Socialist Action No. 3, 1 April 1983
The scan: 003-apr-01-1983-SA-UK.pdf (PDF, Marxists Internet Archive)
Uncorrected machine reading of the whole issue. This text was read by machine (Apple Vision OCR) from the scan and has not been corrected or cut into articles. Each page gives the headlines first, then the columns in order, so one article runs on into the next. Expect misread words. Use it to find things; quote from the scan.
Page 1 scan of this page
NO CRUISE NO TRIDENT
BRITAIN OUT OF NATO
No. 3 1 April 1983
30p Unemployed and strikers 10p
ACTION SoCiAlist
KEN LIVINGSTONE • Page 13 • 'Why Labour must fight coalitionism'
SYLVIA PANKHURST • Pages 8 & 9 • Ireland "Thoughts on Easter Week'
Page 2 scan of this page
The nuclear future - Reagan style
2 Socialist Action 1 April 1983
CND
CND Diary is a regular column Action; giving a round up of useful facts, news. and dates of forthcoming events in the Anti-Nuclear movement.
The listing of events is free and the details should reach us by the Wednesday, one week before publication. Send to CND Diary, Socialist Action, 328 Upper Street, London N1 2XP. Starwars REAGAN'S LATEST PLANS to play star wars are not the first attempt of the Pentagon to obtain space-based particle beam weapons. ago the Pentagon claimed to have discovered a parnice beau gap missile gap!). floundered on the difficulty of manipulating the figures to prove there was a gap. Since neither side had these weapons, and 0+0=0, even the most sophisticated statistical analysis of the figures was
Shipbuilding WITH THE GOVERNMENT clamping down on expenditure for all nationalised industries, there is one place where the rules are to be relaxed. Vickers shipbuilding at Barrow-on-Furness has been given the go-ahead to build a covered shipyard. Why the change of mind do I hear you ask...
Toys for the Boys EARLIER THIS MONTH the British Army took delivery of its first Challenger Main Battle Tank. The Challenger tank is the army's first new battle tank for 20 years. each tank and it is planned to give the army 250 of them to play with.
Denationalisation WHILE ON THE Challenger is built at the Leeds Royal Ordinance made a cool f60 million profit. This is of course a Factory. heinous crime. you've guessed it - hive them off.
Look Out!
LAST THURSDAY journalists were given a conducted tour of Greenham Heseltine. Apart from saying that faith in the reliability of (which is more than the people in the US who live near the test range have!), he announced that
will be security perimeter is patrolled allocated to the USAFE command. already in the process of equipping its base security police with machine guns, mortars and light tanks, so the mind boggles at the thought of what further upgrading means. Tactical perhaps!
*28 March-2 April International Peace Studies Week (for students) at Pimlico School, London.
* Thur 31 Mar 12 hour blockade of Greenham Common (women only) and Burghfield Royal Ordinance Factory (sixed. * Fri 1 April 14 mile human chain from Greenham Com
mon to Burghfield via Tolowel Ov * Sat 2 April Scottish CND March in Glasgow. Starts in a festival at Aldermaston.
George Square at 11.00am, and ends at Carnival in Kelvingrove Park * Sat 2 April GLC Bunkèr Party. 7.30pm at Civic Cen-
tre, North Peckham.
*Sun 3 April GLC Easter Parade, featuring specially commissioned 'Peace Float'. Starts Battersea
3.00pm.
*Sun 3 April Demonstration at Faslane Nuclear Sub
base * Thur 7 April Aberdeen CND meeting discussing END.
Starts 7.30pm at 24 Adelphi (off Union St), Aberdeen.
+8-10 April Campaign Against the
tional supporters meeting,
Newton
*8-10 April International Peace Camp at Wycombe
Bob Saunders Bourne End 22624.
*8-10 April Nuclear Free North Atlantic Conference
Witches neare.
* Fri 8 April Film: 'Guide to Armageddon',
by Orpington CND.
Street. Orpington, Kent.
*Sat 9 April GLC Bunker Party; 7.30pm Riverdale
Hall, Lewisham.
* Wed 13
CND on Nuclear Weapons, Nuclear Power and Sizewell
'B", speaker Chris Church.
Pub, Station Yard, Twickenham, Mddx.
*Sat 16 April GLC Nuclear Bunker Party.
Langdon Park Community Centre, Tower Hamlets.
* 23-24 April North West
Conterence against the missiles
Cruise Missiles' at Brent Town Hall. Speakers: Ken Liv-
ingstone, Pat Arrowsmith, Tim Webb and women from Papolo 01-047951 or Write o Box 332 Niro SNick. Details/
EVENTS
in Socialist A few years
in bomber gap and ploy eventually Well it might Trident submarines will be built in
The tank is a snip at £1.5m for
SUBJECT of tanks, the Last year the Royal Ordinance Factories
and so there are plans afoot to
Common Dase he had every the guidance (systems
stepped up. The US Air Force personnel
nuclear weapons, Aldermaston. Starts 1.30pm,
Park at Touse, i Friends Meeting House Terrace, Glasgow G3. Details contact (01)-278
organised At 7.30pm, New Village Hall, High
April Meeting organised by Twickenham
starts y.0pm al tne Albally 7.30pm at London Labour Movement 'Jobs not Bombs Not.
/credentials
tion of the arms race. ORECLIE
TOT culminated with the defeat of the US in Vietnam.
Armed
To deal with this problem the 'Nixon Doctrine' was introduced. The 'Nixon Doctrine' was prongea orlensive. Un vue hand it envisaged a series
heavily armed imperialist client states to provide local 'police force' (for instance South Vietnam, Iran, and Israel).
On the other an.
made neutralise the Chinese and was Soviet bureaucracies through the diplomatic offensive of 'detente'.
of the Carter administration this nolicv was in a shambles Client states were collaps. ing around Carter's ears and it had become obvious that the Soviet Union lacked the capacity to contain the national liberation struggles breaking out particularly in Central America.
Reagan's election programme featured the most
The plans revealed last week by Ronald Reagan to construct a 'shield around the United States
"render nuclear war impossible' monstrous use of the big lie technique. It would be funny if it weren't so tragically dangerous.
Reagan's fantastic scenario for mobilising the scientific community to construel ray-guns in space, laser beams and the rest was the very opposite of rendering nuclear war impossible.
It is a scheme for the most incredible escala-
If achieved, it would give the United States invulnerablity to Soviet attack, while of course leaving the Soviet Union open to US attack. The whole multi-billion dollar nonsense would pro-
over 5 was
de spenaing a tweill Or it.
Conventional explosives are getting more plosives are getting smaller powerful and nuclear and more specific in their effects. On the nuclear side, the neutron bomb is typical this trend, minimising the blast effect and maximising radiation conventional weapons the US 'Daisy
weapons. systello
makes it the
linked to the drive for superiority is the struggle to control the CONC of space surrounding earth.
Three quarters of all satellites are military satellites. This is the real significance of the space
Three quarters of shullie. the shuttle flights are booked for minitary pro-
Coll
ing, and
voke the most massive escalation of the arms race, with both sides working frantically to build weapons of the most destructive kind.
I's a plan to avoid dealing with disarma-
arguing that nuclear war is being rendered impossible ... by stepping up the arms race to the most frantic level seen so far.
Part and parcel of Reagan's insane proposals was an alleged massive Soviet build up in Cuba and Nicaragua. This amounted to an airfield and Soviet MIGs in Cuba. To combat these you obviously need laser beams in space.
ALAN LENTON describes how US military strategy from now until the end of the centur has been centred on the first use of nuelear
attempl
Is
intervene anvwhere in the
woll
Air Land Battle Doctrine emphasises seizing the initiative,
Convention
against Trident
By Martin Meteyard (vice-chair, AntiTrident Campaign)
ANTI-TRIDENT is being planned for June as the next stage in building up opposition to the generation of nuclear wea-
The convention is being organised by the AntiTrident Campaign, which changed its name from the Scottish Campaign against December a part of a plan to step up against Trident throughout Britain.
Already delegates from north of England groups have started to attend monthly planning
News
designed around small, nuclear. equipped forces The logical outcome of the doctrine is the use of preemptive strike.
Air Land Doctrine not only advises early strikes, but specifies that they should be deep in enemy territory.
The sheer scale of the US war drive is difficult to
at first sight, but once its political essence is understood neutralise the Soviet Union, and to directly in. tervene in the process of the colonial revolution -then it becomes easier to cope with its dimensions. meetings of the campaign's executive
Glasgow.
The Convention is in-
tended to take the campaign beyond the existing audience the peace movement and into the
organisations which repre-
sent people in their aall
lives trade unions, tenants associations, com
munity groups,
etc
These are being aD
proached to send delegates
to give a real mass basis for
discussing future action
needed to stop Trident
The Convention will be
held at Kelvin Hall Arena
Glasgow, from
4.30pm on Saturday
June.
• Further • details: Anti-
Trident Campaign, 420 S2. 04133253141. Sauciehall Glasgon
Page 3 scan of this page
News
24 MAY
May, International
the labour movement to support for their call.
In 1982 some 90 different events took place in brilaln on 44 Way. events were comparatively sillant — Iron a schoolgir wearing an armband into. ner exams to tull-scale processions through city centIcs.
The Malvinas crisis was at its height at that time.
By Valerie Coultas
The original idea for a decentralised Eurobean women's day. OI action emerged through meetings
the Copenhagen to Paris Women's Peace March in 1981.
Because there was already a widespread network of women's groups active in the anti-missiles movement it was possible to circulate a chain letter.
The chain letter in Britain nas now been written for. this year's Interna-
Women's Dav of Action and the debate has
about what kind of events we should have this year.
It's not new for women
and. ordanise all seperately on the
peace. while the labour leaders of Ger-
England, France
members m right in
members defence of the fatherland, over 2000 women from socialist parties in Europe, America, and Canada met
the Hague to protest against the war.
'20s and '30s Lida Heyman, Anita Ausburg and Virginia THIS EASTER thousands and thousands of people will be demonstrating against nuclear. lunacy.
Inspired by the women of Greenham Common 14-mile human chain will stretch from Greenham via Aldermaston the Burghfield Trident factory. The day after swarms of people will take over George Square in Glasgow in
die-in which will show how nuclęar war will wipe out entire populations in cities.
The anti-nuclear has never movemenl been so strong in Britain And it can and must become stronger
On 24 May the Greenham women have
Action call by
Greenham women
THE GREENHAM COMMON peace women have called for European-wide action by women on 24 Women's Day for Disarmament. Following the backing of the Women's TUC representing three million working women for the Greenham peace camp the opportunity exists to win
Woolf began link feminist and anti-military ideologies.
In the '50s in response 'cold to the war 1C W organisations of the Voice of Women and Women's Strike for Peace.
Women mailed their babies teeth to congressmen in protest at the effects of radioactive fallout and held massive demonstrations against
Paris.
Crucial to building this year's day of action in a more popular way than occured last year. Is to win the backing of the labour movement. This would not take the action out of the hands of women, but would promote the Involvement women in the factories, offices and shops only be mobilised if they are apthrough trade union represenLalives
Grips
What the labour movement has to come to grips with is une fantastic inspiration it gives to women to see women taking the lead on an issue, pushing their ways of organising to the fore, giving their conLet to ure ecuards or luc anti-missiles movement. reminists have highlighted women's opposition to militarism and related it to their role as women. Women create life say the feminists. Men destroy it.
