and although theoretically possible to talk of a parliamentary Toad lo socialism there seems little chance of the ruling class permitting such a peaceful transition. I believe it is only a socialist Labour Party that can prepare the working class for an open struggle. does through historical ability to com• class suDport and through its ability to radicalise the policies of the trade union movement.
In either case a prerequisite is socialist policies and commitment within the Labour Party itself, which brings me back Tone o Cine evers The proposals for workplace branches are highly significant given their likely impact on both the party and the unions.
I won't the badge that shows where you stand on Thatcher's warmongering.
OR make monev for vour local campaign/organisation by ordering 20 or more at a bulk discount rate of 15p per badge CALLAGHAN'S , grip is The media, of the trade union block vote, and the majority of the parliamentary Labour Party are him.
Benn argues the case for an organised and grass-roots left in the party.
But what kind of left should this be? Under the the Tribune group shut up shop and became a sales rep for the Social Contract. Seeing the working class as an 'added extra', Tribune was reduced to an impotent parliamentary Link Socialist Challenge argues for a class struggle left: one that will link up in action with the rank and file in the unions in a fight for socialist policies. There are three good reasons for this.
First, we can't afford to wait four years until the and -years until the Labour Party reformed. have to fight the Tories now or there won't be a and there won't be any democracy either. Secondly, the best chance imposing socialist policies on future Labour government comes from an organised mass movement. If Benn had resigned • the Cabinet in 1974 and led a mass movement to fight for socialist policies, might be living in a dif ferent Britain Thirdly, it's the best way to win the democracy fight. The block vote works against democracy because the union leaders are not controlled by their has the cheek to pretend to support the Polish workers when half their demands would be ruled out in his own not Cosy Chapple rules this way because he doesn't want to The best way to reach out to the union rank and file against the Duffys, Chapples and Callaghans of this world is to join the rank and file and support licil struggic The prospects for building. such a left are remarkably good. The Rank and File Mobilising Committee showed the campaigns and trade union struggles have been forging socialist policies More significant still sections of the parliamentary left have been forced to take a stand, moving out of the cosy retreat offered, by the alternative economic strategy.
The abortion campaign and • 400 •Labou Abortion Rights Campaign spelled out the principle that MPs have to follow the mass movement and not their whims.
Tony Benn has broken the PLP's deafening silence on Ireland. MPs Stuart Holland and Reg Skate went ox ton to defend the right to fury showed they were hitting where it hurts.
Every chance for united Labour Party-trade union mass action should be explored and built. The umbrella left-wing organisations the Labour Party have to be won to back these actions, and the demands that are raised, and they have to take their own policies to the union rank and file.
The unity created the Rank and File Mobilis ing Committee should be extended to as many issues as possible, to lay the basis for a genuine class struggle left; a vital and radical new departure in politics.
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STOP • CRUISE