Socialist Action No. 85, January 1985
The scan: 085-jan-18-1985-SA-UK.pdf (PDF, Marxists Internet Archive)
Uncorrected machine reading of the whole issue. This text was read by machine (Apple Vision OCR) from the scan and has not been corrected or cut into articles. Each page gives the headlines first, then the columns in order, so one article runs on into the next. Expect misread words. Use it to find things; quote from the scan.
Page 1 scan of this page
Defend the
THE MINERS strike another threat from the wing. The decision of the scab leaders in Notts to break from the NUM and establish a yellow union as a national 'alternative' to the NUM is a fundamental challenge to the whole labour movement.
The Tories and the NCB have made it clear that they will give every possible encouragement to this development. They already preparing to recognise the scab union. South Derbyshire has stated that it will support the Notts breakaway. Other can be expected to try to follow suit.
The Tory government nothing less than the destruction of the NUM. If it succeeds in that project it will pursue a similar course with other sections of the labour movement. Weakening: dividing ultimately destroying the movement is the central part of Tory policy. This attack must be defeated.
The responsiblity for the present attack on the NUM lies squarely at the
faces right
in Notts and elsewhere.
of the national union.
destruction from within.
are reestaousnee
elsewhere,
scabs
ment.
intends
and labour unlon.
miners are
SoCiAlist
ACTiON
NCB
door of the TUC and Labour Party leaders. Their failure to build support for the miners, and to deliver on conference pledges, has encouraged the growth and strengthening of the scabs
The special delegate conference of the NUM on 30 January will undoubtedly vote to expel areas which attempt to put local rules above those
This step is essential to defend the NUM against
The NUM ln Notts and and a fight with the scab unions will be opened up. In this fight the NUM must have the unwavering support of the whole labour move-
A clear stand by the TUC and the Labour Party against the scab leaders is necessary now. The scab leaders are attempting to steam roller Notts into a split. They have rejected a call from Ray Chadburn for a ballot. They are ruling out of order attempts to pose the question of loyalty to the national
It is clear that many working opposed to forming a
The TUC must come out clearly immediately, and publically, against
the scab unions. It must declare its support for the NUM in this struggle, and make it clear that a scab union will never be recognised by the To
and that the TUC will assist th NUM to defeat and destroy it. TUC should instruct all affiliated
to boycott the breakaway.
The Labour Party must also make its opposition clear. In particular it should pledge itself to maintain or
NUM
reintroduce the provisions in the 1947 Act that the NCB shall negotiate with the NUM, and exclude recognition of scab unions.
In addition to these steps, the • The labour movement should recognise
even more clearly scab fight with the government is not just
about miners' jobs. ever a fight for the whole labour
This means the four key steps to
stations!
that the NUM's
It is more than • For a
winning the dispute remain • Full implementation of TUC Congress decisions to boycott the movement of all coal and oil to the power
• The TUC and Labour Party must call a national demonstration in support of the NUM!
national solidarity conference called by the NUM! • For a national day of industrial action in support of the miners!
Page 2 scan of this page
No scab union in Notts!
2
ACTION
That sinking
feeling
THE RAPID fall in the pound, and the political stir it has created, have done more than any other recent event to expose the real bases of support government.
Despite the huge amount of theorising on the left concerning the 'ideological' character of port, the reality is that the revenues she has received from North Sea Oil are a thousand times more "ideology' in explaining the relative political level of support of the government -cluding its ability to win the 1983 election.
It was the revenues from North Sea which generated the consumer boom which Thatcher deliberately started to wards. Thatcher was resources in turn to seriously exacerbate the divisions within the working class. A major section of those in work have seen their living standards sharply improve under government. paid jobs, have seen their conditions seriously deteriorate. has been based on a massive redistribution of income within the working class to conceal the still more substantial redistribution towards capital.
Given this political policy the rapid decline in the value of the pound is a decisive question for the Thatcher government. The enormously high exchange sectors of manufacturing industry lengthened the dole queues. But it also lowered the price of the flood of consumer goods which entered the country. The 'video recorder boom' in 1982-84 was just the tip of the iceberg of that process.
A falling oil price, and a falling value of the pound, policy of 'divide and rule' no matter which way the government tries to tackle the the pound is allowed to continue to fall the price significantly hitting the living standards of tse imported working class — including those skilled workers whose votes Thatcher has so carefully nurtured for five years. If interest rates, and therefore mortgage rates, are raised to protect the pound then this also hits living standards of those same workers. Either way Thatcher is seriously undermined.
All this makes even more criminal the policy which the Labour leadership has been pursuing during the miners strike. ment is not, and never has been, impregnably strong. At the time of the first and second dock strikes, and at the TUC and Labour Party conferences, the government found itself in deep trouble confronted with the miners. A push by the Labour and TUC leadership either won the strike then or maintained its full momentum. oriented to blocking and sabotaging the strike and not developing it.
Imagine the situation today if Thatcher had either lost, or was simultaneously with the economic crisis. Today Thatcher finds herself faced with a new Labour having failed to take full advantage of the last ten months government. Simultaneously rapidly marching Labour economic policy.
For if there is one thing many sections of the working class found made them even worse off than Thatcher it was the types of incomes policy Hattersley is once more trying to foist on the movement.
There is no doubt about it. Kinnock/Hattersley are a disaster machine for the Labour Party whether it comes to a miners strike or to economic policy.
Editor: ALAN FREEMAN Published weekly except two weeks in August and the Signed articles by contributors do not necessarily repre- be. last week or Decenci sent Socialist Action's views. These are expressed in editorials.
Socialist Action 18 January 1985
of the Thatcher
supposedly Roy Thatcher's sup-
important than any
create from 1982 onable to use those oil they
the Thatcher
Those out of work, and those in low
The government's political policy rate of the pound crushed to death all
and further creates real problems for a Thatcher's
problem.
continue the political support of
The Thatcher govern- war
would have
But instead the TUC and Kinnock
openly losing, the strike new outburst of an
economic crisis but with
of miners struggle against the Hattersley is to the right
THE SCAB LEADERSHIP of the Nottinghamshire area of the NUM are set to form a breakaway 'Spencer' union in competition with the NUM. The
national union has given the Notts area until 29
January to rescind the rule change that puts area rules above those of the national union. sion by the national NUM is a flat rejection of any compromises with the Notts areas's attempt to establish a 'union within a union'.
The area executive delin, end this stand was defiance the national confirmed by the arca council on saturday
The intention of the scab leadership Notts was made qure ciear Dy
Link, Notts area financial secretary. He has stated that an independent Notts area could become the basis of a new national union.
The Tory-inspired working miners' committees are hard at work trying to produce just such an outcome. South Ber byshire has indicated that
support Notts. there is speculation se caseste would also join Notts.
The fight against the Notts scabs is vital to the future of the NUM. Their decision to put area rules above national ones faced the union with the prospect becoming federation of conflicting areas.
Notts would have been a union within a union
example would quickly have been followed by some of the other areas.
The special delegate conference on 29 January SOUTH WALES AREA NUM has amongst the most solid areas of the strike. In recent weeks the press have tried to imply a weakening of the strike in the area and divisions with the national executive. REDMOND DAVIES, a member of the South Wales NUM executive and chair of the Penrhiwceiber Lodge, for the facts about the area and his views on trade union and Labour Party solidarity with the miners. I HAVE always thought that we were involved in a
of attrition. In that war the communities have
way they have rallied round We bitterly disappointed at the attitude certain particularly in the power industry where they can't get coal they are using enormous quantities of scab oil against the TUC guidelines.
We've SCCI that Aberthaw power station
Cardiff where transport union drivers are a picket line but to cross a picket but to cross without even acknowledgPicket at Aberthaw
The deci-
will undoubtedly expel the area. The fight will ther
egin 1o reestablish the NUM in the area and drive
signs that of the
do not the breakaway Ollerton 300 have
join
the area.
believing
many the rule changes steam-
meetings.
Striking
ing the miners
question ruled out of order.
Change remained
O'NEILL DAI
ing that it's there.
It's all very well for us to criticise rank and file members, but if there's no
Phs TU then the trade
TUC, the trade union leaderships - her they are just going to carry
The least that have been done is for the Liauc ullull porting the TUC decisions caucis suv
to allow us to go into the power stations and talk to their members.
If myself other miners want to go into a bace like Aberthaw, which are picketing, and talk to the members of the TGWU, AUEW and
was quashed by area council, the main upholder of Dallots throughout strike. If the Notts area
its presen course of action expulsion will be essential.
The national union will then be established in Notts. and new branches would be empowered to admit into membership all members of a branch en bloc or individually.
Area secretary Henry Richardson who was suspended by the meeting
the national union, sing
the national union, that any member of the former area who wished to remain the national
Action not words!
so on, we cannot. We are not being given the opportunity to explain face to face to the • rank and ille workers what our strike is all about.
Even the officials of the unions which say thes are carrying out TUO guidelines don't give us that opportunity. This is the case throughout the country.
The truth is that the national leaderships are not leading and this percolates right down to the rank anc file members. , Literature 1s being circulated but that's nol sovu clouzil as lal a we're concerned. Our opinion is that in the leadership were sincere in their
support then they would have their full-time officials down on the picket lines alongside the NUM Aberthaw and other power stations. Then they would be seen to be aoing something.
A sizeable minority of Notts miners oppose the scab union
union would be welcome.
is clear that a bitter fight, with scabs, the NCB: and the Tories on one side,
NUM on other, is now being prepared.
The TUC should make it clear that any breakaway union in Notts will face the hostility of the whole trade union movement, and that everything possible will be done to break the scabs and assist the NUM
The development of an 'open scab could survive only by the grace and favour of the employers is a threat that must be defeated.
The rank and file about members have given us outstanding SUDDOrl l he have been looking over their shoulders.
Kinnock wants to be seen as a moderate leader, someone acceptable to the right wing or lo middle Class people in this coun try. He is looking to th next general election.
But his criticisms are having the reverse effect. The only damage that has been done has been as a result of Kinnock's hesitancy to com out in support of the NUM.
Kinnock condemns the
police You've never heard That cher condemn policeman
We've had over 12,00 lads arrested, 60-odd are now jail, and 600 have been dismissed from their
OD. been charged with an Not one policeman
offence committed on the picket line
In the Unions
Nots Preg
STRIKING MINER
Photo: MARK SALMON
Within the
Duffy will be reluctant to support the NUM. These union leaders already support no-strike deals
The difference between them and the scab leaders in Notts is minimal. The left must force the TUC to come out clearly against the scab unions.
The greatest contribu tion that the TUC could
at however, is to fight to implement congress deci sions. Victory for
miners will be the bigge
single blow that could t struck against the scabs and their Tory backers.
So as fas I'm concerned Kinnock's credibility is at an all-time low.
