Setback at IT WAS inconceivable that attacks on left policies spurred on by 'dream' leaders would leave intact Labóur's Irish policy. Confused. though last year's position had been with its notion of getting a united reland without upsetting the Loyalists, decisive.
Preparations for the debate were good. One thousand people attended the fringe meeting with erry Adams. OBOSIEI clear policy options for conference. Labour Committee on posals. One made plain the need to break the veto exercised by the Unionists over proposals for a united Ireland.
The other suggested Labour should stop backing the sham Northern Treland Assembly set up by the Tories and debilitated by Sinn Fein's electoral results. Instead, it said, about withdrawal.
Coming to the rostrum from the ranks of the constituencies, Tony Benn moved the main resolution with well-ordered reason. He stressed that the war was Britain's responsibility and that the reactionary Loyalist veto should be rejected. He commented favourably on the dialogue with Sinn Fein and rounded on those trade union leaders who capitulate to the pressure of the Loyalists inside Sheila Healey from Brent East, seconding the unable to produce political solutions, resorted to repression and threats. She described the sexual naso owoer arud Despite the good start, the rambling succession of speakers to the platform underlined the failure of the left to adopt the cause of Ireland as its own. The third resolution, born from a deal between the Militant and the Labour Representation Committee (LRC), called for Labour to end the 'racist' ban on recruiting from the Six Counties.
This Orange lobby brought havoc to the pat formulae of the left. A letter written from Michael Foot's office in reply to a Belfast application to join the party was read out. In it Foot avoided all the issues and claimed that Labour would organise in the North were it not for the financial crisis of As Clive Soley argued in the New Labour and Ireland magazine Labour has no business in the North — through its troops, or through its constituencies. But the Transport and General Workers Union was poised on the brink of supporting this resolution. The LRC, from a position of irrelevancy, now has big backers. They say they are overOf course, the Labour Party would make no impression at all on the nationalist community Wice arguments of Sinn Fein.
A new Northern Ireland Labour Party, if it ever got off the ground, would be a new Orange The danger in the argument is to suggest the future of the Labour Party. is endangered by its support for a United Ireland. If we are to avoid a return to the worst bipartisanship, this question a Piece of the Action So... tell me about the Conference.
Christ! Would
you belleve it?
On the train I wa molested by some creep crying to cop a feel! s reversal was three Dul Two SWYCIC Ireland-sponsored pro we should start talking ao ącręcałans Mou naMols The time spent at mocodand olmss wasn't wasted then? AFTER WAITING for four days to take Wythenshawe CLP's case Chair Sam McCluskie dragooned the Labour conference into recording a 'no' vote against reference back of the NEC report dealing with its suspension of the party.
NEC conceded an open Annual General Meeting on will vindicate us.
The strength • of our case was proved by the fact that the right wing did not dare to call for a card vote. They knew after union naa been convinceu of our case after hearing our arguments.
shawe CLP Chair But was misled by one of the most scandalous pieces falsification it eve heard. Russell Tuck's speeci contained four clear lies.
Lie number one: 'Wythenshawe refused to meet the NEC prior to its suspension'.
The truth! The CLP was never invited to meet the NEC until after it was suspended. meetns on 15 April to which Tuck reterred was between the vard party the district party and the regior discuss problems of ward selection — a procedure in woich tne dsact aacaol the constituency ofCres. CALCEC, was not involved and did allene because wasn't invited.
Lie number two: The of ficers suspended agent Joe Paie or no oe The truth: was suspended on full pay. The NEC's own interim report says so!
Lie number three: "The refused to ros el the freezing HalC.
November for application of the 12 month rule on selection.
The truth: In fact the freeze advised by Hughes, Deceiober. National Agent was OHLY subsequently, without any written Ho CaLO. did Joe Paine, the WythenNove ber. Morepvr the propose November. freeze date was changed after shortlisting took Diale • Not at all. And l must confess I couldnt restrain a smile as the disgusting wimp rolled y on the floor. J The moral victory is ours. Russell Tuck of the - a meeting which we are convinced Lie number four: The parj ty's AGM was out of order number trade union delegates complained that they were not notified of the meeting. The truth: Only delegate complained: Pat Jones of USDAW. Pat was not an accredited GMC delegate a delegation was CavCu four davs ulel the AGM. He himself publicly admitted this.
In consequence of these outrageous lies, which we could have easily refuted had we been allowthe rights of any CLP which seeks to run its affairs without arbitrary NEC interference remains in doubt.
Help us by: • Getting out the facts. Ensure you these facts to your ward, COISI• tuency or union and invite Send letters of protest to the NEC demanding our reinstatement publication of the full facts of the case. • Support our appeal for a national conference to discuss the problems arisSend messages of support to: Alf Home, chair, Wythenshawe CLP, 39 Mullacre Benchill, Manchester 22.
Briefing conference bulletin.)
First issue of the national supplement. 20p.
Contributions on the witch hunt, LP women's local counCentral America, opies irom 23 Leghor d, London NW10 Life is ofüen like that. And so, at times, was the Labour Party Conference... A delegate tries to catch the eye of McCluskie at Labour Party conference
----- pull-quotes -----
ing from our case. financially. e Help ons tiäns