Socialist Action No. 45, 17 February 1984
The scan: 045-feb-17-1984-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.
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CHESTERFIELD CAN AND must turn the tide for Labour. The Tories are starting to look like an injury prone party. A majority of public opinion -stretching well beyond Labour voters against government plans to close down the metropolitan councils.
That same opposition exists on cruise missiles, rate capping, and the banning of trade unions at GCHQ. Inflation is sure to rise again this year. The affair of the Oman contract and Mark's job with Cementation keeps on nagging at Mrs Thatcher.
As the cracks begin to appear the government no longer looks as impregnable as it did last June. This by-election gives Labour its chance to show that it is the only realistic alternative to the Tories. A resounding win for Benn would drive that lesson home and start a process whereby Labour could regain the ground it has lost since the days of the Callaghan government.
A defeat for Labour
No. 45 17 February 1984 would be a serious blow. It would weaken position against both Tories and the SDP/Liberal Alliance, thus helping Thatcher to weather her present difficulties. The would see the result as a signal to speed up their atis tacks on Labour's links with the unions. The Alliance would get another boost -as the most likely victors if Labour lose - which would split even more the Tory' vote.
The right, in the party and the unions, blame it all on Benn and the 'looney left'. use this to ditch Labour's more radical policies and they would move again to get rid of the troublesome far-left'.
When the stakes are as high as they are at Chesterfield exceptional measures are called for. Nothing can be left to chance. Labour Party union branch should send teams of canvassers Chesterfield.
The town must be flooded with Labour whose campaigning presence will carry Labour to victory and Benn to Westminster on 1 March.
30p
SociAList
ACTION
Labour's the
Tories 'anti-
would
They would Every and trade
to
activists and
Turn the tide-
All
to
Chesterfield
hands
The Battle of Beirut pages 2/3
Defending the GLC pages 6/7
Back page Chernenko
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ACTION SociAlist
The Wrong
Answers
Last week a debate took place in London with large implications for the future of the Labour movement. On one side were Harriet Harman and Robin Cook - Neil Kinnock's campaign manager for the leadership of the Labour Party. On the other were Beatrix Campbell and Eric Hobsbawm two of the leading writers of the Eurocommunist wing of the Communist Party. The event was the discussion on 'Labour's Missing Millions' between Marxism Today and the Labour Coordinating Committee.
Debate
To say that the debate represented a confrontation of ideas would be to engage in a considerable exaggeration. Indeed Robin Cook went out of his way to emphasise that he had mainly differences of 'emphasis and nuance' with Campbell and Hobsbawm.
Sarah Benton, reviewing the debate in the
Statesman, truthfully, wrote the purpose of the debate was to wheel to public view the new axis that has formed on the left. Organisationally, the axis runs from the Labour Co-ordinating. grouping within the Labour Party) to the middle y the Communist Party. This is not a very grea distance. But such an axis puts both the LCC anc the 'eurocommunists' in a stronger position for their separate fights for dominance in their own parties.
Between
In one curious sense the LCC-Marxism Today axis is a step forward. The British labour move ment and British politics, dominated by an almost total indifference to any -explicit political ideas or political theory. Eric Hobsbawm, and others in Marxism Today have done the left a service by lifting its vision of debate. Instead of skulking around in intellectual corners, discussing who said what about who in 1917, Marxism Today has helped force the left to come out of its hote and begin to face up to some of the big contemporary questions of British and international politics. The fact that the answers they give are totally wrong is a different matter.
Marxism Today have a common political and social framework. Their policy is alliance with the European im perialist/powers against the United States. The political milieu oriented in this direction is undoubtedly the most rapidly growing in Britain. It is seen not only in the success of Marxism Today, and Kinnock's success in taking the leadership of the Labour Party, but also in the sales growth of the Guardian newspaper relative to its rivals the Times and Daily Telegraph. political goal on the left is destroy 'Bennism' as the most influential current among Labour ac tivists.
Differences
There are still differences - and more than those of 'emphasis ana nuance Marxism Today and the LCC.
Kinnock are oriented to building up the Labour Party apainst the Alliance. aready oriented to a 'broad popular front with the Alliance against Thatcher.
But of the two Marxism Today is by far the
112 U
Arab ance by
this
and approvingly, Amal
Committee (a soft left was for years.
Bob Rowthorn, Beatrix Campbell also
and the LCC furthermore Its immediate between The LCC and Neil Marxism Today is
Neil Kinnock will fail in his atid Labour to the point where it can
a general election. Then the
th the Alliance will come ::oriary 1957
LAST WEEK'S fightin/ in Lebanon has changed the political situation not only in that country but in the whole Middle East. PHIL HEARSE outlines the course of the Battle of Beirut, the stakes for the US, Israel and Syria and the prospects for the future.
WHEN ISRAEL invaded Lebanon they calculated that it was Christian Phalange party by kicking out the PLO. The events of the last two weeks have shown that their calculation was wrong. Gemayel has been flattened by a generalised insurrection of the Muslim masses. The basic reality of Lebanon — that the Christian Maronites are in a reasserted itself.
Since the beginning of 1983 Gemayel's Phalangist government has been try Musa
extena lis area OI control around Beirut.
West Beirut Ior years the centre of left wing and
Nationalist - had been subdued
the Israelis, and was policed fiercely by Gemayel's army.
unC of month army units began massing on the Iringes of Beirut's southern suburbs. Their objective was obviously to make inroads into the power of the
Shi'ite Muslim militia, which controls tion. south Beirut
On the evening of Thursday 2 February the army units advanced, had tillery and tanks blazing.
The army attack was co- units related with Lebanese Forces, the murderous Phalangist militias, responsible for the massacres at Shabra an Amal fought back,
Amal utilising only rocket propelled grenades and thus rifles against the tanks of the army. They won a famous victory, overruning four outposts of the Le•anese army. Fighting
erupted at Souk-alGarb in the Chouf hills overlooking Beirut, with the Druze militias joining Amal in fighting the army.
On the morning of Friday 3 February the leaders of the anti-Gemayel Na tional Salvation Front met in Zghorta in the north of the country and demanded Gemayel's resignation. As and the army counter-attacked
southern Beirut, it Now became known that 250
possible to establish the power of the
minority - has
Palestinian fighers loyal to PLO dissident leader Abu
had joined the fighting against Gemayel and the Phalange.
The whole of southern Beirut was shelled by the army as its citizens took to their cellars.
tinued over the weekend As the fighting cracks started to appear in the Lebanese army. During the 1975-76 civil war, the army. had broken in two, with its Muslim component defecting to the left-nationalist oppost-
The same process started to reassert itself
By Sunday 5 February it was clear that the army sout Beirut Several a my lost battle for
had defected Amal, taking their weapons with them.
On Sunday afternoon
Gemayel's prime minister
shafig al-Wazzen and hi cabinet resignca Amal's victory in south Beirut cut the road to the airport,
effectively cutting Communicauons the centre of Beirut and the us troons. WHO WeLC now isolated and extreme. ly vulnerable
On Monday. morning there was a lull the fighting. Then events took
dramatic turn in West Beirut. The Murabitun 'Nasserist' militia suddenly emerged on the streets of West Beirut, in uniform big and full armed.
In 1983 the Israelis disarmed the Murabitun
everyone imagined not crushed they began a ferocious battle alongside
units of both Amal and the Druze PSP, to liberate West Beirut. West Beirut itself came under heavy artillery atte LIlC Christian-held areas, and Christian wast Beirut was bombarded from Druze positions in the hills.
By Monday West Beirut was liberated Radio and television stations, together with the In terior Ministry were captured. This was the second
defeat for the Lebanese army. As Sunni and Shi'ite leaders appealea to une wusum soldiers
fight, the army had began to disintegrate.
Huge weaponry were handed
The battle
over to the militias by deserting Moslem soldiers The situation of the US British, French and Italian soldiers of the 'peace keeping force' had become impossible.
On Tuesday February the US soldiers came under terrific pounding from both Shi'ites and Druze. Withdrawal just a
was
The defeat of the Lebanese army was above all the work of Amal. The Shiite the poorest and most oppressed community in Lebanon
asserted itself. No political settlement
Call now fail to take their interests into account.
Who
who
WITH the exception of a few hundred Palestinian fighters, all the forces involved in the Battle of Beirut were Lebanese. But each of the different groups, al least for the time being has a foreign backer,
The Lebanese losers are the Chrisțian Phalangists; but their foreign backersf Israel and the United States - have also suffered a sharp blow.
When Israel invaded in
unified Lebanese state, with
national army to maintain 'order' and Phalangist government. To this end, the Israelis installed the leader of the Christian fascist militias, Bashir Gemayel as the President after Bashir's assassination his pliable to Israeli pressure
The Israelis gave up the Phalange-dominared state create and went instead for break-up of Lebanon into warring statelets, with the south occupied by Israeli troops guarantee against attacks by any re -a-ing Palestinian guer
Sier: Reagan st
Te - Tied States rest iser from the out
of the Battle
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wins,
loses?
Beirut. The withdrawal of
toe me nesestige of the
prestige United States in the whole Middle East region.