Labour movement must
support Greenham action
called for a women's Day of Disarmament. Here is the chance for the TUC and the Labour Party to put into practice the policies agreed at their conferences last year.
Young people have been the backbone this movement. On IViay Youth CND will be organising mass demonstration and festival in Brockwell Park. This will give us the chance to win thousands of youth to the campaign for win aerausm.
Instead sitting back the TUC and the Labour Party National Executive should get off Luch valosucs anu carlipaign for 24 May to be a day Illas. against nuclear weapons. hey can Jane Jule that the labour
me fighte against mass
the fight against destruction policy that did Ossie O' Brien no harm in Darlington. Furthermore putting
This is simplistic but it has struck a chord among women. Women, because of their social conditioning, and their social position. are less like v to iden. tify with militarism. . Their pacifism is the pacifism of the oppressed who don't want to die to protect the profits of the capitalists. Movement
The labour movement in Britain and throughout Europe has every interest in pushing this movement among women forward.
Only the organised labour movement has the power to stop the missiles in Europe,
hiccus every ally it can 24 May achieve this end. will be a day where women make their statement against the missiles • In workplaces, streets, housing estates and schools.
• On the evening of Sunday 27 April women from the Brighton Women's Peace Camp came to London to establish Londonwide co-ordination for the 24 May Women's Day for Disarmament.
The Brighton now nas contacts in countries, and an international kit being distributed as well as a nationwide kit of suggestions for activity on that day.
ACTTS is promising to give its women members the day off. NALGO executive is discussing what action take. Labour
and Labour Liaison Disarmament Committee nave already given their backing and are calling on the Labour Party NEC to do likewise on Wednesday 27 April.
Write to 16 Arundel Street, Brighton for your kit and ring 01-226 1474 for regional contacts, leaflets etc.
itself at the heart and the centre of this campaign it can make sure the heroic actions of the women at Greenham have a victorious conclusion.
Helen John from Greenham Common told Socialist Action: would like to see mass backing from the trade luon movemen or ne Women's Day of Disarmament. we nope unis will provide the
spur trade union movement marue own initiatives for the arms escalation to be brought to a halt.
'Multilateralism is an objective we all hold. But it can only be achieved if you are prepared to take
first step. unilateralist multilateralist who means it.
The women Greenham have shown they TUC Hical and Now Tre Labour
Party must
SO W they also mean it.
WOMEN FOR
PEACE
January 1983: dancing on the silos
the Easter weekend
Greenham
main support West and Ireland should groups from Anglia, East Midlands, North should go to Burghfield. • FRIDAY 1 APRIL
GREGMOAM
August/September 1981: the march from Cardiff to Greenham Common.
Stand together: Easter activities
Here is a reminder of the activities planned for • THURSDAY 31 MARCH Demonstration
Common USAF base and Burghfield ROF from 6am. For organised groups only, and euch group should have a support group.
People should aim to arrive on Wednesday even. ing for final briefing sessions and report to the
areas. Groups from the North West, West, Wales, West Midlands, South West. South to Greenham; London, the East, South Midlands,
A human chain linking Greenham and Burghfield via Aldermaston. On disembarking from coaches, people should walk
MARCH
+ 17#19
towards Aldermaston -
of
Please pick up your litter.
East
and theatre
the Clyde. night accomodation will be available.
Socialist Action 1 April 1983 3 which will be clearly signposted. Toilets, medical facilities, etc, will be available at fourteen 'stations' situated en route at one-mile intervals. Link-up from these stations at 1pm. Later: Aldermaston Festival bring puppets, music, games, decorations etc
2 APRIL A demonstration and carnival in Glasgow. Assemble from 11.15am in Cochrane St. (by George Square, city centre) for a mass 'die-in'; proceeding to Kelvingrove Park (two miles) for the carnival. Music, speakers.
stalls, children's events, etc. • SUNDAY 3 APRIL A human chain along the perimeter of Faslane nuclear submarine base on
• Transport from Glasgow and over-
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4 Socialist Action
LPYS conference
ALTHOUGH the Labour Party Young Socialists remains a key target for the delegates at the Bridlington annual conference will mark a further increase in the growth of Labour's youth organisation. The main issues facing the con-
Ene
reviousy
azallist
1 April 1983
CND key to building
Labour's youth Sun un
right wing purge
WhO HOIS 100CT.
YCND.
I NIS
•amade. HOL
OlIC OI LIC UOSS Cr to put our
•LIC Laboul
see response of the unle selt-organisation of blacks
answer some of these ques and that thei
CALIST
Photo: JOHN HARRIS
speakers Coutts ume,
OVER 2000 youth, representing 493 local branches, are expected to attend the LPYS annual conference at Bridlington over Easter weekend.
Welcome visitors to the conference will be Tony Benn and Dennis Skinner addressing the pre-conferenc rally. Not so welcome will be
Howell, the right-wing chair of the NEC's youth committee, who will be giving the 'fraternal' address on behalf of the NEC.
Howell, supported by Foot, Kinnock and other former 'lefts' on the NEC has spearheaded a series of attacks on the rights of the
By Redmond O'Neill
sunce
which are kelv to inten.
One
Coll ycals has been
membership and the
whole
Much responsibility for this lies with the Dennis Skinner tant leadership of the YS. ticipated in
the Campaign nuclear
united 'build powerful Labour
the
of thousands to its ranks.
Neither does Labour left actively cam
the Act!!
News
Why the left should
build the YS
throw resources into this.
Forces like the Labour Coordinating Committee and the CLPD have not supported this approach. They have already distanced themselves from the campaign to prevent leading Militant supporters being expelled
from the Party.
National Organisation of Labour Students' leadership ha: lined up with the rightJohn Golding -attacks on YS wing, on the NEC's Youth Committee actually voting to end YS control of their campaign funds! The Clause 4 grouping is highly influential LČC, CLPD and NOLS
this YS conference the LCC will be attemp ting to launch 'a nontrotskyist lett-wing group
inside the But we are conti. dent that this will be treated with the contempt deserved of people whose 'left' credentials the line he is againsi even stretch
likes Howell.
Drive
What is necessarv is a serious drive to unite those in the yo to build a mas campaigning youth wing with the left-wing of the party campaign for socialist policies and an end to the witch hunt Campaigns like Labour Against the Witch-Hunt and Socialists for a Labour Victory begin to make this possible.
The left should come behind the small forces with a similar approach in the LPYS and create conditions whereby Militant either adopts non sectarian mass campaigning approach or gives way to a leadership which will. 'And lets not forget. prevention of Terrorism so watch what you're saying, you irish Communist
Page 5 scan of this page
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Page 6 scan of this page
Nicaragua faces danger of all-out war
Fourth anniversary of the Grenadian revolution
6 Socialist Action 1 April 1983
WORLD
Patrol by fire
US TROOPS Lebanon are coming
with the Israelis.
The reason is not a sudden upsurge of anti-Zionism the Marines,
which consist firing off thousands of rounds
vencies
US 1 Beirut the Sidon
flying
have already killed by
Com-
elections couple of weeks ago.
of Paris
and Com-
supCP CP leader (
an answer.
French are going "serious sustained' campaign the
of in hich ing class Which
increase CP's THE SOCIAL
Party Nor-
significant last
seat Sinn
years and the
at the for the
by the
and shaken by
during Assembly eecuol.
Irish trying
their image them
parties . Loony Ronnie II
LATEST in the US weapons build up: a new type of battle cruiser able to carry 180 sea-launched
cruise missiles, the DDG
The new cruiser
decade,
While
all landintermediate bassador from El Salvador week. As
arranged usual
the
James.
are
Around the trough.
only five turned Central America.
When uan ambassador presented papers
turned up.
modicum of sanity, Franz Strauss, the right-wing leader Bavarian
in
of Bavaria. ed that if electoral partners, CDU, were in the
should foreign
AS Kohl
on the of the
who blank 10 tubby
he wanted post foreign, economics or finance minister, made
was welcome
agriculture.
starting forget his
getting indistinct,
More
executions
FIVE more people were
in Guatemala City last week secret military tribunal.
people have now been executed in this fashion since Rios Montt came to power a year ago.
Meanwhile 85 people are known to have been
death squads Salvador.
THE INCURSIONS into Nicaragua by right-wing insurgents could lead to an all-out war with Hon-
government is pointing to, as fighting with the 1.200 or so insurgents continues in the provinces of Jinotega, Nueva Sergovia and Matagalpa.
Although claims by the rebel National Democratic
provinces are almost cer-
The insurgents adopting hit and run tac-
encircled by Sandinista defence forces.
As Interior Minister Tomas Borge pointed out last week the danger is that the present raids are a feint designed to draw away the Sandinista army while more substantial invasion is prepared on the Pacific coast. Raids
Since the current incursions began, utilising Honduran ment leit behind by troops Honduras January, it nas become
dear thatthe presente res
raids 1100 themselves constitute serious attempt to overthrow the government militarily. The forces involved are far too small to make that a realistic possibility.
But while the fighting inside Nicaragua has con-
ON 13 MARCH this year Grenadians celebrated the fourth anniversary of the revolution which overthrew the dictator Gairy.
This year's events WCIC supposed to be low-key - the People's Revolutionary Government had decided to make next year's anniversary grander to coincide with the opening of the new international airport.
A LARGE delegation from the Nottinghamshire and North Derbyshire area, including NUM members, is expected for the El Salvador labour movement conference on 14 May. This follows a successful tour of the area by a Salvadorean representative of the FDR, Jaime Lopez. During his week long stay Jaime met leaders of the Nottingham and Derbyshire NUM including executive members Peter Heathfield and Henry Richardson. He spoke to branch officiais at seven pits.
The national union is
backing the conference
with two executive committee delegates, a $100 donation and publicity.
That's the danger which the Sandinista tinued, raids across the border from Honduras have continued, there have been clashes with the Honduran army and Honduran troops have fired on Nicaraguan border guards
have instructions not to fire back
Now the danger is that the Honduran will provoke bigger clash which will lead to all-out wa Last week Nicaragua called an urgent meeting of the UN security counci to expose the 'creeping in-
being prepared tabo ranioed States in col collaboration duras.
But at the last moment the scale of the celebration was stepped up, to mobilise people against the escalating US attacks on Grenada.
During his 'space wars speech Ronald Reagan ac cused little Grenada tiny island of just 115,000 people harbouring Cuban and Russian militarv bases. This is an outrageous lie.
On March the United States Navy began Puerto Rico as the foca
Miners' union supports El
Salvador conference
The response at local
level is equally positive.
The Derbyshire NUM is
discussing sending
delegates, Nottingham-
shire executive has cir-
culated conference
to all branches
and Yorkshire and Nor-
thumberland executive
are sending
delegates.
By Andy Miller
Jaime's visit was met
with keen interest from
the miners. At Gedling
colliery near Not-
tingham, they crammed
into the union office to
hear him. At Blidworth
colliery an impromptu
meeting was held
miners staying on at the
end of the dayshift.
