when ward governthis here the pretend of the poinOCU later had eminently a political one for accept wallpalell those of the SP which different ana attempt to give an answer to thé economic crisis interests or working people?
It isn'i the Bennite lef: of the party which wants a Tony Benn keeps a watchful eye on Michael Foot. Benn said victory is impossible without socialist policies and a continu right wing. But delegates from union Broad Lefts insisted on re-run of Wilson/Callaghan — will Labour forthrightly policies, the kind of thing policies which has lost Labour iwo general elections. which 'oot's third argume - that Labour now freer Than eve. domination by the leaders Fo: the individual 'conscience cru question What matte whether the MPs carry the wishes of the wi he winhes or the leader or their own whi wishes of the The doctrine of sin 'loosening the control the leader means nott
- NO TRUCE WITH THE RIGHT!
RENCERIM ANY: replace those leaders who refused to implement TUC and LP policy, then workers would not take the left seriously.
Unions Despite the reluctance of many of those at the meeting to come to firm conclusions as to how, if at all, to organise themselves in the future, there was very userul aiscussion on the importance of winning use trade uous.
Norman Atkinson, deposed Dally ircasulei. who chaired the meeting, had suggested that what was needed was for the block vote to be overhauled in favour of the constiLucicics.
This was firmly squashed by a number of trade union activists. They figint was to democratise was to democratise the unions and to fight for policies of the left inside the trade union movement. This was essential if the longer term battles were to be won. There was no avoiding that issue by any manoeuvres.
This DUEl was forcefully brought to the meeting by the contribution from Laurence Scott deputy Steve Longshawe. After nine months on strike he was in no mood for conciliation.
Unless you get rid of the right wing leadership in unions like the engineering struggles like Laurence COLI will pulverised and crucified. Reg Race: 'PLP, lunatic fringe'.
'You've all stood by and it happen Laurence Scott's. We've lit a torch for you people to keep alight. We've got DreaK these right vingers Otherwise won't be Laurence Scot that gets crucified but the lot of you. Our leaders can surrender. We'll never surrender.
was difficult after that intervention rest or the meet to g nore the importance of campagning In tae union. and fighting against the - and for the left to lead that fight by supporting those workers in struggle.
But despite that, the meeting still managed to bogged down Cal the end with minutiae about the reaction of the press to the meeting, the election of the next National Ex ecutive Committe and so Divided It didn't take up practical suggestions such as proposea by Joan Twelves, representing the Labour Abortion Rigths Campaign, that the meeting should decide alongside it will organise itself, to declare itselt support woman's right to work and choose, for solidarity with Solidarnosc, Leyland and British Rail workers and to back those forces fighting against the Tebbit and Heseltine proposals.
The meeting broke up still divided on how, if at all, to continue the fight for left policies groups like the Campaign Labour Party Democracy and the leadership of the Labour Coor dinating Committee firmly on the side of declaring a truce, while the majority of trade unionists, London Labour Briefing and Socals Challenge sup. porters arguing for the need to keep up the cam. paign.
The follow up meeting planned for the end of February will have to resolve these differences if the left is going to ge down to the real tasks of how to fight for a Labour Party and ultimately Labour government committed to socialist policies.
Otherwise, Labour Liaison will be consigned to the proverbial dustbin.