Labour Briefing no. 59

@ NHS: the way forward?

© The challenge of Green politics

@ The New Right analysed

@US Primaries

@ Budget analysis

BRITISH TERRORIST TROOPS

OUT OF IRELAND!

+ Unarmed, undefended, untried, three IRA volunteers are gunned in the back by the SAS; an example of a well-known SAS “understanding” — take no prisoners.

By CHRIS KNIGHT

Unarmed, silent, dignified, at the funeral of these three victims, a crowd of 2,000 mourners is attacked with bullets and hand-grenades. Bodies fall within yards of the coffins. Nothing can persuade the Nationalist community that this Savage rampage is unconnected with the “security forces” themselves. A stunning confirmation of this suspicion, two members of these same “security forces” drive a car at 40mph along a pavement towards mourners carrying the coffin of a victim of the earlier rampage. It is only after a shot was fired from inside the car that the occupants are summarily executed by a nowexasperated, frightened and angry crowd.

* Margaret Thatcher, Neil Kinnock, and Britain’s imperialist gutter-press continue to denounce “‘terrorism” in general and the IRA in particular. This rounds off a two-month period in which yet again a British sol shoots dead an unarmed ci

check-point, when the General announces that known murderers and law-breakers within the RUC are not to be prosecuted, and when the British Army welcomes back into its ranks a convicted murderer who had shot dead a Catholic youth — in the back.

x As Briefing goes to press, we must fear the horror will soon claim new victims. We hope, however, that some good may yet come of these events. Many workers — not all of them in Ireland may begin realising at last

LABOUR

PHOTO. &

that this is war. Shocking as scenes on our television screnes were, the deaths of the two British soldiers outside St Agnes’s church were inevitable under the circumstances. For the unarmed Republican mourners who believed they were under attack, there was courage and justice in siezing these men’s guns and using them to deal with “terrorism” as the British do. Through all the

distrib is of the media we must stand firm in showing who the real terrorists in Ireland are.

Laboue Briefing No. 59 March 22nd-Aprit 12th 1988 page 2

Campaign Round-up/Home News

The ABC of stopping the

Clause

A is for Autonomy and April 8th, 25th & 301 B ls for Backing it and Building them. Cis for Co-operative and Constructive Heterosexual support and Contacting your Trade Union, Trades Council, Women’s Section, Labour Party, Young Socialists.

‘As Clause 28* completes its 19 uo progress through Parlia- "Whether this “advice™™ was ment, the Stop the Clause well intentioned or not, it has campaign is coming under been experienced as aggressive Pressure forits resolute com. and dogmatic, often insensitive,

iment to lesbian and gay afd itelevant to the realty of perks lesbians’ and gay men’s lives.

The campaign's insistence on ihe campaign is now in- Jesbian and. gay only meetings solved in organising what has incurred the wrath, hostit

will be the largest series of lesbian and gay rights events tion of some heterosexuals. oF this country has ever seen — _heterosexual-dominated groups. inchiding the largest ever lt i falsely. counterposed. 10

show of labour movement building a broad campaign,

alienating heterosexuals. i salman ‘Alternatively, there has been Islington North CLP

‘a sounded, quizical attitade of “but we're supportive and we Lesbian and gay autonomy

want fo elp, But you won't let ‘What underlies this debate is bas been one of the Sion she Clause vampaign’s few inex: 2 =I0" political diferenc. Bleprinai inorder toce. Awlonomy” a polical con Surethat the campaign was rly SeB4, i sirengthens oppressed Ted by lesbians and gay men.” STOUPS and empowers them to In practice thishas meant that Of#anise. themselves politically the meekly co-ordinatiag As such itis the precise opposite And gay men oals

is sometimes claimed to be Autonomy” literally means especially, rom the Rosas sefgovermment. The ability to movement, has always been b¢ self-governing is constantly seen “as conlial “and open denied to women, 10 lesbians 10 micelings have been organised to ¥4¥ men. Lo Black people, tothe fealiete Neterocraat mechs, lnah, 10 those with, sca ment, But the principle of les. — 0! to mention the working bians'and gay men leading the ls. ‘campaign politically as doubly important given our past ex perience of being swamped bs competing groups, all eager 10 tell lesbians and gay men what

fy, suspicion, or at best, irita

The right to autonomy was a fundamental and hard-won principle of “the Women's Tiberation Movement. Women realised that the ability {0 condct ther own affairs gave them politcal power previously lunheard of. ‘Needless 0. say, tose with disabilities, resulting ™eD didot ike i and whinged

in Clause 29 dropping hack to Pout being excluded, Se ee ‘Autonomy has often Been

“The House of Commons defeated a Lords amendment 10 Keep. contract. compliance for

One of a set of 8 postcards produced in support ofthe Stop the ‘Clause campaign. Avaiabie from good bookshops or rom Cath Tate, PO Box 647. London SW2 40K of £2 the sek icheouse payable to Coth Tate) Sonfused sometimes dibrately — with separatism, Separatism is 8 policy of total physical, organteational ‘and Political disconnection — not st ail the same thing asa policy of heterosexual people to show Sy fell government practice that they” Believe les. On the other hand, there are Gians" and gay men’s lives to Be ako those who make much of as equally tlid as thet owe Tir “support for women's “in pavicuan we need ine autonomy, lesbian 38d f8Y whole” breadth ‘of the’ isboor an excuse for not getting involv Port of lesbians and gays. There din that campatene ste. over 600. Constituency That aitivude only helps to Tabour Parties in the cons keep oppressed sroups polical- and" only three bantes? were iy ghetioied —" thus te sem ‘on the Feoroay Son gqicing “the argumenis ‘sf Semonstaion those opposed to autonomy 9 “Trade union support is slowly the first place! Meanetile those ggreasing bea meen Slo who nominally suppor meedad Ter the ajo faonl Butonomy are off somewhere Gemonstotion on tor at Glee and Cannot be found when “pensation on Apel 30h, lesbians and gay men requed there? Have your CLP evhces support “for Mass been mandarcdre Gk des mobilsations banner on the demo” Does the ‘We, lesbians and gay men, CLP hove a banner’? eg politely rouseing mast Has your Women's Seton icrosetual support for thei arranged’ a tine ad pine oe iiatives that we have planned tecr'so women can tact dows, ‘over the next couple of months: together? Have you ontsted ‘Werneed that support Clause Your Trades Counc?

28 will be getting the Royal AsSent in April — and will be law by June. The only way to stop lesbians and gay men becoming intolerably suppressed. is. for

Winning the battle

against Alton

The huge success of the second wading, was absent March 19th demonstration faving "discussione with against David Alton's at- Morale Reagan" TE WS LOSE SPOLION-e vateied xe Sus ee pate Shee SS Setemel Srectes acer ents that exists to defeat the Siyrtt¥s action 10 dofoat the Bil. whip, However, to0 often people “®Roy Hattesley. the Depu have ‘been mobilsed against ty Leader of the Party which Alton despite the Labour Party adopted toy ‘a. vote’ of "sx and “TUC leadership. rather mton to. 00,0001 policy im than becouse of ther {favour of a women's nght 10 choose, has said women who

By Gill Cee died of back street abortions Labour: Briettsig’ Women -fotae e-'67 Act Chad's

The Bill is due in Committee fon March 23rd. As 3 one line amendment it wil be eifficlt fo talk out. The campaign is Row on to make sure that the Bil wil be defeated at

The TUC and the Labour Party NEC gave just £100 each to the costs of the emonstration “while FAB with help from some individual ‘unions, raised over £4,000 for

the cost af placards alone Cs abe suopore from the rank ane & fie" eh the cnons ‘andthe Abstained

Labour Party hasbeenemen Thy sx Labou MPs voted tut Bat bur labour move: for""Aon' athe, second Sppostion Thar ete, ard hve ot tose Norman Wiis, due to who soined: have since peas athe mace aly forthe Grated they might beam bout MPs whe. have indicated they” wil support” n amendment for a reduced time lent. th “is not Vote for the Bill at the second reading: me ot Roy Hattersley (Ab), Sparkbrook, against all abortion Denis Howell (Ab), Birmingham ‘Sinalineath, Conscience vote Ulin Golding (A), Newcastie-under-Lyme, 24 weeks George Galloway (Ab), Glasgow rilhoad, Restucton dack Straw (A), Blackburn, 24 weeks ("a mojorty vote Gan never cancal out the exercise of conscience bys nm Taylor (A), Dewsbury, Consider 24 Peter Pike (Ai, Burnley, 24 weeks Terry Lewis, Worsley. 28 or 24

Pethetic to a reduction to 24 weeks. instead ot Ai paosl oF 108 mass

discuss the way forward for the campaign. ‘Part of that iscussion must be about how Labour MPs, including those

Choose sponsored by unions. wich Support FAB, can be dragged

These ore just the Labour into ine, MPs whohave come outinthe "Roy" Hattersley, in par.

‘open about it! We must force ticular, must be’ challenged all Labow MPs to vote in everywhere he speaks. “As favour of Party policy and 2 Deputy Leader of the "listen. women's right to choose. ing’ party we have a message

‘On April 16th, FAB is cling for tum: Keep your laws off ‘a meeting of local groups {© our bodies!

Socialist Conference

Policy Groups established

The national steering committee of the Socialist Con: ference has set up a number of policy groups with brief to begin formulating socialist alternatives to Tory {and Kinnockite) nostrums. If you are interested in con. tributing or participating in any way, get in touch with the groups and their convenors via ‘the Socialist Conference, 9 Poland St. London W1

The Economy, Joho Ure

Democracy & the State, Richard Kuper

Black Liberation, Narendra Makanj

Women's Policy. Women for Socialism

Disabiities

International Policy, Jeremy Beale

Social Services, Coroline Benn

Green Socialism, Andy Porter

Lesbian & Gay, Jamie Gough

Media

Trade Unions

Regional and local Socialist Conference events are ‘now being organised in Scotland, Birmingham and the West Midlands, the North-East, the South-West. Sheffield, Coventry. Brighton, North London and South London,

The national recall conference in Chesterfield will be held on June 11th-12th.

Civil rights

A one-day conference held ended with a strong contingent on March 12th at the Hare Many issues confronting ingey Black Women's Cen- Q8SK People "wee added fre launched the manifesto {ht impossibility of black people

taking power through the expf the Movement for Civil {sting system, altitudes to black Rights and Justice, Saha etisat

MPS, the refusal of the Labour The Manifesto, produced by Party to. confront or even the Broadwater "Farm Youth acknowledge its own racism, a5 Association, Broadwater Farm evidenced by the treatment’ of Residents Association, and the Sharon Atkin, the systematic Brosdwacer Farm" Defence criminalistion of black people Campaign, was born from the by the sate.

struggle of the Broadwater

Farm community over the two and a half years since the events of October 1985.

kk was made clear that the Labour Party apparatus, locally and nationally, has lost any remaining shreds of credibility as a defender of basic human Fights for both black and white

Martha Osamor, Chair of the Conference, in her concluding

By Helen Peters Haringey Labour

Briefing speech, pointed out that if the current attacks on basic rights

(poll tax, Clause 28, the Educa

The conference was introduc tion Bill; Welfare Benefits, and

ed by speakers from the Broad: water Farm Youth Association, Residents Association, and Defence Campaign, who exDressed the determination of the Sommunity to fight fora decent Standard of living and to retain the substantial gains made in job creation, environmental i provement and reduction of the crime rate.

Those who have fought over the years for these gains are clearly determined not to stand by and see them undermined by the savage cuts being carried out and build on ils achievements, by Haringey's Labour Council, and to unite otters in fis cause

‘The tragile ‘trust and 'co- {0 create operation which had been built“. better, more just and between the Labour administra- genuinely caring socieiy where iow and the Farm has been everyone may have genuine love dealt a heavy blow, leaving the for one another regardless of community “more ' determined their colour, economic status, than ever to ight its own battles age, sex oF oreed and can walk and rely on its own strength Feely in the streets of Britain.”

Inthe afternoon speakers (Manifesto of the Movement for Were heard from the ANC, the Civil Rights and Justice) Nigerian Organisation " of For more information contact Women, the Catholic Associa- Broadwater Farm Youth tion for Racial Justice, and the Association, Tanamere House, Hideaway Youth Project from Broadwater’ Farm, London Moss Side, Manchester, who al- NI?

| NUS | Back SSiN to beat the Stalinists!

In 1968 the NUS swung to However, SSIN has adopted the left, electing its first some of 'S0's ‘more. rear ‘abour ‘student “as presi. _ilonary-ines, The worst exam peerage Steg le of this is Palestine, whore dent — someone called St ae they’ argue fora. twin'state jack Straw! solution’ At Christmas Con Twenty years on there is ference they ignoted Palest again the possibilty of amove en seit. detertanetion, werd to the left in NUS. The con 3s far as to argue that istaeh's frontation is between two fac Law of Rerun wee cet renee tions, both ‘in the National “Gn autonomy for Sopocead Organisation "of Labour groupe aod ell cote ree Students INOLS}, the ruling

{or ‘retand ‘there are. mony Democratic Left (Li and within SSN who donot Hold Socialist Students in” NOLS a ne

progressive ideas.

the NHS) are’ fought as in Sividual issues, it will be im possible ¢o win and people ‘il burn themselves ‘out, A. con: certed campaign is needed and, if anything is. to be. achieved through the Laboue Party, peo: ple need io come forward and Strugale for positions and power ‘within i

Broadwater Farm has become an example of what ane community can achieve, and has i itated the Movement for Civil Rights and Justice to brouden

iSSin. : The question is who should

By Simon Kemp and Tan socialists support in NUS?

McLarty Issues such as poll tex and

the Education Bill wore debated at Christmas Con ference. The DL solution in cluded collaborating with the BI, basing campaigns around originally suggested the ‘sand personalities, dismantling “ofthe Young and_condemning non Socialists {currently under” implementation. SiN, propos wayl. Theit basic influence ed non-implementation, no was the ‘small group calling cuts, and linking effectively itself Clause 1V; they are af with trade unions,

fisted to the LCC and are At this time of Tory attacks

The Democratic Lett have produced the likes of Phil Woolas. who was responsible for the Fabian pamahlet which

heavily tainted with Staliniam. on education generally, with Stalinist. influence has students facing the additional shown itself both in their con- threat of loans replacing

duet of ‘elections and their grants, it is vital we haves decision to keep links with the campaigning NUS, This. ig “official” student erganisa. something the DL have tolled tion in Poland, rather than witht deliver. Solidamose’s ‘student wing, SSIN have proposed effec Their attitude to both NOLS tive campaigns such a0 "De. and NUS is bureaucratic in the fend yourself — defend your extreme tinion”* and the full integration 'SSIN, supported by Socialist of parttime and Purthe Organiser, omorged in 1982, Education students nto NUS, and are scen by most fexcepi Asa. campaigning. force, the SWP) as a left-wing alter. SIN offer far more than the native to the DL’ SSI con. DL, but thot" views on tains many people who do not autonomy and lack of true In share” Socialist Organiser'steinationalism need to be Doltics and both independents challenged. Faced with the {nd Briefing supparters are in- straight choice, however, the Solved ini nly possibilty is SSiN.

Labour Briefing No. 59 March 22nd-April 21h 1988 pave 3

Editorial

‘A Question of Leadership

Despite the strikes and mass demonstrations of the ast two months, Nigel Lawson presented his budget for the rich with supreme confidence. This was remarkable, not because it was a budget for the rich (no surprise there), but because it was so brazenly designed to benefit millionaires. No apologies offered —_and none expected, any more

‘The Tories are smug because they wager that the tens of thousands who demonstrated against them on March 5th will be let down by a useless and bankrupt leadership in the shape of Kinnock and Willis. This wager is more than a good bet — it's a sure thing

Kinnock’s idea of fighting the Tories is to go on being remorselessly respectable until the next general election. The only thing to cheer on Budget Day was the disruption in Parliament by Labour backbenchers, predictably condemned by Kinnock.

In light of Kinnock’s failure to lead the crusade against Thatcher and the do-nothing attitude of the New Realist union leaders, it is especially disappointing that Tony Benn is shying away from a head-on challenge for the Labour leadership. Time is running out. Already, the failure to seize the chance to announce a candidature using the industrial upsurge as the springboard has allowed Kinnock loyalists and the LCC to go on the offensive against the very ides of an open contest.

Last year's decision by the Campaign Group to sponsor the Chesterfield Conference was a welcome challenge to Kinnock’s road and a positive step in rebuilding the left. But much more than that is needed

Tony Benn’s pronouncements nowadays often have an “elder statesperson"’ air about them; supporting struggles and making links is fine, but the best way to put real weight behind those struggles and make those links concrete is by directly posing an alternative — 2 leadership with the audacity and confidence to take on the ever more audacious and confident Tories,

‘The Campaign Group of MPs is currently the most likely source of this alternative leadership. Their

BRIEFING

TASOUR — TAKE THE POWE

the failure of Campaign Group News to deal with the question, along with other delicate issues, like Labour Councils making cuts. But itis still not too late to. stand; and better late than never.

‘The “Moral” Backlash — Who's Next? Clause 28, the Alton Bill, the new Social Security ‘Act, new immigration laws, the chillingly-named Great ducation Reform Bill, attacks on AIDS sufferers, community bookshops, and the vestiges of independent thought in broadcasting... It all adds up, even to the myopic liberals of the “quality” press, to 2 major cultural ““counter-reformation”

The aim of the new authoritarian backlash is to ‘squash the personal and sexual freedoms gained in the 60s. Limited and often largely symbolic as they may have been, these freedoms have been deeply resented and feared by the ideologues of the right. ‘Thatcherite Toryism has created excellent conditions for the spread of all kinds of bigotry end division. Ks economic and social programmes are now converging with frightening rapidity.

