Socialist Press no. 237

Spanish right strengthened by coup attempt

FRANCO'S MEN FLEX

THEIR MUSCLES

SOCIALIST

PRESS

Weekly paper of the Workers Socialist League * No. 237 * March 4, 1981 * 20p Affiliated to the Trotskyist International Liaison Committee Spain is not ruled by a military dictatorship today.

worth That saying because it is only just true.

political change it say nor change may remain true for lonBiy attempt Spain's he rulers to promote the myth tha ast week's attempted coup wa The work or a nandu or mad.

Terro, have dready alted.

Lieutenant-General The evidence so far revealed -and it is still very confused- proves beyond doubt that Spain ast week came will de ace ol becoming another Turkey. of the tasty se the top generals to be either ally

COUD

or else showed marked ambigui- toy airies. ty the direction of their Indeed Juan Carlos was told of the country's Deputy Chief of Staft, General Altonso Armadal the proposed new head of a right wing junta.

Credibility Another the aspect version of the coup OTT1C12l seedity ta role in the more clea ane decisive authority exercise Commander-in-Chief, King Carlos supposed brought the rebels to heel and kept the doubters on the side of constitutionality Political leaders of the main bartes leaned over backwards in the monarch that praising ranco had bequeathed them. First among the arch-monarch- ists was Communist Party leader Santiago Carrillo, who was seen embracing te king on television around the world.

'King The single-handedly saves demo- doesn't story explain what the King was doing during elapsed seven nours thal between the seizure of the Parliament and the proposal by some of the plotters Carlos that he should end the coup, and his brief broadcast at support all. OL constitution. Was he trying to control the rebel -desperate trying to find out which way the wind was blowing? In case the picture of alLy the decisive constitutional love of democracy rell established and Juan Carlos has mcca dom une coup attent reputation greatl enhanced and the strengthened. At the same time the reou- Tejero in the Cortes Talon or the pontical relorm * engineered by Adolfo Suarez nas Talen. ne same nas to d said of the labour movement Again the official story that complete cann throughout the seventeen hours here were actory meetings even protest SUIKeS some towns (Pamplona, in particular).

And there hostility to the coup among the masses. But the nonetheless of the labour movement and was Irignteningly weak slow. The main workers parties -the PSOE (Socialists) and the unel respecuive unions-une and

UGT

the Workers Com- missions: of ETA Dascuc al die their best to cemobi- a working class that was willing to resist but was lamen- Lably unor-aniscu many Tactories on the the after the Tuesday coup, they called meetings and Then senT worKers DacK TO WOrK There were virtually no demonstrations in the early part very few une week political posters. The Communist and Socialist leaders tied the fate of democracy to the monarchy and the right win They both called demonstra-

LONSOR

coup •Centre alone With The Democratic Union (UCD), the ruling party of the democratic Those who cling to the liberal notion that the trans- ition to socialism can be achieved by the peaceful road of the ballot box must have experienced a severe jolt this week with the revelations the New in Statesman about Airey Neave's secret preparations the liquidation leading socialists in the event of Tony Benn forming a government. Ironically Neave himself is to be found in several small pieces in a coffin in a country church.

yard, but that should in no way workers to underestimate sionincance OI nis para• military preparations. ine vew oratesman article points to the tip of a very for- iceberg shows the lengths to which key layers Report from HENRY PHILLIPS in Madrid Socialist leader Felipe Gonzalez witn the support ol Carrillo of the Santiago Com- tunist called for Party, coalition programme minimum of democracy" with "defence the

UCD,

and impli- even with Manuel Fraga's callon. Democratic right Alliance. Weakness Had the coup not collapsed so cucky tie resistance woule have been much more evident But the tardiness and weak- the

LLESS

ICSOORSE

movement Will he armed forces have doubt already begun to plan the next coup. will also note the eas which General Millans del DosCe was aole lor seven nours without visible opposition, send his tanks onto the streets oi the Valencia declaring a curfew, a ban on all political ban meetings, a Juan Carlos Could it happen here? of the ruling class will resort wien raced with mass move. ments in the working class. In 1974 fairly widespread armies e wing organise private organisea ov un pot Colonel Blimps in homes for senile ex-British Raj brigad- iers-but the real danger comes trom powertul elements of the working. hand bourgeoise hand with the agencies of state surveillance. If Airey Neave, at the time Thatcher's closest advisor and a with lifelong man contacts in une state secunty machine was involved in such clandestine planning right to his death al election course of a and the General campaign what other murky facts have still to be revealed? Ine signincance or workers coming forward in struggle is crystal . clear. A general strike to bring down the

1 ORCS

election and the Fighting the cuts Page 6

RED YOUTH

SUPPLEMENT

strikes and all the other classical elements of reactionary military rule. The failure of last week's coup provides a breathing space

DUT

possibly a briel one which it is possible for the movement to learn its Issons. une ncca for visuance preparation, organisation, resis- tance; the of workers' militias; the creation of a united ront l wokers and namonals!

organisations against the coup setting of a public workers inquiry into the coup in support of the demand for the of those res une rrancoist armed forces Last week there was little sign of any of this taking place Lusicau, une week ended wit series of massive demonstrations -over a million in several of more than 250,000- in lavour of "treedom. demo- cracy and the constitution in which the Socialist and Com munist masses marched behind carried not only Danners their own leaders but also he democratic Francoists of the UCD and even by Manuel Fraga.

The abortive coup underlines the necessity to build a revolu- Trotskyist in ionary party pain which can combat thi danger of a renewed militar Cavenent and the treacherous crackdown

DOLLLICS

ole relormist and Stalinist leaders. return of a Labour government under Michael Foot. But it could also take place under conditions were council of action became widespread where direct confrontation with the state was a daily necessit and where the establishment of workers' government was posed. such a situation the physical defence of workers' organisations and workers' leaders would be of paramount importance. Even the institutions bourgeois democracy suCh arnament ana local councus will be jettisoned by an endan- gered ruling class when crunch comes The events of Spain, Chile and Turkey are watched closely by the right as well as the left ind the leit already has muc go in shedding its rurtner -TO liberal illusions. Charles' wedding-p.2

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Women workers in the Six Counties Linwood must learn lessons SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday March 4, 1981 As in every other capit- alist country, women in the of

SIX

counties Ireland suffer an additional burden of oppression. Abortion is not available THe St countles wine molecue class and bourgeois women can travel to England, working.

class women can rare allord us Deans at tne neaas or mIcIl abortionists common. Fut the slander cams do nes ot, both the Catholic and Protestant church hierarchies delet many women dom uslig rose 9, he Ric Forei released ancreast over previous yeat Inspector Jean Gallagher gave interview to Le press m wuen sue calcu "lead [hat many Tane Victims their attackers "pretend" that they have seen rae This reactionary approach- actions of heRe typical and -spell out Ine need to mont lot tre eko- lishment of rape crisis centres.

