WORKING people had great hopes of the last Labour governments. As the LCC conference the question of Labour government will advance towards socialism will be in In 1964, Harold Wilson brought to an end the 'thirteen years of Tory misrule' and promised a transformation of Britain through the 'white heat of the technological revolution'. But Labour instead pursued years of rightwing policies, including the 1966 wage freeze and the attempted shackling of the unions through 'In Place of Strife'. The outcome was the 1970 election defeat.
In 1974, the miners' defeat of Heath brought in Labour government pledged to 'a fundamental and irreversible shift power and wealth to workpeople and their families' fact, the abour government pursued proWilson, Callaghan and Healey, leading doubling unemployment, he debacle of the of discontent' Water 1978-9, and finally Thatcher's victory in the May 1979 general election. (Socialist Challenae)
whether the next the minds of many To deal with the problems of unemployment, de-industrialisation, collapsing social services and decaying inner cities, have to immediately find ment and public works on a large scale.
It would have to ensure the implementation of a socialist national plan for and Chilli recovery in the interests of working people. This would be impossible without the immediate nationalisation of the banks and the leading monopolies.
Every socialist governfaced wItn capitalist sabotage. Labour government elected on a socialist programme won't for a moment allow the democratic choice of the people to be implemented without a fight. financial weapon and every They will use control of industry to prevent socialist change. They will refuse financing to the They will government. refuse to invest. A socialist government will have to control investment HOULD control the commanding heights of industry and control of the banks. Defence Even if a Labour government carried hrough nationalisation, it 16 July 1981 Page 8 would, faced the hysterical reaction of the capitalist class, have to call on the workers to mobilise in its defence.
To prevent sabotage in both the nationalised and non-nationalised sectors of industry would require workers' supervision and control in all lil major enterprises. Workers' control goes hand-in-hand with nationalisation.
How does Benn's programme match up to these tasks? To be sure, in addition to policies EEC, nuclear disarma ment and the extension of aenues for a return to full Tony Benn argues for and 'full restoration of the social service cuts'. 'If had any doubts about the type of boss fighting, we've lost them forever now!' Laurence Scott workers in the 12th week of their occupation against closure. BROTHER