Jaime also met strik-
ing hosiery workers on
picket duty at Daleside
Hadden in Nottingham
America's UN Teoresentauvi Jear Kirkpatrick said that US attempts to destabilise the Nicaraguan were a myth. But the 50
. But the S0 CIA officers in Honduras and the huge amounts ol US equipment being supplied the revolutionaries are not myth
Now the United States is planning to build a huge
complex KOlduras which will be able to
point but sending a large flotilla to the waters surrounding Grenada.
From Roger Roberts in Grenada
These latest events are part of an ever-increasing campaign against Grenada revolution by the
States. Defence secretary caspe Wein berge and Vice President George Bush are
those who recent weeks have made
attacks Grenada.
(see report on page 14).
He addressed meetings
of Chesterfield and Not-
tingham trades councils.
At ine ena of the
tour, trade unionists and
Labour Party members
came together
Youth CND and
members of the exiled
Chilean community for a
evening. Jaime
repeated his message of
the week in his speech.
"The struggle is
reaching greater levels of
confrontation between
El Salvador people. The
US is really afraid that if
it doesn't increase its in
tervention in Central
America, the repressive
regimes will collapse in a
matter of months.
"The policy of the US
is failing In all fields
because of the resistance
of the people. Our strug-
gle will go on until fina
victory.
• The
April. monitor virtually all the
Central American isthmus.
Meanwhile Britain the Labour Party failed to get Tory approval to hold an emergency debate on Nicaragua the Commons last week Chated a Soares position culated position paper attacking Grenada at the meeting of the Non-Aligned foreign ministers meeting in Nicaragua.
At a rally on 13 March Prime Minister Maurice Bishop stated that the government had realised that more earnest and
attempts destabilisation 'were Doure lo time or another'.
He called for vigilance
coming months against what he described as a more acsocrale ano
MOVEMENT LABOUR
COUNTY HALL LONDON MAY 14
Jenny ear autor Under the Eagle)
Salvador Moncada (FDR Representative)
DELEGATES invited from Trade Union &
Jenny Pearce (author of
Salvadorean Trade Unionists
Political Party branches FURTHER INFORMATION from:
Ei Salvador Solidarity Campaign
London Ki Ter: of 359 22T0
International
Nicaragua
Solidarity Campaign
organising a solidarity ral
ly in County Hall on 8
Britain has loyally States in the United Nad backed United tions — a determined campaign to expose Britain's complicity with the US war in Central America is needed.
Maurice Bishop dangerous imperialism'
The Grenadian people, he said. 'are ready to fight at anv time
SALVADOR
Page 7 scan of this page
«THE ACTION INTERVIEW
Interview
THE ELECTION of Owen Carron as MP managh and South Tyrone, following the death Bobby Sands, was another blow to British domination of Ireland.
BOB WHITEHEAD spoke to him.
What are the main campaigns which Sinn Fein is currently engaged in?
Obviously the number one is the national issue, the fight determination for the Second are economic issuer fact that because of the national issue people are deprived socially housing situation in Ireland, the poverty, the unemployment shuanon.
Both the Northern and Southern states in Ireland are unstable. leads us to see that there must be a revolutionary solution to the whole problem the establishment of a socialist republic in Ireland.
Is the Northern Ireland Assembly an attempt to bring back Stormont and to what extent is it succeeding?
There is no doubt that the idea behind it is to restore Stormont rule and give credibilitv to the various shades Unionism. The fact that Sinn Fein won 10 per cent of the votes made it more difficult to restore Stormont, because it forced the Catholic party, the Social Democratic Labour Party (SDLP) into a boycott of the Assembly.
The intervention and success of Sinn Fein has made the SDLP adopt a slightly 'harder' position and thus the Assembly is seen as a totally one-party body. That's made it untenable, even in the eyes of the Tory party in Britain who haven't given it real backing.
So do you think it can be finished off for good in the near future?
It's part of the total problem, just another initiative by long its presence in Ireland. No doubt when the Assembly goes, some other initiative will be brought out.
Just as if Britain were to ban plastic bullets from their arsenal, then they would come up with some other form of population control.
The Assembly could fall at any time due to the in-fighting of the various Unionist parties; or it might even survive to the general election. It hasn't any chance of success so long as the nationalist people refuse to recognise it.
What's your attitude to the European Court of Enquiry into Ireland?
Our attitude is to welcome any body which will try to highlight the situation Ireland, character British rule in Ireland, and the false situation of contrived state. It's an 'artificially created state in Ireland which gives power to one section of the communiy over another.
But at the end of the day the only enquiry we want is one that will get Britain out of the North.
Who is behind the enquiry?
A number of Euro-MPs, Irish MEPs like Sile De Blaney and John Hume - those type of people — have forced this through the European parliament.
Of course the British government, ease arment.
Tory Party and the Labour wont benen nave gone into nysterics that anyone should want voolizale Northern Ireland. symptomatic of their attitude.
for Fer-
of
Photo: PETE GRANT
for selfIrish people.
LUC
the the North of
Owen Carron
This of
middle-class britain to pro-
Northern o-county
privilege and
idea OI democratic parties'?
actively doing Varia, el Northern Ireland,
rule in the Irish Free State.
both the Party
inThat's boost the SDLP.
Sinn Fein vastly increased its mass support during hunger strikes.
What's the meaning of Fitzgerald's
'a cross-border forum for
He's trying to bluff the public that he
something about whereas his vested state. interest is in maintaining British rule and in maintaining his own right-wing Gael
and
o is he trying to undercut support f
inn Fein and boost the SDLP Cass
cent There's no doubt that he's trying to
There's an attempt being made by both the British and
Owen Carron MP
LONG KESH Irish governments to boost the møral of collaboration and compromise anc that's good for Britain.
Even if Britain were to withdraw from Ireland tomorrow, they would be trying to do it on their own terms — the establishment of a neo-colonial
The SDLP and elements like Fine
and Fitzgerald in the South would fit into that because they would attempt to hold Ireland, économically
socially, for the British ruling
That is why you have seen the re-
development whereby Sinn Fein has taken a rather more left-wing trend. because thev see the need not just for Brits out, but for
'Sinn Fein see the
need, not just for
Brits out, but for a
socialist Ireland'
LONG KESH
La socialist Ireland
Will Sinn Fein be contesting seats in the coming general election?
Our position is that we will contest as many seats as possible. there are some seats that wouldn't be worthwhile at least 30 of the 78 seats.
the Republican vote Republican vote cent Assembly elections. If we got less, or Fein, Just lne same. problems, but we believe on the basis of the Canalyl work that we've done since then we
which. we be We see the
ple live there
counties to terms
the
there, the
who've
Photo. CHRIS STEFI F-PERKINS (Camerawork)
conference.
We
and in tionalist grateful
narrow
What
Obviously
but we'll be contesting
The idea behind it is to maximise
• 60,000 or ten per There 1S the struggle. Republican al the
we woule have come sLalt
movenest
Socialist Action 1 April 1983 can increase the vote
Of course there's a point beyon Call the vot because class interests will intervene There's a hard core of middle-cla: voters who will stick with the SDLP
On the other hand there are man people who voted SDLP down th years because there was no realisti alternative. Now we are in a positio to show that there is support for a uncompromising stand.
Has there been discussion about Sini Fein's manifesto?
In the Assembly elections we stoo purely on the national issue, where: in the general election we'll obvious!
economic issues. campaigning It's hard to ask peo on sulid dil ple to campaign for 'Brits out' if yo don't have bread in your cupboard o your roof is leaking
Would you take any seats in Parlis ment if you were elected?
No, we would abstain, we see that as fundamental principle. If we were t come to Westminster it would be seer in some way as giving legitimacy is the British presence in Ireland
Is Sinn Fein trying to build up suppor in the 26 counties or are you concen trating on the North?
26 counties as bein! perhaps the most important to th development of the struggle, if oni because the majority of the Irish per
— and because you car solve the national question withos the support of those people
Our problem at the moment is tha
whereas we have strategy in the North.
In the South, Sinn Fein's absten tionist strategy doesn't work becaus the majority of the Irish people see th parliament as a legitimate parliamen — and that is a problem that we hav got to come to terms with. We've go to build an organisation which come
with that situation, whic! can de-stabilise the southern state
It's ripe for revolution, not just o national question but or whole economic climate that pertain
severe budget that's beet introduced; mill workers in Dubli
been imprisoned for LUL tempt of court; and the possibility o a general strike - there's tremendou potential in the 26 counties.
Unfortunately people are not full organised for it at the present time.
We've just seen the visit of Ken Lis ingstone to Ireland and lots of Labou Party support for the plastic bullet
ПОЙ much interest i there in Sinn Fein in the • developmen of the Labour Party's Irish policy?
would see hope in these developments in the Labour Party
the abour lett. The community would for developments in the labour movement on a broad level.
We would not see any hopes in a
movement in Britain which has been the case for years. The hope of building the withdrawal movemen:
Will d movement, the labour movement.
would the statements made by Ken Livingstone have in the nationalist community?
Livingstone is seen in the nationalist community as a hero. People will say 'well there's a guy who cares about us - he's one of the very few nationa leaders who does
There are many different facets to
We need the development of a revolutionary movement in Ireland, to destabilise the southern
and bring about the road to socialism in Ireland, and at the same time we need to build a withdrawal
Page 8 scan of this page
IN 1914, when
war of plunder
slaughter to
fatherland.
rulers.
JUSTICE can make but one reply to the Irish rebellion that is to demand that Ireland shall be allowed to govern herself.
Differences of opinion in England, Scotland Wales as to what measure of self-government Ireland to have ought not to affect the matter by 'freedom of small nations' which the British Government has so bombastically sworn to defend, essentially question Ireland herself to decide.
Let a popular vote be taken in Ireland as to whether she shall be an independent, self-governing republic, or an autonomous part of the British Empire Australia and Zealand. That is the only method by which the Irish difficulty can be solved.
The 'firm and vigorous ministration' WiCe The demands for ireland, which suspect is but another term for coercion, and such suggestions as that of the professing-Liberal, longtord. that conscription shall be applied to Ireland, and that the Irish Rebels shall be set free on condition that they join the army, will only lead to graver trouble in the near future.
Ireland has been held in subjection by force too long, not to retaliate with what force she can, voked beyond a certain point.
Official reports in the very nature of things, are of course, one sided, and these are all that may be readily obtained from Ireland as Theretore it is not possible to say al the moment of writing whether the time of the Irish rebellion was chosen by its leaders, or whether the outbreak was finally provoked by outside agencies, but there are various indications that the latter view may be cor-
8
the ruling classes of Europe pitted worker against worker in a
and conquest, social democratic leaders led workers to the
defend 'birthright and
Lenin called upon workers to turn the imperialist war into a civil war to overthrow the capitalist classes once and for all. The Irish put this into practice, rising in Easter week 1916 against their British
The reason for
and
sion of local government.
In the second place,
Unionist Or present Westminster (and what at is ment seems more
the force.
this is for and his
New office.'
adTimes
Professor to tne Fress or 4 April, described as a 'gross wrong'. Carson
when pro- being prepared to resistance to Home
yet.
would need them later on
army; Socialist Action 1 April 1983
rebellion, but British leftists in the main failed to understand why they should. Dogmatically insisting that workers had to unite to overthrow capitalism they lined up with the British ruling class in denying the legitimacy of the Irish claim to self-determination, and turned their backs on the real anti-capitalist struggle that was unfolding in front of their eyes.
