Labour Briefing no. 54

INSIDE:

@ Stop Clause 27!

@ Fight the Alton Bill!

@ NHS: Put the boot in!

@ Palestine uprising

@ Education & the unions

Not doctors, not judges, not husbands, not fathers, not David Alton, but...

A WOMAN’S RIGHT TO |

CHOOSE!

JANUARY 16th sees thousands of people demonstrating their opposition to David Alton’s attempt to restrict the time limit for abortions to eighteen weeks.

Local demonstrations have been planned in Glasgow (with the support of the Scottish ‘TUC); Manchester; Oxford; Birmingham; Sheffield; Leeds; Liverpool; Lambeth and Lewisham.

Other areas have planned mass petitioning and leafletting, lobbies and pickets of MPs’ surgeries. All this will help build for the national lobby and women’s torchlit procession on January 21st.

The Fight Alton’s Bill Campaign is gathering strength. NUPE has donated hundreds of pounds to help publicise January 21st. The Scottish TUC has booked a train. Buses are coming from Birmingham; Manchester; Oxford; Leeds; Sheffield and Cardiff.

The first demonstration of the day will be for students, who will be marching against a Bill which particularly affects young women (who may not realise right away that they are pregnant).

From 2.30pm women will be converging from all over Britain on the Houses of Parliament to demand that their MPs vote against Alton in the second reading of the Bill on January 22nd. There will be a rally in

By GILL LEE Labour Briefing Women

Central hall with, among many others, Jo Richardson MP, Wendy Savage, Norman Willis and Hazel Downing.

The TUC's decision to join FAB in sponsoring the national demonstration against Alton sheduled for March 19th is a major victory for the campaign. Only mass action by women and the labour movement can defeat this far-reaching attack on women’s rights.

Mobilisation for March 19th starts now!

JANUARY 21st

12.00 noon NUS STUDENT DEMONSTRATION

Assemble University of London Union, Malet Street, WC1

1,30-6.30pm RALLY FOR ABORTION RIGHTS Central hall, Westminster. Creche available 2.30pm onwards LOBBY OF PARLIAMENT House of Commons

6.30pm WOMEN’S TORCHLIT PROCESSION Assemble Lincoln's Inn Fields (Holborn tube) Stewarding meeting: please help steward on the 21st. Meet Monday 18th January, 6pm, Polytechnic of Central London Students Union, Bolsover Street, London W1

Picket of “LIFE” rally,

27.10.87

PHOTO: Graeme Cookson

——

Labour Briefing No. $4 January I3th-26th 1988 page 2

Campaign Round-up

Deportation review Viraj Mendis — one year in sanctuary

December 20th 1987 marked the first anniversary of Viraj Mendis's decision to take sanctuary in a Manchester Church — in defiance of a Home Office deportation order.

Tn publicly refusing to give in and openly continuing to campaign for his right to'stay, Vira] is acknowledging that he has no chance of enjoying the comforts and Privacy of a “normal” lite

He is confined tothe ‘chureh and should he leave, immigration officials would immediately arrest "and deport him.

Vira isa prisoner of Britain's facist immigration laws

Tn the lst year 10,000 people ave ated he sania to of et Vial support. His sruezle tas wide implications and on tinues te inspite others in the fight agaist racism

Jandmark forthe ant deportation. movement. Other Sanctuary’ campaigns have

Sprung up: Renuka Lakhani in-2 Hiinda temple in Leicester Salema Begum in church in Chorkton; and Rajwinder Singh

ina Sikh temple is Bradford

By Kate Adams Hackney N. & Stoke Newington CLP

Renuka Lakhani came to England in July 1986, fell in love with and married Vipin Lakhani, a British citizen, Even thought Renuka had 2 young child the Home Office threaten 4 10 deport her

‘After going into sanctuary she won indefinite leave to stay.

lema Begum, a 13-year-old Bangladeshi girl, was 10. be departed while blood tests were carried oul to determine paren: tage. She won a temporary ad mission order 1o stay until early January 1988, with the addi tional assurance that she would ‘not be detained while the order FSi Force

Rajwinder Singh, 2 29.yeat ‘old Sikh who suffers from men: tal and physical disabilities, was To be deported to India where there Is no one 10 care for him Rajwinder went into sanctuary in February. 1987, and a local campaign comtinucs to fight for his ight to stay,

Vira} Nendis says “My: New Year's resolution sa victory for Rajwinder and mca ia "88 — and forward with the sanctuary

Defend Som Raj

Som Raj, Chief Photographer at the Soho Star and NUJ member, came to Britain in Apri 1983 asa vistor from India for 6 months.

On. his arrival in Wolverhampton, ihe Tound his sister suffering from nervous complaints. He started nursing hher and helped her husband look after their three chien,

In July Som met Sarieet and ig August they. married. In ‘September he applied to the Home Office for leave 19 stay fas the husband of @ British citizen

‘The ‘Home Office refused, fon the grounds that "the brimary purpose of the mar Fiage was to gain settlementin this country"

Even the Home Office ‘appointed Adjudicator allowed Som’s appeal. But the Home Office appeated to the Appeals Tribunal {whom they also ap point). In April 1983 the Tribunal reversed the Ad: judicator’s decision.

Since then, the Home Office has been trying to deport Som Rai although the couple are happily married with two

Viraj Mendis

Tn spite of the determination cof the Vira}. Mendis Defence Campaign (VMDC), the year of fesistance has nor been easy. In ‘March the church was subject 10 abusive phone calls and racis attacks.

Fascists. armed with crowbars, carving knives and Screwdrivers allempted 10 Snatch Viraj and a campaign member was attacked inher home and a swastika carved into her hand with a razor blade

Racist comments by former Home Office Minister. David ‘Waddington on television and scurtilous reports in The Sun and Daily Express helped this facist violence. Bomb. hoaxes ‘and death threats 10 the cam. aign’s chairperson continued hroughout the summer.

"The movement received a setback when Manchester City's Labour Council capitulated 10 racists by withdrawing a job offer made earlier 10 Viral

in July a judicial review of Viraj Mendis’ case was heard and the Home Office's right 10 ‘deport him enforced. The Camalga feels that Justice Mann, ‘who presided over the case, was subject co political pressure and failed 10 address, property the ‘sue of Viral’s) 12 years residence (a factor strongly in his favour) or his plea for political asytum

"The latter was dismissed on the strength of a letter from the Sei Lankan High Commissioner sating that Vieaj was free 10 Tetum. This letter chose to hare well-documented evidence from” Amnesty International

young daughters. Som Rais Father, aged 87. and his sister both jive in Wolverhampton. so be now fas no. class relatives in India

‘The Som Raj Defence Carn paign has. been building up Support both in Woverhamoton and nationally. from felgious. Community and political groups. and Drganisations

The Campaign has been supported by Wolverhampton Borough Council and the Mayor as well as 30 MPs and 10 MEPs.

‘Many churches, temples mosques and guidwara have watten letters of protest to the Home Office

‘Som Fa|’s own trade union branch, the Wolverhampton NUS has taken up the case, ‘and this year's NUJ ADM unanimously passed a resolu tion pledging full support for the Campaign. Many other tade “union branches have ‘also daclared their support for ‘the Campaign and opposition to the racist immigration laws.

The victory of the Muhamm. ed ldrish and. Shahid Syed Defence Campaign with the Support of their trade union,

that the Tamils, and the Sinhalese socialists who Suppo: them, as Viraj does. a ff, tortured and some to death

The

confirmed outlawed i Douglas Hurd to th not comply with the de order ‘Clearly the Home © the High Court a by Britain's nilltary ‘and econ in Sr Lanka and threatened by all that Vira} and his campaign | represent |

Kings Cross Fire

Enquiry cover-up

It’s business as usual in the Boardrooms of London Undergound’s 55 Broadway HQ since the King’s Cross fire.

‘On British Rail the threat of strike action coupled with public unease led to the immediate shelving of plans to remove guards between Moorgate and Drayton Park stations.

By contrast, after the fire, London Underground chiefs were insisting on more staff cuts and complaining that the NUR was ‘over-reacting” to King's Cross.

“The treme that hit the LRT

VAIDC continues its fight, | DOSSESand the govecament was,

The campais against the decison of” the

however, very real. Kiag’s Cross Lunleased a torrent of informa:

soete aeoe ‘date’ | hich must have given the LRT

focal community have mobilised to defend the sanctuary. and Amnesty International, the British Council of Churches, the Liberal Party leadership and the Labour Party have all come ou in sopport of Viraj’s right 10 Slay. The Labour Party was forced 10 take the issue on toard ‘when -as resolution in. suppor ‘was passed unanimously at last year’s Conference |

1988 will bring further racist estrictions and immigration controls. ‘The Tories plan 10 pass a new act removing the Fight of people to appeal against Geportation. The vse of sane twary as a defence will become ‘ven more important

In the present political crisis, with Labour boroughs under attack, anthracis struggles ean all {too ‘easily be minimised and Forgotten. Now more than ever i iportact for the Labour Party 19 become actively invole

public debate — serious came foe alarm

By Dave Welsh

There was an immediate lampdowa on staff with the ous Rule 47 forbidding

| Sisclosute or misuse of “con:

Fidentia information

The government " moved quickly 10 deflect the debate auay from the teal issues of aff cuts and lack of funding The public were told. there would’ be an official disclosure Of the “cause” ofthe fire within cays.

LRT then banned all smoking ‘on the underground — implying that a cigarette end had caused the fire. This was, in fact, ex temely unlikely — an electrical ful i che most likely tigger

The government. then af nounced an inquiry based on ‘Section 7 of the Railway Act,

ccd in the antideportation and | chaired by Desmond Fennell Sanctuary movement. We can | QC, a reliable Tory, to kick off

only win any struggle for a Socialist alternative Support and involvement of Black people.

Every Friday VMDC marches in Manchester (5.00pm. from Piccadilly Gardeas to the Sane: tuary in Holme). The Campaign meets every Sunday at 7.50pm

in February. It 6 unlikely to ex-

he full | amine anything other than the

King’s Cross accident — ignoring the far wider issues of safety which have emerged from the Sisaster.

it would be extremely mistaken to believe that the in feation of the inquiry is

‘atthe Church of the Ascension. | anything other than 10 te up

Get your ward or CLP toaf- | and close the file on King's (liate to the Campaign and find | Cross. Even more worrying is ‘out how you can help. the likeliNood that, ia the pro-

Formoreinformation contact | cess, individual tube staff ill Viraj Mendis Defence Cam- | be scapegoated — a gross inpaign, c/o North Hulme Cen. | decency considering the bravery Tres Jackson Cresent, Hulme, | of LRT workers who Jed many

Manchester, MIS 61-234 5168 oF the London Support Group, c/o BM Bi SKB, London WCIN 3XX, 1 Orsi 1688,

NALGO . shows thet trade lunons can successfully de fend their members by Suppo: ting Usfence Campaigns

What you can do:

ewnte to the Home Secretary. Douglas Hurd. Home Office, Queen Anne's Gate, London iquote reference ‘umber #2203311

‘@Write to your MP, cio House ‘of Commons, Westminster, London asking himiber to take up the case ‘with the Home Secretary

‘@ Attend ‘Campaign Meetings held fortnightly on Thursdays at 7pm at the Ha ue Centre, 27 Vicerage Road, Wolvernampton |

Sign petitions.

@Join and make 2 donation to the Campaign. (Affiation feo £1 individuals, £10 organisations!

Slovite 9 speaker from the Campaign to the next meeting ‘of your organisation,

For further detais contact: Ray George (0902735235, or 0802-54183); Som fay Defence Campaign, clo 13 Viesrage Road, Woiverhampton: NUL (Sally Gitbert), Acosn House. Grays’ inn Road, Lon: don 01-278 7816,

1. tc_ | passengers to safery. Moral cen-

Sure will not stop the locomotive Df cuts on the undersround. @LRT plans to get rid of the uatds on the Jubilee line inthe Spring. ‘@ The means of evacuation on

Trensport workers unite on the Save Public Transport demo in

Apri 1985

deep level tube lines like the Piecadilly have not been revised. ‘@ Management has ‘more. or Jess admitted that a train driver cannot -deal with passengers trapped atthe rear of a train cut in half by a fire

‘eThe immensely hazardous

Underground Ticketing System (UTS) ts to continue, losing a further 1,500 station and ticket ‘salt

‘@ Further plans for part-time cleaning staff are to go ahead.

Middle management don’t give a toss"” about salety precautions. Staff themselves have reacted angrily t0 LRT's bland assurances. The, not the bosses, have to take the stick over gaps in the service, piled up rubbish, poor communications with the public and lack of fire safery

The tube chiefs have, instead, ‘announced one of their periodic Scrackdowns” on "unreliable" salt — another scandalous attack on the workforce.

1k has emerged that LRT was lucky to avoid & King’s Cross sisle fire under an escalator at Green Park station. in. June 1987. major Tire was averted only by the action of five off- ‘duty tube staff. This was the second serious escalator fire at

ese ak vo pee ‘Cleaning sail point a betwen te exalaors (oc bioe chpecc te led Tags before the ire) andthe dangets of possible cable Ces traps (ofeach ler canaot be shifted: With’ proper atang Tevet ine 32 ears at King ros could have bon avoid. What erica ow sa polite! campaign ove safe. fhe tube. While the fe inuity can't be fenored should be Sen. a. only “one focus. for Tore’ comesions om LRT

“TUBEWATCH' has been set up 10 monitor and provide information about the ‘underground. For the first issue Of “the new” "Tubewatch bulletin and” other publicaHons/videns contact: Transport Resources, 21 Cleveleys Road, Hackney,” “London ES of felephone 01 806 4365 or 0992 710812

‘WoMieNleyieds euneT Oona

Socialist Conferences Building local Chesterfields

Since the Socialist Conference in Chesterfield last October, we have: ‘ecstablished 2 series of Policy Discussion Groups on key issues ‘such as economic policy, educa thon, and women’s rights

‘@ planned 2 recall conference

finalised a discussion docu: sient on the aims and objectives of socialism, for consultation ‘sith the movement as 8 whole ‘@encouraged the ctablishment of local and regional ‘Conferences

f@begun the construction of @ socialist directory, 10 put com Fades who are sirupgling (or changes in society ia touch with ‘each other

The Socialist Conference Organising Committee. believe that ie onus! encourage the ‘looming of socialist iniaatives. We are not centralisers, We are not prescribers of nationally determined correctness

‘We firmly. believe that the movement will be strengthened Fonmeasurably bs” local i

By Reg Race Tottenham CLP

itatives to. dincuss. socialism, socialist policies and the nature ‘fa socialist programme forthe 1990s. There ate critical ies to be debated:

‘@ How do we control the City?

‘2What forms should public ownership take. and why is ownership and control crucial Tor a socialist transformation of

fe Whar is the contribution thar green socialists can make? What is the relationship bet ween. growth, resources and distribution?

‘@ How can men change? How can women’s rights and demands. be inserted into the agenda of socialism?

‘Socialism has been on the defensive for many years. How ‘can we popularise socialist ideas and principles?

‘@How can racism be rooted cont ia society and in the labour

What should a socialist soviery look Tike?

“The very fact that these very basic questions have to be ad essed at all illustrates the epoliticisation and eradicalisation. of the labour

It is nov sufficient for debate fon the movement's problems to be concentrated on questions of electoral efficiency and ‘organisation, even if John Prescott says it is. Politics will nol go away

"There is therefore a crying and urgent need for local Socialist Conferences.

They. should concentrate_on the key issues, and spread their fet 10 groups of people who are outside the formal reaches of the Labour Party and the trade

We can help you with literature, with briefing papers, with speakers, and contacts but we can’t organise it for vou Contact Reg. Race or Mandy Moore on 01 808 9796 for infor mation aad support, And do it

Labour Briefing No, 54 January 13th-26th 1988 page 3

Editorial

Vote Scargill

In his five years as President of the NUM Arthur Scargill has displayed courage and principle all too rare in the British trade union movement. He has withstood attack after attack by the Tories, the media, the courts, and Labour Party and trade union leaders.

Throughout this period, he has staunchly defended miners’ interests against a ruthless management and vicious government determined to break the NUM and privatise the coalfields. While others have run for cover, he has stood up and said a resounding no to the six day week, the extended working day, and the draconian disciplinary code.

His leadership, both during the year-long strike and after, has shown that it is possible to resist the Tories, that collusion and retreat are not the only alternatives. This example has given hope not only to thousands of miners in his own industry, but also to workers throughout the country — and beyond.

By submitting himself for re-election at this time, he has kept his word to his members, and given them a chance to renew his mandate to fight with and for them.

ft is no exaggeration to say that his victory will not only be a victory for the left, but for the whole of the working class.

The working class needs a victory at the moment. It is up to all miners who support Arthur Scargill to turn in their votes, and make the victory 8 decisive, triumphant rout of the ‘opposition.

SR EN ARR A CS

Prescott and the Deputy Leadership

Any challenge to the Kinnock-Hattersley leadership which led us into the general election disaster is to be welcomed. Since the electoral college was set up in 1981 it has been used only twice: in Tony Benn’s Deputy Leaders! contest with Dennis Healey, and in the leadership election which followed Michael Foot’s resignation in 1983.

‘A genuinely democratic Labour Party would see these key leadership positions openly and frequently contested. Simply leaving the electoral mechanism to rust unused is in itself a bad thing. In that sense John Precott’s bid for the deputy leadership is good news

It is also good news in that it opens up a vital debate for the left. Who can and will challenge

BRIEFING

TASOUR — TAKE THE POWE!

Kinnock? And when? It is not enough to press for socialist policies. An alternative leadership, dedicated to left policies and tested in the class struggle needs to be promoted.

John Prescott, unfortunately, is not and will not be part of that alternative leadership. His record on a wide range of issues, notably women’s rights and the right of oppressed groups to organise themselves, is poor. What Policies does he stand for? Indeed, why is he standing at all? Is he motivated by anything other than self-promotion? Or is this manoeuvre just a fit of pique at the short-changing of the Tribunite left in the Shadow Cabinet elections?

His entry into the race, however, should be the signal for the left to put up a candidate of its ‘own, The Campaign Group of MPs should sponsor a selection Conference at which the left ‘can democratically choose its own standard bearers. Too often the media have chosen them for us. We need a body to which our candidates for Leader and Deputy Leader can be accountable, and which can organise for their victory.

A choice between Hattersley and Prescott is a choice the left should not have to make. But our real task is mounting a long-term, sustained challenge at all levels to Kinnock and his minions. This will not be won in a year or even two. But if we don’t start soon — and here the Campaign Group must give the lead — it will never happen at all. And that is a mistake none of us can afford.

oS tee

Stop Clause 27!

Clause 27 of the Local Government Bill — which seeks to ban Local Authorities from “promoting homosexuality” — is one of the most appalling attacks on civil rights made by the Tory government.

It aims to make local Council policies for equal opportunities for lesbians and gay men illegal; and also to unleash a new wave of hostility and violence against the lesbian and gay communities.

