Labour Briefing no. 60

The Labour leadership contest has opened at last. The contenders are off and running. Briefing spoke to TONY BENN about hi challenge to Kinnock.

Our decision to stand for Leader and Deputy Leader is motivated by three main concerns.

First, we want to give much stronger support to people in struggle outside Parliament, such as nurses and healthworkers.

Second, we want to advance radical and realistic programmes to meet people’s immediate needs.

Third, we want to put socialism itself back on the agenda.

INSIDE:

@PLO: review

@ Trade Unions today

@ Anti-racism, anti-fascism

@ Labour's infiltrators

@Stop the Clause!

Tony Benn addresses the Chesterfield Conference, October 1987

a long-term campaign for socialism

it the labour movement, which will link up with other campaigns for socialist ideas, such as the Green and Socialist Conference, the Campaign for Non-Alignment, and the Chesterfield Conference itself.

By TONY BENN

It won't be just a personal campaign run by the candidates. It should be collectively run, organised and directed. Afterwards, it will still go on — though it’s much too early to say what form it will take.

We don’t want this campaign to be inward-looking and focussed only on the Party. What we're trying to do is to

address, as socialists, the central problems facing people and to campaign to get our ideas across to the mass of Labour voters and potential supporters.

It won't be like 1981 for a whole range of reasons. After 1981, we were moving into a general election period, whereas now we have time to carry on. And I believe this campaign will go on.

What we're doing is giving a focus to a lot of people who are socialists but feel they have not been adequately represented in the national or local arena.

One thing is absolutely clear: this campaign won't end on the night of the electoral college, The circumstances of the times make the recovery of the socialist tradition more urgent and necessary than ever.

BENN AND HEFFER

See centre pages

LABOUR-— TAKE THE POWER!

Labour Briefing No. 60 April 13th-26th 1988 page 2

Campaign Round-up

Stop the Clause! We will not go underground again!

Kursad Karamonoglu is an activist in the North West Campaign for Gay and Lesbian Equality. He spoke to Finn Jensen about Clause 28 ar ‘campaign against it. Gay men and lesbians were expecting @ concerted sttack trom the Tories.

The aim of the Local Government Bill was to curb the democratic “powers of slected local government. Jit

- Knight's amendment adds ‘that local government cannot "promate’” homosexuality

‘The word "promote" is key. because it is @ word lawyers dda not recognise. Once the Bill is law the word “"romation” will have to be tested in the

Promotion” could mean gay and. lesbian “books in liblariee; licences to gay clubs and pubs (because gays and lesbians moot there); services like gay centres, end advice and "information telephone lines for lesbians and gays — the whole range of services provided at the moment as 8 atural part of local govern. ‘ment fof the community

Consenting

the

The law that homosexual

acts between consenting, adults over 21 years of age i lngal if done in private gave us

the same problem as we now wil got with “"promotion The lawyers did not recognise the word “private”, soit was interpreted by the courts — in the most ridiculous way you can imagine.

“Two man kissing in a car is not private: nor is a locked hotel room, If you live in a block of apartments and there is just one other person in the ‘whole block who gets offend2 by you living as a homowex: ual you are not in pevate.

Private

If this is how the courts in-

terpret “’private’” you can im agine what they'l) do. with “promotion”.

‘When the government i realised the extent of opposi } tion to the “Bigots Charter”

{as lesbians and gay men now call it) i tried to modify it They added one ‘word — “intentionally” ‘wich ‘makes it even more vicious.

‘Many Conservatives are making the intention of the Clause quite clear, both in in terviews and. in. Parlament They want to drive lesbians and gay men back into the Closet. After 20 years of par tial recognition they want to fpush us underground. again But we won't 90

We are an easy scapegoat {tis 60 easy to divert people's attantion from serious social and economic prablems ay us ing popular prejudices.

‘Simaly by living the kind of life we do, lesbians and gays are the biggest threat to one of the fundamental ways Ure ra ing classes keep the masses

under control. The family has historically always been the unit used to control society ‘and we are obviously 9 threat te the family institution,

Defined

We refuse to fit into: the well defined roles, And that is rally a big threat to the kind of society the Tories want 10 create. Remember, there are over six million of usin Britain

There hasbeen spon: taneous and unexpected op position to Clause 28, not ony InManchester- One of the frst things we did was lobbying Parliament to get the Clause changed.

But with the Tory majority we did not’ stand” much Chance, although some very Senior Fory MPs did not vote fer tin the Commons. When rt went to the House of Lords: Tories brought in every possi ble peer to make sure that the Bill passed. fis now back in the House of Commons, 30 there's stil Some lobbying to be done

‘But we have to be prepared for the implementation of the Bil once it becomes law on Apri 30th. We have to prepare for a long battle, because we

‘Cannot accept a aw that would mean a” denial of Surselves,

Authorities

We will work to make sure that Local Authorities understand the iesue and will fight ‘the law. There will be batties in court, all the way to the European Court of Human

Rights.

This campaign hes raised poltical” awateness among many gay men. and lesbians.

‘That is our biggest strength. in Manchester, for example. ie volve lesbians and gays who ‘are not normally” part” of ‘campaigning. ‘The Manchester demonstra tion in February was the biggest in the city for 20 years, But it was siso the bigest lesbian and. gay demonstration ever in this country. We were ‘very determined to show that lesbians and gay men are everywhere and that the North West has its own share

The national demonstration ‘9n April 30th London shoud be followed by actions of

‘The North West Campaign for Gay and Lesbian Equality ‘can be contacted c/o Gay Centra, 61 Bloom St. Manchester

‘supporters sbrosd_on June 1st, when the Bill is tkely t0 become law

We are asking people to ‘organise protest meetings in ‘ont of British embassies and consulates in ther

country and to let us know ‘what they are doing. Solidarity

messages to Our Semonsiration on Apri 30th are also needed,

There was 2 really massive protest within the Labour Par {y to the front Bench’s half hearted opposition to the Clause. I" know from. Man. chester that there were literal Ty. thousands of letters. to Usbour MPs" protesting the Gespicable lack of response.

Within weeks we suddery saw the line changing. and now —Kinnock’s caling the Clause ““the bigots’ charter

The wade unions are. t00 often scared of the lesbian and 92y issue. During the miners" Sinko lesbian and gay Suppor {groups all sround the country found it difficult’ st the begining becouse miners — in Spite of al ther multancy and Todas were quits suspicious.

‘But after a year of sustained support things started to ‘change. Only fast year the gay pride march wae led by South Wales miners’ banner!

We tealise the importance ‘of support of the organised labour movement. Thet s why

the North West Campaign wil approach trade unions, especially those whose ‘members wil be divectiy

influenced by Clause 28 — tke teachers, who will be under immense ‘pressure not to ‘mention homosexuality at a

Attacks

‘The attacks on lesbians and ‘gay men can be linked closely ‘with the oppression of Black communities. This was cleat in Britsin during’ the AIDS hysteria,

‘The press in Britain tried to say that AIDS is 3 gay plague: oF, if pot, @ black plague. Day by day the newspapers. said that AIDS came trom Africa, that it is common in Africa “Thete were aven calls from so. called "respected journals ‘and poftians to. have ‘compulsory tosis for visitors

That makes the link in the minds of many blacks” ang ‘Gay men in this

Stop the Clause Calendar

April 25th. Lobby of Haringey Civic Cent 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

elcome to the weekly meetings

Wednesdays, 6.30pm, Islington Town Hall,

London,

Seam a

May Day Greetings

Labour Briefing in

es 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

——

aches for

10!

ee

Stop the Clause!

SLR RES, aw i

Defend Marion Gaima!

April 20th is the next important date in the campaign to stop the deportation of Marion Gaima. This is when her case for Judicial Review is to be heard at the High Court in the Strand, London.

The campaign is looking for supporters to attend picket at 9.30am.

Contact" the Marion Gaima_—Anti-deportation campaign, Hackney NALGO. | 245/7 Mare Sweet London ES

Wakefield rs

Lesbian Support Group banned

International Women’s Day celebrations Wakefield were soured after the Council banned @ local lesbian group from holding a workshop.

Defending the ban, Coun: cillor Bob Mitchell, who chairs Wakefield Council's Equal Op. portunities Committee, issued ths statement

was felt thet the wrkshop_ would be incom patible with Council policy, The Council is committed by

‘equa! opportunities policy document” ta non scrimination on the grounds Of sexual orientation

wakefield

“in response to a recent request. for grant aid. by Wakefield Lesbian Support Group. the Council determined to refuse it on the grounds that, as far as the Labour Group was concerned, they felt they had no electoral man date for active advocacy on homosexual rights.

“iti felt that the provision of 2 workshop would fall into the latter category rather than the former, and therefore there was no alternative but to act as the Labour Group has done.”

‘Wakefield Lesbian Support Group responded by saying: "To deny local lesbians the ‘opportunity to meet together

Leeds notes

ds District Labour Party

and Leeds Council have voted 10 defy the law over Clause

to identity the ways in which Council "policies currently disadvantage us, can hardly be described as a positive step 10 eliminate discrimination! “We have absolutely no confidence in the Counctior's | been better if people had gone understanding of, and com- | on the Health’ Demo. in mitment "to, equal oppor | London! tunities whatsoever."" 150 people attonded a public it appears that Clause 28 af | moeting of Chapel Allerton the ‘Local Government Act, | Ward. Labour which sims t0 prevent open Giscussion of homosexuality, is taking effect even before it is made tow. A petition against the ban was circulatod during the day. Taken from eds Other Paper

‘@A 3,000-strong tion in Leeds against Clause 28' was addressed by Peter Tatchell, The SWP iseued feafiet saying it would

Garth Frankland pledged that the ward would Continue to oppose Clause 28 {and go on the offensive over ositive imag

Defend Lesbian & Gay Equality

Haringey Tories have played a major part in mobilising forces of bigotry and prejudice against the lesbian and gay Communities since 1986. Their policies have led not oniy £0 an increase in violence against lesbians and gay men, but also to the introduction of “"The Clause". They are now roposing 2 motion for the Haringey Council meeting on April 25th which is designed to deprive us of equal rights and to ignore the fact thet we too are rate-payers

‘ter the successful demonstrations on January 9th and February 20th, lesbians and gay men and our Supporters, ‘must continue to show our opposition ta the politics of hatred, We must let Haringey Council know that lesbians and {98 men are organising resistance to the Clause and all its implications, We shall not be intimidated Lobby Haringey Council, Haringey Civic Centre (Wood Green tube), Monday April 25th, 6pm onwards. Organised by the co-optees of the lesbian and gay sub-committee.

SUPPORT THE

Right to Read

For more information about the Ri

contact Reading Matters on 0! 88! 3187

Campaign

Ban the book-burners, not the books!

Defy the Clause!

Buy your books at Reading Matters Bookshop, 10 Lymington Avenue, London N22

We stock books for lesbians and gay men, black people, women, socialists — and many others!

* Join the lobby of Haringey Council * Monday April 25th, 6pm, Wood Green Civic Centre (near Wood Green tube)

ight to Read Campaign

eR

Labor ‘Bring No.60 April 13U%-261h.1988 page

Editorial

The Challenge of Benn and Heffer

The challenge to Kinnock and Hattersley thrown down by Tony Benn and Eric Heffer will galvanise socialists everywhere

twill give a focus to all those on whom Kinnock has turned his back: miners, printworkers, teachers, nurses, local government workers, women fighting Alton, black people fighting racism, lesbians and gay men opposing Clause 28, the peace movement and countless others in struggle with the Tory government.

It will give hope to those millions around the country eager for a teal alternative to the obscene priorities of Lawson’s budget.

‘The Kinnock-Hattersley leadership has failed every test, balked at every hurdle, squandered every ‘opportunity. it has refused to learn any lessons from Labour's general election disaster. Every day, its gospel of capitulation is proved bogus by events in the real world — from the Stock Market crash to strikes by nurses, carworkers, and seafarers.

‘The decision to mount a nationwide socialist campaign for the Labour leadership will offer the Party in the constituencies and the trade unions the teal choice which it has been denied for so long.

‘Shaking the dust off the electoral college should require no apologies. Democratic rights (won by the left in years of hard struggle) are worth nothing ‘they are not regularly exercised.

‘Of course all the old shibboleths will be used against us. “Leadership contests are a distraction”. “A challenge to Kinnock causes disunity’”. These tired cries should carry no weight at all. They are the arguments of every tin-pot dictator trying to escape judgement by the electorate. And self-righteous appeals for unity come ill from those who have undermined or ignored every attempt by workers to fight back against the Tories. 3

That disunity has cost the labour movement dear. ‘The people responsible for it must be held to account and replaced

Like Thatcher, Kinnock’s strongest suit has been the cry “‘there is no alternative’’. Increasingly, that ety is being used to silence socialists and junk socialist policies, Tony Benn’s campaign gives us the chance to stop the rot.

Let the media pundits worry about the probable result. We know what we have to do. Organise = confident, vigorous, unapologetic campaign for Tony Benn and Eric Heffer and the socialist policies they stand for — from one end of the country to the other, in the trade unions, the constituencies, the women’s movement — everywhere!

Our campaign will unite under its banners all sections of the working class and all the oppressed. It will inspire and activate the left in the constituencies and the trade unions. It will also provide an incentive for people currently outside the Party to get inside land join our fight for a socialist leadership.

The Chesterfield Conference showed that people are keen to join battle with the Tories and to advance ‘socialist ideas. The leadership challenge will take the spirit of Chesterfield into the heart of the labour movement

Start organising now!

The killing of the to solders has been used for all its worth, by the Thatcher government, by ‘he Loyalists and the media 10 ‘divert attention from the assassination of unarmed 1RA volunteers in Gibrala, and the ‘murderous attack 00 their Funeral bs a Loyalist gunman The RUC played a murky role in that Loyalist attack. Whet oF not they. were directly i plicated in that event, they and the Beith military are cerainy ‘Somplicit in allowing the armed thugs of Loyalism to carry out their attacks on Catholic Chilians virtually unhindered “The largest single category of deaths inthe 20 years of the icoubles" is the moze than $00 Catholic civilians ascassinated by the Loyalists — and yet the

Following our front page arliele on the events at the Republican funeral which Ted to the deaths of two British soldiers (Briefing, ‘no. 59), there has been a hue and ery against Briefing.

Right wingers in the Par \y, like St Helens MP John Evans, have been quick 10 call for “action” against us, chiming in with the gutter press smears about “leftie loonies"

‘All this is just a follow up to the hysterical media response to the deaths of the soldiers,

‘Briefine’s reply to our critics fs simple: we were right to de fend the Republican movement, find the nationalise community

in West Belfast, aginst the Loyalist militia, the UDA, is not hysterical slanders thrown at a” banned organisation and them. humerous members of the

‘And i is quite legitimate that an antiimperialist position should be expressed inside the Labour Party

Ulster Defence Regiment give active suppor tothe UDA, UVF, “and other Loyalist asastination squad.

TASOUR — TAKE THE POWER!’

A Lesson from the US Primaries

Like the Labour Party leadership, Democratic Party bosses in the US have spent a great deal of their time in opposition planning to inveigle themselves back into office by emulating their spectacularly successful ‘opponents.

‘Their rules are simple. Stick close to the mainstream. Keep well clear of any commitments which might alienate the ‘‘centre ground”. Forget about contentious policy debates. Find telegenic candidates who can be sold to the voters by ad agencies. Dump organised labour and aim for the

Jesse Jackson's campaign has violated every one of these nostrums. Whatever socialists may make of his platform and his personal performance, there is no denying that he has stood out as the candidate of the dispossessed, of the historic victims of racism, and of the more recent victims of Reaganomics — including millions of working class white people. His positions on South Africa and Central America, on Palestine and Cuba, on defence spending and social welfare programmes are all substantially to the left of any of his opponents.

Of course, the test will come when the Democratic Party comes clean and admits that it cannot contain these policies, or run a black candidate — as Manning Marable explains in this issue of Briefing (see page 14),

In short, he is anything but a mainstream candidate. ‘And despite all predictions he has been doing exceedingly well, winning big in Michigan, and piling up close seconds in state after state.

Of course, the British media, having belatedly discovered that this man speaks for millions of US workers, pour scom on his preacher's style, past record, and personal integrity. with not a small admixture of patronising racism.

Briefing readers should take these reports no more seriously than anything else they read in the British papers. Perhaps our Washington correspondents are afraid we might start to draw the “wrong” conclusion from Jackson's success.

Only a clear and conscious break from the mainstream can rouse the enthusiasm of the majority of the population opposed to Thatcher. Benn and Heffer are now offering that kind of break. For once, the British labour movement can learn a positive lesson from US politics

Dundee: Who loves ya, Ron?

‘The TUC is fumbling around, trying to decide whether it agrees with single-union, no-strike sweetheart deals with predatory bosses, like the kind Ford were after in Dundee, and with which the AEU leaders were only too happy to oblige.

If they had got away with it, it would only have been a matter of time before Ford demanded no-strike deals with workers in other Ford factories in Britain Ford have decided that they have to compete with the “labour relations” (sic) methods of the Japanese car manufacturers like Nissan.

Eric Hammond of the EETPU. and Laird and Jordan of the AEU, are selling themselves to the bosses as.

Hue and cry against Briefing

Werepeat what We said about quent funeral they _belicved the deaths of the (wo soldiers: in themsches ta be under attack the circumstances they for a second time from the se

evitable, Contrary 10 the fons of the media, we di in oc welcome shat

af Republican sfugels ind dh

ficle described ax such shock ing scenes”. Cike all Kilings in any war, they were reer

‘and an nn

he bereaved

had to endure

The soldiers shouklnt have" Sawwtse-hill dnd sore where. They wore. armed

Somph alors 3 pav Yiekt agains the ha penetrating ro the tuner st population, While seit, What on carth ts of poople face arrest and thought they w fong privan scatences as. fesul Tenmeeia caplec wpstcty- Bes of the sektie death ste SAS no fair-minded person can profewsignal asasims ho Possibly be surprised at the murdered the IRA soluntcers Feception they provoked. ‘sll remain free and are strong!s ‘During the funerals of the Congratulatcd by the

volunteers asassinted by the SAS, unarmed republican supporters “conducted themsclves with outstanding heroism in disarming the Loyalist gunman, Micha! Stone. At the subse:

ON That's the character of ‘the war that is being waged. In that ‘sar Briefing has chosen is

is the opposite side 10 that waicher, Kinpock and the

the people who can organise a low-paid, no strike, servile workforce. They are quite happy to cut up ‘other unions to recruit members on that basis,

The issue for the trade union movement is simply one of business, scab, yellow’ unions; yes or no? In accepting the proposed deal — whether it was really on offer is another matter — Willis and the TUC leadership were giving the thumbs up to no-strike union bosses.

The person who should be carefully looking at his position in all this is the TGWU’s Ron Todd. He knows that the AEU-EETPU operation is a dagger pointing at his membership. He knows that he is being carved up, not only by Hammond, Laird, and Jordan, but also by the Labour front bench team who were all for the Dundee deal going ahead.

But think about it a moment, Ron. While you have denounced the Benn-Heffer challenge as a diversion, who exactly has supported the fight against business unionism? Not Kinnock and Hattersley!

The whole TGWU executive should think hard about the meaning of the Leadership election in terms of the crucial issues facing workers in many sections of industry. If they really want a fight against the architects of Dundee and Wapping, they should cast a vote for Benn and Heffer!

