polls say THE LABOUR Committee on Ireland (LCI) AGM at the beginning of April met as opinion policy, and the British presence, in the North of Ireland. REDMOND O'NEILL reports.
A SERIES of recent opinion polls in Britain and İreland have shown a dramatic shift in opinion against the Anglo-Irish Agreement and in favour of British withdrawal from Ireland. In March half of those interviewed in Britain in a MORI poll for the Economist were for British withdrawal from Ireland now or within a set period. Only one in four people were for Britain remaining in Ireland permanently.
The results of the latest opinion poll in southern Ireland are more dramatic: The poll, reported in the Irish Post, was conducted by Irish Surveys on behalf of the Irish Independent.
There has been a spectacular change in Irish attitudes to the Anglo-Irish Agreement. Only 22 per cent of those interviewed believed that the Anglo-Irish Agreement has brought about an improvement in the administration of justice in the north and only 21 per cent believe that it has brought about a change in the position of the nationalist community.
On the British presence as such, a clear majority want Britain out within five years. Twenty three per cent wanted an immediate British withdrawal. A further 30 per cent want British withdrawal within five years. Thirty four per cent want the troops to stay until a settlement is reached. And only four per support Britain remaining CelL permanently.
In answer to the question of how peace can.best be achieved in the North of Ireland, 50 per cent were in favour of a united Ireland, including those supMarketing FOLLOWING the decision of the Campaign group to contest the Labour Party leadership a number of MPs unjustified and wrong.
All these MPs are also members of the Tribune group, and iney are not resigning from this group.
of the Tribune group shows what is wrong with their action and clarifies the issues n vo ved.
The has endorsed the demands of the women's conference for a strengthened women's organisation, it SODOLLS the call for constitutionally recognised Black Sections, it consistently defends the DarLy s position for unilateral nuclear disarmament, it supports British withdrawal from the North of Ireland.
The mbune group nas taken no positions on comparable issues defending the interests of women — or of black people, or of party democracy, or on Ireland on public ownership or any similar questions Specifically:
• The Tribune group has not the demands of the women's conference for the election of the women's places on the NEC.
• The Tribune supported our the demands of Black Sections.
• The Tribune group has supported witch hunts in the party.
• The Tribune group in the shadow cabinet elections last year, refused to alPress officer WAC (personal capacity)
ly with the Campaign group to elect a left majority in the shadow cabinet that would have supportea une ke) elements of party policy which the right are opposed • The Tribune group has not endorsed policies defending public ownership.
• The Tribune group has not unequivocably supported unilateral nuclear The Campaign group, which no one claims has always been right in every decision it has made, has fought on the principlec Issues of democracy in the party. In particular its record defending the demands of women and black people in the is infinitely Inerior tO DalL Tribune - not to speak of 1VU leil Kinnocl So if one takes the stated political positions of Jo Richardson, Clare Short, Joan Ruddock ana unc others literally one would have to say that they have subordinated agreement over ciples to disagreement over the advisability or not of a leadership con test. The resignations only make sensesoc much more fundamenta pollucally is involva a basic political position.
Certainly their action in remaining in the Tribune group shows that their posi tion can have nothing to do with that of women in th par he form a group form separate, new and feminist group then for their departure based on the weakness of the Campaign group on women might have some credibility. But Clare Short: her decision to leave the Campaign Group is unjustified and wrong to leave the Campaign group for the 'feminist' cloune group is a poor joke The Tribune group has probably never even discussed its policies on women nor endorsed the demands of women in the party. ine intoure giou as not endorsed a singl one of the women's con ference deresentation ease representation women in the party or to create a more powerful wonder. organisation The fact that they do not resign from the Tribune group simply makes crystal clear that it is not a step towards 'feminism Others who disagreed with the contest, and voted against it in the Campaign group have not walked ou Some, like Tony Banks hav declared their support tor Tony Benn despite disagree ing with holding the contest at this point. This is because they understand that agree. ment on policies is more important than a tactical disagreement - even a very important one such as a leadership contest icularly the women ME he MPs who left should reverse their decision. Not because the Campaign group is perfect on the issue of women - - far from it - but because the Tribune group is worse. Because the Campaign supports women's demands and the Tribune group opposes them. By credibility Tribune group the womer MPs have strengthened forces in the party who not support the demands of women.
In politics, always, principles must take priority over tactics.
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polls both in Ireland and Britain showed a dramatic increase in opposition to British
resigned from the group. Significantly this included a number of women MPs, Jo Richardson, Clare Short, Margaret Beckett, Joan Walley and Joan Ruddock. The reasons they state for resigning are disagreement with the leadership contest. Others have attempted to present the issue as about the position of women. The decision of these MPs to leave the Campaign group is