Socialist Action No. 175, 20 November 1987
The scan: 175-nov-20-1987-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
SCARGILL
No. 175 IN JANUARY the most important union election for years will take place in Britain. It is election being fought because, as Arthur Scargill has said, for the first time in history a law is being introduced specifically to remove one single trade union leader - himself.
The Tories shave no interest whatever in trade union democracy. The centrepiece of their current round of anti-union legislation — the 'right" of union members to ignore a majority ballot and break a strike even when there is a clear majority in favour of it
is so anti-democratic that it has been condemned even by the CBI. The Tories insist on endless ballots in the unions while giving workers in a
ACTiON
BUILDING AN ALLIANCE FOR SOCIALISM
VOTE
FOR
company no right whatever to vote on many any important matter which affects them.
The Tories are insisting on postal ballots in union elections, rather than workplace ballots which usually have a higher turn out, because they are SUOU interested number of union elections but solely in trying to secure the outcome the Tories want.
The reason why the Tories have introduced their current proposal that all non-voting members of union executives must be subject to reelection every five years was simply to force Arthur Scargill to offer himself up to the membership in defeating him. It had nothing to do with protecting the rights of NUM members which trampled underfoot by the government's programme of pit closures. It is
20 Nov 1987 simply about
employers demands
maximum people participating in aim is privatisation.
pits.
the hope
introduction of
are ruthlessly and cut jobs,
dustry
securing leadership more compliant to the NUM -
The election of the president of the National Union of Mineworkers is a vital one for miners. There is an escalating attack on them. It starts with six day working and its eventual
As David Hopper, of the Durham North Yorkshire. area, rightly said, if Arthur Scargill is defeated in the presidential election a giant step forward will have been taken towards the privatisation of the
An advance by the right wing in. ide the NUM will be seen by the government as a go-ahead to push on with its plans for privatisation. The
six-day working would hit the conditions of miners,
throughout the in-
This is why it is so disgraceful that
Inside: Ken
Livingstone on British
politics after the
stockmarket crash
the soft left'-led areas inside the
in reality the Communist Party and Kinnockite-led areas of
South Wales and Scotland - are in
practice lined up with the right wing.
They are scurrying around trying to find a candidate to oppose Scargill.
They are even prepared to support
open right winger John Walsh from
Kinnock himself is openly calling for a candidate to replace Scargill.
And he is thereby attacking the miners and helping the government
with current and future attacks.
But the NUM election has a
mificance stretching far beyond the
mineworkers union. Arthur Scargill is not just 'another' left wing trade
union leader. The miners strike of
1984-85 was the longest mass strike in
the history of any advanced capitalist
country. And it was led by a leadership
40p that fought to win, using class struggle means to try and do so
The NUM under Arthur Scargill's leadership has been the greatest champion of black people's anc women's rights inside the labour movement. Arthur Scargill's defeat would be a setback for every working person in Britain
The tactics of the election, of course, must be decided by those inside the NUM who support Arthur Scargill. But one thing , is clear Whatever any other member of the labour movement is asked to do to aid in Scargill's campaign, it is their tog priority to do it. This is no routine tion. It is a decisive issue in the labo movement. It will have ami
Page 2 scan of this page
LCC becomes Clause 4 front
Briefing's turn on Livingstone
2 Socialist Action 20 Nov 1987
SOCiALiS
ACTION
Why Britain must
leave Ireland
THE bombing at Enniskillen has once more focussed politics clearly on Ireland and demands clear answers. Eniskillen is simply the most recent in the chain of tragedies in Ireland which have lasted not just since 1968 but for the 800 years of the British presence there.
The government has exploited the deaths at Enniskillen to prop up the Anglo-Irish agreement -which was looking decidedly shaky on its second anniversary with no progress for nationalists in the north. Following Enniskillen Dublin agreed to the British government's key demands - notably on extradition and cross-border security.
Ken Livingstone has been vilified by the media, fed by Neil Kinnock's office, because he had the courage to tell the truth - that the only way to secure peace in Ireland is by ending the British presence there.
There has been a struggle to end the British presence in Ireland since they arrived there. For the Irish people that presence has been an historical catastrophe. Over the centuries it has resulted in famine, endless wars and a colossal rate of emigration due to economic underdevelopment.
Each century the Irish have fought to end the British presence and create the basis for peace and prosperity in Ireland.
As Livingstone said in his speech on Tuesday: "All those who have seriously studied the history of Ireland arrive at only one conclusion, that no purpose is served by the British presence there...The understanding of the necessity to withdraw from Ireland was clearly formed by British governments in the nineteenth century - and tragically blocked from being acted upon at that time those who remained tied to sectarian forces in the north of Ireland. Britain had the opportunity to withdraw from Ireland totally in 1920 - but in an act of dreadful folly decided to remain in six counties in the north!
The partition of Ireland was imposed by Britain by military force. It overturned the result of the 1918 all-Ireland general election when 75 per cent of the Irish people voted for a united, independent Ireland.
The border was arranged to create the largest area with a safe inbuilt unionist majority. It did not include the whole of Ulster, for example, because there would not have been a secure unionist majority.
Britain created in the north of Ireland a statelet whose boundaries were chosen to create and maintain an artificial unionist majority. This was then carried through with sectarian against catholics in every sphere of life in the six counties: politics, employment, education and the administration of justice. This was kept in place by a massive sectarian military machine and draconian restrictions on civil liberties.
The nationalist minority were, and are, defined as disloyal to the state because they share with the majority of Irish people the aspiration of a united independent Ireland.
It is because sectarianism is built into the foundation of this artificial state, indeed they are its sole reason for existence, that efforts to reform it have met such ferocious resistance from the unionists and come to nothing. eliminated in the north of Ireland by eliminating its basis — which is a statelet based on a sectarian headcount.
The Labour Party's official policy cannot resolve
the situation because it gives the artificially created unionist majority within the six counties a veto over
Irish unity - which means that Irish unity will never
come about.
The only way the logjam can be broken is by Bri-
tain adopting a policy of withdrawal from Ireland.
That would remove the principal prop of loyalist in-
transigence - the British presence.
necessary conclusions from the history of the last
century that Britain has no role to play in Ireland.
We must conclude that in the interests of peace Bri-
tain must withdraw from Ireland!
finally draws this conclusion, and finally withdraws,
there will be no peace in Ireland and the tremendous.
historical tragedy will continue.
We apologise for the exceptionally late
appearance of this issue of Socialist Action.
This was due to a burglary at our offices.
discrimination Sectarianism can only be As Ken Livingstone said: 'We must draw the
Until British labour, and the British people,
THE ANNUAL general meeting of the Labour Coordinating Committee (LCC) on 14 February saw the essential transformation of that organisation into a front for the Clause 4 grouping. ex-student group, associated with figures such as Nigel Stanley, whose politics is summarised by their famous 'Operation Icepick' against Militant in the National Organisation of Labour Students. Clause 4 thought it a big joke to utilise an association with Stalin's assassin. tione typiconsid clevel al present is plau ing stories in the Guardian
Iigures left and making grossly ex-
one rasts of figures on the
Jane
complete alliance with the right and operates as a sort of right wing entry group
Impact
This Clause 4 policy had, however, suffered SEVCIC blows this yval First an LCC consultative conference had voted in favour of drawal from Ireland in the
Then, with greater public impact, four members the LCC executive George Galloway, Peter Hain, Ken Livingstone and Joan Ruddock — had signed a joint statement
FOR EIGHTEEN months Labour Briefingen Car-
ried on a vitriolic campaign ingstone. wanted to speak at a conference against expulsions in London, to oppose the expulsion of Militant supporters from the party, Briefing organised to prevent him from being invited. During the period in which discussions for the left's NEC slate were taking place Briefing opposed Livingstone.
Anyone might there-
fore be surprised to turn to
the latest, 10 November,
issue of Briefing to read an
adulatory two Ree inter-
with
ingstone. Its headline Ken
seizes the moment' and its
introduction gives its
general tone. This reads:
After years
relative isolation, Ken Liv-
Ingstone las
form. Through his in-
terventions at Labour Par.
Yesterfield conference he conference and at the
has shown that he is firmly
realigning himself with the
left and establishing
credentials as our most ar-
ticulate spokesperson.
With capitalism world-
into crisis,
he has chosen his moment
well. Briefing is pleased to
be able publish the
following interview with
nim.
Given that Livingstone
has decisively set the tone
matters since the general
the crash and
after Briefing came
Clause 4 is an Ann Pettifor, and Wadsworth from Labour Left Liaison warning about right wing pressure for a coalition Will Liberals and calling for unitea action on the left.
As both the policy divion Ireland, and the position in favour of left
Cul totally across Clause 4's right wing project it set about, in its usual way, organising to defeat these policies
Answer
Clause 4 therefore had three goals at this year's LCC ĂGM - to remove left wingers from the LCC executive, prevent the LCC engaging in joint activity with other torces on the left, and to reverse the policy on Ireland.
Behind all these is a
project, which Clause operate in practice, but are
to openly forming
Such a Clause 4 operation was possible because despite claims to the con
• Ine number or acuive
tremely small in number and they have little direct base inside the party. Thus
against For example, in 1986 when Livingstone
Ireland -
make such a turn. But un
fortunately Briefing does
not point out that if its
course had been followed
Livingstone would NOU
have been on the NEC to
impact he has
made with his speeches
good if
from
for the
SULLIC
• Left CLPD,
tion,
on the
NEC.
volved, line
would imposed
conclu-
and
41g.
waged Pet-
tifor Labour
Ex-Tribune editor Nigel Williamson, now editor of Labour Party News, explicitly calls for realignment between the 'soft left' and right wing in the party.
although the LCC claims a
of 1500. in membersill fact only 247 people voted in the annual : elections for this year's LCC executive
- an indication of the real active membership. Analysis voting for the NEC and resolutions to conference shows few CLPs supporting the LCC. Problem
The executive elections simply returned a Clause 4 slate. The main lett wingel
the LCC, Ken Livingstone, was knocked off the executive as was Mike Ward Peter Hain fell from third to seventeenth
the poll out of 20 Women's Action Committee - including trying to prevent being nominated for election to the NEC after Briefing had itself accepted a joint slate. At the same meeting agallist the witch hunt which Livingstone was prevented from speaking to, Briefing opposed the establishment 0f f the Campaign for ment of Amir Khan and Kevin Scally defence campaign probably the
effective defence campaign in the Labour Party for •years and which
of Khan and Scally against
opposition of Roy Hattersley. , In short, what is involved is not individual mistakes but a whole Wallell! of errors which would have
disastrous conse-
quences.
