Socialist Press no. 99

PRESS

LACK OF

JOBS

A clear call three stale old weeks ago for an occu- acion -one parliamentary pation to stop the closure that have preceded thousands of Leyland's threatened of sackings and huge cuts in Triumph plant at Speke social services would have produced Peaceful massive majority in favour from mass Meanwhile, determined meeting to officials (who had from the 3,000 jobs in the talked defend outset negotiating redundancy pay- plant. ments big enough to secure No such call was made. "peaceful contented Speke stewards production from the doomed of themselves with form sneke nant continued tren words defending the right to background work of fostering work and opposing compul- and sory redundancies. aTOn Bluster vav for this treacherous worl by self-styled rank and file And they allowed combine groupings led by the Socialist shop chairman, stewards Workers Partv. who at each Stalinist Derek Robinson, to studiously point spelling cre une mecune n compiete- opposite direction, for necessity blustering about same the plant if the closure was Ine

SOCIALIST

* Weekly paper of the Workers Socialist League * No. 99 * 10 May, 1978 * 15p

BLACK GRUNWICK NOW!

know your HOTO: Andrew Wiard, Report rights! ÁPE trikers

LEADERSHIP

SELLS SPEKE

QUER 231

forms of protest to be prevented. strikes, SWP members used every day opportunist argument they lobbles, could dream up in order to persuade their supporters in Speke should not that nev call for too much all at once should simply rest

DUI

content with winning support trade union general statements of

TOT

opposition. of in And the

SWP

reserved

LCIS

call Darucua score tor tre for elected union committees transfer" of open Leyland's books- the only policy that could firmly establish link the between the struggle to save demoralis- the jobs at Speke and the fight by workers throughout.

hey were allowed the lee Leyland speed-up, rationalisation and redundan- cies under the Edwardes plan.

More time aroided For those who imagined aDsolute occupation of that there would be ПОГО which to time in add some For contained the 22 months the independent officials of APEX wriggled to from the free themselves anti-democratic methods Grunwick strike. Their actions Now, at the national confer- ence on The Lessons strike by Learned' from the dispute, they to pronounce a pious obit- поже Dreak uary on this struggle union Ward and the recognition.

NAFF.

Grantham and At every stage companions bureauciac by workers action have twisted turned and defend democratic impose their deadening control over une suike But their efforts could never completely have achieved any success without Jack Invaluaole

SUD OOTE

- OT for workers in this period.

Brent Trades Dromey from Council and other 'lefts' workers As Inousanas mobilised on the mass pickets last moonlised i treaterous ve Scargill summer, and who treacherous and their 'justice' of were aole to response. and the

ALAS

By refusing to call for blacking betraying workers' interests factory they specific demands to the call to endorse the general haggling over terms. right to oppose

WOLK NO

closure, last Saturday's Again mass played provided meeting sharp As leading awakening plan Even though they had Edwardes 'worker participation' been aemoralsea by weeks o.

aimless to-ings and fro-ings by that first lined up Speke union officials and shop stewards; abandoned by officials of the Confederation betrayal of Shipbuilding and Engineer- ing Unions who voted a week earlier to sell all the jobs in Speke in the name of preserv.

ing the 'viability of Leyland; bursts and blackmailed by Robinson ultimatum to accept improved" accept buy-off the right-wing payments and join the dole workforce queues quietly, hundreds of work arrived at the mas workers meeting fight for ready to of course their jobs. disgruntled No call 60-40 stewards But still not so much as thus deciding one Speke steward stood up the closure call for on the platform to An SWP "Right occupation. tunists are to Work" leaflet given out at the meeting made no call for workforce occupation the stewards. And the stewards' recom- mendation -simply to 'reject' stewards the compan's new ofter and Inside English Revolution Centre Pages p.9 WRP Fingermen Gay Rights.......... • p.8 Wage controls 'permanent' • p.5 strong

APEX,

Grantham felt argue that the officia which enough to could have developed beyond the strike would be called off unless reach of the bureaucracy and it Tacoonie within five weeks. have been This of capitulation

DOSILIOS

must be tought at the conterence

TOONS

leadership on the one picy tay called by the strike committee intransigence reactionar anti APEX conference rejected a policies of his backers in call to resume mass picketing and the of essential blacking Terrified of any independent Saturdays meeting is to be at it services to une company fighting rights and to thing more than funeral wake, advance ineir class interests. unes the demand for blacking must be bureaucrats-both 'left' and right unable to win of mass to demand that the most basic, minimar demand the TUC fulfil its promise support by organising this actior *Grunwic Nationa Sunday As the forces of the state were Conference, 11am-5pm, the strikes, tay Empire Way, Wembley Wemblev Centre Dromev them selves behind the 'democracy and Credentials branch), Scarman report Trades and machinery

TOI

Labour Willesden, Londor High Road, At last week's conference of NW10 Liverpool Trades Council conference on unemployment-gave no lead to Speke Speke workforce-there was oppose closure-was seen by really nothing for them to workers as no more than a sup phe stewards even went on key role was meeting to carry a by Derek Robinson. after the Derek defender of the vote of thanks Robinson -whose only role and of the has been to assist Leyland in set-up of 3,000 for the butchering Merseyside jobs! closure as a supposedly 'low productivity plant, Robinson The betrayal at Speke has was keen to be in on the final involved a lethal combination of conscious sabotage by officials union and leading Disgruntled combine stewards (who. "participation' have

LITOUCI

rst between his predictorie become no more than an arm with a com- rhetoric of management) careful was to plete absence of a conscious statement that leadership alternative led Canley equipped to fight the bureau.

has agreed cracy from Speke The bitter lesson is that With no serious alternative without fight for the being action demands of occupation, open proposed by their leaders a the books, work sharing full pay and nationalisation against their there can be no serious fight recommendation. to defend jobs against a ruth- not to oppose less crisis-ridden capitalist of the plant. class Already cynics and oppor A Trotskyist party rushing to claim of leading capable such struggles and fighting on all inat the lault was that or in refusing to back levels against the class collab Oration embodied in the ent But the reality is that the coaluol governmen and the combine must be built as a matter of offered no perspective to the urgency

AFGHAN COUP TOPPLES FEUDAL

Last Thursday the African South army launched major invasion of Angola and "temporarily" occupied the town of Cassinga. Vorster claimed that the invasion was directed against camps the guerrilla SWAPO, the Namibian liber- even South African admitted army spokesmen that Angolan and troops had also been attacked During the last week in the inevitable Lebanon conflict has developed between liberation forces in the area and the UN troops the sent there to enforce following the status quo Zionist invasion of South Lebanon in March. April Un ot 30 tue of Tyre, a section near the town •t renen •araroovers. trom ne same force responsible for unspeakable Algeria tortures no be an exocon ov Vietnam, shot dead two Lebanese of the militiamen, allies Palestinian liberation fighters.

Retaliation Before a large funeral could gather to commemorate these liberation forces took a number retaliatory actions against the UN soldiers. time, rejectionist Since that Palestinian ana lettist guerrilla: have been moving south towards and journal- the Israeli invaders, ists the week-end. reported ov targe numbers digging in well behind the UN lines.

Another journalist was told by commaneer unit the Frend are not her French are not here as a

DUT

intimidation. Those us wno attempt to go back to the south le shotor sooooa. "The French. never shoot to cripple, they shoot to kill.

"Nothing will stop us contin- uing the fight against Israel".

contrast clear •eterminaron was une allie o Last week's military coup has brought to of the power in one world's most remote and backward economically countries a government which the capitalist press has labelled "pro-Moscow Communist". The new regime paints itself less provocative colours-it claims democratic revolutionary said it intends to șotect the values of Islam "non- Lgned " foreign policy. and pursue The first of the amanc events came on the aiternoon of April 27 when Kabul radio message from General Abdul Najer. head of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council: For the first time in the of Afghanistan, astory Khan Nadir Occl

- INTERNATIONAL

Angola invaded and killed. The ruthless invasion has come as a acep embarassment imperialist man powers wno two weeks ago negotiated an agreement with Vorster Under this deal they

SWAPO

would hoped forced to cease its liberation war and then after the cease- fire South African troops in Namibia would be replaced by imperialist (United Nations) troops. No sooner was the ink dry Palestinians hit back at imperialist troops Ararat, denounced the attacks on the UN

LOUDS

AT Ine same ume an interview with him was published in the New York Times in which he announced

SUNDON

TOT

ghettoised Palestine state.

Nothing to fear said, 'would have Israel, ne such nothing fear' from creature, nave probiems of its own. Perhaps the greatest of these coes not need to worry too much movement from the complete defeat of Zionism.

revolution constantly slates the dynamic of breaks down in beation surucele always returned to by Arafat and the PLO-Fatah leadership.

and necessary link between the and the Palestinian struggle in the Arab world as a whole.

Meanwhile Israeli premier Beain wanders aroud the United States with his begging bowl for the Zionist lobby. he knowing battles or workers ano beasants Celebrations The celebrations of the third decade of the racist Israeli state were accompanied by inis state. ment from imperialist-in-chief may have differences, but we'll never waver in our absolute commitment to israel's sacurity. I can say without reser- will continue to do so vation, we not tor 30 vears, but forever"

RULE

1973. But he was succeeded by his own brother -in-law, Mohamed Daoud. 1973 has Since Daoud been everything-President, Premier, Foreign and Defence Minister all at once. He has presided over a cruel dictator- ship in which political parties have been banned Daoud's regime still made King's use the former OI state bureaucracy and, spite of a nominal committ- ment lo lana retorm. rested politically on the old feudal aristocracy and landowners and on the army. Daoud's foreign policy was "non-aligned" was due this week to host a meeting of the coordinating, council of the "non-aligned" countries-but been nenad Moscow mainly an ally of from which he received aid in the form of money, technical military assistance, and and the training technicians OI officers the ailu SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 10 May, 1978 SWAPO traitor unmoved smiling? Brief smiles must have crossed the faces of capit- this. filthy replace South Africa's racist on alists in Ireland this Vorster "safer" arrested rule neo- SWAPO leaders in Namibia imperialist solution. week. But as far as Sam Nujoma, and launched his shameless While the repressive forces attack against the North.

the

SWAPO

leader, of British imperialism contin- these major imperialists concerned ued to arrest Provisional Sinn I ne exaggerated.

(USA,

Britain and France) Fein members in the north, were so embarassed that they union leaders in the Republic Having shown over the last settlements were lorced last rnday to were procuring ten days increasing readiness vote against South Africa in from their members with the compromise the UN Security Council. which gratify their Nujoma imperialists masters. confirmed since the invasion What they fear is that Aer Lingus management, behaviour Vorster's unruly his willingness to continue to 'independent mediator discuss the Anglo-American- all will show up the agreement and officials from the for South African plan. •w 11al Workers Union of Ireland put paltry 4% pay gorward increase to end the & week strike by clerical and admin- istrative staff. Meanwhile the executive of the Irish Post Office Engin- eering Union had recommen- ded that its members end their 13 week strike accepting by the government devised and bureaucrats from the of Irish Congress Trade Unions. The terms of this deal on Such statement snoW: the introduction of new tech- clearly the deep-seated link between the imperialist nology are far from clear, but system Arafat and the Zionist state however, will not last forever, any

TWO MAY DAYS

more than imperialism itself.

within

I TE

contractions Zionism itself, however were shown by the May Day demon- strations israe corporatist Histadrut trade union body, at which the most popular siooan wa. onatom arenar "peace now". Pressures against the Zionists compenec une eismissar ou ENTe Zionist military governor of the West Bank state Brigadier General wavia macoel Tor Iving about an incident in which schoolchildren who Israeli invasion of South Lebanon were Cockeen a cassroom ano gassed with tear gas grenades.

