and AUEW in the late 60's the General Council of the TUC has been dominated by a soft left coalition.
This leadership, least at the level of policy if not at the level of action, supported a militant line. The 1983 Conference has changed that.
In the vanguard of the outgoing Prest dent Mr Frank Chapple. He argued the need for 'a industrial consensus', for 'greater cooperation at work and for the need to 'argue with goverment and build a partnership that can revitalise Bri-. tain'.
To rub home the point about the need for partnership with the Tory government, Une defeat which had been prepared for the left he atiacked Arthur Scargill for being prepared to travel half way round the world io sympathise with communist dictatorships. Yet seek to prevent the TUC from talking to the elected Government of Britain'.
There was much more in a similar vein, including an implicit acceptance of 4 million unemployed, the need to make reforms which would meet Tebbit hall way. He included a vigorous defencé of democracy, Tory-style, and attacked 'threats destroy elected governments' as infantile' and a Subscription Inland: 6 months £8;
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spaper with the Post Office. ablished by Cardinal Enterprises, Since the Jones/Scanlon leadership of the TGWU 'dangerous boomerang'.
Thus did the fomer maverick Igul winger selaccounts with those who defeated the Heath Government, and took his place m the vanguard of the TUC.
Grotesque The right wing went on remove three representation ConThese the agricultural WOrKCES, the dyers and bleachers, both recently amalgamated with the TGWU, and the Medical Practitioners section of ASTMS. To do this, they had to overturn a General Council recommendation to keep them in. The right naa a majority of 1.6 million.
In addition, automatic representation for unions over 100,000 was reaffirmed. This means that 34 of the 5 seats filled by Congress automatically taken by the large unions and not elected.
The smaller unions will share seats. The removal of the three unions from this section will strengthen the right, and ensure them a majorisubscribe For multi-reader institutions double the above rates. & Send to Socialist Action, 328 Upper Street, London N1 2XP.
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on the new General Council.
The full implications of the changes will become clear over the next couple of yéars. But one thing is already clear. The obstacles to united working class action have been increased. fight against Tebbit will disappear from the agenda if the right has its way.
The defeat Blackpool will also have important implications for the Labour Party. Again Chapple leads the way. He stressed the 'mass desertions of Labour votes' and noted that it is extremely unlikely that Labour can win in 1988' The context of these remarks is ominous. Many ol une walle collar umnons are not affiliated to the Kites being flown on talks with the SDP.
It will mean the right will push for 'reassessment' of the traditional links with the Labour Party.
And the fight will get even more explosive in the Labour Party.
For readers who take out a year's inland subscription we are offering a free copy of Hard Times, a new book in the 'Arguments for Socialism' series by Bob Sutcliffe. The book normally costs $2.50.
Alternatively we are offering Alan Freeman's book, The Benn Heresy. For new readers there is our special introductory offer of 8 issues for §2.
All subscriptions are posted first class on day of pubnication The shadow now calls the tune 17 V-A CHIL
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And what is more, I have incontrovertible proof that Arthur Scargill's hair laqueur is imported from Rússia …..
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