Israel: butchery without end

‘The similarities between the repressive methods of the Israeli “Defence Forces’’ and those of the South African “Defence Forces” are becoming obvious even to right wing commentators. The Israelis are trying to ‘smash the Palestinian uprising by large scale killing and brutality — just like Soweto. So far, more than 130 unarmed Palestinians have been killed — against, two Israelis,

The Israelis are increasingly trying to use the technique of news blackout to hide their murderous deeds. The reasoning given is the same as South Africa: television cameras “encourage violence’’. The ideological justification of repression is the same: “the people of violence must be stopped’” (!) tis, apparently, “only a small minority of agitators’ who are to blame.

The rights and wrongs of the struggle in the Occupied Territories are just as clear cut as in South Africa. Israeli rule is rejected by the overwhelming ‘majority of the Palestinians. Virtually all of them see the PLO as the organisation which represents them. And they all want a Palestinian homeland. Yet the “fulfilment of the Zionist dream” allows no compromise,

Doutbless the Israelis are concerned about the worsening of their image internationally. especially in the US. But they can live with international unpopularity if they have the dollar and the gun. US capitalism will continue to give them both.

In the United States itself a campaign has been launched by Nobel Prize winners and_other leading figures for cutting off US aid to Israel The Palestinians are in urgent need of msximum. international solidarity, otherwise the Isreelis will, ike the South Africans, continue to carry out their murderous work undisturbed behind @ news blackout.

BRIEFING

Jia: that 3 in the nature gt sided by the Dail Maat the Star h puliical tealtes, Buu’ anid the. Telegraph 10 attack

pot a position on wich we Bresire and the left

will renege when the going gets That is the character of the

tough present Labour besdership — a

Many thousands of Labour growing auboritaranise and

Par” members oppose. the intolerance. which. Tony Benn

Britih occupation oF Ireland. way beyond Briefing supporters and the “hard left", tis sur Prise to us that the tight wing

has rightly denounced.

Briefing will continue to de mand the Fight to fee speech fnd free debate On Ireland and

‘want 19 urilse the ovcasion Io oppose the witch-hunters of the attack and witch-hunt us Fight. Our demand is that Bric

That witch hunt has Tittle ©. tain ends these killings inthe on do ‘with passionate feelings ly way possible — by ending is

abou! the situation in Ireland, and everything 10 do. with fin ding any reason — Kindly pro:

armed. presence which Is. pro: foneing this war

abou

Briefing No. 60 Appi (3th-26h 1998 page 4

Trade Union Briefing

Bosses’ backlash against upturn

The upturn in industrial struggle which has emerged over the past few months — particularly in defence of the NHS, in the car industry, and with the ferry crews — has produced a backlash from ‘both the employers and the courts in an effort to

stem its further development.

Steve; Forey,. Assistant in support of the striking Isle of Seeretary-of the ASLEF — Man crews. The courts declared Deane at Kings Cross, Neste sonny acon ae and four shop stewards in Qiieh2Z007 10 work, Manchester have been was pecprci to uch se lo sacked for calling for 20d go apenon — then calcd

PGi tor We NTS an) git ates comets of action on March 1th.

the court, A ballot on strike action By Alan Thornett Steve Forey’s defence was

rade Union Briefim lost by 150 votes to 124 (see nes coisa

page 5 for full story).

The decisive Factor in this yote was the role of the courts where the case markeq aymajor development in the use of the law

The injunction obcained by BR was nat aimed at the union ~ as in previous such cases — bur at the individual workers, who ‘were told they could be held responsible "Tor loss of tfade by BR. The injunction was ako open ended and will remain permanently in force

‘As well as these legal moves management threatened 10 sack tveryone who took action on was by then in progress since. it March lath. With this kind of said, the ballot itself was now pressure even astrong campaign iiepalt From the branch was unable > "It was aow illegal for people obiain a strike vote. to. express. their opinion 08

At Dover, as wel, there has strike action even ifthe decision been. unprecedented ‘use of the of the ballot was never carried courts against the NUS, whose out. To enforce this incredible executive decided 10 ballot for new departure a suspended se national sirike action afler questralion. ofder was issued pressure from the stews at against the NUS, to be invoked Dover — who have ‘been on ~ iF the balloe went ahead. strike for nine weeks By the time the sequexration

‘The union had already taken order was issued, however, the 1 heavy blow two months ago Soting was completed. The when it called a national stike court then ruled that it was now

The new wrike calland ballot was not 2 decision to defy the law, bur was based on a new legal “argument which Me {Cluskie hoped ‘would avoid an injunction. He argued that the matter of staffing levels was 2 ‘matter forthe whole industry — which is obviously the case — nd therefore would not be secondary action

This was laughed out of the High Court by the judge bo Fidiculed it as “an ingenuous ‘ay to get round the law."

‘Onshe basis ofthis, the Cour then ordered the withdrawal of the national sirike ballot which

‘egal to count the votes, although they had been cast! MeCluskie called off the ballot and had the papers Locked in the ‘aults ofthe union's bankers where they will ever be counted.

These increasingly outrageous imerpretations of the law are patt ofa pattern which the Tory Rovernment have developed rodiuced in 1982. only enforced the tows Wally. Then they were ‘gains the NGA and again NUM during the miners" sti

Since Wapping, and che lapse of any resisance by the TUC, they have Become the order’ “of the day, dominating the indusral sua: tion. They are now being inter preted in their full force and few interpretations being invented go beyond that

The new moves the government has made at GCHQ are n0 les extreme. Mike Grindley, one of the main organisers of those trade unionists sil ‘esistng the ban on trade unions 31 GCHQ — the sovernment in feligence gatheriag centre in (Cheltenham — is beng ruthless iy persecuted by management

Tirst legislation was tn hey

Mandarin

indley has worked there for 26 years as a Mandarin Chinese language expert. He has now been accused of making public classified information "and Suspended on full pay. All the things he is alleged to. have disclosed were already in the public domain anyway!

His positive vetting clearance thas bon suspended and he bat been ordered to Keep management informed of bis ‘movements in his spare time fncluding any nights he may spend away from home!

The TUC and

happened

The policy of the TUC ‘on single union deals has effectively been changed.

‘The change has been forced by Ford management’s decision not to build @ new components plant in Dundee — and blame their withdrawal on the opposition of the unions to the single union deal they had signed with the AEU last October.

However, it has to be said, the TUC were well on the way to 2 climbdown already.

In any case, it is far trom clear that the reat resson for Ford pulling out was opposi- Such 8 development would be tion to the deal from the a direct threat to wapes and Unions. Conditions throughout the

Although the other Ford — Ford plants. unions like the TGWU had Deals of this type have Compiained to the TUC about become an increasing problem the AEU deal they had done over recent years with few absolutely nothing about en Unions maintaining 9: prinip forcing it and had-no intention ed opposition to them. The Of doing so. They have done TGWU has quite nightly led the ‘nothing i other places where opposition tothe deal in such deals have gone through. Dundee, but AEU leaders have

This therefore hard to see been able to exploit the fact that Ford had a problem. They that they have been involved had adeal with the AEU which in similar deals elsewhere. would have stuck, and they The same double tak exists knew of the opsosition of the over the defence of jobs. The otherumons when they signed Same unions who talk. qute

By Alan Thornett Trade Union Briefing

ie deat

‘Whatever the motivation of Ford management, the princ ple ig a crucial one for the trade union movement. The ‘main thing about these dais is hot that they are singe union, but that in return for ging Single union sole negouating Fights the employers demand a heavy price — usually in the form” of no-strixe clauses compulsory arbitration and low wages

Tn the case of Oundee Ford wanted the plant piaced out side the Ford. “"Blue Book’ lower wage rates and its own conditions of employment

single union deals Dundee: what really

rightly, about defending these 1450 jobs in Dundes at al costs Sit back and see jobs go by the thoussnds, often by the tens of thousands, often without 3 word,

When was the last time the TUC made 2 fuss about the need t0 defend jobs? They are doing nothing to support the Dover Ferry crew who are fighting to defend more jobs than were promised for Dundee! Yet no. sooner had Ford announced ther decision, than Norman Wills had chang: ed the policy of the TUC and flown to Detroit to tell Ford management that they would accept anything in terms. of wages and conditions and Sgreements for the plant

10 defend jobs, it do as they tke — not defend

‘the workers!

‘After groveling to Ford, the TUC™ delegation got short shrift and came back omaty handed.“ ‘Single union. ‘swoctheart” deals are now the officel policy of the TUC

'2 development which is ex. remely serious for those fighting 10 defend the trade union movement and 10 de fend jots on a principled basis. ‘Once again the “business unions’ have determined the poly of the TUC.

All this is taking place with no response from the top of the lade union movement, where ‘most of the leaderships are sil moving to the right, despite the emergence of militancy’ at the base of the movement. These are major moves which substan: tally alter the conditions faced by the unions and there is aot as ‘much as a comment from the TUC

Offensive

Another aspect of this offen sive is the moves Dy Ford management. They hat ‘managed to overturn completely the policy of the TUC on single ution deals with their Manoeuvres around their proposed new plant in Dundee This massively strengthens the position not only of the new realists but of business unionism in the shape of Hammond and Jordan who champion single union deals

Under these conditions the left have a responsibility to give fall support t0 the sections of rank and file workers who are challenging these developments

Steve Forey must be even ull and active support. His sacking ‘was a blow against solidarity acthon with NHS workers, but also 2 blow against rail workers ax ‘ell. A defence campaign has been set up and should be given Full support. It has the support of rail union branches and the Campaign Group of MPs.

are now sacked. It isa dicet at {ack on a major organised sec tion of workers on the scale of the attack on the print unions at ‘Wapping. If they are defeated it will mark the virtual end of The movement must respond trade unionism in the shipping 0. this. There were. support indusry “and a massive groups organised for the deterioration of working condi- printers and there must be sup. tions in the industry port groups organised for the

P&O dispute

heslthworkers’ picket line!

PHOTO Graeme Cookson

‘Norman Wills looks glum, as Briefing is boing read on @

ferry crews! Money and food needs 10 be collected and net work organised which can te ‘pond to their initiatives and give them support.

A call for solidarity from the labour

movement

Briefing spoke to Steve inimctions by the. courts from the London Strike 298inst the NUS? at Som the “London -Stike Gaorge: Wel 2 be honest i George Pratt. Chair of the Were a having munctions, Deal "Women's “Support iy cuesten's why int th OU con ry and gotam inmotion What is the mood and morsie ‘0 stop the alot on Using ofthe soars atthe moment? frcign crews? By wang the ove: Traced ie very cont

Courts sgainst us, manage: ent and the morale is good. ment have actually hardened After the overwhelming vote

the attitude of many of ihe 3 the meeting on Saturday members in this dispute. Ithad Apa 3id-management has the opposite effect sf they're resorted to what | would call trying to scare us off “operating through the back

door.” “They are trying to

bypass the unions by sending ballot papers for the NUMAST iship officers) ballot to each member direct

George: There was onty one vote against continuing the George: They were 3 bit slow Strike “Tat last Sundoy's 1 respond at the beginning. | meeting. The | ballot "of think they were a bic fnghten NOMAST members is taking e0f the Cours. But now thoy Boce today’ IThursdey “Apa ete slowly beginning to come thi and al the signs ore thot TOuNd To giving Us more sup they wil reject the propasal fo PO't and ‘ecognising them: te’ foreign crews on P&O Portence of this dispute trees T think MeCluskie hes been Steve: As NUS members slow in giving us the fal sup we're disgusted wah” the Port we needed

Behaviour of P&O" manage

‘ment. | wouldn't be surprised ‘they tried to sell off sl their ships. But the strike is sold and we mustn't budge

What do you think of the role

dispute? Have they given you enough support?

What about support generally from the labour movement? George: That has been very What's your view of the use of good. We've

mestings all over the country,

trade union branches,

Labour Party” meetings. and

“The response has been ex cellent. Today (Thursday 7th) for example, Dennis Skinner is Coming to us, to speak at tho Welfare Club in Dover, to lend his support

What are tho next steps inthe campaign to. spread "the Seton? Seorge: We wil be tying to got more of a response from the other ports. That vital

We wil be asking for unt 8f the MUS leadership in the ficial support “among. other

NUS mombers in defence of

‘We expects good response wn teal Wentae Oe son fears. to Tooles tat Dove: defentet ten.tiay ould wellbe next. The impor tance of our tight is beginning toibe undorstoed

We vil be locking to. the ports at Liverpool ond Fel Howe in poricdar, and the Sentnk ‘crows. at Dover for Support on th

ire terme "of intemational solidarity wo are talking to French, Dutch, and. Belgien crews to get thom to support teas wall io ony way they spoken at can

Labour Wiping No. 60 ‘Aleit I3in° adh thks page's

Trade Union Briefing

Turn the tables on the militant managements!

of TY-am’s ‘management

That's how pickets at TVam’s north London studio at

Camden Lock — describe themselves.

229. members of the ‘Association of ‘Cinematograph _Television and Allied Technicians

{ACTT) have been locked out_since November 24th, 1987; and sacked since February J6th 1988

That ihe management eam around Bruce Gyagell thimsel? replaced following & heart a tack on March 19th by Depaty Managing Director Adrian Moore) have been “militant” in pursuing their shareholders" in ferests is beyond doube. UnforTunately, the response” of the ACTT cannot be described in a similar vein

"The TV-am sackings. area

‘wholesale

to oppose resteuctriog of ‘working conditions currently Underway. The ustion-busting ‘operation at TV-am has to be seen in the context of all the at facks currently. raining down tupon workers inthe TV and ‘lm industry.

Thatcher

Thatcher discusses the. in ddusigy at cabinet tevel and caisfd the stakes by referring “the fast bastion of trade union restrictive practices” 10. the Monopolies Commission.

The House. of Commons Home Affaire Select Commitee inguity into broadcasting (with particular reference to deregulBon of the BBC and work, satellites cable Suhscripion) is expected soon

TTV companies are announe: ing redundancies and. major changes in working practices

Union

British Rail have succeeded in sacking ASLEF militant Steve Forey for union activity.

Management admitted as much at the appeal against his dismissal on March 25th — which upheld the original decision.

Kings’ Cross. ASLEF branch took a decision to strike in support of the NHS ‘on the COHSE Day of Ac. tion (March 14th) after NHS militants had been round the depot talking to members.

‘Management took oot a High Court injunction agaiast ik branch otficers to call of? the action, Infact, management Served the injunctions at atime ‘when they knew that an ASLEF ‘official was at the depot, i a Attempt te get them to call off

‘action, but before fe had th

‘Opportuniy to tik 16. the tficers. The six were immediately sent

home by BR on Tull pay (sith full shill allowance, ete) although they denied this was complied ‘with the High ‘Court ‘econ and called of the strike and returned to werk on ‘ay March Lsth

BR then took disciplinary ac tion against all six officers {despite the sttike having been falled offl). Five were served ‘with a final warning which

Should you a

he future similarly appear to in

Meanwhile, Alan Sapper best ever profits recently and

By an ACTT member

General” Secretary of ACTT. ratings have aot been affected London Freelance sontimued to call upon by the undoubtedly diminished Division Independent ‘quality of TV-am’s output Authority UBA) t The problems facing worker Tee bon. LWT Thames and and discipline its im the TV industry. are not Tyne Tees. are leading the management at Camden Lock. _reducable 1o what Alan Sapper scramble. They hope to we the Sapper pushed the line that a does ar does not say and do.

Uncertainty created after the company ‘that had to. screen

TWam sackings. to. push fepeats of “Batman” and pro- Membership theough packages to give duce programmes without ski themiches" a “competitive ed workers could not survive. [tis truc that the ACTT is a

But the pickets at TV-am found themselves standing alone, with

tanion with elaively passive

edge’ over their civals, ship that has enjosed

The unions in. the industry,

the ACTT, NUJ, BETA and numbers dwindling and conditions, EETPU. ave altcady signing There has never been any at- won ina period when the TV in ‘away traditional conditions and tempt to enforce the picket line in Britain was far more fates of pay, Supposedly to Both NUJ and BETA members fe, restiated and profuarantee jobs in the ITV com- at TV-am Yotcd 10 cross the ble than now. It is arse that Danies by making these com- picket line, while scabs are do Technology threatens {0 paties “competitive” Just how ing ACTT members" jobs. Sap. undermine the power of the fhe companies are ail going (0 per's threat that anyone doing unions

become “competitive” when an ACTT member's job at TV may be the case thal the these wageeuts and changed am will never work in the in- leadership is not capable of win Conditions are implemented dustry again is quite empcy ether nationally

Key features of LWT proposals: @ Management to determine Grew size and manning (sic) arrangements. ‘@ Maximum overtime rate doable time (excluding bank holidays). @ Management to sub-contract Removal of inefficient job ‘@ Introduction of new <Squipment without lengthy and

as for strike action. mad those sacked at TV am and to. roll back the employers’ offensive.

But fo give up without a fight, hoping thar the IBA. will in tervene to save the unions the bother of having to fight, and thar managements will sce the

82 OF puting “product qual ‘before profits is simply to

everywhere is a question that ‘does not seem to have ocurred to anyone in union head offices. This is an important point 10 ‘grasp about the situation at TV am and in the industry” in ‘general, At the moment itis the Dpotential threat of the changes that has made the unions deliver SNeven the “ieft"led ACTT After the barrage of media ties” about working practices, conditions and rates of pay ai TV-am, ACTT backed off mio a comer. After the TV-am sack

to de

ignore the reality of what is Rap.

ing here and now Union members should take = leaf out of Bruce Gyngel's

ings. it consulted its ITV Suipment without lengthy and Book Militant tactics are only

membership on what action to ‘MRIS rods tnfashionable hese days with (9 payment for hours not =

take. ewe the “new realist” trade union

‘Crucially, there was no XS lcaderships and those who are

bending 10 the logic of their

“Theabsence of any atiempeo Jead this stregele and campaign for solidarity action from other workers in the industry imply mounts to the union's leader

recommendation for any form Of action. {t was left up t0 the different shops and divisions to decide on what action would be

all the rage with the employers whe moment

While such 3 stance can never

appropriate

Not surprisingly, the rank ship hiding behind the doubts guarantee success for the union and file dig not spontancousiy and. uncertainties of the in advance of the strugele, Aecide to arty ovt nationally membership. Worse, it makes refusing to fight guarantees co-ordinated industrial action any. fight over the swseping defeat. ‘The call for nationally

she only form of action that changes across the Industry a= 8 co-ordinated industrial action is

‘would have been (and still is) whole chat much more difficult. already ong _ overdue Sppropriate. Most shops decid- " TV-am’s shareholders ace should be a central demand at fio levy members to support laughing all the way to the the ACIT's forthcoming an:

those sacked by TV-am, bank. The company turned in nual conference.

militant sacked

duce others to breach their con- was “worth i “because of the disciplinary ec feacts ef employment { will not Yn the face of this manage- tion being saken aguinst Driver

‘adopt a lenient approach and ment pressure Forey and the Forey the consequence is likely 10 be branch got_no support at all It is clear that the decision to ‘your dismissal." from ASLEF. la fact officals sack Forey was taken by BR

(9 sack John

in others wordsif they are in solved as branch officers in all

‘wenl around querying the legal {5 of the ballot in exactly the

top level and has si the decision of BT

ing any action they could be same way as management and _Deason aftr thesrike ist s2" sted: fren bung tack Before signing Whee u went to-a tibsnd BT Out for sacking. The additonal fair dismissal! :

Sarge against him was that he Unfortunatey is .