‘The response of the Labour front bench to this nightmare has been atrocious. Cunningham and Rooker initially supported Clause 27. They went out of their way to denounce the modest equality initiatives taken by Haringey Council and {to a lesser extent) ILEA.

Clause 27 is part and parcel of a campaign to drive lesbians and gay men out of politics, off the street, and back into the closet. And while

lesbians and gay men are in the front line at the moment, there can be no doubt other groups will soon come under fire.

It is intended to divert the working class away from fighting the Tories, towards pointing the finger at a fake “‘enemy"” within our own ranks.

When will Labour's leaders wake up? When will they realise that democratic rights are indivisible and non-negotiable? Every retreat in the face of this kind of attack aids and abets the next attack. Every bone thrown to the dog of bigotry only makes the dog hungrier for new and fresh meat

The defence of lesbian and gay rights is a matter of urgent concern to the whole labour movement. Clause 27 must be defeated at all costs.

Ei EE REN

Saving the NHS

Suddenly, the NHS is “‘in crisis”. Even the BBC has at last acknowledged what the rest of us have known for some time.

But how is it that the actions of @ handful of medical professionals and lobbyists, inspiring industrial action in an already aware workforce, have been able to put the issue on the agenda at last? How have they been able to force Thatcher, for once, on to the defensive?

Labour's performance in the Commons has roused no one to action. Since the defeat of the healthworkers” strike in 1982, the labour movement has failed to build any broad, national campaign in defence of the NHS. Popular support for it has remained strong, but has been given no direction by Labour Party or trade union leaders.

Of course, at a time when Labour Councils are cutting back as furiously as NHS managers, Labour's impassioned pleas for the Health Service ring hollow. And when every attempt to organise industrial action against NHS cuts is either sabotaged or ignored by the trade union bureaucracy. the public can hardly be blamed for looking elsewhere for leadership.

The vacuum left by Party and trade union leaders has now been filled by a coalition of concerned individuals. This coalition will not, however, be able to turn the widespread mood of outrage into anythirig strong, durable and effective

Only the labour movement has the capacity to ‘organise and unite workers and users of the Health Service in a campaign to save the NHS Pressure must be applied now at the grass roots of that movement to force our leaders to act.

Defend the NHS!

NHS: Now put the boot in!

‘They may be cornered — but they are likely to be twice as vicious,

‘That is how the Tory government is responding to the health crisis created by their own spending policies.

‘After successfully conning

service free to all at time of use

This is the threat that lurks behind the panic cabinet diseussions on the NHS.

@Loopy “think tank" schemes that would have lost votes by the million last June are now being openly debated = including “possible charges for “GP. visits, charges for

hospital admission, tax handenough voters in June that cost ‘for those taking” private the NHS was alive, well and Suy..0" those, taking” private expanding, Thatcher hoped "Noucher schemes" that pot a that her policy of deliberate- prise on every item of medial ly forcing a financial crisis treatment

would “rapidly lever @Businss sponsorship, fund gers, doctors, the ‘alsing schemes and “income Listas prea [eneration” by NHS hospicals

media and public opinion in fo questioning the viability of a tax-funded national health service.

Imagine ministers’ dismay when they saw top consultants and” professors, jointed. bi thousands of nurses, dozens of Tory. backbenchers and a massive majority of the Tory electorate responding to the coisis by demanding _ more foveenment cash for the NHS.

"The ‘Thatcher response has bbeen both a partial retreat suddenly. producing an exe £70m in the hopes of silencing Some critics and aa idsological offensive against the ‘most basic ideas of the NHS ast

are also being bandied about By JOHN LISTER

To make it worthwhile setting up a vast apparatus of civil ser= ants to. collect new NHS

ages, they would have to uch higher than @ "“toke fevel. And since a large major fof NHS in-patients. are either Pensioners, children of claimants," the charges would have to be even higher again to

mpensate for the coms of a complex means-testing system and the fact that relatively few ‘would be paving

For a government which has so consistently argued that its

aim is to focus health spending fon “front-line™ patient care (at

doctors all over the county in feponse 0 4 petition promoted expense of ‘ancilany stat by Landon Wealth Emergency Jobs and pay) tscems bizare and the Hounslow based Hospital “Atert “The. petition ‘mics {at on Health Authorities to fascrs", chargecolleiors and stand frm agaist any further eceemnees Sore, and demanded “extra ‘However the one option that Sovsmmment oh Thatcher appear to have ex: The demand. must be made faded im advance 20, NHS toud and’ “clear for, Health ‘econ relose 10 cut services and “This may’ seem strange: after Challenge” the! government 10 all for the price of simply halv intervene. ic ing the next 2p tax cut, Nigel" Meanwhile, as thousands of {awson could put the necenaty demoralsed ‘nsee leave, the Eilon ito he NHS and win. profession in search of Tine aw popular support We have Sage thousands mare have io revise the Tory ne av am bac’ staying pat and ihting which’ they “are prepared. jouning local campus, mar in ir aero erent petence of commitment 0 the “The £0m handout was Wot Riise teen cropped: Bur as the only ctoy notched up by Thatcher makes hersvews plain, campaigners th 1987: the Wen public concern and media atten: London Hosplal was saved bea ion Go hard to ge: prioe to popular campatgn: so mas Mie Sine) “has ‘helped radielve End casualye and elcwhore, revo dormant profes. too. messing Healt Sonal and white colar beat Autores ‘have’ been’ forced workers ig) nea. energetic hack or delayed enough for Sampsiees the {70m to be announced

An indication-of she mood | With no end in sight to the came inthe 1,200 Signatures NHS crise, the media attention ‘which flooded fir in six weeks still focussed on the continuing

from consultanis-and hospital tragic. saga of Birmingham

A token presence trom Roy Hattersley on one demo is not enough!

competence of Labour's front bench and a TCC’ leadership

Children's Hospital and other Scandals, health campaigns offer the labour movement pro- that is pathetically remote from ably’ its best chance of dealing the strugules facing health a. body-blow to the Thatcher workers can. miss. the oppor Bovernment in 198K (unites now opening up.

The plans that emerge from For’ Labour Parties, union the cabine! pow-wow will be bodies, ‘Trades Councils and dceply unpopular — as are the other community organisations, nies optician and deotal charges the £70m hand-out in December already imposed, Most of the should be used asa springboard Health Authorities in rouble infor renewed campaigning work, 1987 will be in a worse plight ia The Tories have already been 1988, fon the floor once: now fs the

‘Only the legendary ins Time to pt the boot in

H = 3 ie § =

Labour Briefine No. $4 January 13th-26th 1988 page +

Trade Union Briefing

Inner London teachers on the march

Conference starts debate

Education is at the top of the Tories’ agenda.

‘Their aim is nothing less than the destruction of state school education as we know it:

‘@the use of opting-out and open enrolment to cfeate a hierarchy of schools through com- interests of working peo petitive market pressure; ple and the oppressed

the introduction of the Our Conference is_in national curriculum and na: tional testing to. ensure that education conforms to the Tory ethos, at the ex: pense of progressive cur

radical educationists;

‘@a campaign that com bines vigorous defence of the best of existing provi sion with @ willingness to re-examine Labour's record and to develop new policies for the content and control of education in the

contribution towards building that new alliance in and for education. in 1977 the Socialist

Ficulum “content and Teachers Alliance, an in. methods; fluential organisation of @the strengthening of the left within the NUT, centralised government held its first “Politics of

Education” Conference. ‘Over 500 people took part authorities and teachers; in discussions intraduced ‘@the undermining of by leading education free and properly-funded speakers including Ray. provision, mond Williams and The Tory attack on the Caroline Benn. principles of free mon- Now the need for such a selective locally-controlled forum is even greater. and state education will tie the we have invited leading schools much more closely figures from the Labour to the requirements of the left, radical. educationists ‘employers, and powerfully and socialist teachers to reinforce inequalities of introduce workshops. and class, race and gender plenary discussions aimed ‘A broad popular cam: at sharing ideas, developpaign of opposition to the ing policies and planning new Tory education-needs. for action. to be built: Full details of the Con: @acampaign that draws ference agenda willbe together teachers, pupils, available in the near future. parents, trade unionists, In the meantime, you can the Black communities, — book your place by filling in Labour Party activists and the form below.

The New Tory Education

What response from the left?

A broad open conference organised by the Socialist Teachers Alliance in Caxton House, London, on February 13-14th.

Conference on the New Tory Education

Control over the schools at the expense of local

Name

Organisation (if any)

Address

Please enclose a cheque for £5 registration fee (£2.50 unwaged) payable to Open Conference Fund, and send to Open Conference Fund, c/o Steve Jenkins, 58 Oakley Close, Isleworth, Middx, TW7 4HZ.

tended to be an important |

Danger in the colleges

Big business comes to

the Polys

Ariefing: im effect you are say ing that colleges and Polys are beeing. privatised "wholesale. Where does eduation fit into

‘One of the attacks on the ‘education system contained in the Education Bill which has so far been ignored is the attack ou Colleges of

lt doesn’t, The whole point ofthe exercise isto cut Colleges are expected t0 1

money from industry to pay for who works at one of the seat ea

Colleges affected. Head

Briefing: What is the position at

‘the moment and what & to The bead of the new chamge? Polytechnics and College Fun-

PhiLTAt the moment, colleges

land Polys are under the contr

f Local Authorities, altboug have a great deal of im

ding Council is Ron Dearing Loak what he did at the Post c! That's his background, fot education:

dependence. ‘The governm 11's no use suggesting in these plans to. mal conditions that education might independent. perhaps suffer t's obvious that The problem that the effects are going tbe

Authorities have subsidised the catastrophic for education. And

fn. of course if college can't meet

the grade, the PCFC will close

then in the same way that the

NCB closed pits oF the BSC steelworks

by doing the fi

payroll, legal work and so on! This will stop: so straight away colleges may face a big cv in

nding — by 2

ase In spending fon administration,

Briefing: What are the unions doing about this? Phils 1 don't think that many people have caught on 10 the Erale of the problem. hits There will be new boards ~The unions are working in the governors of around 25 peo- framework of Local Govern ple (he majority from ment. They have a large but business), who willbe expected relatively inactive membership, to rua the place as a businesss. College workers are not the Principals are expected to most militant, and the wnion’s Strength is elsewhere

Briefing: Who will run the new colleges?

‘operate as chief executives.

The union angle

Crisis continues in the NUT

As the Baker Bill progresses relentlessly Parliament, the National Union of Teachers (NUT) hhas yet to develop = strategy to preven its implementation.

the imposition Of Baker’s new ‘conditions of service.

They excuse this By pointing to “apathy amongst the ‘membership’. Vet they have failed to support those sections of the Union which are prepared to fight — the learest example being their ‘continuing refusal to reinstate By Martin Allen the suspended offices of the STA Inner London Teachers

Association

Increasing apathy amongst teachers is reflection of the Union's rereat from 2 position of confrontation with the overnment some 18 months ‘ago. The recent National Officers elections saw a narrow defeat for Socialist Teachers Alliance candidate Ken Jones = put also saw the lowest tumout ever in clections of this

The Union's effort so far has taken the form of a ‘general publicity campaign ‘attempcing to build the widest possible opposition to the Bill

Effective publicity i an sential part of any campaign. bt the Union is offering Bite else. All their effort geared towards amended”

SOCIALIST TEACHER

the Bill

influence of the lef in

Union (the STA row has almost 700 members and commands large support Union Conferences). the

Any talk of industrial action hhas been ruled out in case this Upsets any of the partners in the leadership's careful

‘Sulrwated alliance. They have leadership. based on the

fot even responded positively Communist Party/Labour

to calle for a day of action Right "Broad Left™, is tying

unless i takes place on a to restructure the Union,

weekend! stacking the autonomy of There is talk of “big Tocal branches and even talking

trouble” in schools ifthe Bill about holding Conference on 4

‘comes into operation — but past experience poiats to ttle The STA sil continue to (Or no further opposition being lead the fight against Baker Tike. and also take seriously the

“The NUT leadership bas ‘teed to develop an aliernative made the task of organising “popular” programme for future accion against Baker education ready for a long difficult by winding down term fight against the Tory ‘Samptign by teachers against” attacks

bicyearly bass

Many Authorities have "no and how to beat the unions to compulsory redundancy” — do it

Policies, 0 where jobs are beine Finally, there willbe officers Sut the unions are invoking the of the Authority who will be us fedeployment agreements 0 uy ing” the current semidnd eet things back to norinal as independence of the colleges 10 quickly as possible, That's fine push their own plans, plans that SYexcent that the “normal” is athe moment they would not a more be able ta implement because of

‘Some colleges are setting up union or poltial hostility, fullscale reorganisations and : Reorganise

purges behind this. They may fay they have 10 lose 20 jobs because of a certain cut; bul In two years time they will be they may have decided that they say “Weean cut like this need two new finance officers, or rearganise like this as we did three personnel officers, and sO ig the Poly, It works: the unions on are wrong io say it doesn't ‘This situation in the colleges

Loss isa testing ground for later cuts in the Authority The nett loss would still be 20, bot many more people will be Briefing: W's a lffieut

involved. This sort of thing is situation. fare in local goverament —but Phil: Yes, but_not_ totally Murdoch did something similar disastrous. As I said, the unions 2 Wapping, afterall: new jobs, havea large membership. Ate few workers moment it is worried.

The unions will have to put forward proposals 10. mobilise their members, which star from their current low level of conSciousness and which organise ‘and educate them — so that they realise that they are working for a boss” and the boss can be beaters

To start campaigning, union members need to demand open access 10 the college accounts, 0 we can see where the money's really going.

Unions can also demand that allthe management consultants! papers are published — which ‘Would Show how flimsy thele arguments for a particular cut feally are. e's & small start — but we have to start somewhere,

Briefing: Awd tame unions. Phil Yes, I'm sure many col Icges wil ry to be amt-asion in ‘They wil have to negotiate pay 2ad conditions at some age 30 sity not break the unions now?

Briefing: Do you really think that colleges will act Tike Murthe NCB and IBM?

some of them will, The

Phi ‘whole White Paper puis them tn that road. Deatiag’s ap-

intment is another sig" 10

Tor reports. which will be all about money — how to save it

Black Lecturers Group (West Midlands)

To: Anti

everywhere The Bis Weaver Defence Fund:

“The Black Lecturers Group (West Midlands) has decided to set up 2 defence fund in order to provide financial and moral sup ort to one af its members who suffered racial [as well as sex: tall harassment.

‘When she turned to her union for advice and assistance their response was an outright rofusal. Instead, they offered their fullest support to the harassers.

‘Mis Bis Weaver, who was employed at Bournville College of, Further Education, registered a complaint of racial harassment against other members of stalt. When Mire Weaver, a NATFHE member, asked NATFHE for assisiance, NATFHE refused choasing 10 represent the three members (who were officers of NATFHE) agsinst whom she had made the complaint, At a great deal of personal exnense Mrs Waaver took her case to an industri Tribunal

"A NATFHE officiel at the hearing confirmed that NATFHE's policy was not fo support complaints involving racism, in

jing complaints with merit, because it could load to loss of Tenure for the members complained about

Despite severely criticising NATFHE, the Tribunal decided that NATFHE, in accordance with its policy, has @ "legitimate duty to protect the tenure of its members and to avoid breaches of obligations to members whose tenure is at risk Which outweighs the limited discriminatory effect.” Conse quently, Mrs Weaver lost her casa and is i the process of ap Bealing against the Tribunal decision

‘Without doubt Mes Weaver has shown admirable courage in taking on the whole of the union's machinery. We believe that Serious questions cancerning tho rights of Black and women members in trade unions have been raised by this case, which ‘Snow becoming an important test cage in the pursuit of these rights.

"To support Mrs Weaver in her struggle is not only to help her as an individual victim of the most vicious form of raciem, but also to send positive messages to Black people who are all Potential. victims of such harassment. lt would also Bemonstrate thet alternative sources of suppart exist for such victims.

The lack Lecturers Group is, therefore, asking anti-racists everywhere to demonstate their active suppor! to Mrs Weaver land to send donations to the Bis Weaver Defence Fund (Cheues'POs to BWDFI, Fazal Iabal, Bilston Community College, Welingtan Road, Bilston, Wolverhampton WV 14 BEW,

Labour Briefing No, $4 January 13th-26th 1988 page 5

Trade Union Briefing

NUM Rank & File

Ready for action !

The dispute in the Yorkshire coalfield sparked off by action at Frickley Colliery in July gave a true picture of the frustration and anger of the NUM rank and file, and. their will ingness to fight the new attacks on their union,

‘The strike over six men being suspended for taking a late snapbreak brought Frickley to-an immediate standstill

At 9 hastily called general meeting was decided to fight the new disciplinary code in the age-old way of hitting the ‘management’ where it hurts the most: ‘stop. produc tion, smash British Coal's cosy image of | “‘new realist” miners, organise mestings at every pit in Yorkshire and ask for suppor.

“The picketing started initia ly in the Doncaster Area. Each pit asked fora canteen meeting to be addressed by @ Frickley miner. The response after each meeting was the Same, The men wanted to fight; they were ready to fight ver almost anything.

TR gave the ho to the media's picture of miners as broken men sick of industrial action. Branch after branch returmed 160% support.

‘The dispute then spread to the rest of South Yorkshire Pits ‘that had been divided since the Big Strike bocame United again over British

Coal's new attacks The “canteen meetings discussed the wider implica tions of the Wheeler Plan, as well ae other lasues lke’ six Gay working, pit closures and the ‘plight of the sacked miners. The meetings showed that the rank and file are well Informed, up to date, and sick ‘of, morsie-breaking “jackboot Foanagement. They were straining at the leash,

By D. Lawsons Frickley: Colliery

Miners from the North Yorkshire Area, frustrated by the official ine of negotiations ‘over the sacking of Ted Scott, Spnroached Frickley pickets ‘and demanded their presence at North Yorkshire pit to help them get off their knees.

Frickley answered the call and picketed North Yorkshire. The lads in these so-called moderate pits (ike the Selby Complex) didn’t even. argue the issues; they just shook the pickets’ hands and went home Cheering.

We ail’ know how the dispute ended. ‘The rug was pulled ‘out from under Frickley's feet. But what is more important was the way the rank and fle became united. They showed their ‘wilingnass to support fellow miners and their abiity to fight ‘gain if the right leadership is given

‘At this moment the NUM is at 2 crossroads. We are now

balloting forthe “union's presidency. One’ contender reaches moderation, new Festism, deals with the UDM ‘and negotiates with Haslem.

If moderation means accep: tmg the heart rending morale crushing dictations of the management's supermarket mentality: if new. tealism means lis down and take it tke we have since "84/5; if it Means negotiations _ which result in £500 pay-beck clauses “and the worst pay fises in the history of the ‘Union: it it means stil more job losses through six-day work ing then this man is not for ‘me or the rank and file | have Gescrbed above.

‘The second contender knows the state of play. He Understands that every. time the NEC forces him to com: [promise management comes Back for more. Haslem’s idea of negotiation is to. take Something from us and give ack nothing

Has moderation ever: won anything? I only knew of gains made through action.

