THE MEDIA are crowing. left routed in the NEC elections. Foot back in command, moderates strike back. Every event at the conference was interpreted as back for the left. The London Standard even managed to put on its front page after the left had won a huge majority for unilateral disarmament 'Left loses out on H-bombs' back? A careful assessment of what happened At the level of policy resolutions, there is no way that the conference could be interpreted as victory for the right. Decisions were made in favour or a so-nour week wild nic loss of unilateral nuclear repeal of the *68 and 71 immigration acts an end bi-partisanship Ireland and extra-legal action to defeat Heseltine's attacks on local councils.
But it would be an illusion to beleve that these resolutions expressed the real outcome of the conThe right terence. Wille chose to make a stand on the elections to the NEC, control of the manifesto, and the three year rule on conference discussion of constitutional issues. Victory On all these the right wing won decisive vicLULICS right wing alliance, centred on the right wing trade union leaderships, but extending to Kinnock on the left and above all using Michael root's role leader, ensured the defeat of the constituency based left. The constituency left Socialist Challenge Benn defeated, the La scl So what was the reality? Was the left driven now faces impasse and demoralisation unless learns the lessons of the defeat.
The scene was set by Healey's victory in the deputy leadership election. True, per cent vote for Benn was remarkable. right wing had tried to confine his vote below 30 per cent and get 'vote contidence in Healey. His marginal victory was anything but that.
Nonetheless, no matter 81#2 how creditable a showing JUSL defeat is a defeat. Healey's set ine scene IOI what followed later in the week and it influenced the whole atmosphere of the conference and some of the smaller unions feel that they could hine up with the right more easily.
The left's defeat on the constitutional amendment on control the manifesto was a carefully volving wheeling and dealIng which Foot and Peter Shore were centrally involved.
Remove The NEC elections. y the will have tremendous repercussions. It is likely that Benn will be removed from the chair of the Home Policy Committee and that Eric Heffer will be removed as & THINK THE TIME HAS COME FOR ME TO JOIN THE S.D.P. chairperson of the organisation sub-committee.
The right wing on the NEC can now ensure inal action on left-wing policy is minimal, and the danger looms of a right wing controlled organisation subcommittee starting witch-hunt against the left.
Michael Foot's promise of 'no witch-hunts' is against a rightthe left on the crucial questions oi control of the manifesto and control of the party paradoxically relationship forces in either the party of the Labour movement as a right, and the use of their control of decisive industrial unions against the constituency based left.
THE CHARM OF SHIRLEY WILLIAMS THE URBANITY OF ROY JENKINS!
This right-wing victory based on manoeuvre precarious. But the constituency left won't change it around unless there is a change in tactics The defeat of the constituency left can't be won back in the constituencies The trade union bureaucracy has to be challenged in own heartlands. It is to this task that the Labour left must now address itself.
It would be a second, and illusion believe that the right's vic.
at the conference represent 'equilibrium' which will now be stabilised. They will go on the offensive throughout MOVe ment. The left faces a very tough battle over the next year.
In this battle the left will need to know exactly THE SOMETHING OR: OTHER, OF THE OTHER TWO CHATS WHOSE NAMES I HAVE FORGOTTEN... who the enemy is and what methods struggle prioritise By the end of the conAnd the constery e and the constituency claiming Michael Foot as 'theirs' , hence his stallaing ovalon This •Д. foolish mistake the left. Michael Foot is now the crucial leader of the right wing; his former 'left' credentials, skillfully played on, don't matter a tig.
Foot Eventually Michael Foot must be removed as leader Whethe Benn should challenge him next year is a complex tactical question which cannot be answered now; but the left must constantly try to exTories.
One major victory by the unions would pietely transform the situation inside the Labour party. The right only benefits from demoralisahon ana acreal The right's terms. The idea that victory is made more likely by compromise with the right mistaken.
Social Democrats and the deepening crisis of the Tories, only a party pro posing radical solutions, and equipped the means of ensuring that they can be Canned oul will be a credible challenge.
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is a precondition for determining the tasks of the Labour left over the next period.
ere cd lesson 'truce', no attempt to get