ference has been called against the witch-hunt by fifteen Constituency Labour Parties, in County Hall, London.
The first move was taken by Hackney North Labour Party, who circulated other constituencies informing them that Hackney would not cooperate the Labour Party National Executive Committee's proposed register of affiliated organisations. and asking them to join Hackney in co-ordinating TOSSECTE We interviewed BRIDGET ELTON, who is Hackney's Press secretary and a member of the Post Office Engineering Union, about the conference and its aims.
Michael Foot has recently said that expulsions should be limited to leading Millitant supporters. How do you view this?
It's not acceptable. still a witch-hunt, and it obviously isn't going to stop there. He's clearly frightened by the fightlater.
ship weekend. this has helped?
Yes.
was now cum It's also portant to involve ference, bit stituency next step to But he'll do the first few now and then do the rest The right wing is on the and have been since Benn's Deputy leadercampaign. and they want to get rid of any active left in the party. We say that all socialists have the right to be in the Labour Party.
There was a very successful rally organised largely by Militant Do you think of sent delegates from Hackney North, and we thought it was an extremely good initiative, and obviously very successful. I think the problem what will happen next? There's a bit of a vacafter this rally: now obviously impeople other than Militant in any campaign. We see our conwhich has been called by rank and file conparties, as the building a Can you tell us what will be happening on 30 October?
Yes. At our planning meeting there were fifteen sponsoring parties and eleven who sent observers which was very encourag ing given the short notice and the fact that we could only afford to circulate Lon don parties.
We agreed to call the conference proposed opt the end Hackney North and to invite delegates CLPs unions, LPYSs and other affiliated organisations.
Hackney North was con cerned that CLPs should be able to express their opposi tion separately. People felt that when it comes down to it, it will be the CLPs that are told 'expel this person, and we want them not to co-operate with this. So we think it is important that they have a separate vote that will clearly commit them to this kind resistance.
But we also think the trade union aspect is very ample filiated union should be commit themselves to conPars will prevent fre NEC setting up rump' parties.
What do you think constituency parties should do if it faces expulsion members, feel should be no co-operation at all with the NEC report We want to put the onus on the NEC prepared to break up the party and lose us the next they must responsibility for it. If they say you person then we say Then the ball court. Its up to them decide what to do next. We believe that if enough parties take such a stand, and of if they back each other up the NEC will not be able to impose the register and we can defeat this witch-hunt we think that afbranches do now?
approached to Fi their local planning parties pledges operation.
I think of move is and what do that there very they are receipt of táke must expel this no. is in their about it? to the Tories. What other things can CLPs There were a number of put forward at our meeting. are trying to get regional meetings to secure of non another good CLPs who have written to all affiliated organisations, asking them to take a speaker outlining the party's position. This is important: 8, has cir own union, for example, culated all branches with a copy of the Solidarity pam phlet on the Militant. On one to all antiated PO this branches saying do know about this, and can we come and speak to you Lambeth and Norwood Parties, and several others have called rallies against the witch-hunt in which they have also invited local union speakers, linking the issue to the fight against Socialist Chellenge 25 Saptomber 1982 page 5