should be linked This to a widespread propaganda cam- Irish women who likely of the raped quences or reporung It lo tie police. Intimidation Since 1969 when british troops the still colnues smash ine uprising of Catholic police state has been establish- Working class wolllell areas face the daily - ЗОШИТИ ПО ЗАЛАТОА ТО 1РАТ tion from the British Army and

RUC

When AlLU walking streets, it 1s a daily body search, undergo a physical have Vass ana contents opened and examined: Women live under barrage obscenities at them by At home, women face the early raids threat morning when Elle

ATLY

Dreak

ILLO

homes, force all the family at into one while the house is ransacked results the otten being arrested, taken to woman members her family interrogated for hours and days at a time. Many nationalist have been muraere ov British Army, while many more have had to bear the burden of grief when members nave been killed, tor- tured or imprisoned. Daily terror In addition to facing the daily occupying terror ol the British Army working class areas the lace Constant Treat LovausI terror gang attacks. There daily attacks on schoolchildren, and going the constant threat of Loyalist assassinations and petrol bomb- The recent spate of assassina- tions and bomb attacks are part of an upsurge in right wing terror mered Drif militancy and combativity the Catholic working class.

It is against this background oppression and terror the courage of those women take up anti-imperialist must be seen. speak out openly against the forces of oppression, to join demands untold sacrifice.

For take up the women arrested under "emergency legis- 1976, with the with- willingness Lives but the agonising awareness lation", tortured and interroga- drawal special category that in so doing they are placing status, the ourageous pony on British Army torture adopted a courageous pollci her entre any he lae on camps, wiea in non-ury Diplock line Loyalist and British Courts and given lengthy sen- ron compton Army attacks. regime refusing to do tences. any prison work It is in this context that we the vast majority of the must ine neroism cases The of endence was women Prisoners • of statement signed verbally war Dince tnat date iney gave Armagh Jail, These women were been locked in their cells 23 admitted under torture.

LONG KESH

LONG KESH

Behind the enthusiasm and capacity to struggle of of UCS! the 4,800 workers at Talbot Linwood there is a concer- ted effort by those in the of the workers leadership the there to run against campaign into the ground. Cong trad There must be no illusions that there were those who Both Ron Rigby and Jimmy about UCS in 1972 having been the Livingstone, the leading figures some kind of victory for the courage to stand up and argue class the West of for these policies in the shop stewards committee, working In Those stewards at Linwood outright worktorce today perspective that can only lead who dIe nOW to disillusion and defeat.

ly bad effects ever since in terms time in a much more favourable context) taking similar of confusing workers involved in up "responsible" be leadership (res- redundancy and given every Closura suspic. ponsible to whom?) they have struggles about the correct encouragement and support.

course of action to be pursued.

The miasma confusion given the go-ahead for five day and lies per week working from now ine leader

STUC

until closure.

UCS

campaign readers should ships the and the ot Labour Party be swept consult pamphlet must Sections of the worktorce aside. Stephen Johns. nave even gone on to overtime netorman working, despite having already the Clyde New Park Publica- The first lie that must bi tions, 1973). nailed is that the Peugeot com- received their redundancy had ever any intention of pany nouces Principled The meantime and te making Linwood a going con- Tory and cia ine Eurorance Report Peugeot management must be Throughout the struggle Eurofinance Report Reid and Airlie rejected sculle a years 'stay of execution", whilst they policy of turning the work-ir seek another prospective buyer into an all US will know that Peugeot took occupation for the plant. Chrysler UK naking the 1 campaign the over primarily the The continual references to a hands local point Ior mage le lay extensivt "UCS-style" campaign are indic- bring down the Tory govern- chain of retail outlets that of the dangers in front. had built ative company up I vile. Britain. Now they have secured The campaign in 1971-2 to There were then princioled the closure of Upper socialists. like Joe Moriarty at price, at a knockdown Clyde Shipbuilders, led by the Clydebank, who argued for that Linwood must go and so also must the Coventry operation.

Communist Party members, course of action in lass mccl ings, virulent une une тасе LeL us lave no

HUSONS ON

guise of a "work in' directed at slander and windy rhetoric of Inis score. begging finding , an alternative buyer and James Reid. stay at Linwood is less produc tive than spitting in the wind finished up with the implemen- In that situation, with a mass What the movement "alternatives'? carving up the yeards, the sale Reid, it was extremely difficult been of John Brown yard to turn the tide of the campaign made of the possibilities of attracting , Nissan-Datsun to take Marathon principled socialist direc- and the conclud tion of production at Govan.

over the Linwood site. kon, our it snoula never Part 2 by Mary Smythe day and subjected to hours a systematic narassment and beat- ings by the prison authorities in attempt to break their fight-

LE SOLEL

Its only effect increase the women's determina- On February 7

LIOIL.

the invaded male ware en women's wing in Armagh, beat- the women and tearing their ing cels apart

TWO

days , the womet were locked in their cells and toilet facilities. denied Inis penloc authorities offered toilet facilities as a "privilege" The women demanded toilet facilities as a right, and being denied this, forced onto une no wash DIoleol Living Taeces covered of disease and cells, risk infection extremely Many of the women developed menstrual and kidney disorders towels are. thrown cells and unwrapped into the the women disposing of them They are denied all medical Suffered most The woman who suffered lack treatment medica 1s ratin McLaughlin Pauline was on the basis , of a signed arrested statement. despite the fact that casé, it was shown at net coutt that she was illiterate. detained was of State's Pleasure" Secretary and served four years in Armagh Jail She went down to 4½ stone undiagnosed illness, a symptom of which an inability was digest food In cober sne was taken le Musgrave Park Military Hospital after a heart attack. She was By lan MacCalman That much non- 1s as stay. Nissan nas made it clea that they require a greenfield site to build up their operations from scratch. That othere ment Tory government should pressurel

HOTO

improving regional development grants so as to attract industrial- Its o ake ove plant and break into smaller units. Ludicrous Strathclyde University Busi- ness school has reckoned that on bast experience tor be a viable propostion, 200 new enterprises would have allacitu to lake wo aramises or the site. To even conceive of such a possibility in the midst of the BECCS On companies folding daily is too ludicrous for words. the leader- However ship the The and urn, the policy of to cups.

and turn, the won renais une only way 101 ward. How can the unions involved call upon other trade unionists, Linwood producing them? Page 3 kept in solitary confinement in locked cell, guaraca soldiers. At her own request she returned and to protést. veten ber reomen oe She was consistently denied any treatment Cowardly

SETISON

• was her JOCTOl cole decision to remain on therefore it was her decision to on or in aare treater- math the Hunger Strikes, was eventually released from custody on medical grounds Monda 1 Decembe three women prisoners, began a the deati for political status. The LOOK unt decision to hunger strike in their own right and in solidarits with male prisoners in the H Blocks On 18 Decembe strike in the H Blocks was called off representative of Atkins strikers, then on the point of death, and their Commanding Officer with 32-page ment walek tne IkA leadership claim in effect acceded to the five demands of the prisoners The women prisoners ended their hunger strike the following day-but no-wash protest littles prisoners, massive demonstration throughout the 32 counties and a number of strikes are walk outs, had seemed to have won a number of concessions However the subsequent refusal the government to implement the agreement shows these be gains secured and extended withoul the independent mobilisation of the working class in the 32 counties the prisoners as part of the daily struggle against imperialism and Even to pose the question shows position But behind an occupation on such a scale as Linwood the workin Criss leane west Scotland and throughout Britain would immediately be mobilised al-out 101 with the Tory government.

