Labour Briefing no. 70

| INSIDE:

Labour Party Conference Report *Debate: A Strategy for Europe

*After Gibraltar

“Consolidated

Gold ¢‘Worker-socialists’ and proud of it!

BUILD FROM THE GRASS

ROOTS!

The Policy Review and the re-election of the “nightmare ticket” isn’t just bad news for the left. It's bad news for millions suffering under Thatcher.

By accepting Thatcher's premises, this year’s Labour Party Conference has failed to pose a real alternative to the inhumanity and chaos of market, forces.

Kinnock attacked those speaking in favour of Party policy on disarmament and told them to “shut up”. His contribution is to put forward defeated policies and rhetoric borrowed from David Owen.

Despite the overwhelming victory for the right in the leadership election, Ron Todd's Tribune ‘speech and the votes reconfirming unilateralism and against ET show that within the trade union bureaucracy doubts remain about the speed of Kinnock's rush to embrace Tory politics and “market forces”.

The hue and cry which followed Todd’s speech shows that the right is aiming for an all-out, total transformation of the Party — and they have no intention of compromising.

itis now impossible to sit on the fence any longer. Kinnock is banking on the union bureaucracy coming down on his side (as they did in the leadership elections). Todd’s criticism of Kinnock was not merely an expression of his personal views. It represents his own response to Pressure from the rank and file.

Our task now is to mobilise that grass-roots discontent. Disguised by the vagaries of the Electoral College was a large minority for Benn and Heffer in the unions (for instance, in MSF Benn polled 40%).

Despite the mistakes, the lack of proper organisation, the lateness of the decision to stand, etc., this year’s contest did reach out :o

By Greg Tucker Lambeth Councillor, Waterloo NUR

(personal capacity)

‘ordinary working people. it must be renewed next year.

Kinnock's agenda Is clear: forcing through the remaining Policy changes, notably finishing with unilateralism once and for all, and stepping up the witch-hunt to kill off the left.

‘Our agenda Is broader. The Campaign Group are rightly backing a twin-track strategy. We must ‘campaign inside the Party for socialist policies and leaders, and outside, through the Socialist Conference, to develop those policies and to link up with a wide range of struggles.

‘The leadership campaign has built rudimentary regional networks. We need to extend this ‘organisation and deepen its roots, using it to raise questions on the Policy Review and to build real campaigns against the Tories.

Inthe unions the left has too often failed to sustain and broaden good initiatives. Too often it has been easier to look to leading lights. This time we cannot afford to ignore the hard graft of building bases. We have to link up with the fightback in the NHS, at Dagenham, with the Dover seafarers or the UCW upsurge — working where possible with existing Broad Lefts.

We have to use the Conference resolutions which were passed — for a 35 hour week, a £135 minimum wage (with support for those fighting for them now) , and a boycott of ET — to bulld across he unions. We have to take the fight for socialist policies onto the shop floor, opening up the Policy Review debate on our own terms.

Kinnock may believe that the working class

“SHUT UP

shares Thatcher's beliefs. We must show this to be the lie it is — by demonstrating the relevance of socialism to the daily experience of working people.We have to support all those fighting —

* whether it is against the Housing Bill, against the Poll Tax, for abortion rights, against health cuts, or against Section 28.

In the year ahead the left must raise the real political questions, organise united action against the Tories and employers, and build our challenge from the bottom up.

The “Campaign for Socialism” initiative, launched jointly at Conference by the Campaign Group and the Socialist Conference, allied with the Solidarity Network and the Action Conference Against the Poll Tax, represents a step forward. ‘We will be working hard to turn these initiatives into realities.

Neil “Leader for Life” Kinnock thinks he has the whip hand. But economic crises loom, and the masses at home and abroad refuse to lie down. Class struggle will continue. Don't mourn — organise!

PHOTO: Leesa Herbert

Labour Briefing No:70 October 131h:260h Page?

Campaign round-up

Dewsbury

Mobilise for October

29th!

‘Twenty six white Dewsbury parents have won their court battle not to send their children to an “Asian-dominated” school.

Powertul right-wing forces have launched an assault on integrated education and even the mildest forms of anti-racist policy.

‘The opting-out clause of the Education Act will be used to promote racial segregation, and Tory spokespersons have not bothered to deny it. We are under threat from a much broader, more sophisticated alliance than the old “fascist” right.

The court case brought ‘on behalf of the Dewsbury parents by the right-wing pressure group PACE {Parental Alliance for Choice in Education) was only feebly contested by Labour-held Kirklees

+ Counci

Predictably, there has been litle opposition to the ‘new racists" from the focal Labour Party and trade unions. Only one Labour Councillor (who is black) in the Kirklees Labour Group supported keeping up the fight against the racist parents in the cours.

In Kirklees schools, only 0.8% of teachers are black {at least 8% of the population is black). Teachers and other Local Authority and voluntary sector workers who have begun te organise against the racists have had their jobs and funding threatened.

By Dave Palmer Haringey Labour Briefing

‘The Labour Group are not supporting the demonstration called by Kirklees Black Workers Group on Saturday, 23th October, in support of the slogan: “No to Racial Segregation, Yes to Education Against Racism”.

‘Ann Taylor, local Labour MP, is “too busy" to speak at the march and has refused to sponsor it.

The police have attempted to ban the march ‘on the grounds that ithad been organised by own figures show racially-motivated attacks in the area have risen this year by 30-40%.

North Kirklees ‘Community Relations ‘Council, which is mainly white, has called for the march to be banned in the “interests of racial harmony”

‘The NUT has given formal support and Black Sections are making the ‘march a top priority.

Itis vital now to get NALGO to support and ‘mobilise for the march. Briefing supporters should aim to build the maximum turn-out.

‘Anew era of anti-racist struggles is upon us. Be i Dewsbury on 29th October Too much time has already been wasted. We must stand firm now!

VIRAJ MENDIS DEFENCE CAMPAIGN

Reopen the Viraj Mendis Case!

‘The Viraj Mendis Defence Campaign has launched a campaign to get the Home Office to reopen Viraj

‘The Home Office and most

the impression that Viraj Mendis has had extensive and

fair bearings in all the appeal courts.

‘But as Viraj's lawyer, David Burgess, explained at 2 press conference in the sanctuary on September 8th, the appeal ‘courts have refused to take into consideration the strongest aspect of Viraj'scase: his fear of prosecution if retumed to Sri Lanks.

‘At Virs's inital appeal in 1985 the Home Office Ad~ jicator, M Patey, rejected the Application for asylum on the

By Finn Jensen Manchester Labour Briefing

‘The Judicial Review, the Appeal Court hearing and the appeal to the House of Lords are all based on this original assertion. Since the materi: evidence concerning Sri Lanka ‘was inadmissible in the courts, no challenge could be made to the validity of Patey'scentralar- ‘gument

‘Since 1985 thousands have been killedin Sri Lanka, including many leading politicians. Amnesty International has produced documnented evidence showing widespread use of torture, detention without trial and the lack of account ability of enforcement agencies.

Viraj has lived in Britain for 15 years. Under the Immigration rales the Home Office must take into account both Viraj’s Tength of residence and role within the community in decid ing whether or not to deport him. People who have live in Britain for mote than ten years are generally allowed to stay.

Anger against Section 28 has not been confined to Britain.

All over the worid lesbians and gay men have protested against this viclous attack on our rights.

in Holland, where the lesbian and gay movement is strong, Dutch lesbians and gay men have come together to organise a Euro-four against the Section, busing through eleven European countries staring in Amsterdam on October 14th

Vij Mendis

Viraj’s roots in the community are well known t0 the poopie of Manco: He has ‘ampeigned for years on Black ‘eoples’ right to stay in this ‘Country. That's the reason why the Home Office wantstogetrid of him!

Ifthe House of Lords refures fo take the come t wil bs op pesled to the European ComInission of Civil Rights. Butthat ‘ht not stop the Home Office fram deporting Vir

Father John Methven, rector ofthe Charch of Ascension sid the church will continue to give sanctuary t0 Viraj whstover happens Councilor}chn Clogs fiom Mancheser City Comell pledge that the council will con Tinve its sippor.

“The weekend of September 24/25th was a watershed forthe Viraj Mendis Defence Cam pig ye Sane pe anise in the Church ofthe As pnesegup) sang valves 1986

The Conference brought home the realty of the situation in this — probably the most remarkable deportation case in British legal history.

The date of October 15th 1988 has a particular significance for Viraj and his campaign, as this is the deadline for the final appeal to the House of Lords.

The Home Office has stated that this appeal brings to a conclusion the so-called “legal process”, and has threatened to enter the sanctuary by force at any time after that final appeal.

‘The campaign, despite its Faults over the past three years, hasbeen of historic significance for all those fighting against racist immigration laws, unjust deportation and the division of families.

More significant than however, is the law courts’ blatant and uninhibited dismiss. al of the prospects facing Viraj should he be deported to Sti Lanka, A. British govemment that would deport an individual of 15 years’ residence, possibly

SECTION 28 Euro-tour hits the road!

Terry Conway, Islington North CLP and Stop the Clause

Ineach city there will be events including demonstrations, political discussion, theatre and

The tour arrives in England on November 26th. From London, the bus (goes to Manchester on the 27th, to Edinburgh and then

to Birmingham on December 3rd.

These events offer the opportunity for lesbians and ‘gay men to come together and assess lessons from the campaign against the Section and develop stronger international links. ‘They should also deepen support for and understanding of lesbian and gay rights across the whole Shou Tovewet We are seating labour movement sponsorship for the tour and hope labour movement activists will

tohis death, marks anew low in British post war political and legal history.

‘The Conference resolved 10 launch a vigorous campaign to re-open the case. The time has ‘now come forall labour mo\ ment activists and human rights ‘campaigners to make this campaiga a national priority

A groundswell of support from the labour movement for ‘Viraj and a mass expression of indignation towards the intransigence of the Home Office and ‘courts at this time could have & decisive effect on the outcome of his case.

The Jeft has a particular responsibility. The isme must be raised once again in all Labour Party wards and CLPs and as widely as possible in the labour movement generally. Resolutions must be passed condemning the Home Office and demanding a r-opening of the case.

‘emphasis must be pat aside regarding this issue in coming ‘months. Different labour move ment bodies must be involvedin the campaign and participate in ‘the 24 hour totaal the sanctuary ‘which defends Vira

In addition, if any action is taken against the sanctuary the Goverment must be made to pay the price — it must be condemned as a crime against Jhumanity, another one of which this goverament would be found guilty.

The Viraj Mendis Defence Campaign has produced a special dossier entitled “Vira Men dis, life or death?” which containsal the evidence supponting a fal review ofthe case.

“tthe back ofthe dossier is a petition demanding there-opening of the case, specifically for organisations and highly placed individuals The aim stocollect 500 plus signatures of this type over the next few weeks.

For further Information, donations and literature please write to VMDG, c/o North Hulme Centre, Jackson Crescent, Manchester MIS SAL or telephone 061-234 3168

come to one of these events.

‘When Australian lesbians and gay men protested against the Section, the media asked the Stop the Clause campaign if we were responsible,

Truthfully, we replied that we were not. But after the Euro-tour, hopefully finks wl be comented which will make such co-ordination possibie in the future.

For further information contact Rebecca Fleming, c/o ULU, Malet Street, London WC1

Labour Briefing No, 70 October 13th-261h Page 3

Editorial

Kinnock’s Conference?

“Shut up!” was Kinnock's crude post-Conference message to the left: a typical attempt to substitute arrogance for confidence, autocracy for real leadership.

Conference week started off well for the right, with the nightmare ticket retumed with a depressingly large majority and Aims & Values endorsed.

But despite NEC stitch-ups — and stage managing the Tories might envy — fissures kept opening on the Conference floor. The leadership suffered setbacks on repeal of anti-trade union laws, a 35 hour week and minimum wage, boycotting ET, one woman on every shortlist, and above all on unilateralism.

Year after year Kinnock has worked assiduously to drive the Party to the right, using double talk, bluster and blunderbuss authoritarianism. But the bourgeoisie keep changing the goalposts.

This year, he presided over a shotgun marriage of “socialism” and market forces still not good enough for the ruling class and its media parasites. Kinnock’s Conference they claimed, was a flop —and Neil rushed to agree with them.

The problem is that they will not be satisfied until Labour is a safe alternative to the Tories (which means, as a minimum, dumping unilateralism).

At this point Labour becomes virtuaily unelectabie. ‘Without offering a decisive alternative to the Tories, and without a leadership committed to that altemative, Labour is just another raggedy rump of oftice-seekers.

The dismal performance of SDP/SLD shows that an already passive and cynical electorate will not be set alight. But the nakedness of Kinnock’s “if you can't beat ‘em, join em” approach to the Tories is troubling many, not least previously staunch supporters in the unions like Ron Todd.

‘As the vacuum left by the leadership expands, more and more people — in the Party, the unions, and outside — will look for an alternative. We have to

— TAKE THE POWE!

Pose that alternative as sharply as possible: in every area of policy, and through another direct challenge to Kinnock & Hattersley next year.

This time we must start much earlier, from an organised rank and file base, and spread our ‘campaign into all affiliated unions as well as into ‘communities currently outside the labour movement.

‘Sorry, Neil, but we have no intention of “shutting

up’.

Tribune’s Left Turn

Ron Todd's speech at the Tribune meeting in Blackpool was a welcome antidote to the “market socialism” of the Policy Review and the fudging of our unitateralist commitment.

In ate October, Tribune will host a Conference entitled “Hard Labour’, which will extend Tribune's platform leftwards to include Ken Livingstone, the Socialist Conference, and Black Sections.

This comes in marked contrast with the narrow witch-hunting opportunism of the Labour Co-ordinating Committee, now dominated by the ex-student activists of Clause IV. They have dumped Livingstone, driven out Peter Hain, and reduced the LCC to little more than a careerists’ sect, Marxism Today's entryist faction in the Labour Party.