Aims
Actually the reason for
them is partly contained in
introduction the
Briefing interview when it
ring his g
says 'establishing creden-
tials as our most articulate
spokesperson . No he isn't
- at least if by 'our' you
mean a Marxist left which
is what Briefing claims to
represent. He didn't repredoesn't now and worth, 'our' tne
future. absurd
overestimation in the past,
members. As Hain was for many years probably the DCSI known figure in the LCC this shows how completely the LCC is now a Clause 4 front.
Attitude
As was to be expected given Clause 4's line, the LCC also passea a resolu-
rejecting working with others on the left notably Labour Left Liaison.
On the policy front most significantly • its future direction the LCC AGM then on to overturn, votes to 50, its consultative conference position for British withdrawal from Ireland and then the absurd sectarianism, and then absurd sycophancy is because serious estimate is made of what Ken Livingstone is.
Strengths
He is a (very) left social democrat who on one issue, Ireland, has shown a political courage of which any Marxist would feel proud. Livingstone is not a class struggle leader in the sense of Arthur Scargill o
Dennis Skinner. has always explained absolutefor. He stands for the uni- openly what he stands tle left and the sle of both the class strugagainst Thatcher and the right wing. , That's what he
the past and COOOOCHI that's what he stands for today.
And your attitude to that depends on what you think the situation in Britain is. If we Wee ca
socialist revolution
anywhere Steal the false
slogan of 'Labour take the
power' which adorns the
front cover of Briefing
then Ken Livingstone
would be just about the
most dangerous person in
the country.
But if you take the real
situation that we are
many . years both
chronologically and
politically from socialism
in Britain — then Ken Liv-
ingstone appears in a quite
News
the lifetime of one parliament. The AGM instead carried Clause 4.Workers Parti resolution accepting
British withdrawal.
Facts
The outcome of the AGM was clear. The LCC has been transformed, fol all practical purposes, into a front for * ne Clause 4 grouping which has a con
• proiect of a bloc with the right. The LCC has lost whatever character grouping of the left it had
The LCC, taken as a whole, is no longer in ans real sense a part of the left different light. He is so meone who wants to brin about genuine changes reforms to give them thei
name Livingston would take Britain out o Ireland. He would gran the demands of wome and black people in th Labour Party. He woul pursue a completely dif ferent policy towards th ANC, Central America and in Britain's relation with both the USA and th USSR. And if we are no anywhere near which we are not, then al
are deepl progressive.
Left That is why the left ca and should work with per ple like Ken Livingstone-
the Campaign Group
or Ann Pettifor, or other
Not on the basis of tric
surd illusions and disill
sion, but as a ke part
laying the basis for a re
fight for socialism in Bi
tain. of mani
depression shown
Briefing in its attitude
Livingstone reveals on
their own illusions abo
the situation
To stop doing furth
damage hopefully Briefi
will think over the lesso
of this debacle both f
their attitude to Li
Ingstons and to oth
figures in the labour mov
• 11 Citi
Page 3 scan of this page
Defeat Alton's Bill
Politics Today
FAB
THE NATIONAL conference of Labour
November, firmly opposed David Alton's Bill to reduce the time limits on legal abortion.
of Labour women to supporting the FAB campaign and ensuring the Bill's defeat. During the emergency debate on Sunday morning every one of the 14 speakers from the floor added their opposition to that of Jo Richardson MP from the platform. emergency composite resolution and the statement reproduced below were agreed upon, which included calling on Labour MPs to respect party policy and vote against the Bill. An official collection for FAB was taken at the end of conference.
THE Labour Party long been record in suport of the 1967 Abortion Act and successive annual conferences have passed resolutions favour of the right of every woman to choose, and for proper provision facilities under the NHS throughout the country.
These commitments featured in general election manifesto and
reaffirmed by an NEC statement to the 1987 annual conference.
we know that much has been achieved over the
last 20 years since the 1967 Act: the tragedies and exploitation backstreet
abortions have become a thing of the past. Abortion is now a safe operation. Error David Alton is a self-
confessed anti-abortionist.
The intention of his Bill to
18
weeks is to start destroying the 1967 Act.
Its practical effect will
be a limit of 14 weeks for
1LUSL
margin of error of prosecution. This
Vasc
will have a dramatic effect
upon women's rights and
on the novsica and menta
health of women who will
be excluded.
The Bill will mean that
women will have no choice
Local round-up
THE last issue of Socialist
Action carried reports
from FAB groups spring-
ing up across the country.
Now there are even more,
some of which
reported below. If you
want to advertise a group.
in your агея, write to us
c/o PO Box 50, London
N1 2XP.
South Wales
FAB. groups have now
DECI South Wales -UU cities several and
The Cardiff group has
been meeting since the end
of October. It is supported
by the labour movement,
the women's
Labour women's
conference supports
Delegates committed the national organisation
continue pregnancy, if they learn
around 20 weeks, that they are carrying a toetus with Downs Syndrom or Spina Bifida.
Majority
The biggest majority of women arter 1/ weeks are aged 19 or under. Many teenagers who hide their pregnancies through misplaced feelings of shame of guilt will be forced to give birth to the baby. Like the case cited in the Select Report of the raped teenager, hid her pregnancy resulting from that crime.
older women lose their
who mistook the OT pregnancy for
to care for
College Obstetricians
supporters wanted fewer would be tackling the
obstruction and un-
They and students. The group has establistica petitioning in different narts of town on satur-
days.
Local FAB groups are also established Newport and Swansea.
ror more information about FAB in South Wales write to FAB, PO Box 428,
Cardiff.
on Tuesday 10 November
meeting on Monday even.
ings in Ealing Civic Cen-
more effective contracep-
DeLICI reterra. system, more research into
methods CaLLY so collis and equal access
NHS day-care al cas abortion facilities.
Restrictions
Arbitrary restrictions on the 1967 Act will never remove the need for abortion. Two thirds of the 29 abortions performed after 24. weeks in this country last year were on grounds of severe foetal abnormality.
Alton will ensure that wol Wi call al ford it will get what they want. The back streets, the tragedy of unwanted children and the hardship of caring for the severely handicapped in Thatcher's uncaring society awaits the rest.
The Labour women's organisations at all levels should be at the forefront of the campaign to defeat Alton's Bill. We call on women's officers and women's organisations to immediate V mobilise members in opposition to Alton's Bill.
Use every opportunity
lobby your MPs at their surgery, at the House
pell coni
contact sympathetic
workers;
local
pressi
local radio;
day,
January lobby, rally
Hall,
Ealing FAB plans
street petitioning and
leafletting Ealing
Broadway on Saturday
and is organis
ing a public meeting.
Monday 14 December.
This will take place
7.30pm, Queen's Hall,
Ealing Town Hall.
Contact the campaign Norwood
Southall, or phone Jan on
01-574 4016.
meets every Tuesday even-
ing a 7.30pm in Lambeth
dISU
BACKSTREC
ABORTIONS
January
London.
The women's
discussed campaign against last week
propose the next of the
that the TUC supports
against
January.
TUC is
against
decision TUC general possible to argue ther for similar in
movement the cam-
Meanwhile, Vauxhall Labour Party Women's Section is hosting a Fight Alton's Bill' meeting on Friday 27 November. The meeting is sponsored by Lambeth Against Alton,
well as the Lambeth Trades Counci and Vaux hall and Norwood Labour Parties.
For more information about Lambeth Against Alton phone Joan on 582 2955 (ansaphone) or Carol on 254 0261 (daytime), or Juliette on 671 7285.
BIRMINGHAM FAB iS
Build the national action on 21 January
THE FIGHT Alton's Bill campaign is in the midst of preparing its first national action. On Thursday 21
1988, the day before Liberal MP David Alton's Private Mémbers Bill receives its second reading in the House of Commons, FAB is organising a mass lobby of MPs and a rally in Central Hall, Westminster, in the afternoon. This will be followed by an all-women torchlight demonstration in central
paign is now the central Task tor ainose conceru ed with fighting the Alton Bill between now and the second reading in January.
the national campaign already contacting a wide range of speakers, them to attend the rally. Jo
women trade unionists, a well as other Labour MPs MPs will be invited to ad dress the audience at CenDoctors, Christians entertainers are also being
Centre (back of Marks and Spencer), and speakers include Clare Short, MP, NAC and NALGO Black •Workers GrOuD.
Birmingham FAB also organising a picket of Tory MP Jill Knight will take place from 4.31 to 6.30pm, also on Friday 27 November, at Tory Crescent, Edgbaston Five 16 Greenfield Crescent, Ways. Knight is a leading Bionsor of David Alton's For more information about Birmingham FAB, phone Bridget on 021-440 0173 (evening, venin on evening or Bernie on 021-236 832 (daytime); write c/o Geraldine
Socialist Action 20 Nov 1987
A wide selection groups and campaigns wil be offered a literature stal! or display space in Central Hall. And. of course lOca FAB groups as trade unions, Labour Parties and others should bring their • banners for display.
The first set of stickers for the campaign has just been produced (details below). More leaflets and posters will soon be rolling
including publicity details
• action. 'or lie a Jallual.