The heavy guns firing from the New Jersey are firing 1n Tury potence, but will have no effect on the outcome.
President Assad of Syria is the big winner on
international scene. Since
Assad used domination of events ensure that Syria would be central to any peace settlement in tae legion.
The finances and military power of the Syrian dictatorship depend on the Tole Syria
as the 'front line' olays Arab State in the confron-
with Israel. of money alices from the purchase Gulf states
finance of Soviet arms and equip ment, and bank-roll military burcaullary which assures Assad's power.
By ensuring that proSyrian forces the whip hand in Lebanon
Assad makes sure that the
United States or anyone else seeking a peace settlement have to deal him in on the card game.
Syria is hardly a Soviet But given that the iet Union is the mạin
military backer of Syria,
Russian in-
fluence in the region
bound to be strengthened.
the ground
Lebanon, obviousiv Amal
and the Shi'ite community
are the big winners. Amal
fundementalist movement
in the same way as Kho-
meini's Iran is fundamen-
It does not demand
of Beirut
Gemayel the reconstruction of the state on an Islamic basis, of power for the Shites share
Amal's leader Nabih Berri is a bourgeois politician who will want strong Amal representation it yens likely that Both he But and the Walid Jumblatt, cept a Christian Maronite president return more power their respective political movements.
the ground Lebanon the main change is thed i banese Army. I is the will mean ine chu vr al tempts to impose central
control of covericl Muslim areas.
xion of Poliana on.
plexion has
ot simply reverted to th
re-1982 sit aton. The strength the Sunni Muslim 2110 leftist Arab nationalist forces has drastically decreased. West Beirut. belore the Israeli invasion, trolled Sunnis orces and the PLO. Now
the remnants of the nationalists forces have to
Amal presence in west Beirut, despite the fact that few
Shi'ites actually live there.
sense this represents political regression on the pre-1982
the salaton. Druze PSP anti
imperialist forces. Their leaders want a bigger slice of the cake, but they not want socialist
They are quite Us arperialism, provided
imperialism, heir provided own power and influence. CLOPISO
The big loser among the Lebanese forces is the
itias. The but- and its fascist militias. chers of Karantina, Tal al-
Sabra and
Chatila got a bloody nos
the Battle of Beirut. Their defeat opens a new situation in gressive and anti-imperialist forces will have more space to organise an The experience of tran shows us that a big defeat
imperialist reaction and
necessarily ODCH the way for working class ad
But it opens up tha possibility valle if all forms reaction are trenchantly fought. That is the task
lIUM faces the Lebanese left.
ment to different
Arab nationalism in Nasserism in Egypt. tervention of US marines. 1970. 'Black September' in Jordan.
haven of Lebanon.
is leading to civil war.
ed between Muslim
The road to civil war
1943. Lebanon gets independence from France. National Covenant distributes power in govern-
religious communities, but Christian Maronites get the dominant power. 1958. Druze-Muslim rebellion, inspired by rise of
Middle East, especially Revolt is put down by in-
Palestinian fighters and refugees flee from Hussein's terror to
PLO forms alliance with Lebanese leftists and Arab nationalists. 1973. Israeli commandos attack PLO leaders in Beirut. Lebanese army does not interfere. Mass demonstrations by Muslims and Palestinians accuse government of complicity. Communal strife
1975-6. Open civil war breaks out. Beirut is divid-
West and Christian East.
defend Maronites. of south as base to attack Israel.
After withdrawal, raids against Palestinian and Muslim areas.
Amin. vides arms to anti-Gemayel forces. May 1983. Gemayal agreement with Israelis, forces prepare for show down.
in Lebanon
force among the Maronites.
Muslims.
International.
Murabitun.
defunct Lebanese
Christians massacre Palestinians at Karantina and Tal al-Zatar. Palestinians and leftists are on the verge of complete victory when Syria intervenes to
Much of north and east of country occupied by Syria, but PLO occupies part 1978. First Israeli invasion, 25 miles into Lebanon.
Israe! launches constant air
1982. Israeli invasion. West Beirut holds out for 10 weeks. Arafat takes decision to pull out PLO. İsraelis install Bashir Gamayel as President; after Bashir is assassinated he is replaced by his brother
Phalangists carry out massacre at Sabra and Chatila. Split develops in the PLO. Syria pro-
signs "troops withdrawal which in fact sanctions their occupation in south Lebanon. Anti-Gemayel The main forces
Kataeb (Phalange) Party. Extreme right wing par-
ty of the Maronite Christians founded in the 1930s
by Pierre Gerayel. Centred on Bikfaya, ancestral
home of the Gemayel family. Phalange organises
the Lebanese Forces, the Maronite militia which
works closely with the army. Pierre's son Bashir, a
leader of the Lebanese Forces, was put in power b
the Israelis. Following his assassination his brother
Amin took over as President. By far the largest
Amal. The Shi'ite militia headed by Nahib Berri
Recent arrival, on the Lebanese scene: Amal has
become the dominant force among the Shi'ite
Progressive Socialist Party (PSP). Part of the
Druze community, mainly localted in the Chouf
mountains. Politically the PSP is a bourgeois na-
tionalist movement, despite its name. Led bs
Walid Jumblatt, son of assassinated Druze leader
Kamal Jumblatt. Lebanese affiliate of the Socialist
'Nasserist' Arab nationalist more.
ment, mainly of Sunni Muslims, strong in West
Beirut. One of the main organisations of the now-
National Movement which
fought the Phalangists in the '75-'76 civil war.
•Socialist Action 17 February 1984.
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No time for complacency
Tatchell campaigning Bermondsey last year
meetings.
HE TOP priority of the bour Party is now party ry and winning the next
eral election. This was
sed at the AGM of the mpaign for Labour
Democracy held in adon, Birmingham and
However the AGM o recognised that the acantability of Labour's acted representatives had
• CL been achieved. LPD will therefore work ensure that mandatory cection and the leader-
elections become practice rather
one-off events, and impaign for
pocratisation of
the same wil nor lose soni the overriding need for ry unity. It believes that
of further mocratic demands must erefore be confined to Ty channels.
Resort to the media
strongly couraged so that there so repetition of the 1981 residential style deputy dership campaign. •ang merelore chaors-
the CLPD executive's
cading named cam-
for 'one member
vote' which would intably lead. to public apaigning.
The slogan of 'one mber one vote' is merebeing used as a smoke
by bypassing
democratic procedure reselection and election.
Socialist Action 17 February 1984
first lterature hand, National
Spellers
Joan
paigners
pressure AST WEEK Socialist Action carried an assessment the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy's anWe reprint below extracts LPD's press release on the result of their AGM.
of the party leadership.
On economic strategy, the AGM CLPD's aim to commit the next Labour ment to a significant extension of ship into the commanding heights of maJor were: • to continue ing for positive discrimination within the Party, in favour óf working class, ethnic minorities; • to campaign proposal that (a) the NEC women's the elected by the
women's time (b) that this conference be five resolutions so the resolutions Labour Party annual conference; (c) that a special ference be held to decide proper rules for all parts of the Labour women's organisation.
The AGM took view that amending clause The Il and clause IX of the par-
ty's constitution, give the executive discretionary powers, is the most effective way ting the witch hunt.
Resolutions were passed in favour say for CLPs conference cial and material contributhe CLes and trade unions means
Chesterfield
week of official Max Payne.
So far the Alliance is
campaign, with that coliccl trates on attacking Tony Benn. And Payne made a bad showing at the allparty debate organised by CND last Friday.
By Carol Turner
Labour the other
is well organised
Monica Foot is in Chesterfield full-time for the duration of the by-election.
Public meetings are
booked for almost every night of the campaign, and
already include Kinnock, Roy HatTosie, Maymard, Denis Healey
David Blunkett and Dennis Skinner. Large bands of cam-
arriving Chesterfield, and doorstep work is well advanced.
Amidst such im-
organisation, question to be raised is the lack of profile for the candidate himself. Labour has organised only two press
CLPD: Accountability not yet achieved
from volvement attack
The reaffirmed Alan
and Stephen (IWC), public owner-
Ernie the economy. Audrey
decisions Wright
son campaign-
Labour Derer
women and
for the three
division be wider
Labour conference;
the
Party's
the
which
of combat-
of a greater
at annual one more in with their finan-
This measure is seen
of bringing
AS THE CHESTERFIELD by-election enters its
campaigning, Newsnight shows Labour in the lead with 42 per cent support. This is the same percentage that brought the Tories victory in last year's general election.
But victory is by no means certain for Tony Benn and the Labour Party, when the same poll shows the combined anti-Labour vote is 58 per cent. There is still time for the Tory vote to collapse and the anti-Labour vote to rally round the Liberal candidate
conferences with Benn for the whole of the campaign. As election proceeds it will be increasingly difficult to ig nore the fact that Labour's candidate is a national and controversial figure.
There is a danger Tony Benn will face the glare of
whether Labour likes it or
Chesterfield LUL. will historic by-election. stakes are high.
In Bermondsey Peter Tatchell faced year, a hostile press Labour leadership openly against him. This time, the Labour leaders have learned their lesson.
Full support
There is no question regardless of what be in individuals' minds but that Benn has the full official support Walworth Road.