SYLVIA PANKHURST -
the discontent which nas caused ine rebemon are Cass clearly apparent. In the first place the Home Rule Act fails to satisfy considerable sections of irish men and women, who regard it as a mere exten-
the Home Rule Act itself is not secure. Should a
Government succeed. administration at the moprobable?) the Home Rule Act could easily be repealed before it had ever been put into
On the eve of the European War, Sir Edward Carson and the Ulster Unionists were threatening and openly preparing revolution, to prevent the application of the Home Rule Bill.
The Times which supported Car-
Ulster rebels. declares that: "The country will not be satisfied with the Irish situation until the men who sat and looked on while armea potenta reoels were opemy trained in Dublin are removed from
But The Times is not referring to Sir Edward Carson himself, though he talks very glibly of preserving Law and Order, just now, makes it quite clear that he intends to revive his pre- Will War threats of armed rebellion when there again appears a prospect of enforcing Home Rule, which in a letter
1916, he
As a matter of fact, so far from forego armed SICS.
Rule, the Carsonites are keeping their ammunition ready, and when asked by the British Government to hand over their arms of for use in the present War, they refused to do so on the grounds that they
Everyone knows that it was the Carsonites who first armed to resist Home Rule. It was afterwards that the Redmode Hate Resise Fein organisation armed to fight for the
Revolutionaries at once supported the
revolu-
Irish Republic; whilst the working-
industrial Larkin and Connolly, also set up its Citizen Army later than the Carsonites, and did so in the first place to protect peaceful meetings of the
1il-treatment by the police.
Bayonets
The Sinn Feiners and Larkinites have gradually together, though the great strike in Dublin the Sinn Feiners accused the Larkinites of appealing to the Irish people to foreswear name of İrishmen for that of the world' and Larkin and his comrades declared mattered little workers whether they were enslaved by British or Irish capitalists.'
To many of us who believe that neither race nor creed should separate the workers of the world, it is a matter or regrel lnal old position Larkin and Connolly should now be somewhat obscured.
We believe that the co-operative millenium cannot be reached Capitalism overthrown by workers. Yet we know the impatience which many an earnest reformer feels
unle SoW growin or tae letarian movement.
We understand the revolt of the impetuous Celtic ten calcul against being tied TO SOW England, more conservative either Wales or Scotland, England who with her strong vested interests and larger population is always the predominant partner in the
We sympathise with the dream of so many ardent lovers of Ireland to make of her an independent paradise
free people, little republic famous, not for its brute strength, but for its happiness and culture. thing unique in all the world, holding a position amongst nations like that of Finland, who until Russia trampled on the constitution which she won not
bloodshed, but DV a universal strike, was thought here to be, probably was politically, the
tionary, feminist and workers' leader was a rare and honourable exception to the chauvinist British tradition. Thought on Easter Week published in the Workers' Dreadnought ment of her internationalism.
Socialist Action reproduce this short Pankhurst in commemoration heroic Irish freedom fighters of Easter 1916.
under drawn
the
till
the
pro-
free of all lands.
than every man's hand against them, yet
reckless though they may have been, their desperate doubtedly animated by high ideals.
British
tion will further those ideals. proclaiming Republican declare "for equal rights and equal op portunities for all its citizens,' resolved to 'pursue the happiness and prosperity of some- cherishing all the children of the na-
tion equally.' They promised that as SOUT permanent could be established elected by all the men and women of Ireland. and
The Times calls it a and savage rebellion.
The Republic evidently set up without violence and bloodshed, the Rebels' says that it cheers.
When the soldiers came, began, indeed heartrending slaughter slaughter sides, but the Rebels, untrained men. women and boys, had for arms only lot of rifles opposed machine guns, bombs, bayonets and cannon.
Bravery
The Rebels can find heart to do so — well knew, in their reckless bravery, they would be defeated, that their rebellion could be no more than a stage in the long struggle for Irish independence.
dian, much says: "The Post Office was on fire. It has been shelled and was now ablaze. I have learnt something of the spirit of une garrison wrom two ferent sources. On Monday night I am told by a priest who was admitted to the building, it contained 500 or 600 men and a score or women, who proposed to cook and fluide
of many of the men and they told him they were going to die for Ireland. He counselled some of the young women
Her
is a clear state-
is pleased to • work by Sylvia of the Volunteers in the Irish Citizen Army parading outside Liberty Hall, headquarte
The Irish rebels today find almost
venture was un-
And we also know that their ac-
Irish Brotherhood, they
and Pride nation
Government could be
'Mad folly' perhaps, but hardly as
'brutal, bloody
of a week was
War News was proclaimed with CALCUTCOS
there
perpetrated both
whilst them with
tenement.
Ings
— condemn them who occupied keeper
A writer in the Manchester Guar-
opposed to the Rebels, the Rebels.
For three dit-
So ot young
"The priest heard the confessions
to leave, but they replied that the would stop and die with the men; spirit too good for so bad a cause
'When the end came and the fir drove the garrison out they sought t escape by rushing in a body from th rear of the building. The street at th back bends a little, and beyond th bend was a machine gun which, soon as the rout began, discharged Il volleys in to the fleeing rebels'.
Can the story of scenes like tha bring pride to the British heart?
without allying himse with armed rebellion in Ireland, neve publicly repudiated or criticised hi
and always pointed t the fact that they fought because th justice they longed for was witheld.
Mr Redmond, on the contrary a once placed himself in line with th
to do he declare Ireland's grievances had been redres ed and that she had been led 'fros slavery and poverty to freedom an
But no open-eyed, unbiased pe son could visit Ireland in recent day
Dublin was obviously a city decay, the fine old mansions, let off i
dwellings, were crowde with poor, ill-clad people. Five shill
a week was a wage common! paid to adult women there.
it was natura that the bremise
by Murph, the hote and Jacobs, biscuit Manually workers in their long starvation strik who fought
Share subsistence wage. amongst, the first to be captured b
In the West of Ireland the peopl live in hovels built by themselves, wit roofs of turf, mud floors, and walls o tough stones which the tenants he with their own poor implements ou of the hillside. For the little strips c undrained stoney ground on whic their homes are built they pay rent that are far too high.
The Congested Districts Boaro which is a supposed charity under th auspices of our British Governmen finds work for the people to enab them to pay their way, allowing ther
Page 9 scan of this page
e Irish Transport and General Workers Union. to get 3s. 6d to 7s a week for making crochet or lace, and 10½d a dozen for socks.
The children are kept at home to help with this wretchedly paid work, and, as a result, Government Blue Books admit that in country districts the proportion of illiteracy varies from 35 to 70 percent; 50 to 65 percent of illiteracy being most common.
The earnings of the people in these industries have fallen instead of rising in recent years. Government reports show that whereas in 1912-13 the total calllllys the ace-make trade Were £29,754 they had fallen in
Dublin
Easter Week
1916
1. So. Dublin Union: Under the command of Eamonn Ceannt (photo) this positionvital for its proximity to British HQ in Royal Hospital-was held by hand-to-hand combat till the Surrender. 2. Marrowbone Lane Distillery 3. Mendicity Institute: Scan Heuston (photo) and 23 men captured position to delay passage of British on north quays. They were ordered to hold for 3 or 4 hours, and held instead for 3. days. 4. Broadstone Railway Terminus 5. Four Courts: Under Edward Daly (photo) company destroyed Army Pay Center and captured British garrison. After heavy fighting, position was surrounded. 6. Dublin Castle 7. Portobello bridge
1914-15 to £11,680.
We learn that the kelp-making in-
dustry Which the people in the
West of Ireland largely exist, is im-
proving as a result of the War. Yet the
Government inspector in this year's report states that an entire family in
the best districts can earn f20 in a season, though years ago they could make f40.
Knowing these things, we understand why rebellion breaks Ireland, and we share the sorrow of
those who are weeping there today for the Rebels whom the Government has shot. 8. Watkins Pistillery: Con Colbert (proto) was unable to noid with 15 men, and joined the group at Marrowbone! La. Distillery. 9. Dublin City Hall: Sean Connolly (plioto) took to contain British in Dublin Castle across the way. Position given up alter neary bombarament, entire company surrendered, and Connolly killed. 10. Jacob's Factory: Sean MacBride (photo) and Thomas MacDonagh led s'oup using lactory s towers as a vantage point for sniping.
I1. College of Surgeons: Countess Markievicz (photol took and held this position, commanding St. Stephen's Green, with fighting intermittent but costly. 12. Bank of Ireland
these articles Uprising,
as a suffragette. the struggle dependence VUL welcomed
socialists today. 13. Post Office (photo): HQ of Provisional Gov't and signers of the Proclamation, set on fire and gutted by the British. 14. Liberty Hall 15. Trinity College 16. St. Stephen's Green 17. Shelbourne Hotel 18. Custom House
Westland Row Railway Station 20. Gas Co. 21. Hammond Lane Foundry 22. Boland's Mills: Eamon de Valera (photo) commanded 5 companies with main objective of cutting British supply route on railway line through area. Fighting was extremely heavy, casualties high 23. Clanwilliam House
Sylvia Pankhurst, the author of
on the Easter is shown nere when she was in jail for her activities
She supported for Irish inand warmly the Russian revolution a year later. She remains an inspiration for all revolutionary
empire.
IRISH SEA
Veto determination.
IRELAND
UNFREE
The legacy of partition
SEVEN DECADES after
the taster Rising, Ireland
is still not free. James Con-
nolly predicted that if the
movement unleashed by
the uprising was blocked
by partition then a 'car-
nival of reaction' would follow. The legacy of the
1921 partition - a brutal
sectarian statelet in the
North and a South slavishly dependent on imperialism bear eloquent testimony to his foresight.
But it is not simply a question of the brutality of these states or the barbarity of the British Army's occupation which has to be condemn-
ed by British socialists. Marx explained that the British labour movement would never achieve.
By Martin Collins
anything until the enslavement of Ireland was broken.
The idea that the British workers alone will defeat the British ruling class is utopian and runs counter to the course of world history over the last century. This imperialist ruling class is based on the gains of a world
From India to Zimbabwe when oppressed people have risen up they have fought our ruling class and have helped its decline.
But the South Atlantic war shows that this ruling class has not exhausted its capacity to fight like a cornered tiger to maintain its colonial possessions, and it fights no more tenaciously than in Ireland.
Britain's rulers know that a victory for the national liberation forces in Ireland would be a crippling blow for the repressive forces of the British state and in particular the capacity and morale of the Army. It would remove the Loyalist reac tonary bloc and open up the way for a socialist Ireland on Britain's
, a potentially powerful ally of the British working class
But despite this, Labour's current Manifesto proposals would still give the Loyalists a veto over progress towards Irish self-
Opinion polls show that neither the Irish nor the British people are in favour of maintaining the British occupation. So why is the Labour left so slow in campaigning to remove the army which is the main
defender of partition?
Despite the red-baiting smears of
the Tories, disarmament has become
one of the main electoral assets of
the Labour Party because the left
fought for straightforward
unilateralist position.
A commitment to end the war in
Ireland by pulling out the troops
would have a similar effect. Ken
Livingstone's popularity as a politi
cian of principle is one proof of that.
