Socialist Challenge No. 46, 18 May 1978
The scan: sc-n46-may-18-1978.pdf (PDF, Marxists Internet Archive)
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Page 1 scan of this page
Socialist Challenge House of Commons makes it official BRITAIN IS NOW A PLUTONIUM STATE
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE CONFERENCE: 27 May, Conway Hall WC2
THE HOUSE of Commons voted on monday to give planning permission for the new Windscale nuclear reprocessing plant.
An unholy alliance of Labour Government and Tories pushed the measure through, raggle-taggle opposition from the Liberals, and a few Scottish Nationalists and left Labourites.
The newspapers which parliamentary debate also told of the case of a former Windscale worker said to have received the highest ever dose of plutonium contamination country.
Raymond Miller has been told there will be a E53 lee
for the necessary medical
an Important matter of health with safely in the plutonium state!
reporled the
fall into the hands of 'psychopathic terrorists of the Red Brigades ilk." He was way off beam. The real in this danger comes from the state.
Tests! The National
Radiological "Protection' Board refuses to pay: "We see it as a case of civil litigation and not one involving
subject lo surveillance.
That's the sort of concern our rulers have for our
Lea Abse, one of the lew opponents of the 'potential terrorists'. Commons order, warned that plutonium could easily
exhausted.
Already the Atomic Energy Authority conslables have incredible powers: to carry arms at all times; to
enter premises at will; and To arrest on suspicion. Even the Parker report from the Windscale Inquiry admitted that Innocent people are certain 1o be
And this is only the beginning. If the plutonlum state goes ahead militants of all kinds will be
The legal channels for stopping Windscale are
As Arthur Scargili has warned: "If It is necessary to po and sit at Windscale and stop it physicaly, so be
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Rail Against Racism?
EDITORIAL
Socielist Challenge, 328/9 Upper Street, London NT.
Editorial 01-358 8180/9.
Advertising 01-3508371.
Italy
after
Moro
Christian Democrat leader
most cynical and intelligent capitalist politician has become the Mr Nice of Italian politica
convincing if it had applied to all those killed in Haly TOLENTY for example. of the Italian etate bring made
tried to tind 'sociological
poverty, the legacy of fascism, and so on
in a street between headquarters. The symbolism OBVIOUS
The government agroement signed y
left.
most courageous dare to march on the streets.
strategy on the part of the Red Brigades.
they direct their
strengthening of the atate in order to radicalise'
working clasa. This can only spell disaster
WHEN-CENT.
ine capitatist suste
The party,
negotiating for Mora's release.
cynically provoked Moro's death.
must nave his goat on tel conteerones
IN NEXT WEEK'S ISSUE A special Shella Rowbotham.
my aron.
[Delete If not applicable]
NAME .......
ADDRESS SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 18 May 1977 page 2
Distribution and PRESS REACTION to the killing of Aldo Moro, the
kidnapped by the Red Brigades, has been predictably hysterical, in death the
would be more student demonstrators murdered by police
Nevertheless, If the kidnapping of Moro and the sight
monkeys of for twa months was a show of strength by the Red Brigades, the final killing was a sign of their weakness and lack of
Recovering from Their hysteria the bourgeois mecia
explanations for the fed came up with the standard cliche: children of bourgeois homes revolting against their
They then give this a Mediterranean flavour with a few remarks about political instability, rural
But the Moro kidnapping has far more specific roote In Italian politics. If took place on the very day when the new government, backed by the Communist Party (PCI), was to have been inaugurated. Moro himself was the architect of centre-left coalitions, and his corpse was
TA C party was deliberate and the PCI includes an austerity programme that makes the Social Contract look mild and gives the police sweeping new powers of search and arrest and almost unlimited use of
The Red Brigades grew up in a decade closer class collaboration by the traditional party of the Hallan working class, as well as utter chaos on the far
The Red Brigades were disgusted by what they saw. The irony ls that their solution only makes things worse. if the PCI was worried that It would have problems selling the new governmental package to its supporters it can now rest assured. The Moro affair has cemented an unholy and sickening national unity, strengthened the government, and legitimised a quasi-military police presence on the streets. The growing opposition to the PC within the unions has been Isolated and only the
The whole affair has been a massive defeat for the Italian working class. What's more, this is a conscious
Instead of projecting a political alternative to the reformist leaders.
towards provoking
But we still refuse to join the PCI and the Italian state
However disastrous the Red Brigades' policies, we utterly condemn the barbarous spectacle of their leaders caged and chained together by
leaders chose this course rather than They deliberately and Moro himself made this point in his letters — which have not, for the most part, been published in Britain. They are the ones who
commemoration of May-June 1968 with articles by Taric All, Alain Krivine, Eric Hobsbawn and #you agree with these principles and want to be Involved in activities by Socialist Challenge supportere In your area, till in the form below and sand If to us: 1am interested in more information about activities in
I would ilke additional literalure and enclose 50p to
Send to Socialist Challenge, 328/9 Upper St, London N1.
Many movement
railways. The
spreading racial hatred.
action do we
Ine grown a taste thece unions can be exolained as part of the spread of raciam example, the Thatcher speoch) and as a consequence of the particular situation on railways.
The specific problem on the
the general decline of the Industry since the last war. Staff levels have been slashed and we have
o a vast scale. The respons
f the trade union leadership • inadequate: during the Beeshan nOW period many of the cuts were accepted with token opposition and more concern for good redundancy benefits!
COLLAPSE
This has led to a collapse in morale and general feelings of
the relative position of railway workers has declined drastic ally compared industries (such engineering: and
The railway industry bas a highly centralised bargaining system which institutionalises sectionalism, and a history of paternalistic management in volving strict discipline and a rigid grade hierarchy. Thanks to this, and the mentally u gives rise to, a strong left force has never really taken root on the railways.
Perhaps the one exception
was the period between 1916
and 1919. formed NUR was forefront of- the syndicalist movement. that time, there have beer Strong structural
militating against the left: the
militancy is durin
prosperity, Since 1926 the rai unions have been constantly on the defensive, despite a minor
surge of prosperity after the
FAILURE
The lack of a strong socialist
tradition has been aggravated
because Labour governments
have presided over some of the
higgest cuts on the railways.
The chronic failures of British
Rail have been seen not as a
resuit of the subordination of
nationalised
monopoly capital, but as
falure of nationalisation itself.
andestanding that
HOME NEWS
Racism in the unions
people active in the whether vationa Railwaymen, Transport Salaried Staff Association, or ASIEF, the train drivers union, are expressing increasing concern at the spread of racist ideas on the
National Front now has Railwaymen's Association, with the aim of fighting the left in the unions, in addition to their usual role o
How are we to view these developments, and what
take 10 combat The elect has been general disillusionment with and socialism
GOLDEN AGE the The organisations lett - the the
beneficiaries.
had closures
been with other
DE).
Then the newly
militant situation Since hunting
those
periods of mythical before
hatred of the blacks and
given
programme.
handful of
the present industry and JALUSELS generally,
OUR POLICIES
Kahout Paris and the trades sninm -Hatin that are in the interests, not of the workers, bul ef the capiralia cass. Sacals Challenge belleres that the 100 vill
Tasks confroning resulelionery socialive Met Th haild brond brod class scrupzir tendr is opposition to cass-rilalemicaism t merrinces. Thror shoul Pulsive in character grouping luperie nacant holding n wide wage of pulitica
Find and demurratic recoletinars socalis sation which ran, through an application
mate my thousands nt wurkins cragen in aurassinasan sould be based us the
railway trade unio
Union of escablishes railways.
an NE
industry, better them?
Labour
general. probicin
JULILLI Communist Parly. signalhox:
and so on — have not beer
the have done provides a happy ground for the National Front, particularly in
areas where there has big Influx of black labour. The NF can hark hack
"golden uge nationalisation, the betrayal of the railways by ACTIVE Labour, and mix that with a
red "agitators' in the unions. For
the previous very analysis, its a very attractive expelling
At the moment the National From is weak on tbe railways: its presence is confined to
activists in tbe southeast and a couple of ather areas. However, racist ideas are very prevalent. With - abus side step the issue of
state af the fascism. the country Front could action easily expand. If a vigorous 1 valle the fight of the warkers gain sale see a raping the their Menam this secaliva can maly be achieved com new urgans of power and defeating mom neersary ease the power of the capitales
2
fight is not taken up against racism, we will have ourselves to blame if the NF
itself the
COROLLARY
The corollary of this is to resent a positive programes HE CAERISOIE DEED
wages and and industrial unity. To leave the issue truths. fighting racism alone would be looking only at the effects, and such a not the cause, of the present
fight against racism, THEIR S and all this entails, must begin would at the depot, station, yard, anc
W'C need by challenge racist ideas not let them go by default las we al
at one time another). The branch room is
01
struggle, and we should not underestimate We sorencen 01
racist feeling among even some
The union leaderships must such also take a more active stance
- paper resolutions achieve
ILLIC And simply fascists from the unions won't get us very far: it could even create a noose for
own. necksl The media could seize on it as an instance of trade union 'tyranny" versus human rights dike the recent
Sunday Express article did and - and
Even
We need a broadly based
group for railway
workers opposed to racism and
Africa ond Arse.
4
the National Froet. The key issue is racism. As yer fascist ideas as such bave no influctice aonest railway workers and the Front's only support is through its racism
While we should expose the Frons incessantly • Nazi organisation and show that' where racism can lead to, it is more important to challenge the racist assumptions that many people accept as natural
The impetus for forming
group - it might be called "Rail Against Racism' will inevitably come from the
However. it be folly to lims PAUL SALVESON, Socialst Challenge reader Rad
secretary of the Bolton branch of the NUR [personal capacity!
ourselves left
pressure group. A much wide
orientation COCCUCU
sporsorship from union lead-
erships would be essential 1c
win credibility among broad
sections.
What would be the role of
body? The
important activity could be of
propagandist nature: pro
dacing leaflets, pamphlets an
posters directed al railwa
workers. Speakers could be
provided for branches and
District Councils (Liese could
also affiliate) and articles and
others could be sent to TSA
Journal' "Trausport Review"
*Locomotive Journal". BR'S magazine *Rall
News' could be tried. (Last
for in eid remainent
Association)
The interests of workers and copal is are inconcilable
detator hips thes serain in Lalin Anctice
diate wilherawal of Britsh Troops tra and letting the Troll people deezin se their th
wines here she mraalia sto tur thr ereritnis of the capicalia state.
ThE MEN IP TIE OVERRE
Page 3 scan of this page
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Page 4 scan of this page
OPEN FORUM
On May Day, International Workers Day, there was a major setback in the building of the anti-fascist, auti-racist struggle. One thousand fascists under marched from Portland Place in London's West End -10 Square, Hoxtoe in the East End with not a glimmer of opposition to them.
While bewildered ANL supporters who happened to be in the West Enc asked, "What's happening, where is the opposition?' the National Front martine The National Front na with fascist front, joih the National Front,
How did this take place given the recent increase in the growth of the anti-fascist anti-racist struggle? in led?
The fascists have never marched through East London since the war without a major opposion mobilising against them and yet, 24 hours after the biggest anti-fascist event seen in London since before the war; anti-fascist forces were unable to mobilise to oppose this march.
We first beard on Wednesday that the Socialist Challenge had received an anonymous telephone call saying that the National Front were trying to get police permission for a London march.
The London Co-ordinating Com mittee informed the SWP, the ANI.
SOUR
THE BRIAN SMITH et al letter can
precisely characterised as thing: political sour grapes, Behind all the facts" regarding the NF demo on May Day sectarian attack on the All Nazi lies one thing League and its principal builders, the Socialist Workers Party.
But let's start with the facts. Socialist Challenge was telephoned on Wednesday, 26 April, about tbe possibility of an NF demo on May Day in the East End. We were told it would probably start from Portland Hoston are turexact times and MOTOR SIC but exact places we were not informed We immediately rang both the ANL and the Anti-Racist
Commitee (ARAFCC) to inform them and see whether tbey had received similar information.
CONTRADICTION
We suggested to the League that if adequate information was received an announcement should be made Front the Caroival to call a counter demo. No more was heard until the Saturday night when rang to say that ARAPCC had been able to confirm the NF
A meeting was Sunday morning lo discuss a countermobilisation, Challenge comrade turned up. informed the ANL of the NF demo but as we had not been given details then ement would be of use il them, the ANL decided that the comrades of the EOTIETHLLLE ARAFOC had the detailed infor TIN TOL WUY didn't they inform everybody of it?
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 18 May 1977 page 4
What price popularity?
THEY DID PASS
National Front planning a march on Hoxton.
that the
waving. in London's West End.
Members
tried to get participating
the Carnival to xbo to the No mandi
time demonstration effectively control.
NO MORE
GRAPES
information, combain that the AN -
tory tactual reports prepared to
mobilise
NF demo the
the 8. October sation?).
Indeed, ARAFCC off of.
