s new 5." much credit, But Ken's absence book is no great political The way Ken stood out on Knowiedge of what was gol ieatiae; these questions placed him head ore ee

and shoulders above every other arkabes E But asa day to day nar- plainuive ery of “Why wasn't I Poltees member of the Labour Group fold?” says i all

rative of the rise and fall of and almost every other promi- ie the GLC — and of Ken Liv- nome Labour bader Ken's vote helped to break ingstone — it simply cannot —"“Wirjting of his easy days with the ‘solidarity of the Labour he missed by. Briefing Briefing. Ken explains "thoxe of rough and supe ay

TI's fashionable nowadays common belie that the personal seine the government. What to criticise the early Briefing 2S political and politics af- To retreat under enormous reminds us just how right we tendency... We also sought to oe po a Se te

‘What comés)adsoss isthe the individual which other left hi ede tow broke ihe mould of Britsh Hackney North & Stoke Gloptel in Morsion Toaeye Fon to’ millions of Londoners Newington CLP Papen ier deste and many more further afield, agipandnedre punt e and showed that a determined papers chose to avoid. For the fhe Labour left — people Mk take on the Tories and win ge- ing impotence, monogamy, the Peeler | ‘muine mass popular support. way _in which men possess forces. with, those who” were

That achievement belonged to women as property.” hostile to everything he'd stood. Kislouredto Ken And wecan: pulses had their ims. The for. He promoted the, realign fot begin to understand the ferocity of the debates in Brief- win a repiwantosia Scale of his later defection ing over the actions of the GLC Tribune, and joined the Labour tha nal chevron = romped Re to ken is tncmy of the Labour Left and a by no means favourable. Ken's part of a group that set up teadersip.

one thing — to reject the crit d procs hoes bes aon ae (aps tbe fees tera sient adtedion ANYTHING, Be was something else. THEY’D Figen

successes were achieved in the Labour Herald, despite warn- less than the succession to the teeth of the most vicious ‘Tory ings from a number of us about leaerhip ‘of the Left ‘afer ‘ony Benn — a leadership that

To retreat under enormous pressure was

foveenment for tvo generations Ihe ip of srgamsation he was

nd witha GLC Labour Group getting imvolved in. Ken prefer {he whole ofthe previous period

that ‘had ownere fear s let fed he uncial mouigtese if] had prepared for him,

wing majory, That sucha “From the “begining, is Je ere we aes 90 years Jee eps. lace, wih ‘Ken ioving Teh

‘group could be used in the way strengths contained the seeds of

it was is testimony to Ken's grave weaknesses. He was a again, “breaking avay from

miay of his new friends on the

mense talent as an intuitive lacked any overall socialist soft left and centre.

Mog and ui lances. ould for example ake made an he mie’ ke —and its What was lost was nothing less than er OS eee ae

slab penttanat libera- ge was — = = In building alliances, Ken after Tony Benn — a leadership that the to time our paths wll cross and

a people, Irish, lesbians and Jacked the same commitment — _stop. He lacked the political cut- whole of the previous period had prepared ‘who knows? No promises, These issues, which emerged class struggle and the trade where to draw lines of demarca- kim for. the day of reckoning —

From Militancy to Marxism

Building a fighting socialist leadership

From Militancy to Beginning with the struggles The importance of the to achieve “sensible manning supplement its broad sweep. went on to discuss the events Left View Books, £9.95. Corporation's Cowley works role that revolutionary mobility big political events affected for socialist revolution,

inthe late 0s and early ‘60s, Socialists played in bulding This was opposed by the workets and miltants on the From Miltancy to Marxiam

in ee tne book details the building of strong. shopfioar level trade GMC. stewards. and” the shop floor, is the story of the most serious

