TWO questions have been raised by Tony Benn's campaign. the unity of the Labour Party, and is his programme adequate to meet the needs of the labour movement?
Those like Michael Foot who are most vociferous in their attack on Benn for standing for election under the Labour Party's new rules declared war on those rules the platform of the Wembley conference soon as they were passed.
Foot Benn to stop 'rocking the boat' while he cobbles up a deal the right wing solidarity campaign on the right wing's terms.
But the issue of unity is broader than simply the tuture of the the Foot leadership.
united workers' movement nas to be in the face of the Tories' attacks and the manoeuvres of the Social Democrats.
Fight The workers' movement has already passed judgement on the policies the Callaghan and Healey government.
The former prime minister and chancellor bear the main responsibilitv for the draining away of working class support for Labour at ine 1979 election. More of the same will encourage no one to ligni for the party.
Thousands of workers Does the campaign break success for Labour.
When the Labour Party has appeared to have a radical programme, as in 1945, it greatly expanded its support among working class voters.
Alternative Today DOUT tacer the challenge of the Social Democrats. TOO!
Healey want to deal with LOTS bullalg right not the Democrats, have the connoence Dusiness. Meanwhile millions of workers are looking for a radical alternative.
It is foot and Healev who threaten to break the unity and enthusiasm of the labour movement, and the fortunes of the Labour Party at the polls.
Benn victory, rallying the left Live ur among millions of huge boost workers.
Is Tony Benn's prothe needs of the labour needs of the labour movement?
His five-point programme is based on selection of policies passed Labour Party conferences. But they are not in the slightest wav sutticient to deal with the problems facing working class people confronted une Gole anu Wal stampede.
LUSU Dall Benn's policies rest on the Alternative economic Strategy, although certain aspects of the strategy are left out of his platform, such as the extension ol nationalisation.
The AES, which includes import controls, planning agreements in industry, and further public rests pillar the imaginary world strategy, olet countries will accept huge cuts in their exports to Britain without responding in kind.
The City of London will give up its business secrets. The 'captains' of industry will sit down with the government to work out details of their own take-over. Unemployment and deflation are to be solved by government spending and inflation!
Benn's programme does not deal with how a government based on the AES would protect workers against the ravages of rising prices and tages. In fact both deflation and inflation are symptoms of the same sick system.
Neither the needs of the workers. Neither holds off the war drive or the increasing atlacks on working class living standards.
Strategy And how will NATO react to Benn's defence policy which is "based on a rejection of nuclear weapons'? The Western alliance is built on nuclear strategy. Britain's effective withdrawal from NATO would be an enormous reversal for Western political and strategy. Would generals just stand by?
Tony Benn's programme is weak because i is not based on the need to strength and power of the workers' movement.
despite these criticisms of Benn's platform MUSI heartedly support his candidacy.
It is increasingly obvious that by challenging Healey, Benn provides focus for all those fighting against the dead hand of Tae national trade union and Labour Party leaderships And the movement behid Benn is building day by day The Scottish NUM, the Labour Party Young Socialists and a projecter SIS OOD FOR BRITAIN Socialist Challenge 16 April 1981 Page 5