Labour Briefing no. 56

WE CAN TAKE ON

THE

TORIES!

“Only 2% of nurses were involved,” claimed the right wing press, clearly seeking to belittle the February 3rd nurses’ Day of Action against NHS cuts.

But with 500,000 nurses employed, 2% is 10,000 nurses taking action (mainly in’ London, the Midlands and Yorkshire): this is a far higher figure than claimed by the unions! The action by nurses was as big as at any time in the 1982 pay fight.

‘The thousands who took action did so without any national call from their unions — and often des; the opposition or incompetence of local union officials.

In addition to those on strike, thousands more nurses who supported the dispute were only “‘working” to provide union levels of emergency cover (which in some wards is more than that usually available).

Deen Sues aoe teaneS ose] By HARRY SLOAN I

Numbers were also reduced hecause the North West and Wales held fire for their own days of action, while Scotland is lining up for a much more ambitious 24-hour STUC-organised stoppage on February 24 involving not only health but also industrial unions.

‘Alongside the nurses on the picket lines came at feast 1,500 ASTMS technicians, thousands of low-paid NALGO admin and clerical staff, thousands of ancillary workers, and many junior doctors.

Such action on this scale is unprecedented. The February 3rd strikes, like the Ford struggle and the Seamen's dispute is a genuine movement of the rank and file. Building on the Manchester nurses’ strike in January, it has changed the face of NHS trade unionism, confirmed the huge groundswell of public support, and created new conditions to wage the war in defence of the NHS.

LABOUR— TAKE THE POWER!

Creaking union machinery in many previously forgotten COHSE and NUPE branches was dragged into action by new militant groups of nurses determined to hit back at NHS cuts, and defend the service against Thatcher’s menacing plans for its destruction.

While the rank and file have begun demanding more action, union chiefs and Labour leaders have been divided on how to proceed.

COHSE leader Hector McKenzie stood on picket lines and roundly denounced the scab role played by leaders of the Royal College of Nursing: but NUPE leader Bickerstaffe trudged lamely around a hospital with 2 bunch of flowers.

Shadow spokesperson Robin Cook joined London

Build for

March 5th! TUC DEMO:

Assemble

liam, Victoria Embankment

March 12 noon, via Parliament Square, Victoria St, Grosvenor Place

Rally

2pm, Hyde Park (South Side)

INSIDE:

@NHS strike round-up @FAB: no time limits!

@ Witch-hunt onslaught

@ Housing feature

ish state

‘Stead

PHOTO. Marti

NUPE picket tine at University College Hospital on the Day of Action in London, February ard

picket lines and visited a packed London Health Emergency evening rally, while Neil Kinnock denounced left MPs for picketing, clai ave Labour “a bad name".

‘There are similar divisions on where to go from her With pressure building from the rank and file for further, official strike action on Budget Day, March 15th, union leaders are torn between attempting on the action, or appearing to fead what promises to be a growing grass-roots movement,

Rivalry between NUPE and COHSE (with COHSE clearly the most radical so far) is also a dynamic factor, improving the chances that further action

In this situation the TUC’s agonised d S-hour marathon haggling session) to call a n: Demonstration on Saturday March 5th can be seen as an uneasy compromise. It falls far short of the strong lead given by the Scottish TUC for a one day strike, but it still gives the labour movement a real opportunity to build a mass movement on the NHS.

A huge demo on March Sth will pile pressure back onto the health unions to call more action (whether or not March 15th becomes the target date): and renewed action by healthworkers is vital in the fight to force the TUC to call a day of strike action.

Immediate acti vital from every trade union body, Labour Party, community: organisation and health campaign — to fill coaches and trains to London for the March Sth demo, which begins at 11am at Victoria Embankment.

The mood is developing strongly for action on the NHS right across the trade union movement, overlapping with other struggles and disputes involving local government, teachers, Ford workers, seamen, fire fighters and many others.

As Thatcher sharpens the knife for major surgery on the NHS, the fightback against these attacks could yet be the catalyst that unites the workers’ movement mass general strike action to confront the hated, dictatorial government,

Labour Briefing: No. $6 February 10thr23¢d, 1298 page 2

Stop the Clause! Lords amend the Clause — the campaign moves on

Clause 28 of the Local Government Bill, which seeks to ban the “‘promotion’? of homosexuality by Local Authorities, is continuing to trundle its way through the House of Lords — lesbian abseilers notwithstanding.

The Clause survived a heavy onslaught of opPosition during its Committee stage by means of what The Guardian called “the charabane vote"

The Tory Chief Whip ordered in Lords and Ladies from the shires who hardly see the chamber from one Session to another.

By SARAH ROELOFS

had even happened. Homosexuals were variously held respon: sible forthe origins and conduct Of the Nazis, wholesale corruption of youth, making sormal families Took’ queer, and. the denizration of heterosexuality ‘What was really at issue was the

heterosexual.

The infamous Clause next “PE; musta famtly. resurfaces. for its Lords tM Soemnment sl Report stage expected 10 froduce “intentionally” before take place on Thursday, the nord suena February 18th Authorities. are thus

The mass, broad campaign from. intentionally promoting agains the Clause, which has homosexuality

alteads taken the ‘couniey by storm, was clearly evident dur ing seven and a ball hour Lords debate

“The Clause smelt of fascism, it was offensive, ie would create fan open season {or bigots and Vindietive queee bashers, it was 2 monument 19 ignorance and incolerance, and it contravened the European Convention on

or their pains they were ac cused of making a mockery of the English language and play 2 at being Humpty Dumpty Words mean what Iwan them to mean.” said Humpty. All, endments. were over Whelminaly defeated “The Stop the Clause Cam ppaign has also taken the Laboue Party by storm, sceming to lead

Human Rights. just some of to am abrupt shift in position. the points made by Opposition “eel! Kinnock has. publicly peers. adorned the Clause a

Books would be removed “crude, slanderous and sicious

‘echris Smith MP has com

from Bibraries, lesbian and ay firmed that the Party isnow op-

teachers would be sacked, and

young children with lesbian of posed {0 the Clause in its 225 parents Would be prevented entrty.

from being told thar theirs While welcoming this happy. normal families, iv the development individual

members of the Labour Campalgn for Lesbian and Gay Rights have commented that if the Labour Party had abided by

‘Clause became fae

Tory Lords plumbed the depths. Of ignorance, intolerance And “offensiveness before. this

Party policy in December, General Secretaries of mational trade unions would by now be

smambigvous ponioe fo Pefowever, an Clame reolotions are now sprouting all ove Union conference agendas — the Tank and fie fck the ifhdence of tai leaders!

“The national ad hos Siop the Caause campaign Co-Ordinating Commies’ continues 10, met ‘esky in London with attenances of up t0 100 lesbians and fay. men from acrom. the political spectrum

"This unity has been maintain despite accusations that lex Bans mewting Separately is

divisive, that lesbians are being too political, and assertions that respectability” is of the cqsence! The last mesting cheered the lesbians who had ‘aded their lordships” chamber! ‘The campaign is now to give more priosity and prominence

fo fight the Clause’s reference to “pretended family relationships

Lesbian mothers, who have been battling for decades for custody of their children and to be recognised as normal families, have argued forcefully that this favidious phrase is at the heart of the matter

The Campaign will be producing briefing material and is

couraging the selling up of arents/Familie Against the Clause” groups.

MODEL RESOLUTION

This is totally opposed to Clause 28 of the Local Government Bill recognising that not only is it the worst ‘attack on lesbian and gay rights since (male! homosexuality, ‘was first criminalised aver 100 years ago, but that it also fepresents a major aseauit on education,

(Ciause 28 will not only legitimise an increased wave of

homophobic hysteria and drastically curt Support of lesbian and gay rights, But wil

I work in 0 legally enforce

ignorance. It wil become Hegal to discuss this subject under any circumstances in the education system.

This therefore resolves to:

1. Send this resolution and an accompanying letter ‘explaining our views to the PLP, NEC and MPs Jeff Rooker &

Jack Cunningham demanding

that the Labour party issue a

public statement of total opposition to the clause and that @ three fine whip is imposed in the Lords and Commons

2. Support the Manchester demonstration on February 20th with its banner and requests region and the nations!

artyiunion do likewise,

3. Send reps to STOP CLAUSE 27/8 Campaign (elected at

this resting)

4. Demand that our MP raise our opposition with PLP and Labour Lords, also that sihe issues 8 public statement to the

Campaign Information

National Office: c/o ULU, Malet St, London WC1E THY. Tel: 01 580 9551 ext. 227

Volunteers, affiliations, donations are very welcome! Posters, leaflets, badges, briefing packs, affllation forms all avaiable| Co-ordinating meetings every Wednesday, Spm iphone office for details).

Future Activitie:

Februsry 18th Report debate in Lords. 12no0n-2pm, Mesting in House of Commons, room booked by Alan Roberts

Saturday February 20th

National’ demonstration in Manchester, Assemble All Saints; Oxford Road, 1pm. Festival & Rally st Free Trade Hall, 3pm. Transport details from office.

Friday April Sth

National and international day of action

‘Saturday April 23rd

National Civil Liberties Demonstration, London

‘Saturday Apri 30th

Major demonstration, London

Mid June

Lesbian Strength Demons ‘Saturday June 25th Lesbian & Gay Pride National Demons

ion and Festival

ion and Festival

in & Gay Rights are human rights!

Manchester, Saturday 20th February March from All Saints, Oxford Road, 1pm Festival & Rally at Free Trade Hall, 3pm

STOP CLAUSE 28!

Afternoon of speakers & entertainment at the Free Trade Hal Invited Speakers include: Communards, Claire Rayner, Victoria Wood, David Steel MP, Neil Kinnock MP, Edward Heath MP, Ken Livingstone MP, Chris Smith MP, Julia Neuberger, Pattie Caldwell, Billy Bragg, Julie Goodyear, US Presidential Candidate Jesse Jackson and many more!

For more information, contact: North West Campaign for Lesbian & Gay Equality, c/o Gay Centre, PO Box 153, Manchester M60 1LP, 061 228 3554

Transport details: Contact National Office 01 580 9551 ext. 227

AIDS Summit report

Failure to act against discrimination

The World Health Minister's Summit on AIDS. ended in London in late January with a generalised statement of support for the human rights of people

of the homesexual population to stop the spread of AIDS. ‘@Nearly "200. foreign workers ‘and ‘students with AIDS have been deported from the Soviet Union and all long-stay foreign visitors must

with AIDS and HIV Submit to 8 mandatory HIV infection. a

However, the final “ein South Altica, the Ministerial. Declaration Chamber of Mines has forced

miners to be tested for HV, fd all migrant workers found fo be HIV positve ere being ‘epatiated

South Kores has passed tows to allow the compulsory quarantining. of ‘igh nk people with HIV infecton in a Rew. £500,000 ~ detention

The Brasilan authorives are ignoring the assassination at homosexuals by ight wi Death Squads who blame the ‘ay community for the AIDS epidemic

notably failed to back up this commitment with any concrete proposals for ac tion such as legislation to outlaw discrimination against people with AIDS or HIV.

By PETER TATCHELL

‘Mast regrettably of all, the Ministerial Declaration. failed to call on governments. to repeal laws to allow for com. pulsory testing, employment

Bans, travel "restrictions, Third World students. in deportation orders and Belgium who are studying on ‘quarantine measures which Belgian government scholar

‘many of them have already ships are lable to have their enacted Grants cu off if they refuse to @The Cuban authorities Submit toa HIV ‘test, and

have imprisoned 140 people with “AIDS” in 9 special sanatorium” "which they cian is being “administered with “human dignity”

'@ The Bavarian state govern ment has introduced the comDulsory testing of all Psuspected carriers” of HIV and one Bavarian Minister has Called for the “thinning out"

those who test positive face

the possibiity of deportation,

‘These abuses against peo: ple with AIDSIMIV area frightening omen of what may happenin Britain and throughout the world in years to come. The warning signs are clear: AIDS is @ human Fights issue and we ignore tt ur peri

Minister admits AIDS travel ban

The British government

hhas admitted for the first e that it has imposed

travel restrictions on the

entry into Britain of

foreign visitors

AIDS and HIV infection.

The Health Minister. Tony Newton, made the sur prise admission at the World ‘Summit on AIDS in London last month,

By Peter Tatchell

It came just minutes after he had proclaimed the importance of acknowledging “the rights ‘and dignity of people infected ‘sith HIV and with AIDS” and the need to “avoid infected people being excluded from society, Stigmatised and discriminated ‘pains.

Mr Neston was asked to comment on the case of two American tourists who were de tained, interrogated and Geporied from Heathrow Air ort three weeks 250,

“The two men were apparently stopped by immigration officers ‘on suspicion that they were gay and quizzed about their sexual Orientation and health status:

Under pressure, they admitted. they ‘were HIV antibody positive. Immigration officers Feacted by refusing them entry and they were put on the next available plane back {0 the United States.

cocoon

ooo00.

Mr_Newion responded to ‘these allegations by confirming, for the first time, that it was British governmem policy 10 refuse entry to foreign visitors with HIV infection when their medical condition may result in them requiring extensive medical treatment for which they cannot pay

Blanket

He denied that there was blanket ban against ‘all people with HIV. and specifically ‘efuted claims that healthy people with HIV" were being deported.

However, the wo American tourisis who were turned back ‘at Heathrow were both in 200d health and extremely unlikely to hhave required any form of medical treatment during their planned brief holiday in Britain,

Their exclusion adds weight ‘to accusations that the government’s ban is being applied to all foreign visitors with HIV ‘without distinction.

Admission

The Health Minister's admis. sion of 2 partial travel ban follows renewed reports that harassment of ga¥ tourists a Britain's airports. ison the

Last September, an American citizen with residence rights in the UK was held for four hours at Stansted Airport when im migration officers discovered be

vas gay and had taken a HIV antibody test

Afier going through the con: tents. of letters anda diary found in his luggage, they informed him that he ‘was being considered for deportation on the grounds that he was “medically undesirable"

Tt was only when it was con firmed that his HIV test result ‘as negative that he was allow 4 into the country

Holiday

‘A_month ago, the same ‘American was detained for 414 hours at Gatwick Airport after returning from a holiday in Switzerland. Immigration officers implied that since he was gay, he was at high risk from ‘AIDS and therefore ‘medically tnsuitable (9 enter the country.”

Evidence has also recently come to light that immigration officers are being teained to look for signs of AIDS and HIV

Alps. CLINIC

flag

were detained even though they hhad residence rights in the UK, and despite the fact that they

infection amongst incoming were registéred outpatients travellers from overseas receiving treatment aca London Tn mid-1987, two British hospital

‘deed, it was only after dootors confirmed that the two men, were. patients aSt’ Stephen's hospital that isimigration of fleets allowed them to reenter the country. These and’ similar horror stories from more than twenty countries “around the world look certain to make the travel rights of people wih AIDS and HIV a major human rights issue in 1988,

residents returning from a short holiday abroad were stopped at ‘Gatwick Airport after inmigra

tion officals spotted small Kaposi Sarcoma lesions.

Tt seems inconceivable chat these lesions would have been recognised as AIDS unless the immigration officers had received special training in identifying the symptoms of AIDS.

‘Equally alarming, both men

Soo0c000000000c0n00000000000 0000980000000

Labi Briefing No\ $6 Feb 100M 23rd 1988 lide 3

Editorial

Socialism = Capitalism says Kinnock

The Party Leadership’s policy statement on “‘democratic socialist aims and values” shows graphically the direction in which Kinnock and Hattersley are going.

‘Apparently, the allocation of goods and services by the market is “‘generally satisfactory” — only public utilities need to be nationalised

So there you have it; democratic socialism is actually capitalism!

The statement’s position on the relative merits of the market and economic planning could easily be agreed by most Social Democrats and Liberals, and even Tory wets. Coming at the end of a week in which Neil Kinnock refused to join nurses’ picket lines, it provides yet another reason why the Left should mount a Leadership challenge.

The Policy Statement is clearly incompatible with Clause IV, and represents an attempt to make a decisive break with any kind of socialist economic policy. The adoption of this document, which even Brian Gould finds slightly embarrassing, should be fought every inch of the way.

Own Goal Anne

Princess Anne's remark about AIDS being an “own goal’” for the human’race was only one instance of a dangerous homophobic backlash gathering pace in recent weeks

The tabloid coverage of the Stuart Gough murder focused on the alleged sexuality of the killer — a fact not emphasised in the Yorkshire Ripper case or the Hungerford massacre.

The AIDS pandemic has been used as an excuse for increased harassment of gay men at all levels — immigration, police, education, employment, housing, and so on.

Clause 28 reinforces and legitimises this bigotry — and the statements of its supporters are often nothing less than incitements to violence against lesbians and gay men

In this context, the royal rhetoric is ominous After all, if AIDS is somehow the “fault” of gay

BRIEFING

TASOUR — TAKE THE POWE

‘men (and what else can the “own goal”’ phrase imply?) then “society” is justified in persecuting them.

And who more fitting to deliver this pronouncement (and confirm what millions have already been led to believe) than a member of the royal family — a potent symbol not only of the British state, but of the nuclear family itself.

‘Anne's remark may have been inane, but it was certainly scripted in advance and carefully considered. Its intention was to align the royal family with the rising tide of homophobic bigotry.

No concessions to the witch-hunt

The news that Haringey Labour Briefing supporter Mandy Mudd is to be charged with “bringing the Party into disrepute” — because of her consistent opposition to cuts in Council jobs and services — came as no shock to the Labour Briefing Editorial Board.