This is the first of three the shop stewards’ movement _urionm and the lessons that Regional Automotive Commit. During the Moy “68 general. sutceaieghcs nent ett

projected volumes on orthelste 60s and carly 70s, they drew from then stuggle toca ane TOO. Wr wee te ike in France, TGWU. yugge eel the it was then strke In France, con; a principled, fighting socialist

trade union organisation Throughout this period, nim- for leaderehip » struggle not formally cropped. ae union enor Gobby Fryer addressed eeimaiee, patina socialist and politics In the menscly' powerful shop only egeinet managements policy. Gut tus adinet onde a mestng’ oF 300 ann ecerennn an important oe stewards’ ‘movement ‘was —————————aem forts. ofthe top. union stowarde, Khed beencalled to After eight yosts et ‘Thet-

Gowley car plants in Sir p tnoughout Satan m- By Dave Shepherd Siresucrate ~incolaborstion iscuss factry tsves, but cherlarYears tr wich the dustry; sepscayin nares Hackney North CLP wath marapament to stile Fryers wavare tad: hed other santo Seat usin at ie ip. lad npn wa prea. {hogs Saha min. He opened lodership of the labour move

in Cowley for twenty favourable consequences for 2nd governments. but a 3c speciol TUC Congress ing ‘ine of the Communist ther the teing of thc Pon es

collection of memoirs, It is stewards movement is at the and establish “‘responsible” disputes involved taking crac o a cane esr

also an account of the same time the history of the industrial relations. rvomires 80. icine —_SOSScscScOis CoS caeeaassmrcetsereeaesaeeser serene wot a te uate wen comcenenin (907 cbs cat we "aeuee pe by from MILITANCY

history of the sixties and

Rey ents. 205 SUX! oceans inewasty sein wie peeraisacmeotee et fie meget Alan treed’. ALAN THORNETT to MARXISM

it, his also the history of the all the BMC unions (meatings points out, “those who refus. itog. th the tredé unions... Gas een nneirt ote oF the BMC um Order from Left View Books, BM Box 3986, London WCIN tempts of ts from which plant convenors ed togoback to work when he Seg Om Eel viaw Books, BM Box 3950, Lenten oN)

The personal, political and of the Marxist left to build were excluded). These told them. Seta OER Oe ee

Historical complement and _thempsches, dsing 9 pevod resuked,Soca ag oysirioe. the Seok is enlivened ty illustrate ane another. Imarked by rpaionolasr'batties.) management “oh” * union ‘numerous “anecdotes, which advert with a, cheque for £9.95 for free p&p.

Labour Briefing No. 48 Sept 22nd-Oct 131h 1987 pes

Birmingham Labour Briefing International Briefing

The cleansing of Birmingham | We don’t need a referendum if

District Labour) we win the election!

‘The Labour Party policy By Joy Hurcombe ar y for unilateral nuclear Chair, Labour CND disarmament. is under (personal capacity)

eae: iearcke Biertaghvent ‘ition Stk ao ‘The time to appear weak and District Labour Party By John W Every year at the Labour figecisive. We nave always

{BDLP) was closed Birmingham Edgbaston Party Conference there is suffered from thinking that we down, while in 1986 the CLP an attack on our commit- can't be on the winnng side. Labour Group leaders | eee ee ee ee”

discussions onthe ace Felons and Eavol Oo: | Conference to reaffirm ts 2 “GDTeus compsign which Manifesto and issued Porunties Commies over. | position ‘would make sense the eyes their own for the local policy! We have had 2 clearma- — marginalise Thatcher for being

