Socialist Action No. 117, 11 October 1985
The scan: 117-oct-11-1985-SA-UK.pdf (PDF, Marxists Internet Archive)
Uncorrected machine reading of the whole issue. This text was read by machine (Apple Vision OCR) from the scan and has not been corrected or cut into articles. Each page gives the headlines first, then the columns in order, so one article runs on into the next. Expect misread words. Use it to find things; quote from the scan.
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BELFAST COMES
TO TOTTENHAM
LAST SUNDAY night's events in Tottenham, portrayed as a 'riot' by the press, were in fact the most brutal and most sustained single attack people by the police in ever launched against black Britain. began with a barbaric police raid on a black home. It left a Events police had entered her house with a black woman, Mrs Jarrett, dead after stolen prevented Tottenham's black com- munity from protesting against her death, by laying seige to the Broad- key. Subsequently police water Farm Estate where black people had gathered in the youth club
prIor 1o station. Belfast-style operation: riot police, The culmination of all this was a marching the police
armed with plastic bullets, paraded
throught the streets of Tottenham. It
was the same type of violent assault,
but worse, as that carried out on the
mining communities during the strik
last year. was brought into the light of day by, for example, the exposure of police The truth of that assault
SOCiAlist
ACTION
methods and lies at the Orgreave trials. Police in Britain now - openly and publicly habitual and long standing racism: beating up and harassing black people is routine, so is turning a blind eye to racist attacks on black people, their homes and their families. Now, not racists regularly kill and maim black content with ignoring the fact that within the short space of one week people, alone - are responsible for the fact the police that one black woman is paralysed and another dead. As Bernie Grant, leader of Haringey council, bluntly put it: "The police were to blame for what happened on Sunday.' Black people are left with only two choices: accept the ting as an agent of the state, or fight racism and brutality of the police, ac against gross brutality and racism it is hack. declared a 'riot', a 'criminal act' by When they the media, the police, and the ruling class. support for the police and condemna The Labour BalL
- go well beyond their Kinnock made
themselves
proclaimed be movement.
and
fight back
leadership's
Stickers, posters, leaflets fr tion of youth who participated in that fightback on Sunday is disgraceful. It is the same type of 'condemnation' 'violence' during their historic strike. the miners
The miners were fighting for their jobs and their communities. people are fighting because they have Black no jobs and to protect their com- munities. Both have been subject to vicious attacks from the police for so doing. The responsibility lies wholly and completely with Thatcher and the police, no one else. That truth should
by Tne labour
The job of the Labour Party, and
to defend the miners and defend the of the labour movement as a whole, is
black people of Tottenham, Brixton
should completely support the ac- tions of Haringey council leader Ber- Handsworth. All socialists
nie Grant, in seeking to stop the coun- cil paying the police precept until thre
is a full enquiry into Mrs Jarrett's
death, until the police officers involv- ed are suspended, and until a commit-
ment is made that no CS gas or plastic
No. 117 11 October 1985 30p
March against
apartheid
2 November
13 Mandela St.. - wW201-387 7966
bullets will be used against the in-
habitants of Haringey. As Bernie Grant said:
'We must not let them divide us when
the press come up with their rubbish.
There is no way I will condemn the ac-
tion of the youth on Sunday night.
•We have to start a campaign to-
day. We have to get people to support
- the trade unionists, the political
people and the have to show solidarity with the black community. They
and white youth of Tottenham.
of the struggle. They are the people *These youth are in the vanguard
who are daily inarassed by the police.
*The police are not interested in
peaceful coexistence. They are only
interested in war. want plastic Newman was trained in Northern bullets. That's why they Police chief
Ireland. wanted to bring Northern Ireland to Peagre warned that he Britain 'The council will give full suppor to the youth. We are acting as agents of the police by collecting the (police) precept. We liave been asked to stop paying the precept.'
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Labour must defend b
2 Socialist Action 11 October 1985
ACTiON
The Tory conference
and Kinnock THE 1985 Tory party conference is undoubtedly the worst for Thatcher since she came to office. It is not simply the immediately hostile press reaction — with the Economist declaring that Thatcher had become a liability for the Conservtive Party, It is that in a very profound sense the events leading to the conference showed the great dangers to the ruling class now represented by Thatcher's particular political tactics.
There should be no what the rebellions in Handsworth, Brixton, Toxtoth and Tottenham what happened in some of the mining villags luring the strike these are the most serious
listurbances' , to sue the official term, since World War II. In their potential, they are far more serlous than anything seen in the 1930s.
For in the inter-war periad not merely, was the social dislocation less severe in the 1930s hat the Tory party stood at the peak of its historical popularity. It is often forgotten that during the depression years of the 1930s the Tories gained the highest level of
port ever received by any party under a
versal franchise.
Today Thatcher stands at the opposite extreme, she was re-elected prime minister in 1983 with the lowest percentage of the
Never received by a government with a safe ty's
it it by events like
city riots. Today class is alm
Warship to back up Thatcher Italist class is naturally they will.
What is happening in British politics is
tate tore a Tho or worst debration and.
areas of deepest oppression, are exploding.
Within on a 16 year armed struggle for national
struggle in British history historie vanguard of the class. The revolt of black youth in the inner cities is something never seen before this locade in Britain. Thatcher's entire aim is to Isolate that revolt, and crush it with repres-
bef ore It spreads society. police action — and her merciless attack on aRy wavering by Kinnock or any section of the Alllance.
But another crucial aspect is that this revolt is not bypassing the labour movement but having within it. Despite Kinnock swinging the party as a whole to the right, out at this year's Labour Party conference
key black section,
On the contrary eveloped within an overall swing to the
That is why Kinnock had to launch such a
rocious attack on the left ference. Because the ruling class demands that this left, a left that actually fights, be utterly
Mission within the labour movement of
Warship Thatcher is totally dependent for the ability to carry through her policies.
The disarray the fereace, the polarisation of right and left at Beaniemouth, the miners and the riots, are
Toy datoe enterman paror of other.
aro the emerging pattern of British
underestimating
mean. Taken with
ties The Tory Par.
ct soclal base today is far too weak ain the type of assault being thrown
• the miners' strike, road. ocal councils, or the more than ever, the st completely reliant on Labour although quite certain
worst deprivation
the British state there has now on
adence In the North of Ireland. The with 'strike was the greatest trade union
based on the British working
Many further into
That explalns the ferocity of her
but having a colossal impact
what also stood
forces of the left — the Campaign
MPs and their supporters — did not
they stood their and fought. A tremendous polarisa-
at the con-
Because it is precisely a
one that threatens the
of a labour movement on whose
Tory Party con-
ON THE NIGHT of Sunday 6 October 500 riot police placed Totlenham's Broadwater Fram estate under siege. Having caused the death of Cynthia Jarrett after breaking into her home in nearb! Thorpe Road, they were determined to stop Tottenham's youth, who had been meeting on the estate with community leaders to discuss their response, taking their protest to the streets of Tottenham. The result was the most serious civil conflict this century. Police and media reaction has been unequivocal: they want to crush black people, and youth with gas and bullets. The whole labour movement must defend the black communities against this racist outrage. Socialist Action looks at the escalating spiral of racism, deprivation and repression which led to the siege of Broadwater Farm, the latest but not the last of the inner-city revolts produced by Thatcher's Britain.
BROADWATER Farm Estate was heralded when it
as Today architectural
nightmare. Three quarters
2.2IV residents dependent on state benefits
bullet.
Unemployment, which averaces zo per cent in the Tottenham area, rose by 19 per cent in the immediate area of the estate last year alone. 60 per cent of the
half the families are single parent, Is unemployed
Today, as councillor Steve Banerji explained, it is under martial law. Eight LIC coaches, holding four hundred police, are parked in the estate's main approach
Squads of ten and twent march in and out ol the estate, or stand guard at the stairways to its complex network of walkways like an army of occupation.
On Mondav night the police turned it into a battlefield. They sealed off the estate when youth, meeting
protest at the killing of Cynthia Jarrett, ended their debate to march
Tottenham police station. 500 police in riot gear,
CS gas and plastic bullets standing by, placed it under siege.
But for Broadwater Farm, half of whose
On Tuesday
after the uprising, Tot-
tenham black youth and
their leaders held an open
rally outside Tottenham
town hall to explain their
side of the story of Sun-
day's siege.
Around 200 young
people from the estate
with supporters from the
area heard speakers call
for an independent en-
quiry and a campaign of
solidarity with their fight
against police harass-
ment and for justice.
We print selections
from these speeches.
Martha Osamor, a leader
of the Broadwater Farm
Youth Association
What has happened to
one black person, 10 one
black family, is an attack or
us all. We have to look at
is happening to all
black people here, in South
Africa and all over the
world.
When they knock one of
The siege of Broadwater Farm
residents are black, a battle for survival has been in pro gress lot lar longer tnan the last few days. Before the
the estimates that £1.75m was needed for maintenance and the correction of detects. It has just over a third of this to spend on housing in the whole of lottennam Even with these limited resources, it managed, working jointly with the estate's Youth Association, to set up three community co-ops with two more in the pipeline, and the many community Crude a hildren estay in- projects the estate in-
and playground, nursery and an after-school club. In addition the Youth
which opened
Has echube are tous for,
become the whose hopes of a future have been destroyed by six years of Thatcherism.
The estate's black peohave been singled out in the last few weeks tor unasham
and unceasing police The racist nature of their behaviour is blatant. As Bernie Grant ex-
Broadwater Farm estate in the last few weeks we have had police stopping black occupants of cars and allowing whites to go through. Last night, during the situation, police
Tottenham's black people speak out
black people. That's why we
get by
discussion on Mrs Jarrett's
health condition. It's about
time we come out on the
nine our
voices in church halls and
town halls. We will have our
meetings in the streets to
show that we have nothing
to hide. T think for themselves, black people
can't think
that the problem is outside
agitators. But we can think
and we are going to organise
10г ourselves. I OU touch
one and you touch all and
we are going to unite to de-
fend ourselves.
Bernie Grant, Leader,
Haringey council
We must not let them come up with their rubbists ovide us woen
There is no way i wiil con
demn the action of the
youth on Sunday night
We have to start a cam-
paign today. We have to get
people to support us the
trade and the
political people
community. They have to
C E:
stopped black people leaving the estate and allowing white people to leave. That is racism.
