THE POPULAR IMAGE of Labour Party leader Veil Kinnock will be severely dented once news of last Wednesday's national executive meeting gets around. For the NEC voted 14-12 to uphold the expulsions of six members of the Blackburn Labour with the full support of Mr spoke in favour of the decision.
This opens the door to : ound-two Ul palty wilkn hunts, headed this time by :he dream ticket leaderstrengthens the file party members that Kinnock's new unity :eadership heralds a rightdrift away Lally policies, using the witch hunt as a vehicle.
NEC's call for a sim weekly levy of party members in support of the miners is to be weicomea a strongly as its decision ia expel the Blackburn 6 is deplored. But cilows vital weeks of incecision by the Kinnock eadership, when a clear tatement of support for ihe flying pickets have helped bulld solidarity needed to sucrude the dispute.
VOVCS expel the Blackburn 6 began last ›cal. led by Councillor Gregory Wno nas subse¿uently left the Labour Group of Blackburn counKinnock who cil. Rumours that he is applying to join the Liberals have yet to be confirmed. But Mr Kinnock will with egg on his public face if it turns out he's supported the right in another fiasco зlKe Newham North East which ended with MP Reg Prentice crossing the tory bencnes.
By Our Labour Correspondent Joan Maynard, one of the 12 to vote against expulsion, up the vote. She told us: 'I'm absolutely opposed to the exthese people Nhateve the rights and wrongs, the real issue is that there's nothing in it tor ine Labour rarty bul bad publicity at time ween elections are taking place and with three parliamentary by-elections coming pelled fore sir ideas exe pelled for their ideas, way to defeat them is with better ideas.
The Blackburn 6 will nave the opportunity appeal the decision Labour's final of justice, party conference.
Yardley 5: the facts BIRMINGHAM recently established a new precedent by refusing to accept the transfer of three Labour Party members ion ouler consultendes mauduou membership to two new applicants. All five are appealing to meantime, constituencies should be sent to the address below.
the Acocks Green branch of Yardley Labour Party. I hese retusals amount to back-door expulsions and cut across party unity.
The five have produced a facts sheet outlining their treatment over the last year. available from: R.M Reg Ex. 113 Edmund Street. Birmingham.
GM COOKSON Meanwhile all constituenparties affiliated organisations must DrOlesI national executive, demanding unity based on respect for all socialist opinion freely expressed within the party.
YARDLEY
it refused Labour sadona executive. are asked to support them by the following resolution, a copy of which This CLP/branch notes with concern the refusal of transfer of three Labour Party members into Liverpool 29 March /LIVERPOOL VICTORY TO THE LO THE Photo: TIM RIGBY