The bringing down of this government must be seen as the first step towards th of a government which, truly represents interests of the class which will expropriate Peugeot assets, nationalise Linwood under the control of the work.

force, invest integrated in an car plant and expand produc tion socialist economy.

MERSEYSIDE

FACTORY CLOSURES

Why eampaigan more lost d «bor they can be

ANNAL POTAN

Price 27p including postage from WSL, Box 5277, London

WCIV 6XX

LAMBETH AND THE

FIGHT TO DEFEAT

Page 4 KW: You talk about building a movement, wonder if you actually could saly mean Dy UnIs build the movement in Lambeth and what you see as the aim of The movemen TK: I think that when talk about the need to build the movement, we are taiking about a movement against ine 101 government, we talking about a movement which links about colmais. trades unionsand community groups which represent areas of within necu borough together, to weld them movement, to together extend that outside the boun- daries of Lambeth with …The of changing direction with, because ment don't belleve we can persuade such change the object of ringing down that government Atual sunc way wo ser it. How have we done it! we haven't built that movement but made a contribution towards it, by posing ver ine effects of Tory monetary policy working class relation shown how standards. their objective of destroying the welfare state at a local level has in practice been carried out, and so talsed the consciousness of both trament non withi the hall town we think employees. And also those groups outside who need inter- represent particular them around ests-me orouent the position of the councii in that fight. I think there is sufficient here. emcence THal

UUI

problem is that haven't We been able to widen the frontiers wel. But then L00 course it's because the Iign! against the Tories is at various parts of the country: And local government, in where we have obviously had te that councils have attacks, accommodated to tory tends this To cense te al DaCK have particular one-off concentrated struggies of course in their own particular authorities and not to bring that onto a been able national front against the lory government. But I think the indications we have received from the con- ferences which initiated Lambeth -the Crisis Government tended conterences-nave show that workers are willing with this come grips What is lacking is covernneal. leadership. We have made contribution that but we still towards are that particular movement. KW: One of the problems which arises from that is that say are at the Ha vou beginning of the movement, but councils such certain Sheffield, Lambeth and Lothian that have attempted to take the most left stance, a sense

CHODEI

that say Sheffield. then Lambeth and Lothian as places ition. What sort of links do you : as being possible to establish see

THE TORIES

LAMBETH

HATES

THATCHERS

RATES

Support for the Lambeth council's stand between those places in terms of conferences I think Lambeth joint declarations and things like conference Bast passed a resolution which that? TK: We obviously that it local simponant tomeistas nave The problem committees looked at that. . steering and local conterences in difter that you lace wiln, tor Instance.

Lothian, that there are ent areas. What do you think of to that as a direction forward?

different relating laws Scottish local government which TK: Yes. support that. You tends to place them in a some can't mobilise movement what different situation artificially from particular arographical point. You have to discussed with them we l • nave and basically kept in touch.

have local involvement, local Sheffield, while it has main- action, which is developed on an tained a generally similar line to basis, and therefore arec ourselves, support the line pecause JoCa. that there should areas, should be that a there this the working situatiuli tended to ease the situation Io: De draent on what tactics car them somewhat. drawn up, what tactics can That's what : I meant a little be fought for in that particulas earlier, that in local government area. I would say I supported that position. 1t sat citterent states Decause conditions regrettably are different in the boroughs.

1 inink the prodiem we are facing is that as we are out on a I think the first confer- limb the other certainly indicated the ence boroughs you mendonca engage in isolation I don't think we can fight. Again the lack of defeat the government. I referred which to eadership Our contribution must be to was a contuuuus viy. continuously attempt econe conterect agreements indicated that yes, there is unified recognition . of strong aralll policies, keed that fight Again Labour Parties and the trade think a totack Teader that fight with the unions into ship was being posed. down bringing second conference government the debate degenerated my answer and that's what we're opinion what Lam beth hoping to do council was doing. We had In order (TO who there trom

CODIC

process I think that it is neces- taking obviously not for Labour to remain in matter at their own area Sal y were merely conttol unese autiones level, but hoping and therefore 1 reject arguments action Lambeth

TA2T

which are presented which would provoke the necessary break through the class Take

COLLIO

situation. Thin:

SUCEC

without platform of the the they divided themselves government without 10Cd of The local services then frankly we anything would be isolated and destroyed positive came out of it I think it was the move to , have a wider ver amily then KW: What of activity throughout the the would make you the working class councils movement against the i orles KW: What's your assessment o the meetings you've spoken at?

think you've been How do vou ane to use me campem exoe ience to develop the movement where you 've spoken? areas the TK: I think that war the contribution has been made from Lambeth is the fact that focal as the LamoelI

SCC1

even 1 mnere de usarie ents on the way in which w nave approachea lacteauy int question, that what it has done issues very clearly is to pose the alsu provoke people to argue not just on abstract principled questions tactical ques oul disu tions and i think probably as : consequence seen some developments of that been able to assist Have developments Whether they have been direction exactly People

LOOK

tateial. struggle will move within Enet own experience and within what see available to exovices uc We have been able to show at least that it is possible to take the stand that we have. which is primarily a no cuts the limitations of that struggle hesitated to say that there are limitations. I think that that, in itselt, brings the contoution or Lambeth's experience to their debates and that's worthwhile The government's allack relentless. They will proced firmly on their position over the next neriod and so people who thought that it was perhaps somewhat abstract will find that it's no longer an abstract issue.