Sunday night's revolt was only the most recent
BLACK
SEC FiON
Kene reru
show solidarity with the
black and white youth of
These youth are in the
vanguard of the struggle.
episode in a fifteen-year battle, against deprivation, against racism, against the .combined effects of Thatcher's rule.
But the youth of TotThey are the people who are daily harassed by the police.
The police are not inpeaceful coexistence. They are only in-
News
Handsworth, in Brixton, in
the conditions exist and the same TeNDOUSE is the inevitable result.
terested in war. That's why the want plastic bullets. Police chief Newman was trained in Northern Ireland. People warned that he wanted to bring Northern Ireland to Britain
The council will give fu support to the youth. are acting as agents of thi police collecting the (police) precept. We have been asked to stop paying the precept.
Woolly Vance, secretary Haringey independent police committee
Cynthia Jarrett was kill-
same police force that has been active against our peo ple in England since we've been here.
When the police argue this was a natural death, we all know this is rubbish. It followed the police breaking into her house with a key that was not theirs.
The blame rests with the police and that's why we're
We want a full enquiry. have justice and retribution.
Cynthia Jarrett is not the only person to die from
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News
What really happened to Cynthia Jarrett? The following statement was issued after the uprising by the Broadwater Farm Youth Association, the Haringey Black Women's Association, and the Haringey Independent Police Committee.
was in Tottenham Road becanse of an alleged
He gave a false name, which resulted ill the police using their national computer to check the given information, which they found to be incorrect. At about 1.25pm he was taken to Tottenham police station.
Later that day the nolice went to his mother's address, on suspicion of stolen goods being in the house, despite the fact that
gave his correct home address in Enfield.
The police gained entry by using Floyd's key which had been confiscated at tue ponce stanon.
At the commencement of the search the police claimed that they had a search warrant. However, this was not produced at ine ume or cury nor auling the search to the family.
The family of Mrs Jarrett have stated that four uniformed officers and one plain clothed detective searched the house. Whilst searching the house, the family witnessed detective constable Randall's
forceful pushing of thei
She f fell to the mother.
ground gasping for breath.
However, the detective
police and racist attacks on blacks and asians.
Local people have been resisting for many vears. It
not outsiders who are fighting and organising
We do get inspiration. 1tit. awe gel inspiration from South Africa. have apartheid here. People we don't
They say we have democracy here but that's rubbish. Just look at the Broadwater Farm Estare. For y* it's like Soul Alica
We can'get job: and we have no opporiu have our own the specia. bra: police harassr, ent
They say we 2 to riot to get things h know that if we're up against the wall if s forced to fight back. The only thing that wi!! get heard is to go onte the
say South Africa and Broadwater Farm is one struggle and one mght. H€ want fair treatment, equality and justice.
The council must call an open meeting to launch a public enquiry.
ack youth.
constable jumped over the mother and still continued with his search, ignoring the family's plea for help.
Consequently the youngest ran
bulance. took 45
to police of-
have used
ambulance.
wildelesey
members the black community, Haringey Council
and individuals. was
black community of
passed resolution which the
black merryers.
2. from Harc) That council
Randall his actions
ty.
police harassment and brutality young DeoDie and the black community as a whole.
This incident is merely part of the continuing story of police narassment, stup and search, targetting and unjustifiable arrest suffered bythe youths of Broadwater Farm. In 1982, an innocent youth on Broadwater Farm was accused of breaking inrestle tanta sober be resulting a number youths being beaten and arrested. Since then Haringey
mittee has monitored complaints against the police which is on the increase. The criminalisation of the youth must stop. The police must respect us and give us equal
They start killing our mothers!!!!
Now in October 1985. the police who have become militaristic, have again occupied Broadwater Farm, due to the uprising which :o0k place because of Mrs Jarrett's death, and ongoing harassments. police have made he estate a no go ared black CONmunity demand the withdraw al the police from the sitate. do sondarma, on, messaces
solidarity, contact: Broadwater Association: (01-) 808 1667; Haringey Independeni Police Committee: (01-) 808 2837.
AT meeting of the black community in Brixton Lambeth Town Hall on 3 October 1985 the Groce family support and community defence campaign was established. The campaign has been set up to seek justice for Mrs Cherry Grace, support her family their time of stress and also to ensure the defence of the community and
arrested the aftermath of the events of the weekend.
The meeting decided upon the following:
• That Inspector Lovelock
Snoute arrested and
charged with attempted
murder
• That there be a totally in-
public en-
quiry to look into the
details of the shooting
and police tactics
generally and that the
community itself should
determine the nature and
Handsworth
meeting of the
Defence
October.
and white, they heard speakers the
'riots', the subsequent
the defence message was
Birmingham Among proposals put to
stations. announced that the
THOL be
Birmingham city council. the city due to the THE LABOUR Party black section has issued the following statement on racist violence.
THE war being waged against the black community in the form of race
attacks is an indication of how racist Britain is today.
Many council estates,
particularly in
areas. are the
grounds.
The victims are largely
Asian, old,
parents and children.
Racist graffitti has 'acceptable"
walls; houses, buses and most public property.
The streets of our cities
are no longer safe to walk
on;
middle of the afternoon,
peopie are subject to abuse
and attack.
Home Office figures
Brixton defence campaign established
form of such an enquiry.
There was much concern about media coverage of the shooting IT Ceil and the events of the weekend. Reports on Saturday evening that Mrs Groce had died and the totally talse reports of the deaths of the three young
call in Samaran already
believe that the media should be forced to act more responsibly; efforts are being made to raise the issues with the appropriate aldones
Policy
The campaign will be organising petition demanding the charge of the officer and also the establishment of an independent public enquiry.
was resolved that the community be mobilised by way of a demonstration and march in November, the date of which will be anпоилсса. In ine meanme the Groce family which includes six
young marel need material support.
Labour MPs Roy
The conference
to discuss events
Brixton Toxteth. emergency resolution, four Birmingham
was of
It that the uprisings
poverty, social racism, and brutality. called for for the
Defence Campaign.
The Handsworth
Road, Handsworth, show that Asians are 50 per cent more likely to sut
some form of insult and attack than any other group in Britain. notified to the aushorile were this year. This is gross under- stimation the real figares, since nur «t vic-
fidence in the dutie;
aci against ine perpetra ors.
This type dałous behaviour has been allowed to grow precise!:
because with the exception
national government has bothered to investigate or take seriously the horrors that many people face daily.
If black youth defend themselves munities, like the Newham and their com-
and Neatam 7, they are the ones subjected 1o saie brutality.
TO LET
potinit
Fund raising efforts are being organised but we take this opportunity to make a
po assis them at dois moss
assist them at this most difficult time. Much help is in oF
Labour Party black section on racist attacks
We pay tribute to the
Asian and Afro-Caribbean people who have come together in fascist thugs: Self-defence solidarity to fight against
We repeat their slogan is ne offence Black sec.
tions • sr DOK1
solution in the
ei of race ararki and
max= .:1CC immediate
demand:
1. Local autherites in the
inner spearheaded
Latour administra-
tions. set special
units io take complaints
from the black community
and collect data on race at-
fund black community
groups working te defea
race attacks and
harassment on the siree:
2 %ba
West End
Stockwell "
Vauxhall also required to organise etTeenive detence tor iose d rested and charged Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September.
Donations and contacts can petrators hye in colnch de commodation, they are
OIC be evicted Local authorities must end the practice of unoving the victims, often even worse accommodation 3. Police inust respond ianmediately, once notified of incidents and apprehessien of the must press charges against effort must be !. brile the perpetra justice. 4. Spe. 'a pulice l the squad. serious crime
solE nurpose is lo combai far: attacks musi be set up in the inner cities 5. The Labour Party must moun natonal paign and give high pronty
manifesto imple. → all these demands.
Socialist Action 11 October 1985 be made to The Groce family suppor: on and community campaign, c/o 506 Brition Road London SWS. Tel: 01-326 1397
Justice for the Pryces
Week of Action 22-28 October TUESDAY 22 October: picket Forest Gate police station f.30om-8om WEDNESDAY 23 October: pickei Eset Ham police siation 0.30pm-8pm
THURSDAY 24 October:
picketet Plansiow police station 5.30pm-8pm;
Cate MONDAY 28 Octob public ince 02 At"!
Street North. Mo invited speakers inci Handsworth Defene: Campaign.
For detaik other events in Long üround the count: the Justice for the i 555 8151 suppori comminee ar: Lon dox 273, Foress cafe Landon
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Socialist Action
Labour
women's
setback
By Carol Turner
THE DEFEAT of the Committee resolutions at Labour Party annua. conference demonstrated just what a year of contradictions it has been for women. ln the one hand. they political role in the biggest class struggle for over half of century, a role acknowledged throughout the whole labour moyement. On the other, what Diane Abbott described as Labour women's moderate' demands for recognition within the party were refused.
The issue raised by this is how WAC should organise to bring to bear the reality of women's major role in every major social struggle today on the fight for democratic change inside the Labour Party.
The Women Against Pit Closures movement showed in practice the most advanced alliance between the interests of women and the interests of the working class as a whole since the time of the suffregettes. Through this, a sectionof the labour movement began to understand the importance of supporting women's struggles.
NUM supported the WAC year's conference and again this year. That lesson is summarised by Arthur Scargill's statement that no one is better fitted to represent the labour movement than women.
Whilst this new understanding is a tremendous achievement, party obstacles that still exist in the tight for women's rights. The leading role they have played — not just in the miners' strike, but in the anti-missiles movement, in anti-racist and deportation struggles, in the fight for self-determination in Northern Ireland, and in workplace disputes has not been trans ated into anv steps forward tor women's representation in the Labour Party.
There is a lesson here for all Labour women, women's organisation which has done so much in the past around this fight. By failing to base its intervention on the kind of alliances built during the miners' strike, WAC became marginalised at this year's party conference. Its debate and its actions seemed abstracted from the main terrain of the struggle for left policies within the party. That. together with the massive resistance of the Labour establishment -heavy defeat of the resolutions.
Fewer WAC resolutions were submitted this year than in the past, and WAC was unable to present a full slate for the women's section of the national executive elections. shown, as Bristol West delegate Maggie Peterson pointed out, in the fact that only 17 women have so far been chosen as parliamentary candidates in the 200-plus selections that have taken place in safe Labour seats.
The defeat of these resolutions, however, does not reflect a big decline in support for positive action for women. The huge support for a resolution Telluy ton question was Carried mendation of the national executive.