In South Wales I think we have been fooled in the past that only barristers or solicitors could be credible MPs. So we've got a lot of that type of people.
As an area we see it as important that we try to get t more NUM-sponsored MPs. We nave lads, whether they work on the coal face or the surface who are more than capable ot holding a position in th
House of Common
Miners are Labour Party. We've had recruits at Penrhiwceiber. I think locally we're at owr most buoyant in the Labour Party for 10 to 15 years
We've got young lad who are coming into the Dall who, before the strike, were not political
have OCCl that this strike is political and ha been political from day one.
Page 3 scan of this page
The * Morning Star &
Surplus Value
munist Party executive committee
Tony Chater from the party. But
the impact of the developing split
spread far beyond that organisa-
tion. JOHN ROSS looks at the implications.
THE OPEN split in the Com-
munist Party starts the most impor-
tant fight for the future of socialists in
Britain the fight over the whole
direction of the Labour left.
. The right wing line pursued by the
Communist Party throughout
whole last period has greatly weaken-
ed its hold OVCr the labour Jett.
Marxism Today, with its support for
coannon with Ine Allance and open
endorsement of Kinnock, placed itself
far to the right of the developing
Labour left. The Labour left, sym-
bolised by Tony Benn,
Scargill, Ken Livingstone and their supporters was in turn able outflank the Communist Party on the
lett on particular issues, and at the level of tactics, without a program-
The consequences of this inside the Labour Party were also clear. A -spontaneous alliance developed between Marxist, basically forces and the emerging Labour left. Newspapers such as Labour Briefing, Socialist Action, Socialist Organiser, and in different way, Herald, were able to substantially innuence me acveloping Labour ICIl.
Militant also grew although it was essentially parasitic on the development of the Labour lett and did not shape its development. chauvinist and opportunist politics in any case led Militant outflanked on the left by the developing Labour left forces shown graphically now in Liverpool with the collision between the black caucus and Militant.
Right
In this entire struggle Labour Party from 1979 onwards, the Communist Party appeared obviously to the right of the Trotskyist forces. Developments which were taneously' part of a Trotskyist pro-
unilateral nuclear disarmament, black sections, the demands of the Women's Action Committee, moves TOT democratisation
movement within the Labour left.
This did not mean that there were not important sections of the Labour left that continued to be influenced by Stalinism, the East bureaucracies, and to some extent by The Communist Party. struggle between the Morning Star and the curocommunists started a whole series of trade union general secretaries dashed in to support the Morning Star.
Arthur Scargill took wrong positions over Solidarnosc - although he was also driven into violent denunciation of the Polish government over its scabbing the miners'. Tribune, under the editorship Chris Mullin, also clearly came out for the Morning Star in its fight with the CP executive.
Open
These weaknesses however did not play a big role in the situation as long as the Communist Party itself remained on a right wing line. The Eurocommunist line of the party as a whole, and Marxism Today in particular, left
for influenced forces to operate in the left of the Labour Party.
In this field of the fight for the future of the significance of the split in the Communist Partv is obvious. The orientation of the Morning Star, compared to Marxism Today, is clear. It is to move in to try to give a quite alternative set alliances, and gramme for the Labour left, than is offered by Trotskyist forces.
the Arthur
to Trotskyist,
Photos: MORNING STAR
Labour
Their
being
as is being the initiatives of the
my Knapp Heathfield, Ken Cameron,
Halpin
1r reorganise the
bureaucracy Star. boycotted by 'spon- wing of the party.
While Marxism Today stepping up its praise for nock, the moving to distance
in the developed
Mike ed:
European
When the the right.'
Huge
The Morning
wu-udy
War. strike. the Morning of
the paper,
Thal victory •
loving forces played their part.
Eating in the rally.
Trotskyist-
Historically lett
CIlI the
no independent
under the
pro- Independent Labour
This orientation is evident from Morning Star itself. The platform of last weekend's Liaison Committee for the Defence of the Trade Unions — Tony Benn, Jim-
Eric Clarke, Peter together with Stalinist stalwarts such as Kevin
left trace union around the Morning The conference was effectively the Eurocommunist
has been Neil KinMorning Star has been itself from him and move closer to Tony Benn. Last Monday's Morning Star column by the paper's political correspondent
Ambrose significantly conclud'While the position of the left members on the (national) executive has not changed their distance from Mr Kinnock and his entourage has in-
because he has moved to the
Star has also announced its intention to hold a huge
on 25-26 May to cercorale me ena or ine secona woria
This was was characterised by Star on 14 January, the when it announced the festival, as: 'the broadest alliance of democratic forces seen in history.' According to
"there is no doubt that the Soviet Union played the crucial role in
But it was a victory in
which all the democratic and peace-
We can be sure that the Morning Star will be going all out to ensure that the Benn left of the Labour Party together with various bishops and 'progressive Tories', will be particip- ed
More generaly what the split in the Communist Party is opening up is a fight over the entire future, strategy and programme of the Labour left.
which is objectively the character of the left wing of the Labour Party, has
Not its own. The radical left wings of social democratic parties have always fallen
influence of either Trotskyism or stalinism. It was true of the
Party in the 1930S. It was true on a much bigger scale with the left wing of the Spanish
the labour left
Socialist Party in the same period.
This of course does not mean that these forces have always taken explicit positions 'for Moscow/for Stalin(!)', or "for Trotsky'. But these two pro grammes are completely incompatible as regards their practical conclusions.
Is the Labour left for or against Solidarnosc? Is it for popular front alliances with bourgeoisie — and therefore is it for
LCDTU
calls
national
demo
THE LIAISON Committee for
Defence of Trade Unions (LCDTU) conference in London on 12 January attracted around 460 delegates. Peter Heathfield told conference that 70 per cent of NUM members were standing firm on the position taken on 6 March when the dispute began
He gave a firm declaration that
NUM would 'crawl back deteated' and called on the labour movement 'redeem the pledged at TUC and Labour Party conferences'. He called for a major series of rallies throughout the country, culminating in a demonstration in London
Despite reports earlier in the week in the Morning Star that there would be a call from the conference for industrial action on 20 February, this failed to materialise. Conference call-
for support for the regional demonstrations.
Glasgow on 25 February and for the
week of action between February. And Sunday February was named as the day for a ¡anona demonstration In London. which conference called on the TUC and Labour Party to support.
The LCDTU will be writing to the Mineworkers' Defence Committee to coord late with them on bulloing tae demonstration, in response to a proposal from Ken Livingstone to work together on such an action
This demonstration will have the support of the NUM and can be a ma-
* Morning Star
1985 prayer: aid not arms
Church appeal to Thatcher & Go
For against class independence? Does it stand unequivocably on the basis of unilateral nuclear does it orient to multilateral talks between Washington and the Kremlin? against the women's organisations in the Labour
Party or does it jor focus for all those who support the miners and who want to see the implementation of TUC guidelines. The build-up for this demonstration will need to start immediately.
The lack of a clear call for inIOUS dustrial action, and the move away
from 20 February (a weekday) to 24 February (a Sunday) was criticised by a number of speakers. miner's wife spoke of the hardship suffered in the coalfields and said: "Today, I'm not asking for money but for more. I'm asking for an end to this dispute.'
By Pat Hickey
She went on to call for a national one-day strike. 24 taken up by Tony Benn in his speech,
in which he talked of the need to prepare for a 'general stoppage'. Dave Temple of Mechanics criticised the conference statement for its lack of reference to industrial action: thing, but we need the trade unions to support us and join with the miners in industrial action.'
for a day of national action. But as is usual at LCDIU conferences,
Socialist Action 18 January 1985
suspicion? course.
of Stalinism
DraCuca
which Europear small. radicals
Soviet
Germany and ing class
disarmament
Is it for independent black and
them with The
that
Notts COLON
to do.
This call was also
the Durham
'Money IS one
stration.
He proposed an Labour
the
It is or against withdrawal from NATO? Is it for or against Sinn Fein and its leadership role in the struggle for independence in Ireland? These, and many others are the different practical choices which are posed by the two program-
United action with the Com.
munist Party must be undertaken of
But for the developing
Labour left to fall in anyway under the influence of the Stalinist orienta. tion of the Morning Star, or the alter-
native one of Marxism Today, would
be an historical disaster
A Labour left tainted by the brush and wastern Europe would never gain mass support. Its
poncie. Wolle trap the development of the left of the party within a popular frontist ramework and break its dynamic. A Labour left
Was influenced by Stalinism would be a Labour left inevitably doomed to defeat by the right. 11 would be a break with everything that has made the current so attractive to forces coming into politics.
Of course the chances of the Labour left going over openly to support for the positions of the Eas
bureaucracies are The days of the 1930s, when Stalin and the Soviet Five Year Plans could be mesmerised bs
The situation is no longer even that of the early 1950s when the
Union carried the recent prestige of the struggle against Nazi
when many people turned to support for the Soviet bureaucracy out of justified hatred against the cold war policies pursued by the United States and its allies
Today the great majority of those active in politics know the real facts of the systematic repression of the work.
carried out in Eastern Europe and the crimes of the Sovie! bureaucracy. But the more local, and strategic, forms of class collaboration advocated by the Communist Partie and by Moscow still are influential.
The developing split in the Com munist Party does open up the really fundamental fight over the direction of the Labour left amendment was not put.
possibility of building industrial action was shown in Jimmy Knapp's speech, when he predicted
Thursday's strike in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire areas of British Rail would be 100 per cent.
The most important issue facing conference was developing a strategy
general council's refusal to fight for the decisions of congress. This the conference failed
While the moves by Basnett to convene a conference of union executives in order to reverse Wembley
ed, there was little in the way of real proposals to deal with this threat to the entire policy of the TUC
Despite the huge limitations of the conterence, the decision to go for a national demonstration does repre sent a step forward, and deserves the widest possible support. All sections of the movement should now put their weight behind the call.
The demand must be that the Labour Party and the TUC call a demon-
Official support from Party and national that 24 February is a real show o strength in support of the NUM.
Page 4 scan of this page
White male MPs watch out
Socialist Action A PROCESS has just begun which will decide once and for all whether or not Labour deserves the contisuing support of Britain's have nots.
ed by the leadership's disgraceful hatchet job on back sections, will be watching to see whether the hard fought for gains of mandatory reselection are relevant to our cause.
Given that conference failed us, waiting to see if constituency labour parties strong on anti-racism 'deliver up'
Parliamentary Candidates (PPCs).
As activists engaged in
No te struggle lo tull representation' Labour
Party (PLP) into 'Fair representation', greatest hope is the selection and reselection proress.