With the witch-hunters on the rampage in London, it was only a matter of time before they set their beady little eyes on Labour Briefing, which (as the Telegraph remarked) has played a major role in the London left, and has been associated with all those struggles — against cuts in jobs and services, against racism, for lesbian and gay rights, for British withdrawal from Ireland — which so embarrass our leaders in Parliament.

As we have pointed out ail along, the witchhunt of Militant would inevitably spill over into a witch-hunt of other socialists in the Party. Those who failed to defend the Militant comrades simply allowed the witch-hunters to get up steam. The Star Chamber of the NCC now tours the country expelling socialists with little more than token opposition. *

There is only one way to fight witch-hunts. ‘They must be rejected, lock, stock and barrel Concessions of any kind — constitutional or political — only strengthen and legitimise the witch-hunters. We must tear down the closed doors of the NEC and NCC and shed the glare of Publicity on their anti-democratic machinations.

We must expose their real purpose — to drive socialist opposition out of the Party once and for all — to the whole labour movement.

The working class stirs itself

Healthworkers, Ford workers, seamen, local government workers, teachers, NACODS members... the battle with the employers and the government seems to have opened up suddenly on new and unexpected fronts. For the first time since the end of the miners’ strike, the Tories are faced with widespread militant opposition.

This small but promising upsurge is a reflection, in many cases, of the sheer desperation felt by workers who waited in vain for a Labour victory at the general election, Now, confronted with a renewed Tory assault on their jobs, conditions, and standards of living, they see no alternative but to take action.

They cannot afford to wait for another election. They know that there will be nothing left to defend — in the NHS, the schools, the coalfields, the car plants — if they do not do something now.

Of course, trade union leaders are moving in fast to prevent action from getting out of hand. The last thing the increasingly lethargic bureaucrats want is an outbreak of mass militancy which could ditch their plans to tame the Labour Party and break the left

Kinnock’s attack on striking nurses was only what we have come to expect from him: But for the nurses themselves, as for others in struggle with the government, the stab in the back is a fresh and painful wound.

The Tories look vulnerable. The crash undermined the ideological appeal of “‘popular capitalism’’. There is a growing disgust with Tory authoritarianism {exposed more by splits in the Tory ranks than by any initiatives from Labour's front bench)

Now is the time for Labour to turn the screws on the Tories. This it can only do by placing itself at the head of the new upsurge, not ducking and weaving to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

British State

Birmingham Six verdict and Stalker cover-up:

British justice unmasked

“After hundreds of years maintaining their occuap. experience, we should tion of the six counties of have known better than north-east Ireland. After all fo expect anything else {0F bundreds of years they

Uae ae teal corcool cad pees! omits sPoke Peter Barry. without trial, so why should Aes oreigD they stop now?

Minister, right-wing politt cian, and one of the atchitects of the Anglo-Irish Agreement

His. statement was provoked by the British govern.

By Geoff Bell Hackney North & Stoke Newington CLP

the results of the Stalker Labour's spokesperson, said — ritish presence in Ireland Inquiry. The Birmingham the shoot-to-kill cover-up fixe ‘the Anglo-irsh

‘That the Birmingham Six tirely predictable. Such freed and all ihe RUC kallers —and both the judge who: *

Tory governemnt know that as well as anyone.

Similarly the government admits that those who murdered Irish Republicans, as revealed by the Se Inquiry, are guilty, and that those higher up the ranks are guilty of

“| wanted a division in the House of Commons and an uproar sufficient to draw attention to the fact that in Britain you can commit murder and get away with it providing you are employed by

too characteristic of British imperialism in Ireland,

The verdict and the coveruup should be a lesson to all those who admit that yes,

Britain might have dor some nasty things in Ireland a long time ago, but all

‘changed; or those who

the North of Ireland, doit no more than keeping the | mad paddies apart; or those

who like to peddle

Severance the State.” But Tor he Hi a Rats Picea sa tions ate minot incom: See page 14 parse) Ce eae

PHOT: Marine Stead

January 1988

Labour Briefing No. 56 February 10th-23rd 1988 page +

Trade Union Briefing

Ford workers reject union sellout

The pickets were out im socemen —75 force on day one of the {6 lose their jobs Ford manual workers ma- °75F majorues were ecorded jonal strike as Briefing he oe ae Ey goes to press. Dagenham Assembly plant Not one producti Talkin. the “media about worker turned up for work, Fords flooding the UK market the company admitted. with imports. from ts. otbe ‘A massive majority of European plans is wide of the 62% had rejected an agree- mark. Production at these ment between Ford manage.

plants i aleeady being. hit ment and the trade union Pease Ford UK is the sole side of the national joint

source of many key components for Ford's European peodoction negotiating committee. and the company operates tight “The rejected deal included: slack control. 5 year deal ‘on hasic

‘of whom stand

2,500 workers at the Transit resin the first plant at Genk in Belgium are Already being laid off and pro. action of Fiesta, Orion, and Escort models at ‘Cologne, W Germany and Valencia, Spain ‘sil be hit within days Bridgend is the sol 14 and 1.6 petcol

1% in each of the second and third years

fe work feams involving both sled and unskilled grades | by "eroup. leaders T groups lenders: would replace

the Dagenham caging plan sole source of 14 dies Ford has a dominant 28.8% of the UK new eat: market and $340,000 of these $0,000 <ars

from its workers, as he has

Found out to his cos. in other words. there i agree

feat and the NINC on the aced to introduce Nissan sisle inten= Sve work methods, and to sell for “a pittance “hard won conditions,

Support is welcome at Fords, European plants. “However, both in terms of messages of there iso room for complacen. support and om the picket lines, Sand suppor from Sdckworkers in refusing to han. fbn as wiped off the Stock {dle Ford impors is important Market on Monday Februar

Even now afer he gte has 3, Ing in response fe got off to such a solid start, strike. The ass Timmy. Airlie, Furocom Fecosnises the imponiance of Secretary of the NUNC, © still this strike and its omtcome. So Sienalling his reluctance to must we,

Messages of support TGWU, Raintam Off Raicham Road, Essex RMI

despite reporis in the media.

jew he pe

offer,

Glaiming that Ford ‘emanded “to much, r00 soon

ro thrush Briefing, O1-733 7016.

Workers against apartheid

Take action against BTR!

Mick Murphy, a worker for NUMSA’ (Moses Mayokiso’s union). spoke at the Reading Ant Apartheid AGM on. the struggle of the sacked SARMCOL workers “Many workers in against the British based subsidiaries are not even ‘multinational BTR ware that they are part of He explained that since the BTR group. So far tere BTA has more than 400 is glist of over 180. subsidiaries and a work “The campaign exposes the force of more than 50.000 myth of Bitshcepitatemrs the campaign offers most “Nberal" “atitude towards

Railways BR threaten to scrap procedures

Thames Valley District Council ofthe NUR has call ed for 2 Special, General Meeting ‘of the union (0 seuss, BRS proposal to

Tr'there was no. agreement i tion to BR's proposals. + would go on to Area Council Under the current system, level

where again, one Fep per representation is through the grade would have one-i0-one Local Deparimental Commitice

By Dave Turgoose Secretary, Reading A-A

Tocalities the possibility of doing some work | in support of BTR workers

By Martin Wicks Delegate, Thames Valley NUR DC

Sectional

sticussions (LDC), elected by the whole Then 2 union full-timer work foree (not anly by union would meet management alone. members) in an election run by If there was sill no agree smanagentent then management would simply ‘The great advantage 10 aive Ld dave notice of introduc ‘management i that LDCs split on of its proposal. Nothing the work force up on a grade related 10 an individual Arca basis. So you hase one for could go any further up the auards, one for clerical workers, machinery the drivers, ete. They all meet Tt scems clear from the new management separately, making draft machinery that BR. have United aetion difficult ‘decided 10 g0 for a national con "The only real power the LDCs frontation with the U have is 10 clog up. the They feel they have the me ‘machinery, through reaching a of the union leaderships failure to. agree" on issues have concluded that they (such as changer in shifts) sub retteat ject 10 the “negotiation” pro- The biggest baile for decades ‘Sedure. It then bas (0 g0 08 10 is looming before us

thee | worktore ip. South Afnea and thee ruthiessn ‘when it comes to their profits, BTR has condemned "1.000 workers and many thousands this month Of ther dependents to 2 Therw is a possibility of 9 Stuggle against starvation in speaking tour i April or May. an area where there is no which would include shor aiternative work, and no social stewards from SARMCOL, Security for the unemployed. who so. far have not been

There are a number of BTR allowed to leave the county firms in Reading and the To find out if there are any Surrounding area. We agreed BTR companies in your area, fo. campaign to win’ the ting Mike on 0533 712041, oF support of their workers for wite to. 12 Manor Road the sacked strikers. We also Extension, Leicester

Miners in prison:

Keep up the support!

Now is the time to remember two miners and ‘their families still paying a heavy price exacted for their role in the 84/85

agreed to organise a public showing of the video of the SARMCOL play The Long ‘March wihich wll be available

By HELEN PETERS

‘well as from allover Britain, as members of the working clas remember their imprisonment

strike. This mora} and finan! su, Dean Hancock and port is vital for Dean and Fussell Shankland have Russell and for their two

just spent their fourth young children, as they count

Christmas as guests of Her the weeks and months Majesty a prison in Gar- towards their release tree, Leicestershire Friends

‘The last two ‘Young men ‘vor South Wales Rave accepted ther sentences with courage. working hard at thes jobs inside. and making friends and giving moral sup Dort to other prisoners Recognise They recognise they are aif ferent in that they are poktical prisoners. Dean and ‘Russell wore singled out as examples by the aw to pay for the revolt of vail miners” against the Sestruction of thaw iwethoos by the government “ihe massive smount of mai thoy. receive, “especially” at Chestmos and ‘on their bt

It is also vital for the close friends “who make the for nightly visit 10 Leicestershire from the Rhymney Valley in minibuses. provided by the local NUM lodge.

They need to know that they are not, and can never bbe, forgotten and that working class solidarity does exist, that when thei ordeal is over they can come out with their ‘heads high

Solidarity

Ht you want to show solidari. ty. write. sand @ donation oF make 2 collection in your ‘workplace and send it’ to:

‘thdays, bears witness 10 this Dean” Hancock. Russell fect. Letters, cards, and.dona- Shankland, HM Prison Gor tions arrive from France. tree, Market Harborough,

Australia, the USA andthe people of the Spanish State a=

Leics, of contact Helen Pecers io Haringey Labout Briefing

McGoldrick decision ignored

The Chair of Governors at a Birmingham College has claimed that it was not the responsibility of the Board of Governors to deal with a complaint of racial harassment and related com plaints brought by a Black lecturer against thr members of staff. Despite the College's Ar

ticles of Government and grievance procedures, the Chair claims that on legal advice from the City Education Depertment he did not formally inform the Board of Governors of the serious complaints. Contrary 10 the decision in he MeGoldrick v. Brent case he handed the matter over to

‘The City Education Depart

eS oe ment has refused to provide se details of the hearing, Oc Negotiations tober 1986, Alvnow disciam

esponsibility For further informtion con.

These negotiations ang 0 Gordon Weaver

sae or Representative for Bis Weaver! at 34 Christopher Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham B22

Our choice

— not

the

bosses’!

The re-election of Arthur Scargill marks an uptura within the NUM.

Re-building the yanguard ‘must now be top priority for activists working in the

nalfields.

British Coal must not be allowed to regain the

Since the return to work in March 1985 activists have been looking for an issue over which to fight the Board. But issues have come and gone without a major confrontation taking plas

With the exception of the Frickley dispute, when 16,000 miners were picketed oui, and the Bentley victimisations dispute leading to the picketing out of 19 pits, nothing has happened

Both the Frickley and Bentley disputes weren't defeated by British Coal, but were demobilised by | the Yorkshire ‘NUM bureaucracy.

Walsh-style back door deals leading 10 sell-outs must now be crushed. 69% ‘of Yorkshire miners voted for Scargill: this can only be interpreted as a mandate for action from the rank and file.

Walsh was the negotiator behind the Ted Scott “out of court" settlement which typified his method of deal ing with the Board.

‘As Area Agent for North Yorkshire he promised to get back Ted Seott's job at Sullingfleet as Branch Secretary. Months later Ted is con: demned 10 years of ‘hard labour’ on the blunt end of a shovel.

If, as has been proved, the Board were willing {0 settle ‘out of court, they must have been in the wrong. The case should therefore have gone the whole way, until Ted wson full re-instatment

Ted's isolation and aban: donment by the Yorkshire NUM leadership left him no alternative but to accept the Board's offer. Ted believes he has had his “pound of

jesh"” from the board, but in reality he is at Kellingly and not at Sullinelleet,

where he should (be Tt these are the victor

that Walsh has co offer, then 2 call for his resignation is in

order.

The crisis of leadership at national level in the NUM has not been resolved. Scargill’s re-election has on

18 months Peter Heathfield will retire and the leadership battle will _be fought once again. The media are already lining up Wakh for the job.

By Robert Sleigh Yorks NUM rank & file

The Seargill left must alo organise and build a viable alternative candidate 10 Walsh. No one in mining should sic back with a warm slow thinking Scargill can carry the day on his own, He has had the stewardship of the NUM through the most difficult period inthe union’s history. The next 12 months will be worse if we allow British Coal to regain the initiative,

Re-electing Scargill has not resolved the Code of Conduct, the six day week, of sson the mineworkers @ wwage rise. If miners are op. posed (0 flexible working, want dignity at work, and a rate of pay reflecting the in crease in production, then the time has come’ once again to stand and fight

Developments within NACODS must be supported eventhough NACODS members were paid throughout the 84/85 strike. Some deputies have had 10 learn the hard way that they made a mistake in 1984 when they didn’t stand by their fellow mineworkers.

British Coal’s disregard for the Independent Review Body should have brought it home, even to. the most cynical mine officials, that the employers can't be trusted

The Tories’ plans to prisatice the Electricity Supply Industry and the vieious Cuts within the health sersice should be seen as a common attack upon our class. Miners in the past have stood with: the healthworkers and must be prepared to do it aeain,

Let's take the bastards on! If workers in enerey and health join together the Tories can be defeated?

Labour Briefing No. $6 February 10th-23rd 1988 page S

Trade Union Briefing

“We were out on February 3rd!”

Some 50 Nurses went on Health Petition against further strike for the whole das at cuts inthe NHS in Oxfordshive, four Oxford hospitals: the which is being sent {0 the

John Radcliffe. the Secretary of State John Moore Radcliffe Infirmary, and the, Nurses dve 19 g0 08 she aight Churchill Cahere shiCCn all the hospitals Forme: predominantly QUEE a viel from Spm uncl midnight

ft the Joh Radcliffe Hospital members were'on strike) and where again RCN members who

the _Littlemore and ere in the majority at this Warneford where COHSE hospital were lealleted members formed the Despite hostility from the lines. RCN ‘steward on site. many RCN members expressed sym-

The action was strongex pathy and some. joined "in 2 Where a lead for strike action dividuals on their off-duty e hhad been given in advance of hours. 8 February Sed 'by_the Branch Ver) importantly, individual 5

Secretary of COHSE. members of NUPE and the "A coachload of nurses from KCN have decided to approach

OHO tet ther cappotters all curs inthe Oxford Os fowel tbe demonstaton in tolforma nurses Acton Group Heese eat suppor katiaed © Day GC Aclon tog. and 19 the pable and health aie in Koop up the. campaign of r ire round-u other unions eee

Cunptign acids trom Gn” Mleaings are eis take pace that Own leaflet supporing hee goto press Sie and vogeter wn heakh Siete ters ee

alt collected over 1,000 Secreary Oxon Health Louise White Secretary COHSE Chapel Aleta Huddersfield Sissies ca the Onforthire | Encro9 “The TUC and the Laboar Parts es tom 2 mica

to defend the Heals Serie ; ee cee: vt 100 mpoatets Move tie ell be needed. Nertes Tod W xtromes baitot

London. Meanwhile, in Oxford 10 keep the momentum of the ‘on Health Emergency produced inthe John Radcliffe hospital as Leeds was hit by a massive COHSE held two meetings wave of support among Iris Walters, CONSE Leeds General fnfirmary e in the Sorter Ha health workers for the Day “The response to the strike has been absolutely magnificent, Psychiatric” Hospital to ‘action: particularly among the south. Newt time we have to be better lor mene me ake often

‘the anger of the nurses over General Election in Scotland! NUPE and COHSE, is the big- them. Runsing at emergency cover in the LGI has q shortages, cuts, low pay and "The Scottish TUC's Health | Sur sieaptal in Europe, Pack meant an increase of caf! on the wards during the dinguie~ (246, indicia” action on attacks on special duty and Social Sevsice> Committee | Hospital, Leeds General afr The majority of nurses in our payments is building up, ec" os January 19:k and agreed | mary, Killingbeck, Sencroft, St Brym Globver, Mati Exec ASTMS Health Service worker at LG! posplist be ld COHSE ths oe tar tendency of (obey ae tan 8 | Georges’s and Chapel Allerion, “I spent the majority of the das on the picket Hine and the public Sma "number fo NUPE, and eoivetyens’ from Toc to ons ave iaking pce tae hc | 32 cated by sn average of 20% 3s enormous. H represenled 8 massive turaround from 136 in the RCN. ; io lace Tike to take strike action. in the 1970s. There was only one in 30 refused to sign the On February 3rd, only 53