IS: You think the saly vou Tories are to proceed their course. What implications then do you Tonela Sor e canecu coanci and where SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday March 4, 1981 As Labour councils up and down the country decide on rate levels for the coming finance is sharply posed, Socialist Press has consistently argued for a policy of mobilising councils in a confrontation with the Tories.

buy time' to prepare a order to • nave aryuta ior Lambeth council leader TED KNIGHT Is recochisea d. recently. interviewed him and the first part of this interview is printed below. The second part will appear next week

RATES

SAVE OUR JOES, OUR HOMES

RATE

DUA DONOUGH

MARC

COME IN AND SIGN OUR

PETITION TO

HM GOVEFNMENT

NOW!

florei gu Interflora Saying it with flowers, the interflora backlash that because threatened weseltint ¡usine panaity in the course of financial year if we next spendins don't recuce

OLI

avoid that possible penalty then we could be in a surchage situ as our councillors ation as ta are concerned. Now have taken that situation up, and since, accord Metropolitan Associatior TIne Authorities affects half the authorities ir this may The ConIV retreat on the part of Heseltine re-evaluation situallon In other words I think we are able to use our experienc to fight back at the Îories o Issues like lldl very important issue within the Labour Party and that is the on Knight that we raised at the Blackpoo conference Party Labour Lambeth council going to go councillors) last week : whịch cuts terms of its no what is the role of the District polity Auditor, what are the roles of I think we will make the councillors? Will the new Iclall government Labou give no cuts policy •without cuts in services, without loss they will remove such we will jobs continue also any bans allu surcharges ano. . tha1 THse from office situation. And I think the support we received-widespread even not think that IS:

VOU

across political levels within the contains Threat Labour Party, and the • intransi- losing control of the borough anyway to the District Auditor pent boston or me camamen tar sue dershin the pas another Or Whatever? TK: I don't think it does.

The situation in Lambeth is that • think we are able. to we naven placeu ourseives ul e number ways, and position where they have been able to use those other methods camaen or course I don't share the pessimisn aralist us that flows from those comrades We're continuousiv workins seek a quick : way under the threat of the District wno want lu think that out. There isn't the need Auditor, but I think pessimism. the in the have been able to puse working class is ready o fight lems that may rebound on the I think it is a question oi bulid Tories leadership. And teadershyo by becosan marid think • build I think, for instance, we're ine mae bom advised by ent.

on a cross at the earliest oppor have been advised by our advisers and also tunity. own legal of Finance and

1931: LABOUR'S FIRST

"GANG OF THREE'

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday March 4, 1981 Roy Jenkins, the As. Gang of Three' and their motley assortment of right wing begin to supporters Party, a quit the Labour number of questions about 'Labourism' have been public thrown open to debate. For example, what is the dierence between socials and social democracy? when we talk In particular, of 'social democracv'. which for the likes of Williams and Owen for that matter, comes or Foot tor sookism, or dethe str the for socialism; or defence of interests anu lls state in the form of bourgeois equally important Mullets Labour Party, with its idea of gradually winning through Parliament. continually spawns reactionary, стурто-1огу like around Prentice, the Social Democratic A nance. nOW Lilt much inflated Council for Social Democracy? Witch-hunt And why, when such anti- soclalist groups appear, does tne leadership of the party, instead driving them out, beg them Ins is oaculary aDorl- ant when we bear in mina ine witch-hunts against socialists Labour the «suct as uxiou Dociust cress supporter Heslin), who want to be members! groups like

LYCI

the Militant tendency are con- stantly subjected witch- пинш duties Thus, on the eve or ine January 24 Special Conference Foot stated that he wanted yet Militant's activities. He has sought no such investigation of the Council for Social Demo- cracy. To understand recent devel- opments in the Labour Party and draw out their real political connicance misers to ook back to the 1930s. , and the split in 1931 from the Labour Party zames kam acronaes now remembered by the labour the arch traitor 1700 government in order to secure a coalition National Government which included 472 Tory MPs.

Lessons while this is Unfortunately, true; as is the additional point that the split occurred over the determination MacDonald MacDonald with Thomas (centre) leaving a Privy Council meeting in 1924 dole by sup this simplet the dole this simple truth other more number of Masks d significant lessons WOrKers about the politics of the Labour Party and particularly its leader- ship. For, reality, we learn nothing simply So den branding MacDonald, and of 3. -as traitors. The important point is, why did traitors become their class? And how did they come to that position when they were the official leaders of the Labour rarly all is coverl ment? 'Left' MP Ramsay MacDonald was founding member of the Labour of his life rarty. and 1o1 inuci was regarded as a lelt Mr. ne figure the ndependent Labour Consists over tors during the First World Wat and the first Labour Prime Minister in 1924 wnen Is snort-livea goverl- ment was driven out of office the main atter less than a year, weanor used ov 1 OneS attack MacDonald and Labour at the polls was the claim that unev were communisi The fake "Zinoviev letter' there would be no re- ensured election for MacDonald the second of the trio, also had a long pedigree the labour movement. Leader of the railwaymen's union in the ne Dee a Labou MP since 1912. Thomas person- ified the links between the trade Labour Party and the

LIONS

they had created. there Phillip was MacDonald, Snowden. he eft'. In the First world War he had, together • with MacDonald, repudiated the Labour Party's majority support the war policy the tor He Conservatives. joined the first Labour cabinet in 1924.

'Continuation' Yet, these were the men who in 1931 were to abandon their join hands past With the L orles did they? In many res- there pects much earned from MacDonald's own constituents

SOCCUI LO

Seaham on october ten days after his expulsion from the Labour Party, where he explained his decision.

In this speech he denied that he had changed argued that his decision to form the National Government was a continuation politics concluded by and "We shal look back to this time when for a moment-for it is to be but a moment-the men wHO mace rarly seem to turn away from it."

[our emphasis] fact-though Is much truth in this. MacDonald FOr socialism meatt cracy' who was a reformist. he believed gradual, peaceru. parliamentary within with socialism cabilalisill come distant nevet-never lanu as one of his colleagues put it.

opposed such, I Was fundamentalv to the notion of a workers' revolution. He was, left' reputation, despite his the alu. rest of his reformist co-thinkers, parliamentary demo- he saw as the key to the future.

cracy Nor was ne ally different from those who 1931 chose to remain loyal to The forthcoming People's March' against unemployment can offer useful focus around which to campaign for a working class solution to the crisis.

also offer almost But it will unprecedented opportunities for woolly rhetoric from do-nothing bureaucrats basis of the march is a I ne cross chase alance Lnose "concerned' with the problem of unemployment. month's Coventry last Trades Council meeting almost hour was given Over

TUC

Regional irom Support that is beinh generated.

outlining sort 'Broad colour' The broad nature of the march means that it must have a 'broad' colour as its symbol i bemused detecte informed) is apparently 'narrow' colour; so green has Page 5 Part One By Colin Morrow Those like Arthur Hender- the Labour Party. unions, trade unions themselves and Attlee who the Lansbury led. bi Throughout refused to allow remained loyal' to Labour had • crats! Labour daily already passed the MaDonald Nor surprisin Ine bursa communis rarly ut experience of the 1926 Génera having decided same rights of affiliation given the to the Fabians and the ILP.