The media, British Coal and the Tories all oppose the se ‘cond contender’ A man ‘who has never misled oF led to his members ig indeed = danger to them. And anyone who is 2 Ganger to that desperate threesome wil get my vote,

“The battles facing our union can only be won by rank and file action” And the rank and file ‘need a fighting leader Vote fore fighter. Vote Seargil

Economic debate

The problem with ESOPS

If the trade union and labour movement pin th hopes for indust democracy on ESOPS (Employee Share Ownership or Stock Option Plans) they had better read another fable — the one about the tortoise and the hare by the other Aesop.

They must not once again confuse control with formal ‘ownership.

ESOPS is a means by which employees ake a substantial Stake inthe share equity oftheir company, This usually involves a third party: (often a. Trust) buying up a pre-arranged slice of equity for employees, who then pay them back over a fumber of years — five years being the favoured time

‘The effective control exerted by employee. shareholders is totally dependent on the terms of the plan

(One of the most financially succeessful ESOPs (fromthe point of view of management) ‘was at Weirton Stecl in the USA, where the employees have non-voting shares!

‘An ESOP was brought in at Eastern Airlines in the. State which featured worker directors

anda comprehensive “Employee Involvement scheme”” — but the Scheme also

featured across-the-board’ pay cuts of around 20%

‘Management promised to ‘make good the cuts, but reneged ‘on the deal, singling out one section of workforce for harsher treatment,” including ‘longer hours, and cuts in hotiday-and sick pay benefits

“The worker directors and the unions had to resort to conven. tional bargaining.

The company sold out to ‘Texas Air shortly after, and the ESOP was tot used for con: sultation with the workforce, let alone joint decision-making Teras Air, being strongly ants union, immediately set up an executive board” in order 19 preclude any influence from ‘worker directors

1c dismantled “Employee Involvement", then had the gall 10 offer to” buy back the employees’ shares for just 26% of the price originally paid for themt

ESOPs are no guarantee of worker influence, as. is clear from the US experience, where some 7to IZmillion workers are covered by plans

‘Somewhat more equitable ar rangements exist in other cour: ties, notably Sweden, but the socal aspects of Britain's ‘economy are now far closer to those of the USA. than to Sweden, so” investigators of ESOPs are well advised to look West for relevant information,

By FRANK SCOTT

Even the prestigious Business Week magazine says ESOPs are often phony. Often. a partial “sale'” to workers. is, nothing more than managment’s use of an ESOP to ease a restructuring Strategy or resist a hostile takeover.

United Airlines is pushing ESOP: in its peripheral businesses in exchange for wage ‘outs, whilst it intends to use the proceeds 10 offer major Shareholders a bonus by whi it hopes to fend off hostile takeover bids

Tn the case of the Hospital Corporation, ESOP has helped the parent company to offload low-profit “divisions to local managers and workers.

i could be argued that com. panics will use whatever means dre recessary to restructure and develop oF divest, and. that ESOPS should not be misused in this way. This view would ‘mean that an incoming Labour government would have to find ‘ways of preventing misuse, an enormously intricate job’ for Tawemakers. ‘But apart. from this, ate ESOPS a good deal in sgencral terms for employees?

‘Many. firms already run employee share ownership Schemes, including some that Operate partly as a. savings Scheme. "In general these

schemes aren't run in parallel with programmes for pay cuts OF other concessions. Com anies get tax savings. from them, but so. do employees, falthough schemes cam have 4 rnumber of drawbacks.

‘Conventional employee share ownership schemes usualy offer slightly advantageous deals 10 ‘workers over the pricing of Share offers, but ESOPS are commonly run via major bankIng groups (such as. Lazard Freres in the USA), and these ‘operators require some payment for their efforts. 1's unlikely that the costs are borne solely by exuplopers

Finally, om the issue of con. uot, ordinary employee share ownership offers little or no promises. For an ESOP to have ‘ny significance at least 10% of the total equity would have to be. held “by. the workforce (Enough to force an EGM for fastance). But the real cost to workers of getting this ‘minimum degroz of control ‘aries tremendously.

For example, each emplosce in BAT Industries would have 19 pay over £3,600, whereas the generally low-paid workers in the Next chain would have (9 find over £7,200 each, and those in Guinness’ would have (0 pay over £17,500,

“The expense of a 10% ESOP depends On factors almost entirely outside employees" confol, such as marker valuation (Of equities, the labour or capital inensivencss of a firm, type of business activity, and 20 on.

In this situation it would be ear impossible 10 maintain a coherent politcal strategy for lncreasing’ worker contral over industries. ESOPS are more likely to be found where employers, for one reason oF another, "wish “to introduce them

Unless many other key fac: tors in the economy are radical ty changed, ESOPS may offer nothing by way of industrial democracy. Rather than being 2 short-cut to social ownership, they could slow it up, as unions fect embroiled in complex and fengthy consultation exercises.

Journalists strike in North London

Fourteen National Union of Journalist members working ‘on the Advertiser North London weekly _ free newspapers are on strike in defence of the most basic of trade union rights: the right fo be members: of a trade

All 14 have been sacked.

The journalists are also striking to defend editorial standards and Keep local papers local

‘Six members of the Chapel including the Father of the Chapel who has worked there for seven years, were made redundant in November at to

ike in projet — and were sacked. The strike has the full official backing of the NUJ

Brutal

The brutal manner of the sackings was reinforeed by ter for tactics. Locksmiths were brought ia and all the locks changed. Security guards were installed. at all entrances, The sacked 14 weren't even allowed {0 reclaim thei personal posses sions untit three weeks later. The Advertiser North Lon don Group, which publishes titles ia Finchley, Barnet, Hen don, Edgware, Enfield, Hamp. 1d and Haringey is owned by Morgan-Grampian Local Newspapers Limited, a subSidiary of Lord Stevens’ United Newspapers, which publishes the Daily Express. Management claim that the redundancies were due 10 economic reasons, bul this 1s ‘nonsense. The company is highly profitable, The anion is treating the matter as a Straightforward “case of vic misation and as an attempt (0 crush the Chapel by picking out lis mos. vociferous” members, two of whom had been active in

Arrested pickets outside Golders Green police station, Jan 5th, following charges. L to R: Tom Durkin (Vice Chair, Brent Trades Council. Howard Hannah (News Editor, NLA), Susan Doyle

(NLA reporter), Ivor Segal

disputes elsewhere

The Chapel is also trying 10 defend editorial sandards. The recently-appointed tditor, Jeff Steedea, told. staff he. didn’t want siories about hospital Closures, inner city deprivation, job losses, unfon disputes, et He didn't even want "Council

news” or “Court copy”. He ‘Sants “froth, whatever” that

Weekly mass pickets have been organised outside the com= pany premises in Finchley. On Tuesday, January sth police turned up in force and demandced that the picket line be limited to six people. Picketers were siven five minutes 10 clear off,

which they refused to do, Four people were arrested, including Journalists Howard Hanna and Susan Doyle. All four declined 3 police caution. and. have been Charged with obstruction.

Thhe_mass_ pickets will, con tinue every Tuesday morning at Sam at 281 Ballards Lane, Lon don N12. Support is promised from. NUJ" Secretary Harry Conroy and President Lionel Morrison

Contact 01 278 7916 ext, 222 (NUJ Disputes Room) for more Information. Send donations, ‘with cheques payable to. the Advertiser NUJ, 10 The Disputes Room, Acorn House, 314-320 Grays inn Road, Lon: ‘don WCIX SDP.

ACTT TV technicians

Lock-out at TV-AM

Two hundred and ‘twenty-nine technicians at the TV-AM studios in Camden, members of ACTT, have been locked out by the company since November 24th.

The previous day. ACTT had held a one day strike to protest at TV-AM’s intention to tear up existing agreements on staffing levels.

Fred Leplat ‘Camden Labour Briefing

TV-AM_ has recently been trying to increase productivity and flexibility. In the 8 months prior to the lock-cut, staff were cut from 483 to 341

‘The one day strike was sup: ported by 0% of ACTT mombers in 3 ballot held to ‘comply with the new legislation. The company is now us. jing the lock-out’ to. impose drastic. changes upon ACTT ‘members as a precondition for retuming to work.

The ultimatum calls upon staff to accept

‘ecross the board roster

anges;

umimited use of contract staff and facilities;

‘the use of unstaffed studios:

'@2 reduction in TV-AM produced programmes;

@2 15% reduction in annual leave.

‘Management has also demanded that. ACT relinQuish negotiating rights over the allocation of work and Staff, and renounce industrial action on’ these issues, In feturn, the TV-AM company ‘would limit reduction in staff to voluntary cedundancies and Ratural "wastage. Company emands go much further than before, even at the depths of TV-AN's financial toubles

‘The ACTT. members are prepared to return to work on the basis of both sides honour ing existing agreements, and for the company to nogotiate through the established. pro: cedures. TV-AM's _ intranSigence has led the ACTT 10 all for negotiations. through AACAS which has been turned down by the. company.

Members

TV-AM management's con: fidence in requesting further concessions from) ACTT members "stem. from” their ‘ability to continue broad: casting by using imported ews material and_progremmes such as “Batman” and

Care Bears’

But more importantly, members of the NUJ, EETPU ‘and BETA are crossing the picket line and seabbing, The Ose of “Batman” and. the scabbing has enabied TV-AM to increase sts. audience and revenue {rom advertisement.

WAM is at the sharp end

‘of a general attack-on the TV companies, Skiled television workers have bean able to ob: {ain high wages and good con. vditions' through strong. union ‘organisation and the ability t0 control exactly what they do ‘on the job.

‘strike action has been able to force the TV. companies to meet the union's claims as it was cheaper then losing advertisement revenge: Public pinion is being softened up ‘painst TV technicians by the 1V.AM ‘management spreading ies to the press such ae!_“TV-AM.techniet ‘claims £92,000 overtime for ‘covering the Zeebnugge ferry disaster.”

‘The new ant-union ‘legisla tion has created the climate whore employers can easily Bttack and lock-out staff. The government's Peacock Report on television is laying. the Ideological ground. forthe reorganisation of TV. com: panies by recommending in Greased. choice for viewers with a variety of satelite, cable {and regular TV channels, and. Beneral deregulation,

Tr the TV unions are successfully to tesist 3. Fleet Stroet-style shake up, then more determined and ¢o:

Srdinated response. is necessary.

Messages of support, re quests for speakers and don:

tions (made out to ACT} can be sent to the TV-AM lock-out office, clo ACTT, 111 War. Sour Street, London WIV aK.

‘PHOTO: Pote Jenkins

Labour Briefing No. 54 January 13th-26th 1988 page 6

Labour Party

With the backing of local Briefing supporters, PETER TATCHELL is seeking selection as the Labour candidate in the 1989 European elections in the London Central and London North Euroconstituencies

Below PETER sets out his political platform.

There are many fundamental political issues which transcend national boundaries and affect all the peoples of Europe.

Problems such as acid rain and. nuclear waste Sischarges, the arms race ‘and the poiitical division of Europe, and the immense power of multinational corPorations all affect our ommon futures.

Increasingly, they sre beyond the capability of in dividual governments to resolve.

Tei therefore more impor tant than ever that we work ‘with other socialist pares and Uade unions. throughout Europe to build 9 European ‘wide radical eft and aim tor the ulimete goal of @ united democratic, and socialist Europe which can tackle these problems on a. continental

Euro-elections A vision of a united, democratic and green socialist movement

wide scale

‘The old arguments about withdrawal from the Common Market are increasingly irele vant and, more dangerously, & ‘version from the teal task of the Left — to work for interna tional socialist co-operation ‘and fight for the most radical Socialist advances possible in Bt available poltical forums — including the EEC.

“5 true, of course, that the Common Market is 2 capitalist lub, but s0 too is the British Parioment

“The fact that the House of ‘Commons was not established yor for the working class has not stopped generations of Socialists from seeking to Feform and refashion it 38 an Instrument of socialist change.

Ukewise, the Common Market's favourticm towards the interests of rich farmers and industralists should not eter us from campaigning to twansform itinto an institution Waich is genuinely democratic ‘and. representative of | the working class people of Europe

To this end, in the 1989 European elections "Labour should campaign, in co Operation with our European Socialist alles, for a ractcaly fetormed and’ expanded EEC and. 2 European Parliament ‘with real powers to represent the interests of working people and, eventually, all the nafions of Europe:

Labour's vision of 2 radical socialist Europe must be bas ed on. the. following key

‘@ Common and co-ordinated ‘econamic strategies to create ew employment, expand the welfare state, and win ‘sconomic independence from the United States and the

‘@ Environmental conserva tion and. pollution control 20 devastation Ww herbicides and water supply and the desir tropical rain-forests.

‘@Peace, disarmament and the breaking down of barriers between Western and Eastern Europe by moving towards 2 more independent and nom Signed foreign policy, 2nd by campaigning tor strategy which on-nuclear, but provocative, non-imperialie End strctly salf-defensive and

‘@The safeguarding and ‘enhancement af civ Ibertes and human rights — especially (with regard fo. women, black Deople, migrant workers, les Bians and gay men, the elderly ‘and disabled, and minority Rationatties

‘® More aid to the poorer non industria! nations with em phasis on aid which empowers

Rushing to do the Tories’ dirty work again

Last December, the Tories announced the creation of three more Urban Development Corporations (UDCs) and the extension of an existing one.

‘The new UDCs will be established in Bristol, Leeds, and Central Manchester.

The Black Country Development Corporation is fo be extended into Wolverhampton.

By Joun Turkie Hackney North & Sto Newington CLP

Under the 1980 Local Government Planning and Land Act, UDCs take all planning and development "control powers away from Local ‘Ruthorties within the designated area. In addition, they are given Compulsory Pur: chase and" Vesting” powers far freater than those ‘of Local ‘Authorities to “acquire, hold, ‘manage, reclaim and dispose of fand, and to carry our building and other operations.

"There are already seven major pes!

‘@the London Docklands

Development Corporation (LDDC) and the Merseyside DC (MDC) — which have

spearheaded the Tories’ attack fm the inner cities — were both Sec up in 1981;

‘ein early 1987, Development Corporations were set up in the Black Country, Manchester's

Trafford Park, Cardiff Bay, Teeside, and Tyne and Wear.

These seven receive yearly grants from the Department of Environment (DoE) ranging from £35 10 £65 million.

Labour-coatrolled Local Authorities are in disarray about how to respond to UDC. ‘They are in politcal and finan. ial straitjackets, parlly of their own making, and are on the Sefensive about inner’ city blight. "Right wing” labour Councils are falling over themselves to invite the DoE 19 setup UDCs or UDC equivalents im their own areas Those on the “left” are all rushing into “partnerships” ‘with private developers mat empt to avoid having 2 UDC imposed on them

‘The principle — and central — issue ofthe loss and removal (of democratic control over plan fing and development has gone by the board. Indeed, John Cunningham, speaking for the Front Bench about UDC in Ju Iy 1987, said “we are not against the principle of Development Corporations". regarding them 4s no different Teom the New Towns set up in the 1980s and 60s.

Machinery

But for the Tories; UDCs are not just a new piece of machinery, "anew ‘typeof development agency. They are Specifically aimed at using Dubie subsidies to bring privace evelopers into the inner cities, Promoting private enterprise and “market values”, and ‘transforming. the “demography

OP he designated areas to oust Labour permanently from control

Each of the new — and far smaller — designations will be able to spend around £15, millioa over the aext four years. They will also be in coatrol of “government expenditure in their areas on urban regenera tion grant, urban development grant and derelict land. grant paid to the private sector. 10 Some areas. this could be ‘onsiderable.””

The relatively small sums of money, going into the new ‘min UDCs* shows that tbe Tories’ real objectives are over whelmingly | weological and political, rather than financial Indeed, aff Labour Councils arc quite happily co-operating with Drivate developers, and no argu: ‘ment exists between Tories and Labour over the principle of public money being used as a Epumpprimer"” for private

Left-wing

Take left-wing Manchester Council for example. A. few months ago, several large building contractors and. property developers put together a £100 “milion redevelopment package for a large chunk of the Sty centre, and gained Council Support. Surely, Ridley would fnow lay off Council leader Str Inger and Manchester?

‘But Ridley was having none of it Instead, he has imposed 2 Whicehall-dieected min-UDC to oversce the very same arcs Much preparatory work has already ‘been done, aad much

people in those countries and which breaks the cycle of Sependence by fostering self help, autonomous develop: reliance.

Son movements which are

fighting fasciem, dictatorship, and imperialist intervention Whilst all these issues (andi Commitment to a specifically ‘green. socialist Europe ought fo be the centrepiece of Labour's 1389 European elec:

tion camoegn. Green iasu affect everyone, regardless of class ragion. We areal! harmed

by the dumping of toxic snd radio-active wastes, the rapid Sepietion of the earth's fmite resources, the use of Sangerous additives in food ‘and the pollution to the upper atmosphere which is causing ineversible climatic changes < "the so-called “greenhouse effect” — which could even lly raise average global temperatures and thereby turn rable land into barren desert fang which ‘could also even: tually ‘melt the polar ice-caps and ‘thereby raise sea levels and flood’ many, low-lying cuntres! this ecocidal trend con: ‘inues unchecked, our whole planet will be threatened wth ‘an ecological catastrophe which could be just as exter minsstic in ite consequences 25 nuclear war.

money spent. mostly public Grom the Counci), but also Some private investment, and al ow wasted — so. keen was Ridley to hammer the Local Authority

What can people living in and ‘around the new UDCs expect? For six years, the government, via the MDC and the LDDC have massively subsidised private developers to build office developments, expensive private housing, and retail and Ieisure developments

Blatant

‘The most blatant example is the 12. aalllion sa. ft office development at Canary Wharf fo the Isle of Dogs (where there isan “Enterprise Zone™ within the LDDC area). The developers behind the £4 billion Deoject are the largest property Company in the world, with ascis of over. $20. billion. Nevertheless, within ten. years they will have received a public Subsidy in the region of £1 billion:

"There is Hitle doubt that Lon doo’s Docklands is 4 one-off The pressure for up-market development is ot to be found to the same extent in other ur ban areas. Thus, the “success” of the LDDC cannot be ‘epeated outside the prosperous ‘areas of the South East, and therefore has little applicability to the new UDC s in the North East, the North Wes and elsewhere

But even within London's Docklands, “the jewel in That her's crown"” — eight square miles into which the Tories have

Peter Tatchell, campaigning during the Bermondsey by-election.

February 1983

To avoid this fate requires international co-operation nt planning the economic management and conserva Son of the earth's scarce resources, the legal protection Of the environment, the more stficient use of raw materials and a fairer distibution of wealth — ‘both between ne: Hons and between classes within nations.

i means that our societies will have to be twanstormed to place the principles of plann ing before market forces, can. servation before plunder, coOperation before competition,

Corporations” pumped around £700 million in ome form or another since 1981 — there has been a net fase of well over 56,000 jabs since thal time, The “manufacturing industries in particular have suf ‘ered, man being forced out by tisiag "land values, whilst thousands of office-based City jobs have been drawa into Docklands by subsidies.

