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3 your and in deta Marxist Group notices ENGINEERING: National fraction at 7 Februar HISSILES: National fraction Sun 2% SOCIALIST CHALLENGE: • Natfraction for all SC organisers * IVE ACTION: Day school Sat WOMENS LIBERATION: Nationa ERS: We urgently nee Socialist Challenge 1 January 1981 Page 2 User maurice. that it would be perilous to ignore.
Over Republicans Democrats found common cause conducting the wi been slow to Cor have not been war die he 10 presiden moting the nev war cinve. tial campaign demonstrated the same convergence in domestic policy. 'Monetarism' creed of both the candidates.
witness to a new rightward shift in the politics of the imperialist bourgeoisie as a whole. It was heralded by enthusiastic support enjoyed by Margaret Thatcher. It was consummated. by the endorsement given to Ronald Reagan: by Americar big business. Game Reagan's victory will hasten y American policy further to the right. The Pentagon's campaign to double US war spen ding in five years will receive unabashed support from the Her Europea allies will likewise be called upon to dramatically increase their contribution to the NATO co une sock "the lass to gain renewed popula upport or military adventure i the Third World will be aide While Reagan'te"
victory marks a shift to the right in the capitalist politics of the USA there being no other typ politics for the mass of th American working class), there is considerable opposition to the man who enters the White House on 20 January.
the USA, small but significant numbers of men and are beginning listrust and reject the lesse evil' game offered Republican and Democrat parties. Enemies But the principal enemies of Ronald Reagan will be found abroad. orary operations in Iran and * нтесп El Salvador will face the armed vigilance òf the peoples those countries. Washington is as concerned as moscow that the workers of Poland do not Renewed turmoil in astern Europe and the threal of political revolution is a high price to the discom ture of the Kremli takes his seat at the oval dear, Four days after Michael Foot will doubtless be confirmed as leader of the Labour Labour Wembley conferencomthe third in nine months, will not end the party's present crisis. Thé ruling class, alarmed by the results Pos mence TWO election victories should govern the thoughts of British socialists in 1981: that oi Ronald Reagan as President of the USA, and Michael Foot as leader of the Labour Party. Both signal changes on the political map ago ahead of the October frightens the left with the spectre of a split in the Parliamen tary Labour Party. But for the time being the trade content to Michael Foot can claw back the rains made by the left last year. lo derail the lett, Foot nas to to head off the movement against unemployment and for disar -by mament, and campaign to bring down the Tories this has been limited so far marching at the demonstrations, it's a risky game.
But Foot gives such mobilisations shitting the whole party to the left and undermining resistance of the right wing in the party still threatens to make worse rather than better for the right. Yet Foot is a cal happy shadow Cabinet elections ten the results Shadow the parliamentary clique gave the Pertaine face when rank they refused to elect Benn or Heffer Both should challenge Foot broader franchise that will be Party's • decided at Wembley. or not they do, the fight in the party will continue, against the manoeuyres of the right wing and the trade union Foot and Reagan — signs of stormy times conference, united action government.
wing ment never utgent, has to be based dustrial unions.
Although the against head of mass side the Labour Party the leadership, but in the fight for between the ruling trade unions to kick out the Tory replacement missiles The need for a united lett inside the labour move. prevent But what kind of left Cruise in 1983. wing? Certainly such a left wing on the inis these unions which will decide both : the Tories" and, by virtue of their size, the outcome of the battle for leadership infor all.
It also has to be a left wim with an international, socialist That such a proand an indictment of those who would not support them. the Much can be done to build shop left wing • 119 the labour movement. Our chief contribu tion to the world-wide struggle steel. against the new Reagan leader. ship of the US ruling class can mine be made by disarming our own class The campaign siting of Cruise Britain and the of the current missiles by must hit top gear this year to The first priority has to be given to any cal for mass ac tion on the streets, But also of critical importance is the need for the labour movement to organise the mighty forces that can bury the project once and will give the opportunity for the whole trade union movement say the Leyland York bridge: enough is enough, workers saying Yet the lack of a leadership that could turn this sentiment into fighting actión against the Tories means that i smallest development in this direction has to be seized. The most pro development is that of workers, miners, and steelworkers to defend jobs these industries. Already it has mispirea acvelopments such a Sheffield conference of stewards to Or MeSt against the first round of the MacGregor closure plans Such conferences will deterwhether the • Triple Alliance will fight or be yo cripple alliance' covering another retreat by the union leaderships.
…Genuine Another challenge may be presenter to the abour move ment on 14 January when the Private Members? Bills - 02 given their first reading. Once again a known anti-abortionist MP has secured the top-slot Whether or not Sainsbury goe ahead with his Bill, the Tor government will find a way to Diacale is rignl-wing Dase Will another anti-abortion measure:
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