The contradictions in the women's debate at conference speil out Women's hand WAC Call base its representatin supporting alongside those women such as WAPC, and their allies the labour Seargill.
On this basis WAC can go forward. A fight for representation for women in the Labour Party which has activists from resolutions, which campaigns alongside WAPC, which identifies with and builds the campaign for black sections could not be so easily silenced by the Kinnock leadership.
On the other hand WAC can continue to separale its fight from that et women in struggle and the left in the Labour Party. If it turns its back on these allies its only possible course is an alliance with Kinnock above. And Kinnock's price will be straightforward: that women are incorporated at the expense of black people, struggling for a Labour Party that defends them.
11 October 1985 Women's Action
played a leading
correctly 'extremely
are That's wis resolutions at last
conference showed
and Party and especially for WAC, the Labour
was a contributing factor to the
But most of all this is MPs' 'conscience clause' on the abor-
• against the recom-
choice facing the Action Committee today. On the one
fight for women's and WAPC proposing in the hope of concessions from.
the miners, and everyone else
LABOUR
PANT
AT A LABOUR CND fringe meeting following Kinnock's conference statement against the Liverpool city council, and outlined his views of where such methods of leadership would take the party. We reprint Benn's speech below.
I WANT say a word about today's events. For those who've been worried
recent events. it's nice to know that it's all happened before
Keir Hardy went to the TUC congress
Mandel Henry Broadhurst, the then
Sericlary of the TUC and a Liberal, passed a resolution condemning 'irresponsible people who
spreading division our ranks'. That was Keir Hardy.
Future
You have to have a bit of a vision of the future.
After all, life isn't just about what VOR savs tomorrow about our stan ding in the polls. We're all going to live beyond that, and we're going live beyond the election. We have to look ahead.
that in a way controls all Orners. hat's the analytical function: the abrity to understand wnat is really happening. I'm
bellever sonalities of any sort of kind, so I will try to use the coolest analytical skill that I have to analyse what ac-
Everyone agreed speech made many references which won the support of delegates. But l can tell you from long experience that speeches of that kind are really plannCO Or LIC Call was prepared for that purpose.
It was I think and I must say this as coolly as I can — to release the anger of the public against a part of the party. It was to con-
Neil Kinnock:
I'm telling you,
people's jobs, with their homes,
tial services. They have no time for such posturing
or for the generals of gesture or for the tendency
tacticians.
that some of our number have become latter-day
public-school boys taking their inspiration from
Kiplin: 'it matters not whether you won or lost,
but how you played the game. ' Those game players
get isolated, hammered,
blame others, workers, trades unions, some other
leadership, the people for their lack of revolu-
tionary vigour — always somebody else. And then
they talk of victory.'
The Campaign Group
of Labour MPs:
The Campaign Group of Labour MP's reiterates its
support for all those in struggle, whether they be
democratically elected
munities, individuals
miners, teachers, or any other trade unionist. We find it a gratuitous insult to councillors in Liver-
pool, Lampein or any other authorit, to talk of
them playing at politics without being interested in
power. Especially much to improve the lives of so many people in their communities, out Labour Party policy as decided by conference. We believe that the next general election will be won by uniting rather than condemning those struggle against the current Tory government. We are confident that this week's conference will endorse these priniples during the course of the week. We therefore call on the newiy elected NEC of the
victory
TONY BENN repudiated the attack
firm what Owen has said
about the Labour Party
what Thatcher says about
«Labou Party: and
why the riot police are now
playing such
political part in our socie-
ty. To that extent it was in-
evitably a process of the
discrediting the con-
ference.
Tomorrow we have a
very comparable to the
Lambeth
Liverpool and
counciliors, although ac-
tually their sacrifices took
different forms. Whereas
the surcharge ahead is
painful for people like
John Hamilton or Ted
Knight, the miners. lived
without money for a year.
Their Sacrifice was made
on a weekly basis.
Inspired
But tomorrow it's like-
ly that there will be a vic-
tory for the miners.
movemen: wants lo sup-
port them, and quite right-
ly too because they have
inspired hope. But if you
can discredit the соп-
ference today, then tomor-
row's vote for the miners
discredited. definition,
And 11 you
destroy the credit oI the
Labour conference and its
role, it's not only reflected
on the leadership given by
Peter, Michael and Ar-
thur, but it's also shatter-
ing the link between the
trade union movement
and its political voice.
Remember that all the
ballots which have taken
place this year in the trade
unions have been very,
important. Many
people thought, and I sup-
you can't play politics with
with their essen-
Comrades, it seems to me sometimes
blocked off. They try to representatives of comdeprived of their rights,
as these people have done so
whilst endeavouring to carry
The road to Labour
pose i was one of them that it was pretty chancy to ask trade unions to come our lot d political voice given the hammering the Pally lau mau did come back they rediscovered their historic conclusion that Keir Hardy tried to establish in Dundee.
Conference
If you're trade unionist you need political voice, you need a political party. That party is the Labour Party; its in strument making is the conference.
Werenti and you have destroyed the citadel Labour power.
Now all this because I think also we heard a lot about winning. l've never met anyone who'd the
LUILECHIDIOLO thought of another Thatcher who wants who believes that if we lost again we'd swing to the left for ever of ever. But at
or victory needs ta sy
victory needs analysed carefully because if the strategy of victory is based on the discrediting of the party then the vote you're playing for is the Owen vote, the dıssatished Conservatives, in the belief that the working class that rump of
recognises exists will Have nowhere else to go but to vote for a strategy
victory which plays primarily for the Owen and Steel constituency.
Agenda
I say this as cooly as I can because it was a very difficult and disturbing day. But I think you must understand that when you are told about victory it is a presidential victory that is contemplated. A victory without the party, without the conference, without the movement - - a victory that would something more like Mitterrand's France than we have historically accepted would be the broad collective victory that we try to win by the agendating issues on Power
I hope I haven't been thought to be making a
chich to at. Im
which not. I'm trying for us to understand that when we're now told that we must get power we now know much more about how that power is won and what price we have to pas for that power.
But also if the something else. public opinion polls had shown a huge majority fo1 the miners and for the
iverpor counciliors,
hen if Bob Worcest who is the new ruler of the party - had gone to the campaign strategy committee of which 1 am member (whether I will be after this conference I do not know), but had he gone and said that if you want to win you'd better back Arthur and Peter better back John Hamilton. then of course the response today would have been different.
Now why do I raise that question of the polls? Because I don't share the optimism that policies are safe. If you tonow wal course, it were to turn out that near polling day a majority was against the ending of
nuclear deterrent. would be told that the price we had to pay for victory in those CasualIle that too. Coupled with it Wa to aroD
would the second argument: that if the decision is made presidentially it becomes a vote of confidence in the presidential
We LOUI no longer press for it to be included.
Combination
Please don't think I'm pessimistic about this.
the ScarCulcisive borough conference and 25 • years later nuclear aisarmament is une ponc. of the party. Denzil Davies at the Labour CND rally described the policy that Gaitskell said would fight, fight, fight again to
But have remember that the combination discrediting the conference and making it a vote of confidence
News
1s a strategy that has no amit to how tar we would have to go. And therefore we have to ask ourselves what is our - job now?
our own people that's what it's We're there simply protect people, advance their interests, to . argue their case, to explain as best we
as calmly as I can do it
calmly as I can do tonight what are the obstacles to their own advance.
There are of course so
things • LITE that people want: they want a 1ob or work. • thev want a home, they want health care free at the point of
ase, they want decent pen • Den sions, hey want a lifelon
they want dignity in their old age and they want peace. And we have to look therefore at ine snuation and say how can we support this...
Message
If we hadn't had the Liverpool argument - if we hadn't been diverted into that sewer of attacks on our own people — the
would have go Jessage across. But it hasn't, anc Claus a Cae. . It's wrong that we should turn in on ourselves in that way
Page 5 scan of this page
ABOUR
P
ARTY
THIS YEAR'S Labour Party
general election: The first,
by. turning its back on the miners,
minister, as a more effective 'hammer of the left' than David Owen or David Steele.
The second process the continuing out of miners' strike of a Labour left of a quite different type to anything seen since at least World War The NUM left' around the the black SECUOUS Campaign Group of MPs
was a clear minoritv in the conterence, but minority which, because it is based on class struggle, was able to impose some
defeats Kinnock Disaster
Kinnock and the fighting left are the forces whose struggle will dominate the life of the Labour Party between
and the general election. They represent the basic choices taking une labour movement.
Kinnock the
won plaudits of the Tory press
Bournemouth by signalling that his proThatcherism. Instead he aims. . IO take Thatcher's chief planks as the starting point any Labour government.
Hence the essential COLICIL of the economy debate was abandoning the oblecuve or restoring full employment and the
the industries privatised by the Tories. On trade union law the aim is to retain the key elements of Thatcher's anti-union legislation. In addition Kinnock wants to be able to guarantee a deal Lessons with the union to restrict pay increases.
fundamentals this programme the
the Liberal-SDP Alliance. Where they differ the Alliance, unlike Kin-
wishes also to break the links between the unions and the Labour Party, and, ultimately, to drive through political split in the TUC itself.
But Kinnock's project 15 not IWG The tions are fulfilled.
first is to achieve a deal with the key sections of the trade bureaucracy on pay policy and trade union law. Kin-
Todd's impromptu defence of the NUM, in which
specically rulea out pay restraint, showed just how far Kinnock has to go.
But Kinnock's gress is based on the fact that Ron Todd, Jimmy Кларр and Rodney Bickerstaffe don't have
They ac cept that Labour can only nave a chance or winne the general election if it is united under the
conference was dominated by two processes which will remain the key to Labour Party politics between now and the quite obviously, is Neil Kinnock's campaign to make Labour 'fit to govern'
on cities like Liverpool and on the black communities. Kinnock quite consciously used this conference to project himself as acceptable capitalist candidate for prime
is that under KinLOCKS orably unity around his
and policies. This is why
- the Labour Committee Tribune,
so on
port miners, Kinnock
The of
for the touchstone demonstrated in cynical
with last-
vote Tribune *Michael Meacher, Calle
Nowhere
there any comradely
they he was wrong, he had acted courageously ana from
others
reservations about the NUM but
do other than back demands
of the miners' will
find it difficult and defeat this Labour left
and express,
vance for labour movement Kinnock against Thatcher
xinnock 'We believe the next general will
condemning those in
çurrent
Tribune advocates voling win Ine I in today's 'emotional light'
Final vote when Labour forms Lovelluci Thus Kinnock succeeded in winning over a section of the
left The trajectory Kinnock
of this re-aligned left' is to the right. It is not
Kinnock's arguments. It reflects the
of strike on the Labour Party, and the failure of a section of the left to organise support for that strike,
followed by the collapse of the mamortv of the opposi tion to the Tories ratecapping laws.