Fegional and national acon. walkout al Comelen Hopital in | "ORE eget “There i the additional factor Giaseon here of the attack on ancillary “” Scoutish health workers wfust | 2M4,, COHSE campaigning Workers though privatnaion. build Torthe Day of Acton and | (OSG! for sks Nurses are fully aware thai in particular try and link up | Moving jotmt ballots | Privatisation has added with Local Authority workers : 20%%-20% to the workload of also. facing threats from | COHSE at Chapel Allerton their English counterparts and “privatisation” a = dare anxious to prevent it hap- David Fowler, Assistant eee eee ee pening in Scotland Secretary CONSE 923, pg oar pe tee eF Tete is also the Fact that the personal capacity MS cierto ae ‘eriatric patents.” gas and. nderfunding bs. the 600 ancillary workers at Sinurocn tte aft rare ie COMBE. arguing agaist Pritatistion. ad

im defence of the health service. There was 4 contin

NG sxe situations! Pontefract Health authority Defending

Warde Aldam Hospitalleees nes

turses reported Tor work: 50 With the emergency cover we provided 71 nurses were work:

Ing — # higher level of stalTing then we are sometimes. 20: Ccustomed to in” monsirite

‘nol only did’ we provide Feasonable cover during the Sitke, we can also demonsirate {a the publie the upping sat jing fevels which exist normal = two stall per 20 patiems 120 murses joined a successful Dicker ‘during the course oF the Gay. A militant and. postive ‘mood mow exists amongst the members Tm cerain further {ction fs on the cards! Graham Hellawell, Sorthes Hall, COHSE

Tors Junds. Over 70,000 wn- Picket line at Warde Algham Hospital, Yorkshire Oo

ciliary” workers hare been

mang are still unemptoved. f in York were on strike on cee Wakefield Farum Se mrss teafleted a meeting of ee ea add

bringing the NUM branch os! came out om February 3rd to de. brazier on the picket fine at 04. the picket line. In the 10 support the nurses fend the NHS. The rally atSi_ Castleford evening a candelit proces

& : 2 z

‘A packed ray, organised by London Health Emergency. rounds ‘ff the Day in London

Charing Cross

‘Miners and. ures ae sion marched through the

‘main focus, in addition to the This picket line was also city. Over 2,000 nurses a ea See picket lines. sited by doctors, the Mayor of and their supporters were The trike at Che Frickley miners came out 19 Wakefield, a sum, and lecturers joined by a delegation of

ing Cross hospital was the Strikers from Hil End Hospital | lear: this action way 0

support. the nurses. Other from the Technical College 30 from Hull

(ph oo onetime magn [F— don,” said aN sd tee oa oa oe paper repo Deny Esrees “provagtonier

whe was hounded away by Which is probably why the dozens of nurses furious at his

Bross chove to ignore s most paper's claim that the svike | “The hew action was at the rol of 207 for and 16 apa few nutes om NUPE organs irminghaw Heallh Authors ih eHealth “extemsS A poopie naa | nospltal where 250 COHSE. that her trade unionis had by roundabout. it wan wall cu

ver 300 nurses went on essed. "700" "mona! | mus went on 24 hour Foi hs, De Fecked br paste moiwrki Sut Riordan

fecohed thesimootoftheun: ve Menes ua recap. | the Ronit refused tosep- UH ihy incr beet ctceey Cea get tan There was gly a Herecnmteny'At nes ho fenasteycotedracoat. | portie acon net ig: WATE Maicorh eek, ssc) Coal Benin Might na Blae of ome. down, the snd 200 sromoty walked out] dividual NUPE members did star Poncr ‘cpr! al tie “heathworkes aceon “he rdngton chlred by Bo lam Palace Road combines 10 merch on the hospital respect the picket line chet had insfavay aGioup <erse Of tebelion and ins we Af@oll, NUPE area officer ite chanipgansnang The aev canerrintone for | tie na TSSurt ‘am ole einen’ (ay nh tenn oh de Adresse by log Labour ‘Some ‘sections of Labour emples set by NUPE and | Teaching a high poinl of 1 notte maial| 2 RCN member tad angel John Dempsey. NUPE

chose to sten— but the most COHSE acting as one in Char told the rally

and high spirited — ith the oc nibers, al the adja 10 join NUPE in the previous divisional offi

enthusiastic. reception was ing Cross have inspired the en- . = : : x aiven 0 Tony Benn fa former "movement, and-there ae | Seino aut - Rate Wires Cae MEEE” “Aadtiotoed yuestriie se hie Patient) row plans for a commnittes of | “Cry Duffs. a COHSE shop the Queen Elizabeth, one nurses steward aid tat nurses 1eBion

Pickets were enlivened by al ouble sector stewards in oracle of Birmingham's Digvet would consider Tarther action | Joh Robinson, MSS shep Visits from four of the 3B Man- the area to discuss plans fore | oe Se: Chet Hosphal, ausiliars sat and'a after she February 11th Cen Steward, GRN’ Hardy Spiers

chester nurses who sparked general strike!

Labour Briefing No. 56 February 10th-23ed 1988 page 6

Labour Party

True Meaning of Labour Listens discovered Shock

Past issues of Labour Briefing have included many contributions wondering what the True Meaning of Labour Listens is. We have tended to criticise the ‘campaign for being a bad attempt to get the whole of Labour to listen to the working class.

These extracts from the Labour Party Conference Procedures Committee, reveal that this is not the intention of the campaign.

In fact, under the new campaign, Labour becomes ‘the Leadership alone, and everyone else Listens to them.

This Is how the campaign will affect Labour Party Conferences from now on.

Conference Procedures Committee held on December 7th 1987 in the House of Commons

Present: Jo Richardson MP, John Evans MP, Eddie Haigh, Derek Gladwin, Peter Mandelson, Richard Taylor, Joyce Gould.

(12) Amendments

Ht was felt that amendments were often used to provide the “weighting” required to get a debate at Conference. It was agreed that if amendments were to be eliminated, the closing date for resolutions could be brought forward, making resolutions more relevant. (...)

3. Compositing Procedure

The proposal to bring forward the timing of the compositing procedure was considered, (...)

4. Agenda

Concern was expressed at the number of subjects that were scheduled for the daily agenda, resulting in rushed and consequential debates. The level of debate was also lowered by the time allowed for ‘speakers, and the ad-hoc way in which speakers are determined

‘Agreed: That the NEC recommends to the CAC:

|. that the number of subjects scheduled for debate be reduced;

ii. that the time given to speakers be extended to allow for @ case to be made fram the rostrum;

ii, that consideration be given to adopting a system of speaker's cards.

North West Campaign Group CONFERENCE

Saturday, February 13th 1988 Council Chamber Manchester Town Hall 10.30am-4.30pm

Speakers: Ken Livingstone MP Ann Pettifor, Labour WAC ‘Audrey Wise MP Eric Heffer MP Plus workshops on: Racism, Trade Unions. Women, Peace, Ireland, and Local Government Registration €3/£1 wagediunwaged from 93 Ewan St, Manchester 18 Greche available — please apply if required ‘Access: no information given on publicity leaflet

Exeter Fights Fascist Celebrations

The campaign against Exeter City Council-sponsored William of Orange celebrations was stepped up on February 2nd. Thirty members of Exeter Anti-Fascist Action stopped a Council meeting for 20 minutes by loweting a protest banner from the public gallery.

Brighton Brighton Fightback

No compulsory redundan: 5 cies; maximum effective By Brighton Briefing

public services: full con- supporters sultations with tenants regarding levels of rents. the level of opposition These are the _‘‘com- mobilised.

NUPE Council workers

mitments"* that the Brighton

Labour Group leaders brought fo. and narrowly won at the fou ever the forthcoming

Manieste GC" cf Brighton fut. these manual {gue Pery And you'don's Notes who refs nine need to be sh expert costal The town’s voluntary sectors to'realse that these are no 2's threatened, ax grants are ommtients sts En

inthe efforts to avoid The last few woaks have ratecapping tail costs, she 180 sen the launch of the ptccanping costs Brighton Fightback Campoignl Group Leaders Pave dented ich \c holding a Conference emcees’ —“atacking' the Against the Cuts on Sundsy womniots, ond ‘Labour’ sup. Febuary Tain ot the Sores teed of the Tone Beghihelm Cente. Bringing

rdtaking thw blame forthe fogner Labour Party 2c a tena’ association and on the Campaign represents bread base on whic to buld copotton the “sel Setucton'*" of Bighton

recently lobbied ‘the Labour

Their guiding “principles ‘effectively give Brighton Labour Group a blank cheque to act as they wishin the com ing petiod. The extent of this blank: cheque will depend ‘on

On the Road to

If you were si front carriage of

the speech had only a tenuous link

swith either local goverament, oF the future of local government tunder Labour administrations. This sae a criticism that could be levelled at the” entire sneckend

the last carriage by the time it arrived in Edinburgh.

If you'd seen it on television you would have assum. ced that it was some sort of

By Steven Taylor Camden Local optical illusion. But it Government Committee

wasn't. And neither for that a matter was the conference, ~ sss Ks. although it might as well have been for all the dif ference it made

There were working groups fon the Saturday

‘@ The Poll Tax working group were told that the Poll Tax wat

‘manner of ta Bad Thing manager who ot only deter. eThe Education norking mines the goods that are places group were told that che Educa fog the shelves, but also decides tion Bill was a Bad Thing

"The Community Care After Griffiths working group were that CCAG sas a Bad Thing

¢ The Competitive Tendering Working Group were told that Competitive Tendering was a Bad Thing,

@The Housing Working Group were told that the Hous. ing Bill was a Bad Thing

if there had been a Tory Government Working “Group

Tears before

| got the flavour of the Labour Local Government Conference on the chartered train up to Edinburgh,

Across the gangway were sitting several Councillors from Brighton. (I'm not gojing to name names. we joumalists have to protect, ‘our sources),

These councillors were discussing their cuts budget. They were quite clear that they didn’t want to do it, but after the “85 defeats, it’s apparently too late to fight

So, more in sorrow than

‘hich goods are actually per chased by the consumer.

“The supermarket w unionised, and ina ‘minule address 10. the Con: ference the manage: spe

Sas certainly @ fact that bis

By Christine Shaweroft Leader, Tower Hamlets Labour Group

report the outcome. Women oF Brighten. weit with bared Great But I coud have redeted from “the wore ot thot there'd be Tears tetore Doncaster

“ihe. Conference consisted of workshops and ful sessions Sn's whole range of iesucw Sci ne shadow of the cots Budgets loomed over ther ai Ersdling out bursts of a ig. and occasionally hard te kd combat

‘Ar the hl sessions, the big in anger, they set about the enemy. The Tones? Wel eciding what was for the — yes. one 0: two shel lobbed chop. thor dvecton. The SOPLD

This_wont well at frst. NPSLD? From tme to time, @ Foclibes wore Closed down, short salvo. bosts mere fren rents were But the ealenemy are those

cos and sack “Then one of them sroposed axeing the Women's Commit ‘en and al et broke tose sed 1 ves

megrty had faced other cute nto the buffet car so can't

tsk comrades this really will not do. These sensitive souls just can't con Centrate on doing the Tories work for them if you keep making so much noi

Tt happened again with the Poll Tax. Some refuges fram Cloud Cookoo Land, reincar sted Wat Tylers, are urging

If the health of any campaign can be judged by the attendance and level of political debate at its AGM, then the Women’s Action Committee is as dead as Monty Python's parrot. Thirty-two women trapsed to Manchester 10 listen to. the ‘demented rantings of the WAC leadership as they plain why we should Support an organisation which inthe course of two Years has ‘managed 10 sell ou

By Gill Lee Labour Briefing Women

support of the review appeared to.come asa shock not only 10 the Briefing women present who had previously been denounced as “divisive™” for their opposition to the review, but 10 the ‘ther members of the WAC Ex: The pinnacle of political discussion, however, was. the debate on is WAC a Semocratic centralist orzanisa tion?” The answer seemed to be Tn an_attempt to rewrite yes — and no. history, An Pestifor explained "Yes, in that its members are hhow she had always been aware bound to fight for the positions ‘Of the dangers of the resiew of adopted by the WAC Executive the women's organisation laun- on bodies such as the National ‘hed by the NEC Labour Women's Committee ‘She had pointed these out ro Do the women who elected Ann the WAC leadership at every Pettifor on to. the National Stage but had been “over Labour Women’s Commitice ruled” by her sisters on the Ex- know she is accountable not 10. ecutive. News of Ann’stwo sear them, but to that much broader Tong. sieuasle to overturn the labour movement body. the WAC: Frecutise's" position “ins: Tabouy, Women’s -9gign

Local government conference

As dead as a parrott

Edinburgh

they would probably have been

ovide any housing at all for told that a' Tory Government © *

Some people vas a Bad Thing; but perhaps "Wt" way” also all tight” for seas abit naive in assuming that Labour not to implement the ne sere all sort of agreed on jaw when it came to health and these bad things. safety T-xisation. women's

Good Things were women's rights or race equality. AD: cauality. getting closer :0 the parently there is nothing what Brublic, the arts and media, new —Sgever "that. is. wrong. Wheh exelopments in poliial ttuc- Labour breaks laws which can tures, and race equality be applied in defence of work initiatives, ing class imeress

1c wasn't explained how Local "However, there is everything Authorities were meant 10 inn- i baeatins ran atch

‘wrong with breaking laws whiel

plement these Good Things in Can only be applied in support the light of Bad Things, but Sf iycante Gees Under tea maybe it was enough Just tO cumstances, we were Told, mow that they were Good. Should Labour controlled Local

Howeser, the goodest thing Authorities break Tory. laws. of all was legality. Staying lepal, Indeed. it was our duty. as earned, was what the Labour democratic socialists 10 imple Party in local government was ment such las.

out. Almest everyone said__And there you have it: Edin his Neil Kinnock said it- Roy burgh 1988 — Right and wrong. Hattersley said i. Nuclear Jack good and bad, legal and legal Cunningham said it. Donald You picks your leader and you Dewar said it. David. Blunkett do what you're told. And if this of legal tree frog

itvas ail ight for the Labour "On the journey’ back to Lom Party to break the law sshen st don the proces was reversed, It came t© not repairing Council you left Edinburgh in the las housing. ‘or not dealing with carriage, you arrived in London over-crowded housing. or damp sitting in the fist carriage. 1 and delapidated housing. Itwas was very biblical. Nel Kinnock even allright for Labour not to is God. OK!

Doncaster ifs.

Weekly, and for Labour to listen t0 the working class nat Tory voters can be considered more hopeful

Rodney. Bickerstatte brought the hause dawn in

non-payment campaigns. But this is just the sort of thing Which would help the Tories! The realistic way to defeat the Poll Tax, is for Labour Aur. powerful speach on behalf of thorites to collect it Tor the the health service. The Tones... Thet'l really show Clapometer registered 99% ar all the delegates, tew of the The Briefing Clapometer platform. Perhaps it was the registered just_over 5% in jokes about Brion Gould that favour of all this statesper- did the damage. soniike ‘reasonableness. But We then stood and sang Given the selfselecting nature “The Ried Flag", which | felt Of the audience (mostly Coun entirely appropriate in the cil leaderships! maybe the circumstances. burst of applause for pleas for _'1'S a long time since | saw lower membership subscrip $0 much” Tinching and uons._the return of Labour sneering

‘Committee?

No, in that there is_no democracy. The AGM as in formed that it was considered’ have a perfectly correct 10 use the Na- Published. tional Organisers Report in the "Is WAC well? Can Neil Kin WAC mailings to denounce cur- nck tango with a rhinoceros? rents such as Briefing, and even

minority opinion

Leeds Euro-Constituency Reselection

Closing dates for nominations: March Sth Shortlisting: March 12th

Selection: March 26th

Stop Press

‘As we go to press we hear that Cllr Phil Murphy has been reinstated into Birmingham Labour Group — Black Sections chalks up another victory!

