Socialist Press no. 176

STOP THE CUTS! ALL OUT NOVEMBER 28

SOCIALIST

PRESS

Weekly paper of the Workers Socialist League * No. 176 * November 21, 1979 * 15p

PERT !

PROFIT

DRIVE

DEEPENS

SLUMP

So acute is the crisis of *his new ConstrainT British and world capitalism employers consciously designed force -them that its survival to now into policies which resisting pay claims that seek to depends on protect workers living top of heaping untold on standards. In this sense it is the onto the working misery savage cash class, will bankrupt whole limits imposed on local councils by Environment sections of weaker capital- Secretary Heseltine, ists. also axe some 150,000 jobs.

*And the 17% lending rate Imls is tme message trom tae Tory decision last week to raise wil also brng about a renewed the Bank of England's Minimum round of spending cuts in the Lending Rate to record, social services of cost crippling 17% local authority borrowing effect, after a week in 1 1C arven up Treasury Many Wachthe already forecast drastic rise employers have loyally wel- in unemployment, 20% inflation comed this latest Tory mor ;- and a slump in output of 1-2% next year, will be shattering.

banker the told Observer, "This is the signal that the has now arrived recession

PIP S OO ARION A HTT

end. What does the new rate mean? Mortgages must rise to 14 r even 15%-further cłobberin those workers struggling to keep same time rates and rents will soari New investment plans industrv firms face interest ratés of up to 20% оп borrowed money. Other

ETHIES

Tine Doder. profitability lanes of driven to the wall. Thousands ol Chancellor Howe Toos wul De inco. PHOTO: Andrew Wiard, Report intending to step up their propa- ganda threatening cam paign

WOLACIS WILI

caute ces "excessive" they

PIOSS

Vay claims. Nor have there been bankers, complaints irom the who stand to profit the from increase in interest rates (and

DOSSIDLY

aIso

ITOM

Ene nev opportunity to borrow funds at lower lend out rates abroad Io 20% DITaH). main employers from new measure will ironically be in those small which Thatcher has TITm promised to assist! full brunt of the But the attack will fall of course upon the working class, which on every side now faces the ravages of an economic system which in Britain and on a world scale is quite obviously wildly out of

CORETO!

Indeed while capitalists complain about their maucc uale

OTOLE

anno demand workers sacrifice the thousand in order "'ns stich" a5 ICS UIt glan corporations such Chrysle and are running colossal waging exactly I0SsUs. similar attacks on their work force! crisis is not a "British" "American". -crisis. It is an the of outcome anarchic Tine world Cabilals! system -a sy stem which produces com- not to satisfy social need. but to accumulate private profit. Destruction When that profit is not avail- able in sufficient quantities the capitalist system turns to the wanton destruction of whole productive seculons LiNE forces, and human progress is thrown into reverse in the quest for adequate capital investmeat. on TeLUT m oace ora mame sore on wealth commodities, capit- alism international tide inf ćlass Listal a poverty, unem- ployment, ill-health and misery this Britain clearly unucl troeT L0€ Tories. Each week brings its toll of closures and redundancies, its mur or buce mcreases is oer list of social service cuts and closures, and new revelations of luler dracks to cont Each week brings more open admissions from the Tories that Lle ale r new oos emeramn: TO reDace 1no e axe0 an îna any attempt by workers even to defend existing living standsrds Robinson British Leyland manage. ment has gone for broke in deliberate confrontation with the trade union move- ment. As we go to press, they have sacked the chairman of the BL and comoln committee convenor of the massive Long- bridge complex, Derek Robine "offence" Robinson is 100 13 BL plasts under opposing docusee closure and expres Tine • cawardes plan, sing his the recently. • published Combine Committee

MARCH

Against racist laws! Sun. NOV 25 12 noon, Speakers Corner Temporary tenants fight ..

. ...p.6-7

CUT

ARMS

A2 POLOO

Angry workers heckle Thatcher in Milton Keynes would bring further sackings.

strengthen and extend struggle.

against the cuts; and mobilising Anarchy defence democratic and trade union rights-it is vital for Within this sustem there no possibility of stable ensploy- recognise that, wotkers ment, guaranteed living order to solve their problems stan- generalised class action aards or social progress Tory system anarchy, il Is a needed to cereai destruction and decay, function- government, nationalise the for benetit of vanks anu maor moustes wien handiul of bankers. industrial- compensation under 0111 ists and l of tce atoss. workers' management and put expense vast Hla urily ona to ten accrepit econ In resisting the impact of the omic system Tory attacks at every Only under socialist occupying plants planned economv can the force plevell sackings or closures; fighting to of production be expanded anc protect wages against inflation developed with the goal of ful filling cost-of-living througn Clauses; the social necs ol unt international working class.

SUDOOTE

elou workers struggle; building local councils aCтO1 Sacked for expressing his views ! booklet campaigning against it.

ram through an insulting 5% pay sacking decision, offer coupled to the abolition of approved by Edwardes vur cady avery protecve aaree Is a ment established by the unions pasurlally COnSCIOUs movE to smash the Combine Commit in BL. tee and shop floor power in BL, prior to putting 85-page document in its place union officials for The 85-page document spell- nationa which management already have ing out the "strings" to the dea the agreement of the Confedera was issued to bitterly hostile BL Shipbuilding and workers this week. tion Engineering Unions. If BL management succeec It is a further indication that in forcing home this attack, it the Torv government are only will become the model copied prepared to keep other open or reacuonan their terms. uck I come lr Cont'd, page 11 the midst of company moves to

Workers' struggles topple Khomeini calls Carter's bluff

-INTERNATIONAL

Hassan's new setback isolated in Increasingly the spheres of international King Hassan I diplomacy, has suffered of Morocco setback to his another in the colonial aaventure western Sahara: Two weeks ago a force of attacked Front the ronsariu the conveyor belt which trans- across ports Diosplate- excavations of desert from the facilities on ALant Coast Two of the guard and main- stations tenance along tne bell completely destroyed, Were with 60 troops of the Moroccan army of occupation killed.

swift counter-attack with Mirage forces. MoroCcall caused heavy very losses for the Polisario, both of total claims a men «nassal 150 dead) and equipment. But even the reinforcements bolster the being drafted in to occupation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic will not be adequate to turn the balance of a war which is constantly drain- Hassan's limited resources new gains to the and bringing fighters of the Polisario Front.

Victory of Bolivian Alberto Natusch last Satur- to the day after 16 days of street strikes, battles, political crisis

EPLF! -

class. and the dictatorship the Popular Eritrean between The the Congressional Front now Liberation the consolidating its and once again gathering its offensive The resolve after Tine cratic' wing launched earlier this year by

•COB

and the with the help of the Derg, cracy was only counter-revolutionary its the enormous and allies in the Soviet from demonstrations Cuban bureaucracies. of relative period In this calm, as the reactionary military dictatorship regain its foundering struggles to the Associa- military_ initiative. tion of Eritrean Workers and the of Eritrean Women Association have called their first congresses areas liberated by the in the army of the EPLF. unable to

YOL

was accept the invitation to atten but has sent its nect tea y which we Traternal reprint below: I5111 Comrades, Socialist Workers i ne or face League of Britain sends its revol- held socialist greetings utionary the First Congresses Workers Association of Eritrear and the Association of Eritrean Women. We call on all working class the and socialist organisatio give the greatest possible moral the support ano materia Eritrean national pressures on struggle self-determination against Stalinist and conference in December, enemies. socialist leadership increasing committed to the struggle for and the permanent reconstruction of the Trotskyist Fourth International can secure Every

JUVW

gains made by Khomeini regime has the heroic Eritrean workers and peasants as part of the struggle for international socialism.

selves. able node discuss these important political with your organisa- sea inis aspect vI tion. quite clearly:

EPLF

*Victory the against the reactionary Derg and can have it!" its allies! *For a workers and peasants only Eritrea and 1101 Ethiopia! imperialists US *For world unity of workers weakened in the struggles against imperial- Stalinism! Victory to working alre Deposed President Guevara speaking to journalists Bolivian dictator • cities-which cost over 200 lives The eventual resignation support for massive dictator Col. the week-long national general strike. When the leaders of the COB Lechin, called headed by Juan attempted off the general strike after eight counter-coups and thorough days (just as it was on the point into a revolution- for the of developing mobilisation), Bolivian capitalist class is a ary Ene vehemently attacked them major gain for the working continued resistance cana 101 action, their and mance and effec- The final removal of Natusch paralysing the mines tively bringing the economy to a was not obtaneo This concerted action meant negotiations the despite his that militar aliu Lechin was unable pull the opposition Dul COB into a totally unprincipled mobilisation of the coalition junta with representa- masses headed by the proletar- tives of Congress and the milit- of the 'demo- ary. However, removal of bourgeoisie it. the Natusch was forced through by oureau class the outcome maintained by the working exerted remained firmly has bourgeoisie which below through the almost hands of the has stage-managed a "compro- the From back page dollars who have reason to sus- come into Illa sharp conflict with US imperial- They have been given a clear warning to transfer their funds, a situation where they by the dictate of the US government.

These fears lead to the pros- pect of a massive withdrawal of investment in the US by, partic-

ATAD

states further blow to cripple the Us At the same time, immediate the oil market are almost certain to be reflected in further price rises at the OPEC Wille proportion since the defeat of US imperial- world supplies is traded through ism in Vietnam. markel, What has also been exposed are already rising once more is how near Khomeini has come that the imper- attack to the utter bankruptcy counter-revolutionary policies

DOUBLE

from Iran suggest Reports painful consequences for them- central author that Khomeit's confined ity Beni Sadi-rapidly emerging is now electively Tehran, Com and two other as the most important figure in cities, with other areas variously Khomeini's government-expres- the under the situation

COLLIOL

Kurdish nationalists, te Amendan local religious and want economic war, then they renaveen leaders. The new government appoin- But thisknew situation does ted by the revolutionary council reveal moIe even the has vividly than before how far occa the public arguments been over nave to around tactics by the struggles strategy t class the occupation and adopt towards US imperialism oppressed masses internationally of mem del mise' with the army nationalist party, elevated to the early days Presidency the former president after Shortly of Congress, Lydia Gueiler, who she married interim will leader Workers presiat

OVO.

government until new elections next May. Party) classical Pabloite path Stalemate with the petty bourgeois nation- alists and is exactly the position This tions he benitive tysts president deposed whict Walter Guevara Touto muscul- and in no way alters the funda the implementation of the lack of mental Staichiale leading direction circles of the bourgeoisie.