I ahour activists can't atford to be complacent.
If Benn is returned, the left will see
closer together by making for more trade union inat the constituency level. It is in no way on the trade union block vote as such. meeting elected Sapper (ACTT)
CLPD's president for 1984 Boddington Bill Deal (FBU)
Alastair Mobee UPP
Roberts Wise, and Bob (AUEW) as vice presidents. Marie Patterwas elected as chairperson and Vladimir re-elected secretary and Victor Shonfield as treasurer.
Over 250 supporters attended the AGM which for the first time was held in venues to enable participation can be achieved at a single meeting at any one venue.
AME
COMINADE ANDROO HAS SHUFFLED OFF THIS MORTAL COIL! I MUST GET TO POST OFFICE!!
BBC's
will give
fortunes.
Most
Tony the other
open the flood the bypublicity, Undoubtedly, Bermondsey
be an
The
last by-election. with the
be complacent. now
party activists. • Helpers from the area agent
might
arrival bi
of the 'Labour But House, Chesterfield
its most ly welcome.
OF HYPOCRITICAL
back in Westminster. This
much needed fillip to the left's flagging
important, would shift the balance of
ting party policies such as unilateral nuclear disarmament against corrosion by the party right and centre. Should Benn not win, on
hand, this will • gates of reaction in the form of a
more congressio parte
progressive party policies and the leadership by Labour's hard right.
Final push
In the last week of the
campaign, the media were able to give a final, successful push on tactical voting. It is not too late for such a move in this
No one can afford to
Between and Chesterfield, must be the focus of attention for all
outside are asked to let pete Coleman know in advance of their
contacting the campaign headquarters a
Club, Unity 113 Saltergate, (phone:
Chesterfield 208387). Midweek assistance is especialDelegates at last year's CLPD annual meeting in Conway Hall, London.
ASTION
OCCASIONS LIKE THIS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO
News
HAL
Tony Benn — his return will protect policies such is unilateral nuclear disarmament from attack by the right
DA INEN HAPPIS
#44 2/84 • cormac
THE QUEEN AND I. ...AND MRS T....
WE KNOW WHERE PEKMAIS RONNIE WILL OUR DUTY LIES.. DO THE DECENT THING • AND I COULD DO A DOUBLE!!
Page 5 scan of this page
News
WITCH HUNTS are far from over, but they've left the centre of Labour's public stage. That was the message from the meeting of Labour Against the Witch Hunt, held at County Hall, London, last weekend.
Council took reports on Whythenshawe (van chester), Blackburn, Acocks Green (Birmingham), Stoke, Southampton and Liverpool. They indicate that, while the days of an up-front witch hunt openly led by Labour's national leadership have passed. they are not necessarily gone forever.
By Carol Turner
Since annual conterence. witch hunting has changed into a lower gear.
Nowadays, right wing constituencies and individuals spearhead local witch hunts, away from the glare of national publicity.
Whythenshawe consti-
has finally been reconvened after month fight. It will hold its 1984 annual meeting at the
of this month, and looks likely to 'go left' despite the antics of national David Hughes.
But the five refused admittance to Acocks Green branch of BirminghamYardley Labour Party still face delays
Small fires are being fanned elsewhere. Stoke South constituency is calling for an investigation of Socialist Organiser, was recently forced to suspend a local branch which refused to issue 1984 membership cards to Mili-
RUSHCLIFFE LABOUR PARTY are holding. a consultation conference for constituency Labour Parties in Nottingham, on Sunday 25 March. follows a fringe meeting at last year's Labour Party conference, attended by visitors.
The Nottingham conference will workshops from that
on fighting the Euro-elections, building workplace branches, and defending demo.
In a circular letter advertising con ference, the joint signatories Audrey
/ise, Ken Fleet and Tony Simpson OUL
Tories are moving
Ted Knight speaks at Labour Against the Witch Hunt's founding conference
Beware: witch hunts
still in progress
quarterly National Council
tant supporters.
Southamoton. local councillor suggested Militant supporters should not be allowed to hold office in his Labour Party branch. After he was told his proposal was against the constituency's antiwitch hunt policy, issued a statement to the local press.
Liverpool, MP Frank Field complained to tne press Inal ne was being 'witch hunted' when Merseyside Briefing
Cal ried an article critical of his non-adherence vally policy.
Switch hunt is not dead. The decisions of annual conference open the door to right wing constituency parties pursuing it at their own pace, in many
with full support Lasco from regional headquarters.
Election
Far from the election of a new Labour leader. ship laying to rest the
years, conference has passed a neat piece of enabling legislation' for right wingers by confirming Tariq Ali's and the Militant editorial board's expulsions, and the sales ban on Militant newspaper at Labour Party meetings. 1 nis nas removea tne onus from Labour's national Icaucis:
Nottingham conference
This
200-plus delegates and
swiftly and ruthlessly to
the Labour Party's trade union
Cancells which could spell bankruptcy for our party.
tacks abound government democracy and independence, general welfare provision, and on the NGS.
'Meantime deploy-
cruise Greenham, and the expan-
All this makes the job of LAW more vital than ever. Party activists must
Stall into the trap believing witch hunts have stoppea because they longer get national publici-
Material
LAW will continue to compile and Circult material on the witch hunt
signiticance for the whole party drawing attention to the real threat which still exists, as well as offering advice and support to constituencies and individuals
For this reason, LAW
producing a leaflet for Labour regional conferences and will be
fringe Darl meetings there. It is also circulatill: slalculcul from the Campaign Group of MPs calling for an end to the witch hunt, which will be orescuilcu to National Executive Committee in April.
The next National Council meeting will be in London on Saturday 7 April, in plenty of time to discuss and circulate model resolutions for this year's annual conference. (Copies of the Campaign Group Norement details of LAW from secretary Keith Lichman, Il Wilderton Road, Londor N16 (01-802 1709). Affiliation 10 LAW
CLPs, trade open unions, Labour Party affiliates and individuals details from the address above.
sion of the American bases in Britain are imposed on us with a brutal disregard for public preference and national sovereignty.
It is more than ever necessary that CLP ac-VISIN together exchange experiences and agree practical plans.
Constituencies are invited to send up to four delegates. Information has already been circulated to constituency secretaries.
More details are available from Tony Simpson, Rockingham
Not. tingham,
in Yardley
LAST SUMMER five people were excluded from membership • of the Acocks Green branch of Yardley Labour Party in Birmingham. Three were already party members transferring from elsewhere; two were new applicants.
In the case of the three, Acocks Green's decision amounts to back-door expulsion, and is contrary to the rules of the Labour Party. Eight months later, the matter is still unresolv-
In January, the general
Yardley Labour Party finally adopted a procedure sort out the mess: it will spend five minutes hearing
statement, followed by five minutes for discussion and and minutes decide 100-mile-an-hour «enoc ay. does represent a shabby attempt to dispose of a problem that won't go away?
The reasons lor the five's exclusion are equally shabby. They are accused of espousing 'subversive'
Photo: D FOWLER
Dennis Skinner
The prime minister is
prattling
about freedoms. Today's
tremely important
freedom. It concerns the
700 people who die each
year as a result of in-
dustrial it is
about the 275,000 peo-
ple, on average, who suf-
ICT seriou as g
result of work. It is about
the 900 who die each year
as a result of industrial
disease.
They can be seen in
the Welsh valleys, the
coalfields and the textile
areas. They suffer from
asbestiosis and other
diseases of the lung.
They can be seen leaning
over walls having manag-
Led to stagger 20 yards,
their hollow chests
coughing up their lungs.
They are casualties of the
arduous conditions
which they have to work.
People who work in
the new technologies
such as the chemical bas-
ed industries have fingers
that are wasting away as
ducing substances with
which they have worked
and which have gradualbodies. permeated their
The Health and Safe-
million pounds to
start with on top of the
Back-door expulsions
left-wing causes like Campaign for Nuclear Disar. mament, and being seen in a socialist bookshop
In other words, the
innuendo. Most vile of al is that the main crime of one of the women appears to be hel relation ship with one of the men
rebruary's branch meeting refused to con-
View from
More money
and Safety
By Dennis Skinner (MP for Bolsover)
Dennis Members motion in
speech.
£85 million it now has.
The government are
spending €18,000 million
finance the dole
queue. They say there is
Socialist Action sider a motion of no con nicence age menabersmu secretary and censure of the branch officers for their handling of the afTair
It was ruled that a two-thirds majority was needed decide discuss the resolution. Copies of standing orders were not for thcoming, despite John Golding (right) - peace was the last thing on his mind
hottest
Westminster
needed for Health
Skinner moved a private the Cominons povernment's lack of finance for the Health and safer executive. We reproduce below some comments from his
no money in the country when waste of talent and
"the latest estimate
17 February 1984 5 repeated requests.
Although this vote was lost, support for the five is growing • The constituenc! meeting will be considering the matter at the end of this month
This one of the clearest examples to date of a witch hunt of ideas -it must be fought with the greatest vigour. for Trident is £12,000 million. The government are spending all that to keep Ronald Reagar happy and to provide additional work in the run up to his election, before the boom comes to a halt and we come into the biggest economic crisis that this country or the western world have ever faced.