Election
This Kinnock left, in particular around Tribune and the LCC, is now the
and to and COOO campaigns
CND.
the
: Cam-
Scargill NUM
and LUCI supporters. the this
editor, Williamson
tacks Campaign Group
of win
social which Thatcher's
compromise.
Wishes
No section of the British ruling class prepared to countenance a governmen de. fends what Scargill did in
strike, which stands for city councils defying the law in their confrontations with central government, or which defends black youth involved in the greatest urban revolts in the twentieth century in Britain. That is why Kinnock and his spokespeople have been VICIOUS their denunciations of the miners' picket lines, Liverpool and the
Handsworth,
donal Westminster Band
Campaign Group appeals for solidarity with struggles.
Labour's fighting
Brixton and Tottenham.
But to win the Labour Party as a whole to turn its back on such struggles Kinnock has to isolate and
fighting class-struggle left which has acted as the voice of these struggles within the organised labour movement. That is why Kinnock concentrated his fire on Scargill, Liverpool city council. the black sections and the only section of the Parliamentary
Labou Party which has supported them, the Campaign Group of MPs.
Betray
These forces represent
movement.
Labour
in defence
demands At this
this the black speakers took the
the Action Committee well as in
sections.
the ground the con-
Ruppo (over 1,000) the publica-
miners' Ireland and racial and through 100 per
and
the Tories.
Hattersley's attacks on those in In-
out of their LO SOCI out
left
for socialism that the miners' strike demonstrated are possible and necessary.
Kinnock is leading the Labour Party to disaster by reviving incomes policy
and by the areas
strongest the big
munities black people. left which emerging stands for cranele
ting those the
(including the obstacles women representing labour
ing up WILL
the Six Ireland and so on.
Defence
Following the Labour Party conference this course can be strengthened py pursuing lae broades possible united action with
labour LIIC ment on particular campaigns an at the same time hammering the key
CUUL policies and alliances necessary to build a long. term political alternative within the labour movement around the axis of bullding an alliance for socialism After Kinnock's attack on the wintant and. other socialists against witchhunts, DULL from local right wing forces and nationally directed attacks.
Within this framework, the tactics adopted have to correspond to the real balance of forces, not fantasy. So, for example the proposal championed
conference by Labour Briefing and Socialist Organiser that a key task is to run for leader or deputy leader of the party in 1986 • a non-slaner. Rather than strengthening the fighting left that emerged at this year's conference such a course would allow Kinnock to destroy that new left. What is needed is not organisational gimmicks or kamikaze tactics but a political alternative to the course pursued by Kinnock. Section
This is also one of the chiet lessons of Liverpool. Liverpool must be defend ed. But the Militant's or jection towards Liverpool's black Ut Railsa toins, and their reduction of alt struggles the economic, have weakened. Liverpool's fight and facilitated Kinnock's attacks.
What is needed in the run-up to the next election is a break not simply with British chauvinesm of ahe racism, sexism and Labour left - and serious tactics IO achieve broad united action and clear policies. Despite Kinnock's victories steps were taken along that road by the new fighting left centred around the Campaign Group, the NUM and the black section.
Black sections
at Labour
ponent of the left leadership.
youth of Handsworth,
which refuse to give them support.
party conference.
BRITAIN'S
union has slapped
black members
face. The TGWU refus-
ed to even discuss black
sections when
Labour Party conference
vereganol mel
few days
previously, Bill I'm not the
dutifully, And
sult its TGWU its million against
The union : largest
volvement with black workers'
the '50s Imperial
in the '70s.
members. They we re
workers have TGWU '40s when the
portunities hazar-
Racism unheaded
the Heathrow black
face
Socialist Action 11 October 1985 5
target the TGWU
AMONG the most significant developments
Party conference was the role played by black sections. Not only were new forces — notably the NUR and NUPE won to support the demand for black self-organisation, but the black section played a leading role in support of other key struggles at the conference: the miners, local govern. ment, the Womens' Action Committee and lesbian and gay rights. As a result there is now a growing force of black socialists in the Labour Party who are becoming a key com-
Following the conference the black sections will be taking up the defence of the
Brixton and Tottenham and taking the campaign for black sections into those unions, like the TGWU
We print here and article by BERNIE BUNSEE on the TGWU, which first appeared, in a slightly different form, in Rank and File Briefing at
biggest work. its The TGWU has learnt nothing from local authorities and public sector unions who are at their least trying to do Sens like Nor from unions the NUM NUR, NUPE and ACI have backed our .TCMI struggle fou black
Bill, ing tc sectioms
the us.
East op pose TGWU which
was un-
Bill
of working ting their for
Page 6 scan of this page
Socialist Action 11 October 1985
Defend
Liverpool
DURING THE same week that Neil Kinnock launched his unprincipled attack on Liverpool councillors fighting to defend the city's public sector jobs and services, the New Statesman published an article which explained in the starkest of terms Just how deprived Merseyside really is. 'The EEC has bestowed on Merseyside classification as the most deprived region in Northern Europe,' it said.
'ONly Calabria, Sardinia and Sicily come lower in the table. Tees Street in Birkenhead merits a blue plaque of its own. With not one householder working it is officially the most deprived street in Europe.
This is the description of a city at which Labour leader Kinnock decided to aim all his fire — at the very ume wnen tre cyes or everyone in unis country were directed towards the party in its week of annual conference.
His speech was no mistake, no tactical error. It was deliberately designed to wall off, to illegitimise, that section of the party which is prepared to act to defend the working class against the concerted onslaught of a determined Tory government.
Labour
In so doing, he deliberately conflated three questions. First, and infinitely the most important, the need to defend a city at the far limits of its overstretched resources against an attack designed crush it. Second, the issue of what tactics will best build the mass support among Liverpool's population and the labour movement as a whole needed to withstand those attacks. Third - and for Kinnock the raison d'etre of the speech the issue of branding a section of the party and of the whole movement as outside and beyond the legitimate aspirations Labour, as "mindless agitators' who use the plight of Britain's poor to pursue their own political ends.
Whilst aimed at one section of the
the newspaper - the attack itself stretched far beyond the boundaries of that current. It encompassed the miners, black people, women, the Campaign Group of MPs: all those, in short who have proved over the last 18 months that they are ready and willing to take the action necessary to defend those in struggle against Thatcher's project.
Any discussion of the situation that exists in Liverpool today can proceed only from that understanding. within that context, and that context alone, that a debate about redundancy notices or alternative action can be had out, and hand out correctly. The overriding point to be grasped about the situation on Merseyside is that there is no alternative but to confront the Tory axe depleted by Liverpool, its decades of Tory and resources
Liberal misrule, has no fat to live on. That is why, for the last 18 months, the Militant-led city council has commanded genuine mass support from among its own workforce, from among Liverpoor voters, and mont among the labour movement as a whole. Struggle
Having said that, it is necessary suing 31,000 redundancy notices to the council workforce is a deep error one which opened the way for the attack made by Kinnock and his supporters, one wmen let mem or tae hook at party conference. Whatever the Council's intentions, to activists in the labour movement, the redundancy notices are seen as a means of councillors avoiding surcharge and debarment from office.
No one imagines that Liverpool council set out to do anything other than protect jobs and services. Yet their methods of attempting to so do have led to a great deal of confusion.
Opposed Tne redundancy notices, the majority of council unions
have now walked out of the joint shop stewards committee.
NATHE and NUPE have all taken a position against the issue of redundan-
notices. Together with UCATT (who have taken no position on the notices), they have walked out of the JSSC. That puts over half of the counciworkrorce oursde us onl consultative structures: 17,000 its 29,000 workers are unrepresented now on this body. In addition both the NUT and NATHE are proposing court action against the redundancy notices. Lesson
Where has Liverpool council gone so wrong? Last week's edition of Militant explained the council case in some detail. It sald. SWEETeCSIS brought to a head in September, when it became obvious that the council would run out of cash by the end of the year. The Public Works Loan Board, the body used normally by councils to acquire loans for current expenditure would not give loans to the council, unless it issues letters to its workforce announcing the fact that the money would run outs in other technically giving redundancy.
"There is no facility in local authoritv contracts "lay off" employees. The legal position of the council, therefore, was such that it has tu issue 90-day "redundancy letters' to all its employees. were prepared to do this, not in any way in an attempt to sack even one of its 30,000-odd workers, but only as a means of paying wages for a further three months. It was seen as a tactic. (original emphasis)
Strike of The three-page article goes on to explain the unions' indefinite strike call and its failure to win support. Then, failing to recognise the divisive nature of such a 'tactic', Militant tries to exMilitant onerate councillors by laying the blame It is
NALGO, NUT
NEIL KINNOCK's Tuesday
was hailed by the press and by
La victory for the party as a whole
out of was due to the fact that Kinnock
took the opportunity to launch a
fight the Tories now.
Kinnock ridiculed the attempt to
He used the errors of Militant to
was at the unions door.
the first time that the city council has found itself at odds with a section of the population in whose interests it claims to act. The Sam Bond affair is another, notorious, such case.
with no track record ow worth in Liverwords, pool's black
pointed the city's race relations chief the Liverpool Black Caucus objected. Their protest was labelled 'divisive' and 'anti-working class" by Militant, all its ana black caucus supporters were au
cused of thugery or worse.
The Labour Party claim a monopoly on the ability to pro-
secute the class struggle — and anyone who disagrees is divisive and not acting in the interest of the working class. They fail to undersatndd that the working class as a whole is composed of its separate component parts whose immediate coincide at any given moment of time. The only strategy which can unite the whole class in a battle against the Tory attacks which everyone's interests - is one which takes that fact into account: one aimed at uniting in struggle trade unionists, black people, women, and so on.
"Better to break the low
"VERPOOL
FIGHTING LEFT
speech to Labour Party conference
sections of the labour movement as
and for him as its leader. Rejoicing
direct attack on that section of the Labour Party which is prepared to
Referring to Liverpool council,
defend the city's jobs and services. essential services.'