Atrocities What this particular Zionist soldier did was not just to remind the world once again of the tascist atrocities committed against the seems to Jews He an even more unpardonabe crime IvIne about it and then getting found

VUL

The May Day 1977 was a crowine resistance move met with bloody repression will need more than gas day of massacres against by the Suarez regime. hold it back, espec- cannisters to 1977 But Britain In the working class. ialiv it there is a tight within it tor workers still had the right to dozens socialist policies of to ink ine tion Turkey colonialism with a struggle against Gemonstrale workers were murdered. On May Day 1978, as a in the Arab states against the pro- WSL's imperialist policies And in Spain, attempts to speaker the well sao at ano at the other bourgeois Arab leaders.

attended May Day Rally in assert the basic democratic Conway Hall pointed out, to demonstrate were right support for Parcham officers who took the lead.

Taraki in 1964 under the title with People's against Khalq Democratic Party, The coup was for a brief time shortened The however, the violent one and Daoud usually Last ycal, along with many members of Kremlin appeared to despair People (Khalq), the name of the party's newspaper. of the long-term survival his regime and family were killed in the course of it.

The party, from its incep- prospects of its client Daoud and encouraged Parcham and Within 24 hours calm had tion, has had close links with Moscow Khalq to reunite and frequently reportedly been restored and there were signs of popular referred to as the "Commun- This they did and together Party though unlike adopted a position of clandes- welcome for the new govern- parties with a longer Stalinist the masses although tine opposition to the regime.

ment to have played no appear nistory, i appedis never The government new been committed have even direct part in the events no doubt accurately, chat 9% of the pouration After the coup there were formally, to Marxist that demonstrations in some was waiting for the overthrow The programme and anti-imperialist, of the previous regime". anti-CIA, slogans propaganda of the party ha: especially they "Our been almost exclusively anti were shouted. announced, "signifies the end The Armed Forces Revol- feudal, nationalist and and feudalism of aristocracy populist in nature. utionary Council which led In Algilanistan the coup did not form In 1972 the From first reports it seems split pally government but installed public factions. that sizable part of into office largely feudal exploiting Taraki continued to lead the class may cabinet (there are three Khalq (People) faction which have been killed in the coup.

military officers out of 20 remained in clandestinity members) all of whom have during the Daoud regime. still faces major opposition been described press Muslim The other faction, known from the League members of the reports which has powerful backers as Parcham (Flag) was led by "Afghanistan Communist Mir Akhbar Khabir and was the reactionary Arab Party". probably prepared to collaborate with and fran hallons, The new ruling party, led the Daoud dictatorship. Pakistan, all of whom, like year this line by a former translator in the Until last the imperialists, ale anxiou. US Embassy. Nur Mohamed appeared to suit the Moscow to reverse what they see as a Taraki. bureaucracy which combined possibly crucial Soviet typical Irish bosses suggest that concessions have been granted the state the cost of emo ver. establishing "participation' schemes. postal ballot, the strikers apparently accepted by 4-1 these proposals majority.

IPOEU

officials were at pains to protest that ballot had been the conducted without any irreg- and went on to see the deal as 'the first step to im proved and get try within relations the post office'. first of this Lesl prediction will optimistic come with the return to work workers confront the willi managers who scabbed on the strike with sucn eagerness anc persistence. Irish capitalists may have breathed a 'tremendous sigh of relief' at the news of these settlements, they know certainty and will dread that their greatest political problems are yet to come as the boom of the Irish economy slumps further into crisis and collapse. Spanish workers would show that they had won the right demonstrate, insecure this right remained. Meanwhile, by a strange but significant reversal, it was (Leeds) Britain where workers attempting to march May Day were arrested and prevented • from demon. thousands strating by police. This made clear how it was in countries where not only dictatorships ruled attempted to hang on to where the question of oo wel democratic rights was important. Everywhere, including "democratic" Britain, the • crisis the capitalist ruling class to call into ques not only the workers tion economic conditions but also the basic democratic rights had seemed watch essential if secure, wnich are conditions are to be defended and extended In the British event, as workers were arrested, workers in Spain took to the streets in hundreds of thous- ot a million anas -a quariel marched in Madrid alone. And Portugal over 100,000 marched in what was said to be the biggest demon- stration since 1974 Taking up slogans against repression internationalv Spanish and Portuguese chanted «Pinochet workers murderer!" And only a few hours dictator Pinochet later sent his police to break up an illegal march and arrest 300 demonstrators, including frat- from ernal delegates European labour movement.

May Day this year showed the strength of the working class, and the dangers that it faces -from Leeds Santiago

SOCIALIST PRESS. Wednesday 10 May, 1978

- INTERNATIONAL'

CASTRO

OPPOSES

ERITREAN

STRUGGLE

EPLE liberation fighters new opportunities for realis- ing men objecue-lo secure a firm military base in this vital strategic area, so as to stabilise the international These groups will be Asmara troops and balance of forces, unsteadied Massawa have been given liquidated and Eritrea by the Soviet increased support, will be converted into a diplomacy in the Middle East.

that pressure from the Soviet revolutionary fortress'. Siad Barre's regime in Union and Cuba is holding marked by Mogadishu With immediate these words, back any Was and nationalist populist Mengistu Mariam onslaught. Hate leanings, while the EPLF had declared in Cuba the deter- Trapped in the intricate already displayed dangerous Ethiopian of the web their own counter- malion of independence from military dictatorship to crush strategy, the Stalinism. bureaucracies of Moscow and The peraton movemens u Eritrea. Havana understandably are Opponents murdered reluctant to be seen openly 'Analysis' violent the participalling In the Derg Contrasu suppression or revolunonary 'firm hand' showed a in During his struggle. state visit to ruthlessiy suppressing and Mengistu spelled out Cuba, murdering its political oppon- Main support the 'analysis' which the ents-above all, those of the bloody of the Derg fabricated to justify its In the past, the EPLF These barbarous methods reactionary policies. received its main support went hand in hand with the In this vicious distortion: the Cubans. and cynical opportunism,

HUSL

"The imperialists Stalinism's allies in the South are and combined to produce a the Yemen, to wipe out both wno are noW for near penieci Ethiopian revolution, making giving military assistance to the execution of the counter- sections [the these the Derg. revolutionary strategy Popular Liberation Eritrean At the same time, the by the Kremlin's advanced Front and the Eritrean Liber- Kremlin bureaucracy bureaucrats. ation Front] to do so". cultivated intimate relations The immediate victims of Again, according with the military these manoeuvres have been the EPLF and the Mangistu, Somalia. the liberation struggles in the

ELF:

the But clique of Ogaden and Eritrea. ... are reactionary and military officers emerged to For the Ethiopian state to They progressive. seize control of the revolu- fulfil its strategic value to the agents of imperialism and of upheavals which had deformed Soviet workers Arab reaction" overthrown the Ethiopian the Derg must assert Stale a further reference to emperor, Haile Selassie, and pollucal ove ise liberation movements, as Colonel Mengistu shot his of Somalia and whole also •eir butcher to the ethiopian way to power through a coup over Eritrea. evolution proclaimed that: within the counter-revolution "Groups which originally international Stalinism 'Integrity' daimed to have progressive increasingly Inew Its weignl unmasked their behind these new reactionary deas Castro has publicly faces forces. his support to the vince ne revolle 4 US picaged rionary triumph of 1974".

integrity' 'territorial of New opportunities The Ethiopian dictatorship Ethiopia, referring to the - as already amassed forces to Eritrean revolution as an orade the liberated areas of The aims of Brezhner and "internal enemies Probien of Castro have not altered. But E-strea. which while its besieged these developments provided But 'concerns Ababa alone' NO Behind this bland facade, the Cuban leader has beer making frantic efforts to bring about negotiations.

But as preconditions for any talks,

EPLF

has ine demanded recognition both of the Eritreans' right to self- and indepen- Get mato

DETENTION

The tricolour of the Great French Revolution has once again been hoisted above the IN armies of imperialism. As capitalism's vigilant police the

GHANA

force western Africa, rrenen sourcoise nas now sud stantially increased its military presence in Chad, in a bid to con- am une doparentiv advance the Frolinat (the National Liberation Front).

Ine thoroughly corrupt dictatorship President the has cuerrila wartare aains the milt tary government of General Felix Malloum which ousted that recue Control extended Backed Gaddafi trom Libya (immediately to the north dence, and of the EPLF and

ELF

sole tatives of the Eritrean people.

In Mengistu's terms, this 'brigands' the that means have scornfully rejected every offer of discussion. Genocide danger The of avoiding chances total slimmer war become every day. It has also become clear that the Derg can over- come the tenacity and deter- of the Eritreans only by resorting to genocide.

dictator- The Ethiopian ship's record of vicious prac- no tor eaves reason confidence that they would stop short of such measures Any participation by the Stalinists colossal

SUCH

counter-revolutionary slaughter would deal crippling blow to their credib- ility the ex-colonial countries But the evidence suggests • Inal tney are preparea lo ris: this loss in order to gain their immediate strategic objectives. More arms In opposing these actions of the Cuban Soviet anu bureaucracies. we ao nol l any way support the imperial- ist demands that they witn- draw their forces from Africa.

On the contrary, we call for MOrt duvises Troo•s ano more rms o sent to the continent. But we raise the call to anti-imperialist advance the struggles of the African against such masses, repressive regimes as the Derg and couple with the demand that these forces be deployed under the control of the liberation movements.

The Kremlin leaders opportunistically indicated in past support for movements such as the EPLF and the Polisario Front, whom they have deserted. More recently, they

FRENCH BOMBERS IN CHAD

at least half of this huge, but largely barren country is in their nanos Having used the Frolinat to his own ends for Gaddati while, Then move to tne bositior 'mediator'-supporting initiatives Libyan ceasefire, while TrooDs moved seize tute northern areas directly for the Libyan 'people's republic' The recent arrival of Mirage jet bombers coincided with renewal of direct French military involvement in toe canara There the Polisario Front has been subjected to bombardment TrOm rrench vorces supoor ting the occupying armies of the repressive monarchy and its client state of Mauritania.

acts nest gogression West Africa are nothing new for the French bourgoisie formal ¡ ne ending lEs affirmed their commitment of SWAPO in aims to the Namibia, the Patriotic Front in Zimbabwe and the African National Congress of South Africa pressure must be brought to bear these protessional ranois to lians late their deceptive phrases into tne arms or revolauon• ary struggle. have major We pontica. all the differences with African liberation movements but we fully support them in their struggle against imperial- while criticising various weaknesses and inad equacies. Mengistu But the bureaucratic regimes of the deformed and degenerated workers states have their immediate disposal the material to boost these struggles.

The international Wole movement must WOrKeT demand that these arms and supplies are made available. In this the way counter- revolutionary role of Stalinism can be most sharply exposed. In the cause of proletarian internationalism, repeat the appeal of the EPLF that the Cuban and Soviet force: take action against the Eritrean revolution, and we also demand that they assist the Eritrean liberation struggle in its fight against the reactionary and predatory dictatorship in Ethiopia attempts to secure imperialis dominance. Co-operation with Hassan's dictatorship in Morocco led to the imperialis coventure In benin. with an attempt to overthrow the 'left' government, and other joint ventures nave been undertaken. d in Zaire and Western Sahara.

There can be little doubt that these latest moves in Chad have been planned after full discussions with the South African Govern.