By a Briefing supporter eA milan ha ben on the railways ing ool bra

[ction fo be taken

ng to decide on

In fact he did this under in

steuction feom the branch as a The ballot resale was surpris ‘defence 0} officer. The disciptinars hearing ingly good in the cir other branch of Tasted over three hours, during — 124 for strike when the Tull weight 0 sahich all” management's against. That so many anion laws was.

ther

arguments were noe but of course he sacked

That evening (March the branch had a special mee

Although # motion fo ie strike “action was branches 10

maved, this. was a2 happening: Bar

favour of balloting the

ship with a recommendation for

in the March oubsing the horoughls che

ASLEE. a

yas HES Tatng

Maron BY Save, ‘education in London. Did NUT Conference listen to the Semonstrators?

Teachers Clause 28

Education is the major battlefield in the Clause 28 campaign

The Tory media has conducted a propaganda offensive of lies and disinfor-

it. “That's 2 lovely bok about feolings,”” the parent said alter

Conference was evil and silent during the debate. tt ‘was a dramatie contrast to the Jersey Conference of a few

mation to rake up pretexts Years ago. where lesbian and for this discriminatory and gay teachers were loudly, oppressive law. heckled

At its “enmual con. ovation and the to retinal ference, the | NUT Grecutlwe speakers who repudiated these lies and followed spoke sympathetic: affirmed its support for ly to.an amendment thot em both the _ employment phasiaed the civil Iberties im

plications of the Ciause,

By Roni Held ‘Convenor STA Women's

fights of lesbian and gay teachers; and the rights of lesbian and gay students to sex education program

mes, “which meet “their Caueus The conference took the op. "The new realsts OF the NUT portunity to these eadersnia. made. clear

sues and they were not prepared. to

Clause Neither ‘were they he recer DrAustn preparea to counteract Suscenced last ‘ont Stereotypes and. misconcep gerd 107 tions about lesoians and gays ‘ atter he refused to by the presuntation of positive Shs suple about his images of lesbian and gay sex ‘owoseuslity, nas Deen used ality and lifestyles. o verind any teacher that Nesther were they prepared

to back the main mation which ailed for the specific defence of lesbian and gay teachers at

they are in danger of losing herr jobif they “come out”

The strength of ény trade tacked under” allegation. of unon Tes i its member promotion” under the torms efusal 10 allow themselves to of the Bil

be divided, Lesbian and gay IM spite of the dafear of the teachers, ike any other group. motion which lasbian and gay

of workers facing harassment

teachers had put forward, we achieved an histone victory in Passing 8 resolution which Commits the unvon ta meinain 's support for any teacher vic ‘umisad on the grounds of thei Sexual orientation and will rot allow itself to be manipulated by those who seek politica vantage m whipping up hatred

discrmmnation, have 0 the ful support of their

Lene Milosevic from Leicestershire made the hn of Conference when deseribed the “everyday suppression of sexual and per Dal ertiey she fied

spin teacher against oppressed groups.

isie Buirows from “Vall heterosexual delegates Hackney. seconding ‘the les” leit conference having. naa bien and gay rights motions thelr consciousness raised argued that the Tories were Gamacically as a result of the

Seeking 10 make bigotry 3nd Prejudice legal through Clouse 26.

intervention of lesbian and gay comrades. Let's nope. they Toke ther new. found ww she hed Swareness back to schools i diesbian fer 10 take on the bigots ‘i here

The next issue of Brieting will publish a fuller analysis af NUT Conterenee

She explained h

countered antigay on judice ia he

Classroom. Wher

PHOTO! Martine Stead

Labour Briefing No. 60 April 13th-260h 1988 page 6

Labour Party

Does Malvern dilute the Labour message?

The West Midtands Regional Labour Party Conference in Malvern

and all sffiliated organisa. tions to campaign in op. position to Clause 28, The

Tax, and one day general strikes in support of the NHS were opposed by the

on March 19th/20th hit Regional Executive hed Regional Executive | and

anew low, even for the decided to oppose this shamefully defeated by the

West Midlands. amendment — in opposi- trade union block vote. ‘Attendance was down _ tion to Party policy! in the debate on

women's organisation it was pointed out to the male trade union delegates that there have been no women elected to the Regional Executive wade tunion section since 1943! they still voted three x0 one to defeat the resolu. tion calling for the four women’s places on the Regional Executive to be elected by the trade union women and constituency women at the Regional Women's Conference. West Midlands is the only Region in the country not to do this. Despite the efforts of

for the third year running,

Pater Snape, speaking on behalf of ‘the West Midlands MPs, referring to the possible Leadership challenge, argued Tony Benn “should put up or shut up"’. and that Benn should stand so he could See the lack of support in the Party for yesterday's

The right wing mangeuvred so much off the agenda there was little left to debate. The Alton Bill, North ‘of _ Ireland lincluding, _disgracefully the Birmingham Six), local

By Pauline Purnell

government, and public E e Services. all fell off the Birmingham Edgbaston the excellent woman chair agenda CLP the tone of the conference

was set on the first day. when of the 36 speakers only five were women, and ‘only two speakers were black. In fact only nine women’s _ organisations were represented at the

‘An amendment in one of the resolutions in the local government section called for the Regional Executive

West Midlands

Calls in resolutions and amendments for nor implementation of the Poll

Socialist oes i inca ore Conference 2 ee

Labour Briefing, and Sand-

groups in the West Midlands, | well Briefing, amongst

Including | Bi others, was packed. Bob

Briefing, Cryer from the Campaign

Group said he favoured.s

Leadership challenge.

‘Speakers form Land Rover

LWAC, FAB and the Birm:

ingham Six outlined their various struggles.

The attendance at this meeting shows there is 2 desire in the West Midlands to organise on

‘The journey from Chesterfield to the West Midlands may not be far in miles on the road, but in political ferms the two places often seem light years apart. Those of us wha travelled to ‘Chesterfield last October For the Socialist “Conference at least same back fecling some hope Was appearing on the horizon, and there was a way of trying to Shorten the “political journey” between the West Midlands and

‘The meeting decided to hold the Conference in Birmingham in September; and fixed the next planning meeting for May 10th, pm, at the Palfrey Community Cenvre, Milton Street, Walsall All comrades are welcome.

The lft in the West Midlands has traditionally been weak. Yet

ante iiage numer ef comrades | the left and challenge the irom the Went Midlands attend- | fight wing domination on

By John Wilton tdihe fist Socialist Confereoce | the Regional Executive. Birmingham Edgbaston!" Chesterfield last October. |The first step towards this ta IF'Sou want to atemp to | is a regional West ; build 8 united broad democratic | Midlands “Socialist. Con

left in the West Midlards come to the planning meetings. For further details. contact John Wilton, 25 Worlds End Avenue, Bicmingham 832 1JF, tet. O21 $22 1366,

ference planning meeting, ‘open to all comrades, to be held on May 10th at Spm at Palfrey Community Centre, Milton Street Walsall

“The First stage in this is arrange a West Midlands Socialist Conference. An open planning ‘meeting for this was held at the end of March, sponsored. by

Letter to Larry

From: Birmingham District Labour Party Black Sections To: Larry Whitty, General Secretary, The Labour Party

Dear Mr-Wnitty, :

Please tind enclosed a copy of @ letter sent by a constituted body within the Birmingham District Labour Party to Birmingham Labour Group officers. We should Boint out thatthe Birmingham Labour Group did not take any action against Cir

ray.

Why did not the Labour Party take action against Cllr Gray for a public outburst which offended a wide range of people in the Birmingham Labour Party and which Could be interpreted as bringing the Labour Party into disrepute?

Does the Labour Party, on the race issue, confine itself only to disciplining Black members, such as Sharon Atkin?

We should point out that Cilr Gray’s public denunciation of a Black colleague in religious celebration within one of the Black community groups came 23 days after Cllr Murphy, a Black councillor, had been sacked from the Race Relations and Equal Opportunities Committee, of which Clir Gray was, and stills, Chair, because he was considered, according to Clir Knawles, not to be “working for 8 proper race relations olicy.””

Recently, 14th April 1987, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party stated in the Birmingham Evening Mail, “in Birmingham, the Black and Asian British are part of the Labour Party. They are not open to exploitation by ambitious gamblers.”” This would be a commendable objective if it was not so easily disregarded by those entrenched in the Birmingham Labour Party power structure

If the Labour Party, as Neil Kinnock claims, prides itself on advancing the cause of Black People in Brita, then it must stop its discriminstory practices against Black people

Comradely tidings,

AR Barnett

Birmingham District Labour Party Black Sections

Hattersley’s unique contribution to the Labour Listens campaign...

Winning the women’s vote, eh?

As the women in Birmingham FAB discovered recently, the Labour Party's Deputy Leader is not content ‘simply to ignore Party policy on the issue of abortion — he positively relishes in rubbishing it in public!

Birmingham FAB decided to confront Hattersley at his surgery in Spatkbrook to ‘demand an explanation for his absence at the Second Reading of the Alton Bill in Paniament

é §

By Karina Holyoak ‘mingham FAB

Listening? Course I'm listening. Can't you see my mouth’s pen?’

Labour Party member: Bob Whitehead,

It’s official! s official! ae sgeoc sa = poo ed

No apology had been forthcoming: our Deputy: Leeder proclaimed instead that the situation existing before the 1967 Act was ‘much the preferable one 3s or as he could see! ‘Outraged, one woman ‘asked it he was aware thet Several hundred women used 0 sie annually from backstreet abortions in this country before the 67 Act

After making a couple of corrections, he did this, and this feemed ‘good enough for the NEC:

Essentially, the charge of IMG membership did not hold 1p, but, linked {0 this, has 0 be the revistance and solidarity shown by. Selly. Oak CLP ‘against the rights attempt to have him removed, aver a long period,

in the end, Selly Oak did in fact bow to the NEC and ex: chided Bol ‘under threat of disbandment, but by then the point had been made. It seemed fo have been worth too much rouble co continue excluding Bob without a watertight case, for what it as worth,

Following the victories against the attacks on Amir Khan, Kevin Sealy, and. Phil Murphy, this latest breakthrough must senda sirong signal 10 the hardline ight in Birmingham «co think twice before embarking on any

Whitehead — immediately into membership of the Party.

He is now free to take his place asa full member of Selly Oak CLP, Birming-

Labour Briefing supporter

‘And so ends a saga of witeh-hunting which stretches back two years for Selly ‘Oak, and for Bob a previous two years in addition, with Yardley CLP.

Prior to his acceptance, Bob was interviewed, along with Sel1 Oak officers, by a representative of the NEC. The central allegation against Bob was explained to the officers for the

ee ens imerinion |. very fs time “during. the more destructive altacks “on Boy, Mattatstoy tora Gispac, that “Of IMG Sodaliste in future, Its also a Rititwas notte concern, | membership message to all sections of the

Tete that-determined resistance to-all witch-hunting isthe only effective policy.

Following his "questioning, Bob was asked by leer (0 sign a summary of what he had said

because it was “up to 3 decide ‘on such issues’!

Birmingham Black Sections

From: Ethnic Minority Liaison Committee To: The Secretary of the Labour Group, all members of the Labour Group, Secretary of the District Labour Party

This Committe is outraged at the uncontrolled response by Councillor Gray to @ comment from the floor during the occasion of the celebration of the Prophet Mohammed's birthday at the Jami Mosque, Small Heath, on the 26th November.

Afier Clr Gray's speech, when he was asked to substantiate his claim, made in the speech, that he was a genuine anti-racist and to provide evidence of his credibility 0 be the Chair of the Race Relations and Equal Opportunities Committee, Councillor Gray took the opportunity to launch a virulent attack op Councillor Murphy, who was aot present. Cllr Gray stated that Cllr Murphy as, pursuing race lations policies according to his own interpretations and that Cllr Murphy's Interpretations were nor representative of what the community wanted. Cllr Gray said that Cr Murphy was a law unto himself, who would not listen to anyone else's point of view and who did not actin a democratic manner

This attack on an Afro-Caribbean councillor was made at a social gathering of about sixty 10 eighty people, which included members of the Afro-Caribbeen, Asian and White communities.

'We deplore che action of Cils Gray in denouncing an elecied representative from the Afro- (Caribbean community in a public meeting. 1 is increasing evidence of the disdain that Cllr Gray has for members of the Afro-Caribbean community, when as the Chief Guest at this occasion, he can attack one of its members in an audience consisting of representatives of different ethnically based ‘Sommuniry: groups.

‘Cllr Gray, as the Chair of the Race Relations and Equal Opportunities Committee, damages the image of the Labour Party. when he unleashes an attack on a member of the Afro-Caribbean ‘community in such an unbridled manner. Cllr Gray's action can only be interpreted as am attempt by hhim to create divisions in the Afro-Caribbean and Asian communities and is typical of the divisive (acties used to Separate community groups, in order to mainain white paternalistic leadership

The type of behaviour, exhibited by Clr Gray, is usually demonstrated by our party politcal opponents and reflected in the "sensationalist" media, We do not expect i from those who elaimy 0 have the interests of the Black communities at heart and who claim to understand the roots of racism

Sc, Jeast of all from someone who chairs the Race Relations and Equal Opportunities

We would expect the Chair of the Race Relations and Equal Opportunities Committee 10 reserve his venom for attacking racists in the City not in atlacking a known and committed anti-racist. Or, perhaps, Cllr Gray does not know the difference

{In our letter to you of the 29th September, we highlighted Cllr Gray's unsuitability for the post and this further action demonstrates yet another example of his unsuitability. We, therefore, call on the Labour Group to remove Clir Gray from the Chair of the Race Relations and Equal Opportunivies Committee before he does further harm to community relations

~ = Eeabou Briefing NO: 60 APC TSINC26N 1988 POBET:

Labour Party

The Real Great Moving Right Show

‘The move to the right in leading sections of the Party since 1981 bas now filtered through to many Constituency Parties.

In London, particulary in Brent and. THaringey, Kin: tock devotees ofthe Labour Co-ordinating Cammitice have worked with sections of | Sputed Ot by the subseauent the centre right to win Con- —[ eader. Unwilling to nge stituency positions. the Miners’ Strike while it was

{to a preoccupation with winni posilions — and acquiring @ Tengthy “curriculum vitae™!

Emérgence

The emergence of this right moving force escalated alter the 1983 election defeat and. was

“new realism" seen in pose the anti-ratecapping strug

Labour Councils to the gi this new right used their

ee ie realignment of the left debate 10 move sharply 10 the right.

By Richard Heffernan "The move was very clear,

Horney @ Wood Green ite the mystical teeters

to the defined CLP “democratic” and “par ticipating” left, as the LCC supported "Kinnock in whatever

Leading the movement are

‘malty activists who cut heir anti-socialit venture he decided feeth in the student movement to undertake, and who learnt methods of The majority of the LCC is

political organisation in NOLS. Forsuch people, student pokities Was about “power” without any responsibilty, which has led

now actually allied with tradi Sonal right and centre people ‘with dhe result that on any Political issue there is no

Southampton Organising for the campaign

We reprint a letter sent out by Southampton Labour Briefing to a wide audience in the area, in an attempt {o get the campaign off to a good start.

Contact SLB c/o Paul Wozny, Southampton 221150 — other Briefing groups, send out your own letters now!

Dear Comrade,

Tam writing to you about the most important development in the Labour Party since last. year’s General Election. 1 am sure that by now you are aware of the decision of Tony Benn and

Many good Socialists have been driven. into apathy, cynicism and despair. Some have given up on the Labour Party, others have given up ‘on politics altogether. There are also those who have remained active but have just Eric Heffer to challenge for given up hope. The leaderthe leadership of the Labour ship challenge gives us all a Party, with the backing of focus. We can and must the Campaign Group of reassert the Socialist alter MPs, This provides us, native. The recent Health Socialists in the Labour Par. Service crisis and the Ford ty, with our own challenge. dispute, have shown that the We are given both a great working class can and will opportunity and a great fight. The question is — can responsibility. Socialists in the labour

movement provide the leadership to win?

“The responsibility we face is to carry on this strugele at allocal level. There are many in the labour movement — ‘even in our area — who will respond to the challenge. Our local Briefing group ‘must take the initiative to organise the campaign locally. The right will rally round to defend Kinnock — we ‘must unite fo put forward the alternative.

Opportunity

Our opportunity is that this fight elves us the chance to put forward the Socialist ternative to Thatcher's ‘popular capitalism". After tee general election defeats, the Trade Union and Labour Party Leader Ship have ‘abandoned. any commitment to anything apProaching a Socialist perspective. Defeated and demoralised, they. are_accommodating | to Thatcherism — trying to put for ward Thatcherism ‘with a I have already taken the “human face” liberty of writing to Tony Unfortunately, the Lab- Benn, Eric Heffer and four left have aiso been in Jeremy Corbyn (Secretary of, disarray. Most of the leaders the, Campaign Group of of the old “Bennite left” MPs) offering our full sup. have long since given into Port and inviting them to the “*New Realism” of the Speak or provide speakers in Tight. They will rally around Southampton and possibly Kinnock inthis election, Neighbouring towns. I have ‘Those of us who have stood also made contact with peoOur ground. ‘have ‘been ple oulside our area who we ‘marginalised. —"in some might be able to work with. ‘cases through ridicule, in- In addition, I am sending fimilation and even “witch, this letter to a number of hunting”. The ‘‘New People (in Southampton) Realists” have failed to pro- Outside of our normal mai vide a coherent and effective ing lst Opposition to the Tories We have a great deal to ‘our leadership is the weakest discuss — more importantly, parliamentary opposition we have a great deal to plan Since the Second World and organise, We need your War ideas and commitment

Writing

Indeed, on many issues (par ticularly the question of P: democracy) some centre righ:

have seen every setback and every ‘electoral defeat as an

‘people are 10 the left of the oportunity to move further to tee. They are now thi Given the success of Kinnock for Kinnock’s plan

in shifting the Pariy apparatus to the right

that sections 0 followed — nor that it is 2 Sec thon which has ha

baptism inthe

Party

1978. Having been establist to oppose the principles wi

lunderpinned the. Wikoo 3m Callaghan governments, i has row squared the circie and rests

itselr upon

LCC politics in London off nothing in teatle for anything towards fulfling the polities hopes and aspirations of work- meaningless,

Fightback goes national!

Snow in April did not were represented. deter 80 delegates from Brighton and Birmingham attending the London were there to represent the Fights Back conference

‘on April Sth.

The meeting was called to discuss the situation local government now that budgets for “88/"89 have been set and the Local

tecomes

of Tory legislation as well as the cuts. A position of non-complisnce with Clause 28 was adopted. Action by workers up to and including all-out strike Fightback outside London. ction must be linked to it was clear from the action by users in the form Conference that’ the of occupations. rent fightback had grown over Strikes, etc. the last six months from "The presence of ac

Conference

eee ‘Bill has the action taken by users tivists from outside Lonbbecor and workers, and, in par- don showed the need to

ticular‘from the Marc work towards a national By Tom Loucas strike. organisation and it was Westminster Fightback However, it_was the decided te hold regular

oma mieoe oe ae SS ee

The — dozen Fightback _ campaigns, Councillors Against the Cuts, Labour Parties, local government and education Unions, and London Bridge

Deserted Island Discussions

The 41st annual meeting and the Youth Trade Union of the South West Region Rights Campaign collecting of the Labour Party was tin was snatched from a held at Coral Island. Young Socialist’s hand.

