Without against Thatcherism socialist solutions, Labour will never get its election strategy right. debate inside the party is the question of supporting those in struggle against the Tory government. Arthur Scargill is a 'magnificent leader', a shining example to the whole of the labour movement of how to do just that.
THERE IS a great feeling in the party that we ought to concentrate on winning Because of that, many people argue SIOU discussing important problems. But to do so could easily mean we become a 'confirmist' group without any discussion LIC issues we're faced with.
I believe those issues are the way in which we deal with the crisis of the capitalist system. I don't think we can separate the struggle against Thatcherism against capitalism from the struggle for socialism. At this history, Thatcherism is the expression of British capital's reactionary ideas. She epitomises their view of now to night une aevelopment of socialist ideas.
When we argue against Thatcherism we must also argue Toi a socialist programme. That's not simple to define, but I think there are a number of basic principles In my view, we have to accept that the class struggle is not dead. It will con.
there •a class society.
Labour has to be part and parcel of that.
Second, we have to understand the nature In Britain the Sualt.
tate defends private pro Krly on bena! of capital against those who want to get rid of that system.
If we wall to transform society by giving class people ecurity, full employment peace, education somewhere decent to live, and then we are hitso on ting at the roots of the understanding that fight necessarily a fight for The issue most central to today's capitalist system. It is as simple as that.
We have to understand that Keynesian welfare capitalist ConceDes dead. Welfare capitalism can no longer deal with the basic crisis we face. we beyond that, Have and the only way is on the basis of real socialist planning or me economy democratic control. That means the involvement of working people all levels. Without that, Labour can't advance.
A Labour government Labour government, but better Than tONwe have _ to go beyond reformist Labour governments. We need to properly understand the nature of this society to deal with the basic problems.
The pamphlet by Andrew Glyn which the Campaign group of MPs sponsoring is a step in that direction. Discussion on the Dalli phlet in every constituency party in the country would at ine present time.
The Campaign group should not be criticised for what they've being doing. It was quite right to support the miners strike and Liverpool council, right to consistently argue public ownership quite right to support black people and raise the terrible problems of the inner cities.
Those who argue that this is divisive are similar to those in the past who argued that the Bevanites were divisive, that Left was divisive, that the Socialist League WON divisive. But when you look back at history, it's always been the right wing element who have let the party down, who have opposed basic sy occasions Hilally have betrayed those principles and the party.
Take Liverpool council who are now in a very great CrISIS. What the!
don't need is the toackene attacking them. need wage struggle they have been conducting.
In Arthur Scargill, we saw for the first time in a time •absolutely magnificent leader, fightthe consistent way standing his people who attacked him of course are agree that we should in ourselves in that kind of struggle But socialists, evel parliamentary should identify themselves with the struggles of workAny part of the movement in struggle must be supported. socalism is long and hard. The struggle going have defeats and setbacks. That leads some people to say 'let's abandon the struggle, let's look for alternatives'. Those alternatives some sort lical. understanding the SDP and Liberals, or with breakaway organisations.
Unfortunately, there was a majority of miners tor ine Nolls Dreakaway.
Of course there will be inhonest people, rank file members - who we need to talk to seriously But that doesn't mean we have to allow organisations based on scabbing to affiliate to the party. That doesn't mean we nave Cull promise on the basic principles.
пс 5 ty and TUC conference.
A delegate • steering conference will take place in January of next year.
were sympathetic to the The campaign will see money for the NUM Na. fiona Solidarity Fund established for the vic. timised miners.
tained an active role in the
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IT HAS ALWAYS been the right who have split the Labour Party in the name of unity, argues MP ERIC
in a very poso grips step how we deal with the crisis
They assistance sheet mey
he did for the views o ais people hose
those who didn't want the miners to fight and don't
LUGE THERWE OD FOR ‹ YEAR