Labour Briefing welcomes the Tribune Conference. However, any serious debate must be accompanied by clear opposition to expulsions. The precondition for discussion amongst comrades is agreement that ‘we all have a right to take part.

As long as Tribune supports kicking supporters of Militant out of the Party, or fudges on the Mandy ‘Mudd case, or simply keeps silent when Party members are intimidated or attacked by the leadership, it will be hard to find common ground.

Tribune and Ron Todd must ask themselves, whether they can defend unilateralism and common ‘ownership whilst backing Kinnock and voting for the right in Shadow Cabinet elections.

“This contradiction — between support for socialist

policies and support for a leadership opposed to ‘them — weakens the emerging dissidence on the “soft left”.

Briefing supported the Benn-Heffer challenge because it was the best way to defend common ownership, unilateralism, and other socialist policies. We believe that the question of leadership cannot be circumvented. Nonetheless, we welcome Tribune's left tum, and look forward to the debate at the “Hard Labour” Conference.

Filling the Poll Tax Vacuum

Over the next months Labour Briefing will be devoting its back page to the Poll Tax. We believe a mass campaign against the Tax can help rebuild the left — and begin to tum the tide against Thatcher.

‘The Tories have put Labour Councils in a vice. Local Authorities which fail to collect the Tax be liable to surcharge. Those which comply will have to choose between a high Poll Tax and cuts in services, and will be discredited by turning themselves into agents for collecting the hated Tax.

‘A mass campaign for non-payment must and can be built. In Scotland tens of thousands of people have refused to register and now face fines. Neil Kinnock may have won the vote for a “legal” campaign at Party Conference, but activists will find thousands willing to defy the Tax.

Indeed, many poorer workers will have no choice but to defy it, simply because they can’t afford it, Local Councils must defy the legistation. Trade unionists must refuse to co-operate,

A fight against the Poll Tax has the potential to unite the whole working class. Anger and fear is already widespread. We have to turn them into organised defiance. Our leaders have already abandoned the struggle. The left in the unions, the Party, and outside must fill the vacuum. In this way, we can rebuild the left and stride forward in our battle for socialist policies and leadership.

The Economy

Dinosaurs bite back!

The debate at Party Conference over A Productive

‘ownership schemes, respon-

sive” — in Gouldspeak — to

‘and Competitive Economy “the consumes, workforce, and ee eee at are ale The publics of this New al Realisthogwash (which isabout

ready familiar with the Policy Review's “Social Marketism” now beloved by right wing Social Democrats and Euro-communiststhroughout Europe.

as new as Tony Crossland, who is, afterall, dead) in the Com- ‘munist Pasty claim that a post industrial utopia called “Post Fordism” has been builttofit the bill.

As approvingly summed up by the Economist, the CP aims to ensure that “the workersocialism that thrives in a society dominated by largescale production is revereally laid to rest.”

This is because we have centered“anew eracharacteriesd by consumers who make more complicated demands on the

By Dave Palmer Hornsey & Wood Green CLP

Market forces are accepted as the basic economic allocator. Government intervention must be limited to correcting “distor-

tions” and to fostering overall markets andmethods of produc- “economic efficiency”. ‘ico, which pat @ premium oa ‘The social relations dictated “fexibility”"

by these market forces are not addressed. Economic colleclivism is out. Social ownership is reduced to “municipal enterprises, small co-opera tives, and collective share

Like Friedman, Hayek, Reagan, and Thatcher, Marxism Today sees democracy and the market as synonymous. There are only. two options: individuals oe an “alternative

vision” based on “popular al- that stale industries were run

liances” which gradually extend along sttictly capitalist lines,

democracy. ‘and that social provision wasadIn this topsy-turvy world the ministered through an oppres

cautious passivity of New sive bureaucracy.

Realism becomes radical, and Michael Edwardes, the

the “workers” socialism” of the pioneer of Thatcher's attackson

left becomes conservative. Workers” struggles against restructuring (miners, printers, seafarers, postal workers) are doomed; the dinosaur's last

the state sector, was appointed to run BL by the last Labour government. Edmonds’ slur is ‘pat of a drive to knock out of ‘court any Labour commitment

gaeps. The Conference debate toany formof rationalisation. ‘flected this flee dichotomy. ins Jolin Edmonds backed the Insignificant

Big Lie with a breathtaking rewrite of history. He set up two camps: in one, an unspecified group “terrified of public ownership”; in the other, “the prehistoric tendency” co mitted to “old-style Morrisonian nationalisation.” ‘Whatever its considerable flaws, the left has always been committed to some form of ‘workers’ control and public acccountability, and has been criticoal of the stale sector monsters. It was sight wing Labour governments, supported by the Tikes af Edmonds. who ensured

Co-operatives and share ownership schemes are economically insignificant fons of social ownership, con: stituting no threat whatsacverto the existing order.

‘Thereis one, appallingly misrepresented, kemel of truth in the right’s attack on the lef. ‘This was to do with the defensive nature of nearly all recent working class struggles, both nationally and internationally

“These struggles all arise from sternpts 10 maintain whatever negalive rights ‘workers have

gained over the years in the face of the onslaught of capitalist restructuring.

The way forward is to generalise new demands which transcend the status quo within the immediate struggles against the restructuring. The Benn Heffer challenge was mounted to fly the flag against the new market fetishism.

However. further steps need to be taken rapidly. The old Bennite Alternative Economic Strategy (AES) of the 70s 38-3 ‘counter-progranimte tothe prac fice of the Wilsoo-Calla governments. Though a us focus for debate. the Al protectionist nationalist Keynesianism was wrong at the time and is now irrelevant

The left needs to develop democratically an entirely new alternative progamme, The main instru: ment to hand is the Socialis Conference. By next. year's Party Conference, at least the outlines of a full economic counter-programme must be io place. Among the-qiesitons

which need to be answered:

*+What does a national-based in which capital, commodities and production all circulate globally?

sHow do we flesh out our ideas for » planned economy under workers’ control?

What js the sole of the state in social ownership?

*How does information tech ftect the planning

. How can we realise the poteatial of the working clase Collectively t organise prod + These and many other quer

tions need thorough discussion ifthe possibility of the transition from capitalism to socialism is tobe taken seriously.

We therefore aim to extend Briefing supporters are welcome tobeconie involved Let's show Marsism Today that the “worker socialists sillhave the best ideas — and, more impor ‘at. ate gong to pt them ato practice

Labgeir Boefing No. 70 Ocwber Lith 26th Paget

Trade Union Briefing

TUC won’t face up to

the crunch

she fast 18 adie action on November 7th by Civil Servant Unions. unionists from the “The realty is that the original 300 at the TUG can de nothing within government Spy the law, since solidarity Centreat Cheltenham action is illegal. Given past

are facing the sack as we go to press.

TUC policy — to avoid

breaking the law at all costs

—this limits their actions. The Civil Service Unions

By Alan Thornett are nothelping much in i this, They are stressing that

Trade Union pierces

Briefing the same time calling on

others to take action in their support, which would be

October 14th was the

date given for the egal. workers to renounce thelr __ The 18 workers have Union cards or be sacked. lobbied Tory Party

"The TUC General Conference in the hope that Council has watered down they could demonstrate the plans fora repeat ofthe outrageous nature of the fational one day strike ‘action against them.

called when the ban was Miia Grundy, the leader first announced five years of the 18, has called for ago. They are now calling massive suppor forthe day {or "various activity" in ‘of protest from the whole of support of planned strike the labour movement.

ROYAL ORDINANCE

Workers strike to defend jobs

Workers at the Royal _closures have gone out of Ordinance armaments __the news and are not being factories at Salford Nr mentioned by trade union Manchester and or labour leaders at Renfrew in Scotland eS are on strike. Tie sees eens Salford and Renirow

Troywatkedoutwhen Seanteing theirnew asset-stripping condemnations of employer, British management action from all ‘Aerospace (BA\ levels of the movement. announced 2,001 |

Jack Dromey, Trade | Group National Secretary of the TGWU, said:

“Ministers have used BAeas awiling agentto | rationalise the factories |

redundances to be introduced across two plants over the next two years.

BAe had previosly announced the sell-off of without having to accept the small arms factory at __political responsibilty for Enfield and Walham Abby their actions. And the | plant in London. reward for BAe is the killing

BAe's acquisition of the that it will make out of the COrdinace fattories mirrored redevelopment and sale of | their acquisition of Austin _ the closure factories" Rover, accompanied by a on Todd, who has stil | huge Government made no public statement sweetener. Both are part of on Austin Rover, said that: | Tory plans for the “This latest shocking privatisation of industry. announcement confirms for

‘At Austin Rover's Cowley all to see that privatisation and Lianell plants over is bad for business, bad for 6,000 redundancies have jobs and bad for Britain been announced overa’ _Privatisation of the Royal similar two year period, Ordinance factories had Which were also'a part of |_ already resulted in massive the privatisation deal with asset stipping at the vital

Bae. Enfield small arms plant. — | The immediate walk-outs Shop stewards at | atSaltotd and Renfrew are Ordinance factories have

in sharp contrast to the tesponse at Austin Rover where right-wing convenors

also responded pieding a nation-wide boycott of any | work moved into their

have repeatedly blocked _ plants. Renfrew District any action. The result of Council has pledged full this has been thas the... «.suppartte. defend the jobs.

'TEG delegates voto for the Policy Review documents at Labour

‘eights and protect jobs?

Party Conference. Is this as much as they can do to defend trade union

Why electricians

should leave the

EETPU

Socialist Worker, Socialist Organiser and Militant argue that militants should stay in the EETPU follow-

¢ Hammond’s belated expulsion from the TUC over breaches of the Bridlington agreement.

By Alan Thornett Trade Union Briefing They reject the Hine taken

by the main electricians” let

grouping Flazhlight, w calls for militants to leave the

| EETPU and Join other TUC

affiliated unions, asa stepping stonetotheformation of anew

| TUC-sffiliated electricians’

organisation — the Electrical and Plumbing Industries Union.

A Socialist Worker pamphlet urges fight within the EETPU to take it back within the TUC Batthere isno priaciplein being inside or ootside the TUC. The point isthat the EETPU is har dened business union

‘The Hammond leadership, and Frank Chapple before him, has set out to educate the mem bership in the principles of business unionism. The resalt of the recent ballot was not just a vote to leave the TUC, but an eador. sement of this process.

Tris true thal the ballot paper

‘was confusing and that Hammond had a monopoly of propaganda — but he won 83% of the vote just the same. This was a vote for business ‘Opposition to this proces has been crushed and the EETPUhas been stripped of any vestiges of democratic struc- ‘Wapping was a watershed, ‘The actions of Hammond & Co. there have still not been matched by any other union: joining with employers to break other unions: replacing printers with electricians; useing their offices to recruit scabs for Murdoch: andusing their own centre to train scabs to do the jobs of sukers They thus established 2 relationship with employers qualitatively different to that of any other trade union — even the right-wing AEU under Bil Jordon and Gavin Laird. The union is comparable only with scab organisations like the UDM or the new tution formed by the scabs at P&O. Hammond's plans are not yet completed. His sim isto recruit and build amongst scab layers and extend the principle of busi ness unionism. We must not treat these scab organisations as we do legitimate right-wing In a right-wing trade union swe fight from the ingide, With the business unions olf aint

‘Erie Hammond: don't give him the credibly of staying in the

EETPU. should be to break them as soon aspossible. The whole of theleft has called, with some success, for miners to Teave the UDM and join a proper union — and ‘we should have the same posi ‘on with the EETPU.

Hammond's main problem is that expulsion from the TUC pts his anion outside the Bridlington agreement and therefore vulnerable to recruiting drives. Other unions should take full advantage of this and do as ‘much damage to the EETPU as possible.

‘The most effective way to give Hammond credibility is for the militants to stay inthe union after they have the opportuni to join other recognised unions in their industry. We should not give him that

EETPU militants should join either ths appropriaic union

nepatinting rights tn'th

industry or the Electrical and Plumbing Industries Union. The EPIU ill have difficulty in get ting. recognition from employers, most of whom will be loyal to Hammond and his aims, bot they are seeking recognition from a number of Local Authorities.

EETPU members may also join holding sections set up by other unions.

‘At Ford Dagenham 90% of the electricians have left the EETPU, taken out membership of the PIU, and joined the holding section set up by the MSF who will continue to negotiate on their behalf

EETPU branches in Liverpool, Manchester, and pars of Scotland have joined the EPIU en block, and electricians working forthe channel tunnel have appropghied dpe EIN. for. is;

( | {

Labour Briefing No. .0 October 130: 26ih\ Paige 5

Trade Union Briefing

On October 3rd, the ‘Chapel Allerton Hospital Action Group and Chapel Allerton Labour Party held a public meeting to protest at the hospital's threatened closure.

‘The meeting, which drew audience of 120, was also

attended by representatives of the Western District Health Committee.

“Positive Rights at Wor

The Birmingham City Council Case

Labour's policy review Pesce of cone ane

“People at Work” By Birmingham _Ptisonersin Winson Groon

avoids any clear +e than defencing the intrests

< Labour Briefing of members of NALGO-

commitment to repeal ee

Toy mLasion supporters Included in Dick’s letter

legistation. However, mbes PS

legis ashe ‘September a letter was suspend all NALGO

the implementation of issued by the Chief members (up to 2000) who

many of the Education Officer, with the struck for one day on the

recommendations in approval of Dick Knowles, 20th September and

“Positive Rights at threatening 15 striking refused to sign a

Work” would involve NALGOmembers with the humiliating declaration.

af civence initia sack. The letior said Itstates: “Following my

employmentrighis ot ‘eambgwush tar sebe aon 20

ace taes ae terminated if they didnot an undertaking that | intend Itis stated: “Workers return towork by the 19th. to work normally, (including

engaged ina legal strike Worse was to follow. cover for vacant pasts) in

or industrial action must Knowles issued another accordance with the terms

have protection against _ letter, viciously attacking and conditions of my

Unfair dismissal by their the officers of the City ‘contract, and to support the

employer”. Council NALGO branch. _use of proper procedures ‘The statement does not They had campaigned for a’ for the settlement of

seem tohave influenced one day protest strike disputes”

Dick Knowles, Labour ‘against City Council cuts What next? No-stike

leader of Britain's largest He asserted that “they were agreements for Council

(ocal authority. On 14th more interested in the workers?