Left
The left of the labour movement should emulate his example by open. ing a dialogue with the nationalist community. If the right wing leader. ship of the Labour Party conspire with the Tories to prevent the representatives of the nationalist community — in particular Sinn Fein — coming to address audiences in Britain then the left must go to the north.
On the basis of such a dialogue the left can clarify why the next step for the Labour Party conference must be to break its bipartisan sup. port for the Loyalist veto. In immediate terms that means adding British voices to the campaign in the North to break up Prior's phoney Assembly.
Enough
But resolutions are not enough. There are forces active within the labour movement, in particular the Labour Committee on Ireland who have proved, through initiatives like the recent conference on Plastic Bullets that there is a growing audience within the labour mvoement for discussion and action on Ireland.
If the LCI magazine can be transformed into & forum for the lively debate that is beginning on Labour's policy, it will be able to boost campaigning activity.
Whilst the Troops Out Movement hesitates on the edge of involvement in the labour movement it remains plagued by those still fighting the battles of ten years ago.
The LC! is poised to move ahead. It needs the participation of all those who backed the Plastic Bullets conference to be part of the process of building a CND-type mass movement that can play its part in liberating Ireland from Britain's yoke once and for all. • Come to the Annual Conference of the Labour Committee on Ireland. Saturday 23 April. County Hall SEI.
Membership costs £3 per year (fi unwaged) CLPs can affiliate for f. per year, union branches for f6. For details of the conference or membership write to: LCI BM Box 5355, London WCIN 3XX.
Socialist Action 1 April 1983 g
Page 10 scan of this page
SoCiAlist
ACTION
Labour after
Darlington
AFTER the Bermondsey by-election Keith Waterhouse wrote in the Daily Mirror that what was needed by the Labour Party was "a candidate in a suit'. Ossie O'Brien fulfilled this qualification: but what else can be learnt from the Darlington victory?
In the first place O'Brien did not have the albatross of the Labour leadership's condemnation hanging around his neck. On the contrary, while O'Brien himself was a 'man above factions' the Labour leadership rushed to embrace him.
Found Forces
The Trade Union Campaign for a Labour Victory found the forces that were lacking in Bermonasty. But abart trom this it must be that the Darlington campaign was better than that run for Tatchell.
Unemployment was made the centre of the by-election campaign, not through mass action by the Shildon workers who marched with thousands of their through the town.
Secondly, O'Brien had no inhibitions about declaring himself determined attack was made on the SDP, Labour canvassers voters who had early on in the election campaign declared for the SDP and convincing them that only Labour could beat the Tories.
Fanned Flames
But the result has also fanned the flames of a debate which refuses to go away - that of coalition. The 1.3 per cent swing from Tories to Labour in Darlington would mean on a national basis the Tories, Labour, would not have an overall majority in the House of Commons.
The upturn in the economy hailed by the CBI this week will probably not result in a decrease in unemolovment but will also lead to an upturn of industrial struggle (the employers are already preparing for this in the car industry with the Halewood and Cowley).
This means that the longer the Tories go on without an election the Labour will make, with the probability that no one party will emerge with an overall majority in Parliament.
The Labour right have a two-fold response to this. Increasingly the National Economic Assessment will be rolled out to show that only Labour can control the unions. At the same time the NEA opens up the way to incomes policy which would be the precondition of any governmenta pact with the Alliance.
Incomes Policy
Under these conditions it would be fatal for those on the left not to continue to fight both in the Labour Party and the forthcoming union conferences, to make sure that incomes policy is not smuggled through the back door. both to detence of living standards and against coalitionism. Dennis Skinner's demand for the Labour national executive to quivocally against unilateral disarmament, should be fought for in every labour manifesto is drawn up.
Editor: ALAN FREEMAN Published weekly except two weeks in August and the last week of December.
Signed articles bv contributors do not necessarilv repre sent Socialist Action's views. editorials. and receipts to Socialist Action Distribution, 328 Upper Street London NI 2XP.
So Socil it feriaon Editoricaion e salud ing advertising to Socialist Action Editorial at the same address. We regret that due to the high cost of postage we cannot unless accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope.
said
just in words but
supporters
for unilateralism. Finally
with specifically approaching while comfortably oustripping
most certainly
resulting battles at
more the gains that It is the key
declare une policy and for
movement body before the final
These are expressed in
sales
(Tel: 01-359 8180)
10 GREETINGS
Jake Magee
(PPC Uxbridge, Middx)
'Fraternal greetings
Socialist Action on laun-
ching a newspaper which
in the struggles that lie
anead for the Labour te May 1 congratulate
excellent
YOUL
of Ken Livingstone's re-
cent visit Northern
relana, which I would
descrive as une most ac
curate account yet of the
real situation that now
I'm confident
She British problem it
British problem
forefront of Labour's
agenda.
'Yours for workers
unity and socialism.?
Eric Davies
(Lodge Secretary, Bryniliw
Colliery Executive
member South Wale!
NUM)
defeat on
pit
closures. must
won a
no . good
the NEC
campaign-
we've opposed to
piecework.
anything else,
aviste.
"Third, the redun-
but
YUUlIECI
the big
We must
dry of invest-
ment
I've out
Javei alu attempt unify the
Labour Party round con-
ference decisions.'
Labour and
Racism
HOW CAN the Labour Party continue to pretend it speaks for black people after the disgusting treatment of Russell Profitt
He was hailed in the South London Labour Party Ladour s black MP for decades when he was selected for Battersea North
Now he has been dumped vote of 57 lo 3 by the Bat- apparent
tersea parties in favour of Alf Dubs. For myself this appears like racism. Not so much because Dubs won but because only three people voted for Proffit, already a PPC.
As far as I know both are lett wingers, so why the wide disparity in their support? he answer is on v
Socialist Action 1 April 1983
Sexist
Deportation
SARAH JABAAR, black South African woman, Cwmbran, Gwent five years ago
had the the
asked Mrs.
SULS
April, them
sion even though .Mrs tion laws,
Office and the Indian Ocean area have.
dian Ocean.
ch, and 12
port 'spread throughout UN C Indian Ocean area.
concerned Diego allia.
removed Mauritius against their will, which Russell Profitt — a case of racism? too obvious. Labour considers black candidates an electoral liability.
While does so for black and brown people the Labour Party will at
though the appeal was turned legal
tribunal the near future.
has WOl SUDOOT
the .Wales Wales Labour and the
people, the
petition was presented the appeal hearing.
ine requesting Mr. D Waddington, Minister
tion
of Commons,
Further the campaign The Corn a military base capable of handling ,planes equipped with nuclear weapons and it will also be used as a forward base for the destructive Trident submarines.
The aims of the campaign are:
A nuclear-free Indian Ocean. *The dismantling of the American military bases in Diego Garcia.
The of Diego Garcia to Mauritius
The non-proliferation of nuclear weapons by the littorial and hinterland states of the Indian Ocean.
The dumping of nuclear waste in the Indian Ocean. Campaign for the Demilitarisation of the in. dian Ocean, 139, Draketell Road, London SE4. best be a poor alternative to the Tories and at worst part of the white racist state.
S. PATEL, Balham
ON
Since then launched campaign
Support
time
mounted
Colin's
in's . death, Roach family, of their
'in an altempt by police to brutally the cammost
were and arrested COUE
Colin's Roach, has Jallic. been
of assault.
We, the defendents,
Committee
public HILO Roach
LIUSI
Despite from
Fodder
(For the women of Greenham Common)
The milkman's horse.
Soft-eyed, gentle footed, children-patted.
"Here's your oats, old girl."
Nine months it took
From that late-autumn ploughing
To the harvest.
Nine weary womb-months
Of love and labour
For the consuming cannon.
The hungry bombers
Swallowed whole cities
Of sleeping children
And their desperately-clutching parents
Then one August day
A fireball tore a world into red raw hunks of
meat
And a smell of grilling flesh.
Now the fire-horse
With devouring teeth
Stalks a whole planet of todder.
-2-
But the women have given birth
To a song of peace and love
And anger.
And they marched it
Through the weary dusty heat,
-And. they lived it
Through the icy snowy cold
And they sang, "We will not";
And through the fodder merchants' iron bars
Come the rays of their song
JENNY FLINTOFT (19-2-83)
comments, criticisms or even con-
gratulations.
328 Upper Street,
Letters
We allsur
councillors who have show that
pearance.
supporters
We are being
to , attend Hackney or
who are Stence al
is massive
sure the all Charles In in
Please support the
Campaign c/0 CAPA, , Derbyshire E3. (01-729 And then perhaps seventeen or eighteen years
Write to us!
This is your page. Send us your
But please be brief -letters over 300 words will be cut. Write to: Letters, Socialist Action,
London N1 2XP. (Tel: 01-359 8180)
Page 11 scan of this page
REVIEWS
war
criminating material.
The tured Klaus Barbie has warned the French that he will reveal damaging information at his forthcoming trial. Even in Britain the government has blocked the declassification of
concerning stale British fascists in the '30s
and '40s.
Only a handful of films have dealt period. In One Man's War
Edgardo Cozarinsky has gathered some striking material. The film is made up from newsreels taken in France during the Occupation.
Diaries
The soundtrack alternates between the newsreader's commentary and extracts from the diaries of Ernst Junger, celebrated German writer and career officer who was posted to Paris. as military commander.
Junger's meticulously detailed observations are in contrast to une sursuell: bombastic newsreels. His sardonic
Karl Marx - The Legacy
THIS appalling series is
enough to make you
throw all three volumes
of 'Capital' at the screen.
It's no surprise that
Marxist historian David
McLennan disassociated
himselt trom it.
If you want to see the
depths unlal British
One man's
ONE OF the lesser-known areas of modern history is the behaviour of the European populations under German occupation during the Second World War. Many ex-collaborators and fascist sympathisers are still alive inhibiting historians from publishing in-
society intrigues, rumours about the extermination of Jews and dinner at Maxim's overlay pictures fashion shows, collaborators' Tallies and German victories on the Eastern Front.
By Paul Russell
This unusual approact o documentary effectively demonstrates the difficulties facing both soldiers and civilians who are trying understand their situation and destinv in war-time. Fraudulent and
Permeate every aspect of
But this view of oçcupied France misleading. The urbane, articulale Junger drones over the period newsreels, suffusing the with perverse nostalgia. His situation as a sensitive, cultivalca man caught reluctantly in an predicament invites our sympathy.
Cozarinsky's handling therefore ambivalent.
On the one hand the vulgar ideology of Nazi rule, on the other central The harsh reality of the concentration camp behind Junger's civilities
Thursdays 31 March and 7 April BBC2
liberalism can descend to, this is the series for
In this week's gripping episode, Briggs it all us how Lenin got wrong in prescribing the Bolshevik mennoc TOT the rest of the world.
Next week iow ceil
Ernst Junger
character who attempts to Malail life's civilities.
This ot war as troubling dilemma is essentially bourgeois humanist idea.
What is needed 1S a reworking of these newsreels from a committed socialist viewpoint.
War is a variant of class conflict, and the conflict with fascism was of unsurwanted to abolish the
Tang An a but i
(Friday April),
press hack Max Hastings discuss the series.
Glasgow -The Work Sunday 3 April BBC2 THE highlight this programme in the BBC's
about Glasgow should Harry McShane recalling his
passed brutality and
degradation. Fascism is a product ot canitaism
specifically of conservative
reactionary
capitalism.