This is the most dramatic, but not
When Bond, a Militant supporter
community, Was ap-
Thatcher's attacks.
The trouble is that Militant want to
doing,
interests don't necessarily
do Enreates
tics in pursuing that fight.
KINNOCK AND THE
proclaim that impossible
promises' would not win elections.
*You start with implausible
resolutions,' he said, 'which are
then pickled into a rigid dogma,
and you end with the grotesque
chaos of a Labour council — a
Labour council — hiring taxis to
scuttle around a city handing our
redundancy notices to its own
workers. I'm telling you, you can
play politics with people's jobs,
with their homes, with their to
By rubbish of that type
By failing to recognise this, Militan! have dug a grave for themselves and their ideas in Liverpool and beyond. ine debate on local governical Labour Party conference showed exactly that. It allowed Neil Kinnock and David Blunkett to pose at the true defenders of local jobs and services and, at the same time, to duck the real issue: that of supporting those councils prepared to fight to the end against
Party conference voted in support of a resolution to defend local authority jobs and services - including to "fully compensate those representatives of the labour movement who have suffered personal loss, bankruptcy, disqualification or whatever as a result of non-compilance wiw unese laws • Dy su
delegates showed their willingness to unite in the fite to protect local authorities from the Tory axe. It is now up to front-line councils to ensure that the methods they advocate are fully discussed and supported locally, thus able to find support within the labour movement as a whole. In that fight they will find, as have the people of Liverpool, that Kinnock is not an ally he is an obstacle. His attack Liverpool Council was an attack on the fight against the Tories, not wrong tac-
quite
Kinnock justified his move to the right. His attack was launched on the eve of the debates on the miners and on local government -the two single most important struggles taking place now against the attacks of the Thatcher government.
As Tony Benn correcty pointed out at a Labour CND fringe meeting that evening,* the primary purpose of Kinnock's speech was
discredit the support which conference — in its overwhelming majerity - was about to pledge to
Eric Heffer spe
Tuesday conference, immediately Neil Kinnock had launched his attack on Liverpool council, Eric Heffer, himself a Liverpool MP, responded. He said:
I WANT to say one or two words in relation to this afternoon. I think that it is important that should understand why we feel so strongly about the situation, and why I found it necessary after listening the
leader of the party to walk off the platform.
I would like to tell you that I had absolutely no intention of doing that. I didn't know there was going to be
that reference to Liverpool. listened,
as I'm sure those of you who are delegates or saw it on television also
ustened, witn very great interest ane I'm certain you would admit that the
majority of the speech was one we
could all agree with. In particular, when Neil spelled out once again the pledge of the party to get rid of nuclear weapons and nuclear bases, it semed to me that at least that aspect of our party policy was safe and we
going forward with But I was absolutely horrified and stunned at the attack that he made on the Liverpool councillors. I tell you
frankly there are some supporters on the Liverpool council, there are some supporters of Militant in the party in Liverpool and in the various constituencies. But they don't happen to b the majority of the pary and they, like
all the other members of the party i
Liverpool, are carrying out the deci sions of the party which were decided at the municipal policy conference many years ago.
Do you know what the councillors have done? They have built, as I said in the housing debate, 3,800 houses in two years. More are going ahead. Three sports centres have been built by the Liverpool city council and they have done many, many other things.
They have done that in the face of
real opposition by the government, under the penalty that the government are operating, and knowing that if they continued sooner or later they could well come into a confrontation with the government's policies
That council was faced with the choice of either cutting the services to the people and jobs permanentl being made redundant - not the whole of the city workforce as a
while meantime definitel trying get some money BrOT somewhere to solve the problem anc spotlighting the question. But there would have 7-8,000 workers permanently joining the ranks of the unemployed in the city.
Page 7 scan of this page
the NUM and to those Labour councils who continued to fight. If Labour is to stand a chance of winning the next general election it is precisely by sticking to the sort of policies conference upheld on local government and the miners.
It is precisely by showing that a Labour government is prepared to
defence is it to interests logoing
defence of the interests working class and the oppressed of this society. That is why, after the 1985 annual conference, the fight is still on to commit the party to defending all those in against the Tories.
That fight starts with the defence of the mineworkers union and all miners victimised as a result of their strike, and with the defence of the Liverpool council's attempt to protect the jobs and services of the city's people. CAROL TURNER reports Bournemouth. • See page 4 for a report of that speech. aks
In my constituency we have 50, 60 percent unemployment. have areas, streets, where there workers who for the last five or aix years hav working,
never had a job.
I want to make it quite clear that walking off the platform was a spontaneous action on my part And I want to make It clear that I do apologise for what I did — I would do it again, I have a right to do it. We have got to tell the leader of this party that he can't treat his own supporters and his own people like that.
This is a Labour CND meeting -and this comes to the whole question of NATO and nuclear weapons and I will recall to you what happened many years ago al we scarborougl conference. I was there when the then party leader opposed the decisions of the party and said he would fight, fight, fight again. He split the party from top to bottom, when we were all trying desperately to show a united fight. Today, years afterwards, the policy that Gaitskell said he would fight, fight, fight again is actually the policy of the party, and it's accepted as the policy of the party.
The councillors in Liverpool - in taking the stand they are taking — are raising in their own way the whole question of the defence budget. The money that has been spent for defence cannot be spent on the houses and the services for the people of Liverpool and elsewhere.
Defend
fighting AFTER ARTHUR Scargill moved the miners resolution, conference heard Eric Hammond of the electricians, Gavin Laird engineers, and others come to the struggle rostrum to denounce mineworkers union for attempting to wreck the chances of electing a Labour government. While the big trade union guns were wheeled out to oppose the resolution, only constituency delegates were called to support it.
from When the chair announced the close of the debate, he was drowned out by a relentless slow handWe not ARTHUR Scargill, National Union Mineworkers, moving composite motion 69 - moving the motion against a background malicious whipped up by Fleet Street and, sadly, aided and abetted by sections even within our party.
In 1985 we find ourselves embroiled in a major debate on the
already won the support of this party on a previous occasion. I want to warn this conference that if in today's debate it fails to support this particular motion it will make an absolute mockery of last year's standing ovations in support of miners, the women's support groups, and the struggles of miners and their families. Debate
The national executive committee accept the first two parts of our resolution. They can see that there is an overwhelming case for review of all those cases of miners jailed as a result of acVines during the secondly can see that there is an overwhelming case, supported by the select committee in the House of Commons, for reinstatement of miners sacked by a vindictive National Coal Board supported by Thatcher determined to destroy the British coal
When we met the party leadership, we were told that the real issue, indeed the only issue, retrospective legislation and the reimbursement of the funds confiscated by fines, sequestration and receivership. 1
reason than in 1982 this party conference by a majority of over 6,000,000 to 66,000 passed a resolution accepting the principle c tion to reimburse trade unionists who were fined in this particular way. Sure-
the miners
clap.
the TUSErUH. the the deafening. in the debate today, but ... the said.
ship. carried by 2,912,000 mination that still existst within the party to trenchantly defend those in struggle against the vicious Tory government. shackled by a Tory government. hysteria
Issue of which has junction was granted.
for having the audacity,
sequestration. -Ene
dispute. They plaintiffs and the defendents,
government you, but I will, carry on' —
appointed a was the question of
our union.
Actions
if for no other
of retrospective legisla-
Delegates demanded Ron
Todd speak. When Todd came to
applause was *I didn't intend to join he
Despite Neil Kinnock's speech of the precious day, the miners debate saw conference slip from the political control of the leader-
The miners resolution was 3,542,000 votes to - confirming the deterly if it was right in 1982 it's more than right in 1985 after the miners have been
We were fined 2200,000 without even having the opportunity to put our case in the Hight Court. We were fined €200,000 on the basis of an action which had to come before the courts for a full hearing. An interlocutory in-
That case has now been abandoned ard yet our union question?
according to Strength the media and the Tory Party, of standing by the rules and constitution of our own union found itself in contempt of court, was placed under an order of
But more sinister for the whole movement and certainly for every trade Tory union was an application in November 1984. Fourteen miners took the union to court and argued that there should be an appointment of a receiver and
Iree trustees democratically elected by the union. We reached an agreement between the
WCHIL back into court with that agreement between the two sides, when suddenly at the back of the court a barrister stood on his feet and said: I've no right to be here, can I have an audience?' tom of my heart. The judge said I've no right to hear
- and at the end of a two-hour submission removed three elected trustees of the NUM and
receiver that has resulted in costs of over £l million to
Surely there is a class issue at stake here. Our union has been hijacked — 11,000 miners and this movement ignores that fact at its peril. There's nothing peculiar or strange about introducing retrospective legislation. There's nothing peculiar or
strange about giving a commitment to the trade union movement who find they themselves at the wrong end of Tory legislation, or at the wrong end of laws that are designed clearly to attack the basic democracy of unions.
Why is it that in 1985 there is even a debate about this issue? We determined the principle in 1982. Why then in 1985 can't we reaffirm that position without
In a speech yesterday it was said that principle without power is sterile Comrades, as a socialist all my life, I also urge that power without principle for a socialist is unthinkable. If the
government call introduce retrospective legislation under the 1982 Employment Act to give compensation to workers who refuse to join a union under a closed shop agreement, our union movement and our party also give the same commitment to TUC policy and say with one loud voice that our movement is not going to stand idly by in the face of more and more attacks upon our civil rights and upon our trade union movement in this country I have to ask conference from the bot-
boat
There are many reasons I can put forward in support of this resolution. I believe the fact that it is existing party policy and that this sympathy finds the issue at stake for the NUM and other unions who've been thwarted with this type of legislation should be enough.
But if you need any more convincing, I'll give you a convincing case:
were arrested in our dispute, 7000 of our members were injured, 11 people who died, including 4 on picket lines as they struggled to save jobs and pits and communities. Those
Socialist Action 11 October 1985 people suffered in that way not because
were mindless militants but because they were carrying out the policy of the TUC, carrying out the policy of the Labour Party.
I ask this party to give its commitment to them as they did to you. I Ron Todd: union put its vote (with the NUM). been criticised because People tell me 'you can't rock the
because voul destroy the future'. I do not believe it will impair the future of a Labour government.
I ask you, what will we do when they come and tell me they don't like my unions' policy on incomes? Will I change it? What will I do if they tell me they don't like unilateral nuclear disarmament? Will I change it? If we ao were trators
take no joy in standing here and saying different to people on the platform. I want a Labour government. I want a socialist government. But I will not betray the National Union of Mineworkers.