+ elections. Wile the stwodle over | forty for the past 7 years lone m Evens laport om This yoar, by closing’ SOL hes gone on the ght | But we can never be Fronee)” i consmung "she j en ete iat GSND wing Labour Group have con. | complacent. fucear arms race } fon Wutecent matod ‘owed on thar Own sw us Year. the attack is” We need a cler compegn A way with £130 milion Con- | dressed up to appest os the putting the arguments before ; was used to achieve the Yonion Centres. Super Prix | voice of sweet reason The the people ina. consistent 3 ; same end. ‘oad races, ond Olympic nds, | EETBU and a motley group of way. The last thing we want's : } Following the local elec. contrary 0 BOLP poly. | CLPs are asking ors referen- 2 foferendum é Be ot Mey letine ‘ha What has happened over | dum on nuclear disarmament _Referendums sre never ge- g i in May where the tne past yeor is part af an at | fo folow the election of8 nulnely democratic. They can é Fight wing Labour Group tempt tosieonse SDLP af lett | Lapour”” government. Six be a hostage to fortune, with : 4 imenifesto lost five seats). wing. infiuence, and ony | resolutions make ths demand money buying access to every 3 and the General Election semblance of socialist policy, | and clearly there wil bes home with mal shots and right g 5 where. right. wing. can. ‘marder to lay the ground for | debate at the conference. wing. mega advice. But then fonere nant wing, co Guan turther capitulation to | “The call for a national the EETPU know this. They 2 Gidates fered tot ore ag tho. Thatcher government's | referendum on ‘nucisr really want to sabotage the § next onslaught. on local | weapons is totaly” ais: ruclear” disarmament policy 8 candidates), SDLP’ was Sovemment. “The right are | Inganuaus. Since the ‘ssue ts without openly. stating’ thei g reconstituted by the Petitied that in next May's | Such'a vital one. we must put pro-muciea ine 2

Regional Organiser. Clections "in Birmingham | our policies before the voters "Don't give them a chancel ‘An AGM was called in July Labour will lose control. Their | St the election, as we do with Throw aut the call for a by which time the right had answer ist present 2 | ii ur policies on the vital referendum: it iS not what it

Successfully manipuated the’ moderate image. SSsues of ational and interna. appesrs! delegations, as best they tone! concern Conference wil be asked to could, from constituencies in Capitulation ‘We are not the SDPiLibersl pase a composite commiting ‘the city, Alliance whe cannotevencon- all ~money from _nuciesr

“This meeting, however, got _The flaw in this strategy is | vince themselves whet they wespone 19 be re-located to Alf Dubs MP and CND members surround Wandsworth Couneil (0 ina further thon attempting to that it will lead to. futher | Stand for Jobe” hospeele “sehools and protest at Tories support for Civil Nuclear Defence

‘lect'a chair After two hours capitulation to the Thatcher | "The call for a nstional homes. This is to stop the the meeting hed to be adjourn- government. The result willbe | referendum as part of an elec- Labour Party leaders from pro fed as after three ballots the the implementation of further | tion policy would just mean mising to increase miltary NATO; there are just enough Soviet peace proposals. Both

Vote was tied between the cuts in services and jobs | that we would fail again to Spending on conventional resolutions for a debate these resolutions should be Solt left candidate snd the which wil cause even greater | comosign The Tories would weapons if nuclear weapons Once again delegates willbe supported, although the se: fight wing candidate Hardship for Labour suoporters | havea field day, mis- are abolished. We already told that itis a contradiction to cond one has a weaker line

“The AGM was reconvened in Birmingham, and make it | representing our disermament have # high defence budget belong to an allance that is Our polices for peace and by the Regionel Organiser on even. more dificult to win | polcies asa threat to national and real security can only be committed 10 nuclear disarmament could win us the September Sth, by which time elections and retain control of | Survival, whilst we would be obtained by decreasing inter- weapons when we reject election next time, But only if

the right had stepped up the the Counc! Silenced by out agreement £2 national arms spending not by them. Bll Jordan willno doubt we can convince the voters pressure, Alettor was by now Already budget incor- | put off the debate Increasing another arms race. stay his piece. that’ we believe them Bireulating in the City which porating cuts of £44 milion | Now, when the super The Labour Party Con- The seme anti-Soviet line ourselves. Why doesn't the - Slaimed that a right wing can- {7% is in preparation for next | powers are making progress ference willbe able tohear the will be rehearsed against a EETPU let us get on with the

didate for one of the District year. Education, Social Ser- | with disarmament Labour Party Officer positions ies, Housing, and the whole

arguments for getting out of resolution supporting the job?