Ur all the imperialist govern ments, it is that of France which has maintained the most intimate Vorster's racis relation. wiLl regime. Threatened by the increase in Cuban Soviet and influence Mozambique and Anoola Ethiopia, but the imperialis more tuan orotest powers have been forced to find Page 3 Strikes disrupt Kingston 'peace' The Jamaican govern- ment. led by Malcolm faces a wave of Manley industrial unrest in response to the growing effects of the capitalist crisis Jamaica's on economy. Already affected are the water- and the front cement industry and the island's teachers are threatening strike action. appealed for produc- He tion to be maintained while talks continued " Unless we can keep pro- efforts duction going to settle industrial are made disputes, then we are going to be in serious trouble. The need to work together for production was recently from proclaimea huge banners massive concert organised raise Peace money for Jamaica's Movement The origins of the Peace Movement last nack January when the leaders of the two gangs associated with main political parties the Peoples National Party and the Jamaica Labour Party in met on a streel downtown Kingston, hands and endea years ol gang warfare and slaughter in the slums of Kingston Twenty-nine people had died in the first four weeks of the year before the 'war' was called off. One of the most horrific incidents was burning down of a tenement two years ago in which eleven people died. Despite the outbreak of food riots the previous week highlighting the island's con- tinuing economic problems the dic oreansels everything possible to convey tnel message The audience were divided marked into love' and 'together- "peace, ness' the Government and laid on extensive police and military support that these lofty ideals predominated. As the marathon concert drew to a close, in a clearly stage-managed gesture Manley and opposition leader Seaga and shook Calle Sidle hands while Bob Marley sang Love" Miller and Masson the two gang leaders looked on and marijuana- smoking Rastafarians danced around on stage shaking their dreadlocks. The Rastafarians are claiming responsibility for securing. peace; and with their philosophy the predominant theme of the island's music- reggae-and with the vast majority of Jamaicans under thirty there is no doubt that the Rastafarian influence is growing steadily. However, none of this of course goes anywhere near solving the huge economic confronting the problems Jamaican ruling class Unemployment stands at 60%, inflation still rages and whole sections of the island live in grinding poverty.

Sharply posed is the need therefore to build a Trotsky- ist leadership in opposition to the growing influence of the Rastafarians and the wholly undeserved lett reputation o PNP leader Manley

SOCIALIST PRESS

will be carrying an

INTERNATIONAL

The "achievement, publicised most rather shadowy organisa- tion known as the Trilateral Commission is that it groomed and pre- pared Jimmy Carter for the American presidency. That, however, was only a part of a much broader plan which emerges from the fears experienced an "enlightened" grasp of the tor future Class The power cohesion and of imperialism. The formation of the T.C.

directly out of the sharpening inter-imperialist rivalries to which the capi- talist crisis began give rise in the early 1970s. More specifically it arose out of the crisis of leadership experienced by the American ruling class as a result of the discrediting of President Johnson, the ignominious US defeat Vietnam, the exposure and resignation of Nixon Angew, and the incompetence of Ford. Multi-millionaire The initiative for the up of the T.C. setting came from group of leading American capitalists headed. by David Rockefeller, multi- of millionaire head the Chase Manhattan Bank and director of enough companies to fill an issue of the Socialist Press. Rockefeller's aim was to create an organisation which -despite superficial resemblances to the secret societies for world domina- tion found in James Bond novels-is high-powered to devoted life saving of ailing imperialism. It was from the American capitalist class that the initial the T.C. nucleus of was recruited in 1973. But it then of 100KC0 num net directions for its expansion.

First, because it is based on fears of growing fratricidal struggles between the imperialist nations it looked for of representatives the capitalist class of Western Europe and Japan (hence the title 'Trilateral'). Heads many of the major Japanese corporations, and rather fewer of the Euro- pean ones, joined. Anti-communist The next task was to bring in a number of leading anti- Communist academics. among (ner these was Zhigniew America's leading "Kremlin- Jogist was appointed

WILO

the Executive Director of the T.C. Other economists and political "scientists" joined the Commission undertook research on

ILS

behalf. Commission Finally the needed to get the co-opera- tien of leading representatives 3. the labour movement. was Brzezinski Joseph difficult recruit some of the leading pro-imperialists at the head of America's trade Woodcock of the Auto workers and I.W. Abel of the Steel workers are both mem nerd Miserable Europe In and Japan though approaches were made, it was impossible, with a few exceptions, to get trade union bureaucrats to partici- pate in such an openly capi- talist and reactionary body.

In Britain the T.C. has had to be with miserable right-wing Labour MPs whose connection with Labour movement is the weak ll could snap on the slightest pressure. Evan They Luard dit (Oxford), John Roper (Farn- worth) R. one MacFarquhas. Carter's presidency has been central to the work of the Trilateral Commission.

Its members systematically "educated" Carter on inter- national and economic affairs during the primaries and presidential campaign. now sixteen T.C. members hold major posts in the Carter administration.

Gold They include Secretary of State Vance Treasury secre. tary Blumenthal and UN rep- resentative Andrew Young, as Vire Dracilont

CAPITALISM'S

"THINK TANK'

Luard Maudling Mondale. involvement on the part of Some the principal some individuals and groups".

policies of the Carter adminis- They that say the main tration naturally coincide task is: ideas which have been Witn "to restore the prestige aired in T.C. discussions and and authority of central reports. government institutions, and the economic sphere grapple with the these include the plan to immediate economic demonetise gold and restore challenges" US dominance of the mone- In earlier publication system via the the T.C. had written: strengthening of the IMF and "The international system the development of a new which depended heavily upon world of paper UC leadership and sustenance sysLels now requires a truly common management to which North Future of democracy America, the European Community and Japan must Also are Carter's Inere in view of their large econo.

efforts to avoid a direct open mic power make a special trade war by means of inter- contribution" "voluntary" agree- lationai In this veiled and diplo- trade on the ments to umil matic language the T.C. of part the countries in expresses its two major fears surplus (Japan and West -that Germany). imperialism threatened by the breakdown But the most interesting social order within Lne and sinister feature of the the imperialist nations and reports so far cassioner 'chaotic national and discussed by the T.C. has tion' between them. been its fears for the future Third World which means capitalist state social These are the T.C.'s main peace. concerns. And its he most important of (often implicit than these reports was written by explicit) are the imposition Grozier (right-wing vulchael of limitations on democratic intellectual from the Institute rights and a shift from of Conflict Studies) and leadership system to one of Samuel Huntington (US manage- colecuive academic who was a leading ment. political strategist of the These have been the two Vietnam war). main concerns of the T.C. eve even though it has also Rights given some attention to the "hird World' which plans In 1975 they wrote mcorporale into a more con report on "The Governability trolled international of Democracies" economic system which concludig that this was becoming more the semi-colonial countes and more difficult. would remain producers of The they con- law illdecides cluded, was "excess Less in the T.C.'s space •all demands' being placed on the publications is devoted to the Sovict Union and China. democratic countries leading to a crisis of political This partly because and ungoverna- Buzezinski used to take the bility. vie ussh publicly at least, that • Increasingly, the authers was declining lament the mass of the popu- threat to imperialism lation only to view he nOT can possess democratic rights but hold scarcely longer actually to excercise them.

view of the capitalist crisis Yet, they conclude: the

USA

1n con- "the effective operation of advance of produc- a democratic political system tion in the Soviet Union.

usually This requires leading macrarcunar ho Labour m SOCIALIST PRESS, Hednesday li Mas. 19-3 Who's who on the Commission

BELGIUM.

Ormsby Gore, (Lord Harlech). Houthuys, J., trade union bureau- chairman, " OT politician, Confed. of Crat resident Har ech Catholic Trade Unions. Ramsbotham Sir P., diplomat, Janssen, D.E., trade union bureau- Governor of Bermuda. CraT midsdale, J., lory MP Roll, Sir •E., civil servant, director

CANADA

Bell, R., trade union bureaucrat.

Bank of England.

EIRE

Roper J., Labour MP. Economist.

Murphy, D., trade union bureau.

Shackleton, Lord, Deputy Chair.

FRANCE

Shonfield, Andrew, journalist.

Barre, R., Prime Minister Tuke, A.F. Tuancier, Chairmar Crepeau, M., member of the Lef of Barclays Bank Williams, A.L nacical. , Labour MP hotnschtid, E. de, financier Younger, Sir K., Labour politician

WEST GERMANY

and lawyer. Loderer, union bureau- U cat Abel, I.W crat • resident or German letal trade union bureau. Workers Union. US ex-President Steel. Cial

ITALY

workers Union. Agnelli, G., industrialist, President Austin, J.P., , chairman, Coca Cola. Numerous directorships. OT riat Carli, G., financier. Legal advisor hall G.W.

HOLLAND

government departments. Kloos, A., trade union bureaucrat.

Blumenthal Secretary. of vv..V., the Us Treasury Brezezinski, Z., academic, adviser

UNITED KINGDOM

to government denartments G.R.S., (Earl of Cromer), Baring, Carter, J.E.. US President and financier P&O peanut farmer Imperial, ex-Governor of Bank of Chalkin, union bureau. England President of International Fisher, M.H., Editor of Financia Ladies Garment Workers Union Times. Donovan, H., Chief, Caltor Geddes, Sir Reay. chairman of Time inc Dunlop director of Shell, Rank Kaiser union bureaucrat, Mo and Bankel secretary-treasurer of AFL-CIO Grierson R.H., industrialist. Kissinger. H.. politician chairmar Director GEC Chase Manhattan Bank Mondale, Vice President of Keith, Sir K. industrialist, chair-

USA.

of Rolls Royce, director, Owen, H.D., academic Reischauer, E.O imes , academic Knight, Sir Rockefeller, D A., chairman, , Tinancier Courtaulds, director Pye, Rockefeller, J.D.N.. Governor o MOlIS hovce vv. virolnti Littman, M., Scranton , lawyer/industrialist W.W., lawyer/politician. Luard; E., Labour MP for Oxford Vance C.R. Secretary , chairman of State. Numerous directorships.

wicraazean, sir r.s., British Airways, director of Shell, Ward, M.J., trade union bureau.

Beechams. Ciat Woodcock Voided Auto Workers, trade union President Maudling, R., Shadow Foreign bureaucrat Secretary O'Neill, Sir C., diplomat. Directo permanent represen- Young, tative to UN Carter-desperately unpopular industrial and economic the T.C. inat was whi strength between the leading attempted to create Carter as an "ideal" leader. and the most advanced workers' state.

They must be finding that As result of the it is more difficult than they attempt had to provoke conflict hoped fight the workers' objective consequences fo the Sales (most notably the USSR and (hina) has become another of Last weck, after numerous the the political failures, the T.C.'s imperialist policy cooked up "creation political was the T.C members and according to American public their friends Carter opinion polls. in the less popular than any du as alon previous American The growth of the Trila- president at the same stage in teral Commission reflects the his term of office. It will take crisis of imperialism and more than the T.C. has done.

particular the loss of confi- restore the dence by leading capitalists in 'loss of respect for authority

Socialist programme

LABOUR

PARTY

TTS PERMANENT' SAYS

CALLAGHAN ON WAGE

As if making a last-ditch bid to boost the Tory vote Labour abstentions, and Prime Minister Callaghan chose May Day issue PHOTO: Andrew Wiard, another clear declaration that the Lib-Lab Government is firmly dedicated per- manent wage controls. It is impossible for the govern.

ment to stand aside from pay policy, said Callaghan. Subservience The government itself employs a large of the national element workforce, which intertocks many points with private Callaghan's AnG OT course. subservience to the complete interests of British national choam means nar tne work n class must be forced into con- ( allagnan tinuing state regulation of wages.