Page 8 scan of this page
anti-apartheid activists large demonstration on S are planning
October in Zurich. culminates a month of growing protest actions in Switzerland, where many or me mutananonars mos. involved in the profits of apartheid have their headquarters.
On September demonstrators gathered in one of the main streets in Zug, which has been dubbbecause parthe close ties *Apartheid row' between South Africa multinationals based there.
The demonstration was called by the Socialist Workers' Party and backed by the anti-apartheid and South Africa boycott committees. fortnight later a foodstore WUST invaded demonstrators who stuck abels on goods with the slogan 'Hands Off - duce of South Africa! A
large banner was unfurled outside the store.
And on 18 September two evangelical churches picketed Ene South African embassy in Bern, demanding the release priest Alan Boesak, a UDF leaaer ana prestaent of une World Federation of Reformed Churches.
LABOUR PARTY delegates and miners rose to their feet in an Salvadorean trade unionists at a Conference fringe meeting on amnesty for jailed miners. Arturo Valencia and Salvadorean Power Workers Union STECEL and the story of their last five years is an inspiration to British trade unionists fighting for the release of imprisoned miners.
In 1980 the STECEL power workers at the hydro-electric station on the river Lempa occupied their workplace to protest
alLacks union rights and conditions. Their action sparked a nationwide strike which was met by brutal military
repress strikers dieven
200 strikers. Eleven leaders of STECEL were thrown into the inhuman Mariona prison.
For four years they remained, witnout charge ol trial, tortured and abused
LIC Salvadorean regime Their families feared for their lives. The seventeen year old daughter of one STEEL prisoner was murdered by death squads and the wife and daughter OI the STECEL General Secretary were kidnapped, raped and then murdered ancie was detace.
But the STECEL prisoners gave
hope and in October 1984
rewarded with release when the Duarte rezime could no longer withstand the campaign of
the United
tates and Europe.
Ten of the STECEL
prisoners
Socialist Action 11 October 1985
South Africa
solidarity
Solidarity round the world BRITISH
The campaign builds for a trade boycott • On 21 September 10,000 people demonstrated Bonn and 5,000 in West Berlin, calling for a boycott of South Africa.
The West Berlin demonstration was backed
Salvadorean Unionists Tour Britain
emotional ovation for two
Alfredo Represa are members of the
Holland. They had leave El Salvador for fear of death squad reprisals.
AILUTO Valencia and Alfredo Represa have come to tell their story to British trade unionists and
By John Smith (tour coordinator) and Celia Pugh.
to appeal for solidarity for trade unionists still resisting the Duarte SUCH great cost.
Despite military repression wave of strikes and demonstraBOBS swept Salvador in the last year.
Inflation has reached 90 Salvadorean cent, almost half of WOrKers are unemployed, wages have been trozen by millary decree since 1980, many workers have had wages withheld, strikes are illegal and many factories are occupica by une millary.
Working people refuse to accept these conditions any longer and are taki o the streets to demand
their rights and to force the government into dialogue for peace with the organisatio the
HILL SAMUEL
LEYLAND, BRIT
STEEL, LOMIRO
GEC, ICI, RTZ,
DUNLOP
ROWNIREES,
by the West Berlin 'Alternative List, the Social Democratic Partv and the Young Socialist 'Jusos.
in Bonn speakers in. cluded prominent trade
TE TRABAJADORES
Salvadorean trade unionists take to the streets.
popular resistance, the FDR-FMLN
Demonstrations take place almost daily. On May Day 40,000 workers took
the streets of San Salvador. July, 22,000 peasants marched to demand rights for their cooperatives.
An estimated 80 strikes have taken place since the beginning -Ene year.
Many have been met with
in by hospital workers was broken up by the military and a patient was killed.
The public and interna-
reaction atrocity forced the employers to concede the workers demands
S. AFRICA
MARCONI, BRIT
MC BARCE
union leader Christian Goetz, Ingrid MatthaeusMuller from the Social Democa barramena fraction, and Dr Wela
Alan Boesak's brother. higher and the
lismissal of corrupt ad
The unity of Salvadorean workers and peasants grows will cacn struggle. The STECEL WorKers VENASTRAS, one of the pan
largest trade union federations. With other federatons tney are unifying their efforts through the Committee for Trade Union Unity, CUS and a broad movement the Coordination of Workers Solidarity, CST.
While they are in Britain, Valencia and Represa
will be appealing for funds
tor this movement. The
organisers of the tour, the
Co-op
bans
apartheid
goods
THE CAMPAIGN for boycott of South African goods received a boost last week with the announcement by the Cooperative Retail Services that South African produce will be banned from its 800 stores.
The CRS was joined by
Cooperative Wholesale Society which owns 300 stores. The CWS
progressively cut out South African imports
S package no South African goods under the Co-oD
use no South
manufactured products and stop fruit imports. Brands made or packaged in South Africa will be ax-
Norman Bentis welcomed
Norman welcomed
would give hope to cam-
apartheid.
El Salvador Solidarity Campaign and Central American Committee
hope that their efforts will nelp raise money lor a rac finding delegation of British trade unionists to El Salvador in January 1986.
The tour began on 4 October with meetings with Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire miners wives and rail workers. From there the STECEL members will spend two weeks in Yorkshire.
Their packed agenda has meetings with local NUM branches the Yorkshire NUM executive, womens action committees, - traces coll
stewards committes hod
Dhoto
Feblic motherhai and
Rotherham and Doncaster.
• PUBLIC MEETINGS WITH
SHEFFIELD Friday AEU House, Furnival Gate. 7pm House.
ROTHERHAM Wednesday 16 October, 7.15pm Rotherham Library/ Arts Centre DONCASTER Thursday 17 October 7.15 Doncaster Trades and Labour Club. Labour Party would like union more information about the Salvadorean unions or
El Salvador write to
ELSSOC Trade Union Commission, 13-16 Borough Road, London
IRELAND
UNFREE
Gerry Adams
attacks summit
WITH LABOUR Party
summitry unopposed.
petwee "intransicent
republicanism'.
Before
card was always successiul.
before.
aspirations.
ment by the RUC
neutralising nationalist
26 Counties politically
tegrated in all but name with Britain.
long term.
International
conference providing a rerun of past years on Ireland, as union bosses veto the most reasonable proposals, the government is pursuing its Dublin
Ôn 25 September Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein president, briefed party workers on the current situation. We reproduce an edited version of that talk.
WHILE it is foolish to speculate on the speculation about the outcome of the current LondonDublin talks, Irish establishment opinion shows how little it is prepared to accept how successful the British have been in setting the agenda and side-tracking public opinion away from the real issues. Dublin and the Social Democratic Labour Party (SDLP) have left the British firmly in con-
their Unionist allies, who have failed to defeat the Republicans, with a Dublin ally has produced a situation where the London government is once again projecting itself as honest broker, caught
CUTORSH and militant
It should be remembered that Unionist use of discrimination and gerrymandering was encourag. ed by Britain for as long as they fulfilled the British need to repress opposition to their rule in Ireland. Sustained resistance of recent years has made unionist methods redundant. Britain now seeks new ways to repress or neutralise opposition.
the rise of Sinn Fein, the BritishCard was liways stacessfulthe nionithere, in
Unionists were, British propaganda terms, the guarantors of the
nationalist opposition has meant that Britain no longer needs the orange excuse as much as it did
Since the hunger strikes, London and Dublin interests which were always complimentary, have become clearer Whatever the outcome of the cur rent talks (and agreement now appears very likely) London's role will be to confront the unionists while Dublin's will be to try to lower nationalist
Both governments are pursuing their joint objective of defeating republicanism.
An example of how far these talks have progessed can be found in recent British leaks about the role of the UDR. In the past, Fine Gael and the Catholic hierarchy have all called for the disbanding of the UDR. Recent leaks have dismissed such a move and suggest that discussions now centre on URD identification numbers or their accompanie-
Instead of dismissing such suggestions as an absurdity, Dublin and their Six County allies the SDLP, prefer to tell nationalists not to expect too much anyway. They bank on predictable unionist outcry to create tne illusion of substantiala moves.
So much for the heady days of the Dublin Forum. Whatever gains are produced at the end of the present process will have been won by the suffering of Northern nationalists and republicans, and their support for Sinn Fein. They are not and will not be sufficient to resolve the national question. Dublin and London have agreed that.
Irish nationalists face a difficult time ahead. Those engaged in current talks see that only by
aspirations can they stabilise the situation in their own interests. Every manifestation of Irishness will be under threat. Anglification of this island will continue, with the
and economically in-
Lack of unionist sophistication, their failure to grasp the true nature of Dublin's intentions, and a
Dublin and the SDLP may obscure this in the short term. Because of the colonial nature of the problem, it cannot do so in the
Page 9 scan of this page
International
Oliver Tambo speaks
OLIVER TAMBO, whose speech to the Labour Party conference is reprinted in part below, is president of the African National Congress, the major national liberation movement in South Africa today. Tambo was a collaborator of Nelson Mandela's since they formed the AN Youth League in the 1940s. He has been in exile since early 1960 when the apartheid state banned the ANC.
COMRADES, 1 bring the fraternal greetings of the national executive and entire membership of the ANC. I salute you in the name of all the oppressed masses and all democrats in South Africa. On this occasion, I want to greet in particular an old and long-standing member of the anti-apartheid movement, one whose interest in our struggle goes back to his student days, and has remained constant throughout his whole political life. We now find great hope in the fact that he will be the next prime minister of this country. Neil Kinnock, when you are atNumber 10, we have confidence that your support will remain with our people. Drama
Brothers, sisters and comrades, a great and exciting drama is unfolding in South Africa. The old is giving way to the new. The future presses on with an insistence walch HOL even the gentlemen of the City of London, the HAIR
"Labour must
impose sanctions"
Wall Street financiers or the gnomes of Zurich can ignore. It will be a future without the apartheid white minority regime and without the domination of one race by another When that moment comes, it will mark the close of the epoch of colonialism. A new society will emerge which will, because of its past, make a
"The masses of the British
people can and must impose sanctions themselves'
significant contribution to the worldwide struggle to banish the crippling cancer or racism ana to buna relations of equality and fraternity between black and white people. If for no other reason, it will redress the inequities inflicted on our people by centuries of oppression and exploitation, with a true society of equals.