Labour Briefing No. 56 February 10:h-23rd 1988 page 7

Labour Party

Witch-hunt

spreads If you can’t beat ’em —

lave throw them out!

| Om Samusry 27th The focal press as been fet

| Labour’s NEC received a smear stores about us. The London _potce have been broueht into

jt SScgultand arrest us- Ani-cuts

Regional Officers charg- scriists in the unions have been

ing local Briefing sup- jnveatened sith disciplinary ac

porter Mandy Mudd with on. Aoiicuts groups in the

Many socialists in the oft local demonstrations | "q. sustaimed course of community fer thir grants wil Labour Party still think 322% th Alton Bil simlarso | conduct prejudicial to the" 7iPary's procedures have

the witeh-hunt is confin- Beimondsey Womer'sSccion, | Party" and. recommen- een abused and mectne ofthe

ed to Militant and don't The 40 members have, of | ding expulsion. Horsey and Woed Green GC eit could happen to. couse, not evn teen noted | Irs only a matter of time #04 fh Haringey COC are on oe them. Kc alone had sign of the | Before the NCCs Kamearoe ihe right wing resorting to all ‘hein lt alone had sight of the | court will mect to deal out Ying. of” Base procedural

That's what our leaders charges agains them. Even the | SON ite miucticete Man. ints Of DSi procedural 4 about tofeelthe brunt ofthe #2 eet Just four NEC | =o aes, i NOEs Stalinist-inspired sispension. z “ have been cynically falsified. S thabwihoutdefencetactis. “Zim "Nenters of Bradtrd | Thee can by no dour Abt law Hovmey & Wood 8 By DAN CARTER North CLE also face expulsion | that Mandy has been singled this question and other felated zi

i. The" face” isso sket. | OU! Because of her anti-cuts matters were obstrucied by a Mandy Mudd, waiting to speak at Hornsey Vale Ward's public

ship. The “‘evidente” is 0 sket

ction prejudicial to the Sh?’ inae wade anion powee: | activity — and her associa- blatant filibuster, orchestrated meeting against the cuts

Party" is the catch-all charge. broker Sam McCluskie moved | tion with Labour Briefing. by the CLP Chait. a ; ‘The Labour Council leaders “next business” at the NEC to aaa ; Se Toei eg munaccey. ms Pls, As frst Bee eee ee beset” ibe NEC 1s ‘am singled out because of my activity i ands allesd “wnacen- conduct pejudval "(0 the ingrents ought to be broushi fo Bradford Norihs defense, Just | opposition fo the savage cuts in jobs and services now table beavout consis ofa Patty's infra we can hk order under that beading Fee Mee mentee voted | being made by Haringey Council. The right wing clique essa souaist should act of no more ap chaige io level a Now Mandy Mudd, Chair of — sgsins he investigmions. who bave forced these cuts through the Party and the comaining by al Semocraic Haringey Covnel Lesder Toby Toucan, Labour Pity faces "Vin Leeds West anctber | Council sem terrified ofall democratic opposition. | and services, and working day acolytes ea giputsion for her actuties in member is under invesigation | qake mo apologies for behaving as all socialists should and night for montis fo build “Theft butchering of HarHaringey Fights. Back!. and for alleged membership of Mil. — : a Baer vce oneiie cum foaleaad menboripof Mi” | Tag working to builds united movement against cals nied mover of Coul ings schol, socal eis porters in Haringey could soon ions of alleged Milian’ acy | im jobs and services, whether in the NHS or local ge ro enim ane face the axe. are now underway in almost | government. Mudd nett eas Malek ee en AF defending working. class shiry other constituencies. Newt. ad ie ates Ses ee fare se cena od Jving standards and fighting the" "Pariy. Lenders must surely | | AS our Fepular readers will The repo on Mandy (who's fhe feqr with which the local each dict inet of the Party, the NEC mas find against socialism. The proposed | !7008 ofl the ground in Har- filed by London Regional Of CELUIEE OA ari Sauces itt wing opposition by hook or 41 more Peon "proudly Change to the leadernp at | i88ey,We'vcbeenamajorfore fiers atthe instigation of focal 27 = st00! Pleading “gully” than they thi'seae’s Conference mest go | 0 local campaigning around right wingers — but without the Eons Cr thesd'n‘oner'to she Fary | icp Boatacr faowicieerspmasarcne Model resolution Teg capris, ae. memerretnat my vost |) Fame Posthe Iunperfor le GC or lEG Macy ese. Biv ! Sees pol stk We. mete pee biane™ and gay men and Sec s'copr af tie report she Briefing supporters! Please move this at your won't give up without 2 fight. ‘To stop the tide of the witch- eo od ae on has received no formal com branch, section, trade union, etc. oc cli malr pie maleate prt thick Labour leaders have tore: munication of any tind from cea fave biten Off snore than they courage a iett challenge | St their backs. ELE the NEC, ‘or Larry We condemn the decision of the NEC to refer the ‘‘case"" of festyhcas of those opposed to purges for | Wehave played aeading ole Whitt. Yer Why fects tee te Mandy Mudd to the National Constitutional Committee. Dents a 23% swing to fhe Party tendentips we'CLes | it building Haringey “Fights ell the national pres that he This is clearly part of a widespread and growing witch-bunt uate ind Gen Eton. tata anos ne | et ss Seton fsicd ant has a clear separ apd that ts a the Party, aed thelr right to hold views 2 witsh-hune inthe South Lon: “gpasy resolutions against the | cu campaign with a high fro Mandy"s behaviout "i. rf gsetsahag don SouthwarkeBermondse) — s.tpensions and explsions file and we ‘have taintained™ unacceptable 8 ee CUP has been brewing for some “glass the nose at all Party | constant pressure inside the Whovis he trying to kid? The campaign around those views. time, sired up by the local rag meetings and with. Parts | Labour Party to GLLP Ormmers who cooked up Mandy Mudd has consistently spoken out against the South London Press, Claims of members ia Fightback and anti- | Policy. his nonsensical distortion of cuts, job lasses, and privatisation of local government {0 foc tans ens, Sate commiley FOr the Lec it te wut ae moti ut ad Teale Doanea te Cone ornare Secret dossiers and centaquotes “Page resolutions and amend- | all Been 100 agents ofthe Tight ting cabal speoyee mame e pape irony CLEP General Sesttiary-- sees do Wegiowal Conierracss | witcb-Buuting Of Mandy i the eho are destroying Labour i g people. Terry Ashton have ed tO Gallng. teen fall Party | latest and most desperate in a London. The fact that they are dFOpping of these charges and for the Labour Party

suspension of the Constituency democracy. > Of altacks on the paid with our sabscriwions for mationally to get on with the job of fighting the Tories Pany ‘© Question Regional Officials their dirty work only adds insult instead of witeh-h ‘own members.

TNow that the Greater London whe have stepped into run local Labour Party hastaken overthe Parties and’ demand. written

Stop the Bermondsey witch-hunt !

The witch-hunt against Bermondsey Labour Party and its ‘membership represents 2 violation of the most elementary principles of natural justice

We do not know what the charges are, nor whom they

have been levelled against. The Party and its accused 4

AL the very least, the NEC must rescind the suspension

of Bermondsey Labour Party pending an open and KEN LIVINGSTONE spoke to Briefing’s GRAHAM independent inquiry at which members are informed in BASH after the January 27th NEC which voted full of the charges against them, and at which they have | to spread the witch-hunt into new areas. 2 chance 10 answer those charges What wee partcidermathes, le tabled anda

A Labour Party which cannot extend these basic enets | Wnee «W405, & Particular TASS et atonal Con

Peter Tatchell Usually at some point after 2 witch-hunt was the scale — perfunctory debate in the NEC of tittle-tattle and gossip one of the extreme right move

that now passes for that the issue now be put. To. evidence and policy. day we did manage to have @

a é g 2

ptision tine in Exeter. Peter | Sven seis Sl eeaee aves Bowing. one of the founders of Devon Labour Briefing faces | making inside the Lal Fale csoate because Tom Ken Livngstona at 1987 Annual Conference, where he was ‘the third attempt in five years to expel him — this time after he as ashe made leogthy contributions in, ected £0 he ‘nade’. publi call forthe Labour Party to mount rea 2 many Lebour Party ade lenathy contributions 0 tovingly assembled by a! wodks Tesistance to the Tories officials up and down the — jpiveh they Galt ov the gossips that hang around "But a few weeks late all Node! Revolution Country who seem. com inthe murky comers of the that completely forgotten eee raie cones ty Een CLP picyet) ms esioen tc AL log’ nn cleatkel.” elwaya: Witch-hunt inns. is not Ge aigtasat 1 Fealene eoage et ere Be ete otras te fry acs ed comma | eg aetine diesel in oy id ae that's Some ancey at the hea ot tisk any individual who sought to advence opinions critical of ‘gossip hunt was going too farafterhe revalt_by the rank and file in fear, built up by our own ef Jocal of national leaderships. These proceedings therefore to what passes for 2 heard Ken Cure say that he the Constituencies to bring forts, is then exploited by the Such they congltutea serous threat tothe domoctacy of the | Mestings of the National Ex- 300 expulsions to complote The pont | apecticaly put effet. iabour Forty ecutive Commutive are 80. ithe process tothe Loader of he Party wot “Today's work hs probably We support the right of Peter Bowing and otherindviduals to | Solutely horrendous, You sit “That sent quite a shiver of that he might get good press done more to ensure the elec {Therefore callon Exeter CLP immediately to stop alldiscioinary | page document, consisting of ould see perhaps the next 30 down 8 Constituency Labou government than anything the proceedings. Who said what to whom, who Gr 40 mestings of the NEC Party and that might add two Militant Tendency. could do Freese send copies toP. Bowing. 19 Culverland Road. Exeter | shouted. at... whom. and, , totaly, Gomynasea, by, fuge , oF three per cent 9 our stan, even if shey al went bananes,

and to The Secretary. Exeter CLP, 26 Clifton Hil, Exeter. Sssumptions “sboUut people's” ' tomes of titie-tattle that have "ding in the polls for four of five’ collectively,

Labour Briefing No. 56 February 10th

rd 1988 page 8

Featur:

the Housing Bill

The Bill and Council Tenants

You’re an endangered species!

The Housing Bill provides two mechanisms for the removal of housing stock from Local Authority control.

Housing Action Trusts ‘ate_government-appointed bodies which will compulsorily acquire from Local Authorities estates ‘or groups of estates, improve the housing, and sell

‘off to owner-occupiers. private sector landlords, ‘and Housing Associations.

Finance for HATS will be taken from the national housing investment programme allocation, and will therefore result in a reduced allocation to Local Authorities.

The ‘Tenants’ Choice Proposal” will allow landlords approved by the Housing Corporation the fight. to approach any group of Council tenants with a view to acquiring ‘ownership of the property from the Council. A majod. ty of the tenants will need to vote against the pro posal to prevent its going ahead.

Given high property prices, especially in Lon: don and the South East, it is certain that developers will try £0 take over a large umber of Council-owned properties. Property in cen tral London will be pat

Small properties such as © Conditons for Coune! tenants wil deterrate under the pew Bit — und! Couel provision

Properties with 2 large “ . muenber “unoccupied Beeps ust ales espero reser, withthe ret ofve pang profits io neh fandiode

units, or where there are a large number of elderly tenants, are also fkely to be favoused targets.

it would obviously be in a developer's interest to empty such properties as quickly as possible in order to. maximise the profit. This would almost certainly lead to the short-term eglect of housing stock, financial inducements to get tenants to move out, an increase in harassment and the escalation of rents ‘and ‘other charges

As more desirable pro: perty moves into private ‘ownership, the overall quality of Local Authority housing stock will deteriorate,

The Housing Bill also threatens to remove the “cost floor provision’ in fight to buy sales. What this means Is that @ Local Authority would actually make a loss on the sale of recently constructed pro: perty where disruption costs exceed current market valuations.

The next Housing Bill will make itillegal for Local Authorities to subsidise Council housing from the Rates. This would mean a massive increase in rents across the country, a cor responding increase in right to buy applications, and a sim'er increase in proposals ‘om alternative Tandlords. in other words, if Council tenants can’t afford to buy, they will be forced into the private rented sector.

Opening the way for the

landlords

‘The new forms of tenan- have a “fair rent". Housing ¢y (assured tenancies and Association tenants will also shortholds) proposed in be affected, as they will be

changes in the inheri rules, or unless their rent is

unregistered or unregulated.

landlord or a Housing Association, they are likely to become an assured tenant

the Housing Bil will have ge assured tenancies in However, if they move immediately. Although it aie aaa the future, jouse they will be forced to may be in the interests o! an immediate and direct “Tye Bill also proposes that have either an assured or developers to charge a

impact on new private

and Housing Association beng aes

Given that landlords will

relatively low rent at the first

only one person will be able a rage of an assured tenancy,

to inherit the tenaney if the

tenancies. é present tenant dies, (At the not get the benefit of the it will certainly rise ‘Assured tenancies are moment, the tenancy can be new legislation unless ex- dramatically once _ the

given a fixed lifetime, for ex- passed on in this way twice.) isting tenants move from tenants are in the private

ample three years. They can ‘The grounds for eviction are their properties, there is sector.

also run from week to week also being changed so that a almost certain 10 be a Needless to say, once

‘or.month to month. landlord can get atenant out — massive increase in Council tentants opt for the The tenancy conditions of the property more easily harassment. private sector they will not

land the rent are agreed bet- and quickly. If tenants transfer froma be allowed 0 return to

ween landlord and tenant. 1f "The government has Tox private public provision.

they cannot reach an agree realised that all this will lead

ment, a Rent Assessment (0. more harassment of

Committee “market” rent

This rent will be set t0 ‘make sure that the landlord makes a sufficient profit on the dwelling. However, this ‘Committee will not be able to set a ceiling on the rent, so the landlord can legally charge more than the suggested amount

‘A. shorthold tenancy is much the same, except that the landlord has a right to take back the home at the end of an agreed period.

These proposals mean that most new tenancies in the private sector will not

suggest private tenants, and has sug. gested ways of punishing landlords who engage in it. But their suggestions rely on the tenant sueing the landlord, which is difficult, time-consuming and expensive.

‘The government has not ‘given any protection t0 vie tims of racial harassment or people being victimised by ‘Other tenants. There are n0 proposals in the Bill whatsoever for the homeless.

People who are private tenants at the moment will not be immediately affected by the Bill, except by

a a 2

As housing stock moves into the private sector, the pressure of ‘Speculation wil move peices upwards.

Third term To housing:

THEY OUR B ANDM

The government’s Housing Bill does not exist in isolation. Housing provision is inextricably linked to every other area of private or collective prov sion, and the new housing legislation is linked to the overall Tory legislative programme.

At the heart of this programme is _nothing less than the dismantling of the welfare state, and through this, the destruc-

all fed to a financial crisis of historic proportions. Labour-controlled Local ‘Authorities nto longer have the resources nevessary to

tion of collectivism, not aoe nie patting

only as an idea, but a5 4 Labour Councils are making

practical means of staff redundant, cutting

organising society. social and community pro The Tories have been sion, and actually attacking

engaged in this process since the _ working class com1979, munitices which made their

existence possible in the first

The creation of mass — instance

unemployment (with a cor-

responding reduction in ‘Couservatives unemployment benefits and

rights), the introduction of The Conservatives are

anti-irade union laws, the destruction of manufacturing industries, especially those industries in which the trade union movement was strongest (including _construction), and the creation of a massive pool of cheap labour have all undermined not only the organised strength of the labour movement, but also undermined the very concept of trade unionism as a means of defending and extending the rights of working class people,

In conjunction with these attacks on the trade unions and their members, there has also been an attack on public sector provision in general, and Labour-led local provi: sion in particular.

now moving in to privatise Local Authority service exactly the same way in which they have privatised public sector industries, The Housing and Planning Act, which is already law, requires Local Authorities to put out to tender six specific services:

‘@ refuse collection;

street cleansing;

‘@cleaning of buildings;

catering

‘@ ground maintenance; vehicle maintenance. This is the first stage of the Tory plan. Housing servvices will soon be swallowed up in the tender trap.

The Right to Buy. is, of course, privatisation ” by another name. Cuts that hhave already taken place in the house building programme, rent rises, and subsidies made available to owner-occupiers, have already made private ownership @ more attractive proposition than ever. The proposed Housing Bill will accelerate the process.

The tactics employed by the Tories are dramatically simple. Where a profit can be made on a service, it must bbe maximised so that the service can be privatised.

Privatisation

‘The privatisation programme and the give-away share issues have helped fracture the link between public sector industries and consumers. The privatisation of British Telecom, British Petroleum, and British Gas has had a profound and debilitating effect. on the entire labour movement — not because those industries. were accountable or democratically controlled, but because as long as they remained part of the public sector there was the prospect of democracy and

Amendment

Where a profit cannot be made on a service, then the financial outlay on that service must be minimised. The political objective is clear: the destruction of collectivism.