Moler to unlike Guevara, has Gueiler, support popular degree Dostuills derived from prominen Party : 1952 revolution and role in the Since the early 'forthright repudi- her record of langhished. has ation' of military regimes record appears to have This been established, at least partial the working class. almost . on ine Dasis Once she total absence from between 1964 and 1978! must be slightly leading Gueller wai The inevitable failure of the geois nationalism within "Islamic Republic' to meet the material needs of the exploited But that potential will never producing a reaction masses against Khomeini's rule by the without UnC Trotskyist party committed Koran. the Ministry of Last week, LAlC the target Labour was

TOT

permanen hundreds of fighting by Gemonstratol who oppressed unemployed WOIKeIS. raised slogan "America an eaction are the source of ou struggle torship of the proletariat unemployment. Dire Straits tion reaction! *Seize all the Revolu- On Saturday, Council' major tionary proclaimed that henceforth all occupations compensation -for would be treated as management treated 'counter-revolu- socialist economy as nonary acts reactionary factory Khomelnt s regime is clearly in dire straits, and frantically clutching at des- *Against perate rem cures But the disintegration of this for a massive jerry-built dictatorship will no public works. simply in itself be a gain for the workers and peasants of Iran Such collapse the way for US may oper imperialism oppressed nations intervene again, as it did in 1953 and restore the cancerous Shah full democratic to his throne Khomeini's radical bigotry alism-every cais dangero stoner danger. only to Tne can proletariat in *Down the gains secure •eveob made with the overthrow of the and threatened ever since a workers Shah, without, ment in Iran. imperialism by

DOLL

Tank moves in on demonstrators in La Paz Gueiler announced with remark "coups have aplomb that ended for ever in Bolivia This assinine statement must been received with total have the bourgeois masses, since the the MNR, disperer by Gueiler's ascent has trived in liaison with precisely the revolution military Moller, Edwin that backed Natusch's coup and that faction defended his dictatorial regime demonstrations straffing followed machine from and to rust gunning them from the ground delay in the all aspira- 1 10 removal of Natusch lay in the inability of the Army to reach definitive turn internal decision on how it MR towards imperialism after and still retain Coulu "honour" Plan Far from defeated eventually led both Gueiler and the from undoubtedly have and form with Lechin the left- InCy a setback. But suffered PRIN (Revolutionary are still far from defeated and Nationalism). it remains to be seen how they ous wucle "revival of to the will adjust there or there. the democratic process" conspicuously This "process" is itself in a absent from any real struggle of shambles and can complete offer no feasible resolution to donned the presi- virtual bankruptcy .ot the (which by Bolivian economy without turn threadbare). ing once more against the work.

fought and sacrificed andreds or lives class that actual Congress and the Although whole apparates of bourgeois riding high on its accialy military, this the facade will arop away quickly. already have given notice of their position powerful council of th and Islamic reaction and bour- Region voted Central-Southern overwhelmingly to remove from revolutionary union posts any of they be realised took up seats in that building Icaucis on the grounds that Congress parliament was an openly 'anti- programme worker' body. revolution and The crisis is not over-it has other the WIl only just begun. classes behind As it deepens, ana ils red socialism Tine class content becomes clear, the establish the dicta class will not be aligned working, with elderly patilamenlallan. *Defend the Iranian revolu ambitious officers against imperialism and will be thrown into battle on its own behalf against all forms the banks of capitalist class rule.

capitalist holdings. No workers and a planned *Build workers militias and committees. For soviet committee and the tribunals of Islamic reaction.

unemployment- programme of -for the righas of selleression rights of self-determin ation of the Kurds and all other *Against sexual oppression- for all women and homosexual men.

*For proletarian internation- possible assistance struggles internationa against imperialis Khomeini and with the "Revolutionary Council'-for and peasants govern Natusch

Euskadi: a tale of two SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 21 November 1979.

INTERNATIONAL •

FRANCISCO AGESINADE

→ Lo POLICIA A late night protest against the police killing Ortuella is a small town murders in the mining district close the Basque industrial to centre of Bilbao. It is a town with strong traditions of working class vicallisativil. It is one of the minority of of the region to have towns elected a municipal council last April, Ten days earlier they had blame on ETA and "ultraleft-

WHEN

matonly workers' parties rather than massive one-day of organised Caballero Basque nationalist councillors.

murdered numerous WIll Was Party demonstrations socialisE ponce mayor. Euskadi the killing of Faced with On November fat 3 a.m the Socialist Parts to sure so a the rank and file Ortuella became, to the anger organise (PSOE), German Gonzalez. these of its people and the embar- leaders could not afford lust to not clear who was responsible for that killing.

do nothing. assment or us ponrical icaders.

another name to add to a long by "autonomous was claimed One hour only list of Francoist crimes against commandoes" wale Gonzalez alleged that ine working cass. was a They called strikes, demon- At that time Francisco police spy. Caballero, a 25 year old worker strations ETA (militar) has denied any.

anu lass but in such a way as to contrib- responsibility for the killing Irom ortuela. was snot acau l ute to confusion and I demobilis- the armed nearby Bilbao by It may have been done by a Francoist police. class group which has split from EIA The strike they proposed (militar) but many in was for one hour only-and Bloody reminder believe that it could have been was scarcely publicised. lic work ul bull bluvucalculs He was returning home with the mining area around certain v was Ortuella, friend after visiting cynically used by the reformist, spontaneously went strike Stalinist and nationalist parties when Iwo armed fired machine gun for the whele day of Caballero's pulets organiscu wave his car, which careered out of Tunera activity against and And in many other factories favour of the Statute of Auton- Conlon. they called mass meetings which *rancisco cabarero was which will, statutt sympathiser of the Spanish CP not harmless LDe many Basque workers Tesser ritual denunciation right of which his father was a well- not remove the Francoist forces and left local member of repression from Euskadi but terrorism which known

PSOE

Ortuella. and CP and Basque will add another locally based Nationalist Party leaders special Caballero's death, coming police force to them. oniv two weeks are me reer which "approved" the the inaction of their leadership Contrast The next day the statute Basque Dasu uc aulumony daily paper Egiro reported them Worked ovi between unc DOuT geois nationalists in Euskadi and "With repression! the in this way: Madrid, is slogan "The factory mass meeting Franco's a on successors walls the Basque -where they took place-turned Was Doody rennect tude tic illalty approval of the statute does not provinces today . out to be very polemical, since mark the end of repression.

There could hardly have workers criticised the many been a sharper contrast between of Workers position the Com But this latest murder was an acute em barassment missions-CH Ine Dallisi and leaders of the main workers and bourgeois nationalist leaders' PSOE in calling an hour's stop.

the killing page yesterday when last week nationalist parties and response • Dasu uc trade unions. Gonzalez-which they they called a general strike.

Gunned down by police-Francisco Caballero many meetings it was appear to_be said that division first workers". • were open contlicis bour and here day token whole fac- ule tories of General Electric, Lemoniz and station)

DOWCL

others. The content of the resolu- tions reaching this office reflects the conflict. received many communiques from' mass meet- ings in various workplaces "Those from Lemoniz, from the Cadagua shipyards, bullding. and WOIK depart- ment, and many others, join in the posture : the condemning Commission -CP and Workers "For workers of the showed "the Lemoniz this policy they carry on with the UCD for the (the government); of the Cadagua words it brings • Ship- yards into the : open which the political intentions were nichen penna lie calli of the last eneral strnes ul time they see was ElA terrorism but the seality has shown something else. Dispersed conflicts showed ine same later - the demonstration Which the CP, the PSOE and the main unions called In to coincide with Caballero's funeral. had summoned. "the They whole of Viscaya But they attend been publicise the call-nor to arrange transport! was in the event. small demonstration of 3,000.

it be acader the danction of marching senty from the runera o le Town Square for a ritual singing Basque national anthem - the Thereupon the CP leaders rapidly dispersed and the march continued

MOSIN

will Illally slogans and increasingly under the leadership of ETA (militar).

DISSO UTO

of the widely taken spect so sa vas repressive forces" colonise. political bankruptcy of the ETA leadership:

ETA,

ETA;

(ETA-more Illas machine guns!). The events these arounlu of killings show up the reality the present political situation in Euskadi. Mourners gather for the funeral of Francisco Caballero The working class remains. more clearly than in any part of the Spanish state, ready to resist

TODIESSOR

anu economic attacks are which coming in the wake of the crisis.

and

. LIC

Stalinist leaders play Thei treacherous demobilising

• TOIC 1

alliance and more witn une government ol rrarco ists in Madrid and their armed agents in Euskadi of any con- In the absolut the workers movement. many have turned to the radical nationalist forces repres ented Datasuna (Popular Unity) coalition which is in effect the political arm of But radical words don't con- stitute a political programme and that ETA is incapable of . providing

ETA

is unable even to take poltical advantage or tne alter referendum-in the which the Basque anne the reformists and Stalinists got barely ot ine votes even The Liga Communista in Euskadi reacted to the two deaths by putting up two wall posters, (the second of which is printed below) in the centre of Erandio, working class town near to Bilbao. And now what? The killed •oce nave worker; a militant of the PCE The trail blood which

• (FOP)

Forces of. Public Order leave in their trail is again extended This cnoven! coastan aggression against the people must be stopped! On 29 October the leaders o1 the PSOE , PCE, Workers Com-

UGT,

Spanish Labour missions

(PTE,

Maoist) rarty (Basque left • kaciko askerra politico-military wing of ETA) called for strike and orner actions as a resuit or Ine death German Gonzalez against terrorism and in favour une statute autonomy nat are they waiting Tor before replying with the neces sary boldness now we Trontee witn anotner orovoca tion repressive forces which they their statute? Will they content themselves with parliamentary questions and commissions or investica tion" bury the matter? In fact their intentions are not to detend the interests o1 basque workers-neither on October, today. They wanted to divide more in us oraer to back up te autonomy statute which had failed to secure majority support. Page 3 after massive publicity and a good deal of electoral fraud The forces of the pro-ETA coalition now publicly and over mr do back in the Basque parliament pate which will be elected early next year Two out of the four parties of the Herri Batasuna coalition have now said the will partici pate. and the others appear undecided Such indecision i seems likely the rapid demise ol LIA s pontical innuence In Euskadi, almost more other part of Europe than any way is open or ae ona• ing of a revolutionary Trotsky- the existing _party ist leaders This possibility, however, is hampered as else, by the consequences of the prolonged crisis of Trotskyism CouTs Fourth International an revolutionary centre has been destroyed points the

MUSK 2011

of reconstructing it. The statute of the FOr. is incompatible with the freedom of Euskadi! The workers' organisation: must organise resistance against this which police working . umeasned audinsi class and people ot tuskadi or pretext of an "anti-terror- struceit st me moment to call a general strike against the enemies of the Basque working Workers: discuss this in mass meetings and give the answer *Dissolutior of the

TODIES

sive apparatuses! with the govern- *Let those responsible for the crimes pay! 6.11.79

Thatcher splashes out on torpedoes Page 4 Army takes over Belfast factories and The requisition military: takeover ot two small factories on Belfast's Whiterock industrial estate marks a further step in the desperate increasingly struggle to secure imperialist over the occupied control six counties of Ireland. military outpost new will be as an addi- Geve Over tional fourth within one square mile-with an over- vIeW OT TWO nationanst colates Turf Lodge and Dermot Hill.

