FOR THOSE who think the battle for accountability the movellent over this Campaign group pamphlet will come as a shock.
Having begun the process of tying down Labour leaders in opposition, une Campaign Group of left MPs nave turred their attention to Labour power. it the radical reforms in the pamphlet were achieved. prime minister and cabinet would be directly elected by party conference.
The the LOULC Dalli phlet takes to explain this proposal is somewhat circuitous. rests the view that Britain is not country which palilament is supreme.
The Campaign Group argue is not democracy but a 'constitutional monarchy' which is divided into three parts: the monarch, the House of Lords and the Commons. Consequently 'British peobe nave on v one: the right to elect one-third of our system of government' They point out the crown has the power to aussorve parnamenl, appoint the prime minister, and start and end wars The pamphlet proposes to chu uese Doweis. But it is' the proposals that challenge the power of the leaders in office which will cause siderable controversy within the labour movement.
The Gang of Four left the Labour Party among other reasons because the of the Dally leaders by an electoral college, and the reselection of MPs made it harder for the right wing. ignore the rank and file of the movement.
have and to carry out socialist policies, must have more power and control its own representalves. More DOWCI Labour means abolishing the House ot Loras, ting rid of the royal submit Dictoralive. ting all major public appointments to "the Commons for approval, and by televising the Commons.
Information Act.
Control More control over a will covertical be achieved cabinet and the prime minister subject yearly election by the party Ine bower ol the prime minister would also substantially reduced by giving more DOWCT tary Labour Party. to the parliamenalso suggest that the law should be changed so that if an MP leaves a political they should stand for re-election.
This pamphley will not only shock the establishment, but also the present Labour Party leadership.
shock socials should welcome British crown It Is quite wrong to believe that altering the oath of allegiance would prevent the possibility of a hituitar y coup. It would simply make it harder to organise and legitimise.
to other weaknesses in the ball onlict. which ap proaches general but actually only deals Witn „ne specific field of parliament. Ine waole probici of democracy and the state apparatus civil service, armed forces, and so is democratic control of the economy.
Point One final point. How can any socialist pamphlet the British monarchy? Surely the least become explicitly republican? Or are we still aiming socialist monarchy?
Despite these provisos, almost every specific measure proposed by the pamphiet should be supported. It would be a grea step forward for Labour if LICSC proposals were adopted as party policy.
PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRA MOVEMENT ABÖUR Parliamentary Democracy and the Labour Movement is published by the Campaign Group of MPs. costs 50p and can be obtained JOUr Maynard, House