The labour movement, in contrast, has been slow to see the danger — and too often reluctant to mobilise against it. Indeed, the open collusion with bigotry perpetrated by Labour MPs and the national leadership has been a clear sign to the Tories that these questions are Labour's Achilles heel. They have taken the hint and are moving in for the kil

What can be done? Standing back horror-stricken or fulminating from the sidelines is no answer. The lesson that has been lost on Labour's leaders is that although these attacks on personal freedoms and democratic rights have undoubtedly struck a chord in ‘sections of the working class, they have also provoked @ wave of angry and determined mass protest

This protest is at present fragmented. Links have to be forged. Connections between campaigns need to be cemented. The labour movement stands at the ‘crux of all these attacks — and of the resistance to them.

if our leadership is unable or unwilling to unite and

reluctance to rise to the challenge is disturbing, as is

build this resistance, they must be replaced. The

moral backlash engulfing Britain is not a sideshow. It is a full frontal threat to the labour movement, and the quicker we meet its challenge, the better,

Green Politics

‘The centrespread in this issue of Briefing is dedicated to “'the challenge of green politics’’. As readers will discover, this challenge is a difficult but also invigorating one, which the left ignores at its peril We take seriously the questions raised by the green movement in its various forms, which is why we have produced the centrespread, and we will continue to cover the central questions of energy supply, exploitation, distribution, and control of resources, and global economic inequality which the green movement rightly raises.

But there is @ challenge posed for the green movement also — the challenge of class politics,

‘The only force potentially powerful enough actually to realise the demands of the green movement is the international working class. And the only system under which they could even begin to be realised is socialism.

These demands are inimical to capitalism — and capitalists around the world will fight like hell against them. Moralistic fervour alone cannot win the day.

If green politics is to take root and flower, it must plant its seeds in the organisations of the working Class, including the trade unions and Labour Party, and demonstrate to millions of working class people that it is not the preserve of middle-class eccentrics privileged enough to worry about apparently remote matters such as ozone layers and acid rain.

‘The British Green Party is patently unable to do this — and for the most part, indifferent to the task. Despite the presence in its ranks of socialists with whom Briefing supporters are happy to work, on the ground it remains 2 confused, often opportunistic ‘conglomeration, easily swayed by shifting ideological winds, all too reluctant to oppose racism, sexism, and homophobia, and often fanatically anti-trade union.

Down with the Green Party — up with green socialist politics!

Budget Review

Capitalists at problems for

the trough —

the future

The Budget’s most prominent feature was the cut in the standard rate of income tax from 27p to 25p, and cuts in the Cop tax rates (starfing at £19,000) from 45-60% to a flat 40%.

In other words, nothing for the poor, crumbs for the employed working class, and big handouts for the rich

For a single person on £5,000 a year, the tax reduction is ‘worth I. 94% of total incomes for Someoue on £70,000 4 year, i's worth a masive 1.6% in money teems, the latter's in Create i 85 tes the former

Tn aggregate, the Chancelors sift to higher ax ratepayers is Nearly as much (around £2.3

Ite medium term, the cuts jin the standard tax rale may tenable employers to give smaller wage rises: thus, although ‘workers make some immediate agains, this part of the surplus also likely t0 end up as private Profit

Secondly, in a more muted way, the Budget continues the government's programme of Femoving existing handouts 10 capital for specific investment purposés. Already tax exemp. Hons for fixed investment and regional grants have | been massively ‘Teduced. Now the Subsidies on company cars and investment in forestry (and, in 2 minor way, om owner occupa: ton) have also been cut

The prablem here (and it’s 2

work, except that top carners an now work less hard and get the same money

By JAMIE GOUGH

against tax cuts and for more funding for the NHS. This is ttaditional Labour policy: 0 redistribule income within the working class. Socialists, on the other hand, should demand that the welfare’ state is paid for from profits, 39 that income tax ‘on ordinary working people can be reduced

Labour has been forced to stand by while a Tory govern ‘ment introduces the welcome i dependent taxation of married ‘women. Less welcome’ is the way that the budget flagrantly and shamelessly. promotes the family. Married "couples, |as compared with single people,

Not surprisingly, then, the Budget was condemned by ICI, by high-tech industrial pundits and by sections of the CBI. To. the extent that British capital s ‘now oaly concerned with expor ting capital and speculation, the Budget is fine. To. the extent that Beitish capital still needs 10 inves in Brita, itis useless

And this is not a clear divide berween two separate sections of capital. Even the Financial Times, wsvally associated. with the Ciy interes noted that the meagre pickings from the poor ‘and the NHS leave the budget Seriously “one-sided”

billion) (as he is giving 10 will now be £340 better off 2 problem for the government's But even in ils main object, everyone clse put together | year — a £600m yearly subsidy whole long-term strategy) isthat increasing the revente {0 (22.860), Of marriage! it resolves one of capital's pro- capital, the budget and its

For employed working peo- “In addition, unmarried lems only to make another forecasts show big problems for

the Tories. The amount of natonal income being collected in {ax will nor go down. Public ew penditure in real terms is intend. 64 to nse over the next three Years. ‘State expenditure in odera capital economy. is simply too imporiamt 10 capital funds for major restructuring, for it 10 be slashed in the was

worse. It puts more money capital's hands; but it does less than nothing to help create pro. fltable places to invest

pl, the increases in personal inCome (hailed by the Sun as “Lotsa Lovely Lolly") are overshadowed by continuing cuts in the welfare state. For those not in employment, the tax cuts do nothing. And ihe April social security” changes will take big hunks out of their personal in

couples with children will have their tax allowances cut, This {its in with the Clause 28 clampdown on one particular alter~ native to marriage — a lesbian or gay lite

‘The budget increases private responsibility for social welfare. In this society, that inevitably

The shadowy figure of Nigel Lawson.

The fist message of the "For the captat class the duces} sate in taht of his fature to help Tote. "== tion a «hs poly, eae nck

Lawson's claim that all is well are bogus. The coming world

the domestic economs has been to ty 10 lima the sharp upscard

“The income 12x cuts will pro ably have only. the most

save the NHS and local govern. ment have so fat failed to dent

First, it increases the share of the total surplus which i retain

Chancellors speech

“Labour Briefing No: 59-March 22nd-April 2th 1988 page 4

“Trade Union Briefing

New attempt to

unite the unemployed

Unemployment, or surplus labour (as big B&X, "ood, production and business calls it), is All this expenditure of

necessary to the opera- — £54,000,000,000 prevenis useful

tions of capitalists in their York Sa in arpa ‘Unemployment allows the unemployment. rs

os pote We the undersigned demand to old back ine wages OF the Right to Work for everyone

od method of divide and creed or physical disabilities. All

fe Sfould have the right to training

fn the job, enjoy eabal oppor By Ernie Roberts Tinites ad ‘equal pay. We Secretary, NOUW itm. ndametal Rig 9

created by out forcbears and Surselves. Therefore we urge all

Those sho avn and con four "industries, services,

Jand inevitably own and control unemployed throughout Britain the lives of the working class. to unite, organise, and sirugele The structure ‘of present day for the Right to Work. For this society and is class relation- purpose a National Conference

Ships were fot determined by'a willbe held in London to decide dod: the hind of society we have the form of organisation and ac

fk the result of scrugales for tion which shall be taken to br power and profits. The minority ing an end to the dreadful scan In society grow rich and power- dal of unemployment.” fulatthe expense of the major A National Steering Committy, iho dovall the useful Work. tee of MPs to assist this effort to

‘The rich and. powerful are unite the unemployed has been

united in erpeniaeions 10.de formed including these MESSE Tend and extend their interests. Hetfer, 1. Corbyn, T, Bena, & The working class must unite to Brown, B. Clay, Fl. Cohen, B. ‘win back all the wealth and Grant, K.Livingstone, M. Madpower that has been stolen from den, D. Nellist, B. Sedgcmore, them D. Skinner, A. Wise

‘All workers have the fun- This hay beea followed by

danenal uma right 16 <0 mecting® in the House of Com the wealth that they and their mons of representatives of the forebears have created. They unemployed and MPs. The aim

Ric anwar Liners cure mmesse Today there are 28,000,000 Of milions of unemployed, 10 workers avefible for work, Unive those already orpamed in ‘$900,000 wom. are mot thelr ares and: those non Yet Romeo wat te woseht onvbascd “ino a salons Sitar we gen ios Howe of —tilual body, to enablisn unica Commons research documents Enka wih the 18,000,000 Birmingham Sail Heath Unemployed inthe EEC, and 19 sist, “Liverpool Riverside lec Troms all the uneraployed 307%) _Mancheer Central Workers organtations Ne Bolen, Tyne Bridge 26%, ional Commies which. shall Birmingham” Sparkbrook acy as “he. leadership. of the mer lmsgos © Prowas employed snd dee upon ies Gane Sugeno oe ee anore, Glasgow Maryhill Selene # Zese, _Gaarow Central “"We"sppose the government 26.160, Gremck and Pon attacks upon the unemplosed Giswpo 21.7% Chex Non “eConsription of labour iano Wer .ste, Peinbeoke 18%, lompard jons Yous Mon i83t4,"Cacmarfod“e Refusing the unemployed Ted, Seance West 17.0%, proper Uaitag and offering no deciees Canis acetice'ss feat Jobe ahct ateog Taeteyi Minton, Bow, "eWeek for te dole

Poplar, Bethnal’ Grea and Stopping of dole for six Vauxhall all have level’ of — months after leaving a jo

tinemplosment up to 24%. ‘Our aims sball Be: "Thatcher and her government _@ To fight for the TUC policy nave £180,000,000,000 19 of 35-hour week, with no feduc spend, but’ x considerable ton in pay amount is misspent ‘@ The abolition of systematic {@£18,200,000,000 on arms, overtime

{$£17,000,000,000 "paid. toe Longer holidays with pay userers’ who own most of the @Reduction of retirement age National Deb, ‘We call upon all employed "6 16,000,000,000 to maintain workers in the labour and trade unemployment asa reserve pool union movement, anid all others ‘of sheap labour, ‘SSmpathetic to the efforts of the '@ £5,000,000,000 to hold on to Unemployed. 10 join us. For the Falklands and Northem — more information please write Ireland as military bases to Ernie Roberts. “0 1. Cortya "© £800,000,000 to uniie with MP," House of Commons, the international capitalists ig Westminster, London SWIA the Common Market to hold _OAA

Defend Steve Forey

‘As we go to press, members of ASLEF at King’s Cross depot ‘are being beloted on whether to take stike action in response to the sacking of the branch Assistant Secretary Steve Forey.

Forey and five other mombers of ASLEF Branch Committee were the subject of a High Court injunction after the branch decided t0 take strike action in support of NHS workers on March 14th

Despite the fact that the strike was called off, the six disciplined and Forey sacked — for distributing the official branch newsletter with the original strke cal

'ASLEF militants are organising @ high profile campaign, with four mass meetings, two mectings for other rail workers Stickers and leaflets Sa well gs seeking Support from the NHS Unions in the efforts to win the ballot

If Kings Cross does come out, the task wil be to spread the strike 98 rapidly as possible amongst rail workers, despite the felusal of the ASLEF bureaucracy to lift a finger in support of Forey

‘For mote information, and to send messages of support, cor tact Camden Trade Union Support Unit, 213 Eversholt St, Lon on NW!, tol. 01 387 6436.

By 8 Briefing supporter on the railways

“Where do we go from

‘This isthe question uppermost in the minds of health workers following the March Sth TUC demonstration, the COHSE Day of Action on March 14th, and the various events om March 15th.

March [4th gave_ many COHSE branches which had ‘missed-out on February 3rd fa chance to take action, and ‘many more a chance to come out again.

By HARRY SLOAN

Protest stoppages, workplace meetings, and demonstrations | took place: in hundreds of

hospitals across the country. la some areas, similar activity — chiefly organised by NUPE — ‘ako took place on Budget Day isl

All these events suffered from destructive inter-union rivalries at top level, though in many ‘cases the rank and file are work ing togther happily

‘Almost every arca has now hhad at least two "days of ac tion", a major demonstration, ‘and a host of local events. Teas ff thousands of health workers have shown themselves ready 10 fight for the NHS as have tens ‘of thousands of other trade ‘unionists — Couneil workers, bus workers, rail workers, miners, carworkers, and others inno took action in their support.

‘Almost every activist _now believes that one-off stoppages are becoming less productive, but there i no sign that union leaders have an intention of stepping up the fight.

“The ghastly “new realist” TUC approach was seen in the decision not to allow any trade lution Speakers on the platform fon March sth. Now, after the Fiecoe rivalry of recent weeks, there are ominous signs that COHSE and NUPE are discussing a ""comon strategy", with ‘COHSE capitulating to NUPE's scandalous "do-nothing” line

‘Chancellor Lawson's rich

Mark Seaton’s “Solidarity — the way to save the NHS” (Briefing, no. 58) raises more questions than it answers and fails even to ask some important ones.

In faimess to Mark, ‘though, he is clearly aware of the first difficulty | want to raise.

In contrast to Harry Slosn (Briefing, no. 57) who says that union con: ferences should be pressed to demand an extra £2.5 billion {to be funded no doubt by an increase in the basic rate of tax to 27p) Mark prefers “a fully funded health service free of charge and accessible to al

Harry and Mark are grapp ing with a eal problem — how 150 we focus our demands for 2 proper NHS? Even Mark's for mulation, whien | prefer Reeds thinking through.

How do you decde what fully funded ‘means? Our pro: ‘gramme of action should be ‘expanded to include the need for an investigation into health

NHS: Wherever next?

yA seven year campaign by Mrs Joan Bye has succeeded in securing new safeguards against the epiepsy drag “epi”, which, she claims, killed her daughter.

Gn March Toth, days before healthworkers handed petitions in to Downing Street, Mrs Bye handed i a floral cross shoped wreath of flowers — a cross of shame — to the Downing Street, ‘and @ book isting cases of chiidron made il by medical treatment. Mrs Bye made a special ‘Sppeel to Mrs Thatcher as 2 mother to heed her cause.

ee Bye runs the “Parents Recognition of Peediatric Erro's” group, @ supporting organisation for parents, which can be contacted at Iatrogenic Clinic, 51 The Orchard, Newton, Swansea SAS Ua. 2 cempaign which has achieved resonance particularly in her native Wales.

How can we unite the various campaigners on the many, oany health issues?

man’s budget gave the Tories’ ‘worfingered response to all the lobbies, petitions, and well mannered appeals for extra NHS spending. I brought to an fend the first phase of the fight, which focussed on forcing the reallocation of the vast Treasury surplus

Union leaders who still believe that the Tory line can be changed by more one-off token factions may fool themselves — at are unlikely to foo! their members.

‘To win this fight, action must now be taken that will affect Services. This will also end the eceptive “honeymoon” period ‘of press support (which has ‘always depended on the healthworkers confiaing ‘themselves to ineffective ac tom). Only by raising the tempo ‘and temperature of tbe fight can the dire threat to the NHS be

‘Lawson has called the unions"

but more healthworkers ‘are being tadicalised all the time. While Lawson cuts Yuppies’ tax bills, "Health Ruthorities are’ cutting even ‘more hospital beds in order 10

requirements, the causes of il: health, ard the type of health service we need.

Could it be thet our reluctance to incorporate this into ‘ur campaign derives from aur ‘attitude to some of the biggest enemies of a socialist health service — the doctors who Control the system and run it ‘as one designed to treat Sickness ‘rather then en: Courage health? Ther current bleating ss not as progressive as it might appear. It is chow System. after ail — they can ‘and will be pacifiod by new methods of funding

By KEITH WHITE

Maybe a temporery alliance with these people is sight” Maybe Thatener has started something she will live to regret? After all, amass move: ment demanding more money for the NHS mught derail the government

In my opinion we could not be more wrong. The That Cherites are in the process of destroying the NHS. and will succeed in doing so unless we fealise just what they ate Up to. Ther reassesement is. not ‘Something forced on them. They have been planning i for yests — running down the

‘meet reduced cash limits in 1988-89.

‘Bloomsbury Health Authority, with the country’s longest waiting list, is considering 2 prolonged "halt to all waiting ist admissions, and hospital closures and cuibacks toalling over £m.

‘@Crisis conditions similar to iat facing Birmingham's Children’s Hospital are developing in Manchester, and district alter district Taces new Catastrophic cutbacks, forcing fnurses.and health workers 10 ‘escalate their actions @At London's” Maudsley psychiatric hospital, a staffing Crisis has forced the COHSE Branch to contemplate a ban on ‘overtime. Ina ballot last month,

the policy was endorsed. by 151-31

“Management have broken their promises to alleviate the situation. They are still admit: fing. patients to. wards which can't cope with them. Members are saying we can't carry on jpapering over the cracks," sa Branch Secretary Tan Morton.

‘An overtime ban would lead to bed closures, but it seems the

NHS in preparation for it ‘They can destroy the NHS if they can come up with suff

ciently. attractive new methods of funding, if they can “improve” the services

while they are doing this — or at any rate convince people that improvement is possible

‘The 90% cited by Harry Sloan as opposed to Thatcher may rapidly become s much Tower figure

Moreover, Thatcher's much publicised retreats (nurses and fransfusion workers) do not necessarily mean she was beaten. She retreated before the miners in 1982, a couple of vears before the sinke,

Out approach must take into account Thatcher's possible routes to victory, e.g. fostering further divisions. in. the workforce by the introductic of new. payscales. llocally father than nationally negotisted!, the ending of the Fight 20 strike, extra provision {or politically sensitive prolem sreas, new systems of Personal insurance cover, etc.