More than 20 jobs have been factory Jost as a result or tne closure, ot truv ared unemployment- massive claimed to be as high as one in the occupying imperialist army every two adult males. have. in other words, renewed military crackdown in TV cameras the in The takeover at Whiterock syrias tel giving a leading role to the army runs alongside the establishment i corres contrast to of advanced army deserva- the top of a multi- tion post on tne storey nurses nome attached to the Royal Victoria Hospital.

nationalist And of Andersonstown Ist stronanoi which the military rulers regard cameras neve oeen survey the installed which can of the Irish Hones 'entire surrounaina arca show yet again that there can be The miserable Atkins' half-hearted Humphrey 'initia and half-baked political and the continued otten- tive" sive of republican forces against Pay-off no substitute for safety £67,000 damages The payment to the widow of a Windscale nuclear plant worker last week has given renewed prominence to the question of safety in nuclear power stations. Pattinson died Mr Malcolm of lukaemia at 36 years of age in the radiation after working areas at Windscale for yeals was only one of a number of casualties or Inaue- quate safety, procedures at the plant. In two out of court settle- in ments 1977 British Nucical Fuels paid over smaller amounts of of money after the deatn former employees: a100 decisions GMWU is currentiy contesting "defence" two further cases. reports on the Three As nuclear crisis Mile Island show Pennsylvania Harrisburg minutes of a lethat meltdown" the Not only has reactor came government and it is revealed that 25 out of the plants have Th arenan nucical letna american dreame to more than developed Pym has been more eftorts finance court cases for compen- sation after the deaths of their them as well. Trade unions in the plants and in surrounding areas must joint com- organise Altogether the US demand full mittees which will access to all available informa missiles-targeted tion on safety precautions, and open the financial books of the industry alico supphers. workers' strictest control to turn over

LISE

must be enforced-and plants prime target where the slightest doubt exists, the plant question must be being used was forced to close forced to close-with the work- force retained on full pay -until scrambled, lumbered on outstanding problems ane missiles wert The army move in at Whiterock immediate withdrawal of British led to a troops and acknowledgement of Irish people to right of the which Torme Oldfield The provision of jobs for the unemployed of the long term of 26 counties the MOVeS

SIX

defence Ireland requires in addition, not piecemeal gestures British imperialists or the Lynch This continued escalation of the conflict by British imperial- government, with of a Trotskyist revolution- tion ary leadership committed to the planned the jobs, homes and democratic struggle for a socialist united Irish economy workers' republic no peace in Ireland without the

*TROOPSOUT

NOW!

IRELAND

following a computer error.

The current furore over The prospect of US missiles the exposure of the "Fourth off by being Man" and speculation as to personnel from emplacements in Holland at a moment's notice the identity of the fifth has probably without even The provided a useful smoke- knowledge of the Dutch govern- screen for Tory guvernment ment-is Inceed to step up which the unstable Dutch coalition government does not commitments feel keen to sell to the Dutch and its cooperation with the people. anti-Soviet NATO alliance.

Thatcher's aggressive •UT the Thatcher that means anti soviet stance readily agreed an exactly similar • sequence ov 160 take place here. stationing could these Cruise Missiles ine in Britain-but Defence Minister new missiles amounts to an out.

at the forefront imperialist bloc by the right

NAU

offer by pressurise Brezhnev covernments lo Tene reduce the numbers of Soviet missiles and forward- SS20 in Soviet troops Reluctance artioned the Europe exchande

LOT

scrapping of the plan. imperial- And it goes hand in hand ists plan to deploy 572 of the Russian with Turner do ressive by the imperialists. sites-in Europe: but so tar the the USA itself President Brech govern stationed on to plan stationing of 48 Carter's extravagant construct the new MX mobile Cruise missiles on its territory.

is pressing ahead, missile system No note bate agreement Holland into

WITN

senate $670 for Soviet retalia- an initial development work. tion in the event of the missiles the Senate Intensitied

DUU

the colossal last weekend's "10 minute war" shrinking TrON predicted cost entire US planes were scheme, which would incorpor- bomber tracks" 'race celes of sunk into the decert areas wate Betrayals bring decline in CP Outof UTOf work DD Sparse turnout on CP unemployment day of action Another decline in mem- of the Communist bership done achievements Party of Great Britain was reported by General Secre- countries- argument for socialism tary Gordon McLennan at the Communist Party. annual Congress This amendment defeated by 165 votes to 114.

week. dwindled The CP has counterposed another 4,694 to a strength by new low of 20,599. Party. the party's daily for the good news was that Slavish defence circulation of the Morning Star The one has fallen by only 363 as against a decline last year of 1,863. But the the bad news was that last year's and flows of the defence Congress had voted to increase sales by 3,000! kremm bureauclay. speaking for the oeuvres Musclan 'Eurocommunist" dominant wing of the party, explained the decline by referring to: "the differences in the inter- national Communist movement, armed conflict between socialist Ist cass in CIss: and limitations of demo states, cracy in socialist countries.

middle ot the Pon these isthe down is to be preserved. was exposed by ine vote on al East Midlands amendment Coulst remove the It proposed ward for.the resolution part the mal Britain or internationally.

referring to the "socialist coun- the Significantly reason for the loss of member- ship:

GREAT! WHAT

FIRE,

ANTH

Meanwhile in Utah, Nevada and Arizona.

The plan is for each of the Thatcher 200 MX missiles to be mounted while slashing spending and rotated truck, tion, has between 23 dirterent steiters on contract a system of circular roadways, in order to confuse Soviet target •to construct ine non "super planners. cost estimated

COST OT INE

aireddy scheme is at least $37 billion.

develop. SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 21 November 1979 of working class struggles under CP leadership as a factor in the

CUT THE

party's decline. any delegate speak

DOLE

Nor did out against the party's reaction-

QUEUES

nationalist policy of "pro- ary Britist capitalist tecting through import controls: And in the debate on party there- democracy with the nerve to seek the right of oppositional minore organise as factions within the party resolu- which sought the right to conduct person acts pre "across congres. boundaries of the party organ- isation" 212 defeated by us. Was votes to 71. having been vigor ously attacked by Executive spokesman Reuben Falber In the same debate newly- Executive member lan Mackay attacked what he called religious obses sion about ridding the party of "the fact that we have not its Stalinist rates in the me the mair publicise party cerebale 60 glorious years of struggle" SOCaust most convincing will dis- MacKay and for party's squalid appointed Stalinist heritage will, of course, only was complained that the media weas speakers Later The emergence of these two positions influencing the elections for the Telec the dual pull on the Communist This Party's the fact that medi "regulars" Vishnu Sharma, Mick McGahey and Tess Gill knocker represented by General Secretary into fourth place in the poll again, no-one was But, once from Tone strength actions of the erected tilt Last year, why i-at Garve i as it man- which-at Garners, world SuaL the shipyards, at British Leyland defence of its power and privil- brought 2100 the tradron established tinte pull, , reflected in tradition established since the policies of the CPGB leader- the Communist movement was ship, is from the British capital- taken over sity to draw closer in collabora- For Trotskyists, dedicated to tionist alliances with the capital- for balance of the revolutionary socialism, the decline, splits and forces- "peaceful coexistence" crisis of the Communist Party 1s a welcome development. neither position We with confidence can offers an independent road for and predict that as the hope class in class struggle advances, the CP's decline , and the will accelerate Morning Star will be driven out CPGB leadership, nor the "left" critics referred to the betrayals o1 busiess

WITH ALL THE BREAK-

DOWNS, AND THEN THE

IT'S ABOUT TIME

WE HAD A NEW SUBWAY!

FORGET IT,

BUDDY,

THIS

IS THE

M-X MISSUE

SYSTEM

points to the Perhaps this Britain problem lyr will government, even on hos resolve the growing prosien sick people without hospitals pitals, social services and educa people without homes and old announced jobs. without with Marconi young floated out They Stingray to sea and used by Marconi for torpedo"-which _target practice. £90 million

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 21 November 1979 Hiding from history need for a "socialist movement left talking Labour's with socialist policies to trans- Party Norman Treasurer form the system". Atkinson showed once again this was coupled

BITI

even with the guarded statement that last Saturday the hypocrisy "The Labour Party of Labour leaders when it at all times to achieve unity comes to fighting the cuts.

After Atkinson naa spoken Regional local

GMC

member Speaking fighting his record Labour Partv Ralv against the Calcuseu cuts Aylesbury Atkinson the cuts ana callea on Alkson bored most of the audience with are we going to fight the nis pet economic intories abou cuts?" the conflict between the 'city' 'manufacturing' interests, Atkinson replied by declar- allu mass protest". ing put forward a we need a he arco to single fighting policy for action letters lo ine press. to stop the cuts. petitions and publicity. He definitely ruled out any this waffle came

HONESIUC

the usual admitting "I'm not an advocate of open industrial warfare. defend his When asked record Labour government which had carried out a succession of Tory poncies Alkinson was stuck 1o1 an answer-and, in the words of embarassed opportunist ieplied to the young apprentice sho had as on resid, by friend, don't go back over history, the important thing is what to do today!" So devoid are Labour's 'lefts' of any perspective for actually fighting the cuts that Atkinson, failed mention the mass tobov olat- ament on November 28 which Atkinson the Labour Party is supposed to be supporting.