But the teelings withIn Tne issue abour movement

PRESS GANG

PLUM DUFFY

Rarely in the history course they can ‹wnere oI shut the door behind them of the trade union move- from the terrible ment, can the election of aW d influence of discussion a trade union leader have work and settle down to the been received with more dispassionate analysis of TV, radio and newspapers). acclaim by the press, The Dail! Mail wanted so than the election of badly to tell their readers all Terry Duffy as President about the election that they of the AUEW. made their main story His stock among editors, relegating the butler who MP industrial correspondents …Labour suanged and, doubt, employer to an inside page.

no newspaper proprietors was as high as if Robert Porter (industrial correspondent) began: they personally had had new and refreshing hand in electing him (which A voice entered the highest of Course they had), councils of the British trade word 'moderate' cropped up a lot to describe union movement vesterdav.

"Mr Duffy, 56 today, this extreme right winger and avowed anti-communist. Most left-winger TotTed hoo Wright, although Mr. Wright industrial correspon- the linked him had of Mr dents to that support other 'moderate',

EETPU

scanlon and the left-ranging from Maoists to Tribunites- Chapple, and leader frank also linked his election to the who organised a massive anti- Duffy campaign" speeches heralding the first attempts to impose Phase IV Mr. Porter. who helped in The Guardian had lead its no small massiver suityat molies front page the previous week about allegations that ballot not what policies Wright had put forward to papers had not been given out in several militant areas. Now deserve the tag 'left winger" it described the election as "a or what attractive alternative famous victory there was for the 82% odd not only for Duffy but also for the postal AULW members who did not for Duffy. it ballot. Instead

VOLE

It explained that the gushed: "The result was a victory benefits of such a ballot was "in the for the postal ballot, as an that members voted extension privacy of their own homes" of union Press, in its of the recent coverage elections council attention focussed on two Labour candidates in Newham who stood on a principled programme of

CONTROLS

were indicated by the response of the normally docile conference of USDAW, the 450,000-strong shop workers union warnings from

USDAW

leader Lord Allen on the "cancers or a wades mee vor an delegates unanimously carried a resolution calling for wage restraint-though the target they set themselves was a pathe.

minimum of £55 tically low a co-nour week. The bitter experience of three years of bureaucratically imposec and inS snows willingness militant are insufficient in them.

selves to detena living standaras Leadership It is essential that the struggles on wages within the trade union movement are coupled with ne fight construct political democracy over the old system of shop floor meetings which allowed extremists to cling to power.. "Mr. Duffy, golfer, grand- Catholic and father, Roman made it former Desert Kat. clear immediately that the Engineers, Britain's second biggest union, will be at the forefront crusade to 0I bring the whole trade union line with movement into Britain's needs in the 1970s and 1980s" And in case any reader did not grasp that Britain's needs translated should be as 'capitalism's' needs the Mail spelled out that this included continuity stilkes production and cooperation with a Tory government. Duffy showed what he the day after these meanl eulogies appeared by sabotaging a call for £100 week the

AUEW

conterence The former Desert Rat was already beginning to repay his friends in Fleet Street in the manner to which they have arcady pecome accustomed As Duffy himself said: "I do not see any major between changes my approach and that which is being pursued by Mr. would have great Scanlon. difficulty in differing from his current approach" rallies support opposition to the Lib- capitalist crisis. Lab coalition, for the Right-wingers in the party would no doubt have liked to removal of right wing witch-hunt those who refused traitors in the Labour to trot out the same dreary Party and for socialist old reformist lies to the work- defend the policies ( TO Illg class However, the energetic working class against the campaign for a socialist pro gramme produced results that stood in sharp contrast to the fortunes of the declining Labour Party in London. 50% increase he response of workers and immigrants came out in a than 50% increase the Labour vote from the elections-a previous from around 800 to 1300! The Ratepayers party found its leader and deputy of their leader kicked out seats-held by the Ratepayers leadership able officiat capable exposing and defeating bureaucracy, and spelling out the need for catching-up claims linked cost-of-living clauses to com pensate for inflation. This battle within the unions must be combined with the fight inside the abour Party to remove the Callaghan/Healey coalitionist leadership and all those who defend wage controls. Coventry's 'left' labour MP Audrey Wise joined a Fake lefts picket outside an exhibi- tion of imported machine Such a fight will be obstructed at each turn bv the fake 'lefts' of tools two weeks ago. the Tribune group who verbally The exhibition was being • of Callaghan, pose as opponents held at T.I. Polmach • a tirm supported our nave established each round of wage control, the eignteen months Lib-Lab Coalition deal, and the ago by Tube Investments and Metal the Polish reactiondus policies that have flowed from it.

machine tool agency. By demanding these that Despite the fact that last leTTS

OUT

Thei multant word: year T.I. Polmach imported into practice and carry out a fight £2.6m worth of machine against Callaghan/Healey we high. while exporting f4.5m

TOOIS

HonT impotence anc picket worth, the was necessity for Labour Party of militants to break from these organised show fears British Briamped industry being leaders foreign imports. in the As redundancies

COUNCIL

British machine tool industry increase (90 were announced

ELECTIONS

week the Matrix aSu machine tool firm-also part of the T.I. group) the struggle Due to the difficulty in to defend jobs must not be channelled into appeals for obtaining adequate inform- council about the import controls. election results in time for Ron Doughty Secretary of Machine this issue we have put oft ar the Coventr analysis of the local election Workers Committee-which results until next week. was formed montas ago to protest at the threat

BOOKS

By Leon Trotsky THE BASIC WRITINGS OF TROTSKY - Edited by Irving Howe. £3.95 plus 30p půp

THE STALIN SCHOOL OF FALSIFICATION

New Park Edition €1.50 plus 30p p&p

THE TRANSITIONAL PROGRAMME

With a glossary 30p plus 10p p&p.

ON THE TRADE UNIONS

Pathfinder, 90p plus 10p p&p.

Available from WSL, 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 IHR.

Triumphant-John Plant for the last 12 years. The basis has been laid f principled opposition c the Council to denounce and betrayal capitulations and to launch the fight for socialist programme. Import controls endanger fight to the British Tool industry was quoted in the covent Evenie Meist ecome yin must competitive and spend mo We research. basis, all we ask is to be giv the opportunity instead jobs bei 0 U swallowed by forei up firms.' The solution to job is not import controls whi tie macune tool fortunes of Brit the industry in a way graphica!

illustrated by Dought! comments. threatened workers the sack must fight for wo sharing on full pay and of the compa books as a first step in tight machine tool industry with the framework of a plan: Socials Conomy. Labour Party mem!: must step up the fight agai policy Hands. controls which import peddled by members like Wise, and wh: has now become a part government economic polic

The violent events that parliamentary traditions' The revolutionary brement studies history absorb its lessons. Pre- ration for current tasks rolves learning from traditions-some- at which is ng never aght in the schools and iversities of the ruling SS. For every class interprets events suit its purpose, and this shere clearer than English Revol- the Seventeenth ut for the upheavals that place between 1640 and British capitalist ety, as we know it today, *t not have develoved foundations were laid that period of revolution, war and turmoil. The axe . beheaded King Charles ruck a blow for the estab.

of new social Dangerous The British ruling class, its protessional lackeys in universities, does not like dmit this. acknowledge that the .: system did not always *. and was born of revol- too poses many English estons, Thus Revolution's i cance is played down ir It sificial' histories simply called the 'civil 'Interregnum title retween Kings) is used -sh aside the revolution- •== doncan aictatorsnip oi history begins again =. Nings return. :ammon impression left : omwell's Roundheads -eligious manacs carefree happy an people with Biblical Fun-loving it= return of fun-loving Nell mistress Tr. and all, then becomes a ::. deliverance ast of books and films such The portrayal of the L=: cause as the defence •sings wholesome and arred again recently "Children of den Forest. demolish

THE ENGLISH

REVOLUTION

paved the way for PART ONE by Mark Hyde 1925, Trotsky outlined the the myths, starting from the "great precedents for revolu- of society is the history of tionary struggle, leading to discovered the English cass revolutionary explosions.

Revolution Over the years sundry Trotsky saw a study of university scribblers period as vital to

LETS

devoted much theoretical training of revol- energy to 'disproving' that the basis of utionary working class leader- English Revolution was ship in Britain. class struggle. Against the reformist and 'gradual pachist progress' Religious feud? and 'evolution Trotsky used 1640 to show Reference to the 'Puritan that history moved through Revolution' has been used to crises, class war and revol- pass the whole thing off as utionary leaps. some kind of big which remains It is that lengious feud. Play has been made of the The Rising Bourgeosie. of fact that members the For least century classes fought same before 1640, a steady, overall difterent sides-as it Marxism British transiormanon denied that individuals could society was under way. cross class lines! Rapid progress trade, Attempts have even been industry and farming saw the made to blur the class ana under labels ilke enterprising middle class- 'town versus country". the young bourgeoisie. It has always been left to The merchants of the City Marxism the draw oul of London handled nearly al lessons of the revolutionary the nation's trade. In doing Seventeenth Century. they accumulated vast In a chapter of Where sums of capital which they Britain Going?, written were eager to invest in The three unacceptable faces of Charles I by Van Duck expanding industries, and in the mining of vital coal and metal ores -iron, tin and copper. Cannon-founding, sugar refining and other successful enterprises needed City order to take off' calla la and expand Wool industry At the same time, large merchants were also taking control of England's old staple industry —wool. The House of Commons Under the 'putting-out' system, thousands of small forests, traditionally producers were supplied with for hunting, preserved were quantities of raw wool, and cleared for agricultural had their finished purposes. product collected to be sold As trading with in large bulk on the market.

markets and colonies abroad increased, the heavi inflation hit small bourgeoisie (in fierce compe- had tition with its Dutch rivals) farmers, but offered excellent concentrated prospects to those with the ever • larger an wealth and initiative to farm share of the country's wealth in its hands. on a large scale and seill their produce at a price. Progressive the decades the Uver of cultivated farm al vuill Without a doubt this class land increased as enterprising represented the most vital gentry took their and energetic force in opportunities. England. Social and economic Even protected royal progress depended upon it.

Yet like every progressive class, the young bourgeoisie found itself in conflict with the old monarchic regime; a regime which had like capitalism today, outlived its usefulness and become barrier to the development of the productive forces This conflict was the material basis of the coming revolution The English monarchy, (from 1603 controlled by the Stuart family), did not wield political power for the purpose of ensuring economic progress. Both James I and his son Charles I who took over 1625. were basically indifferent to this, VІ СУСІ hostile The Stuarts' main aim was to uphold the existing system. Parasitic In particular, this meant looking after the interests of the parasitie nobles at court and the traditional land- whoso main interest was the steady rents and Colecuon feudal dues. economic advance. Thus. while few industries-such gun- powder necessary for military adventures state encouragement , capitalism as a whole was held back Capitalism meant rapid change; new, lowly merchants becoming rich and powerful; meant unemployment population and social disturbance. The monaleny, Le CoUr nobles, the aristocrats and all most conservative forces une England feared capitalism Its uncertainty threatened their stability and privileges Measures were taken to stunt its growth and defend the old order. To some extent the poorer classe actuall benented from these since they were from protected unhindered capitalist exploitation ambitions of the young bond The appetites geoisie were held in check.