aISSoly COlO There they had experienced Labour government on August Party, which 1 110 Labull at first hand the politics of JH 24 1931 was concerned not to men MacDonald destroy his old party Thomas had helped to build, Junior party bourgeois of not a pure democrac was meeting to say Ministers advised them great he

OU L

tha remain in the Labour Party the Its polltics were me conte "You Baldwin's Tory careers collaboration, not noped. class and its perspec- government struggle, would

KOL

defeated. Thomas worked ruth- But probably more impor- , were restricted within the uves lessly throughout the nine days tantly at end of his stirring confines continued the advice he added, existence of capitalism. _The Unt a job to do." MacDonald knew unity around the miners In government, thereiore, 11 his Labour Party just as well as treachery by sought simply to manage capit- better-by legislating Thomas in the General Strike bankers businessmer did not prevent loyal Labourites Tories knew their MacDonald reforms for the working class- Lansbury And today the . capitalists like Henderson and still their capitalist exploitation There serving Tron

NILUV

lies key to MacDonald's Cabinet as Thomas three years Hattersleys and Foots! later. Nor can it be said that this After all, Thomas personif- was concealed before the mom- lea the politics or Labour as In Continued next week entous days of August 1931.

political wing of the trade People's march- Never mind the quality...! ently Coventry Trades Council's In each area along the route been adopted local be carried-within trades councils, union Up and down the country Damne Cal support for the march is gaining the city boundaries! branches _LaDOul ground-especially seems) must organise working class contingents behind red banners How the organisers trom sections of the clergy marci with In Coventry example, would respond to the emerald

TOT

Suzann church bells will ring the banners of Irish Repub- need

IOI

special held can hazard a more tion of the unemployed and a service licans socialist solution to the crisis in the when than ecucated guess city Another significant area of sections of the Territorial mentioned Carter was Army'. 1wenty-one gun salutes yet be in order With such a broad base Competition. Le 3) How Broad is the Broad To show our feelings on the support It is not surprising la.

the march has no programme of march, Socialist Press is running fight "breadth" competitior Leftish; b) Centre Left; demands unemploy- c) Broadly right wing All you have to do ment. Nor that it wil apparent- following Paland! end up outside Buckingham race colours in order of breadth: winner will be the entrant with -Pink; Blue; Yellow; Orange; original title for able to barten People's March hymn that the growing support (and Brown. of a royal wave, perhaps?)

hopes prize 1s chanesomer be in telemene boo excited down-in-the- following CP's forthcoming 2) Place the leaders in order of breadth: for Jobs: the Marxist could see the gleam in their Approach. eyes"! Gordon McLennan; Shirley Despite its 'narrow' quality Cyril Williams; Smith; Albert red will allowed on the march at specific stages. Appar- Spanswick.

Fighting the cuts... Page 6 of preparing The task workers for industrial action the Tories and the Labour Counci continues in Camden. straight-

TASK

Is ess forward than might have appeared. 'his week has seen the work- ing class move towards strike without action-yet set- backs that will limit the m vall that NUPE has cheste to day

NUPE

chosen with a one day

ILS LSE

SIlUL, strike. We reported last week on the reactionary intervention National

NAILUU

VIganscI Mike Blick into a mass meeting of Camden members. This helped not only to pull back

NATU

memoers lom solidàrising with NUPE on the one-day strike, Tewer e Iner onneDeu Dosiuon of the branch executive of resis- the Council's attempts to ting Intoomce voutea neuu dey and redeployment. Executive The thus found itselt in the impossible position of being mandated to co-oper- with the Council's attempts ate to reduce the workiorce Rejecting. all Tais mandate but the 40 member executive resigned last week.

Mass demonstrations by clashes with police tenants council meetings, outside and the threat . rent o1 a strike at the end of March had effect on have Paisley's Labour council.

At a meeting on Thursday last, Renfrew District. Councı decided to reverse its impose decision increase of 50% on the people of Paisley. Instead they agreed a 35%

NO RATE

The media in Scotland had a heyday last week with annoncement of the 122% increase in rates by Stirling District Council.

huge a perloa ol rale .councils try against Tory services detena government cuts. the increase in Stirling sets a new record.

In announcing the increase, Eddie counci Monaghan said Ine „emse. tion had decided to face up to challenge Bovelalal local government The level of service they would the require wanlcu employment of 111 new staff.

Explaining this to Socialist charman of the Labour Press, Group Ian Wyles said: "Having won control of the council a year and a half ago, Group has Labour noW drawn un vans for expanding property mainten ce department to a position where 'outside going Culluds will be exceptional. We have maintained all ser- promised vices, Eue.

NO CUTS!

They aim to stand again on of no the platform mecht. vulllaly Icaulall" cies ana support Ior ine Josc steering committee's plan for selective strike action and sup- polt IoI Tenant lale anu roll The

UCATT

leadership, dominated by Communist Party members and con- supporters.l tinues to vacillațe between advo- indefinite all-out strike Valll action ana complete machon The shop stewards commit- tee decided to weeks ago two lake no co o yac 200 t she nevitble oss of Since then, however, a meet- ing W71T Colme ONCeS beviea d ered ath tho se takiis offered to those taking volei rcuuany. Indefinite strike A leaflet circulated to all members on Tuesday spelt out the dangers of VR. meeting on «tewates Wednesday voted to propose indefinite strike action to a mass meeting on luesday a Maici!

Given the retreat by NALGO officials and the vacillation of

UCATT

leadership, UnC hardly surprising that the resolve of some NUPE stewards No rent rises! increase plus a 60% increase in Jales. McNamara, a earne militant in the Ferguslie Park tenants which has movement, Deer

OI CIE

terlants struggles in Paisley, commented fight will go on as far as | am concerned. The coun- cillors claim they cut the because of the increase imminent coure d snwood of what is

INCREASES

manifesto. We have election re nser r no Impenetl red manonsl 1 keep ng witl national the policy Labour rally. Recently we announced an increase of £1.15 in our average 18% increase.