PRESS

GANG

10:1." Like unrepentant an The trouble is, grumbles the criminal released from jail Times. that the 'unions (mean. Times blinking the came ing union members) seem back into daylight-as bad regard jobs as something to be "tempered as ever and more preserve convinced than before of its manesen

WILO

Wastes labour is letting down not just need for crime. his shareholders, but the people It came too late for many of work for him. do more broadly the nation; its tans. I ney were Wtelrievably he is un dead, some of them very patriotic." publicly dead. ("Wasting labour" , incident- But if death did not suspend ly, is not leaving it idle, but its ravages amongst the ruling emploving it!) classes simply because the Times This argument applies also to was away. public sector, where the many ors victor. the could clearly not rest in their described massive

CUT:

dre graves until their obituaries had terms which or centa ourice PR department could not better been oue isned. The "trying stabilise public work of placating their ghosts, expenditure" Times of three the first If the NHS does collapse- will Obituaries Supplements! Thunderer-it will be says the The cast of the dead is laid because or poor productivity.

out in order ot disappearance- "a child with heart beginning with be examined will 'Inspiring war batten average more tnan six times Dy commander and statesmanlike: different doctors". (!) leader in peace' and Airey Neave Despite this apparent multi- -both blown bits-and plicity of doctors: Meir, Golda "We are in danger of moving Bhutto, Nelson Rockefeller, and from a hospital service primarily candidates for the other prime stattea by doctors ano nurses to one primarily staffed by porters, Chame or no Fors If the dead are now assured the same cannot be of peace, said for the living. ne imes returneo with an editorial ponderously and pom- anti-worker as anything in its nistory. capital out on co al The Campaign for Press Freedom, which . boasts a mention of the crisis of. inter- number of 'left' and not-so- national capital) the Times finds left MPs and-leaders of the Michael only

NUJ

and print unions Edwardes ane has Joseph government. among its sponsors, gloomily into the launched a campaign against It looks Tuture and at tennogy. the Tories Protection of we take British produc Information Bill. 100, tivity and A statement issued to spon- then multiply our competitors sors, attriated organisations ana productivity by, NUJ branches describes the allow for the Bill as treat tot freedom of Tern left with productivity ratios of expression TRe As leading Tory racialists the new moaned that government White Paper on immigration would "reduce [!] numbers the huge coming in by only 3,000", Home Whitelaw

SCHOLAY

last week spelt out a series of vicious new restrictions excluding Asian aimed at and from men weston Britain: He assured leading reaction- from his own Party that aries the orv manitesto bicaces Timothy Raison cleaners and cooks". After flurry. of high- this flown stuff, it's back to naked self interest. the Times we had been able Intormed puDhic agreements would not have required fifty weeks, not fifty days, not witty minutes "People would have been for higher produc pressing ticity conceivable as ine only way to raise pay and secure jobs. * inst mom yer who does instal not reasonable men adainst WHol would strike." destruction or the trade trade destruction unions nas chapels leadership the rules by employers are playing. In a token and plaintive Barry Fitzpatrick, piece by chairman of the all union liaison committee, we can find further to what the references "the neeos ane dopeds Ust energy and expertise solutions, that both sides exists Or business and Oul -Gag law protest- Kingdom this century." wale

THIS

true, the exclusive focus on this particular restriction Trees omn ara time wuen autosu every month reveals the massive level of press censorship of news on tne war in terano cortal exaggerates the existing, "'free- dom of the press". Take action The Campaign circular Bill points now LIte (introduced through Theod of the House of Lords) would enable Ministers Fight Whitelaw's racist plans Campaign Against Racist Laws 25 will ter and a quota had not been on Sunday Novembe but simply delayed again • show the scrapped, of workers to the thousands pending new legislation. And as widely predicted reactionarv Tory government that the main he made clear Leadership thrust « Tene ones of Asian But in mobilising the maxi- to prevent the fiances mum working class giris joining tnem in Dritain.

adainst tnes •roposals necessary also to expose those Labour leaders who have them. In addition, the regulations supported or introducec restricting Torelen serves Britain are to be tightened up- racist laws, and who stand com- of the dis- mass work- this coming pletely opposed to increase which criminatory fees will in any event arastically cul back number overseas students coming to Britain.

Asian coeriv relatives families already settled here are to be subjected to more also stringent entry conditions.

Au pairs will be allowed. in oniy from Western Europe-one .the most openly racist provisions. Vicious But, as always, the stinking rich will have little trouble net. passing

EATOUCT

"OrY Those with income of not less bank an will be £10.000 , Than subjected a minimum restrictions. while Whitelaw. cver vva. spelling out these new propos- hypocritical als-amid largely squeals or protest wom Labou MPs who in general lifted not a finger fight the government s own racist gration restrictions-the vicious nature of existing legislation was deport a reveated moves • LO 7-year Deshi _banata from Oxford, an 80 year old blind Pakistani from Rochdale, and an Asian woman in Manchester, deserted by her husband. conditions all Under these the sons are that ine nationa demonstration organised by the Kelly, Peach, picket:

CLASS JUSTICE! -

In three brazen declara- "private road" of class justice therefore "industrial tions last accident" week the Tory government, 4,500 building workers have courts and police revealed been so angered by Inis clea the extent to which British bias against pickets that they capitalism is prepared to go called protest strikes last rriaay and this coming tuesday to protect its armed agents convenor Walter Wain. and strikebreakers. wright pointed out if the pickets nao orace ne ever om s November 9. a cab and assaulted him the police scab lorry driver knocked down would immediately have moved a picket at hospitalised anu in to arrest num Manchester On Wednesday Home Secre- department. Whitelaw brushed aside tary police refused DUl growing demands TOI d prosecute the scab-arguing that • the murder into the incident took place on a 53-year old Kelly Jimmy Mersevside worker: arresteo ov police on his way home from a pub and beaten •olice custody The case has been sufficient- and well outrageous raise the publicised evel ally to decide what information careerist corpse Wilson demand a public was likely to cause "damage the nation", inquiry tively outlaw all public discus but wunite aw nas pointed le seemingly interminable and and reportage of security, undoubtedly worthless internal hencence police inquiry being carried. ou walter would West Midlands Assistant And become an Gerty, which Chief Constable offence for anvone го сомнам publicly that his/her telephone nas allegeary been going on Tol 2½ months. was being tapped! The against this Bill fight 60 statements must be urgently taken forward the labour movement, which And its declare willingness t nursoav • LOrO Widgery, the Lord Chief Justice таке аскол the one victimised under the retused to. allow a fury ir proposed new laws. inquest on the murder of Blail Page 5 ing class action to bring down the Tory government. to repeal existing legislation and attempts to impose Whitelaw's requires new measures construction principled leadership the socialist workers' movement committed chauvinism and nationalism, with crisis-ridden British capitalism. Whitelaw Peach by police Special Patrol Group thugs at soutnall He also refused to allow the counsel for Peach's family to see anv or ine ou statements conce ted by the police "inquiry"" into the killing The Director of Public Prose.

cutions nas deciarea inat inere "insufficient evidence" for of i any of the tne Special otticer who carried out the baton Peach charge which was clubbed to death with a blon from a weighted truncheon or cost Widgery stated TEnE Peach murder did not qualify r a jury inquest because it dic not tit the category or , the contin. recurrence of • possible the healt and safety of the public" Of course for those members of Und exercise their democratic right life will be demonstrate neither safe nor healthy as-ton as the police and SPG remain in existence. Widgery's ruling merely con- firms that, while suCh battles can expose the limits to democratic rights under capital.

ism, only decisive action by the working class to bring down the government and establish a genuine workers' government create can conditions where guaranteed- rights the disbanding ot thi police and the SPG.

TEMPORARY TENANTS

LABOUR/TORY ALLIA

Page 6 Doyle, sunk. 8th the view with Tricia On December information Secretary of the Coventry Further Coventry Labour Council is Temporary Temporary Council Tenants about the a conference of hosting Tenants can be obtained by which exposes the depths to Labour councils to discuss a of against the Tory which the hypocrisy writing to:- campaign these supposed defenders of Coventry Temporary cuts. working class interests has Council Tenants Association Below we print an inter- What the Coventry Temporary Council Tenants Association? For years Coventry Council has had a policy. of placing Part 111 people temporary accommodation which is supposed to be on a temporary basis. of People in this type are usually accommodation because there ot rent council mortgage arrears. They have been evicted and placed in temporary

HOUSER

We have argued all along that there are good reasons for these arrears, and that the Council's allegations of to 'wilful refusal pay arrears' are wrong. Many people get into because of arrears unemployment, redun- , sickness or, in some dancies. cases, family bereavements.

ot one tere

SO E

parent families-for instance We weren't represented (although should stress wives who have had to hold of the the Council workmen got but We TOaT for their husbands Minutes-part of which was are not at fault)? safety. confidential document kids had of

MOS

It's the husbands that are that 101 out of suffered serious illness such admitting The Council in arrears. temporary houses were as bronchitis and asthma.

biased against women. There had been a num- state disrepair, in After our campaigning, wére unfit for human ber of suicide attempts by six the Council now inter- and four 1S women, and marriages had habitation. were viewing all tenants to find broken up. irreparable. the reasons for out their meeting was held by difficulties Trades Council last the Vice-Chairman of The November. This led to the from the Housing Committee, Where did you go being Temporary Tenants Laken has told us that there? Mrs. formed. of all the tenants she In February we were forced 15 has so far interviewed only into some airect action went to the office one or two didh't have good families of Mr Lomas, the Director reasons. How did you campaign? of Homes and Property. substantiates what we hae Templary Tenants We: organised a We went in at 10 a.m. petition to the Council Temporary asking for and decided to stay there was formed end to different categories; until all 15 families got keys (TT) full modernisation all represent our to accent nousts. Council Housing Officers collectively. basically sound The stiff-they houses; a crash programme were scared of Council house moved typewriters and even new building; and of potted plants. wouldn't How did the TT get started?

We knew Part III houses or any other demanded get keys and Tenants in Smith St. got in policy which treats people meeting with Housing Chair- as third-class citizens. to monins ago with man Tim Sawdon. the Coventry Workshop. The Association has now We met him at 6.00 p.m Trades Council added sne TUTTAeT He was very sarcastic to the the demands-an end to council agreed to shivev tenants. temporary accommodation house selling; expansion of Although September 100 out of we were there direct works council's Jasl as an association he simply 150 known properties were end to department and an went into individual cases, surveyed. evictions. bringing up things like rent In these 100 houses there We were not recognised , arrears. So we left. Council. were a total of 300 children.

by the

•1 OTY

Sawdon, the We decided to picket the majority of the houses Councillor opticians' shop where without basic Chairman Housing OI were Sawdon is the manager. labelled as amenities-bath, hot water, us "anti-social" undesir- When we arrived we were - inside toilet. and were in a state of ables" met with temporary 90% The Bishop of Coventry which named disrepair, injunction substantia. specifically chairman 'dampness, suggested that a committee missing doors, Oul Dave Leggat. He wasn't even formed look into crumbling plaster. Where are done temporary accommodation. there because he was in bec repairs This led to the formation of with a back injury. they very is a with the Ad Hoc Housing We argued this a conscious policy an police that if we couldn't the part of the Council Committee. c/o Coventry Resources & Information Centre, Cox St.

Coventry: and Funds, help encouragement for their important struggle are always needed. stand outside the shop we would walk up and down That , on Saturday. was On Monday Dave received a summons to appear in Court in London the next day! was still he Hie didn't Sawdon go. was awarded costs against us of £400. We have not. paid it is still and solicitor our fighting the case. You have brought Casci against the Council. When did these start? February late three issued summonses Leanes against counci DIATO. Inna Crasham !! 99 of the 1936 Section Public Health Act. We were faced with continual What difference did the local elections make? None. May 3rd the .On Labour Party won control of the Council. We thought that would abolish they temporary • accomodation. We were so pleased we went out and got drunk to cele- brate We went to the Labour SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 21 November 1979 Representatives of the temporary tenants handing petition to O group to ask them to plead We were given five guilty. minutes to speak and were shouted down. They anen said we were 'sub judice We went there because Waugh Senior Arthur of the Labour (leader group) had actually been photographed in one of the houses back in February or thereabouts and made state- ments attacking Tory policy and supporting us. what did the Labour So group decide about cases? They didn't agree to concede, and the first case It was was heard in June. and the council mine fought it on a legal tech- nicality. I had, been moved out of 12, Mason Road April were modern- because they ising the whole street The said that Council's solicitor this there because of was no case to answer. Our solicitor said it was a criminal case and therefore council still had a case the answer. The magistrate found the Council guilty.