[A Wakafied picket line during the healtiwrorkers' stoppages in Of pay and saving the NHS during the national actions; now they must raly

Action on Hospital Closure

By Clr. Garth Frankland Chapel Allerton Labour Party

Maureen Idie,a nurse and COHSE member, from

the Chapel Allerton Hospital ‘Action Group explained how the campaign against closure

| came about

Previous proposals had included a new S00 bed hospital in the Wester District. Unions and patients, although liking Chapel Allerton Hospital, felt that they could not oppose such a development.

However, the present proposals for closure make no mention of a new hospital Instead there is to be greater ‘centralisation in the already too large Leeds General Infirmary (LGD along with some exira beds in Otley on the outskirts ofthe city.

‘There would be an overall loss of 48 beds, the equivalent ‘of two wards. The Elderly people would not be getting the new wards that would be

| opened at the LGL They

would be out of sight in the Victorian basements

‘Chapel Allerton Hospital is surrounded by lawns and trees. The whole environment ‘contributes tothe patients" recovery. The LGI site is overcrowded and surrounded by traffic.

“The corridors are full of filing cabinets the place is a mess. There is no parking space for visitors and itis off the main bas routes. The bus service to Otley is even worse.

Maureen presented 18,000 signamures calling forthe hospital to be kept opea.

7857, Yorkshire healthworkers wore active around the issues

“These were in addition to 16,000 preseaiied to the Area Health Authority.

‘The Westem District has some of the largest waiting, lists in the country and any closure would make the

A patient who had survived cancer due to the efforts of staff at Chapel Allerton was anxious that private hospitals ‘might move on to the site ‘while NHS patients had to make do with city centre sites.

Mike Davis from Chapel Allerton Labour Party pointed ‘out that improvements in patient care could not be achieved by closing the hospital

Labour Briefing supporters, exposed the internal contradictions of the Health Authority's report. We should not be in the business of saving the Tory government any money. More needed to be spent not less. There would bbe no increase in efficiency with this plan.

‘round to help eave Chapel Alerion Hospital.

Other speakers made many more points on why the Hospital should be kept open:

surgical waiting lists were two weeks at Chapel Allerton, ‘wo months atthe LGI;

‘more GPs and consultants could use the hospital to relieve pressure on the LGK,

sit was the patients” favourite;

sover £20,000 each year was raised by the League of Friends:

sit was.a centre for hip replacements and the LGI's ‘waiting lists would just grow Tonger,

sfor mammography women demand a fast diagnosis and. rapid treatment,

sit enjoyed excellent paticnt/staff relationships:

‘the hospital serves local as well as city needs.

Eure MP Mike McGowan called for a wide based ‘campaign to defend and improve the hospital, Briefing supporters will eampaign vigorously on this issue.

aH f

‘Maureen fdle, COHSE, Chapel Allorton Hospital

Labour Briefing No.70 October 13th-26%h Page 6

Labour Party: Conference Report

The Leadership Challenge: An Assesmen

Start next year’s leadership

OVERALL ELECTORAL COLLEGE RESULT

(All figures given as percentages of the total vote. TUs provide 40%; Constituency Labour Parties and the Parliamentary Labour Party 30% each)

Benn: 11.270 Heffer: 9.483 00.340 TU. (00.007 TU 05.872 CLP 04,046 CLP 05.158 PLP 05.430 PLP Kinnock: 88.8 Hattersley: 66.823 39.660 TU 31.339 TU “24.128 CLP 18.109 CLP 24.842 PLP 17.376 PLP Prescott: 23.694 08.654 TU 07.845 CLP 7.7195 PLP

Trade Unions

Some results in the leadership contest: AEU (membership baliot)

Kinnock: 108,000 (58%)

Bonn: 19,000 (15%)

Hattersley: £2,000 (73%)

Prescott: 26,000 (20%)

Heffer: 7,000 (6%) GMB (branch ballot: voting by “tickets” only)

Kinnock-Hattersley: 83%

COHSE (branch ballot) Kinnock: 75%

Benn: 25%

NUPE (branch ballot) Kinnock: 335,000 Benn: 39,000 Prescott:235,000 Hattersley: 117,000 Heffer: 18,000

NCU (branch ballot) Kinnock: 28,000 (72%)

10,800 (28%)

Prescott: 20,000 MSF (branch ballot)

Benn: 40%

Kinnock: 60%

In the trade uniorvaffiliate societies section of the electoral college the following voted for Tony Benn: FTAT, BETA, Christian Socialist Movement, and Socialist Health Association (only the last voted for Heffer).

Martha Osamor, in her first tilt at the NEC Women’s Section came a respectable ninth (top five take the ‘seats). She was supported by 177 CLPs (more than Dunwoody, Renee Short, Anni Marjoram, Anne Davis, ‘or Kate Hoey). She was also backed by the Bakers, BETA, ACTT, NCU, FTAT, and the NUM. A strong showing.

On the other hand, John Spellar of the EETPU, was backed for the NEC trade union section by AEU, NUFLAT, ISTC, the Musicians’ Unoin, and the TSSA as well, of course, as the EETPU itseil. He lost, but what a disgrace that someone who's just been booted out of the TUC should get any votes in an election to Labour's NEC.

THAMES VALLEY

Left continues after Benn-Heffer challenge

A high profile Benn-Hetfer campaign in the ‘Thames Valley has helped to strengthen the left and counter the isolation of activists in some ateas.

Several hundred people attended Benn-Heller meetings or sponsored the leadership challenge in Berkshire, North Hampshire, Oxiord, Swindon and elsewher

Local Campaign Groups were started in East Berkshire and Slough, expanded in Reading, and revived in Swindon. A network of support for the ‘campaign was bull in towns such as Windsor, Wokingham, Maidenhead, Henley, Wantage, and Newbury.

The final meeting of the Berkshire Benn-Heffer ‘Campaign decided to form a Thames Valley Campaign Group to build on these links and als¢-to-hold a Conference.

challenge

Our heavy defeat in the E

Benn-Heffer challenge had scored notable successes:

“large turn-outs in meetings up and down the country (though these tapered off after the summer),

va limited but valuable ‘mobilisation of dormant left ‘members;

‘the founding (or re-founding) of local left caucuses;

‘raising the heat on the Policy Review:

flushing Kinnock out on unilateralism.

‘Above all, the campaign gave voice tothese inthe movement and outside currenily excluded by what Toay Bena labelled the “bipartisan front bench consen-

‘Tony and Eric performed admirably throughout. They were ‘everywhere, tackling the dif-

‘was granted (on what grounds?) {0 individuals who bad initially ‘opposed the leadership bid, and subsequently showed litte ‘eagerness to build it

Others defined the contest so narrowly that they were unable to mobilise effectively for it. Too many on the left saw the Ieadership challenge as just another worthy model resolution, dutifully proposed and seconded at branch GC.

By Mike

cuit isms saying wtachadto — Marqusee, bead ‘

Diieeeee tetera. rma. e Wend the Campaign Group MPs was Green CLF

(with a few exceptions) derisory. The campaign as 2 whole suffered a pitiful dearth of resources for which no amount of enthusiastic in- ing ballots were sometimes lost divideal effort could compen- when, with some effort, they sate might have beea won,

This weakness can partly be But this hesitancy at the traced to the delayed launch of grass-roots reflected weakness the campaign. But it is also at the ceatre. It was difficult for linked to the ad hoc and often |ocal campaigns to find a focus undemocratic basis on which it for theis activity. was organised. Opposition to the Policy

Review and injunctions to

‘The failure to make it a cam paigning priority meant that votes at GCs and ia CLPs hold-

THAMES VALLEY SOCIALIST CONFERENCE SATURDAY 12 NOVEMBER

Oxlord Road Primary School — Reading ‘Sponsored by

‘Thames Valley Campaign Group, Solidarity Network,

‘supporters of the Chesterfield Socialist Conference.

‘An opportunity for an open debate on the prospects for thé left after the Labour Party conference. Most of the <day will be for discussion and contributions, although priority will be given for practical activity which can help to, strengthen and unite the left. The Conterence will be open to all socialists and trade unionists seeking ways to build a united democratic left, ‘campaigning around the policies and actions needed to defeat Thatcher and challenge the “new realists” who hold back that fight.

For details contact: D Warren, 90 Royal Avenue, Calcot, Residing Tel. Reading 423746 or 422621. |

now!

“Vote Benn and Heffer” were not enough to keep up a head of steam over four months. What was needed was something that could provideslink between the struggle for Iesdership and policy inside the Party with the immediate struggles being waged outside the Party.

Some local groups worked with seafarers and with local campaigns, but on 2 national level there was agap. Next time, please, let's have less caution about treading on bureaucrats" toes, more direct intervention (eg. the postal dispute),

‘Where trade unions consulted their members, our results were better than we had any right (0 expect, given the absence of systematic appeal to union members. As a minimum, a Teaflet with a message from Benn and Heffer should have gone out to all TEWU men bers

It was no surprise that the media subjected the campaign to a conspiracy of silence. CLPD welcomed this, because of its hostility 10 any debate taking place outside “normal” Party channels.

But after Party Conference it is clearer than ever that “nor: ‘mal” Party channels are block: ed.

Tn many areas, members can only have access to debate by going outside these channels,

Dealing with the media (whether local or national) is a ‘minefield, but there are opportunities here that need to be ex.

Plaid. ‘Aes, bold, dramatic initia tivet on a.maional level are ro aquired. With increased resources, fle publiiy/pres officer could have an impact.

The Guide to the Policy Review was invaluable, and Jocal groupe prodacedarangeot oefulpropagands, but much snore — and mich better — is leaflets aimed at vans groupe sna james fat sce).

"Tony and Eic made somes ei speoches, bat local groupe fidn't know about them. A regular information balletin svi weful quotes and facts and Figures needstobedistibuted to local groups

‘Stand up to Kinnock! Sharon Atkin and Martha Csamer try to get past the stage-management of Conference to speak up for Black Sections.

Next year (and whatever the odds, there musr be a challenge to Kinnock), we should start earlier, from an organised rank and fle base, with a democ cally chosen, accountable campaign structure, including « national campaign committee.

This is not simply a question of socialist ethics —itis the key to realising our potential, maxiising our resources, and creasing our vote,

‘The absence of constructive inpat from Labour Left Liaison, and ite failure to act asa genuine co-ordinator and mobiliser of the whole left, shows that itis a body with little to offer, and should be quietly laid to rest

Next year, we should make a centre-piece of our demand for democracy that all trade unions consult their members. While insisting that GCs remain the proper body for CLP decisions, wwe should meet the “OMOV" bridgade head-on by demanding that time be set aside by all branches and affiliated bodies to debate and vote on the leadership and that all GC delegates should be mandated sccordingly.

We should promote the next leadership contest as a major democratic’ exercise spanning the whole movement, and put to shame the “too expensive”, “too divisive” autocrat.

Overthe next six months, the Socialist Conference's policy groups will begin producing substantial documents. These ‘can form the basis of a much ‘more detailed and persuasive challenge to Kinnock’s Policy Review.

‘Those who try tocounterpose the Socialist Conference to the “internal” Labour Party struggle (oneither side) may object, but ‘without linking the two, we will get nowhere.

‘The next leadership campaign mast reach out — beyond the GCs and branches, and beyond Town Hall mectings — tothe millions whose daily ives are a struggle against Thatcher, the employers, the state,

Itmust fil the vacuum left by New Realism. What's needed for that is resources, organisa- ‘ian, and imagination!

Labour Briefing No, 70 October 13th-26th Page 7

IRELAND Hypocrisy

“The cause of Labour Is the cause of Ireland. The ‘cause of Ireland is the cause of Labour.”

‘Thus spake James Connolly.

But, since Partition in 1921, the Labour Party's attitude to the Irish people has been hypocritical and ‘treacherous.

‘Allee and Brook legislated for the Loyalist veto in the 1949 Ireland Act; Wilson and Callaghan sent the troops in todefoat the Bogsiders.

‘Add to this the 1974 Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA); the 1977 LabourUnionist Pact; and bi-partisanship on every issue from internment to Gibraltar. McNamara’s recent paper sirengthens the Loyalist veto.

This, then, was the context for Conference's “debat

SE By Jim Thain East London Irish Year of Action

Committee —

The letdid gaina smailbut important victory on employment discrimination, Thi helps ensure that Ireland wi remain on the agenda next year.

‘Onthe realissue, however — the withdrawal of British {roope —we wore, as usual, hammered.

‘Arosolution on the Birmingham Sixand the PTA fel off the agenda. Shamefully, the NEC had recommended remission, despite the forensic evidence in the Six case being totally discredited and their confessions obtained by torture.

This case and the Guildford Four's are not just about the framing-up of in-

The Labour Party Rule Book was totally rewrittenat Conference — but neither delegates nor their organisations were told that Blackpool was going to host a “Rules Revision” Conference. Objections —that delegates had only received the 103-paged ‘Agenda Il (the “hidden” agenda) two days before Conference were ignored. ‘All the rule changes were bulldozed through by huge majorities. Block votes were being put into ballot boxes before debates had even

The main effect is to cont control, taking power away from CLPs (particularly GCs) and putting it into the hands of Walworth Road, and clearing the way for the witch-hunting,

Membership

The new centralised membership system represents the greatest shift. From January 1st, 1989 there will be a double. system with poopie citing local ranches

nocent people. They are also about the taking of political hostages by the British state.

