Threat of violence against opponents
Socialist Press1978 1978-12-20Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 10 →
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As a delegate to NUS conference and a reader of Socialist Press I thought it important that your readers should know about the methods the Broad Left Stalinists have resorted to in their attempts to restrict discussion within the left of the NUS and to intimidate opposition to their political line.
The Broad Left is ostensibly an alliance of Labour students, members of the Communist Party and non-aligned socialists, purporting to stand for the unity of the left within 'the NUS.
However, this sham unity was shown up for what it was when, on the first night of conference, members of the National Organisation of Labour Students were barred from participating in a Broad Left caucus on the basis that they had in the past been critical of the politics of the Broad Left Before the caucus began a NOLS member from. Thames Poly was approached by Martin Currie, CP member and Chairman of NUS Scotland, leading three or four other Broad Left functionaries. Currie said, and I quote:
"If you don't leave this caucus I'll throw you through that fucking window"
We of course refuse to be intimidated and remained. Under the direction of NUS President Trevor Phillips they moved the caucus to another room. When the NOLS delegates concerned approached the door, Currie, and a number of other Broad • Left functionaries blocked the door and physically refused us entry.
We lobbied the delegates going in and out of the caucus asserting our right to take part in the discussions and calling upon delegates to condemn the threats of physical violence.
Some were disturbed by the incident and. some were embarassed.
However, some like Fiona MacTaggart, NUS Vice President in reply to our request of her to condemn the threat to push NOLS members through windows said:
"You deserve it"!
Clearly the deepening discontent amongst NUS rank and file with the Broad Left leadership's positions on Autonomy, Racism, Education and Constitutional Review is driving the Broad Left Stalinists to use the methods they refined' in the late 1920's and in the 1930's, i.e. restriction of discussion, denial of freedom of criticism, and naked violence-in an attempt to contain the thrust against their reactionary policies and their bureaucratic stranglehold on the NUS.
Yours fraternally John Ford Vice-President Poly Students Union
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