The Labour leadership's response (0 these attacks has been appaliing. There has been a failure to grasp either their scale or their nature at

and the Labour-controlled

Metropolitan Authorities, the reductions in Rate Sup” port Grants and Housing Investment Programmes, and the introduction of the rate-capping legislation have

both national and local level. Local Authorities have

become baby-Kinnocks, falling over themselves in an at-

‘Camden Labour Briefing

cj Labour Briefing No. $6 February 10th-23rd 1988 page 9

Feature: the Housing Bill

‘ies turn on Housing Action Trusts A flagship for the Tory

(HATs) are a critical ele pecont Lurkle there. They. will target’ ing will not be sold for

ment in the Tories’ all- ans = & Stoke areas ripe for speculation owner-occupation but for

‘out essault on public Newington CLP and og yuppietication”; renting (mainly back to the

z - ‘move tenants out and sell original tenants, but a

ce ee ick up the tab for “hous. off the housing stock on market prices) under hous-

Within designated areas, ing’’ the homeless in bed the open market. ing associations, tenants

Sey iotasd fe reed ommnets are broakteet co-ops and. private ship of all Council housing Under the HAT regime Gade landlords.

i cils will be forced to sell off are deliberately undemoc. Expertise

Owneroccupation or for The balance on the of moving tenants outs, he lavished on HATS,

fnpt_to win what they decide to either amend for- | ovate” aketor” Continy Outstanding loan debt will pending. both private and before housing assets are misive ay the “middle Geet? Genlaten sr cor | under privete landlords er femain with the Counci, public money on tenova- passed into ‘the private ound", not even realising (noms et ine cnaes | Rousing. associations, 2nd inthe end willbe paid tion, and then selling the “Sector, for therm to reap atthe ground is crumbling jp full titi’ a “aeeuuged by tenants living outside housing on to the private ths profits, But as the im. nder their feet Aiboth focal and national | ™arket. They will never the HAT area sector proved stock will be in The Party's housing evel, we need both a change | ‘eum to Local Authority _ HATsdonotmakesense The Tories will_ make private hands, the Tories licy offers as much pro- Gf igadership and a chanee. | CONtTOl. if they are simply to incur sure there’s at least one will claim it is the private clion to the working class Of leadership and a change | Ait Urban Develop. public expenditure that is "showpiece HAT’ (for sector which has brought “bunting on the Titanic - ment Corporations, HATs at present denied Councils party political broadcasts! the benefit.

ee eee ee nie ray encima

‘Aggression homeless, ‘town’ hall | Pointed by — and accoun * workers, women’s groups, | table only to — the en

The Housing Bilisnotan Sndbiackand ethnic enmert, | vifonment Secretary. They olated act of aggression. It fy" organications, lesbians | will have similarly wide

spat and parcel of 4 $us- nd gay men Powers of lang acquisition, ined and. co-ordinated "4 ##Y ™P- planning and development salt on the working class contro, highways, nd its organisations Coherent Sewerage and health ‘A campaign against the powers, thereby stripping jousing Bill. must ‘de These class forces can be | Local Authorities of ‘any

powers they could use to obstruct the Tory plan of ‘selling off the “desirable” bits of our inner cities,

reanised from the grass united into a coherent and ots upwards, but it is mutually supportive camsential that the Labour — paign. This should not be a

The Timetable

The Housing Bill was issued on November 20th | within the HAT atea, they 1987 and had its second reading on November _| will nevertheless be taced 30th, It is now in the Committee stage which is | fOusing “thoy will retain pxpected to last until the end of March. The Bill | their tegal duty to house

will then have its third reading in the Commons _| the homeless — HATs will have no responsibilities,

Councils Whilst Councils will lose

before referral to the Lords. The government | Cox" sor tact they make :

anticipates that it will become law by October | homeless, Therefore the when did you last see 2 Council estate looking 2 plush as this private estate? We're heading for 1988, Councils will sil be left to a twoter system of housing. 2

marty and our represen campaign which is built on

atives at local and national the basis of a mass lobby of

Bel, scaly athe Howe ef Lords, bt Lab pol

Reve i aches eae alter bas abour s polic

ampaign aimed at securing the controt

of rsa forthe woking A sé I ” f t oseects and then defending those rea Cc oice oO

esources against attack

The prospects for this from the ruling class. mote. Local Authority __We either stand together

aders seem to believe that against these attacks or we

ing @ certain part of the fll. To coin a phrase, there | There were 350 words in Autores 10 ell Coun fall ide alia Ts Pehla pp ee Been ones), and soon naGeaS under the banner % ‘The Manifesto also stated Tory policies. It was nothing provision, Labour's housing headline Real Choice in ‘that Council tenants would be ‘more than an attempt to Policy is little more than a he Main P I orm poe egy Fenoretem gator ene o th aat gh je Main Froposais There were two policy a nam yen adversely 0 alfect their Newly votes al the expense of those Firs areiticee fesin proposals in the pSuscutding and onorston SEGESTnS gh pay contactor and ingatlerof gear teu fr he Housing Bill: ES eee 4 The Bill will allow “approved landlords” to | wamuled and itas unciar_ vate tenants would ean H Benefit *f rs fs belies coienan ‘security and have a legal right spproach groups of Council tenants with a view | publ: prvatescion Se jousing Benetits 0 taking over the ownership and management | Pn ""=watementscaded— "Yaa was Labour's Rea! : th esd emp ios oo tarabaretta Bonk es winston if their homes. This has been referred to by the | “Along wim:miscamea Chae "uucrtrramtor = | fowmchangee in the Boop,

government as the ‘tenants’ choice” proposals. | {rir tue seier anch

+The Bill will enable the Secretary of State to | ased the teal practical

Glilemma of exactly how such a

‘respective of thelr | Conve Teno effect in ‘ef ciaimants have over to effect in April: 3.000 savings, thelr

“3 decent place - Housing Benefit will be There was nothing about ©The “sliding scale” which reduced: if they have over

set up Housing Action Trusts (HATs) to take Stmajor tive" was to be Tallcdve peowiion and. | applies to Housing Benefit £6,000 they wil ot recelve wver the entire administration of housing in a Pea mento mini sect mowung.” | waast much qwepe. "any Housing Benet, This wil single area in order to “diversify tenure’ ae ee : ne qualiy or cost of public | for same people, and impact on the elderly and 4 The Bill will introduce new forms of tenancy | ..t™abiniless 4. Moning cabin ieeny ott Apesmn ona eThonrwllbea calla s” assured tenancies and shortholds) with reduced | money ised from scling "|e quali or cost of peach | low income wil find thet @ maximum amount, onthe Public housing would be us eng hovst El wage increase mey mount of Housing Benefit urity and higher rents for new private and {o finance further house ‘e There was nothing about | actually only be worth 13p that @ private tenant can sing Association tenancies, including those building. Uniortunately, it eas overcrowding, unfit housing, | because of the removal of claim, This will certainly lead Building. In other words, ic Phere wasn't even anything overcrowding and an increase

SDOCTAGOoo oD ooooCoOHOooD! would have allowed Local Pile:

in poverty

a Rees

Labour Briefing No. $6 February 10th-23rd 1988 page 10

Features

Socialist Conference “Aims and Objectives”:

Let debate commence!

The Socialist Conference organisers have issued a statement of Aims and Objectives as a basis for discussion for developing the Chesterfield initiative.

‘The four-page document begins by asserting the need: ‘To establish a strong, independent initiative to renew the idea of socialism in Britain,”

To bring socialist ideas up to date in order (0 meet the needs of the 2st century.”

Document

The document emphasises the inexcricable link between socialism. and democracy, ‘and gives a central place to democratisation of the ‘economy and the state.

It advocates policies for “securing control by the community of the banks and Fiance houses, the land, ‘and the major companies” and follows this with a list of demands for full employment, a. shorter working ‘week, trade union rights, decent housing, healthcare, education, and so forth.

‘All this, the documents says, can only be achieved by the “radical demoeratisation and overhaul of the secretive and bureaucratic ‘State and it makes proposals accordingly

Commitment

“Socialism is international in character,""it says, and includes commitment to @ non-aligned, non-nuclear foreign policy, support for struggles against colonialism, and the “ending, after a’ fixed period, of British jurisdiction in Northern Ireland.”

‘When Black Sections first burst on to the national stage at the Blackpool Conference in 1984, we encountered widespread opposition.

Today our politics enjoy

broad acceptance and our

arguments have been cated.

In the early days, selection processes far outweighed ac tivity in other areas. Since then, some of the criticism and ‘cynicism — that. the ‘campaign consisted only of ccareerists — has been shaken off and there has been mach ‘greater involvement in Black community campaigns and the formulation of anti racist socialist policies

Defeats

Despite this progress, repeated defeats at Labour Par ty Conference at the hands of the block vote have taken their toll on morale. Some supporters said last year that they were against going back to Con Terence in 1988 with the same demand for ‘constitutional Fecognition; others suggested that “atflation’” be sought.

community

It concludes: “We wilt provide links between those who are struggling for a better society; and we will encourage wide-ranging discussion and openness on the left...""

By Mike Marqusee Haringey Labour Briefing

it’s not hard to imagine how most far left groups will respond. Those who don’t just dismiss the document as reformist twaddle will offer detailed amendments or alternative statements in tiresome attempts to get their own programmes adopted in full by the Socialist Conference. Comrades, this is not the way forward,

Befuddled

However, the statement is befuddled by a number of crucial ommissions and confusions, which must be addressed,

There is nothing in the document about the specific ‘oppressions faced by’ black people, women, lesbians and gay men, and’ others. Nor any discussion of how we build — socialist strugales against these oppressions.

Whisper

There is not a whisper of the family, of reproductive (including ‘abortion) of childcare, of sexual the current climate, this is 2 major error which must be rectified — and not simply by a tokenistic recitation of the dreaded left-wing. for mula “women, black peo: pple, lesbians and gays...” Serious thought is needed here.

Local government isn't

Im this context, we need to assess. very sober how the ‘oles will be won at Conference ‘Afterall, the La

the arguments in. the Election —~ bat did not i the ‘ote! The foci in 1988 must be inthe trade unions which snield 90% oF Conference votes

By Narendra Makanji Vice Chair, Labour Party Black Sections

Our strength hasbeen the support we have received from the Black community. The Har. sib/Harris poll at the General Election showed. that the ma: jority of Black Party: members back our demand. But thie sup ort cannot be taken for Branted. A sreat deal of cam-

Paigning, areving, and pro- {esting will be needed and ‘our Supporters everywhere will have

{ohriden their Roizons In regard to. Black Sections winning fights similar (0 those Bread enjoyed bs. Women's "eto become anon Party pressure group — such as the Rational “Council for Crit Liberties oF West Indian Sean ding Conference

‘To be 2 Labour Party and labour movement-orientated pressure groun

mentioned at all — another strange ommission given the temper of the times. The document correctly highlights devolution and decentralisation but never utters the good old socialist word “planning”

Central

Housing, health and ‘education — areas central to the daily lives of the whole working class — are mentioned dutifully, but there is nothing about what socialist Provision in these areas would actually entail.

‘Crucial organisational questions are not dealt with. The document does not address the need to build mass, democratic, militant trade unions in building any ‘movement for socialism. On the question of the current trade union and Labour Party leadership the document is discreetly silent.

Shopping

Tam not saying that the left_should simply able a shopping list of sectional demands and get on with business as usual. On the contrary, 1am asking that the Socialist’ Conference take on board the points above (and many others) and integrate them through collective discussion, into a socialist manifesto that will

ing class (a term, by the way, from which the document fights shy). Inevitably, the document the distinction between revolution and reform — a fat of life for the left which, for the moment, we simply have to accept. More disturbing is the

eto seek resisran m-atiliaied ore

Education Association, ete ‘© To seck recognition like the National Labour Women's Committee

In January, Bill Morris, the Deputy General. Secretary of TGWU, proposed the of a Btack Socialist Soc ing that the case for some form Of independent Black represen. {ation ‘within the Party was ‘unanswerable

He added: “Amti-racisn begins from a commitment 10 social and instinwional change fond in that process institutions of the labour movement cannot ‘ond ‘will not escepe examine: liom... Block sel-organtsation, Formally recognised oF not, ili ‘lax a central part.”

The Mortis option wo quire support from the Ni Order to susceed. The Black Sec tion has gen a guarded welcome to the nee in Saying “Orer the los Si the Labour Party ins tied to et rid of ws but hss} since. ed. The critical point is who the

After 2,000 listen to the policy debstes at Chesterfield, where will the debates go now?

level of abstraction at which the whole thing is pitched. It conflates demands, policies, structures, and principles, and meanders from one topic to another. The result is a document without a beginning, middle or an end, Because of this, itis unlikely to be read with much en-

thusiasm by anyone anywhere. Explanation

We need some coherent explanation of the evils of our society and of their origins in the capitalist system.

We need to flesh out how the undemocratic power to which the document refers manifests itself in the

the Black grassroots or the leadership.

Tris dishonest co suggest that c choice Tacivg us i between anticracia Labour policies or ‘organisational change within the Party. Our objecinve bi been 19 achieve both togcth

Liberation

Nobody advocates that Wiberation movements. give up their strugale for political representation in exchange for mere policy. discussions. The Black "Section has already developed policies on employ ment, education, race attacks, immigration and nationality, Azania, Ireland, Palestine and sexual Cquality

Some people believe that our major achievement of electing four Black MPs means there 1s po longer any need for Black Sections. It has been suggested that this siew is most popular ‘among Black Labour members in public office — though there ‘are man} notable exceptions One of “the nen Black parliamentarians said “Four Black MPs meons there is now @ greater need for Black Sections ‘hen ever before.””

‘Many more people must be secruited t0 the cause, people ‘sith the commitment and drive capable of taking the campaien

workplace, in education, the courts, the media, etc., "and how working people’ can tame it. The document enumerates many “rights” that people should enjoy, but does not say how they an acquire them.

Movement

We need to outline the nature of the mass movement we are trying to build. Which forces ‘will make it up? What forms of organisation will it assume? What short-term demands will it take up? What fongterm strategies should guide

Towards this end, a major preoccupation of the Socialist Conference should

Narendra Makanj

We have 10 deepen our roots in Black communities and Strengthen our alliances on the Tet. Ifwe are to build a united, national Black movement then ‘Re must remember that_mass campaigns need mass support Local Black Sections have to be atthe forefront of working with Back community gorups and idefence campaigns to build that support

‘We must think ahead to pre cempt and ouimanoeute Our op ponents, ‘This means. an_in

- PrBenisotion JX guserable t0- ~~ or He imate Boal “Ot racial” ~ MOvative approach oma: ~9e ~~ peneyally

be organising _ practical solidarity (and a nationwide platform) for those in struggle,

‘The document is in danger of trying 10 be too many things to too many people. Perhaps the most damning comment I've heard about it is that it’s the sort of thing even the LCC would vote for, because it wouldn't commit them to actually doing anything.

For all its faults, this is a welcome initiative and should be seized on by all socialists who want to see our ideas come out of the closet narrow confines of smoke-free rooms and on to the streets. Get copies as soon as you can, and take part in the debate,

Black groups in discussions about the best way fornard in the fight against racism It also ‘means imaginative and non: sestarian tactics,

‘We must help build non-party umbrella organisations Tike Black Action for the Liberation of Southern Africa, the Black ‘Caucus network’ among volun lary groups, and Black eaucuses in unions like NALGO,

Black Sections must provide a voice for the Black communities and reflect the aspirations and Wishes of Black people

PHOTO: Leesa Herbert

Labour Briefing No. 56 February 10th-23rd 1988 page 11

Features

FIGHT THE ALTON BILL! Why there should be no time limits

Women no longer see motherhood as either their inevitable fate, or their main identity, although a majority of women expect to have children at some time. Nowadays women expect their children to survive childhood (in the west at least) and to have access to contraception and legal abortion — in other words, to be able to choose if and when to have children. ‘When motherhood is thrust upon them, because of unplanned pregnancy, they still expect. to exercise

By Leonora Lloyd National Abortion (Campaign

(personal capacity)

choice. If they decide they ddo not wish to continue with the pregnancy, that is their reason for seeking abortion. Ic is only our restrictive laws which compel them to seek out two doctors, who in turn have to find “grounds” for granting an abortion. It is this, compounded by lack Of facilities, particularly affecting poorer women, which restricts choice. Women have | many reasons for choosing not £0 continue with a pregnancy which cannot be neatly categorised by man-made legal “grounds”. Whilst some women know, even before they get pregnant, that they would ” choose abortion — perhaps because they never want children, or

CPSA women lobbying Parkament on January 21st against Alton's attempt to reduce the time limit for abortions

have completed their family — for others the decision may not come until some way into their pregnancy.

‘The response to the Alton Bill shows that many people do not understand that if a choice cannot be made at any stage in a pregancy, then the concept of choice cannot be said to exist at all.

Some of the situations which lead to late abortions could easily be changed, if the political will was there — delays in the health service, lack of facilities, obstructive doctors. Some ‘could probably be improved with more research, such as tests for fetal abormality

Other, more profound ‘changes ‘in society affecting the totality of women’s lives, ‘would mean that some abor” tions would not even be considered. These _ changes ‘would include free 24 hour a day childcare, improvements in social security, better facilities for those with disabilities.

But even under the best

possible circumstances, some late abortions will still be sought by women, including at a time when the fetus is likely to be viable, especially using modern technology. Those who, whilst generally supportive, seek to reduce time limit do so on the grounds of viability

Given the possibility, women would always choose to have an early rather than a late abortion. Those who, at a late stage, are still seek: ing an abortion, are therefore likely to be the most determined, with the strongest reasons for having an abortion.

Whatever a woman's reasons, she should not be denied a choice on abortion simply because the fetus is at a stage where it could possibly be viable. The reality is that it is still totally dependent on her, inside her, affecting her life here and now and for the forseeable future.

“Viability” is a moveable

concept, not because the rate of development of the fetus has changed, but according to technology, or even to geography — many areas do not have the necessary facilities to save very early babies. To argue that abor-

ion is allowable only until

viability” is reached is to ‘concede there are certain acceptable grounds for abortion and limits on women’s choice — that women cannot be trusted to make their ‘own decision.

To accept the viability argument docs not_ merely ‘open the door fo continuing restrictions, as viability gets earlier through the use of technology, but it also, and more importantly, accepts that some women’s decisions are inherently less valid than others.

The whole concept of the °67 Act was based on the idea that women are unable to make valid decisions for themselves, and. antiabortionists carry this idea further by arguing that women cannot make deci sions for the “unborn child”

To accept restrictions is to accept that argument in some degree. In fact, given the greater dangers of late abortions and the increasing

inpleasaniness of the opera-

jon itself, women seeking late abortions are likely to have the most valid reasons of all.

Is this to argue for “‘abortion to term”? In fact, termination of pregnancy after 28 weeks already occurs Where the fetus is diagnosed as dead or totally unviable.

The women’s health department

Solving your child’s sleep problems

This is the issue you've all been waiting for!

it Is @ vital one for women’s health, because women still provide 89% of child care in this country.

‘You know what's it’s like: you stagger out of bed in the morning, exhausted, head thumping, make

By Tess Kewley SRN

straight for the medicine cabinet, and try to decide whether you should take aspirin and give yourself a stomach ulcer, or paracetamol, and fuck your liver upi

However, there is 2 solu ton, There's 2 good book {Solve Your Child's Sleep Prolems, by Richard Ferber): 've read it, and | think | can give You the gist of it without you having to fork out for the book.

‘Most of the problems he deals with concern children who refuse to go to bed when

‘you want them to, and then, When you've finally gox ther to sleep, the buggers wake up six times a. night. I've been through this with a vengeance, but by applying

‘bar's techniques, | solved my daughter's sleep problem in eight days!

‘Both breast and bottle-fed babies suffer” lend their parents, too, of course). You ave to accept some of the blame yourself — often the problem comes from parents Being too tired to argue or by being too lax with the chil.

‘All you need is the will 10 carry ‘out the techniques. 3 watch with 2 second hand, {and 2 notebook.

