THIS year's TUC adopted a more radical set of policies than any in recent times. issue which dominated the whole conference was the deputy leadership election of the The radicalism of the policies adopted by TUC (see box) indicates the pressure of the rank and file in the unions fo socialist policies. Needless to say however the TUC was silent on the struggles of the working class taking their like Laurence Scotts.
But the NUR leader Sydney Weighell's blusterings be taken seriously that the triple alliance of railworkers, miners. and steel workers would be thrown into the battle to sector industry In the be- preserve cent negotiations British Rail, Weighell signed an agreement which. fi implemented, would cost 78,000 Jobs and lead hiving off whole sections of BR.
Then David. Basnett, right wing leader General Municipal Workers Union, mouthed fine purases about mobilising shackling the trade union movement by the Tories.
only has he not lifted one linger to fight the present Prior laws, but on the eve of the congress decision to throw the block vote of the GMWU Healey who notorious for his failure to defend trade union rights.
But the TUC's huffing and puffing had a purIts tuture direction will be decided by the outcome of the deputy leadership battle.
If Healey wins, there are many let-out clauses in wing resolutions which can accommodate to nas poncies For example, while rejecting Donces any government, the simultaneously endorsed a Labour Partyliaison committee document callng TUC to enter into a new torm ot future Labour Many of the resolutions had similar escape clauses But the adoption of left policies showed the TUC hedging its bets on a Benn victory. As the bosses' magazine, the Economist, put 'The unions are divided over the deputy leadership... But policies the unions backed this week... those of Mr Benn.' Highlight of the conference was an unscheduled event not official agenda: The New Socialist-sponsored deputy leadership debate. was Healey and Silkin agains Benn.
had the support for policies.
we support campaign lor who the debate. Silkin Silkin to with the left while and Labour Party leaders.
Healey pugnaciously attacked the left and Benn in particular. He may not have won much sympathy from the audience but his sharpness put Benn on the spot. 'You are not just going for the deputy leadership, but the leadership of the whole party,' Healey accused.
Benn's reply, that he was the only one of the three candidates to have THE campaign Turkish COCAII Dogan received boost Blackpool.
Dogan is facing deportation from this country, his asylum has been turned down. He will receive a death returned to Turkey's ruling generals who have already executed ten people during their first year in power ns cames tonave been a socialis militant.
An emergency resolution moved voted for Foot in both rounds of the leadership election, dodged the issue.
For example Benn exunilateral disarmament, to his front bench position
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Grodan (Socialist Challenge) appointed ses munilatera