Minimum wages Thus, we find that in the Seventeenth Century, there was state regulation of working conditions and wage levels were fixed at minimum rates. Profitcers were outdone by magistrates who bought stocks, and sold it cheap to the poor in times of scarcity -a usciu means and preventing food riots disorders. For similar reasons employers were often forced to keep on workers for whom there was no work. The Stuart regime was of not a charity, it did love the poor and oppressed, but it sought to avoid disruption at all costs Profit making and the free llow of capital was restricted at all levels In many industries. guilds (organisations ot small masters) imposed strict rulrs the governing output and quality of goods Thu successful businesses generally grew up in areas where there were no

guilds down

SO W

production compulsory

LU1A

hinder mobility industry On the stifled. Professional by reporting capitalists But from viewpoint, the most ot monopolies. Healthy com- products-trom Dels out by (usually courtiers of industry. The sale had ill-effects, Causing artificially prices quick monopolists profits. had plunged England into crisis though omic different features 1n

TOIE

meld effects on lives and While the Stuart regime continued to anger the bour- geoisie by intervening natters of trade and industry, labourers lad nothing over which to nake merry. Price rises lor year after year price rises basic commodities had driven down real wages and the date was too well Chronology1 1603 James VI of Scotland becomes James I of England.

1604 Faced with Puritan opponents, James I warns he will 'harry mem our or une land' 1605 Gunpowder Plot by Catholics against James I.

1610 Bate's Case 1622 James dissolves the fourth Parliament of his reign without obtaining supplies.

Charles I 1625 James I dies. becomes King. 1626 Parliament refuses to supplies to new vote King 1628 Petition of Right Buckingham, presented King's favourite, assassinated -widespread popular cele- brations. 1629 Charles dissolves Parliament. 1635 Ship extended Money to inland towns. 1637 Hampden's Case. William Prynne and other Puritan are gaoled for life and lose their ears for attacking Laud's Church. Charles I and Arch- bishop Laud attempt in tro- duction of Anglican religion in Scotland. Archbishop Laud aware of the anger and resent- methods-they wanted ment deep within the masses.

nolning less inan lo sul up the population Joblessness, high taxes and They famine the hazards stood prepared to welc support the government the and tacing the result despite all flogging and torturing Was rebellious common folk. Harsh The bourgeoisie penalties were hoped meted out to all who threat- Will the ened the established order. through power in its Yet revolt far was never purse. The Stuart Kings tottered away. In both town and country from one financial crisis to clashes with the feudal the next. The predecessor of James authorities took place Elizabeth, throughout the had left him •eventeena Century. substantial debts to pay off, and faced with heavy family Riots and military responsibilities, he had LaNt 1607, for saw measures to raise hard cash.

riots and even royal anes Nort 1622 forests were sold off so that the wealthy folk of the monarch could live and Gloucestershire act in regal style Under these conditions the houses. House Commons was The South West of increasingly confident in its England nutm erous violent Dependent of the 1620s. London, growing The Commons voted taxes criminal only to the state. and James was more dependent upon these drea than any previous monarch.

The landed who spending TOva. alon increased, Parliament felt that bear go beyond its trad- 11 COldi signs political

BIOT

itional role of timidly offer- oppo ing humble advice to the trodden poor. omnipotent monarch Repression. It is this that provides the was background to the House of But Commons' absolute hostility 1600s were to any attempts by the state mod to raise money without Its conscie vagabonds, petty tradesmen, While the monarch could and farmer, do this he free yeasalll was from they lacked cohesion, control. The fight against tax- discipline, and ation without representation culture of industrial is a general feature of the prod bourgeois revolution, and as such gave rise to several major battles Seventeenth Century England Revolutionary hope still As early as 1605, a gentle- lay man by the name of Bate prOf refused to pay an increased tax on currants. opposition ther His case became a test of the King's right to levy taxes Commons. without Parliamentary consent. imagine to wretched Bate lost-but the pressure twaddling gencrated by his case forced West James withdraw duties Yet the trom other in some Century the Commodues propertied classes there sounded their Dissolved whenever possible. While those The issue was by no means vote settled. When Charles I came the arca lo ine inrone in 102y. Commons House were of had wealthy merchants worked itself for i ne up and who boldest ever step. in the both It refused Charles the right Sal desr and poundage. of far (This was the normal customs lasses nent or me aig, granted to Stuart regime. him for life). Charles' reply to w d) Jame dissolve the Parliament which the had taken this revolutionary Commons look step. the Ways nolitical price which ultimata.

billetted on private houses at the owners' expense. that And uproar followed such acts many southern and western were placed under counte martial law (taking control out of the hands of the Justices of the Peace who mostly favourable to were Parliament). These measures by no means cowed Parliament. When the third Parliament of Charles reign was finally 1628 its mood convened in intransigent than was more ever. Petition The Commons presented the King tamous witn Petition of Right, with its demands for an end to forced loans, arbitrary taxation, imprisonment without trial, martial law and forced billeting. The young bourgeoisie and Hes ne county ecut had made a bold attempt to politically assert itself.

King Charles, desperate for Parliamentary finance and hopeful of easing the charged atmosphere accepted the Petition of Right. But the problem could not be solved in this The way. Comantist and ideas of the led to civil war began ideas of demands decisively at this point Petition would have led to With Parliament subordination complete determined, Charles of the Court to the Commons embarked upon an openly -in a sense to the dictator dictatorial course. ship of the young bourgeoisie Money was required espec- through Parliament over the old landed ruling class and its ially disastrous military adventures against monarchy No ruling class would so the French Wealthy concede its right subjects, easily of imprisonment, were pain rule. Thus, Charles continued to forced to loan' money to the government. raise tunnage and poundage To save money, troops of unilaterally claiming the term 'such like charge' in the soldiers compulsorily

WEET

John Hampden

THAMESIS

London in 1617- the sistem had cramped commercial development This of faith was The again -just tutional' and poundage Relations irrevocably collapsed the Speaker down in chair so that The resolutions passed that day did not the of important arrest signified much greater-the for a moment had to proceed body. an totally of the from call not But Iinance the 'eleven man nor cash was and the conflict the bourgeoisie the state sharpened. best were sold to all men with those to buy were fined!) At they were profoundly reactionary. Ancient forest rights and fines who had expand farming. of land The celebrated bourgeois example resistance over ship This tax originally levied on ports, was extended to all towns. John Hampden (a cousin Oliver Cromwell) refused of to He was not a poor man. nor did he obiect to the need for ships to defend the Kingdom But, as with his refusal to pay a forced loan ten years (1627) Hampden earlier stood out on principle against arbitrary taxation The only managed to convict Hampden by a majority of seven judges to five. A year later, refusal to pay ship money was almost fashion. It 1638; was the pre-revolutionary drama was drawing to a close. Continued next week.

In film whose repeated and baffling "flashback" sequences made the virtually story unintelligible, the most successful device employed in Stavisky was the use of parallel themes which finally converged in the final scenes. One theme was the career of the film's subject, crook- speculator Stavish earPaul played brilliantly by

OUR

As the economic crisis of imperialism continues its anarchic and destruc- tive course, it generates a deepening profound and of crisis at every level bourgeois society. In its struggle for survival, the capitalist ruling class is driven to attempt sharpening attacks on tne internalondi and its organis- proletariat ations. measures' 'Austerity and the control are ware policies commonplace and bour- cocial democialic geois governments alike. Alongside their economic significance, these measures are aimed at weakening the strength of a working class that for sustained few major defeats while achieving many major victories. Tensions At the same time, divide bourgeoisie to seeks the working class by exploit- creating anew the 1ng and and national sexual racial. tensions which emerge from and deprivation есолонис political frustration. In promoting such internal rivalries, the ruling class also the works consolidate TO power of the bourgeois state increasing apparatus centralised legislation and attacking democratic rights.

All these moves are unified at the level of ideology by a emphasis on the TeNCWCU themes of 'national interest', •a woman's place is in lne home', 'law and order', with all the other dangerous cant of bourgeois reaction. This _combined Couriel- offensive is directed against an organised al workers as But inevitably its first Cass. victims are the traditionally least organised and weaktsl

IN REVIEW

FLASHBACK TO TROTSKY

'STAVISKY' directed by Alain Resnais, reviewed by Tony Richardson.

Belmondo. epitomises finance which starts from capital nothing and gant structures on the quick- sand of credit. Stavisky, massively in debt gamble is seen continuing to order to huge outward the preserve appearance of prosperity and maintain his credit. consists of His only 'Work crooked bank deals and the use or nis swiss bank account fascist arms ship- assist ments to Spain.

POLICIES

FOR GAY RIGHTS

sections-in particular women and racial minorities. Gays too now lace a new wave of repression and perse- cution internationally. 'Decency' Under banner The 'decency', i religious bigots in Britain and the

USA

have gone on the rampage against homosexuality. In Canada and France, the freedom of gays to organise has been denied by the police violence tne bourgeois Slalc These outbursts undoubt- edly form the prelude to a concerted campaign savage which wil aim to isolate and annihilate the gay movement.

capitalisin SHas condeded more legalisation homosexual behaviour. Nor could it ever as the situation ao so, Britain clearly illustrates.

In 1967, the partners in anti-working class today s coalition government passed Offences Act, the Sexual which legalised homosexual behaviour in private ior males over 21 (as in most countries the introduced specific legislation discriminating lesbians). Since this 'liberal' measure has been force, cutions of gays have actually increasea, wiln ponce ralas round-ups some and TecIons. Thugs 'Queer-bashing' renals a favourite pursuit of reaction- while the fascists ary thugs, combine violent assaults on individual gays with attempts to wreck the organisations of the gay movemenl Beyond the everyday experience of social repres come up against gays But Stavisky's position is up by the fact that covered on the payroll of his 'slush fund' French are top ministers, police chiefs and others. The information on his illicit payments becomes, unsteady atmosphere in the mid-1930s France, political weapon in itself.

Stavisky is finally When exposed the scandal topples the government, making way for a more right wing regime.

Stavisky, in hiding, now threatens to reveal his whole "slush fund" file of hostile discrimination as soon as they seek custody not custody children. situation is perpet- by the bourgeoisie uated through the education system and the media. We do not share any utopian illusions that sexual liberation will triumph within capitalism. Such freedom and equality cannot be gained until the material bases of oppression and alienation have first been destroveu. Productive forces When the dictatorship of replaced the proletariat has built the the family and planned economy socialist which can develop the inter- national productive forces to that stage where universal want can be abolished-only then will full human liberty be possible while we recognise But that the distortion of sexual- ity is inextricably bound up with the repressive character of class society, this does not in any way mean that the struggle against sexual oppres sion should be delayed until revolutionary эттет seizure of state power by the working class. Rather it determines the direction which that struggle must take if it is to be accom- plished successfully. The politics of the gay liberation movement the late 1960s were overwhelmingly petty bourgeois. But the experience of this time convinced many gays that only socialism could end sexual oppression and that it therefore the some way working class as an ally.