Anti-Fascist
London
Brian Smith know the answers.
demo. suggested carly
unchallenged. politically sane person This
day after anti-fascist demonstration,
anti-Fascist, Hackney
Racism
and Searchlight of the rumours and endeavoured to cross check informa tion. On Friday we became aware of rumours from other sources that the
were definitely
On Saturday night Searchlight informed one of us, the Communist Party, the Anti Nazi League, the SWP
National Front
over the country for a march starting
of the Hackney Committee Against Racialism then
the organisations in the Carnival to produce a leaflet calling for a mass
organise m185s
Ve met with a virtually blank wall politics? When we made approaches to the platform to get an announcement made from the platform at the Carnival the organisers refused to do so on the grounds that there wasn't
organise counter that they could
Since the growth of the ANL. there have been a number of mobilisations against fascist meetings purticularly in London where the apposition has heen passive and shrinking rapidly. Al the Elford by-election the picket was ahout 2,500; at Brixton the
did not the how could they
they received numerous contradic-
WEL not make hopeless T8BE-THSMSIU somctime, somewhere, SOBIC OR SLOOOOO-CALLICIan
following day? (Remember bow we criticised the SWP for the ridiculous farce that occurred in Stockport at the time of
Tameside mobili-
wonders its own bat could mobilise absolutely nothing for May Day but had to rely on the League' Why, instead of berating the ANI for not calane a counter demo da which it bad no bard information. didn't che leading comrades of the
Day demo (5,000 strong) and get them to re-organise theit route to the East End to counter the NF march, or at least encourage anti-fascist and lelt groups to join an anti-fascist picker? Of course, one only has to ask these questions to the NE
In any case this isn't the real point of the comrades letter. Of course it's a bad thing thai the NF marched
But how can any say that semi-secret NF march of 1,000 at the most, protected by 5,000 police, tbe
an 80,000
major sechack in the building of the
anti-racilt struggle. '?
How wood the mass of people nationally and Jocally, black and White, bave soen events on Sunday and May Day? As a massive victory for the Jeit and the anti-fascist
opposition was less than 1,000
On May Day the opposition was nil. Does this mean that we can n longer count on the motilising ability of the SWP and other militants within the ANL to go along with a militant opposition to openly fascist and racist organisations in this country
All organisations concerned, including ourselves, should look at
Was mobilisation possible? On Sunday 30 April in exoess of B0,000 people were mobilised in London. It we had tried to mobilise sections of this large coond for a demonstration the following day how many people degree could such an event as the Caroival have been used to increase the political awareness of people who do not normally take an active part in movement, , and not the NF. You can ber the NF feels the same, which is why there has been a spate of vicious racist assaults and even a murder. in Spitalfields since.
More disturbing though insinuations against the ANt and the organised far left. In particular, to suggest that the failure of the League and the left to mobilise on May Day indicates a decision to steer from open and militant opposition to
We ure keen co see the ANL commilled from its conference to a policy ol mass accon to stop the fascists by any nicans necessary and to democratise its structure. Carnival is an Curious sore adite anti-faster indication movement bas, bor an example of
POSITIVE diverting protests off the streets, into the parks and away from direct confrontations with racists LESLISES
Existina anti-fascis: computees and ARAFCC have a posilive cole to
Wedonor decry the idea of holding such events as the Carnival but the orpanisational energy needed must not drain our bocomes impossible la scale immediate painst the National Front when it takes to the streets.
Lewishans may pot get the positive publicity that the received but thar in inseif is a good reason for asking who benefits iron diverting protest off the streets, into the parks and away from direct confrontation with fascists?
We must not neglect toe political tasks needed if events such as the Carnival are to be used to increase people's awareness and specille local responses to anti-fascist, anti-racist campaigns. or a national anti-fascist body must cot become a ticket to inactivity that absolves tbe anti-fascist, anti-racis movement from the political and moral obligation to oppose racin and fascism wherever and whenever it what appears.
Sunday's Carnival through the East End was a great national success. But on Monday we in the East End had the shame of watching the fascists 'THE Carnival was the most successful anti-fascist event we have seen in this country since the 1930s No amount of sniping can erase that faci from the consciousness of thousands of anti-lascist activists
play if (and in the case of ARAFCO it is becoming an increasingly big if") they see their job as winning the nea
ANL to a more conscious anti-racist are the and anti-fascist stance, e.g. taking up
immigration controls', self-defence', etc The truth is that a large section of ARAFCC is at the moment choosing away marginalise
sectarian attitude to the League. At recent meetings it has gone so far as to oppose having an ANL speaker a: it's conference.
have criticised, The continue
weaknesses of the ANL, as well as the sectarian anties of SWP supporters. question the anti-racist movement must answer is this: Can we consider the problems of the ANt outside the Framework contribution i has made towards and bulane an ann-tascist movement!
Or do we regard the ANL diversion from some supposediy real strugale which
POETES S0103.10 mount large Briun Smith,
HOTE
Carnival ha: Flume:
League, Alliance:
racists and
Mike Nicholson, generate Derek
Membership Demonstration
Lenton,
Association
CLP
capacity.
The
action by the
TALL T
"black UNITED
•itsell
that RESE ANL ANL and will
50 the real ARAFCC
some of its But the essential
-united
the the
as a fascists.
is taking place?
march unopposed through an are with a large black population and an arca of historic opposition to fascism.
Hackney Commice Racialism, Man Smith HCAR: Hackney Teachers Associa-
Judith Himan, HCAR. Hackney Socialist Feminists; Kevin MeDonnell, HCAR, East London Big
Pat Wooding Socialist Feminists; Richard KirkwINd, HCAR, Hackney Workers
International Socialist Natasha Sivanandan HCAR, ANL: Ron Helsler, Hackney councillor: Sue Loewenstein, HCAR Ernie Greenwood, Communist Party;
Martin, HCAR; Brian Transport and General Workers Union; Peter Lewis, HCAR
Kotz, National Union o School Students; Frunces
Defence Unit: Bell Harris. Tower Hamlets Movement Against Racialism and Fasciam; Alan
Dureen Hackney North and Stoke Newington CLP: Tim Hall, Hackbey Teacbers
and IMG; Mark Douglas. Agent, Hackney
All signatures above are in u personal
• Carnival the successful anti-fascist event we have seen in this country since the 1930
No amount of sniping can erase that
the consciousiless thousands of anti-fascist activists,
The task of anti-racist committees
should be to help build the ANI, and
politically influenoe the new forces being drawn into it. We have pointed ant arist committees bed the ne between
activists was polentially counter-productive. Unless the
comrades understand and combat this they will marginalise
the will be arguing to both a a
movement both
ARAFCC and the ANL conferences.
Sectarianism is a grave disservice to
overwhelming majoricy activists, who want to be involved in
concrete struggles apainst racists and
Socialist Chullenge Editorial Bourd.
Page 5 scan of this page
Learning from failure
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital
HOME NEWS
history.
shep steward 'incompetence"
Garners Steak House strikers.
Regional Organiser:
Tilston before coming out on strike. Tilston promised them official backing and supportne acuon. Tet alle two weeks the strikers had received no strike pay; nor had Where been supporting-indus trial action in other unionised
Furthermore, the stopping of meeting on 9 May.
on the campaign.
Thames Regional Health Auchority pus the boot
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson. It agreed overwhen w support the repommendations of its teami ofofficers thai:
*The BUA was surplus to the requirements of Carden and islington population.
*There was insulticient need for a hospital for wonten to justity the high expendicure, and therefore;
*Subject to the approval of the Secretary of
soon as possible.
recommadation
The Claridges strike
Why did the two-week strike by 150 workers at Claridges Hotel end so abruptly? The 150 General and Municipal Workers' Union members came out on strike for the first time in the hotel's 163-year
The workers were demanding reinstatement of a
sacked, ostensibly, and union recognition. Their dispute was promised complete union backing. They were determined to win. But the strike collapsed.
CLAIRE SALISBURY takes a look at the lessons which can be drawn from the strike's failure and urges support for the 20 May 'Day of Solidarity" with
The Carden we ared his dourike pay can-
firmed his doubts.
Despile the frequent presence of Regional Organiser Tilston on the picket line, the full moralised after nearly weeks to make approaches to chefs, the waiters and then the chambermaids WUEN In the light of the failure of strike, Bruce has said Rank and file workers must form wn network throughout and put pressure on
garner
GARNERS strikers. Soe What's Leit for details of pickets and Day
EGA stays.
HEALTH Minister David Ennals" annooncement on is a 'well woman clinic" which Tuesday that the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson hospital is due to close on 21 July means that action is vital.
The work-in at the women's hospital in London has been going on for two years, with outside support tending to slip away. But 60 attended a supporters
ROBIN WHITE, a NUPE shop steward, reports
face of promises made by two are rumours that if the EGA is bospital - apparently there HIC BEES BUSE betrayal of the hundreds This would people who have fought to the save the hospital. The shop sewards committee, with the backing of all Secretaries of State, and relies uncel acts that ously countered by saff and 8ICh opposed to any such deal. the ne Car says as part or lne Health Service or
The bOSES OCtent dose the hospital fies in the | it facilities, One such facility
for
SUPPORT OUT
returned to
John
Claridges
GARNERS
much more to help themselves lad they known expect. recruited more OLE.
liaised with branches in other hotels for supporting action CLOAKE RECOLU
sistance with broad pickets,
The collapse of the Claridges
Garners Steak House strikers,
Drugs West End determination or so strikers (mass pickets, the hospital is ready to open and requesting money for. The clinic would not only provide general health including breast and cervica cancer screening, hur give women an opportunity to discuss health problems with out the need for a letter from a GP. the AHA refuses to finance There this, but the hospital has held
meetings shout nean away and ances to hold a women's health fair!
total Much of the press has given
of
for the EGA is already lost, EGA simply because that is what the
authorities have decided. their they will find it difficult to
close the EGA. The staff are united in their determination POETSE
completely Myra Trevelyan adds: Ennals'
abbouncement crought 8 TITIOTIS not at all From the EGA staff,
Than ever to light back, said Vera Wagsall, a member of
DAY 9F
STARTY
MAY20.
TIGHT AGAINST SLAVE LABOURINTHE
FIGHT UNTİL WE WiN
GWU OFFICIAL STRIKE to TRADE UNION RECDONTO
14. MONT:
HOUSES STRIKERS
Restaurant what CoLd have members be rather recognise D
STACE LUHU and workfarce's
and more effective
foundered. have had the all of
for for union success despite by the 100 hotel SEALER emergency
pickets hegin again. check The meets in the would
picket
EGA,
women's But
Tuesday reaction
against dispute,
TELCICE
arbitration,
PIERING Cardiff
and newspaper
picket line.
give
Despite
HI SIMIKE ONE SMOTEDETT
chain owner Cyril Margolis is no ordinary Other employer. It seems be would
Слал fore, he TGWE as his Effective
to the strikers ists. morale, and bence to their
Of the three major caterin disputes over the last hail-year two — at the Metropole hotel
Claridges have scatiered but
As for the present — it is up Sarners Stak Houses strike make" the
recognition A trio of railure: could do cucusble damse to the faltering progress of
and catering unioni-
DRENALEEL groups
the action committee Were shattered and disgusted that Chris he's taken this decision without Oxford. reference to anyone and totally ignoring all the people who've made it plain they want us to
"Ennals has already stoppod
bed service bringing in patients, which is really threatening. It's vital that
Suppor EGA every
Committee Tuesday at 7pin. Its Immediate tasks are to build a regular
and to rebuild local support. If you want to help
01-387 2501.
Gay Activists Alliance
National Day of Action
Seturday 27 May
Picket WH Smiths lo demand they extend their distribution
network to Gay News
Next wonk full report on
Oxord GAA meeting
IN BRIEF
Joumalists angry THE Journalists Union called off the strike action
Thomsons last week, but the Hemel Hempslead journalists are still on strike.
In negotiations with manac. meat the NUT settled on full back pay for the period of the
and no dismissals pending arbitration.
However the day following the agreement a letter was
SOSALS which stated that journaliste
would have to refund all the back pay.
This was unacceptable to the Heme gourDa Ists They decided to continue their strike action. In other areas there bas been a return to work. In
journalists were incensed at the decision.
It came at a time when their own newsletter was selling well
the local Thomson
lose advertising. The usual lack
solidarity - DCIWCET CENC newspaper unions was shown
their members to cross the
But many South Wales trade unionists had been giving their
support — including the South
Wales miner's conference. And many press officers and union representatives were refusing to
information the Thomson papers.
the instruction to return to work the journalists don't believe they are defeated The original issue, the Heme Hempstead journalists" refusal to sell jobs, has not yet been
grievances over pay
and Thomsons may yer mnd that hard-line lockout tactics have only increased the militancy of provincial journal-
the
Oxford nursery
A RALLY is to be held on 2 May in Osford to develop the
growing resist. ance to cuts into a nationn of the nursery class by the Council's bailiffs, the class crowing for a fight to preven
urther clasare
The rally will be addressed how hospital eMptin
Hospital Occupation
of militants active against the cuts
Everyone wetive aguinst the cuts, concersed about them or
meeting oung: Facing them is welcome lo this
38 Hunt St, 4303.
Every child a wanted child
Every mainer a wiling me
Vomen in the lameside Area have been deprive
of the abortion by Menstrual Aspiration Servic
because of a legal technanty West End Centre
Demo. May 20th 100 pm.
NALGO meeting
A NATIONAL meeting of Socialist Challenge supporters in NAIGO is to be held on 20
is not confined supporters of Socialist Chal lenge all those who agree
STUTTERY presented in the paper by
impasse of the left in the union care aiso invited, iresnective of
political differences
The meeting will be from 11 am.to 5pm next Saturday at the Argyle Community •Argyle St London WCI.
A pooled fare will operate. Anyone requiring childcare facilities or overnight Ropo
organisers. National NALGO Meeting, PO Bax SD, London
Abortion demo AT ITS conference last month, the National Abortion Cam paiga decided to throw its weight behind a campnigs for day-care abortion fecilities SARAH HOELOrS and
CONWAY mport.
Day care allows women to have an abortion by the quickest and available. women in Tameside had thi choice of opting for menstrual extraction as an abortion method. But this is no longer the case.
1967 Abortion Act requires that a woman has to
an abortion can be performed
115 method that is best used when it is too carly for reliable pregnancy tests
It is the extraction by suction of the contents of the uterus. and can be used as a treatment for beavy or painful periods, or as an abortion method between 10 and 18 days from
first missed period
I1 1 Er speror to the tsun! vacuum extraction or curettage
ULIE minutes and there is no need
A doctor in Tameside is being prosecuted for using this technique.