Like other disadvantaged members of society
have been excluded rom power for much coo long and we are fighting back.
demands for fair representation from black people, the Disabled people
are ignored the
Partur sure peris.
tells us a good deal of humbug needs to
overcome representation
management committees (GMCs) have
got to stop using as an ex
use that good black can didates are 'opportunists' or 'careerists' minantly male and middle There class White opportunists and careerists in the PLP. sneade candidases ful. spective candidates endorse their democratically decided policies.
And, just as importantly, if sitting members do not support these policies then they should
be summarily deselected
without sentimentality rancour.
Reselection and selecton is ine oramary party
member's powerful portunity decide the
political and social com-
plexion of the PLP
The process must be
used decisively and brave-
1985. strike a telling blow
for true equality.
18 January 1985 Black activists particularly, bloodied but unbow-
we are now
Black Prospective
We urge all CLPs who back black sections to demand a positive declaration of support from your chosen candidate.
By Mark Wadsworth (Black activists canadi
This include CLPs that support us despite the COLLUSIVE influence of Militant, the most vociferous and spiteful opponents of black political
the movement.
We have already put on record our disgust at what they are doing to the black community in their Liverpool strong-hold.
Twice in 1984, we took
the ht Suminer Camp
Summer Camp and Coventry South East CLP).
Both times we defeated •their bankrupt opposition
black sections. This should be a lesson to the rest of the movement.
It can longer tolerated that the top the Party is dominated by
unrepresentative que
The present PLP is little different to the House of Commons as a whole —
white, middle class gentleman's club.
As socialists we have an urgent duty to smash this cosy tradition. At the last General Election up to 90 per cent of Black people who went poils voted Labour.
In all, we provided the
Partare to meign of ali
supporters electorally:
Labour's most
supporters we
nothing to show for it in Ine Commons.
Year after year the states its position to racism without
doing the obvious thing within its own ranks eradicate this great social evil.
Black Call lu longer be conned by paper
CLPs L1UD deliver on representation. We have seen through labour's charade of choosing just six black PPCs at the last election and all of them in impossible seats.
Meanwhile, seats made use sac oy large electorates were fought predominantly by white males
"here are at least 25 seats where black candidates should be selected
genuinely 'anti-racist' hopefuls should look elsewhere.
Equality
seats between 12 Tory marginals' we say we can win labour and l 'safe Labour' seats where we say we would probably increase the majority.
marginals are:
Leicester South; Leicester
Edmonton; Oxford
East; Nottingham East; Bradford North;
Westminster Feltham and Heston; Lewisham East; Dulwich;
Lewisham West and
Slough.
These constituencies have black populations
ranging from eight per
cent in Oxford wast
more than 25 per cent in
Leicester wast portion of votes the back Potentially, the labour candidate is higher electorate
than Lne New LOn-
monwealth and Pakistan
(NCW&P) statistic
gests because it does not
wake
burgeoning 'second
generation
If you take the fact that
black people are four per
cent of Britain's overall
population, we should
have around 30 MPs.
Labour's safest seats
are, significantly, those, in
he main, with the largest
BRICK population
nuniver are likely to be va-
election
cant at the next
because Ine Mr nas all-
nounced his retirement.
We urge MPs with 'fat
Government & Labor
Ken Livingstone were Amor majorities' provided black voters to stand down if they are over retirement age.
Syd Bidwell (Ealing, Southall) should do the decent thing. It would be his
contribution yet the fight racial equality.
After all, Southall — second only to Brent South, in size of Black population — is a national symbol. It has a large Asian population and deserves an Asian MP. Careers
White in Southall have the final say MUSI SLUT
This fellow
And Shore (Bethnal Stepney),
the rawest should
cessor.
by one coach me sage
vote range
from Brent, South (47 per
cent NCW&P) to Bow and Poplar (16 per cent) where Ian Mikado has already
announced his retirement.
These seats are: Brent, South; Birmingham,
TARGET LABOUR
GOVERNMENT
*What Type of Labour Government? *Forward to Victory - Out With the Tories! Tony Benn, Sharon Atkins, Frances Morrell, Bernie Grant •Workshops on Economic Policy, justice freedom a the state, social policy, international & defence,
accountability, positive accide SATURDAY 16th FEBRUARY
10am - 5pm DIGBETH CIVIC HALL, DIGBETH, BIRMINGHAM
tee on Ireland, Labour Against the Witch Hu
nen for Ireland, Mineworkers Defence Committee,
mens Accon commitee, Labour unt
Smallheath; Tottenham; Hackney North and Stoke Newington Brent East; Bradford West; Battersea; Warley, East; Walthamstow ano Wolverhampton, South East; Coventry, North East; Perry Barr and Bow and Poplar.
The short-list for selection of a PPC in these constituencies should consist entirely of good black candidates. It is no use CLPs honing this will happen somewhere else.
If this cannot be achieved because nomination for Black candidates are received from a local branch then the party's Executive Committee has the power to make a nomination itself. The EC should this power positively.
Finally our message to all those white, middle class, males currently agonising with their conscience is: Stand Down or Stand Aside "black seats'.
Too many of you have already built careers as 'race experts' - advocates of the principles of race equality. (Ballersea the Alf Dubs 'Shadow' spokesman on been faced you bottled out with the chance of going somewhere else to allow in a good black alternative. black people must neve be denied like this again.
coal trains
THE STATEMENT issued by the Rail Federation around the victimisation of workers at Shirebrook and Coalville states that if regional action is not successful, the rail unions will organise national action.
Railworkers welcome such statements. But past practice doe much confidence in our leadership.
Industrial action
the treatment of DIULCO Coalville and workers has been threatened twice in the last ten months.
Each time the unions retreated, because management made a tew concession before
their forces recrouble and beginning a fresh campaign of dirty tricks to get the coal trains moving again.
By Antonia Gorton
The Coalville workers are quite right to insist tha all their demands are met before action suspended
the Federation retreats again once again, then the BRB will hit even harder, and there will be more sackings and more harassment'.
24 hour action is a first step but this Will not stop the joint BRB and NCB project to get the trains moving. This project ha two aims. It is part of the propaganda ottensive ti demoralise miners back to
has WOrK aISU strategic aim free
the power sta tions, Drakelow, Rugely and Didcot. Lorries are proving an expensive way of breaking the miners
The the Coalville workers has also had a big impact on the militancy of the minority
and its collapse would affect the recent at-
unite together and organise more effectively
second question we have to look at is the record of the Federation.
They gave into the govern ment over the 1984 pay deal just at the point when united WILl miners would have made a
Islington
MINERS
support committee
News
Stop the
difference and broken the class collaborationist line of the TUC.
They have not conducted a real fight for the 'no movement coal policy decided last April.
Small handfuls of rank and file members in freight depots have held the line against management. the
The rail have always and labour party
weight
tion in of the the 24tk • Hillcis widest
themselves rank and
basis. A all freight with branch and be possible district councils Movement Rallies' which could involve Lousands of railworkers, and others.
The links between local be strengthened, following
Coalville in working with from the minority areas in the Trent Valley. And above all the demonstration on the 24 February should be built widely in our depots.
VICTORY TO
THE MINERS!
STOP THE
POLICE STATE!
LOCAL MARCH & RALLY
With South Wales NUM, Tony Benn MP and Jeremy Corbyn MP
Saturday 19 January 12:30 Town Hall, Upper St, N1
COM A ON 1:359 1789
EVERY THURSDAY 7:3 CO-OP HALI ,129 SISTERS ROAD, N7
Page 5 scan of this page
Which side are you on?
News
harassment of workers carrying out union policy and refusing to move coal.
hour strike action this Thursday coming.
In the Eastern region the depots are Sheffield Midland, Doncaster, Worksop, , Tinsley, Barrow Hill and Shirebrook. the London-Midland region they are Toton, Derby, Nottingham, West Houses and Coalville.
hor us at Coalvile this decision was a tremendous
They are asking let down. the depots who have suffered the most victimisation from management to take action.
Most of these mentioned are freight-only depots war work in de cozineros. We were hoping that they would call oul lne 01g London stations, where we Have dot or suoDorL
What we wanted was a Hallullal sulike. at the least a 24 hour national strike. Some members of the ex-
commullee were pushing at the Federation meeting tor such action
But after a big battle between the right and the left, the action was reduced selective,
Fi chulal 24 hour action.
There's
been a lot oI talk since then from the KEN LOACH'S programme last Wednesday was the clearest statement yet made on television as to why the mining communities have resisted the Tory government over 10 months.
Songs, poems and miners' strike captured the collective community of the villages and the spirit of resistance that has kept the miners battling against pit closures despite all the odds.
Nor did the programme draw back on letting the miners and their families their
SLaLt OWE case. was crystal clear why London Weekend television was reluctant to show it.
Even Channel 4 ended 'the showing with a caveat urging viewers to write in if they had a different opinion.
The first half dealt with the reasons ior ine surike. Something that the media hopes vou'll forget.
Miners told of how pit closures would lead to job loss on the railways and in the steel plants. South Wales miners reminisced bitterly over a meeting in
during the steel strike, where Bill Sirs had
miners and ralway workers had COlLC ouL on sunke or one day in protest at MacGregor's attack steel jobs.
Inhabitants of Cortonwood explained how there was one main street in the
to the school. If the pit closed the wollully would be decimated.
All out on rail
THE RAIL FEDERATION last Tuesday decided in principle to take some sort of strike action on the Midland and Eastern regions in protest at the
The details were decided by a sub-committee of the Federation which met the next morning. The outcome was that 11 depots were selected for 24
Board to the press sayıng
that they'll be able to sit
down with the Federation
and resolve things round
Ine labie.
By Roy Butlin,
Coalville NUM
When the Federation
does sit down and talk out
branch at Coalville wants
the following four points
conceeded before the
threat of action is lifted:
• first, no movement of
coal trains
• second for the right of
Coalville workers to sigr
on and be given alternative
work
more scab
labour at Coalville
• fourth vic-
timisation and harassment
and reinstatement of the
Coalville signalman who
been moved
Alrewas box.
Incidentally, this is the
signalman who was initial-
classified as 'mentally
unstable' for relusing ic
let coal move, and experiences of the 1984
Cartoons explained the
Cast against voluntary
redundancy and how
workers had no right
sell the jobs of their
children and glalla
children.
Women, prickling
the suggestion that miners
should pack up and move,
asserted that they had no
intention of becoming in-
dustrial gypsies again.
Reviewed by
Valerie Coultas
Women were a central
part or une story They
have risen up, explained a
miner's mother and wite
from Wardley, and there's
some iron ladies up here
who are not giving in to
Thatcher.
Women were shown
marching in August, staff-
ing canteens and reading
poetry. Unfortunately
they were not shown
engaged picketing
many of them have been
throughout the strike.