‘Labour. has responded 10 UDCs and the threat of UDC: by looking to the private sector for salvation from the Tories’ ‘worst excesses, In the vain hope of limiting the Tories’ ‘final Solution” for our inner cities — theit wholesale privatisation land heap sale to the property market — Labour Councils are

human needs before profits ‘and the common good before privilege.

Ie is essential that we put green socialist policias at the {Forefront of Labour's European election campaign. By so do: ing, we can reinvigorate. the Lote with innovative and in spiring ideas, renew the ap. peal and relevance of Socialism, and. expand Labour's base of electoral support amongst the many people ‘who are concerned about en: Vironmental issues. but who have never previously, identified themeelves a8 socialists.

Jack Cunningham: “aot against the principle of Development

now jumping into bed with the private sector

But the Tories’ plans are about much more than’ just pushing Labour Councils imo the arms of property developers. They are also about Sipping them of their powers, and humaine and. com promising them politically Tabour Councils are atiempting to "protect" communities from the "worst ravages of That cherism by doing the Tories’ dirty work for them.

‘The Tories know that, sooner or laler, the power they. now hold by proxy willbe theirs by office. If you play the game by the Tories! rules, you get beat

PHOTO: Labour Paty Ph

Labour Briefing No. $4 January 13th-26th 1988 page 7

Labour Party

Clause 27 must be stopped! Legislating enforced ignorance

1H. was New Year's Eve has mouned one ofthe most This wat for one reason and all good North Lon. spain attacks on cil rights. alone. “The “subject wae don Labour Briefingites tnd'ihat saying something” simulates primiine knee jerk were strutting their stuff What has come to be knowa as factions amongst Labour's

‘Clause 27 of the Local Govern- leadership. ‘The buzz word in ‘ment Bll represents a horrific the Clause is “promotion” ‘assault on that basic human Local Authorities may ‘noi Fight — the right 10 know. ‘promote’" homosexuality ‘Ostensibly Clause 27 is aimed "Of course,” said the Front Local, Authorities who bench Tweediedum and. Dee, allegedly “‘promote”” homosex- Jeff Rooker and Jack Cun tality. Its wording, even at the ingham, “we are all opposed {0 ‘most explicit level, represents the promotion of homosexual the worst attack on lesbian and ty.”" (here Dum and Dee fell ‘ay rights Since (male) homosex- over each other in their mad tality was first criminalised over scramble t0 win Fleet Street ‘hundred years ago. accolades.) “And anyway,” they added,

at Mandy's party.

Red Stripe beer, white wine, black lace party frocks for braces were de rigeur.

Sometime after the wit- a ching hour I happened to find’ myself contemplating the gathering.

By Sarah Roeloffs

“Have you noticed,” 1

said to Mandy, ‘how les- Deeper ‘we never promoted homosex- . is. It was only those lunatics bian and gay ‘couples are But its implications run in Haringey and ILEA. It was

dominating your dance floor? And no one’s batting an eyelid at their smooching and canoodling. There’s not many straight parties where wwe could carry on with such the | legal

Bay (sc) abandon ie ae “Well,” said Mandy, is hak Dd

wider labour movement, must “that’s what Positive come to grips with this threat. Images did. If nothing else it Long before the founding of the educated the left.” Labour Party, working class Achieve

deeper, In seeking to outlaw inTormation and education oa “homosexuality”, what the Conservative “government | is proposing is nothing less than

‘curtailment of

Cavorting

(On December 9th The Guar: dian published an editorial that ‘exposed this cavorting for the base opportunism it was. While acknowledging the existence of ‘widespread feat and loathing towards lesbians and gay men (Nobody shoul ‘underestimate the scale and Wiclousness of the hostility"), The Guardian asked “Will Labour be populist or principl eft and ‘stated firmly. that Fthere ace fondameatal ives of principle involved and it is Important that anyone who believes in civic tolerance stands 1p 10 be counted.”

ople were fighting for the Fight to full education, which the co-operative movement called the “light of knowledge”.

‘The 1918 Labour Party Founding Conference called for (cducation for social equality ‘and a 1941 Party report (which laid the policy basis for the "45. Labour government) saw educstion asa prerequisite for a democratic society.

‘Clause 27 appears to have inspired a revolution in Labour thinking. To their undying and utter shame Labour's front bench spokespersons supported (Clause 37 when it was discussed in Committee on December 8th

Haringey's Positive Images Campaign did achieve ‘more than the education of a section ‘of Labour’s left. Tt tadically challenged what "Ralph. Mili band hes called “the legitimation of the social oder through the school system""* — in this case” the heterosexual social order.

Such insubordination on the part of even a fraction of the ‘Thatcher Empire could not 80 unpunished,

‘One of the more neo-Fascist ‘Tory backbenchers, Jill Knight,

“sickened unto death” theirs, but that of our civil fights} with the fatal virus of Salectoralism"

(Clause 27 could be in force as

Where now

for Labour’s youth?

At the recent NEC meeting where Kinnock reprimand: ed Ken Livingstone for taking a principled position on Ireland, another attack on the left of the Party was made which has received 09 little attention.

The decision was taken not to hold a Labour Party Young Socialists. Conference in the next year.

This move goes beyond the Sawyer proposals passed at the last Party Conference and represents another drastic en ‘eroachment on the autonomy ‘of LPYS branches which have had AGMSs forced on’ them under the new rules in the presence. of Party. officials ‘whose job Is to make sure no fone steps out of line

The bureaucracy has. also

politcal Gebate.

These systematic attacks fon the autonomy of the labour movement's youth have to Some extent achieved. their aims. A whole layer of ex erienced youth have been cut Off from the YS as 8 result of the reduction of the age lit. Aviot of YS branches have simply collapsed, which can ot. benefit anyone but Kir ack and his frends.

discussion and

from youth _radicalisations such ag the Ant:Nazi League im the 70s and Youth CND in the early 80s.

Despite these mistakes socialists should have defend. ed the autonomy of the YS. Unfortunately the ¥S majority wore more terested in pase ing resolutions on the pro gressive nature of the Sawyer Proposals than organising. @ United fight against them.

‘Those surviving LPYS brancches and activists should learn from past mistakes and stop

By Graham Smallwood York LPYS

‘One of the saddest things ‘about these attacks on the ¥S. ‘was the lack of any organised fightback against them trom either the LPYS leadership oF the lett as @ whole.

‘One of the reasons that the

abolished the Annoal Regional Labour”. leadership was the rot_now. When the Conferences, and. replaced prepared to tolerate ‘the threatened fusion with NOLS. them with one day “copsuite- Marxist” leadership for so takes piace, YS activisis

should take the opportunity £0 make real links with those stu Gent Usbour Club activ

long was the it did not pose the threat of an organised and lively opposition #0. its. right

tion” conferences. ft 1s not ‘lear what form these will take or how delegates will be

‘lected, One thing is certain: wing politics, posed to the they will be markedly different Historically, the LPYS politics of the NOLS lead: from the olf VS ogonal Gon, lesdership maintained 2 ‘Ship. and to take

Separation of the YS from both the general Labour left and in to the

of students apanst cuts. et focal labour

ferences where actwists cous get together far a woekend of

What activity will the YS tun 10?

soon as June 1988. Its effect on lesbian and gay rights will be evastating:

lesbian and gay equality units in Local Authorities will have 10 close

"@All equality work in hows. ing, education, social services, ., is likely 10 be illegal.

‘@Lesbian and gay equality clauses in equal "opportunity Satements, jobs ads, ele. ‘would. be’ prevented. as wil Counselling ‘and’ advice, legal help, ete

"@No Local Authority grants for lesbian and gay groups

‘@ Likely censorship of books, films, plays and other performances.

‘@ Local Authority licensing of social venues for lesbians and ay men would be prevented.

‘@ Lesbian and gay meetings, festivals, etc-. would be unable to. book Local Authority

But the worst effect by far will be the release of a new wave ‘of homophobic hysteria as ig orant Digotry is legitimised. ‘Was it just coincidence that the offices of Capital Gay (a major London gay newspaper) were

‘our days after the ‘Clauses publication?

“Lesbian and gay individuals and organisations, supported by vil liberties groups and a host of left Labour MPs, responded immediately to Knight's attack. The Committee meeting of December 8th was packed, and Bernie Grant, MP. for Tot

LPYS activists should grasp the opportunities that are open to them and get involved in the ‘Anti-Aparthed Movement and its youth conference, due to bbe held eaily this year. YS ac Livists could play 3 leading role fon the establishment of focal ‘AA youth groups.

‘They should siso break from tradition and take women's issues seriously. This means ‘getting involved in the local FAB groups that have been set up all over the country. If the YS leadership, or whatever replaces it, again fails to take Up these issues, YS branches ‘should do so i spite of that ieadershio.

The only way that the YS is ever going to be taken serious Iyis # tis seen to be a genuine campaiging force relevant to the struggles of working clase

‘oppressed youth.

a anae and ee

Sovemments to adopt these enlightened progres:

t these enlightened progres

i eee ‘Gay Pride demo 1987: within the broad opposition to Clause 27, sesbians and gay men will play the key role in fighting the amendment

Joan ‘submit an amendment to delete

tenham, one of the Haringey Ruddock attempted to

Seainst the amendment. "the Clause entirely (unfor Emergency “mectings were: nately her intervention came called all over the country and ai 100 Ite), tmass lobby of parliament was, AN ad_ hoc opposition cam. crganised for the following. paign — STOP CLAUSE 21 — Monday, December 4th. has now been established and is Oremisers, who hoped for 200, discussing how 10 fight the were, delighted that over 706 Clause in the Lords, where the People made theic way 10 the. Bill resurfaces in mid-January, Fiouse of Commons. At one and ‘throughout_the country point the Central Lobby was Campaigning activities are be Packed with lesbians and gay ing planned up to the Spring Inen lobbying their MPs when the Bill is expected 10 “The following evening, when receive the Rosal Asset the Clavee was put 10 the full Legal opinion i being sought House, the Commons Visitors and test” cases planned (0 Gallery was full of protestors. establish a definition of the ine Inthe intervening days the scale famous word .“‘promotion” fof the attack had begun to dawn — However, lesbian mothers Sn. some. MPs and’ various already have plenty of hard examendments were put {fom perience of court definitions of both the Liberal and Labour themselves in. numerous lost

side custody cases “Out” Chris Smith, the only “out”?

While campaigning for the ‘broadest possible opposition 10 ‘Clause 27, lesbians and gay men will be relying on their own Strength and determination 10 Sefeat this horrendous attempt fenforee ignorance of ‘ourselves and our lives,

gay MP, and also a member of Tabour’s “front” bench, had Publicly. criticised his” from 10 Bench colleagues, but the later ‘wanted only t0 have their cake and cat it too. Their amend: ‘Ralph Miliband, The State in ‘ments were designed to allow Capitalist Sociewy, Quartet, Labour to support the ban on 1973.

“promotion”, but to exclude

from it anti-discrimination work.

“The Labour Campaign for Lesbian and Gay Rights. tad called for unequivocal opposition to the Clause, but only

STOP CLAUSE 27 has not yet established an office, but this s expected in the next few days. Contact LCLGR for latest cam paign news: 01-281 4834 or 0865 246900,

Orange celebrations

1988 is the tercentenary of William of Orange's landing in Brix hham in Devon. The Labour-led Exeter City Council have linked with the “Wiliam and Mary Tercentenary Trust" and have Sllocated £60,000 towards civie celebrations in his Honour.

William of Orange, following his victory over the Catholic lkish in the Battle of the Boyne In 1631, became the historical figurehead for Protestant political and economic domination in lrsland. His name was taken by the masonio Orange Order in 1795 to justify their cempaign to maintain Protestant hegemony. Today, Willam of Orange remains the dominant symbol of Protestant hegemony, with his victory of 1691 stil being celebrated.

initaly, the Labour Group on Exeter City Couftil was too politically ignorant to realige what they were doing But follow lng a broad based campaign against tho celebravons, which forced even Exeter's Conservative MP to express reservations, the Labour Group became wellintormed on the matter nonetheless, they decided to press ahead

'@ The National Front have congratulated the !-abour Council Leader, Chester Long, for promoting the celebrations. They say that they intend to “bring their supporters from ali over the ‘country to Devon”. Threatening mail has been sent 10 the press officer of Exeter AntiFascist Action, which is leading the fight against the celebrations.

‘@ The Orange Order has booked part of the University of Ex eter for a major conference in September 1988,

‘@ Ami-Fascist Action have made opposition to the Wiliam of ‘Orange tercentenary celebration one of its three major campaigns in 1988.

‘@ Many branches and Constituency Labour Parties, including the Regional Party in Bristol, have condemned the Exater City ‘Council Labour Group for promoting the celebrations. The Ex eter Constituency initially opposed the celebrations, but later ‘reversed its position under pressure from the Labour Group,

‘The Exeter Labour Group claims that the Irish connection of Wiliam of Orange can be fargotten, although this is hardly logical given that the National Front and the Orange Order in tend to come to Exter precisely because of the Wish ‘connection.

“The campsign against the Wiliam of Orange celebration in Exetar must be stepped up. The celebrations are an insult to the people of Ireland. The campaign in Exeter is being lod by Ex ter AntiFascist Action, 1 Parliament St, Exeter, Resolutions {and letters opposing the celebrations should be sent to Exeter Labour Party, 26 Clifton Hill, Exeter

Peter Bawiog. Exist CLP

Sa eal page

1s

is fia

bs

1 Reena A WEFT sane armsters Sonreen

eee Jenene

/F.A.B.

) London we1

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) Labour Briefing, | PO Box 457, | London SW2 5UZ

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Subscriptions £12 (annual) From:

Labour Briefing No. 54 January 13th-26th 1988 page 10

Features

Famine and Revolution in Ethiopia

For twelve years, a little known revolution has been taking place in

in ‘northern

Now, as ravages the region, the media feed the British public nothing but images of starving Tigrayans: “victims” of drought and civil war.

Though the immediate cause of famine is the failure of the rains, the cyclical burden of food shortage has been transformed over the years into. an endemic feature of Ethiopia's political-economy.

‘The root cause of famine is not drought, but impoverishment. An economy of “rural vulnerability", forever dependent on the vagaries of nature, has been created by a social system.

Ethiopia's basic problem is the legacy of centuries of ar- <haic feudal exploitation, which

combined with the disk tion “caused "by capitalist penetration — caused extensive eforestation, soll erosion, and land degradation

‘Famine became a way of life for Ethiopia's rural population under the autocratie rule of Haile Selassie Indeed, it was a famine in Wollo and Tigray in 1974 that led to his downfall However, the situation has deterioraied even further under the self-proclaimed. Marxist fegime of Mengistu Haile Mariam

‘Alter seizing power in 1974, mounting popular pressure Forced the new military resime,

known as the Dergue, 10 proclaim radical land reform. The main aim of this concession was to neutralise the Deasantry ai allow the military to consolidate its hold on power

“The Dergue’s main opponents were the student-led civilian [eft In addition to land reform, By RJ. BAKER

they demanded a democratically lected government and self Setermination for the different ‘ationaities within the Ethiopian Empire-State

“The Dereue 3a: not prepared to concede such demands. From 1975 it adopted a twin sirategy of appropnating the Marxist ideology of its opponents, while ‘at the same time physically Ir ‘uidating them.

Although it proclaimed a “National Democratic Revolu: tion” in 1976, the Dergue had ‘Ro intention ‘of setting up a Sivilian administration, nor of granting ational slf- ‘Setermination

tr 1975, the Tigray People's Liberation Front began operations to implement its own Na-

jonal Democratic. Revolution. Wearried out intensive political education among. the. Tigryan people, while conducting guerFilla” warfare against several rival “organisations andthe Dergue’s military might

By 1979, it controlled 85% of Tigray, comprising 90% of the population. Only the major owns along the main highway femain outside ts control,

‘The TPLF have carried out radical land reform, which differed. from the Dergue’s not least in that ic was democratical1y implemented with the par

ticipation of the peasantry, rather than decreed from above

The Dergue’s land reform left pety-landlords and rich Peasants in economic and Political power. In contrast, the FTPLF have iniroduced insite tions of -seif-administration, Known as Baito's or People’s (Councils,

However, on its own, land reform could not solve the people’s baste problems. What was heeded was long-term develop ‘meat, above all soil and water conservation. The TPLF began,

For further information Tigray Solidarity Campaign PO Box 525 London SW9 ‘or phone:

01-733 5726 961-652 3012 072 25845

For financial donations 10 ‘Food Relief contact: Relic Society of Tigray 27 Beresford Road London NS SHS phone:

01-359 968s,

mass terracing and reafforestatio projec, which have been highly successful, with peasants reporting fourfold increases ia harvests, even at the height of the 1984 famine.

Standardisation

‘The TPLE has now moved on 10 an even more ambitious pro- ‘gramme, Known as “Standarsation’. “Incorporating the sol) and” water conservation

Political Education of the masses strengthens the revolution

achievements, this programme i more wideranging and targets individeal peasant Farmers.

It docs not require new technological inputs, but at tempts 10 combine traditional peasant expertise with modern agronomical knowledge. By Standardising agricultural prac- ‘docs, it alms to raise poorer Farmers 10 the level of the best farmers in Tigray

Facade

The Dergue, on the other hand, offers only a facade of

The majority of agricultural investment goes into expensive aad inefficient ‘State Farms, which receive 76% of all ‘eailable chemical "fertiliser, 95% of improved seeds, and nearly all” modern farm

They produce mainly cash crops, like cotton and coffee, Tor export, 10 help pay. Black Afvica’s largest army” (which ‘consumes 468 of the national badeed.

{In 1979, the Dergue called for the" total sollecivisation of agriculture. This has prompted Mikhail Gorbachev 10.” tell Mengistu 10 “proceed. from Tealities and aot outrun stages Of development”

In effect, the Dergue is trying to jump from a period of War Communism straight into a

Siatin-style forced collectivisation. Pricing policies have alienated the peasantry, forcing the Dergue to resort 10 increas ingly coercive methods to com. pel peasants to sell to the overnment

For the Dergue, collective far reater politcal and economic contgol ‘over agricultural proSuction, particularly ‘any Surplus. Nov wonder peasants hhave bcen unwilling to Join co! lective farms

“The famine of 1984 gave the military ¢ fortuitous opportuni to pursue its strategy. AS Dawit Wold Giyorgis, ex-head of the Dergue's “Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, explained:

‘Mengistu .. let nature take its toll and deprive these areas of food and other assistance, starving the guerrillas out, Punishing the people, ‘and epopulating the area.”

‘The current famine situation is no different. One aid official in Washingion is reported as saying:

"7'l tell you what the govern ‘ments “three “priorities. are: ‘Feghting the rebels, fighting the ‘rebels, and fighting the rebels.""

