Troops Out

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following letter Out Movement helow in full.

nas received the from the Troops which we print Dear comrade, The Troops Out Movement has noted the article in Socialist Press" of February 6th 1975, entitled "A New Phase in the Irish Struggle" in which you state, in relation TO the Troops Out Movement:

"We do not necessarily reject work in mass protest movements but we would do such work only under conditions where we could freely criticise the other tendencies involved." We participation the or in specific activities initiated by TOM such as Hoc Committees, demonstrations etc. binds organisations involved only to support for the actions and slogans which have been mutually agreed. (The two demands of the Troops Out Movement are: Self-determination for the Irish people as a whole and Immediate withdrawal of all British military forces from Ireland.) Participation would not restrict the right of your organisation to: a. Publically criticise TOM, or any organisation involved in тОм, in your own press and your own activities.

Put forward your own analysis and interpretation of the Irish situation and the tasks of the British workers" movement from TOM platforms, provided that this was not intended to harm unit in action within TOM or in specific activities.

Carry your own banners and slogans TOM or Ad Hoc committee demonstrations provided that these not contradict the two demands of TOM, or provide an excuse for Police repression. (On this basis your slogan of disbandment of the standing Army would be totally acceptable, although this is not put forward by TOM or, at present, presensation affiliated to group/ Seek to persuade other organisations and individuals in TOM or Ad Hoc Committees to support your particular slogans and/or analyses.

We hope that this clears up any misunderstandings about the democratic rights of organisations which support TOM. We hope your organisation will be ahle to play a full and important part in the building of TOM in the Labour Movement. In particular we would like to draw your attention to the coming National Labour Movement Delegate Conference on Ireland, in London on Saturday May organised orgument, The ConFerence Onl be open only to delegates from Trades Councils, Trade Union branches. and branches of the Labour Party and LPYS. Already, only a couple of weeks after the announcement of the conference, we have applications from 35 delegates from Trades Councils and many more from Trades Union branches.

We urge your organisation to press for delegations to the conference, wherever you have influence in the Labour movement.

Fraternally, Alan Hayling, LY is an obligation on all those fighting for socialism.

An essential part of this is to campaign in the British working class for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of British troops. The letter from the TOM eceived the totally begs he question the Troons this is to be achieved.

GUARANTEES The four "guarantees' offered to us virtually define the TOM out of existence. If we can publically criticise the groups that constitute TOM, put forward our own analysis of the Irish liberation struggle in opposition to other members of TOM, campaign openly for our own positions and carry our own hanners, where, then, is the document was expelled. function of TOM? It is signifi- This split was a cant that the letter advances not solitary reason why the WSI should merge its efforts aimed at the withdrawal of the troops with revolutionary parties. an umbrella organisation which is virtually without political line of its own.

The vital question for the WSL is what iS the most effective method of fighting for the withdrawal of the troops and for the victory of the Irish national struggle? In our article of 6th February, in the paragraph immediately above the one quoted by the TOM letter we say quite explicitly that the reason for the failure of prevIous attempts at solidarity movements on the Irish question lay in the fact that:

"they were constituted on the most limited and opportunist basis, and as soon as simple protest proved ineffective to force change, the question of political policy and perspectives arose and split the bogus unity down the middle." maintain and fight We see no evidence why TOM Trotskyism. should not develop in exactly the same way.

construct the new party.

We should make it clear that we will support all serious actions initiated by tendencies in the working class movement on the demands to withdraw the troops and for self-determination for th Irish people. Our members in trade union branches, Trades Councils and elsewhere have consistently followed this policy.

We also sent a group to the last demonstration (called by TOM) on these demands.

We consider, however, that all this leaves unanswered the most important question. The struggle political strength. for the immediate withdrawal of British troops from Ireland has to be carried into the working class in Britain. This can only be done revolutionary party on the I basis by a principled struggle for of the programme and policies of the Fourth International. This will involve struggle against the opportunism of the groups Name.... constituting the TOM. not the launching of single issue Address... campaign designed to paper over all principled differences in the name of 'solidarity PROTEST We are very concerned that the movement against British imperiaIsm should not be taken down the blind alley of impotent protest, or the dangerous self deception of unclarified political difference. COMP successful struggle against British 11, Lc mperialism and its agencies will not be undertaken by any *Society I would for the Containment and Eventual Destruction of British Imperialism. I would however benevolent its intentions.

Our starting point is the need Vame... for an independent mobilisation of Address.... the working class against the bureaucracy aiming at the resolution of the crisis of leadership A successful struggle for the policies of TOM can only be undertaken by those who take up the fight for leadership in the working class against all who have conspired to fasten on the British and Irish workers the chains of slavery.

LEAGUE.The Workers Socialist League was formed on December 2 1974 after over 200 members were expelled from Workers Revolutionary Party.

Healy leadership and the Workers Press.

of particular political conditions. The Transitional Programme, and the way maximum programme isolate the WRP from the working class became clear. without compensation under workers control"

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