The pernicious use of a legal technicality. has deprived Tameside women of access to the best early abortion method available. Women everywhere should have the right to choose menstrual extraction.
NAC a asiong everyone who supports women's liberation to
and join the demonstration
CCI. details оГ transport ete contact: NAC, 30 Camden Rd London NW1. Tel: 01-485
John St. Ashton-u-L
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 1B May 1977 page 5
Page 6 scan of this page
THE WAKE BEFORE THE DEATH *The Grunwick strike is over. Let's be realistic. Let's face it.'
WHAT WERE THE REAL GAINS
AND POLITICAL DEMANDS'
WHICH HORSE WILL THE EXECUTIVE RIDE?
HOME NEWS
Grunwick
of the Grunwick strike.
Dunn had chaired His remarks were in tune with LIc Echer Theme taken up D most of the platform speakers. Mamoul Ahmed, ARIT strikers will never call off the strike, If it's called off, the APEX leaders will responsible*.
TRADES COUNCIL
committee's assessment of the chairperson, Tom Durkin: "The SEUAICKSTEEEES beaten by Ward and his Tory
NAFF allies... What defeated them was the weakness thathasbeens tundamental one
movement since 1926. That is the domination of the right wing.'
Civil servants
employers-sponsored Truemid outfit.
Union members responded by throwing them out. THELON ›verwhelming majority of Broad supporters to all the main posts in the union- This includes three Socialist Challenge supporter one of whom is on the NEC itself.
The atmosphere in Brighton was eupboric. But what gains
conference
the year ahead?
CPSA delegate reports.
REJECT
On pay. while the conferCOLL Moted reject all forms of incomes
endorsed the Pay
Research Unit, that iniquitous
of sercalled yar botanis so-called comparison with industrial clerical work-
A proposal was defeated for a delegate pay conference where members could democratically decide upon beir own pay claim and what action to take to win it. Socialist Challenge supporters will continue to campaign actively amongst the
Public employees
*WHEN the firemen lost, all the public service anions lost too'. That's what Alan Yates, President of the National Union of Public Employees, said when he opened the union's
conference on Sunday. RICH PALSER reports from Margate.
On Monday the debateon pay
brought a different atticade
from the union leadersbip.
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 18 May 1977 page 6
With these words, Kent miners' leader, Jack Dunn, summed up Saturday's national conference in support
the This acceptance that the
strike was already lost brought criticism from a number of delegates. The convenorat British Rail's Acton Works said he anticipated coming to a wake. A delegate from Trades Council said that if he'd be known he was
funeral he wil have donted a black suit!
HURLI convenor at British Leyland's
strike was no easier and no more
when they'd walked out in
Jonathan Silberman, NUJ Magazine branch delegate at the conference, agreed that it was the miahi wing trade leaders that had brought the strike to such a low ehh.
But how were they able to do
FOR THE LEFT?
THE moderate majority of the executive of the Civil and Public Services Association has admitted that some of its activities have been financed by the
membership for the rejection ol and the present system
On racisms and fuscism, the conference voted to affiliate to the Anti Nazi League, and to set up a sub-committee of the NEC campaign
So was palen for C
ters will campaign Servants against the committees in union branches: to keep the NEC in lige and make initiatives of the ANL On women's rights, conference passed a motion rejecting the employers" posals for nurseries. amount to little more than child minding It the NEC to campaign properly-financed civil provided by local autborities.
belecares aise supportou sue principle of creche facilities at Uson copietens We will be campaigning in
branches around such needs as abortion demand something so far neglected in the CPSA, despite its support
one Working Women's Charte
Campaign. defend union policy on wager by claiming that the firemen hac i sooned a victory!
The turn-around came when the executive supported resolution calling for public employoes* wages to be linkedto the averageindustrial wage —as the firemen had been promised before. At the same conference endorsed a union wages strategy' to win a 35 hour week and a 160 minimum wage Which of these two harses the executive chooses to ride in the next wage negotiations will depend on whether delegates
engineering
hadn't Southampton
coming to a
depury so after 11 July when it was out of their control? he asked. Can the strike committee control back from there now?
Preston GEC APEX societary meeting called delegates to fight the rampant sexism at the conference and to prioritise campaigns for women's liberation.
There was a good attendance at the meeting,
against
supports the
the TESSA VAN GELDEREN, S member of the Association which Further and Higher Education, and of Brent Trades Council. explains why she will be coming for to the Socialis: Challenge Trade nurseries Union Conference.
The recent pay settlement for teachers such as myselt in higher education was in line with that of sectors, and bankruptey of the NATHE leadership's policy.
We failed to recover the the demands or money that we have lost over
the past few years, and the very important demand to merge One positive step was a the bottom two pay scales has standard oftenching. Nor has a
Then Alan Fisher tried to supporting an
approach can bave an effect in the union. Such an alternative approach was ser out in a resolution, defeated at conter: ence, which called for a E65 minimwo wage; a 35 hour week: wages with every rise in the cost offiving; as well as a nuruber of time, other benefits.
To win this, the resolution called for a common claim and settlement date for all NUPE members, for action alongside other public sector workers and for a special union conferenceto decide on action should the
JACK DUNN chairing the Grunwick solidarity conferance in Wombley last weekend
John Parkinson
wrest
Council by women
The committee
UNITY IN ACTION
National as a whimper.
Teachers im This
are, of course,
- valuable step in the huge
public showed the WAGES
in public
alternative management fail to meet the
claim
rise in
strike
Jenve its members
incresses indusrial wage.
S8L0 that without the Trades Council the strike would never have taken off. But the strategy of Trades
marred by the presence of unsympatbetic men
women to organise separately:
mecting CELIAL to convenie
SC Trade Union Conference
been dropped without so much
Tacist demand affects the majority of the membership.
quotas. mainly to be found in the first grade. It was
breaking differentials imposed by Houghton, which are hierarchical and divisive.
And it is not only on wages tbat the union has failed us. vital: Little action has been taken on
expenditure, muSL which affect our jobs and our
La member
with the
MISES
the bulletin of the
Campaigo for Action in NUPE
commented on last year's claim:
Instead of fighting alongside not enough. the firemen, the Executive was
content to give tbem money and
await the ourcome of their
forward,
I will he up to CAN to
organise to see that the union TUC.
pursues its objectives for a 160
minimum wage and does no SHOE PY
Jike the
firemen whose fates were tied to
in the average
pressure on trade union leader made for sectarian purposes. to act was useless. The leaders had refused to do so.
Worse, they had acted as opent strike breakers when they suspended the hunger suckers, Insuch a situation - wehavetobe prepared to build a movement independent of them, be said. even
Brent Trades Council Secre the cries of brenTrades the criticists of Trades Council leaders, He said tbese sort of criticisms were only
national meeting of CPSA women members. Socialist Challenge will argue that men shouldn't attend so that the conditions can be created for an organised response to the inactivity of the leadership on problems confronting women
We will not support moves fight been launched against the students and the immigration controls which buttress these
FIGHT BACK
There is an urgent need to fight back with class struggl demands across the trade union movement. Thac is why
forthcoming Socialist Challenge Trade Linion Con ference will be important. It will be a forum to discuss these
questions facing militants in the unions, but it
Play the DisEs the fight-back.
This need becomes more urgent when we look •ar struggles such as Cirubwick. As
of Brent Trades Council, I have been involved Pregning in gust 1976 it strike from
been evident that the spontaneous response of the labour movement — magnifi cent as it was, and an essential I pre-requisite for any successful outcome to the dispute — was
What was required was unily in action and political demands that would carry the struggle Tureaucracy of APEX and the
Such unity can only come
miticants in the labour movement being pre pared to work together and not subordinate the class struggle to the needs of their own
They opened up divisions on the left to the advantage of the right
Jack Dromey answered none of the pointsraised — he simply argued that the strikers and th Trades Council were united
when disagreed Crilicism of the Trades Counci todivide the strikers and Trade Council, he said.
towards separatism or substitution for existing structures of the union of the Broad Lef and Redder Tape formations impetus of women's meetings, we will fight within the lett tor support for women's demands
Photo MARK RUSHER TEL
TESSA VAN GELDEREN
individual organisation. That
wity welcome conference and hope that orber tendencies in the trade union movement will respond to it in a positive way.
victory at Grunwick would not just have aided the struggle Garners and Sandersons, bit sowd have been a victory for the whole working class. The conference DILUSL Grunwiel and take it back into learn the lessons
the labour movenient. With all the recent defeats we've suffered, the need for a class struggle tendency was never more urgent.
Page 7 scan of this page
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Page 8 scan of this page
OF SIR JUL
JULIAN HODGE
The helping hand of
Brother Julian
ELECTION POSTERS adorning the walls DUSITE generally be assumed to be the work of eager campaigners making a lour with a bucket of paste in the dead of night. Even the Tory business owners are relactant to reveal their colours to LET TO EARED Me supre tore con of
to the electors Cardiff South East to find that the Labour posters displayed at local garages and cinemas in the 1964 and
966 General Elections were not bastily removed
The garages and question are owned by the Hodge Group: Brother Julian was offering a helping hand to Labour's campaign. He also provided office equipment and, on clection day, cars owned by the company were made available to ferry voters to the polls.
The cothusiasm of the millionaire
of the working class has showed up in other ways.
AGENT
In 1966, Jack Brooks became the Labour agent in Callaghan's Cardiff SE constituency, Brooks. & plasterer by trade, needed a job. He was taken
Sales Sound Lid., a subsidiary of Hodge's cinema chain.
In spite of his relatively salary for those days between €1,200 and E1,300 and a new SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 18 May 1978 page B
Austin 1100 purchased for his use. the company saw little of
considered, a job for Callaghan's When Brooks became leader of the South Clamorean county councu L 1971, he was entitled: to expenses of TOLD TO WELSHOE LESLE Wales Echo last year: "That's why | still did plastering and painting a couple of nights a week weekends to make up my money.
ARRANGED in
Mast of this work was arranged by Julian Hodge and took buildings that he owned. There is not doubt that Brooks needed extra cash be has twice been fined for non-payment of national insurance contributions.
Hodge waso't simply
Callaghan a favour. Brooks is worth cultivating. Former chairperson af theor chairperson on the sout Labour chairperson Glamorgan council for three years, candidate (unsuccesaful) for Barry in both the 1974 General Elections, Brooks is shortly to take office as chairperson of tbe Wales Labour Party.
Just before the October 74 election that swept Callaghan into office, good Julian Hodge told a Western Muil
journalists: 1am not afraid of a Labour government.
GEORGE THOMAS, then Labour's Secretary of State for Wales, presenting Hodge with a gold watch in 1970. Thomas wrole to close friends seeking
Thursday afternoon. normal.
understandabic.
Prime Minister, who both represent Carditi constituencies were msdwives Jack Hodge's
It is MY SCS multi-millionaire would now
favour with these Labour leaders.
founding of the Commercial Bank of Wales in 1971 brought Thomas and
and at took office in th
Government in 1974. Both MPs each hold 15000 worth of shares in the bank.
Trends like a roll-call of Labour Party place in
Councilors and bas
1964-70 Labour administration.
doing
INTERESTS
that. But the questions" in biggest event for
more for
politicians" found within
Street Cardify Riverside in Thomas' and the squalor Callaghan's.
CUT-THROAT
are the victims of the
operations.
from the West Midlands alone.
SIR GEORGE Thomas, Speaker of the House of Commons, was visibly upset by an MP's remark during whatis known as Business Questions in Parliament last
Deanis Skinner, angered by the catcalls he received while attempting to ask a question about the Windsor Safari Park strike, and riled at the Speaker's interruptions, was moved to suggest:
"Let's have a debate then about who's got shares in Julian Hodge.' Thomas turned several shades of crimson. Parliamentary business rapidly returned to
The reaction of Mr Speaker is
LOOMES ONE the
Commercial Bank of were unlikely that the merchant banker he the largest private employer in Wales if he had not found HO TO ala.
The favours have been mutual. The
BUSINESS Callaghan on to its board of directors
a position they retained until they Hodes
present Labour
In fact, the bank's share register officials. It has included more thin a say it dosen Welsh Labour MPs, numerous appalling.
featured six who held office in the
Thomas, evidently
Labour's attention to the interests of industrialists and financiers is not a secret. The Social Contract attests to seeking donations.
COSECILE: It was in scram interests on a personal level is another matter. The books have yet to be ruily
Commercial Bank of Wales (CBW). but enough has been uncovered by Rebecca, a radical Welsh magazine,
of busines Parliament and elsewhere. The articles on these centre pages are based on material published by Rebeces over the past two years.
For George Thomas, the launching TeLL RHI of Hodge's bank ranked with the Second Coming. It was, he said, 'the
Wales my Wales than David Lloyd George and all of us politicians put together. " Some of the evidence of the
achievertients be Bevan mile the headquarters of the CBW in St Mary's
the decay of marking constituency, of Roath in that of
Julian Hodge's customers also have a fot to be grateful for. Among thei
notorious psramid-selling and second mortgage
which brought ruin te thousands of working class people. Al the peak of this cut-throat financial scheme in 1973, Hodge had over thee hundred brokers sending him busines
Literally millions ol people bave links with borrowed money from Julian Hodge in the form of highly expensive second the mortgages on their homes. Between
THE UNFINISH
was September 1974and February 1976the Hodge Group made C225m worth of
• Call: credt business" — the larger part of which
mortgages. One operation to be taken to the courts was
Commercial Credit Finance Lid, whose directors were
had accepted 114,200 worth of business from CCF, and at the trial it emerged that Hodge received interest on loans at a rate of 25,2 per cent a year, while horse owners were obliged to pay as much as 54 percent. Thetrial judgeobserved: I
is absolutely their
Julian Hodgereceived a knighthood in 197D; yet another commendable entry in Harold Wilson's benighted Barthdar Horous hats, For Georg:
then Secretary of Scate of Wales, tbis award to Brother Julian
BOt sufficient, He decided that the knightbood merited a present, and he wrote on House ol Commons paper to mutual friends
Thomas sent 10 Bill Bevan. princip of the lett of University College, Cardiff, which has just brought to light this spic moment in Labour bistory.