It will also have to attend to other important questions. equitable distribution of the wealth of our country, the genuine emancipation of women, and the defence of the rights of the 'Amandla Ngawethu' (Power to the people that rings out from every corner of our land, refers to the transfer of votes and to political and economic power to the people.
In the Freedom Charter, we encompassed the aspirations masses people, peasants, the middle strata, black and
BLACK
IGN
Advances in South Africa boost black people fighting for their rights in Britain.
white, foundry workers, miners, United around these objectives, our people have been able to overcome the divisiveness inherent in the apartheid system and brought our country close to its transformation into a united, society.
remove the apartheid regime. Our people have graduated from protest to challenge. campaign we launched was an appeal to the powers that be to redress the wrongs heaped on us have gone. We are on a path that must end in the destruction of these butchers, have for a native land into a seething piece of hell.
historic reality regime is confronting the democratic movement of our country with savage fury, which has claimed the lives of more than a thousand people in the such as last 12 months. Indeed, so widespread
has torture become that the court-
The cry issue for 55 years, have been forced to
issue injunctions abuse of detainees. The racist regime is now using death squads. Ungovernable
the of repression has further fuelled the anger of our people. They have deterWOLKCIS mined to make apartheid unworkable
LABOR PARTY,
Oliver Tambo teachers, shopkeepers and students. one epinc.
democratic and non-racial
But much remains to be done to
We The days when every
who generation turned our
It is, of course, recognising this
Pretoria
Britons
s, which have remained silent on this
prohibiting the
day.
The enemy's incessant campaign
confluence already been Liberation
OUl people stockbrokers, politicians. long awaited,
Downing peculiar
apartheid state.
and the country ungovernable.
it is clear, will res HUSI pond with even greater brutality. But whatever may be done, we shall not WIth retreat. Rather, it is inevitable that we shall win more allies to our cause. The much-vaunted unity of the whites in South general, or the Afrikaners in pal" ticular, is a thing of the past. Democratic
are determined do everything in our power to draw as many whites to the side of the democratic movement as possible. Being certain that the security and happiness of all our people, including our white compatriots, lies in the kind of democratic South Africa spelt out in the Freedom Charter.
We stand here today to ask this great party what contribution it is willing to make to the birth of the new society. We have the right to know whether the millions of ordinary
that this great party
We are convinced of the certainty of victory... There
can be no turning back'
represents have remained unmoved by scenes of terrible savagery and obscene brutality that they see on their screens from South Africa every
The relation between our coun tries goes back two centuries. The
both nations has decided by colonial governments, expeditionary armies, robber barons, stockbrokers and their political representatives and allies. They give birth to the criminal apartheid system. It is a past to which important political and economic forces of this country remain bound. They refuse to accept anything different from the rule of a racist and colonial regime in South Africa. There is no difference in this question from the former Smith regime in Rhodesia. Together they pronounced themselves the alternative to terrorism and justify the violence of racist tyrants as the maintenance of law and order.
We believe the time has come when no longer can relations between
be decided by bankers and colonial The contours of the new tha emerge have already been drawn by the Southampton dockers wno nave laken action to ensure that supplies to the armed forces would not reach South Africa, by the Dunnes strikers, by the international conference of dockers' unions which is due to meet in London at the end of this month to discuss the imposition of the oil embargo.
WOrKCIS local authorities, and the educational and other establishments that have taken direct action against apartheid are LUaL engaged in a process which we have
, namely, the expression of the will of the people by the people themselves, since it is all too clear that
Street has rather ot what 11 means to give one damn about the
What we are saying is that the
Socialist Action 11 October 1985 masses of the British people can and
impose sanctions themselves. You have the power to stop all trade
apartheid South Africa. We plead with you that you do not worry. The stomachs of those shot down in
Africa today are empty already. The bellies of those who pull the trigger are bulging to the point of Anti Apartheid demonstrators obscenity. Stop feeding them. Stop giving them the strength to take even more lives from our people
The LE CCULES we have brought this conference are from an embattled people. But also a people that is confident of victory. It is because we are convinced of the certainty and proximity of that victory that our people are making sacrifices. There can be no turning back. In their millions, our people are determined on a combination of political and armed struggle to bring down the citadels of white power and replace them with a system of democratic rule based on the principle of one person, one vote in a unitary state. Nothing Botha does car save him and his regime from this thing. Not the so-called reforms designed to refurbish this racist system, nor the greater use of force Neither can the invasion of Angola and the support of puppet forces against the independent states of our region, the murder of South African refugees that occurred in June, nor continuous external support will save the apartheid system.
Apartheid
• Yet we have no desire to inherit a country with more graves than it has already. We have no wish to celebrate liberation day surrounded by desolute landscape of destroyed buildings and by productive machines
have been reduced to scrap metal. Were it in our power we would pursue the just solution of the South African question on the basis of non violence. But that choice is denied us. and we are determined to meet force with force, the quicker to defeat this racist regime. Comrades, it is in the hands of the British people to help bring down apartheid
Page 10 scan of this page
10 Mitterrand MIKHAIL GORBACHEV'S visit to Mitterrand's France received enormous publicity. obvious propaganda triumph for the Soviet leader. But much more serious issues were involved than presentation. JOHN ROSS reports. THE style of Soviet
drastically changing. Dur-
This visit France Gorbachev submitted himself to a full confrontation with the international press and came consteraolv front.
Gorbachev's •approach follows a similar
press ce series a doried
Soviet toreigi minister Shevardnaze and Millary USSR.
The change in style actually does reflect something about Gorbachey's policies. He intends 1o develop the USSR as a powerini modern state. Its
has modernised. Its leaders have need to hide
walls of secrecy Denie the Went should
achievements ever sphere
Above ali in France however, Gorbachev 10tended exploit the cracks appearing the relations between Western curone and the liter States
The western capitalist econon es are already
close to an open trade war. There are over 300 bi: supporting trade progress tonism before the
The recent meetin. the United States "bi the economics ministers of the US,
West Germany, Jalall Britain and Canada was
precisely aimed to lessen the mounting pressure
trade war by talking down the price of the dollar and thereby making
Cther Books
The following selection of books on South Af ica is available by post from Other Broks:
South Africa: white rule, black revolt. Frnerst Harsch, Monad, 352pp, £6.25 plus 69p costage Class and Colour in South Africa 1850-1950. or ane kav bimons 1- Fund, 702pp, £5.00 plus £1.33 costage. Power: black workers, their unions and the aruggle for freedom in South Africa, lac-hane, Piaut and Vard, Spokesian, :95pp, im. 9: plus 4on postage. : honour women s day: protlies of leading women in the South African and Namibian Ineration struggles.
DAF, 56pp, €1.00 plus 22p postage.
Nelson Mandeia: I am prepared to die, A DAF, 48pp, 50p plus 18p postage.
Nelson Mandela: The struggle is my life, ADAF, 208pp, £1.85 plus 46p postage.
Make cheques or postal orders payable to IMRS. Orders with payment should be sent to: Other Books, PO Box 50, London NI 2XP.
Socialist Action 11 October 1985
It was an
US goods more competitive on the world market.
The Soviet leadership
well aware that the
relations between the United States and Western Europe could not survive such a trade war. United States troops wouldn't so easily stay in West Germany confron ting the 'Russian threat' if the EEC and the US became engaged in full scale protectionist trade war agalnst cach olne!
The USSR thematard has not only been utilising the anti-missiles protests in Western Europe increase the distance between that the United States. has
Soviet Union's trade che-
with Western Europe and decrease its dependence on the USA.
Twy-thirds of Soviet trade with capitalist coun tries is now concentrated on Western Europe. The USSR particularly rapidly increasing its imports of grain from France - to help replace its old dependence on wheat imDWEL States. The Soviet Union is the United
also making sure the West European countries do not Tul trade UCICILS on their trade with the USSR.
Gorbachev's proposal to Mitterrand, made Paris, to have direct arms control talks with France and Britain - excluding the United States - is part
same ponce.
USSR is aiso exploiting the aces Westerm Europt over Reagan's Star Internationa: Defence and
The Soviet
connection
Wars plans — a so-called defensive
A01-mc9e screen around the United States WOta not cover Western Europe. To preveal tac us acyclopini Star Wars now number one aim of Soviet diplomacy.
Gorbachev quite right to exploit every crack in the western alliance
The problem is that the Soviet leadership
dways see, mass movements against imperialism as subordinate to wiel manoeuvrigs belween the imperialist powers. For exactly this Gorbachev THE disarmament debate took a step forward at this year's Labour Party conterence.
Despite a dation from the national executive to oppose, a vote to discuss next year the issue of NATO membership was lost by only a nar-
of 2,469.000 to 3,863,000, A position of withdrawal now, howerer. 43: everwheimingly defeated.
NArO debate reflects general concern with the ambiguities oi tne Labour defence statement passed overwhelmingl in 1984. A Labour CND irmithdrawa from NATO al
Attracted bcted pee in -
attracted people, cluding NUM general secrelary Peter
reason Gorbachev's visit has been seized on by those such as Joan Ruddock who are seeking to demobilise the anti-missiles movement.
The rising struggle in South Africa, the develop. ment of the Nicaraguan revolution, or. the anti-
wavement Western are
eliable allies of the Sovic Union An imperialist government such as Mitterrand's is not
But, for all that, Gorbachev's visit to France was an important initiative by the Soviet leadership.
Photo: TRIPLINE
Labour's NATO Debate
Heathfield. An emergency
resolution from Orpington
constituency, opposing the
Emergency Powers Bill:
By Carol Turner;
Secretary Labour CND
(personal capacity)
was passed on a show of hands. "hese powers give
military orces the rignt to dread'key strategic cemure: Pritain and to
carciz and vetain anyone
Passed as subversive'.
suckers evidence
throughout that day. And
the overwhelming support
for a resolution demanding the party campaign on us delence and disar
mament policy showed the concern that exists among
party members that
Labour's unilateral
policies should be explain-
MIZENS
The campaign for gay rights continues
3,395,000 votes to 2,805,000.
The resolution called for the party to commit itself CLU end allega discrimination against lesbians and gav men: outlaw discrimination in employ-
housing, child custody and so on; and end police harrassment. It also calls for a campaign to educate the labour movement and win lesbians and gay men to the party. A new NEC working, party will draft the policy in detail.