The poems and songs
reflect the strong cultare
ot resistance in the mining
communities. One older
read a poem full
press insults, their attacks
17 January
demoted to a position as
Now he's working on a line where there are 110 coal trains running, there is no question being raised about his mental stability.
This is disgusting. Now some lads at Coalville have got a new badge saying if you support the miners get some th lerapy!
Nothing less than these four points will satisfy the workers Coalville. they think they are going to negotiate any kind
the strike threat without those four DO TILS being concecee they will find themselves Haville lo collitoll not oll ly Coalville NUR but all those railworkers who have been implementing countered by the assertion of class solidarity. All you high-up nobodies take note of what we say'
This tradition of solidarity explaits une se cond half of the programme which features the conflicts with the police on the picket lines Orgreave ane the villages like Armthorpe.
the boycott of coal since the miners' strike began.
The NUR leaders work for us. We pay their
They're not doing Wares their job and giving us the backing we deserve at the present time.
I have circulated most branches with a persona letter and all ASL LEF and NUR district councils have received a direct call to their members to support the action on Thursday.
At the time of writing we did not know which depots would be called out by the Federation. government will walk the We realise that over railway workers if we don't support the miners. If pits close jobs on the railways will be directly aftected.
If the secondary action was collapse through lack of support, the miners in the minority strike areas such as cecester wone be in great difficulty.
Railway workers have been number one in giving support to the miners. Our fate IS interlocked with theirs.
If the government is allowed to establish the principle of closing pits on purely economic grounds the same arguments would be applied to most railway depots and most passenger
The government SCIVICeS.
MUSl DOL be allowed establish that principle.
Police brutality is clearly exposed at Orgreave. In Armthorpe a woman explains how on 22 June
2000 riot police into the village breaking into houses,
• pusi ing her against the wall and hitting her
that raid, set trend
that raid, trun-
cheons. The police act just like the black and tans,
Of course he's dead right. Where a community resists, be it black, Irish, or a mining village, it has
be crushed and criminalised
'If you do get rid of this government, we'll be une next government, says a policeman to a miner on the picket line.
Clique
The growth of al -bitrary policing throughout this strike combined with the Tory attacks on trade and democratic rights bodes ill for the future if the miners are not victorious.
'Who tells them to hate working men? When they say they are simply following orders to rub their boots down our shins and hit us with such venom WInO gives lnese Five miners and a child
died because police actions explain the miners furiously.
These young people, far from being the thugs, bully boys that the Sun DUCECOLO which side they are on - have chosen
becoming modern heroes and erones or use cass courage through these bit- 'The tale your ter times will live on and shall never die.
Socialist Action 18 January 1985 D
The report entitled The Economic Case Against ru closures was prepared by Andrew Glyn for the Nationa Union ot Mineworkers.
By Andrew Glyn
Glyn draws on the Coal Board's own figures for each individual pit during the period prior to the overtime ban. But he comes to radicalli different conclusions about
closures, for he also quantifies CUS the government of redundancy ment benefit, and loss of tax revenue
Of the 166 pits in the British coalfield he conchoes alone one would cost less to close down than to keen open
Even the pits whose threatened closure preci-
purely economic grounds, the report argues. Under present conditions or mass unemployment, any sav-
Eeper miner per
Governmen
Herrington
Cortonwood 295
Bullcliffe Wood
5 fit ings made closure would be outweighed by the resulting costs of keep ing the workers affected on the dole
For example, CortonWOOd subsidy of £74 per miner colliery requires
each week from the government. But to close it would incur costs and loss of revenue of £295 per miner each week.
'So closing the called "unprofitable OILS whilst perfectly tune with the NCB's task of increasing profitability would have imposed substantial losses on the rest of society as well as on the miners concerned
'In no sense, then, can these be labelled runeconomicts "unprofitable"
from the point of view of society,' argues Andrew Glyn. • The report is available from book shops or from Turnaround Distribution, 27 Horsell Road, London NS IXL £1.50 (including p&p). For more DUCE information contact Andrew Glyn on 0865-249431 or 248019.
Present level of So to close pil closed cost to subsidy to keel means net loss
251 232
Page 6 scan of this page
No legal way tr
WE ARE NOW coming crunch period in the battle to defend local government in London. Jenkin set 15 January as the final date for councils to appeal against his set spending limits.
All 18 ratecapped authorities in London have decided not to appeal and are therefore on course for a confrontation. This was called for Saturday 19 January to prepare for fightback London when councils have to decide on their budgets.
By Keith Veness, Ealing North Labour Party and Secretary of Ealing Local Government Committee
At the conference next regional executive •IaWI seven-clause Slatclicll views on how to tight ratecapping (see SA No84).
There are 8 amendments being put forward for debate. aimed at firming up the existing statement.
Hackney South's amends clause six, which urges councils to unite around not sellilig a lale suggests that while councils should unite around the strategy ot non-compliance the tactical question of how to fight
budgeting or not setaronea Gclcl ting a rate) should be decided according ocal cuculstalles.
Vauxhall CLP calls 'on all councils
to take such action to ensure tnat tney
run out of money simultaneously eg by
transfering assets out of the city to
sure that they run out of money at the
same time.
The Fire Brigades Union have mov-
ed an amendment which urges any
councillor who through their personal
cirumstances would find
unable to support the GLLP statement
to resign now with 'honour and dignity'
DOSILIVC Stact l
policies are forcibly
democratically elected councillors from
carrying out the manifesto they
elected on.
Several London boroughs
already adopted the FBU position on
inis. jonn Wills, a Igllt-willg Labour
councillor in Camden has recently an-
nounced his resignation
Bow and Poplar Labour
coming from Tower Hamlets where a
right-wing Labour group is pledged to
abide by the ratecap limits on spending,
THE SERIOUSNESS of what the
government is proposing dawned on us
at the beginning of last year, which is
why joint shop stewards' committees
(JSSCs) in London boroughs really gol off the ground. London
campaign of the JSSCs across London,
met in Hackney on 5 March and we've
pulled the 11 rate-capped boroughs in
as the core of our campaign.
Through the autumn the campaign
has consolidated into a rather powerful
organisation. We are concerned with
one issue: the financial cuts and the
1984 Rates Act.
The basis of Our
policy: not to cut jobs or services and to
defend local democracy.
solutely of the view that we shouldn't
our own jobs
DaVC
mechanism of putting up
rents. If the Rate Support Grant were
restored London boroughs,
6
Conference agenda
to walll the executive possibility of using.
with the government.
The will probably with the union urges the executive to London Bridge organisation.
conference
the hit list co-cordinated
we cole Its March ratecapping
Led for.
the fight.
Different
Saturday the many as 1,500
up discuss ratecapping. its lots of smaller workforce.
o l t wo q! a few right wing
againsı a ignl
resolution
because Labour majority.
If four right Tories you through At the GLC the Labour
LO SaV
Ovolac su alcsy en-
another question.
themselves
of those councils which to fight.
that Tory councils
SUdill
were to make the Jenkin even if they wanted too. have
Party,
London Bridge
Iens.
tuk non-cooneration strike actions, sit-ins,
Bridge, the
Led. We want
people in their boroughs.
clearly consider it
government change its mind.
campaigning more than symbolic actions.
We are ab-
through support one-day
rates and
in defence of their jobs.
Socialist Action 18 January 1985
IO 'explore the sancuons aralsi Labour Councils who do co-operate
Islington North amendment cause some controversy delegates because work with the Shop Stewards
"This special annual meeting notes the formation of the London Bridge Joint shop stewards organisation from
boroughs, in London and coniatulicl fight
'It agrees to include the London Bridge organisation with any plans of campaign and further agrees to provide any material assistance that may be ask-
It's very important that we unite the trade unions, the Labour groups and constituencies in the borougns to win
councils have achieved different levels of sucess on this front.
Some have held meeting; with
council workers Others have had meetings
It is also vital that we build support for Labour groups in each borough.
In Hackney you can afford to have
Labour councillors compliange nesolution will still be can- the non-
have got a huge yuu
In a borough like Camden, with a majority of seven it's a difterent story.
wingers vote with the can't get your policy
group has not decided its policy yet. It's difficult
which wav it's going to lump I'm fairly sure the group will adopt a
But whether or not there will be sufficient numbers to vote in council is
The aim of this conference must be achieve unitv around a non-compliance strategy and to mobilise both trade unionists and constituencies in support
are beginning
in London, like Hackney and Islington, have no choice but to fight because they cannot afford
level of cuts required by
The whole balances question is one of how much money is avallable. The Paple who know that are in the Town
Fortunately the government has set the rate limits so low that most councils are so far out of liné on what they need
spend with Jenkins limits that they will have to go into confrontation. could actually start reducing rates and
We want our JSSCs to implement a
For whatever to support that, and to develop solidarity action with any borough that's attack-
councils to yal c budgets based on the needs of ordinary
The next time we call industrial action — and we're asking our unions to
— we want it to be Ior real. Dart or a stralegy lo make tle
We want
This is the last ditch in defence of the jobs that we have and the services we provide. That's not to say we won't
actions, but our mempers exredrame mme mere
called out, it's for real industrial action
NEXT TO THE miners' strike the campaign to defend local government jobs and services is the biggest test currently confronting the labour movement. Last year the determined stand of Liverpool se an example to councils up and down the country.
The ors ideubet wilf ory london De oi breaking the councils in the months to come. Since last summer there has been debate and argument throughout the labour movement about the tactics councils should adopt.
As the London Labour Party opens its special local government ference, the basic issues are clear. But there is still a debate raging between the deficit budget tactic and that of not fixing a rate.
This is not the most fundamental issue. The first thing to understand is that non-compliance - and that means breaking the law! — is the only way to defend jobs and services. Second, that councils must stand together and bulld a united campaign across the whole labour movement.
Divisions between the different Labour authorities are & sure-tire way of guaranteeing that authorities llere government it's golden opportunity to divide and rule. This is the most significant fact for every delegate to the London Labour Party conference to grasp.
The response of the unions will be a determining factor in the success local government fightback. CAROL TURNER spoke to the TD HA LL Tor Longigns Bridge dond FD HALL for Londor Bridge, JIMMY FITZPATRICK Democracy for London.
the GLC against abolition ment is rate-capping.
capping is less than three.
affiliated
filiate, we support its policy
at least some
give the
being amended.
united Labour
secretaries 01
for
jobs and services.
Greater London Labour Part
Democracy for
London
DEMOCRACY FOR London's (DFL)
joint unions' campaign - priority at the mo Abolition will mean devastation of jobs and services, but that's 14 or 15 months away. Rate-
We're one of eleven rate-cabped hit-list boroughs in London, and we are
London Bridge. The political direction of the campaign is a London Bridge decision and, as an af-
The Greater London Labour Party Hackney. (GLLP) special conference is a priority.