"The well deserved honour that has been bestowed on Julian Hodge has brought enormous pleasure throughour South Wales, wrote the Secretary of State. Tbereis little that we can do for Julian, but at least we can give hist a present that will be a permaneol reminder of the pleasure his friends
Knighthood has been conferred on
GOLD WATCH
contribution, towards a gold watch, to Thomas at 31 Windsor Park, Carditt,
the cavelope 'strictly personal". The address happens to be
the Hodge Group's 'chairman's office". The chairperson of the group is Julian Hodge. When the Lahnur Coverment Je B 1ea weeks later, Hodge provided George Thomas wilh ollice accomodatoo
Last sunumer, Mr Speaker - whose gentlernany manacemen or com mots debates will be amibar to those who listen in to the broadcasts of Parliament accompanied and Ms Hodge on a week's holiday la Saudi Arabia, where the group were the guests of the Saudi oil minister. The visit, said Thomas, was private.
When Jim Callaghan bocame Prime Minister there were murmurs about hix
Hodge Callaghan was unmoved. "He was and is my friend,"
announced. That friendship may have begun nearly 30
years ago. In 1950 and *51, Callaghan
Parliamentary and Financial Secretary at the Admiralty. His boss was Lord Hall, who went on to become chairperson of Cinent and West ol England Enterprises, then the most important of Hodge's companies.
ELECTIONS
In any event, by the mid "60% Tim and Julian were well acquainted, with the latter actively assisting the election
Callaghan's constituency (see The helping band of Brother Julian"). As a director of over 60 private companies, Hodge was already a millionaire on paper, and his developing links with the party that dominates Weish politics were to fill his coffers even more
In the mid-60s the Hodge Group relied on a buoyant hire purchase sector to keep profits on the increase Hodge was greacly relieved at the 1965 Budgel. I am astonished,' he said That the CHICSUE something about purcbase tax and that be did pot increase down-payment Interest on bire purchase
As it happens, the Chanceller of the Exchequer who presented that Budget was Jim Callaghan. His 1967 Budge elapichant to be hellent empire. spite vebement opposition from Transport Mibister Barbara Castle to any boost for three-wheeled vehicles, because
accident record, Callaghan decided to relax downpayments on these particular vehicies, together with motorcycles. Enere were onil Two manufacturers of three-wheelers, and the Jarpest - was part of..the Hodge Group.
IMF GUEST
In the same year, Callaghan invited Hodge to be his guest at the annun conference of Labour's tavounte Panda, he complimen was ta t Fund, compliment was to be returned. When Callaghan was no longer Chancellor he still attended IME conferences — as the guest of Brother Julian.
The two men had ample opportunity to discuss marters of mutual interest, and in thecarly 70s when Callaghan was Treasurer of the Labour Party this relationship nearly resulted in aunting as agents for Todget en worker
insurance. As Hodge representatives
La neeling of parly executives in Cardiff at the heginning 0T 196E
In South Wales we have a voting strength of 650,000 giving a premium income of £195,000. Labour would they said, omitting to meation that th company would collect over E100,000 a year. Callaghan was enormously
during the private session at the Labow Party conference later that year, It was thrown our by 4.3m votes
DIRECTORS
Callaghan's disappointment shortly to be relieved when he and Thomas hecurne directors Commercial Bank of Wales in Mas 1972 on a salary said to be £1,000 a year. Their sharcholding:—€5,000 warh each were much tamer [bal those that could be obtained by
investors to the beavily
Page 9 scan of this page
AN HODGE
Tim the country squre. over-subscribed share offer
Hodge had a lot to be grateful for, The CHW — generally referred to by its managers and staff as simply the Bank of Wales - pulled together the varied activities of the Hodge empire. and enhanced its opportunitiesto fund and profit trom diverse enterprises.
It was George Thomas MOT InSTUmCaLa CWIR birth of the CBW. When the idea of TH anKAS0CC to nIa 1968 by a London financier, who had in nunc a Liberal Parly versión. Thomas stepped outside the Cardiff restaurant in which they were dining. and mentioned: What about Julian Hodget" Heswept his arm along the James Howell department store and added: "He owns all this, you know."
1 Almost no sooner said than done; although the full derails of the bank's formation have yet to be revealed. In 1968, Hodge Thomas to the Welsh Council. report prepared by the finance panel recommended that a financial institution with a commitment to Wales...a urgently required."
WHAT'S LEFT
ADALING •ADMENS CHARTER
mpaign nafianai bondarenco Ma
nester Poly, 17 and 18 June, Furthe spring terk, Hull Tat: Hull sti 243 Trom.
FOUR SOCIALISTS lenking Ter London. Phone Mick D1-05e 8301, or Easy
STRIKERS- support Claring
o-ab-im 30507
Mercaled snowd ap
onden
acur Boin Tull :
: S nten Sir. Phan ot-es
Jim the benkes frit
The PInCE
argument
who was Secretary of State
process of institution. It was
by the then h Conne 4 council's appointment.*
Sohow wi2 Half Moon.
JEWS AGAINST ZIONISM SOLIDARITY WITH PALESTINIANS BRONTO Sate Cub laos nd Poal Union Nery Стомн 50p
PUBLIC WSL
Feminan cods
ogins Drive. cagl:- ede (Leed: e2507
discuss cne recenly publis EDGE magacce тнат econd issus and future perspeclives On SENT TON tuiN
ED BUSINESS
BISTAN Jim the policen's wice had heard five -two were against the idea, two were for (but could provide little evidenceto support their view) and the only withess to put forward a serious confidentialy was Julian Hodge.
It dida't seem 1o bother Thomas Soder ther friend Sutny Jin, thor Wales, part from being the best witness Hodge also happened to be a member of the panel and was actually in the
serting left such to former CADBUE WINISGEOBD SCOTCHOUSe TO declare in the Commons shortly before DWa OTOr TaO TEat Tic ncaar the Civil Service had "named Sir Julian Hodge as a person who couldn'i be appointed to the Bank of England Court - alhough he was nominated
Chancellór of the Exchequer (Callaghan) — because be was not a worthy person for the
The civil serant concerned, Sir William Armstrong, now chairperson of the Midland Bank, has never
NEWHAM TEACHERS aurihor
eMas chlane l Fote data actiel, Forest Br, Landon E7 (25 or 3B bus to Princess Hasy 25 May 7.30pm OWING io popular demand sno play he Tralr Dede ni Moe
BONS Chate Po Chia Fae
Psalet mere ment in traged coners. ato seld ir
IANCHESTER ee hoganar anal
publicly denied Stonebouse's re-
If the Weish people harboured the Idea that the CBW was to be different trone there to te corected hey were shortly to be corrected. February 1972 Hodge prociaimed: 'It will be an independent bank with no Cording more tan lo per cert of the af omnpanies shares. Within eight manths it was to emerge that the First City Bank of theshares, and the Hodge Group itself fo tow de) por CCOE
CONTACTS
When Jim Callaghar spoke to his constituents following his appointment as Shadow Chancellor in 1961, betold them: "Oneof my first tasks will be torenew contracts with Welsh trade unionist industralsts, and business undertakings.' The trade unionists have been none too delighted with the resules of their" "contacts"
It is unlikely to be the Prime Minister, the Speiker of the House of Commons, nine of the Weish Labour MPs, or numerous local councillors and Labour Party officials in Wales who will open the books on Sir Juban Hodge's unfiniabed business.
Rebecca —a radical magazine
activitea ot politicians and Hales SHEEALSES
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JIM CALLAGHAN's life began in poverty. His father, a Royul Nav officer, died in 1921 ut the age of 4 and it wasa't until 1924 — with the CEBOn Government
amounted to 10 shillings [50p] a week
benevolence or his early years. He said of his wife Audrey, the daughter of ar engincering company director: Sh added an essential clement of middle class stability to my working class insecurity:
Needleas to say, that insecurity has never been lifted from the lives of the conchitsents of Cardif South Pan whom Callaghan has represented in Parlament sor carried out by the South Wales Echo graded 41 Cardiff districts acoording to their amenities. Four of the bottom six places in the table of decay and dereliction were awarded to arcas in Cardiff SE Number 10 Downing Street is a little more palatial. But Jim and Audrey do like to get away from it all. There'sthe In Cardiff, Dow $8,000, And there's Upper Clayhill
Mg 55P, 93 Soen meetn Cristo
May aresa Forward for
Windrawal
Euston
LATIN AMERICAN comrado urganii 17908 rocm in London. Phone di 22
BRITISH OUT of Irland. Il is time
•Soli-
, Aten Square
The houses that Jim's built
finst Labour
• that bis widowed grunted • pension. l
wasn't to forget Labour's
satisfied.
bathrooms
Lake
Robert
33 C815. AL SULYE
added:
worth ahout
imionaities: • The DASI May, 7.30pm CHUTEOlE
plytechnic, Room 3106 (Cont Roo
1 ard Floor. Pond St. Shelfeld
avallabo from BM ACT (SG). Londo Cheques and poslel orders papaste to. WCIV EXX. Price 00p plus 15p
FOUND on ARAFCC bus to Tamesic
enio Seplember 1977. Knapeack з
perythiene bag full of clothes cain ANTI-RACIST, ANTI-FASCISY
OO-ORDINATING COMMITTKE
Dee 13, 188 Opper Btreet, Landen M1
CONFERENCE 3/4 JUNE
Farm, Dear Lewes in Sussex, which orcis a rew amenucs, 130 acre jule s house with six bedrooms and three reception rooms.
was purchased 10 years ago for E22,600 Callaghans and their friend Gordon Denniss, a chartered surveyor. The arrangement was that the Callaghans would live in the house while Denniss looked after the farm.
usted They spent 3,0 her
spent E8,000 on renovations which included iwo new
and three addicional lavatories. The local councit did not
kiadly to the Callaghans application for an improvement grant.
Street, chairperson of the that them - the maximum grant of [400, said:
Mr Callaghan was legally coticlod to a grant. But surely it's morally wrong fora man earning E8,500to sock
wetend country bone Mr Street
weekend country bome
'It's a case of the pool subsidising the rich." (The Prime Minister's salary is now E23,208 -€5,000 of it tax free.)
shaver. To recium ring C1-802 0911
PLANNING MAMIC TOF MONAD! holand - 11am Sat 21 Lar T CunHaT!
MET TEMPOMANT CARNIYAL Apainst Racism's opecisl souvenir of tne Cartas Sheet Pule and Pory. T author
Betain cot lige amora bare
richea?
FIGHT RACISM' b
Borders • 60 SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 18 May 1978 pege 9
Page 10 scan of this page
Castlereagh claims its i m
IRELAND
no surprise.
For over a year, protests bout what is taking place i
astlereagh have been a almost daily occurrence.
Among those who have
DECEIT ¡ation methods Northern Ireland Civil Right Association, the Association
paramilitary Ulster Defence
and even the Police Surgeons Association and a group of lawyers who work in Northern Ireland's special "Diplock" Courts.
METHODS
A doctor who has treated SOmE the victims Castlercagh, Dr Seamus Mc-
big success
150 people altended a rally Ireland in Glasgow's Woodside Halls on 7 May reports MARTIN O'LEARY.
The rally had been built by a broad-bosed committee ported by Glasgow socialist feminists, the Socialist Workers Party, International Marxist Group, Sing Fein, and the Irish Defence League
A speaker from the Belfast Relatives Action Committee told of the plight of Ireland's political prisoners.
She outlined the brutal Interrogacion techniques used by the British Army and RUC. the abuse of prisoners by screws and police harassment of the Relatives Committee.
Peter Bain. convenor ol
Chrysler Linwood und
member ENCI
Workers Party, also spoke. He
emolesised the spineiess amlitude towards Ireland of trade
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 18 May 1977 page 10
Brian Maguire's death
inevitable victim
SOONER OR LATER it was inevitable that someone would be found dead in a cell at Castlereagh Interrogation centre, reports TOM MARLOWE. In this sense the discovery of the hanged body of trade union official Brian Maguire last week comes us
Aleer. tisturbed by what be saw thi he a public outlining the methods used by the interrogators: They try to unnerve their prisoners with the foul language,
PRETEND 'They make an arrested person pretend that he is sitting on a non-existent chair with his hands out. Should he fall be is balled back into position by his "They make him do press ups until he collapses, then the they spread his feet outin of his toes, hands out resting his
GeoT
"SUICIDE" AT CASTLEREAGH
BARRACKS
Glasgow's Irish rally
union leaders and stressed th Importance of building an Iri: solidarity movement.
He pointed to the International Tribunal sup- effective means of doing this.
The rally heard a message of
national organser of Sint t ein (Britain), and Feminist speaker of the important role women were playing in struggle.
The size and comradely lone of the rally suggested opportunities for building an Irish solidarity movenient Glasgow and members of tbe Dren is comice of the orginising committee Action of co-operation made the meeting possible.
This suggescion, with a proposal to take action Socialist oD Army recruitment among Caspow's inciploved. enthusiastically hacked by the
fingertips and leaning against the wall with his head back.