Of course there is plenty of money in this country, ne carpet in the House of Commons costs per yard, yet we are told there is no money in this country. I am told that the Duke of Devonshire Has 10W organised his taxes so that his group does not pay any, so there must be plenty of money about.
The prime minister has had €1.5 million spent on the tax-payer on all une gallivantle lip. abroad. So of course there is plenty of mone! to finance the Health and Safety Executive.
Some of the fines imposed on those who went to defend the the picket line were greater than those paid as a resull or prosecu tions (of employers) after people had been killed at WOrK,
In the pits, mines and quarries the number of inspectors has decreased by 19 since 1980.
One might ask why we have had all these government cuts. answer is simple. The government intend give those who suppor the Tory party a better chance to exploit the workers.
Reproduced by permission of Dennis Skinne
Page 6 scan of this page
Defending ĞLC
Joint
ction
ill stop
bolition
OHN McDONNELL is the GLC hair of the Finance and General arposes Committee. an in the forefront of the fight to hop the abolition of the GLČ. He plained his strategy to Socialist action, and gave his views on how • win the campaign.
The campaign to save the GLC is three ronged. First we concentrated isseminating information to the 'opiion formers' - MPs and the media. Je put across our arguments against bolition by explaining Londoner's loss their voting rights and what cuts in ervices will result from the transfer of
functions to non-elected quangos.
've largely won the argument in the
edia - a media that's been solidly
ainst us since 1981.
Now, the second stage limulate a grass roots campaign which acuses Londoners' on esponsible for the decision. We've set
borough-based 'Save ampaigns. And we expect them to be * their height when the Paving Bill is ablished in March or April. This is the • aslamon wnich stops next year's elecons and abolishes the GLC, transferr-
its powers to the London boroughs
the vualleUs (unelected bards').
Activities are planned throughout
We'll launch a round-London
ur by Ken Livingstone, with public
cetings, and a travelling exhibition.
imaginative events will
r: street theatres, sit-ins,
and high-jacking ransport buses. The climax of all this ctivity is a march from Hyde Park, on
March, against the abolition of the GLC and the metropolitan countries,
! against rate capping. This will br-
the campaigns together nationally:
The third prong of our campaign is aking the recipients of services with e providers of services •
ging together local people and their
ganisations with the trade
orement. This is what we did during
•Fares Fair' campaign.
We've lobbied national trade union aders. also
iks with the South East Region TUC ad the Greater London Association of rades Councils. The GLC unions have
unched their own 'Defend London' ampaign, which is seeking to link up with other trade unions outside local oriernment.
That puts
on is
those
the GLC'
groups dependent on the GLC
*joint dustrial action.
Local
take sing-aLondon between the
— Inal is, DI-
Led whatever they've demanded.
established
powers goes through.
Socialist Action : 17 February 1984
the
The 24 January demonstration was law. a remarkable success. The unions came out, and so did a number of community
(Over 3000 voluntarv organisations will go to the wall if the GLC is abolished.) At the
don end of the day we'll win the campaign by a combination of lobbying and in-
Through their annual conferences, local government unions are now committed to a policy of non-cooperation. Culs. We're hoping to see a series of disputes
government and workers the in the GLC, London Transport and the boroughs. They'll be saying they won't accept the transfer of powers because it means an increased workload for them and cuts in services. It's not up to the GLC's elected members to dictate industrial action. But we've liaised closely. with our own GLC unions and provid-
support and assistance
The critical stage for industrial ac-
when the abolition and transfer of
We're almost certain now that it will contain a legal demand that members and staff colaporate m mas. mie anons have lakel a firm stand. And the Labour ad-
ministration will be refusing cooperate, which will put us outside the
But don't envisage a single Labour member will collaborate
The legislation means bringing the GLC to an end in April 1985. A body of nominated councillors from the Lon-
boroughs would then administer
GLC's services for 2 month period, transferring GLC powers to the boroughs and quangos. I should think that the great majority of abou boroughs will refuse to participate. It would mean adminstering cuts of bet-
* 9-4ii million. Labour borough could carry out that level of
With the exception of Liverpool,
Tories' rate capping proposals won't hit most councils till next April, when they'll be forced into direct confrontation with the government. There will be no option but a united front. At the same time the GLC will be facing abolition and refusing to cooperate.
The Labour Party must take a firm stand at this year's annual conference. It must give a lead to the National Executive Committee and the Parliamentary Labour Party. The role played so far by Neil Kinnock and John Cunningham, shadow spokesperson on the environment, has been supportive in terms of parliamentary performance. But they have failed to effectively stimulate grass root activity. Now we need firm regional and national conference decisions to commit the Labour
to Party to direct confrontation in April 1985
This government will be brought down by a coalition of factors coming together at the right time. aims to provide one part of that coalition. labour movement strategy and working towards it.
We've used the mobilise support policies and to build the confidence of working people, who look to their trade unions to protect jobs, and in certain past for heet the co minist e cils to protect the community. combined strength of the trade unions and community action will bring this government down.
Buildi for Demoonl
despair SLORECLI The levels for The
1982
even
John McDonnell
against Labour
The GLC
That means identifying a clear
do this,
local state to
for alternative
big rates Tories
Tories al
THE FIGHT AGAINST Tory plans to abolish local services and local democracy could unleash the biggest political battle yet against the Thatcher government. It certainly deserves to be. The government proposals add up to political and economic assault on the gains of working people as severe as anything done so far.
The stakes are high. Thousands of services and jobs are at risk, along with the very fabric of city life. If Labour Headers at Westminster and in the towi halls give in without a fight, people will
and Thatcherism Will get
Tories are attacking on two fronts. The first is rate capping. This gives the government power to fix a minimum level of spending for each council in the country, starting with the dozen or so at the top of their 'hit list Anv rate levied above the amount need ed to pay for permitted spending would be illegal. This would lead to massive cuts in jobs and services.
By Steve Fisher
The idea is that fixing spending
'hit list' councils will intimidate others into cutting their spen ding down to government limits. If this failed, the government would use the reserve powers of the bill to cap the rates' for everv council in the countr — a prospect that frightens even Tory
government is doing this because its previous policy failed. original idea - made law in 1980 and
- was that councils would be made to toe the Tory line by the threat of government grant cuts to match or
exceed 'excess' spending. Over spending fell entirely on the rates, to the point where each pound of excess spending added £2 or f3 to the sum to be raised from rates
The Tories hoped voters would turn
councils refusing to carry out cuts, or that fear of this happening would force Labour councils to do the Tories' dirty work.
Some argued that Labour councils should say not to cuts and rate rises. They should refuse to implement the Tory laws, and challenge the state. But even the more left councils refused to
claiming they would be isolated. Nobody would give a lead.
Some councils did cut, others raised
But neither pleased the The so-called big spending councils — those in the inner cities with the worst problems - put up the rates
Page 7 scan of this page
cy Day-29 March
ither than make Cuts.
abour voters seemed to accent that trategy for the Labour administrations o keep control.
This annoyed the Tories. First, it meant services and jobs were not cut as nuch as they wanted. And the idea of
n alternative to Thatcher was preserv-
vere resented by working class ratepayers, they were resented more by pusinesses, which provides about 60 per sent of the money raised in rates. True, rates are only a small proportion (some wo or three per cent) of all business costs. But they are the only tax that businesses can't get out of paying.
The Tories claim their rate-capping bill will relieve the rate burden resulting from 'over-spending' councils. lie. It is the government that has been responsible for raising rates bv cutting council's Rate Support Grant, from 60 per cent of council spending when it was first introduced in 1979 down to 50
Over the country, locai government spending has not gone up. It is central government spending which has arisen. The Tories are cutting grants to local government to pay for tax cuts for the rich, nuclear weapons, and the cost of keeping millions on the dole. Since 1978-9 central government has increased its spending by 10 percent in cash terms (without allowing for inflation). un ine same pena, local governmeal spending has increased only cent. But central government has increased its taxes by only while rates have gone up 125 per cent.
Given the would rather see their money go on caring services, than bombs, mnemplovment and tax curs for ine rich. The government is shifting the burden of its policies onto the rates, to fool people into thinking that local government services are costing more.
aven bigger cuts than rate capping me on the way, with the abolition of the GLC and metropolitan (big city) councils. But abolishing the metropolitan councils isn't just about
The reasons that lie behind this CUS. move is to make sure privatisation is rammed through, by means of the new quangos, and even possibly more important, is the fear of the political alternative represented by left Labour councils. You don't have to see Ken Livingstone as Labour's answer to Leon Trotsky to recognise his ability to get eft ideas across to a mass audience. This obviously miloteraoe government whose appeal rests on the "dea that there is 'no alternative'.
When Neil Kinnock argues that
Labour councils should stay within the law, he walks into Thatcher's trap. Intead of placing themselves alongside Thatcher as targets for the anger these attacks on local generate, Labour councils should be at the head of the fight against Tory cuts.
tack on two fronts
Sufficient
City of London Greenwich Islington Southwark Tower Hamlets Wandsworth
This is a Westminster
Barnet Bexley Bromley Ealing Haringey Harrow Merton Newham Richmond the GLC and councils pose
80 per ment with
94 per cent,
Stacks on
people
Wing any forced assault democracy and jobs.