A month later 40 tem- porary tenants went to the Housing Committee. At the end of the meeting Coun Cairns, the present cillor chairman, said they would discuss the cases in private.

We wouldn't leave-so they did! We took over their séats •and convened a meeting of We sent a hote to the TT. chairman of the Com- tne (which had recon- mittee

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 21 November 1979

FIGHT

NCE

The housing officers are trying to put the Ombuds- man off by saying that our doesn't associalion all Temporary represent grenants. We've also tried to get publicity through but the press, Coventry Evening Telegraph has consistently attacked us.

They won't mention the fact that some tenants are ir than rent mortgage rainer arrears-because upsets Tory ideology: They won't print letters press • releases- although now Labour are in office they are more keen the case Mrs Clark asked the Evening Telegraph not to print-her because of address her ex- husband They printed it-and her husband round and Callie up her and smashed house. They also refused to print the fact that the l1 were responsible tor bringing the court case ouncillor Cairns the council-they made was an

OUL

vened in another committee What's your attitude to the individual. room) to come and explain Labour group? The Editor has written at why they were appealing. We have been used least four editorials attack- They had said that thev political pawns. The Labour ing us. not decided yet. Their legal previously supported advisors were asking the us and urged us on. labour had What about the magistrates why they

NOW

opposing unev found 12, Mason® Road We've been stabbed in us. As I said the TT was set up They the back. We're disillusioned nunsance would then with with the Labour Council. consult Coventry Workshop and the barristers about an appeal to The Labour group said the High Court. they wouldn't use Part III We suggested that the as a punishment but it's still the Council's witnesses were money were wasting used. they a member of NALGO and on the preparation of an case One a womar who'd been a "temporary could be Olic put to tenant" 15 years was better by starting use to IOr the two-year backlog told by the council that her clear of council house home (see photo) repairs is a delegate to the Trades wanted for modernisation.

which exists at the present Council from ASTMS! The The Council told her if time. Six weeks they she didn't move to a home ago which was little better they decided definitely to appeal delegate status! to the High Court. would move her compul- sorily. On September 11 • the support from Labour Party In opinion the our second case was heard and Labour Council is as bad, if The council won. was not worse than, the Tories.

ordered to repair the house resolutions in support of us.

Most of our tenants have within six weeks and pay voted Labour all their lives £400. costs, to be divided National Tenants Organisa- and they're supposed solicitor, to between the Environmental Health represent working people.

with the North East Tenant's Office and a photographer helped who prepare the evidence What other channels have you tried? Back in February we com- What the present Did this decision make them plained to the local govern- situation? change their minds? Ombudsman that The third case is due to be ment No. Three weeks atter this Coventry Council weren't heard on 19 November in second case the Council keeping Coventry magistrates court.

temporary homes decided to appeal to the up to standard and were not We are confident of another Crown Court. complying victory. will the 1191 | In -this case they Housing (Homeless Persons) are The Council's appeal of appealing over the decision, Act. the second is in late case not over a point of law as The Ombudsman has The first one has December. in my case. made preliminary investiga- the High Court to go TO After the decision to tions and decided to hold a because it's on a. point of appeal we sent letters to all full enquiry-which is still could law-that take Labour councillors going on-it will take months. condemning their action. months. _Every time someone issues a summons they try to get round it by trying to repair the house or re-house When the cases are being heard the Council's solicitor brings out of derall personal • cases which are irrelevant. It shows the law is a load of rubbish. won't councillors speak about the appeals became they say it's - "sub judice" We've asked for a meet- ing with them-with legal advisors from both sides all the Temporary Are Tenants part of the Assoc- iation? The TT has well over 100 but don't members we know how many others there are We've asked for a full, up-to-date list-they've refused. The officers put a block on it by saying it's a breach of confidence. Al cast tney could sent each temporary tenant our address and phone number. We have an elected com- mittee and hold meetings publish allu every three weeks. Housing 1978 saw less starts on new houses than any time since the fall of the Heath government. Only 130,000 houses were completed for five lowest total years. while shortage worse, oot rate ane overic secto housing has sent prices rocket- ing, 33% with a increase last vear and a 20% increase expect ed in 1979 The average price of a houst is now over

LLU.JUU

makin nonsense of Labour's fine talk of easy mortgages and help for • first-time buyers - laying But Tory policies waste council housing with half.

sales budget - would rap. housino idly drive these priees even higher. Profits In either case, while workers struggle attord a root ove their heads, the privately-owned developers, firms, contractors, banks and supplier: (many of them major sponsors of the Tory Party) continue to rake profits. Building in huge societies continue to tunnel oil ions of pounds of money from small savers into preserving the Our main problems are baby-sitters transport and even we get good

DUL

SO attendances. Finally, how do you see your fight in relation to the wider fight the against attacks of the Tory govern- ment? That's very important. I was day told the other that many Talbot workers difficulties rent and mortgage payments during their strike. As I said earlier many of the temporary tenants are in position because of Loal unemployment redun- dancy. going be here more temporary tenants as ‚unemployment rises. The Trades Council Housing Sub-Committee ananging lor us to speak al union branches warn peopic or what is likely lo happen to them. Page 7. from WSL Manifesto existing anarchic system The socialist answer dem. ands the struggle to lift the lid profiteering and corruption every of the ing beyond any •0OK snow doubt : the necessity for action to force tha of nationalisation the large • погово • InE development firms, the constr- uction industry. the banks and ine outoine societies Such nationalisation must be without cabitast owners. , out with com plete protection for small savers.

The resources liberated must be placed under inemandeement o1 elected trade union committees, with the task of implementing a pro- crasi house-building , providing new jobs for gramme, the 300,000 unemployed build ine workers Unused buildings and office requisitioned blocks must and converted for housina and other socially úseful purposes Local authority direct works •epartments must be exeanded to carry out necessary mainten- ance and renovation of existing • council and otner nousing Only under socialist planned economy can the anar.

cav or une coolalist market ano the plunder of profiteering be and housing be pro. vided on the basis of social need This is especially impor- tant for people thinking of taking voluntary redundan- cy. It's just not worth it.

Since this interview it has emerged that the Labour voted to have pay упоир Tim Tory councillor Sawdon £100 towards the £400 he won from the court action but has not received because of the appeal. This decision so outraged of the Labour members Party in Coventry-particul South East arly Coventry CLP-that the decision has now been rescinded.

POLICIES FROM

DREAM-MACHINE

Page 8 at Allegations levelled the International Spartacist Tendency that it has no per- spective to offer the work- appear to have ing class done it less than justice.

The British section of the IST has clearly been doing some work highly ortolnal development of Marxist theory -and result their exertions, are now able to offer BL workers a truly unique way the Edwardes forward against plan. The Novem der assue Spartacist Britain turned over its perspective, to that main story 'Don't pay ander the secolint for the bosses' mess!' is a pers- ontortunaltiy French farce and comic opera than socialism. Upbraided The Workers Sociaisu League is upbraided for calling threatened plants and blacking to stop the work. moving 01 return calls for the occupation of every Leyland

WSL

accuses solemnly and parochas . "reveals" the unsurprising lact that the Edwardes plan is an attack on all Leyland workers.

would, of course ine vol be in favour of an occupation of all Leyland plants. We would be in favour of a strike throughout the engineer- ing industry. even more strategy is

OUT

ambitious-it consists in politic- ally preparing and building tow- which general strike aro. the tu strenden ou the work class is mobilised to bring down the Tories and press through the socialist over- struce jor throw of capitalism. We are no defenders of the crafts and between ervisions impede the worko aces united action the working OT Class. But, unlike the IST, we are capable of observing that with- out a fight in the plants singled of out tor closure, the chances supporting occupations through- out Leyland are nil. Spark We are also capabie or seeing the 'narrow parochialism' that encouraged 'Has workers of St. Benedict's Hos pital to take it over because it with threatened Was cou• de a soark tor a ceneral- ised struggle throughout the health service. Does the IST scorn such calls for occupying threatened hos- pitals linked to calls for strikes in iner derence. Will they calE insteat for the occupation of all hospit- als-to avoid "parochialism No count Turner soecurative debates will take place within on this point. the IST Meanwhile, in the real world, out tice for forced to tont practice action impede plan and create conditions tor a generalised struggle.

COMIC OPERA

SPARTACIST

The blacking of work trans- ferred from Threatened plants-an action scorned by the in practice fight- ing to mobilise workers have been told their jobs who "guaranteed" if they accept are scab work, into retusing accept it. It is no easy fight. And, so tar it nas been spearneadea al the Cowley Assembly Plant, where the WSL has its strongest forces. Never-never land costs But, determined at al to find a policy that is difterent from everde liese the Sparta- abruptly article from Tne l own, unique, never-.aver land.

Although much of the article is given over that BL cannot be "saved" by strategies alternative ward the •talinists and TGWU leaders, the same article is capable of telling us, straight- тасео Inat Ford workers!: workers brothers Leyland at Ford. for exampie, are rignt now pursuing their own claim "They must combine Them • wages fight to win much higher conditions ano petrel through ou the industry: the fantastic vision •ecomes even more Now the worker. Fords are allotted the daunting unilaterally saving LasK jobs at threatenea planis m DL, Chrysler/Talbot, and "through- out the industry"! Flight of fancy It would be amusing to see such cavocalt position at a wagennam

IST

has Meanwhile the swept away by its become • O acacho democrati reinism social policy ettIst social. AnO Witdl democratic cretinism? The IST tells us: "The centrist WSL advances the demand for opening BL's books to 'confirm the necessity for the nationalisation, without compensation ThE entre the industry banks if jobs are to be protec ted. (Socialist Press, 17 October) WSL's the Then lignoring of the banks) сосіс палюв the Sparts go on to argue against this demand saying it amounts and the call tor import controis la calt which the WSL has consistently a pastce. Having, attacked the WSL for its "reformist, inherently chauv- › on Inis lourd to revea Ine Tull Morrors or TAel own policies. Intellectual curiosity They they admit, favour of opening the books BL. But they see this not, the WSL, , as a means to spur on working class action against the capitalist exploiters ane credit conditions for the seizure of the say the Sparts, Danks "reformism" No, these "communists" call of the books opening tor the simply to satisfy their own intel- lectual curiosity -"to see now Leyland really has been muCI the driven ground by irrationalities of capitalist mis.

management" • Trotsky! What a piece Coor reformist nonsense produced the Transitional All of "The riaht to employment is the only serious right left SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 21 November 1979

