Policy The mechanism of this is simole for vears now the conference has voted a allisi LIC leadership on policy and on the demand that women their representatives on the NEC The proposal 01 a union such as APEX, which has a of members but a totally male the OI the LCC right of But the LCC VOLe adequate supposedly not want Women - because that women must control needs That that the other Living ultra-left, have ally conspirea to block a real fight for women to control the colicience represenls within the the early 1980s. be the Power Moreover the present women's conference : is set 'talking shop', uv as a 'protest' organisation, not one that can wield real power in the party.
›ecause men decided it would power. But is seriously that five places on the NEC are elected by a conference where unions such GMBATU, WiTn almost women members, NUPE with over or the IGWU with 250.000. are going to be outvoted by women's sections of a small number of constituencies with only a few thousand women every Certainly there is a tremendous tight to ensure that votes at women's conterence are under ine control of women in the unions ana not ol But precisely establishing authoritative women's conthe Action Structure can be discussed After all magical about the proference. It the best reasonable hillits.
But nonnegotiable that the it does nol have without elect the on NEC. principle that elect tatives negotiable. No other system is to anvone else faces tremendous Its implications would place it right Principle What should be decided is a simple principle. It has already • been decidec this year that conterence Will based on the of Julius. resented by delegates which rules out any block vote based on counting the number of men in a union.
NEC should
nounce that on this basis it HELOCUCC the principle that will elect the places the NEC and invite proposals O It for the precise mechanism for this.
Opportunities On that basis business like the pasty and unions could discussion women commence. If that is not decided however the big. gest opportunity party in women will have been wasted.
There is no issue which it is more important for the party to contront In lne next months than this one. under attack is the elementary decide on their MP.
Protests LUSI Huckfield's selection is blocked.
Socialist Action 24 Oct 1986 capacity of the Britain to move