Meanwhile FAB is pro. ducing its second bulletin for local groups response to the rapidly growing deland or mot mation of all kinds. Each week, local groups are still blossoming. Petition
Those listed below are just a few of the many that have already taken to the streets across the country The national FAB petition is now available and has already become key method of raising discus-
OTHER FAB groups can be contacted as follows:
Greenwich: phone Rona on 01-856 0296 ext 261. 01228394 Phone Liz on Islington:
Manchester: phone Cath
on 061-223 4470 or write t Manchester FAB, c/o PO •Box 16 (South PDO), Manchester M14 SDD
Nottingham: phone Mary
on 0602 62324
Scotland: groups exist in Edinburgh, , Glasgow Ayr
and Dundee; phone Scottish Abortion Campaign
coordinator Liz Arm. strong on 041-945 3943 (evenings), or write c/o
SAC, PO Box 105
Glasgow G1.
Sheffield: co Women s Shef-
Council ritter co the 10n2
ticularly to begin
second reading this
1 Saturday 16 January regional public across the
campaign Plans build action are
calling
group ye
information
Weste 4 Wild Cour WC2B
Abortion
NO TO ALTON
YES TO CHOICE
These and other sticker.
are now available from
the Fight Alton's Bill campaign. Black and purple on white, they cas
20p for a sheer of 12
(including postage).
your orders io FAl Wesler Hace
Page 4 scan of this page
Camden's racist housing policy
4 Socialist Action 20 Now 1987
NUS conference discusses Palestine
AT LAST, after 11 years, the situation in the student movement where the struggle for freedom and national liberation of the Palestinian people has been completely ignored at a national level looks set to be turned around. With the creation of a new national student organisation formed to raise awareness and solidarity with the Palestinians, the atmosphere looks set to change. Students for Palestine has just completed a tour of 40 colleges and universities around the country giving platforms to two students from Bir Zeit University on the occupied West Bank.
By Polly Vittorini
At NUS conference in December Palestiniar rights will be discussed for the first time in 11 years. The main motion for discussion tabled by the NUS executive aims to highlight the military harassment of the five Palestinian universities on the West Bank and Gaza strip by the Israeli authorities and the discrimination and lack of civil rights for Palestinians under Israeli military law. It calls for solidarity initiatives with Palestinians by students in COLEL•
Campaign
But the motion is confounded by a clause which calls for the recognition of the right to exist of all nations in the area 'including Israel and Palestine' within internationally borders. The problem with this of course is the implication that there actually is a sovereign Palestinian state. Neither does the motion address squarely the racism of the Israeli state as exemplified by the Law of Return which allows any Jewish person to gain citizenship of Israel while denying it to Palestinians, even those born in the area.
Students for Palestine is campaigning for all of these issues to be highlighted. Unlike previous years,
when the practices of the Israeli state have not been
discussed or only raised in the context of outrage at the banning of a student Jewish society for supporting zionism, this year's debate is on favourable ground for the Palestinian cause. Much support has
been generated during the course of Students for
Palestine speaking tour. Since the last NUS discussion on Palestine massacres have occurred at Sabra
and Shatila in the Lebanon and refugee camps at
Bourj al Barajmeh and Beirut have been placed
under size.
Solidarity
compared to the student union's position of support
for British withdrawal from Ireland, for the over-
throw of apartheid in South Africa, and for the
defence of the revolution in
United States aggression. With the formation of
Students for Palestine, a network of Palestine
solidarity groups has been brought
student organisations to raise the issue and build
concrete solidarity with the Palestinians.
WINNING THE
MAJORITY
Labour's policies for women A conference organised by the Labour Women's Action Committee Saturday 21 November Speakers include:
Diane Abbott MP, Diana Jeuda NEC/USDAW, Rose Lambie. TUC/COHSE, Ann Pettifor, Jo Richardson MP, Audrey Wise MP
The Labour Women's Action Committee
conference this Saturday includes sessions on the
Alton Bill, on changing party policies, on union
organisation, and on local government.
Conference will commence with a plenary
discussion on 'Winning the Majority'.
Registration facilities at the door. More
information from Anne on 01-241 5626.
this
recognised and secure This NUS silence is incredible, particularly when
Nicaragua against
together with Registration: Chand f.50
THE LABOUR-CONTROLLED London borough of Camden has found a way to reduce the number of homeless families on the authority's books that would gladden the heart of a National Front member. Since the beginning of October Camden has been offering a free travel warrant to Ireland to any Irish family which is homeles within its boundaries. And the council is reported to be considering offering the same 'facility' to Bangladeshi families.
According to Guardian reports of Friday 13 and Saturday 14 November: "At least nine families. have already been treated in this way. These articles point out that Camden officers advised councillors as early as last April that such policy 'racially discriminatory'. The Guardian quotes council officers
DaCK-000I migration control.
By Carol Turner
Like many other innerLondon boroughs, Camden faces severe problems as a result of the Tory government's concerted attack on local authorities and their finances for the past eight years.
Crisis
It has the secondhighest number of homeless but a relatively small stock of housing from which to accomodate The
blame for the housing crisis cancer and other boroughs face should be niaced squarely where
belongs: on the shoulders
Thatcher's government.
However, nothing - including this government's VICIOUS policies can justify a housing 'solution' that amounts to repatria-
THE RECALLED and women's conference originally scheduled for last May finally took • place November, in Blackpool. Despite the decision of the party hierarchy that the agenda should not consist of the usual resolutions and reports, and instead be composed of 'workshops' on worthy topics decided in Walworth Road, the first act of conference was to
overturn the imposed workshops to the first morning.
However the limited number of resolutions that
conference was allowed to
discuss meant debate was
dramatically curtailed
compared to previous
years.
By Jude Woodward
One discussion that
was fully taken was that on
campaign against
David AllOn s anti-
abortion Bill. A full hour
revealed
unanimity in the hall in op-
posing all attempts to limit
legal abortion, and
porting the activities of the
FAB campaign.
The Labour Women's
Action Committee fringe
meeting on Saturday even-
the Was
rafters by 200 women. The
discussion at the meeting
again centred on the cam-
paign against Alton, with
To Richardson explaining
the stakes for women in
the fight against it.
Many women express-
ed interest
must be reversed
tion. The 'soft left' Labour leadership OT cancer council deserves every the Guardain publicity has attracted. his Dollcy 1s a disgrace to the entire labour
According to Camden's policy.
dian November wrote:
people
and
local from
suitable? emphasis)
councorrectly demanding Smyth's resignation
consider emergency
etfect,
was reversed.
The however
repatriation,
Labour women in conference
reorganised Labour
last weekend, 14-15
agenda and limit
LWAC, and will be atten-
ding the Winning the Ma
jority conference this com-
ing weekend.
However, despite the
good atmosphere at this
fringe meeting and in the
debate on Alton, overall
the conference indicated
real problems confronting
the Labour women's
organisation.
Platform
In the elections to the
conference arrangements
committee (CAC) the right
managed regain
trol, mainly due to confu-
sion on the part delegates as a LWAC slate lilally
was not circulated. LWAC
members had understood
that there would not be a
contest for the CAU places
as some women had decid
ed not to stand due to the
reorganisation of con-
ference. 111 fact all
nominations were treated
as valid and while the right
wing and Militant knew
who they were voting for,
The so-called soft left and right wing joined forces to vote the continuation of this policy through
Camden's Labour group's repatriation policy particularly its recent deci sion to reaffirm that policy is a disgrace to the party
most ordinary delegates
Alongside this the review of the women's organisation was not discussed. Nor
emergency there all. resolutions presented
issue of women on parliamentary candidate shortlists.
Again a campai being
misinformation conducted Women were encouraged to believe that the review could discussed at the next regular conference in Mas 1988, while mom real. statements worth Road have implied that the extra time for the review will only extend until January 1988.
Finally rumours suggest inat there mav be ai attempt to alter the agenda of the next regular conference again to have workshop format — a blatant attempt pretel women at the conference from expressing points of view widely divergent from those of the party leadership.
However in the immediate weeks to follow, the most important battle for Labour will take place at the NEC when it decides whether Jo
Richardson or Ann Davies
will be chair of the NEC
women's committee.
locally and nationally. It must be reversed forthwith and housing chair Gareth Smyth sacked at once
The national Labour Party leadership must immediately repudiate Camden's policy which will
Black Section youth
support Trevor
Monerville
FOLLOWING a successful appeal against remand without bail, Trevor Monerville has now been released from police custody. But the campaign goes on.
On Saturday November a successful picket was held outside Hackney Police Station, supported amongst others by the Labour Party Black Section. We reproduce below their youth committees statement.
THE Labour Party Black Section is appalled at the incident' on Sunda
November vo yue c black youths and Hackney Police, which Trevor
Monerville and his brothe
Peter Thomas received in juries to the head and body.
In January of this year Trevor Monerville needed emergency treatment • TOLOWI his arrest by
police from Stoke
Newington
The Labour Party Black Section is outraged at the
latest in a long line of maimings, vicious assaults
News
be used as a precedent by every Tory, and and tian. Fascists will doubtless
• perhaps pro viding a little 'encourage.
Irish and Bangladeshi families to cave and murders by the state's bully boys. Were ali be shes concerned ic swiftly brought justice and severely punished and also that police force should be placed under the democratic control elected local bodies and the Police Complaints Authority be replaced by dependent organisation The police have declared war on black people. The black must mobilise and resist!
The Labour Party Black Section therefore stands four-square behind the Family and Friends of Trevor Monerville •Campaign Committee and we support their demands for the dropping of all charges against Trevor Monerville Peter Thomas and Paul KOLE We are also calling for
black and white politicians including those in parlia ment to raise this important issue at the highest level.
• For further information
contact: Steve
Youth Organiser, 46 Sum-
merhouse Avenue
Middlesex TWS 9DA
(01-577 5057).
Page 5 scan of this page
British politics and the crash
THE FIGURE on the Labour left who has so far best understood the significance of the stock market crash is KEN LIVINGSTONE. His speech at the Socialist Conference in Chesterfield was the highlight of that gathering. He has produced a major article in the Guardian, clearly based on Chesterfield speech, outlining the political consequences of the crash for Europe.
Livingstone spoke on the stock market crash and its political consequences, with Diane Abbott, at Socialist Action Building an Alliance for Socialism' weekend on 8 November. We reprint here Livingstone's speech together with response by •REDMOND O'NEILL.
