executive FEW on the left outside the Labour Party dispute the importance the struggle within the party to secure democratic accoun tability of the leadership to the rank-and-file.
three issues of mandatory re-selection, election of the party leader on a wider franchise, and the NEC being responsible for the election manifesto are not arid constitutional wrangles. In essence they represent just part of an ideological struggle inside the Labour Party, the outwill detercome of which mine the entire future direction of the socialișt movement In Britain. Crutch There ample historical evidence and theoretical to demonstrate that British capitalism, in order to surneeds reformist parliamentary 'socialist' party. OT Its history the Parliamentary Labour Party, dominated by the right, has provided the necessary crutch for capitalism.
Using. the rhetoric of socialism, it nas overed the energies of the labour movement and acted as a political safety valve when the demands. for fundamental change in the system looked like gather: ing momentum. Side It was because activists were sickened by this conDeltave parliamentary leadership party's socialist demands that the campaign began to change the nature of the relationship between leadership and rank-and-file.
"If the Labour left succeeds in establishing the gecessary condions and commitment to a genuinesocialist programme which effectively challenges capitalism, then a numer or acvelopments are likely.
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First, significant elements of the parliamentary right will move out into a new social democrațic Daily, Secondly, radical elements at present outside will love naturally towards the Labour Party. Thirdly, the ruling class will prepare itself for all-out struggle in the event of a socialist government being elected.
Peaceful This last possibility is one which many comrades within the Labour Party have not really begun to consider. No capitalist system has yet been simply Tony Banks speaks with Benn at Mobilising Cttee Meeting Aid the demand for the Labour Party to be more closely identified in extraparliamentary campaigning continues grow rapidly, as it must if we are tọ mobilise the strength Jabour movement to overthrow capitalism.
The struggle democratise the Labour Party and thus make more socialist in outlook will have an important test in Blackpool this coming week. The campaign for accountability of leadership is not confined to the party alone; it extends throughout the movement, perhaps explaining of the hostility towards our demands from certain trade upion leaders.
Cosmetic Whatever the outcome of events al conference, the campaign will continue until it achieves all its objectives, since we are seeking a fundamental realignment within the labour movement and not simply a few cosmetic changes.
is own members. Chapple potential that exists. Mass picket - and the Tories
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By Tooting CLP, member of LCC
Thatcher MISSILES