{imation fom the hard let mngham: depend or wil be Moses same. “person had” been Strangled Bobendd eth serbonbig ‘mis ee Ee an ee secretary of the National Resolution Da easiest ie Union of Metalworkers of Mites, and agamnst the. Tory South Africa, executive agbasion CLP hes since government's. oppressive member of COSATU, and Pearce ve chesigateine . Bowater compe and politicians in the main as fo block Contra war against Nicaragua, | ip and four comrades face latter, and the claims within it. ing and the Summectieid | Western capitals on argoes on high movement across Europe and | Sogiton end subversion 1 oe ne ag a a ana Soviet SS-20 missiles im aon she ag ere ee Sarat ‘abroad as he Is in South F Constituency partes Support of the wider elec: | that they will begin Full-scale is * er, i2.8 The soviet. | popes noeee ten netic Cetintl Cavour Group, nd tt vices: ther housing repawrs,or | ¢esting. (oUER NATO) ants deals. “over Central | Stohed BY Surneurrats Gvortne ost your ney have Gucent to ive in Grmingham | presented by Shuts atthe press ————————___Aighanitan_ and ‘he Ntdile | Movement. They ask why

Labour Briefing No. 48 Sept 2nd-Oct 13th 1987 page 15

International Briefing

Aquino moves right as CIA moves in

etre Sher Ts86, “Tts) ces of of American undercover forces onthe Ife of Bernabe Bus- munis inroads in thet afexs.", Sponsored deal squads so Las raved human rights violations were in Vietnam and current adviser cayno, 2 leader of the radical Despite reports of widespread © America and they directly.

National Democratic Front. reported to the Philippines to the Nicaraguan contras, has Partido ng Bayan (People’s Par- vigilante atrocities, it is notable parallel the liquidation of up attempts violations were committed by military. ‘manifestation of “people power’ Clark, the former US Attorney-

against Philippine Presi- members of the armed forces, “ Ne | and an effective weapon against © General who led a recent fact- ‘The Phi ines Suy

Mar oerwec es : ie

dent Corazon Aquino, 701 a single soldier has been eq that President Reagan had communism”. Later she finding mission to the Philip- Group

prosecuted. cherie the cxpeadiaure of Qualified this support and saidt pines, the CIA has probably (1.2 Grangeway, London

Tiina, 5 menpen of iain far iccapeacet Sega or umwmed ezine! necingorsiee Nive SAW Oat) LA acts nthe Philip. March, er Local Govers-_alandon campaigns in solidarity with

the left-wing opposition hhas accused her government of

img rapidly Rights resigned in disgust atthe Gn, “rig Vending es fort fo the Right. wep tncircaempes fo ivtone anes, This funding was forthe 'SEcrciary stated that on “EX-CIA agent Ralph the left and produces a bitne Right in Jalan prvcouinswer cing locked TEmuament of more lal CLA Ee Ldand of Mindanao 15 of McGher, who alo paripsted mouthly newsletter, 2 Eyrthe mittary and-at the use of 2670, the channeling of funds he 22 provincial governors had inthe fact-finding mission, gg

doni, international represen-—°2."6.™

forces to harass and ‘0,8, wing, Poles! partic:

tative of the outlawed Ni idate th i

intimidate their investigators Fhcineical sorte. demir jonal Democratic Frot ‘Al first, Aquino responded Percnelgwic’) Soteanda against ‘After each successive coup by urging them to retract ther fheeht

sttcmps Ageise besbecome, feigreioes Then, ta May, Oo we teue options more and more dependent following pressure from the listed in an attached intelligence tin the right wing loyalist lary she ordered that th be were props to send US

1e armed forces. jommission on Human Rights military advisers to the Phili ken tec et pins snd oe US ara for