The London Bridge policy is generally contained within the executive statement to conference - and if it isn't, it's
If that's passed the joint policy of the GLLP and London Bridge will be a
group-umon poncy y •ereno oos ano services azainsı rau capping. Our aim is to engender unity within the different boroughs. United action is the order of the day: that's got to be solidarity, that's got to be strike action, that's got to be the defence of
DFL along with London Bridge going to lobby special conference. L don Bridge is issuing a policy statem and there'll be leaflets from the D and Save ILEA trade union campai — calling for support for the policy non-compliance passed at last ve Labour Party annual conference.
Our recommendation to the uni is support for the conference statem issued by the London executive i support for the majority of the ame ments to it, with the exception
Although trying to establish firmer line — deficit budgeting apparently try to legitimise indep dent action by councils: a low-i deficit budget should be decided loc by individual councils. We're trying get a generalised policy for all Lab groups, which is why we've agreed the lowest common demominator: fixing a rate.
In the argument over the best tical approach, a deficit budget an no-rate budget, we're plumping fa no-rate budget because we think thi the best way for a united campaign.
Page 7 scan of this page
save the cities
want a united front with everybody doing the same thing. That's what we're going to the GLLP conference on.
The councillors who vote for illegality, non-compliance, they're, exposing themselves charge, disqualification, from office, or indeed imprisonment. There's no easy decision being made.
That's why at the 17 October shop stewards' conference a London Bridge policy was agreed that any councilor who did not consider they could sustain
pressure could legitimately honourably resign regarded as betrayal but as a positive statement; we could use those resignations and by-elections to campaign around a budget for community need and defence of jobs and services.
Confidence
No councillor is going to expose themselves without the confidence that they will be
their staff and by supported by community. Our members reneated v demonstrated over the last year — especially on 7 November when there were over 100,000 local authority workers on strike - their opposition to the government on rate-capping.
Local authority prepared to defend their jobs and services, and if it comes to a fight with the government we will take that fight up. Any borough that's taken on, group or workers lilal s laken on, can appeal for solidarity from the other boroughs and get a response.
Nobody can wave a magic wand and say they authority workers out on strike the
Local Government Conference
HANDS HANDS OFF THE GLC! OFF THE GLCI nolgo there's solidarity
know that borough on the hit-list.
dul"
debarment
we're preparing
three months
it wouldn't be to defend every job.
goes and rate-capping
need their means rent strikes, lobbies, pickets, whatever
consequences
own Conles
the have any
in the Labour group, une casey.
they
LONDON BRIDGE
TEAVE THE GL.C.
3p LONDO
DEFEND THE ILE.A.
minute one person is sacked, but we will do everything in our power as shop stewards and convenors to ensure that
action from every
There's a fight on the cards, and
the membership.
That's been underway for the past four months, and we've still got another
of conferences and Cal undertake education and agitation amongst the membership so that they are prepared
The local authorities have got to explain to the community that if the GLC
comes in, whole city is going to be devastated. We
Whether that demonstrations, • we will have to organise the biggest campaign of industrial action and civil disobedience yet to defend our jobs and ser- to vices and the democratic control of our
The lesson from Liverpool last year is that of a united camnaign that took
the unions and Together held mass demonstrations and strike action
nac a determined Labour group who were prepared to stand up
B
to the government.
The government weren't prepared to put the commissioners in to take over Liverpool. They weren't prepared to let Liverpool to default on the debts they had to the Citv of London. time it's not one authority, the the london authorities s
London authorities somewhere in the region million.
Illegality
Councils either decide workers or they say to the City 'we ain't paying your debt charges, we're keeping jobs and services' - that means going illegal. But it wouldn't be illegal to sack workers and pay the financial institutions!
Non-compliance as an instrument
challenge the government's basic poilicy of cutting jobs and services in local authorities to tinance tax cuts in the next financial year is not on.
Deficit budgeting worked for Liverpool because they were one authority and they campaigned. We've got 18 difterent authories. with 18 different levels of finance, who are going to run out of money at 18 different times over a period of 9-12 months.
With a no-rate policy those 18 different authorities should run out within [wo or three weeks of each other. They'll all be in the same boat.
We must have joint
for LADOllI authorities, in conjunction with the trade unions, in conjunction with community organisations and prepared to mount a fight against this Tory onslaught
THE FOLLOWING been agreed by London Briefing as its line on the struggle against rate capping. It appears as an editorial in this months' issue of that journal. Socialist Action fully supports this position.
IN THE WAKE of the government's latest rate-limits and cuts in overall local authority grants, tant task for socialists involved in local government is to massive resistance to rate-capping. This struggle could also be a crucial focus for saving the GLC and Met Counties from abolition.
By Phillippa Jones, Hackney South and Shoreditch Labour Party
The political basis for resistance is 1) the refusal to pass on Tory policies in any form and services, nor increasing rents and rates, 2) the demand to restore the Rate Support Grant to the level of 1979, 3) non-compliance with the Rates Act and 4) a refusal to seek individual solutions negotiations. authorities must rest on these prin-
making, it is time to put words into ac tion. We must make clear to the na. tional leadership of the Labour Party that we are determined to implemeni Labour Party policy and fulfill our obigations to the people who elected us. Their duty is to do the same.
Neil message, and John Cunningham have both taken their 'stand' - they would rather break the poor than break the law. Our response must be to follow th NUM's lead and oppose the Tories' at. tacks with every political force that th labour movement can muster.
councillors themselves will fail to stand And this taking illegal action. There is still time it's 18. 1 to call for their resignations 'without
dishonour' and build a panel of comrades who are prepared to face the conof f6000 sequences.
with trade-unionists,
to sack united controlled
be
Labour Briefing
article has Labour announcements on
the most impor- can be
Amount a choose -
labour
key
services. — neither making cuts in jobs
Party
Unity between
As we face the build-up to budget-
Kinnock in his New. Year's further evells,
and rallies,
The greatest danger is that Labour
by manifesto commitments for fear of
Labour Party activists need to unite
council tenants and community groups and keep up the maximum political pressure on coun cillors. The question of tactical options can be subsumed within the broader ch.
RATE
CAPPING
Socialist Action
strategic approach. In Hackney, left is in a strong position having unite the Labour Group and Labour Parti around a deficit budget approach wi the final decision on tactics being left i the hands of Labour Group.
In some other London borough and amongst trade-unionists in Londo Bridge, comrades have opted for m fixing a rate as their fighting optio In all authorities, including the GL and ILEA, wherever one of the tacti
won, councillors must brought into line.
The question is not which tactic
what really matters is th each authority does choose one (cco ding to local conditions) and fights win. The strength and resolution of t
movement united
and totes and trade labor
and town hall trade unions will decisive. Over the next few weeks the
to negotiate with the government -priceed to negotiate away abs a issue here is we are
If we take a united position fro the 19 January Greater London Labo
Conference rate-cappin which endorses the strategic appro» and both tactical options then our ne major target is the TUC Day of Acti on local government called 'Democr Day', on 6 March.
BRIEFING LABOUR
NATIONAL SUPTLEMENT
We should aim to contribute to d TUC Day of Action by consolidati our political campaign. Budget day on March which will also be a time f
action. To build for Labour Parties must alongside town hall trade unions, when take struggle too d movement, calling workplace meetin
supporting communit sector initiatives, uniting with womer organisations, black groups and lesbis and gay groups.
And above all we need to link o struggle with the miners by holdi joint meetings, building pickets power stations and so on. The miner ten months of heroic battle could greatly strengthened by our determis tion to defend the gains working da people have made through democra local government. And in turn, make our victory more possible together we can win! See you on 6 Ms
18 January 1985
Page 8 scan of this page
Kennedy- GO HOME!
8 Socialist Action
Truth!
THE 8 November issue of De Waarheid (The Truth), daily paper of the Dutch Communist Party, carried a major article challenging the official Soviet version of Trotsky's role in the revolution.
For the first time, the Communist Party dally gives a fundamentally accurate account of lrotsky's role in October kevolution and the civil war period. On the question of the social ascist policy pursued bs Stalin from 1929 to 1933 and Trotsky's call for a united front in opposition to the view Communist Party of the time, De Waarheid sides with Trotsky.
Trotsky's analysis of the character of the Soviet Union, in Revolution Betrayed, was also fundamentally correct, according to the Dutch The final section
of the article dealt with the Moscow trials. 'Trotsky and the other accused, says De Waarheid, 'were said to have worked with Hitler and the Japanese Mikado in organising industrial sabolage and poisoning Russian workers.
'An impressive list of left wing writers, politicians, such threnburg Khruchov, Feuchtwanger
and the Ghandi-admirer Ro-
Rolland, issued Halli public variations on the theme Shoot the Mad Dogs!
'Trotsky submitted himself in Mexico to a public trial - and was found innocent. But this fact received no internanona recognition And to this day Trotsky has not been rehabilitated or given his due honour in the Soviet Union.
are still HIS DOOKS forbidden. And not
West huropear Communist Party has protested against this' De Waarheid concluded.
18 January 1985 1985 IS GOING to be a crucial year for the West German Green Party, the most radical force in the parliamentary politics of a major European country today. Their conference, however — held in Hamburg just before Christmas -that the Greens are equipped to meet the challenges ahead.
Swept into parliament on tne back or lue powerful wave of protests by the
against the deployment of CUSt and Pershing missiles, and riding higher than ever before in the opinion polls, the Greens have yet to solve a basic strategic dilemma.
Are they align nitensele with the Socialist Party(SPD) forging a new, red-green majority which could
the CDU and their liberal coalition partners from power at both central and regional government level,
'fundamental' opposition
all the established parties?
The Greens divided
gave little indication
This issue dominated the Hamburg congress and
She middle. The national
the middle. national executive and the majority of the parliamentary party favour TENN
line, while some regions and a minority of Green MPs argue favour of an alliance with the SPD, including the possibility of coalition government.
In the end, after heated and often vicious debates,
compromise which left the decision of the local and regional
adopted federal level, after all,
urgency to LICe make a decision right now.
With the SPD-Green agreement in the state of
WHEN SENATOR Edward Kennedy arrived in South Africa on 6 January, he expected the same rapturous reception which greeted his brother Bobby 10 years ago. But much has happened on the South African political scene in the last decade.
Most important is the political consciousness of the black bolised by the mushroom growth of the black and independent trade unions, the leftward development of the Black Consciousness Movement, and the advance of the black working class to the head of the struggle.
Kennedy's visit was hailed by the white liberals and that section black people that supports the popular CHORUSL United Democratic Federation (UDr). Opposi tion came from the sup.
of the National Forum (NF), principally from the Azanian People's Organisation (AZAPO) and the Cape Action League (CAL).