WE HAVE to look at what has changed in the space of the last few weeks, which will have a dramatic impact on the struggle for socialism throughout the rest of our lives: that clearly is the impact of the crash of the stock market. It did strike me as quite interesting that many people on the left have been predicting the demise of capitalism, and the great crash that was coming, decade after decade. Yet an awful lot of people seem to have taken a long time to wake up to the fact that we are now living through one of these dramatic economic changes that will recast the nature of national and international politics.
It wasn't just some elements on the
left. Right across the whole of politics
in Britain people have been very slow to take on board the scale of what has
happened and what has changed.
I saw it most dramatically, as I'm
sure Diane Abbot did, with the Tory
MPs clustering around the ticker-tape
machine . in the House of
saying 'I don't understand what's going
on. Why couldn't she have seen all this a
year ago? Why weren't we warned this
was going happen?' And
through these last three weeks there's
THE
the Commons
right been Lawson
immovable object sitting on the front bench - saying it's just a temporary correction, don't panic, and that it was all Reagan's fault.
One has to say there hasn't beén an adequate response irom our bench either. Having spent a large part of the last four years, saying to Thatcher 'why can't you have a huge deficit in your budget like President Reagan's' — and just spend it on nice things like hospitals instead of nasty things like star wars been cut away that could have been used to launch a real attack. Trigger There is no doubt that the actual trigger for this crisis is the budgetary policies 01 the United America. But, it's not the real cause. The underlying causes are endemic to the way capitalism operates. But was the consequences of this enormous deficit that has been built up 4842C1 because Reagan wanted to have an armaments programme on a bigger scale
- a great, complacent,
front
to defend them.
gramme
some of the ground has deficit,
crisis.
Armaments States
BERNE even than the military programme that was necessary to fight the Vietnam war.
Reagan wanted to avoid putting the since the crash. cost of that programme onto American families. The only way you can actually hold back the development of a real party of labour in the United States is the by creating the illusion among workers that they don't need a party of labour
Had Reagan tried to fund the cost of that armaments pro- by the United sang the balance payments taxation,
would have cut the living to the US budget. standard of average US households by $2500. Reagan wouldn't have survived that and the American political system as a whole would have faced a deep
White House
Instead, the mechanism of using interest rates and exchange rates on the money market to suck the money from the rest of the world spread the burden of that armaments programme across the rest of the world. This was the trigger, although not the underlying In lerms of
Socialist Action recession than
period to 1987 cause, of the crash. But we should now look at events as they have emerged
Faced either with a massive cut in public spending and massive tax increases or a devaluation of the dollar,
Republicans have decided devaluation as the major way of solving pened this crisis. This means they are going to try to let the strain of the crisis be taken
States' rivals through competitive dollar devaluation rather than going for any serious adjustments
Ine
Election
Facing an election in a year, determined to maintain US military spending, and determined to hold onto the
that clearly is the only real strategy they can go for. Massive tax increases and cuts in public spen- That ding would most probably make any US party unelectable. As the adjustment in the international value of the dollar may take the best part of a year to work through into the US economy
inflation, it means the
20 Nov 1987 5 Republicans may just about hang onto the White House. But it's an extremely risky strategy and managing of this
might be so incompetently done that it does precipitate a recession on a much greater scale than we are already inevitably locked into.
Those people who are saying that 'the stock market crash was just a fluctuation on the money markets, that it won't effect the real economy, are talking absolute drivel. Given what ha already occurred, we are already locked into a recession that will rank with the worst we've seen since World War II. And fit's of beied, as there seve ly possibility of it being mismanaged could then be much more dramatic
anything we've •known since World War II. And it will be still more important in the shift it brings about between the United States and Europe.
All this will change politics in its
We've just gone through a long it's not recent, it's not something that happened in the general
- of leading figures in the labour movement saying we have to adjust to a new reality. First, in the aftermath of 1983, it was trade union leaders saying we have to adjust to the fact that we face another term of Thatcher. They said trade unions must start working with Thatcher. They went through a great debate to junk TUC policy, which was not to cooperate with Thatcher They turned the whole of the trade union movement through 180 degrees - and then were told that she didn't want to deal with them anyhow, they could just sod off Leadership
Since the 1987 election defeat the attitude has been much more dramatic and more noticeable in terms of the Labour Party leadership.
The view is being put forward thai after thee election defeats the world has changed in some permanent and fixed • way that we have to relate to. It is going to change the way politics operates the rest of our lives.
I think that many leaders of the right in the Labour Party saw the 198l
period as equivalent to the politics of the shift that took place in the five or six years after World War II.
• what they thought was ar
• I ney saw historical parallel, a mirror image of the 1945 Labour government which so
captured the intellectual ground of
British politics that all the other parties, the whole of the establishment, had to
accept the changes that the Labour
government had brought about.
other parties had to accept full employ.
ment and the welfare state if they were
to have any chance of taking power
And for a generation after 1945 thai That was what actually hap-
•was truc
Whatever the weaknesses.
whatever CLUSIN would have
about the 1945 government, it did mark
a major step forward in retormism
and a transformation of society which
lasted for a generation and brought ver
real material benefits to workers. The
whole of British politics, the whole of
had to adjust
demands that had built up between the
two world wars and we were locked into
a new system of politics for a genera-
tion by that government.
I think many people on the right
thought the last two terms of Thatcher
had done the same thing in Britain.
the Thatcher experiment had
transformed people's perceptions
the world and given them new sets of
goals, and new sets of individualis
identities to replace the collective
proach of much of working class
Continued on page 6
Page 6 scan of this page
We are at a point in time when the world system begins to change
Socialist Action culture. They believed that the whole of our politics had to be geared to that.
This was never true. Even in the depression that I'm sure we all went through after 11 June it was never a realistic assessment. Because there was an overwhelming public commitment to the changes made in 1945. There has never been that for the changes that Thatcher, and those around her, have pushed through in British politics over the last eight years.
inere las consistently been majorities in every opinion poll for full eing. yme got the lowest votes of any employment, for belter public Tory government, not the real mass votes that Lne post-war Labour ments got. Although Thatcher's government has presided over many advances for capital, and many defeats for Labour, there was never a sea change brought about in public perceptions.
So the world has changed. And it's going to take a lot of people a lot of time to wake up to it. But it does mean that the key issues of socialism that have been there throughout the last 100 years are put back into the centre of political debate. There is no way that we can lift ourselves out of the recession that we're going to go into - starting from a real position of four million unemployed without tackling the question of the control of capital.
It is of course fortuitous that we're going to have a major review of Labour Party policy at the same time as the consequences of the Wall Street crash begin to work themselves through.
Undoubtedly many of the right see this review as a chance to water down unilateralism or to try and find another way of fudging whattvel economic policies they'll come up with to lose the next election. But it also gives us the chance to push forward,
THE
1900 yesterday: own 22.6%
170
20 Nov 1987 reemphasise and reevaluate, and try to make relevant to today's conditions, all the fundamental underlying principles of socialism based on analysis of class.
The crash will also put right in the centre of political debate the issue of our relationship Europe. there's no doubt whatsoever that the right in Europe — and this will certainly be the case in every European country - will see the way out of this recession as building very rapidly the final stages of the Common Market, in particular achieving by 1992 the common panied by moves towards European military integration and strengthening govern- European militarism — the Euro-bomb concept of Owen.
There is no way we can lift ourselves out of the recession without tackling the control of capital
This is inevitable because one of the things that will be accelerated by this recession is the move of American interests away from Europe and towards the Pacific basin. There will be major pressures on European nations to in-
0F87
crease their defence spending, and the right will be arguing that they want a Europe that's literally armed to the teeth in order to fight the dreadful Russian menace. Therefore, as well as the debate about rebuilding our economy Because and our welfare state and how to Dar for it, we'll also face the central issue of where Britain should be in relation to the forces throughout the world. What should be our attitude to Nicaragua and South Africa? Should we see the Soviet Union as an enemy or take a none progressive This will be accom- view about the nature of relationships that should develop between ourselves, the Soviet Union, and the process of internal liberalisation that it faces. that must be dealt with in the review.
arms spending we will be in a position to show that this is now actually a more realistic time than ever before to actually go for a policy of unilateralism
nuclear weapons but for
election that the mone bomb
crane. now. reduction in ween the nations
these debates will be avoided.
_ must say brian
politics
you had to adjust to it
that's going
sions in society
members of the
undercut
What will its shape be?
There will be major
pressures on European
defence spending
party rather than socialism.
sianism.
and DOCH minded
As the right are pushing for extra
and to go not just for getting rid of
getting rid of the nonsense we got saddled with at the
saved on the should be used to buy more tanks. We also want to say this is the
to negotiate a massive conventional arms betof Western Europe and the Soviet Union. There is no way
These views culminated in the final nonsense of Gould saying that we must now all have to accept the share-owning democracy and this is the way forwara.
Gould is actually a very nice person. He was one of the few MPs that was actually prepared to talk to me after the election. I have nothing against him personally but it is bad to urge everyone to get in on the share market three weeks before the end of a 12 year bull market coming to its end!
But Bryan Gould simply believed that
had changed in a way which would be a completely new world and
to be knocked away. Because although people haven't yet taken on board the scale of what's happening in terms of the political divi-
- and as yet ordinary community, trade unionists and so on, haven't taken in turn the scale of what is happening - as it starts to bite it is going to completely Keynesianism
intellectual credibility great and authority of the politics the new right have pursued both here and in America, and the reflection it has had in the labour movement. A new shuffiing of the political cards will take place.
War Il to do that
all back to work!