£20 billion
GLC and local government
struggle are so high.
By P McDermott
the GLC against.
jobs and services.
But the fight
will
IMPACT OF ABOLITION ON THE BOROUGH RATES
A Labour Party report circulated at the recent local government conference
in Nottingham shows that abolishing the GLC will have big ramifications
for the rates levied by the London boroughs. Assuming that spending on
GLC services transferred to the boroughs continue at the 1983-4 level, the
figures show that London rate-pavers will be tar
some of these councils are likely to be caught in the Tories' rate capping
trap, which make 'over spending' illegal.
These figures include the effect of the block grant distribution and the proposed ex-
tended London rate equalisation scheme.
THE TORY proposals to get rid of
the Metropolitan moveone of its biggest challenges for years. The attack on the GLC goes hand in hand with at-
other levels of local government and is aimed at break-
resistance to the Tory local services,
For the Tories and the ruling class financial self-interest and political expediency fit nearly together on this
which local government the spends each year, while undermining
strongholds of the Labour Party. That is why stakes in this
The Tories are on very weak ground in pursuing this attack. Recent opinion polls have shown only 18 per cent of Londoners in favour of the abolition of
with a gigantic 60 per cent The labour movement is on strong ground in opposing the lories - it is defending local democracy and
against the Tories' abolition proposals can only be carried through if there is a willingness to defy the law. The Tories have made it crystal clear that they intend to make com-
Led.
worse off. In addition,
Effect on borough Change in rate for rate in the f GLC services
- I +38 - 17.6 +39
+36 - 36 + 3.7
12 - 0.8 + 6.7 + 15 + 1.6 +
+ 11.1 + + + +4.4 + 6.8 + 8.2 + 19 +8.9 + 20
pliance with transfer of services to local
Non-cooperation will, by definition, be illegal.
Labour councils will Only De i a position to defy the law if they build joint campaigns with the unions on a non-compliance basis from the start.
There is no alternative.
Blunkett put it: 'Labour councils can not wait, crouching behind dustbins, hoping that someone will bail us out after a general election'.
In the end only massive industrial action will stop the Tories. This action Will have to base itself on wide political support within the community, and in
broader labour Organised workers outside government must be involved from the start.
The responsibility for that fight lies with the unions and the GLC. In London, the fight is divided up between a host separate campaigns. union or sector is fighting its own corner. Thus teachers fight to save ILEA, transport workers to save LT and local government workers try to GLC.
These separate campaigns must be brought together. The trade leaders are hoping to avoid a head on
with the Tories confrontation dividing the campaign fits this policy. A conference of the labour movement in London, which will draw in the unions and the LP to build united action to defend the GLC is therefore sorely need-
- MARCH
As David movement.
local
Each
not stop the Tories.
save the
union
and
110|
groups chola
London Trai
100% Incr
Westmir
From
Defy the law!
The body which has the widest support in the community, and the greatest support in the unions, is the Labour GLC. The Labour Group should com mit itself to unifying the struggle. Lobbying the Commons and the Lords, linking with Tory wets and the SDP will
The Labour Group must base itself on mass industrial action and the active support of the wider community bringing together the political and industrial sides of the fight is crucial to success.
The GLC and the unions should demand that the Tories go to the voters of London with their proposals. If they do
and of course they won't - the GLC, the unions and the community
organise own referendum in May '85, when the GLC
elections will be abolished.
Such a referendum woud be ar ideal preparation for mass action and defiance of the law, with the labour movement seen to be representing the majority of Londoners and armed with a referendum majority to take action.
HANDS
OFF
THE MET
COUNTIES &
THE GLC!
Socialist Action 17 February 1984
Page 8 scan of this page
Under Fire
Mexico and Days
Shook World
can
that the
idea media deutrality.
of photo-
apher by Nick
Connection when
first committed
But Nicaragua that.
people fighting Eve Moilalon
who for comoza
the register
saying are
DIARY
(These listings are free for all
For abour movement and
campaign activities • up to
maximum of 50 words. Semi-
Mao verasemenis Cost
Sp per word and must be paid
advance. Send Diary,
Socialist 328 Upper
Sireel. London NI 2XP 10
arrive not than
Thursday. one week prior to
rublication).
Labour Movement
• Broad Left Organising
Conference Octagon Centre,
Western Bank, Sheffield, Sat
24 March 11-5.30
Credentials from George
Williamson, 11 Sutton Place
London E9 6EH.
• Womens Action
Committee half day
conference, sat January,
26рт, sidney Building, All
Saints, Oxford Rd,
Manchester. 'Labour
Women Acuon In
Manchester speakers Jo
Richardson MP, , Ann
workshops, creche
Write 1o WAC, 86 Watts St
Manchester 19.
• Islington Labour Briefing
meeting none about
councils raise rates?' Town
Hall. cttee room 4, Friday 17
Feb 7.45.
SociaLe
ACTiON
Join the
fight for
socialism
Socialist Action 17 February 1984 war correspondents and should just write their stories or eutral. fascists, and fascists.' Then there is the French businessman Jazy who is a go-between for the CIA and the regime, interests of 'public order can fix the odd execution
on the side of course and very discreet.
Reviewed by Bob Pennington
Nolte Cassidy
picture of
he is dead. The photographer 'once In a
than just This is just
before the
rebel army.
the side of the rebels it Heve scene no cree propagandism. It lets the events tel their own storv. When the guardia shoot down Gene Hackman in cold blood you draw your own conclusions that a
• Briefing Women discuss
preparation of Labour
Women and Feminism
forum. A Womens Place,
Hungerford House,
Embankment, London. Sun
26 reb. 2pm
• Womens Action
Comestate for meia on
womens slate for LP
March, 2pm County Hall,
London.
Anti-cuts campaigns
• London Health Service
Campaign. 34 Dalston Lane,
London E8 3AZ 01-249
oVOO
Disarmament
• Youth CND conference
8-19 Feb, Kingsway
Princeton College, London
N1, 9.30 am
Trade Union CND AGM,
at meetals tom
TUCND, 11 Goodwin St,
London N4.
• Labour and NATO
Labour Briefing discussion conference.. Sat : 24 March,
10.30-5pm County Hall,
London.
Ireland
Anus anare and day
school for budding writers,
workshops with trained
journalists. London, Feb or
March, £1 Write to Labour
BM Box 5355,
a reland
London WCIN 3XX.
International Womens
Day delegation to Belfast.
March yet WONCE ORIY
delegation and mixed picket
of Armagh Jạil.
from London Armagh WeT?, 374 Gray's Inn Rd
Name
Address
Age Union/CLP (if any) If you want more information about Socialist Action or to be put in touch with local supporters send this form to Socialist Action, 328 Upper Street, London N1.
regime of gangsters needs a guardia to thugs to run the country.
The rebels come across as ordinary people and the all a service by not eus
a service by not providing a single one of them
International • Sri Lankan Research & Information Group will provide speakers on the current situation there for meetings. Write to 9 Grays Inn Buildings, London ECI.
in the Third World to the Third World
Order from ELSSOC, 29 Islington Park St, N1 01-359 3976. ELSSOC have also produced a 1984 calendar showing scenes from life in the liberated zones, £3 from same dull cos • Chilean art 10 years of
struggle. Exhibition at Pentonville Gallery, 47 Lambs Conduit St, Holborn London WC1, 25 Jan-18 Feb. 11-0.30 • Sponsored day for El Salyador 24 March. Day of national activities on anniversary of Archbishop Romero's assassination. Details from ELSSOC, 29
Islington Park St, London N1.
Victor Jara festival Royal
Festival Hall March,
Isabel Parra, Angel Parra,
wallace • Del Nuevo Extremo
from Chile
Chile Solidarity, 129 Seven
Rd, London N7, tel.
777 479×
Support the Tamil people
Kally 18 reb, Conway Hall,
Food available,
entrance £1.50,
woemoloyca. ecial.
with an heroic marxist
Even when the
reaches its inspiring and moving end where the people celebrate with their Sandinista flags and sing their songs we are spared a Soviet-film style peroration.
London 328 Upper St. London NI
telephone 01-226 0571
Open — Mon,
Thur, Fri, 11-7.
Birmingham 137 Digbeth Birmingham BS
telephone (021) 643-5904
Open - Mon-Sat 10-6 Closed Wed.
Mail Order Serice - Add 20%, for P&P
olidarity Campaign PO B
18 London NW 25 Years of the Cuban Revolution
• Britaln-Cuba Resource Centre Information about acuvues. suos to urania weekly review and newsletters from 29 Islington • Wa 4-20 April, Womens study tour of Іптогтанов ном bcкс.у Islington Park St, London
Civil Rights • Action Group on Immigration and Nationality Conference on the case for reform of the law Sat 24 March, 10-4.30, AUBW House, , 43 The Crescent, sallora.