The UDF also KnOWIl they 'Charterists' base
themselves on the Freedom Charter which was drawn up by the Congress Alliance in 1955 and
among others, by the African National ConTransvaal Indian Congress (ANC) and the
- has as its strategic programme political freedom
all race groups, and seeks to unite them in a na tional drive to win political freedom for all. They see the liberation struggle as an end in itself.
The National Forum and its affiliates are more concerned with a direct attack on the capitalist system. Il 1S capitalism,
hey say, which oppresses the working class (which is mainly owners of the means of Hesse just having collapsed, and three important regional elections coming up in West Berlin, North Rhine-Westphalia (the important industrial heart-
Germany, and orweg
where the SPD is likely to lose its absolute majority) and Saarland (where the SPD is led by Oskar
sometimes dubbed 'German
activists local pally without a clear political orientation.
By Gunter Minnerup
At the same time, the
mass peace movement to
which the Greens owe their
electoral success has experienced some decline
after des lament ore ene
missiles, and its federal
coordinating bureau near-
ly split up after demands
Christian groups to
abandon in
favour of period of
'reflection'.
development of the
people, symproduction are mainly white).
Liberation In itself, thee to help the down trod- maintain, has done den workers most African countries which have achieved political independence.
The Forum manifesto therefore stresses that: 'the struggle against apartheid is no more than a point of departure in our liberation effort. Apartheid will be eradicated with the system of capitalism.
By Charlie Van Geldren
They have linked national and economic op pression and insist that the two cannot be separated.
These differences explain the different al titudes to Kennedy's reception. Greeted with open arms by Bishop Tutu and Winnie Mandela UDF supporters and hostiliti AZAPO who met him with posters proclaiming Kenneay Is a
Yankee imperialist: we want a socialist Azania'.
The South African white liberals, including the Anglo-American bus-
Oppenheimer, will support the Charterists up to a point.
Again the Greens were incapable of giving a lead and forced to steer a mid. dle course between the Christian-pacifist and the pro-Moscow West
• Communist ParCelial ty.
At the heart of the Greens' problems lies developing split two factions: a reformist wing walch sees Is olg term role as the 'ecology
peace conscience ol
social democracy and fundamentalist wing with delusions about its ability
replace the historical role the organised
workers' movement with its 'new politics'.
It is a choice between adaptation to the pressures
parliamentary politik and an impotent
being, both wings are
held together by their electoral success. Any serious
setback on that front may well threaten the unity of
the party.
draw back when thev see that the abolition of apartheid could mean the enc of the migrant labour
which provides system them with cheap labour alic super-profits in tne gold and diamond mines.
But they undoubtedly favour OVe towards easing the explosive tensions within South Africa by some extension of the franchise to the blacks but one which would leave the capitalist system intact.
Capital
The National Forum and its supporters say this is just not on. For them the permanent revolution is a fact of life and not simply a theoretical trajectory.
Kennedy represents that section of American ruling class which, for its own reasons, would like to see the worst features of apartheid concealed, while retaining the economic systell which has proved such a profitable field for investmen by American capital.
meres ere ore sone common ground between
Charterists From the supporters of the wallond rorum cal only expect what he got -open hostility
But even among those who welcomed the Senator to sourn Alrica lnere mus have been some confusion about some speeches. To take, for example, his remark that his fellow countrymen (sic) would never able understand the policy of
International
black people from their homes in the designated 'white areas' and dumped in primitive wastelands ir the so-called homelands.
Does this aspirant
the presidency of the : Un-
• nothing of the history of his own country!
Does he not know of the indian. - those who were not exterminated by the white man's bullets who were uprooted from their ancestral homes and dumped into reserves exactly what the apartheid regime is currently doing to the black people? Does he remember the segrega tion laws in the South which were only brought to an end by the militan struggle of the black peo ple themselves?
Does he not know that CyCl segrated housing estates in today there are
the South; that black peo. ple throughout the United States are still very much second-class citizens when it comes to iob discrimina tion, housing educational Taclues. did so oll
If Kennedy wants to tight racism let him go home and fight alongside the blacks, the Latinos ir his own country. If he is for self-determination, let him show support for the freedom fighters of Puerto Rico.
The black people of South Africa, headed . by the class, will unense ive shackles of apartheid and
which today hold them in bondage. They will look for support
the workers of the world, and not to the Ken nedys and their ilk.
Page 9 scan of this page
Surplus Value
THE EUROCOMMUNIST wing of the Communist Party around Marxism Today claim their politics on those of Antonio Gramsci the leader of the Italian Communist Party in the mid-1920s whose Notebooks constitute one of the greatest series of writings within Marxism.
Marxism Today seeks to counterpose Gramsci to the views of Lenin and Trotsky. They claim him as the originator of the theory of a 'peaceful transition socialism' 'popular front/broad allance stralegs which forms the core of both wings of the Communist Party.
These claims are quite simply factually false — in fact the reverse of the truth. advanced positions explicitly opposed to both the idea of any peaceful transition to socialism and to a popular front alliance.
The only major first-hand report of Gramsci's immediate views in prison, the Athos
recorded clearly themes Gramsci was developing were
of the need for organisation capable of taking on the power of the bourgeois state military organisation conceived not in narrowly technical terms, essentially political one, and the importance of the intermediate slogan of a 'constituent assembly' — first as a means of winning allies for the proletariat in its struggle against the ruling class and subsequently as a terrain on which to fight against all the projects of peaceful reform. These were conceived of for demonstrating to the Malan working class possible solution in Italy lay in proletarian revolution. An troduction to Gramsci's period can be found in Quintin Hoare's introduction to Gramsci's Prison Notebooks and his Political Writings 1921 - 1926.
By John Ross
But more important than secondhand accounts of Gramsci's views are his own writings. These essential continuity of the framework of his analysis both before and after he was imprisoned by Mussolini's dictatorship.
In the famous Lyons Theses, written in 1926 after the seizure of power by Mussolini, Gramsci advanced two central slogans for the against the fascist regime. The first was *republican assembly on the basis of workers' and peasants' committees; workers' control of industry; land to thorkers and peasants gecond emas. peasants'. second
Prison
These slogans are obviously in continuity with the positions reported to be held by Gramsci in prison. They are classic Marxist demands of the struggle against dictatorship - exactly those of a constituent assembly and workers' and peasants' alliance. They. are identical in all fundamentals to the slogans advanced by Trotsky in the fight against fascism.
Far from TraNSCI popular front he wrote in the Lyons Theses that: 'The possibility that action by so-called democratic antifascist groups might bring down the fascist regime would only exist if these groups succeeded in neutralising the activity of the proletariat, and in controlling a mass movement that would enable it to break the latter's development. The function of the democratic bourgeois opposition is rather to collaborate with fascism, in preventing. the reorganisation of the class and the realisation of its class programme.
Gramsci understood that the fundamental role of LIC DOUCCOS OD position to Mussolini was to undermine the sole means that could actually practically fight against the fascist regime — ie the mass struggle of the working class and pessants.
to base
Prison
theoretical
and the democratic
political
political LAND
that the
military
but that the only
excellent in-
views
both
show the
Gramsci struggle 'if the
caused it to
tavourng a
beginning 'one' fascism down, possible one, struggle of the masses.
tion.'
working 'popular front' 22210
Trotsky and Lenin
Gramsci explained to the political commission of the Lyons Congress:
Mussolini government had fallen, whatever the means which had
fall, an extremely deep political crisis would have opened up in Italy, whose development no one could have forseen or halted. But the Opposition forces too knew this, and they therefore excluded right from the
way bringing ie the mobilisation and By excluding this sole possible way to bring down fascism, the Opposition in reality kept fascism upright, and were the most effective prop of the regime in dissolu-
In short, far from favouring a
alliance against tion.'
Mussolini, Gramsci explained that the role of the capitalist opposition was actually to aid Mussolini's regime by restraining the struggle of the working class — the sole force that could practically smash fascism. The bourgeois forces were far more frightened of the working class than of fascism. This,
825
Gramsci, Lenin
and Trotsky
theme which Trotsky outlined in the struggle against fascism in Spain anc France. The 'popular front' orientation, by attempting to lock the working class within capitalist limits, actually sabotaged the struggle against fascism. Stages
As regards the second key view o!
Marxism Today and the Communis Party, the 'stages' theory of revolution and the concept of the broad democratic alliance within theses drafted by Gramsci for the Lyons Congress explicitly 'there is no possibility of a revolution in Italy that is not the socialist revolu-
The theses argued that, 'In Italy, there is a confirmation of the thesis that the most favourable conditions for the proletarian revolution do not necessarily in those countries where capitalism and industrialism have reached the highest level of development, but may instead arise wibere the fabric of the anitalis
system offers least resistance, because
the structural an attack by the revolutionary class and its allies.'
Gramsci finished Theses by stating that the formula of a workers and peasants government was not an 'intermediate' stage of the revolution.
Gramsci argued, 'The party cannot conceive of a realisation of this slogan (workers and peasants government, except as the beginning of a direc revolutionary war waged by the proletariat, alliance with the peasantry, with the aim of winning power stated, serious deviations from "The
leader of the revolution if it were to interpret the workers' and peasants government as corresponding to a rea phase
dicated the possibility for the problem
terests of the working class in an other form than the dictatorship o
Socialist Action 18 January 1985
activity,
peasants'
tees.
groups nature' Origin
and peasants,
front" capitalist
substantial men" (sic),
begin to
ment. one answered soviets
organisation weakness, together
the Lyons can
democracy.
and
against struggle: ie of a civil bourgeoisie,
peasants'
the struggle -could be led into
its task as
this type
class
In order to fight for the dictatorship of the proletariat Gramsci conceived that the necessary alliance of workers and peasants must be realised through 'workers' and peasants' committees'. He advanced as central that "The slogan of workers' and peasants committees must be considered as a synthetic formula for all the party's
insolar as ll proposes to create an organised united front of the working class. The workers' and
committees are organs of unity or the working class, wnelne mobilised for a struggle of an im mediate nature or for political actions of a broader scope
"The slogan calling for the crea tion of workers and peasants commit-
.. is a political solution and an agitational slogan appropriate for a whole period of the party's existence and activity. It makes evident and concrete the need for the workers to organise their forces, and counter pose them in practice to those of all
bourgeois origin and
Here, once again, Gramsci makes it absolutely clear that this united front based on the alliance of workers
was counterposed to "all groups of bourgeois origin'. The role of these workers' and peasants committees was that of: "The "united
of anti-tascist and anti struggle which the com munists are striving to create and (which) must aim at being an organis ed united front ie at being based or. bodies around which the masses as a whole can regroup and find a form.
eVCI element to Trotsky famous characterisation of Soviets a 'the highest form of the united front. and his graphic description of the role in the Transitional Programme of the Fourth International.