ICES.

ton cove ment wantcu un increase them by £2.80-a 43% increase. Because we refused they cut £1 muElO: 011

OUI

LOUSEL?

borrowing allocation. This, on top of other cuts, has led to the Tare ineenses. bigge proteams. The Tories ave Next have taking direct control of oer ouncil spending, and will try tr et tight limits, legally binding Cuts in services The total impact on rates in Stirling District wik one Regional 50% The Group have Council Labour services and have mace coz hastage® policy Their expected 25% increase in rates lowers the average to Labour Left has been crumbling. At a attended NUPE shop stewards committee Mondav steward. two of Camden' representing aIe ots pull d theer strike

UL U

ano lace n waar appedec to be an organised manoeuvre, they turned a section meeting oi the Cressy Koad refuse depot on Thursday morn- ing. Rejecting the arguments of shoo steward Jonn devmoat ate Branch Secretary John Suddaby Cressy Road men voted follow the other depots and go into work on March 4. At this it is hard to impact of this action assess the on the rest of the NUPE work.

force. It would be wrong to be this apparent demoralised br disarray. The fact that 31 out of 40 members of the NALGO exe- ITive STanC united Thet ress to to perpl de t car maim vaill passi. adopted Tine strength which is encouraging However the tactic oi resign ue en mass can oe urastous the right: wing organise destroy the principled lead The present leadership feels referred 'mob rule'. We know this small conces- was a result of pressure by sion Ane renais dons ue ut uduc union and labour movement in the area opinion the commit- struggle arainsi rent increases will accept nOT this position but will go ahead I the rent strike." with -said maximum LIle increase the committee might be prepared to would be line with inflation over one the last year. 50 Lothian Regional Council, anotner connel Lit Labour Group have refused to cuts in make a rates increase o announced 50%. This was narrowly carried in council after the defection of the ex-convenor Peter Wilson to the Counci ior social Demo- cracy and support for the 1 OlIES failed However Wilson carry any other Labour coun- cillors with him Council, gunder

VISITICU

who are maintaining services and refusing to put any increase tents, ine Have announce their rate increase. anther However increase is expected. councils nese toref nayt followed the policy of the Commit- Labour Coordinating tee and have maintained service.

at the expense of rate increases.

However the effect of the increases on working class living «tangaras ane mne woong oi l stakes by the Tory government is bringing growing recognition SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday March 4, 1981 Camden workers join with By Graham Shurety section-who were the weakest a0 Tome trom shell CM content galning. new Shell mandate for their militant InK STrIke-ook •Ke policies. holding firm for March 4.

stewaras to dack oi denverie have given a lead that the Labour Party the The way all out action has They Camden Labour Left is fighting

NUPE

othe been posea to tne cAit mem• SCOlIos

HEUS

behind the seems almost designed follow. Swin!

SUDDUTI

the events in Southend lead rejection fpn rene

COUNCHOS WNG

of Tories and the cuts imposed by have shown, section campaigning memoes.

ANOU!

wilch. Until the Tories are brought public amovee I mult down? from the rapacious Tories.

m aOTIV couleu Socialists

NUPE

The chances of such a united With no fall back position of must advanced were support for олетті olne on tae sirenetes roracom tall valyl this all-or-nothing the fight for action on March 4 Tuesdav 24 February when the position could lead persuade those who St. Pancras North GMC (trad- to capitula- itionally the most conservative Bon winolt a sngge nes atea unis cule rouliu lila they must begin to take part in three (L.Ps in Camden Then of course, the argu- Oi une voted for a resolution put for- united campaig ment wil be put forward that he NUPE Jeadersh have ward by supporter of the the working class were unwilling refused Camden Labour Left to fight! correctl back down on strike action on 'disassocia- It is important that militants resolutiot March despite their retreat ted' the GMC from the Labour ultima- begin Crainc •LilT Group supported the by the refuse sections majority, tism that the Stalinist leadership voted against

UCATT

They see the strike on March councullot presenting wIlk as just beginning Ine curs ana Dicazed crie DalE mc cs campaign and for that reason to throw its full weight behind Nevertheless it is clear tha1 they have correctly the with no room to manoeuvre the / gont leadership being mass picket of the Town Hall a action and

UCATT

anons masti lal 5 pm that night rather than a rent and rate strikes road forced doWIl working So -behind march during hours. appearances confrontation working class in Paradoxically those Hais mueans lal al Wolkel in the Borough have a chance to Camden is moving into conflict the who were seCuon thei hostility the with the Tories least militant in the iow pa) vaulvo. thạt movement of 1979 the strike Courc decisions Council- the Furthermore the boiler sec- worker! are •alle hit nancesu testing leadership on every level imposed pay freeze. slanteu muus within the labour movement.

whole social services trial action blacking all repairs a GWU

RIGHT THE CUTS

PisTA- 108

TGNU

TORY

Cuts Conference

POLICIES TO STOP THE CUTS

Called jointly by the Campaign for Democracy in the Labour Movement and Socialist Organiser Saturday March 21 from 10.30 am. to 5.00 pm.

Islington Central Library, Holloway Road, London N7 Details and credentials from: SO/CDLM Cuts Conference, c/o 66 Brokesley Street, London E3.

the STUC and The LCC cannot duck the way forward is con sente that the only Scottish Council of the question with the maler longer. Ully open conlonlalion discuss "a policy of developing mass action government aDOlE CraIL bringing down with view LCC has united response to the govern- not laceu uf ment's attacks on local govern- Tory to this challenge. Originally they Tane governmen ment and other public services" 'defend working class living nen Ios a roden zo standards now under attack. on or three years ahead. But the of The Ilnion al ironts toughening have asked for the STUC and that this An interestme comment o. •Hl als the role of the media should be Labour Party discuss facsion now staro: them tn the One Labour Laber sed orte •ossoly

CULE

stopped and rate rises" policy resolutions Midlothian and East Lothian "local authority Terstalct found the interview came to an Trades Council asking for cuts nave deen suomitea to ti abrupt end . when she declared annual congress of the STUC to massaon meo ar orer the 1229 be held in April a General Election and return-

SUTOULE

increase in rates! District Trades Labour government Council have called for a joint pleagea to socialist poncies

SERTUC: talk about anything- fight goes on! agreement' SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday March 4, 1981 "Of all the regional councils in this country, the SERTUC is recognised as being the most active. We hold confer- more ences, for example, just this Working month we've had Women the '80s, in the Engineering Conference and now today a conference on cuts. We are setting up seven different industry Wollt* mittees-communication, co-ordination, organisation the central questions here today: local regional and national level."

This was Jack Dromey (Sec- of SERTUC) introducing retary him self

LIIC

WUlK® shops last

SERTUC

conference, opposing pubuc spendlg cuts. the day that Southend Council signed a with Exclusive contract Cleaning to hive oit the refuse department, hundreds of dustmen and their supporters marched through the town. Southend dustmen, on their second oneuay

SLIKKC.

joind as Bronk, s noeth and Brent, Lambeth and Cannaen allu

OLICE

wal ls London. Banners on the march came from Division, NUrE LonuUlk Region camden

NUPE

and Southend Trades Council. rally opeakers Ron Keating inencer

NUPE

and Larry Smith from

TGWU

and TUC General the CouTe. Shop steward Arthur smith is confident that with such council be

SUDDOLL

Casl forced to follow the example of the government and do a U- LUll In order to buid un support in theers or the the dus man,

TGWU,

all the

CLU

households in the area explain- ing their case. Paying more .The letter pouts out thal thly in proti and in contractors interested the long- term the ratepayers will end up paying more council Already appliance are being sold off at dirt-chea] prices and the amount LoCal traders have to pay being Name Address.. Send to: WSL, BM Box 5277, London WCIN 3XX.

