Abour Nec Launches Witch-hun
Socialist Press1977 1977-02-02Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 5 →
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An amended resolution which "notes with concern" reports of entrist activities into the Labour Party, and which states that the broad nature of the membership of the Party does not condone creating organisations within it to "undermine its democratic objectives" has been passed unanimously by the National Executive at its meeting last week.
This vote indicates the complete refusal of 'left' talkers on the NEC - including LP YS delegate, Militant group member Nick Bradley - to take a principled stand against bans and proscriptions within the Party.
Once this was established the NEC proceeded rapidly at the instigation of one-time 'left' Michael Foot, to set up a special sub-committee of five to examine the catalogue of witch-hunting material collected by the Party's National Agent Reg Underhill.
Three NEC members who normally vote with the 'left' rallied behind Foot's motion, while IGWU delegate Alex Kitson (backed in the current elections by the Militant Group) tactfully left before the vote - leaving the motion passed by 16 votes to 10.
There is no doubt that this rightward swing on the NEC reflects pressure from union leaders anxious to batten down all the hatches against their own members.
Far from being aimed at the spineless Andy Bevan and the equally invertebrate Militant group, this witch-hunt is to set the scenes PHOTO: Chris Davies, Report for a crackdown on principled opposition to the social contract both within the Labour Party and in the unions.
Principled Labour Party members should immediately move in CLP's motions demanding the NEC Ieverse its decision and disband the committee, and in the interim refuse to co-operate in this witch-hunt.