This is a privately owned In contrast, the well at complex of amusements, tended CLPD fringe meeting bars, and pools, located in proposed challenges 10 the

benefit, for safe energy, against’ electoral reform. and we agreed 10 leaflets, in formation packs, cam: Paigns... nothing surprising really and certainly nothing zal

The Young Socialists did

the holiday resort of Tor- _illiberal climate of | the quay — a network of Labour Party's increasing a voice in the end and we buyable sensory alisation and poner id hear the voice of one

gratification and com- black person who had to use merical images. the debate on women to get ‘That. the complex _is conto the agenda... And we privately owned was the = ——————=e=__ did pass a resolution calling Feason given for threatening By FRAN JENKIN for a Labour whip against

Structure which are stiflin

esse ee fo ae eS ae Aloe Sl param arcane police and for moving the ‘The fringe meeting ad- tion of “fascist” by one Briefing scilers beyond the dressed the issues of lesbian ‘elegate)..._ And 1 gather

pale..-the car park chains, and gay rishis, women, and ~veTyone had fun,

'No one without the per- economic strategy. Unlike mission of the Standing Conference, it saw the Weariness Orders Committee was o place all of these ‘alone’ sc ec ae Joatict single issues ina Af you gather a hint of

political material within the with awork- weariness in this summary compiles. lass analysis, and in an well... you'd be right. But i international context, as the would add that there were

reason for Labour's loxs in enough strong voices for

Informal the last election. socialism on Caral Island to

make intervention still wor: thwhile in this often for ten region of rural deprivation (which hits women par. fcularly hard) and right wing control.

The Conference itself

The YS could not have a discussed the issues, tightly room for an informal composited, to tight meeting. Fringe meetings schedule. Without much dissent, we agreed we were

against the poll tax, for child

could, nor be held without applied in w

Kinnock “watering down the policies” from Kissing Toads, 2 compilation of Cath Tate's photomontag fs, published ay Virago, £3.95 paperback

As we go to press, the National Union of Students (NUS) Conference is taking place in Blackpool. SIMON KEMP, Oxford East CLP, looks at the Issues up for discussion.

National. Executive: elections wil see battle between those who wish to fight and those who do not. But Con: {erence will also have a series of debates which ultimately ‘will determine whether or not there is a National. Union prepared to jon in the fightback,

in every debate prioritised for discussion the same argu. ment will emeige: does NUS wish to fight or not? Over Clause 28, for example, there will be attempts to. overlook the question of non. implementation.

“The key objective of the pre sent’ "Democratic Left” (Clause WVi/Communist Party leadership is to force policies fon the union which confine themselves. to letter writing and lobbying and which roject Girect action at all costs.

‘These issues will come to 8 head in the debate on the future of NUS. self. Con ference” Document Five outlines the way in which the present leadership wishos to See the union change

Entiied "The next Five Years” (a name which has been used before!) it enshrines the very attitudes which have plunged NUS into its present Ensis. it continues. the

‘dented shield policy” of hanging on and waiting for Kinnock to be elected. Indeed, the simetable ‘coincides with the likely date of the next General Election!

Amongst the suggestions are 3 change in election pro Sedures 10 give greater autonomy to. the. liberation eampaignes: an idea to fund the tea Organisations centrally fand to reduce the size of the National Executive from 21 to 12 — although all would be falttime:

Such ideas are not unwelcome, but there are two Key drawbacks.

Al the proposals are prefaced by @ clause stating ‘that any changes have to beat in mind @ "declining finencial base”. In other words, you can only make changes. if "we" can afford it — which is ‘bound to constrain any useful and piogressive moves.

‘@Not only are studants and education Under attack, but NUS is f00, fs only answer is to bow to the Tavis, run away land hide and pray for the elec tion of @ Labour government, Conference Document. Five, fas submitted to Conference, Offers nothing more. than a Eapitulation to the forces pit ted against the student

Labour Briefing No. 60 April 13th 26th 1988 page &

Feature: Labour Leadership election

Not a distraction,

A focus for socialis

but a campaign

for socialism!

Labour Briefing has been amongst the most enthusiastic in advocating a Campaign Group challenge to the New Realist leadership of Neil Kinnock and - Roy Hattersley.

‘And aturally we were delighted “when the Campaign Group selected Tony Benn and Eric Heffer to stand.

‘Others in the movement are far from delighted at having their records scrutinised in the middle of the delicate process of shit ting the Party to the right through the mechanism of

By Bryn Griffiths Hackney South CLP

Tras the action of the Man: nurses, not the

forced the NHS up the political agenda. The response of the New Realists was to turn their backs on the healthworkers 0) ejecting the Campaign Grou} NEC resolution that supported “The Key to-an effective cam wwill be the alliances ith those in struggle. The ‘day meeting organised Socialist" Conference andthe Solid Network at which Tony Bean joined. stiking- trade u fn the platform showed

In the unions the campaign provides us with an opportunity {fight for the democratisation fof the Block Vote. Unioa leaders that have rushed 10 the press to announce their support for Kinaock and Hattersley must be reminded that they are ‘ot the union

“The New Realsts in both the trade unions and the Party oppose not only the Beni-Heffer Eandidature

oralisation and apathy of the members, so. the develop: ment of 3 visible

ite cry of “There is m0: This campaign. more

Labour Listens and the forward Bene gigs policy review. {nour Tocal Labour Par portunity to provide a. public

“The fact that the Campaign we should use the Benn-Heffer alternative | to Thatcherism Group has decided to stand will Ucket as a focus for 1. itself, something, the Kinnock: Open up the debate about policy ment. Campaisn me Haticaley leadership have

inevery Labour Party and trade Union branch

‘Key to the election will be the record of New Realism, Roy Hattersley has quickly entered the fray arguing "One distraction is this nonsense thac we can beat Thatcher now instead of waiting for polling day.”

‘Our approach is quite di ferent, “Support for. workers’ strugzies today is the key to ectoral success.

Showid reach out beyord t isting activists to.all those that ‘vant to Tight the Tories.

Local Benn-Heffer cam paigns should draw up plans to Convince those invalved in FAB, Clause 28 and NHS cam. ppaigns that thir natural allies fre their local Labour Parties.

‘The trade union leaders, with 1 small number of honourable exceptions, will be amongst our most vociferous _ opponents.

early failed to do.

‘While the opponents of Bean and Heffer will denounce the ‘contested election as a distrac the ‘debate around the policy

wiew and to show there is an alternative — a popular, ‘workable. alternative, ‘for the First time from the Labour Par ty aot put on display. at the General Election — to the That cher regime.

At last a campaign against the Tories!

All socialists both inside and outside the Labour Party will be heartened hy the decision of Tony Benn and Eric Heffer to stand against Kinnock and Hattersley this year.

‘expected 10 appeal 10 20 undif Terentiated mass of electors by referring the “national in feress", “realism”, and pragmatism

By Richard Heffernan Haringey Labour

alternative based upon class politics. The campaizn will kave {fo go into the community and mo the rank and file of the labour movement

Teannot be with win: ning the Constituency Manage ment Committers, aor the sUp-

‘Why are sou and Eric Heffer standing for Leader and Deputy Leader?

We were nominated by the Campaign Group. There were Yarious discussions and we con Salted the movement for about {wo months. A large sumber of ‘people wrote in,

There was a problem of the timetable. If you left it t00 late ie would be hard to get it round the trade union conferences. If you did it before you consulted A would not be eight.

Te wasn't present at_ the meeting of the Campaign Group which voted to nominate us so

Why Eric and | are standing

How is the campaign going 10 be organised? Tim hoping this will be done by

wolving as many members of the Campaign Group as possible {nthe various jobs that need 10 bbe done, inthe regions, the trade unions, the constituencies, te. $0 it will be collective in Character

It won't be just a personal campaign by the candidates. I Should be. collectively run, organised, and. directed, and Stterwards it wll still goon though in what form it’s much too early 10 say

To be candid; one of the reas the Chesterfield Conference: talled was because the dis Sions held befare the Gen Election led people 10 bei you couldn't actually challe forthe leadership. durine election campaign, for tact reasons, and that therefor was better 10 set up an inde ‘dent socialist movement,

And oul of the success of sowed the impetus 10 carry into the Labour Party in d way, as part of a lone-t campaign

But it won't be at all ike 1 for a whole range of reasons

The necessity of such 2 Briefing port of trade union exezutines, } “Tiel you much about But Will you be trying to involve one of which that after" challenge has heen repeated homever tal may be. Ne ate | Grid dete, by a substantial other” onganisatiom such as were moving n'oa general Heer es a ree saquere calc frail incl ry members and | Safty, to bokd the election: women's aod Wieck onganier thon poe, Sistas Tom

‘The Leadership contest provides an opportunity for the left to advance the case Tor the socialist alternative to capitalism and to set it against the accommoda tionist and wholly. ineffec tive social democratic agenda of the existing Leadership,

The Economist, of all publications, pat the coming flection in perspective when it Geseribed. it as essentially choice between a socialist Labour Party and a non. socialist Labour Party.

ror this reason, the Leader: ship challenge must involve not only Benn and Heffer It must become the campaign of everybody who wants a genuine Socialist alternative to the pee-

“The campaign against the Kinnock Leadership will become in effect a. campaign against the Conservative government, because it is the Only. campaign against aptatigm. It will show that theres an alternative tothe vain fliempr to. win Conservative oters by eschewing all socialist

"The record of the present Leadership. since 1983 inspires finde confidence ia anyone Both its basic incompetence and ite ideology are in doubt across Wide sectors of the labour movement

Kinnock and Hattersley will abandon any principle inthe erfoneous belief that elections can bony be won with the support of the ruling class tn this defeatist perspective the Labour Pariy is

social democrats, Kinnock bas proved singularly unable 10 in Dffice and bas been soundly re jected at the polls. As: Leader fhe has failed. every test pul before him. He has proved totaly incapable of challenging the Tories on every issue from Westland 10 the NHS, 2 fact recognised by all shades of Par {y opinion across the political spectrum.

Repeatedly in the House o Commons, the only place were the Leadership is 10 be found, the Conservatives have simply Dbrushed aside the usually inef fective, often feeble, sometimes negligible protests of the Labour Front bench. Never mind asserting socialism, they have failed even to oppose the

“This record of political failure and incompetence will be called to account by the Benn/Heffer campaign

“The limitations ofthe present Leadership are, of course, most graphically | lustrated” by Eabour’s “brilliant election defeat” in June

Despite the slick presidentiat syle advertising campaign, the Parry failed even to reduce the Tory, majority significantly. In the face of such 3 defeat the Labour Leadership now argues foe a further move to the right jm another doomed attempt t ‘out-Thatcher Thatcher.

The current Ieadership challenge is necessary if we are fo reverse this course.

“The Leadership camapgin will enable us to force the laks bet. ween struggles. Its success will Feajuire approaches both inside ‘and outside the Labour Party ‘Onur aim is 10 mobilise support Sp und down the country Tor an

trade unionists.

‘A campaign within the ta unions focussed on the ‘workplace will prove the key (0 the lett success. For example Kinnock has yet to appear on a healthworkets” picket line, or even on RCN demonstrations, pretending instead to. “supon™ the NHS by asking the Chancellor of the Excheguor Nery micely, for some exra

left can only gain by link ing up with NUPE and COHSE tworkers. ‘The message is: back Bean and Heffer to suppoct the NS.

Tony Benn himself has argued that the aim of the Leadership campaign is not just to assert the access’ of Socialism but to assist in the development of optimism by ex posing the pessimism which ‘paralyses the will and creates the solid pedasal of compliance which the establishment noeds to preserve i poser

The Leadership challenge is not “sefindulgent™. It is fecessary not only ifthe Labour Pany isto win an election but it itis to bea serious political par ty with socialist principles and practices

Tt musi not bea “supporters lub” of an entrenched Leader Ship who merely exist 10 seek tection Under the direction of a market researcher, seeking the {trappings of high office without the intention of bolding real power. That is the real “self Indulgence” and itmust_be defeated

The Leadership campaign. regardless of its outcome, sel Shallenge this kind of politics land in so doing open the way for reat socialist advance

Ene and I were nominated and wwe accepted:

‘Our decision was motivated by three main concerns, One ‘was to give much stronger support to people in struggle Out Side Parliament. The second as to advance radical and fealistic programmes 10 deal with people's immediate needs. And ‘the third was (0. put ‘Socialism back on the agenda

it's going to be seen as along term campaign, not just confinfed to two candidates in 1988. A Tong-erm campaign for socialism within the labour movement. And of course. it Tinks in with the other movements towards. socialism, the green. and socialist conference, the nor-alignment conference, the Chesterfield Conference ise.

To sum up, it’s about the recovery of the socialist tradi tions within Britain which the Circumstances of the times tnakes absolutely necessary

What are the main policy areas ‘which you will be raising in the campaign? The two basic Cocuments of the campaign are the aims and obJectives of the Campaign Group, which have already been before the National Executive, and an Agenda for Labour ‘hich is a paper examining all the areas of policy, including in fernational relations, defence, democratisation of the state and Ireland

“The policy work that the Chesterfield Conference is doing also. provides a. powerful source of ideas which we hope wml be discussed “very” widely

Throughout the movement

fons, ete? Absolutely. One of the things that makes the Campaign Groupa different from the Tabune Group is that_ we've always. seen our function as above. all linking the struggle utside with our work inside Parliament. Labour Left Liaison, Black Sections, WAC, CLPD, ace part of the Campaign Group. The purpose is to make it very broad, The Cam: paign Group has endorsed the fim of WAC and Black Sec tions and rights for lesbians and gays, and fs linked to other i: Mates including the green and socialist conference and. the

e low-key than the last one. But most people om the left_are lated by sour decision 10 stand. ‘They feel the time is right 10 make ® strong. unapologetic challenge to the leadership over whole range of issues. Perhaps low-key was the wrong phrase, There isa feeling, which Pishare, that we don’t want this to be inward-looking and focus 4 only on the Party

What we're trying to do Is to address a5 socialists the central problems facing people and use the campaign 10 zet across our ideas to the generality of Labour voters and. potential supporters, and not allow it to become like an American primary

When the campaign is over in October, the momentum and the coalitions built up mustn't be dispersed. As with the Chesterfield Conference, we feed. something. on-going. aod Tong-lasting.

‘And think. (his. eamp will 20 0n. The work must Stops What form i takes change.

‘The one continuity. we forward to is Chesterfield G ferences, which will undoube ly appest to people outside Party and help to build up support for socialism inside Party and the trade unions elsewhere

How do you see the Chester

movement developing. in future?

T'think it will continue af grow. There's no doubt th ‘whatever view people may about the Leadership elec

the Chesterfield movement. give ita continuity that wil way beyond the June ference and 1 presume ful ‘conferences.

‘Whether there's ano Leadership election wil hay be decided, but this thing is the move’ now and 1” dg believe it will be checked.

‘Also remember in 1989 the policy reviews come to. fend in the Labour Party Tore in a way. 1989 will be fven mare critical year.

Tf, as many people fear, the time the policy review the listening is over we're ad fd to adopt policies that h ‘more i common with the than with socialism thea I you'll find there’ will. bel fenewal of activity, in Labour Party as well as thro Chesterfield, and maybe for T know the’ acceptance of principle of an annual lead hip eletion

Labour Briefing No. 60 April 13th 26th 1988 page 9

Labour Leadership Election

ae oe

‘As an old Chartst 1 always believe in annual elections.

'So ¥ou can’t anticipate it but the one thing that js absolutely ‘lear is that sewon’t end on the hight of the electoral college ‘when the results are arinownced, whichever way they x0. T per sonally think that the forecasts in the press are wildly wrong fand don’t correspond with my ‘own experiences at al

Will Chesterfield develop more into a movement? I's beginning {0 take root in some areas, with ‘Women for Socialism and links with trade union Forces, et. But ‘rill 1 develop into a rooted movement’ with democratic Structures, e107

[always imagined to begin with

‘would be very well placed if it ‘Was like CND, That is 10 say END is movement outside the Labour Party for nuclear dsar mament and.” (ve always thought what we needed in Br tain isa movement for socialism that could begin to influence a ange of organisations, in ‘luding the Labour Party and ‘even other political parties.

TE is necessary to say that it isn’t the intention (0 set up 2 ‘ew political Party with fs own electoral machinery. I've always thought “that would. be a ‘mistake. This isa movement for socialism which clearly will have {1 profound gffect because itis fan independent initiative and oesn’t therefore stand oF fall ‘on what happens at Labour Par ty Conferences.

Are you going to be setting up ‘specific. ‘campaigns in each tinion? T'think you'll find that the Broad Lefts of the unions are interested in and anxious to promote not only the leadership ontest Dut also the. idea of Socialism having a life of its ‘own, How they interrelate — hhow the contest is Tnked to the broader questions —is a matter we can’t anticipate

‘Somebody said the same people keep doing the same work tinder different headings. You find the same people go on Nicaragua demonstrations, anti-apartheid, CND, against Mitimisation “of lesbians. and 2ays, for miners, printers, teachers. What we're doing is giving a focus to alot of people ‘who are socialists but feel they hhave not been adequately represented in the ssional or foral arena

As Tony Benn himself makes clear in this issue of Briefing, the purpose of this year's challenge to Kinnock and Hattersley is far more ambitious than Just tallying up a decent total at October's electoral college.

This is nothing more nor less than a campaign for socialist ideas. As such, it’s target is as much Margaret ‘Thatcher as Neil Kinnock.

Indeed, one of the Keynotes’ of the campaign must be that only the bold, uunashamed socialist appeal associated with Benn and Heffer can knock the Tories from their perch and reverse the rapidly accelerating rightward course of British politics.

If this wide-ranging, longlasting campaign is to

By MARK SEATON

prosper, it must be built from. ‘the ground up. Backdoor stitch-ups, whether at union conferences, or GC meetings, are irrelevant. We must ‘work to fashion a vital, grass roots campaign that can inspire rank and file Party

members and trade Local Benn-Heffer

should be set up wherever possible. They should be Romsectarian, democratic. non-exclusive

Through press releases leaflets, meetings, social events, etc., they should aim to rouse popular enthusiasm and heighten political consciousness, They should draw their strength fron Jocal and national struggles

Party member

The kind of leadership campaign we want

— those many critical strug- should be given free rein to _Cross-union and regional

the NHS and agitate for Benn and Heffer campaigning groups can also

Authority cuts to in their own communities. _be set up, for example, why

Clause 28, FAB, and im- This isnotime for passivi- not “London

migration laws, which Kin- ty, for businessas usual. The — Healthworkers for Benn and

k and Hattersley have aim should not be merely to Heffer"”, “Carworkers for

wwin your ward o section or Benn and Heffer"", “British

Local committees should YS branch for Benn and Rail" or “London Regional

not feel obliged (0 restrict Heffer, but to use the vote as Transport Workers" or

their audience to Labour an opportunity to speak with ‘Teachers for Benn and They should as many members as possi- Heffer’"?