MOHRIS MUTURS

OXFORD

OTOR

JORT SHOP

VARDS C

SIEWARDS

TIRE

BL workers marching against the Edwardes plan -would have something to say Those that were caught about it all. generally went to jail. details-no Nor were the unfortunate Tnese in any position to enjo! doubt to be sorted out in the buyers next issue of Spartacist Britain.

the trults the old owners not were Hot dog stand convinced of their "title deeds" will doubtless the ouver What matter whether line up , tO OUV relations question of orobert plants from the Spartacists has been settled? Take conveyor line, old ("'One and money and run! cheap out-going Also worn . Armed with this new wealth built Marinas. Quicl 300 half BL workers can take their places sale needed") at the back of the dole queue- to their assets open Overcapacity SUSe little shop or a hot-dog stand somewhere Quite what this imaginary would do with his new buyer bourgeoi: bargain-priced BL factories in a tAr by DeTT all petty bourgeois-has the period of overcapacity through- ingredients to turn Britain into out the r industry has not yet nation of shopkeepers! out by the IST been worked whole flight essence :Indeed the policy is carefully fancy no more than stated avoid emoarassint laughable form leftist parallels with the moves by the leaders of the

UCS

otarinist scheme leaders in work-in and retormis endless plant closures ever since 'new buyer" for their to find a pnraseology tionary anti-working doomed plant offers Leyland content course one problem confusion, total vould be that capitalism 1 as workers Conv demoralisation and defeat would wholt Temain But it gives the Sparts the Anyone bold enough to buy a have alway: "seized" factory secondhand DOSITIOr sought-uniquely and rotten would need Tron uniquely wrong! permanent and massive workers state worker in a society based upon shareholder: Ine (possibly providing jobs for tht exploitation old workforce? he know capitalism

ICA T

And the workforce, dividing guarante any cang? wh suCi call for the expro- up the spoils of this con-trick o all time might find the forces of the banks when- priation the state-the police fraud squad with the aid of the Sparts-he up with a could have come real, revolutionary demand?

OUT NOW!

''If BL can be set on its feet let the bosses -at their If not, the plants own expense and assets which the workers seized [!] should Have by the workers- Ot

POR

not the capitalist state, not the bondholders-and all the money

BATTLE

sale

ROTSKYISM

THE

seniority among BL workers.'

(Spartacist Britain No. 16, 1979, (original November emphasis) It is this uniquely Spartacist which shows the true demand dream- genius to l machine, in which reformist and sectarian alusions petty bourgeois anarchistic ten- dencies given equal rein BL should First occupy all the plants. Next, . tor torm'e sake ine should have a quick look at the

OOOKS

Then thev should demand that the BL management try to set it on while Knowing, vot exoense-wnit

KITOVEIS

course, that this is impossible Then, the workers must sell to some and assets olants gullible buyer and divide up the 'equitably' -according to money the old syndicalist principle of Second edition of the opposition documents "seniority" presented inside the WRP by the present leader- BL and 500;000 outside can ship of the Workers Socialist League GIsDosPO oT ane every With a new introduction gets pay-off to take to the dole queue Price €2.50 plus 20p postage and package from At one time there used to be Workers Socialist League, 31 Dartmouth Park Hill popular ¡ine amonost • Tars con-artists They "sold" —-sorry London NW5 1HR 'disposed of"-the Eiffel Tower to TourIsIS

Beneath your city Trotskyism and the Labour Party SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 21 November 1979

ERNIE 'STUBBINS

"Beneath the reviews City Streets" by Peter Laurie, published by Panther at £1.95. streets Recently making a wel- in the come reappearance bookshops is Peter Laurie's Beneath the City Streets.

This is one of the essential books for Official reports and public socialists seeking to build up of state records sifted the work- oreparauions amarist smariest clues ing class. Rumours checked and The of this traced. buosication edition is one result of revised Where nothing seemns provide a clue, tried even ue Aal ma If they had been convicted wild guesses, which sometimes for the systematic use of public throw up new links in the chain.

puts together Wo moton. it Is couotiul, say the least, irsigesd ani builo to pretert that ure s book would ever have been reprinted.

designed classic The

DOUK

Tens oi tnousanos or memoers "counter government research'.

of the ruling class and the state former writer for bureaucracy against nuclear New Scientist and the Sunday aLlaCK among jobs, Although it is possible to Tmes otner nas devoted a great deal of time and quarrel with details of these energy to seeking out and collat- SeCLIOUS overan Laune is ar nis ing most convincing here. much intormation possible the government's esta bished, Such been for and/or preparations war and apparently revolution. witnour democratic aboroval The very existence of such a In InIs task ne nas achieved impressive body of work, us to question the Socialist Press even held Cotmonsy nOLIOT WItl

IOSS

wtei colcu nuciear war as destructive от all political conclusions. human life on the planet.

best best of remembered, sections Laune s TIrST eoition are Tine attempts to identify and locate the components of the British government's svstem of citadels hardened channels of and the communication between them: wany ws startil somts were provided by otticial pudil- released short of euphoria lived phase at the end of the Second World War.

These mate it eosciole recognise the importance of the systems of deep tunnels under Loncon. etiga this rival n, le biess investigations rival best Thatcher •PrecTive stories. Letter Dear tite Sociatist In 1925 in Where is Britain the Press Going? he wrote about the in 14 Jeff Harris wrote "numerically powerful February Labour about what he described as the oaSee Traoe unions", and how "the Labour anti-working class nature or the grew out of Labour Party. If this Party the parlia- is mnaeco description of that abeui dlc menar y reoresentaton or une would trade unions, words, clearty znere in other little point in being inside it. out fo the purely class organisa But is this accurate? of ene reylects on the labour."

,LIOTTS

emtoioyce In fact trade unions cast the Ano: overwhelming majority of votes Lisbour Ptr th, il Drigiomes tear of the tnat trom tne trade union asoec the party is as were its nemoers uraoi union votes: 12 members by the polítical section." The Labour unions alone, five and Party had grown "as the wwtcll direct extension of the trade Tne Te easurer Tine wno te conference, which union unions." votes predominate. Moreover, The l constituency Controlling position emselesa compo sede rs themselves composed arc What then the correct •eleucres hom •rancaes oi mode attitude unions, co-op organisations, SocidlIsts etc., well individual socialist party, to revoiutionar the Labour Party? members. A large part ot the Also Where is Britain party s income comes trom tne Going? • Trotsky wrote Enat. 'The Communist Party will take that place in to the More accountable Labour Party which at present is occupied Dy Ine independent At this year's annual confer- Labour Party. ence the votes of unions, includ- What was that position? "As ing the transport and engineer- the dosorute maorlt on tne Executive Committee and in the ne werkes ensuree mad seos taken towards changing other important more institu- the make constitution British Labour TIons The Labour Members of Parliament Party Pent Labour Parte elaner belongs Indepen- more accountable to the party.

The votes unions orms a governing taction in the decide the policy ot the party Labour Party." The ILP occup and whether it. is transformed ied "directing in the Labour Party The ILP. "num into a more eiuecuive instrument to achieve socialism. bering 30,000 members, obtains Trotsky the controlling saw clearly an working class organisation based through th nature tnt Labour Party and its relation- millions • Taoe Unions ship with the trade unions: members." Laurle sels out to mvesugale probable effects of nuclear the аштаск •v mne voee en using as much information as is available on radiation and post attack disrup.

tion, combined with public esti- of the weapon stocks of the nuclear powers. His conclusion is that life in Britain would far from extinct after nuclear attack.

Inoece. casuaites mnt nol exceed 20 million. conditions a well such oreoaree ruHne ciass .cour expect, with military support, reestablish its control in a fairly short time span. Although the early sections Laurie clearly recog- Mises tnat (tnese glate oreoald. tions are made much with external enemies in (as witness the protracted mind ceatn adonv or even une tmool Somoza regime in Nicaragua), as book procedes more ane concerueo witn war, and less and less with revol.

ution. In fact, most of the compon- ents Tne nome •etence systems other than the exotic more likely hardware, are much to de usea in civtl tnan military emergencies. One of most important, but least wew known or tnesc systems the network local controls which can be brought into play government. Striking feature The most striking feature of this network is its use of exist- COHSE delegates at the Labour Party conference However, unlike the ILP, the Communist "can only rary come to the head of the work- ing class in the measure thát the comes into irreconcilable Jattcr antagonism with the conserva- bureaucracy urao e the Labour unfon. ano Party." The socialist revorutonary party comes into trreconciaole with the present the industrial and leaders OnLicd wines Ine unions by being active inside both wings of the movement.

WHO IS

LEONARD

HOOPER *.

WHAT IS

HIS JOB

ang oriy start ani lsets far and assets, authority emereencv ourooses Emergency powers in fact fall to the chief officers of local autnorities. ane cemocralicals elected councillors could find themselves imprisoned, or even executeo. Enel erstwinile employees! Clearly this system is aimed much more at ine maintenanc.

of civil power than resistance to invasion or attack. Laurie's political conclusion is that cemocracv tals oeore the conspiratorial preparations the military bureau- crauc entes wnich oronverate u the context threatened nuclear war. Clear information, he Trotsky "A wrote Tnat. revolutionary Labour Party on the trade unions, wil with them togeliicl occont instrument for their Miont restoration to health and their uplift. He foresaw that "only under the pressure" the trade unions "will the Labour Party, after Taoicary renewine

ITS

leadership, be transformed into a revolutionary force. Peter Mclntyre should there- fres h ee spoke in ae Suti lise Press about June the Page 9

OAKLEY

AB Gove PHOMO. Andrew Wiend Report

WHC

UIL

MILITARY

INTELLIGENCE

IS A

CONTRADICT

IN

TERMS

Taremational Telocommunicat ion Convencion 1. Membeti axree to rake vil posubl mewates, compatbie with ssstemi of telcoommumcsuon ascd. wih 3 ges ABC campaigners rally outside top secret communications headquarters in Cheltenham implies, enable 'demo- Their onlv hope for surviva

DICUF

• cracy' to be defended rests on the defeat of the work.

, in the capitalist states Our view would be different ing class, We do not regard military and mucn ocrore technical secret preparations by workers' states. as an unfortunate but Laurie's position . eventualiy tnte stalt curao e amert or a democidtlc ime. tne worters btccso yn society. with those of the ruling class in with Soviet We recognise these symp. seeking war the toms as essentiai Dars r trn DAI am Asno lo ellnvo society in which we live, and its .enemy is the capitalists at home.

Revolutionaries however can world context make use or Laune s rescarene.