‘The cross-party. unity of Frank Fields’ Commons. Com: mittee demand for more money for the NHS ‘was ‘bought at the price of an open door for new methods of fun ding. It's all very well to unite with the kes of Field, and

only way to put on pressure ‘One ward has already begun ban on overtime, regardless of what anyone says, and we have to back that action

Nurses’ unpaid overtime is cstimated. ‘nationally atthe ‘squivalent of £150m a year, Yet their commitment tO the. pa tients isan obstacle to taking allout strike action — an obstacle eyenically exploited by fovernment, management, and the RCN.

‘A systematic national nurses’ workto-rule, and aban on overtime and agency working could offer a way. forward, allowing each focal branch to ecide what pace and level of Struggle they’ can maiatain in what is becoming a longrunning battle 10 save the NHS.

‘The Maudsley workers are ‘uot only responding to a probem on the wards, they” are showing a way forward in the Sttermath of March 14th, More branches should follow their example, while pushing the health lnions to get their act together, Step up the fight, and demand the TUC call a one-day general Strike 10 defend the NHS

NHS: Thatcher’s Achilles heel — or ours?

leven Tory wets, to demand more money, but if we subordinate our’ ‘strategy to an

‘alliance of al the people” we will not step outside the Thatcherite framework, and may well be out manosuvred and Soteated

Wf, however, we see. the NHS for what itis — a golden Sppertunity to. deepen the fight for 2 socialist. planned economy — we can do more than inflict a strategic defeat fon Thatcher. We can take Step towards real power,

ur orientation must bs towards the mass of working class people — especially women — who want 8 decent health service, Campaigns built around their concerns and their health requirements will strengthen the hand of tank and file militants in. the hhealth unions and help us to isolate the Labour end trade union bureaucrats

‘A'mase movernent such 35 this can win the middle layers who are at present worried ‘about funding, but whe may be vulnerable to. Thatcher's reassessment proposals:

‘More money tor the NHS is not 2 sulficient basis for 2 Campaign. We need to discuss Specific demands, tactics, and even our whole strategy more caretully

rane MEO! A Hag h eS Aes OF WA ami evr

‘Labour Briefing No: 59 March 22nd-April 12th 1988 page $

Trade Union Briefing

Executive refuses to lift ban on abortion debate

Lewisham “Teachers in FAB” mounted a picket on Tuesday March 8th, of the a lecture on the’ Great Education Reform Bill by Dough McAvoy of the NUT Executive,

‘The purpose of the protest was to press the NUT to withdraw a circular banning debate on David

By Valeri Coultas Lewisham NUT

gave lip-service to the battle Sver_equal pay. They have Consistently refused to alow 2 full debate on abortion.

Only in 1982 was any pro: fgress\ made on’ this front, ‘when an amendment was put to Conference cating on the NUT to oppose all attacks on

Catholic members is @ complete red herring. Thousands 9f Catholic women travel from Ireland and Spain ta Britain to have abortions. The male dominated NUT Executive has no. moral, constitutional 0 political right to ban discus Sion on this issue of women's "The. following

amendment is being circulated in support of women’s nghts ‘and democracy in the NUT.

Nee family planning. A lukewarm ‘Add at end:

The circular advises proposal, perhaps, but does ‘Conference. further nates ‘associations to rule ‘ali at- Suggest the NUT should be op. the circular distributed to local tempts to discuss this Bill out posing Alton. Sesocistions censoring debate of order. It states thet “no Fred Jarvis, as chsir of the on issues relating to present ontributians should be made TUC, is part of an organisation gttacks on abortion ‘rights to the campaign” sponsoring the March 18th Conference, recognising that

‘This is in keeping with @ demonstration. Yet his own debate on this question does Jong. dishonorable NUT tradi- union members, 70% of not conflict with the aims and

tion ‘of refusing to fight for whom are women, are pro- objects of the Union (On the march to defend LEA, March 8th Day of Action in London women's nights. NUT leaders hibited from even discussing major concern to al me

Women’s TUC Victory for Socialist On sisterhood and _ Teachers Alliance tir e d f e et ‘The attempt by officers of right to appeal to National Ap The NUT will meet all the

yesterday were due to micot thomselves_an_ important and Loosley. reinstated.” General Tuesday 8 March Seprivat the Inner London Teachers’ 7st . Cacia : ae iSprvaton wees pa retary of ILTA, said, "This Arrive Blackpool North By Josie Irwin Bebaicon parttime and tem- | Association (ILTA) collaps- "The yinsinicment of 1LTa's Seve gn Uys Sad TNS $.06pm, exhausted. Am 1 Greater London Staff porary _ workers, women | ed early this month, almost eadershp is. ellectve im reer We were Torced to too old'to go on marches? Association delegate Feturnees, contract compliance, | Srecay a year after ie mediaicy, Bernard “Regan (aie ical anion'ae dotted one

{axation, women and transport,

‘Spent the morning tramp- Session woes sel caer

ing from Kennington Park

ispute began. Tesumes his membership of the fights and the democratic rights Sue National Executive of the union fall members.

carry ihe. Sgbates, ;beein. and ference unanimously supports | In aflurry of faxed letters, in time for its next meeting (and ° "We “were ‘kicked out for union banner in defence Of chat, and fags. Suddenly, there any attempts to restrict the 1967 el Teme Tic ation tor the Seinen ewe ILEA. Legs ache. is uproar. MSF.has proposed a Act. Sisters from Palestine get a | ficers admitted that they did TT2"T/sndon members of the Goring back ou Mah Bh, the Discover hotel is miles out. composite on the new Equal standing ovation. not have a defence 10 the Notional Executive, from which day many trades unionist will Had asked for a hotel further Rights Department. The plat- ~The’ traditional Mayor's | ILTA claims ee eee eee eee South after last “year's eX form's verdict: “support with reception is to be held inthe | The admission followed Mt. Resan ge eucnded the WEA, said TAS perience of an hour's walk ofeseration”™ Tower's, “Good Time Em- | decisive fulings in the High “Carole “Regan resumes her Women’ Offa Case Conference," each morning, “Delegates consider thisacraf-portum’”! Another example of | Court snd he Coun Of Appeal maken Tat ein; | Nome Meant south of the Tower, not ty way of slipping in an am- Undersaied decor! Gur NUPE | that the actions of the omon's TST" Conference Busnens SE: cannot forel the ve south of, Scotland. "Make mendmeat as we are ot allowed sisters take the floor; GMB, not | pational officers and is Appeal Powerit Conference Busines: We cannot Toreet the vic Unilateral decision 10 fake axis {o vote separately on the “ese. joins in the Sv- | Commie were unlawful and renataed to the ballot for re. the ast year a the handh of ihe tnd charge them to the union: Uproar! Confusion on ing. The “Good Time Em- | void. bas pees pee none’of us brought Mat shoes form. Geriom™ ses saffocting: | "“Cemral 1 the tpat actions ST. wns Lacey rece ane otis Heweie 3h Important ile men run Return ro hotel ro be woken By | was the impropriety of the ma: final Gudgement in the High Teta 'S agains the govern. Wednesday, 9 March around whispering in ears. The the NUPE delegation stumbling | tional” officers using. their Court he temporary" injure, | Em,wnich making massive Conference has been Chair’ is. challenged, un= back inthe eary hours Powerful position in the union tons against the umion became flelarly Inner London. We

felocated to the Blackpool precedented "excitement! It ‘Tower Ballroom as the Sandcas- Wasn't like this in Ada Mad- Friday, 11 March tle Centre, used last year, is dox’s day? But this fails narrow-_ NUBE delegation is late for boycotted by the Trades Coun- ly oget thenecessary two thirds breakfast. I have to speak on ‘il — non-union. majority Family Credit and "haven't The Tower Ballroom is "Debate on sexism in the finished my speech. Panic. Had magnificent, a real Victorian media, Too late for emergency forgotten spevtaces. Will | find gothic horror, red, gold, and resolution, but NUT skillfully my way to the rostrum fots of curly balustrades. My aise issue of Mandy Mudd ia The highlight of the day isan colleagues discover they are not “debate Applause and support. address’ by sisters. from allowed to smoke on the floot Sympaihy' for appalling treal- COSATU who speak movi ff conference and instantly sul- ment —and Blame place where of conditions in South Africa, Ter acute nicotine withdrawal jt belongs, sith Labour NEC ‘Suddenly conference is over symploms Conference dozes off again Unlike many conferences and Pat Turner from GMB in the but poor Pat Turner — the despite the first day's |

and on the National Executive permanent. ‘The remaining a want to see a, united union in particular 10 substitui fons have been settled, sien he fighting, alongside penalties, describe by Lord Union giving similar undertak- healihworkers and "others Justice Stoker as “draconian”, ings to Bernard Regan, Carole against this government," said for those imposed by the Regan, Anna de Casparis, John Bernard. Regan, reinstated. Nadependently-cecied National Esterson and Jane Shallice tional Executive member isciplinary Commitice (NDC). "The decisions will as0 The reinstatement, coming-on They found that ILTA had to. Dick North, ILTA's the eve of ihe umon'e anual ‘organised industrial action treasurer, Paul Richardson, and Lonerence, “is a. wemendous Without national sanction, but 3 number of other ILTA boost for the left'in the NUT, were abo very criscal of the delegates or former ILTA Conduct of the national union. delegates who. were required Lord Justice Stoker declared unlawfully by the union t0 sign *Teken from am ILTA leyflet that the national officers had no “undertakings”

Senior Colman

ater ‘meeting at BY Pete Cooper act. Ex-strikers return solidarity action argent ee ce After 13 months, one week solid supporters Thorn EMI. ‘We must also not for ington. jointly organised by me Jonesy Corby pA

Seniority. Eyes down as the and sotng 0 3 show o outtt Pat Turner's problems of debt. I Gystemanealiy used ant union phasised the success of the

fhiiree dys the strike at Hove aur sbop denalans lc igau ike 2 ey orermed laws to prevent effective m NHS struggle in. mobilising The majority of the strikers el Saher fee sg oe ou oe is iarat seed North London supporters month jong strike the working class. Were uniiy. Site ated by eon Sn ims and Contorers sonyone gave, ond poweresse sod Gammon. By Axcpins “Who challenged theic Bosses with whom they | Seton’ dy stern we shaw AMmaragenert Bet whch aed ov £400. tat our orci: oes crossed swords previous dey ond called on fat,,oeamed, news from _mchiding = £200 p trehad prowdly deended forse But take notice of the basis for the settlement | fhe TUC to oiganse s one Wasumaten DC and Auswala Finsbury Pan NUN Jone. It’s not for the strikers and their families’ day strike in support of the ike Janet ‘Seymour tex meeting, “demanded the Br Not because the Nation were suffering and He atso argues to background tthe eaten of andthe ending of private prac Communities Nor the loss of services that this strike pear segolen st “paanng on Gear NHS wating ste. He {at the moment, and is leading It's a sorry state of affairs, their moral |e te ca ius eae foe ee standards pathetic, =| Sapte Fxyntbeck! called for “all out From the floor. Tetry Frenen ‘The strikers from Senior Col- The reason for ending this industrial action: | dehance mdefnite action across the urged support Seago =e One of our biggest sad’ mox __N. Yorks Women Against Pit Closures | NUS Stacy sin! the poner had pass-acy 1985. We've gotta being promoted

Labour Hrefing No. $9 March 22nd-April 12th [988 poze 6

Labour Party

Interview: Narendra Makanji

Rooting Black Sections in the wider black struggle

Long-time black activist and Labour Councillor NARENDRA MAKANSI will be standing for National Chair at Black Sections’ Annual Conference, held on March 26-27th in Manchester.

SHAHID TILLY interviewed Narendra for Briefing.

have heen or work quite

Asa candidate tor the Chair of | Our-membs Hack Sections what would you volved it the

{ike in sec the organisation closely with the pemeihesaare aecteaths The past year has seen lading cane ich are ill Black Section members becom oii dog MPs. What dos this mean te MPs would not have happened

Narendra Makan. standing for Vice Chaw of Black Sections

Labour CN

Annual General Meeting

Saturday April 9th, 10-5

Sheffield Polytechnic Students Union Nelson Mandela Building, Pont St, Sheffield Groups and individuals welcome to attend — as long '@8 you are a member of bath the Labour Party and national CND. £3 waged: free for unwaged For accommedation and further information contact Carol Tumer, Secretary Labour CND, 28 Stodmarsh House, Cowley Estate, London SWS 6HH

sure they are nol isolated in Parkiament of picked off one by fone by the eatablishmen

Morris's propoals for al filiation status will act 25. backdrop to. the conference. ‘What are the reactions by sour members to this proposal?

lack Sections ‘conducted scale

investigation into the

specify wha

sfliaiton think hat

Morris's pro: ot go far

Some of your leading members are now suggesting. that sou goto Annual Con ference year in and seat out and get resoundingly defeated with increasing majorities.

As 2 potential chair of Black ‘SCctioms hom would yom explo the call for am affiliated Blac Socialist Society?

Afiliation status, in contrast to

demands for 3 "section. seems fp inmocuonr Whs bas the

Labour Leadership ‘come out

against i?

Minin because bo.

io handle the inawe of ‘lack

Teadership, WB

Black pewple predominantly tive in metropolitan areas. Some clements of Black Section leadership in local Councils tare been implementing cuts ia expenditure: while others have ‘opposed these. What are the Struims im Black Sections over the?

The isc wf local gosern

The Black Sections banner takes to the rosd an the 1987 Bloody Sunday demo.

community and Black Sections

fas. whole because local gover

ent has a major impact upon bar people's lives ‘Lam in favour of resisting the

exis all the may. We have (0 take sure that the commurities that are likely to feel the bea of these cuts are. thoroughly mobilised. Councillors by themselves cannot doit, no mat how good. their politica positions may be. That's going to be a big task jor the Black Sections. We also have to look abead to the attack

ton the inner cies that Thatcher mounting and be prepared ith series of ideas over how

pica Gangerous for black people, We

ould actively organise agaist S When the pees

black grass roots starts build

tp then many of the Black Sec

tion Councillors who have opted For cats will have to think again, or they will Be swept

Sections have been ised For not having a firm

went in the grass roots Deng too deepls lodged ‘the Labour’ Pa Ipureaucracs. Is this true? do you Foresee Black Sections ‘addressing this?

Obsiowls, we have 10 expand Si the time. That criticism is a alid one which we have 10 ad Brews, Whar f would plan 10 do We would go round 10 all the black areas and explain what we are about, speaking directly 10 local actiints s@ thal some of the myths being put about Seale with on # tace 10. ace We should also produce policy documents for discussion at local, resional, national, and indeed a1 the inteinational fevel wthere there are many evclopments which we need #0 be part of Unfortunately. e have not really done much of

this, due to being cauet i. this

the NHS to be liberated from ths exploitation so that tes ean play an active role in adressing The health. needs of the Black Sommuity, (7 they are allowed and enabled to do that, if they ight to do that, then it would spark off new way of thinking aut the Health Service

There are bl auite cenical about Black Sections which they perceive to bes ‘ehicle to enable black members {o attain politcal office. Politics about policies and itis about power, And it is about Deonle being elected 10 power so that policies can be carried out. “There wil always be criticism of careerism of all polticans, black or white. All | would 43) fe that I would sooner have a

There has heen talk of alternative programmes being Grafted by. local black com: tmanities, This may have Tessons for the rest of the left as wel,

We have seen the bankruptcy of

black ‘person facing this the posernment-on nner cites critisism than a white We have also seen the silence of

the Labour Parly front bench There are many black workers, om ideas for inner ily predominantly low paid and regeneration

female, who are involved in the NHS dispute. What role docs lack Sections see Tor sell it i srugele? One of the conference discus sion papers is of) the National Health. Service.” The author argues. vers. strongly. that. the NHS has always exploited black ‘workers either as low paid Jabour, as nurses or even as doc

‘95% of black people in Bri tain live in inner cities, Our conference discussion paper argues that Black Sections should rally ‘other black organisations. in their localities to draw up plans for their particular area, on ‘education needs, on health, i frastructure, of environmental improvements

‘Through this activity we can

show other neon

tors. (only. giving them jobs iow We cat tvhich white doctors “did not lake eonttol over our own lives. ‘sand The problems linked with inner

cities will not be addressed by

people coming from on high

nd offering solutions foe us. It

feeds 10 be done by people

tvithin the inner ities and Black

Te the coming years we will people in particular have a ma- < for black workers withia Jor rote to play in it

FIGHTBACK ’88

80 people took part in a local conference organised by Bir mingham Fightback "88 on March 12th. The focus of the Conference was not big name speakers (though we did welcome the London dimension contributed by Clie Pat Waylett from, Lewisham) but workshops on the key local issues of Couneil services and jobs, the NHS and equal op: portunities, as well as Clause 29 and the Birmingham 6 campaigns,

A wide spectrum of local activists took part in the con: ference, which was aimed at translating general principles into concrete policies and realistic strategies for challenging, the dominance of the right in the Birmingham labour movement, A Fightback Steering Committee was set up by the conference, which marked a useful step forward in the ong process of building an effective left in the city.