‘and every one ble — and to recruit The long-term spin-offs of

aged by Tory crimes and ones. this kind of activity are ob:

AEU, UCW, vious. The campaign is an 4B are opportunity 10 bring the

Kinnockite "Already thi NUPE and the C

erfieldcon- planning membership arguments for socialism

ive provided ballots of one kind or and for socialist leadership

the impetus for the Ieader- another. Again, there is an — fo new constituencies) It

ship challenge. Now we can opportunity for left activists is an opportunity 1 forge

be excitement Of that to broaden their base and political finks between the

into the jethen their organisa- diverse, often highly sec

Chesterfield movement. tion. Benn-Heffer cam- tional, strugeles which have

Everyone will gain from this paigns need to be set up in preoccupied many activists

inter each affiliated union, with — im recent years.

‘Self-organised groups of workplace organising’ com. Tt is an opportunity for Black people, women, les- mittees determined to bring the left to moblise,

bians and gay men, people the arguments to the point and organise on a new scale, with disabilities, and others of production. Let's not blow it,

The failures of the Leadership of the “political’’ wing of the labour movement to fight the government and bosses are mirrored by the failure of the trade union \ders to conduct @

‘are shored up and

ncouraged in their Policy Review" by the “New Realists’’ in the Unions.

The fight to replace one is inevitably a struggle against the other, so an active campaign to support Benn and Heffer can strengthen the left in the unions.

‘Just af the trade unions leaderships have refused to campaign amongst their members in support of the NHS or against Alton's Bil 0 Kinnock never supported the Miners’ Strike, and rarely feven comments on other Strikes: the most anyone has wrung out of him being his

‘understanding’ for striking

“Those like the seafarers battling against the courts as well as their employers are

Trade Unionists and

By Pete Firmin NUR

Tot given an ounce of Support from a leadership which refused to commit itself to repealing the Tories’ tnti-union faws in the General Election campaign

“John Prescatt is of course the ideal bureaucrats candidate. Claiming that he has no poiitical itferences twith Kinnock and Hattersley, his campaign is supposed to be only about the “role” of the Deputy Leader, and he Seclares himeall willing 10 ‘work alongside Kinnock

He appeals to those wi muted criticism who don Wwant to rack the boat by challenging Kinnock directly fand who don’t want to open ‘the Pandora's box of policy ‘discussion too widely to the membership.

‘Of course itis obvious to ‘anyone that Kinnock and Mattersiey both see the role of the Leadership in purely, parliamentary terms, and that poktically itis Kinnock who fas suceseded in shifting poly to the right and away from the unions, with Hattersley merely tagging aieng

“The growth of now realism in the unions and the support of the bureaucracy for

Kinnock means that a concerted campaign amongst the membership for Senn and Hetfer t= essential not only to ‘achieve the maximum political impact but also it ‘any unions are to vote for them in October.

‘This makes the lateness of the decision to stand 3 DG problem in the trade unions, Ideally every branch would discuss the issue before 3 full Sebate and decision at

ronference. Iti already too late for resolutions to meny Conferences.

Unlike in 1981 there is probably not a single union Executive which can be relied ‘Upon to give support to Benn fond Hetfer, of even ensure proper discussion of i Indeed, General Secretaries are steady Ting up tote wil vote.

If the bureaucrats have their way discussion will tither be restricted to the executives, or, alternatively some may 90 for a ballot of the membership with mo ropaganda of the media,

None of this means we can't make a big impact in the unions with the campaign and mobilise grass roots. Support for Benn and Heffer bat t does mean we have 10 move quickly.

badges offer!

the campaign

‘To get the Leadership campaign off to a quick start, Briefing is rushing out a set of Bumper Badges — see the artists” impression on the left! % YOU make money for your campaign or your Briefing group on bulk orders. The more you order, the lower the unit price to you. Recommended retail price 35p. + YOU get Bumper Badges for your money. Not only do you get a massive one-and-e-half-inch badge; this professional design comes in three colours. YOU can order your bades now by: @ Sending your name, address and order to B. Griffiths, 11 Fremont! St, London E9 @ including a cheque or postal order made payable to Labour Briefing (no orders will be accepted without full payment with order: stamps will be accepted for orders of a single badygel.

i's that easy! Price List (all prices include post and packing)

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200+ badges £40.00 20p each

Benn and Heffer: that’s the ticket!

Labour Briefing No. 80 April 13h. 26ih T988-page 10

Features

Twenty years of the 1967 Abortion Act: Reasons to celebrate

fare born to couples having 2 helped to” _revclutionise Stable relationship, signified by attitudes.

April 27th sees the twentieth anniversary of the im-

plementation of the 1967 Abortion Act. There are both parents’ names (with the Research shows that cultural many reasons to celebrate the Act, and to defend our same address) appearing on the attitudes towards abortion are gains, even whilst we recognise that the Act does mot "W.Ta" haz more options terdcievaning hom women fel go far enough and that we must —as we have since roday. They no longer feel fore. about theit abortions — more

ee mpaign for wi |, ed to marry, although of course important_than the treatment 1975 — continue to campaign for the law we want, ido: they do Rot fel they they receive at the Hime, for

for the choice to be truly women’s and women’s fa’ she wh alone. In a speech given to a meeting organised by although of co Birmingham FAB, Leonora Lloyd (NAC) looks at "6 they nest no longer feel Wy in more our reasons to celebrate. seedlock” baby — and, hope control

Saving Lives and Health toriowsy unsable, By, few dot By 198 Before the 1967 Abortion Aci foUne woman Ping

aby away, instance. se many do:

053,090 resident and

585,100° non-resident - women

Ren oes and 1972, ne Changing attitudes to MSS SO ta, how many were unable 0 ce

death rate from all abortion fell single-parenthood MS coterie aborion, ce choles Some women undoubtedly

See fly ceric soe 30 ose. the baby alte No longer a shameful fad’ had abortions in England i oes ward fron tical” secret ted Wales safely and legally i z

sep abortions [itose between continuing ihe cumstances onder which dhey fe uncertain about — many pega) ersten Te ceed ate ; result of abortion compares decides on the first and does not The failure of anti-choice & into not having an abortion. wiih 31. deaths gested 10. any she hv Turher chote propaganda nscen by thesow, | St. many thowands of a Peli Ste mary a 8 er SOE PlUPaeaaye sci tee member women over the last 20 years Terclt procession against Alton Sigpron one (Me SHSY or TN ate of aboron. Am am ve been able co take, more 1 70s, the cient she eamess of chek: control of their lives and have " a sion eben neers women seen eed te Suns ameamerebegiet kel a choke Get tetire wax protlion Slants Herc eoceaog as et pressurised (o marry Feduce the number of babies about whea family planning denied them, or coald only have internationally ‘ternational movement. The number of “‘shot-gun" or waiting to be adopted. facilities are being drastically ‘deen taken st great risk. “AS we celebrate 20 years of Retveoak! attags Vowehr. “ine "mumber” of cot, uneaploymee & grow Sic 1% tercoumsiesnve ea sb hn Beg eras at Seca thie, pence sel move prope wre Some : ig teed eer neers wee mire aine ace oe Motherhood is a positive Shviher'as'a ces of presuré faced ony withthe choise of

fallen dramatically babies available fell, whilst the homeless; ut at least women do

‘@Bewseen 1969 and 1973, the numbers of Roman Catholic, not feel cowed by the anti- choice fon theit health service from il- travelling for abortion, illegal annual rate of legitimate births non-white and. handicapped abortionists into accepting their Attitudes towards family plann- egal abortions (as in Turkey), abortion — and perhaps death, fo women under 25 fell by children unable to find adoptive fate. Theissuels openly discuss: ing have changed. Women ex because of pronouncements by ~ illness or imprisonment — ot 5.875 parents increase. ed in many schools. pattopianifandwhentohave the Courts (as in the United enforced, unwilling mother ‘@ 1 1970, 49% of presnancies "Women no longer feel com- The pro-choice groups can children. States) or asa result of mass hood.

invunmarried teenagers ended in pelleg to continue a pregnancy take much of the credit for this. New methods of contracep- movements of women forcing _ Whilst we continue to fight marriage, and 21% in abor. —onlyinordertogive cir babies NAC. in. partiolar, with 2 tion comtinue to be developed, changes in the law (as in for the lay we want, Je us not tions, By 1980, only 23% ended away. Single parenthood is seen perspective of mass action from even if not always satisfactory! Holland), forget that part of that fight

in marriage, and 44% in as.a positive choice. heart, taking the debate into Vasectomy and sterilisation are We can congratulate must be 10 continue to support abortion Figures for. “illegitimacy” thelabour movement, and being much more common. Women ourselves on being ane of the our sisters all over the world, in

This trend seems to be conti: aver rocketed in recent years: steaightforward and matter-of- need no longer view themselves first countries to initiate # mass their struggles 10 take control uing, Youthful marriages are but'a majority of such Babies fact. about the subject, hac as baby-producing machines, movement campaigning for over their lives.

Speculum: A Midwife’s Musings Football Focus

Intimate knowledge of Yuppie Roy Hattersley Valley

Sisters, 1 have been suger for tobe revived. daesse, and history of Hood should be avaiable to ail | Like | many other You only haveio look shost isusted. jabies have been born “cut. clots in the deep vers. women. young and not-so- | Chariton supporters, I distance up the road to see exDer Women's Offer, sh? te col-solt ant! too Women who amoke, who are Young. and Unik tna more | was delighted to hear of scsi trey Docks and on yest a ‘contraceptive. older t ‘or who are people should ‘be educated the sie of Doss, when asked to write a anyway, seriously overweight should Shout the dangers of the Pil | the move from Selhurst If thisis the ease, what are the feport on the recent And, of course, the use of not realy take. the Pil, and the sdvantages of barner | Park. chances of such developments women’s TUC conference, the cail is strongly associated because of the risks of heart methods emphasised. Con | A recent visit to London being named after great players fed to model it'on my with pelvic inflammatory disease and blood pressure doms should be promoted | had included a pilgrimage to who once graced the vast ex- ‘not intellectual,”” _cisease, s0 that the fafopien problems, more, especialy since AIDS is | the Valley, and. seeing the anses of the Valley? Along Styles pet intellectual. | fubes can become blocked, "'Skevetfects include: severe with us now ground in its current state Sit) Sam Bartram Close and she said. “whut anecilotsl thus preventing conception nausea, migraine, loss of" NB: you retaking the Pl, | Se most aepressn alient Heights (did notice fe then the woman chooses Hoda. hah weigh goin, you dot ave. have = they dl egy ah ely tty to have a baby. mood changes. and suppres: "breaks" from it every couple the archvects don't know our So you wantintellect, 2s Bare KEWLEY Sion. of lactation reest- of years. Nor do you need to | BY Graham Speller history?) we could have Johnny well as healing hands? The By : feeding). Therefore women stop taking the Pil fora week | Birmingham Summers “Was, Killer Close, Sauce of it! To get my own SRN, SCM who are breastfeeding should in order to have 8 withdrawal | —~=—w=emmmeee Peacock Avenue, John Hewie back, I'm following up our be prescribed the “minipil”, bleed. Voucan safely continue | As with other great event, Syeet, Eddie Fitmani Way Women's Officers own When a women who has @ which doesn’t contain any taking the Pil indefiitely with | fans will no doubt recall the t's also possible to speculate er toe Sie cue “ot collin becomes pregnant, the Oestrogen pe gaps, so that you don't | exact moment when they oa the name ofthe road leading Speculum: intimate _ineidence of extopec pregnan. have 9 period at a heard of the move. It’s a bit into the estate, Perhaps ic would ao intimate cy is significantly higher Marketed Z like Knowing where youwere De called Wembley: Way — 2 nowledge of ROY. where the baby develops in Conceive * ners YOu were ong, hard road Tul of imtcret Hattersley. the tube, or elsewhere nthe When the Pil was first when you heard that Presi. (in reality ics more likely to be Sbdominat cavtyl This fre. marketed, the. dose of Also, youcome off the Pal_| dent Kennedy had been shot fairy short and lead 10 a dead Promise quently neds to uoture ofthe oestrogen contained was inorder to concewe, wait | (is my age showting?). eat Tioe, thus making tre wamen considerably higher than the tree month before youtry to. | Ihave toadmit I wasawaken- “In a recent imerview Michael No, hadg itl il sick tomy Sub-iertile dose employed now. which get pregnant (use the sheath | edinthenight by aricnd whois, Norris (Vice Chair of CAFC) promise and\go op sbout the "Women in she Third World secaunted for the serious side or cap 7 between!. This is | a-Chelea supporter, and who stated that as negotiations were pil, As you are by now well are being fried with IUCDs effects frst described. Because "the incidence of | couldn't wal ill the moraing. very sensitive they had 10 be Beare Nie eure ttle te wahoat Sxpanation, and no |. personally. wouldn't Spontaneous abortion tmiscar- | However it's worth noting held in secret. The announce Sieueck me hors mw tan of Tolow-up. f= done, so. the swallow one to save my life! | fagelis considerably higher in| that behind all the exultation “ment of the’ intended move Graushts sol might bung Roy women have the deviees left just feel that it must be wrong women who conceive as soon | there is no. commitment to changes all that. What is not Hattersley in somewhere Inforever. There tno doubt 0 tamper with nature, and | 3g they stop taking tho Pil_| return tothe Valley, but only ‘© known af this sage i what the You may remember that | that some women have died don't want lots of nasty hor- {proves st isn't too good for | somewhere in Greenwich. It final result of the move willbe mentioned’ in my lest artice because they were unable to mones circulating round my you, eh?) Therefore posible t0 speculate To further the answers to this Teeine\ca ities tiny conaut’ 9 doctor or nurse body uninvited. R'mey be tho "Aisa, if you are taking the | on the Valley being sacnficed in question an Open Conference reese eanetmetiodsot Soest ‘prolonged ” heavy safest contraceptive available mini-pil, you must take f at | order to bulld houses at great could be. held) where all in Contraception, and. ead Dieeding lin terms of preventing Gnactly the some ime each | profit, while the Club moves 10 terested parties vere invited to ‘gainst the Pil and the [UCO Sregnancy) but His un day. Even two fours —aif- | somewhere ike the gasworks, put forward suggestions, listen ier ‘Scandal Soubtedy, "the most ference ‘can render t'ineffec- | After all, Chariton’ British to ideas and exchange views. In Songerous. too. tive for thot particular cyelo. | Rail station is only 20 minutes this way, the future of the Ciub Painful Finally, most of you wit Here twill stick my neck out Vomiting’ and diarrhoea, by | from London Bridge and ideally could be determined by all those

have. heard of the’ Dahon and enrage many of you, by eliminating the Pil from your | situated for the get rich quick who sharean interest init, the The coil canbe painful when Shield seandal, where women saying that !don't believe the system before it can be ab- | City slckers Club felt unable to take up that

inserted, even more painful are sueing the manufacturers Pll should be readily available sorbed, also render it ineffec- | Such a development would challenge, then perhaps others (then temoved, end cencause af a partcular ‘coi, because to Young women, particularly tive during the cycle, 20 use | also be in line with the govern- would.

Mrensttual chaos, It is algo some of them have been those under twenty. I'm not something else. ment’s “revitalisation” of the Attest of the Club's resohe 10 Gssocisted with’ dysmenor: rendered stenle as a result of taking a Victoria Gilick moral" Now the bit you've all been | inner cities. In reality we know rebuild for the futute will be the fhoea severe poriod painl and ts use. standpoint on this issue — 1 waiting. for intimate | this means destroving an impor- way developments are handled heavy bleeding. Back to the Pill, The Pil just think it's bad for women’s knowledge of Roy Hattersley! | tant feature of the local com- over the next few months. Con-

‘Sceasonally, the devico works by inhibiting ovulation, odes 0 have unnatural hor Well, I'm sorry to disappoint | munity, move it some distance Sultaion and partnership would perforates the uterus and:the Absolute contra-indications to" mones floating around. You, but Im affaid 1don'thave | away and replace it with hous- help the community g0 forward apless woman has to ts use are: raised blood | do believe. that ny’ intimate knowledge of | ing too expensive for anyone in and create 4 team capable of Undergo major” abdaminal pressure, "malignant bver availble contrac Roy Hottersiey. Thank god, | the community to buy Scaling the sreates heights

Labour Briefing No, 60 April 13th-260h 1988 page 11

Features: Fighting Racism & Fascism

Jackson at the | Searchlight crossroads under

ced with the Democratic nomina-

tion, both major parties would

‘conspire to derail his election. "The real value of his camn-

cS paign in the primaries has been fo elevate "Key progressive Policies, which the Democrat ied to bary in

Jesse Jackson’s massive victory the Michigan caucus late last_month raised the possibility of the Country Preacher winning the Democratic Presidential nomination.

Jackson campaign manager Gerald Austin and Rainbow Coalition leader Ron Daniels have argued repeatedly that Jesse has a tnathematical possibility of ‘winning.