"The deepening of the social crisi will increase not only the sufferings o the masses but also their impatience persistence and pressure. layers of the oppressed will raise thei heads and come forward with the demands. Millions of toil worn "littl
to whom the reformis leaders never gave a wought, wil
pound insistently on the doors of the workers organisations The unemployed will join the mor:
The agricultural workers, ir ruined and semi-ruined farmers, it oppressed of the cities, the wome workers, housewives, proletarianise
of the intelligensia - all ( these will seek unity and leadership.
'How are the different demand and forms of struggle to be harmoni ed, even if only within the limits c
city? History has alread this question: throug
'Soviet are not limited to an priori party programme • They thro open their doors to all the exploiter Throught these doors pass represer tatives of all strata, drawn into th general current of the struggle.
broadening with the movement, renewed again and again in its womb All political currents of the proletaria
struggle for leadership of th soviets on the basis of the wides
In short on each fundament
feature — on the alliance of exploit
oppressed against th bourgeoisie, on the inevitable necess: ty of the working class to defend itsel
the violence of workers' committees as the fun damental organisations for cementin
Gramsci stood no counterposed to but precisely on th basis of the fundamental positions o Marx, Lenin, and Trotsky.
'he attempt by Marxism Today
nlist Gramsci in their system of cla alliances is a sheer historical fraud
On every fundamental question o
Gramsci's positions wer those which Trotskyists defend that is not the alliance of the workin
with the bourgeoiste but
alliance of all the exploited and o
TAL DOS A DEER T
Page 10 scan of this page
10 Socialist Action
A"STUDENTS
Victory at
Polytechnic of
North London
AT A MEETING of 1500 Thursday, 10 January, a decision was made to accept the offer made to the students by the new Director of PNL. Described by student union sabbaticals as a '90 per cent victory, National Front organiser Patrick Harrington is to be possible?!), off campus, totally isolated from other students.
Unofficially, all the other students on the same course as him will continue to be given lectures on campus. This represents a complete climbdown by the college authorities in the face of a long and bitter struggle waged by the students at PNL and other students and trade unionists who have supported the campaign. failure of the NUS NOLS-dominated leadership to support the struggle at NL against fascist intiltration of higher December proval of the NUS leadership's failure to support students at PNL who have been beaten up, rested and even imprisoned for opposing Harr-
sapport struggles such as the one at PNL, must be central to campaigns against fascists like Harrington.
However, the struggle is not over yet. Sixteen students still face charges arising from pickets and anti-Harrington activities at stadents are imprisoned a campaign to release them must become an immediate priority for all student activists.
İRMINGHAM Attention all supporters ALL SUPPORTERS are urged to put emergency motions to Labour clubs and UGMs, condemning the arrest of leading Irish activist Maive O'Shea.
Speakers from meland should be contacted to meetings if required. Apart from the obvious importance of opposing the State's extending use of he PTA against Irish activists in Britain, the extremely successful fringe meeting December's NUS conference indicates sapport for the work and activities of the LCI in Labour clubs and student unions.
18 January 1985 students last
'educated',
has been achieved despite the
NUS conference registered its disap-
demands insisting that the
PNL. It these the Labour Committee speak WE SENI
on Ireland at
In liverpool, the campaign by the black caucus and support group against the appointment of Militant supporter Sampson Bond as race relations adviser continues to gain support. Militant, however, has refused to meet the demands of the black caucus for the redeployment of Bond, and the readvertisement of his post.
FRENCH, spokesperson shows that Militant will pay a heavy price for their hostility to black sections.
What point has the cam-
There's meeting
January) and we're that
groups
port of us
NALGO TGWU, GMBATU, NUPE, the trades and the
mittee. got 11
stituencies support.
for out of today's stewards' 19
the
the that
asking addressing
months the Bond
the such NALGO,
the the best
the matter
and to
Five Irish people are now facing conspiracy charges following the recent arrests under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. In Birmingham a defence campaign has been set up focussing on the two local Irish in Britain Representation Peter Lynch and Dr Moira O'Shea have been charged with conspiracy to cause explosions and bail has so far been refused.
Dr O'Shea works part-time tor the NHs at the Connolly Hospital Day Centre following decades of service as a psychiatrist. worries over her health - she is 6› and sutters trom arthritis, bronchitis and a value alongside concern for her patients who are now lef:
Moira's amedical reputaton as a tireless and humane docto. has produced a storm of
from her workers. She is an active member of ASTMS. and
Militant fights
black caucus
The following interview with STEVE for the black caucus,
If they want us to be a part of that fight this year, reeognise the strength that then they have we have with us. We're
hoping that Ouce we've had. our meeting on
we'll be able to get people such as Russell Proffi and other Brent counciliors and workers down there and make it
paign.
onlocobic LIV ingstone, Kinnock
around the
seem be happening all either general?
any particular organisaTo services
we can have people like Derek Hatton, Tony Mulhearn and others finding say, 'Look, we are doing something for the black
community.
And think that's what's going to happen in the next couple of months it people do approach the city council. I mean there
leaks that they are doing things in the Chinese community the Somali community and Asian community in order to gain their support and break the support we've got from these particular sections.
But we hope that these groups do realise that this campaign we've got isn't just about the Bond issue but about all race relation matters that the city coun cil has ignored for a long
Defend the PTA victims!
Group members
Issue of in a DCTICCELV
cll sent a and
the picket rest.
Crawley, Euro MP and three Labour
PTA
has concern.
time. If they're going to accept the 30 gold pieces and sell us out with regards to support, then the natule they're going find it very difficult to gain support from other black and ethnic organisations in their campaigns when they city council decides withdraw funding
LOe from any particular organisation.
That's what we've got to look out for because that's where unity will break down when we find against the wishes of one have
our Callbalel Hatton How has the boycott Sam Bond's post been?
It's been although found out that Cell
Bond by telephonist. NALGO taking that
: I know,
the Chinese
anyone could go in and no one
the COa-
lacc Merseyside.
So far we're concerned boycott
and when have
the Labour Party to
in this
cuts.
to consider dispute
with the Birmingham Trades Council has been at the forefront of the defence campaign, on January it held a meeting Unemployed, Centre tor the
which was attended by over 60 people. Representative from
conneller Ireland, Irish in Britain Kepresenlalion Group, Troops Out Movement and from ASTMS and District Labour Party agreed to set up a defence campaign which will be in solidarity with campaigns in defence of the other three arrested and for repeal of the PTA.
There have been local pickets and vigils almost daiv. and the campaign 1s planning to involve a wide range of : leading members of the Irish community and local MPs, and civi
WHY DO THE TORIES
HACT !.
THE LIBERALS AND TORIES H
DONE ANYTHING FOR BLACK PEOPLE
FOR WHITE WORKING CLASS PEOPLE IT!
YET THEY HAVE SUPPORTED THE BLACK
CAUCUS' TO THE HILT IN ITS CAMPAIGN
TO SACK SAM BOND AND TO GET ONE OF
THEIR OHN MEMBERS INTO HIS JOB !!!
THOUSANDS OF LABOUR SUPPORTERS,
We feel that the TGWU won't withdraw their support because people have already tried deniee that through the constitution and rule books etc and they've been unable to do
one of their that he way TGWU will be laken away
ConsuLulon. : we know with the that
mant that Bond is redeployed other
going for redeploy-
We were going just the re-
but since in the
City. goes architect's
from
We've had comments Russell liberties and labour movement figures. Press Officer for the campaign, Mary Pearson stated "The defence campaign has been established because local people are so angry that these innocent people were arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Anspiracy adde the Conspiracy We are convinced that Moira O'Shea and Peter Lynch are innocent. The Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Conspiracy Laws pieces of legislation that the South African government would be proud of mey are so extreme in tael repression The campaign is also calling for public in. quiry into the police action in the arrests
The number one task at present is to get Moira Peter and the others out of prison, and to end their
News
Anonymous leaflet circulating in Liverpool
& LIBERALS SUPPORI
THE BLACK CAUCUSMI
LISTE
FACT !!
WHY ARE THESE ENEMIES OF THE WORKING CLASS
PEOPLE GIVING THE BLACK CAUCUS SUPPORT AND
ENCOURAGEMENT?
THEY ARE USING THE BLACK CAUCUS AND ITS
CAMPAIGN TO TRY TO SPLIT THE COUNCIL WORK
FORCE, WEAKEN THE TRADE UNIONS, CONFUSE
AND OPEN
THE WAY FOR THATCHER'S VICIOUS ATTACK ON
THE PEOPLE OF LIVERPOOL, BLACK AND WHITE
and Brent, Bond would never get a job as race ad-
works for Brent, is a coun CHOl very active in the race field • ot the people who are active in the race field in London, and has never come across the name of Sampson Bond in any matter We've now really got
Bond's application that he
with regards to the work We could he has prove he's been misleading people the with regard to his application and his statements at better chane as well ea better chance as well getting Bond removed from his race relations job because hasn't got any expertise in the race field that he could offer to the black community not only in Liverpool but elsewhere If the city council want to put him into the publicity department of the central support unit whatever, they can ao so as long as he has got no titles as race adviser oI anything to do with race relations in Liverpool.
sion of Merseyside Larmur • Reproduced b Briefing.
ordeal as soon as possible.
This will also give the cam. against the PTA some of its best activists back. Peter • and Moira's Irish politics leaves no doubt where they stand on Irish unity and British withdrawal but in accordance with their wishes the Birmingham campaign is commited single issue of securing their release and the dropping of the charges. This cannot but bring into quection the use of the PTA and indeed its existence.
Information can be obLated IrON Moira O'Shea/Peter Lynch Defence Campaign. c/o Birmingham Centre for Unemployed 448 Strat-
Birmingham. Press Of Mial Pearson 021-773 8683.
Page 11 scan of this page
More support needed
News
THE PRESSURES of the winter months are allowing the government to press forward in their campaign to demoralise and smash up the women at Greenham Common peace camp. Over the last few weeks harassment has been steadily stepped up.
Combined with the ap palingly bad weather this has made just surviving at Greenham a full-time job.
Support and solidarity of the most basic kind is now needed to ensure that the camp continues to exist.
Women are presently enduring daily evictions, constant harassment and physical violence. It means that possessions, including the necessities for survival, are constantly removed by bailiffs.
The women are unable to regularly collect wood, keép fires going or maintain shelters. They are suffering HUSL Call cule cold and hardship. In ad01801 SlOW almost public facility, including
hotels and bars, in Newbury refuse service TO I
Consequently, bers the camp have dwindled on some Cocca sions recently. The women are dependent on material aid from outside just to ensure a basic presence there
continues through the
Wille months. particular, frequent supplies
THE HIGH Court ruling that no contraceptive or abortion information treatment can be given to young women under 16 serious attrack on their rights as well as a direct threat to the role doctors.