The Servioe has never fully addressed the Health needs of the Black community, such as sickle cell, the higher instance of hear disease, and so on

PHOTO! Martine Stead

Labour Briefing No, 59 March 22nd-April 120 1988 j

Labour Party

Lots of talk; little action

The Labour Party Seotish Conference, which met_ in Perth on March. 11-13th, ‘was dominated by the ques tion of the Poll Tax, which 31 resolutions “and five amendments were

submitted, The tax was also the subof many fringe leaflets, and

pamphiets This reflects the importance ff this poll tax question far the cots labour movement and also the level of opposition t0 It in Scotland as a whole, Re opinion polls indicate that 42% Of Luboue voters are prepared to refuse 10 pay the tax Denunsiasfons of the poll tax 4» unfair, unjust, unssorkable, Wicked, ‘evil, against” basic human’ fights, and — ant democratic were rite. However, the logical eyponse to this — 19 ‘rpanise resistance by all means at our disposal — sas rejected by Conrerence Dick Douglas, an MP not Hoted for left wing views, said "SIF the Party does not opt for non-payment nov, i will Be ike

By Sheila Maher and Graham Sullivan Delegates, Kincardine & Deeside CLP

leading an with

“Conference agreed to @ state

ment from the LeC-dominated Scoltish Executive which did not rule out 3 campaign on no vayment, but put aff 4 de

for the acum

‘Of course, the T. intention of delaying. Ul Labour "should therefore "be

Assembly of the $0 Scottish

Labour MPs in different parts fof Scotland. “The idea isto highlight the overwhelming

Labour majority here and the Tory government's rejection of Scottish demands for an Assembly

‘These demands scem 10 have made Tittle impression on Nei Kinnock, who managed

Catholic popular Alion Bil. The Pe apply the ship to

MPs. For the third year ru

(0 the fe @ nas squander ‘Once again. many command, oF even, build focal left

dience in Scotland as a the Scottish people

@Support. "in particular, ‘obstruction and civil disobe. dience in the implementation of the poll tax, leading to 2 mass ‘campaign of » nor. Payment. and seek early and Public declarations of Intent io. to pay from leading figures in the Party and beyond.

Encourage the early establishment of an atten ative democratic forum in Scotland,

's clear that the new SLA moving towarcs the left: Campaign Group MPs in Scotiand and local activists should welcome and support the group, who are now ‘organising "a. founding conference.

For further information on Scottish Labour ‘Action ‘con {act Interim Co-ordinator lan ‘Smart. 26 Glesgow Road, Paisley, tel. 041 889 8578

A new pressure group, Scottish Labour A held its first open mes

in Perth on March 12th.

Consisting largely of young leftward moving LECers, the group rejected Donald Bewar's leadership and. the manoeuvring polities of the LCC. Although they do not describe themselves as 8 split from the, UCC, i's perfectly @Recagrise that the Conser. lear that’s exactly what they ative Party has no mandate m are Scotland and to campsign on Their break from the soft this basis left is hesitant and contradic. _ ® Support a policy of tactical tory, forced on them by the WN-co-operation with the is, blectve, situation thet! has government in the conduct of Geveloped in Scotland since Scottish business in the House the general election, rather of Commons than ‘a critical look at ther @Urge the Party to. place previous stance. more ‘emphasis on initiatives This confusion praduces an launched in Scotland, where eclectic palitical anslysis that the Toes are in on embarrass Combines overall support far ing minority. rather» than Kinnock's leadership and re- Westminster. where they on jection of its application in joy a massive majority Seatlang. ‘Support mass civil disobe

By Jim Niblock Glasgow

The founding statement calls on the Party in Scotland

lands right to self-determination on such a bosis as the people of Scotiand themselves decide

Women’s debate

Now campaign to build on resolutions passed

The debate on Women’s Rights was scheduled for 4.25pm on the Friday. of Scottish Labour Party Conference —~ hardly” ideal timing.

The'late hour was duc to hav ing to listen to 48 minutes of Neil Kinnoek giving speech Wwhieh comiained only a fectine reference 10 the Poll Tay — a burning issue in Seotland

A viedo recording displayed fon a Targe screen ‘ould have had the same impact, We expect this kind of patronising attitude fram the Tories bul tot trom the Labour Parts" Leader “expecially it Scotanl

The 45 minutes could have been much etter spent in Alebatine issues on the user

With mote time allawal Tor ‘onions igh, which in the fd wats rushed though in ‘shout 20 sintes,

Tivo poo revolutions wove pascal cntanimousls. The tis called For support in the fight Auaiust Davie Alton’s Bill I alled upon the Labour Party

By Margaret Stewart irling Women’s Council delegate

(personal capacity)

campaign for improved health and educational facies, fora nd 10 NHS cus, Tor improved abortion facilities and increased access 10 early terminations

Te also called for Labour SIPS to stick 10 Party policy on abor

tion “and noted. that Tabour ‘ships had not implemented the decision of 1988 "Annual Coe

ference policy absndoniny the

‘eomscience clave’ on abortion The mover, seconde, and

speakers all called for the right Freedom of choice au tor SIPs

whose personal stews were Fespevted, not te sole om that perwonal "view i Parliament thus deosine thousands. a

when the time

Fiemed ional auth

ching 6 Semon

led, tor support for th

Campaign Again

‘women’s action agains searching, “for thet Leadership 10 support thee ac tions, and for the next Tabour goveromen! tend i

legislation apps ing bo ‘ain and Northern lec

Much campaigning and hard work is to be done of the istics raked in these two resigns ‘and continued pressure main tained oth in the feght

the thi

aad

ee reading of Alton’. Bill ‘campaigns vagaint "the adi

i meee

Mandy Mudd speaks to Greater London Labour Party Conference. March

emergency

resolution against her wit

Defend Mandy Mudd

Very few newspapers have been able to resist persecuting Haringey anti-euts activist, Mandy Mudd, who faces expulsion for “sustained activity against the interests of the Party

‘The techniques used in this exercise are so abhoremily sexist that they have produced a reaction of disgust from a broad spectrum of the left.

Haringey Against the Witch-hunt has now decided not only to defend Mandy's right to argue her views inside the Party, but also to expose the ‘sexism and character assassination techniques so love by the British press.

In this case the tactics of the gutter press could weil backtire

tials of the “jour involved are st sake — those of the Labour

Fight sho. have” tradifionaly bbeen on good terms with the Fleet Sizeet hacks

The particular story that the “investigative” journalists of the Sun got hold of was that Mandy had once worked for a Kissogram company, They duly printed pictures next (0 articles led with vile persoaal abuse about Mandy's See, aimed a Causing her the masimmu pe €) suceeded up 10 2 poin mm the powerless athe © powerful. Mand: had

rn 10 work, and Two

Tory MPs have no sock be = Forgiven for ak ‘elenders 0 thes think Cecil Parkinson and other well-known figures who have commited adultery and. othe So-called sins should also. be ‘Sacked? Their behaviour has no. omic bass, unlike that thousands of women who are Forced 10 ‘work av strippers pagecthree gitl, prostitute, 07 models in an advertising i dustry that exploits desrading

Sexual imagery t0 the Tull

Tn our societs, many ome are forced 10 sel their bodies i some form because these it ddastries are encouraged by dec. dent late capitalism. The labour ‘movement must challenge the ‘alae ststem af the ruling clase comes 10 the se in 3 system “where Tull edcationst employment apportion

By Linda Blane

AW °86

will obliterate these options — by punishing the pimps and pro. fiteers, not the women themscives.

OF course Mandy stands con ddemned not simply. because of her “morality” but particularly because of her size As a fat women her crime is) much sorse. The implication is cleat She should be ashamed of hetsef and hide away

Victoria Keir im an extremely vicious and sarcastic peice in the Evening Standard even went far aso attack all“

entitled “Big Girls Don't Cry In opposing the gutter press campaign. against Mandy we ‘must not lose sight of why she is a victim, Private Eve pointed oat that Bernie Grant, former Leader of Haringey Council must be delighted to see. his ‘areh-enemy"" ridiciled after her determined - defence of positive images of fesbians and 23s and her opposition to Ha! ingey"s budget vats

We hope Bernie Grant wil dispel this rumour by suppor

Meanwhile, the Labour right and centre ai Walworth Roa! € eager 10 aid this process Through disciplinary action and imely leaks 10 the pre

The Labour lefi, along with those members of the National Union of Journalists who take their code of practice seriously. ‘ust challenge the right of the press 10 destroy" individuals fives simply because they 40 101 conform to the Sins notion 0! what constitutes. an "acteplable" female form. ‘When 4 women fs put af rial by the press. her looks immediately become an issue, The Party as whole should reject this hind of

attack — and put a stop ta peo. Dien sown ranks coludng

LAW "86 model resolution for 1988 Annual Conference

1. Conference notes tha hte a widespread and. ghonine Witch hunt against soviists

the Labour Party and the ich

to hold views contrary to the of the” leadership and 2" Camterence. condems Suspension of CLPs, hy

disciplinary action agains’ Nt

fing Mandy's defence cam. ds” Mudd, Sharon Atkin a

pign. Bur this case shows that merous other ind isae ersiwhile Beanites who hang on- within the Pa to power at any cost even if i 4. Conference calls or she im

mediate drop Sons and ch

means breaking ‘manifesto pledges and attacking workers

Jobs and living Standards, only Labour Party fo ger on wah the succeed in signalling 10. the job of fishing the Tories establishment that they have Stead of svtch hustaig its os

changed sides, members

Witch-hunters win

The fires of the witch hunt buin onghtly in/Exeter Exeter Labour Party GC voted last week by 44 votes to 7 t0 rele Devon Labour Briefing suaporter Peter Bowing to the NCC

Witch-hunting spokesperson Maityn Snow told the Gc that the case was based purely on Bowing's writings i Devon Labour Briefing and elsewhere. which constiuted 3

course of conduct prejudicial to the Labour Party

The right wing Labour Leader of Exeter City Counci Chester Long, had slieady made Is position clea’: “Fl sel my Rouse to get Bowing out of this Party.” His deputy, nat winger Pete Hutchings. thweatened an uncommitted Ge sielegate who questioned details of the proceedings wit

an. One sight winger told the meeting that people

© dying as a consequence of Bowing’s writmgs ie Bow'ng Maa fost Labour the ele

The iynch-mol night called lor exp but many uncomantted GC delegates had ad enough ot the bigotry the bullying, and the oanning of any eiscussion of the metter in branches. Sixteen vated aganst an expulsion recommendation

The fight had already boen dealt an embarrassing blow earlier n the week, when Tony Gifford relused to attend @ Bil of Rights conference in Exeter. whuch was partly funded from the City Counci's Witam af Orange celebrations bugger

Devon Lapour Brefong

Labour Briefing No. 59 March 22nd-Aprit 2th 1988 page 8

Feature: Green Politics

Debate

A VIEW FROM THE GREEN PARTY Green politics and socialism

The green alternative to here to stay. jsts have barety begun to recognise, let alone come to terms with, the green challenge But im many. European states the socialist currents have already been subsumed into a combined ereen opposition to the old “ grey’ ihe Hig) parties ae ‘ ntsaOP Wits itis sain, the dominance Gathering crops in Africa: socialists need to promote self-reliance of Thatcherism and ing of all captialist debts — workers of the North, but to Npopular capitalism’ these green policies are not the crisis-racked millions of tivenfens not just’ Labour, only far more radical than the southern hemisphere furthesurvival ofanycredi- anything advanced by And we don’t forget that ble socialist culture Socialists or communists, large slice of “the cake hey. represent the central belongs‘o the natural world, “Socialist” issues that many like the rain forests socialists have forgotten Until the socialist moveAssociation of The green claim that ment, in its majority, rejects socialism, in whatever varie- the culture of industrialism ii "irom. Fabian/Sodal- and. “cars for everyone, Semocratic through to please" it will not be able to evolutionary. Marxist, has challenge “popular ‘At a historical level some 10st its historical relevance. capitalism” we eter Now argue The dominant culture of the The green“ movement Breen Politicians ner ag late twentieth century is in- challenges all socialists. to pa cr olilosophy has been dustrialism and fechnocracy. confront _ two historical Sate oe ce the new, Both capitalism and state facts. First, capitalism, a Porat on of green collectivism are now forms although less than 250 years Wider | Vision i Redait of this rampant’ in- old, has brought the Earth renewal conan Marnist dustriaism — east, west, to the brink of ecological Baro tne eermatadieal of and south. Hence the world collapse. Resource depleaE i nerd. current ecological crisis. Socialism tion, world-wide pollution, the actlite Tim Cooper, co. has no answer to this; al it and the direc threats 10 condere ee rite Green recognises iscontinuing class tinued life on earth via the Party, have said that the best and snter-state conflict. ‘ozone layer holes (on both arly, have sid hatin Care Who's responsible for poles), the destruction.of the elements soci ieprcen acid rain? “The wicked rainforests, | and the politics capitalists? But “greenhouse” syndrome, CS. ation of a new Czecheslovakia is the worst allow less than another hun baltce Semen human and acid pollutant in Europe. dred years before extinction balance eee therghtof Who caused the ozone unless there is radical correcsaiians te basic material layer crisis? Multinational tion soon. see a abasic income drug companies or Secondly, ‘socialism has Sepurity (asf Ar about £60 unrestrained consumerism? divorced itself from the semeehy, 2 new interna Class conflict is sill there, natural world by creating an Per ese" gyeiem which but all sides are fighting for artificial homo-centric onalptesseitscliance in the a slice of the same rotting ideology cut. off from the cao tcvcloped world cake. Greens say that we bio-centric imperative of weer h clantiimperialist need a new “cake”, half of life. It has become an unwit through.» and the cancell. which belongs not to the ting accomplice of capital by

Book Review What can we learn

from Die Griinen?

Having won an 8.3% — ethe military defeat of share of the vote in the the Nazi regime:

Federal elections of _®the superpower rivalry January 1987, the Ger- leading to the partition of man Greens, with their Setmany and her re Da” Geinon’ porliamen. "ilitarisation;

By Mark Douglas Member Socialist Greens and Green Party

“The crestion of @ Green Par ty and the adoption ofa radical Stategy was 2 painful pro: Ses. in the early days several ‘ecological groups inside Die Granen were more inclined to teformiem sad accommoda- ‘non radical elements finally abendoned Die Grunen in 1980. Today there are four main

@the creation of a ton. These showcase

re-enforced their claim ene

to be one of the most

‘@the entrenchment of

promising radical gurantee Semen Sevelopments sreconmansm inte Coote et Europe. Federal Republic's yegpoiak, he are the most

seus inettutions; ‘Sag to accept same kind ot By Eric Darier "sand the open abandon- parismentay"casilon with SERA ment of the stugge te SPO,

sits, important book, $258) Gin went on to socialist (Trotskyist) int a ligt

Sr okatinn of Green politics _ The intellectual and student pigrresey stag radicalism of the 1960s, com-

‘The author reminds us of Pew saci movements ir the seek to aved! the palical some-of the events which 1970s, resulted in What the neutralisation of Die Grinen have shaped the contem- author ‘calls a_ "Second by emphasising | extr porary German political Culture", the basefrom which parliamentary activities | cat- ‘scene: Die Grinen were to vse. fied out by the new social

refuse any kind of tactical ‘compromise:

‘the small EcoLibertarian ‘group, remnants of the conServative elements who left the perty in 1980;

"ethe Eco-Socialists, who ‘would at best tolerate @ coal thon with the SPD. but who

elevating imposed social cultu over the regenerative, life-enhancing, natural world.

These two scientifically provable trends demand that the modern socialist movement must make an uncon: ditional alliance with the emergent green movement or face its own demise.

‘On a more mundane and politically immediate level, any socialists who think Labour in Britain is able to defeat Thatcherism are fool-

ig themselves. It’s not going to happen — primarily because Labour cannot pretend any more to represent @ majority in an increasingly diverse and pluralist society.

Labour remains monolithic, hierarchical, centralist, | statist, and without ‘any aptitude for ‘winning great popular support. Only an alliance, based on fair votes (i.e. proportional representation) and a thorough-going pluralism will topple the Tory consen- ‘us, hopefully before the end of the century.

Neither Labour nor the Green Party can gain a majority — but socialists and zgreens can help build a new, progressive plurality. Its up to socialists to ange. and Fast.

The German Greens — A Social and Political Profile, by Werner Hiilsberg, translater by Gus Fagan, Verso, £9.95 paperback

movements and the wade believe that this book could have important consequences for all of us involved im green polities in Britain. For Werner Hulsberg, the

is not @ purely ecological phenomenon”, but S larger movement which has managed 10

incorporate

liberstion, antiracism, peace. and 9 radical socialist critique of capitalism.

The Greens in Britain are stil widely perceived. as being 3 one-ssue Party: at the same Gime the Green-Socialists located in the institutionalised labour movement are more concerned about symbolic. Shifts in official policy (admit. tedly significant) than in Duliting 2 strong extreparliamentary base.

‘However, there is no simple “Die Grinen Model” for us in Bntain. As Werner Hulsberg ‘concludes, each green strug: igle has t0 be adapted to the Specific political culture:

THE

CHAL OF GR POLIT

Socialists in the UK are at last beginning to discover the green movement — all too offen only to dismiss it without much thought.

The “environment” is quickly added to the bottom of the-socialist programme, the Greens are dismissed as liberals, and socialists rest easy in the knowledge that because capitalism is the obvious cause, traditional socialist solutions are the equally obvious answer.

‘The real situation, however, is not always so easily accommodated within traditional socialist program- ‘mes. It does present a challenge to many of our ideas ‘and practices. This is not to deny that the roots of much green politics can be found in the libertarian and utopian traditions in socialist history.

By ANDY PORTER

Convenor, Green Socialism Policy Discussion Group for the Socialist Conference Eee

The green concept has different meanings to different people (just like socialism) but there are some common fundamentals to green politics of all types. They represent not just an emphasis on environmental problems, but a particular way of addressing them.

@An acknowledgement that there is a global ecological crisis caused by _ “‘industrialism”’, “capitalism”, or a combination of the two, and that this crisis is one of the most important political issues of the age.

