SUNDAY 5 JUNE is a massive opportunity to strike a blow at the Tory election campaign. On that day the People's March for Jobs concludes with a mass demonstration — just four days before the election.
Despite Tory claims that 'there is no alternative' the case for the prosecution is simple. Since the Tories came to power on the slogan 'Britain isn't working', unemployment has skyrocketted from 1¼ million to over 4 million.
Tory unemployment is deliberate — an attempt to demeralise and discipline the working class. In this election the Tories have made no promises on unemployment whatever; they don't even pretend that their policies will bring it down.
Price More than anything else unemployment shows the utter irrationality of the capitalist system. The construction industry is a classic example. 400,000 building workers are unemployed. The countryside is littered with huge stocks of unused The banks and finance houses are awash wim money has the need for housing been greater. Any rational system would find ways of putting the unemployed back to work.
It's no secret that the trade union and Labour leaders didn't want the Peoples March, especially so close to an election. But that is precisely the wrong approach. A massive turnout can throw the Tories onto the defensive.
The organisers of the march have done everything possible to give the march a 'non-political' character, slencing tnose wno wanco to snoul anti-Tory slogans and distancing the march from the Labour campaign. This is ridiculous.
Next Sunday's demonstration — should be a monster anti-Tory demonstration. It must be a demonstration for Jobs not Bombs, for expanded public services and a shorter working week.
Most of all, Labour Parties must turn out with their banners to show who is fighting for the unemployed in tais election• • The truth about the economy see pages 8 and 9 The following open letter to the Morning Star was signed by 19 marchers, following an article which suggested that the march should appeal to 'Tory businessmen'.
THE People's March for Jobs '83 was called not unemployment but as an opportunity to mobilise the labour movement around its alternative policies.
That opportunity is being missed.
The broad non-party political appeal is an obstacle to mobilising the tered as a newspaper with the Post Office. anu Level To Bab labour movement to fight unemployment.
• for support for workers fighting redundancy • for a Labour government • for demands on the Labour Party to spell out a programme of policy ane moonsauon or lat labour movement to make full employment a Rejecting such a class perspective to woo "Tory businessmen' as suggested in last Friday's Morning &.
Star (20.5.83) is misguided nonsense. Tory businessmen benefit from PO Box 50, London N1, ACTiON SOCiALiSt • Thursday 2 June 2pm Mass rally Brent Town Hall • Friday 3 June Michael Foot • Saturday 4 June Palace for afternoon rally • Sunday 5 June Greet the Peoples March Ray Buckton, Tony Benn, Ken Livingstone 3pm rally at Southall Community Centre with 10.30am Assemble Battersea Bridge. March to Crystal 12 noon Assemble Battersea Park for march to Hyde Parl