The massive support for the resolution Caric from the significant number of lesbian and gay delegates, as well as sup porters of the black sections, Women's ACTIO Committee, and the vast majority of rank and file delegates and visitors.
The outcome of both the TUC and Labour Party debates is a tribute to the hard works of the Labour Campaign for Lesbian and Gay Rights (LCLGR) and to the unflinching support given by many heterosexual activists from other sections of the movement. especially from the black section
After a week of lobbyed and publicised before the next election.
Despite the NEC propOsal SHODOM resolution the contribution to the debate from Labour defence spokesperson Denzil Davies left room to doubt that ihe: intend to carry out such a campaign. This made Labour CND's 'Cachpaign kit' a popular celieurors item among consultuens! dejegates, pro viding as it cores the hasi
La construency-based campaign on unilateral nuclear disarmament.
Copies of Labour CND's campaign kit and ICND lütest issue of
newsletter available_by writing to: Carol LOND Horstar, Cowley 29 Stodmarsi House, Estate, London SWS.
A WAVE of euphoria swept Labour Party conference last Friday morning when delegates ignored the national executive recommendation to remit and carried the lesbian and gay rights composite by
ing trade union delega
tions, we were confident
of victory in our call for a
card vote We knew the
By Peter Purton
NUM would cast positive on in genet
unstinting support
they had received from les-
bians and gays during the
miners' strike.
Unions like NUPE and
COHSE have been forced to take up the issues it ria
wake nystella
generated around AIDS.
the vott also
dicated the effects of many
years of hard work for les-
bian and gay rights in
other most
notably the TGWU
The anticipated sup-
OUTL
delegates showed a new
understanding developed
in recent years, that it is
impossible talk of
equality, justice and
socialism without taking
up the oppression of les-
bians and gay men.
In the debate delegates
seethed with fury at the
one delegate who voiced
opinions which might even
have commanded a ma
jority just five years ago.
AL
TOP
Labour Party members on the march for jobs not bombs
Dhn. ДРАТИІР
They rose to their feet and cheered wildly when the vote was announced, and
enthusiastically with lesbians and delegates afterwards in our celebrations.
Now we must fight hard for the implementa. tion of the agreed policies. We … need to get voting against us to change their views, and suppor ting unions to go out and convince their members.
We must continue to build up a massive campaign for the movement to recognise that AIDS is a trade union issue. It is a crime against humanity that those who suffer and by implication all les blass ana say mich — to be treated as worse than
But we can now carry knowing that in one short forward this vanials week we have achieved as much as was achieved over so many years. We go forward with the confidenc that millions of lesbians and gay men will respond • enthusiastically to the lead given them on Friday mor ning.
Above all, we know we now stand with the authority of the TUC and Labour Party conferences when we demand that the working recognise that lesbian and gay liberation is a central part of the struggle for socialism.
Page 11 scan of this page
News
with NUM
remaining
although the
YET-
whelming majority
worked the
nouts the special
to the
everyone he with the
away.
At where most Thirty work, the union never even the Draway OT-
High ruled
speaking voting rights. we'd
Galice although attended
But wher
order.
As the the breakaway impetus in area, was
voting
Duffy's ghost lives
TERRY union, died on
he has Kinnock.
But there is a firm connection between Duffy's years as AUEW president and the current disastrous course of the labour movement leadership. Duffy
was a leading advocate of what is known as *new realism',
which Kinnock attacks the
and the Liverpool councillors, and pushes incomes poliley.
New realism is the open advocacy of class
This idea, LilaDoral. that workers and bosses
was Terry Duffy's hallmark.
Duffy was tied up in the 1979 deal with the Engineering Employers Federation, which reduced 11161 length of the working week to 39 hours. It has been argued that this deal shows the value of the "new realistic' trade union leadership. But the truth is that Duffy snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
The employers were deeply with number on the verge of conceding the full claim for a 35 hour week. Duffy bad favoured acceptance
original offer which made no concession HE HA opposed the strike action that forced the employers hand. And he pursued the same policy till his death.
Duffy should be
Leicester miners stay
special felt
On 15 13
50-stronE Bagworth
branch
comply
area
taken. But
when it to the
17 VULC. and 25 This was
for SLICRIOUS our part, ruled out of order
wals relevant'.
Daw Mill branch join the
the front pledging
and
tremendous boost, but
in the area.
of the engineering Despite
the body of Neil
event, was his
with Michael Edwardes' sacking of
Derek "Think
work, his
Across transport
one week
Robinson, partner in general secretary Boyd,
the in
Along British Leyland Michael Edwardes, they WELC guests engineering
£114 per
relationship with the engineering and British Leyland has
UTU Robinsontype at
of the strike the AUEW declared Longbridge strike
While
vility,
Deen pillar the
Striking Norts miners, now fighting for unity.
Notts breakaway
LAST WEEK the Coal Board played its trump card in the fight over the unity of the NUM in Notts.
As soon as the government's Trade Union Certification Officer gave the go ahead for Roy Lynk the acting general secretary of the Notts NUM, to call his ballot for the breakaway, the NCB made an announcement it was granting fuli negotiating rights to the new organisation.
The obvious implica- show its hand because off tion in the management's
the abject failure of that Lynk's local campaign. It significantly higher pay deal will be offered to the By Helen Arthur breakaway than to the national union. is a back handed recogni-
These developments tion of the massive ground mark a new stage in ine gained by those loval fight against the split in the the NUM.
NUM. The NCB had to Just last week Lynk Duffy at his dirty tricks employers. In the period anti-trade netween 1979 union laws. 750,000 jobs were axed
profits three-fold. Today the na- ceptance funding tionally agreed skilled rate
They have engineers is a paltry to shop £96.20. stewards
Duffy's class col police laboration weakened the entire labour movement. Duffy was also He encouraged AUEW secretary the Labour
Across official picket lines during the Isle mittee Translantic
Set up in The AUEW leadership dic 1975, the
Was Holly organise solidarity for the attache at American during their historic strike.
Duffy even went on TV to *closer say that it would be better if the miners didn't win. and move-
He and his friends ment and Atlantic followed up the defeat and was the miners by an offensive
win the CULIC labour movement for active collaboration with the Tory Owen William
STRIKING MINERS
was making a contemptuous comparison between the "modern media tactics'.. 0I nIs = 00,080 campaign and what he referred to as
'the outdated tactics of the 1920s and 1930s' being used by the NUM in printing leaflets and calling local Dudle meelings. But now the superscabs have changed tack
Lynk's supporters have tried LO organise meetings in pit canteens. Colin Clarke, member of the area council, attemp ted to address one such meeting at sherwood pil, but abandoned it under a barrage embarassing Rodgers of the SDP. This foe SIP is Durty's decis relationship with ive contribution to the bosses, joined by prominent leaders of the electricians union.
Duffy and others in the AUEW leadership have been prepared to see organised split in the
movement. cluding a split from the TUL itself.
There is only one effective reply to this challenge: offensive to mobilise vigorous counter-
the entire movement against the Tory government. But Kinnock and TUC general secretary Norman Willis
to capitulate stead.
Duffy's ghost was alive and well at week's Labour Party conference in Bournemouth.
Socialist Action
questions strikers
the NUM.
that
within the
drive the Tory
of the 18 Oc.
tober.
NUM.
nal,
latest split
ISES
and of
acceptance
DOO
full and
ope which the
than
this new Notts rule
Lynk
DU relita
decided,
fight is over though.
Union members
continuing their selective strike action and refusal to cover for absent teachers
They want a wage increase to restore the 34 per cent falli mates over halast if in the value years. Formulated ear's This claim,
by the National Union of Teachers at special conference in September 1984, represents important step forward for the left in the union. It is the result of years of WOT' by the Socialist Teachers Varians parte Socialist Workers and others.
The left successfully argued tor rate claim. They pushed for a Pay structure walen would unify teachers and deal with the problems faced by the majority trapped on the lower scales, especially women teachers.
October the
leadership of the bosses
package forward education secretary Keith Jospeh.
cash in return for agreement accept contract that seriously weaken conditions of LenT to this were proposals to
atoscul compulsory, so
staffing.
assessed regularly
Tory education policies.
Teachers
11 October 1985
Arthur This
and
these
big rally
ecretary
Unless
wielded a battle badly
school cover working proved.
NUT
cond UWT.
extra in cooperation ALWO taken
have
Arthur
TUC that would not
In som Liverpool,
unity. other vances will
11 Scargill ex-
will im
Call!
the Nor:
witt wha bribes reali!
Mansfield
Peter
happens they
and the
among gei
The
has seen
many there
union,
NAS-
this year
their
while
between the
been
the same
have
places, like
by
in
that the
Had thes willing
Page 12 scan of this page
An
Alliance
for
Socialism
After the Labour Party conference people urgently want to discuss the situation facing the labour movement.
• How to draw out the lessons of the miners' strike and fight for amnesty • How to fight racism and buildthe black section • How to build Women Against Pit Closures, the Women's Action Committee, and women's organisation in the labour movement • How to fight the legal attacks on the unions • How to fight the assault on local council • How to fight the drift to the richt in the party and build o1 the successes the left has won • How to build solidarity with the struggle in South Africa • How to defend Nicaragua and the Central American revolutions • How to get Britain out of Ireland • How to defend lesbian and gay rights There is no better place to discuss these, and other issues, than in the sessions and workshops of Socialist Action's 'Alliance for Socialism' weekend in London on 16-17 November.
The speakers at the event, Socialist Action is co-sponsoring include:
Diane Abbott, Tony Benn, Jack Collins, Jeremy Corbyn,
Vladimir Derer, Betty Heathfield, Peter Heathfield, Stuart
Holland, Ann Pettifor, Russell Profitt, John Ross, Marc
Wadsworth, Jude Woodward, Doreen Weppler.
plus speakers from Black Sections National Committee, the
FDR of El Salvador, and many many more.
Venue: Sir William Collins school, Charrington St, London NW1 (near Kings Cross Station) £5 for weekend, f3 each day Tickets from Socialist Action, PO Box 50, London N1 2XP
Please send tickets for 'An Alliance for Socialism' to:
Name .
Address..
Send to Socialist Action, PO Box 50, London N1 2XP
ASSACRE MBER 10M 3 KILLED
REMEM SOWE
MASSACR
lous JUNE I AVER 10001
← Socialist Action No. 116, 4 October 1985Socialist Action No. 119, 1 November 1985 →