‘@ A commitment to direct action — to taking action now both to limit the damage and to make alternative futures possible or more likely. This type of action ranges from immediate physical opposition (as in the high profile Greenpeace actions or in strike action by workers) to working for specific and pragmatic green reforms through parliament or local government,

'@ A critique of conventional economic growth and its implications for the use and abuse of resources. Where socialists would contrast anarchic profit-led growth with socially useful production and sustainable growth in chosen areas, some greens might argue for no growth at all.

‘© A commitment to an extension of democracy and to the equal distribution of power in society — whether through workers’ control, democratic local government and electoral reform, or through decen- {ralisation and a reduction in the scale of institutions, organisations, etc.

Activist

Like myself, Mark Douglas, the author of the accompanying article on the Green Party, is on SERA National Council. After years as a Labour Party ac tivist, he quit Labour to join the Green Party and now takes a particular (and I would say utopian) view of green politics, Briefing readers may not agree, but his ideas represent a challenging new socialist current and deserve to be met with serious debate (please write in!

Key points of controversy in this debate concern ““industrialism"” and economic growth. The critique of “‘industrialism”” assumes that the cause of the ecological crisis is the ideological commitment to growih, wealth and the domination of nature, This ideology is seen as common to all classes, and thus

Labour Briefing No. $9 March 22nd-April 12th 1988 page 9

Feature: Green Politics

Green and Red!

dhe green task is seen as a challenge to individual

lifestyles rather than to capital and the ruling class. Third world economies need to retain 2 greater share of their own produce in the face of capitalist exploitation. Hera, a This is where the charge of ‘liberalism’? sticks. | workshop makes new parts for trucks at sheb, Sahel province.

Certainly Tim Cooper (referred to by Mark Douglas)

is openly more interested in an alliance with radical

liberals than with the left; similarly Rudolf Bahro of

ihe German Greens has disowned the German Left

and argues against support for strikes in industries

that create environmental damage unless the dispute

directly tackles the issue.

In all this, the crucial role of the ruling class gets lost. Many greens would even deny the existence of Ly ave a e@ — a n such a class, and itis important for socialists to keep

on emphasising that it is production for profit rather than production itself that lies at the root of our

problems.

" However, we have yet to produce convincing green

socialist explanations of why the so-called socialist

juntries follow the same damaging industrial pat-

jerns. It is too simplistic to say that they are all “‘state

capitalist” and leave it at that. (Any offers for an ar. | Faf more horrendous agends. Few socials have ever faced tions could tap much of there fcle?) It is also {00 simplistic to blame all the pro- | tam any of the class in- The Jet has acver even up 40 this barsh realy. They malning ho sr and water sich plems of industrial society on capitalism. equalities which preoc- SeSisusblesraictorcmcy” Briain oud get by on les sion proces and pump Minto ‘Would a socialist society have predicted that a | cupy the British left are Whar is self-evidently an in- resources without provoking a district heating systems linked armless chemical developed to make aerosols work | the global divisions bet- olerable gulf beeen the rich massive, and clecorally unac- to local factories, offices, and eter would end up threatening the ozone layer? | "eem rich and poor snd poor nations." |” ceptable, desing in Uving_ housing xe. : joubt it. We can only say that a socialist society | "*¥QRS signa gisparities answer to Thied World pro- energy consereation and insula pould be able and willing to respond immediately | sanscena ie East Weteoe, Sims is the expropriation of Insights egg ns: when the threat was recognised. ' foreign ‘entrepreneurs and. in hoods by 2500 — which wuld Mlict. They put the industrial genous big business to Thanks, however, to the in- obviate the necd for any expan: Ecological nations of both Western and — Sfbish a socialist society sights of the green movement, sion of the energy indust® tll cologica! ters eros Si Tac Ste ees he coms fonctions “(is protons sia ees te Pa md of privilege, and consign for the bencix of the working resolvable. By reorgansing our times move jobs than the The reality is that there is an acute worldwide | capitalist and socialist TI tas. society around an ecolopcal’ government's proposed expan ological crisis and that socialists need to respond to | World countries ale to ab- _Thoweh often helpful to she bused socal economy, we will Son of olen BONE. it. This is the challenge of green politics. The | ice impoverishment tmoce efficemty. In this way, be saved if the NHS shifted its cological crisis is not just an aspect of the crisis of | tmderdevelopment. By PETER TATCHELL mating do with less would noi whole emphasis from curative apitalist economy; it is a new problem in its own have co mean a lower standard Co prevemtive medicine is tions consume $0% of the esis mem Knot aly of inne houh woud : earth's resources. The conse- Sufficieat. The combination of mean a diferent siandard. of This is the key to the economic growth debate. We | Guences of this inequity matonaltan and-nalonasaion Wings a Mises an no longer subscribe to the view that capitalism | make even the poorest Cannot, by itself, remedy To reduce the resources re- Alcohol, tobaevo, and high will lead to a beneficial development of the produe- | British person seem rich. Sequsl terms of irade between quired by our society, we need fat foods are the three major fe ies Galetti i 5 atceuary precondition the ch and poor mations nor fo develop radealiy ey pa~ tus i ah it our sate for socialism. Rather, capitalism is producing a crisis ae uifoe of raw maietals from Sumpeon Tourced ona green. Pains, puntiee tvaton. aad f ecology that, by threatening the planet’ to | Taesheer debumanisation of Third World economies. Sociatis economic ethic Sdvertising bans on these po support human life at all, makes socialism fess rather | thc incs of more than half the No. number of capital con. "The preseat free market ducts could dramatically cut the i Toctd's population can only be fications and no degree of sate system — with its rapacious incidence of cithosis ofthe than more likely.

gested by statistics: ‘Ownership can ensure Thitd devouring of raw materials must liver. lang cancer. heart disease,

Of course, in relation to the national economy we

SS choos People haceno World decopmneat when lange be replaced by a planar pcen_ and ‘omphyoema’ thus Wrees support growth in specific areas of social need, but dean wale Sp. pertine ofa natoes sources. secukst ecezony, baad on tig uct soerng and sav few greens would now disagree with this Seo Lain mt tabcc dees) tpnlioue to. paue absent “aa “© wipe? and mene ctfickeen Use'ot =. aay Ge 40s ee Oy ees Gee diccisced av the Greea oe Groat eme ch nour aed) Fours, Wermas as ar Sie si mel fem ities workshop at the Socialist Conference in See i eet ee Sektome of tcc onl ce eet ence chesterfield. As a result of the interest roused by that | overcrowded boning Yawning ape aorablecomreomes as) ide : jorkshop, green socialist politics will be a much conditions; opposed to planned _ ob- a jore prominent theme in the recall conference on | 03.000 milion receive only If the sawning gap between Solecence, tanseot fashitn, Commitment june IIth. There is also a separate Red and Green jing on peat aw etic et 5 — ee “throw -away’ Oey Conference in London on May 4th and 15th at | “yq"the'30 poorest counerie, overcome, Tied World coun = tenon ne oe ‘ingsway Princeton College, Sidmouth Street, Lon- the average income is under — ‘will need to retain within Priority distribution of resourees anid the on WEL, Details are available from. the Socialist | £100'2yca, the arcane infant the ova economics more of Scie a Thea Wand ae £0 3 Fe, ne ee Komen aed. sual’ Wairam tharmckavcte ghe- — odcraceopment then 8 te ee i Lonon W1 Brerage life expectancy is less resources which are the building a higher priority to the secon fo art thinking and ati - han Soyer Pose merino toiag fone hand reduce Stew ~The Socialist Environment and Resources . Fay asi Se conse ad Descent gees ae ele Association (SERA) is a socialist organisation Pree Te Os A as Subsea meece e committed to campaign on environmental Soch monstrous global sf: Gepemdemon'e ehasionser "inthe ich cmngs. Ge fovengtt i Sdapt and undat ae Ce Minne Poy ke Wes sod the Ent maliog developing’ the aRanced eae Pe = : (eine Fe ociatial in he Sowinies sours Tretioe icmlonss a Thidhad.bed 2 eecena Join us, or subscribe to our magazine New | fk"indusal amroplies. ofcaw muterah oo thepoce_Somusion, “ur waa! vs i Tee aden mie tme ations ame the procusion oust sation could souhie pol What fa sake oo Ground, by writing to SERA, 26-8 Underwood | Wi:."Nas‘siways put the plight lines of the rich manufacturing thei fuel-10-electricy comver- Iv the future of the left, but the St, London Ni. Wreaths ra pat the ees oe eciearat Mew tack The ct up of feieor eur cee ur mea a

the bottom of the political reduced. Combined Heat and Power sia- cut planet Proccrressoreossrreso Mn ee

wr.

Labour Briefing No. 59 March 22nd-April 12th 1988 pace 10

Features

Social Security Act

Junk food and junk jobs

When the new Social Security Act comes into force on April 11th, the Fights of several mi claimants to financial help and assistance will change. ‘@ Supplementary will be abolished @Family Income Supple. ment will be abolished @ Housing Benefit will be restructured Single oF Urgent Needs Payments will be replaced, The government estimates that the Social Security. Act

Beneti

By Steve Taylor

Camden Labour Briefing

will reduce expenditure by £450 million

The Act is & straighitor ward attempt to cut the

amount of money currently available (© people living in

poverty, and to redirect these funds towards 1 ‘ealthy in the form of tax relief and reductions However, the Social Security Act is not merely. a Sinancial mechanism. We is

Family Credit

primarily a _ political mechanism which is part of a much more insidious at tack on those individuals and commuinities who sub sist on or below the poverty line,

By reducing the amount of financial support available to the unemployed, the government aims. to force them into low paid and/or part-time — jobs. which have become the economic indices of Conser. Native revivalism,

The Social Security Act is also linked to the introduetion of forced labour techni ques through YTS, Job Start, Community Program: ming, and Re-Start. The Tories’ intentions are clear

they want us all £0 wear a MeDonald’s uniform.

The aim is the creation of a “fast food economy’ for the underclass — garish and cheap, efficient and streamlined, low-paid and part-time, " non-unionised, and virtually non-edible. It is the reduction of economic choice for the poor to the lowest possible denominator,

Family Credit. which replaces Family Income Supplement, is payable to people in full-time work on low wages with dependent children. Family Credit claimants will no longer be entitled to free school

meals, milk or vitamins.

Dental health matters

Support

laimant with the exception of hiless claimants under 25, ‘who wil be paid at'a lower

Income Support, which witl replace Supplen

Payments previously made 1 claimants with special needs ~ the elders, single parents, he disabled — wall be abolished, and replaced by

s according 10 thel

n reduced fori 30 to 2 hours per wi

jonal payment will be

paid to anyor made to compensate claimants = £6,000, hose Income Seppet income cetitement is less than their

Income frevious entitlement under reduced for Supplementary Benefit

apital of bet However, these payments will 2 ae be phased out over a period of

will be paid to exch ela

Benefit

Housing Benefit payments, ing Benefit. Anyone _with which provide help for rent capital of “between "£3,000, and-rate bills, will rama and £6,000 wit teen a sseee ihe responsibilty of Local ammount deducted fron Theer Authorities eae A claimant may be con.

sdered as possesting 2 “no Sonal income” or” capital where he or she is performing 8 service for which he or she The maximum rent benefit elther recaives ns neers will remain 100%. However. 2 Davment less than the sein the maximum rate benefit wil ate be reduced trom 100% to Housing Benefit an be 80%: and claimants will thus determined at the going r to become responsible for paying 1.8. the clarmant wil be deere at least 20% of ther rate bil) 6470 be ra

‘Anyone with £6,000 capital” and Bene! willnow be inetgibie forHous. accordingly

The Benefit will “now be income rather than their gross.

ing the payment reduced

Who really needs a six monthly check-up?

Ht you don’t go to the dentist every six months you probably feel quite guilty.

But why? What is so mysterious and different about your mouth that it needs checking so frequently?

Women have fought to take control of their bodies. but we all have a remarkably relaxed at titude to our teeth, We

By Paul Shatee Community Demist relinquish our mouths to dentists every six months, and remain in total ig horance of what is going on in there.

This is the old mechanistic approach to meaicine that’ we have challenged with the rest of our bodies, but not yet with our mouths,

Check-ups simply make us more dependent on den tists, and less independent and able to look after ourselves.

Women are more health conscious than men, at tending the dentist more regularly: yet they not only

receive more treatment, they also lose their teth more quickly! The truth is that the more you attend the dentist. the more damage is done

On average, decay takes three years to reach the point when a filling is Necessary. So why go every six months to have Xrays_ which may have side effects?

What is the point in hav ing your teeth scaled by the dentist’ when any Necessity for this can be avoided by proper brushing? Scaling dees not prevent gum disease, but daily brushing does

It has long been ac cepted that tooth loss in the first half of our life is due to tooth decay. and in the second half to gum disease, There is now evidence to show that damage caused by den. tists is more important than gum disease

Each time a filling is replaced the hole gets larger and the tooth Weaker. The large fillings and crowns cause more ‘gum disease because thay have overhangs which har bour bacteria. This is the

‘tooth death spiral

Gum disease does not progress inevitably with age and can be prevented by effective daily tooth cleaning. People are also getting fewer cavities due

to give prevention the op. portunity to work

Under the present system of payment, they will be forced to treat ever smaller deviations from the norm in order to maintain fo the use of flouride their standard of living. In toothpaste and eating less 1984 some. dentists cam. suger 2d over £200,000 a year ‘out of the NHS — and the number of dentists is still rising,

‘Changes do come about by making demands. A consultant in orthodontics (using braces to straighten children's teeth) recently told a group of dentists from the East End that standards of treatment had to change because pa. tients no longer accepted poor work, and ate more likely to sue

Take control of your mouth by being less dependent on your dentist ‘and instead think of diet feating sugar less frequently) and dirt (cleaning

The most worrying thing is how dentists will react

tach filing’ White pepere fags erecureyed aewints talent cinical From the ages of 3-7 9 Saath: Abeol ‘six monthly check-up is [ka with "another edtien of Up. and for most adults ‘Speculum: A Midwife’s check ups every two to ioree

three years are enough,

The current system of will Be abolished. Instead, » Single Faymenta "and Gakront ean esciiee sate Urgent Needs Payments evo ho exon wit bo Tapleced “Dy 8° ane ena peg ee ey system of loans: and find gig te rey ne grants, paid to claimants Social "Fund Officer mice from the Social Fund decide whether oF not "the local DHSS ean “afford. the Joan, whather oF nat the let mant’s Need justifies the loan,

The Fund will be operated by local DHSS offices, who will not be allowed to exceed and whether or not. the et Stict cash limits. Payments — mant will be able to repay the fiom the Fund wil be discre. toan Uionary and there will be no The loan will be repaid over legal entitiements 2 fixed period of time trom the Decisions about payment or claimant's Income Support on Don-payment will be made by — fitlement. Repayment ot the Social Fund Oficers appointed loan can be rescheduled by the by the DHSS. The right of ap- Social Fund. Officer at ang eal to.an independent tribunal time

After Brussels summit

What future for Britain

in the EEC?

Strange how _circumstances in polities Fepeat themselves.

AL the recent summit in Brussels we witnessed the re- on overproduction were. Tiked emergence of the Franco. At Brossels these ere effective German alliance to thwart 1) lost the British Tories.

It was Adenauer and de Gaulle who united 10 form the Market in 1958 and then rejected Britain's applica-

By John Hayball Chair, Chessington

South BLP

tion to join the Six, piloted by Ted Heath,

Clearly, at One point in the Brussels" ‘negotiations, the French, led by Chirac, turned fon Thatcher (they are not feputed to enjoy the best of relationships) and told the British they were not needed by the other members

Juncture

result of the Brussels desl, The formula for the Beiish con tribution tased “on VAT “has gone wp from 14M t0 1.9%. ‘At Fontainebleau testrictions

Ruptured

The World Stock, Marke Crash of “October” 1987 pre Commonweaith in 1919 the Goad: If that happens again, in 1988 oF 1989, then the rptre hivoricaly witnthe USA an is hegemonic dollar

This would lead 10 spiraling In the EEC, and which Brussels did ot tackle

Objective

“The Tories have long had the At, ti _janciwe Spanish’ abjectve nor of a Untied Stain lade Fine Gonaies powed SUSE na Ui Sate, between the dissenting partners. However in she! Svat ee Without doubt, this represented failure, ‘Thatcher has always the mast notable Imervention 4656 her Uistance from the BEC sold ae newly arrived by maintaining a profile of Brussels." Whilst the Hritish The goal of a capitalist US of thet someting ean De The Eeceees a wens at he Semen: WIR er, eae ae achieving a “'single disapproval, the forcien press then currency remains al the ‘was far less restrained. bottom of the agenda.

