They tried to support Kinnock and carried a similar Tribune carried a long Change will not win an attack on the head off WAC's The left should take THE UNITED States attack on Libya launched from bases in Britain raised a massive sentiment in favour of closing all US bases in this country, including among rank and file members of the Labour Party. The first test of that feeling within the party came at last weekend's national Labour women's conference held in Rothsay on the Isle of Bute.
removal of all 'US bases from Britain' and a commitment from Labour withdraw from the NATO called by Labour CND on the theme of US Bases Out of Britain was one of the most popular and best al tended at attracting 1.50 delegates and visitors.
The audience heard Jo Richardson MP and Diane Abbott call for bases to be closed. Another speaker, Azucena Quinteros of the Salvador organisation, AMES, pointed out the role Reagan and his ment in Central America and the massive aid 1o the liberation fight of peoples mand to close US bases in made the link between US bases mne nuclear power, calling for ment spokesperson John whose main cume alll. role in • the public debate the Chernobyl disaster has been to attack party policy and to insist that Labour is committed maintaining civil nuclear Diane's call for his resignation was •backed up speaker, Joan Ruddock of The same sentiment in favour of getting rid of all US bases from this country was expressed in a recent meenne m nackley Tony Benn stressed that: tain and the United States, will on the world No one can believe the US stands for when you think of the dictators they supthe elected DUl governments they have overthrown.
He stressed the need to strengthen Labour's policy by committing the next government removing all US bases from this country.
Iwa. also re presented at that meeting new general secretary Meg Beresford. The campaign has played a major role in mobilising againsi the attack Libya by sit-down demonstration outside the despite a decision of the Hallullal campaign that it would be.
tor the bases, the publication of secret treaties and opposiThis lon lo wars was intended to be handed MPs lobby parliament already called by CND • for Tuesday However, when the petition was circulated at the end of last week, became clear that the campaign leadership have once again decided to side-step on this issue.
The petition has actually been designed to be circulated constituencywide handed individually each MP, thus dispersing the massive support which such a national initiative would be case thal nore the decision called only for the removal atlack on Libya have not abated, the golden-gift op portunity this offered CND to rebuild the flagging fortunes of the campaign has. beer wasted This is the responsibility of a misleadership tha sees its job as toning things down rather than sharpening them up in line with • world events.
A petition from on the lines decided by na tional council would have offered a clear focus for activists everywhere continue the pressure for the removal of the bases instead the leadership nas dead-duck idea designed to stifle effective protest
Socialist Action 23 May 1986 'EVERY LABOUR government since Attlee has