But that. the challenge to the abortion rights that women fought for and won in the
The National Abortion Campaign has responded,
at Greenham
of hot food, wood and
other fuel, candles, water-
proof sleeping bags and
bedding are desperately
needed.
By Anne Kane,
Glasgow Women for
Peace
Women London
Greenham groups have
begun to organise to coor-
dinate more effective sup-
port for the camp. Food
supplies and rotas for
planned, and it is hoped to cruise watches are Delue
further build support
and communication net-
Work rOn women s
peace sered by CND, later in one conference,
year
Women elsewhere
must follow this example
and try to organise to give
the camp the sup-
ported needed to hold out
through the winter.
• All women in London
are invited to attend the
next London meeting to
coordinate support for the
camp Friday 25
January at 144 Caledonian
Road, at 7.30pm.
NAC
launches new
campaign
and a well-attended meetg in London recently launched a campaign to reverse the decision.
NAC are producing an action guide and a petition as part of that campaign to change me coull uccision We reproduce the petition below so that activists can start building support than local areas. latest
nave • For more information
contact: NAC wesley House, 70 Great Queen WC2B
ohoto
Women's peace
LAST WEEKEND'S
must be a number one priority for 1985
or July this year.
Delegation spokesper-
son, Annette Taberner,
who had travelied
Blackpool to be there, ex-
plained why
- a central part of
the campaign against the
new generation missiles -
urgently need
dinate their efforts.
Activities in support of
the Greenham camp,
well exchange
local experiences and in-
formation will be the main components of the weekend conference.
And it is hoped to set
up a network of women in-
OTHER
NAC now the
30 REHEARSALS
NORSEGAL AND GENOCIDAL
NUCLEAR WARFARE
The womens peace camp stays
conference planned
national council of CND heard a six-woman delegation explain why a conference of all women active in the peace movement
and agreed to help peace women organise one for June
Evolved in peace activities up and down the country.
By Carol Turner Despite a few lame protests over the 'technicalities' from some men who still aren't sure that women organising autonomously is a good thing, the counch voled willoul ul position, to support th demand held over from CND's annual conference last December.
Details are still to be worked out but an interim steering committee ASTHER
FOR
women from the delega-
tion, representing among
others the Women's Peace Alliance, Losette with women members of CND counci has been set up to start the work of organising what will be a huge event All women's organisatons witn an involvemen! in this issue are invited to send representatives to the steering committee, which will be meeting on Saturday 19 January, 2pm and Saturday 2 February, bpm at County Hall, don; and on Sundar March — no venue yet fix• For more details conTOCE CND'S Judith. Hanna 01-263
0977; or Annette Taberner, on Blackpool 895353.
RED
ABORTION
ON
DEMAN
Socialist Action 18 January 1985 present premises.
would have to spend on repairs.
We are adding to our typesetting equipment by purchasing a new machine — considered to be one of
most reliable on the market. It ha the added advantage for the future that for an extra £3500 we could run another keyboard on the same typesetter, thus improving our output facilities. And beside this we are buying a guillotine and new camera. With the better conditions a new building will provide, and the new equipment, Call increase productivity
standards. This can only be of benetit to
Socialist Action and all the other political campaigns we serve.
bul Genes improvements cost money:
We will have to pay for the move - shifting our
NAC petition Services that: as set out in the DHSS Circular on the organisation and development of family planning service.
pray, etc.
11
Manchester Rally against the
Prevention of Terrorism Act
jointly sponsored by:
Labour Committee on Ireland
Manchester City Labour Party Irish in Britain Representation Group
7.30pm, Monday 21 January
Manchester Town Hall Basement Theatre speakers will be:
Christine Crawley MEP Deirdre O'Shea (Dr O'Shea's daughter) Miriam James (London Secretary LCI) Father Raymond Murray from Armagh
(co-author of The Birmingham Six)
We're on the move!
SOCIALIST ACTION is moving very soon. We are making the move to improve our efficiency and to avoid the heavy rent increases which are due on our
It will save large amounts of money that, under the terms of our present lease, we
Printing equipment mean hiring a crane, for exam ple. In collaboration with a sympathetic architect we plan to build work rooms and offices, and means erecting partition. ing and paying labour.
The new equipment means our printshop needs a big cash injection. Anc finally, there will be plum and painting to do. WOrK. painting to do This is why we are appealing to you to make s donation to £50,001 fund drive so that we can these im provements and pet Socialist Action sound financial footing
• Please payable to IRG Develop ment Fund, and send them To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Parliament assembled. The Humble Petition of UK Residents Sheweth That to prevent unwanted pregnancies amongst young women under sixteen years of age the DHSS Circular of December 1980 should be fully implemented, wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House do urge the Secretary of State for Social
If the House of Lords upon Appeal in the case of Gillick v West Norfolk & Wisbech AHA and Another do uphold the decision of the Court of Appeal this would leave many young womer.? danger of unwanted pregnancies and preser
abortion and cortraceptive advice and treatmer.
And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever
Page 12 scan of this page
AcTioN Nicaragua
NE OF the few useful things Neil Kinnock has one since he became leader of the Labour Party has en his trip to Nicaragua for the inauguration of SLN president Daniel Ortega.
On returning to London Kinnock made it clear dat his concern was not at all for a socialist future
Nicaragua. He warned,
t the Nicaraguans are not obliged by the force of
erty and war to moye towards the Eastern bloc.'
Nevertheless. Kinnock
also forced unamguously to rebutt Lone american government's
on Nicaragua. de stated at Heathrow air-
rt on his return to Bri-
"mn terms ot respeci
• human rights, freedom
expression, abscence of
repressive measures (Nicaragua) deserves the
of democracy.' Kin-
condemned Arturo enter of the most pro-American parcynical and oppor-
The press campaign to
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cistered as a new paper with the Post Office ablished by Cardinal Enterprises, PO Box 50, London N1 rinced By Laneridge Ltd. (TU), London E4.
SociAlist
'everyone should see
discredit the visit has therefore already started.
The Sunday Times ran a piece this week condemning Kinnock for failing to 'hear all points of view'.
The Times on Monday homed in on its front page with an article headlined 'Kinnock warms to Castro'. Doubtless Thatcher will denounce people tor "naive liusions in the Nicaraguan government.
All this makes it still more urgent that the labour movement uses Neil Kinnock's visit to get out the real facts on
SUBSCRIBE
I enclose cheque/PO payable to Socialist Action for f Sendio: Socialist Action Subs, 328 l'pper St. London N/ 2XP.
Nicaragua. Stuart Holland
MP, particular, hạs
done a vely tine 1ob
pushing awareness of the
at stake in Central
ssue
America through the
Party His
_LaDUuI
pressure undoubtedly
nelpea bring about Neil
Kinnock's VISTL BIHIL
urgent need within for
organisation the
Labour Party to take up
of Nicaragua Issue
and Central America.
Precisely because of
the widespread interna-
tional support for the
Nicaraguan elections, the
United States
stepping up its armed at-
tacks on the country.
creasing reports of
massacres carried
the American backed
forces north of
Nicaragua are now coming
•L or lre coslury.
Although the United
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States government has of ficially stopped giving aid to the 'contras' the real state of affairs was clearly brought out in a major investigation in Monday's International Herald
the interna. tional eD Peork produced h
New Times anc the Washington Post
The Herald Tribune found: 'Honduras and EI Salvador have replaced the United States Key
of aid SUliCa
New Caledonia:
TWO LEADERS of the Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) were shot dead by policy in New Caledonia last Saturday after a weekend of rioting between European settlers and the FENKS freedom fighters.
The Kanaks are demanding independence from France. press have attempted to portray unelr strugge as that of a band of savages on the • warpath to divert attention away from the cause of the revolt.
truth that French Caledonia has auncreo connula allacks
the Kanaks, stealing wel aid practising rampant racism and assass-
independence 10212 leader Pierre Declerq in September 1981.
Following the recent elections in November, which 80 per cent oI Ine Kanak ted, MaIaVe rural population rose up and oc cupied the "Caldoche and white settler lands their roads, calling for the release of their leaders ar-
Kinnock in
Nicaraguan rebels Israel na acreasct its aid to the rebels, providing more weapons and advice
"Although the three countries began assisting the rebels several years ago, the leve! of their support and its importance to the insurgents increased as assistance from the United States diminished "El Salvador and Hon-
duras impoverished nations heavily dependent
Independence leaders murdered
rested during the election ing foe edecion nonl and
the election null and
voidhe Kanaks set up
provisiona. government to
ay the basis for ta future state of Kanaky' tree trom French colonial domina-
By Valerie Coultas
Their demands are strongly onnosed by the white settler population when wisnes lo keep colltrol of what it has stolen -tne raw malerlals sucl di nickel, well as the island's tavourable position the Pacific for trade.
Following the two recent killings the Mitter-
govermmchl nounced a new state of emergency, sending 1000
on US aid . Administration officials said this
: 1ndirect method OI aiding tern set in 1982 add 19at the rebels followed a when Honduras supplied the insurgents with more than 6,000 Belgian automatic rifles the rebel the mires, whice "The Hondurans
former Honduran military officer said were "like new' after the Honduran Army got new automatic rifles from the more gendarmes and paramilitary police New Caledonia 'reinforce law and order' French forces now total 3,250.
The murder of the two
El MachKanak leaders oro and Marcelo Monaro took place early Saturday near La Foa, 80 kilometres from the capital, after the FLNKS had occupied an abandoned farmhouse. Police
Police stationed behind armoured cars used bull horns to demand that they surrender
Thirty minutes another call to surrender was issued by the police and at that point Machoro and Manora, leading other militants, emerged from the farmhouse.
Sharpshooters shot Machoro ana Manora in
hold blachore entered
Machoro entered through his breast near the shoulder.
United States.'
In short the United States pump arms to the counterrevolutionarı butchers in Nicaragua despite every statement it makes to the colulal y Socialists in the Labour Party must use the publicity generated Kinnock's visit to redouble their efforts to build sup. port for the revolution ir Nicaragua and get out the truth on Thatcher's complicity with Reagan.
El Machoro, 38, , was a leader or ine kanaks. Me had been named security minister in the Kanak provisional government.
The High Commissior in New Caledonia claimed that the two enden welt accidently killed when orders had been given only to wound.
Provisional
Jean Marie Tiibaou. president of the Kanak provisional poverne! disagreed, arguing that the murder was a barbarous act' that 'created a new situation in the struggle of the Kanak people for independence
He made it clear that he would give no support to the French government's Pisani proposals which envisage soiution for the neo colonial colonv. with hrance giving up sovereignty but retaining responsibility for internal and external security.
← Socialist Action No. 84, 11 January 1985Socialist Action No. 86, 25 January 1985 →