Understandably repelled by the treacherous leaders of Trotsky Red Army", reduced to the the corruption of capitalism, payments. But most housy level of impotence portrayed and exposing the speculation mysteriously in the film. "suicide" The film with workers' commits spent But it is clear from the fortunes places a huge question mark film's avoidance of any of the gambling and purchasing the over this death. events then taking place attentions of women. The parallel theme class struggle in France the Trotsky remains Trotsky, concerns that Resnais in no way saw surrounded by high walls, and exiled in France. There are him as a threat to the rotten finally deported for glimpses capitalist regime. of talking his residence- "crime to olne. travelling However the more serious exiled revolutionaries. even shaving. Finally the film approach to history in films We would like to think makes the point that Trotsky does mark a progressive step.

that director Alain Resnais deported by the right- was Readers are advised to take wing regime that was ushered saW rotskv as a lorce In this period and not simply as chance to see its in by the Stavisky scandal.

une the ghost of the "co-worker showing. These the flashes Lenin, founder of film, beautifully countering

CLER COALITION FOR

LESBIAN& GAY RICHES

PASS

THE GAY

RIGHTS

BILLI

New York demonstration demanding Gay Rights and protecting potential and Whatever their sexuality the labour movement defence committed victims, unable to see the need to fascists WOrKCIS squads can present a united enemies of the whole working bureaucratic overthrow 1LS fascism and of front against layers rejected class and course, sway, owner shatter its political credibility has turned historical experience this perspective and which depends heavily on an shown, to all gays. 'community aside

ILLU

ability to control the streets They must be denied any politics, gay separatism and organised platform for their filth, and and institute other blind alleys where they anarchy there. but any attempt they make will find solution, 110 It is through participating in joint action only clubbings in the dark Dare dee in such joint actions that all with gays must be It is only by confronting workers can experience in a crisis of leader- violent v relected the historic common the time we living way ship within the working class At political interests, beyond the give absolutely no support to that seriously divisions moves by the bourgeois state, sexual and advance the fight for their fostered by the bourgeoisie by any other liberation. for its own ends. attack these fascists on the At every step they will The fight to end sexual of their sexual grounds meet with attempts at sabo cannot be oppression tage, disguised betrayals and behaviour. divorced from the struggle to such Any open attacks from the labour manoeuvice overthrow capitalism, while be transformed leaders who have never lifted the war for socialist destroying fight sexual alm ec at finger revolution cannot be waged these scum because of what oppression. without campaign to they represent politically.

to physical the bondage Standard treatment response

OSE OV

women and the repression of attacks by fascists and other This is the standard treat- reactionary elements, gays in gays. As part of our fight for ment dealt out to all workers already certain areas nave Transitional Programme made efforts to organise self- the who challenge the cracy's pact with capitalism.

for socialist defence, as have immigrants revolution, Workers Socialist League the In sharp contrast, and feminists when Socialist League similar the democratic Workers confronted by supports of all oppressed fights for the defence of all demands assaults. for their gays victimised But fascism uses these sexuality by private capital We call for the abolition methods to pave the way for which of all legislation or by the state and its agents.

a more direct battle with the As revolutionary socialists, or discriminates oppresses whole working class-the only and we fully defend the right of against homosexual force which can crush this all people their homosexual behaviour.

CLO

threat to humanity. where this sexuality freely, The epoch of imperialist is therefore vital that does not involve coercion of only such preparations be unified decay of perspectives -that But in fighting for this under the political leadership barbarism and that of social- of the proletariat in the form right, we basic Gemocrat totally reject any position of of workers defence squads 1sm Wherever threat of Gay people are presented free speech for 'fascist gays', the with a stark alternative-the have fascist activity arises, such camps of emerged in the United States squads must be built through concentration trade union branches, trades fascism or the fight to wit Of itself, homosexuality is the leadership of the working not in some mythical way councils and class in the struggle for world Party organisations "progressive', any By patrolling the streets it is 'degenerate' TeOULOT

WRP FINGERMEN

HIDE BEHIND NEW

SMOKESCREEN

SOCIALISI PRESS. neineda: 10 Mar. 19-g WRP top fingerman, Healy "It is a law of political cliques that their frenzy absurd in more increases in direct proportion leaflet. to their disintegration".

begins major attack on the Workers Socialist League published on An ews. Spelling line, paper of the Workers Revo- refusal of lutionary Party (WRP). serious fight The irony is, of course, that the words are far more apt for the method of the WRP itself than as a description gramme, our of our movement. WRP leaders, plainly worries recoro ot the wi at the number of WRP members and supporters in several areas "Our that have record been arawn Into British the Workers •ISCUSSIOnS With Socialist League, and at their own gained inability to answer the political incurred the wrath of the criticisms we have made of their positions, have decided to yet agaın to whip their member •estoned a frenzy of hostility

INTO

elected leadership in the factory.

based on outright lies and slander Deputy against the WSL i norned Hoary old lie Corti treatened with The content of the Newsline union article which purports to answer our leafiet distributed outside the WRP's Lambeth kangaroo court". two main Why should mccline, centres On. themes-one old, one new. The article begins by retailing the hoary and discredited old lie guilty that in breaking from the sectarian method of the

WRP

racy"? The fighting for silent on this. leadership and to the method of return the Transitional Programme. No answer attempted Alar Thornett the tounders Workers Socialist League Ene they Nor do sought "cover for their own nailer the question raised in the adaptation to ine Labour and trade union bureaucracy".

This laughable claim, which fight these victimisations?

has never perspective any point been from the suostantiated either the attack? published material of the Workers Socialist League or trom our con- been done bar tinued practical struggle against word in Newsline the reformist and Stalinist bureau- cracy during the three and half sored by By John Lister years as an organisation, is even members-convenors, stewards, the light the officials-which resolved points that were made in the WSL to Tignt back Yet the Newsline only attacked this campaign and gave Refusal to fight credibility to the TGWU bureau.

crats. A two-page article the complete -without a shred of evidence- the WRP to carry out a nine victimised InaT labour included WiTAIn the provocateurs wriose movement for the policies and the "grotesque adventures' opened the Transitional Pro- abor to attacke leaflet This came at a time when the contrasted the principled

TGWU

was wareducracy to scrape We highlighted the fact that: together a case. In other

OT I

struggle in words the WRP was Leyland's Cowley reduced to the role of fingerman Assembly Plant, and the support for the bureaucracy. have In reply to these grave charges -based on the actual practice and bureaucracy, which has launched published material Issued oy ine witch-hunt WRP-Newsline absolutely nad to remove the newly. nothing to say! Opposed to campaign Alan convenor threatened with The

WRP

remains scandal- expulsion from on unite are ously opposed to • Ine very succ. White essful Cowley 9 defence campaign on a lite ban - which has had an impact deep and others, into the union. And WRP leaders including Bob Fryer, also face the have retract their rerusco te disciplinary action of the TWI slanderous statement on the issue.

Such a position must be such drastic severe embarassment to a move- measures be taken by the bureau- ment claiming to be 'Trotskyist'.

cracy to silence us if we are really "adaptation WRP seeks a way out, attempting to conceal Labour and trade union bureauc- Its actual, capitulation to the TGWU

WRP

is tactfully bureaucracy by accusing the WSL (completely imaginary) sympathy for the Callaghan Government! "Reading Thornett you would attempt think that Trotsky was in favour of treacherous social democratic these vomition on a governments like the one header by James Callaahan". • has the WRP to resist publicly challenge wve News- line to produce one instance The answer is that nothing has where they • publica- vo L the tions have declared in favour of a occasiona treacherous social democratic A conference was held spon- 130 leading

TGWU

But more to the point, we challenge them to point to even single instance • where a WRP working class in every struggle serious But Nd. an v fight for any of the demands of much-vaunted positior the Transitional Programme within the trade union or Labour this task movement. The Programme of action fighters Zionism as dins We have always insisted including the against the wild rhetoric of leaders who

WRP

that it is not enough simply imperialism denounce democracy social Stalinism and bourgeois national skyism to give ism: it is essential to fight for a to the programme through aCTIOn to lne rLo leadership workers can learn The

PLO

practice the treachery and inade.

upon bourgeois quacy of their existincteaders and thus recognise the need for way not to construction of a Trotskyist tne allies. Bourgeois Party In our leaflet we pointed out cannot lead that in Corin Redgrave's two-page victory. message voters Lamnoeun there was not one demand that does the WRP, that the PLO could be taken up and fought for Palestinian masses in practice in the workers' move- sole representative The WRP, Instead the WRP continues for Trotskyist wittionalise all stand, banks and abstract these strateles ralestinian and Arab industry without compensation into believing that there is a short- workers control" under cut around this crucial fight.

demand which, as Trotsky points out, It opens the recures a general revolu betrayals by the PLO leaders.

tionary upsurge to achieve Sooner than answer this well documented political challenge on ment is selt explanatorv. But the attitude WRP have nothing but contempt Trotskyist programme, the News for thie Trotskyist position on this line article issue. Newsline announces that: moves nastily on to the second theme-that of the are proud to wve Palestinian liberation struggle.

stand alongside leadership Extravagant enemies of the Palestinian Revolu- here they for eye most ground (nome most extravagant slanders: The Workers Socialist League the imperialists and the Zionists are united in attacking the PLO's right to represent the • Palestinian , claims Newsline people .. And as if this were not enough the anonymous author proceeds to talsify the text of our leaflet: "The Workers Socialist League leaflet ever veiled inciudes reference to the Fatah commando operation in Haifa-Tel Aviv March accuses WRP of 'betraying Trotskyism' by giving 'uncritical support to the means used by the PLO" WSL leaflet refer-in Dia. une WRP General Secretary Banda 'veiled' way-to the nowever No". commando raid? tion least! Rather we concentrated on and Zionism'

PLO

DO Cal the

WRP

leaders clearly "Without a serious programme for the working class no amount support, includes of course Yasser bring the over Arafat. or marches will throw of capitalism But far from being universally Such seen as a principled leader of the a programme demands Page 9 Palestinian liberation fighters the political independence of the shrewd observers in the Tor policeman assisting here a look at the WRP's "the United Nations forces in their task of quelling Palestinian resis. tine shows that it has abandoned tance in Southern Lebanon.

Telegraph of 27 one sunogy Workers Socialist League April reported that Arafat had unconditionally supports the PLO sent in troops from the Palestine in their legitimate fight Armed Struggle Command and imperialism, arrest Abu Daoud and other Arab bourgeois Palestinian militants have collaborate the armed WItt ocen carrying struggle against both Israeli and But it is a betrayal of Trot- UN invaders. uncritical support Arafat's Command, the Tele continues "has developed micals used by the FLo or oraon into the military police force of the Palestinian guerrilla organisa policy calling H/aL legoers- LIons including even Sadat-is the surest This "military policeman" was defeat Zionism and featured in raao broadcasts or the Italian and callini leaders 'Red Brigades' to release Christiar nationalisi Democrat revolution Moro- the most unde concition. Nor can Trotskyists accept, as extreme witch hunting of the left by the Italian bourgeois state.

the added personal Aratat weight to this witch-hunting by refusing to call branding kidnapping guerrellas to free him and askin the To eac deceiving its guerrillas 'for LITt supporters sake democracy Cane Mr Moro's family"! Quite clearly the "future tor future trayals' door anticipated in the WSL leaflet are not all that far off.

For Trotskyists, such a state.

must make I ne

WHH

its position plain. Does it believe that social ine Middl construction Trotskyist leadership of the PLo? the our uncer the PLO-and its Does it even believe that the the _denounce PLO has spontaneously become a Trotskyist Dartv? If so, then the WRP has clearly broken from Trotskyism Cane reverted to the crudest positions advocated by Pablo in the late 1950s If they do not believe this, then we can only view the WRPs sycophantic completely support PLO leaders as the most despic able opportunism based not the objective requirements of the Palestinian masses but the sub. jective manoeuvres and require.

ments of the WRP leaders.

rurthe Socialist Press will be needed to chart the continuing political degeneration of the WRP fusion clearat the current confusion within Darly s as apologists for imperialism political bankruptcy of the leadership will This PLO leadership, to which that every attempt mean challenge these positions will be civine and uncritical political by barrage Ine l usua insults, distortions and inappro priate jibes. It is to be hoped that serious WRP members will penetrate this

Page 10 Workers Socialist League

ARGA

ELUE

The Workers Socialist League is a Trotskyist organisation fighting to construct a principled revolutionary leadership in the working class in internationally and for the recon- Britain and struction of the Trotskyist Fourth Internation- al on the basis of the Transitional Programme.