Bur the pital poner and. corporate interests which have decisive —inMluence in. the Democratic Party will not allow a. progressive ‘or Black. presidenfal nominee, regardless of Jeckoon bas 9m oppo the “popular votes he j cunty to alte the. courte receives poll and social history fe

ies rs have ceacd «A personal view of Ss tiencesiy 1 uid

‘cpredeemaes scree (affairs im the USA. sumiesncDemowranc Pan)

‘clfort to be 2 Homan

"The Rainbow challenge is an assaule onthe conservative trend within the Democrats and 2 logical, electoral extension of the more progressive parts of the Civil Rights Movement

‘Bor that movement came 10 realise the basic limitations of tlectoral politics. Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolen X never tan for office, yet they had a powerful impact upon Black American history

PHOTO: Graeme C

hors, and Democratic officiats ri advance his postions and wMoreecied by he publ, but DY Dr Manning ideals, Whatever he outcome of aticpatants at the the November election, most 0 eee Marable rae Nose aunauoe's and | The fest merch to commemorate the death of antifascist activist Blai Peach. The ninth ‘Aireads,” Dukakis is quity Fae ear nil | anniversary of his death fats tis| month ieee article on Europe-wide Day of Action, below. ie ee ee potable be om ihe consolidating. bast ,AmOTE Even if Dukakis wins New legate initiatives of 1987-68. | What do Kuba Assegai ‘shi the only eleetable Democratic York this month, and the im To “break the two-party | fram/Libya, the “ee SvaswavaT | mere ace candidate Sortant Obie, New Jersey. and monopoly we must establish @ yASI Seek ion sak ae pomant Ohio, New J622" tnt pemencm “Rainbow policet | Movement, and Arab SY bestowed upon Jetty Fall Counterattacked _Sprinz;hewillprobablybeshort bloc” ouside the Democratic | Terrorists have in_com- one 1S: NEN Sm Hindciegaes required. Bathe Prey. which can orgamse | mom with — fascist The same sve sys: “for she’ "in many isiances Seu unin tas coumerted Sud ant ssore he Say iain P| Organisations? fost couple of years the NF hes. chiighr'sanitasci platform inetiecinely, claiming that nomination nd lead. demonstrations, a 2 Se oo ee of cee oe ‘Mainess® willbe amajor issue One way would be via the educate the mass of people The answer, according to pe Pry mis journals, arab facsm and ren ‘faimess willbe a majorinsue One ay woud MS scather This approach takes 2 Tong- | the antifascist journal Sear- Nendo’ Today. and. NF some betmeen Asian al AfvoTe a aes could Bertie Al tm’ siew of the democranc | chlight isthey areal part of News“Their game plan is to Carian communities Serr Poth fa ae te ee Gore, who will probably come struggle which must be waged | “Britain's Right”. RE Se Se < Gea amma Democratic Convention, ey fo. Atlanta with about 600 against both major political par- | The January Searchlight’s Sections of society, making Jews reproducing the National

2 of the toal popula vote genes Ne eet oa ee Sa and Asians the scapegoats for Front’ racist polities by placing 2 nl weve Ser irom Soko a, owiehe ese ot) anit crm to_ make comin Mace Pete aoe a ee b croswents,” One roule could would put him ahcad for 1992, Bibinus Gommections "bet, the same way that they use Asian and Afro-Caribbean

sake him even further down the Jackson will be left out of the Overdue ‘ween, neo-fascist “organisa. ina ke fer for their plans.”” Right wing views within fans Mg politcal modes. - wheeling and dealing because he Fons land, nck sesteowaner-> “Mace tons ft ee pias =O Oe Toad towstd polical moder. ti eee ee TCR —Thisroad would force opena_ | and. Muslim groups and pigs usdamentl vlc inthe communenarenocareleston ton, The impulse 19 DeSean ast false because ew Black. "long. overdue” debate over | countries, Fabtapaint fascism. However, ofthe whole communities. And “seriou candies, with, and 0 Pepon cam expect Acecic policy, and Moats | ne Sepember Seorculighe i tof suck quemiousble struggles agains therm fave nomination has already led to some concessions im the _that the economic. educational. ‘carried similar investigative terms as “‘Arab terrorists”, in- been carefully recorded.

asm te sendy il Se a cealaucr esi cor" pecel, mel vomtea scenes? || foetamsas The cons aera the watering down of several ens for Bact, Hispanic, and Atre-Ameticam are generally | hata elied "ise tow Acs

Siruating that fascist organisa. In its response to criticism tions are funded by “Arab” Searchlight (March "88) adinits

the Middle East, Drogresive leaders to be ap- identical to those of a majority. | making “connections betwee countries and a compleefailure 19 failing "Yo distinguish. ‘lack Democratic leaders ike oimied to high administraine of working American people — | Louis Farrahhan, Colonel fodistingush between black oa graphical. beteen relavons California's Wille Brown are office under a Dukakis Hispanics, Nate Americans, | Quadhati, Ayatollah Khomeini, tionalist groups and right wine 0 co-operation between eroups Smiling behind Jackson largely residency. the’ unemployed, working | Snd.a British fascist named Nick organisations is not acceptable. and. relationships whele one Tor" narrow, opportunistic ‘women, the Bomeless, the elder- | Griffin, Why "Arab terrorists” were proup is deliberately infiltrating reasons, They know their exhor- Available Jy, and others Tis editorial points 10 “an ia- included in thelist of the British another and where the second is {ations agaist him backfired in Which road. will Jackson | ternational conspiracy whichis Right remains a mystery, What am innocent ports 1084, and there was tte chance But there isa second political take? Ron Daniels understands | financed by Iran and Libva and is even more mysterious is whs Tt goes on (0 she wil Be @ ae eT see coat goad available to jackson. nis these alcrnaives; others close | Srmeaiin “Wathington and the Israch Right were aol in: Wile more careful when we fom'in 1988, By embracing filled with difficuties, but 19 Jackson realise the historic | Chicago by a sirange coming cluded, particularly when their refi 0 he suhyect.” Let's Jackson, they are doing as their would have a fundamental im- opportunity. yet sill see thecur- | Yonether of Islamic fundamen- activites both in Israel and the hope Searchlight ncorporates Black constituents expect pact upon the future of rent mobilisation in traditional | (oises and neo-nazis™ Occupied ‘Terrors are well an antivactst, anti-Zionst and Se ace Detroit American politics. Jackson electoral terms, thinking only of | “The National Front’s promo- Know age si eee eines ee Could tel his consituency what the possible concessions ia | ion "of Louis “Fartakhants Nor did Seurchight mention perspective in she fue derienent of Dukakis was at every white political pundit Atlanta se | Sorat ideas and ‘Gadhatrs their funding of Christian" Searchtght” has paved. a SEs aa honest display of his knows — that he will probably But politics is, in the final | Green Book are signs of these Phalangist organisations in the erucial role in monitoring the Hest an ones ad backrupt never be given the Democratic anafysis, the raw struggle for | fints Searchlight says “The No- Lebanon and their financial and activites of assists and extreme polis mination power. ‘The rainbow can ad- | tional Front and Farrahkan are Gal support ot the apate fight wing” orpanisations ‘iefion and the Rainbow He could explain candidly ance the real struggle for pro- | ooking for support among the woe in South AtexaHomeser, it 6 important that

coatteon, and the, Raintes that the American politcal gressive and Black empower- | Slime people inthe Bish Black

ih System is not designed to pro- ment only if it is bold and un- : is :

agent expectations, only, {duce fundamental aliematives compromsing. If x takes the | focus R. @ South London mush: SA. Zionst pre agaitel_amisemtism But Scere eernape ite nominee in either the primaries oF the easy road of compromise and | Cian, and Lestor Lewis, 0 oupe are inc is all forms a acim. i fe alfeady been cur Aone Seperalcletion, © | deatmaking it wil bery 1 | fone”, Councilor Fostering clove alia ing racism against block level i's & question of simple Jackson should state clearly own vision ofa jus, democratic} “Yackney fight sing Chestian funda "1 arihmetcr Pleat even it he somehow emers- society. ecb z sey

Europe-wide Day of Action Who is Le Pen?

Jean-Marie Le Pen is the Leader of the French Front Na:

A = tional. He is expected to pick Up 8-10% of the vote in the "88 Presidential elections. His party has the same

record of violence as the NF in

For the first time ever, there is to be a Europesn-wide £"opean aniivacistsincludng! Britah fascists wherever they Britain, | with | 8 socilet ° the French migrant workers| organise and are aiso concen” flypost-er being killed by an NF Day of Action against racism and fascism. The occa- Sra 3 ¥ hned by

{ating thes yesr on opposing member in 1986 and a Jewish sion is Jean-Marie Le Pen‘s “Front National’’ can- the Willigm of Orange celebra, student being shot by another didature in the French presidential elections. The

tions in Exeter this summer. as member in 1987,

the "Ant Kign Network! wil tcoders of Briefing wilde well "Wm. 1884. the NF received date is Saturday April 23rd. DAN CARTER reports. adress the valy swore ‘ 10% of the vote in the Euro “the demensvaton wil be "in" London, hey have Elections, “giving "them oe folved'ty o aiy in Southos highlighted the'racist presence seats in the European Par Activities across Europe organisations, trade union (S's aca tigh Schoot. at the Aber ub im Kings ment under the French PR Include demonstrations activists, Labour Party Sus8*" auerec'" “com: Cross. ond counterdeafletied System. iz and rock concerts in members and others, iS marmorating tneanniversary of agemst the fascists. im mca, Le Pon's no. 2, 4 il Copenhagen, West Berlin, organising S meratatn [or Siar each Hackney. APA has a growing 'Ormissan, resigned from the Le Pen s particularly hostile Stockholm and Oslo, and demonstration Ero SE Soansing sounst national network and branch Le Pen's European Patlament to Immigrant. communittes other activities in France : racist attacks today. The tally Structure ‘group. the European Right. in with remarks about “swamp eg Sere ‘The merch wil start outside [e'also organsed by Southall Alfilatin to AFA costs dlsmey at the growing ing France”, and advocates land Belgium. cist Ac. the rome Ofice at 12 neon, Meonterng Propet ond Carb- €20'10.anddetats canbe ob- veience thet toflows Le Pen sepetiation. The FAs cllng Jn Brtain, Anti Fascist Ac~ present a paution 0 the bean Focus {ained ftom PO. Box 273, everywhere. for the return of the death the Umbrella group br- Prench Embassy, anc rally In Ant-Pascist Action have @ Forest. Gate, London £7. This hasn't stopped John penalty. stronger aemy,, and inging together ‘black Hyde Park fastgroning reputation for Please rte for publicity Taylor of the Ulster Unionists locking up of gay AIDS

groups, Community "The mareh willl be joined by serious mobilisation against material for the above events. _jeining Le Pen’s group. patients,

\Labdist Briefing No. 6b'Aprit 1ith-26ih° 7088 page 12

Letters

WRITEBACK!

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

Against SSin and the Democratic

Dear Briefing. T wish to comment on Simon Kemp and Jan MeLarts's article the National Union -of Students (NUS) in Briefing no. 9

‘Whilst agreeing with most of their points I disagree with their Conclusion that forall its fauls, SSIN is the only alternative Tako believe thatthe headline

Tan's previous article in Briefing

ff the bureaucrats vonte NOLS but it is wrong 10 label

Diets a tiny organisation (ike fable to bureaucratically costrol

NOLS through a foose coalition Of Kinnoekites, Claus

Simon, who suppocied SSiN before he was a supporter of Knows a lot about their organisatio do, but tin common ‘sith the SW) I do not see them

Faced with a straight choice on a presidential ‘might well support Simon Pot tinger against labour candidat see that Briefing students should necessarily support SSIN

‘A majority of the delegates at Jas Easter’s NUS. Conference were opposed 4 the incommpeteat leadership, but that doesn't ‘mean SSIN are capable of stag

"but I don't

“They may well “have propos

cd effective campaigns” but 50

have other groups, particularly

Militant/FELS.

without an open, Pail to see how

the proposed campaigns could

Finally, I believe there are at two olher choices Briefing students to. consider Rather than ssork with either of

Independently Militant EELS. or towards a third force (possibly {conjunction with SWS) Know that the Socialist Action front, Campaign Student filed to.get off the ground, but we do fot have the same political peo bloms and our way of organising 1s ideally suited 10 united

“Andy Gibbons, Oxtora East CLP oo00000000000 Disregardi workers’

Dear Briefine, I would appear that some

LEAs and college governors are

able 10 apply their own exira

criteria, by di leges Instruments. of ‘Govern iment, Teachers Grievance pro Sedues and the decision in the MeGoldrick v. Brent case, wher dealing with matiers concerns the rights of employees.

caarding Cal

able 10. disclaim responsibli far tating to act within required procedures end the LEA appear fo believe that it now aeeouy

3 failing to ensure that

Will the Baker Bill-make i easier for Local

disregard the legal and college constitutional

‘Comradely greetings, Gordon Weaver,

ooocoo0gana

Differences among

the Right

Dear Briefing,

It the last issue of your paper (Briefing, 20. 59) you published fan interesting. article ‘by Dave Palmer on feceat developments

fon the New Right.

‘While it valuably drew atten tion to right wing involvement in the opposition to Labour's positive images policy in Har Ingey, ie as not so helpful in suggesting that the New Right is taking up authoritanan “pro. family" campaignine as a cen

tral part of its strategy

‘While the article is certainly ‘onto something in noting the

connections between

Freedom Association, the Com: mittee foe a Free Britaie and the Parents Rights Group, the New Right — unlike its American counterparts ofthe 70s — is far from agreed about priorcising

Publications of such

iberaisation”

In addition, the continuing tensions between the Thatcher government and. “pio-family" |Broups over abortion, under-16 contraception, embryo research and the AIDS campaign show how far the New Right is from being" united on morality. Indeed, the article's reference to New Rightst Teresa Gorman, fn the “"pro-choice” side of the ‘Alton row, should remind us of

iat.

‘Certainly, the Thatcher government in the las two years has. taken up some of the morals demands and there are Signs. that more of the New Right than in the past want to the Figh’s populist campaigns ‘found social issues remain isparate and are often likely 10 ‘lash with the Thatcher govern. ‘ent rather than encompass i

take them up. too. But

‘Yours, ‘Martin Ducham

oasoo0c00g00000

A damned silly place to put a fence anyway

Dear Briefing,

Ts a short tem — “Coming down firmly on both sides ofthe Fence" — (Periscope, Briefing

no. 58), your abonymous author manages to make a

‘number of mistakes

T. The ILP is not a political party. Its initials have-stood for Independent Labour Publica tions since I joined it in 1975 MP for North East Derbyshire and not ‘the TLP's MP Te fact nowadays as an MP I only qualify to be an (non voting) member

2. I'm the Labour

ofthe IP.

3.1 id vote against the Alton Bill and will continue to do 30. Furthermare, HT appear to to be a parliamen

tary" Zebadee —‘yomping Frenetically” from side to side ‘of the political fence which Separates the Tribune and Cam palgn groups: then 1 would just like to point out thar ie as a

darned silly place to put afer to start with and Tam like Knocked down.

T invite: Labour Briefing tc

publish my. sfarement Tribune and the

have @ serious disc the passbiity of e

hoth practical aad prin

‘one atid the same time ‘Yours fracerally Harry Barnes MP House of Commons

opoooocooedsacne

groups as the Adam Smith Institute or

the Independent about proposals 10 setup a Free Market Sacretariat make it clear that much of the New Right is still Tosussed on continued ‘economic

Group in full <o that we ion about the Eabour Left ie a way that

Marxism and Green Politics

Dear Briefing,

Tn “A. View from the Green Panty" (Briefing, n0. $9), Mark Douglas rightly criticised countries in Eastern Europe for pollution, but then used this as “evidence” that socialism can’t deal with ecological issoes

That is only valid ¥ you ac cept that Stalinism is socialise, for that socialism cam exist as 2 pocket ina capitalist world Despite “some progress and socials. Torms "of propery ‘Ownership. those countries ae a Jong ay from feal socialism,

lism in_one country, oF

even a group of countries, impossible, There is no such thing Bs a socialist state or even 4 Socialist cont

thinkers had already” accepted that socialism can only truly ex-

capitalism worldwide,

"The defence expenditure needed (0 prevent capitalism scongueting those mackets by force, the Tact that capitalism will seck to exploit shat market, land that the workers In these pockets can’t be isolated from the _all-pervasive. consumerist cthics of the rest of the wor forces “"Socialist™ countries compete with capitalist produc tion methods 10 preserve. the limited gains they have made.

‘On the basis of this dabious “evidence” Mark then claimed that Marxism had. lost its “historical relecance™. Marxism is not a philosophy, but 3 Scientific theory of cause and et fect, the basis of which i that the productive process and the social relations” of production are what determines the nature OF society

This theory is either true or false: it can’t be rendered irrele vant by data not available at its discovery. OF course Marx did hot inciude "an ecological Perspective — the data that ‘makes that imperative now

Do000000000000

The shame of your useless sloganising

Dear Briefing, Your centre page spread (Briefing, 00.99) on green polities was impressive. The a ficle by Peter Tatchell linking tlobal poverty, ‘environmental egradation and the way they ‘ust be solved together is areal example of the urgency and relevance of green ideas. However "your editorial “Green Politics” in the same issue was 2 disgraceful example ‘Of the sectarianiom thas the left has become famous for ‘cose us of being tant to oppose and homophobia, Fanatically at-trade union” Tedon’t krow what you are

referring to — it certainly isn't the Party that l've Been in for

1am a passionate believer in trade unionism and recognise the immense amount that trade Unions have achieved. 1 would rot be a member of a party that was fanatically antlirade ‘aniog. {am not

Simply wasn’t available in the late 1880s" on any scale

Tt is entirely consistent with Marxist theory to say now that current ecological ~ problems result from attitudes forced on society by the capitalis system ‘of production and people's rla- ‘onship to it. The failure of 1 Marxist left 10. address cxological problems doesn't ‘Sem from a fault in the original theory, but {rom 2 failure to incorporate new evidence into the practical application of the theory. That is what must be done now, indeed what should bhave been done many years ago.

Mark asks socialists to make ‘an unconditional alliance with the Green Movement and then {oes on to state his opinion that the immediate political task is 10 forma "thorough-going pluralism” that will topple the Tories. How you have a

jorough-going pluralism” within an “unconditional Siliance” is not explained

How does he think that an alliance with various forces that have never shown the slightest desire 10 do more than modify ‘capitalism can advance Green or Socialist Politi? Does he think itis possible to achieve an ‘ccologially sound capitalism?

There is no possibility of compromise between Green/SoGalist ideology and capitalism. The achievement of 2 Green society depends on the end of ‘consumerism; @ Socialist society depends on the end of ‘capitalism — in realty it is'a common ebjective

Certainly it will not be easy for many socialists to come (0 terms with the problems, but some already have. { will not quarrel with any Green who Fefuses 10 work with socialists who are not prepared to address ecological questions, as long 35 they don’t expect me 19 eater into an “unconditional

Will the real Pit Pooks es iad democrat ets ‘ews ofthe bod that depute raise their hand? are 0 be made, then yoring at cathe Woes TUC Con UGS Gein price

ilcaton “ie her ani Smmsignaed by the only

paragraph when she states that: male) bureaucrats who fun the “eevoting on ashow oF hands Show

‘onl (ax opposed to biock voring Yours fraternal,

at the mainly "men's" TUC) Glenn Suthertand,

hhas encouraged genuine Chat,

debate, MSF Charing Cross Branch

gu oos00o000S000u0000000000000 1 He showed me the booklet,

Watch out! The “filth” was a well written,

‘wll ilustrated book that most There's a bigot Parents would be happy t0 show about! {0 thar ehildren or alow them

aceess to in schools ‘ relate this story as Haringey

Dear Briefing, is once again 10 hit the Tor Last year | attended an open (L a06* ###in 10 hit the Tory political meeting in Birm- "Comrades need to be aware

Ingham. At one point a man of chose siage-managed displays stood up and started ranting Of outrage: If | had heen asier Toudly and waving a booklet in ve enough to have demanded bis and saying ic was filth hat the book be passed round Sisplayed in Haringey schools, he. ‘audience the argument

serrupuin the hdres swould’ have been ost. 1 have

is performance was couvin- Tegreted." my. teluctance "(0

cing. Even U bepan to wonder if Gatienee eve since

Haringey had gone over thetop. “Be forewarned. and. help to At the end of the mesting | srop the suppression of new and

spoke to che man w Up to Birmingham

hhad come ive books that hel imaginative book ep 10 just for the present a realistic picture of life

hight" (no need to euess who fo our childten, had sent him — this is Ji “” pauline Purnell Knight's consirvency), Edgbaston CLP.

oo000000000000000000c000000

Hi] CONTACT BRIEFING

‘The Briefing Editorial Board, and the following Commissions, can be contacted at PO Box 457,

tiance” #2. London SW2 5UZ, 01 733 7016,

Besh gay Green who is only in- $4 Trade Union Briefing, Youth Briefing, Student

terested in the reform expitalism, Pat Waylett Lewisham Councillor, SERA member

so00ccc0soc000n!