There is much work to be done if we are to win the Party to withdrawal, particulary in the unions. Only the ACTT and the NCU are likely to have supported it — there was no card vote.

‘We must increase pres- ‘sure on the NUM, KUR and FBU, and begin to tackle the major unions. There will be resistance — many of the bureaucracies have Unionist

year's conference with resolutions for withdrawal, lrish seif-determination, on strip-searching and for the release of the 1500 political prisoners held in British goals.

What we must do, above all is build the Year of Action commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the introduction of troops. A “Time to Go" rally at Conference was very sucessful. The Action Committees will develop this initiative much further.

We must ensure that the campaign's not depoliicised and reduced to organising a carnival. Briefing supporters must be actively involved and strengthen links with the ‘Troops Out Movement and the IBRG.

This is essential solidarity work: the duty of the working class of an oppressor nation towards that of an oppressed nation.

Given the current miltary ‘strategy — no other armed uprising in Ireland has lasted solong— the British Govern ment (aided and abetted by the Labour Front Bench) will be keen toimpose ever more repressive measures. They too understand the significance of anniversaries.

By Joan Twelves Greater London Labour Party

Execu (personal capacity)

and CLPs (as now), oF through regional offices or Wabworth Road.

‘They will immediately become provisional members and CLPs will have just eight weeks to object. After January 1st 1991 joining nationally will be the only way into the Party... There will be ro pointin branches or CLPs holding membership campaigns. GCs willlose the right to ratify new members.

Members of affliated trade unions willbe able to join ata reduced rate for the next three years. Nothing stops unscrupulous unions (the EEPTU springs to mind) ‘signing up members en bloc just before a reselection, and making sure they're unavailable for eight weeks should the CLP wish to check them ‘oat! si

ifyou sat at home watching Kinnock force through the Policy Review and the “democracy costs too much” rule changes you must have had a depress ing week.

But there was more to Con- {ference than this.

‘Benn and Heffer stood to-ensure that socialism was lacedat the centre of debate. The Conference fringe showed that, for Labour's rank and fil, it can't

be anywhere else.

With the exception of Ron Todd's timely defence of unilateralism at the Tribune meeting, the media ignored the fringe

Bryn Griffiths Tottenham CLP

—__——_

"And when Ron Todd was reported, it was only to give him what Billy Etherington (Durham NUM Mechanics) called the “NUM treatment”

Conference fringe it would have had to talk aboat a diverse left,

‘fringe was the best I've seen.

It was encouraging to see traditional speeches complemented by music and come- <ians, turning some fringe meetings (such as the Trish social) into cultural events.

Prize of the week must go to Rochdale Women's Section ‘tho provided us with “Not the Red Rose” at the Saturday night Campaign Group Rally. They satirised everyone from Kin: ‘nock and Owen to Benn and

Heffer — a great start to a dif- | ficult week

Members paying by instal ments willbe lapsed ifthey're ‘more than three months inarrears. Lists of new members will have to be sent to Walworth Road every month and affilation fees will now have to be paid 24 weeks before Conference (instead of 7) if CLPs are to be represented. It all adds up fo a tighter system, requiring great efficiency at local level (no bad thing butdificut without both ‘computer and briliant ward organisation). and reliable, accountable, unbiased administration at Walworth

Road. Italiows CLPs to be packed by passive members ‘whose only activity willbe filing in postal ballot forms sent from Walworth Road.

Labour Party: Conference Report

Unfortunately not all fringe meetings were so effective. The sheer number of speakers on their platforms left some delegates under the misap- ‘prehension that the “Committee ‘of 100" was a Campaign Group

front.

"The worst offenders of the ‘week must have been Labour Left Liason, who provided delegates with a lunch-time ‘meeting of nine speakers and two chairs! Not the most par ticipatory style of democracy, ‘comrades.

‘Sunday gave us the tradition- ‘al CLPD and Labour Briefing rallies

At the CLPD meeting, Pete Willsman (a8 ever) gave us an invaluable insight into the ‘manoeaverings on the Conference Arrangements Committee: still a must for unravelling ‘what's really happening at Coaference.

Labour Briefing's rally took place on the Sunday night directly after the leadership ‘election. Over 300 comrades packed the meeting tohear Benn and Heffer raise spirits and affirm their determination to fight

on.

‘The highlight of the mecting vwas a contribution from Errol ‘Smalley of the Guildford Four Relatives Campaign.

‘On Thursday, Briefing held » more adventurous, if smaller ‘open forum for Conference delegates. This meeting drew up ‘2 Conference balance sheet and

ote and the development of 2 ‘socialist current in every union. Dani Ahrens urged the left to look outside the Party when building alliances, citing the Socialist Conference and ‘Women for Socialism.

dorsement of Parliamentary ‘candidates, and to decide on

Witch-hunt ‘The NEC also has powers to suspend anyone accused of breaking the rules — before an investigation has been held. Malicious, unsub-

stantiated gossip will be enough to stop someone

Expulsions take time, so the National Constitutional Committee will now be able to hear cases collectively. The requirement for

‘The LPYS has been completely dismantled. NOLS, led Wedge and “young representatives of affiliated trade unions” (who? how chosen?) will now dominate the election of the NEC “youth” representative.

Women

‘Changes tothe rules ol the Women's Organisation only

Labour’s Other Conference

‘Deserved applause forall backers of the leadership challenge at Briofing’s Sunday fringe meeting.

From the floor comrades promoted Wallasey's attemptto bring together left CLPs. Others described the difficulties of bringing trade union militants into the Party.

The left's most successful ‘campaigns — the Labour Campaign for Lesbian and Gay Rights (LCLGR) and Black Sections — both held large fringe meetings.

‘The Black Sections mecting illustrated the broadening of the Black Sections movement with speakers on Broadwater Farm, the Poll Tax, housing etc.

‘The LCLGR (under the tile “We're aot pretending — Labour promotes lesbian and ‘gay equality”) hosted a meeting ‘of 200 people in opposition to Section 28.

It is testimony to the determined campaigning of these ‘comrades that the issue of lesbian and gay rights now com- ‘mands a healthy majority on Conference floor — even if public performance between Conferences still lags behind paper policy.

‘Women, faced with a fight to defend their organisation in the Conference hall, had a big presence on the fringe.

Walworth Road takes new powers

partially reflected the con: sultation exercise. In other words, the NEC chose the bits that suited it. Surprise, surprise. — women's demands to elect their own NEC representatives and pul resolutions to Conference did not appear on the agen da.

Regions

To stop regions campaigning on “national” or “international” issues, (unilateralism, anti-apartheid, black sections, women, lesbian and ‘92 rights, Ireland, Poll Tax), Regional Conferences willbe resticied to “regional” matters only.

Labour Groups

Pressure from trade unions forced the withdrawal ‘of one rule change, which would have stopped Council workers from being observers to Labour Groups. But they've still agreed to bar Councilors who've had the Whip withdrawn from standing as candidates.

‘One of the few positive changes occurred here:,es-

tablishing a Register of Inter-.

Women for Socialism meeting was strenghthened by Elean Thomas (from the ‘Workers Party of Jamaica) who transfixed the meeting with her account of black women’s struggles against sexism and for socialism.

Less encouraging was the presence of the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child who managed to collect 28 bigots (predominantly men)ina hotel zoom. They were faced by an angry picket of pro-choice ‘campaigners.

‘Other important events included meetings run by the Labour Campaign for Travellers Rights, Broadwater Farm Defence Campaign, Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom, Justic for the Miners, and many more.

T hope this report tas il Iustrated the strength and diver sity of the Labour left and encourged more Briefing readers to attend next year's Conference.

“Apologies to those whose events I've missed and thanksto the 30 plus comrades who contributed to the Briefing daily bulletin — and made this repost possible!

ests for Councillors.

Leadership

Challenges

‘The icing on the cake was thenewrule virtually blocking

‘challenges. "Democracy is expensive’, we were told, so future chal lengers wili need to be nominated by 20% of Labour MPs, thus giving the PLP veto power.

CLPswillbe asked tomandate on the basis of ‘one member one vote” in future (nothing about MPs or trade unions consulting their base).

‘The constitutional amendments will aid the right and the ‘middle class tendency’, ‘who have made it plain they intend to spend the next year working to overturn Conference decisions on unilateralism, trade_union rights, ET, public ownership, and women on shortlists,

The witeh-hunt will focus con anyone who is seen as an obstacle to their alm of proving they can manage capitalism better than the ‘Tories.

‘Labour Briefing No 70" October 130-260h Page 8

Centre Page Debate

A united Europe — for

labour or capital?

Like the TUC and the Socialist Society Peter Tatchell argues that the labour movement in Britain should not demand British withdrawal from the European Community but rather win Europe for a socialist agenda.

Rather than weaken the EC by leaving It, Peter wants to strengthen it by getting the European leftto change it from within. “We have to engage with existing European institutions and seek to transform them.”

Peter's article lacks an analysis of why the EC was set Up in the first place. He will probably agree that the purpose of the EC was andis ostrengthen European capi tal in interational competition.

‘Strength

That requires the ruling ‘classes in Europe to undermine the strength of the European working class. The ECie an essential partof that strategy.

Peter blames the British left with its “wholly negative British-centredness” for allowing “the development of Europe to be determined by parties of the Right.”

But no radical Labour

government would have had any chance of changing the basic character of the EC as an instrument for promoting European capital against other capitals and against he European and international working class.

Together But, Peter argues, if the whole left in Europe gets

together it will be able to change this character and transform the EC into an instrument for European socialism. All we need is to demoeratise the EC.

‘Such a strategy is as reformist and unworkable as 2 strategy to create socialism in Britain through the British Pariament. Why not change NATO from within, also by democratising it? (Europe can always expel the USA from NATO if the US objects toNATO becoming an instrument for European socialism)

Peter confuses the need for the European working class {in alliance with the ‘ecology move! peace movement, etc.)i0“pit the collective power of European labour against European capital” with unification of Europe and coordinated strategies for European states. The Western European states are all capitalist states, even ifsome of them have govern-

ments led by “socialist” parties.

A unification of capitalist states wil fake place i and when the rung classes in these states want &. The EC is their instument, and we must maintain our independence from i

Which forces from the European eft are to cary out Peter's strategy? He seome toinciude all te socialist soial democratic, and Eurocommunist parties “which ‘would almost certainly command an overall majority in the European Parkament=”

‘Does Peter realy think that the socialist parties in France, Spain and Greece, fhe social democratic parties in West Germany and SearGinavia, or the Euro-commurists in Waly and Britain feally want to. abolish capitalism? If youlookat their Party programmes you might Say "yes" Buti you look at their practice since the Second World War, the ‘answer can only be “no

Withdraw All socialists in Europe

European capital. Socialists should also oppose new countries like Turkey’joining the EC.

At the same time, socialists should build up

their own European and international institutions to ‘combat capital. In Britain, the National Union of Mineworkers has already begun this.

Peter wants us to reform the EC in order to solve problems like the arms race, environmental degradation, resource depletion, etc. These problems are not strictly European but international problems.

Peter's strategy is too Euro-centred| He is absolutely right to point out the need for the labour movement to organise across boundaries. (Workers of the world — unite!” as someone wrote in 1848). How this can be done in 1988 and the fu- “ture is the question.

Links

Building stronger links between trade union activistsin multinational companies is part of the answer. Building an intermational for revoluionary socialists is another patt ofthe answer. Building a European and intemational peace movement, ecology movement, etc., are a third part of the answer.

‘All of these components should make demands and put pressure on the EC. But they should keep their polit cal and organisational independence from EC institutions.

The EC: the ruling class must co-operate “to undermine the working class”

A STR FOR E

In Briefing’s Summer Special, PETER TATCHH Europe”. Here, Peter develops his ideas, and FI) points made in the Summer Special. Send your q PO Box 457, London SW2 5UZ by the end of Od

PETER TA

AN ALTER

SOCIALIST STRATEGY

FOR EURO

‘The 1989 European elections are less than a year awa If Labour is to win those elections and contribute to the victory of the socialist Left in Europe, we need radical ‘and inspiring Alternative Socialist Strategy for Europe which can address the three great historic issues crucial to the future of our continent: economic democracy, ecological sustainability, and de-militarisation. The central themes of the Alliernative Socialist Strategy for 1989 must be:

Economie Democracy to women and black people, and femody class inequalities and — the universal provision of day Socal injusice which deeply nurseries and pre-chooleduce divide Europe and condems ton Shillions of working clase "A Green Programme for people to unemployment, low Ecological Sustainability to frages and deprivation. halt the ecological eriis which Ever since the bourgeois threalens Europe with the twin revolutions, there has been a calarophies of environmental ‘isjunction between politcal ruinaion and resource scarcity. democracy and economic dictstorsh pis "The poiical systems of the Continent governed by heprinipleofone The peoples of our continent person one vote but their face many shared ecological CSonomie systems are based on problems, such a acid rai, the themassvedsenfranchsemeot poisoning of the underground oe eae frater table with fertiliser oes nitrates, nuclear radiation leaks, Eimpowermelit the destruction of the ozone layer the greenhouse effect and ‘Totackleclass powerandes. global warming, soil erosion tablishecenomic democracy andenutfcaion andthe conthe empowerment of the work- tamination of food sth pesing class requires the exen- _tiede and hormone residues. from managers and directors to ecological problems could the whole workfore tesalt in. possibly dnreverible “This should be done through climatic and penetc changes — ‘Scmocracy, rade union control humancancers andallergies, the of pension funds, employee wholesale flooding oflow-lying records and accounts, and the desertification of much of tramsferof share ownersuipinio sour and central Burope. Swedish-style Wonker's Share" Of equal concem, Eatope's Funds. finite stocks of nara resources ‘The Charter must also in- aye beginning to um out. If this clude commitments to 4 rapidexhaustioniereplicated on European Minimum Wage aglobalscale the world ouldbe equivalent to two-thirds ofthe plunged int s series of ruthless fverage industrial exmings ia Interimperialist wars for the cach country. 2 35-hour week, Sqoal pay for work of eqoal

Labour Briefing No.70- October 130-260 Page

Centre Page Debate

LLL, put forward a “soci IN JENSEN and JIM THAIN take up the tributions to the debate.to Labour Briefing, lober.