Control

Resettlement provides the perfect opportunity 10 Sepopulate rebel areas, and, ‘with. “Villagisation”, secure politcal and economic control ver a recalcitrant peasantry. In

this context, western aid is not ‘only propping up an unpopular, repressive and” Soviet-backed regime, but also helping pay for its programme of forced collectivisation..

‘The Relief Society of Tigray, the Mumianitarian arm of the TPLE, ist the moment attempting 16 step up is cross-border food operations from the Sudan, and trying o secure cash Tor a” programme of internal Purchasing. But they estimate this can only provide 100,000 tonnes of the 400,000 tonnes of food aid required.

‘Without a. “Safe Passage” agreement with the government, people wil simply die, or be for fibly conscripied into the Dergue’s army, of “resettled”. The Echiopian government refuses. 10. neyotiate with s0called terrorists, a view shared bby Western governments,

These _ governments, along with the international aid agen: fies, are paralysed by. an idectogy of ational sovereignty", which compels them to work only through of ficial government channels,

Unless people in donor countries, like Britain, put pressure ‘on governments and agencies 10 spend money on saving people's lives whatever’ their. poltics, Western aid will "merely perpetuate the policies “which have caused the famine, and contribute to the destruction of 2 popular revolution which the Ethiopian government, on its own, has so far been unable 10 crush

The women’s health department

Last month rang Mike Marqusee to invite him round for a seasonal mince pie and a cup of coffee.

‘After all, it was nearly Christmas, and we only live round the corner from ‘each otter, in the Socialist Republic of Horsey ‘Vale.

“Sony Tess: I'm very busy finishing this book,” he said:

but about five minutes later his greed had got the bettor cf him, and he appeared on ‘my doorstep in his new trousers

“How would you like to write @ women’s health Section for Briefing?” he

s2id | wouldn't mind at al

Mike poured a generous libation of cream on the

ZAR LS a eT

Do any of you out there read the Nursing Times? Or Woman's Own?

No, I'm not really

Well, neither do 1; but my colleagues read the Nursing Times — and my mother reads Woman's ‘Own:

Within the pages of the Nur- ‘ging Times's 3 tle bit of good Feading called "Sister Plume"

Sister Plume, fictitious though she maybe, exists everywhere in our hospitals She mourns the days, long ‘gone by, when student nurses merely ‘cleaned. bedpans and Kicked “bedwheels straight. Sho cannot allow-any of her

patients to use bedpans whilst ‘doctors are on her ward

“The “‘Nursing Process” is a closed book to Sister Plume. Her weekly column, coming as it does between items such ae "The Nursing Care of @ Patient with ‘isseminated Intravascular Coagulation ‘and the Letters: Page (which Contains pleas. from various Nurse Managers for Nurses {a) exercise more economy t0 save the NHS money, and (DI Stop nicking things ‘off the wards} brings ight relief and 3 Sense of not having wasted the money in buying the good cold Nursing Times. (I stil ‘mourn the Nursing Mirror — it had a great crossword}

‘Anyway, to get 0 the point: every publication has to have

its moments of light relief or its readers become bored. That's why | mentioned Women's Own 100. Sand: wiched between the make-up age, the fashion page, the fetters page, and the problem

By TESS KEWLEY

age, is a little effort in the

‘and adm that I don’t find Pol IY. Graham humorous But ‘maybe Women’s Own readers 0; and | doubt if Fil ever find out, because 1 refuse

Believe that any Briefing

women read Woman's Own, Or if you do, you won't admit it sister!

Column

Do women want a women's health column in Briefing? And iW they do, do they mind if

‘Thave the qualifications — 1 am 3 tained nurse (not 2 bit like Sister Plume), 3 qualified midwife, 2 mother of two children fone of each — whom Mike Marqusee accuses of be: ing anarcho-syndicalists)

Tam also a tained. Breastfeeding Counsellor, 3 telephone. befriender for ‘the Miscarriage Association, and | work three days a week as a Radical Midwife. 1 enjoy ‘writing and | am interested women’s health,

Subjects

at's face it. the list of sub: joct matter is as endless as the Tory government: pregnancy. birth, ‘breastfeeding, abortion, miscariage, disabled women, black women and the health sevice, lesbians and the health service, women workers and the health ser vice, inferiity, contraception, mental health, smoking, alcohol, fat women, anoreae women, bringing up ehidren,

battered women, women ad dicted to drugs, breast ex ‘amination, finding your cervix premenstrual syndrome, the Menopause, violent mothers, Child abuse, incest. rape, how fo get your children to sleep through the night... and that’s just for starters

{could add all kinds of other things, ut” Sister Plume favours brevity. So does Mike, who told me to stick to 200 wards!)

am not envisaging all you women’ out there writing’ to me with your problems, ‘although you can if you like. Pethaps you could write to Briefing to let them know what you'd like me to cover

Refreshing

¥'m looking forward to. the “refreshing, sometimes humerous iook at" women's health by Tess Kewley", and if T stick 9 bit of Sister Plume and. Polly “Graham in, you ‘might just laugh as well That's what | meant about papers having funny bits. | twas at a GC the other evening, and. someone wes selling Brieting. The woman next te me yawned and said languidiy. “Oh it's getting so. dull sometimes now." And Craig Brewin, sitting behind me, on ly bought 2 copy in order to rad hs own article. about

football ‘So. maybe an injection of women's health and a bit of humour will boost the reader ship. You know what it's Ike: You pick up Spare Rib and flick Through, and you think to yourself, "Christ, not another Brticle | about ‘anti-Zionist women, and you make the whole copy into a huge paper plane and send it out of the ‘window. Well | do, anyway. Personally, I'd rather read a ‘Mike Marqusee novel than cer tain sections of Spare Alb, but that's just one of my foibles. Another is BINGO, which i think Ill tell you about next Til then, Sister Plume sends her regards (she trained me many. years agol and. Polly Graham wil probably sue me. And | expect the Briefing of fice will be inundated with Ietters from anti-Zionist women.

Bingo

But when the _women’s ‘health page is tured into my first, fulrlength publication you'll be able to Say, "I've played Bingo with’ Tess Kewley, and although she didn't "mention much about ‘women’s health in her frst a. ticle on the subject ! know she knows something about it. She told me whilst she was Eollecting her winnings:

Labour Briefing No. $4 January 130h-26¢h 1988 page 11

Features

Candlelit procession called for January 24th:

AIDS: a matter of

The World Health Ministers’ Summit on AIDS is taking place in London from 26-28th January 1988. It is the first intergovernmental conference on AIDS.

It is also the most important meeting ever to take place on the subject of the AIDS pandemic because it will discuss a global strategy to combat AIDS which will influence the policies of governments all over the world.

PHOTO: John Cole

if the _ present repressive polices of sss ae a, Roe ee segee

other Biack peoples, gay of people wit in Ministers’ Summit on pi ee ols ie oe and bisexual men, users of hospital against their will. AIDS.

anything to go by. some Health Ministers _ will argue for international sore be ot hick nek of nV agreement on measures infection

which would threaten This would _ include the human rights and groups such as African and

It is a broad-based coalition embracing people with AIDS/HIV, AIDS doctors, Members’ of Parliament, @Fostered prejudice by AIDS self-help and support refusing to pass anti- organisations, civil liberties

injectible drugs, and people with haemophilia Already many countries, including Britain, have: ‘© Passed laws to enable the compulsory detention

®Issued decrees to pro: hibit the entry of foreign visitors with HIV — even if they are fit and healthy.

‘Dynamic"” government publicity

Declaration of principles to be submitted to the World Health Ministers’ Summit on AIDS, London 26-28th January 1988

by the

UNITED KINGDOM AIDS VIGIL ORGANISATION

41. We call on governments to reject the various attempts to biame or scapegost Africans and other Black peoples, gay and bisexual men, users of injectable drugs, or people with haemophilia for the AIDS pandemic; and we urge governments to. unite all their communities: to’ wholeheartedly fight the disease, not each other

2, We call on governments to exercise compassion and conStructive action — rather than condemnation and repression

to combat AIDS.

3. We call on governments to defend the civil and hurnan rights ‘of people with AIDS/HIV; and also the rights of those variously perceived ta be at high risk from MIV infection such as Africans and other Black peoples, gay and bisexual men, users of injec

table drugs, or people with haemophilia,

4. We call on governments to repudiate powers to detain peo.

ple with AIDS/MIV in hospital, isolation unite or quarantine against theie wil

5. We call on governments to rsject proposals for mass or com:

pulsory AIDS/HIV testing of their populations and to also op.

pose the routine or random non-consenting HIV testing of hospital patients.

6. We call on governments to uphold the principle of un:

diminished confidentaity Between people with AIDSIIV and their doctors.

7. We call on governments to dectare thelr commitment to the right of healthy people with AIDS/HIV to travel unhindered bet.

ween countries: and for governments which have already im

osed 3 ban on the antry of foreigners with AIDS/HIV te repeat those travel restrictions,

8, We call on governments to enact anti discrimination legisla

tion to protect people with AIDS/HIV — and also to protect people perceived to be at high risk from HIV inf tian from discrimination in employment, housing, education, health care.

Insurance, and the provision of other public and: private 9. We call on governments to give all people with AIDS/HIV ‘equal resources, protection, rights, and benefits: and to reject as. divisive and discriminatory any attempts to create Categories of “innocent” (and by implication “‘non-innocent”"! people with AIDS/HIV.

10. We call on governments in the rich industrialised nations — both West and East — to fund a massive aid effort through the

co-ordination of the World Health Organisation to support the fight against AIDS in the poorer countries — wath phority being ‘given fo the financing of AIDS nsk-reductiot education and Sdvertising, the provision of disposable needles and other ‘medical instruments, heat-treated blood and blood products, Sterlisation unite, HIV antibody/antigen test kits, condoms, nd medical traning teams Tr. We call on governments to fund all-year-round: AIDS education and advertising — including educaton and advertis, ing in etheie minority languages. braille for the visually hanicapped, and sign language and subtitles for the hard of hear ling ~ using radio, television, newspapers, street billboards and the leafleting of all households. 12. We call on governments to promote AIDS prevention edication and advertising which affirms the dignity and humanity of people with AIDSIHIV: as opposed t0 depicting these people in a way which stigmatises and vilifies them, or which portrays them as passive and helpless “victims” or “sufferers” 113. We call on governments to produce AIDS education and advertising which is non-sensationalist, free from moratising, Sexually explicit, in everyday language rather than medical Jargon, and designed to prevent public panic and prejudice by stressing that AIDS/HIV cannot be casually transmitted and. ‘that diserimination against people with AIDS/HIV is wrong and. contrary to government policy. 114, We call on governments to logisiate to make AIDS preven: tion and "Safer Sex" education mandatory in all secondary ‘schoo! establishments. 18. We call on governments to provide comprehensive AIDS edication and training to all health care personnel. 16. We call on governments — especially those in the rich countries to increase funding for AIDS research and, through the auspices of the World Health Organisation, for al {governments and pharmaceutical companies t0.c0-operate and share their research facilities and findings. 117. We call on governments and pharmaceutical companies to put equal effort and resources in finding a cure for AIDS/HIV, 28 into research to discover a vaccine. 18. We call on governments and international agencies to take both individual and collaborative actions to curb the excessive profits being made by some pharmaceutical companies which frarket drugs against AIDS and HIV-related illnesses, 19, We call on governments to provide, free of charge, the most affactive drugs and “alternative therapies” against AIDS Or HIV rated dinesses to all those with AIDS/HIV who request them: and for the special medical, housing, benefit ond suport needs of people with AIDS/HIV to be catered for by the Felevant government agencies. 20. We call on governments to set up contingency funds to tenable them to make special direct grants — over and above their normal health budgets — to those hospitals and health Centres which are bearing the brunt of the AIDS pandemic so they can cope adequately with the strain that AIDS/HIV testing, counseling and treatment is placing on their often akready over stretched resources. 21. We call on governments to recognise the right of their citizens to organise support groupeand sell-help networks for people with AIDS/HIV; and for individuals and organisations to be free to produce and distribute AIDS information and “Sater Sex" advice without fear of prosecution oF persecution. 22. We call on governments to provide state finance to voluntery and self-help organisations which offer AIDS information ‘and support to the general public, to people perceived ta be at igh risk from HIV infection, and to people with AIDS/HIV. 23. We call on governments to adopt a “flexible response”” treatment policy towards users of injectable drugs snd to provide them with new syringes and needles, without charge, in exchange for the old ones. 24, The UK AIDS Vigil Organisation submits these proposals to the World Summit of Health Ministers on AIDS and urges all governments to adopt these enlightened progressive polices in Drder to defeat the AIDS pandemic and to quell the panic and Drejudice which Nes followed in its wake Contact: 45 Arrol House, Rockingham St, London SE1

discrimination laws to pro. and human rights bodies, tect people with AIDS/HIV agencies campaigning in from victimisation. solidarity with the poorer

Stood by while people countries, _ health-care with AIDS/HIV have been _ trade unions, Christian and vilified by the media and humanist groups, and the

lesbian and’ gay movement.

By Peter Tatchell On Sunday January

Co-convenor, UK AIDS 24th, the UK AIDS Vigil

Organisation is holding a Candlelit Procession of Remembrance and Action to call on all governments, to respond to AIDS in a way which is based on in. ternational solidarity and which respect the human fights and civil liberties of

Vigil Organisation

while black and gay people have been scapegoated for the AIDS pandemic. Failed to adequately respond to requests from the poorer countries for

help in fighting AIDS. all citizens. it is therefore very im- Specifically itis portant that, on the occa- demanding:

@More funds for AIDS research & health service

© Anti-discrimination laws to protect people with AIDS/HIV.

@Free anti-AIDS drugs for all who request them.

sion of the World Health Ministers’ Summit on AIDS, we highlight the need for @ humanitarian and civil libertarian response to AIDS by the world’s governments, including a massive western

aid effort to help the @Unprejudiced AIDS Poorer countries cope with education & — media AIDS. resentation.

The World Health Support to help the Ministers’ Summit gives us poorer countries combat @ unique opportunity to put AIDS.

The organisers are advis ing people to dress warmly against the cold and for safety reasons to bring “stubby"” nightlight candles only (in a glass jar for protection against the wind)

‘We are urging all Briefing supporters to mobilise their local Labour Parties

the case for compassion, human rights, civil liber ties, and solidarity with the poorer countries — both to the government representatives in attendance and, through the 2,000 interna tional journalists covering the summit, to millions of people around the world who will learn about the

conference from televi. and trade union branches sion, radio. and‘ to_attend ‘this Candlelit newspapers. Procession to ensure that The UK AIDS Vigil all the world’s governOrganisation has been ments and peoples hear established to organise our call for human rights, protests to coincide with civil liberties and solidarity the World Health _with the poorer countries.

Candlelit Procession

Sunday January 14th Speaker’s Corner, Hyde Park

(Marble Arch tube) ‘Assemble 3pm

Depart 3.45pm (sharp) Route: Via Piccadilly & Whitehall to Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Broad Sanctuary, SW1

(venue of World Health Ministers’ Summit on AIDS), arriving 4.45pm

Labour Briefing No. 54 January 13th-26th 1988 page 12

Letters

Building Briefing

WRITEBACK!

We welcome your letters! Write to Labour Briefing, PO Box 457, London SW2 5UZ

An Open Letter to the TUC

The recent racial discrimination case brought by Mrs B ‘Weaver against NATFHE has demonstrated that at least ‘one TUC affiliated trade union is not complying with the: 1984 TUC resolution on racism,

This resolution reaffirmed the TUC's total opposition to raciem and resolved that "it will further encourage affiliated unions to pursue vigorously cases of discrimination despite current legislation which puts the ‘onus of proof that discrimination has taken place ‘squarely on the shoulders of the complainant.”

NATFHE had refused to provide advice and assistance to a member of a racial minority who. brought @ complaint which threatened the tenure of ‘another union member. NATFHE’s claimed policy of not providing assistance to any member who brings a complaint which threatens another member's tenure, even when the complaint has merit, enables it to effectively distegard the TUC’s resolution.

With NATFHE claiming that its policy is universally applied by all trades unions, will the TUC, and affiliated trades unions, now act to end racially, and sexually, discriminatory policies and rules within the trade union movement?

Comradely greetings,

Gordon Weaver, NATFHE member

1s obviously true that some sections of workers have suf fered heavier defeats than others, as Thornett suggests.

Continuing the debate on the

unions But itis important to assess the Sate of the whole working class Dear Briefing, ovement, public and private

Im his highly critical review of my pamphlet Labour and the Unions (Briefing, 0. $3) Alan Thornett took me 10 task for arguing that on balance unions had survived the: recession remarkably well, But his own Assessment of the unions strikes ‘me as deeply confused

‘On the one hand he says 1 have underestimated the set backs and defeats suffered by chapters of the pamphlet defend workers, and the dramatic ise the economic struggle of trade ia the rate of exploitation unions against “soft left” and

cough speed-up and work in- right wing detractors

Nevertheless, I hope that

these and other issuer in the {rade union movement will be ‘debated mare fully in the mon ths abead, both in the pages of ‘Briefing and elsewhere

Yours faithfully,

sector, manufacturing and seivices, and not generalise from 2 Single indusiry, dismissing the evidence and argu

amphler lavge academe

‘ignore what he calls “Scargilisai”” is difficult to square with che fact that two

hhapd be repeatedly asserts that

workers are “basicall 4nd "able to fight back

Yet the whole point_of the pamphlet was to argue that Gesplie the problems and set

hacks Of the 1980s unions are” John Kelly ‘not inthe state of crisis envisag

ed bysomesections of the Left. *We inadvertantly left the Workers do remain “able to publishing’ detail’ of John fight back" “and i would Kelly's pamphlet out of the

therefore be wrong and review. Labour and the Unions, dangerous to abandon the tradi- by Jon Kelly, i published by tional methods of industrial Verso,

militancy, as some people are

advocating

aE RE a

‘Send snippets and info to Greg ‘Column.

Bassett, Periscope Labour Briefing. PO Box 457. London SW2 SUZ

A Question of Honour

‘The Queen, in consultation ‘wich ‘the Prime Minster, has a9- ‘ounced her annual st of New ‘Years. Honours, awarded. for services to the rung cas.

Briefing. in consultation with ne fone. in parteular, here aoounces is own Now Years Honours, slzo awarded for se.

Margaret “Enver” Hodge (Leader, Iaington Cousci) — for her moderate, senstle, reali. polite approach to the Gesouction of jobs & servcer.

Toby Harris (Leader. Haringey ‘Counei) — for showing that police canbe placed under Local Aucoriy contl, when they re used fo actack and impeison lett wing opponents

Garethy Srmyth (Chae. Camden Housing Commitee) — Airey

vices 10 the ruling cs. Nesve Award

Bea Campbell — for services Brenda Dean — che Wapping Tendered on interminable Inte Award. for Mews highe chat shows on Channel Incernationam

Jack Cunningham — for his imassioned "delence of the fclear far.

Fred Jarvis — for removing the TTA. thorns trom Kenneth Baker's side

Peter Keliner — for his in ‘efatguable deployment of un-

Norman Willis ~ for exuberane ‘ratory in pursut of tee loneh.