Lesbian & Gay Liberation
• London Labour
Campaign for Gay Rights new office at 39 Chippenham Rd, W9 2AH 01-286 9692, open Tues-Thur
(Westbourne Grove tube. Bad access, help
Labour Movement
organisation of lesbians in the labour movement to support each other and
Because it combines the story of a revolttionary struggle with believable and script it will attract and please an audience much wider than us committed Jetties. That can ony be to the good.
For Marxist
books, posters,
postcards, badges
Feminist literature
Tues, Sat, 10-6 Wed 12-7
BROADSIDE -theatre
is looking for male and female performers anc usicians of all races for
BRITS.
La new play out imperiaTam And racier We are a part-time socialist and ieminist couccuve. al oresoul we can orgy yay crocuses
London agerston Road,
organise initiatives on issues that artect sos. Further information from Sarah c/o Feminist Library, Hungerford House, Victoria Embk, London WC2.
Miscellaneous
A workshoo Employment and training for the future. 23 Feb Cooperatives. • black Women's Centre Brixton, 41A Stockwell Greer London, SW9, 7-9.30 pm. 8 March practical workshops
Marshall's big
score
THE LAST year has
seen a big resurgence
of gay writing, some
very good, some pret-
ty indifferent. Most of
it has a shared com-
mon feature, that of a
comfortable, middle
class background for
its main characters.
This little story is dif-
•ferent, and
reading if only for the
of insights it gives
into lives. of working
class male gays and the
gay male: 'scene'. The
story line is simple, trac-
ing the relationship bet-
ween a young white ga!
from its start as a casual
pick-up to its gradual
collapse a couple of years
later.
Rather
The strength of the
tale is the straightforward-
ness with which it raises
the problems and joys of
passion, DOssEssIvelless!
promiscuity and poverty
for women on computer use.
Room 97 County Hall. 22 March Migrants in the NHS, County Hall. 5 April Migrants, black women and trade unions, County Hall.
Abortion Rights and
Facilities Conference
University of London Union Me bruary 1984. Malet St, London 10-5 Registration from NAC, 47 Waldrum Park
Rd, London SE 23.
INTERNATIONAL
November-December issue out now
Price 75p
In this issue:
between Britain and the States
left
John Ross, on why the left must reject unity
with European imperialism against America
Chris Palmer on Grenada
plus reviews
Order from
London N/ or 137 Digbeth, Birmingham.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by Peter Purton
on the male gay scene in Manchester and Lon don, interlinked WItH themes of racism, hous ing problems hostile world.
repressive and police, weigh down on help At the end, the chief pro-
sometimes
Not masterpiece,
non-gay
John Gowling Commonword Press, 61 Bloom St, Manchester. £1.20 plus 35p postage.
- Advertisemen.
New pamphlet: Politics in the 1980's - The British Crisis.
Articles reprinted from Socialist Action and International - John Ross, British politics in the 1980's; Alan Freeman, How Labour Can Win; Steve Marks, the 1983 Election; John Ross, Facing 1984; Alan Freeman, Rebuilding the Labour Party Available from PO Box 50 London N1, price 35p, (plus 16p, p/p).
International
THE ATLANTIC ALLIANCE YUNDER STRAIN Andrew Gamble on the 'special relationship'
Ken Livingstone, on a strategy for the Labour
Jude Woodward on sectarianism towards women
The Other Bookshops, 329 Upper Si,
Page 9 scan of this page
Fighting for a socialist Europe
Surplus Value
Richard Balfe Mitterrand (France) and
Papandreou (Greece) lead Socialist
parties already in. Will they
support their colleagues Gonzalez
(Spain) and Soares (Portugal) in their applications for EEC membership!
BETWEEN NOW and the Euro-elections on 14 June, Socialist Action will debate inside the labour movement on what attitude socialists should take towards the Common Market. RICHARD BALFE, the European Parliament for London South Inner, kicks off with his argument that socialists should use the EEC and its institutions as yet another means socialism internationally and combatting the Tories in Britain.
THE ÇOMMON MARKET is exactly what the name implies. It rests fairly on the capitalist novelicit of labour. The Treaty of Rome says little ana cares less or une aspiratons working people: But this should not cause us to turn our backs on either in-
socials l fight for the best deal we can get whilst we remain in the European Economic Community
Set up in 1956 tailored to suit the needs of its original six members. for Germany; an agriculture policy for France and Italy; and the protection afforded by Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg.
By Richard Balfe, MEP
easily into the Common Market. Den-
their difficulties.
that market membership is a mistake.
countries nave than Britain. done worst.
large sum of money
worsened.
major responsibility industrialisation of
dustry.
cial terms. Phrases like
recur without
where our money goes
shopper to the farmer.
Even Britain's
LIve.
ing Standard
and £552 million in 1985
who live there.
queston une legitimacy or vowing.
the numbers
maintain that body.
open our pages to the
Member of
of fighting for
principles of the free goods. capital and
For the need to
the EEC. was
A free industrial market
large trading bloc for
highest.
elections
Of the four countries who joined after the EEC was set up, only Ireland with its strong rural structure has fitted
mark, Britain and Greece have all had
All retain a strong Union. body of Socialist opinion which feels
Greece and Denmark being small
been easier to satisfy Britain has undoubtedly Virtually every year that we have been in the EEC we have paid a
In addition, our trade balance has
This is not to say that ine for the deBritain does rest with Mrs. Thatcher, but that EEC membership has also harmed our in-
influence.
However, the debate about the EEC often resolves itself in the crude finanSide 'our money' anyone questioning
The truth is that the money which The comes back to Britain from the EEC has a marked tendency to go to farming and agricultural big business. In other words, the EEC redistributes from the
rebate - all £457 million - should be kept in perspec-
Compare it with the additional costs of the Falkland Islands. The Even-
December, 1983) estimated that £624 million was spent in 1983; £682 million will be spent in 1984;
roughly fl million per head for the 1800 people
The European elections on 14 June will be our first opportunity as a country to vote against Mrs Thatcher. Many people find the EEC boring. They even
are the Cookiel same order as the GLC elections, and we are putting up a tremendous fight to
General Elections will always poll
But no one challenges validity of county councils or borough elections. Even Mrs. Thatcher has not yet challenged Ken Livingstone's position as Leader of the GLC
We must be sure we fight the Euro-
on the issues which effect working people. Almost every item in the supermarket is regulated or controlled by the Common Market in some way. Yet our food policy is in the hands of Tory farmers.
The Conservatives in the European Parliament are led by Sir Henry Plumb, who used to run the National Farmers
The Conservatives hold the chair of the powerful agricultural committee but they have been singularly ineffective in defending the interests of British consumers.
Unemplovment has also grown in the last five years. Thirteen million people are now unemployed throughout the EEC. One million of these have been unemployed for over two years. Whilst some countries, notably France and Greece, have made efforts to tackle unemployment, it is obvious that the western economies are bound together and that the United States is the biggest
fact that Thatcher and Kohl have chosen to side with President Reagan against the workers of Europe,
undermined any attempts to re inflate and create jobs. America is borrowing from the west to finance its military budget. This is keeping our interest rates high and maintaining the
The European Parliament is just one of the many forums socialists can use to campaign for a new industrial
The parliament misunderstood. On the one hand peo-
Then they rail at it for blocking Bri tain's rebate.
The truth of the matter is that very few parliaments have powers. A determined prime minister can generally run
country with the assistance of a
The job of the European Parlia ment is to raise issues and begin debates at an international level. The socialists
Chancellor Helmut Kohl an ally of Thatcher in Euro anti-working class alliance
in the European Parliament have camthe paigned effectively on a whole range of
matters: the deployment of cruise and Pershing missiles, Nicaragua and South South Africa.
Within the powers afforded us, we have fought to reform the agricultural policy and port of the TUC - to extend the rights of workers to more information and improved health and safety at work. The Women's Committee has continued to fight for equal opportunities. Indeed this has been one of the tew areas where a real advance has been achieved. The British government has the distinction of having been taken to the European Court of Justice on equal opportunity matters more often than any other government in the EEC often
weekend.
Socialist Action
plastic bullets, about Amenca, and
- with the unanimous sup- step along
West Germany United Kingdom
France Denmark Netherlands Greece Rep. Ireland Italy
The World
Economic Crisis
Weekend conference on the world capitalist economy today. with Ernest Mandel
3/4 March, Caxton House, St John's Way, London N.19 Admission £2 a day, f3 for the whole Tickets only from International, 328 Upper St, London N.J.
17 February 1984
The Euro-elections are part of the ongoing fight. Socialist politics is not about an election every five years. I: is
constan challenge the establishment. Elections are just one way of maintaining that challenge
We must use every forum available. We must try to turn every fight into a
Broad to the SOTt 01 socialist world we want to build. Who pays, who gains: 1983
-1.710 -1.112 Belgium/Luxembourg -231
+192 +217 +312 +447 +830
Page 10 scan of this page
Organising the left
10 Ireland — a key issue for Labour's international policy.
Weekend
conference:
British foreign
policy
An open letter from Ken Coates (Bertrand
Russell Peace Foundation)
THE ATTACK on detente, and the acute worsening of the arms race persuade us of the need to develop
specific HUTC proach an alternative foreign policy as well as continuing work for ultimate
The European Nuclear Conventions, Brussels then Berlin, helped
the plications the bloc-
Not
between
Here In
Warsaw Treaty
British member-
early 1960s.
again this entanglement. Although there have in the past been frequent failures of communication between the United States and its allies, it is doubtful whether there has ever been failures as have taken place during the last months.
invasion of Grenada was a particular antront even to conselvative opinion in Britain.