A ae RR Ra

The Wen

Labour Briefing No. $9 March 22nd-Aprit 121h 1988 page

Features

THE NEW RIGHT

““Maoist’’ Thatcherism and Clause 28

DAVE PALMER is a Briefing supporter who works in READING MATTERS BOOKSHOP in Haringey Reading Matters is currently the focus of attacks by local and national Tories and may soon be used as a test case for Clause 28. Here, Daye analyses the political and social context of the attack on Reading Matters and predicts more trouble ahead.

of Thatcherite -y and ideology

ihe combination of | Th Ne* Right's proras neo-liberal economics froganion of marke With rigid social and'state dcermised allocation of pe riiaecta Fees ape pa

‘The freee the market, the

en Plinfott neatly expresses more repressive the social ("0 LE

in the New Statesman (Nard

This is now well Ik 1088), Thatcher, be

devolved to the Prime Minister from the monan

tunder the United Kingdom's oligarchic “unwritten

constitution’ rounding

fepressive legislation affect hath social activity and basic Ucmocratie. rights. (already ex tremely limited ih Beta)

“The New Right, which played 2°

They. have successfully pu: sued the themes of parent power fand parents’ rights" (inked! 10

economic “freedom 10

a key role in the germination of ‘and “opting out"), the Stharcherisn i the. tid 70s, cof "Family values and following the crisis of the Heath the feerganisation government, is now exerting Curriculum. around gemre Influence than ever over “British” and “Christian Miaimsiceam Tory thinking. Asa culture, and most important o Pretcnce the fringe’ all, purging the education Soments of tbe New Right have ‘3Stem of “subversive™ ideas

fone our into the open — These ideas (e.g. mull Gheress Gorman, who replaced culturalism. pluralistic se

““campaign-based"” far vient Authorities (LEA, — Brent, movement in Briain, unusinied —ygaim of the New Right has

been to deal once and for al

anties of the FCS and Albert

Sherman’saboriive invitation io Sih the “carriers™ of this itiated by the New Right for 3"° and seal es ices have passed into legislation th schools by progressive teacher

pa gear, thanks to a clave

bridging tactic to which Tha

her has given direct support "The infamous and deliberate

Their cas

the arena of social “order” and morality”. Through carefully planned legislation they inteod fo reverse the social "iberalisa

ype of cnereive, rigidly hierar thieal regime which uses state power to put women, black peo

Viscount Falkland’s artempe 10 amend the Clause 19 provest the expression oF homosexual Kk

pie, lesbians and yay“ inthe arts Failed in the Lords their place. All this isi har- despite backing trom the pow rong” ‘with the "Victorian Tul liber

adding Matters’ windows were smashed by an unknown parts on fe night of March 7th. This followed threats 1o burn the shop down made by leading local Tories at the Haringey Coun imceting held earier that night. Police have dectined to investigate

‘On the morning of March Tith, news came through that Ray Honesford and others had (ried (0 set up a "Majority Rights organisation, dedicated to defending the “indigenous English

lon from "oppressive laws and parte burawcrcs

The history of Clause 28, par ticularly its Backround in events in Haringey in North London, provides an excellent example of the development and tactics of the New Right ing its victory in the "86 local elections, the Labour Group oa Hariagey ‘Council attempted to discuss th introduction of teachis curTicular resources to promote positive images” of lesbians and gays as part of the educa tion curriculum.

Local bigots quickly organis: ed into a "Patents". Rights ‘Group™ (PRC “ordinary”. non-political ple, they were ia fact bad End organised by the extreme

yt Tottenham Tories, led fneo-fascist Tory Co

‘Murphy, who

‘National support soon emer ced from the Ne

Hart, the shadowy Thatcher. Big Bu tee For A Free Britain

Three thousand people marched through London on Sunday March 6th against the Tories’ new immigration law. Contingents of the Indian Workers Associa: tions from around the country provided at least half the demonstrators; ‘but the tumout from the labour “movement was

NALGO was the only union officially represented, and even the far left was limited to a token presence

Of course, it was after the massive March 5th NHS demo. but that is not the msin explanation. Many Comrades on the left stil don’ Comrades, x's time to wake

The main aim of the now difficult for black people to

bring. their farniies to. this ‘objective of making racist political capital for ‘government

Under the new law

‘abroad will hav clusively that

ially support be slowed 10 tty. No provison is made for

the possibit wives 0 husbands will be able to work ‘and contnbute to ther own

suppor. ‘Of course, this measure w

your Swiss boytrier OF aitiriend into the country than your Bangladeshi wife or husband

This new of family reunion comes at a fime when the number of

part of its propaganda cam Councils in the run up 10 the zeneral election

The Labour leadership joined in the atack. Patricia Hewitt's infamous leer suggesting the Parts should ditch support for esbian and fee

‘London

has then used oal the hard left for

Ue now appears thar Thatcher the PRG and ils national I Knight and Baroness (both leading figures of the

om Assouialion) citer e them

Bill which would ou schools. © nacied Harinse

The labor 5 weakest and. social bigotry in

For the fst time “overstay ing” will be made a criminal offence. Each day of 0

bea new. addi and

imenigeants. is couldn't be

Subject 10 alleged

Overstayers. or

itis going to be made much

nto campeign agains deportation. Several stages of tes: vneluding the night of MPs to intervene tnd the night of appeal to the immigration Appeals Ad iudieator — are effectively be. ing removed

By Phil Hearse Islington North CLP

Someone who cisims to be 9 British citizen but cannot oduce a passport 10 prove it il be subject tO summary

Seportation Ths will apaly ports, Agel, aghte of apes! nd of intervention by welfare organi ae beng Extraordinary

xtaordinary re of the new Bilis the

ich wl future ‘Second or subse Sof nolygamous omng._ into this

manages Ths polygamous famiies 8 racist ‘ssue" ane which wil Go down well with seesationalst ‘Many on the left may have imagined immigration jaw was ateady as racist as it could

electronic media. Thatcher in ts

They were comforted by the

appalling performance of the Mat

Tgpour from bench and PLP — phase i directly tied to the Sev when the Clause was fitst in- Right agenda, The staher te iroduced in the Commons, high, Beneath the surtice

Tabour MPs joined in the at deep divisions, and tensis ack om left Councils anda large within the British bousgecive hrumber actually voted for the There is litte asreememt

Clause the fspe af social ane political “This standh in sharp contrast regime nevessary atl post massmovement that Thatcher Brita

has emerged against the Clause, When David Hock

nl the smtense disquiet it hay dem Thatcherte) slated that Ne Tongs! liberal” would remove his paintings of the cuablishment (rom the Tate if the Clause as

passed, be called Thatch Repocrite for being in favaut of more freedom tor the businessman but less for fe ar fist OF course, the cantiadie tion is as teh Hocknes's as Thatcher's. Yet wtiat Hockney expresses in the cultural

ip part of tore gener hewnween those who FAVOUr

Archer is agains

We are now certain 00 see th New Right take up a series of hemes arising Tron the Clause including a generalisation of on postion to the “proiotion”" ol ideologs” (for example. Black subversion’ of the edication syatem through race quality in

Gan vo go for broke This

Sa wide-ranpin attack ort I tis

mians and gays, equal oppor dnstice in the voluntary sector, supervedes the od tet lis

E censorship 1Ob0 fol the hain. cheaters ‘Wiout doubt ihe Clawse iy BFinsh polities Over she eon

dethods af extending censors slimpse of the bods ot the Beast P Ovet publicly subsidised that 1» abou! to emerge

racist than ever

workers should mobile on the streets on this issue, and get such scant suppor for fhe labour movemen

itis late n the day to figh pack on this particular issue Sut not too late to raise it Ar

get, But never underestimat the ingenuity of the Home Ottice

The March 6th demonstra tion was organised. by the Campaign Against Racist Laws, 2 small group of people

‘who should be congratulated is certainly not tao fate 10 Yor their persistence in the take up the fight on behall of face of ‘widespread ind those threatened with depor

ference. It really not accep: table that hundreds of black

fation, like Viraj Mencis, and Marion Gaima in Hacknoy

Each month news and features on

{nour March issue we cover pee

Palestrie : Women in struggle Greenham : 6 years on

Poll Tax : The high cost of voting Local Government Bill Clause 28 : The campaign

liberation . against rae;

tile

Please would you send me a FREE COPY of Outwrite Newspaper and subiption details.

hesbian oppress

Return this form to Outwrite, Oxfor House, Derbyshire Street, London E2.

xing WEN ME Hy a hai

Labour Briefing No. 59 March 22nd-Aprit 121h 1988 page [2

Letters

WRITEBACK!

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

against the Clause is mobilised

Join NUCPS

axaiust the Se Clause! hich should be used to raise

NUCPS banner was omitted

from sour report of those union _ Victory against the Tories wil

banners peesem atthe Man. only’be achieved by mass action chester demo against Clause 28 across the entire labour move (riefing. 00. $9) ment. | trust there wll be more than ‘two national union ban

fn Tact, apart from the NUJ, ers on April 30:h!

‘ours was the only ational trade

tinion basiner there

Yours fraternally

Paul Smyth, iy absolutely crucial that Secretary, NUCPS Lesbian suimport >for” the campaisn —-& Gay Group

Seo ooo0e0cn000000000000005

‘rong determination, with some staff applying for redundancy. Those left behind are Struggling, working their fingers

Save Chapel Allerton forthe bone

Dear Briefing, The domestic tender was ‘Campaigning to save Chapel won, but with great Bardship Allerton Hospital in Leeds, the for those now working for less 210 Chapel Allerion/Newton money. and trying to do 2 good Green Wing COHSE Branch, job. with other unions, Things are not the same, but Gemonstrated ouside the with grinding teeth and hospital on Jaunary 18th 1988 frustrated smiles we are strugsl to highlight what the Authority ing on. campaigning 10 save ‘was planning to do regarding Chapel-Allerion Hospital. The the hospital, which is Classed a8 community, patients, and home from home. employees, numbering more We expecied coverage by than seven hundred souls, Radio Leeds, Radio Aire, and would be torn apart if this the Yorkshire Evening Post but, hospital was closed sad 0say, nothing was publics: At the moment, _ only fed. Whea ‘we enquired the emergency maintenance work is feason shy, none was given. being done and some cscential Since then a number of us have work is being let undone. bbeen interviewed expressing our "The boiler house has” been concern regarding the hospital. contracted out 10a private com- ‘Around August 1987, at the pany. Cancer scceening is carAuthority's meeting, the chair fled out at the hospital. The emphasised that closure was not operating theatre suite has just fon the cards for the next seven been upgraded. The hospital years. It now looks like this provides valuable profesional Saluable and. unique hospital Care to the citizens of Leeds and could be closed much earlier. je easily accessible, as i is on “The struggle is most definitely major routes on. Morale 1s low, but we press" Yours faithfully fon as brave soldiers fighting for 3 good cause. ‘The catering service was won inhowe by hard work and

LH. White Branch Secretary, COHSE, Chapel Alleron Hospital, Leeds 210 Branch

com eee x pelgee Sees

Enemies chime in “atis only = modest exag.

geration to suggest that Tabour's handling of

It can happen to the best of

timidity.”

Ian Aitken (arch-enemy of the Labour left) in The Guardian, March 14th.

the Boonomic League and ite vetting facilities, Michael Mescher as deserted a “MoGarthyite”

You will be aware that

Silence on crossed wires

‘The following letter was ‘Sent to Ken Hulme, LOC Organising Secretary, with a copy to Michael

‘Meacher. Neither General Committee pro: ‘Hulme nor Meacher has duced by LOC members yet replied. grossly overstated the ‘Dear Ken, ‘number of Adlizants in-

Twas disappointed to see volved, including an from the LCC's recent aseasament of Jim Mor-

timer as a “Militant fellow traveller’

In View of this, T would be ‘rateful to be informed Of the following:

1s the LOC registered under the Dats. Protec

mailing that you have asked members to report to you the ‘politioal leanings of inGividual Constituency Youth and student Of fers. Ido no think this

isan acceptable tion Act? practice. Does the LOC hold per- ‘You will appreoiste that sonal’ information on

personal assesements of the ‘kind you are

computer files? @Do you support Michael soliotting sre readily Meacher's call for the ‘Suspeptible to misinfor. ‘Act to be broadened to mation, ‘This may be take in_ manual inmotivated by malice and dexes? He has raised it can lead to actions this matter In. connee- ‘which, in the context of tion with the Eeonamie

Labour Briefin

Annual General Meeting

Yes, the event you've all been waiting for. Never mind the Socialist Conference, the NHS, or even the Labour Party Annual Conference in Blackpool. The Labour Briefing AGM will be held on Saturday duly 2nd, in London.

Workshops, reports, debates, a rally and a social are planned — so mark your diaries now and start organising to ensure that Briefing supporters from every part of the country attend.

Details of planned events — and arrangements for transport and accommodation — will be announced soon.

Invisible Fleet ‘Street hacks work miracles

“The current arack on ‘Matters bookshop in Norah London was spearheaded by a wrucle in the Sunday Telegraph. fleely claiming the Booishop had sold "Scum", an obnoxious anarchit pamphlet co chidren

Workers 3 the bookshop wwrote to the paper, pointing Sut the numerous errors I the araice

‘The managing editor refused to ‘print the letter, but rephed by por to the workers, 2serting that one of ther Feporters had sctally pur ed the pamphlet inthe bookshop the week before

‘As you may have realised ‘despite the error last Segue, MP Harry Barnes voted against the Alton Bal Tas same assertion was made

by reporters Irom the Stan Gard and elseninere But the srorkers have no recollection Of any of these Feet Sect pacantes entering the shop recent weeks

‘The point being made was that three members of the Campaign Group Denis Canavan, Bonnie Campbell and Bob Parry

voted for it

May Day Greetings Labour Briefing invites you to send May Day Greetings to the labour movement through our columns.

Rates: £2.50 per col. inch £25.00 Eighth page £45.00 Quarter page £85.00 Half page £150.00 Full page

Special May Day offer Five column inches for £10! Deadline: April 19th Send message & cheques. payable to Labour Briefing, to Labour Briefing, PO Box 457, London SW2 SUZ

Stop the Clause Calend:

April 8th. National and Intemational Day of Action April 25th. Lobby of Haringey Civic Centre

April 30th. Mass demonstration in London. Meet ‘at noon on the Embankment, rally and festival at Kennington Park.

‘Stop the Clause Campaign Meetings. All lesbians and gay men welcome to the weekly meetings Wednesdays, 6.30pm, Islington Town Hall, London.

CONTACT BRIEFING

‘The Briefing Editorial Board, and the following

‘Commissions, can be contacted at PO Box 457,

London SW2 5UZ, 01 733 7016:

Trade Union Briefing, Youth Briefing, Student

Briefing, Lesbian & Gay Briefing, Briefing Women

and International Briefing.

Briefing Steering Committee:

Next meeting: Sunday, May 1st, London.

Briefing Editorial Boar

Next meetings: Friday March 31st, Thursday April

7th.

Deadline for articles:

Issue no. 60 (out April 13th}: notify EB as'soon as

possible, all articles in by Tuesday April 5th.

Issue no. 61 (out April 26thI: notify EB as soon as

possible, all articles in by Tuesday April 19th

| NB: Briefing will be taking an extra weok’s Easter holiday between issue 59 and 60.

SUBSCRIBE TO BRIEFING

Make sure of your copy of the fortnightly Labour Briefing. Annual subscriptions are £12 {individuals}, £24 (institutions). Write to Labour Briefing, PO Box 457, London SW2 5UZ (cheques, etc., payable to Labour Briefing).

Name

Address

SELL LABOUR BRIEFING Hf you're @ regular reader, you obviously feel the need to read each issue of Briefing. But why Keep the good news to yoursell? Bulk orders are available on sale or return for you to Sell to your friends; or join with the many other Briefing readers who take this easily soleable paper to their Labour Party, trade union and campaign meetings. Join the resistance! Just send the form to PO Box 487, London SW2 BUZ.

Name

Address

Please send me . (min, order 5) copies of Labour Briefing on saie or return, starting with issue no.

BRIEFING 500 CLUB

It is very expensive to produce a socialist newspaper — despite our high sales up and down the country, we still need a subsidy to keep the paper fortnightly, and keep up with all the activities we want to be part of. We have no rich backers, no hidden sources Of income.

‘The Briefing 500 Club exists to offer our supporters the opportunity of making a small regular donation and enter a fortnightly draw for a £25 prize — this, for just £1 per week, or £4 per month. Will you spare the cost of a pint of beer of less than a packet of cigarettes each week? We can't guarantee you'll win the prize — but we will guarantee that unless. you enter, you won't!

500 Club supporters also receive a Briefing supporters card automatically. Just fill in the standing order form below, and return it to PO Box 457, London SW2 5UZ

Bankers order form for Labour Briefing 500 Club

Bankers Order

To: tank name, sort code) ae loddress) From so Your name) ae

(your address) My account number is:

Please debit from my account each month the sum of £4, in favour of Labour Briefing No. 2 account, Co-operative Bank, Stratford E15, Code 08-90-76, Account no, ~ 50349957

‘Starting on

‘Thereafter on (date) of Signature

Dated

This week’s winner

Out of London for this week's winner — all the way to the Midiands. Dave Spencer of Coventry certainly found it lucky to take out @ second share in the 500 Club. No. 469 miseed the diaw — but no, 470 came up!

Keseccemeeeanescamesnesseeane ter sine ste Ssaanssesgnosneed

Book Review

Two tales of

Liverpook: a city that dared to fight, by Peter Taate and Tony Mulhearn, Fortress, £6.95

Inside Left, the story so far... by Derek Hatton, Bloomsbury, £3.95

In the spring of 1985 the miners were still on strike and local government was about to become our second front against the Tories.

‘As Taafe and Muthearn painfully recall, 2 year later Kenneth Baker’ was able 10 gloat, “The united front of the Militant left has crumbied before our eves. Instead of opening a second front with the ‘miners some of

their troops have fled the battlefield, Today, as Labour's

‘municipal leaders find it impossible to think beyond ameliorating the worst effects of the cuts, and some stoop to repatriating homeless Irish people and setting riot police on squattets, the hard left needs to look critically at its own record in local government.

In this regard, the book by Taafe and Mutheart vil be of tse, Unfortunately, Derek Hat ton's will not

Hatton describes his passage from choirboy and schoolboy stat in the Merchane of Venice te the great man which he is onvinced he has become.