‘Tosvertthirecologicalester- defence based on: nism requires a fundamental 1) The renunciation of allenge fo private ownership nuclear weapons and a commitindustry, production for ent to the creation of @ fit, and competitive free European Nudear-Free Zone. economies. 2) A pledge of “no frst use ‘The ecological survivability of force” in intemational relaIf Europe necessitates a tions pean Environmental 3) ‘The withdrawal of the jy involving the creation of armed forces of the European European Resources _ states irom thee far-flng global juthority to conserve our deployments and remnants of tinent's scarce and limited empire and their organisation tral resources and ensure around an exclusively homemote efficient use based and scf-defensive role. There is also a need for a 4) Greater emphasis on “in ropesn Environmental depth” guersilla-based ter. tection Agency to outlaw ritorial defence — along the lation, safeguard the natural lines of the Swedish and Yugosvironment, enforce the adop- Jay models — which spreads the

European economies fune- formations wich aze non-belaccordingtothepracipleof — jigerentandofferaoeasy targets ological. sustainability far enemy attack, while seul igh mechanisms of green taneously maintaining an ability ng and sate intervention to conduct a debilitating war of tion Surcharges, Energy- attrition against an invading Peach tatcig Cusree) “coey Tax-Relie and Beological 5) The incorporation of noaaduct). violent civilian resistence — Non-Provocative jjuough suikes, sabotage and ence Strategy for Common tax refusals — as an anxlary sity tobegin the process of component of defence policy te militaistion and to over- _ yeader the people of Europe un. ¢ the mutual distrust and governableby an aggressor (and in the ongoing division of tusuppressable by military PThrough « de-escalation to ship) togicn — which ae strictly andcheaper-—-weapon systems breed on anti-tank ant-shipand ant -aireraftcapebites.

uninspiring Euro-reformism of the Labour leadership, this radical Alternative Socialist Strategy for Europe offers the military blocs encouraged, possibility of uniting and jd the impetus to a full motivating the four great san Socialist Union be- European-wide popular moveieen East and West ac- ments — the trade union, ated, socialist, green and peace move” fo guarantee mutual security ments. If mobilised effectively, ripprochement, requires 2 they have the collective and mon. commitment. to creative power to change the -gies of non-provocative course of European history.

of ecologically-compatible defending forces thinly over a | logies, and ensure that wide area in wholly defensive |

Ford picket line: workers demand, and receive, Europe-wide solidarity

For a socialist Europe: reform or revolution?

Peter Tatchell’s aim in setting outa Programme for building a European Socialist Union is admirable, but I feel he places too much faith in the benevolence of remote bureaucracies.

Indeed, he goes so far as to say that Europe can only be turned towards socialism “through co-ordinated strategies by the European states” (my emphasis).

Peter's scenatio involves a vaguely defined “European Convention of the Left, which draws up “a radical agenda for a People's Europe which dotends the European working classes...”

But what action does Peter envisage by the masses themselves?

His arguments — political, economic, and

cultural — are flawed by idealism.

Wonderful Itwould be wonderful to

Tn contrast to the insipid and | ‘pit the collective power of

European labour against that of European capita”, but Peter is forgetting what he himself wrote in Tribune: “the European Community member states have diferent economic bases and are at different levels of economic development.” This unevenness produces an international division of labour. indeed, a key function of the EC isto

problematic, particularly in light of the worldwide crisis of working class leadership.

Despite the uneven development of European states, Peter is obsessed with the idea of European identity. This lures him into

broad

statements fke: “The nations of Europe have broadly similar histories and cultures.” (Tribune)

This tendency to ‘overgeneralise permeates Peter's economic analysis. Because capital increasingly relies on transnational financial institutions, Peter believes “unified European capitalist empire” will emerge.

Circulation

Yet increased capital circulation does not in itso dissolve inter-capitalist ‘competition. There is no all-embracing conscious collective management of capital. Rather. ‘transnational institutions provide for temporary martiages of convenience between rival capitalisms which, though interdependent, remain discrete

Peter's recipe for combatting this putative ‘empire is to “engage with ‘existing European progress towards socialism is to be achieved through

the left gaining control of the European Parliament. The Treaty of Rome could then "be radically rewritten, ignored or abolished.” (Tribune)

Inother words, the Treaty is useless. Why then bother with it? This is a tortuous and draining path to socialism; and capitalism wil not permit itself to be ‘overturned with such fastidious ease.

The source of Peter's utopianism is openly stated in Tribune: “In this process, reforms the linchpin.”

But you can't reform capitalism, and the EC is above all a capitalist institution. You cant gradually introduce a set of production relations which is in complete conflict with the existing system.

Peter draws an analogy between the EC and the House of Commons (Tribune). i both are Capitalist clubs, why does the left advocate abstention from one and not the other?

Analogy

This analogy is purely formal. Participation in Parliament s a strategy, not an absoiute principle. In certain circumstances sections of the Labour loft would abstain from pariiamentarism. Currently, however, participation plays a positive (mainly consciousness raising) role in the class struggle.

The same cannot be said of the EC; though we should exploit its

“international” character to raise socialist demands.

Abstention

The lefts correct to advocate abstention, but for the foreseeable future Britain will remain in the EC. Therefora, we do need to elaborate a set of consciousness raising demands which counterpose a labour strategy to the capitalist

for European-wide planning of social needs;

-for freedom of information;

-for social ownership of the means of production;

sfor industrial democracy;

sfor a 35-hour working week;

sfor a European-wide minimum wage;

against the regionalisation of pay levels;

against unemployment;

sagainst the centralisation of power.

We can use debates around EC elections to raise these ideas, but we ‘cannot rely on EC institutions to forge the links betwoon workers needed to win them

People in struggle must ‘make these connections themselves, asin the Miners’ Strike and the Ford and P&O disputes. Only through the realisation that we all share common needs can international socialism be achieved.

{All quotas not athorwisa atbuted are rom Briefings Summer Special)

ee

Labour Briefing No. 70 October 130h-26th Page 10

Features: Economic issues

WORLD BANK/IMF IN BERLIN

Smash the creditors’ cartel!

Last month in Berlin, a week-long protest greeted a Conference of the banks and their state backers — the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Finance Ministers.

The official World Bank/IMF annual meetings took place from September 26-29th, and were, as usual, a bankers’ junket.

‘There were 12,000 private bankers in Berlin and even larger numbers of bodyguards and police, adomed with a starling aeray of weaponty.

‘Schools were wamed that Kreuzberg, an area in which ‘most Turkish immigrants and many of the left live, might be sealed off during the mectingsto keep the inhabitants out of the City centre.

On the preceding Friday and Saturday. counter-conference took place, organised by the German Green Party and a coalition of organisations attended.

Its inal declaration called for an across the board cancellation of Third World countries’ debt, without conditions.

From Monday to Thursday, coinciding with the official meetings, the Permanent People’s Tribunal met, heard testimonies form Third World “victims”, indicted the World Bank/IMF for abuse of human rights, and made various proposals for reform.

On Sunday about 80,000 people marched through the cceatre of Berlin. They camried effigies of bankers. Onc demonstrator dressed up,as policeman with aplacand saying

By TERESA HAYTER

“Tam looking for my mother.”

‘On Thursday another big demonstration, organised by the autonomous left and demanding the abolition of the IMF/Wodld Bank, was cordoned off and kept away from the centre. Ger- ‘mansexpected the policeto vent theiranger where they woalda’t be observed

Every night there were smaller, drum-beating demonstrations. Limousines were bumt

‘On Wednesday, barricades kept bankers from the Con ference Contre for half an hour. ‘At other times the protesters in their old cars snarled the bankers’ up in trafic jams, and stuck dollar bills through their windows.

‘The World Baak/IMF bave ‘boon a part ofa creditors’ cartel of type that never confronted European and US debrors in the past. The cartel includes the governments of creditor countries, the Bank/Fund, the private banks themselves, and ‘many Third World governments seeking to identify themselves with thecapitalst world masket

“The lenders cartel has been so successfal that not only are the banks now relatively secure against Third World default, bat transfers of capital from the ‘Third. World to industrialised countries have been rising steadily. By 1987 net transfers hhad reached an estimated $39 billion.

‘The World Bank and the IMF have themselves been beneficiaries of this enforced

‘generosity. Since 1984 both institutions have been net borrowers from the Third World; the annual flow of capital tothe IMF has been on average about $3 billion andto the World Bank about $1.9 billion.

‘The Third World's gifts of ccapitalhave been mainly giftsto the United States. They helped to make possible net capital inflows to the United States of

about $154 billion in 1987.

“They also help to finance Britain’s trade deficit, probably around $12 billion in 1988, and thus enable Lawson (for the time being) notto reverse his tax

mes”, imposed only on Third World governments, which raise money to service debt ‘through cuts in social spending, investment and imports.

Recession

But the cause of Third World debt isnot tobe found within the ‘Third World countries thems:!- ves, but — in the recession within the major capitalist ‘est rates have added billions to debi-servicing charges and the collapse of commodity prices has chopped billions from ex-

receipts,

Tn retum for submission to IMF/World Bank conditions, Third World governments receive smallish loans, postponement of repayment, and some new loans from private banks — to cover part of their interest payments to these very same banks. Since 1982, their total debt burden has doubled,

Only in the last year or two have the IMF/World Bank shifted to some consideration of partial “debt forgiveness”. They insist that any debt redvction ‘must still be applied on a “ease by case” basis, and only if ‘governments comply with IMF demands.

In addition, “debt swaps” ‘enable banks to gain control of profitable assets in the Third World, and assist the World Bank in its longstanding drive for Thatcherite privatisation.

‘The debt crisis has made it ‘easier for the World Bank and the IMF to force what they calla

“market-orientated direction’ ‘on previously recalcitrant Thicd World governments,

They clung to one simple, ideologically-determined ‘model. It includes cuts in subsidies (for example, on food), ‘wagecuts, privatisation, and im- [port liberalisation. Hs costs are bome mainly by the poor, another reason for the complicity of many Third World governments with the creditors’ cael.

‘The word “poverty”, after an absence of around five years, has re-entered the Vocabulary of the IMF/World Bank, together

with a good deal of shetoric about the environment. Thisis a public relations exercise.

tisalsoa recognition thatthe “adjustment process” may be threatened by the rebellious peoples in the Third World. So far there have been IMF/World Bank riots in Egypt, Morocco, ‘Tunisia, and Zambia,

Itistime the LabourParty lost its Mtasions about these institutions. We should join the people of Berlin in demanding their abolition, Labour policy should include a commitment to ‘withdraw from them.

The IMF philosophy is that of intemational capitalism: the rich move in fora quick, speculative kil;

whie the working class pay.

Consgold Takeover Battle

Dissecting the Transnational Octopus

While we minnows splash about in our tiny pool, worrying about the Poll Tax and ILEA abolition, above our heads @ huge power struggle rages among giant transnational corporations.

‘The object of the struggle is Consolidated Goldfields (Consgold) the London-based internation al mining and industrial group.

Consgold is the second largest gold producer outside the Eastern bloc. It has big South African interests, (a 38% holding in Gold Fields of South Africa) and a 49% stake in Newmont Mining. a US gold and coal producer.

“The predatoris a company ¢alled Minorco, an oftshorebasedinvestmenthouse with holdings in Engelhard Corporation (US metals group) and a 36% share in Charter Consolidated of the UK, which in tum owns 38% of Johnson Matthey {remembst them?).

Minorco, headed by Sit Michael. Edwardes, :once of

By Paula Watson Westminster South SLP

British Leyland, already has 29% of Consgold and has now launched a £2.9 biliion bid to take over the lot. £2.9 billion would be enough to put the NHS straight. Minorco is 60% owned by two South African based companies — Anglo- ‘American and De Beers. Both are part of the empire built up by Harry Oppenhheimer, who put together the largest mining in the world, founded on gold and diamonds and cheap black African labour. ‘Oppeniheimer's group spans six continents and controls more than 100 companies. Because of the South African involvement there has been a move to refer the bid fo the Monopolies Commission. Even the leadership of the Labour Party has raised a few feeble squawks. It seems unlikely that the Thatcher government will in

tervene directly on the South

African issue, but they may be forced to set up an inquiry into the allegations of insider

dealing.

‘Some £25 million has already been made by ‘speculators, who, before the takeover was launched, bought options on Consgoid's shares through a London-based broking house, the Swiss-owned Savory Milin. Savory Miln’s parent company, Swiss

Anglo-American and De Beers conspired to depress the gold price to help the bid. ‘The price of gold is low at

based mining empire trying to take over one of the world’s

process.

But that's not the end of it. Minorco's bidis what the City calls a “hostile” attack. There fg the:possibiity:of-« "White

Knight” (a friendly merger offer). Rio Tinto Zinc Corporation has been mentioned ashas the Hanson Group, at though Consgold will consider them raiders rather than “White Knights”

‘Another possibility is that Consgold could be rescued by Newmont Gold, which is 90% owned by Newmont mining. Last year, Consgold acquired its 49% stake in Newmont Mining when itrescued the company from a hostile takeover bid by Mr. T. Boone Pickens.

“The most likely scenarios, thatNewmont Gold would bid {or both its parent company (which acquired heavy debts) and Consgold, forming an Anglo-American corporation based in the US, which would then dump its ‘South African interests.

‘The strength of Newmont Gold is that it holds a dominant position in the Nevada goldfields, which are developing into the most im-

‘worried at the possible emergence.of.a rival: American

based mining giant. Minorco has made itclear thatifits bid is successful it would pull Conegold out of Newmont.