The WSL fights at every step against the existing leaders of the trade unions and the Party-now firmly harnessed to the Labour bourgeois politicians of the Liberal Party in an unspoken coalition arrangement.

Against their policies of class collaboration put forward instead a programme which we points to the independent class interests of the working class, its need to organise indepen- destroy dently to overthrow capitalism, its establish a machinery and repressive state socialist planned economy.

Only in this way can workers resolve today's problems of tumbling living standards, mass unemployment, slashed social services, racial, national and sexual oppression.

For more details on the WSL and its work, fill in the form below. Name.. Adáress Trade Union/Occupation Send to WSL, 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London NWS 1HR

TROTSKYISM

TODAY

*

OUT

NOW

Trotskyism Today ISSUE No. 2 Includes Aspects of the History of the Fourth International British Trotskyism in Work War II Marxism v. Socialist Feminism Stalinism in Bulgaria Price 50p plus 12p p&p from WSL, 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HR

SOCIALIST

PRESS *

.[1.10 5 issues .£2.20 10 issues . £5.50 :: 110.00 50 issues. Name Address Send to: Socialist Press, 31. Dartmouth Park Hill london NWS IHR

INDUSTRIAL

On Thursday 24 April, They had been on strike for two weeks for the rein- salomell Richard Elvidge who steward. his was dismissed tor union activities. They went back dis- heartened and bitter at the lack of support from trade union officials. They are quoted as saying 'Too promises, too little action' The men working in the hotel were all probably union members,

EETPU,

and they used to cross the official picket line daily. No call came from their of officials for state

THIS

affairs to be stopped. As always, the role of the police was made clear during this strike limited the number They of pickets to eleven for the three entrances. This obviously made picketing difficult, very the of especially with sort establish- people using the picket was ment. laSs needed to put off the high bourgeoisie from using this hotel. Police role Another example of the role ol the ponce was given by full time official Tilston: "Then in the early hours of Wednesday tanker arrived with an oil delivery. The driver was non- of the and the name

UNION

blacked company had been out. I tried to argue with the driver but the police arrived immediately. had a paddy wagon They end of the street so at the they must have been expect- ing the tanker". exactly the same I nIs Is tactic as the one used during the unionisation struggle against Trust Houses Forte at the Randolph Hotel in Oxford. It raises the question of of the so- the involvement called National

ASOCIO

For Freedom. The main factor in the loss of the strike is as always the lack of support from union officials. Very was the important lead given by Tilston lack of to the strikers as he was never available and "very busy" all over attending meetings London. The other very important point was lack of finance.

No strike pay The union never gave the strikers any strike pay during the two weeks of the strike.

The union bureaucrats should have organised a levy memhers in the 12,000 on that the London ensure did not suffer any strikers hardship Sympathy strike action in the Savoy Hotel group should have heen organised straight then extended and away

NEWS

Hotel workers go back bitter at union service action we were demoralised at not This is the only brought the from which would have getting unions that we were this employer in this situation other to concede trade union recog- promised". Fred Cooper, the National nition and reinstatement.

Confident Industrial Officer of the GWU believes that we will The strikers are now back look back at 1977 and 1978 without their shop at work year of the the as steward who is going to an ation of the catering industr industrial tribunal and We will look back at 1977 confident of getting his job and 1978 and remember the back. He obviously will never role of the GMWU bureau- work at Claridge's again crats in betraying the strike The final terms for going for a f50 minimum wage back to work are not clear at the Metropole and the strike all. for trade union recognition at The only thing that is clear Claridge's. is the fact that the scabs are The union officials have being rewarded by the shown once again that they being "good company for are not capable of defending the basic rights of their

WOLKCIS

John Beck, the deputy members and that every time shop steward had this to say a section of workers enter a after going back to work: struggle it is as much against the union bureaucrats as the 'The union lost but we did not. We and the GMWU boss will fighting for different The only way were ensure that these people fight reasons. "The union wanted recog for their members' interests would be if they were subject We wanted better nition. to election and recall by the treatment. paid "If we had stayed out a membership and the average wage of the members bit longer we would probably have got all we asked for but they represent.

MIMMERS

KNEW

NEVER

Rennet

THE FEUDAL

SYSTEM EXISTED

UNTIL I CAME

bunTo. Andreu

WE WANT

CLARIDGES

ELVIDGE

RACL

Claridge's pickets —Crack in drivers fight?- crack has Preston serious and Brian took hi case to an Industrial Tribunal appeared in the hitherto they would keep him on basic very strong strike of the until the Tribunal pay car delivery 300 Oxford held drivers now entering their would Buckle, however third week of dispute in not settle for the mass meet- ing to reject this. of

TGWU

defence branch and convenor Slight change chairman Brian Preston. He used a slight change in A mass meeting last Friday • the management position rejected pleadings from "guarantee that additional Secretary Distric Cartransport Ltd woul David Buckle for a return to of the the decision work on the hasis of an offer Tribunal should that decision from employer to recommend reinstatement-to reinstate Preston on hasic pay of meeting call shop pending a further inquiry by stewards. SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 10 May, 1978 Duffy ballot- who can check? Early reports of irregu- larities in the procedure for the second postal ballot for the presidency of the AUEW-in whicl winger extreme right Terry Duffy secured a shock victory over Broad Left nominee Bob Wright -have apparently been discounted. But the fact remains that nobody predicted in advance that Duffy would win-and not by a 41.00l certai vote margin on a staggeringly high 32.2% poll The double advantage for of a postal the right wing hallot consists in the fact that Tory it not only gives the PHOTO. Labour Weekli Dufty press free reign to witch-hunt the left wing candidates and the bosses promote favourites, but it is com- pletely out of the hands of the membership. The result cannot be properly challenged. actuall Whatever happened in the counting of ballot papers there is Duffy's victory doubt was prepared as much by / the bankruptcy of the Broad Left and failed candidate Wright, as by the efforts of the right wing Wright was notorious as the man who has. sold thousands of jobs in Chrysler and British Leyland, tirelessly advocated class collabora- tionist 'participation' schemes and stayed silent on the betrayal of the Desoutters Heathrow strike strike the and the Leyland toolmakers' strike last year. But the fact remains that with the defeat of other Broad Left candidates in 24 ballots, of 26 consoli- dates the right wing strangle- hold

AUEW

and on sharpen the problems faced by engineering workers defence of jobs, wages or working conditions.

members and to recomend a return to work on the basis of the "new" offer that As we go to press meeting has not yet taken it is crucial that But place Buckle's rejected. The 350 drivers have stood solid for the last two from despite all the pressure the and from Buckle. It would be a heavy blow 10 trade within the car delivery com- panies if through that weak- ness of leadership within the able stewards,

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 10 May, 1978 socialist policies out of order It is once again trade demands on union conference time- bureaucracy. long weekends on union assment to tne some-for for expenses be a motion calling others the fight for the racialists to be thrown out of policies and programme une union which will defend their Import controls members and their own Since jobs, and working pay ASTMS 'left' policy has been conditions. the nationalist call for import The

ASTMS

conterence will burst forth-with left' criminates abundance-this Inetoric 1n1

WULACID.

conclusion weekend in Brighton. resoluton migal be lo exper Agenda virtually the But the final "programme bureaucracy! While fascists of business" makes it clear that, National Front stand opposed regardless of the intentions of of the any existence unions and should delegates, could be well classed as more than be driven out, the vague call no for expulsion good weekend away. All the inadequate. motions anyway challenge, question call for action from the National Executive have already been dismissea by lne directed into the standing orders committee.

socialist policies designed to stamp out the material basis Rubber stamp ot racialisin, conditions The only motions up for discussion on the final agenda standards, services and mass unemploy- rubber stamp NEC policy than make no more ment. esse generalised meaningless, left which Dul auli socialist With the summer tourist the calling for secondary beginning to pack scasull Central London and bolster superlers. Duraig mass pickets and the super profits of the hote strike pay, raised if necessary by a and catering industry, the Regional Levy strike for union recognition but the Steak Garners Houses that to enters its fifteenth week.

policies it is tesuimony to ine courade akainst tne and determination these the union bureaucracy However workers that after 15 weeks on f6 union We maintained at sic pestaurs picket lines •Ben Torceo To can be maintained concessions to ants simultaneously on six days a demands. weak. Tuesdav the

LAST

This willingness to fight the Committee took dented employer, also reflected continued hiah out turn cation trom ine suike to adoress she Trade at to the treachery of strikers' mass meetings, their meeting. leadershio. Wne Ine members have refused to mobilise the rank mittee (who had picketed outside and file of the massive Region with leaflets and placards) sharply of the TGWU in support of this anace Iner union otticias strike. promising everything and doing nothing to win the strike.

Strengthened them the that from The position of the strike was Food, com- Tobacco Trade Group Secretary strenathened ov tre strike mittee and the 1/647 branch of Cook, there has been no evidence fishall Diary

...YOUR MAN AT THE TOPS

FIGHT TO STAY ON YOUR BACK

ASTMS Conference:

ASTMS

coalition, to stop the savage the cuts health and social The only possible embar- spending and for

NEC

might programme to Cauca acical racialisin And vital also is the fight to bring an end to the govern- ment's plans for permanent ware Colliol conference

ASTMS

central plank of will predictably again reject pay controls. But TUC again it the there is accept them, no against foreign prospect that ASTMS or its logical officials will fight this year such than in previous any mole years to break government- whole union imposed Phase 4 controls- regardless of demands from of the Meanwhile as Clive Jenkins trace certainly being (who are not really expelled-they are out of of lavisis and compliance therefore lapsed) he to Socialist policies The contradictions and Rather the fight must be contortions of union bureau- pursuit of but every cracles are squirm highlights the need for new. revolutionarv leader actually tackle ship the falling living problems of the working class crumbling social in a principled way and not once again to wheel out the old left talk coconuts The struggle to break the reserved for conferences and Lib-Lab holiday speeches. Garners-fight on for levy!

adopting policies that blacking of suppliers has blacking of taken place. Strikers are also bitter that in Saturday fifteen weeks there has been only •or week delegation from the TGWU the picket line, strikers soon learned netoric trom achieve action on these of the SE and Nicholson of a consistent fight member the TGWU) that thev would mobilis ••posItion the labour movement for the officials have picket lines. conflict came mae a series oi I Ne suardest the strikers' over the scandalously low strike pay. Regional Hostility the unprece- step of inviting a dele- Regional secretary Todd was forced to silence the strikers when Reports say that in this meet- demanded a Regional Levy they for £36 a week strike pay of the strike com Despite Todd's hostility the (divided Regional Committee amongst itself) voted to endorse the strike committee's policies on blacking and picketing and refer This hostility clearly retlected The question oT tinance to Tne Regional despite promises Finance and General Purposes Committee Drink and i ne OTTiCIAl endorsement blacking and picketing policy will

JUST TELL THE

BUGGERS TO GEI

HOW CAN WE

BACK TO WORK!

GET ROUND THIS

GRUNWICK CONFERENCE

AND WHEN LEN & THE LADS BRUSHED OFF

THEIR HUNGER STRIKE... AND THEN ROY

SUSPENDED THEM FROM

THE UNION... THAT

WAS DANGEROUSLY

TACTLESS!

Inside the nursery prior to eviction nursery fight The fight to reopen Oxford Nursery South places and jobs. Class and to restore the 30 lost full-time places to set up has been stepped up this meet the Committee week with campaign calling supporters on cation Committee Trades Council local officers and

NUPE

officials to back up their This deputation "support" with action. mooted six weeks ago. As reported in last week's Press the six-week Socialist old occupation was brutally officers stands in the way.

ended by bailiffs and police.