Finally, there,
wards by this
more
nations to increase their
There will be people deserting, peo-
ple who've gone along with Reagan and
Kohl and Thatcher, now desperately
looking for some alternative, and there
will be a major struggle between the
new centre party and the left. And un- world.
fortunately for the left large numbers
of people will actually be reflecting time when
much of the thinking of the new centre
What we will see being put forward
as the alternative to Thatcherism now
will be a version of warmed-up Keyn-
People like Steel and Owen,
and unfortunately some of our own
leadership, will say that what we need is a nice big public works programme to
Around completely overlooking the fact that it wasn't
that turned round the depression of the 1930s. The public works programmes of Roosevelt in America had a major 1DaCl 11 1
lividual areas but they didn't cure th general problem of unemployment and underinvestment, and they didn't get the US out of recession. It took World
- and I don't think even the new realists will be advocating a third world war as a way of getting us
while the debate will be there is the question of how we actually move it forward. There's no question in my mind that the struggle
for the policy direction of the Labour Party will be given a major ratchet up-
crisis. People who thought we could drift along with a bit
rhetoric. adapt to Thatcherism, will get a shock. But this also demands a sense of seriousness and responsibility from the left. The idea that we carry on our own internal sectarian disputes on the left, and worry about which left wing grouping is a little bit holier than the other one, or who
can poach a few members from here or there, or which small grouplet can fuse
with another small grouplet or pressure
group, is completely inadequate, and wholly irrelevent to the process change that is going to be sweeping not just through Britain but the rest of the
We are at a fundamental point in the entire world system begins to change. It can change pro-
gressively if we seize the initiative, or it
can go the other way to one of several
reactionary alternatives. . If we fail it
might very well be parties of the far
right that seize the initiative, win work-
ing class support that Labour should
have, and open the way to some form of modern authoritarian solution. The question, therefore, is what do we do about it?
I make no apology whatsoever for saying that the question of unity on th left — not a bureaucratic structure, no
differences, but strands opinion on the left working togethe for common goals — is absolutely fun damental. If we remain divided, if on group on the left sees its main enemy a another group on the left rather tha defeating Thatcher and the right in th Labour Party, then they are actuall betraying the working class and th workle class internationally Therefore, I think that it couldn't ha come at a better time that there is th beginning of some sense of responsibil ty and some beginning of understar ding about the need to put togethe broad consensus for • unitv an abol what type of agenda that unity shou be based on. ... a sense of seriousnes! and responsibility from the left
We have seen that understanding
the Labour Party most effectively
terms of the work done around Lab
Left Liaison - • with the internatio
campaigns in it, and its defence
Page 7 scan of this page
entire
Labour Party democracy organized by CLPD, and the Women's Action Committee, and the Black Section, and the support all these groups gave to the miners strike, it pretigures the type of Labour Party that is needed.
•And it also had successes at what was a very difficult Labour Party conference. 1 know that I have to thank people in the LLL for the work that was done in the NEC election. But I think it was very important for the left that we saw Bryan Gould getting 40,000 less votes than myself after the whole of the press and the whole of the right had been building up a campaign 'Livingstone'. it was blow to psychology and credibility of the right that this campaign fell flat on its face —
was the support received by Diane Abbott.
But most important is the impact at the rank and file level. What is important about the particular coalition of forces that has come together is that it prefigures the Labour Party as it will be in the years to come. It represents an internationalisation of our movement and a widening of our class, race, and sexual base within British politics. starts to put the issues and aspirations of women workers and black workers centrally on Labour's agenda and not peripheral to it. I think the Labour Left Liaison and the coalition of forces it represents, and the links it has with the Campaign Group and in the NUM, prefigures what the left will be in the abour Party - and eventually what the Labour Party and trade union movement will represent.
A similar process is also being reflected in changes in the trade unions. Arthur Scargill played a decisive role in the way the NUM supported women
other unions w35zn
recruit part-timers, to recruit more black people, is going to change those trade unions tally. In the TGWU and in NUPE, although the left have reverses, still remains strong that it's possible to win impor-
policies in these period ahead. Equally it is important to see what is emerging in terms of the link up between TASS and ASTMS. I was and TAS hoote Tor way resterd al
the debate was luminating. Because at exactly the same time the electricians and the engineers against are rabbitting on new realism and nothe strike deals, and seeing their membership decline year by year, we are seeing the creation of a powerful union in the growing sectors of the British economy which is aligned with the left in the parfound significance in the struggles bet- • and that is going to be of proween left and right in the labour movement over the coming Developments which start in the international economy will work through and reinforce all these trends in British politics
So I have no doubt whatsoever that whilst a lot of people are still suffering from the depression of 11 June, aren't taking on board what has happened in terms of the shift in the international economy. I've no doubt whatsoever that suddenly things have changed dramatically. take some time to work through, but what happened on 19 October (the day of the Wall Street crash) shifted world politics.
If we've got the ability to lift our eyes from the sectarian squabbles that assail so muc i of the left, and take the measure of what has occurred, we cal plan for and achieve major victories for radical sociaise JUis FITIT JE IET
On Livingstone's ternational recession since 1914.
Livingstone
only LWO possible Europe. The first,
ty and arming to the teeth.
¡the "Eurobomb"
Owen), increased maments, increasing
Named potential trade wars. Recession to recruit women,
fundamen-
suffered
sufficiently liberties.
unions in the
non in allamells
ding position in society. extremely 'Reduction of
national debt,
force.' Correct years.
comments and add some points to it.
and
Western Europe.
The consequences will
tion, then there is no colonial countries
it isn't.
drastic reflation of the
after the crash
SINCE THE stock market crash of 19 October Ken Livingstone has been putting forward a consistent line which can easily be summarised.
analysis the stockmarket crash has opened up
tred on the debt. not simply a recession but a shift in the relations between the United more serious States and Western Europe. As he put it in his Guardian article of 6 November: What took place on 19 Cras li October was not simply about share prices. Nor does it involve only an in-
although that will certainly ensue. Much more fundamental shifts are involved...
"The foundation of the crash is the attempt by the United States to maintain an international supremacy for which it no longer has the economic base. The economic and political consequences of this for Britain will be particularly direct — relations with the United States have Le CasE dominated Western Europe and Britain
Correct Redmond O'Neill replies to Ken
According to Livingstone: "There are
developments already being promoted by some West European governments, is to meet the possibility of increased tensions with the United States, and increased pressure to US disengagement from Europe, by economic austeri-
'This reality lies behind current pro- most corrupt in the posals for a right wing solution in Europe
so beloved of Dr conventional West European military integration, policies of austerity
at sustaining rearmament and fold in the
Gulf.
'Increased spending on "European armaments at a time of economic recession would increase demands for deeper cuts in the welfare state and further reductions of trade union power and civil ly the most archaic,
*The second possibility is a Western Europe based on detente, drastic reducgressive domestic policies, and with the labour movement placed in a comman-
armaments expenditure and economic cooperation would release economic resources for development. Reduction of unemployment, and
would improve the framework of life throughout Europe.
Such a direction in European policy could only be led by a socialist political
Large parts of this analysis are entirely correct. But we would make some
First the economic implications of the crash will be even sharper and more rapid in the third world' than in Europe
although Livingstone is right that there will be major consequences in
The initial effect is going to be a resurgence of the debt crisis. If there is a recession in the United States, or if it cuts back its imports through dollar devalua-
way the semiwould be able to generate the export surpluses to repa! their international debts even if it were right to demand that they did so which
It shouldn't be forgotten that the
I'S economy
Strategy in Europe
ed by the threat of Mexico defaulting on its debt. A new international recession will deepen the international debt crisis. again. Brazil already called a halt to all interest payments earlier this year and there is a deep political crisis in Peru cen-
But beyond the debt crisis are still
both positive and negative. There is no doubt
Torcer that the economic consequences of the
SaVe Canstoone quences in some parts of the third world. Famine is already rampant in large parts of Africa. A country such as Uganda is on the verge of disintegration. Sri Lanka labour is wracked by communal progroms launched by the Sinhalese majority. Right wing separatist movements have been strengthened in the Punjab in India. There are going to be horrific and right wing developments as entire countrie and societies disintegrate under the impact of economic consequences that wil follow the crash and the consequences of
But there are also going to be, over the next 10-15 years, socialist revolutions in the third world - in addition to that which is already proceeding in Nicaragua and its accompanying struggles in Central America. The first and clearest prospect for this is in the Philippines. Already there the government of Corv faces an armed resistance of 10-15,000 fighters of the New People's Army which controls 10-20 per cent of the country. The Philippines ruling class is one of the
world. The entire Phillipines economy has been reoriented to exports over the last 20 years - which means it is going to be particularly hard hit be a recession of a dollar devaluation. A huge political struggle is going to un-
Philippines with the possibility of direct US action as in the
Explosion
Another country in which there is already a huge social and political explosion is South Atrica. Here there is not on-
reactionary and despicabie regime in lue worla bul disc one with a relatively strong ruling class and with a mass white reactionary base. This combination means that there is going to be a prolonged struggle in South Africa — one with a major impact on
Socialist Action 20 'Nov 1987 world politics.
In short the developments that are going to take place in Western Europe must be put in the context of real socialist revoluions, and struggles for freedom. that will take place in • semi-colonial countries, which demand our solidarity which are decisive in themselves. anc which will push forward the relation of
. Ine imperialist countries themselves,
We doubt that this is a difference with Ken Livingstone, whose record on Ireland, for example, the most creditable of any major figure in the
movement. But it means the points he makes on Europe must be put in a wider context.
Europe
The second point concerns Europe itself. In his Guardian article Ken Liv. ingstone puts forward a whole series of demanus in burope walen are correct. n calls for detente with the Soviet Union, opposition to European austerity programmes, and opposition to European militarism. The demands which flow our of this we completely agree with.
But this raises the issue of what type of Europe is going to emerge from this? Ken Livingstone rightly notes in his Guardian article that Western Europe
side its real relations with the United States since World War I. Therefore what would be the social and political dynamic unleashed by the practical steps he proposes?
Austerity
We think it is obvious. Any attempt to oppose European militarism, break the link with the United States, or oppose European austerity programmes would mean ferocious resistance from the West European bourgeoisies - let alone the United States. Economic and political sabotage, cutting off of trade, economic destabilisation, and ever other mechanism of sabotage would be attempted. We do not believe that it would be possible to stabilise a neutra capitalisi Europe. Embarking on the course Livingstone outlines would in. evitably end either in a collapse or in a socialist Europe.
