No. 109 The workers movement stands at a crucial turning point. The incomes policy measures put forward by Wilson and Healey go beyond even their previous attacks in the July 1966 unemployment measures and the 1969 In Place of Strife. Wilson, in the greatest betrayal by a Labour leader since Ramsay MacDonald, openly threatens to use Tory votes to pass anti-working class laws through Parliament.
There is no doubt that the situation for the working class is the gravest since 1931. Not only the capitalist class but the majority of the trade union and Labour leadership have joined in the anti-working class assault. So-called "lefts' such as Jack Jones and Foot actively participate in the betrayal. Benn gives a left cover to Wilson by remaining in a Government which aims to slash working class living standards.
by the Editors Despite the seriousness of the situation, a fight back is possible. The rank and file of the working class is undefeated. Some trade union leaders have opposed Healey. A few Labour MPs may vote against. The forces exist to wage a real struggle.
The decisive thing now is a campaign of mass action against the Government's measures. Wilson with the Tories may have a majority in Parliament, but so did he when he tried to introduce In Place of Strife; and so did Heath when he passed the Industrial Relations Act, attempted to jail the Pentonville Five, and took on the miners. It will be the struggle outside Parliament which will decide matters.
Vital for this effective mass action is a clear position of opposition to the measures and in particular total rejection of any form of incomes policy. On this basis resolutions of opposition to the measures and demands for recall Labour Party and TUC Conferences must go forward. Lobbies of the TUC and Labour Party Conferences must be held, local and national demonstrations and actions must be called, total support must be given to workers challenging the norms, and all Labour Councils should defy the dws.
RANK & FILE
The trade union leaders opposed to the measures could play an important role here by calling for organisation and action of the rank and file. Similarly, national organisations inside the trade unions - such as the LCDTU, the IWC, and the Rank and File Movement - could play a powerful role if they co-ordinated their organisation and action. But so far the trade union leaders refuse to organise the rank and file, and the national political organisations in the unions display an important role here by calling for organisation and therefore be the establishment of local conferences and action committees against the measures. If these are established in even one or two areas they can spread to the rest of the country. Every single means of united action against PRICE 10p INSIDE -Jean-Pierre Beauvais reports from Chile (p.9)