First of all, the essence of the “treatment” is firmness and. the establishment of 3 outing. Set a bedtime which Suits you and stick to it

‘Neverlet the child fall asleep fon the sofa and take them up to bed once they're asleep. You have to teach the hid that bed exists to sleep in, and that you intend to put himvher to bed at roughly the same time each night

‘Choose your bedtime i decided that 6pm was suitable especially since I go out toa

lot_of meetings at_ night) Remember thet babies do not ‘need milk for nutritional pur poses after four months of ‘age. Whather you are breast (oF bottle feeding the child, no ‘milk is needed at night after this age, Toddlers certainly eed no drinks or breast feeds Sunng the right

Having chosen your ideal bedtime, get the chid resdy for bed and follow the same routine each night, e.g. super, play for ten minutes, Bath, pylames on, say good: night to everyone. then take the child up to her room.

Your routine could continue with the reading ‘of a set ‘number of stories (one of two wand don’t give in and read “just one more"), or singing 2 couple of songs. Then you Say. “Goodnight, Clare/Char lie, ‘mummy's going now, $0 have a good sleep.”

‘Then leave, Firmly.

Now this is whera you need your watch and a good deal of Datience. Naturally enough, Clare/Gharie wil be outraged ‘and frightened and will either face for the door if able to wak and get out of bed) or will ‘Stand in her/his cot crying.

‘Wait for one-minute. During

this time, if necessary, hold the door shut so. the chid can’t get out. Talk reassuring ly throughout the minute, say ing things tke, "i's all night, mum's here, but it's baduime ow, $0 you should really go Off to sleep,” ete

Never use thests or become annoyed. The aim of the treatment” is to teach the child to fall asleep in their own bed. (This is why you Shouldn't carry a sleeping chid Up to bed night after fight; when the child wakes in the night, they will be confused because they didn’t start off their sleep in the bed where they now finds themselves!)

‘After the minute is uD, go back in and cuddle the chi, ‘speak reassuringly, and return them to bedicot.. Leave im. mediately ond this time wait

Follow the same technique, making the gaps longer and longer before you go in to reassure the chid (five minutes, ten minutes, 15, fete). until the child. “gives —

‘Let me stress that you don't want the child to ery themeelt to sleep. You wil find that the ‘hid will eventually be put

For the vast majority of women, once they feel the baby move, they begin to establish a relationship with it, to think of it as a baby, and this is why only the most desperate would still seek an abortion at this stage.

AL the present time, when many women having late abortions have sought them ‘at an earlier stage in their pregnancy, they have never allowed - themselves to develop this relationship. For other women, whose situation changes during the pregnancy, the decision is that much harder.

The —_anti-abortionists" argument seems to suggest that once there was no time limit, women would gladly ‘seek late abortions. This Of course not true at all. A

woman's reasons and needs for an abortion do not become less important as the weeks go by — they are as valid after 20 weeks as they were before. To deny a woman choice on abortion is to deny her autonomy and control over her own life Choice for women is not le. No one can judge on another woman’s behalf. To restrict abortion at any stage for any woman is to restrict choice for all

Taken from Fight the Alton Bill, Abortion and Women’s Liberation, by Leonora Lloyd, Valerie Coultas, Gill Lee. Socialist Outlook, 50p from PO Box 70S, London SW19 THA.

Why we need to shift the - arguments

With the likelihood of Alton changing the time

limits in his Bill, the FAB ‘campaign needs to shift its

rgue against 22 of even 24 weeks in the same way as against 18,

‘Only 29 women had abortions after 24 weeks in 1986,

‘@6F course, Alton’s bill would realy mean 20 weeks

By Gill Lee Labour Briefing Women

where it said 24 as doctors always allow themselves @ margin of safety

1901 course, the women fected by a reduction to 22 Or 34 weeks would be the most Vulnerable, for example, very young women who did not realise they were pregnant

@OF course, the anti abortionists will not stop theie lttacks on women's rights until they have criminalised abortion inst.

‘Bui the fundamental argument against 24 weeks has totbe that itis women who should decide f and when 10 have an abortion. If the law is to be changed it should be

changed to eradicate the ‘conditions that force women 10 have late abortions

“There should be an expansion in the health service te avoid delays, free pregnancy testing in every doctors surgery, hospital, and clini, a Statutory duty for every Health ‘Authority to provide abortions as and when required,

‘Women should be able to refer themselves for abortion, ‘without a doctor's approval ‘Abortion should be safe, tree, iegal and available vo all who want it, There should be better Sex education in schools, not the restrietions proposed by the Tories.

‘Above all, women need the creation of & society which ‘would alow them real Eohoice™” on abortion. This imcans free childcare 24 hours day, proper resources and facilities for those with disabliies, and a widespread understanding of the principle that the physical and intellectual wellbeing of all children must be borne by the whole of society

‘Wonten should be able to choose to work and vo have children without any penalties, Women need a society peared to theie needs — a socialist society.

back to bed without a fuss and will stay there and fall asleep.

‘Be warmed: it may take two or more hours on the. first fights that you try thst If the hid wakes during the night, employ the seme techniques. Keep a diary of how things are going (that’s what the otebook’s for! so that you can see that things are improving,

“The first two of three nights ‘are the worst, then things do Start to improve — I give you my personal guarantee. Remember: create @ bedtime routine end Stick to it; show the child that you” mean business without being threatening oF cross.

“Thete are other sleep distur ances which Dr Ferber deals with very fully in his. book, One of them involves the child drinking six or more bottles oF cups of juiceimik overnight. Here, you gradually cut down con the amount of liquid in the: bottles until i's negigible: the

child then doesn’t bother to wake up for such 2 smal amount of fui.

| know countless women who've tried these techniques and every one has succeeded. Getting children out of your bed and into their awn is dealt with by simply returning the Child £0 their own bed avery time they appear in yours, and, if necessary, doing the "door closing” technique to persuade the child to. fall Bsleep in her own bod.

it can be done.

Any of you stil having pro biome after ton days of rigidly applying the techniques. (no cheating — if you give in just fonce, you'll have to start all ‘over again) are welcome to Phone me to slag me off, but Fm willing to bet that no one will find it necessary. Here's my phone number af a proof ‘of my confidence: 01 340 (0470, Good luck!

"Next time: contraception and finding your cervix

| |

Labour Briefing No. 56 February 10th-23rd 1988 poxe 12

Letters

Building Briefing

WRITEBACK!

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

‘concerning the constitutional

Cloth-ears spendnet (0 incade a leat Kinnock the “selection of Labour

Parliamentary candidates was denied debate, Obviously onc of the women should have stated specific subject debated at this their intention to contest the 's. "Labour Party Deputy Leadership of the Party

rence then they could have got the T vas thinking of announcing resolution debated thar I may challenge Tor the Sul, tis gratifying to know Deputy Leadershipot the Party. that the Party has Just launched However. aslammnotaMember its Labour Listens campaign. 1 ff the Labour Party Shadow presume this will include listenCabinet Lsuppore Lwilt have to ing” about” equality of 0 through the proper constitu. opportunity tional ‘channels like everyone “The biggest joke of alls hat else in the Party the people involved in the deal

T suppose | mil have to try 10 between the Leader's office and get the resolution through my the Shadow Energy spokesper- ‘ward branch and then get my son claim they are part of an Constituency Party to adopt st, open, democratic, listening” in the face of competition from party ‘other resolutions, as our Con- "Deals such as this make me fetence resolution. Fisally, [wonder if they think they are in suppose our delegate will have the Tory Party. Deals in smoketo battle to get debated at the filed rooms are, of course, a Conference thing of the past.

"At the 1987 Labour Party Yours faithfully Conterence, despite a rremen- John Wilton dous amount of lobbying and Birmingham Support (rom alaege number af PS: [ would have sent this lextromen delegates and MPs, 2 ter to Labour Weekly. but the Resolution from a number of leadership is so busy listening [0 Constituency Labour Parties people they've closed it.

Dear Briefing, T want to get a resolution on a

Haringey FAB: Put the record straight

Deas Briefing. Is Jane Connor in the same FAB group as me? (Labour Briefing

Her report describes the Group's work, shen claims that the stoup has aztecd a longer

sey for fighting for ights and. women's Tiberation.. The latice may be Jane's view, bul there is 90

Broup conse

ended by ), but to put the the SWP. has

Hugh Ross ‘andthe FAB public aswell swe mex and ‘onthe

his indicates is not just

the SWP's commitment, but the lack of 2 large

EAB (shown by the ease of pet tioning), but the question is how do. we’ translate this into

There are a number of problems, incloding the failure of the Labour Party to take 2 stand ‘against Alton, even. Haringey Labour Parts’ Women's Com: mittee does not participate in FAB,

There are individual Labour Party members, and thousands lf others who were mobilised on the local day of action, and se row have less than two months {fo build for March 19th

The SWP in Haringey FAB ‘suggested bi-weekly meetings in ‘of weekly (which have

= shrieking it: numbers) and for, March, The FAB decided 19 continue 10

I. but the SWP bas ‘bol pulled out, and continue the ‘rgurment that abortions cls

woe and Ne pave to get both tale and femate trade unions ‘Gut in their thousands on March 19th co stop the Alcon Hil

Briefing 90. 54 Where isthe expression of

‘Xperience of FAB th Trosendons pace sivaon for Horner SWE Tatchell’s one- Semocratls seh in Eastern é rope and the Soviet Union? sided Europe Is there some political reason for this omission or has he just Dear Briefing. forgotten 300 milion people n= There f something missing ing'in these countries, most of from. Peer thom conser themscles 10 be protramme, whisk appears inn Europe?

‘We should be told, Comaradely sreetings, Colin Meade, Sucbiton CLP

SA RCN i SE ELL as a

i both joural and the BAH, and Amame taken in © ot /pipela ood itt ait vain in me ofc amiang the incendiary material ood rind Sonya MeClurtShz_ to sce"Your name. asocated Tear Norse Maneger atone/ot remember you well from eae Utena nce, hosptals your peo a eamer suse ah al tose drendful lute on my ward. and { remember Bees Sten the "Nighinanie bering smition to become ¢ Sih amohican huircut pulling have also dshonoured he good Brin. Your posted Curictum Vitae). ine Senye's embarras- It's beyond me bow ansbody mmisclt However, she quickly pales i abe had one

eat Ms Kewtey, Twas recently padding about bonny Scotland» visiting my

(radical or otherwise) should be

i spinsters and {advise you to move into an area such as family planning as soon as possible

‘Both Senya_and I were disturbed, moreover, by your ‘disparaging remarks about Nur- ‘Sing Times and Women’s Own, joumals which fulfill a vial ‘Sducative role and are Fecommended by us 10 junior nurses Om al occasions. Senya and Lare ‘Rot above learaing from them and we ‘were the two of us recently disturbed to realise that tye had not been performing a Simple preventative procedure Known ae TSE.

Indeed, we lack some of the basic skills and equipment necessary for it and will be tak ing immediate eps to remedy this. As for Spare Rip neither Senya nor I have heard of i. 15 it one Of these week by week Chinese cookery magazines?

Finally, your tendency 10 self ralification seems 10 have frown siconger over the years You weakness for mincepies and cream will only: lead. 10 Biliousness as years go By and

hardly accords with the image ‘of abstemious frugality that fhurses have attempted (0 pro- ‘mote. Not that 1 agree with all this cholesterol nonsense. have always found a buttered scone about 4.30pm very sustaining ‘on fate shift

Your alarming extravagance ceven extends 10 Your leisure activities when you indulge in that

version of Housey Howey known as Bingo" Gambling is a vice and Housey Housey should be used in moderation for the entertaintent of lower-class prisoners ob ‘any afternoons.

The idea of playing it for money is vulgar beyond belie You would be (ar better spending sour time visiting the elder. Ty poor or kuting socks for our brave boys in the Falklands. Far from sending my regards, i am outraged that you should use ‘my name so lightly and I advise you to. pull your socks “up

Angela Plume ‘or David Fowler RMN RGN Falkirk

Dogo 000000009 0o0 00 boo Sooscoo oo SoooooooooooEsoooonEsooo000

‘Send snippets and info to Greg Bassett, Periscope Column. Labour Briefing. PO Sox 457, London SW2 SUZ

Hattersley not

will be. 90 that’s tha it is Periseope’s understan-

a woman Ging Pat, Hateraiey is about to give birch to shock! six-course dinner. 17

volumes of vacuous prose In a Guardian article on and s recoré fourth suc. velezan pro-choice cam- ceasive general election palgner Vera Houghton, defeat Journalist Meienis MoPadyean reported an

interesting exchange min = Fact our Deputy Leader, only =

Just "secured." from The anciabortion avertsin recent threatened aasault by the "sues of The Times and

wild man from Hull East: independent ‘were headlines "Roy Hattorsiey ...said to “We've sbolahes. the death me that he would have penalty for murderers and ter Yoled for tne Alton Bill but fort” — and went on tO Won't be in the country. make the predetabe poms. ‘All this nonsense about @ Of the 52 MPs who signed the woman's right to choose.” advert. 36 voted st speng for he said. Ieommented that the resroraton of capeal were ea woman, he sah

postmen might feel ‘differently. So'mch for the sant Well, I'm not, and never, Me

Guardian Diary: not so fearless

Periscope addicts who st foyed the note on the two Toby Harrises in Briefing 4 will want to know th ‘Stephen Cock. the recent ly departed editor of the

radians back page

Diary column, refused to print the very same item.

Tae story 1s s simple on ‘with a natural appeal 16 Say self-etyled crusader ‘against ‘politicians’ Gouble-talk. Tae Toby ‘Harris who, in his capaci ty as Director of the Naonal Assooistion of Com. munity Health Councils, fervently denounces NES

ruts 1s the same Toby Har.

Fie who, 28 Leader of Har

ingey Couneil. is butcher

ing Jobs and services, in cluding Local Authority support for the health

‘But he has no alternative, wed Cook. "I don't see the story in

our int

mant patiently ex-

wearing his Communsty Health Councils hat Cook teveaied himself to be utterly unaware of the soale and nature of the cuts currently being made by Labour-controlled Eoeal Authorities and of the growing resistance to them

“Don't you think the object ‘fa Diary should be t0 expose hypocrisy and Gouble-taix from any oor ner, eren if you happen to agres with the polities of the person?” Gook was asked.

cook — the man who thinks spotting Eric Hoffer in a fret class carriage is a big news item — made no

reply.

Firmly rooted in the old ways

Ken Barton, Deputy Leader ‘of Labour-contealled Birmingham City Gouneil. on being asked whether a District Labour Party

mecting in the Councit Chamber sould continue past 9.30pm, 0% .

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Labour Briefing No. $6 February I0th-23rd 1988 page 13,

Reviews

Students BOOK REVIEW on Women’s liberation

the move and socialism

pamphlet peblshed By the EWE familar and predic: Throughout the coming — while things cool down and | table — that there are no difmonth there will be stu- omentum is lost before our | ferences of interest between dent demonstrations “ona! Demonstration, working class women and and occupations on a men, and no need for any oe erasatia ate yoad

Jn higher education this PAZ Deen formed say |_ sous: “women's liber

means the privatisaton of not be woo without others will be using the demo

Polytechnics. forcing colleges Ot Of socialism and socialism

to tender to government in 0, February 27th as a focal | Dossbie without women’s

point for further action in. an effort to mobilise students. In the student movement

order t0 provide a course and fan attack on Student Accom

liberation Through a brief his

Imogation provided PY ine campaign has tobe based | Rustin Revolution on of Oe cologes, _—_artwo methods of campaign aso By Carl Taylor Sect k ieee! tae Coventry Poly Labour te demonctration othe bp

# Sac Sra mort cant the | es tho Eleh. fecent history of the student | ‘lass strusek

‘On top of this colleges will ‘We will not, however, be ‘Challenged veconentagnd fot hq able to detect "he "aove | ie hat ea can be epee euecne ie cme! Ue ay our com | cy fens eee ee Cees | a a ee Reece wn cosy aueteae “rect we | ree: omen ee ome st kena bo closed feed to Rp worguice te | Ghnit, ives: Ue arene

discontent and angor inmany workers, clerical staff. et alleges. You would imagine who stand to lose as much, if the NUS would be planning a rot more, than the students if | our consciousness, as well asin fOr it im terms. of | the are an exception. ism and :!- Sourgeois ideology vival ofits heyday of twenty the Bilis passed. The alliance | ‘ke material conditzons of our “DOUrgeOis” or atleast “middle The authors admit that the of the family among the work Years ago. Unfortunatcly. to- mustbe bull at allevels ofthe | {He mate class" origins of the movement. eft ears some responsibility ing class is a serious error of

underestimate how —aleandra Kollontal organised women in the Soviet Union

Gay the NUS Is a. standard Campaign inside colleges, Woe do they appreciate how Here, they are inconsistent in politieal judgement bearer for the Grey Flag ‘We must mobilise ‘Schoot | _,,Nor do, thes appreciate how ScoF the term working £2, alienating women from. PSS ews, however, are

‘Their immediate response Students, parents, teachers, | fundamental the experience of TArthe besinning of the Mavsim in failing 10 take the widespread among” the” left was t0 try and hide behinds cleaners, -adminsstrators, | Title dominancs sin the lines of Son ary define tas wine ‘pom™en's movement seriously 1% Tyee from a miplaced

‘shattered shield, so that they Students and other education Could point out "the better workers. ‘This alliance nesds points of the Education Bill”. to be built not just at the level However, after” strong of Norman Wills and Vicky pressure in the run up to NUS Philips but between every acConference the strategy was tivist m every town and city. changed to the Water Pistol This approach. would pro-

facie women and fort tothe who, must work ia order to RoweleTs (S000 seen a5 DANE material benefits that men gain iitating practice of accounting live". Feminists. apparemly, dominance of eft groups, 0 woMeN's | oppresion third worlds” of the New ifn for women’s libertion, Leftat the time