These are some of the key strategic issues which need to be discussed out in the next period.
Page 8 scan of this page
8 Socialist Action THE BOMBING at Enniskillen has been exploited by the government and media to legitimise a new wave of repression in Ireland. It has also been exploited to try to silence those who argue that only a British withdrawal can secure peace in Ireland. We reproduce here the Phoblacht/Republican News, supports Sinn Fein in Ireland, on the events at Enniskillen. The views of Socialist Action are stated in our editorial.
THE republican movement, its members supporters everywhere have beet SHOCKCU and shaken by what happened in Enniskillen last Sunday.
We do not try to excuse or defend the action which caused the deaths and injuries inflicted by the IRA bomb.
The most telling criticism of this disastrous IRA action has come from republicans themselves.
To the families and friends of the dead, and to the injured, the sympathy of republicans goes out.
consolation to them and will be scorned
ignored by those who do not wish to understand the suffering of all our people.
But bereavement and injury are things republicans deeply understand because they Have perienced them at firsthand so manv times
After the dead, the injured and their relatives, it is republicans WnO nave most directly to lose from
20 Now 1987
Terrible price of British
rule in Ireland
editorial from An
the newspaper which
this action. Its consequences will be with us for
long time come because of our sorrow and because our enemies - LIIC enemies of our people are and have been so strengthened by it.
enemies who have inflicted so much suflening on our people for centuries and particular in the last 20 years
have been quick to use the grief of the victims and
people Kne Teaculon generally to further their political ends. The British government has secretly revelled in the opportunity this given them justify their occupation of our country.
When the emotions of this week have eased, the vast majority of the Irish people will recognise the talk of from Margaret Thatcher Tom King hypocrisy that it is.
phase of the war in the six counties,
its twentieth year in 1988, has wrecked
many lives. Our people, nationalist or unionist, are not to blame for that war,
more than they responsible ultimately for the death 2:00 which foreign interference
land has OUL over hundreds of Generations oI Irish ple have tried to end injustice and bring about change by peaceful means and have been met with
Twenty years ago, the
phase nationalist resistanice British-sponsored- injustice began with the campaign for civil rights. It did not begin with . Ine IRA going out to shoot RUC British soldiers but with ordinary Catholics demanding sim-
reforms the
Northern state votes and houses and jobs.
Injustice
The guns and batons which were used against them by the forces of the state part of
Many people have the most Since basic injustice which
• the denial of isted then civil and national rights
still maintained
defended WILD British
If that was not the case
there would be no IRA.
There would be no support
for the IRA or any reason for the IRA to exist. But the support and the reason are facts and will remain so
long as Coltinues to deny our people the right to national self-determination.
Where there is oppression there will always be resistance; where there is armed oppression USCIO will always be armed resistance.
Peace
behind
peace They
which, bs
not bring lUW peace.
Next the
with denunrepublican
who the
republican It has happened times
has changed
justice
of the most that has ever
It
paigns republican violence' implicitly
the the Six republicans.
It links the republican movement with the renegade criminal elements responsible for the kidnapp-
O'Grady. This is a lie and
Catholic hierarchy knows it well as everybody else.
In attempting morally blackmail people the hierarchy is showing its double standards about peace. It says that it 'sym-
PHOBLACHT
Republican News
ENNISKILLEN
TRAGEDY
pathises' with the police force' in the six counties but that it is 'sinful to join organisations committed to violence or to remain in them'. ccally saying that British violence
: sinful.
We strongly contest that view. The bishops have not tried to end the war but have taken sides in
- me sce ol lic Duweful, the establishment.
The position of republicans has not chang
But not because we want this war
Our people have suffered bereavement, physical and mental injury and long years ment. We go on because
the country demands it and because we
that peace with
Enniskillen:
IRA Statement
News' comments.
"THE Irish Republican Army admits responsibility for planting the bomb ir Enniskillen yesterday which exploded with such catastrophic consequences. We deeply regret what occurred.
has now established that one of our units placed remote controlled bomb in St Michae's aimed at cat ching crown forces personnel on patrol in connection with the
Day service but not during without being triggered bp bomb our radio signal.
'There has been
ongoing battle for supremacy between the
IRA and British army elec tronic
use remote-control bombs. In the past, some
of our *gered by have beel triggered the
British army scanning high frequencies and other devices have been jammed
and neutralised. • On each
occasion we overcame the
problem and recently
believed that we were in
advance of
counter-measures.
'In the present climate
nothing we can say in ex-
planation can be given the
attention which the truth
nor will it com
deserves.
pensate the feelings of the indured or era, iris i Re-
ed: P O'Neill, Irish
publican Bubeau, Dublin) Publicity
News
Republicans will never forget it
and in the ongoing struggle to eng
injustice and bring about a free,
peaceful Ireland will carry it in
their hearts and minds forever.
SEEOPINION
PAGE 2 justice cannot come short of a free Ireland.
Armed resistance British rule will bring that freedom because ultimately the most necessary political weapon against armed aggressor and the only one the aggressor will heed. The experience of oppress ed peoples all over the world and most of all, in our own mistory, prove that. That which the ontext which Enniskillen bombing took place Republicans will never forget it and in the ongoing struggle to end in. sace o one about free, peaceful Ireland will carry it in their hearts and minds forever.
ON MONDAY 9 November, the day after the bomb explosion at Enniskillen, the IRA issued a statement which we reproduce below together with Republican
Republicans do not attempt to justify or explain away what happened Sunday.
Las The his has called the has called the 'catastrophic consequences' can be reversed or minimised. It an appalling tragedy that should never have happened.
But what is clear is that the IRA had no intention injuring civilians, and did not themselves detonate the remotecontrol bomb. They did not anticipate the tragic result of the premature detonation of the bomb.
That was a monumeni continue to pay acad which In the aftermath of Enniskillen everything that republicans have said has been distorted where it has not been censored. This is to be expected but what cannot be denied is that the IRA has been consis tent 1n claiming respon sibility for action damaging to the repub movement and useful to the enemy Nor can it be denied that the war counties which has claim. ed so many lives is not now and never has been the fault of the Irish people -nationalist, loyalist or rebubical ultimately Britain but is that
blame
Page 9 scan of this page
How Reagan was forced to sign the INF treaty
International
UNITED STATES presently in Geneva putting the 'finishing touches' to the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty. This treaty comes after two years of determined pressure for such a deal from the USSR. CAROL TURNER looks back on the steps which have led to the treaty.
15 JANUARY 1986. In his statement of that date, on behalf of the Soviet government, Mikhail Gorbachev outlined a proposal
completely rid the planet of nuclear weapons, În propaganda terms, it was a surprise for Walmongers like Ronald Reagan, Margaret cher Mitterand and Helmut Kohl Ulle they decidedly did not welcome.
Soviet Union offered a three-stage programme 101 total and world-wide elimination of Lucical wcaoulls by the year 2000. Stage one: the USSR and USA would reduce by half the nuclear arms that could reach each other's territories. Stage two: other nuclear powers would begin to engage in nuclear disarmament.
nuclear weapons would be eliminated by the end of 1999. Reason
The Union's statement, however, stressed would only be possible if
and the USA mutually the
testing and deployment of space strike weapons Star Wars was to be used by Reagan as the main reason for refusing any deal for the next 12 months.
As a result of the USSR offer, and others made by Gorbachev, the United Seensive in the propagane States was da war.
In the autumn of 1986 Reagan and Gorbachev met face-to-face in Iceland.
The US president was unversaily percelveu lo oc responsible for the failure of the nuclear arms talks in Içeland. Even that pillar of the United States establishment, Time magazine, was forced to admit it.
Reykjavik
The 27 October 1986 issue explained that even as the US delegation flew home from Reykjavik:
'headlines were already
spreading the impression
that Reagan had thrown away the promise of nuclear-free ringing to his vision of a world
space-based defence
even if there might be no
missiles to defend against.
One mace wen or to describe: 'the next steps in
flowered into publicity blitz un-
precedented in their ad-
ministration. Its purpose:
to persuade the US and the
timistic child in one obi
timistic child in one
Reagan's favourite jokes
who finds a pile of manure
in his room on Christmas
morning and begins
and Soviet negotiators are snovelling away, convuc ed that 'there must be a pony nere somewncle who had assiduously avoided the press during his first 10 months in office. unavoidable he conducted an 80-minute airborne briefing.
While it was in progress, Regan and eight aides were sketching the next steps flowered into a publicity
their administration.
persuade the JS and the world emulate the optimistic child in one of Reagan's favourite jokes who finds a pile of manure in his room on Christmas morning and begis snoveling
convinced that 'there must be a pony here somewhere."
This Monday televised report to the na-
Great Communicator took his case on the campaign trail. But his aides handled most of the spin control, trooping berore every mcrophone, TV camera, journalistic CONCA group of citizens they could find or Silinion uncover pony of hope under what at first looked like the manure of Reykjavik.' Offer
magazine plained how 'the spindoctors hammered at three main points': cordache not Reagan blocked drastic reduction nuclear weapons by demanding all work on the Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI) be confined to laboratory research for
had no choice but to reject this demand, which would have killed SDI; the summit was not a failure but a success
world to the brink of a deal that had seemed unimaginable.
A few weeks after the Iceland summit, at a Vien-
meeting between US and USSR foreign ministers, Eduard Shevardnadze indicated that the Soviet Union was
ready to negotiate on the individual agreements' Talks would not be made
conditional on the Star
Wars issues
By the end of February this year, the Soviet Union had made the offer which December's treaty will be based. In a statement issued by TASS news
on Saturday 28
February 1987, Mikhail
Gorbachev said: "The
soviet Union suggests that
the problem of mediumrange missles in Europe be
singled out trood that the
nackage of issues. i
a separate agreement on it
be concluded, and without
delay.'
The White House had no opon out to respond positively. 'We hope to make ‚progress.' said spokesperson for the admunsulauull which This drove Was a wedge bet- the offer
ween the USA and West Europe. In the week that followed the British media began its campaign against the deal. It was a campaign echoed France, Germany and elsewhere. 'Gorbachev отте Europe's nuclear powers' reported the Financial Times of Tuesday 3 March.