Neil Kinnock — no explanation required

Wrath of God Sie beds made with strikes Orange 1 ote: Commucereportto 5 the AGH scknowtedges ts celebrations wre mpporced step to ue the purchoong power of the Co The 10h anniversary _Sperscre Movement to

‘celebrations "of Chandler's Ford Subllee Loyal Lodge were due to taxe place in Southampton on the Ssturday after the Grest Storm.

But with tavelling con ‘ons still dangerous,

Waits minute. To hep the srikers achieve victory. perhaps! No Te

‘bring about 2 meaningful dialogue Deeween the two aes. leading to a resolution of the dapute

A resolution was evenly reach (26, of course Faced with an ‘ranigent employer. Tory ant won twa, lack money and ack of seldarty acuon ‘rom ‘other workers (as. the PC report concurs} che Slencright ‘Srikers were forced £0 end ther action

“They were ako faced with cher ‘uron — FTAT ~ cessing back ing for the dispute — a factor comtted from the Polvca!

then, to follow Se Robert Arm

tightrope Sos ene: b comme ‘Another gem from the London = ae ie)

Sotcey AG specs fie ake ‘i

Sareea: Will the real

the first ikem to be discussed). Harris ‘You may recall how the Sdentnight Toby.

ner ger my ste please raise

fruitless hour eying to got the

Co-operative stores to Support them by refusing tO. sock

his jug?

‘Are there two Toby

substantiated sumptions roundiesaserbonn and oeuous generations in the Colum af the New Satesman ard chewhers What could follow Derek Hat-

John Walih opti of che "tom's aueprne Sppessnce 20 yer San model se year, mercy

‘Owen Oyston — by appoint. wich hs clothes on (and very Tent, auiecstrpper of the nice clothes they were. Coo} Inhour movement [bviculy doing habe to extend

Donald Dewar Scotch by Sold to he pone once mame, Malibu by nature, Wall naw for only 58p per mince

“The RCP — for berg everything "(or 15p off peak you con the Specal Branch could want, wai) pou coo'can hear Oras wou even Beng asked Geet tones on the Derek

Bryan Gould (08) — foc Hatton Live Line Preaching the vets of share made te make of hig ino Dumerap the week belore# irony. and empng. the Stock Markee crash rnumber ~ oly to hear the Pi

Stuart Weir — who siboraged _tan's ertwhle hero. warding the potics of the Socalst nan from whac sounded te the successful attempt to play the waiting room of some main be StausnanLongoverdie _Siauon probably on is way to come Toate ct ratte see

George Galloway — Koighe of The vie pcked for the day Ir ‘the Garter for personal and was the weighty subject of the Ione probity ia

Germaine Greer — Victoria. “Of course we are all absolutely

Follow that!

Grom manber withovt delighted when someone ty conception oF noccocs & cought aed por Derek Hatton — services to Sway fora long tne. OF ths ‘renews there io, deebe Violence Nell Fletcher (Leader. MEA) — never solved anything Yor valane ston behind enemy Dopey Derek very concerned tes Tout the hcrealngy worse

Situation ia Northern Ireland Caused by years and years and years ge) of Brita fvalerent

os

Hlarrises?

‘One chap named Toby Har. vis has regularly appeared in the media in reoent weeks, passionately de ouneing cuts in the NHS, He 1s the Director of the Notional Association of Community Health Coun: coils and has made name for himself as a eritic of government policy.

The other Toby Harris 1s Leader of Haringey Coun: fl and the driving force behind £46 million cuts currently being imposed ‘on the borough. including ‘cuts in support staff at the oad hospital

Further, there is ons Toby “Harris who is cutting sup port to lesbian and gay groups: another “who is sponsoring the AIDS vigil

In fact, the two Tobies are ‘one and the same,

A guick ‘sivipe at Margaret Thac her (of course). but as Derek was quick to poine out “the Capture of jst Ove RA bomber 15 not even going to bepn to Solve hat problem.”

No indeed, Derek: better put al the Inchin prison, jst co make sure, ob?

‘Coming soon: The Ted Grant Dat Recipe Slt (take the top two ‘hundred monopobes. one Enabling Act, and 400 Marsst MPs, sox cheroughly..)

If anyone knows of any impediment...

Execer Labour Party. with ts ru ing UbiLab pact on the Cxy

Coane, has been outdone What can explain’ this The Devon Councy Coued gtvange process of ‘Labour ‘Group, angry wih ®= _payohologieal bifurca. ‘Allance partners for ovespen ion? ‘Memary lapse,

‘dng on the socal sernces perhaps? budget. voted cur ther sd Alas, the explanation is mminsyaton and agreed fo © more mundsne smamge Oe Couch wih the Te is the familiar fate of the oes Labour careerist: con:

The big debate atche Exeter GC's demned to an endless ‘which Labour Group has made dowaward spiral of he better marrage hypocrisy and mendacity

CONTACT BRIEFING

The Briefing Editorial Board, and the following Commissions, can be contacted at PO Box 457, London SW2 5UZ, 01 733 7016:

Trade Union Briefing, Youth Briefing, Student Briefing, Lesbian & Gay Briefing, Briefing Women and International Briefing.

Briefing Steering Committe Next meeting: Sunday January 31st. Briefing Editorial Board:

Next meetings: Friday January: 15th; Tuesday January 19th.

| Deadiine for articles:

Issue no. 55 (out January 26th): notify EB as soon 23s possible, all articles in by Tuesday January 19th, Issue no. 56 (out February Sth): notify EB as soon 23s possible, all articles in by Tuesday February 2nd.

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Labour Briefing No. 54 January 13th-26th 1988 page 13

Reviews

BOOK REVIEW

Vietnam Today

- Behind the

The startling success of that surprise attack spurred the worldwide anti-war movement and was harbinger of the victory of the Vietnamese over the US, finally achieved in 1975,

Photographer Tim Page gained a reputation for reckless daring in his years covering the war in Vietnam. He returned to the country in 1985 to cover the celebrations of the 10th Anniversary of the Liberation — and to exorcise the ghosts of one of the ‘most horrific of all modern military conflicts. His new book of 103 striking colour photographs Ten Years After: Vietnam Today (Thames and Hudson, £15.95) is an affecting survey of @ nation painfully reconstructing itself in the face of continued hostility, from the US, and indeed almost everyone else.

The photographs are linked by Page's own highly personal, often wayward commentary. Not a propaganda exercise, and marked by occasional (misplaced) nostalgia, Page's book offers a new and necessary imagery of a people still remembered in the West mainly as victims of 2 blood-crazed US imperialism.

BOOK REVIEW

Beyond the Rhetork By Geoff Bel Politics, the Economy and Hackney North & Stoke Social Policy in Northern Newington CLP

Ireland, edited by Paul | ee Teague, Lawrence & fig ass aa Sioa Wishart, £6.95 fashion, Ae pote The pretentiously ar odidgs dcbuung sos. Te rogant title and the blurb Sook therefore socant scaly which accompanies this attempt so say very much

mediately off-putting. hhature-of the North Irish sate We are promised while another three in a joint “acknowledged experts writing ssay look at the interventionist ig a measured lone rarely role of the Industrial De ‘associated with the subject” — ment Board and say that "it's Ireland — and are asked (o ac- essential that the staff making cept that such an approach will the decisions is of sufficient Of necessity go “*Beyond the quality and expertise” and impRhetoric” Wy that if this was achieved Such rhetoric exists only in everything would be hunky the imagination of British dory publishing houses (who think "Nonetheless, the book inthe poor undeveloped Trish left cludes some informative ar feed to be shown how to con- ticks. Those by Rolston and duct # debate) and academics Bob Rowthorn are the best, and from the North of Ireland (who there are useful statistics’ and reich uncomfortably when economic tables. There is alse they happen to stray imo the the odd mistake as politcal activites of the wild- chronological account Syed natives), Bloody Sunday

Ho Chi Minh’s Mousoleum, Ha No!

BOOK REVIEW Miracles and Mirages

The reality is that politics in ‘The real problem is. the New Industialising Countries a the North of Ireland's carried book's own se-st imitations: | The Crisis of Global ixics) By Shahid Tilley The final chapter examines put and dacused — cpecialy 18 poldcal prioctsaion of x. | Fordism, by Alain Lipit, In espnse soe 08 te Ie Haringey Labour th sas in the world Snomy fn the working clase com- perts-weiting ia a "measured | (ranstated by D. § dusted off ther Mark and Lenin Bree dnd the rise of monetarim sn

a {and Rostow’) and bailed im- Briefing the ‘centre, which has left

munities — with a level of fone”. It would be understaa: Sophistcaion unknown in Bri- dable if a middleof-the-road | Verse, £8.95

perialism as the “"pioncer of peripheral Fordism ina very

decades, What swe hace Gece at FS So ine | Rapid imdestrialantion tm So eeoara grees. cveition splaredtowarts— delve in won cade, ge

‘The book claims to offer a Lawrence and Wishart, long | World countries caught ~‘Lipiciz cautions against ing capital (e.g. car and ship in- position of import quotas by the : = 4

troupe idinagier ebGue ots Of bag ht the past promaced smc | OFF BREE the demise of international developments give the lie 10 the monetarism and accuses it of ex-

underdevelopment, it was Snalyses and reining materialist abour in which the centre im- ing the global economy (0 the thought, and not'the bieth of SSeegorie, he tries to wnders- ports raw materials and exports brink of collapse, He tentatively {andthe new ‘economic con manufactured goods. to" the outlines an alternative set of Figuration, through an open. periphery. Instead, we now have demands for “socialising” the M AN E ‘ended ‘emphass on the tocal Every complex world trade debt and an expansion at inerbalance of forces and thei com- which by no means hava single ational trade Hnked 10

plex integration nto the cit hegemonic centre. In the nes "human ights™ Suity of the new international division of labour many NICs This fa challenging and con Sivston of labour ‘export, manufactured and tentious Hook. which tres, 10

: ition: the rest of the periphery. ‘isting left. theory on imeer aret Lipietz also looks at the perialism. Though the book is

: political implications of his difficult to follow at times, with Lipietz, focuses on what he Tew. peripheral Fordism, and is dense and detailed arguments

of this virtue, ‘presumably a Her Own and The Life and Semonseration that the Irish lett Times of James Connolly

terms regimes of accumulation. anaiyses the “Crisis of Dictator (and its forbidding price), it

Theseare described a stuations Shins" inthe immediate nevertheless provides an oppor

shee there aly Sable Sepnery Grain, Portugal sed funy for nian o decoy 9

Cee ae ine orme Morgcomprenenive perspecne

also one of the most their dinner guests might | cumulation, anda certain cor _Linictzs understanding ofthe which akes account ofthe com

Album: Motormouth, Scopiced, He breekaup his — find out they are-servingun- | respoedenccbcwcercondions Games loka Detwern Fox: nlcsty of th i Lentnsccatant two and a half hour act by _ stant coffee. of | none ‘and reproduction — $e mocratisation have been con pug Haweon |

parodying his critics and And why do muttina--| of 4 firmed by subsequent of the beast”, it rightly em-

That Ben Elton has Sacer’ “hom witha tional corporations feel tho | Taste pestnat period 0 Gevionments” in trai 'and phason te urgency ot gh

assumed superstar terse “fuck off”. When need to advertise how | he indusralised, world ‘at ore recently in South Korea imperialism im the centre, in

status became apparent your critics are not on the much money they make? | imess! he stabiisationof 9 and neads “10 be further stead af our usual tendency 10

when at the end of same wavelength, what —““They’te not going to give | mase production and mass con. G&¥e/0pE¢; I will be ineresting “lay, down the. line on, owe

peer e eee oer Caw sumption within a context Of Taiwan follow the schema as should fight it in the periphery.

social democracy

beginning of December ral, rn ; he filled Hammersmith BY Craig Brewin God Pe oe foro raoe five times — something Briefing Elton also asks why is it | Any outcome is dependent upon most rock bands canon- 710 ain thrust of his that the main source of | 2 host of factors such as clase ly dream about. ee TSE PE DE amoarons-Bemiemn cv ape |. Steer eeepc Sees IF 8 Crsie Brewin What is the attraction of 3ges forced upon us in the Pears to be “tits” when | stare, and the wider economic Football Supporters thisman whose actcan-as media. portraying. the epee memes | eet = # Association Tart shit; shit fuck, fuck, — Gealised lifestyle that Mrs Saty iproof that God is.a | A Bete SS | Feet — ben of footballs” Somme earn OTE Yak tenes ‘Tiateh ad ber cleo woman} but also because win cetsn Nic | alternative paper 1972-76, St pay. aswel asthe ae of rarer ees Simon's atitude towards | thou the "eacroncy of | edited by Mike Ticher, hb chime mec humour is brilliant it Shanes farina commmactaire win, Pets. tor bes et Couples | Petal Foams | Sue /Sportepages aa wa hatf hours he had. the av where the skills of the worker written, innovative in content dience eating out of his The ideal,_man. as Toilets be sytemataly expropriated | Many football supporters Sng sey, Investigative, hand and thinking "now presented on “‘Blind Date’ through scientific manasement | Who followed the game in funny, but unfortunately why didn’t ithink tina?” fo infact "a sexist weelacitaue higher ckcot | the early 70s willhave sexs in pat. Wraoker' This is "Sune Despite claiming thet on- | Sipaatons a teomes |eard of FOUL: although “The at syengin of hs, Class omelet TW for pects seho Wy 22 nth tect | cinigmbcomuca veerke.| te tae ee mare 7 O16 ren oeerna as ea eae me’ Sr ombined with super- | spread far wider than its articles selected for inclusion whether or not the couples with a 20° minute toilet | combined with super. | sproad far wi oa Sil have agree dectat However, he has “‘shagaed” ok: male/agrcalral/ammigrant | that there were ony about relevance today. another aitribute which ‘And what of The Sun? Elton now has a pro- | isbour under very “"primine” | SO cee produced during 8 ‘The current interest in Separates him from the According to Elton, at the blem: despite a great deal | conditions four year period. and that the FOUL has developed from the Gther observation ‘come. bottom of Dante's Inferno of new material in his new | “This can be scon in many | constoutors ended up as part growth of 8 new generation diane around today. Thatts ig the paper's. editor, act, it is not dissimilar to | South East Asian counuics in| ofthe medi estsbishment of atertive magacins. sane arcu orto cusses "looking Tap, ‘Judas his’old one. Although the | texte and light clearonie [they soften cnactsed, tes Mike Tete. the ecfor of tho attachment to one side The real venoms aimed the same. For his next tour | S<_ Yet sheap labour under“ eariest manifestations of gees FE one “This makes Elton not on- who gave us the“Shake need new targets to stay | dam "Te ™aetecaes™ con | mate a ty one of the most popular and Vac" women, "the fresh, How he responds 0 | sconomic.actvay which ‘has |""OUC wes a product ofits open thd folented. stand-up “Renault family” and peo- a change in government || eater rclance’ spon local |timeItvogavertcisad the "ANC IKe tis book, re well Comedians in Britain, but ple who are frightened that await with interest Sopa, a'sieeable muldicdss, | nopuuve svi of footbel worth reedng

Labour Briefing No. $4 January 13th-26th 1988 page 1¢

International Briefing

_ John McMichael and Elizabeth Windsor: lrish blood on their hands

‘The Christmas period in shot dead by loyalists sfter

nm being lured by a fake taxi call, Wreland was dominated ayo tes ax call y the IRA's assassina- WyeaiisreR (a7), Rodney tion of UDA leader John Drwve. Boat. ‘Shot dead by McMichael and the loyalists who burst into his, Queen’s reference to home.

a ir wy 16th September. RAYMOND olence in Ireland in her Mooney. (34), Ladbrook

Christmas Day Drive, Belfast. Shot dead by broadcast. loyalists outside Ardoyne Both McMichael and the Chapel = Queen were portrayed by 47, Seotember, JOSEPH WEBB. Shot dead by loyalists the media as peacemakers. WEBB. Shot dead by The reality is different. Sort Oke RATED ‘McMichael was directly MULAN (75), and her son responsible for countless TERRY (31). Shot dead by sectarian killings in the loyalists at thor home in North of lreland. Elizabeth Oromare load. Balyrahinch. jindsor is herself titular 14th November. ALICE KELLY babs herself titular (go), Carnckforpus. Died of 2 heart attack following sec By Geoff Bell tonan attack on her home Hackney North & Stoke Sth _December. "Paut Newington CLP Beaten to death by loyalists. 1987 head of the security forces 2nd Apri. LARRY MARLEY

In Britain and the North of (411. Ardoyne. Shot dead in Rae ee ne trig tus home in Belfast

Weland.. What the British i,"ay “GARY HcCARTAN Bogie and the RUC do Rye Imveland they doin her 2300 "tag pemor Meat fcllows io o ist-of tne toot ss brsnee nose fromthe notionaist 26th June” DANNY O'CON-

community who have been NOR. Shot dead outside his arity win pave been home in Belfast.

Killed or badly injured by RO OO nemppent loyalist gangs or British (40), Shot dead by loyalists security forces. since the Sard August, MICKEY POWER signing of the Hillsborough Murdered whilst driving to Treaty in November 1985 Mass with his wife end ‘an_event which was children. heralded as the start of a 8th | September. PATRICK new deal for Catholics in HAMIL. Shot dead in his home ‘This list is by no means MEIGHAN. Shot dood whist exhaustive and it does not faking hs. gil include members of the North Beltast IRA killed on active 9th October. FRANCISCO

service. NOTARANTOINO (68), retired ‘Most of the incidents 3x-man was murdered at his referred to. went home in Ballymurphy, Betfast.

unreported by the British 2. Attacked by Loyalists media. None af the victims 4th January. TERESA McKEE were mourned by British {17), Unity Flats, Seltast

eee Stabbed by Loyalists on the politicians or by the iapmeleey

‘Queen. Vith January. JOHN 1. Killed by Loyalist OROURKE (34), Newcastle Gangs Shot by Loyalists.

1986 27th January. NOEL WILSON

14th January. LEO SCULLION and KEVIN BRENNAN shot by (50), married man with two the UDR as they sat in a car, childres, from. Ligonisl, Kildress. Inn, Cookstown. No Belfast. Found, bound hand charges were preferred land foot and shot in the head, against the UDR soldiers.

in Ligoniel Working Men's Tah June. Five nationalist Cu, scheotchildren injured after Bist January. MARTIN their school bus was attackes. QUINN (34), Bawnmore. Shot 23rd “ALAN dead by loyalists after they MeGOLDRICK 120), Ligon! broke into his mother's house. elfast. Shot several times by

She was assaulted. loyalists 1th Merch. JOHN O'NEILL Ist August. HUGH GAULT (25), oodles. Hill, Ligoniel, (44), Alliance Avenue, Belfast.

