Fascism is no single issue

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Last Thursday saw one of the first local meetings of the Anti-Nazi League whose well-known sponsors include the ubiquitous Brian Clough and the unprincipled Tariq Ali.

One hundred and fifty anti-fascists gathered in Acton to hear SWP spokesman Kim Gordon, Mrs Desai of the Grunwick Strike Committee and recent Labour Party recruit Peter Hain spell out an almost entirely moral case against fascism.

Only Mrs Desai, by touching on NF harassment of Grunwick pickets, even approached an analysis the class role of fascism.

Propaganda

Hain, however, claimed that the Front was most afraid of being exposed as the Nazis they are. He called for the ANL to concentrate on anti-fascist propaganda around schools and in But such propaganda, detached from the political fight to end the material conditions of mass unemployment and falling living standards in which fascism festers and is utilized by the employers, is hopelessly inadequate to defeat fascism.

WSL speakers from the floor stressed the need to break the Lib-Lab coalition to open the way for such a fight. .

But they were opposed by a Stalinist from the Young Communist League . who declared that politics should be put aside until fascism had been defeated by democratic forces.

The ANL is clearly fixed on precisely such a course, and like its fellow "single issue campaigns" is condemning itself to long-term avoidance of political discussion and vague exhortations against fascism. movement in this country.

This means fighting for the removal of troops from Ulster and the repeal of already existing repressive legislation.

FUND

With two days to go we are still £100 short of our £600 target for the January Monthly Fund.

A really determined effort will have to be made if we are to raise the full amount.

At the same time, not a minute should be lost in getting the February Fund under way.

All donations should be sent to:

Socialist Press Fund 31, Dartmouth Park Hill London NW5 1HR