except action SERTUC conferences. His aim was to bedazzle us lads and lasses' with an endless noming Canet "solving 'speeches from the row of care- of slick talk of

SUCCIEL

fully selected safe speakers from antic ter m sEISOn Tochtl areas", fying problem "being WOIK OONKUL COn "; and of course mittees. rooted in reality They gave what was without "getting SuuCLUIC fully doubt caulole accuull closures, the day, the delegates cuts, rundown and end 01 unemployment, attended had realised calising Wio 120 and deprivation throughout that for the

TREKTO

Jack lad' Dromey (with a mne prey ousy amenu vout. And from listening to the little help from speakers totally SOld allu lila bum steer. convinced by thei fatalism that Leé cze ere conc co be carried out in full because we Identical were defenceless There It was anotner public spend- was. luwere. une lay ing cuts conference, following of hope in the morning. Mike Birken from the civil identical service [WU DICtIs. spoke oi his members ulliuls Vilvo It seems that Dromey had determination to beat the 6% made a mistake in trying to pull cash limits. He issued the clarion call of OI MIC IaT NCK. follow The attendance was smal- mitels exaneie. only about 100. And he spoke of the 40 strike centres being set up around the It ran to exactly formula OLICl coulilly. Southend-the doubled. As well as trying to enlist the you think was gained What do the

DOT I

ralcoayels. by the strike? council workers are contemplat- The only gain was it involved ing further, more drastic, indus- Scargill with Ezra we hiouigot which trial action to force the councu which salailoos to back down. mave cor withoul serle delon Such action must obviously.

I don't trust Ezra who three the be given denying , that There ould be any pit closures.

IGWU

allu evelyuld else concerned to delend tme t public sector. But how can the and NCB back down from their the boss of Exclusive valls. Cleaning, cleari sees coutaes ageemenls. as the of the wedge more STOTe! Gormley remarked on Monday that will take him into profit- (while saying the Welsh lads had ane oncon ooronaas. Already including jumpea tne gun) mal It wasi l Labour-controlled ones, are said the fact that they are closing pits that he objected to but the to de interesica,

CRISIS IN SUGAR

INDUSTRY

The closure of Tate and crops. refinery Lyle's Liverpool High from

CADUIL

offset immed. four

BSC

stocks have retineries and highlights the crisis in the Ene KL BrOCCO SUUS OI sugar industry. 4 million tonnes last year alone.

Britain, Walkerultre There is no glut. Last year . Peter Minister saw a worc producuon dench 18% of 5 million tonnes. This year's deficit expected to be 2-3 European at Britst sura beed farm and refused to innot lomIes below 1.15 million Indeed traditional exporters

CUNAN

sugar-such as of India, Thai- tonnes. and Peru- e is being pressed along th land.

MURICU

th by the NFU and by BSC imported last year, due to poor

JOIN

THE

WSL !

Please send me more details about the Workers Socialist League.

By our Cuts Correspondent Nick Sharman, Doomey s Sion Sharman, Dromey's side- kick to sueer us noir Dack mr that the real He pointed out that of the purpose conc alce Was aCLIVILY 110 l action. herded were afternoon we into workshops-based onor ich puitose ame ton the purpose forging". In the workshop was ir there were struggles that were reported. But delegates who had come wanting advice on strategy alt. tactics campaigns were confronted with mumbo-jumbo about conclai mici-oulily vull munication. There were delegates from Wycombe and District Action Against committee

DEES

They talked of the fight to prevent 56 hospital beds and facilities bong

CLOSE

Wycoo, area. Also, Wycombe and 'We only won a verbal speed at which closures were benomo enerled Gormiey wente nona ballot which would have taken about 3 weeks-in which time he would have negotiated highe redundancy pay. He hoped by so to whic! have been for no mousta acton. It was a public backdown by the government though, wasn t Uver the last couple or years unions have backed down vn IT industries, allowing other members to take wage cuts and join the dole queue The government thought the miners would back down the sole refiners of sugar beet. Bse tre thie tering to tose to close threatening four more refineries quotas are cut. BATate, Caribe,n aed African, by Pacific producing SuLaI countries want a drastic reduc tion in beet quotas in order to make room for their cane sugar. cutbacks cane sugar producton coult lave 6 catastrophic effect on the econ- of small sugar-producing

OLLICS

countries. Seldom there been anarchy clearer case of the in ss drives op roit capitalism cutting off supplies vital the of the goods at expense working TOOL Ut world. CND Labour Movement

CONFERENCE

AGAINST THE

MISSILES

Saturday March 28 at UMIST Students Union, Manchester. Up to 2 delegates from labour movement bodies. Details and credentials from;

CND,

11 Goodwin St, London N4. Page 7 from supporters

COHSE

Distnct naa lost inel rate sup and port grant and the council were the Service JTUC the local Trades Council had putting up rents by a staggering occupied. 56% they wantea to discuss лои they could organise rent She said that thev had al felt let down by the union's

SUIKE

. officers and officials Iiz Pade from Southamotor Council talked of the pointed at Dromey, Trades savines fight keep ante- natal clinic in a deprived work- likes the sitting pretty ins clae sirnest speaker, how- there away • strongest us who are doing the fighting was Kate White from ever, You have all the power anc Longwo te rosolai yccuball0!

Committee the know-how: but vou keep i She told ll lady ho had from us and leave us to struggle old lady had alone until it's too week one Long. No wonder Maggie Thatcher a bec Deet reluseC is geting away with it all! You mort dd cænore co AHA raid had been found deac have heery thing exce talli to geo on here talking about a cold floor in her stone had cottage she beer O N RO CHRE LS nONE to light an electric fire talking but the doing I want to trying with 1 matches. of effects of cuts becalse unlike the speakers • sne nar , the staff heard in the th hadi d, theed Longworth had fizht back and, seeking adkice Socialist Press •interviews Burt Whin c Niery, NUM, Mark- more confidence in the rank and ham Main Arm- re worke Crass varlicuiail the miners, here in Yorkshire. thorpe, about the outcome The ballot for industrial of the miners' strike. closures wa: they were wrong. 86% in favour industrial But we've only got verbal action. agreements think the 15 to 8 vote What role do you think trans- by the NUM executive to return port, railway and other sections to work was a sell out of workers played? Yes, we should have ignored backed us uph to ally •nev it ane con canta on unu Wales and this there were cast • iron : signed •had happened nationwide it could agreements that there no pit closures. As a would be have lead to a general strike anc brought the government down.