With one eye on the then forthcoming general election Margaret Thatcher pretended tepid welcome. But the French administration experienc-
French foreign ministry salencul baldly spelled out that: 'ine objective must be to avoid a denuclearisation of Europe.
Europe
As the weeks wore on and tabdeal we head
table, headline writers became more exolicit. 'Do we really want Europe LO free?' asked The Daily Express on Thursday 4 April, when discussions were tak-
place about limiting short-range missiles well. The Daily Mail warned of the Folly and fallacy of a nuclear-free Britain'
the Telegraph asked 'And if the Red Army rolls West?
West European politiclans and Ineir media in creasingly focussed on the
of a nuclear-free Europe. They raised every conceivable (and bogus)
The INF treaty was seen as a possible thin end of the wedge to a nuclear free Europe and also as 'decoupling' Western Europe and the United States.
Al each stage of the nuclear disarmament talks over lic root lwo vcas. has been the US and West European that have raised objections to denuclearisation. This period clearly highlighted the real posi-
of the self-declared multilateral nuclear disarmers like Reagan and Thatcher: they are determined keep their nuclear armouries. That is why after first offering the 'double zero' -option the INF treaty was actually opposed when Gorbachev accepted it
The 40 year old debate between unilateralists and so-called multilateralists has been exposed more than at any other time for te Take and te Iraud lial it is. The argument is not about which method will lead to nuclear disarmament but about whether or not to disarm.
The INF treaty is the first step to what must be the central slogan of ine next period — the elimination of all nuclear weapons
WE
reports.
THE Angolan news agenil'November that, in addi- ANGOP, announced tion heavy UNITA casualties, 230 South African had lost their lives in fighting over the last two months. ed forces leader Antonio dos Santos Franca said that 11 AML-90 armoured
PEOPLE
DEMAND.
Angola blow to apartheid-backed UNITA
IT IS now becoming clear that the rebel UNITA forces of Joseph Savimbi and their South African sponsors have suffered major setbacks at the hands of the Angolan army, FAPLA. JON SILBERMAN
cars, 24 other military vehicles and a number of light weapons, cannons and jeeps of the apartheid forces had been destroyed.
The Souch Africans themselves now openly admit to having been involved fighting with ground troops, contradic-
Socialist Action 20 Nov 1987
FUTURÊ
ting earlier Savimbi denials. According Angolan president, Jose
3000 South African troops have been involved in the invasion But flagging anartheid trooD has prompted visits to military units involved in Angola by president
Botha, Botha,
foreign minister Pik finance minister Barend Plessis and caucalot minister FW de Klerk.
On Friday 13 November Pretoria revised earlier casualty figures, now claiming that 23 soldiers had been killed But in typical apartheid fashion, only the deaths o white soldiers were admitted whereas many black soldiers had been involved in what was the fiercest military confrontation in the 12 years of war since Angola won independence from Portugal in 1975. Soldiers
Since that time, Pretoria and Washington have put their all into try. ing to overturn the MPLA regime which, in addition
driving out the Portuguese colonialists and improving the conditions of the Angolan people, has
rovided strong backing t
le anti-apartheid strugg
dependence of Nam
dependence Namibia, and which has proved a powerful obstacle
South Africa's imperialist designs throughout
Their war of gression
billion damage caused
60,000 dealils and
displaced some 600,000
people
An invasion force in 1975 was repulsed by combined force of
9 Angolan troops and
internationalist fighters who volunteered in their tens of thousands to defend Angola against apartheid aggression To day some 37,000 Cuban volunteers are estimated to be in the country at the in vitation of the Angolar
: peo ple. Soviet military ad visers are also there.
Statement
Apartheid army chief, general Jannie Geldenhuys, Consiste! the desperate situation of the South Afrian and UNITA forces in a state.
of 11 November. 'Russian and Cubanbacked Angolan forces are desperately trying to cap ture the Cuando-Cubango province southern Angola and therefore the
DOse aver ear lie
UNITA' position in the territory' he said.
another • statement the South African Defenc orce Came to see flicted heavy defeats camps in Angola of the South West Africa
Organisatior (SWAPO). Pretoria claimed that 150 SWAPO guer rillas were killed in a pre emptive strike'.
All Pretoria's statements are designed t deflect from the reality o the defeat suffered UNITA at the hands FAPLA. Their refusal to
casualty figures fo black soldiers, their target ting of Cuban and Sovie personnel tion of the raid on Namibian liberation forces which SWAPO denies to nave nappened - are aim. ed to deflect attention from the real problems they have encountered.
Page 10 scan of this page
Why Labour should oppose the EEC
10 Socialist Action 20 Nov 1987 Danish workers strike for a 35-hour week ONE OF the most important issues that will be posed again by the stock market crash is the attitude of socialists to the plans of various West European bourgeoisies — and to the EEC. With concern among West European governments over the way the United States concluded the IMF treaty with the USSK, and an understanding that the stockmarket crash means increased trade tensions with the US, there is an increasing trend to 'European' militarism and 'European' austerity Europe fairg to oppose the BEC have also been programmes. positions
advanced John Palmer and others. HUCKFIELD MEP looks at what should be Labour's attitude to the EEC.
AT a banquet to celebrate British entry to the Com- American and mon Market on 2 January foreign initiatives, 1973, Sicco Mansholt, while on other, Dutch BEC Commissioner said: For the great mass population there has been laazel. trust no broad improvement in
ly Star Wars. indeed widespread • progress ot
social stress disparities expenditure.
become on detence,
cent. ThirICUS.
general of June 1983, said: ted
neighbour'
creased CONSIS of vallely
changed Palmer and
Party champion
Europe. so. Labour policy must still one
mon Market framework.
The major Labour's after Fortress withdrawal.
Black Mon-
Change last, America's financial book without
countries' pressure correct&.the deficit, sunillary demise for to reilate
35 Fr
where, across the political spectrum, there is a swing back to Europe'. Above all, Labour must campaign
Euro-nuclear defence policy.
Given current party policy, Wonder Palmer Ironically, the British Labour Party is in danger of moving from a narrow-minded opposition to all things European to a superficial int?" nation with the institutions the EEC.'
Terry the Wars' was
"The in
state
1918 has disappeared LA DOUS European.
I will not
Common Agricultural
TOT more
ingh Common their agency.
Euro-
multinationals but under these
Common • OTTOCOLS
mission
LOS and capitalism
oI ins. inadequate
that 'new,
green
struck
GLEB.
Kodak
movement
not surely Morrell by
policies market financial
ascendency
ward
principles'
that
works.
inspiration from sources as diverse as the ecological and
from
alliance
peace
Hake une
believe that
Party Frances doesn't
lerry
free and this
- al
and
, all the left
So the
'political
, and rein-
siren LIC
debate. federation
da.
SDP
they evitability.
surely drive
the size of
They treading
'sectional' catch-all only
ment,
funded chines,
to the pressures
Instead
ties
EEC
free
and against
the
of the
axis
mild
European
Many
Is les.
its in-
the internal
already road along
turned to
Their
with
state.
clientalist
glou
working
common
present
Party
International
Car workers strikes
FORD, Vauxhall and BL
overwhelming majority of UK car production have each been hit by strike action in the last week. Further action is planned.
Vauxhall
is on
company flexibility In West Germany, for in 1984.
Postal workers strike
vote
mandate for action but only a hallow majority' But then he would The reality is quite different.
There have been dozens of local disputes within the industry in which the young workforce has shown its determination to migni management attacks. the latest was earlier this month in Liverpool in which 1000 postal workers staged a 24-hour strike Moreover 56 per cent to 44 is by no means 'narrow'
The Post Office don't believe their own rhetoric. They have 'contingency plans' in would be the event of industria action and the Tory government has already announced its intention of suspending the Post Office's monopoly in the event of a strike -He called to allow private contractors to attempt to organise scabbing.
Some have predicted
innecessar unornicial acuol as a
result of the ballot vote.
The last national postal workers strike was in 1971
Page 11 scan of this page
In the Unions
Scargill
stands
for
'IS ANYBODY going to stand against Arthur? Is there anybody brave enough?' asked Dennis Skinner at a 15 November fight the closure of Redbrook and Woolley pits. None of the NUM president's critics has rushed to throw their hat into the ring. South Wales secretary, George Rees, had called for Scargill's resignation, could only bring himself to move that the executive refuse to accept the NUM president's decision to stand down and seek re-election.
NUM general SCCIC tary, Peter Heathfield, also spoke at the Barnsley meeting. He explained the background Arthur Scargill's decision resign and seek reelection in a pithead ballot on 22 italy.
By Clive Turnbull
"new reansts or the NUM executive, he said, were calling for compromise and conciliation in the TaCe the coal board's attacks. But every time the NUM conceded a compromise, management moved the goal posts, Heathfield stated.
Scargill's decision stand for reelection
announced at a meeting of the NUM executive on 12 November. The executive
agenda had been
dominated by the eight-
Week against long British overtime Coal's ban
newly-imposed code of
conduct.
Government ministers
and British Coal manage-
ment are now openly
stating that the code
designed to victimise
NUM branch officials and
militants. But despite the
massive 77 per cent ballot
vote in lavour or achon
against the code the over-
time ban decided by a ma-
jority of the NUM ex-
ecutive only limited pro-
duction of coal in over-
not maintenance or
development work.
Attempts "Durham
Yorkshire and
NUM areas to force the ex-
ecutive to make the over-
time ban effective have
BY 17 votes to 13, the
executive of the
Confederation of
Shipbuilding and
Engineering Unions
(CSEU) have rejected
employers federation
proposals for radical
changes in working
practices.
The employers were
offering a reduction in
the working week of one-
and-a-half hours over
three years for non-shift
engineering workers in
return for job flexibility,
reelection
Barnsley meeting organised to
who at a previous executive meeting
been rejected by a combination of the right wing and the area leaders from South Wales Scotland.