Should his head come forward, it is yanked back by a fistful of hair or a karate chop or a kick on a bare ankle.
DOCUMENTED
letter "They make him run on the
spot" and if he does not lift his knees high enough they will thuno him in the siomgon "They will shake him by the Dr MeAteer
That LO solen uD ls Drain They Will threaten to shoot A lawycr and member of the SDLP Paddy commented: "There are a number of well documented cases of persons being brought stations for interrogation in Omagh, Cookstown Castlereagh again.
• several of th indeed, persons ill-treated have keen brought to the bospital by the police themselves thing illite than by the eft.
"There are detalled medical Members have said prayers.
number of trained pictures. The largest is of the Commons itself and has the title The Parliament House Empire'. If you Empire doesn't exist anymore, the tirst proceedings of I May were a reminder that it does It was Question Time on the North of Ireland. It was also the
been found Castlerengh centre, So what would be the reaction and the 632 MPx7
AFFAIR Well actually the entire 632 didn't manage lo Twenry eight were there R'OCO Reilly, the questions began. Scill, that
was enough for someone to a Socialist raise the affair of Britain's very
the - Irish IRELAND - HOODED MAN SPEAKE
MATCHAL SPEAKING TOUR CHar
real
-in
which de= WaviDih Lelbeater Polytachi
Monday Mar zand Birmingham Ar
Tiny May 29ve Manet An
together Fayen MayBe Bitton Thursday
were
Celiaur local college for tunt ar
reports from eminent
Duffy, has inflicted:
about such
into police interropators. and are becessary
In hospital TeTONSE
such these methods are used.
law department University Belfast
and I'll tell you no lies
GEOFF BEIL reports from the House of Commons
YOU AREN'T allowed into the press gallery in the House of Commons until after the Honourable
Why this should be so is difficult to work out, but anyway journalists wait in a long narrow room until after the Commons has sought divine guidance.
In this room there is a own Sceve Biko.
*To ask the Secretary
the think the
heating
PAISLEY hanged in interrogation questions; his way
Uaf the Government
citizens Bradford.
make it, feet
more Goveroment for
This
For
boring old Belfast. pointed out:
Hear, hears all round The next question
co-operation
sultants giving details of the injuries which they found and there are photographs showing the actual results of the jury gained
What is most important
methods of interrogation is tbat is is not simply a case of a few sadistic of
Such methods statements because in the vast majority of cases the only way the police can hope to gain
CORY CHOOS ough confessions. And it is to
confessions that Maguire 10
One recent estimate by the
of Queens estimated
Socialist Challenge visits parliament
Ask me no (Irish) jokes
West
PLO.
Enoch Powell gor in first,
of State insister; of Northern Ireland if he will
approve the proposal of the Housing Executive to offer the allernative of sold fuel
with Republican all-electric heating systems.!
Powell likes to ask such
of saying tbat what concerns the citizen: oi the North of Ireland exactly the same as concerns the
of Manchester
Polowing ine overninen reply, Tan Paisley was on his
LEEDIBLE heating systems and to demand
HESIS ALL hit constituents unforbrought howls protest from Labour MPs who argued that Big Ian had no right
puhlic expenditure after he had voted for tax cuts the previous night
while Ireland, jocluding its heating systems were forgotten; after all the Government defeat on lax cuts Mason was much more exciting than But
wherever. And as Roy Masor
We've been very generous to Northern Ireland.
was: .ОП what a Unionist MP called the
between
that nearly 90 per cent of the convictions oblained in USe Don-jury courts for "berrorist". that is poltical offences, are
throuch confessions.
INADMISSABLE
On three occasions in the last month, judges in the North
Ireland have declared inadmissable because of police methods used during interrogation.
In this respect, the decision of the RUC to release part of an allened contession be Hrian
conspiracy in murder has been described by SDLP spokespersen on law and order, Michael Canavan, said as "simply outrageous"
Provisional IRA and international terrorists* Mason replied there was Do "significant" co-operation
SDLP MP Gerry Fitt reminded the House
before the Red Brigade or the
This brought an interesting renonse from son. *We are not talking about the IRA. be
ceasefire some time ago, We are
In effect, Mason was taking a clear position on the split in the
movement in 1969-70. For him the reformist
UK.
ENOCH POWELL Dificial IRA was the real IRA This position is not even held by the Officials anymore -they disbanded their armed wing at their last conference
Obviously a great student of the Republican tradition is Mr
SESTE Brian Maguire hadn't been mentioned. . There was an opportunity when Tory MP John Biggs Davison asked Mason to make a statement on the security of the Province
securily, which, as Mason spoke, was being threalened by
protests over shocking.
Protests at Maquire's death blocked off main road in Belfast for a number of days, and in Britain the Maguire case 1s the tone of cyndence which the International Tribunal on Britain's Presence in Ireland is expected to hear later this year.
As for the RUC who rule over Castlerengh, let it just be noied that in May 1976 the Police Federation in Northern
demand placed the British OLDI Government for the hanging of Terrorists
When the demand rejected the Federation's chairperson, Donald Milliken,
'OuT will continue
Defend Press Freedom
Delend Republican News!
licket Downing Street
Sat 20 May 11.30am
THATES LEN
Masons replied how the secunty cores were naving al defeating the Proves Be didn manner mention Brian Maguire and in
neither did any MPs
to James Lamound, MP for Oldhan East, who wanted To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will order inquiry under section T of the Prison Act (Northern Ireland 1953 into the conditions
prisoners in the H Block of ch
Maze Prison
Back came Mason's reply, quick as a flash; "No.
Even the House of the Baspire was a bit embarrassed at that. A supplementary was asked and it was time Mason's phrass of the afternoon: "The Maze enjoys the best prison conditions in the
HUBBUB
By now the House had filled up a bit and the meatbers were beginning to Show their impatience with Ireland. It was difficult to make out the remaining questions above the gencral bubbub
Then, relief all round, the Speaker announced *Prime Minister's Question Tine" and Ireland was forgotten for a few more days, weeks. or months By then it will probably be too late to raise the death of "Brian Whatshisname"
1970 Frank •Roache mounted his protest about the British Parlament and Ireland He lohhed a canister of CS gas into the Commons. Shocking,
Page 11 scan of this page
Spanish Communists criticise Carrillo 'A fascist use of communism'
press rushing for their telexes.
"We, the ex-communists,
Spanish Communist Party corrected himself.
CARVER the leadership line?
The dissidents were all-served by their spokesperson at the Congress, "It is possible to be Leninist and monarchist, Francisco Frusos helpful suggestion in his speech against
"Leninist' from the
There was a hint of irony DUDE LEIS SUBLELOU opposition's confusion shown by Frutos contention that 'nothing in the policies of the PCE in recent years justifies this change.
This echoed almost cxactly the argument of Simon Sanchez Montero, speaking for the other side: "The abandonment of the word Leninism changes nothing in reality.
Manuel Azcarate, Carrillo's TROOTEST slightly different land more honest)
*Marx
IS
dead'
WHILE they're slugeing it out in the Communist Party, the Socialist Party (PSOE] has its own problems. General Secretary Felipe Gonzalez last week announced that would propose the ahandonment of the word 'Marxist" from the party statutes at the Congress!
Presumably the proud possessor of a hotline Highgate Cemetery, explained that 'Marx wouldn't like the word Marsise if be was alive today.
He added: To the left of the PSOE the electoral space is occupied by the Communist Party, so it's on the right thut tur party must gain vales. People'll suy I'm an electoralist. Idon't deny it. Everyone is. What I want to do is to win the eight million votes necessary to form a government.
Gonzalez said he was not ashamed of being called a social democrat. His tone changed when he heard his party's reaction.
All of a sudden he denied being a social democrat. This may have been connected with the revelation by the new purty president, Tierno Galvan, thut he had not been consulted over the statement.
member Pablo Castellano said that Renoun-
rebouncing the law of gravity or nuclear physies.*
The powerful Corslan federation pointed out that the 1976 Congress had defined the marly us varsise and that thes positions were binding on the ieudership us well us the rank and file,
The Madrid Federation densanded. emergency congress and rather pointedly heid a massive celebration of the 160th anniversary Marx's birth.
INTERNATIONAL
Santiago Carrillo himself summed it up in a strange verbal slip which had the carrillologists of the Spanish
The announced in his introduction to the recent Ninth Congress of the
[PCE].
But what of the oppositionists - asks RICHARD 25 percent who opposed the
term "Leninist" has obvious connotations: armed insurrection, dictatorship proletariat, alliance of workers and peasants, party of iron discipline, etc. ward adjective would be to maintain party an ambiguity.
speech showed the variety of different viewpoints
defence of 'Leninism".
FAR LEFT In some areas, such as the MasQue and Canaries, the simply rellected the problems in a minority nation. In the Basque country this is compounded by the political challenge from the far left, which won 40 per cent of delegates at the recent
*The Workers Commission
In Malaga, another oppo tion centre, it was the question of the statutes and the lack of self criticism which concerned
self criticism from
of. notorious defeats victories, the abandonment areas of struggle and the translormation Di Us Dany into a bourgeois-style clectoral organisation.
Many of the same criticism were voiced in Asturias and but opposition is more disparare, ranging through dissident EurocomSUPPOTECIS Feruando Claudin, leader expelled in 1964. next
he
ALVAREZ ARECES
Fi suces oppose Inc lack of democracy
Congress inself. They Stabnists and our cook box to use Stalinist methods," party member commented One problem was the election of delegares. A Madrid delegate spinted but Sanchez Montero was president of his delegation having been clected: There's no Sanchez Montero on the liat
of of delegates ciected."
quickly of the
To keep this opposition party's
strong
proportional to numbers (nor SENE positions).
For example, in Catalonia the the delegation consisted of all the Central Committee mem-
into branch of more than 300
branch of SIDES members. Since the opposition tended to be in the larger branches it was underrepre sented at Congress It was the isue of democracy above all which the delegales to walk out of the Asturian regional conference pro-Moscow, DEUTE COMESTWES
the first орел and one the PCE leaders, Vicente
Areces, a Central Committee member, threatened to resign from the party if there were any sanctions.
So the 113 were able to meet formulate platform. But one miner, who was not one of the 113, warned that They have distributed to us a bist of delegates who must not under any circumstances be Teelected or go the the National Congress.
PETTY Areces has been subject to continual pelly harassment. In bis capacity as bead of Culture in the Asturian party he wrote to the East German
Brecht: The reply. posters, care back throueh the national office in Madrid.
Areces was factiomal activity und cornesponding with a pro-Moscow government!
Even worse: experience of Malaga dissidents WTOtE document. the bourgeois press and denuncia-
are LI0B3 frown the parly leadership. Hue they insist it was not they ODC who leaked the document. The penalty was Chice suspension from the party.
Simon Bet they were disciplined
under the new statutes, which without had sot yet been passed by
Congress!
Alfredo Martinez Robles. spokesperson for the group, Delegates are not elected commented: "The purges have
levantemos
PCE
carillista
CELULAS PCE
'Up with the PCE, agninat Carritio's opportunism'. -PCE opposition poster.
ровани days of Stalimism.
than stand this
opponents. file
leadership, led 113 gate remarked.
Another
show of of its Alvarez
common embassy posters of Hertoll
witle the
secuised of MARTINEZ ROBLES
was
Next thing they an internal to Carrillo -
schema: you've got
Interests of
LIDULTS
secretary
PCE.
communism.
Conta el
oportunismo
115
started, like in the good old
CRLS
Many delegates remarked on parties. Carrillo's Stalinism. They were also surprised at the low level of contrary to debate from the leadership.
"The workers can't under- effect on Carrille could tell bis Madrid jargon, MISS
*The fucking rank is much more similar story. theoretically prepared than the
one Madrid deic-
suggested that: "Stalinism is not just the Gulag purge.
clandestinity.
Commissions
certain
Promotion Gerardo
and apparatchik. or the murder of opponents.
This is its exireme resuit. 16 DasIs woRd appoes pertecE
is the following SALUSE when the interests of the class
subordinated interests of the party; when the
ILTE the subordinated to those of the Secretariat; when the interests of the Secretarial are subordi- IVal. nated to those of the general
the
That's the situation today it
And he added, 'Stalinism is a fascist use ol
These critics point out that I Carrillo's "democratisation"
levantemos
PCE
a turn away from the working
towards the bourgeois And the Ascurians add that.
the leadership's assertions, this has had a dire
party membership which has fallen From 10,000 to 7,000 in their region, Malaga and Madrid dissidents tell a
It is generally felt that the virtual majority gained by the opposition in Catalonia rules out the possibility of a full-scale
LIQUIDATE
But the Asturians explain the liquidate politically a series of
who have greater prestige among the rank and file and a better theoretica and intellectual level than the leadership, and replace them by a personnel from the Workers
with whose succesa in the trade union elections is the only trick Carrillo has to give him a
credibibiry with the bourgeols parties.
That was indeed the case at the Congress, which saw the
of figure Iglesias, the new secretary of the Asturian party
Workers Commissions Intercontinental Press
THE growing dissent in the
Communist Parly the bighlighted in this week's issue of Intercontinemal PICSS Inprecor with a major analysis hy Pierre Julien which traces
development of the HOOSEE CUTCHES
Also featured in this issue
16. No. 19] are * Argentina Two Yeurs
Coup', the Marroguin anti-deportation esse USA, the clection campaige in Peru, the French intervention in Chad, and the struggle for lunguage rights in the Sore!
Contra el
carvillista
CELUCAS PCE
It was also notable tha: Carrillo's speech made great play of the Workers' Commissions' success with bot a word about the chronic cloctoral wenkness of the party itself,
The leadership's strategy of Jelving on Workers Commissions apparatus has it
HER ONE instance it is the oppositionists, including Frutos, who hold the key union positions.