Bee Gist fe Tara? sue ectec! te comvecs having’ been blameless” — of Ultimate ‘encouraged to use ‘new cam- room and into the rest of the sor ever dismissed women’s But the fact that there is an paigning techniques’ thot air labour movement. Only then Wiberation asa. diversionary yltimate unity of interests bet Balloons, postcards to MPs will the Tories be forced to issue! This certainly does ot een working class women and and watching videos). We — withdraw their Bill and admit match my memorics of the IS' 1 in the overthrow of believe that their US counter- there are no differences of inBarts behaved any differently terest here and now. Such difOf Presidents & Women’s Liberation and the course of the striggle for Socialism, Bookmarks, ‘ocak bese ea fer

Present Dangers part ofthat stuns

1k isnot jus eformit and iateatog

radical feminism which are sec

deviations from the true path or Maram "bur socket Betty etal deny this, arguing

feminism too! Each current is “If is rue today that there are Garicatured, ‘The result is that Ausbands, some af them work Some crucial differences are ine class, who dominate ot op-

press their wives; that there are

US Imperialism in the 1990s

Friday April 22nd, 7pm - Saturday April 24th, 4pm Sheffield

Details: Ankie Hoogvelt, Conference Organising a Fe eee et ex sere Ct hen arse Committee, 302 Western Bank, Sheffield S10 en santas cen ele tee ee 2TN. 0742 664542 separatism, ‘women: and hat today, most

Full registration for weekend: £58 men believe range of sexist

Low waged/unwaged subsidised registration for Theoretical pices ee Pigg bas er: weekend: £18 Boe belie stance af anit oe Registration includes tea & coffee and lunch . ‘ pane Bek asec cael Ne and that most women today are Accommodation bookable from £11.85 per night | 5 4 % Sromen's’ oppression andthe M2, ght okanst hel B&B F, broader politics within which Pee: Children: Creche facilities available 4 {his is located, are too numerous " " ‘Access: conference leaflet asks you to state if 2 eee Justification you are “‘handicapped’’ c which | would like'to address is : een Wernham Printers See fevers ae genase 4 Forster Road mono ecanr ja sactesyiuail the same conse Tottenham High Road ’ : is tat a woman pl i =. The whole notion that London N17 6QD So eee Tel: 01 808 1677 unrepresentative minority. To Problematic.

thus deny the influence of sex. rters miss is that theie own

jdeas are products of debates tehich would not be happeniag had there "not been an

Printers for the labour

Evidence

movement <The 15 wae the forerunner of MOHOMONS, women's move Briefing! | Women, organising together to demonstrate for the right 10 Grsamtation, the SWP'S amrer_ _Honwould not bave the place on

| choose ‘organisation in the USA

Labour, Briefing No. 56 Febmary 10th-23ed 1988 pase {4

International Briefing

No justice for the Birmingham Six

The Birmingham Six are to stay in jail.

IE British justice gets its way, they will remain there for the rest of their lives.

‘They were not involved in the bombings fourteen years ago. Anyone who has read Chris Mullen’s book Error of Judgement can be in no doubt of that

‘Anyone who read the dai-

ly and detailed reports of the appeal hearing as they appeared in the Jrish Times will also know this undeniable fact.

‘Another Irish newspaper, the eminently ‘respectable irish Press, summed up the court

“Counsel for. the Six have presented a brillant case over ‘the last three weeks, marshalling new evidence, reducing the Crown's rebuttal witnesses to Frelpless incoherence, and argu ing powerfully that where any element of doubt has been Created justice cam only be sere ed by ordering a retral.”"

Evidence in addition to that previously uncovered by ‘Chri Mullin emerged in the course of the appeal.

‘eThere was a police station cleaner who’ testified to" the blood-covered walls of the cell where one of the Six had been

eThere was a former policewoman who came back a Second time 0 the witness box because her conscience wouldn't

‘The amazing reaction of the Labour Party leadership to the Attorney General's decision not to prosecute those RUC Of. ficers responsible for perverting the course of justice and covering up the murders of six unarmed Catholics six years ago shows how badly they have misread public opinion.

‘Over’ recent months several Labour MPs have been saying that we shouldn't continue to press on national security issues, on the Belgrano, on Spycatcher, and that the Public isn't interested in this,

The realty is that the public follow these events with great Interest, not least because they reveal the nature of the British state, Now Britain an ounces. to” the world chat ‘when six men are murdered by the state It will refuse even to have a public enquiry on the founds of national security,

In similar circumstances, in west Germany or the Unite States, there would be a maior Constitutional crisis and the ‘overnment would be brought sown,

‘Nixon was driven out of public office because he bugs. fd his opponent's campanin headquarters. But in Breain the gavernment can oversee 2 policy of calculates murder and get away with i

On the teal gut issues of ‘Thatcher's morality, the Labour leadership is rekuctant 10 attack. No-one is sug (esting for one minute this ot

By Geoff Bell Hackney North & Stoke Newington CLP

allow her to stay slent about how she had seen one of the Six Kneed inthe groin by a policeman and called “a fuck- ‘ng murdering Irish bastard’

‘@There was another former policeman ‘who testified 10 the violence the prisoners received at the hands of his colleagues.

fe There was the mysterious schedule —"timetable of events allegedly prepared atthe time by. Superintendent Reade, the ‘officer in charge of the case, land crisscrossed with alterations ‘which Reade was unable to ex plain in the witnessbox.

‘And add to all that the extraordinary performance of the forensic scientist, Dr Skuse, whose tests were crucial in securing the original

Substances

‘Faced with the fact that other scientists ad got positive results fee emphiely= — eeane substances from. tests” which ‘Skuse claimed reveated traces of explosives, Skuse started. shifting. his decimal points antil even Lord Chief Justice Lane was forced io admit that the doctor's evidence was “imprecise”

‘Skuse’s evidence was crucial in securing the original convictions. It must also have been:

factor in driving the police to beat the confessions’ out of Prisoners who, they were told. fad definitely" handled explosives

“The appeal hearing proved “beyond. reasonable doubt” thal this violence did take place, just as it proved the wor” Thlessness of the forensic evidence. These two judgements should in themselves have ‘Secured the immediate release of the Six

‘But through their lawyers they were not even asking for that. “All they wanted was a retrial, a chance fo put the real tvidence before a jury. Even that has now been denied

‘The pages of legal mystifice tion read out by Justice Lane as, hhe and his co-conspirators sent the men back to thei cells have hothing to do with his decision. ‘Theie “case was thrown out because of who the men were and are and what they said had happened to them, and because ofthe requirements of British ‘uke in Ireland.

‘The Six have never tied to Ihide that they are Irish Republicans. "For the. British legal and poli makes them beatings, torture or “imprison. ment. Alas, this is an old, old story.

‘When the Six were beaten so severely that they “confessed” to the bombing, those who had assaulted them, as well as the judge who imprisoned them, ppeobably did think at the time that the Six were guilty. After

RUC cover-up

Stop Labour silence on Tory official murders

tack should replace the forma ton of a coherent economic or defence policy. But nothing provides 2 better edkication for people in Britain than soving the reality of the way Britains ‘governed and the scale of our Secret society, and the scale of its, vitiousness and Euthiessness,

By KEN LIVINGSTONE MP

Twas sppaled that we didn't have a major turnout by the wholo of the Front Benen and wo didn’t have Nei Kin Nock leading the attack on this cover-up." instead, mary abou MPs actualy voted to ‘support the Speaker's ring to femove me after thad named the Attomey Generales an ae: complice to murder

"The RUC and the British Ar ry have always teased that ints impossible to defeat the Republican Movement by lawlul moans. Begadier Ke the suategy that the Brita State should folow to detest Republicsnsm im 3 book published over 18 years ago.

in explaining the tactes of stated explicitly that one of the major weapons to be Used should be done away with and Judges should use thet Power sfoitadly to imprison Snybody who disagreed with ‘of Northen belend

What we are sesing now is Stretegy. We've ‘had Supergrass vials. We've had

all, what value do such people place on ‘protestations. of in- ‘Bocence by six “paddies” com= pared tothe evidence “of @ Fespectable forensic scientist and fervent denials by senior police officers?

‘And when, in the course of time, those officers were shown to have beaten up the Six and ‘when that forensic scientist was ‘exposed as an incompetent, the {ost to the British political and judicial sysiem of admitting the error became 100 great

It would have meant admitting that thirty policemen co ‘Spired and lied. It would have meant admitting that forensic (peidence can be worthless. And S would have meant admitting that the innocent can rot in jail year after year after year.

Tn short, if the Six had been freed the collective guilt of the British political, judicial and “law and order establishment ‘over 14 long years would have been clearly established.

In the words of Lord Denn: ing, when he first turned down the’ appeal request, this. wat Such’ an_ appalling’ vista that every sensible person in the land ‘would say: it cannot be right that these actions go ans farther.”

So the Six will stay in prison 1k willbe litle comfort to them that the outside world knows of their innocence, or that their case has once again confirmed the moral superiority of the Ish" Republican cause over British tyranny and repression.

‘Ken Livingstone on the LCI's platform at Labour Party

Conference 1987 half the juries in Norther Ireland abolished 0 that judges just sit down in Court and. hand out’ whatever Sentence the Army and the RUC require

Even with all of that it sti hasn't been possible 10 defeat the IRA: and so MIS, the British Army, and the’ RUC planned @ whole series of measures, stil going on to this day, in which leading Republicans are simply murdered,

The raid in which Captain Robert Nirsc crossed the border to murder John Francis Green, 2 leading member of the Provisional, was only one example of this More recent fy. the Army and the RUC set 1p an IRA unit to launch an at tack on 2 polce station and then gunned all of the IRA volunteers down without giv ing any 2 chance to surrender

‘Occasionally. the public become aware of what is hap. pening though leaks or reasonable reporting by the ‘odd journalist and there then fos to be the sort of cover-up

pow the subject of the cover

up date back to 1982. When | first went ¢ West Belfast to meet Adams and Morrison, Dack in early 1983, | was fr woduced 10 many of the relatives of the men who had been murdered.

Tremember assuring them that wes not an issue that the Labour left would allow to Sink without trace. 1 didn't believe then it would take six years befora we finally got to this point, and that after all that time 2. parliamentary statement would be given with just two hours notice.

The government knew full well that Fergie's. prognancy was going to be announced and “would dommnate the opular press. They thought they could just sip in. the Statement without any 9fest fuss or hassle.

| was absolutely determined that that wasn’t going to 5e the case. I wanted a division in the House of Commons and an uproar sufficient 10 draw at tention to the fact that in Br tain you can commit murder and get away with it providing you are employed by the State

Socialist

Travellogue

Cuba revisited

Eighteen years ago I lived in Cuba for two years.

As well as renewing old friendships, I made my own comparison between Cuba

‘now"” and “then”.

Out_walking in the familar streets of Havana, I came across a large public square, occupied by four groups, each made up cof 25 elderly people, all engaged in gentle physical exercise.

They told me that about a year ago the goveramtent had i {roduced a physical fitness programme for the elderly. ‘They met every day for these exercises and went frequently on various excursions and had regular Social gatherings

By Helga Gladbaum Brent Councillor

All developments in Cuba are seen as part of a revolutionary process hot yet complete. As in ‘many other Small countries this process has often been frustrated by politcal tensions between the superpowers.

There are still “no. direct diplomatic relations _bewween Cuba and the USA. The com: mercial boscott of Cuba by the USA continues and. Cuba's ‘main commercial outlets are the Eastern European countries, although quantities of lobsters shrimps and prawns are now ex: ported “to Canada, italy, France, Spain and Japan.

Energy

Cuba's energy. supply con tinues to be provided by the Soviet Union, but the first thermo-nuclear power station is row being built under the dire. tion of Fidel Casiro’s son — not ‘without fears and misgivings 00 the part of the people in the area soncerned,

‘Cuba's agriculture has diver: sified to an amazing degree Vast tracts of land have been cleared and irrigated. Cirus plantations are now competing ‘with the traditional sugar cane Fields, About 80% of the sugar cane harvest Is now mechanise thos casing the pressure on the national workforce, large sec tions of which used “to. Be ratied in to help during the our to five months period of the annual sugar harvest.

But over all these developments hangs the shadow of a hostile United States rein

forced bs the US invasion ot Grenada and. the Contea ai

inst Nicaragu,

Revolution In addition 10 the Cait Defence Force formed atier the revolution, the. Territorial Military Troops (MTT) was founded four sears ago, with

fon a voluotary. basis defence exercise.

My friends in Cuba assured sme that every person. in Cuba Knew where to g0 and what (0

doin case of emergency, ie. n- ‘asion or attack by US forces.

‘Recent changes in the Soviet Union have naturally been flected in Cuba, “Perestroika” is well-known word and concept, though “glasnost” is not.

Fidel Castro and his government have openly admitted that mistakes were made (a the past fand have asked the population to help find “new and original solutions for the rectification of ‘ld errors.”

‘A. period of self-assessment hhas begun in Cuba; undoubtedJy also linked to the deep Wounds inflicted on Cuban society by the losses sufered by Cubans in Angola

‘In the past, much money and effort has gone into the development of Cuba's provinces. Now Te vould seem that Havana isto be given a long-overdue facelift.

The old town has. heen declared” an area of great historical interest (backed by UNESCO) and an intensive pro-

gramme of restoration is tinder.

Government

At the beginning of 198? the governiient initiated a pro: gramme of additional under-55 provision, Fifty centres will be built in Flavana alone. Castro. promised offically ta open every single one of them. By last December the programme #as well on target, and: Fidel has ep his promise

‘One of the most dramatic changes” has taken. place’ i tourism, Cuba. had Inherited some iarge and impressive hotels in Havana, built by and for Amerieans, and when f lived in Cuba these were mainly used 44s accommodation for. technicians, engineers, and their Families from all over the wort, ‘Very few westerners would have thought of going to Cuba for a holiday then

Terrorism

‘The picture's now completely changed, with ourism quite clearly. a lucrative moneySpinner. ‘Not only have new hotels been bull chroushout Cuba, bur with fis lucious subtropical vegetation, its combina: tion of sun, sea and sand, its Jong and interesting history, ‘Guha has been discovered as a ideal holiday spot by Geman, Canadians, ftalans, French and Spanish,

You need not even change your money into Cuban pesos Every bar, shop,_restauarant, and taxi driver will accept the US dollar, A well-organised net work of planes or buses will fy Or drive You to any destination ‘wichia Cuba and its surrounding islands,

With this system it i, of course, perfectly possible never to. set’ Toot into the “real

Cuba. The Canadians, for insaanee, can fy directly from Canada into Varadero, Cuba's ‘most popular resort with over 20km oF unbroken beach — and ‘may never meet any Cubans except a chambermaid, barman and waiter

Briefing goes to Cuba! Anyone interested in sun, sea and collective farms 26.3.88-15.4,88 contact Jane (01)-703 9456 or Pete (01)-228 7000.

1 abbr Briefing Nb.\56FeBriadrp 10¢h-23rU° 1988 pge 15

International Briefing

LABOUR

Everyone’s scrambling round to get a MOVEMENT CAMPAIGN for

peace conference, but: LES |

Name

still fight for their ~~

CLP ..

Trade Union .. nae ee oe Send, with cheques made payable to LMCP, to LMCP,

Box LMCP, London WCIN 3XX.

AL the time of writing, the = Palestinian morale the Wing ion to the Paleinian conte = newspapers are reporting By Anna Wagst cof the sige indicated Amal's de can be measured by the speed at tlement from the occupied Palestinians accept the printhat the Israeli army bas Labour Movement facto acceptance of the PLO which they are currenty scot territories. ples of the agreement — the ‘EaCaL aL ewes te toe bases in South Lebangn, which ing around the capitals of the Israc sil refuses :omegoviate very east that Would. be te: Campaign for Palestine “they had previously demanded wesern world. They are lobby- over the future of the oseupied _quited for reaching a settlement ‘West Bank to close: anoth a ‘West Bank io close; another °C bcracuaicd arthe price ori ing Bonn, Par, ‘London, tertonce within the conte of “is patenly farrtched tee sdeath, three more Palesti- Glace amongw the Palesinians? ing the selges. Home, the Vatican: the US” an. international. peace con- realty "ts" that’ the viokot jninns’ shot in the tex and The eroups that have united "The implication of this, in with Morocco thrown in for ference, insisting Insiead on rebellion in the occupied. ter: ‘widespread demonstrations. 10 sive a political lead so the terms of the possibilities of good measure — for support for bilateral talks with Jordan and rtories has come- precisely in ‘The Palestinian uprisings uPrisins are all — with the ex- rebuilding the storie PLO- an international peace with Egypt. In fact Shimon response to. the failure’ of now beginning its third <sebtion of the Islamic fun- ‘Amal alliance and regrouping conference, Peres bas always accepted such Aratar's negotiation” poliey

damentaiss — maior political the nationalist and anti- “Mubarak and Hussein's ef- an international peace con- and not as a demand for more

month. Few people an~ groups within the PLO. Vet the imperaliee forces along the fines a aa ference; but only as a ofthe same

tispated is outbreak ‘on BESPLSHMRMEFLO, Ye\thempeiisfrcs long the fics forts in his dction ae ped

December Sth; fewer stillex- no lead in the struggle what Movement, are profound

pected it to last this long. soever,cither to the Palestinians pele with Islamic TendamenTis not just the case of more in the occupied territories or to {alam anew factor in the stun

of the same, however, for with the Arab mases that have been aae""Wah the pesenc pases

very day tha passes, with every demonstrating in solidarity with tnd’ conaplet belance of tanees

few act of israeli brutality, the’ Palestinians “all over the Sy the Cotoury this move coud

more Palestinians are being Middle East. ‘welt eal Gis sromatortontion drawn into active participation On the contrary, Arafat is of the politcal station, in the rebellion, simpy attempting 10 use the is Nabih Berri is not alone in

‘The relatively prosperous ma- tially spontaneous uprising in coming under pressure from the Jor (owns are now frequently order to strengthen his hand in Palestinian sebclion. the scene of violent demonstra. diplomatic manoeuvres with ein. Morocea, where the tions — originally concentrated Israel, imperialism and the pro- economic and military demands in the refugee eamps. West Arab regimes from whom of the continuing war against ‘The latest Israeli thug-policy he hopes to get agreement for an Polissario have led King Hassan ‘of systematically breaking international peace conference. to vie with Egypt for US apPalesimian limbs in order to ‘The current political co- proval, a pro-Palestinian keep them off the sirets — 300 operation represented by the demonstration recently was met eases were documented over a National Committese for the by live ammunition from period of two weeks — far from Escalation of the Insurrection troops, killing one of the Cowing the Palestinians has has not had to face any serious protestors. moved even the most conser political test. However, the "win Jordan, King Husscin ‘ative layers (0 action. Palesti- possibilty nonetheless exists for beoke links with the PLO three hian shopkeepers — traditional. the fiest_ time for a major years ago and concentrated on Iy-not the most militant layer of challenge to Arafat's dominant hurturing a peo-lordanian, the population — are observing jnfluence over the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank to a West Bank-wide, striey- Liberation” movement — a create conditions to negotiate Teoulated strike despite the huge dominance which has anyway with Israel over controt of that Financial pressure many of them for the past few years had fitle area, He has now deen forced 10 a at Foundation io support for his restore elation, and is again s significant as the increase policies but has survived pursuing the policy favoured by in sheer numbers involved in the nonetheless for lack of any Arafat of calling for an interna.