We are genuinely attempting

Briefing, Lesbian & Gay Briefing, Briefing Women and International Briefing Briefing Steering Committ Next meeting: Sunday, May 1st, London, Briefing Editorial Board: Next meetings: Friday April 15th, Thursday April

tocicatea polites where weal ff 21st

‘can participate, rather than just $1

2 few males with large egos. Iti ‘a hard thing to do and will ake ‘much restraint and courage in ‘equal quantities. Atleast Greens are wring,

‘With regard 10 racism our

policies look to the roots of #¥

facial discrimination and the economic conditions ia which it thrives. Deceniralsstion, a basic income, and a grass 7oots

democracy will all help. t0 #

eradicate these conditions

We siate that we "celebrate the diversity of culiure ina ‘multi-cultural society" We are Bot interested in forcing Sveryone into the trap of ovr monolithic industrial” society {ike all parties in this country we are regrettably white dominated. I is a problem that will take time and effort t0 solve

The Green Party has manag. ed 10 put green politics on the ‘map in this country. While lack (OF a secsible system of propor tional representation hinders ‘Our growth unlike our sister par jes in Europe, we are continual ty raising fsives and. making people think

Our manifesto guarantees the right to strike and the right 10 beesten A main thrust of our economic policy's co-operative work nd alternative pia

land unions To describe the Gi

as bei at (0 opp smi nonsense. ‘The Gi

and a few at key plank goes" beyond thewny ocak

Iisa job thar is by no means ‘over which is why the Green Panty will continue 10 quiet

thrive. Meanwhile we have 10 leare from left and radical : ike sours — 38

io from us "You conctude the article with Down sith the Green Party — up with green socialist politics You should be ashame of suc

ch Sou are a pani oft politics which # constantly

Tin Brenan Excier Green Part

Deadline for article Issue no. 61 (out April 26th): notify EB as soon as possible, all articles in by Tuesday April 19th.

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‘A casual observer if the Briefing office the ather day ssked Frank "numbers" Neal tthe Harngey Briefing supporter ‘who checks off the 500 Club shares! why itis that Haringey Briefing supporters win the 500 Club draw so often. Numbers had a clear conscience: he dowsn t conduct the draw

However, they've done it again, Congratulations this week to fo. 27 — Leone Tumer

Haringey Briefing group has the largest number of standing orders of any Briafing group... perhaps that's how it's done’?

Please note: sorry that 1988 Sunpartore Cards haven't vet been issued, we're stil arranging ta have them ptinted, Sng will send thom on in good time befare the AGM

Labour Rrieling No. 60. April 13th-26th 1988 page !3

Reviews

RECORD REVIEW

Morrissey, pop, and politics

Barely four months after the demise of The Smiths, the band’s enigmatic

singer, Morrissey, is back with @ solo album called Viva Hate.

So. what?” Briefing readers may ask. What's By William West Haringey Labour Briefing Morrissey or pop music got to do with politics?

‘il cultural objects — be they the murals of Diego Rivera, of Blind Date and Cila

Black” are Inescapably social. Through understanding

such objects we can hope to Understand the society which produces them.

So where does Mortissey, darling of the apolitical, angst fidden adolescents of That her's 80s, fen?

Intimes of crisis, we tend to either tun outwards 1 politcal action or inwards to Introspection. With his gran diose gestures of | sl Indulgent melancholia (“hore | fam — the ugliest man”, etc.) Morrissey seems to personify the latter

But Morrissey takes these gestures to their logical and Fdiculous extreme. He sees that nothing new can be said and 30," In postmodern fashion," adopts "tired old Cliches to deserioe the world ‘2 world that is tired and old and needs changing. ‘Condemned as “sick” by 3 Tory MP, the final track entt ed” “Margaret on the Guillouine” is the perfect finale to an album which seems to eny that the world con be chenged ‘Moving from the humble and. self-defeating “please the track ends by urging ing people” to “make the dream” of the ‘song's title "come true’”, Hardly political ly sophisticated, but this is the Stuff that pop 18 made at. Sometimes direct statements can be more effec: tive than complex ones. Mor fissey has mote sway than Wiliam Mortis! And that's the ‘crucial thing about pop — it's potential to communicate to a mass of people

Mortissey is in @ position to o that. And he dows it wel He turns in upon himself 19 ex plode and expose the myths Surrounding our tired. old. and self-obsedsive lives.

ART REVIEW

All about liberation

Works on Paper, by Gerald Morris, is on at the Francis Graham-Dixon Gallery, 17-18 Great Sutton Street, London EC1 until April 10th

A new art exhibition has opened in London at the Francis Graham-Dixon Gallery featuring “Works on Paper” by Gerard Morris.

Morris is a_prominent figure in the Glasgow art popular expressionist move- ‘ment which is committed to the world of labour — peo: pple working on machines, on the land, oF on canvasses

Exhibition

This is Morris' firs person exhibition and hosen to display his latest series ‘on "Brendan's Voyage" Si Brendan was a fifth century abbot who sailed from bis native Ireland to Ameri

T's a strange subject for so. meone whose art is supposed to be rooted in the struggles of working people but, as Morris

Book Review

explains, “he voyage is very contemporary —" not only because Trish people are stl be ing forced 10 leave their com ‘munity, but alco bocasse people sre still having 10 struggle 10 overcome poverty and deprivation.

Morris certainly manages t0 conver the vitality and vibrancy of people labouring against a hostile environment. Using

By C. HELSEA

the larger

fan life figures ‘ut of the fra

Although most_of the pai tings are of individual figures there isa sicong feeling of col lectivily.. “They're not por: traits, but representations, Morris explains. “Like The Scholar which ts 2 close-up of @ face and 2 book. That could be ‘anyone. Any person who strives (0 liberate themselves tn SOME way through kno wiedge.

Morris's work is ail about liberation. Which makes it an inspiring and invigorating @nLidote (0 the depressing time we lise im. Go see the exhibition You won't be disappointed

“The Scholar”.

The evolution of political thinking through free debate:

A guide to the PLO

The PLO — the struggle within, by Alain Gresh, Zed Books, First published 1983, new edition 1988. £8,95 (paperback), £29.95 (hardback)

Crities branded the first edition of Gresh’s history of Palestinian political thinking as “lucid and serious”.

Today, 2s the region , such a work is indispensible if we are to understand the new phase of the Palestinian revolution.

Alain Gresh offers a detailed explanation of the complicated mechanisms of decision-making, the

jeological struggles and the strategic and tactical motiva tions of the whole range of political groupings.

For example, the PLO today calls for am international con Terence. What are they hoping to achieve? A Palestinian state? Which state, and in what tertiory?

CGresh leads usin a meticulous study of the evolution of Palestinian leaders on these fgsues, concluding that the Palestinian Resistance was iospable of clarifying these issues fn’ their political programme They Were not able to define conclusively "who would be a Palestinian citizen, and who hnot?; whether there would be {tivo nanionalites?: what would be the status of a state only in ‘part of Palestine?”

‘Under an agreement signed in May 1970, the PLO-was to bean lumbrella ‘structure for all the Palestinian organisations.

us highest body, the Palestine National Council (PNC), Fepeesents all tendencies and is the. only” policy-making body lander the” National Charter This made: the PLO unique amongst national liberation

Tes component organisations can take indepeadent decisions ‘Gometimes in opposition to the PLO line). Bus tis diversity was contained by a fleaibility Title short of anarchy, which allowed ‘wide-ranging democratic debates, particularly on. the future of Palestine, involving currents as diverse as Marxists and Ba'thists

‘Gresh draws out the dif ferences between the eight “armed organisations” and thir foles inthe political bistory Of the Palestinian Resistance ‘@ Fatah, the eldest and largest, was founded against the domi fant political trend of the time: the Nasserite and Ba'thist pan- ‘Arabism for which the idea of fan independent “state inthe ‘hole land of Palestine” was anathema

Even afier Nasser set up the PLO in 1964, its first national charter forbade is. “exercising regional sovereignty over the West Bank and " Gaza’ Palestine was then defined as ‘an Arab homeland bound by lies of nationalism 10 the other ‘Arab countries which, together ‘with. Palestine, ‘constitute the greater Arab homeland.

Falah started | claborating. then winning the bulk of Palestinian people 10, the distinctive view that Palestinian liberation was. primarily “Palestinian” affair". This was the first breach inthe prevailing pan-Arabism which set Fatah From the star, as a diet rival to the Arab Nationalist Move-

iment (ANMD pan-Arab set up Beit in. 1980. Further were 10 be added, such as the concept of “‘peopfe’s liberation From 1965 onwards, Fatah embarked on armed act When their fighters crushed vastly superioe Zionist forces the battle of Karamch, in March 1968, Farah became the major political current in the PLO. Yasser Arafat became chair of the PLO Executive Committee in 1969,

By JACK GOLDBERG

The frst group of Faiah's main rivals were bora Ou! Of the [Arab nationalist movement

‘e Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine ‘Led by Dr George Habash, the PELP was the most clear proponent of paa-Arabism. proclaim: ing for & period that “the road ‘Of ibecaiton of Palestine s0es ‘heough Amman”.

Self proclaimed Marxists, the PELP had no illusions in the Arab regimes, nor in the PLO's diplomatic manoewsres of the ently 7s

‘After’ opposing negotiations in 1994, they played this role again ten years later, this time pulling the PLO away from the Clutches of King Hussein of Jor ddan, They broke with the Right refused to participate inthe 1718 PNC in Jordan, and vociferous: ly demanded Arafat's resignation

‘eThe Popular Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine

"The PDFLP (later known as DFLP) was an early split from the PFLP led by Nayef Hawatmeh. It kept its Marxist credentials, but steadily moved to the right. From 1973 unul

1977 tallied isef with Fatab to call for a Palestinian mini-state At times a transmitter belt for he twists and turns of the Soviet bureaucracy, i conTinuously called Tor the setting tp of a Palestinian Communist Party

@The Popular Frost for the eration of Patestine-General Command The PFLP-GC left the PFLP 1968 led by Ahmad Jibril. and had marginal. infuence “until recenily. It Jed an offensive to overthrow Arafat” aficr his epilation 10 King Hussein giving considerable support 10 the “dissidents” inside Fatah, recently it drew prestige out of Garing operations inside Israel ‘eThe Palestine Liberation Froat The PLF was an ani} Syrian spit ftom the PELP-GC, but ‘never made ay significant gai “The second stoup of Fatah’s rivals were creations of Arab Fegimes to represent. the inlesests of specific political ideologies. The two mais, Seganmations were Saga, set Up by the Syrian Ba'thists, and the "Arab Liberation Front (ALF), is counterpart in aq eThe Palestine Popular

With the Palestine Com munist Party (an extension of the Jordanian CP) these main components of the PLO provided the politcal plurality thich gave impetus and vitality (its political development Alo. significant was the political period that heralded the renaissance of the Palestisian movement. Arab ns

Yasser Arafat

tionalism engulfed the Arab world, fed By new rising stars Nasser in Egypt and Qassim in frag. The union of Egypt and Syria in 1958 opened up new horizons and the Arab masses believed that unity of the Arab ‘world was around the corner. ‘Aller the defeat of 1967, the Six Day War, delivered a mortal blow. to» Nasseriam, the PLO guerilla organisations emerged fs the new leadership — Fatah fn particular. Very quickly, the politically diverse Resistance Faced enormous political and organisational challenges. Palestinians now lived under Zionist rule, “under Jordanian tule, ia refuges camps. in Lebanon, Syria and the Gulf The quest for unity and consensus has continuously marked their political approach. However, they didn't stifle

debates. For a long time, while there was consensus of the com cept af the people's war, the complementaly political Strategy proved more diffieult to erssiallise

Between 1967 and 1970, the Resistance’ entered _jntense deboie onthe. "democratic State’ (ory as some refer 10 i the “democratic secular state) The armed sitnle, dsp Some initial success, ost its ee ina matter of years — effective iy dampened by. the Krael tiltary machine, But stil the Drganisations dchated, as. if Tiberation was around. the

Rejection

Rejection of the creation of @ state in the West Bank and Gaze emerged is 4 unifying theme. But what about the Jewish set ters? Fatah advanced the most tlear-headed definition of the future Palestine: "e democratic, proeressive, anti-sectarian stale fin which Jews, Christians and ‘Muslims would lve together in peace and enjoy the same rights.""

This novel concept created considerable controversies, The most credible eitques, ot sur prisingly given their Nasserte Drigins, came {rom the PELP fnd the DELP. Foe them, ania dependent ‘democrat’ state ‘was a utopia”. They spelled out their opposition to Fatah to the Sith PNC: “the populir democranc. state of Palestine hall form on inseparable part of @ federal Arab state in the

“The DELP refined its postion as the debate developed. It alk

Continued on nest page

Henne

‘Labs Brenig No 60 Apit-13th-261h-1988-page 14 -

International Briefing: Review feature

A guide to the PLO

Continued from previous page

‘ed about “Jews and Arabs" father than “Muslims, Christas and Jews", came to favour national rights"for Jews, and finally. saw “the removal of Zionism as depending on the ‘success. of Arab revalution in the area.”

"Black September”, Kine Husseit’s massacre Of the Palestiians in 1970, and the ex prulsiog of the armed organisa: tions from Jordan, changed the abate,

“Rejection of the state" became common 10 all: partly because it was seen as a US plot to finish ff the weakened PLO (oehich would be incapable Fanning such a state), but more Importantly 10 resist Hussein's charges that a Palestinian state ‘vas a divisive breach of the two banks (East and Wes)

Kigg Hussein tried to force the PLO to reaffirm "is attach iment 10 the tnily of the 10 Danks", 50 they would end up ‘defending his position: and then ‘elivered the ‘ultimate blow — the proposal for a United Arab Kingdom.

Survived

he PLO survived and started to adjust fo the new situation, The tenth PNC in 1972 buried King Hussein's proposals, cal: ing for the "expulsion of Jor ddan Jrom the Arab League” For the first ime it recognised the existence of wo. peoples, Jordanian and Palestinian, and proposed unity on the basis of Pcomplete regional equality of rights and duties”,

"As the call for the overthrow of King Hussein began to ‘ovede, the Palestinian struggle in. the occupied territories Started having an impact on the Fesistance, with uneven result. ‘The DELP was fist to suggest 3 new direction: "From 1972 on twards, we thought there was need” foe apolitical —pro- ‘gramme... to take acount of our Historie rights, the problems of, the Jews and the reat relation of Forces... we adopted what we called the programme for a na-

tional authority in the West Bank and Gaza. For the first time, ‘@. programme was put which did not speak of the territories. occupied 48 and Stressed those occupied in °7."" “There followed @_ lengthy polemic between the DFLP on the one side and the PFLP, PELP(G-C) and elements from Fatah on the other. Habash resuscitated the “democratic Sate” slogan — “the aim of the Palestine revolution is a free, democratic state on all the land (Of Palestine... The strategic 0bjective Is the democratic state

Exchange

The exchange was cut short by the unexpected October 1973 war. Sadat, who benefitted from the war, put pressure on ILO to. participate in the process — of ese. Arafat Knew tha the “democratic slate” slogan, i.e. destruction of the state of Isracl, bad to be shelved if he was to gain any ‘concessions by negotiating.

“The Palestine National Front (@ co-ordinating committee of mayors and other ‘nationalist figures in the West Bank) was the First to come to his rescue, ‘demanding that he go to Geneva to secure a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza. This ‘was no. surprise: the Stalinists who “dominate the PNF have always been in favour of the existence of Israel and a separate Palestinian state,

‘Arafat was cautious, hoping for the blessing of the PNC first, The DFLP was the second grouping 10 favour an

: Palestinian na tional authority”; followed by Fatah and Sa'iga in a joint document

Tn November 1973, the ‘organisations opposed to all seflements formed a united front, the "Rejection Front”, in chiding the PFLP. PFLP(G-C) and ALF. The main argument ‘was that imperialism would imose conditions: “‘demilirarisaHon area, _ international presence, recognition of trae economic co-operation, etc. and the only way forward was

Mitterand: candidate for what?

The greatest of all French poets, Francois Villon, once thetorically asked “Mais ou sont les neiges d’antan?”” Listening to another Francois — Mitterrand — as he spoke on Europe 1 to announce his candidacy for a. further term as France's President. one was tempted to also ask about the disappearance of the beauties of the past Where was the 1980 Projet Socialiste which talked of a way to ‘socialism and self Where

management’’? were Mitterrand’s famous "110 propositions"” which

promised radical Change in 19817

Since he adjusted to 2 period of “cohabitation’” with the neo-liberal Jacques Chirac Mitterrand has Wied to present himself as 9. moderating Mather of the nation” Whatever socialist principles he once professed have been roped. Mitterand’s “realism” would make even Nel Kinnock appear as 3 engerous leftist.

His run for @ naw term of of

social

By “‘an experienced Mitterrand wateher™

fice was heralded by @ speech which began in @ mid tone. Mitterrand, it" seemed, had been forced to stand by the But this soon tumed into ectorng and. Blustoring discourse which menaced civil ‘infe ihe wore not elected.

‘One's hatred of Mitterrand, the gravedigger of much of the French left, grows rather than diminishes over the years. His fepuisive combination of hhurmility. and conceit. barely ‘covers hes ambition to destroy the possibilty of any revol tionary alternative. in France, He has “normalised” the land General Jaruzelsk

Fortunately, this time round, with the candidacy of Pere Suguin, the French lett can Stnke @ blow for eal socialist change. France's genuine lett, for so long 3 beacon to the entire world, has resisted Miteerrand’s attentions. With all our hearts we should wish

‘Suguin “and his supporters:

every possible success,

"Would that Mitterrand were like the snows of yesteryear land would slowly melt sway!

“continuation of the revo tionary struggle.”

"The Soviet Union then in tervened. Their ambassador in Beirut, “Azimov, delivered a memo to the PLO calling on "the Resisiance 10. edopt a realistic and constructive ‘ude and requested that “it participate in the Geneva Conference.””

“Arafat pulled out all the stops at the 12sh PNC in June 1974 10 produce a majority in favour of 2 ten point programme, in fact the basis for'a fundamental sift in strategy. Arafat sas ready 0 participate in the peace process. His address to the UN General ‘Assembly. in November 1975 ‘was personal iiumph and ‘opened up the era of diplomacy.

Tt yas, short-lived, Sadat’s visit xo Jerusalem and the Camp David agreement left che fragile ‘momentum for a negotiated set tlement including the PLO in disarray, From then until the Zionists’ blitzkrieg on Lebanon jin 1982, the PLO leadership concentrated on weakening Camp David. Arafat, having successfully cleared the decks for a negotiated settement, was ‘now clearly excluded from the peace process.

‘Afer Beirut, the political horizoa has again fundamental fy changed. The leadership was cut olf from its base, the military forces, scattered, and the whole political and ad- ‘ministrative apparatus destroyed. Arafat, in despair, thew himself into a frenzy of diplomatic manoeuvres hoping for dialogue with the US ‘a serious backlash arose ia his own Fatah.

"Colonel Abu Musa broke with’ Arafat, denouncing ‘cor [Ruption and the personality ca to lead the “dissident” faction into a bloody armed confrontason with Arafat loyalists.

“The early PLO unity was proFoundly shaken. Left to his own devices, Arafat ran {rom ‘Mubarak to Hussein and finally came to a dead end. Not until 1989, after months of negot tions, did the organisations bury the hatchet and come together at the 18th PNC.

While many of us follow cur reat events, the causes, backround, and underlying ‘mechanisms appear, sometimes impenetrable. Gresk's study 2 ‘analysis of PLO documents and archives sill make this task such easier.

Limitations

There are, however, many political limitations.” "The Fesearch focuses almost ex lusively on the leaders and ig ‘ores the internal movement of the rank and file, as i they had. ‘20 influence on the leaders fan omission which Gresh ‘recogaises.

"Another serious mistake is his overestimation of the ‘democratic process. This is im: ortant, since the whole bass of Gresh’s work is a_detalled ‘escription and analysis of the evolution of political thinking through free debate.

Debates did take place but, at times, heresy was not tolerated. Several outspoken Palestinians ‘were eliminated. Gresh names Hammami and Sartawi, Killed by the Abu Nidal group — who syed outside "the PLO. However, be is silent on the im: prisonments andthe hard Fepression, incloding occasional assassinations, of elements ‘within Fatah that threatened the ‘Arafat leadership.