For the moment the dissidents are waited around i SCTIES OF OCIENOS TOE party democracy, including SICC ALLES to the press, the removal of voles from non-clected rightening of the disciplinars procedures, and limitarions on the secretary general's powers.
DEVIATED
In the meantime they ponder
WEy comment from Santiago Carrillo's own introduction to Lenin's collected works, pub tished in 1972: Of those whe have criticised or condemned Leninism most have deviated also from the founders ol scientific socialise.
From any point of vies, it is impossible to separate Lenin from Marx and Engels, still less to oppose them *
combined i Inprecor
republics, as well as a report of
IMG conference In London.
Single copies are 30p plu 10p paP, but why not take advantage of the favourable subscription rules: 19 for one year [48 issues): for sis months [24 issues]: or E2.50 for an introductory offer of 10 issues,
Write mental Press /aprecer, PO Box
cheques/POs should be made out to Intercontinental Press.
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 18 May 1977 page 11
Page 12 scan of this page
familiarising!
Since the military takeover in March 1976 the arnwys own figures reveal 7-8,000 deaths.
International reports 8000 political prisoners, as well as 15,000 "disappearances - trade unionists and other oppositionists kidnapped by the death squads.
Trade unions and political parties have been taken over by the dictatorship or banned.
On thejunta'sown admission the World Cup — with a cost now estimated at 5700m
Argentina's decidedly tatty international image.
SUPPORT
But if the junta is warming up for the kick-off next month, so are the regime's opponents internationally. In Britain the British Argentina Campaign has called a week of action for 21-28 May
General: Merlo, the World Cup organiser, has said that be
'show the Argentine's real way oflife', And that is just what the week of action is designed to do: with pickets, shows, and concerts.
We urge readers to support theevents in their area. If there's nothing going on it might not be to late to organise an event. Contact BAC on 01-486 4980.
DEMANDS
The campaign is demanding that the British Government: *publicly condemn the Argentinian regime: *oppose all financial aid to the setup a vin. progrumme for pobitical prisoners; *stop all arms sales to the
*The Betish Government and
make sure that it is the junta's verson or bie in Argentina which reaches the British
Stop Press
FASCISTS from the "Warriors of TENTSE the King attacked the offices of the LKI masque тате vor e ривов section of the Fourth Interna-
Armed hoodlums fired more
LKI members and other millcrats defendingthe bailding fought the fascists for an hour and a half.
Eventually the police turned chrom the lasted, wilb cheers from the Immediately dispersed.
The police then arrested all those inside the building about 50 - claiming they were searching for arms.
SHELD ACTL Workers Commission members. A number of faclory cells of the uniom have demunded the ackingof the civil goveraorand the release of the 50.
The civil governor'sreply was simple: I have inherited the Frascoist police and E can't LOLLU LIma
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 18 May 1977 page 12.
INTERNATIONAL
World Cup in Argentina
Warming up for
the kick off
The Argentinian junta's preparations for the Worlo Cup moved into top gear last week. The army has been out on the streets simulating "terrorist' acts and the security measures needed to deal with them, to "familiarise" the population. As if they needed
working class.
CREEDIC Embassy official accompanied Vichael Trenchman othe Times when be was researching an article on bow the army and navy are fighting terrorism. whitewash of the regime's
People's football GENERAIS Videla and Merlo - 15 will be their World Cup is going to be unlikely place: at the JURISE Festival' at Alexandra Palace.
Already this has drawn an angry reader's reply in Comment That is, of course, completely unconnected with the fact that the Commonist Party Argentina gives critical support to the Argentinian regime.
athed lorces. but it did accidentallyturn up someuseful
NAVY When Frenchman visited tbe navy's counter-subversive organisation he was told: "We would like you not to say too much about this, it is based on your Royal Navy, we have had This is called showing the Argentine's real way of life'
The BBC is also being usual COLTERCOLS self.
Radio 4 Today recently recorded an intervien with Celia Guevara, a leading Argentinian oppositionist, and Lan Wooldridge.
Journalist critical of the regime.
Dick Francis, news and current affairs, has decreed that the should not be broadcast because it is anti-Argentinian.
But responsibility lies even
DUNE LONG WIT EX LIVE
ARMED STRUGGLE
La British apparently Com'People's University its The programme higher up the BBC hierarchy.
Director Cieneral Tretbowan has instructed that all stories on Argentina should sports be vetled by senior executives.
The junta is operating its own director of form of censorship by elving full press credentials to programme "reliable" foreign journalists.
Needless to say, there won't any native journalists around: 29 of them
SUeS ZIONIST PCRIMINATION Two, four, six, sight, we don't want a racist state!" No, not Tom Robinson lans, but the 2000 who answered the Palestine Solidarity Campaign's call for last Saturday's demonstration against the Israeli Invasion of Lebanon. The march was predominantly Arab and in an extremely militant mood. Despile the relatively low tumoul from the British Istt, there was a strong and vocal Joint contingent from the Infemational Marxist Group and Socialist Workers Party. Three, Iive, seven, nine, liberate
ARGENTINAS DIRTY PLAYER
Week of action
Fi for Human noon. Delegaion of MPa Nr honiata hand in Argentini
mass NEWCABTLE: 18 May, lunchtime lan since March 1976.
Crude and only
truth on Argentina
opposition action,
Bishop, we week the Zimbabwe.
sacking point.
making
FACADE of binck rule. n. Phone Uverpool 72 It is attacks on have heen killed, 70imprisoned. 40 disappeared and 400 exiled Tehran
military repression good old British seifcensorship combine to make it very difficult to get across the
Our only chance is our own activity Support the weck of
DOWN
city of Qom. WITH day
RACIS T
occurrence.
ISRAEL
link
This Marxists parties,
held th
arrested.
prestige,
Zimbabwe
Good shepherd
back in the fold
Where's the disappearing
asked last a reference to Bishop Muzorewa's habit of never being around when awkward decisions are made. This week we have the answer: back in the arms of lan Smith and
racist regime in
Muzorewa ended the constitutional crisis provoked by the
Justice STILLEI Byron Hove in the simplest way possible - he backed down.
Hove had proposed that more who blacks should be given positions of responsibility in the police force. The British state has been trying to do that for years, but finesse was never Smith's strong
Hove bad ry leader Muzorewa, his party SCent a week stomasne around
noises. He the
with other internal settlement that the affair was a massive point of principle.
Last weekend, however, he suddenly discovered that, would be inconsisten with the integrity of the UAN for us held to fail to honour an agreement to which we are part.
The 'agreement' to which
clings LIEn SSNE "integrity" is nothing more than apparatus of the racist state intact, while creating the lacadi
doubtful whether
Shah cracks down
Yet more oppenents of the Iranian regime have been murdered in police
demonstrations. Latest reports from
indicate that more than 2000 troops have taken up positions in the city centre to prevent further protests.
The latest demonstrations like previous ones this pete have been called hy religious leaders. The troubles last week started exactly 40 days after the Shah's police had shot down more than 1000 in demanstracions in the religious
The end of the 40 day period is celebrated by Muslims as a
of mourning. The demonstration and massacre has become a regular 40-day
According to unconfirmed pread to Tehran University
between left-wing and religious oppositionists to label
• opponents 'Islamic-
INACCURATE
The label is inaccurate on borb counts. Repression bas Limited the influence of the left
though the first Communist Party demonstra tion since the 1952 coup was
Tehran last week.
Needless to say, it was broken up be the police and its leaders
On the other count, although the Shi'ite leaders retain great
especially
Muzorewa's black supporters Will be so impressed by the Bishop's principled scand, When meetings last week he was aiways greeted by CORNIS D Hove must come back".
VICTORY
Muzorewa's retura to the fold has been portrayed as a victory for lan Smith. And so it is — in the short term, The long term effect is more likely to be & further decline in Muzorewa's popularity, and he is the only black leader of any credibility
backs internal LUCINES
SOLIDARITY *Ian Smith's temporary victory
SHUALLY THIE the people of southern Africa all
The unti-Apartheid Movement has now agreed to back the African Students Cnion call for Soweta commemoration demonstrution.
The date hus been finally fixed for Friday 16 June, See The march witend at
AAM's rally in Central Hall, Westminster.
Open planning meetines an
every Thurslay, 7.30, R
34 Bedford Square, London.
Socialist Challenge sup-
The winning
from their movement bodies and organising the maximum number of people to come down to London that day.
impoverished countrysade, religious festivals have been the occasion rather than the cause of the protests.
Many people have attended the demonstrations for religious reasons, many more were there sumply to protest at political repression and to show their solidarity against the lack of religious freedom.
PROGRESS
The 'Islamic-Marxist" Jabel is designed for Western consumption, to show the Shah as the standard bearer of progress and capitalism.
One set of Westerners who don't need convincing are thi Latchir Government. The sam: day as news began to come through of the Jarest killings, ar arins prolocal was signed by the Shah's Military Industrial Organisation and Millbank Teebnical Services, the Minisharge of arms sales to Iran. Defence agency in
MIne deal IS WOTEn EDOW ET50m — on top of the E500m contract with British Acrospace last year. The contract would mean Britain playing the majo part in the military Industria
plays a central role in the Shah's plans to develop the Iranian acros industry.
Iran is already Britain's main arms customer. For example
bought twice as many Chieftain tanks as the British army!
Blood on the streets and political and religious repres sion do not cause the Labow leaders the slightest qualms. it will be up to us to make sure the | this contract is opposed.
Page 13 scan of this page
THE WAGE CONTRACT
SOCIALIST EDUCATION
IF A politician in a slave-owaing society were
announce that 'untair practices had crept into the Institution of slavery and that it was therciore neerosary to introduce a code af "fair" behaviour regulating the relationship beiween masters and slaves, we would call him a hypocrite.
If, similariy, • rich feudal abbot were to complain that the serfs were slipping up on their carvee flime spent in forced labour for the lord of the manor) and were to deduce that society seemed to be undergoing a moral deterioration, we should also despise him. How could there he any question of "fuirmess' or 'unfairness" in the case of slavery 0г feudalism? For in either case it is the Institution itself which is 'onfair' und not its shuses.
For most people nothing in the appearance of capitalism suggests that it shares anything in common with slavery or Teudalsm. Savery and feudalism in varying degrees imply forced TOTKE ATEROUr DON capsransmn iepucs pare work freely entered into. Capitalism is "free' ente ige. l Werker alay dhe ae of iei
agent. Workers may dispose of their labour as they wish. They are not forced to give it, but they voluntarily sell it at a price. The price of labour is a wage. This price is determined by the result of an agreement reached between the worker and hil or her employer
This agreement is the wage contract. Legally, the wage contract is an agreement between equals, and cither party may terminate the agreement if its terms are broken. The agrocment inself stipulates the expenditure of her/his labour for a certain period of time, the worker paid an agreed sum of money. No deception is involved, for the terms of the contract are enforceable at law.
EVENED OUT
p Orsopure che apasii sul concede aa Of course, the economists.
concede thai the reality of capits Iasm thay not always live up to is ideal image. One party to a wage con tract, for instance, n here ore vagey BUUT DT CEMREOUABIUMa may be unduly lou justiy bigh
Nevertheless, it 1s 2 beid that any short-term imbalance of strengih belween the two partiés to the wage bargain is, in the long run, evened out. For example, while the smal one-person enterprises of carly capitalism have
replaced hy huge corporations, workers are now represented by powerful trade unions which protect theil
terests, The CBI represents capital and the TUC represents labour. Berween thet & "Tair" division of wages and profits is entorood WHaCSO LOEC DECL HALES!
This is how the world of capitalism appears To iscl t is not the renltv ot. chDialsiT however, but a system of appearanoes which makes che reality of capitalism invisible. At the very beart of this system of appearances lies the wage contract lorit.
What is the nature of the wage contract? In the everyday world, everything proceeds as if wages buy all the labour provided by the worker. Every hour is paid at an agreed rate. Bonuses, piece rates and overtime are minutely
Labour is thas paid its full price, and profit appears as the amount added obto the selling price, by the capitalist, as a roward for effort. Capital then appoars to have a power of autonomous growth since labour has been fully paid al the marker rate for work
DISGUISED REALITY
It was to uncover the disguised realily which lay beneath this appareotly self-evident telationship berween labour and capital thai Marx elaborated the theory of surplus value which is the most important achievement of his centrai work Das Kapital.
The starting point of Marx's theory was to SEL0 GU-TRO WHIE IS CAC SOUrCEDLE capitalist's profic? To answer that question, be had to find a saristactory solutioo to an even mere basic problem: what is it that commodites have in common that enables thems to be exchanged at agreed ratios? To pur it more concretely, what is it chat enables us to say that a cons of sugar - y or of gold = z 100 pencils Pe. The commonsense answer Co Dus CUCSCOn is supply and demand. But only a moment's TE BOTAE STEC T SHOW USLILSUL ply and demand may explain variations in the Drezs ot Bencs or goid, tocy cal dece cn plain how it is in cacial conditions thar l pencil is never worth 1 oz of gold, The only quality in fact that sugar, gold and pencils share in common is that they are all products
IN THE first of our new series 'Socialist Education'
GARETH STEDMAN JONES looks behind the everyday appearance of the capitalist economy and explains that workers today continue to perform unpaid labour although this is disguised by the wage.
fundamental questions of Marxist analysis, as well as articles on working class history.
IN
of human labour Marx concludes that what determines the relative values of diffierent commiodities is the relative amounts of socially necessary labour necessary to produce then».