Uprising are the emerging in- credible alternative, tional peace conference.

corased policsaion and level" The effects of the continued “As for Mubarak, bes coming of organisation. 1p what must uprising have not just been felt under ever increasing pressure be first for this level of co- in the occupied ierricories. Ia from his own people to break

‘operation in the occupied ter- the Lebanon, Amal’s longsian- Egypt's peace treaty with Israel rorities, the left of Fatah, the ding power struggle against the His main hope i that he can RFLP,” the DFLP and’ the Palestinians has become such an justify this treaty by deing i Islamic movement are organis- acuie embarrassment under strumental’ in achieving the

ing together to provide ¢ lead Gondions where the Palast mach "eaunled “pence © con for the uprising Sans are "scen ae heroes erence: but as 8 desperate itis thei lates, oily pro- throughout the Arab world that tecanareo'buy tie he hes boot duced under the name United Amal‘ Leader Natih Beri has touting we Won ofa cate mocth National Leadership. foc the fmaly been obliged 0 Ut the Cooling aif peed inwhich he Falestinans: unbowed by the full might of imperiaist oppression Escalon of the Urine hat, tay sees pean on Palen would promi 10 among ther many other Ture” the ‘Rashadaye, Shatla and op mating trouble iy return : z ees : tions, have been regulating the Bour} el Balajneh refugee fora temporary moratoriom on 9 {Ne ierest the US itself has preparatory conference eading Having agen thelr own are open. Apart from being a huge The deep concern felt by both [Su “Oy ute fezion. lndeed. atc presse. no eae bY day, having seen the interna ivi acehe ful pleat im rcef tothe inhalants of he adr aout cr own fuee ESS pgy Matic Mee the uel of Sesion Sea nl inc of eer plications of what i ae ls tne oe cca) cantare agent te Maing meted the supper : Pattie since the foundering bilateral aks Imazses andthe presire being Contra Aid of the lat peace offensive) has But the fact that these stck- (ages and te, presume Belng feturmed to he area to Tewme ing points have yet to be rsch- Pal Ohymeee™punn and Sorda: Ais scaling wo and fra teen et butt minor prion facing Ge tige aa. soee ee Kee ing the US at bay Egypt Jordan and lee in yet the proposed negouations com- Se"mnenins of thet Brothers Stig tog So Sich prado gored buns PU tw ae sae fas eee eae wae | ewes age te tee ect of ue eee ee ee ee “ (e.g. rac catalyst 10 55 ‘ur ce tempied peace talks ‘fail Avatat wasy conceivably We aid was close, but ‘ne ot ts key provinion i that. Pease ak Safence (eg. redet) | Ste eecoMcal US Forwhilethe last peaceoffen.- abe ct may, comerably, be tnchallengeable, one state's teritory should 9% Soe ige'to ropes ox | line. Nothing, however, could sive came hard on the heck of that aninietaatonal mene one Congress voted by 8 not be "used to mount Wes Sat aside fo replace Or. | Other fem the truth. + the gral imvasion. Of the feat uamational peace con yotes against Reagan's destabising actives against TiSSione in support of the | What the uprising has done x Lebanon and the defeat of the is unlikely, however 0 beable demand for more financial srother state aso explcily Coovsr tomakesbeUS and prowesein PLO. this tai’ attempt ih to allt the Patestian, pope support for the Contra. _—_—calison “governments outside “SC orcass lao at tis time | Arab regimes more desperate following imply behind a huge any. solution deemed. acep. death squads. theropion to cease, over pansed. 0 prowsion for | thancacrte cole the Pelt “ALF Palsinandeace, © ahi tg nae! ad “This isa major victory fOV0rE, miltary, logistical, © ETcoence Sharing’ bet. | ian struggle without seriously The demoralsation that imperialism for the Sandinistas and all {iN2Ncial or propaganda aid. or ween the CIA and the contres. | impecilliag the region's stabil followed 1982. created the "Bul even were the most pr J Pagencer a baaseaaeee painter Compared to the £100m | ty. What it has not doneistogo necessary conditions for Arafat_ favoured “solution” to be those in the United States tion and equipment to irregular military and humanitarian | any way toward resolving any of 10 sign away, in the Amman agreed upon, whereby areas of pas hans ospeneed forces Of, insurrectional Package passed in June 1866, | the sticking points on which the agreement, the PLO's sole right the West ‘Bank would. be against US intervention in movements” impacetemctoemee, trewectiePacticaen! . tamferel te tensten cn Central Americ oon then, ths Fagan Ac iadainrciecstrempase thar ight “10 independent \rol'tne problem for intel od Se cee miistation” hos proposed the FLO unt icons eg impealim would be a rom three bile containing. pros whether or mot to support the | rac’ “right to exit" and rc. It was this agreement that over Mewaqus Sotkerty Sons for contra sig, and Con war ageit Nectague, So far | nounces violence (offering tm s2¥e hope to the force of im- "With population that is Campaign briefing sheet Gross hs passed alithvee. the. mood hes besn that no | rciarn, of course, no recogni. eralism at the me that an already GOew Palestinian, seven on the significance of US "Sin "September, $3.5m in substantive sid wil be passed | onl any Palestinian right st acceptable” negotiated sewe- failed asassination alten to id to the Contras. “humaniteran’”' aid, "9d: whic’ tne, Peace Accord te | al) Iact stl fuses toaccept mem was within Fach, fis name, and a men of ministered by the CIA, wes Seon toheve come chence of | theprinapicof Palesinian sci "Today the Amman agreement Black September (where ony Last August the presidente gateed. In November a further Success. determination in an indepen. go one sande in the face of the collate of ihe Palestinian rm sivador, 3.2m wes adde Nicaragua Solidarity Cam- | deni state —theonly diffetoce uge oppostion "from the leadership saved him from being Heat Wiceramuaand ln” December, Congress. tuign'23 Bevendan'st. ton. | heicbuteecnLavou' and Likud Palexiitn people Arafat tad Guenivobnyy Ki Huser of oe emg ae passed $3.6m in don N1 68H. ‘is whether they should be sub- already been forced to rescind it Jordan must be having second Costa Rica signed | Prumanitarion”” aid plus Campaigning & admin:01 263 | jugated to lsat orto Jordan. a yeat before the Uprising thoughts about how much he Historic peace agreement $1Er tor ansporttion fins 2468 Ticther Uabour sor ikwlare begsn really wants hese highs in Guatemala. Its aim was could be used to transport Sales & Fundraising: 01 253 | orepared to relinquish all the The idea that the uprising will political, miata organised tobringe “firm and lasting ‘ethal svoploel. In adution, 9288 Endortoremovesll rae set. be’ the catalyst to make the peopl ss pat of hs knston

Labour Briefing No. 56 February 10th 23rd 1988 page J6

LABOUR

The way forward in FAB:

Bring the labour movement out for

March 19th!

Following the mobilisations of January 16th and 21st — wvolving over thirty thound people in marches, pickets, lobbies tions — the push the March 19th national demonstration called jointly by FAB and the TUC to defeat Alton’s attempt to restrict abortion time-limits to 18 weeks.

It is clear from the voting figures for the Bill's second reading that it would have been defeated if all Labour MPs had abided by Conference policy on a woman's right to choose.

By Gill Lee Labour Briefing Women

Thiny-six Labour MPs voted for the Bill and nineteen did not vote.

‘Alton’s recent statements indicate that the Bill may

come back in amended form. Alton has muttered about introducing some

possible exemptions to his attempt to ban what he considers “murder

Spina Bifida, for example, might be considered grounds for a woman to seek termination, but hare lip is not, and Down's Syndrome is & marginal case.

Women who report a rape to the police before a certain

get the help of medical per sonnel and sympathetic friends) are to be forced to carry the resulting fetus to term.

Alton is more than willing to make some amendments to get his Bill through. He knows that many MPs who voted against 18 weeks will vote for 22 or 24 weeks. The only thing that will "stop them is the mass mobilisa-

tion of women and. the labour movement, in defence of a woman's right to choose.

In the Labour Party we must demand a three-line ‘whip against any restrictions fon the "67 Act. It must be ‘made clear to MPs that their attempt to dictate what women can and cannot do ‘with our bodies will be taken into account when they come up for reselection.

Demand

The National Labour Women’s Committee should call a lobby of the NEC to demand a three line whip. Local FAB groups should picket those Labour MPs who voted for the Bill and demand that those who were ‘absent from the House of Commons turn up next time to vote against the Bill

tack on women’s rights has been very slow, with few banners on the marches and few local Parties affliated to FAB groups. This situation ‘must be turned around. We need a huge Labour Party contingent on March 19th.

‘The trade unions must be mobilised. Resolutions should be passed in support of FAB, instructing officers to circulate FAB literature to all members, demanding transport to the March 19ch dems, and pledging dona. tions to FAB nationally and locally. Local FAB groups should be informed of any such resolutions so they can make sure they are followed up.

Regional

Trades Councils and

regional TUCs should be pressed to mobilise for March 19th. Resolutions

should be put demanding that MPs sponsored by trade unions opposed to Alton represent the policy of their union in parliament.

FAB has agreed a series of

19th: presentation of petitions in the week running up to

March 19th; of MPs" surgeries; picketing of meetings speaking: ‘oducing a FAB paper with information on the activities of local groups (send in photos and reports nom); @organising events coin: ciding with International Women's Day: building the links — a contingent will be organised for the February 20th demonstration against ‘Clause 28 in Manchester and for the NHS Day of Action on March Sth. Already any local groups are pla ing to leaflet NHS workers picket lines and to get nurses speaking at FAB events.

stage may be allowed t0 ‘The Campaign Group commit ‘‘murder"” — while should hold to account those those who donot report rape of its members — such as till ater (out of justified fear Dennis Canavan and Ronnie of police and court teat- Campbell — who voted ment, or because they feel against women’s rights and reluctant to admit it has hap- y.

pened to them, or because Th

they are more concerned to

response to the current at-

BRIGHTON

Involving young women

Brighton FAB has’ decided to target young women, especially

ool students end hdalth workers in the run-up to March th Women under 20 account for 50% of abortions after 20 weeks, and will be the largest group of women affected by the ‘Alton Bll. Attacks lke the Alton Bil, the Baker Bil, Clause 28, and the changes in benefit regulations combine to reduce the scope of information available to young women about sex contraception and sexuality, and to force them into greater ‘dependence on the family,

We will be producing @ special leatlet aimed at young women, which’ we hope to use for leafletting schools, FE colleges, and youth clubs. We aim to involve more young women in the group and to attract them to our dayscheot oF Saturday February 13th, which will explore some of the issues behind the Alton Bil, including workshops on contraception, disability, and health service facitties

Other activities we have planned include leatletting nurses homes and approaching ather health workers both dveetly and through their unions, a benefit gig an February 19th with local bends, a local. demonstration on March 12th followed by a ‘women-only benefit, a picket of locsl MP Andrew Bowden's surgery, and a weekiy stall in the town centre, We hope te fil {at least six coaches to the national demonstration on March 19th

Dani Abrens

Building for March 19th!

mobilise for March 19th. Together with FAB the locai Trades Council is arranging

Preston FAB is building for March 19th. We have regular meetings of about 10

people and past activities (0 hire coaches (othe demonstration.

We are linking up with

who voted for the Bill. students at Lancashire Poly,

On March 11th Audrey Wise and a health worker ‘will be speaking at a FAB Public meeting in Preston to

and are leafletting health workers’ picket lines.

Contact: Karen Bradley, 0772 727720

Making links in our campaigning

‘Camden FAB is growing all the time with new members joining after the January events and the Bil passing its second reading,

We are now concentrating on building for the March 1th demonstration and hope 10 be visiting local workplaces ‘ond colleges. We are also linking the health cuts withthe Alton Bil ‘and have produced 2 leaflet explaining how NHS cuts mean [ate aborvone

‘Over the next few weeks we will be petitioning, producing sifferent leaflets and writing to all the MPs on the committee Giscussing the Bil

We hope to link up with other London FAB groups over some events, such as a major public mecting. We plan to to be on the February 20th anti-Clause 28 demo end the March Against NHS cuts

Contact: Camden FAB, clo Camden Labour Centre. 267 1676.

Git Entwhistie

SN RSPAS

Fight the Alton Bill!

Contact FAB: PCL Students Union, 104-108 Bolsover Street, London wei

See RRR

Labour MPs and the Alton Bill

Name Constituency Sponsoring Trade Union(s) For the Alton Bill BATTLE, Jobn Leeds West BELL, Stuart Middlesborough GMB BRAY, Jeremy Motherwell South T&GWU CAMPBELL, Ronald Blyth Valley CAMPBELL SAVOURS, Dale Workington cOHSE CANAVAN, Dennis Falkirk West COHSE CLARKE, Thomas Monklands West COOK, Francis Stockton North TASS CROWTHER, Stanley Rotherham TaGwu CUMMINGS; John Easington NUM CUNLIFFE, Lawrence. Leigh NUM DIXON, Donald Jarrow GMB FIELD, Frank Birkenhead CPSA consultant GROCOTT, Bruce The Wrekin NUS member HARDY, Peter Wentworth NAcODS HUGHES, Sean Knowsley South LAMBIE, David Cunninghame South USDAW LAMOND, James Oldham Central & | TASS Royton LOFTHoUsE, Pontefract & BACM Geoifrey Castieford consultant MACDONALD Calum Western isles MARTIN, Michael Glasgow Springburn TASS MCAVOY, Thomas Glasgow Rutherglen Co-op MCFALL, John Dumbarton MCNAMARA, Kevin Hull North Tacwu MILLAN, Bruce Glasgow Govan APEX MORRIS, Alfred Manchester EMA Wythenshawe advisor O'BRIEN, William Normanton OAKES, Gordon Halton TaGwu PARRY, Robert Liverpool Riverside NUPE, organiser PENDRY, Tom Stalybridge & Hyde NUPE REID, John Motherwell North Full time organiser, Trade Unionists for Labour Scotland ROBERTSON, George Hamilton cme ROWLANDS, Edward Merthyr Tydfil 8 USDAW’ Rhymney SMITH, John Monklands fast. GMB THOMPSON, John Wansbeck NUM WORTHINGTON” Clydebank & GMB Tony Milngavie Not Vote DALYELL, Tam Linlithgow NUR DEWAR, Donald Glasgow Gercadden NUR DOUGLAS, Richard Dunfermline West Co-op DUFFY, Patrick Sheffield Attercliffe GMB GALLOWAY, George Glasgow Hillhead GRAHAM, Thomas Renfrew West & inverciyae HATTERSLEY, Roy Birmingham NUS Sparkbrook member HENDERSON, David Newcastle upon Tyne North HOGG, Norman Cumbernauld & Kilsyth NALGO HOME ROBERTSON, John East Lothian HOWELL, Denis Birmingham Small Heath APEX JONES, Barry Alyn & Deeside NUT KAUFMAN, Gerald Manchester Gorton GMB: NUJ member MARSHALL, David Glasgow Shettleston T&GWU MCKAY, Alien Barnsley West & Penistone BAcM MURPHY, Paul Torfaen ROBERTS, Allan Bootle WALKER, Harold Doncaster Central AEU

WRAY, James Glasgow Provan

Trade Union positions on Alton

Supports FAB ACTT

Supports A Woman's Right to Choose AEU, CPSA, UCW

Supports Abortion on Demand

ASTMS

Affiliated to NAC

APEX, NUPE, SOGAT

Sponsors FAB

NALGO, NCU, NATFHE, TASS, T&GWU, TUC, MPU, NAPO, GMB, NUM, NUJ