PLEASE A JoB FOR ME Fighting for the future WIlC! tcdtl Icalc that an organisation claiming to be a trade union but no aledo tae not entitled to affiliate 10 the pariy The breakaway has created more problems in Nots coalfield by inlenieng our abilil to conduct the political levy balloı. UDM reoresenlallves nave lorn down notices, and harassed intimidated lovalists who were conducling the ballol. Ii would be disasirous for the Labour Talvo Descelio Demak ing overtures 1o the leadership of this organisation.
We are in the throes of our political ballol al the momenı. The signs are encourage r nere s Deen a high ballol at many collieries.
autitude of some Labour Party leaders has been ambiguous. There can be no justification for comparisons dividual members of the party who have no opporọ zccc aon l accepi Inal sort or comparison Labour Parly financial probiems remal with us. For example, he is now paying the pay expenses for staff or officials who nave lo visit London I0!
nejn rade uor dis os ons unions or the Ner trl care en ne TUC olllualiy. liall their entitlement Casil Il is laking a long, long time 1o unravel. In the circumislalce wc lave vulc exceptionally well lo mainlain Throughout 1985 there has been a complete unwillingness within the broader trade union move ment to take on board the kinds of problems we have Will wellalll There were ceclons oin! movement which were very aware and helped us many wavs broader movement seems oblivious lo problems tha sequestration and receiver ship imposed on us So we have had a lol o Piculies. Bul the principa difficulties. goal that motivated us still highly montns ago ls relevant. We will continue our siruggle
Socialist Action 20 December 1985 AT THE BEGINNING of 1986, on 13 January and only four days after a council by-election in Old Swan, the Liverpool city councillors appear in court. They are faced with the prospect of surcharge, bankruptcy, suspension from office, and even jail.. They are in this position because, for two years, they have stood firm against the attacks of the Thatcher government. Neil Kinnock's latest contribution to the campaign in support of Liverpool council has been to close down the District Labour Party and call an enquiry into its affairs. In the trial-by-press that has already taken place every attempt has been made — openly supported by the Labour Party leader — to establish that the party is involved in corrupt and anti-democratic practices. Kinnock has even made clear, in advance of the enquiry findings, that he wants expulsions. He says this escalation of the witchhunt represents a necessary part of the strategy to win a Labour victory at the next general election.
Militant is the most vulnerable target today.
But every socialist in the party is under direct threat.
Eric S.
THE ENQUIRY into the affairs of the Liverpool District Labour Party represents a qualitative stepping of the witch-hunt Labour Party. But as far as Neil Kinnock's concerned, it is simply a further move in his strategy Labour victory — one for which he has carefully planned.
During his period as leader Kinnock has made it clear that a Labour government led by him will policies or the inalcher government. instead it will take up where Thatcher Dear Larry, "forwarded to the police' reports and can supply them if required).
they will be denied.
they are supposed to against them and individuals, if they so desire.
I would also like to have terms of reference others, harm, both locally and nationally.
people in the Labour Party.
I would be grateful for an early reply.
Yours fraternally, PS: In view of the press reports over the weekend I have given a copy of this letHattersley leadership: for and Redmond O'Neill not reverse the necessary to SDP-Liberal said ahat here must me new back our or nose radio are are a y District Labour Party has features which were not discussed at the NEC. I also I see from the weekend press that it is alleged that the enquiry into the Liverpool according to some newspaper reports today, that you are alleged to have It is also suggested that hearings could be held in 'safe houses', that people have been made aware, that when I was chairman of the organisation commit- tee, I headed party enquiries and investigations in many parts of the country usual way in which party investigations are carried out. You will, I am sure, from you that these stories are all untrue. I noted that whilst you said that there should be a blackout on news, there was no denial of the press reports. I hope The suggestion in itself is really worrying, and I would like a clear assurance heard it said that some in the Party are being urged to become 'coppers narks'. know since when has the Labour Party acted as police investigators? I have taken place. I am most concerned about these press reports, and would like to I would also like an assurance that the investigation will be conducted in the are being tried, found guilty and sentenced, even before the investigation has people in the press office and senior officials of the party. (I have all the press ed and that the Constituency Labour Parties could also be disbanded. pointed to over look the future activities in the Liverpool Party, There are also It would seem to me that already the Labour Party members in Liverpool It is also alleged that the information gained by the press has come from Also, we are informed that a 'watchdog' will be apdrawn up which those referred to did not see, or have the opportunity to comwished to give it? That the EC of the Liverpool party will know precisely what evidence will be taken from anyone who is a party member in Liverpool, who ticularly like to draw your attention to the suggestions that council workers and newspapers, would seem to go far beyond what the NEC agreed. I would par- 'charges' made? Also, that all delegates to the DLP be allowed to give evidence not Labour Party members, could give evidence. Surely, you mus have done wrong? What allegations so that they can prepare their replies to any which, according to the are being made open It seems to me that the whole question of the investigation has now pre We in the Liverpool Labour have long leaves off. This has been the context of each major statement by the Kinnockeconomic ment. policy, trade union law, and the EEC.
In order to prepare the way for such a Labour government, and even the possible option of an agreement with try to silence the class struggle left. It means keeping the maximum distance between the party and any section of the working class or the 1LS alter the ory Party working oppressed of this society who rise in struggle against the Thatcher governWhilst Kinnock has progressively managed either to drop or to side-step the most radical parts of Labour's programme, during his two years as leader he has failed to bring the left sufficiently under his control to guarantee the ability of a future Labour government to carry through the essentials of Tory policy dressed in Labour clothes. He remains unable to appeal to the ruling class as a sale, capilals aleinauve lo an electorally vulnerable Tory govern ment. Meanwhile. the terocity of inatcher's attacks on the working class and still fail to inflict decisive defeat or to rebuild popular support for The witch-hunt is directed precisely against those who fight to defend the class against government. Liverpool city council target not because of its mistakes. because it stood and fought when o councils ran away. The black section larget because it stood by the b communities of Handsworth, Brix and Tottenham against police re sion. Arthur Scargill is a target be he led the greatest mass strike in Br history. The Campaign group of ME a target because it has used parlian as a platform to defined those who h fought. All of these are under atta because they provide an alternative. and exposure of Kinnock's abysm failure to fight the Tories.
The present enquiry and threaten expulsions are directed against Milital solely because they provide the most c posed target at this point. If they a not stopped, others will follow -dirty dealings the Birmingh Sparkbrook constituency show.
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MP for Walton ter to the press.
because the press reports were exaggerated). giving evidence will be 'guaranteed anonymity',
and you will be aware of the fair and impartial way in which they out. The idea of anonymous individuals giving evidence, or ment upon, was unthinkable when I was chairman. Can I be further assured that the investigation will be
realise that if that were allowed, anyone, including enemies of the Labour Par ty, could come forward and cause mischief, which could not possible be allow- judiced the future of the Labour Party in Liverpool and is already doing untold
known that the government, for political reasons, has virtually written Liver- pool off, but we did not expect such views to permeate the thinking of some
Again, I wish to say that I believe the whole thing is doing untold harm to tion must be conducted in a way that is free from the hysterical remarks and suggestions that have been given to newspaper correspondents.
Mr Larry Whitty, General Secretary
Labour Party, 150 Walworth Road, London SE17. 2nd December, 1895 , and that evidence could be / were carried dossiers being and that