THE 1,000-STRONG Liaison Committee for the Defence of Trade Unions, held in London last Saturday, effectively prevented by the Communist Party orgame mom docussing toe nuts and Dous of a plan for action in the fightback against the present Tory government offensive.
Rather than allow the conference to escape their tight control, preferred to close it down altogether.
The clash came when Alan Thornett, a Transport and General delegates who because of the CP's heckling:
remained indicated the frustration Tories.
conference.' conference the WEN the organisers Workers Union REPRESENTATIVES of the majority opposed the undemocratic ruling of CP chairperson Kevin Halpin agreed to the following common declaration, although it was impossible to put it to the vote 'We condemn the undemocratic way the conference was closed by the chair. The large number of delegates who discussion about action that can be taken NOW against the Therefore we call for a recall JOHN DEASON (Rank & File Co-ordinating Committee) ALAN THORNETT (TGWU, Cowley)
STEVE CORBISHLEY (CPSA national executive) RAY VARNES (NUPE London divisional council)
(All delegates agreed to this in a personal capacity) delegate from Leyland's Cowley plant, then John Deason, secretary of the Right to Work Campaign, were prevented from putting amendments LCDTU's declaration. The declaration had only been distributed on the morning of the conference.
Conference chairperson and CP member Kevin Halpin was eventually conference to take a vote on whether to allow Deason to speak. The vote was in favour, but microphone was from Deason (who is a member of the Socialist Workers Party). Then stewards tried to evict Deason from the room, bat he was rescued by of LCDTU with the lack of democratic thel and SWP members.
Haipin, using proposed against. forced by the 150 delegates, most nevertheless removed prevent the the only microphone still functioning, then screamed for a vote on the declaration. Although many felt it could and should have been strengthened, none voted Halpin then attempted to close the meeting a full hour before inwas due to finish. Around of them seemingly CP members, immediately occupied the platform meeting from continuing Anyone who then tried to speak from the floor was howled down by those on the platform with shouts of 'out, out, out'.
clear majority between 500 and 600, members closing time, after platform then declaration.
to the denied. the discussing the Tories.
delegates including some CP registered their disgust at the platform by staying in the hall until the official which they left. The took re-vote on the disruption by leading members of the LCDTU, the conference was opportunity of concretely . the declaration could be * strengthened and used as a real weapon against