This dependency Is forcing “MOUE BE Abolished. heer to bow fo military aquino is not in charge of [rUmNASENCE over areas Heid demands for a crackdown things. She is dependent on the plowio,’Aemuas OF MeN ‘on the left, ‘generals and beholden to their a

demands The first fits of US covert

Ste loyalist faction of the operations in the Philippines are

army tee Poop ikeop Aguins evident in the emergence of ant

“Aguino’s dependence on ‘n'power because her popularity communist vigilanie groups. the military is proven by her can be used to win legitimacy Often with the tacit approval of extreme lenience with for right wing policies and to the police and the army, and previous coup plotters. provide a convenient facade to Sometimes with weapons, sup-

oe er feet Ge pied by them, the vigilantes ‘Those who participated in Moet aveeembarked on a wave oft

the Manila Hotel coup at- Tepresson. pagan meiner pas

tempt in July 1986 received ,Dehind the Filpino miliary, Sr organs. leis polit : FOR KA TANDO (

the ridiculous sentence of 30 Sendo sos the guiding Nand NS ens igas workers

push-ups. Slovember, the Commander of Diiests, and suspected guerrilla ORKE

depen fom emia samira Ronald’ Hayes, bods bev that iat,

ai eviieoed by herrefwsal © pina alts wth top praca wotking together with miltay 7. +4-KMU

pronccnle members of te arm rma‘ Armed Force of the. cuh squads, were espana BRN OF Dy EMPLOYEES UNION mM

E"orees involved tn human Paltpines, fer oe ssacinance last : , Sane abuses” according to USURChe, The Philadelphia November of Rolando Olaia, Protest match totowing the assasmation of lft wing non leader Rolando Olas by mitary pecten Ingurer ‘hes tegored hat eau ofthe kftwing lon doath sud Inst November

Palestine

An open letter — ‘ormstrescinsing of mat wil be launching «

feck wound Compsign at Labour Party h Rowever, be guaranteed a Conference to fight for u to the fair level of coverage inthe rescinding of the

the Israel media, and.” ‘1944 resolution, and will

i would be an important be calling on the support T British Labour gain for the Palestinians _of all MPs and CLPs. For r Sissies tinea wah tocmergerats we te @ Party from them ome = come oe ——— ‘The Labour Movement — LMCP at BM Box LMCP, | Kevin McNamara, By Patrick Sikorski posals have been worked out in Professor Se ee Labour's newly ap- NUR es toes Coa For a long time, many Zionists, including some of your | Pointed Principle Opposi- Saipan against employment Irish Congress of Trade Unions Israel Shahak, [Si2.002."No Ditcus Zonists, have Been propanng | fiom Spokesperson on discrimination inthe’ six and other major trade unions in Chair of the From Palestine, usually disguised by the use of such | isued legistative proposals f° American legitaures Jt making moves 1 faciiate

Nor- achieving equality of jab oppor The effect of such a strategy tunities in the North, Six more iS (turn away the