Belfast, Found dead in Glen Shot by loyalists Rivet in Ballysilan. Beaten to Taxidriver’ SEAN O'HARA

death. shot twice im the arm by 7th May. MARGARET loyalists as he drove his tax CAULFIELD, Balysilan, slong Stewartstown Fload,

Belfast. Shot dead by loyalists West Belfast, ‘who broke into her home and JOHN McGEE (18), ANGELA ‘shot her and her husband QUINN (16), KAREN 2th July. BRIAN LEONARD, STURGEON (16), JOSEPH Fintone. Shot dead by loyalists McKEOWN, all injured after hit

in Belfast, and run by loyalists, Stewart 16th July. COLM MeCALLAN, — Stown Road, West Belfast Killed by joyalists in Belfast, 2nd August. 18-year old

19th July. MARTIN DUFFY youth attacked by crowd of (28), Manor Street Belfast. loyalists on Allionce Avenue,

eee eres ene

Women and Ireland

International Women’s Day Delegation to Ireland: March 3-7th 1988

This will be an opportunity to talk to Republican women about their lives and to learn more about the nationalist community. There will be a chance to take part in the annual Women’s Day picket of Maghaberry Women’s Prison and protest against strip searching The trip will cost approximately £80; help may be available to cover travel expenses

For further details contact International Women’s Day Delegation, PO Box 70, Liverpool L69 8BE,

Belfast. suffering knife wound to the head.

‘Sth August. JOHN LOGAN, Now Lodge Read. Shot at and ‘assaulted by loyalists.

Jom August. Gunmen try to shoot young nurse and her husband as they sit in car at the Mater Hospital, Belfast. BRENDAN McGEOWN (22) Callanbridge Park Estate, Ar magh, had to dive into.a iver 0 get away from loyalist gun man wha fred a shot at hin. ‘ith August. JOHN ROCKS (16), North Betiast. Assaulted fon Oldpark Road. suffering Serous head njunes

17th August. JAMES TOWN: SEND (22), West Belfast. Kid apped and assaulted by gang but managed to escape. Loyalists try to murder West Bellast taxr-driver. The RUC ignored the taxi driver's phone ‘call to them.

23th August. JAMES WEATHERUP (22), Now. ington Street, SEAN GIVEN, Onent Gardens, Belfast, at tacked by loyalists with iron

bar 15th September. Catholic shot__in arm and leg. in Newtownards by. loyalists Gressed a2 RUC men,

6th September. Two Catholics working in_ shoe shop, Upper North Street Bolfast, shot at

12th December. Two Belfast nationalists abducted and bad ly. Beaten by loyalists. One ‘man needed 100 stitches. 29th December. JIM CORRIGAN’ (21), Ardoyne. Shot by loyalists outside chip shop.

1987

3rd February. ROSEMARY TAYLOR, Ballynahinch. Shot by loyatsts,

7h Nationalist man receives cuts to threat and hands in Belfast City Centre by loyatsts.

18th March. Murder bid on”

DAN McCANN, Cavendish Street, Belfast

Gth Apel. Husband and wite received burns after ther home. is petrol bombed, Ballynahinch

‘ith Apel. Two Catholics homes attacked by loyaists petrol bombers, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim and Kikeel, Co. Down.

‘13th Apel. KEVIN BELL (19), Dungannoa received cuts to thwoat, ‘arms, hands, before escaping fron loyalist gang, ‘30th May. ALEX MASKEY (B51, Andersonstown, shot ‘and seriously. wounded by loyast gang at his home. Sth June. EAMONN BURNS (40), Kashmir, shot by loyalists at his piace of work 15th Augus.. A group of Nationalists fired on by loyalist in Portadown,

13th September. Loyalist ‘gunmen attempt to murder Nationalist at his home in North Belfast

7th September. Loyalist ‘gunmen try to abduct youth in ‘Ardoyne area of Belfast

17th" September Loyalist gunmen attempted to shoot Ratonalist at hie house in North Belfast

Victims of British Crown Forces

1985

2ath November. JOHN McKENNA 128}, Curclaghaa, Clogher, assauies by RUC Injures recewed: broken hand, ten stitches to heed.

Sth December_JOHN PARKER (34), Armagh. died in 2 fall i volving RUC men who wore trying to arrest him.

22nd December. BERNIE MeGOVERN 1131, Derrygonnelly, County Fermanagh. UDR’ fire four shots at tm after he ran off because he ‘was being threatened.

1986

‘4th January. PADDY FOSTER (251. Donagh. County Fer. ‘managh. UDA fire one shot at fim at check-point.

3ed Fobruary. THOMAS (25). and PEDAR (13), McLAUGHLIN, assaulted. by AUC. during raid on their Camlough homes. Thomas de.

tained in hospital with damag: ed kidney,

4th February. ANTHONY LOUGHRAN. (23),

Newtownhamiton, assaulted by UDR. Needed stitches to heed wound

38th" February. FRANCIS BRADLEY (20), Toomebridge. Shot dead by Brit undercover squad.

5th March. PAUL QUIGLEY (22), Rosies. Assaulted by RUC while in Gough Barracks.

‘Sth March. MARK_TINNEY (781, ‘Springhil, Strabane. Assaulted by British soldiers He lost three teeth and suf fered bruising

17th Morch. ADRIAN McCAR- ‘TAN (20), Kilkool. Assaulted by RUC after a St Patrick's Day Parade in the town. He needed stitches to a head wound

18th March. PAULINE DEVINE (96), Derry. Shot with a British army plastic bullet. Suffered Severe brussing

18th Apel. VIVIAN McGEE, Cappegh: Assaulted by the UDR and left unconscious on the road,

20th Apel. MAURICE O°NEIL (22), ang CONOR MULHOLLAND (24, assaulted by RUC. Sutfored bruising, cuts and black eyes. 2ist Apel. FRANCIS McSHANE. Stabbed by British soldiers in Crossmagien,

20th June. SEAN O'BRIEN (201, Garrison, County Fer ‘managh. Shot in the back by 9 British soldier while stonding ima bar

‘8th July. JOE CALLAGHAN (32), Distilary Walk, Belfast, assaulted by the RUC. Suf: ‘ered savere bruising, cuts and badly strained hand,

‘19th July. LAWRENCE McGAHEY 128), Cuimore Gardens, Andersonstown, assaulted by the RUC. Suf fered broken arm and. black

eye. CHRISTOPHER CAMPBELL (23), Creggan. Derry, assaulted by. the RUC. Suffered severe brussing

‘th August. THOMAS JERVIS (561, Downpatrick. Deliberately shot by the RUC with Blastic bullet

Sth August. JOE DOWNEY (25), "Ligoniel, Belfast. Assaulted by a British soldier and later shot by the RUC with 2 plastic bullet

ROBERT DEVLIN (29), Lower Falls, Belfast. Shot by the RUC with 2 plastic bullet: Suffered broken tea

JOHN MANNING 179), Sultan Square, Belfast. Assauiied by the British “army. Suffered bruising and needed stitches to his jaw. mouth and head, 7th August. MICHAEL WALKER (5), Springhill Avenue, Belfast, needed stt ‘ches to his head after being hit by stones thrown by soldiers ‘Sth August. THOMAS JERVIS. (201, Downpatrick, assaulted by the RUC. Suffered black eye and was knocked ‘Sth October. Intensive raids in Dungannon. Several familes acsauted

15th October. Strabane youths beaten up by the RUC. COLMAN McCROSSAN (20). received stitches to @ head wound

eth October. Callenbridge housing estate, Armagh. seal: ed off by scores of British Soldiers. Several homes raided ‘and damaged

19th Cctober. Marine Com mandos assault. several na Honaksts in West Belfast,

7th November Two ns onalist youths threatened by the RUC in Lurgan.

‘8th November. County Louth man Kidnapped by soldiers and taken to Gough Barracks.

2ist_ November. Two naTionalists assaulied by the RUC in Armagh city

22nd November. Kilkee! man threatened by UDR.

‘ist December. Disabled Derry man EDDIE MeSHEFFREY assaulted in Castlereagh Interrogation Centre

3rd December. Fermanagh nan MICHAEL O'REILLY (26), beaten by the RUC. Badly bruised and broken nose.

4th December. 15 fats raided in Rossville | Flats, _ Derry. Several badly damaged

5th December. South Derry men, TAN HURL, assaulted twice in two days by British soldiers.

7th “December. Dungannon family, KEVIN and ANN. MeCUCKIN, harassed while Visiting the graves of their two Young children.

6th December. RUC rad homes in Derry for the third time in a week. Over 30 houses were searched and damage was caused t0 proper ty. ln one case NELLIE McGLINCHEY (621, 9 semiinvalid, was assaulted.

3987

6th January Two Sinn Fein Councilors, BOBBY LAVERY and. MITCHEL McLAUGHLIN RUC beat up Galbally man, OLIVER NUGENT (20). Rifle put to his hesd

Disabled man, PADDY DEVLIN {46}, asasulted by the RUC during rid in Castlederg, Serious increase in harassment in Short Strand, Belfast. th January. KATHLEEN GLEESON, Fermanagh schoolteacher, harassed. By the RUC.

7th February. British soldiers assault Several poople in West Belfast. AM SHANNON 1201, hit on the face by plastic bullet

10th February. THOMAS Mc: COURT 121), Beechmount. assaulted by British soldier in Beechmount. Rifle butt to

face. 15th February. Pregnant woman, GERALDINE

STILGES, assauited by the Ruc.

18th February. 81 year old south Armagh woman, MARY ANN TOMAMY, battones by She RUC. Four members of her family were also assaulted. 2ath’ "February. CIARAN ADAMS 118), Lower Falls, received four stitches to head wound after being hit on the heed by brick thrown by 8 soldier

26th February. JOSEPH Mc: COLL Turf Lodge. hit in the face by British Army rifle but. He hed two teeth knocked out.

5th March, Two Short Strand ‘men beaten by the RUC. RAY: MOND SMYTH 126), had to be taken to the City Hospital for Xrays.

th March. Two West Belfast men, BRIAN MeKEE (21, and SOHN CUNNINGHAM 135), or tested by soldiers, beaten and robbed outside loyalist club on the Shankill Road.

2ath March. Derry man EDDIE McSHEFFREY (271, assaulted while in Castlereagh

RUC man fires into Oak Gril, Castiewelan. Five customers narrowly escaped death,

26th May. RONALL “MAG ump "20), BRENDAN MEEHAN (27). trom Derry, Badly. assaulted by RUC in Strand Road Barracks, receiv ed treatment in. Altnagelvin

Hospital for cuts, bruising Meenan had five stitches for an eye wound,

27th May. RUC senously assault Ardoyne youth EAMONN McKENNA.

30th May. Family attacked by ‘the RUC! BRIDIE CROWE (441 Lenadoon, Belfast, received severe. bruising to her right eye. Her son ALEX CROWE (25), receved a broken nose. Family. friend PAUL HENRY received four stitches to 2 head wound and was treated for large burn on his right arm, Sed une. British soldiers tie blank rounds at Sinn Fein elec 5th June. Sinn Fein election workers fired on by RUC on the Ballygawley/Augher Road, Co. Tyrone.

{ith June, MARGARET HEA. LY, 2 grandmother, assaulted by British soldiers in St James’ Sinn Fein's North Belfast can: didate in Westminster election PADDY McMANUS and Sinn Fein Councilor BOBBY LAVERY along with 3 other ‘men arrested and assaulted by UC after leaving the count at the City Hall

19th June. ARTHUR FEGAN (27), who lost both legs in 3 loyalist “no warring bomb", along with his fiend AODH O'RUNAI were both seriously assaulted by AUC in Short Strand.

26th June, MARIE McGROGAN, mother of 3, was beaten by RUC aftel Visiting her 13 "year old son who was under arrest after allegedly. throwing stones. at Crown Forces,

4th July. British soldiers tries ta abduct Sing Poin activist ARTHUR MORGAN frors Car ingford Lough

5th July. MICHAEL WARD (38}, Yather of five, fired on by RUC undercover squed near Greencastle, Co Tyrone,

7th August. 4 Derry _men assaulted by AUC in Deny City

12th August. RUC threaten 22 year old Beechmount man into Becoming ‘an informer, youth refused, he was badly beaten by RUC:

‘1Bth "August. PAULINE PALMER (271, {rom Aidoyne, went into hiding after 7 days of torture, physical and men- {lat the hand of the RUC. Twinbrook man PATRICK McGREEVEY ‘threatened and beaten by RUC after refusing to become an informer

25th August. MATT THORN. TON hadi severe heart attack ‘and his ‘wife badly beaten whilst FUG raided their home. Beth August. Derry man HUGH McMONAGLE (28) received beating after refusing to become an informer for the RUC.

2nd ‘September. Lurgan man GREGORY BURNS (281 ‘ab. ducted by British army. to become’ "an informer.” He refuses.

Downpatrick man ANTHONY HILLING, after refusing to become an informer was abus ed by RUC.

JOHN MENALLY was badly besten by AUC in Car Fiekmore, Co. Tyrone.

3rd September. UDR loyalists {le up 23 year old nationalist and beat him very badly in Ca, Tyrone.

17th September. Lower Falls youth MALACHY TULLY 116) Badly beaten by British army

SUNDAY, BLOODY SUNDAY Demonstrate for British Withdrawal

Saturday, January 30th LONDON t 12.30pm, Whittington Park, near Archway tube

Labour Briefing No. $4 January 131h-261k 1988 page 1S

International Briefing

End labour movement silence on Israeli oppression!

The violent uprising that tracted “war ofthe camps”. on many front. CP's is the only dally which Such, actions have largely clearly’ judged that this no rocked Palestine during "The denrution ofthe PLO. The mood i ye Occupied Sharam syed mauead wie aicreied” Arfa’ywateny time tote wp the challenge of the last few weeks of 1987 basen Lebanon and the ubse- Territories has changed fom on Taracl “independeine™ already. At the 1987 “unity the Palestinians i tell Came as an umplesasant guettPolical impasse were'a one of disoremtation and day!) DNC. be"was even forced to This x why concern for the Haish blow to the morale of the demoralisation to. mibtant de- - Poliically, Palestinian a- repudiate both” the -Atumam Palestinians” welfare has sti

surprise to the West, and Palestinian masses. Even the fiance. The experience of stan- onalist organisations will be agreement and the Tinks he denly been adopted by Britain particularly to Israel, brief unity at the 1987 Palesti- ding sirong and united agains’ the ones (0 gain, such as Aba renewed with Egypt. David and the US, and why they are It bad seemed as if the Alan National Council and the the occupying army will not al Balad (Sons of the Village) —" Mellor’ attacks on leracl willbe putting such pressure om Israel

King Jerdss wight be Too Socal ax euct || hwlerany tnd ate: * “bax is oiler mew cs ma “plonacs namocmvriog ‘They are hoping 1a. prevent bilateral settlement ‘om the potiical and military perspec: and a sweling of active par’ Palestinian student police. “These factors, backed by im- a foous, particulary for lami

‘occupied territories over the tives of their leadership. To Ucipation within the various Increases jm active member- plicit cridcism from the USA at fundamentalism, which, vould

head of the PLO. ind 10 Jordan, the period trade unions, women’s commit- ship and intheir broader follow- the UN Security Council will trigger a. wave of _Wolent

‘Then the Palestinians of seemed ideal for boosting the (cesand studeat and youth com- ing and resonance within the boost those elements inthe PLO. demonstrations and. uprisings

Gaza, the West Bank and credibility of a “stooge” alter. mittees which under conditions “Israel” Palestinian communi- arguing for mass stuagle as the throughout the volatile Middle Sete icsaereale Of military occupation form the ty are likely aly way forward. East

esac ime te bas wh af men oeameaion Exscrascomtaicions “Purhemara the demand for "Already, ower tae ake widespread, violent and pro- By Anna Wagstaff PLO — priocipally the PFLP, the CP will cher lead to a hastended, at best, (0 be reduc. in Egypt the only arab coum

tracted demonstrations (0 ——_—— DELP are Fate Significant exodus {com the Pat- ed to some ultra-long term goal try to have signed a peace (realy have taken place since Israel Then ic all blew up in their Under these conditions, ty, or the development of some - ill certainly now be given a with Isracl, and cehtral to US first consolidated its occupa- faces. ‘The trouble started in Israel's “alternative leadership'* coherent Palestinian “opposi- new lease of life by the eX. stratesy inthe region =~ which tion in 1967. Gaza — "which ever ‘since its stands no chance of becoming 2 tion” within it — or possibly periences of ynited action taken have resulted in violent clashes Imperialisms viewed the militant resisance during the credible politeal force for some both. by the Palestinians on both sides withthe police and mass arrests, development with alarm "first years of occupation was time 0" come. Inmperialiem’s The third froat om which the of the “green line”. Adding fuel ro the aleady strong. Showing unprecedented interest crushed has been little more goal of stitching up a settlement Palestinians will be strengihen- "It's not only among. the — Muslim fundamentalist oppont in the Palestinians’ wellpeing, than. festering mass of in the area over the head of the ed is their politcal leadership. Palestinians that benefits of tion 1a the sovernmnt, That fy Istaelseprivation, desperation and PLO has been stymied at least The crisis of leadership (par Decembers’s events will be felt. wha lies ‘betund imperialism’’s ‘emocalsation, with twice the for the time being ticularly since the military The stone-wielders of the Oc’ desperate attempt to pacify the

ary presence and only atiny ‘The second front om which defeat of 1982) will clearly not — cupied Territories managed, ia Paleslinians, iunder the feet of any possible fraction of the political activity the Palestinian struggle hasbeen be resolved simply by an up- two weeks, to deal a significant "A final point concerning the rnegotiaied — settlement, the andrmiitancy found in the West strengthened is within Israel. surge of iltancy in the Oc- blow to imperialism’s hold over impact of" ine. uprising, which British delegate to the UN was Bank. The successful one day strike capsed Territories the Midale Fastin general imust be made here relaies 10