A battle between South Atrican and American capital could well develop.

All of this is part of a process whereby control of more and more of the world's resources is garnered by fewer and fewer giant transnational corporations. Its importance for socialists cannot be overstated.

There is a fashionable school of thought which suggests that the power and ‘complexity of these transnationals is so great that no socialist economic strategy can tackle them. All we can do is work to socialise smallscale or local industries.

‘Another ine, even more <deteatist, argues that the internationalising of capital precludes any. radical economic strategy.

But no socialist plan can work without tackling the transnationals. In Britain a large slice’ of service and manufecturing industry is controlled by them. Consgold itself is.a:major producer. of

construction and building materials through its subsidiary ARC.

How can we put part of the economy under common ‘ownership and workers! control, while leaving the rest to be run by capitalist giants in Johannesburg or New York?

The manoeuvrings over ‘Consgold show the urgency of the situation. The transna~ tionals straddle the world like giant octopi with tentacles in every corner of the globe. Through takeovers and mergers, corporations are growing larger and more powerful.

‘We need todo three things

quickly

+We must understand our ‘enemy by analysing and leaming what transnational capitalism is and how it works.

*We must forge international links with workers’ movements elsewhere to plan and organise the fight against these monsters.

“We need to produce a strategy for dismantling these corporations and taking them into common

HEQeH &9097 ;O.LOHd

Labour Briefing No.70 October 13th 26th Page 11

Features

SOCIALIST CONFERENCE

Discussing intiatives at the 1988 Socialist Conference: Miko ‘Marqusee speaks at the Labour Briefing fange meeting.

COVENTRY

POLYTECHNIC. Students go

on rent strike

All the Halls of Residence in Coventry Poly are now onrent strike.

"The strike started with the (60 students in Raglan Hall, all of whom thought the rent ‘was too high: £36 a week, for which they get a damp room and ten minutes walk to meals.

Residents at Raglan eat at Priory (550 residents) which ‘was the next Hall o go.0n stike, not just over the rent (£38.65) but also over the inedible food.

“The other two Halls — Caradoc and River House — 00m joined the reat ste.

‘Caradoc Hall residents (280) include families and

parents. The rent is too high and the Halls also four miles away from the campus and the city centre. No ‘anspor is provided; an impossible stain on women and single parents,

"The rent strike was linked with building forthe “Beat the Blues" demo at Tory Pasty Conference in Brighton. Two ‘coaches were set by Poly students.

“The demo was called over the proposed introduction of voluntary membership for student unions and the threat to replace student grants wit loans, and asa general protest against govement education policy.

‘Briefing supporters are active in all sections of the rent strike and on the'union executive. Inthe summer our

argument that the Union should call arent strike for the sat of term was unfortunately defeated. This meant that ‘when residents themselves called a stike valuable time hhad been lost and about 30% had already paid their rent

By Carl Taylor External Affairs Officer Coventry Poly SU (personal capacity)

‘Despite this, the strike ix solid and the uaion is giving 100% support. The question now is: how do we win? The union and the Residents Committees have corecily decided that we must spread the strike.

‘The rent strike isan isolated form of action. We also need actions that will involve people in collective activity. On October 21st there is 2 Board of Governors meeting —an opportunity for amass demonstration and picket.

Students throughout higher ‘education face problems with ‘substandard housing and high reat. Other colleges should <draw inspiration from the Coventry action and build similar campaigns.

Letters of support should be sent to Coventry Poly ‘Students Union, Priory Steet, Coventry CVI SSI. Colleges should discuss mobilising for October 21st.

By REG RACE

‘The Socialist Conferenceis ‘sponsored by the Campaign Group, the Socialist Society, and the Conference of ‘Socialist Economiats.

We are undertaking 2 major programme of activity in 1989. Thete wR? be:

reinforcing the case for ‘socialism in Britain,

political issues, including sthe Poll Tax; “Trade Union ‘Solidarity; Socialist Giasnest and the European Left; -Women for Socialism Trade, and Third World Debt; “Housing Policy; Democratic Rights: “Green Politics and Socialism; sNon-alignment and withdrawal from NATO (organised by the CNA);

*A recall Socialist Conference in Sheffield in June 1989;

*Alarge number of regional and local conferences in every part of

First things first. An apology: in my article in the Summer Special, “Race Groove” should have read “Rare Groove”.

‘Anyone who regularly comes across a music paper or a tabloid (for whatever reason), or who might even venture for a night out at certain places, will have noticed that a musical phenomenon known as ‘Acid House has been ‘sweeping the trendier Biz-dominated discoes up and down the country.

‘Questions have even been asked in Parliament, and all-party condemnation. of this latest threat to the morals of youth has poured forth.

‘What is Acid House? While I ‘cant pretend to be the “finger ‘on the pulse” export here, | think Te heard enough to form an opinion.

autonomous groups in struggle: Black Sections Chair Narendra Makanji speaking about

‘Supporting the Black Agonda.

believes, in common with the Campaign Group, that we must show determined ‘moral and political leadership to fill the vacuim in the movement, which is widely perceived in

subject to amendment by Conference:

That the Party adopts an economic policy based on

Basically itsooms ‘excessively monctonous, electronically synthesised, highly Funked-up combination {of US and Euro disco, the “new” elements being “heavy mixing” (use of electronic ‘effects and much messing ‘about with the different

5) and excessive use of samplers (electronic ‘memories in which any sound ‘canbe stored and then reproduced through a keyboard)

By MAJOR UNREST

“These now elements are supposedly acid-incpired, acid being a chomical stimulant, a hallucinogenic drug which for ‘most people most of the time ‘canbe a pleasant experience, ‘but which can aiso cause homific hallucinations, foss of control and an overwhelming sense of paranoid dread, and -doosn't de your body much ‘geod, thor: kn shy opinion Hs ‘otto be taken regularly and

planning and public ‘ownership, to provide full ‘employment, eliminate poverty and redistribute wealth;

<The retention of the policy of unilateral nuclear

isarmament and restore the commitment to cut defence spending;

*Acommitment to remove all iagal constraints on trade unionism.

The debate willbe taken to trade union conferences and a series of pamphlets and briefings produced.

MUSIC COMMENTARY Marxists on Acid Scandal

conainly never in excossive uantties

Tm being a bithard on Acid House Ive heard some good (grooves) pay as a rosur of {ho scom that fend, who (ike me) used tobe a punk Sd nom work ina wendy lib, poured on my Bole! that Hip Hop and House music cary the saad of the most posibve youth musial Eb-cuture sine punk

‘Sho doscrdos the average Acid House audiones ap pr Corentand he accticuse dances as having almost fascite overonat

T seem to remember reading somowmeto that Asome, 8 Marset aural ein pre-World War Il Germany, Boboved al kong rnc music tbe a potertia ol oe Coplalem and ascem. ‘oncouragig a slave ‘ovticaion with the work

‘As @ Marist myself I would say wo should look at music ialoctically (recognising that ‘everything isin a constant state of development, and that

‘The Campaign Group will establish a network in every Labour Party region to pursue the objectives of the ‘Campaign for Socialism within CLPs and trade unions in their areas; and convene national meetings of representatives of the regional networks, trade union Broad Lefts and national campaigns.

For further information contact Reg Race on 0246-85143.

‘all cutural forms arise on the site of a continuous struggle of ‘competing ideas).

| would argue that strongly rhythmic music, with ts unifying pulse, encourages a feoling of community in an audience (especialy when loud ‘and enveloping) that can be either progressive or reactionary depending on the ‘overall feel and message in the ‘musie and Iytics,

“The purpose of analysing ccutural forms from a Marxist ‘standpoint should be to luminate (without ‘over-simpitying) their ‘economic and social roc, their social function and their social psychology, the deep reasons for their existence and {or people's identification with them.

‘All this isin order that we as socialists will be better able to conlest and nurture resistance: ‘o-capttaist ideas in all areas of everyday le.

‘Just where that leaves us With Acid House, I'm not sure. Stay tuned to find out moro inthe next Labour Brifing.

Building Briefing

Calcot tenants

determined to

fight Tory CONTACT BRIEFING

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shift workers? informs the world weaknesses (72),

fending words when etc. (222).”

consulted on the

‘Counell officers had Gk et text of a councit The fight Let's just hope they| report. They feared he iT ready concluded that “don't add to the al- ‘(oanisadcrese), the Couneii coua _ Against qumectewoung EOS ready rich ‘con

fall foul of the The Leeds Labour Group ticehadbeeninoperc —troveray on the go| From: “

Lecal Government act fecently considered a tion. amongst the left |

Proscriptions on ‘motion, put forward by Brian Smith. monager of by arousing any Alten. Spoliticar Labour Bilefing sup- the Wortleydepotofthe suspicion the infor~ ublicity porterkelthNathan,that Peter J. Hopkinson Sot ion thus gathered rat sexe “season tne Me Council not co, Group, aumlted ang 1d be neld on con fail an 1¢ Sun have operte-wai ae ind uter. My account number is: Missed ‘thin tavest SUDPoMt the Leads Ac- an employes. ANEW yeamnite, the next} outrage by cen- _ tion Against Workfare — Mayes, driver of the “tine you find aj _ Please debit from my account each month the sum of sorious Town Hall scheme. (oaan ruck from which smartly dressed] £4, in favour of Labour Briefing No. 2 Account, busy-bodies. 15 Labour Councillors 18 worktopsfellontopof — = rresher” asking you| Co-operative Bank, Stratford E15, Code 08-90-76, Account Or perhaps this move Yoledtortejection.20ig- KevinKeating.admied 3. Seten you change| 0-50349957. ie june bert er'ens fered the deckion of falling fo take hey often you change TUC Congress, and teasonablecoreofafer ¥°8F,P°S*S" 2941 saningon:

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Br eee retceoesne hee cousins Sain waa Lanbech’s provcues Meanwhile, Leeds were granted an ab- S893 §8 YUE P88") thereafter on. date) of each month leadership, the Lec, | Magistrates have just _ solute discharge. Bes sne Tea ns Boek

and the “post-Fox. fined a local fm'1.500 Kevin Keating, of coune, S308"5:, 0425985251 Signature.

for two health and had already been sen-

dist” ost ion could obviousSocialist) serxion %0f0¥V offences which fenced —to death. Or, 17" Soy ene Seary sroday. led to the death of YIS as fast December's in- fE To Society as] Dated.

trainee Kevin Keating: _ quest put It: death by ye know it. ocr | $750foreach offence." misadventure. ARN RNR

Labour Briefing No. 70, Qctober 130h-260h Page 13,

Reviews

Old ideas,

and extension of services. Too

Socialism, Merit and often those cutting services Efficiency, Fabian Society have been able to use cynical Pamphlet No.50, by Paul theforic about services’ unCorrigan, Trevor Jones, Populasty or nadeaaey:

‘John Lloyd and Jock eople should receive Young rewards on a measure which

recognises what they put in to society,” isthe pamphlet’ sargumeat for “merit” as a central tenet of socialism.

‘Compare this to Marx: “From each according to his ability, £0 each according to his need”.

It would be easy to dismiss this pamphlet as ideological cover for Left Labour Councils in retreat. But its

ideas arecurrently veryin- Two clearly opposed definifluential. tions. TH argues that a crisis In local government would have Gee eae chest tie, 5 BY JONN | Tory attacks and consequent DAVIDSON

cuts, Like state-rum inustries, local government is bureaucratic and unresponsive.

‘The pamphlet calls for a new relationship between citizens ‘and stale institutions, founded ‘on concepts of merit and efficiency. There isa small kernel, of trth here.

Too often “defending jobs and sevices” has been scen as “defending the indefensible” — poor services and boring jobs. Too often we have not linked ‘our fight to the improvement

‘Despite fortuous attempts to ‘qualify this notion of merit with talk of rewarding “achievable successes” (elated to ability) the bald message remains: the ‘more people put in to society, the more they should get out. ‘These less able will have to set their sights on lower “achievable” goals, while the highfliers reap the big rewards.

“Institutions should be judged according to their efficiency in carrying out agreed tasks,” the authors argue. “Ef

BOOK REVIEW Socialism and Trade

Union Militancy

invented between Lenin's Trade Unions and view of trade unions in the ‘Socialist Politics, by John _ transitional society and the Kelly, Verso 1988, £9.95 fraudulentstate-controlled apparatuses in This book is ames fenemporary Eastom ‘on just about every “< level, which is a pity a i because the initial idea ‘BY Mike Phipps, looked promising. Woolwich CLP ‘John Kelly, emerging from Eurocommunist Teon Trotsky gets @ influence, subjects his particular bashing, both for ‘mentors to withering his general “one-sided criticism, based on catastrophist vision” and firetchand investigation of more particulary for his the working class characterisation ofthe

trade union bureaucracy as a distinct conservative layer with differnt material

movement. But there is alloo litle ‘genuine investigation,

leaving the sensible interests from the working question which Kelly asks" class a whole.

in his Introduction (about Evidence for such a the relation between trade proposition, which Kelly

doesn't really consider, is

union struggles and class dismissed as ‘ad hoc,

consciousness) totally

answered. unsystematic and Instead, there are a anecdotal, and for all these ‘umber of theoretical reasons unreliable”,

Kelly prefers Gramsci’s ‘approach to trade unions and is particularly taken with the importance Gramsci attaches to factory councils. Trotsky's critical writings on factory councils are not even mentioned in this context, despite the list of a score of hiss relevant works in the index.

forays which reveal just how litle Kelly understands of the ideas of Marx, Lenin, and other revolutionaries. The section surveying the “big names” of socialist thoughts slapdash. Marx's ‘materialist conception of story is caricatured as “economic determinism” canda jing-of continuity is.

BOOK REVIEW New

ficiency” isclearly a good thing, but efficiency for whom?