WOrme announced the deal we at that's why the Do you think Main out on Markham came government backed down? olea suike Yes 14 they would have taken we had been on our Dave oe th caled oute saede us on have called . out alongside But really the e at Who tag har haven't backed down, ame mekands Yes I do. Scargill had an 86% mandate from the • membership when other should have called us ou •erenee SeCuuls allc workers. straight even thougn In' Yorkshire closures hadn't. been Would you agree that the Tories announced have made a retreat? It wasn't an area question 1 a tactical olt was a national question retreat. They ll come back even closures were again. annonced for Yorkshire on the think the water What do vou wederga workers' pay claim hạd to do called out on strike. with the retreat? • I think that came into it but

NUM

major part of the mainly the solidarity we got for import campaign was from railway workers was the contro s. What is vour ODInoI import main factor because you see. no of campaigning matter how much stocks they controls? have they can't shift it with that By import controis we are the type of solidarity hope exportma unemooymel Foreign workers aren't the cause ity in action and not just verbal it is the ruling class f recessior solidarity. WIU ale lu Diall! is the British Has strike changed your enen v aane ruling class, not foreign workers.

thinking in any way? given me a lot Yes, it's

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3XX

TORIES ON THE RUN:

CHASE THEM OUT!

PREPARE FOR BATTLE

Published by Folrose Ltd for the Workers Socialist League, BM Box 5277, London WCIN 3XX. Printed by Morning Litho Printers Ltd., London.

Monday 9 March sees the start of what will certainly be a long and bitter fight on pay by half a million trade unionists in the civil service.

On that day all nine civil service unions calling for are national one day strike and it is clear that there will almost total shut-down of government departments aver cora doames. Minister for Civil Service Affairs, looks like being fairly lonely that day as 149 out of 150 union mem- bers in his office will be out (an unprecedented situation in noimally apathetic work place).

Little room government has upped i ne its 6% offer by an insulting 1% the latest round of negotia- tions, leaving une trade bureaucracy with little room for the this stage on hallucurly (with a flo Calm

TOR

week underpinning for the lowest paid). heart of the fight will

HE LIC

covering the main low puid of clerical and grades scrs (represent- assoLarls. lilc ing mainly lower management

SOCIALIST

PRESS

run. And running by their side are the TUC leaders.

ine anarcher covemment 1 still reeling from their defeat at the hands They disoriented by cala failure of their econ- omic policies And, just as they thought they were out of the woods or wages, they have been hit by the militancy of the water workers pay demand lne powe. workers. and the anger of the civil service unions-all of whic!

nave crasheu unrouel inalener s 6% limit. Restrict demands But each stage union to contain the strength of their members, restrict their demands action which could grow into a General Strike defeat the 1 Ones. water workers followed the miners' example and walked unofficial VUl pursult or tner pay clalm, tneur officials got together with the employers to recommend accep- -below the level of inflation!

CIVIL SERVANTS

and the Inland Revenue of grades) However strength Staff Federation (IRSF) feeling the membership has beginning by mach umon 1s asc been giver a boost levy to provide thee minas ni tory and by the strike determination pay. to members in the water Contes caneoul on WOIKCIs. extended strike, and area co- ordinating committees are being The problems for the • special powers to organise bureaucracy were ably summed local disruptive action.

CPSA

leading right winger this week when he bitter.

Watch leaders complained that Inatcher had "achieved in one blow what haven't achieved in the rots But the civil service workers five vears" on the picket lines on 9 March Strikes on pay are sheer watch on must keep their leaders in the weeks ahead immediate There danger that the Counci of Civi Service Unions will avoid the Our kind of action which will bring swilt victory and will be looking exhaust membership policies The through protracted piecemeal forms of action. for the Rs? example, staff at the two key computer Socialist Press pamphlet voted by 80% outlining programme of патогІту come out immed action against the Tory iately but are being "held back in reserve". offensive. Widespread action in the tax Price including BM Ox 527° in a way

ILOW

London WCIN 3XX. action more militant cannot do. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office. Signed articles do not necessarily represent the views of the Workers Socialist League.

"final" employers under 10% by Cultula back their claim to 12-13% And the four enders manual workers in the : power industry have submitted a claim 13%-again represent 101 OnY ing a cut in real wages for their 85,000 members. No action In the public services, too. union leaders continûe to sound retreat-with aCLOn •eleno. lobs. conel- tions and services against cuts in local and government Yet anger and multancy 1 rising in every sector of the working factories, class-in the the estales. queues, week marched through Glasgow in a huge anti-Tory march. seen from the workers nave that it possible to miners defeat Tory offensive, anc the bring down tne government But they are saddled with a Labour Party trade union and ledaer snip •determined to avoid any such fight, which they fear would flow into over the struggle for socialist policie.

under a Labour government.

dynamite for the civil service union leaders because members Car tow beau set rea posali the fores in thement various government acar in calls Civil service union activists must work to extend the strike and to locus powe joint committees. Much 1s al in this pay campaign-a defeat for the government on the oo cash limit in the belly ol own apparatus would be a major boost to the drive to over- enrow natcher.

FUND

As the last day of February came and went we found ourselves with only $536.52 towards our monthly fund target of £850. Thi that a great deal of money that was promised for the fund means short of cash at the end of the month.

Sad you can help by sending a condition showers age of ad i help sy send on the donation for pa small-to: Socialist Press Monthly Fund BM Box 5277, London WCIN 3XX wing within the labour : move. bureaucrats and right ment shows the possibility and wingers against the democrati necessity of constructing a new reforms of Wembley and Black- that pool spells out their opposition will fight for a genuine worker to socialist politics bul lne growin or te lell Crypto-Tories throw in the towel The Gang of Four and Involved their parliamentary hangers- been elected with working class support, they have on have given up the fight to win back control of the now decured open • Their nos țility to the trade unions- -call- Labour Party. ing for wage controls, and laws Their resignation and estab- addlest sucker ile the in rootless party" Parliamentary lishment of Committee for the Council for with must merge Social ever or somerce togere sion defeat and living the real • danger fought be example kind of the Labour Party i they democratic methods stan the for The Hattersleysnore Labour sold Gang Four have arity' grouping simply proclaimed The right wing is fighting 'leaders' their back It Is ir SuonaLy.

ODDOSILE

"party'-and Tolowers Tus Craterce mr tae kank an have refused to stand for elec- File Mobilising Committee car tion on their political continue to useful role I positions play Last to go: Rodgers Lambeth budget cuts Lambeth council leader the axe should fall in such a way avoid redundancies and Ted Knight, who has insis- protect existing jobs ted on the need to defend • doing he is plainly services through rate fence Cary l between Lambeth local govern- increases, is now calling for ment unions-who have a cut of £11 million in his supportca ns poncs rate 1981-2 budget proposals. Lam beth increases-and rate payers. This represents a 10% cut on the council's budget-and runs But it is unlikely that the £4 will week increase in council house either working class tenants in rents and a 372% increase Lambeth the reactionary domestic rates But Knight is proposing that (INTERVIEW, page 4)