All over turope there Is widespread support for
Sandinista ment of Nicaragua but in spite of specific appeals from such statesmen as
Willy Brandt, an open LA war nas been caracu
on against this tiny country.
The confrontation
in the Middle East
especially daneerous.
and it is quite clear that the American decision to
Socialist Action 17 February 1984 TROOPS carry through direct attacks on Syrian forces was announced without any prior discussion, the consternation of the European allies
War
are, world,
war
United govell ment could easily drag
are placed Western
other
weekend con-
British Terence
create
workshops which can
greater
will be held at Nottingham
Saturday
April, 1984.
Among those par
ticipating Tony
Holland,
benn,
and Meacher
pal
ticipating Con-
night
the with
may do
Further details can be
obtained from the Ber-
Russell Peace
Foundation, Bertranda,
Russell House, Gamble
Street, Nottingham,
NG7 4ET.
BLOC conference
THE TRADE UNION conference which the Broad Left Organising Committee has called for 24 March in Sheffield will be an important opportunity for the left in the unions to assess the stampede to the right led by the TUC.
Since the General Election in June 83 the right bureaucracy has strengthened its grip the trade unions, and is moving to tighten its hold. So far, the left has failed to come with this threat. The steps towards a
the Strategy for Tealsill the Future document by Len Murray is not some minor tactical move by the TUC.
of the NGA and the refusal to Oreanse fight over Cheltenham is not just one
typical, sell-out in a HOIC
long history orients,
and policies of the TUC since
1983 have been JulIc directed towards a lun damental restructuring of the British labour HOVe ment. Since 1979 defeats, recession and oNca misleadership has taken a heavy toll une unus Membership has fallen even HOTC rapidly than unemployment has risen. The number of shop stewaras las been naivea Strike days are in massive decline.
Few sections of workers are willing to take on the Tories in head on confrontation reluc tance which will be
NGA creased by
The slogan 'General Strike to kick out the Tories' is right now an ultra-left dream. Even in unions like NUM the left leadership is having CHARCU building opposition to the
…OT
TGWU the right are making gains, and may win the leadership.
Where broad lefts have
won the leadership, in the now POEU and previously
in the CPSA, they failed to
these victories into real advance. The BLOC
Conference must have
genuine
these questions.
Any idea that this conference can be about removing the Tories and
replacing them with
government
should be slung out of the Pain in the AES
THE TALE of the mis-
design of the water
pumps shows only too
well how easy it is for
men perceive the
world from their view-
point. This fact is being
made strongly at the mo
about the Great Debate of 'why Labour
lost: what it is and how to
fight it'.
From the Alternative
Economic Strategy
Farewell to the Lads and
the proudly
trained Kinnock, men
nave nevel discussed
themselves so much. Of
they do tack Course. women on to their great
pronouncements about
the world, the
and everything, if only to
old Feminists to leave them
alone.
window. The struggles ahead are defensive struggles. They will need to dea! both rth the Tory
and with the right Lacks The left needs to Wille counter the new realism of
the right with a realism of its own.
By Pat Hickey
The first thing to note is that the Tories, their big majority, do not have a popular majority they returned to powel with only cent of the vote. On some of the issues which they are now trying to tackle they do not have mass support One of these is the abolition of the GLC and the Metropolitan Authorities Cheltenham is widely seen as an attack on democratic rights. A large part of the population is opposed to further attacks the unions. But the Tories wil
ahead with their The weakening of the unions and the elimination of Labour as the main party of opposition is a central part of the plans of the ruling class.
the British capitalist economys to be saved, then the political and org
weakening of
he working class is essen
al. The policy of the right wing leaders is to retreat before these attacks The coalitionist line of th
Eurocommunists and their allies helps to give political cover for the retreats of the right.
The right is organising to fight for their positions right from the top to the bottom of the labour movement. tunity to begin the fight to ference offers oppor-
organise the very large
minority who oppos
the surrender of the 10c leaders.
will not be enough for the delegates ạt the
BLOC Conterence just to make anti-Tory speeches
But while the 'chewy'
left wallows in masculine
new
leadership is beginning to
CHICLE from the
shadows of the palrlar
chy. A leadership which
seeks teen we as
the marxist orthodoxy of
the male point of view.
It is in this overall framework (sic) that I br-
ing you two examples of
Marxism for Men.
Militant comrades
aren't renowned for their
anti-sexism but one of
them went a little too far
Hounslow's Local
Government Conference
on rates and cuts last
While explain
ing how Liverpool coun
cil showed the way for-
said
Hounslow councillors
should follow Saved
BRITISH TELECON spiced with rhetoric about general strikes. The Broad
defence of oul the political along with defence of the GL and the Metropolitan Councils to the fore when it discusses what to do in
MAL
pool's example and sign over all their property to their wives in case it was seized'!
Meanwhile, the Socialist Paul Foor eas latest issue New written a vitriolic review
Dave Edgar's play "Mavdavs'. But Paul als
eveals somethin of the
views of the SWP whe
the unions
The left will not build a mass base in the unions Such amovemera will ons. on sectoral issues
and grow into powerful force which links the left in the unions and
ORDER
he writes: 'When revolutionaries leave their
parties, they do not gọ to "traditionalist Toryism". They go to the Labour Party
probably into organisations fight for single issues such as nuclear disarma ment or women's libera-
News
BANDS OFF ELEPH
FOR SALE. GOING CHEE POEU Picket the Labour Party if it takes political questions facing the main national the labour movement.
The delegates. to the BLOC Conference have the chance to start doing
North of
Ireland
delegation
Fomen's Day International
1984 the London Armagh Group are organising a weekend delegation Belfast and Derry including picket 01 Armagh, the women's prison.
The delegation will leave on Friday 9 March and return on the Monday, at a tota cos of f50. Registration must
completed 25 February. Write to the London Armagh Group,
Grays Road London WC1 or phone
Maggie 01-289 3878 (days).
Page 11 scan of this page
Occupation against
News
Left
Labour
council
attacks
workforce
ON FRIDAY 10 February workers in Hackney, East London packed into a local hall to hear shop stewards describe latest events in their clash with the local Labour council.
labour movement. Local workers feel that the council has acted in an anti-working class way — including the use of force to evict workers occupying one of the council's properties.
While this may not be unusual OLIC Labour's 'rotten boroughs', Hackney has
been recently controlled by the new breed ot voung Labour leftwingers.
In mid January about one hundred building
of the Direct Labour Organisation and tenants occupied the SI John's Area Housing Base and began work much needed repairs to the estate.
1 ncy wate proteshlig al the council's privatisation
sub-contracting, its failure to provide a pro-
repair service for tenants and to force it to
Manifesto MalcilCul pledges decentralisa-
U11 tion.
The council leaders immediately stopped the wages of the shop stewards involved in the work-in. A week later, cupatior the Bowling Green Walk Supply Depot was ended when senior management usea a seage hammer to break down the door in a dawn raid.
1188 Wilson, Secretary of Hackney NALGO
HO TRU
EDLCA ION Labour councillors give Thatcher an easy time
1000 council building
The issues raised are extremely serious for the
which supported the occupations wrote to council leader, deploring these 'anti-trade ding that the council use 'negotiation tation to end the dispute'
By Frank Gorton (Hackney North and Stoke Newington Labour Party, trade union liason officer
The council then procedemande a new see
demands workforce including the demand for sworn fidavits from the workers stating what work been Gone during period of the occupation, and asking the TGWU and UCATT
annuchly against surcharge before they would pay the workforce.
As Rob Jones, Hackney South Laud
children to prevent closure.
labour movement:
Ine chairperson of Wakefield District Coun-
Labour leader of the ASSOCKOH ot Metropolitan Authorities. On 16
prior discussion, he an-
council's nounced to the Labour group a draconian
of f4.5 million Dulkard cuts : much to the alarm of 11 left councillors.
happy to pass these cuts on the package which includes closures of libraries, nurseries and old Kingsmead, one of Hackney council's housing estates union liaison officer told the mass meeting: 'Asking the worktorce to indemnify the council agains surcharge is no differen than what was done with
Tatt-Vale iudgement and more NGA dispute in making the trade unions financially responsible for the consequences of an industrial dispute.
It is clear that the coun Unemployed Workers Association. ing at alleged benefit fraud since early January.
which has not been doing too well as a result
Lali
council cuts
TWO DAYCARE nurseries in the Wakefield district have been occupied since Christmas by parents and
This bold act has put them in the forefront of the fight against cuts in the district and has sent shock waves through the local
peoples' homes, rises in school meals charges and come aces
By Matthew Creighton
The most drastic measures were the closure of an old the on the and of only daycare in the district, one at Wakefield and one at South Kirby.