Once this is understood, it then becores possible to explain the real nature of the wage contract and the source of the capitalisc's profit. For whar the worker actually sells to
ibe capitalist is mot her or his labour ile. an actual expenditure of brain and muscle, rather ber or his capacity to work, whar Marx calli laboar power.
To pur it unocher way, the capitalist bires a
worker to come to the factory on a certain day
SIA DC HOATEO ACTORB MIAETE002 dS
pur in front of her/him; the capitalist does not
bure an agroed expenditure of passical dE McDtal coergy.
Having fooked at the wape contract from
the point of view of the worker, let us now
look at it from the position of the capitalist.
The capitalist possenes money and wishes to
Future articles in this series will deal with other
OUT
manufacture a commodity. The purpose of manufacturing the commodicy is not for per sonal use for the capitalist but only in prodecing it to sell at a profir. Therefore the capitalist goes to the market with money and buys the macbinery, raw macerials and labour power requiaite to produce the commodity. For cach of these requisites ol production the machinery, the ruw inaterials and the labour power the capitalist pays the 'equilibrium value'; that is to say, he or she doca not rely upon striking lucky bargains, but in cach cast pays the going market rale.
He or the then combines these three com ponents to manufacture a commodity. The commodity is then sold. Again, the capitalist cannot normally rely upon a sudden boom in the demand for this commodity; he or she therefore selis it also at its equilibrium value. And yet, despice this limitation, ut the end, the capitalist has more money chan he or she started out with.
Where has this surplus come from? If can-
not have come from the general circulation of colomod bles. because every commodity bas been paid for at its equilibrium value. lt cannot have come from the machinery, beause Do macbine can create more valuc, tha t itself costs. It must theretore have com from the labour power. It is only labour powe which postesses the unique property of creat ing more value, than it itsell is worth: or to put it another way, labour power is the sole source of surplus value and thus of profit.
We are now in a better position to under stand the crucial importance of vlark s disLoction between labour and lahour power. For, as he wrote, 'the talue of the labouring power is determined hy the quantity of labour necessary to maintain or reproduce it, but the use of that labouring power (i.e. labour itself) is only limited by the active coergies and physical strength of the labourer."
If a capitalist hires a worker to work a day of eight hours, it may be that the worker will have laboured sufficiently to reproduce her/ his value (i.e. earn her or his keep) in four hours. But if the worker then stopped work, the capitalist would make no profit, and the entire basis of capitalist production would be removed. The worker sherefore goes on working for the four remaining hours solely for the benefit of the capitalist. So the last four hours i whoily unpaid tabour which constitutes the profit of the capitalist.
FULL PRICE
But this is not how matters appear cither to the worker or the capitalist. For wages will not be paid until the end of the day and will b evened out over all the hours of the day. is will therefore seem to the worker that she or he has heen paid for every hour of labour performed and to the capitalist, that labour has been paid at its Tull price.
If chis idea is difficult to grasp, it is becausı every scientific concept appears conrradicrory inasfar as it denies the world of everyday appearance and exposes a different level bi reality beneath it. In the case of capitalism, the mythical appearance of the wage contrac gives the worker's unpaid labour the appear ance of past labour.
Once this myth is exploded, ance it is under stood that prosits are nothing but unpaid labour, then the whole capitalist mythology which derives from it also collapses to tbe
ground. For if profits are unpaid labour, thet
iir" distribution between protit: and wages becomes ludicrous. .The sanctimon ious phrases of Heales and Callagban, the pompous carnestness of Keith Joseph sound as hotlow as the bleatings of the siavery polt icians. Pious concern about the practices of the workets carries ahout as much ethical charge as grumblings ahout the lazines
of slaves. If profits are unpaid wages, then E
talk of the CHl and the TUC as if they wert powers of equal magnitude is nonsense. By a similar token, it folows thut for the scale to masquerade as the impersonal arbitrator berwoen capital and labour is a sham. The state under capitalism nor only condones the extraction of surplus value from the working class hut exists to ensure is continued and orderly How.
EXPLOITATION
Is then che analogy between capitalism and slavery or feudalism so far-letched after all?
Not at all. For all class societies are characterised by the exploitution of labour by a class of non-producers. . In all such societics a divson is rendered between necessary Jabour
(production for one's own wants) and surplus
labour (labour which is appropriated to suscain the non-productive ruling class). Whar is spocific to capitalisin is not the fact of explcil.
ation, bur the form it takes, namely the production of surplus value which is a process of
exploitation deeply concealed within the prod-
action process itself. As Marx put it, "this false
appearance distinguisbes witee laooul lon
other historical forms of labour. On the basis
of the wages system even the uapaid labour
seeos to be paid labour. With the slave oo the contrary, even that part of ber/his labour
which is paid appears to be 'unpaid".
Similariy, whether a man works three days
of the week for himsell on his own field and three days for nothing on the estate of his lard
ir whether he works in the facton or the
workshop six hours daily for himself, and si
for his emplayer, it comes to the same, al-
chough in the latter case the paid and unpaid
poctions of labour are inseparably mixed up
wich each other, and the natare of the whole
transaction is completely masked by the inter
vention of a contract and the pay received at
the end of the wock!.
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 16 May 1977 page 13
Page 14 scan of this page
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE EVENTS
COMMENT
1.
IN HIS letter attacking Tariq Ali's article on the Morning Star John Ross broooses an ulteriy sectarian response to the possibility that this
paper may cease daily publication.
Nowhere dons comrade acknowledge that, in the absence of an alternative, the disa
be Morning Star would be a setbac! for the workers movement in this
transition of the Dally Herald from being a trade union paper to being an ordinary: capitalist paper
etback. Those responsible for such losses bear a heavy responsibility for them - before the movement as a whole:
So far as John Ross is concerned the Morning Star B a because it reflects the politics of the
CPGB which are 'very well worked our". Consequently: "To try to urge Interess of the des strugzie is no that the retlects Labour Party to lead the struggle for socialism. Whnt is neceded is to build
futile Fight the Communist Party are working Since both the Labour Party and duty to argue that they should refect class parties revolutionaries have a the real interests of the working class. The only alternalive tb. this is to arque that they should represent ruling ClAss. interests. which I am sure comrade Ross will SCC 15 WrOnR. Ui COurse reVOILa aries would be wrong to suggest or imply that cither the Labour, Communist Party, will lead struggle for socialism; but Tariq All certainly encouraged no such idea in his articie on the Star.
The CPGB is, of course, much staller than the Labour Party and perhaps comrade Ross thinks that il can be
he believes he makes a grave mistake. The CPGB, although very hegemonises a vital layer of militants
these militants soe themselves as DE TOMESSE INS BULLER class strugale, Britain internationaliv as well.
Comrade Ross writes of the CPGB as il st were simoly an oreenication for promoting scabbing, and the Star
Such notions may. go ILS DESILICE down well in student circles, where lhe Cr has mursued a snectaculariv and consistently rightist policy, they would be rejected as ahsurd by the majority of class industrial workers. The supported the bi toppled Heath and has supported the struggles
big national confrontations againsi the social contract (recently Piremen's strike and the Miners* claim),
The Star was wrong not to support the Leyland toolmen, but many opponents of the social contract were suspicious of the toolmen's struggle with its demand for negatiating rights, concern differentiais and protestations loyalty to Government policy. Most of the errors made by the Star on the industrial front are similar in that
encourage already quite widespread advanced workers, which would have to be reflected in any workers newspaper,
NORTH WEST
Manchone
Socislist Challengi bitices for Secails, 081-336 2352.
GREATER MANCHESTER Socialist
Steve writa so Manchester SC
rnE94010066 stera core contacied by tinging
longe on a mena tre e B00ND 0000IS160 Live pool. Epm,
SOUTH MANCHESTER Socialise Thune a Challenge gro. Alben n al Moss Side ahopping canine Longsigni Furies information tom Q8r-235
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 18 May 1977 page 14
Ross
earance of
was
write off
expecting the
Chile Solidarity Campeign. restricted facilities -
Performances: 18-19 May, the
supports them,
that the Star was the
the reason that
Torehan
The only considers Sanopoint of wheiner 11
reflects anti-capitalist
but conscious
Star undoubledly thal criteria that belo declining circulation. the
Libya or Irag.
separate
for of and so is in
suggested above, misconceptions
among
authentic So far HS change all this
YORKSHIRE
erland Straus leep stat on
NORTH EAST
Saturait Chelse orthern Rock on High Row
Chalengo s009
WALES SWANBEA Bocialist Challenge grous other Woenescay 1.30pm
THE CHILEAN poet Pablo Nerude's only play, Splendour and Death
TOCAD → Theatre of Contemporary Arabic Drama - In assoclation with the
play male as well as famale roles Latin American Centre (17 Hoxton Sa, London Nf). Technis 9 York Wi routine industrial strikes go the Star
in contrast to the capitalist press. I1 chould also be said
only daily worked Dewspsper to une ils readers to take part in the ANL Carnival — in front
that,
John Ross is so carried away by his outrage al the many bad positions adopted editorially by the Star, that
from the is revolutionary newspaper, Evidently struggle. ir is not. What Tariq All proposed in his article is that the Star should also be judged, as should any workers
on che extent to which it the existing and anti-imperialist struggies, and the extent to which it is open to the real debates within the sante workers movement. Il was on these essential minimum grounds that be lound tne sar wantng, and u Is
its failures by these explain is SUTE
John Ross sems lo have missed the significance of the reference to Newsline. If it is true that this paper survives thanks to the patronage of
Eben mere obstacle to changing it politics that has nothing to do with the workers movement. The problems of the Star in part reflect the fact that it does not have extrancous support of this sort
difficulties despite against much larger circulation, It must also he said that by the clementary criteria
Ine newMine 15 exceptionally mendacious and monolithic, often excelling the Stur in these respects, Even so we should hope a the fight develops inside the WRP to
the
Streal All supporters welcome Next H0 May anc tortrighty
Street 858-Ten Yens Alter SOUTH WEST
PORTSMOUTH Socialist Cammercial donc Precine T SOUTH EAST Socialist
Supporinis Coluroy
SENTIME минімана по ватниПин
DEBATE ON THE
* Morning Star
currently receiving ita first English produation,
The group makes imaginative use of extremely Including a cast of only six in which women members
London N7], 24-28 May At 8pm
Perhaps the most astonishing claim in comrade Ross's Jetter is that the CPCB is possessed of very well
and prospect within it
European CPs, the CPGB is passing through a very profound crisis at the present time? That it is being forced to re-examine its relationship Stalinism, its programme socialism, und its tactics in the class
One of the worst failings of the Star has been its allempt to muffle, evade or suppress this discussion; Comment is a more lively publication because it allows ar least a modicum ol debate. It is ironic that John Ross's letter was published in the
TEME centre-spread devoled to Louis Althusser's critique
lesdership. W3UE comrade Ross urge Althusser to leave
futile attempts to change it? If so I'm
NATIAIS agrec.
Althusser's rejection of monolithism, ISTRETEIS politics of the PCF is, so Fur.
incomplete and it is unclear how fur he will press it. But what is clear is that the sort of questions he is raising are by no means confined to a few isolated intellectuals. The Congress of the PSUC (Catalan Communist Party) which voted by a majority
party's commitement sign of this; the very considerable opposition inside the CPGB 10 the British Road to Socialism is anocher.
To aim to build an 'alternative to
rather miserable ambition, since che CPGB is, despite
many good workine
Site SCOTLAND
Dacussion
details
DUNDEE: in ormation apov: Socialis
Culers paper Challenge @ctvilies:/mm
51. Glasgow. Join in SC aate puis de Bocts leamar of Relamm Sireel cach Saturday, +1am-Bon LONDON AMMESHIH Socialist
meltlants it, failure, even on its own terms Bunlding a socialist alternative that will be a foroe within national politics and ar every level of the class struggle is a much larger aim. But it is nost unlikely that it can be achieved il the leadership of the CPGB is allowed to
tutelage over a crucial layer of the class CONSEILS
ROBIN BLACKBURN [South-West London|
2
FROM time to time some pretty shoddy arguments have appeared in the pages of Socialist Challenge, but John Ross's letter by Morning Star scraped the barrel of
political dishonesty [Sociallet Chal lenge 4 May).
We are told that you can open the Star "any wock", and find the papcr singing the praises of a number of regimes John Ross doesn't like, thus giving the impression that the Star grants the same regular, sycophantio coverage to Seria any Lanka cic.
for Gladdaffi's Libya.
In fact, 1 have mever seen an article on Syria in the Star fand the Star attacked the Lebanon). Nor does feature much in the paper — the only to article 1 can recali was a report from for the last Congress of the Sri Lanka
CP.
As for Ethiopia, the most recent article was a sober assessmene of th dispute with
International Depertment, which by no streich of the imagination could described as simply adulatory.
readers" eyes by running a number of
in common except that they're not in Europe BourgeoIs Gandhi and Gaddaffi bardly belong in the same sentence as the Ethiopian military let alone government in Angola Of course, if Ross really thinks that Agostinho Neto is the same a: Indira Ghandi, then l'd be interested to hear him argue it (and no doubt a debate could be arranged). I douht if he will, however, since in doing so he would reveal little more Chan a crass ignorance of both Angola and India In an amazing feat of political gymnastics, Ross gocs on to arrack i5 000 the CP's sabotage"
following the Labour Assembly on Unemployment and so on, "not to mention their policies"
Italy! But who is 'they"
Ross knows perfectly well rhar the Bricish CP does not determine the policies followed by its French or class gand cantect Socialiet Challenge 64 Queen St, G asgow. Cpen
Socialist Challenge
1 Challeng:
aware
Western bf the manifestly a
CHESTE WOUNCIS genwine ctc.).
