Labour's Long Cata

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The last Labour government first came to office in March 1974, after Heath's hated Tory government had been driven out of office by the miners while attempting to impose a third phase of statutory wage controls.

Workers correctly saw the Heath government-with its anti-union laws, social service cuts, soaring prices and rents and mounting dole queues, as the main enemy.

But five years of Wilson/Callaghan in office soon proved that the reelection of a Labour government is not in itself a means of defending the working class. The essential question is the exposure of the reformist leaders in the eyes of the workers' movement and the construction of an Below we catalogue just some of the major points in which the pro-capitalist role of the Callaghan governments was starkly revealed alternative revolutionary leadership.

March 5 1974 Wilson government elected, pledged to carry out "a major shift in the balance of wealth and power in favour of working people and their families" But his cabinet includes Roy Jenkins, Reg Prentice, Shirley Williams, Callaghan and Healey, along with the garnish of supposed 'lefts' Benn and Foot. Foot welcomed by Tory press as a "most imaginative choice" as Employment Secretary.

Tribunite Stan Orme given key job in repressing Irish working class.

March 6 Wilson's cabinet welcomed •by millionaire merchant banker Rupert Hambro:

"I do not think we will find ourselves thrown into the terrible horrors of nationalisation or pulling out of the Common Market.".

The Financial Times pointed out:

"Labour is faced with the unpleasant task of trying to induce a sharp reduction in real incomes over the next 12 to 18 months in order to make resources available for the balance of payments."

March 12 Wilson's Queen's Speech drops all Labour's nationalisation pledges, and lecides to keep Tories. Pay Board functioning along with Heath's Phase 3 pay limits. Tories and Liberals express approval.

Speech evades specific proposals to repeal Tory Industrial Relations Act and Housing Finance Act.

'Shrewsbury 6'-Building workers' pickets jailed by Tories on frame-up charges -left to rot in prison.

March 26 Healey's first Budget confirms " Tories' massive €1,200 million public spending cuts;

borrows $2,500 million from international bankers.

€500 million allocated to food subsidies-propping up profits while giving illusion of lower prices.

Budget also raises electricity charges, rail fares, cost of telephone, stamps, confectionery, petrol, alcohol and cigarettes. No wealthy. Income tax April 1974 ment agrees to Pinochet Chile.

turning Wilsontax on March 28 AUEW fined £47,000 under the Industrial Relations Act-bringing total fines against AUEW to £208,000. • Fine includes £217.50 to recompense Con Mech management for financing Spanish holiday for three scabs and their families!

Still no moves by Labour government to repeal the Act.

Labour NEC asks government to squash £7,000 surcharge on Clay Cross councillors who defied Tory Housing Finance Act-to no avail.

Labour governto sell warships dictatorship in April 9 Threat by Industrial Relations Court to seize entire assets of AUEW in retaliation for its refusal to pay £47,000 fine.

Foot still makes no move to repeal the Act.

April 23 Foot, speaking only 6 days before AUEW assets due to be seized, tells union's National Committee to go to the Tory Court! May 8 Anonymous donor pays AUEW fine and costs as • national engineering strike call receives overwhelming response. Strike called off. But NIRC scheduled to hear claim for £3 million damages against TGWU on july 15. Foot belatedly and inadequately moves to repeal I.R. Act and replace it with new laws.

End of May Nurses take up industrial action against continuation of Tory Phase 3 pay laws-attacked by Alan Fisher as "irresponsible, amateur adventurers"

Eventually their action secures "special case" rise in late July.

June 1974 Irish republican Michael Gaughan allowed to die in British jail on hunger strike sooner than transfer him to jail in the six counties. June 12 TUC leaders declare support for voluntary wage restraint to follow the end of Heath's Phase 3 -the "social contract"

October 1974 reelected.

November 1974 Former Labour minister Stonehouse vanishes in a cloud of criminal fraud and scandal, to reemerge an open Tory.

November 12, 1974 Healey's second budget:

"aimed at improving profitability and liquidity in the company's sector and shifting resources from consumption into investment and exports."

lotal financial benefits to companies estimated at £1.5 billion in 1975.

November 1974 "Prevention of Terrorism" Act rushed through parliament in the wake of Birmingham pub bombings. This 'emergency" measure has been renewed each year. 3,500 mainly Irish people held, dozens banned or deported, under it.

November 1974 Chrysler announce redundancies for 7,700 white collar staff.

January 1975 typewriters closure-3,000 PrINCE.

Imperial •• announce jobs to go.

February 1975 Industry Bill to set up National Enterprise • Board-centred on class collaboration and 'participation'-with jail penalties for trade unionists who reveal 'confidential' details to their members.

March 1975 Troops sent to scab on Glasgow dustmen's strike.

TUC formally ahandons Shrewsbury 2.

Ryder Report on British Leyland.

April 1975 Budget outlines a further £1,000 million cuts 1975-76, and £3,000 million more for 1976-77.

Taxes up; VAT up; alcohol, cigarettes and road tax all up in price.

Subsidies on food, housing and to nationalised industries all cut.

April 1975 Special Labour Party conference votes 2-1 to campaign for a 'no' vote in the Common Market referendum. Wilson ignores PUBLIC. : SERVICES 349Y 3 THE I A1 518 caTe FIGHT- THE CUTS OLD JOB THE GUN NTS SAVE VE