Democratic freedoms dent proletadan poricy -hiepin proletarian policy-fighting The democratic freedoms

WICI

Laure seeks re acreno doolsi -CUIt

WOWVC

have all been wrung from. the ruling • 19Є taotais ruling classes in the past countries, while defending the nationalised property relations The economic crisis is ending Tine SCoOi

TOI

Thal Kund in une aerormc workers stales liberalism, and key elements in amor stronng Tor ine politica clearly under- overthrow the parasitic the ruling class . stano Inis otailhist oureauciacy betrayals, not of the TUC and ever. It is tne syntnesis or iron , but of their the Labour Party, hardness and extreme flexibility The difference leaders. that assures success orcocile Further libid 0.321): s vta Marxists are not at ai opposed to either the industrial "We need the greatest ideol- wings of the trade ogical steadfastness and the political they unions Tn e Contrary sharoest ano ciearest revoiuton.

are their best defenders ary thinking not in order. to The from the exist- revolutionary socialist isolate ourselves oa soes nor siane n oboos nass oreonsatonssct ition to either wing of the trade tarian manner, but rather unions but comes to the head of to work effectively their midst without losing our

.OOLI WIES

perspective." various writings 1930s Trotsky argued in favour course all those who are opposed to Britain being trans- of membership of the Labour Party. Tormea into a socialisi cemo cracy do not want socialists to act effectively For 1935 instance They would like socialists to wrote (Writings, 1935-36, stay out of the mass organisa.

policy the 10.142 LIONs opposition in the Labour Party However a tendency whic bad. But -thi: aspires to become revolu- us canauiy oniv means tnat it is necessar socialist party capable tulal y to counterpose to it inside the от ecoe tne workino cass t‹ Labour Party another, a . correct victory cannot allow itself to br Marxist policy. Yes. inside the diverted away from working in Labour Party. tne mas. movement inciuelne number of other the political wing of the trade quotations, not directly related unions David Harris Labour Party Britain 30 October, 1979 Sussex illustrate the essential point.

In 1936 Trotskv wrote libid p.289): "You need the indepen- Many of the points made by Harris comrade evidently. dent party not to compete in a small way with the mass organ correct

BUT

wourd stress that, while Socialist Press argues the only way. for socialists to fight for a prin inside. And (ibid., p.290): coler orooramme witnin botr "The great lesson of Bolshe- the unions and the Labour Party vism is the intransigence of the we do not enviseage the Labour • Partv beina transformed into ar carl Ioware reTormISIT effective instrument to achieve centrism ano ine oreatest тех.

ibility towards the mass organ- "revolutionary Without the isations. torce. Rather we fiaht to buile the cuaiily parly incildly a varxist party to serve the pur becomes instrument pose—-which will of course even.

the capital; without the second, the tually include elements tha break from the Labour Party.

party remains a sterile sect tor.

Page 10

INDUSTRIAL

Craft unions sell Shotton jobs

IRBY JOINT BRANCHES

Having been pressur- dramatic im pact ised into a verbal call production and amount to the first for national action to action against a closure.

thousands of defend threatened jobs at the for Sirs' Corby and Shotton -particularly men's leader Hector Smith.

steelworks, the Refusing industry's major union, pretence Iron and Steel the independent interests of the Confederation, Trades class, WOKe been the most has been left in the of advocate craft lurch by union demanning and and bureaucrats the redundancies in BSC.

GMWU.

Bill Sirs, Bluff

ISTC

leader embarassed by mass opposi- Under his tion to BSC's closure plans.

had for a national hiastturnacemen at shotton called have declared their support overtime programme of selective and for BSC's closure plans, and the NUB Executive one-day strikes oppose certain to refuse to partici- the closures. Sirs' While such action pale Jell out the necessary fight for national action.

GMWU

of the Corby occupation and Shotton plants, and all- vote against any resistance it would oul sinke action. undoubtedly have to e cosure.

DON'T GO INTO

THE FIGHT BLINDFOLD!

SOCIALIST

GET

PRESS

struggle against wage control, cuts and redundancies

NEWS

Corby workers So looks and steel more as if Sirs' increasingly hollow-sounding bluff about national the ISTC going Hone be likely But it proved too much nassal y Calcu And if this is the case no blastturnace- - worker should be surprised to see him engage in a miser- make any aDie chinbaown of defending the The only tangible way in betrayal which such can Smith combatted • the outspoken Corby Shotton work- ana soccu-us force take a categoric decis voluntary plants to occupy ineir 1018 demand national 'anc porting action leadership seems proposed members Corby have also been led to Bill Sirs

CATAR

Trial sub (UK): 10 issues, only. Six months One year.. Europe: Six months. Rest of the World: Six months. For a of Socialist Press. I enclose • Clear Name.. lead in the Address Hill, London NW5 1HR. "Union" shuns TUC proposed at the AGM. by the Royal The vote Howare roare College of Nursing not to the RCN Birmingnam affiliate to the TUC was, on (according to Nursing Standard) the surface, a narrow one.

The recent RCN conference for voice defeated the proposal by 3,742 stand in isolation. The TUC was to 2,849, well short of the two a moderating force which alsc thirds majority WIlC Was mediates needed

RCN

has stood as a cals ott strikes. , tying bastion role the nurses in chains of 'professional- euphemism for servility ism' suTTiciem

NUPE

and

COHSE

into voting for affiliation.

Both were rightly commod Management tool oppose the RCN's application if but elements of the calle TUC must have been hoping to pointed been a different result, to strengthen their r grip. What the RCN in the TUC would mean can be seen from the way the motion was entnusiastic No fight at Firestone With thousand taking streets Further steps to turn the former industrial area of militancy lack North London into a waste- organised working class last land were announced week with the projected bureaucrats closure of the 51-year old no perspective plant Firestone tyre or parad Brentford--close by the defence defunct AEC plant. cratic rights. face All 1,500 workers Those the closure, redundancy policies throuah blame watch UK financial losses Then of the working class, operation and on the disappear- ance of the market for cross-ply internationdi ty relight wing union leaders at to lose from the plant-whose industrial rela- the profitability of their employing class. tions history "impeccable seem decided not even to go through as did Closurt of the Dunlop stewards in the closure of the Speke tyre plant League. without ques- InCY tion that Firestone should solve Name . crisis their expense, , and on Address concentrate simply negotiating payments With leaders so willing to see the bosses' point. or view hardly needs a manager to issue Send to: the tinal notice of closure Park mouth

NW5 1HR

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£1.75 . £6.00 . £11.00 £6.50 .. £8.00 Please send me trial sub/six months/one year Send to Socialist Press, 31, Dartmouth Park SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 21 November 1979 postal ballot , President of cuestion and against) centre about 4% of the total claimed the RCN paper membership of 150,000 the ruling «Said that the RCN was the a ne • electros vol council received a poll of about nurses and must not à third of that! to say there are no Needles witch-hunts agains unions 150,000 Even this shrewd estimate of fewer than 2% of the member the TUC was not ship majority Have Of 50,000 student nurses "advisory vote only ottered an 377 took it up! The

RCN

management is a no real grip over the Too With The RCN's rapid growth has mass of nurses as proof of tC paigns have been launched they Where strong nurses' distaste for unions. But the allegiance of nurses to the have shown the body can be seen to be less than wiped out.

YOU SHOULD

JOIN US.

dictions of the anarchic capital- the workers by ist system force the wholesale the cingure. ano destucton or litt Tory productive forces society oppose of planned only a socialist policies there is plainly no omy on a world scale otters a in the way , forward achieve To such a perspec needed Yet the existing trade union TIVe Labour leaders to ich in todays treen 'left'-have advance beyond militancy, protest trade otte

LOSI

Poet site and demo fight jobs, alism can be abolished through parliament. Socialist Workers I Ve only be defended League is a DISKVISI

MOVE

which ment fighting day in and day start build such a principled from the independent interests out which leadership in • The working cas and all reatos ly class, has all We readers nothing to gain and everything attempts to restore Socialist Press See

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SOCIALIST PRESS 1980

CALENDAR

Price £1.00 plus 20p p&p From Socialist Press, 31 Dartmouth Park Hill London NW5 1HR

CIVIL SERVANTS TAKE UP

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 21 Norember 1979 Charing X strike solid The strike by AUEW and

TGWU

members Charing Cross London's Hospital has entered its fifth week. It remains solid des- pite a stepping up of the Last Tuesday two civil press and TV witch-hunt. servants, one CPSA and one The strike is over the dis-

SCPS

member in Kenning- missal of two mechanical engin- ton DHSS office, London eers wino retused to. carry out normally done by were suspended for blacking unskilled labourers as part of a the work of casual staff, Work rule brotest

CPSA

part action OT dangerously low manning levels against the civil service cuts.

and general cuts in service.

strike both Thousands of civil servants inside and out of the hospital throughout the country immed- ¡ately walked out in protest at continues to grow. Coventry calls conference for councillors when faced court On December 8 Coventry aralist unem council will be hosting a Section 99 of the Public Health conference of Labour Act their gut Councils called to "organise appeal to the courts against that decision a national campaign against this enough to , the Tory cuts".* put their supposed anti-Toryism with the As we nave seen in absolute y clear terms then Temporary Tenants Cov- the decisions they took the September entry (see centre pages) implement cuts the sanle WIld ordered conference have reached such government should make their depths of that real position clear.

CHI

MNEED

MANUFACTURING

ASSISTANTS

SUBSIDISED CANTEEN

25

FREE OVERALLS

NO NIGHT SWIT

PHOTO: Charlie Augusto, IF Workers at the Chix sweet factory continue their strike for union recognition. Information from and messages of support and donations to: M. Anwar, 271 Goodman Park, Slough. Of hall

AT THE TOP...

UNION DUES

CUTS FIGHT

the suspensions. at the National Savings Bank London, and 20,000 in the rest 5,000 walked headquarters at Glasgow They were suspended for of the country. blacking work done on over- and walkouts continued throughout the week This week further as nine more

CPSA

members threatened at Kenning. sions are suspended WelC LOn

UNDO

ano National Savings Bank head- and nurseav or last week Many government offices in quarters. Scotland were closed by massive The Tory government want a major confrontation with the response suspension of 200 civil servants CPSA and SCPS now in order to The task of those who want to fight the cuts is to mobilise those who the curs win artect. the trade community roups voted 02 milion off this years Among other ecals associatos"_t ight the cuts being made by th council now. education budget. This means demanding that of the confer- the Lavour counci reuses to nee on December o to ora implement the Tory cuts, ise a strong campaign of com.

refuses raise tates plaints to the Tories. Coventry and thus challenges the Tories councillors head on. called conference to avoid

TOIS

Coventry Trades Council is a real struggle on the cuts.

The calling a mass demonstration Labour councillors have and lobby of the December 8 made a bea une are not prepared to go it alone against Collecte the Tories. -Save B'ham hospital! correctly that they are not Birmingham Area Ikelv to be adeouate in savin Health Authority working the hospital. party report has recommen- Moral argument has not yet saved a single hospital ded the closure of the John HE cats the stah at Conolly Psychiatric Hospital

COHSE

calls staff on the at Rubery near Longbridge.