Occupied Europe's
middle classes acquiesced,
colluded or collaborated in
mell own exploitation and in working class suffering.
Despite enormous propaganda efforts and years of struggle on Clydeside.
The militancy of the DaSL compared Will today's union organisation.
First Tuesday 5 April, 10.30pm. ITV FIRST in a new series with Jonathan Dimbleby which features the letters of Lieutenant David tinker, killed the South Atlantic war.
'I cannot think of a single war in Britain's
material inducements,
comparatively
workers volunteered
work Germany.
film misleads you to think
otherwise.
We see the reopening
of the stock exchange, but
the film does not connect
this to the fact that France
provided the greatest
economic support of any
Western country for the
German war machine.
There are scores
scenes of the collabora-
tionist blackshirts
their leaders. It looks im-
pressive e leaders were
the leaders were
uniormly mealocre and
that the Germans con-
sidered them negligible
forces, playing one
against the other. Torture
Hundreds of
laborators condemned for
torture and extortion were
pardoned after the war in
tell for volunteers lo
fight with the French col-
onial armv against Ho Chi
Min and the Vietminh.
This the legacy
fascism:
Until film makers with
access to the archives can
use their material from a
committed
knowledgeable class post-
tion, we must view films
like One Man's War with
tue utmost care.
• One Man's War plays
at The Everyman Cinema
Hampstead, London unti
4 April.
history which has been so pointless ...'. Usetul am munition against Thatcher's militarism.
Dallas Wed. 30 March BBC1 DID YOU know JR was smuggling oil to Cuba?
it's true
Dalla: has always been the only one of its • type remotely worth wat ching, and this added in. gredient should be good for a laugh.
The Falls Road has and anti-British struggle
older inhabitants of the community. few
The
Arguments for
of
and
J Hard times
off The wordeconomy
in turnwil Bol Sutchille Plutodd Press col-
clear and readable way. of
ship and suffering for
Collel
drinking the odd beeo to read this
ingham 4.
Socialist Action 1 April 1983 11
GOOD
BOOK
REVIEW
Falls Memories By Gerry Adams
(Published by Brandon Book Publishers Ltd,
been at the centre
The present political crisis first hit Belfast with a vengeance when the Lower Falls was attacked by
1969. The loyalists naturally supported by the armed gangsters of the
It was also the first anti-unionist area to taste the severity of British military oppression with the imposition of martial law and the conse
reputation as being the heartland of anti-unionist
Gerry Adams, in this lively and entertaining ac. count looks at the poverty and troubles of the thir ties. He shows what effect the war had on the area in the forties, using the method of interviewing the
By the use of the street games, songs, anecdotes and lure of the Falls, Gerry Adams adds a richness and colour to the lives and history of this brave
which has never dipped in surrender
Born in the Falls in 1948, the author has lived in the area all his life. He knows his community and has a deep and genuine affection for its Like them he has fought for a united, free Ireland.
In the late sixties he was involved in the West Belfast Civil Rights Association and in the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association. He was in.
Fein. Falls Memories is a moving and informative
FALLS
MEMORIES
Hard Times By Bob Sutcliffe (Published by Pluto Press £2.50)
vith able Marxist economists and it's certainl short of people that can explain economics in a
who actually has mastered the art of with a complicated subiect by the use 01 the English language rather than internalised left
In Hard Times Bob Sutcliffe shows what has gone wrong with the capitalist miracle which so disarmed the Labour right and its pet economists
forever. All that was needed was for responsible' people - like the right-wing and certain sections of the capitalist class — to administer a new and in-
Now unemployment has broken all records Production is stagnating and living standards for millions of working people are on the slide.
Hard Times shows how this has happened and how the moderates' dream became a nightmare. need for profit will only inflict even greater hardbook gives a concise criticism of the 'alternatives like those put forward by the remains of Keyne sianism and the Alternative Economic Strategy. It argues for a radical socialist solution that
Make sure you use a bit of that Easter spare
£2.50 and with 118 pages it is affordable and
Upper Street London NI and 137 Digbeth Birm
Page 12 scan of this page
12
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Available from all good bookshops or direct from Pluto Press ine works loa fortiano ave, concon Nwo
THIS WEEK in the United States the Hollywood style promotion agency which they used to call the "free press' has gone into full swing behind President Reagan's bizarre 'Star Wars scenario' for the next nuclear war.
The European theatre strategy the where we get obliterated by Act II has failed stir
newsletter for the labour movement. must issue lusi out. Send 30p inc post (bulk rates available) to publications, 27 Clerkenwell Close, London ECt, 01-253 3627. • 'Greenham Common and Lamour buone meeune on Thurs 28 April, sponsored by Islington Labour Parties, Isnagion LaDour eND ane Islington Labour Womens'
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Arguments for Socialism
The World Economy in Turmoil Hard Times shows how the economic nightmare of the 1980's has resulted from
the capitalist system's need tor protit and now government policies will impose ye
more hardship worldwide. Bob Sutcliffe Criticises existing alternative plans and argues
for a more radical, democratic and internationalist approach.
The Cuts Machine The Politics of Public Expenditure The Cuts Machine shows how public services are controlled in secret and subordinated to the interests of private business. State spending operates on the assumpion inat ouble services procuce nomine or valut David Hall exposes the limitations of Labour Party and TUC alternative economic strategies and argues that a political strategy must rise out of the fight for jobs,
Existing titles in the Arguments for Socialism series:
Charlie Clutterbuck and Tim Lang More Than We Can ine crazy vora or rood and Farming Jenny Beale Getting It Together Women as Trade Unionists
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Page 13 scan of this page
'It's time the left started campaigning against coalition plans'
Surplus Value
LABOUR'S VICTORY in
Darlington has confirmed
that Bermondsey was totally
untypical of everything else
in the recent electoral past.
The major lessons
specific to Bermondsey.
The first has to be that
you have trouble winning an
election when 15 months
earlier the Labour
NEC said the candidate was
totally unfit to be a member
of parliament. It's very dif-
ficult to come back to peo-
ple a year later and say 'no,
got it all wrong,
wonderful really'. I don't
think people are that stupid,
and therefore it becomes an
almost impossible situation to retrieve.
Secondly, you've got to look at what must be the most sustained campaign of abuse against an individual that there has ever been.
Finally you've got the special circumstances of Bermondsey. It was quite obvious to a lot of us as far back as fifteen years ago that Southwark Labour Parties were controlled by people who should really be in the
were in the Labour Party because they knew that they could not advance their political career if they joined what they really wanted to be in.
They did terrible damage to the name of the Labour Party: huge pro'the leadership of the working class is lying down and preten-
ding to be dead'
perty deals for which they were well rewarded; appalling estates;
class communities away.
That factor had an influence in that a lot of people were blaming the Labour Party at this election for the
twenty years of corruption local government. Darlington shows that those circumstances will not be repeated anywhere else.
But throughout the last twenty years Labour's vote has declined and it's easy to see why. During that time we've had two appallingly bad Labour governments. It's extremely difficult to get people to come out and vote for Labour when they remember that during these two governments things got worse for working people and not better.
Since then the social democrats who controlled those Labour governments have by and large confined their activities to parliament. So I'm not surprised that we have recently lost votes to the SDP. The SDP was specifically aimed to siphon off votes from Labour, and although these types of manoeuvres rarely last long, the record of the Labour leadership has played into their hands.
Building a campaigning party is
were
Party he's
vital because there is a strong conser-
vative strand within the ranks of the
working class. It is a legacy of col-
onialism and imperialism and the fact
that the Labour Party was created out
of craft unions -
Party still in part reflects that.
The problems of
movement have been compounded by
Ine role of the
union leaders. Sinee the
government during the
they've relied on the fact that the
government would
negotiate with them. Now for the first
time there is a Prime Minister who
isn't interested in talking to
them.
Why should she? They pose ab-
solutely 11U threat
helplessness of the trade union leaders
reflects the fact that under Thatcher
they are cut off from their main base
of influence Lie
bureaucracy and the corporate state.
They haven't tried to build a base
amongst their own rank and file or in
the community,
themselves isolated.
So they are terrified of five more
years of Thatcher and they think that
the way to avoid it is to clamp down
on the left and go along
purges and witch hunt.
But there are also those who supwitch hunt, DWCUI
in
I'm not opposed to propor-
tional representation in prin-
ciple'
they're afraid of Thatcher, because they want to prepare the way for a coalition. They want to purge the left from the party, so that the right wing rump can line up with the
the Liberals and 'Wets' grand coalition.
This is the main line of reasoning Stahind all pose in the party who are stall fascist. They know full well that Thatcher is not a fascist. position where the British ruling class
lying dead. and the Labour So why isthere
Labour
main stream trade
national war
and
her. The
government
and now they find
with the would be a lustitiable basıs for an alliance with
not because
nice cosy old social democratic regime running the country before Thatcher.'
their economic illiteracy. They don't understand that they can't run the country like they did twenty years ago. Today there is no world boom. a sense been quite right to force a series of difficult options and choices on people, because the options are difficult.
You either go down the road that the party conference and the TUC rank and file have been pointing to, or you go down the Thatcherite road.
don't think moves towards a coalition would provoke a split in the Labour Party. in 1977 and the Lib/Lab pact was formed no Labour MP voted against it and as far as I am aware no constibut party whole of the labour movement was dragged behind the idea that a compromise was necessary to keep Thatcher out. the Tory anti-Thatcher power after the next general election
there will be a massive pressure on the Labour Party leaders from right wing MPs and trade union leaders saying Thatcher is a that it's necessary to do a deal.
We are not in a support the campaign for every single
parliamentary candidate and MP to
By Ken Livingstone
needs fascism - they are not under threat from the working class. In fact the leadership of the working class is
down and pretending to be
all of this Unionists, ridiculous rhetoric? It's because if
failed for three
that the decimated.
representation
'in Bermondsey, Screaming
10|
Lord Sutch got more votes
than the CP and RCP put
together'
Thatcher were a fascist then there
the SDP and others against her. That's what the ground is being laid for: 'let's get the left out of the party and then we can have this
— just like it was views being
The problem for the right wing is
Margaret hatcher has
on past the British CP
coalitionism they destroy
As things stand at the moment I would be lining up
Labour Party.
When Labour lost its majority
Some people, voted against it. 1 ne see this in the
If the SDP hold the balance of
This is why it's so important to
of accommodation.
give a firm commitment to their Party that they will not enter into a coalition of any kind with any other party.
If Labour were to do a deal with the Liberals, the SDP or the Ulster
it could only be on the basis of ditching all of the left wing policies we have won over the last few
The onl 'alternative' policy they would follow would be a slight printing of money to boost employment for a while. It's not too difficult to see what would happen after that. There would be inflation and the In-
Monetary Fund would come in — but the crunch would be even worse than it was in 1976/7. Labour would then be seen to have
successive governments. It would be a disaster. I think
Labour Party could
Some people have linked coalitionism with the issue of proportional
- for examole some people in the Communist Party. I'm
ooposed proportional representation in principle, because the sort of Labour Party I envisage is the sort of party capable of winning a majority for socialism.