among “te fist, to rate | From Gaza it spread 0 the was a huge development ise matters closet to home, Where erickins ot eralin the beck: West Banks and nally camethe Palesinian seitorgansarion, Join the Labour Movement Campaign for Palestine M15 ost to home. Where ven the US wat forced ing frst time since the state of lsract_ This is cvery Bi as worrying 10 Individuals £2.50 (waged), £1 (unwaged) Foreign Aftats Spokesperson some mild admonition. Faced Was established that the Palest- Israel as the insurrection self, Organisations £5 Gerald) Kaufmann when Tory Sith a'thoroushly “evenhand sian nation ood wolted in con- and led (ocale forthe reimpost Dent Malo en cae G3" resolution af the Security fronting their colonial ion ofthe military conirolexer-— Nfarne favour of, Palestinian’ self. Council condemning “violence OPressor. ced over the “sraci" Palest- Astermatinion in the middle of ‘onboth sides" the US —despite was mot_only the un- nians until 1956 naa the camps of Gaza? Answer: he feny pressure rom Toracl” precedented scale of participa. "Rarely, if ever, before has Address was sstng King Husscn. sctually abstained! fon that made this” uprising Israel seen such a demonstration in reply to Mellor's headline Indeed imperialam is ight to such ANstoric event. The cow Of unity among the Palestinians aoe ices Sacha Ox oral aah te concer ‘The twotmeck fronations wich the Terai within ka borders. That his unt Hpeaprencthes eho \ Uprising never called into ques; multary reached new levels of ty emerged in solidarity with CLP. Sour eee tion’ Israel's military control mitancy. Patesinans "outside Irae ondlct during the disturbances ver the Occupied Terrors, Western journalists, mostly revealed the strong nationalist Trade Union sean a cause for distress among BT Rafat Seine ‘sainas sho hae Continent for rare : her friends as much as het transformed the politcal situa COVE" area for years, reasons — not leas i illezalty Send, with cheques made payable to LMCP, to LMP, enemical. tion inthe West Bank and Gaza, sounded genuinely shocked as — has never until now achicved Box LMCP. London WCIN 3XX_ What hippcaed de dnseaghes Timportan reperensions have theY witnessed teenagers funn. such an organised expression. : tions we pase several years been felt both among “istacir™ ingtowards the soldiers, baring The overwhelming fesponse Yet recent events will further As the sharpest poi of con-_!unming rerognsing the PLO az Palestinians and throughout the their breasts and taunting them to December's strike call was discredit the stracay favoured (ict beineen isiperalism and ibe sole lepimate represen. Middle East particularly “G00n, shoot me, Idare you". Out of all proportion o the eal by Arafat of relying solely on the Arabmames the Paleninian tativeof the Palestinian poopie? tees sae ‘sroggle srength “of the organised Giplomatic manocivring to struggie har” always had What of their fight 10. self ‘Al ths came a's time wien E Palestinian. nationalist foress negotiate a ‘seilement with fesorance throughout ihe Arab dciermination? Israel had, on the face of it, within Inracl which, Mistrical-Iseael and imperialism, which wort, at imes having = decisive That the Labour Party, st @ ‘more reason tobe self-confident 1y, have always had to battle has” dominated Palestinian impacto centres such as time lke this, could get away than ever before over 20 dead and over 300 (principally against the Istacli politics albeit causing huge rup- Egypt, frag, Sycia and With acting” almost as. an Following Isac’s brotal 1982. Wounded), fear gas and mass at- Communist Party) for the fares within the PLO) sacs the Lateron Spologit for taracl invasion of the Lebanon, fore, rests, and in the absence of any allegiance of Palesinuan 1982 delet. “Today, with hetran-trag war demonstrates _not__only the ing. the “evacuation of the Gear politcal leadership, miluants, Ia practice this “diplomatic sill unresolved, the Ametican, general right wing nature of its Palestinian miliary fores, the. demonstrates a depth of anger The Inracli CP, with a largely _manotuvring” has meant sign. savy parading the Gulf waters, eadership, but he istorii PLO had poitcaly eco jur. aad. wulitamcy among the Jewish leadership and-an over-- ing deals such as the Ammam SacliArains “andthe ‘Gulf differnce with which much of hing trom cisis to crs. In Palestinians which makes whcimingly Palestinian agreement, signed by Arafat countries fearing atack (yom the Labour. Party teft has {983 spit wide open with tive Israel's attempts to reach s membership has the advantage and Husstin im 1985, wich Iran and. subversion, from ieated the Issue. ammunition ‘being exchanged “peaceful setlement™ look of being 2 legal organisation repudiated both the PLO": sole within, Lebanon stil a meling The time fora renewed offenacross the divide. laughable. ‘with'a' Tegal daly publication. Fight to represent the Palesi-pot of warring polkicalin- — siveon the question of Palestine Sconaher’ Aval, dtsiorsl,”” "The ange baparten,poiat Hi ABSOOR Ne DONCRTE WCAC.” “tsan peopl aat"Ukc” goal Gf lesen Gas Seam aot Uke cach oer cake: oe ly of the PLO, turned is guns that the Paisinan senile © comes 10 fecrulting Palewinian Palestinian” seidetermination American islamic fundamen: shameful the forces Ov the left uaiot the Paleioiens in That.’ go reseaclpera low Foner” hag Tinatts, ths rampant IeemcS_ _~ without grting any concer: tio om: Gee Tic MMGouENGO Satie ste lovour tomverncal ek (ised ah seta GaAs ieee eee ec a eacentain: amrcuegaes eee Blame ane bane the region, imperialism. hase pass

Color Line

Puerto Rico and Black America

Within tess than two

Clearly anxious that excessive use of force”” would yet further cut the ground from li

progressive politcal Ieaders and Puerto Rico back Jn 1898, the visitor notices the large number made $8.1 billion in profits

decades, the largest non iva plosrowe Poco ame sy Gan teSPeamieNs SAGSaO™ a ta it Valed Seem ke United States. ‘im Crow in San Juan, Puerto Rico has four times reinvested in the island's

: PuctoRcsueriindotihe “Taig ot" Pittp Rina: ste saakersfyarncaa Semeae! Me tas American, = ‘and Capea tionately represented among the — of the usual Third local upper classes and the poor ro pala impietions Sielactocirencononmn Same Ripcenees | Wotrauncealanecete “A pecmatealy Wa Us Bich are profound Sluice, iow tics Sijotn"aoave (my hafman ‘oer oot det romibe we ets cabarets ety Wine heat xin cme 2 Ta SD A eee | ee eee ees cee eee aes austen ek dperchemiiiias > eee a eae ne Si sone Seeerer seers ty DEMAN Soper eps oe = Tana ea

actually live and struggle. They North "Americans. More than reasons, the American govern0 not see the overcrowded —————————=————=_ haf of the population is forced ment intends to hold on to. Ks Public housing facilities, or the heritage, Dut it is still a major 10 live on food stamps: which Third World colony. Advocates

are fundamentally at odds with Blacks’ — interests,

Chicanos and Puerto Ricans : overs amd misery inthe ural problem were introduced thirteen Years of independence have besn tes Overwhelmingly support EL tiny feneee inde <a tiene Aces ce Sinsed haraeed imped, progressive politics. knowledge of the unrest felt by likes to point to Puerto Rico-as The official jobless" rate snd eacn maurdred, & Clearly, a mvtualiy advan thowands of young people on a dymamme cconomie socces stands af 208, but the teal "HIS" Rm se sup tageous. relationship” can “be Campuses, of the masse sory which should be a'model figure s sad to be closer to porte "acy? mut Sa developed here. rcontent of wage inborers” for the Caribbean and Tatin 3000. Move serous iva labor trmifttion® at! putes

‘Mow Afro-Amerscans share America. When compared’ to force participation rat of ap. Rigrmnatom, fot ihe, Puerto their ignorance. They may be much of the Third World, orto proximately 40% — meaning the unqualified independence of ical Cie theUnvarse ‘ether Facto Rcolea US schbowrig, Wali, the fiat aowt di ut of cry ton the Wa tht Che at fy of Pueno Rice, Students an : Scions, and pertaps iow that economic station in Puerto Poco’ Rican ‘adults ae not rirecaieh eee faculty alike expressed interest A personal view Of i asi one third of ts popula- Rico does a firs appear cobust. working, or surviving only By themeslver nee the ake GS

Tih October | delivered a series of lectures at the Social Science

Coates spate suven sine Affairs in the USA "Sore “Pocro “Ries wid 390eycarin O83 tistlasd conomy" Wags arn, and mesgalwihine Mee Abert ees “S by Dr Manning {cal tet eal acme isos bor ema eee teen. Tie eee een ie ee iow "reveaing were the Marable ccm" cist on thelial ae. Gotanila, Wih-x Sev ailmos © opened ae baste US Gr

private discussions 1 had with When the Americans seized population. Even a casual porations. American businesses

fo

Labour Briefing No. 54 January 13th-26th 1988 page 16

Fight the Alton Bill! — local round-up

PADDINGTON & N. WESTMINSTER

The local FAB groups have been active since

November, lobbying our MPs and leafletting and peti tioning on street stalls in Portobello Road, Bayswater and Harrow Road, and holding a public meeting on January 12th with Jo Richardson.

‘Motions of support for FAB have been passed by: Westminster North Labour Party. Westminster Trades

Council, Westminster Teachers’ Association, Westminster NALGO, Kensington Labour Party, and Kensington Trades Council. We have made links with our local CHC and Law Centre.

We have affiliated to the Labour Abortion Rights Campaign, contacted the local press, and used com munity services to put out publicity.

‘We’ have been co-ordinating activity with Westminster FAB, which operates mainly in the south Of this very large borough and at the Polytechnic of Central London.

‘We will be building for events on January 21st and in March. For further information contact 01 969 3192

Kerry Leech, Paddington & N. Kensington FAB

Camden FAB was set up by the local Labour Party Women’s’Section, along with other groups in Camden in. cluding students, teachers, and local government workers. We have organised a picket of local Tory MP Sir Geoffre Finsberg’s surgery, street meetings, petitioning, and a successful meeting at Camden Training Centre

‘Camden FAB is sponsored by Camden NALGO, the Polytechnic_of North London (PNL) and Kingsway Princeton Students Unions, and Camden Teachers Association. These unions have also been organising FAB activity in their workplaces. Camden NALGO run a lunch time stall and students have set up FAB groups and meetings at their colleges.

In preparation for the lobby of Parliament on January 2st we have organised:

@A public meeting (I4th Jan., 7.30pm, Camden Town Hall).

‘@ Local Day of Action on Jan. street meetings).

@Next planning mecting: 7.30pm, Tuesday 26th Jan... Kingsway Princeton College, Grays Inn Read, London wel.

Further details: Camden Labour Centre, 267 1676.

Gill Enewhisite, Camden Labour Bri

th (mass petitioning and

GLASGOW

‘On December 13th David Alton came to Glasgow 10 speak to Scottish Anti-Abortionists. He was greeted by over 100 FAB Campaigners determined that his visit 10 Glasgow would not go uncontested.

FAB activists carrying placards saying “‘No return to back street abortions” and ““As early as possible, as late as netessary”" lambasted Alton’s supporters with angry slogans as they arrived at Glasgow’s Albany Hotel to hear the man speak. FAB supporters were denied entry to the hhall despite the fact that it had been advertised as a public meeting.

Although the West of Scotland is one of the strongholds of the reactionary anti-abortion movement, it also boasts ‘an active FAB Group which has been out on the streets of Glasgow every Saturday this winter petitioning and leaffetting against the Alton Bill

The trade union movement has for many years been a close ally of the pro-choice movement in Scotland, and on January 16th a Scottish Demonstration and Rally has been called in Glasgow by the STUC and Scottish FAB co launch the National Week of Action against Alton’s Bill

FAB is hoping to change the image of Glasgow from that ‘of an anti-abortion stronghold to that of a city supporting 2 woman’s right 10 choose,

Anne McChlery, Glasgow FAB (personal capacity)

BRENT

In December, Brent FAB held a very successful meeting of 150 peopie with Wendy Savage. Other speakers 'n cluded Chair of the Women’s Committee, Hazel Baird, and National Organiser for MPU/ASTMS. Johri Chowcat. The presence of LIFE supporters ensured 3 lively debate but the meeting overwhelmingly opposed Alton’s amendment in favour of the 1967 Abortion Act. Local MPs Ken Livingstone and Paul Boateng were unable to attend but they stated their opposition to Alton’s amendment. The Tory MP for Brent North, Rhodes Boyson, can’t even answer a letter from a "ge. nuinely concerned’ constituent. Brent FAB organised a picket of his surgery in December. Every Saturday sees Brent FAB out on the streets peti tioning. On January 16th we are planning 2 street meeting in Kilburn Square followed by 3 motorcade through the main shopping areas of Brent. In the even ing we are having a social to raise money — and enjoy ourselves! Brent FAB meets every Tuesday, 7.30pm, st CHC. 25 High Street, Harisden. For further details contact Brent FAB, clo 25 High Street, Harlsden, London NW10. Tessa van Gelderen, Brent South CLP

HACKNEY

‘Thanks to the City and Hackney Health Authority it won't make any difference to working class women in Hackney whether the Alton Bill is passed or not,

it agreed in October to tell women seeking abortions after 12 weeks and with “no significant medical grounds" to have them done privately’ — not much of an option if you're unemployed or low paid.

The Authority is £2 million over budget this year and, could be up to £5 million in debt by 1989 due to central government cuts. Although abortion rights are first in the firing line this time there are plenty more cuts to

At its January meeting the Authority is proposing to. close a 19-bed ward at Hackney Hospital and stop Phase 2 building development at Homerton Hospital Hackney has already lost 30% of its acute beds since 1980 and now has 7,000 on the waiting list for in pa: tient treatment,

‘These cuts represent a massive attack on the health of working people in Hackney — in particular the old, the mentally ill and women. Hackney FAB and Hackney Health Emergency are collaborating in linking the issues of the health cuts and abortion rights,

One clear lesson to be drawn from these cuts is that, if fighting the Alton Bill defending the status quo is not enough — Alton only wants to reduce the time limit to 18 weeks! For an abortion rights campaign to have any ‘meaning in this context the demands for free abortion on demand and the right of all women to choose whether or not they want to have an abortion must be central

Health cuts, like abortion rights, affect the living stan. dards of the whole working class. FAB nationally must take this on board and link up with Health Service workers, other public sector workers and all workers whose jobs and conditions are under threat to smash the Bill and win decent abortion and health care facilities for all

Lobby of City and Hackney DHA, Monday January 25th, 4.30pm.

Gill Lowe, Hackney FAB (personal capacity}

Action Round-up

Send us short reports of what your FAB group is * doing so we can print them and help everyone keep in touch.

‘Send reports to artive at PO Box 457, London SW2 SUZ by Tues Jan 19th Urgent info phone 01 733 7016 Weds 20th, Thurs 21st Please send reports of your activities on Jan 16th {include photos if you can!)

Suz

don SW2

ished by Labour Briefing, PO Box 457,

Ed

F.A.B.: PCL Students Union, 104-108 Bolsover St, London WC1

Local Government News

Southampton Council drops racial harassment clause from tenancies

‘Southampton City F, iy Rob Evans

Council is the first Coun- -.

cil in Britain to drop @ Southampton Labour

Clause from its tenancy PaFty

agreement ae

specifically prohibits

ee recent ace

‘one has to return to the adop ‘Gon of the orginal clause in ‘September 1986. At the time

pain of eviction. ‘At an understandably

emotional full Council there was an all-party meeting last. October, “consensus” on the Council Labour Councillors made — 2 “consensus” shared not impassioned pleas that the onl by the CRE but aiso by Tenancy "agreement ‘be Loca! Authority sssociations

‘and even central government. in fact by adopting the clause Southampton had join ed 3 growing number of Coun: ‘ils up and down the country Just how fragile this “consen Sus” always was wil be clear from the fact that both the Labour Councillor Tories and the Aliance’ had ‘Angela Mawie, who previously _baycotted | the herself had only recently Councits Standing Advisory suffered from a racist at- Committee on Race. tack on her home and has _ A few months later the focal been the victim of late press launched an attack on,

Oe Calle od tin gtatat® the Council's equal opporturt [eters evonwenttwferas ‘etiey onthe ocuitrans

ment clause, claiming that to say that it took us ‘ond

‘was “divisive” and "massive neater to the mentality of jy unpopular the Third Reich That this claim was largely After the Council voted to fabricated and/or “based. on accept a new tenancy agree. anecdotal evidence was clear ment that excluded the racial from the Councils intial “con. harassment clause, the whole sultation’” in November 1986. Labour Group then walked out Out af 16,000 letters sent out Of the Counci! Chamber

kept intact, in the face of the most sanctimonious ‘and hypocritical opposition. from the Tories and the Alliance.

there were only 20 responsest

It came as no suprise when the opposition broke" the

‘During the May local elec tions, instead of puting for ward 9 clear case for the policy, the majonty Labour Group _became increasingly etensive and as a resust were ‘an easy target for the Tones ‘and the Alitance. After Labour ‘was left a minority of one. the opposition then’ claimed that they had a mandate to ‘drop the clause.

Vigorous

From May onwards ‘Southampton CRE undertook 2 vigorous campaign fo per Suade the Council to recon: Sider by collecting 2 petition ‘and informing. the Counc of the legal enplicatons and of the likely effect on race rela tions. Sine “October # has sought to ensure that the Councit does at least imple ‘ment the remuning equal oP-

portunity policy. “The lesson to be learnt trom

the whole episode is that 3 personal commitment to equal

END FACIST

HOUSING *.

POLICIES 4

PHOTO: Andros Coma

March in Tower Hamlets

Group adopted a totaly bureaucratic. approach thet allowed the Counci officers to Secide how the policy was to be implemented. This 3p. proach resulted in virwol Sabotage when the fst letters informung” tenants of the new policy were sent out in Apa explanation of the policy, they were written in'a condescen ‘ing and deliberately threaten

‘portunity policy on the part ing manner. The letter itself of individual Councilors isnot was counter productive and enough. Policy needs to be underlying was th

Sangerous usion "that the Coune# could depend on the pobee to take action against theragists

Seveloped in consultation with

the black community and pro

erly explained to the public in Southampton the Labour

Beginning the ‘Fightback in Thamesdown

Haringey Councillors Kevin Hargreaves and Martha Osamor spoke to 4 publi

meeting organised by Swin-

By Martin Wicks Swindon CLP

don Labour Party on the iuestion of rate-capping. Set_up a Swindon Fightback SMNdON ie in Campaien. There was # vss Thamesdown, ‘which has dsmusson on what vas needed, been placed on. the rate ai -culs activists in other areas,

capped list. and is Hiable to

capped list and is liable £0 "The weakness of the meeting

was that there were only hall @

present government geen NALGO members pre no strugele is organised, sent, and none at all ftom me way of another “sur NUPE.

A fightback against the local leaders ean ony be successful If the left is able. 0. organise amongst the workforce, and. in particular to break into NUPE, whieh has been. cordoned. off from it by a reactionary leader ship which, together with ce

Councilors, has. always

fot the Local Authority ‘sill only come al the expense of the local working class The leadership af the Labour Group “declared »itamediately after the General Election that i only hope lay in electing a Labour government at the nex! General Election. P Wehad to "play them at their tried to set NUPE. members ‘own game”, which means get- against NALGO. and’ avainst fing money’ out of the sime the tenants (NUPE members Gevelopers who have already Were mobilised to demonstrate Fipped the heart out of the town in favour of rent. increase, care. OF course, under because the) were told i was fovernment restrictions, in ecessary to save thet jabs). der to have £1 million pounds The iggest problem remains to spend, they have tg sell 10 that of discussion and comillion worth of land. ordination ata natiinal level. If The lef is a weak position We are all left to fight alone in

to challenge this leadership, ur own localities, we shall go which has only a handful of down 10 defeat- There is. ah Serious opponents inthe Labour urgent need Yor a national

eting, of all those forces —

Group. "The District. Labour

Party’ has already changed its Councillors, Jocal_ govern

policy 10 allow the sale of assets workers, lenants, ele, — tn Tine with the Group Jeader- fighting’againt the new wave of ship's wishes. Only four Party atlacks being organised. by branches opposed this. Labour as as Tory The public meetin desides tog, Coun.

ES