DEL DIADE KOSS Although
arracking the
engage
opposite
demolisbing Ethiopin. Sci a tendency in the 25 the Newsline reserve that
the
Syrian intervention in
Sni Lanka
Somalia by Jack CPGB'S pouans DEL exploits wanten
the Marxist of the campaien
in France and HARINGEY Socialisi Challenge goup puble meating en the strugal jouthem Airca wih a speaker trom
Up Road, M. E. 7.300 DACOMO SOD IS Tomis
Cenirs dispute tre group carro Cetail Trem Tes
HARROW Socialist Challenge
GREENWICH LEWISHAM
-BOCINIS
Decalis from Har on 01-659 118;
Talian counterparts. He is also well
there are differing opinions inside the British Partv concerning the activities of other
Europe CPs. But this he's doing is pulling the oldest and Trotskyist hat — substituting a list of alleged 'betrayals' all over the world for any serious political argument. call foi a Bill of Rights does not
Irish working people, I'm afraid that a large mumber of Irish trade unionists would disagree. (But
28U33 nostalgic for the good old days whien the Red Mole would appeat slogans such as "Victory to the IRA cablazoned all over Its front page?)
And inunigration controls? — The enly controls the CP or the Star could support would be non-racist ones, (for example, if chere were a
overpopulation problem, We are opposed lo every control that has foud its way onto the statute book, and to all the ones currently being considered. On this issue, for once, we happened to be in situntion evidently not to the liking
would strong disagree with much of what Tariq Al wrote in his original piece on the Star, at least chat was a serious and reasoned contribution to the debate
political dialogue
Hut Roses eter is ouite
piece of crude knockaboul that evides the TCR discussion by resurrecting and doly
THOME VERY tired old a renden intera oppose e
organisation's current rap prochement with reality, and intent on dragging it back to the gbetto of
Transitional Programme bope that saner opinions will prevail PAUL FAUVET (West London
WH Smith
THE DECISION of WH Smith to stock Socalist Challeng TELINI Ets acceptance by the editorial board is to say the least very disturbing and unprincipled. At the moment there is picketing of WH Smith by Lays protesting about the firm's refusal to sell Gay News, whils they would rather sell pin-ups and pom that
We would like to know the attitude of the editorial hoard towards the picketag, as it seems a contradiction in terins selling inside and picketing outside. After all picketing is ro try and stop people from taking their customi to that shop, If Socialist Challenge does support the Gay Liberation movement they should be selling it ourside on the picker. If you have la rely on the minimal siles of the paper in Smiths, rather than on cuside on the packet, ils as nore reflection on the paper. Apartfrom the fact that you dont build shops, it is far more productive lo sell on the streets and he able to talk directly to the buvers.
Socialist Society [Bristol Polv]
IEWHAM Socialist Challenge Fi maccour regularis. Details 1rcm P Box 5C. Landon Ni
/Watha-
sempathatic le Bocialial Challenges 2 organ aur,
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Birminann ange Forum Syle Chat Tusaday Racism ane Education'. Spesker. et le 47 Group, The Vine
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Page 15 scan of this page
When we sing Glad to be Gay some man always has to demonstrate how masculine he is by raising a limp wrist'
UNDER REVIEW
Do yod see yoursell primarily as a
I's the best job there is for me; somelhing fike doing and which I get paid for. Only about 5 per cent of workers get that soct of fulfilment.. Unlike the job 1 before, though — 1 was a cierk in a music publishers has its lisadvantages: that was just a job o. vork that i did for eighi bours
So long as 1 crawled through the door at 9,30 it didn't matter what the hell 1 did in my time off. In this job, I's entirely on your own shoulders whether the job is good or not, It's getting better though: if you compare your career lo a plane cide, then we ve got past take-off, and the question is now how far ia'll go; to what altitude and what the destination is..
The previous four years could be compared to hanging about in the airpott lounge
A lot of the songs you re playing now are at leust a year old. How easy is it tn write new material and what gives you the inspiration?
I'm very anxious to do a second album. We didn't tour with this a buin becuuse we bad been olaving the songs for a year and a half, and all last year was devoted to the audience. We sigged solidly from January to December last year, and recorded the EP so as not to take time off lor recording.
Come this January we were all set to go off to Germany when Chris Thomas, who produced the Sex Pistols, asked us to do an album, 50 WE canceRee mE tcman anEcs though we will go back and do them and dad the albumi. Doig the EF meant that there was space on the album for two new songs, Too good to be trae and The Man you never sww, which was the last thing I wrote. To give you an idea of che way the music is going 1 could recite you the lyrics of that...
Have you heard an ugly whisper? Is the rumour really true?
Just in time, we're next in lime, They 'te really after you and me. Since the demonstration Camping down on every side, Roending up the kids at rundem, Chorus:
Don't repeat this conversation Rubyfruit Jungle: Rita Mae Brown. 85p Lives of Girls and Women: Alice Munro. E1
the rainbow is enuf: Ntozake Shange. £1.50.
Reasons of State: Alejo Carpentier. £1.75. Victor Serge trilogy
Men in Prison E1.25
Birth of Our power 61.25
Conquered City £1.50
Mail order: add
paper back will be Challenge readers.
Phil Derbyshire interviews Tom Robinson
job did Don't let on we met before Try and make like T'm a stranger Im the man you never Church police were roand this mornin and the army'x on our track Took away my books and papers only just got out the back.
Just flown in to tell you That your ploce is heing watched Don'i go into wark tomorrow Tr ano make w down ш qocks.
Dump your car and burn your lellen Smash your glasses, cut your huir Buy a suit und taice a raincoat When sou go, don't tell us where.
Take a look outside my window Don't recognise that van Someone's standing In the doorway Betler make it while you can...
Pretty paranoid, mind you!
A lot of sour sigs have un air of comine risasier und cilesirooae..
Rumpant paranoia...
But is that how you see polities
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developing in this country?
Mac bit like superstition: if you say says it will. But you want to show people how it could happen: Winter
TV ho sis gr stare oil. BSWAUCAASALALLS lootball hooligan, Thati"Hin the drains, sippee" and all that. doesn't ant to know. and gradually it wants to know about him, and you get this amage of thi SAS
wanting to know what they were doing and gradually personal liherlie disappear. of the audiende have a think about
worth it.
How do you community now!
heterosexual" world Really Tm a managemeni team is gay but the reit of the organisation and the band are heterosexual. 1 got the band together on the basis of tbeir musical ability
Sweatshop used professional actors lo get their plays across in the best way. level oftechnique — though it's there. obviausly, in what I bave to say.
You work the way people receive your maiske?
predominantly spy,
for pớp one thing they have in common.
COCTSOBR you work in.
winter of "79 won't be like the song
The
"blood was anything,
opted our of politics,
coming rouod one night and waking everyone up in the street and
1 dunno, but if it makes f per cent where chey stand and why, then it's
fit into the gay
man in One of the lead singer.
You've got to do that, just as Gay
though
Homosexuality is irrelevant at the
predeminantly heterosexual milice. Does that affect
We play to a rock audience, nor a
For fecninist. or music in a eft ouc. Bucit is fantastic when Assan teenapers in the mudience get off on the music and come up and tal: afterwards and when gay people come up and make constructive criticism.
But by and large we're playing lo people who like music and that's the Lt was thc
But don't you find it difficult to from gig to explain why it's Important for you ss
a gay to be up there and visible? It's been like that in the left until receatly and it must be true in the milleu that
I guess l do. Glad to be Gay is just SM TEM SIS IR AHR AIR and it isn't pushing my pay lifestyle. I tend to come over more asexual than
'oos that's the best way of aroidine ine loberent sexisI and machismo of rock music.
But isn't there a contradiction when your lead gultarist does all that mucho posturing on Right on Sister?
Come on! He sends himsell tp rotten at the same time. He's so over che top that it's obvious that he's taking the piss out of himself, orber guitarists, the audience and the song If he was serious, lie'd be unbearable
And if you grant the terms, then he's much more feminine than me. There's an element of macho but also one of ambiguity. He'd be taken for the gay one in the band by a stranger. So we've got a camp, hel guitarist, and ap asexual, low-key macho gay
Do you find that having become a 'rock star' that it is difficalt to relate hack to the gay community - as
untoechable, touchable for the wroag reasons?
Cive moe those wrong reasons!
Seriously, most of that is te otber people's heads. I'm unaware that it happens cos most of my ble is spent in hotel rooms, buses, backstage, on stage and in recording studios. You're rock quite cut off from really:
Last nighcar the Albert wasthe first time that I'd board asy of my own
gay place completely hlown away by all thos people singing Glad to be Gay and dancing together. It was fantastic Beine at the Albert 15 Jike renewing old acquaintances, No one lays a big
same when we were giseing at the Brecknock and places There was a real rapport belween tbe band and the people who followed us
gig. .No one wanted astographs and to shake my hand
until we got to the Marquee, and then the same people wanted autograpls. Maybe ir had someching to do with it being ditficult to get in.
That was a dilemma, At first? wouldn't do it. but then 1 thoughi about it and realised was being more patronising by not giving autographs etc, You just give into the system andI guess 1 did very quickty. Da you get snide remaris shent heing
Behind my back, yes. Paul Burnett on Radio One saying: We've had New Wave now we have Blow Wave' for example, titter, titter, and so on c c sg to o Dc any 200l man always has to demonstrate how mAsCuine ne 15 Dy tarsog & wup pslbi Ir's pathetic. If you stare at thein and sing "em a verse they usually shut up, if not then sou point 'em out to the audience and say: Look a real man Surprise, surprise' Cand put it in
Generally if you meet someobe who bas no secrer longing to go to bed with sorbcone of the same sex, whch you occasionally do (though 1 don't suppose tbere ine many of thems), who in secure in their sexuality and who In't gay, then there's no problem. The obes who hassle are insecure and trying to prove something.
What tedious lives they must lead. 1 fcel sorry for them. maybe chey should go and see a doctor!
Next week. Phil Derbyshire's interview concludes with Ton Robinson on: Being a socialist
star It's about ELS feasible as being a socialist perfume manufacturer'; Rock Against Racism; youth radicalisation; the organised left. Don't miss it!
Out on 19 May -- The new Tom Robinson Band LP: Power in the Darkness. Already out: the single Up against the Wall. Both on the EMl label.
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 18 May 1977 page 15
Page 16 scan of this page
CAN ZIA STILL HANG
ALI explains.
The new Afganistan is that country's most radical regime. is new •leader Nur Mohammed Taraki is a member of a political party which contains large numbers of pro-Moscow Communists.
Taraki is in many ways. simiar to me are wrancan anti-imperialist Icader, Mossadegh, who tried, UESUOCESS fully, to unseat the Shah in the 1950. Mossadesh thrown by the CIA and the Shah put back on the throne
The advent of Taraki has frightened both the
confronting growing discor
ent at bome) and General Zi: The latter has recently come under incrcasing internanonal pressure not to hang Bhutto.
The coup in Kabul could well be the espread tation te
widespread agitation Pakistan following the executionthen the Afghans could well aid any resistance.
And the Kabul example might find some admirers within the Army itself.
Writing in the Washingtor
Pont of 1 May, Bernard Nossite reported from Rawalpindi how to our offices for Bob Dylan's envelope concert in London next month.
The supporar who sant them
In said he thought a raffle for
the tickats would help fill our
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After the coup in Kabul
BHUTTO?
THE OVERTHROW of the Mohammed Daud regime in Afghanistan and his replacement by a pro-Moscow Communist has confounded all political analysts. The change-over in Kabul might be the most powerful factor now in ensuring that the life of Bhutto, the former Pakistan Prime Minister, is spared. TARIO
government in | the generals were preparing fo semi-permanent role He described Zia thus: "Like so many generals who eized power in the World, he has been trained in and admires the United States Zia has taken the school course in Ft Knox and graduated from the command and general staff school at Ft Leavenworth."
LONG SILENCE
implication is that Zia would be susceptible to State Department United States has broken it Jong silence on the issue and its Ambassador Arthur Hummel, has joined the list of countries asking for Bhutto's life to be spared.
Not so his British counterart. In a letter to Stan Newen MP. Foreign Secretary Davic Owen spelt out ine: an appeal fo certainly be regarded interferenoc judicial processes and could do
OUR FUND DRIVE
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more harm than good: there is in already a body of opinion In Pakistan which critical of "foreign interven-
have tion" in the case.
Third No prizes for guessing who
that body" might be! armoured In Pakistan all the left-wing
groups, opposition to Bhutto's polities, have demanded his release and that prisoners.
There are at least solitical prisoners i country today. Many of them are regularly flogged
The This barbarism reached new
beights when four journalists Pakistan, were flogged on 13 May for
going on strike. They chanter "Long live froodom of the press while they were being whipped Pakistani polities will never be the same again, whatever happens cynical uniformed despots have almost
ensured that A MOS Pakistan as a separate state are as an lintited.
CANISAS The alternatives are stark:
socialism or disintegration.
THE slogan under the brick wall seems to have aroused interest throughout the world. Readers keen to obtain more clues as to its content have rushed donations to Socialist Socialist Challenge.
from as far afield as Japan and Australia, tle nearer ho ford supporters have be maintaining their record as the most consistent fund raisers for the paper. A second hand book ale brought in E30.54. Prior to this there have been film shows. trips on the river jumble sales and sponsored LYLLILS A delegare from the APEX bational conference sent the
Marx
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IDEMONSTRATE AGAINSTTHE
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Sunday 21 May: Assemble Speakers Corner, L I March to Pakistan Embassy Speakers include: Ghulam Mustafa Khar, Murtaze Bhutto, Tarig Ali, Stan Newens MP, Sighat Kadri.
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← Socialist Challenge No. 45, 11 May 1978Socialist Challenge No. 47, 25 May 1978 →