But I don't think that the views of the Communist Party are really relevant, as was shown in Bermondsey. Only 50 people out of 50,000 supported them, which is probably the number who would accidently vote for them when they put a cross against views being did to hard by vip
forward members on coalitionism are the kind of policy which has led to the decline of the CP over twenty years.
In Bermondsey, Screaming Lord Sutch got more votes than the CP and the RCP put together. So I think the CP is dying on its feet. That's a tragedy for the CP, but I don't think it's something which should detain the rest of the left, history has moved
In any case, if the CP backed
would completely themselves because they with the social democrats against the left-wing of the
Finally, in the struggle to prevent a coalition we come to the question of how to fight the right wing
and I think that we latest initiative 'unity' from the CLPD and the LCC, wall an accommodation with the right wing. To my mind this is just not
The LCC and the CLPD leaders may be wonderfully nice people. But the right wing is just not interested. If the CLPD and the LCC want to bend over to kiss the boot of Golding, then he will simply have less far to raise it when he kicks them in the mouth. The right wing isn't looking for that type
Socialist Action 1 April 1983 13
When people roll over and hope
that Golding will tickle their tummy
they're wrong - he'll jump on their
neck.
For the right wing, nothing will do
short of full control of the party.
'if the CLPD and the LCC want to bend over to kiss the boot of
Golding, then he will simply
have less far to raise it when
he kicks them in the mouth'
Their real problem is that they have no real base — just the manoeuvring and bloc votes of a few trade union leaders and the discredited old social democrats inside the Labour Party.
No amount of cosving un to th right wing by the CLPD and the LCC is going to change their policies one iota. Everyone has been trying to accommodate to the right wing since the deputy leadership campaign. But every accommodation merely leads to greater demands for witch hunts and purges. That's why I'm not in favour of accommodation with the witchhunters.
I support the parties that refuse to recognise the expulsions. I think we will have to fight for an anti-witch hunt majority on the NEC at the October Party conference. It's impossible ble to predict exactly what will hapPeely to acersorate the purge her er- but personally I think they are
'if Labour were to do a deal with the Liberals, the SDP or the Ulster Unionists, it could only be on the basis of ditching
all the left wing policies'
ample by trying to prevent people like myself from being eligible to stand as candidates.
So it is the time for the left to start campaigning against any plan for coalitions and for support for radical socialist policies. That's why I am supporting Socialists for a Labour Victory. If the left doesn't launch this campaign It looks unlikely that anybody else is going to.
We have to both win the traditional labour vote and the potentially much larger band of opinion that you could categorise as either women with
work experience, ethnic minorities, gays and so on. In order to do that we need a campaign.
JAIL with radical socialis policies.
Page 14 scan of this page
Left gains in teachers union
14 Socialist Action 1 April 1983 UNILATERAL nuclear disarmament will be the first major item of discussion at the annual conference of the National Union of Teachers meeting in Jersey this Easter.
Last year the quivocally unilateralist position but the right wing leadership of the national executive thwarted any action on it by a process of bureaucratic manouevres.
the union is non-political!'
Despite the fact that Rule 3 of the NUT states pany conterence supreme authority of the
day on the executive.
COOKSON Local union branches
organised two conferences of rank and file delegates - one in Manchester and on in London — as a result Photo: GM of which another unilateralist motion has been voted to the top of the agenda. The two rank and file conferences also established 'Local Associations TOT reace and Disarmament' which will сонис to callpalga 101 unilateralism throughout the union at every level wnatever the OI Jersey. Joint
Importantly this achievement is the result
joint efforts the Socialist Teachers Alliance and some sections of the Broad Left's supporters.
The Communist Party however have continued their attack unilateralism calling stead for muddle-headed multiateranst monons le placate the right wing's
of membership loss due to the becoming too political.
IN THE ninth week
since
locked them out,
workers at Daleside
Hadden in Not-
tingham are still deter-
mined to win.
The dispute began
when management tried
impose a continenta
shift system with com-
pulsory This
was part of a package
which included the tear-
ing up of all
agreements with the
union.
Picketing of the dye-
ing factory is maintained
Conference passed an une-
'Unilateralism is political' they declared, 'and By Bernard Regan
But the losses in NUT membership to the rightwing, non-TUC 'profes sional associations and
National Une Association Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers is not the result of left policy decisions at conference.
They are the product of a systematic failure by
right-wing leadership of the NUT to lead anv fight against the continu-
government against education system.
One example of the right's failure is on the issue pay. Last November the executive
themselves favour of stage
CLO the level teachers pay in April 1975.
Daleside Hadden still solid
around the clock and
Manaveniel feeling
the pinch. They have
recruited scabs off the
dole, so some work
produced. But this is
proving counter-
productive.
Contracts have been
lost because poor
quality work and failure
customers are returning
bad work.
hosiery and knitwear
workers in other mills in
the area are refusing to
handle Daleside Hadden
work.
Since 1975 teachers pay has dropped ov around 34 per cent. Without consulting their right-
cycl wing allies on the full ex-
however the union's negotiating team dropped the two stage return to '75 levels for a 'staged' return over unspecified period
But the right went further - it refused to put any figure on the claim aespite constant pressure from STA executive members. Whilst opening moves on November 1982 is began in
was live -until February 1983 that the figure of 15 per cent emerged. Pay
The NUT has pledged subDUll for co-poclaliol
'opposition limit policies?. The leadership however has done noting develop any collective campaigning
in their masses to 22 September's Day of Action in support of the
That day health workers saw thousands of teachers on the streets and pointed
• an allelative surdieg
ut the bureaucrats baulk ed at the prospect.
Left
On Friday 25 March the ottered per cent and the talks adjourned until 15 April. At the emergency executive hiccullie immediately afterwards however, only 5 out of 42 members voted to discuss a campaign of action the The STA will challenge this at Jersey.
On a number of other issues the union has been pushed leftwards. Ine union has adopted policy
offence for which can be thrown out of the union. The union has also CADICosCU support for positive action for women (while not yet adopting a pro-abortion position).
ity still has of a ses
policy still created. Despite many objections this conference held in Jersey which means gays allenaing me conterence face the prospect of pro-
under the island's laws.
On 20 March, strikers
were made an ofter afte
talks between
Ilalage and officials
their union -
The management would
give lem a golden nant
shake if they abandoned
regarded themselves
were asked to exchange their livelihood the princely Sum of £400, plus £50 for each year of working. This was rejected unanimously.
longer the dispute, the more embittered strikers
buildings and resources. An attempt will be made to get the union to adopt a progressive policy on gay rights. Won
Much of these changes are directly attributable to the left. Since its creation six years ago the Socialist Teachers Alliance has emerged as the largest campaigning left grouping that organises in an open ana democrauc way In lnt union. The STA recently won the elections for the officers positions in the 14,000 strong Inner London Teachers AssociaLIUL
By Andy Border
become. Last year. they were Do soone! bonus. Management claimed a f1 million profit. Picketers have now read in the Nottingham Evening Post that managing director Fry declared profits of f6 million last year. This has fired their determination to win.
• Donations and resures of support to Daleside Hadden strike committee C/O Martin Lawson, Eugene Gardens, Meadows, Nottingham.
The STA has just published pamphle arguing for the NUT to af filiate to the Labour Party and will be making moves to get the union to support the return of a Labour government.
The other main 'left' tendency, the Communis Party dominated Broad Left acts only as a conference caucus and election machine. So far it has Talled break in any significant way with the
Willg leadership of the union.
Rank Workers pare Socialist Workers 'front' folded completely. The Grosvenor House THE BITTER dispute at the Grosvenor House hotel in London is still
Twenty seven GMBATU workers have been sacked for demanding contracts of employment.
The Tories anti-union laws were used last week 10 force the •Association of Broadcasting , Staffs to televise
Television Awards. Their earlier vote not to LIONS the picket lines gave heart to the pickets, who face management abuse and police harass-
'Mad monk' education minister Keith Joseph blames teachers for poor standards as he cuts spending on books,
STA, whilst disagreeing on many issues with Rank and
the SWP's refusal to engage serious fight with the right wing leadership of the union. Gains
Last year's conference registered important gains. The STA will be aiming to consolidate them and to build a grass roots movement committed to campaigning action
socialist policies in the NUT.
• Bernard Regan member of the NUT execulive
PICKET
LINE
ment - three pickets were arrested on the night of the film jamboree.
Messages of support, donations and help on the picket line are urgent. GMBATU member and waterworker steward Harry Bristow, called on Socialist Action sup-
support the dispute at an East London SA launch meeting.
News
NUT fringe
meetings
• Socialist Teachers
Alliance. Friday 1 April,.
Town Hall. 8pm.
Regular lunch
meetings in Pomme
d'Or. 12.30pm.
• Disarmament. Sun-
day 3 April. Town Hall
8pm
Women in the NUT.
Monday 4 April. Venue
and time to be announc
ed
Gay Teachers'
Group. Tuesday 5 Apri
As above
For Labour
government' STA
meeting Wednesday 6
April. As above
'This tough dispute. We saw a lot in
strike but something else in this day and age not to have a
of employ.
His appeal raised $20 in the collection.
• Donations and messages to: GMBATU,
154 Brent St. Hendon NW4 2DP.
Page 15 scan of this page
News
JIMMY KNAPP's crushing victory in the election for general secretary of the rail union is a decisive blow against Sid Weighell's unionism and collaboration with right wing Labour and Tory governments.
Knapp got 63 per cent of the votes with 90.078 out of 142,675. This malority 1s 5,000 larger than that of Weighell when he was returned secretary in 1975.
By P. Sikorski
The harsh realities that gave Knapp almost 40,000 more votes than the other three candidates combined are found in the tens of thousands of lost jobs and as many railworkers forced to choose between social supplements or massive over-
wonder that Weighell's red-baiting tactics cut no Ice. Knapp's call to rebuild unity in the NUR and with all the rail unions struck a chord.
The sell OUL of last year's pay and productivitv strike opened the door to sectional and local deals, simiar to those introduced by MacGregor to decimate the OLCCL 111dustry. paved the way for the scab rail union based in Derby, which management is already using against the closed shop.
WORM'S
EYE
VIEW
MOST ARMY generals
are not very bright. After
whạt intelligent
human being would want
to spend their life killing
other people?
General Edward
Rownv. the US special
representative for arms
control and disarmament
negotiations, is no excep-
tion to the rule.
Left victory in NUR
years of company
Knapp's victory will
immediate changes. The executives of the NUR and the driver's union. ASLEF now caucus before meeting the Board. The Triple Alliance will meet with the balance shifted against the right wing steel leadership.
Now has
Knapp made
democratic
in the New Statesman, A S general secretary will argue strongly In favour change principle'
which
Cal ve Knapp says
in the front of country's
election'.
But members
for
Jimmy Knapp
Reagan's half-baked racist
When he left the ar-
my he put pen to paper
and wrote a study of US
and Soviet negotiating
tactics. One reader had a
very apl
Rowny's thoughts on
this rather
issue. He described them
as 'drivel'
But Rown y did have
some original ideas, even
The Tories are not keeping Serpell under wraps until after the general election. They are implementing it now.
Three engineering workshops Face closure over the next 12 months.
unless they break even or make a profit. This is im. possible without investment like the electrifica. tion of the network. This needs a socialist Labow victory at the general elecliull.