Israeli League — 122071857 tose plans have been given a new

F Bike UR a i for Civil and ‘An. important public figure,, General _ (Reserves) Tic American ambassador to focused. 0a. what probable a ee ee erty em a a Hl Palestinians of the occupied territories from the West | puts forward, a detailed POC Belfast recently toa for. disgusting corner of the British Human Rights Gorere2 0 coctmceg asco ve | eee tates Ge eto Mea or ad tsrael Shahak is no was supported by several other important Israeli politi duty om all’ the States aimed at halting the unionists in the North are al stranger to the politics of cians including Deputy Minister of Defence Michael Sc nckae Snkicivionion compas ic lors of te Breck FUE! te snp sole son Betat cushion gmc i is Geporteton A child ot the On ofthek most important and intent arguments | Prag Seles 12 Pe "tare sctnowndes te srgmated imeicton tae rerertewt heexparonced lathe \Baerecaution sh yout purty which understand | movcian” gt Qbear, oleh Macrae has paved mon offi apa the ein the Warsaw Ghetto ts stil valld, which called for the total transfer of all | Coverpmest "contracts (2st¢ but now says that the display of oyali regalia in and survived a succession _ Palestinians from Palestine. FT ect sammmacty debate should move on, He & Shon’ was maces Paseo Bie coer NGG ae cee nantes opacrox_ pees ei | eee ees thereto met a ‘amps before arriving in “Jewish National Home’ unless we are prepared to let | "itis undoubtedly the most. “"l oppose any moves towards the USA. = Palestine at the age of Jews, if they so wish, enter this tiny land in such | advanced statement of intent disinvestment form Northern Effective action cannot be fae Moet cet iscomme nein ctrmeAciebser | ROUTE Ce! meant waa | eed omen eee Miceatea soli Mic Cogeatanore canes eejertiave ee 1 5 ee ee Seo fescinding of the 1944 ‘This resolution influences many lsrach Jews into | cue witch confronts sec, slike somein the movement Westminster legislating 10 deresolution is no symbolic believing that the total expulsion of Palestinians from | ari loyalism in. its |S erg naa See oa = iat . poise “. as jee gesture, nor even an their homeland cannot be such a bad thing, since even | heartland ne al Merah Ge) fo Se fre i te etd een bes Petras eceenented and oe | eee Se bing, cole cue ‘and Staight. The fight to aly Sus policy al ee rat boon eoaned ne ee Cee Nines Soe sewgren united n | aeawiaenstecw: acmcosemor ooo a SePcsdnten Arte tom _lerect rary tees 0 te loot fos erocka, ceuahy with | Sets wena ten bev wi the Occupied Territories is quotations from Labour Zionist leaders of that time. through into a manifesto, await a deadly serious and | call on the British eae Party and its National Ex- | the goes Rd ced — t invanich tre Bosh se tte a cadences | mtonmoaacen.” | MelaNG: the cause 0 Rieter stories. Ce cans bored et onions ect or eae | gee ee 2 fecal Solo Capa ceiee ani ein tere amos (eee ae ee Labour? tie Jog a poe nner ot mats ameeroe | incre The fact hatzevers| _apulsrot ross Arabs eallonyoutodoteimou | one aaat tok orate 0 iitacs onaisctine _ eitonto soy poltcal poston you mey or may net edopt | Sea an he Fale Emp HeeeeS Gen paced on whatis called “The Palestinian Question” and which | tent Agency 10 which gave 28th November by successive Labour shouldbe cal “dust fr Palestinians eth, te os =a ad ab Camden Centre Party Conferences, al of "You owe this very minimal act to yourselves and to. | J failur in face of the deeply i OS et os eo aie ome aneeten. ce | Bidborough St, London WC1 the 1944 resolution is, cessories to incitement to a crime against humanity. “Meanwhile the Thatcher and Contact: Labour Committee on Ireland, BM Box Save! Shahot of hale Sraacr at host) Wei iy batrormue mpc | Kesar oars S36, London WOIN 3XX Seer Tare than thot of 194 SS

pe cular situation. A (Prof) Israel Shahak ‘esinst the rapidly growing

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Labour Briefing No. #8 Sept 22nd-Oct 13th 1987 pase 16

Black Sections

Labour Briefing

We will organise ourselves!

Once again this year the Labour Party Black Sections will go before our Party's Annual Conference to seek recognition of the right of Black members to organise and be represented at all levels of the Party.

Once again, Black members will be seeking the legitimate right to lead the struggle against racism, and fo be involved in the formulation of policies,

‘Will ft be the same as at this year’s Greater London Labour Conference, whore we won the arguments but lost the vote? AS People of the Black diaspora Nrusgling against imperialism, colonialism and neo: colonialism. our. history. has Taught us. that_whatever” gains ‘we've made over the years have hhad to be fought for. We know that nothing will be given to us

It Js well known that esters civilisation is based upon the ex ploitarion. 9¢ Black countries Douplas Rowers (Tribune, 7-14 Augist 1987) 5 correct when he comments wat “the passionate hhostiiy to Black Sections does ‘not sugeest that the Labour Par ty yer understands she deep hurt that Black people I-el about their history’ under imperialist

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By Kingsley Abrams National Secretary, Labour Party Black Sections

exploitation and the disabilities they still suffer.”