Many vicious anti-working class are clearly “ef

ficient” at their job. So is the

from the “agreed tasks” in their lection manifestos)..

‘The authors call for “an extension of citizen's rights and responsibilities” in assessing public sector performance. We agree.

‘We propose to unleash the huge untapped resources of the working class upon local ‘government. Let local com- ‘munities draw up plans with the ‘Council workforce for defining and delivering the services they need.

Let's draw up democratic structures to ensure that their

‘wishes are adhered to, and let’s

censure that Labour Councils

igive them the power that mem- It would sweep 21

ters and officers jealously cling _s1my of professional politicians,

1. ‘bureaucrats and ideologues cur- ‘No doubt that is just a litle rently fiddling while local

too radical and modem for the ‘burs. It has noth

santhors. Suchaplan ing to do with “traditional” ‘would immediately conflict sation or bureaucratic ‘with the govemment’scutbacks with which the and laws.

ecal

‘authors attempt to saddle the

Kelly's theoretical ‘superficiality and his reliance on the accepted wisdom of the Eurocommunists whose views he is trying to Revolution in Central ove weaken his attack. | Europe: 1918-1919, FL. ‘One feels gratified to Carsten, Wildwood Jeam that the Leninist House, £9.95 theory of the state “does | have several very important "; but when It seems bizarre now reading further on that “the | that there was a time in

Swedish labour movement | Europe, inthe aftermath eee oniat, (ore ee swnen ee cehee kt becomes, | communists rode on the clear that, as far a3. crest of a wave of workfundamentals are ing class revolution.

It was the period when

concerned, reader and arter are not using the | communists, like the Hun-

‘same language. garian leader Bela Kun, ‘One uselui chapter of the | Passed measures to book offers arefutation of || socialise everything

| *..down to personal jewellery and small savings” “They were years, in short,

| when our present-day Com-

| munist Party's project for “share-holding socialism”

Hobsbawm's view that sectional economic milltancy has a negative ‘effect on the development of class consciousness. Elsewhere, Kelly is entirely

locked into the would not have been conEurocommunistiramework | sidered exactiy .. radical he wishes to criticise. Revolution in Central

Europe, concentrating onthe break-up of the German and Austrian monarchies, is a valuable guide to a key moment in that epoch.

‘Serious activists who want to explore the relationship between union militancy and socialist consciousness would be far

better off reading Alan Jn 1918, ‘what started as.a Thomett's From Miltancy to | nava) mutiny. within, @ few Martism. | days overthiew a mighty em-

propose for investment, for

pire which seemed to have been built for eternity”. Workers’ councils came into

being

The Hungarian and Czechoslovakian nations asserted their independence. Elected soldiers and wagelabourers supervised the administration, took over responsibilty for basic law, ‘and convened national as

semblies.

By Andrew Coates Ipswich CLP

For the most militant, icluding the German Spartacists, Bela Kun’s communists, and some of the German Independent Socialists this was the start of total revolution

Carsten's detailed research helps clarity our understanding of why the revolution failed. Like Rosa Luxemburg, he criticises those revolutionaries who in duiged in puteshist tactics, against the wishes of the retormist majority inside the working dass.

Garston paints a vivid pic- “ture olthe protien faced by

4 lest “does it retain or extend ccurreat levels of efficiency?" the authors are neither ‘modem’ nor ‘realistic’.

‘These are old-fashioned clapped-out right wing social democratic ideas, which have been tried and failed countless ‘times in the past

BOOK REVIEW

Revolutionary Fire — Still Relevant!

socialists only too aware of the immensity of their ambitions

He is at his most severe with the “moderates” in the German and Austrian Social Democracy. The Germans, swept into power by the workers’ movement, actedto paralyse it

‘Noske’s military command supported the “Freikors” responsible for the deaths of Luxemburg and Liebknecht. ‘Another leader, Ebert, "hated the revolution like sin*.

Carsten argues that such individuals failed to democratise their state and helped prepare the way for a rnew tight ascendency, with far-reaching consequences.

Why is Revolution in Central Europe, originally published in 1972, stil esential reading? it contains counties examples of the capacity of people radically to challenge their conditions.

The revolutionary fire of the period burns in it. We need to be reminded that this potential exists: otherwise we might as well join today's "Communist" Party and sign up for a package of B.P shares,

Labour Briefing No. 70 October 13th 26th Page 14

International Briefing

Ferment and confrontation

, 4 i andlegs and yetanother who The following article by PATRICK KANE of the According to a report fog'cdumreye oui! me

j i Ukrainian Peace Committee is an account of from a leading member sae away from his screamin ij the break-up ofademonstrationinthe Western ofthe Ukrainian ene mother.” s! Ukrainian city of Lviv in August. Union 30-40 people As Army and Miia units i This event was one of a planned monthly series near the Ivan attempted to drive away the ranko statue in the crowds, Colonel shouted to i of mass meetings at the Ivan Franko monument ‘s i centre of Lviv On them ‘Whatdo you need?” in the centre of town. The July meeting attracted Th Kaas ge Mpegs ogg dG i 20,000 people and led the authorities to ban the Sapa lie br oe They were immediaely demonstration! A. Denositon gaterh Lr ee a ee ee ge ere. cae ape inclu ic Union, which has cal waiting in a nearby street, demonstratoin!” and the Ivan Makar, who also Odessa a wha for the withdrawal of Soviet troops from the and were told to disperse. crowd replied “Freedom! played a central role in last describe as an “ant Baltic Republics and Western Ukraine, and the Within a few hours, Freedom! Freedom!” month's protests, was taken democratic pogrom” and Ukrainian Helsinki Union, which proposes the however, the demonstration The riot squads attacked form his home by Miitia and “methods used by the most

transformation of the USSR into “a confederation had grown to 3,000-strong them again and attempted to hasn't been seen since. He reactionary ofregimes.” of independent states,” placing stress on full The protesters began chant- encircle the crowd. “When maybecharged underarticle In the Ukrainian capital ing “Free Ukraine! Free Uk- the demonstrators began to 187 which carries a possible Kiev there have been large

7 anes for national myiortes ' sing the International, sentence of three years for protests by students despite j The ulyassembly sow treemergenceota "0! sy osins ntaatecmmarny tnt Sure tena Fae Tes se aontoe © 1 broad based “Democratic Front to Support Untensthes tat*hardlyhad Special Unit People wore Gorbachev's efforis to prevent hem. ; Perestroika’. along the lines of similar the people of Lviv tasted a beaten, punched, and kick suppress the growing dis- Gorbachev will be parmovements in other parts of the USSR. hint of glasnost the begi. ed” content in the Uteaine have tiularly worled ifthe protost 19% of the population of the USSR live inthe ings ofafreer state, when a A group of SPG Oificers not deterred the Democratic spreads to the Ukraine's in- = Ukrainian SSR, which produces 25% of ‘cold north wind blew.” beat an oldman until he was Front, which plans te con- dustrial Donbass region. It foodstuffs and vital industrial capacity. “The Special Patrol Group unconscious, then dragged _ tinue the protests. was in this region that the ; Chernobyl Is also In the Ukraine. and Mila Units went bet- him othe Miia van tories InastalementsenttoGor- Free Trade Union tradition t Leon Trotsky remarked in 1939, “Nowhere did se" One unit “began to at- of “Fascists! Fascists from bachev, leading opposiion was bom. ; tenneiens coe Baas tack the crowd, dragging in- the crowd. ‘ , fepressions, and in general ee a re! | IRAN/IRAQ WAR i such murderous sweep as they did in the Ukraine “One young woman who lav Fudko, one of the f in the struggle against the powerful, deeply resisted strongly, had her protesters, was followed i rooted longings of the Ukrainian masses for hhead beaten against the van home by thee KGB who at. Hands off the d greater freedom and independenc Until she finally succumbed tacked him and confiscated The Ukrainian Peace Committee can provide and) went sear half-un- ee pos 1 detailed information on these and many other conscious vehicle. fwenty-five le were fi developments now taking place in the Ukraine: e other, momen were. pris ei hihi denne rerugees: contact them at 168/10 King Street, London W6 ee ee OQU. Tel: (01)-221 0533. ap peceed cap ea oR i oe Sed as ee eee By Campaign Against Repression in Iran SOVIET The ceasefire in the Iran-Iraq War has coincided with an intensification of repression in both tran and Iraq.

Both regimes, in order to cover up the futility of eight years of most barbaric and bloody warfare, have

3 Stepped up attacks against thelr opponents, especially workers and national minorities, notoriously, the use of chemical weapons against the Kurds.

But the repression is by no means confined to Iran and lraq. Many thousands of political refugees from this

reatitonaly war are now atthe mercy ofthe TurKish and pponen Ss Pakistan governments who are handing them back to be imprisoned or executed. Just two months ago, the Turkish authorities deported 52 iranian relugoes fo ran. They were summarly executed

ie ony a tow yards from the border. Kinnock’s massive victory with the drive against official this doesnot threten the inter- developing power strugele in | “Wis reported that he Turkish government has received overthe forces of darkness corruption aswell ax hardline ests ofthe buremicracy the CPSU. The “an Ligachey” | $700 por head for this service ts the ranian Regime.

in the Labour Party came 582i open opposition Under He is an ardent supporter of Alexander Yakovlev came | Refugees were stabbed by agents ofthe Iranian Regime in Just after Gorbacher's ‘ischeLigncevatfintap. egenriaionethenyot cropper ender Brezhoev for | Pakstan and the local auoros have ofr rele even aa atest hie vel jg, Pratdas a stong supporter of Rawan thoughout the Soviet wetng an article cicsing | to goneder any acbon.

: . crestroika, and played a lead- Union and a critic of the Rossian nationalizn. the Politburo. es > = ‘On many occasions in the past few months, the Turkish ae oe ens ee eee ens police have not only handed back Iranian refugees but ign ore aaa Shoes have been directly involved in their continuous harassment By Colin Meade sii ae and have imprisoned them. Surbiton CLP Positions : — which oppose Gor One of the few remaining | “ Tyrgot Ozal, the Turkish Prime Minister, visited Iran last ‘ 3 achey,suchasSovetskayaRos- Brezhnevites in high office, | year to negotiate a $3 billion trade deal. To please the

However, in recent years he siya and Molodaya Grardiya, Shcberbitsky, head of the Uk- | Jr is obli inners rare a . Iranian authorities, the Turkish government is obliged to hhas marked out postions which are known for their extreme rainian party, stepped into the | Stop up attacks against lranian relugeos.

el Gece bas”: cones ee shoes of one Pyot Sheles, who | “According tothe Turkish newspaper Hurriyet 50 arian coe ten alana el perenne ae ‘Srascaught cut giving supportto | refugees who are now under the threat of extradition have 2 Be id Ligache he bere A agers Conspiracy Ukrainian nationalism in 1972. | organised a sit-in inside the headquarters of the Turkish

cy > et ee ‘The most encouraging thing | Social Democratic Party. The lives of all franian and Iraqi reper pereroika arches on, showingonlythebad wide ofthe Inthe later paper ane writer to come out of Gorbacher's | soos) Democratic Paty. The les of a past. and in particular the iteges a conspurcy between reahulleis tha thenew head of | “We srongly condemn these acts of repression and

m senigntion fhe Salinpercd. Zionists and. Freemasons, the KGB is no longer in the | gorand tat the UN, wilt dealing withthe ceasefire nalogy Je criticises those who described asthe “living incama- Party leadership. The previous | Gegotiations, should do alin its power to get the

“sometimes try to lessen the tion of Satan”, bent on the secret police chief, Chebrikov, | 2°2°Sment of both regimes to give amnesty to all those stil Feces widanettaipinn” dunting whe of te Stain Scaecinliis Reactant testo testator nk | PE seen nie pee on the left took thie analogy authorities in the cultural jyandthecorrptioncf the Rus of tuming the Soviet Union into | ""-pae a poltical prisonels in Wer and iraqi

Oo semen gare sesresirarsu etc reasons irae pitty ocer ae

i rominence under Yuri agains new means of disciplinP . sciplin- Attitudes to the, natianal _ practical suggestions about, | Contact CARI: BM Box CARI, London WC1N 3XX. Andrdpoy, who was sesocidied ” ing the workforce —as long as. question are fundamental inthe. what these laws should be. = =

Labour Briefing No. 70 October 13th 26th Page 13

International Briefing

on trial!

‘The conclusion of the Gibraltar inquest was predictable. The SAS and the British state were exonerated.

The inquest outcome was predictable because of the ex: Clusioo, fromthe outset, of any examination of the government's role in the affir.

By Piers Mostyn Labour Committee on Ireland

Joumalists and jurors were reduced to studying the mental state of the SAS men: 2 poor substitute for finding out ‘whether they were issued prior instructions to kill —from Londoa.

‘The irony ix that everyone Anows the government has a shoot-to-kill policy. Stalker exposed as much. The government ‘admits as much in its heavily coded statements. So why the silence and Thatcher's unccharacteristically defensive insistence that the state only ‘operates within the law?

‘Openly to admit that it ‘operates a shoot-to-kill policy ‘would risk rebellion from estab lishment liberals and soldiers getting locked up.

‘More importantly, it would involve an admission that Ireland is not a “law and order” problem and that criminalisafion, the centrepiece of state policy since the mid-70s and the basis of Thatcher's proclaimed “victory” over the hungerstrikers, has failed.

‘This in tam would jeopardise Britain’sstanding inthe intemstional propaganda war. The political legitimacy of the strugple against imperialism would be recognised, revitalising the demand for political status for Republican prisoners. The

Tories would suffer 2 major blow to their credibility.

‘The government has got away with murder and covered it up with bypocrisy — a testimony to the weakness of the supine “constitutional” opposi tion in Britain and Ireland. The opposition supports ‘riminalisation and accepts the primacy of “security” considerations and the “law and ‘order” solution.

Nonetheless, the Jong-standing consensus on security policy within establishment circles is ‘weaker now than at any time since the early 1970s.

