Unfortunately its Lenieldous icance for the arouncil people on the the party.
While Diane has gained the said of Keith Vaz.
Undoubtedly of win more power many similar issues to nose row black section.
WAC Ending for cause the instituensoth these counterposed to but on the contrary reinforced by, the struggles of other oppressed groups.
On the basis of WAC's support for Diane much of the rest orne forced her cam paign although with some dragging of feet from CLPD, the LCC and even the Campaign Group.
But Keith Vaz has not this support, although there is an equally strong case for at least one black candidate in the against support for Keith main - aside from the excuse that it is 'too late' is that his campaign will threaten Audrey Wise in particular, by dividing th left vote. In the worst in stance IL might Robin Cook on in place of her.
We apologise to Eric Heffer MP who was not included in the list for the CLP slate we published two weeks ago. We only printed six names, due to a There are seven places for this section of the NEC and it has always been our intention to support Eric Heffer's campaign for the NEC.
As Diane Abbott points out elsewhere in this paper the way to avoid such apparent contradictions is for the lett to involve black groups in drawing up their slate next time.
But the truth is that Keith Vaz does not threaten Audrey Wise.
It is unimaginable that there exist a whole number of constituencies where the political complexion is such that they would drop Audrey Wise in favour of Keith Vaz Only a tiny number of CLPs will even consider voting for Keith Vaz, and dit can these will be Ches can confidently that have already grasped the issue of representation. Audrey Wise and Jo Richardson are most • Ikely to be lne last people that any CLP will drop favour Keith Vaz.
The vote for Keith Vaz is going to be very like the vote for Russell Profitt ir Battersea reselection. In that case the solitary three votes. for Profitt could not be explained by the marginally better politics of Alf Dubbs. No will the similas vote for Keith Vaz - maybe half a dozen CLPs if he is lucky the left's fear of the threat to Audrey Wise It will quite simply reflect the continuing deep-rooted backwardnes on the black issue inside the Labour Party.
This has to be fought, and reversed by next year. The first step in that is for the left to explain black people are entitled to representative on the NEC including this year whatever the left has already decided.
That's the oniy position that the left can really take demonstrating that its support for black sections is not mere 1s to suppor Keith Vaz in place of Micheal Meacher. Now, not in a year or so's time.
Constituency section Tony Benn MP David Blunkett, leader Sheffield City Council Eric Heffer MP Jo Richardson MP Dennis Skinner MP Keith Vaz black section Audrey Wise Women's section Diane Abbott Westminster Clir Margaret Becket MP Joan Maynard MP Frances Morrell, leader ILEA
ACTION SociAlist
----- pull-quotes -----
THE MOST striking fact about the NEC elections this year will be the emergence of black people as an le Labour
The slates to support