‘Whole “couniries and con. tinents were stolen from Black people. What is the USA today ‘but a country stolen from Black people, from the native ‘American people who were mer ‘lessly killed while the dectara tion of Independence was being Srawn up, and who today are confined (0. Bantastan-sype eserves, where despair fests under white barbarism?

‘And where would the American economy be without its cotton plantations and. the Black slavery upon which that economy was based? Hawai, the S0th state of the USA, is not even part of the American ‘mainland. Us original natives and their culture have been brutally repressed and reduced

In Caribbean countries like Jamaica, white Europeaas first ‘wiped out the original native in habitants, the Arawaks, then brought slaves from Africa 10 labour on their plantations

From this historical perspec:

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tive, the hurt we felt when Party's, leadership bracally denied a Black woman (Sharon Atkin) the right co stand in the general eleciion is all. too

sderstandable. That hurt was felt throughout the Black com unity. where high unemploy ment, bad housing, low pay, In police harassment. and deporta. the

area daily oc

race relations and immigration in particular has been shameful For “socialist” party, the Labour Party has completely lacked any analysis of rave and racism, allowing itself to be totally manipulated by the needs of capital

despite the fact that Labour Panty has been sible for the most st

agent immigration controls Labourlost Nottingham Eastby (including the notorious just over 400 votes. virginity test") Labour's The Labour Party is mow fac- public image is that “itis soft ed with two contradictory On race™.

"The Labour Party is caught ‘ep in this contradiction and has ‘consequently itself been sed as a seapegoat, together with Black People, for all the ills of the Eapitalist economy. Two dif ferent interpretations of “this dilemma arise

‘@that it exposes the an tagonism between race and class politics, of, alternatively,

Phenomena. On the one hand. Darts of the white working class ‘re abandoning their al

tothe Party, while o hand, Black’ people ding representation. Soc democratic ideology, ‘which has successfully’ penetrated white working class, has failed fo. permeate into "the Black community

Within this co 1c Pethat it demands the synthesis Labour Party must address the of the two.

‘question: to what extent has i Over the past four years the taken the working class vote for Labour Party Black Sections granted? The Labour Pany has have been campaiging fora historical links with the organis: voice in. the Party. We've fed working class and the factre- argued that Black members

mst be given the opportunity {o influence Party policy. We ‘ill continue to demand that anti-racist policies are part and parcel of the Party's. overall Srrategy and campaigns

mains that working class people have for the most part aligned themeclves with

Although the Laboar Party has enjosed the votes of the Black community its record on

Published by Labour Briefing. PO Box 457, London SW2 SUZ Printed by Press Link International UK (TU), London SE17,

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NEC SLATE

Together with the Campaign Group, CLPD, and Labour Left Liaison, BRIEFING is urging support for the left slate for the NEC, printed below.

We have a number of publicly stated differences with some of those on the slate. Nonetheless this slate provides the left with the best chance of resisting increasing right wing control in the Party.

We urge all delegates to support the slate — and make sure the left's voice in the Party is heard

Constituencies Diane Abbott MP Tony Benn MP

Eric Heffer MP

Ken Livingstone MP Jo Richardson MP Dennis Skinner MP Audrey Wise MP

Treasurer Gavin Strang MP.

Women Conference Margaret Beckett MP Arrangements Linda Bellos Committee

Dennis Canavan MP Pete Willsman

Joan Maynard Clare Short MP

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500 Club:

Congratulations to this issue's winner — D. Robinson of Haringey. Well, Haringey Briefing supporters are currently leading the table of individual Briefing groups

numbers of standing orders — so it’s not so surprising the prize goes to Haringey again! For details of how to join the 500 Club, see centre pages.

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