These are not childninding units. They cate for children and parent: cil is out of step with the local Labour Parties who nave issuea statements ol support for the council workers, along with the tenants associations and the town hall trade unions The feeling that the council will have to be brought into line quickly if it wants the support of its own workforce in the battle with the Tories over rate capping.
Rabbit squad picket in Brum
A PICKET was mounted on 7 February outside Washwood Heath dole office in Birmingham. Over fifty claimants turned out, who are members of the
ed by members of the Society of Civil and Public Servants and the Civil and Public Service Associa-
suade people to withdraw claims. even it there is no
Tective basis real
under severe stress.
Some of the children have SUCCO accidental injury and most
specialised dedicated care, When the closures went ahead despite a vigorous public campaign . ine parents. including many single mothers, occupied
They have the support of loca trade the NUPE and NALGO branches concerned, local
Party members and councillors. The oc-
focus for local oppositior to the cuts and wave of disgust at the way in which leading cillors have carried them out.
Their attitude to
This poll Cull phasised by the shop stewards who called on the workers to gear up the union at its base to prepare for the next stage of the fight will They were urged to join local Labour Parties and fight within them to force the council to honour its commitment to the needs of its workforce and tenants.
"investigators" recruited on a temporary promotion basis.
A thousand extra staff Customs and Excise could bring in £100 million a year in lost value added
alone But of course the Tories are more interested in making outcasts of the four 'scroungers' on the dole. A blind eye is turned to the real scroungers of big business.
When the Rabbit Squad move to Chelmsley
Wood they will This is 'warm welcome near Birmingham Airport, where 12,500 'scroungers' recently applied for 60 unskilled, low-paid jobs
• Further information, contact Birmingham Unemployed Workers Association, tel. 236 2716.
Socialist Action 17 February 1984 democracy is exposed by the way they forced a decision on the Labour Group only hours after the cuts were first proposed. Their lack of concern for the needs of parents and children is shown by their failure to obtain a report on the kind of cases dealt with by the nurseries. rook eight weeks after the closure decision for entirely inadequale alternatives to come forward.
has become clear that part of the reason fo ne cosures is rue value u the nursery sites if sold to private developers the Wakefield site for housing and South Kirby site for industry as part of the Langthwaite Grange enterprise zone
Only a year or two since Sir Jack and his allies commanded regular and large majorities on the
Sixteen year old
dies in acid vat
treatment for acid burns.
ing.
Charles Tyrer had joined Alustrip Nechells, Birmingham as general labourer two months ago. He was working nights illegally - according to the Factory Act, eighteen the minimum age for nightwork.
This exposes the contempt saftey legislation, even from quite large firms.
Tory union bashing and the pathetic failure of the TUC to back struggles
rights make young people particularly vulnerable.
The record of the Manpower Services Commission is no better. So far
people have died on their schemes
Youth Oppor tunities and Youth Training Schemes, where youth get no opportunities and
German social
35-hour week
WILLY BRANDT.
SPD leaders argue that the
of years with the 35-hour week. During this period,
in the working week
takes place.
11 District Labour Party, the same body passed an overwhelming vote against cuts and the nursery closures When these votes were the Labour Group, the DLP went on to pass a vote of no confidence them oy similar majority.
One of the most powertul arguments in in Labour movement has been that Wakefield's cut package directly tradicts the Labour Party NEC's policies and advic Labour Groups. Si:
Jack, being Labour leader of the AMA has a parresponsibility observe this but so far the Tories have come off pret ly lightly The Labour left's cam paign should now look outwards then focussing just on votes at the DLP EARLY on Tuesday morning, 7 February, Charles Tyrer of Kingstanding, Birmingham was found ly ing face down, half buried in sludge at the bottom of a six foot deep acid vat. He was sixteen years old Six firefighters, an ambulance driver and a worker who tried to revive the body needed hospital
The tank contained methelyne chloride, used for industrial paint stripp
little training.
By Bob Smith (Birmingham Unemployed Workers Association)
On Saturday February, the Birminghan Trade Unior Resource Centre held a demonstration of 200 young people UTUSCUS I YTS Dave ellist MP addressed 1l rally and raised the death of Charles Tyrer.
Trainee Action Group is holding meeting on young workers' rights on Satur dav 25 rebruary This will take place at the Trade Union Resource Centre Frederick Street, Hockley, Birmingham at 12 noon and is open 1o all young workers.
democrats support
, chair of the West German Social Democratic Party (SPD), last week launch ed the party's campaign for a 35-hour week. The
40-hour week 'untenable' and should be replaced over a number
they argue, wage claims should be held down to help finance the reduction
By contrast, the giant IG Metall union has demanded a 35-hour week with no loss of pay. It has let it be known that it has assembled a 'war chest' in case a prolonged strike for this demand
Page 12 scan of this page
AS
•I AM THE victim of power struggles at the top. If Andropov had not won out in the struggle to succeed Brezhnev, nothing that I had been doing would have attracted displeasure or been With these words, the former director of Gastronom One ended his final plea to a Moscow court last year.
The director charged with corruption in
case that stretched beyond the Moscow food store itsell into the heart of the Moscow City Committee of the Communist Party.
The Director's pathetic plea fell on deaf ears and be was sentenced to death for economic crimes against the state.
Is it any wonder that such friends the Gastronom director Moscow party boss and politburo member Victor Grishin lobbied feverishly for Constantin Chernenko
take over as General Secretary Soviet Communist Party? Behind the official facade of mourning. and solemn
following Anan UsIc dropov's death, the entire
mafia will have been revelling gastronomic feasts celebrate the ena of threat tar more menacing to them than the fearsome
L'S arms build-up that is
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ACTION
CHERNENKO:
SAME
BEFORE
taken as unusual.'
frightening the mass of Soviet citizens.
By Oliver MacDonald
Whatever else may be said leaders of the Soviet Communist they differed from Chernenko in one significant respect.
They were not nonentities.
Chernenko was picked up by Brezhnev at the start of the 1950s in Moldavia, the Western republic which the Soviet Union had re-
the ed our
end war.
Chernenko was a party secretary there who gratiated himself with Brezhnev to such an extent that he became part of the latter's retinue.
By the end of the 1950s Chernenko was persona secretariat, and by the late 1970s the ageing general secretary was powerful
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enough to bring his pliant secretary right into the politburo. Thus, the sole basis for Chernenko's rise was his loyalty and usefulness to his boss. He level achieved anything on his own.
Chernenko's rise was part of the pattern during the 1970s whereby Brezhnev packed the upper echelons of the state and party apparatuses with his own whom came from ors old most
stamping ground Dnepropetrovsk the Eastern Ukraine. Their qualification was often little more than their personal lovalty to their godfather. Chernenko, head of the Central Committee's General Department, overseeing appointments, was the organiser the mafia's rise to power.
Brezhnev
The late 1970s and early 80s were glorious days, Indian summer, for Brezhnev's clients. may have been going. pot, the Americans may have turned ugly, but so what! At Special free book offer!
Take out a years inland subscription and we will send you free one of these books: Thatcher and Friends by John Ross • Hard Times by Bob Sutcliffe or
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Chernenko represents Brezhnev era of corruption last their years of service to une! leaders all tha hard graft and intrigue -had off. thei hands trembled it was only from age. They had absolutely nothing to fear as their fingers fumbled of police do the cold around in the till.
Police, was
that dangerous man dropov had to stick
security
and not meddle •cOw such fields as corruption and economic crime. Tonics ethose An15 months of the dropovshchina. rISI
the KGB, to suicide by the heartless Andropov for corruption. Then for the first time
ince the torties, a powe ful Central Commite
'comrade' was expelled
from the party for corruption and it was none Shchekolov. And with him other than Chief went Medunov, Krasnodar party boss who had made Brezhnev so comfy down there during those long summer holidays in his dotage.
Reagan
Then there was poor old deputy premier Novikov, an authentic Dnepropetrovsk veteran if ever there was one. All he the come datin of te the foundations huge PHant tor building nuclear power stations, Atomash, by siting a dam nearby Atomash, whose construction began in 1974, must now be moved elsewhere along with Ine whole newtowi of
'olgo-Donsk buil round
house the 100,000 workers. But Andropov lacked any party spirit and did the most awful thing.
Andropov — old gang glad to be shot of him He sacked Novikov.
you asked the Brezhnev mafia, Andropov died not a moment too soon. He had cooked up a thoroughly plar to get rid of the 79
Tikhonov Prime Minister this Mara of lesser, whole host of and even younger cronies. Now life can move al more leisurely pace.
Here the Soviet leadership in 1984. The Reaganites are on the rampage in the third world, the
West is re-arming at gallop, the unemployment figures are still rising in Western Europe, the labour movements of the capitalist world are unde attack. And the state officially claiming to be the rallying centre for anticapitalist forces throughout the world is dominated by a corrupt, authoritarian to very clinging to lounger
younger technocrats whom Andropoy tried to promote and who might more suc-
cessfully • have dealt with the cynicism anger and frustrations of the Soviet masses find their path once again blocked
Thus Chernenko's accession makes a convulsive struggle within the Communist party more likely as the and more reform-minded officials lose But mean While there cripple the shuffle around, trying to keer their balance remember what day it is. It is not a pretty sight.
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