British Coal management has taken this to be a sign of weakness, an occasion for pressing forward their attacks:
Payment of this vers ware licicase due this month, has Deer withheld from NUM members until the time ban is lifted.
• Pit closures and jobs losses have
increased in the la British Coal's so-
British called Union Democratic Mineworkers (UDM) has Tannered management-sponsored recruitment drive.
• New investment being used blackmail miners into giving up the five-day week for six-day working and longer shifts.
Privatisation plans for electricity and coal en-
the 1990s with just 70,000 miners and 70 pits. This would mean complete
closure of the Durham North Derbyshire and Kent coalfields under
2000 miners in Scotland and the concentration of
'streamlined', high production' mining
Yorkshire, Notts and the
Midlands, In small
number of 'super-pits'
At the executive
meeting on 12 November,
- with
Scargill's support - pro-
posed that special
delegate conference be
convened to discuss fur-
Engineers flexibility deal rejected
management-determined
shift patterns to silow
'maximum plant
utilisation' and other
measures which together
constituted the
elimination of rights
established over decades
of struggle. Shift
workers, who already
work a 37.5 hour week,
would have received no
reduction.
AEU president, Bill
Jordan, had strongly
campaigned in favour of
ther action against the code. This was rejected.
Arthur Scargill summarised the choice facing miners al ine su wave Memorial lecture in
30 October, water being between 'new realism', what he described as the 'politics of fear' — and 'class struggle'
new realists' are based on 'defeatism' in Scargill's view, calling 'for an end to confrontation and class struggle seeking a strategy of coalition collaboratior and com promise. Instead of mili-
action, Scargill LalIL plained, the new realists
for 'lobbies of parliament, demonstrations, and broad alliances involving all sections including the churches.
"They this proof action substitute for, and 300 complimentary to, industrial action.'
meeting of the Yorkshire area council on Monday November voted by 51 votes to two to recommend the area's 53 branches țo back Scargill's reelection. Branch nominations will now made and the area council
December UL. the
Yorkshire nomination.
There was no suppor
at the coby the area's foll
a move by the area time agent, John Walsh for the area , to seek legal advice on Scargill's decision to seek reelection. Walsh has been canvassed
possible right-wing as a
media. now,
Walsh has said that his preparedness to depends on his support in the union's areas,
strong pressure, including
from within the right wing
within the labour move-
more generally,
him to stand.
potential candidate touted
by the media, S Wales area
president, Des Dutfield,
has detinitive v ruled
himself out.
the proposals whieh were
the calmination of four
years of talks. The CSEU
executive decision is a
for blow to hi iship and reffected
growing opposition of
gingeting workers
throughout the industry
to the deal.
The issue of the
shorter working week
now becomes part of the
annual pay claim te
which the engineering
employers are aue te
reply on 23 November.
RIGHT at the start of the mues strike 1984 every single Fleet Street
printed photograph ball their campaign against the strike. It showed coal boss Ian Macgregor and gen-
secretar Leicestershire NUM, Jack Jones, hammering a peg into the ground at the Vale of Belvoir, the site of maleading to the opening of new HHVESELCHI so-called 'super pits'.
By Jon Silberman
The ceremony signified that of Belvoir jobs would be: guaranteed to Leicestershire miners and that accordingly they had nothing to fear from pit security was assured. The Vale of Belvoir promise was key in winning the bulk Leicestershire miners to refusing to join the strike.
every other similar 'promise • made by the Board. it has turned out to be a complete con. The first Vale of Belvoir pit, where work is now underway, is al AslUruly shire. Asfordby is schedul-
1991-zome on stream in
Don't leave them out in
the
cold!
THE VALE OF
BEVOIR
LEICESTERSHIRE
ITS FOR LEICS NUM
NOT LINKS
GAFFERS BO%
Six-day working — key presidential issue
But despite its geographical location, despite UNCi Macgregor promise, British the pit management out of the Central area (which includes Leicestershire) into Notts. They have held out the carrot of a single 'union' deal to the scab UDM organisation which
recognised by British Coal in the Notts area.
They have signalled that all development work at Asfordby will be performed by thereby putting doubt ROVe the possibility Leicestershire miners, threatened by redundancy as work at their pits is run down, moving across to Asfordby.
The reason? British Coal is atter an acreement for six-day flexible work• ing at the new pit.
The NUM is opposed to six-day working. The national executive has ruled that this is a national issue and that areas may not negotiate away the guaranteed nve ulay week that was won 40 years ago
the bosses' UDM organisation is prepared to do what British Coal want.
The board's proposal causeu meeting of Leicestershire NUM They
NAȚIONAL JUSTICE FOR MINEWORKERS CAMPAIGN
Socialist Action
IS IN
decided to lobby talks between Jack Jones and local Labour MP, Greville Jan-
and coal boss Sir Robert Haslam on Monday November. Altogether 70 NUM members — out of whom just had been strikers in 1984-5- turned out at British Coal's London headquarters
Leicestershire NUM president, Terry • Tracey, said that they had come 'down here Asfordby for Leicestershire miners. We are wor-
re Not to are it to the
Notts to give it to UDM. They want six-day
and they know that unlike the NUM, the UDM is open to this.
Power grout mem bers were also on the lobby.
official said that British Coal 'can see that the UDM is flagging
Jack Jones said that the board's move 'typical' of the mistrust
that was running through the mining "following the board's tactics the UDM. We want a written
assurance that all our peo
ple will get transferred to
Asfordby.
Following the talks, however, Jones reported that Haslam had stated that the NUM could
They will be feeling because their father stood by trade uni
Avenue, Durham
20 Now 1987 11 receive recognition Asfordby and that Leicestershire could be transferred to the new pit, providing the union agrees to six-day curity He announced immediately prior to the executive meeting his intention of proposing that the union dramatically change its stance on the issue.
One of the decisions of the executive meeting did indeed move in this direction. . It was agreed that each area leadership investigate with number in British posite could be Coal now pil made 'economic' announcing his decision to stand for at the same meeting, Arthur Scargili said that opposition six-day working was a keg issue for the union's entire future.
Six-day workin
would, addition eroding hard-won condi tions, lead to massive job loSs "flexible pits boosted productivity and undercut other pits which declared uneconomic We should be fighting for a reduction In working week, Scargill said.
Sacked miners
Christmas appeal
1987
The 326 sacked and victimised miners and their families
are facing their fourth Christmas without a wage Our photo shows Christmas during the miners strike o
1984/0
The families and the communtiy banded together then to
make sure the meagre resources went a long way But this Christmas will be different for those me still locked out as a result of the strike
cut off from the rest of the
co mility eiho will be enjoying the Christmas spirit. That is mpaghe Natanal ust his in Arres
The NJMC aims to raise enough money to give ea
sacked miner decent vison
We do not feel that the children of victimised men shoul
• Please donate to the Justice Appeal Fund
Make chees all. e: 00 a 13 them to 26 T
Page 12 scan of this page
BRITAIN MUST WITHDRAW
IRELAND
Fried by Bas Bad Orne Lad it, Condo, 2. paper with the ost nee
ACTION SOCiAlist
BUILDING AN ALLIANCE FOR SOCIALISM After Enniskillen FROM
, PO Box 50, London N1.
Inside: Ken
NO WORDS can describe the hypocrisy of the British government over Enniskillen.
Bloody Sunday Catholics were gunned down by British paratroops described although it was like a textbook exercise from one of the British army's 'low intensity operations'. The entire British state was wheeled out to whitewash this massacre. Scarcely any publicity is given to sustained campaigns of sectarian murder by unionist thugs. Yet when at Enniskillen tragedy from which Republicans clearly had nothing to gain, entire British publicity starting with the Royal family, is turned loose. It is a perfection of technique which the British army and ruling class have used in innumerable colonial from Amritsar onwards.
Indeed what sickening than the Ireland. the Irish 1846-47, a direct result of British rule, a million died from starvation and
million emigrate, Ireland is the only state in Western Europe in which the population today is lower than it was in the nineteenth century.
piece manipulation British standards. counties of Ulster would have pro. duced a majority for independence
from Britain. So three counties were simply amputated
'democratic' majority for partition.
duced held its Nationalist minority
down by terror and discrimination.
Even
Catholics is three times as
among Protestants.
Livingstone on British
politics after the
stockmarket crash
When, on the 1972, 13 against tain, who this was mistake
apparatus of the violence
was terrible
machine,
massacres
could be more range of people, British role in famine of
were forced
The partition of Ireland in 1922 anti-democratic staggering CYCl by these roads.'
The original nine The
10 produce determination
The sectarian state that was proBritain
unemployment high
The problem in the North of
Ireland is not one between 'com munities'. It is one where a section of
population discriminated by another the unionist bigots propped up by • Bri-
reject any that would make the North of Ireland a democratic or equal society — for if it were a democratic and equal society it would have no reason for existing.
This combination will produce
for long as Because human nature, and that is its strength, will not accept such oppression. It will fight and fight against it — as has happened in Ireland now for two hundred years. And finally Britain will not be able to bear the cost of it and will withdraw.
Ken Livingstone put it entirely correctly in his speech in London on Tuesday: Anyone with a sense of history knows that it is inevitable that Britain will withdraw from Ireland. It is folly, which has cost countless lives, to attempt to avoid or slow this pro-
'It is increasingly clear, to a wider
that no progressive role can be played by Britain continu ing on the path of attempting to stop
inevitable. If Britain remains in the North of Ireland it has only one of
choices. It is called upon by unionists to continue to prop up a sectarian state... But attempts to impose such serious reforms as would eliminate sectarianism are resisted by unionists — as the record of the las period has shown... There is no pro. gressive way forward along either of
reason is that the North of Ireland state is based on a denial of the right of the Irish people to self-
embodies tarianism and discrimination. As long
as it exists there will be no peace in
must get out.
• Why Britain must leave Ireland p2
• Sinn Fein statement on Enniskillen
← Socialist Action No. 174, 6 November 1987Socialist Action No. 176, 11 December 1987 →