‘Another fudge is Gresh’s ac ‘count of the PNC_ While itis {eve that the sessions of the PNC ae lively and democratic, ‘Arafat has, for many years, had ‘unfalterine success, thanks to his control of the Independents. ‘Whatever the diversity of debate ‘on orientation, tbe decisions on Strategy sre inevitably influenc: ‘ed by the Right

Finally, Gresh does _ not disguise his view that the IsraeliPalestinian conflict can only be resolved through @ negotiated Settlement. As such, while being ‘gorously evenhanded. in his escription of the input of all the political leaders, he gives more credence 10 Arafat. However, whatever our disagreements with Gresh, it scholastic work remains ‘aluable.

How the Zionists are organising

‘The Zionists, it seems, prefer to leave little to chance as

people. "The British Israeli Public Affairs Committee News Briefing of

March 14th — marked “restricted circulation — has fallen into the the (doubtless un-"“restricted") hands of Briefing.

Ie begins with highly selective items of "news", including coverage of:

‘@ The PLO general strike call for March 8th, including selec: tive quotes.

'@ The hijacking of @ bus, in which three tsraell and three “ter: rorists” were kiled. The account is used to denigrate Fatah, ‘After further, unsubstantiated scare stories, two named Arabs are quoted condeming (a) the attack (b} violence, on behalf of “the majority of Israeli Arabs"

1A series of selective quotes implying that most Israelis op pose the US Peace Plan,

‘© Unsubtantiated allegations that Arab police officers and other professionals in the occupied ("administered") territories dre being terrorised by those supporting the uprising

it continues with a number of short, unrelated quotes from PLO radio and Colonel Quadhsfi, and a series of quotes from ‘the intemational press which press for the Palestinians to make Concessions too if lsrael does, and shows that even “moderste” Arabs may question the right of the Zionist state 10 exist (i.e. don’t ust any of them...

Where does all this lead? Well, to the last section of the BIPAC brief: How 10 camplain to the media. This emphasises the usefulness of short quotes and relevant figures ~ culled, perhaps, from the preceding, slanted sections?

‘So next time you hear an articulate Zionist on the radio or TV, contorting logic to explain how a people can be free only by mass fepression of others and indiscriminate murder, perhaps you'd like to ring up and make public the existence of these spurious New Brist” propaganda sheets. We reproduce ‘below BIPAC's own list of “useful telephone numbers when

complaining”. Hanpy dialling, BBC television 01 743.8000 BEC radio 01580 4468 ITN 01.637 2424 Tv.am (01267 4300 Channel 4 News 01837 2424 ‘Anglia TV 0222 34321 ‘Central independent TV 021643 9888 Border TV 0228 25101 Channel TV, 0534 73999 Grampian TV 0224 646464 Grenada TV 0618327211 HIV West 0272 78366 HTV Wales (0222 21021 LWT London Weekend 01261 3434 Scottish TV 041 332 9989 Television South (070334211 Thames TV 01 3885199, ‘Tyne Tees TV 0632.610181 Ulster TV 0232 28122 TV South West 0752663322 Yorkshire TV 0532 438283 Lec 01353 1010

Sandinista ceasefire

Why did they sign?

On April 1st 1988, 2 60 day ceasefire started in Nicaragua.

mitment negotiations for @ perma ent end to the six year The Sandinistas agreed to a general amnesty for imprisoned Contra mercenaries as well as for those convicted for crimes committed during the Somoza dictatorship. The Contras will be allowed to form legal political groups and to contest elections if they "rejoin peacetul lite” “The Contras ae such a low dows, aagustng ‘bunch of trurdering ‘morconary thugs that ff hard to see the port SF signing on agreement wrt them. However, thore must be Something behind ft, because the Sandmitos are on astut politcal leadership ‘Over here. people on the left wit "be asking: was. this Sefeat, 2 tacts! retest, 3 Bey for time and international Sympathy. or a victory for the Sandinistas? We can say that it eppears to be one’ step backward with the possibity Of quite a few steps forward ‘Shctione of the US ruing clase who ‘sre opposed to

Reagan's policy in Central America see. the Sandinista: Contra agreements a5 serious defeat for the policies Of the present US administra on.

By Gareth Mostyn Hackney South & Shorediteh CLP

The Contras were pushed towards @ ceasofire by their ‘own weakness. They are 3 mercenary army who have ery little popular support in Nearagus. ‘Six years sacrfice and. bloodshed have done fothing to improve their Standing.

The Somozists leaders of the Constra know that they ‘ate @ pawn of the Reagan ad. ‘ministration. As the spearhead of a US. intervention they Could dream of fame, fortune ‘and glory, but as itis they are ‘merely a central tactic used by the US government to put the Sondinistas under pressure

tn short the Contras don't ust ther paymasters in Washington and are looking 3t ‘possible ways out in case they bre left stranded or endlessly to fight a losing battle.

‘The Sandinistas’. motives se economic" and umanitarisn. Miitarily, ‘the Sandinistas give the Contras 2 tegular besting and poltcally the Contras are the weakest of the internal opposition cur tents, However, the death toll of the war s felentiess. and

what is politically even more of a problem, the war is Sevastating the economy.

‘The. timited gains in health and education that the revel tion has Brought are threaten: fed by the war, while the day to Gay standard of living of many workers is worse than unde! the Somoze dictatorshi.

“The Nicaraguan people have shown themselves to be wil ing 10 pay a high economic price for greater political freedom and national sovereignty: but for how long? ifthe war were to end it would allow the people's sacrifices fo go more directly. towards improving. their economic ‘conditions.

Finally. the probable out come wil not be seen im. imediotely. In the short term the ceasefire is unlikely to hold 100%, but it is possible thet the level of conflict and ‘casualties will “substantially feduce. Both sides would gain political credibility, but the Contras ‘would gain more because they are the outside, irregular force.

The Sandinistas have given the Contras-2 serious dose of legitimacy by negotiating with them, but they wil stil bear the high economic cost of a fully mobilised army.

In the longer term a jot will depend on autside factors such as the result of the November Presidential elec tions in the USA. If the money keeps on flowing in, there will always be at least some mercenaries willing to fight However, the longer hostilities cease for, the higher the political price to be paid by the Side whe starts the fighting again

If the struggle returns to a more ‘converttional arena of elections and newspaper pro: paganda, with the Sandinistas enjoying’ both popularity. and Control of the state, the San: Sinistas will have a lot to gain

The human and economic cost of the war is the biggest threat that the people. of Nicaragua and thelr elected, revolutionary government face today,

Labour Briefing No. 60 April 13th-26th 1988 page 15

International Briefing

Of Presidents and Present Dangers

‘This month sees the most important British conference challenging US imperialism since the 1970s. Hundreds of people are expected in Sheffield to hear speakers from all over the world talking about US strategies and radical liberation movements, and to discuss how to challenge the American empire over the next decade.

The Conference, “Of Presidents’ and Present Dangers”, is the inspiration of a group of activists and academics in Sheffield, who were horrified by ‘American's invasion of Grenada and its attack on Libya, and decided a major initiative was required,

‘They have managed to achieve what many others would have felt too daunting a task. Paul Sweezy, leading US Marxist, is one of many coming from across the Atlantic. Joma and Julie Sison, two of the most important figures in the opposition movement in the

Conference on Kitson’s case

The release of David Ki son and his return to this country in 1984 after 20

apartheid movement which job is secured. — tional Congress, TASS began ference aimed at bringing

years imprisonment in South Africa was widely acclaimed by ant apartheid campaigners and British trade unionists who hhad fought for his release.

As a former student at Ruskin, this college took a special interest in David's Welfare and we were pro ud to welcome him as a tutor — a position funded by his union TASS which was honouring its pledge tohelp David “build a new life”

However, a¢ a result of an

for withdrawing funding com. "The ‘Conference, “Justice pletely inthe summer of for David Kitson”, will beheld 1987, ‘on Saturday May 21st, in ‘Over the past year Camden Town Hall, London

humerous labour movement organisations and individuals meetings of sponsors will be fincluding former” fellow held ta. organise the con political prisoners! have called ference and consider produc Unsuceessfully on TASS to tion” of material for prior Fesume its previous policy of circulation

Unconditional support. in addi- “For further details contact tion many MPs and MEPs have Ruskin College ‘Kitson'Mang appealed on David and ela Committee, Ruskin Hall Notma’s behalf far the ANC to Headington, Oxford

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 July 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,

Tis proposed that planning

By Ben Lowe

Philippines over the past decades, will attend. There will be representatives from the ANC, the Polissario front, the Palestinian moverent, the anti-bases move: ‘ment inBelau, the Indian Ocean campaign, etc

‘Also present will be some of the main experts on Various aspects of US imperialist and regional policy from around the world. These include Duncan Campbell and John Stockwell on intelligence matters; Teresa Hayter and Susan George on debt; A. Sivanandan and Richard Hart on imperialism, racism and the role of new technologies; Lou Kushnik and Cees Hamelink on Cultural Impefialism and Mind Control

The opening plenary, on Friday. April 22nd, kicks off with a unique threesome: Tony Benn, Paul Sweezy and

the Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong’o. The final plenary, on Sunday April 24th, has Federico Castilblan- €o from Nicaragua, Tariq Ali, and speakers from the ANC and the West Bank. This will be an extraordinary gathering of anti-imperialist forces.

Inevitably, with all the travel costs incurred in such 2 gathering of international speakers, the conference is Rot cheap. The fee is £18 for waged people, and there is @ concessionary fee of £10. People with institutional Support (e.g, academics} are asked to pay £58 — which is one of the main sources of conference income. Peo: ple who register now can get free accommodation

For further information about the conference, write to Ankie Hoogvelt, Department of Sociological Studies, 302 Western Bank, the University, Sheffield S10 2TN. Tel. 0742 663962/367031

Blood, Tears and Repression —

made in Britain

Mrs Thatcher claims that British capi investment in South Africa the most important force working to reform the apartheid system.

‘The British Tyre and Rubber Company (BTR) is a good example of how wrong she is.

Allied Workers Union (now Galled the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa

NUMSA). They were all sacked

‘Since then, they have been ‘scuasling for reinstatement and ‘nion recognition.

‘Survival ss difficult in an area where BTR is the only employer and in a country sshere black workers do not qualify for any ‘snemployment benefits

"They ave set Up cO- ‘operatives 10 stow vegetables, bbuy food in bulk, and provide health eare- They’ also produce T-shiets for sale in South Africa and abroad, including Britain.

They have taken the compariy to.cour, organised mass picket ting and received support, in ‘lading ““secondary™ strike ac tion from other werkers. Both the police and armed members of the Black collaborationist

By Jeremy Paton UCL Anti-Apartheid Group

London NUMSA Support Group

This British based multinational has subsidiaries in Trinidad and South Africa

‘One of them, the Sarmcol movement, _lakatha, have pitt ear the lack tormtip Svagey tacked the Sarmeol Br Mpophoment, pais 980 back St sronkere stave wages unt! May Im March 1987, less than three oes months after the murder o! four The workers then went on stake leaders by fakatha, the sere i Toree the company to compaty. signed a. “single Homie and ‘negouate with gon deal wat UWUSA, an Ten unions the Metal ‘and Inkatha scab outfit. Over 00

2 Se SS FSS es

Gay

Last year The Long March, 4 play about the siruggle, waitten and performed by the workers, toured Briain, It attracted laree ‘audiences from the black com: munity andthe labour

Fundraising events all around the country are being held to help feed the strikers and thelr children, A model resoltion being circulated 10 encourage trade unions to affiliate 10 the campaign. Local Support Groups have been set-up in places like South London.

“To add insult to injury the BTR Company Annual General Meeting of May 18th is being

people have been killed in. the Piermartebarg area fof which Mpophomen spar) since then but the struggle contest

The Sarmcol strikers are appealing 10" the ‘Briteh labour BTR shows the same atitade 10 im South Africa. in 1986, they ‘ached "all the workers at Hangers: Roehampton — the riltaallimb-makers

BTR produces a remarkable variey of produc, ranging

Pretty. Polly” “tights gh eae component fo “Dunlop” tennis equipment They are therefore vulnerable to eld in the luxury Hilton Hotel prosure fram workers and con The NUMSA Suppor Group Somers in Britain has called's national demonstra

‘Weannot expect the TUC to tion outside, taleibelead ininis;Weneed to Make sure your, AntiSreanise our own acon against Apartheid group, trade_union BYR, while we can ict the branch, Labour Party yard or TUC off the hook — it has's stent union is therein full, ‘esponsibility 10 3c Strength!

‘fie NUMSA Support Group @NUMSA. Support. Group has enlisied support froma cat be contacied c/o Lambeth number of Trade Councils. ine Trade Union Resource Cente Guding Lambeth and Ham- 12-14 Thoraon St, Landon tmersmih in South London SW alone, as well as the Hangers

i i EE OTRO PE: i i

War Resister Gaoled

One of South Africa's leading gay anti-apartheid campaigners hasbeen gaoled for 21 months by = emer comoatg Cippome tolet jestratee by 8 goveroment Dr Wwan Toms was im- SStcuoned Special Propes my which, he says, exists (0. wee months _miltary

mnaniy te defend the detention for conspiing. to primarily, to defend ihe feved! pubbcy detais, of tis

car tyies slashed, his house Saubed with point, and the The smear compaign

3 covert “ity ticks” cam: fost paign aganst Toms. nd the By PETER TATCHELL ee ee nthe sa

Tom's 3 founder member of 3 supporter af

Rgamst Oppression. Hs dutspoken stance has resulted imugly homophobic attacks on him and the End Conscription Campaign (ECC), which is supporting his refusal to serve im the South African Defence For

displaced clack resisents liv

Professionally _printed__ ing ifthe Crossroads. squat. posters and stickers have ap- ter camp on the outskirts of Desred all over Capetown Capetown.

Emblazoned with slogens as Followng police and army

"The ECC “does it from attacks on the camp in 1985

behind”. "The ECC beleves in — which left 18 dead and 178 fary tales”. "Tom fucks injured — Toms won admira ‘young boys". and'"ivan Toms ton for the way he carried on fas AIDS: treating the wounded despite

threat and harassment. ir September 1985,

‘As a result, Toms has been

deluged with death threats, Toms

‘obscene “phone calls, and was one of three peopie who Crude hate mail, He has hada went on 9 21-day. hunger truckload of pig manure _stnke to protest against the a:

dumped on his doorstep, his my occupation of the black

Ivan Toms ane 22 other Sou: African orats resisters, Accor

townships. At the e!

feceiwed a rapturous ovation ding. 1a Roger Field of from 2 4.000'strong mult COSAWR: "As 9 gay ant faciat gudience at Cavetown's apartheid actwist._Ivan's Gay Hatt ‘Sgainst conscription

fives strength and hope to al! ‘and the savage homophone progressive gays stugaling Campaign epainst him, Toms against the related evils of fas won the backing of promi hamophobia and apartheid nent clergy inthe Catholic and @Leallets, posters and T Anglican churches. including shits advertising the Ivan Desmond Tutu Toms defence campaign are “The London-based Commit avaliable trom COSAWE: BM ted on South African War Box 2190, London WC1N Resistance is curently cam — 3XX (01-278 68281 paigning in solidarity with Dr

Despite his open gayness

<<

_ eae

Labour Briefing No, 60 April 13th-26th 1988 pose 15

Get into gear for - third reading:

Bock street * knitting nee

‘On the FAB lobby of Parliament against the Alton Bit

‘The Alton Bill, which seeks (o reduce the time

limit for legal abortions activities im the ram up 10 the from 28 weeks to 18 Hower, theani-choice lob third reading to show opposiweeks, is out of > ‘the Bill, in whatever committee. eventually takes. Mass

The most likely date for tion fs the way (0 put

‘Basimem presse om all MP its third reading is May ge As mri ‘the national ac- “Te ons was the Bil

tivities listed below, local FAB dcfered nom through aking ‘groups should once again be i out o¢ voting it down,

picketing and lobbying their

‘The Corrie Bill was talked Tocal MPs: those who voted for

out, after a huge camapign of the Bil or abstained on the se-

‘miss mobilisations put pressure ‘cond reading. and also amy who

‘om MPs in favour of the Bil snd might be tempted to vote for the ‘an amended form

parliamentary representatives tse (0 get this done. FAB is launching 2 series of

aged under 18 who are victims Of rape from the 18 week rule. ‘amesdment

By Gill Lee

Labour Briefing Women ‘divides swomen. It also seems to suggest that older women who are raped are nol going to be as severely {traumatised (oF are nol 3s ) as younger women, ‘Hos is rape going tobe defin- ‘ed — where it has been reported fo the police within a certain time Kimi? The majority of rapes are not currently reported to the police for many reasons: mong them fear of the police, ‘istrust of the Judicial system. because the perpetral friend", felative oF besband.

‘Whatever her individual ‘motive, 2 woman bas x right not {fo report rape. Women Against Rape fear thai such an amend- {ment wil lead (0 women being. ‘accused of falsely reporting “pe

proper debate and a vote.

MPs must be shown that ‘women are not interested inthis ‘Approach to an iswue which so Geeply. affects women's. lives ‘We want this Bill defeated nd we don't care what tactics our

gave support to MPs who opposed i,

mandated bs their CLPs to be in the House and to vole against the Bil. Evers vote will count

“two amendments to the Bill were passed ia Committee. The first, 0» Bernard Braine (Tory IMP for Castle Poin) exempts from the 18 week. time. lit

eases of “severe fetal abnor- iq order (0. get acces (0 fmality” and danger to the abortion,

frome’ ie tan shotion oe" The aat-ahoronat hope these grounds is to be carried support for the Bill oot ie woe NMS. cake 2 fareugh’ bee smendments

woman will require Sigeature “of a consultant gynaecologist as. well as two Soctors, andthe type of disabil-

MPs must be told to. vote ‘against the Bill whatever the ‘mendments. The Labour Party Should apply a three line whip.

‘Women need. 10. be able 10 choose when and if 10 have abortion. Women should decide for themselves if they want abortion ‘on finding any. fetal abnormality. Women should Ihave the right to decide on abortom if they have been raped, 1 they have been sictims of incest, they Feel too old or 100 9 A thes simply donot that baby

“The "67 Act does not give women this choice. but “ans amendments will make Situation worse. Allon’s Bill Imust be defeated.

fwhat an individual women herself feels able to cope with. The second amendmce! i by

for Matinont) H exvepe srs

Contact FAB Wesley House, 4 Wild Court, London

WwC2B SAU

Labour MPs and the Alton Bi

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

WRAY, James Glasgow Provan

Labour MPs who have Indicated they will support an ‘amendment for @ reduced time limit, though they did not vote for the Bill at the second reading:

Roy Hattersley (Ab), Sparkbrook, af Denis Howell (Ab), Birmingham Smaltheath, Conscience vote

Lin Golding (A), Newcastle-under-Lyme, 24 weeks George Galloway (Ab), Glasgow Hillhead, Reduction Jock Straw (A), Blackburn, 24 weeks ("a majority vote can never cancel out the exercise of conscience by 6 minority")

‘Ann Taylor (A), Dewsbury, Consider 24

Peter Pike (A), Burnley, 24 weeks

Terry Lewis, Worsley, 26 or 24