The

NUPE

Since then parents and teachers have kept the class 'left' going in a nearby building to uncer ore to retreat. There is no however, retreat, ing called to action can against their treachery. of course remain empty words if left up to the bureaucrats of Region 1. caretakers dinner helpers cessions now used by the strikers mobilise action have been finally eroded.

As reported support or Ine strike Delegations Socialist Divisional meetings branch stewards Steadman, committees (especially the strategically vital Smithfield and nursery moves Cover Garden makers winde support in action for what is now

NUT.

Regional policy-secondary black ing and mass picketing. Shoddy Despite the secret meeting the Regional F&GP between i and Already the the EC of the TGWU last Thurs. day, it is not char whether the are not prepared to bureaucracy will concede any- Steadman's thing yet on finance But concessions already gained and shoddy manoeuvres. from the bureaucracy reflect the At the fight carried out by important •oncay conscious suctions the strike committee The strength of this position

CUES

must now be usea by ine striker.

This campaigning amongst the rank negotiating and file for the active support of Division their policies.

COME ON JACK-YOU'VE

CANT WE

HAD ALL THE ANSWERS

CALI

ACAS AGAIN?

HIPHEL NOW

BUT I THINK WE'VE LET THE SUPPORT DRY UP

ENOUGH NOW TO BEGIN TO WRAP THIS THING UP!

(ABOUT TIME

TOO, I SAY

Page :! Force NUPE to press provide a focus for the cam- coming soon after defend lost Steadman's represents move Council is pledged important start in the fight to a deputation build to alternative Occupation leadership. and its This fight is merely one IoICE attentions on the Tory Edu- outcome cuts programme introduced by the Labour nover the Lib-Rab Inertia carried on by the coalition was first Only true socialist policies The leading a fully planned to delegates are in full support, can smash economy capitalism in crisis. direct represent bureaucrats on the working class attack have been making the loudest -therefore we put forward noises on the issue and the demand to "occupy and furthest open the books" as a starting point for defence of basic doubt that social services. Millar, Anderson and co. will unless the special District Branch meet-

RALLY

discuss strike make a stand *A Rally against the cuts NUPE must call out all its in Oxford on will take place cleaners and Saturday May 27. Details and before their be obtained credentiais can jobs and conditions of service from Ted Eames, 7, East Street, Osney, Oxford. in last week's

NUT

Press, Secretary

APOLOGY

only just In to the the succeeded in sabotaging pro.

the front photograph on within the page of last week's Socialist Press, , we suggested that the man in plain clothes escorting Council Trades secretary Beryl Huffingly was a plain membership clothes policeman. have begun to show that they since learnt that We have he is in fact Roy Ricks, witch-hunting Trades Council Executive and member convenor very next City Imperial Metals, Leeds. branch meeting a delegation We would like to apologise to the Council was set up to to him for this misunder- demand an end to nursery standing and for any embarr assment it may have caused cannot be him. body (only can do that),

IT'S A DIFFICULT ONE - EVERYONE KNOWS YOL

SHOULD HAVE CALLED BLACKING RIGHT FROM

THE START...

AFTER ALL, IF THE GRUNWICK STRIKERS

WON, WE'D HAVE EVERY BLASTED TOM. 3*.

& HARRY BANGING ON OUR DOR, iR

BLEATING ABOUT THER CONST ENS

WORKERS STATES

SOCIALIST

PRESS

Cameron speech shows that

STALINISM

ENDANGERS

As the pangs of its death- agony become more acute, imperialism finds all but the most desperate remedies use- ' i less to relieve these torments.

The British Chief of Defence Staff's speech in Peking was a further symptom of this ravaging Crisis. level, SIr Nett Cameron's visit to China was part coalition the sales, •rive in creased arms which has already taken ministers and senior officials of the state pureaucracy to ran ano some or the other most reactionary regimes in the world. 000000% while partly almed at boosting these moves have also exports, been directed at bolstering the detence of capitalism against all those forces which threaten to engulf its rule. except the British government has 'Colonel B', whose sole respon- Open declaration sibility • to urina did catecuate have discussions defence interests of the ruling class.

the Chinese philosophy with Chinese leaders".

overtures But there must be more that leaders have played a crucial role 1 mus incident raises in a sale a susoicion maal s•eech in advancing these tactics. But the form issues of crucial importance been discussed in advance with Roval Air rorce to the working class. Just Marshal Tory leaders. caused the Labour party teaders With the 'Colonel B' affair and was Cameron speaking for? Why some embarrassment by his crude can imperialist agents the forces' act issue ot the pay, and open declaration ot intent drive a wedge between workers Telegraph has led of the states? Soakina oTticers of the bourgeoisie in a hue-and Sixth Tank Division, Cameron cry as to the irresponsibility declared that: Drunk the Labour Party, and its inability

TWO

countries are coming more and more together capitalist state. None of these vital questions good because can be answered by • the Labour Anatever to ank tries or " Es mUsl 'lefts' who called with impotent both nave an enemv a our abol alternative policie. whose capital is Moscow" and popular frontism rage tor the dismissal ot Cameron here with Marshal had been esten. men suggested that social democrats and pursued by will fight their areat soirit wro liberais. mas been to cultivate tanks to the death if neeceo in Defence alliance with the Chinese bureau- Gallachan and the defence of China", Minister Mulley countered these cracy against the bureaucracies of 'We must share, 1 believe, oul bleatings criticising and the other ine common experience so THaT we Cameron's deformed workers' states.

ont asine speech. are in the best position to take on without in any way rejecting an Soviet this tank force ounce of its content. Exploit rivalries should ever be necessary" Despite this bland response, it is clear That The Detence eniet in their visits to cnina neatr Authorised had been given no authorisation and Thatcher have been in the vanguard of this to make any such speech. imperialist cam- in justifying his remarks, this Nixon and statement was Dalen along WitT loyal servant of the British ruling evidence of the power and author- Kissinger. class explained his motives: ity possessed by high ranking Their objective is quite simply 'I'm within certainly

NOT

Tautes In une The rivalries world Stalinism, so as to paralyse the British government, bourgeois state-figures like

TOT

To be published next month 'Communists' Against Revolution addresses itself to the most important aspects of the development of Stalinism since 1945. How have the post-war.

workers' states been formed in Eastern Europe, China, Indo-China and Cuba? What is the political and social character of the modern Communist Parties ? What lies behind the break-up of the Stalinist 'monolith'?

Two Essays 'Communists' Against Revolution includes the essay by Tim Wohlforth on Post-war The Theory of Structural Assimilation, until now virtually unobtainable. To Stalinisn this is added a commentary On Wohlforth's 'Theory of Structural Assimil- ation' by Adam Westoby, which discusses the circumstances in which Wohl- forth's essay was written and gies on to criticise and develop his positions.

This 166-page book will sell at £1.75 from its publication date in mid.

June. But readers are offered a special pre-publication, cash-with order offer of copies at £1.25 plus 10p p&p. This offer applies only to orders received prior to June 3. Orders should be sent to: Folrose Books, 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HR.

Mao the workers' states in internecine striTe But the possibilities for such a manoeuvre have been solely by the bureaucracies them selves. Sabotage Parasitically cemencent on th gains of the October Revolution and the nationalised relations in ine cetorme• workers states of eastern Europe, Cuba and each national Asia, east Stalinist bureaucracy has substi- tuted the doctrine of 'socialism One country revolutionary principle of prolet- arian internationalism. practice revolutionary struggles internationally had to be and sabotaged if Stalin restrained ana nis successors were to main tain their privileged status.

While democracy WIthIn Ine workers StaTes and preventing the development of they socialism, worked oreserve the international balance of forces with imperialism.

Inevitably this counter-revol- unionary strategy ecto conticis between the national sections of gainst

PRINT BARONS

FOLLOW LEYLAND

Stalinism, according their specimic national requirements The antagonism of the Chinese bureaucracy to the Kremlin clique thi arovide maor examore this tendency. Every independent struggle of the weakened crusned the demands of the diplomacy employed by these rival gangs o traitors. By these methods, the parasitic cliques at the same time ich their unreaten The property relations on which and reveal their inability to deteno Tne detormed workers the ambitions of slates audilist imperialism While condemn every counter-revolutionary by action these Stalinist leaders, we call on all workers internationally to takr up the unconditional detence o both the Soviet Union and the detormed workers states against imperialism. It is the task of revolutionaries lead this opposition the designs of international capitalism for the destruction of the progres.

sive property relation. in test states, which represent a gain for all workers.

WHILE

PLEDGES

for our Fund details Special and money raising schemes continu arrive at our office we have received £37 (including f5 from a comrade in Denmark) seven cove cay. There can be for • no room complacency. are conTicent that the £2,000 target will be reached and more collected bestes it inis deben•s on ou!

readers and supporters sending in cash regularly. In this issue we carrv the firs pre-publication advert for our new book This we hope will be onlv the first of a series of publi cations in coming months.

But to ensure plans success we need a steady income for our fund. Please send your contributions to: WSL Special Func 31, Dartmouth Park Hill London NW5 1HR Manning battles in Fleet Street papers took a new turn last week as Thomson News papers-owners of the Times and Sunday Times, threaten ed an indefinite lock out of their staff. The threat to close the papers for an indefinite period if agree ment was nor reached winin so months on new working practices received swift response union redaers www wave been ten discipline their If action by Fleet Street print workers is unorticlal Inal is ont because the major print union leaders refuse to give them any sUDOOrl oiecemea attempts to maintain conditions manning levels ¡ne immes ivewspapers attact has undoubtedly been launched because senior management became convinced inat thev court rely on the leaders of the print unions for support. Sacked less than a It is year since Owen O'Brien. General Secretar of Natsopa, sacked members Times the union (anc from the Theretore from mer oos decaus they struck over and day manning ine management classic mould. A statement the print union! to all the sent our declares that senior management spent their whole time, solve disputes, prevent disputes o cleal tne The letter said that 7.7 millior copies of the newspapers—20% o total output-has been lost in the first quarter of the year will last until we Dus elisio are wholly satistied TnaT cation can be restarted on a basis of reasonable staff, uninterrupter worKIn! ane production" The Times is seeking no strike clauses. a procedure systew 1 WItCH will stall off all action, and drastic cuts in staffing levels. Thi , print response can be seel from the cynical comment on the letter from Les Dixon, president of the NGA: "We have to take it that Time Newspapers sincere our part we accept tnat there na to be change in the face of threat: from the rest of the media something Time was done about Fleet Street, and we are all opposed to unofficia stoppages. Profits Times Newspapers are bluffing when they say that the profits of the company are shak But the defence of workin!

con

•ITION:

and nevertneles starts from a demand to open al working accounts practices and plans of the company union committees electer tradi from the chapels. militancy of the workers The mus placec be nint programme to take the offensive against the employers. instead от oc oT reour dancies the workers should advance work sharing on full pay without a single loss of a single job No powerful national news paper snould de in tue nanos o private capitalists. The workers should demand the immediate nationalisation of the Times and Duncar imes—witnour a benni in compensation to the owners.

Management of news must be placed under the control of the workers, financed without strings by the governer The timing of the Times Newspaper letter connectec is dispute in Thomsol Regional Newspapers where journalists at Hemel Hempstead Reading, Cardiff, Middlesborough been sacked and have on strike in support over a claim for extra money over and above the u the Times and Journalists at Times had been asked to Sunday note mandatory chase: meeting consider supporting industrial action. The reply management would be for those meetings to do ahead and sirik!

in support of the regional journalists to be called