‘This isa’t to suggest that any breaks in bi-partisanship are imminent. On the contrary, sections of the Tory press have been more forthright in their criticism than Labour.

Despite some “radical” doubletalk, the recent Labour policy document entrenches support for the Accord, the loyalist veto and, in practice, pamtition. Support for British imperialism in Ireland enjoys uunshaken unanimity in ruling circles.

But Gibraltar has demonstrated that agreement on concrete measures to deal with Ireland is harder to come by. Leader writers oxy in despair “there is no solution!”

‘Thatcher has never before had to justify state action as ‘within the rule of law — the RUC officers subject to ‘Stalker’ investigation were ex: plained away as “bad apples’ ‘and therefore not products of state policy,

Ttalso explains the big erackdown on the media that bas ac- ‘companied the debate. In the

the main focus for “censor: hip” was media representation of the Republican viewpoint — interviews with Sinn Fein or footage of IRA volunteers.

‘This year, in addition, we have a wholescale offensive against any discussion or

i 2

scrutiny of government policy

‘on Ireland.

‘The orchestrated campaign | "Tp short he has remained the es-

against “trial by television” coming soon after th

ALONG THE COLOUR LINE | Rainbow Coalition:

build outside the Democratic Party

( soces ave war Dow Sida we vow Tee cousrey Tis ecenomie raovses

A personal view of affairs in the USA by Dr Manning Marable

Since the Democratic Convention im Atlanta, Jesse Jackson has remained on ‘the national political stage, albeit slightly outside the main spotlight.

‘AC the urging of Mari Cuomo, he caucused with vitriolic New York Mayor Ed Koch in order to bridge shat- -Poitieis. the for power" what kind of Paty can the wee eet stdin tat oti Sane td opetsed tos contort at question?

ay ee fered to werk within cotton ich community stv, wade Se eee eee which doce oot hare their fun- wnkonin, women's groupe stand spanic farm workers Sweuatmincgirorctjeven, the more moder ber Cngaged in a she, and has “Tp tuey operate awe the fepresened by the ta Spoken logeatly on behalf of jarasepatyheyrenherk ener ot vig orgnination Minority issucs, women’s of tong soon av ately icevant Ue majority ofthe Congressional Black Canes, most Blak elected dima is thas ffcascs en Falehipcemnat michedtyopertingsimilancns: "The later group shows no i 6 | Usps Pam coitied panty of | clination to pli from the

rights, and organised labour.

SShdnteral of TV reconstruc-| - Betwhathase'thappenedandin- reform, whe alsoorgansing within Democrats it perceives Jackson's Toro the Birmingham Six ap-| doedmay nothopyen ica thoroogh commeniics and neighbourhoods rine to political mominece, 3 ®

peal, isa new twist even in the

‘riiquc of Jackson's 988 Presiden- in social protest movements. lever with which wextractinflvence

Pee i ae efomeinbins | Saleampsignby howsctvinswho But hissing wil fil sles and positon within te era

took par ini. the progressives build an The more progressive forces ‘Many Raicbow proponents were avionomons organisation outside within the Rainbow Coalition,

‘The issues at the core of the | oly yeluctant converts to the the mainstream party, an organi around National Director Ron

debate — the ideologeal ju | ate Scat for Britain's war ad | Gat t best os the ngecrm the fight (or otherwise) of the | visbitiny of the existing polis!

which permits them the Daniels and others to his let, view the situation differently. They are calling for a permanent 1

Publis to discuss and ctcic | purty sym io ies fandanee: Poller sot merely the process democratic srt forthe Rain Fie aie’s policy —- won't go | tl economic, soci, and political of elections: i isthe siggle fr bow whichtranacend the polities of away, regardless ofthe inquest | problems. power, and the realsaGon of every personality.

verdict.

"A socialist response must in- | Ye ™* wolve © breed but clear fight | So” Tig vowed Ses pate

"They mopportedJesscnotbecause Group's objective interests. Since The Rainbow ean only become be was the “best of bed allema- most of the Democratic Party’s effective iittakes concrete steps to

Ieadershipdo not share common in- develop an active programme ou tion within the Democratic terests with low income people, side the Democratic Party. Ax 9

against criminalisation, repres- | Primaries as « means of revolt Blacks, Hispanics, and others their minimum, this would include a no-

ton, and death squads, and for | Sgsiathe hegemony of the tro- notion of power” wile radially

withdrawal

i nesespaper, 2 permanent na aff, does structure, regional

(em, a rebuke to different from ours. tion

party

Days afir the end of the in- | Reaganism's reactionary agenda Jackson has said “it thes (wo field organisers, and branches geen came the twenith an- | sndanaccal again he ighward ~wingsofy".apropreveandcom which take up local at well 0

‘Eversary of the first major civil | drift among Democrats. Servative wing wi

rights march in Derry. The In Te tons madkod te occasion | Semin gsi Third Paris,

Sooo Soe = Se | ee

‘obvious contradictions.

Socialist Travellogue

inthe tional issues. ee meer sem mbich Democrat Party 10 achiowe clee- The next age forth Rainbow is

toralviciory. The analogy sperhaps dhe: development of permanent SSRETTET ater Merwe forte Rainbow tel. nuclear of stv engaged i= tai Wi he most the decade wil

conservative and reactionary

Iibeal ofthe two pasties, they are

In Cuba with the Jose Marti Brigade

IAN LUND, a Briefing supporter and NUR and Tottenham Labour Party member, returned last month from five weeks in Cuba with the

Jose Marti Brigade.

The open-topped truck hesitated as it reached the brow of the hill; gears crashed and stomachs knotted in fear.

Looking back, the road snaked down in switchback curves through the green-cloaked mountain sides.

‘Then the moment of fear passed and the truck surged

forward. Not only werd imiontal thanks made to the truck’s Soviet

‘manufacturers, but any momentary regrets at having embarked consuch acrazy tip were shelved atloastuntilthe stoop descent

began.

‘This had been the best day of the tip to Cuba: a three-hour ‘coach journey from Bayamo to the foothills of the Sierra Maesira; and then an hour-long ascent by truck, followed by a five km teek on foot up rocky ‘mountain pathsto view the Com mandancla General dol Ejercto Flabeide at La Plata

“This was the querila HO from Which Fidel directed the war ‘against Batista. The base con

sisted ofa canteen, radiostation, regina. Representatives from liberation

torent Third World countries

press briefing room, and Fite "Unfortunately for die-hard movements also came to speak feceive Tree education in their former ving queries. complete sectarians and Marxist (ANC, SWAPO. POLISARIO own language,

with bed and fridge.

setae, ts aide wil not Front, URNG from Guatomala, Finally, the Brigade left

hy bod an Ge son, tox Meiers. Wie Secuaatin’ FONVEMLN,endeepracontaves Havana fora 900km journey by selamy reasons, This prompiod "Ig Cube socalst?” Iferesied fromthe Nicaraguan Embassy). tain tthe oy of Bayamo for rintopewels chsctmaydeddeterthonse’ We visited Havana's main wodk of sightseeing n Granma

spect cies (ine 1961 a2. vee by joing the doco Marti psychiatric hospital, faciories, Province, where the revolution:

sauit on the Bay of Pigs was

a ifece main purpose is museums, parks. and oc- ary war bogan

Shicwhascs) tecampcould tolet people nd out more about casionaly the beach! Deloga- My lasting impressions of

be utiised once more.

Teceee evolution —at frst tions from the Brigade met with Cuba? ‘On the down side, the

‘This isn't sUch a remote hand. the FMC (the Cuban women's policy of isolating AIDS sutforors prospectiolowingtha lection "The Jose Mai Bigade has organisation), the CT (ade and those tested HIV Positive. Freresilicose ‘Reagan ad- beengoingto Cubalor 14 years. union federation), the Pioneers, On the. up side, Cuban inter

ministration in 1980, theinvasion The partidpants work

travel Association of Cuban nationalism and the emotional

wihonada in 1988,andUS sup. together not as Tourisis",but as Economists, and the Ministry of experiance of visiting a camp for

port for the Contras in “brigadistas”. We spent three Education wounded El Salvadorean Nicaragua. ‘woaks ina camp near Havana A lucky few wore whisked by fighters. Theueromitinghessity ofthe working on construction and hydrofoitothelsle of Youth(the — Briefease: for more inlouma. US since the tnumph of the agriculture projects. former prison island where Fidel tion aboutCuba orthe Jose Mart) Us tos in 1269 eboveal, the "In the evenings, the Cubans was incarcerated for two years Brigade, write to: The Brith

Caen nistleckade) hes ar. organised mootings on avarily after leading the abortive 1953 Cuba Resource Cente, Carla Tear the angle nostim. oftopies, such as cutwal policy, attack on the Moncada Bar- 29 lington Pask Steet London Seeent actor informing the human rights, intemational: racks) 15 200 the inlomatinal - Nt; The os! tisyoarwas 560,

Gevelopmentoftherevoktionary pol

y and sex education. schools where students from #- including fight, camp fees etc

Labour Briefing No.70 October 13th-26¢h Page 16

DECEMBER 10 11.00 - 5.30

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE MEDICAL SCHOOL

Poll Tax National Action Conference

Organising Ideas a

and Action en

and utopian because if doing the Tories’ dirty Labour failsto showalead work for them. And no it will not gain electoral amount of protest or

The Conference called by the Socialist Con- By Terry Conway

ference on December Chesterfield pesks ones H 10th in Newcastle - = par wenatchee et ance Against the Pou“ coment se aay sole ey portunity to discuss Tax ‘on the Tories.

strategies and bring —_ (personal capacity) together activists. = atts

‘Labour Local Authorities AGENDA

pool was that even if must refuse to implement

i Introductory Plenary The fight against this in- =a 100,000 people didn’t pay the Tax,-Local Authority shal rs

ip iquitoustax'salreadyatan Support civil disobedience this would have lesseffect trade unionists must fight ‘tet

‘ advanced stage in Scot- abfoadthan athome. on local government ser- nat to co-operate.

land where collection "It's saidwe'reencoureg- vicesthanfluctuationinin- The Newcastle Con-

; starts from April 1st. ing people to get into debt terest rates. ference will provide a

In England and Wales, by not paying the Tax. This Maria Fyfe explicitly said forum for discussion of groups are springing up ali 'gnores the reality of mil- that non-payment on Its these and other questions Over the place but debate lions of working class ownwouldnot siopthe Tax in a constructive atmos.

about strategy is barely -people already living in — then failed to say what phere.

beginning. Bringing great poverty (and deb!) else is necessary. ‘We hope the Conference

together experiences from who will not have any ak gree a statement com.

bothScotlandandEngiand choice about payment — Culmination mitting us to transforming i ‘and Wales should be use- they Just don't have the But what she and others the TUC commitment to 2

ful. money. ‘seem to ignore is that the national demonstration in

What is clear from what _Parllamentary manoeuy- Poll Tex is the culmination the Spring into reality, and has happened in Scotland res have been tried and of Thatcher's attack on setting up a national netis that the Labour leader- failed. The Stop it Cam- local government.it is conship has no alternative paign in Scotland has ciously designed to make strategy to the left’s. They raised the level of debate sure that Labour Local Disagreements over | ,_. claim that Labour must at and has delayed the Authorities are unable to strategies and emphases

Registration Form rot te eer tl Cote gi Pl Ta on oe

allcosts upholdtheruleof register but it has not deliver the services work- will not beresolved by one | ““"" law. ‘stopped the Tax. ing people need. Conference but we can all | sretene ies z As George Galloway Wailing for @ Labour Local Authorities will gain strength from sharing | ~~" ‘siuea

pointed outata Committee government Is con- take a further step on the our various experiences ‘Of 100 meeting at Party _temptous of people's suf. road they started down by and debating our differen- | S=Tisisttecrmmngamerem Conference, it's easier to fering in the here andnow making cuts — that of ces. sic

POLL TAX DEBATE Party Conference dodges the issue

‘The Conference debate though they will never be Thai on Poll Tax was highly By Greg Tucker succeed if they fail to break Thaw you. it

out of their sectarian

predictable. Lambeth Against > £ Slogaaising. a wey, the Miltaxtwes the Poll Tax ‘The right want no will be 640. stun ‘opposition at all David The end vote, Blunkett went as far as ‘overwhelmingly in fayour of | t#ke up the offer. Only ‘say that we should work to

and John Duna (2 ensure that the Tories do not

burying our heads in the ged councillor from stop the Poll Tax, in case we

ssand, hides the fact that deep

division over how tofight Clay Cross) wereable to put lose a vote-winner! What he the Poll Taxis simmering in up argumentsstrong enough could not answer was how the labour movement. to advance the debate. ‘weavoid Labour Councils ‘The question is how to ‘The Militant premise, that getting the blame for bring ittothe boil, without there willbe spontancous enforcing the Tax. ending up with mere ‘mass opposition to the Poll ‘As John Dunn pat it if i |. sloganising. Tax with mass refusalste someone comes up to me and } Unlike the special Scottish pay (out of necessity) is punches mein the face I Conference, where the almost as crass as the don’t ask who sent him, I choice was otal opposition _right’s, that we merely have fight back straight away.” ( or nothing, Blackpool tosit back and wait for ‘A fightback against the delegates were given a choice everyone to vote Labour Poll Tax can be built. ‘ between total opposition or because they hate the Tax. Despite the way Militant no fight but support for Neither will happen. moved it, Composite 34, anyone taking a personal ‘Unless we channel the anger drawing on lessons from stand, that will undoubtedly arise, Scotland, did point a way ‘Thus the LCC lefts in the organisingit into a real forward for such a Committee of 100 were given opposition, it could well ‘campaign, based om Toomtocomein fromthe rebound. organising collective active

cold. The Militant posturing Atleast Militantare trying resistance. The debateisfar ‘only helped them decide to tofly the flag for opposition, from over.