The members want united union but they also need rebuild the destruction of UH C Weighell yeals, the new general secretary and
COCCULC committee must break the
link osastrous DCIWCCI pay and productivity and Lavel depots and workshops to plan industrial. action against closures.
The lessons of the miners' ' ballot will have to ne kent in mine! Knapp should organise those ac-
•cave cona the and link them with the lett the movement. especially
NUM, the other transport unions and steel.
Unless that fight starts now. serpell and thatche dustbin be a Labour vie- cannot
based on socialist policies won.
though they are racist.
His dissertation ex-
plained that it was im-
possible to negotiate with
the Russians because of
the 'Mongol influence'
He reasoned that the
Russians were descended
from the Mongols and
respected nothing but
brute force.
His way of dealing
with these 'aggressive
foreigners? is simple.
Contront them with U
military superiority.
US imperialism now
has a half-baked racist
conducting their negotia.
tions disarmament
with the USSR. But
crazy system like
capitalism does not need
sane, human people to
conduct its negotiations.
i cannace ver wel
with monkeys who dance
to the organ grinder's
tune.
Halewood pickets. Jimmy Atkinson, second from right
THE OFFICIAL strike of 4100 assembly workers at Ford Halewood in Merseyside has entered its fourth week.
Kelly, has shut down plant workers laid off:
Kelly is wrongly management have sabotaged production of over 12,000 Escorts, at the cost of £60 million.
Ford management and unions alike see this much more than harass ment of an indiyidual worker. a test of strength. Ford bosses want submission to radical new work practices and demanning. Whatever the cost, they are trying to crush the worktorce. But awooe workers are having none of it.
By Celia Pugh
In 1980 Ford bosses travelled to Japan to in
management methods. The result was a major anti-union rationalisation project, nicknamed 'After Japan'
AJ for short. claim that its introduction
other countries has brought them from a $2 billion loss in 1980 to a payoul lo snarenolaels.
Hall Rowny blames it all on the Mongols
HAVE
CAR
GFEC
Halewood strikers take on Fords
The action, taken to defend sacked worker Paul Halewood, with 4600 body
For the sake of a bracket worth 85p, which
of damaging,
workers stand in the way ot these ruthless measures to screw more out of the Ford workers here have resisted moves AJ, which threaten jobs, speed-up and a shatshop floor Lenne organisation.
Another 1700 jobs could go on of the 1300 lost from Halewooc through voluntary redundancy. In the next 18 monthis, 3,000 of the 19,000 Dagenham jobs are threatened. Mass
Within days of being laid off, a Halewood bodi plant mass meeting voted take strike action HILOOICE new work patterns on their
Socialist Action 1 April 1983
Halewood assembly plant shop steward Jimmy
"This dispute is about control. It Carcus ramauceve because the national Ford hierarchy took it up. They want to do their utmost to
the lads' pockets and take the backbone out of a future fight. Plan
"The AJ plan affects all Ford workers, not just Halewood While we were on strike, the body plant LOOK the opportunity to discuss how this would af tect all with robotisa tion and demanning.
'The meeting Illas. decided that when work
whether we're out hours or 24 weeks, this will be the next issue. Strike
'The body plant will walk along the road • on strike if they try to in-
work prac LICES
'The Bridgend plant working overtime WelC like it was going out of style. The work was going
Captain Mainwaring
rides again
LAST WEEK'S mock 'terrorist' raid by Territorial SAS men on Kingsworth power staHOn in Kent ended in fiasco.
The 17 machos toting their guns and fantasis ing Apocalypse
and Port Stanles had forgories to iel thi
wait sure lo son. station.
Ünfortunately for 'our brave lads' the workers did not know it was just a game so thes knocked the hell out of the midnight marauders. One SAS man got beater
15 to Valencia and Saarlouis to bring it back into the
country at Halewood's ex
pense
'We've had a word with the dockers and
they're going to stop this Now the Escort engine
assembly workers at
Bridgend are back to a 39 hour week with an overtime ban to support us
Jimmy describes
management's attempts to break strike support with
*love letters promising an industrial tribunal' and
frighteners about plant
closure.
Fight
'We believe that even if
the tribunal finds in Paul
Kelly's favour, , it may not
make a recommendation
• reinstate him This is
why this is totally unaccep-
The Financial Times
(20.3.83) reported that in
1981 only 0.7 per cent o
unfair dismissal tribunal
resulted in a decision for
reinstatement. Can this be a misprint?
HOrd workers rightly know they have to take
into their
hands for unconditional reinstatement and to fight a Ford carve up. Two others ran away d. badly - how sad. fast as their legs would take them and fell into dyke. No, I am sorry, i was not a terminal job just painful. However 545B Howerer. as
Captain Main anim
Este l od fes
Con peed by BOB PET! INGTON. Serad
Riora's Ere.
Socialist Action 328 | i street, London NI 2XP I€
Thurs day a week prior to publicz tion.
Page 16 scan of this page
Halewood strikers queue for tax rebate
by action
CAR BOSSES, from Fords to BL, have tried for years to force more profits from their workforce.
Speed-up, demannig. closure, changed work patterns and attacks on union organisation are the chosen methods.
But with a wave of strikes, BL and Ford workers are hitting back. A BL Cowley assembly worker explains.
Next unne Thatcher drives a Maestro she won't be so comtortable in her seat. Last Monday, a mass nicella Cowley assembly workers voted to We immediate strike.
rejected management's decision to cut the three minute handwashing time at the end of each shift.
Nearly 100 per cent of the 2500 workers on the day sutunes hear Transport union convenor Bobby Fryer explain the shop stewards" tion for strike action three unanimous recommenda-
In a week, the minutes' means 66 minutes extra out of the day and Subscription Tites.
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Car plants rocked
night shift. Workers would not get extra money for this.
Fryer pointed out that Ine hance linu was lOt d gift from management but
eroLc lol 30 years and has been compensated or in faster line speeds. A concession on TInIS Issule would lead to slave labour on the line.
By taking a principled stand, workers would be defending more than the three minutes. Frver continued that vote avol the shop stewards recommendation Was a vote ior unity defence of our union and
protect basic rights, working conditions and jobs.
A massive cheer went up when the vote was carried by
Move wic ult majority. Only five voted against.
Engineering union Doug Hobbs COLLYCLUE was surprised by the vote.
Never in my 22 years at the factory have I seen such a decisive vote as the one here today.'
One of the strikers remarked, I've been Cowley for 30 years and I' ve aiways been one of the moderates. But I've never been incensed as 1 alil over this. In the last iwo
management atycals
subscribe
For readers who take out a year's inland subscription
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titudes have changed to that of a bully boy.
'It's not really about the three minutes because the management know that
all calla cal sucs the line to compensate. We're not getting uptight aolt Isenee OH TuLe but over the whole change ot management attitude
'We're fed up being They have urolo ce turned factory of moderates into a bloody. minded state.
¡lalarcllciil thought that a new young workforce meant a weak and feeble one then they have been proved wrong. ACKS ACOHOOSa Cowley tie in with the atWcs o ca workes lationally at Halewood and Longbridge
The Tories are trying to kick car workers into line. But the Cowley strike shows that national fightback is possible. All trade unionists car related industries should demand that the strike is made official and solidarity organised
donations and
bene messages of support Bobby Fryer, c/o TGWU office, Cowley Road, Oxford.
Halewood strike p.15.
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OFFER
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defend the statement.
the disastrous Wilson-Callaghan governments of 1974-79.
It is true thạt the new campaign document contains many of the policies the lett has been fighting for. This is a victory.
It proves that the right wing have not yet been able to defeat the rank and file of the party and the gains they have made
It will make it easier for Labour Party activists to link up with those, such as the Greenham Common women and striking
fighting Tories for LICOC policies, and in whose hands lies the real
of achieving DIUSJCLI them.
But events at the NEC meting WilCt Oscussed the document should remove anv coubt as whether the present right wing leadership has any intention of implementing socialist policies
The NEC roundly defeated utuCe HOTOTN against incomes restraint ande u odaucud Skinner's motion that in accepting the TUC-Party Liaison Committee report the NEC recognises that it 'in no mitigates against collective bargaining and will not be used to introduce wage restraint. Green
Whatever formulae are used to try and distance the new policies from the social contract on which the astabour ment fondered, both the TUC and the Labour Party are now committed to try and hold back wages.
This is a wrong and disastrous policy. Let's look at the arguments.
First, it is claimed we necu a wage policy lo stop inflation. This is not true. Keal wages in Britain have fallen in comparison with • countries ilke sweden anc Germany whose inflation
MODERN
TIMES
They reckon Thatcher's going to offer British Rail to McDonalds ...
LABOUR'S MANIFESTO
THE PUBLICATION of Labour's draft manifesto on Tuesday has met with predictable hostility from the Tories and their press. Spokespersons of both the left and right in the Labour Party have united to
But at the heart of the document is a repeat of
'social contract' policy of the
rates have been lower. • Moreover, the truth is Britain's capitalists want a wage cut.
By the Editor
Peler Shore, Shadow Chancellor, , has based his policv on a reasurv com puter model based on a 1-2 per cent wage rise while inflation continues at 4-5 per cent. Over five years this means a 20 per cent reduction in real wages!
Peter Shore also claimed wage policy • will make British industrv more competitive. It is said we cannot compete because out wage costs are too high This is false. British industry uncompetitive because its owners will not invest in new equipment.
Cut protits,
not wages.
Trying to correct this
with wage cuts is like try-
ing to make an iron plough
compete with a combine
nar VeSLCI Di Star vill!
farm labourers. If British
DAlınacaosnao cazyMu
why are they among the
lowest in Europe?
Only one argument has
a semblance of truth in it
without a wage policy, Bri-
tain's balance of payments
will soar into the red.
When Peter Shore ran througproposed budget
treasury's
computer last year, it told
him that unless he kept
warc lises wanlll lwo bel
cent, there would be
£28bn balanice of
payments deficit.
But it also told him
something else. As the
New Statesman (26.11.82)
said: 'profits and unearn-
ed income,' on his policies
would roar away into the
stratosphere'
Company profits .would double becaust
'almost every element in
the Shore package helps
companies prosper'
And that's the point.
Labour's policy is being
recommended by the TU(
and even Tony Benn, , but
it is based on boosting pro-
fits Cal the expense of
WaLCS
Instead of attacking
those responsible for the
present crisis - thè private
owners of British industry
- it would launch Labour
into a new social contract,
a new attempt to hold back
the unions, a new 'Winter
of Discontent' - in short
SoGANst
CHION
Campaign Against Racist Laws demonstration. Story page 5
Denis Skinner
the ipol tese which discredited Labour Party utterly and lost it the 1979 election, and which Davee the .way for the Thatcher. government
coming trade UnSOl conterences this new social contract should be rejected.
Plans for the general election should be drawn up based defending those conference policies which start to meet the rea needs of the working class.
Campaign
And a campaign should be built to put those policies and commitments at the centre of Labour's campaign to defeat the Tories
That's the role of Socialists for a Labour Victory, campaign uniting Labour Party members, trade union left tendendes campaigns. women's and black move ment activists. Build it! Middle Lamne London N8. Contact SLV, c/o 28
Labour Darlington p.l0.
phnin. CARIOS UCUSTO CUARITA iphoton)
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