Hi book, serilised in Murdoch's scab) Sunday. Times, 1 littered “with invective against the London left In his introduc tion he provaly declares:

Ye were mot the loony left — more concerned about black ‘mayors and gay rights than we ‘re in building council hames."*

Book Review . Radical Chic turns

‘When it was said that women

hhad to be represented on the platform of @ national public Meeting this wit suggested that Job Hamilton should don a ress.

To David Blunkett and his LCC understudies, Hatton's comments provide ample slustification for the witch-hunt. "We would remind Blunkett that itis not usually an expulsionable ‘offence to share some of Neil Kinnock’s reactionary ideas!

If Blunkett really opposes such views he should recognise that the Liverpool purge set in motion a witeh-hunt that has ‘now extended to Mandy Mudd and “Sharon “Atkin, whose Fecord of fighting aguinse sex Isar and for all the appressed is immeasurably better than his ‘own, not to meation Hatton's.

By Bryn Griffiths Hackney South CLP

‘Whilst its right v0 oppose the witch-hunt unreservedly. itis also right fo ask Millzant how it ‘was possible for someone with the politically backward views ‘of Derek Hatton to become 30 powerful within Militant and its Eiverpoo! stronghold.

Chapter 13 of the TaafeMulhearn book on “the Sam Bond. Affair” describes the clash with the Liverpool Black Caucus as a clash. between 2 “lass, conscious labour move iment" and the “race relations industry". This "explanation may have a grain of truth but it is by no means the whole of i The reason the clash became so bitter was Millian’ political failure to grasp the right of the ‘oppressed tO organise autonomously

Militant’s bureaucratic ap proach to the black community helped the Black Caucus to win 4477 votes standing in a Council by-election in opposition to

Labour. There. ‘can be. litle doubt that Mificant’s approach {0 the question of race weak:

fd the City Council's seruggle

Against the government The Taafe-Mulhearn book begins by describing the condi

reactionary

The Bonfire of the Vanities, by Tom Wolfe,

Jonathan Cape, £12.45

“Insulation. If you want to live you've got to

So goes the advice of Rawlie ‘stockbroker at Pi Pierce, to colleague Sherman McCoy.

But Sherman McCoy. the Wall Street wizard, Wearer of $1,800 suits and self-styled "Master of the Universe”, fails to heed the warning. One night he takes a wrong turfing — into the Bronx and his Nemesis.

Tha insularity and racialism

expressed by “insulate. in Sulate”” underlies the whole novel, which tems with

ossimism and anomie. New York "is here seen” through misanthropic eyes.

A. jaunty, flippant misantheapy, in which ugliness of human nature is “described with lingering attentiveness

In ¢ news office journalists are "rooting about hike star ing weevils The language radiates malice and misogyny:

‘women at a party are describ fd as “'socia! x-rays... women of @ certain age (starved to ‘nest perfection. To compen sate ‘for the concupiscence, missing from their juiceless Fibs and atrophied backsides they" turned to. the dress designers,

By Caroline Rault Reading Matters Bookshop

Characters compete for the choicest racist epithets. Kramer the Jewish D.A. from the Bronx says, “the Kabans Were pigs and the Inish mules and goats.”" A crowd of black protestors taunt the Mayor with cries of "Yo Hymie, Yo Goldberg”. Because. the author fails to intervene, this ‘almost celebrated and cameto seem both universal and irreversible

Wolfe's previous protrayais of black people have been in sulting. In Radical Chic & Mau Mauing The Flak Catcher he perfected his "ghetto Gudemhustier "stereotype There is no progress here

“The main black character, Reverend Bacon, is an unsym pathetic, corrupt community leader who gets his way by bullying oF Quit tripping. (0 theme repeated from Radical Chic). ‘His sidekick is. 2 ‘character called Buck (!) who

Eric Heffer and Liverpool councilors (later to be surchar

in support of the miners

tions of economic crisis that allowed Militant 10. grow on Merseyside and charts the forts of Milizant 10 build a working class leadership in the local labour movement.Com: rades who feel demoraiised in the current climate and are considering. resignation from the Party or positions on local ‘Councils would do well to learn from Militant’s example

“The decade between 1966-74 was a turbulent period of strug Ale in the labour movement dur Ing which Militant and es close ailies on the left made a power Jul impact on “events,” say Taafe and Mulhearn.” “This prepared the basis for the historic. events of 1983. and after.” (my exiphasis

wears 2 goid earing and walks

Despite differing jobs, class positions, etc., the main male characters all share the same ‘motivation ithe women hardly signify): self-interest and 3% Obsessive fear of rvicule. In fact, Kramer's and McCoy's intefior monologues are prac

tically interchangeable. They both” fantasise constantly about women. and live in

erpetual fear of being made fools of. This makes for poor fiction and shows glaringly the limits of Wolte's satie

Te is difficult to sustain in terest in the characters because ‘they are uniformly tunikeable. Who cares if Sher ‘men goes to jail or not? Who Cares if Farrel. the obnoxious English jounaist, gets nis scoop of not? Ultimately Wolfe the sati make 2 moral stand, 10 hi ‘everything s equally rida and worthiess

However, | have to admit did go on teading. Despite the Superficialty and the engulf Eynicism the writing © oft mesmerising. Not & briliant | ovelist Tom Wolfe, the dandy | ‘and observer, is possibly the | Creator of a new genre: docu fiction perhaps?

@Bontive of the Vanities and ‘other new books are available from "Reading Matters Bookshop, 10° Lymington Avenue, Wood Green, London, N2z

one city

606 Sfilicans was swim ns the tide not only of Labour's right wing ‘bat 2lso much of the left, who heaped contempt on Milliant’s immer sion in the Labour Party. Today's conditions are positively encouraging by comparison,

In contrast to many Milliant publications, this book is quite Teadable. It narrates the atfempts to apply their Militant Drogramme rather than merely Fepeating the programme in the

absract. The discussion on Budget tactics i particularly interesting

In contrast to Ted Knight and much of the London left, Liver ool advocated a deficit budget They argued that this would allow greater trade union par ticipation and would be easier to explain than the more passive ‘Bo rate™ tactic. ‘They only agreed to abide by the “"n0 Tate” strategy in the interests of unity with other Labour Counsis.

criticised Liv

hat ool Co

Blunkett

ged) fined forces

1984, and urged them 10 wait for the “real Tight" in’ 1985 around abolition and” rate capping. A year later Blunkert attacked Liverpool Council for fighting to the end and abiding by the 1985 "no rate™ strategy

The isolation of Liverpooi and the problems arising from the “no rate" strategy eventual Iy led to the terrible blunder of issuing redundancy notices. It should be stated that there was never any’ intention fo. make people redundant. Itwas merely 2 device to buy time,

Bot, any trade unionist worth, his of her salt'was bound to fesist. such” action. Kinmock pounced on the error, making One of the most disgraceful speeches seen at a Labour Party Conference in many years,

AS in the case of the Black Caucus debacle, Miliant failed © realise that even a Counell leading a couragcous Tight agains the governemnt has con-

a Trust of the working clas. The leadership of such a struggle has to develop tactics that foster unity in ae

PHOTO: Tim Rigby.

(0 lead this march in suppor! of the Courkil'saeheverenis andl

tion. They: cannot simply in form srade anignists of black organisations of the nest tae tical move,

Kinnock's speech at Con ference was the tucning pot tn this particular struggle. but it will By no means be the end. Already the 987 general cle tion result in Lisespoo! has vi dicated the Militant stand. In the course of the fight houses and sports ventres were built Fents Kept down, and the Cron” teth School was sivas! These Achievements will retain

Criticisms of particular tac tics employed by. Liverpool ‘Councit ‘can und. should. be made. But the overwhelming

esponsibility for its evential defeat rests on the shoulders of Neil Kinnock and others in the movement who failed to stand

‘sith the government.

All socialists showld seau

Luverpoot — @ City thar dare

ta fight and learn from the sits’.

Hatton’. book does

not warrant the same effort nd is probably best forgot

Book Review

SWP Shock! Lesbians don’t

Out, Proud and Fighting: Gay Liberation and the Struggle for Sociatism. by Noel Halifax. pamphlet published by the Social Workers Parts, £1.00

‘Om the Manchester Stop the Clause demonstration in February. Ewas angry that the slogans raised by the SWP related exclusively t0 ay men and ignored the existence of lesbians. Reading Out, Proud and their new ay liberation for

Fighting.

specific oppression of lesbians was systematically ignored and lesbians treated as mere “female gays

In places this

formulations. We are iol that “lesbians and i all ikelibood,

Apart from this major flaw the pamphlet is aseful in presenting a lot of historical material in an accessible fo However, history is often simplified and distorted to lead the reader ine\orabls to the conclusion that the only way forward s.. walt for itt join the SWE!

By Terry Conway Islington South CLP

1 ignores the evisten the Labour Campaign for Lesbian and Gas. Rights, which has fed the sirugele in the Labour Party over the last decade, I tesriies much of Fecent histors. giving Accounts of the role played by the left in the Labour Party in Haringey over the "Positive Images” policy, of the response of Labour Parly lesbians and gay mer to the

Hewitt leter and to the position of the Labour Readership an Clause 28 Perhaps more surprisingly also ignores devclopmtents within the trade wniods Boch ‘on policy questions and on she seltorganisation of lesbiats and gay men. This includes ‘Gat Rights st Work Camnaien a hich did fair dugree wl success in Is. 70s, Fat hich ably doesn't Hi the mode! The SWP have always fad an ambivalent attiuide to ths Seli-organisation ot the ‘oppressed, of Wonten and black people aswell as of Fesbians and tinfortunate tat at tine When lesbians and gays are tinder such tieious attach The ‘only solution put forward is 0 ks ether the analysis or Siratoxs necessary for lesbian and 49) liberation — oF Indeed, for socialism,

Labour Briefing No. $9 March 22nd-April 12th 1988 page 14

International Briefing

From tragedy to farce

‘The preliminaries to the recent Twelfth Congress of the Spanish Communist Party (PCE) resembled 2 belated epilogue to Manuel Vazquez Montalt an’s deteclive novel Marder of the Central Committee.

The internecine strugale waged by prominent perSonalities within the PCE leadership to avo‘d assuming the post of General Secretary could only he ade- {quately explained if Gerardo Iglesias, the out-going General Secretary, had been found slumped over his desk with a knife between his ribs.

But nothing of the sort hhad happened.

Ilesias, having braved three years of relentless criticism Irom Santiago Carrillo and his new party PTE(MUC) —" which boasts more initials than sup. porters — cheerfully decided to fet someone else have a.

He must have felt “quietly salisfied when a series of desperately modest — refusals followed nominations for his

feel there are several more capable comrades than I,” each comrade ‘renerausly acknowledged.

Three days before the Consess closed, Anguita, the x mayor of Cordoba and leader of the outstandingly successfol United Lefe (IU) campaign in ‘Andalucia (now challenging the Socialists for control -of the ‘Autonomous Parliament) firm Iy declared that he would nota cept the post: "When I make a ‘Secision, its irrevocable,

‘The following Monday, he became the Party's new General Secretary

Santiago Carrillo, leader of the Spanish Communists from prehistory to the dawn of the pox-Franco democracy, is Understandably appalled. To a battler like Carillo, such relucfanse. to dirty one's hands smacks of cowardice.

What’s worse, his own name ‘didn’t even crop wp in the worstfase contingency plans. Most members af the PCE would prefer “La _Pasionara’™ (92 Sears of age, and spending most Of her passing time reconstruc: ting the Asturian miners” insur fection of 1934) to Carrillo, who is now @ classic example of 3 Person ‘with a great future behind them

His pompous call for “unity of Commute” seems to have been heeded by all sections of the divided party, from Ienacio Gallega’s “pro Soviets” to the most unashamed ““euracom munists”, with the notable ex ception of his own supporters, still "clinging 0. the Cartillo bandwagon after so many femergeney stops and U-turn

‘Aided by reforms in the Soviet Union, the “pro. Soviets" will rejoin the PCE in ibe coming months. -Carillo’s ‘Movement for the Unity of Communists” sill then be the ‘only obstacle 10 the realisation OF is own ostensible objective

Carillo's attacks on the surategy of “Izquierda Unida" (Left Unity), which tries to build non-sectarian let oppos tion (@ the PSOE “socialist” government, fell on deaf ears ‘shen Iglesias ‘was. in charge. Anguita, whose claims 10 the party leadership (if he had only Staked them) derived from his ‘management of the Andalucian

U campaign, is even less likely to listen to them

Carillo ought to reflect on the policies that he personally ie posed on the PCE during the Tate seventies and early eighties:

Sa AAS RON

By Andy Robinson Barcelona

the PCE’s 1977 “historical compromise”, for example, ‘when he signed the “Moncioa Pacis” guarantezing industrial peace for Adolfo Suarez's Fragile coalition of liberals and ‘conservatives and “a hundred years of tranquility for forcign investment," as Carrillo candi Hy put it

‘@or when in 1978 he telephoned the party's Executive Com- ‘mittee from Roumania to advice them 19. respond to the Socialists” challenge to Suarez and. the monarchy with the words “lust forget the Republic, support the Mona ‘chy and that's tha’

f@or'the ““deleninizauon” of

soviet People's Communist Parfy, and a series of expulsions

Carrillo will spend the rest of his “days” whining. in the Wilderness because his decision to sell everyone and everthing down the river for the sake of consolidating Spain's. delicate ‘democracy was emphaticaly re: Jected by the electorate and by the party itself

Having given the once milltant and clandestine party just over 10% of the vote in 1979, the public spurned the consentusobsesied PCE of 1982 with 3.88% And between 1979 and 1983 an astonishing 120,000 militants (65% of the membership) abandoned the PCE.

Ali this isnot to say however, that Carrillo'scritcisma ‘OF the TU strategy ix baseless Seeing in the vast, imaginative ant-NATO campaign built before the 1986 referendum the potential for a broad-based Anti-government movement, the PCE leadership forgot that even the loosest of political fronts ‘must have a sola programme.

In the absence of a concreie platform nebulous terms. like Eprogressive™” came to define the laquierda— Unida parternership.

The Carlisis ("progressive” in the same way that any re ‘maining Scottish followers of “Boamie Prince Charlie” are) were invited into the TU ranks, ‘shile revolutionaries who bad played important roles int "No to NATO" campaign remained outside. Inthe 1986 election campaign tquierda Unida became, for most people the Communist Party By another name. The election fesults confirmed this popular

The IU gained only a few more votes than the PCE had done in 1982 and returned the Same number of MPs. The ex ption was in Andalucia, whee, ied. by. the caliph of Aa” dlalucia", Julio Anguita, the TU launched an uncompromising attack on. the "government's bhalf-hearted land reform pro gramme and son over large fumbers of industrial and agricultural workers from PSOE, gaining over 17% of the

‘Now that Anguita has taken up office in Madrid he will face problems that didn’t ever arise Sowen south:

(@10 what extent should 1U work with PSOE in areas like Catalonia where ‘conservative nationalists control almost all the non-urban areas?

‘@how far is the PCE prepared to cede its identity to 1U?

Ie was weighty issues tke these that made Anguita and his colleagues so reluctant 10 take tup the party's leadeship in the first place.

Labour response to Gibraltar:

lreland’s British problem

Things have come to a pretty pass when The Daily Telegraph is to the left of the Labour Party.

But that is exactly what

happened in the aftermath of he Gibraltar

“We find ourselves less sastisfied with the govern- ‘ment’s account of events than the Labour Front Bench,” said a Telegraph editorial, noting Labour's enthusiasm for the shoot-toKill operation in Gibraltar.

By Geoff Bell Hackney North CLP

“That enthusiasm had been ex: pressed by one of the Party's Foreign affairs spokespersons, George Robertson MP. When Geoffrey Howe infornied the ‘Commons of the assassinations, Robertson's first words were

“May I congratulate those responsible

He later told The Independent:

“The three involved were described by their own organisa lion to be on active service. T don't think anybody can afford 10 be squeamish

ays later following the ead given by David Owen (bose in- ‘lal reaction to the killings was grtical) Gerald Kaufman,

Robertson’s senior, at least tbl: ed a nomber of Parliamentary Guestions about the acsacsinaons. But there is ictle doubt that Robertson’s.“‘congratula tions” had been sanctioned in advance by the Parliamentary leadership, and that for them too concern about summary ex. tcutions carried out by agents of the British state in foreign parts is “squeamish

This is characteristic not just fof the Kinnock cligue's. timid ‘moderation in general, but also OF their attitude to Ireland in particular

The one time Kinnock has acted seriously on Ireland was ‘after the. Enniskillen tragedy when, on Thatcher's behalf, he flew io Dublin to demand that the Irish government agree 10 the extradition of political prisoners 10 Britain

"The only otber time in recent memory Kinnock has made his presence felt over Ireland was ‘Shen he voted for the suspen: sion of Ken Livingstone from the House of Commons for cal 12 the government "ac gomplices to murder” over the ‘Stalker affair

PHOTO: Martine Stoad

Bloody Sunday demo, January 1988. Activists are left by the labour movement leadership to ‘march alone in favour of trish self determination.

Stalker is another illustration of the Labour Leadership’: willingness to collaborate with the Tories over Ireland. Certainly, there were criticisms form the front, beach over the governmment's reaction to the report. Even this eitcism was Fimited The Party demanded a Jedicial inquiry into the events Investigated by Stalker. The ight wing Economist went ‘much further and called for the Publication of the Stalker Feport. As for the Pan's de- ‘mand for a judicial inquiry, i ‘as particularly ridiculous a3 it seas made in the same week that the Birmingham Six verdict as announced, sshich showed just hhow much’ justice Irish people

an expect from the British jdicay.