John Conolly follow The working party are trying example of workers at St. mask by calling Benedicts in London and pledge proposals Clanke inem selves use' hospital and take over its admin- However, this "change" istration from the management.

would involve the transfer of can prevent une gradual run-down of services The Jonn conomy banents administration to the Rubery and the gradual transfer of Hill Hospital, which is on the administration to Rubery Hill.

sane sile AT une ame ame workers a would lead to the loss Rubery Hill and at other hos- least half of the John pitals, ambulancemen and Conolly and added beds, portes must take we necesain steps to prevent a transfer surele • outer as Highcroft and Hollymoor as patients from the John Conolly. well as on Rubery Hill. Il Is diso essential to gaune Conolly Joint pledges supporting John of strike Trades Union Committee has action other sections of from Health leafleted the o1 industry and the public sector attacks upon Leyland service Union Dianener area together with a number of and the John Conolly are part branches, notably industrial the and parcel of the same thing Leyland workers and Du on donorace. ton prich ask the resto hospital share workers common battle. reconsael its proposais. ine answer must be occup.

But the 427 Branch all threatened plants and hos-

COHSE

whilst supporting these and organise pitals supporting proposals. DOlEs Calle surke acton

NOVEMBER 7TH... A FATEFUL DAY

NOW, NOVEMBER 28TH..

I MIGHT HAVE KNOWN... THOUSANDS

LOF THE BUGGERS.

ОН

JUST LISTEN TO "EM..

LIKE A CROWD OF BLASTED

NO.

SAVAGES: WISH LEN WERE HERE

TO WARN THEM AGAINST HYSTERIA!

break new strenot and ensure that there is no resistance to the next round of civil I service c announce end of the month. Instead of putting up a fight, the CPSA Broad Left leadership limited sticking Ther work rule consisting of ary promotion and substitution, a policy of one person, one job,

LEYLAND

employer. move relies heavily on the stage-managed 7.

majority соко n 1e recent mon? ment ballot: and BL will now cash the anti-communist in or "Fourth Man" spy case As wo go to press it is clea that preparations are in nand tol a major. witch-hunt in which Robinson, a leading CP member, wul be priorico in tre press da ‹ "Marxist" In reality Socialist Press has frequently combat his politics of collabora.

tion of imposition corporate BL. But in Robinson's victimise.

tion a baric imue of trade union Students spur teachers' fight The Tory County Council in Leicestershire have spelt out their plans for further cuts. Having already pioneered the meals with attack their "'experimental" snack system which set out to • TOrC Students

• •• TOI

meals, they have now moved on to a more general attack on the pubic services as a whole Thrown out Immediately this means the closure of one day nursery, , the of the teaching force by cutting 200 by over reduction money for resources in schools. the scrapping ot all special clothing closure of one ward in a local hospital. this, and . announcement of even bigger

YES YOU WERE RIGHT... IT

LOOKS LIKE A HUGE DEMO!

CHRIST, HAVEN'T SOME PEOPLE

Page 11 and a ban staff. Casual They are also restrieting action against wolcal walkouts ang one-day strikes CPSA and SCPS members must demand that their leader- organise nonetrater out indefinite strike action to stop the and defend the unions victimised members From front page rights is involved. ine Whole Longbridge work force showed they understood this-and immediately walked out de soon as the sacking Was announced. workers elsewhare. the pay "offer an ready to take action, if given a load Demands must be made for full support from the

AUEW

Executive. Thei recommenda. is being quoted by BL as justifi cation for sacking Robinson management accuse WHOl seeking to disrupt Edwardes so called "survival And members ition closures assantially the Combine Committee booklet-must also be given an official call Only of Rollinson all-out strike through defence out BL can repel this fundamen.

trade union challenge rights and lay for the defence of jobs conditions in the coming period.

local trade cuts to come, union leadership have shown Tuensaives ormany concener to hold back any action against the cuts. Moves for strike action ir The teacners union were torowr out at Divisional level, and even the milk-and-water policy of no.

cover tor dosam or non-eocca stat schools and side do only schools and stifled sural nuacket bureaucrau procedures The ability of these bureau.

crats to noic back ine move ment has, however, been rapidly eroded by events The occupation of the Polv technic by local students opposition to the cuts, and their acon to sake on overe 28 has prompted a decision by the city

NUT

strike to urge action. and demand a nationa levy of members in preparation for this.

ITLL OAKY NEED ONE HOT-

THEM ALL OFF-AND YOU KNOW

PHEW... SELDOM HAVE 56

MANY BEON PERSUADED

DO SO LITTLE BY SO

St Benedicts leads the way

ACTION NOT WORDS

PRESS

TO STOP

THE CUTS

and ensuring that the struggle Shortly before the giant remained as isolated as possible, 80,000-strong demonstra- Ine acton StrUCK the Labour tion against sympathy in the London labour government's cuts in Time November 1976, when hos- The closures pital were still a private industry the comparative rarity, redoniess at the Elizabeth workers STrIKe were closed down Garrett Anderson hospital staged a work-in to save it action succeeded from closure. the tion and Despité the fact that the the only given ack or any ceas upgrading the workan ov Union vicias co- the conditions for the Tories to sit the hospitali a ministrators hospital the administrators close it down November 28, St Benedicts geriatric hospital in Tooting have staged an occupa tion, up a declared their intention to fight Wiard, Report the preservation. facilities. St takes place under very different conditions. Closures PHOTO. Androu virtually every day inrougnou the Tory social and democratic rights. health

COHSE

ane Scargill

FUND

"For the monthly fund and for Press Gang issue no.

about the imaginary IRA plot against 173" (the one Princess Margaret) was the note with an anonymous dona- tion of £20 received this week.

This note and contribution is just one example of the growing response that our paper is winning in its fight to give leadership to the working class in its struggles against the Tory government. With other contributions this helped to bring our total so far to £486.50, leaving us with just over £250 to raise before the end of the month.

Send your donation to: Socialist Press Monthly Fund 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HR Oxford Tote winners: 11 Navember, numbers 9-3, ticket 97 18 November, numbers 13-11, tickets 141, 196.

rinted by Anvil Printers Ltd, London. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office

SOCIALIST

formal support for cec ared policy work-in action ot a chord o prevents sure. of thousands workers have already mobilised and again workers in action against policies-creating to car Thatcher's showed their extremely lavourdore conestions supporting for struggles to halt the cuts.

The St Benedicts struggle points nosoild the way want to tor inose Inal And for over two years such and could provide the • spark to ignite them. EGA, until eventually isola.

Rhetoric demoralisation at perspective lot hospital created But, 1976, union leaders-for all ineir retoric- remain opposed to mobilising the all-out action that is needed Now, on the eve or anotner demonstration on 1979, the staff at work-ins such as the Benedicts fight. The fact is that while local picket rota, and action is crucia ine cuts, uke Tory attacks on abortion rights, and Vita union rights "aut can be aenuinely deteated only Benedicts action by tenacious national-level action designed to bring dowr Hospital and • cuts Ine cover c announced bring to power a government prepared -unlike Callaghan's last country as simply a part of offensive jobs, socialist policies in the interests of the working class. services, niving standards But the union leaders remain tier to the doron sumnes out Formal support Labour leadership, to a commit- gradual ment service unions through accomessnee

NUPE

and protest campaigns. have In other words they are tied Callaghan-to - KE that the Tories what the working they want with five years, Case Thatcher goes onto a hammer and tongs offensive!

Genuine Certain elements or ine tract union and Labour bureaucracy have, like Scargill benn, and Lambeln leader icc Knight, attempted to portray different themselves genuine representatives ot the working class. Now is the time to put such felt wores to une lost The working class does not talkers. It desperately need needs a leadership that will fight for action to halt the cuts, and perspective of bringing down the Thatcher government.

ans means *Occupations and support ing strike action to stop closure!

of books public services neved LuTe profiteering by private suppliers bankers and contractors. Published by Folkose Ltd for the Workers Socialist League, 31 Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HJ US imperialists reactionary forces of Khom- eini's Council'.

G. M.W.U.

LAMBETH

PEOPLE

SAY NO

TO THE

CUTS

Demonstrators on November 7 *Fight for the nationalisa. tion of these firms, WIThOUT working class under workers' compensation, Workers Socialist League.

manaement *No and rate rent increases! Councils must with- hold interest payments main- full services and tain the Tory government head on!

*Restore all cuts! For of public service sliding scale spending rising costs, , as assessed by elec- ted trade union committees!

SU DOTT

TOU

ally section action against For national indefinite bus. strike action to defeat the Tory government and its offensive.

*Defend all civil service jobs!

All out action to defeat victimis- ation moves! Rally the Callaghan- Healey leadership and any union leader or trade That TeTuses down the Tories! of socialist policies - gramme no to import controis. with *Link aCTION the private sector! unions Build local councils of action from delegate: •rawing workers organisations! repart to bring down the Tories!

Benn Scargill or Insotar London WC1 any otner movement takes up a fight for they such policies, their subcorted against the right wing. But the bitter experience of shown that past struggle time and again these «pacers the crucial shrink

TOM

oractical at door. This why suCh 'left' talkers is no substitute for principled, building Marxist leaderstio tnat wit en consistently and consciously for Khomeini calls Carter's bluff Full scale economic war In this conflict, each side has aggressive is now raging between the alread measures and the time dangerously undermine its OWII PUSILUl Revolutionary Since the occupation of the US embassy in Tehran, one manoeuvre has been outflanking. alLe alutic! Carter has gambled desperately to call the bluff of the counter- revolutionary regime in iran Iranian threats of a halt to supplies were checked by oil direct Cartel s imports of Iranian oil. thomats to with dran the were all funds fron checked by "arter's iteezno o virtually all Iranian assets in the US, and in subsidiaries of US companies The escalation has continued with the ban on all sales of oil to us companies unal have DecI imposed by Khomeini's govern- ment. carter Carter's initial embargo was tas cim penalists ty gesture; th expected to needed shunt ine sootes taey from • one enience whole that convenience while opportunity exploited arive on with ine encigy col servation' po crans eas to bi In this crisis scenario. briet with negligible long-tern effects on US oil supplies.

But in ten. The ms been called The move

LULIL

freeze Iranian assets was a des perate step that will have pro- effects on found and enduring the economic crisis or impenal ism. may the short-term a situation where produce

COU

companies are forced to stop payments to Iran making • switch colas. anu weakening the chitrencies-tous dollar still further the independent interests of the generally this asset- freezing has alarmed other states This is the perspective of the with substantial holdings Cont'd page 2 Workers Socialist League Anniversary

SATURDAY

DECEMBER 8

2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

100 YEARS SINCE BIRTH OF TROTSKY

FIVE YEARS SINCE WL FOUNDED

New Ambassadors Hotel Upper Woburn Place Speakers from WSL Executive Committee, plus film. Tickets £1.00 or £1.50