Silent was the operative BL firmly established itself at the con. ference winning seven out of the 23 places on the executive. At the rules revision conference in November 1979 further gains were chalked up and the left pushed through some imporconstitutional changes walch al least started democratise the union.
But there are still problems for the Broad Left. Despite Spark's promising reception, the BL has a long way to go to gain a mass base within the and functioning groups are few and far betLoser The BL does not have a enough policy on number or important Issue facing the union and the process of clarification is made difficult by the BL's tendency to work exclusively by consensus. While this spirit of give-and-take is vital lor a that embraces shades of it paralyse decision making.
There are clear differences of opinion within the BL. Some are reluctant to see it go beyond aett version of thi Bloc's election machine, based mainly on branch and regiona officers.
Others, including the SWP and Socialist Challenge supporters, are arguing for a consistent approach to building left wing in the unior firmly rooted in the rank and That means building up and democratic structures and above all BL groups which give a lead in their areas.
The potential is certainly The 35-hour campaign showed that it takes workers to Keep Buzby on the air and that keeping him flying is vital to British capitalism. The POEU can carry on being a puppet ol the management or it can show that loveable old Buzby has got claws after all. * Next week Kathy Underwood writes on the history of the left in the main teachers union, the