“The Birmingham Six and the Guiletord Four are yet further examples ofthe Leadership’ tn. action on freland, Ou these iSsues, it has been left io backbenchers, including Tories, to criticise the courts and police Wren the ‘Birmingham appeal was rejected in a transparently riminal excrete Kinnock's

‘The Labour left needs 10 sp precate the extent of the Leadership's complicity in the Tories polisis of shoot-to-il assasinations, and. frame-upe itis naive to look at some sue cesses by nish campaigners in the Party inthe last four or five

years and conclude that there fromthe pat

Nate that Kev Mac ili o eal or feforn in the Northottetand than were most Of is predecessors. But, when Gibraltar, Ennstlien, “the Anato-ish Agreement he Bie Gaitatord Four, Labour fats the most loyal "or i deed ovale offical

"he Pary leadership i an in

tcgal and utashamed pat of Irland’ Bish proie

nternational Women’s Day

Durham prison picket

“Prisoners out of gaol! ‘Troops out of Ireland!

This was one of many calls from 400 people gathered outside Durham Gaol on _ International Women’s Day, Sunday March 13th,

Women from the Irish POW Campaign in Britain and from the Newcastle Women and Ireland Group played a major role in ‘organising the picket.

Solidarity messages from Women's Groups in Australia New Zealand, Britain and leelnd indicated the widespread “support for the {wo irish prisoners of war kept in Hewing in Durham — Ele G’DwyeriNi Dhuibhir and Mar ting Anderson’Nic Aincreasa,

Ela and Martina have been held st Durham Prison since being sentenced to fe. for conspiracy at the Brighton ‘bomb show trial in July 1986. While on remand at Brixton Prison, they endured horren: ddous treatment: seep depriva. tion, constant body and call

By Chris Corrin Leeds Women and Ireland Group

searches, and a staggering 691 strip searches

Wish prisoners of war from many British gools, including Albany — isle of Wight, Gar tree, "Leicester, Maidstone, and Wakefield, sent messages of support and encourage:

‘Noteen Anderson read out @

tor from her sister Martina describing the terrible cond tions inside H-wing. Women fon the wing spend up to 12 ours locked in their cells with thew own buckets of waste, and one moming they queued for breaktast alongside them

‘On several occasions the stuices have overflowed whilst women are eating and the prison authorities “have forces women to clean up us. ing floor cloths (without disinfectant) as only one mop is available.

‘The official reason given for this problem is. thet sanitary towels block the pipes; yet

much evidence _ detailing Similar conditions in men's risons Shows this to be yet Brother fabrication, and that the poor sanitation designed to humiliate and intimidate the women prisoners.

Conditions in H-wing are in human, with maximum survellance and "sensory deprivation. Although closely watched, Ella and Martina Continue’ 10 endure regular body and strip searches.

‘AS Ella stated: “How long will this psychological torture Continue?" We've been Sentenced to Iife imprison. ment. Does that mean a ife Sentence of sexual torture?

‘One. woman who know a great deal about the depriva tion and inhumane treatment in British prisons, having spent ten years in Armagh and Maghaberry, is Mairead Far: rell. who went on hunger Strike" in December 1980 when she was Officer Com: manding “the sentenced ‘women prisoners.

She fought throughout her imprisonment for recognition of poltical status. As soon as

she got out of prison in September 1986." Maltead Started working on the Stop the Strip Searches Campaign, Speaking at meetings all over ireland, including the Interna: tional Women’s Day picket af Maghabery Prison’ in ‘March 1987,

Her murder in Gibrat along with those of the ather two volunteers, Dan MeCann and Sean Savage, is being Seen for what itis — summary execution by the SAS.

Despite privation and hard. ‘ship, Bla and Martina’s prison messages are of strength and Gedication to the causes. for which they have sacrificed their liberty, AS long a= they Femain imprisoned, woman ih Britain. [and worldwide). will, express solidarity with these fwo sisters on International Women’s Day.

‘As. the old saying goes, “National liberation that does not include the liberation of ‘women is only half a libera ton!” — women and men in the struggle for trish sel determination are beginning to fight with this in mind, and so Tiocteiah ar tal

Labour Briefing No, 59 March 22nd-Apnil 12th 1988 page IS

- International Briefing -

US Presidential Primaries

‘Jackson

Action’

wins white workers

For over 60 years, the US left has waited, worked, hoped, and prayed for the emergence of political unity between black and white workers the southern states.

In the 20s, the Communist Party tried to build “revolu-

ynary unions” as an alternative Co the racist Jim Crow craft unions of the American

n of Labor.

the Congress of Industrial Organisations launched its “southern strategy” in the 30s and 40s, with the aim of conquering this bastion of anti-tinionism ‘once and for all.

Neither strategy, was able — or, inthe case of the CIO, vill ing — to challenge the racism institutionalised in. Jim Crow the US equivalent of apartheid

"The result was the persistance of & vast non-unionised “US hinterland "— andthe phenomenon Known as “Tac tory flight”

~ Beginning in the 30s, in ustres decamped to the South from union strongholds in the north and Midwest attracted By military contracts and a cheap and racially divided workforce

Whe the blacked Civil Rights Movement finally smashfed Tim Crow in the 60s, the tinion movement, with a few honourable exceptions, kept its sistance. Its leadership, loyal 19 US imperialism abroad, and ‘wedded to corporatist coltus ‘with capital at home, saw the emerging militancy of the black working class as threat; it did

Crisis in the Caucusus

Hard facts about the re-

cent unrest in the Caucasian Soviet Republics. of Armenia

and Azerbaijan remain few and far between.

We can only hope that some of the more horifying atrocity stories are merely rumours. Nonetheless, it is clear that inter-communat_ kill ings have taken place, a tum of events which all socialists will find deeply

disturbing, _ especially when it ‘occurs in the Soviet Union, with its

foots in the internationalist Bolshevik revolution.

The crisis seems to have started “when a protest. in Yerevan Ithe capital of Armenia) aganist air pollution turned into. a nationalist demonstration, » fuelled by reports of the kiling of Arme ‘ans in the Nagorno Karabakh fegion of neighbouring ‘Azerbaiian

Demanded

The demonstrators demand fed. the return of the region (70-80% of whose population fg Armenian) fo Armenia, 2 de ‘mand reportedly supported by the local Soviet

‘The demonstrations grew until by February 24/5th there

By Mike Marqusee Haringey Labour Briefing

otking to challenge the chauvinist backlash amongst northern white workers which became visible in the early 70s

The historic failure to con front racism im the South (and slsewhere) profoundly. weaken4 the US working class and Branted huge ideological and ‘economic advantages to capital

Tn the ight of this depressing history, Jesse Jackson's showing in the Presidential primaries represents a major breakthrough

Th the southern, states of ‘Texas, South Carolina, Tenessee, and Missisippi, Jackson tron a sizeable minority of the White vote t0 20 with his near total domination Of the Black Jectorate

This shite vote is no Jonge merely the middle class liberal Conscience vote Jackson receiv ed in 1984. A significant portion of it is coming from. white ‘workers who are voting not for their conscience, but ther class.

The same. phenomenon has been seen in the northera states of Minnesota, lowa, Maine, and, New Hampshire. Many Small farmers. and industrial ‘workers, bit hard by Reaganomics, are disenchanted ‘with mainstream politics and at tracted by Jackson's record and message

Tm 1984 the appeal _o Jackson's quixatic, impoverish fed, amateur campaign, under heavy fire from liberals, union leaders, and some black. palit cians, ‘was largely confined 1

were hundreds of thousands Of people on the streets in Yerevan, many of whom had walked ‘les. from the sur rounding countryside

‘Over the next few days this

domobiised — by what mix of political persuasion and

Fepression it is hard to say. In the aftermath a pattern of tt {for-tat murders developed, the ‘worst occurrences being in the Azerbaijani city of Sumga’st ‘where, according to. official ‘stimates, 32 people died.

By COLIN MEADE

This will not be the last we hear of this 'esue. There have been a number of powerful na fionalist' protests in non Fussian regions of the Soviet Union ‘since the coming. to power of Mikhail Gorbachev.

Attempts

His attempts to shake up the system have allowed long Suppiessed grievances and resentments to come to the Surface. To engage in 9 pokey

of Glasnest mewtabiy means exposing fraudulent nature of the claims

made by the centralist uteaueratic system to have solved national conthcts. But eyand the general. question ‘of relations betwoen nations the USSR, there ave speci factors al work m Armes, ‘The Armenian party ieader

the white left and the biack community — where it sparked off 2 revival of the mass en-

thusiasm of the Civil Rights

Since then, Jackson has spe time da picket lines, demons tions, and at mectings of unio ‘and. community, farmers” ap ‘women’s organisations,

He built a strong professional core for his campaign, which, however, i still grotesquely underfunded compared to any of his millionaire rivals.

Above all, he refined his message. At November's na. tional rally for lesbian and gay Fighis, held ia Washiagion DC Jackson (the only Presidential ‘candidate 10 endorse the ral) old the $00,000-strong crowd that “they needed to build alliances if they were 10 achieve theie aims

At 2 meeting in Lowa called bby the National Organisation of ‘Women (which backed Mondale in 1984) he called on women to Organise themsclves and exorcise their own power — as part of his alliance. During his Southern Campaign, he conceninated on speeches in union balls and. walkabouts” in black Aeighbourkoods.

Hic chetoric may sound exotic to British cars but it packs = Powerful populist punch in the US, His talk of “barracudas ‘and “latle fish", his admon ton that the barracidas eat the Title fish whether they are Black for white, and above lh (ack on Gepta protectionism — (he

told ‘workers that US. management

was their enemy, ‘not Korean workers) all adds up to a clear sass message.

ship, headed by Brezhnev 2p Dointes Karen Demmichyan. has been sharply attacked by Gor achev supporters for its foot Groggng over perestroska These cnticsms were the context of massive fraud and in the. Rlepuble fom the ven niga establishment The local mafia in Yerevan would. therefore have a0’ tp campargn as an example 0 Russian mterference in Arme. nian alfars. Supporters. of Change in the Republic would have to counter this by presenting themselves as the tue defenders of the national

Different

Insofar os these different trends seek power through the existing system. which Solermnly baptises the current

Rational’ pecking oder as, ‘socialism. 3 predomunant therefore outbreaks of na

‘contrary "But

US Presidential hopefuls:

On the other hand, be has called himself a “social conser ative” and his campaign ap pears to be run on the ground by fan uneasy coalition of black churehpeople and local leftists Sind union militants

His foreign policy progrmme ‘cuts in military spending, sanc tions against South Africa, a0 fend 10 the economic war on ‘Cuba. and military intervention in Central America) may not have been recanted, bur it has been downplaved.

Before dismissing Jackson as bourgeois politician and the Rainbow coalition as 3 primitive popular front, British comrades Deed to understand a Few basic facts about US democracy

“The primary system is riddled with anomalies and inconsisten-

is. Different rules pertain in SGifTerem states (in many sates, you can vote in the Democratic primary even if you ate a Fegistered Republican)

“The popolar vote is rarely reflected im the distribution of convention delegates and there ‘can be litle doute 1984, “Jackson's will fall short of his perfor mance at the polls. The Democratic Party itself canal be compared to any European Party. Ithasno membership, no dues, no local branches, and no sysiem by which people elected

emocr solution to Sutstanding contlcts

At the same time, the na tional demands cannat ‘be separated from the general struggle for democratieation, free religious and cultural ex: pression and freedom of Ristoresi research an evalus tion of the past

Importance

OF particular importance in the Armenian context, given the fact that half of the Arme ran population ives abroad, ss the freedom to travel and femgrate. Such 3. demand would be a challenge to the whole set-up in the USSR, not least because Armenian’ ns: onal asprations would com plicate relations with Turkey Where 3 genocidal massacte Of two milion Armen.ans £008 place in 1915,

Nonethaless the test of all forces clawing to ben favour

ining up for auditions!

under its banner can be held ac. countable 10. the Party's programme (ill-defined as i 18) oF the voters,

The primary._system. isa wonderful boan for the US rul: ing clas, It enables them (o wi now the political field, assess politicians in action, and pro: mote the illusion of 3 mass, na tional democratic. exercise, in ‘which, of course, only'a minori

fy of the adult population a: ually participates The icony is thatthe

PHOTO: Dolare & Con

himself by no means in con trol of ally the forces be is mobilising and ao ane cans {or sure which way his Rainbow Coalition will go

At the ‘ety last iscam. paizn has demonstrated that a Soastisency exits which offers readership of this campalgn — nd the seeds of thi future development — should. spring from "the ‘black community Hcause of thelr history of op: pression and oftheir ou sre Be apaina it, black people Tort the most_ politically vonscious fan experienced seston of the US working lass Rights emtered into srs after i hag achieved. major vonstia tional and soial tories, when itcame face to face with the realy of economic quali & realty that could not be ad Greed by the taties and ideology of the movement temp tunic Black and white srorkers, women, lesbians and tue of iamense importance Tor US socasts, and therefore For

Sharpeville Six

One month to save six lives

‘The Pretoria Supreme Court hhas delayed the execution of

the Sharpeville Six unt April 18th, but they remai deadly peri. The little time gained must be used for international ac: tion by the workers’ movement 10 save these six lives The month's delay came after a mavsive campaign agains! the hangings scheduled for Fridas March 18th. Despite this worldwide protest President PW Botha tejected cally for clemency

By Steve Potter Norwood CLP

Bor the appeal judge (ihe grotesquely named Justi Harman — the same judge Who handed down the original Sentcnce) ‘heard. esidence that one of the prosecution's Sitnowes, whone cridence bad Heine to vomit Dama Kinmmate and Francis Mokgesi faa pet jure imac alter being

The Si were accused of the murder of a Black. vollabora

Sait Councillor in 1984, But

sauce aris cvidence 10" thi The fact that they were part of 8

those tho hid acl) bed TSA They wpe and mace dhe sane proces a8 th han tng order eaued to preven the UBF and other comsasnis bas sd oegannaions fighting the Fensha crit sagen October Si the inch municipal Sections

sional camparp agaist the <x Sele, Pretoria has Yoo mich st Sake orto claim at lest part St is blood pice for she events in Sharpe

ofthe Antanareld. love

and. the. Labour | Party themselves shold immediately

ive the Si

PHOTO: Groene Cooksa

Labour movement and women:

Marching to defeat the Alton Bill!

FAB demonstration in London, March 19th 1988,

Contact FAB: Wesley House, 4 Wild Court, London

WC2B 5AU

Have you ever been a

member of FAB?

Lesley Farrington, a Briefing supporter in Leigh, Lancashire, has been accused by her Labour Party ward, Hindley Green, of “bringing the Party into disrepute’’.

So what's new, you might ask?

What's new, and worrying, it Lesley is being witch-hunted for her acti in her local FAB group. Now read on, and remembe, the Labour Party sponsors FAB, the NUM sponsors FAB, and the TUC sponsors FAB.

Defend

‘The NUM-sponsored MP for Leigh is Lawrence Cunliffe, who supports the Alton Bill. Lesley wrote to the NUM, on behalf of her local FAB group, and asked the NUM to ensure that Cunliffe followed Labour Party and NUM policy on abortion,

Details of this letter were published inthe local press. Lesiey’s ward, with the tacit support of the Party's regional officer. laid charges against her.

The Regional Officer told Lesley that as a member of two organisations (FAB and the Labour Party!) she had to decide which one she would be loyal to; she was further informed that if she agrees not to discuss Cunliffe outside the confines of the Party, the charges would be dropped. Lesley, of course, has no intention of agreeing to such undemocratic stipulations.

FAB has actively encouraged women in the Labour Party to write to MPs and sponsoring unions to put pressure on the 54 Labour MPs who abstained on or voted for the Alton Bill at its second reading. Will they all be charged with | bringing the Party into disrepute?

Take up the gauntlet!

Chancellor Lawson’s budget was the most openly class-biased budget for decades. The super-rich will get thousands; the poor will get nothing. Even those on average incomes will see no increase in real income.

The Tories remain implacable in the face of a chorus of demands for more money for the NHS. As the health service goes down the drain, social security is subject to the biggest cuts since the war.

The “social fund” brings Victorian values back with a vengeance. Thatcher and Lawson have defied days of action, NHS strikes, massive demonstrations, and a huge wave of public opinion, and they're smiling.

All this is possible only because of the

weakness of the opposition mounted by Kinnock and Willis,

Both in the public sector and in industry across the land there is an increased willingness to fight. In Scotland, there is a gigantic potential for a mass move- ‘ment which could defeat the hated poll tax. Thousands of workers who have never before been involved in industrial action are taking to the picket lines and the streets.

By PHIL HEARSE Islington North CLP

But Thatcher and her cohorts remain smugly implacable because they know that the TUC and Labour Party leaderships are not interested in giving this movement any direction; indeed they wil do their utmost to undermine it.

Tony Benn has rightly denounced Kinnock’s opposition to to the Tories as “weak”. But it is more than

weak; it is actually hostile to the current upsurge, and bent on sabotaging and demobilising it. Kinnock hasn't shown his face on a healthworkers picket line. He didn't even turn up for the gigantic March 5th TUC demonstration. His only loyalty is to his “respectable” and “moderate” image.

Briefing has argued that a leadership challenge inside the Party would galvanise support and create a much-needed focus for opposition. Whether or not a leadership challenge emerges, Kinnock and his supporters have to he challenged at every level. It is not Briefing and the rest of the left who are out of step the healthworkers and others fighting back — itis Kinnock and the trade union “new realists”.

Over the past couple of months much has been achieved to shatter the idea that the working class is down and out, and that the left is finished. Thatcher and Lawson have thrown down the gauntlet. We must take it up. But to do that means pushing aside the new realists and the Kinnockite witch-hunters who stand in our way.