war in the party. Both the NEC report on the Militant tendency APEX and the EEPTU, which calls for 'determination to uphold clause 2 of the constitution in respect of any within the party structures, and its declare that organisation in the constitution are membership of the Labour Party', were passed by over 5m to 2m votes. composite an movcomposite for APEX, spelled out the right wings plan to defeat socialist policies. In recalling Senator loseph McCarthy's finest hour, the ejection CUTL from our nest'. Militant, he said, are a different species' And "Because they do believe in Parliament.
With these words, he gave the te to Michae Foot's claim that the witch-hunt is not directed against people's ideas.
*We demand that the board and the paper sellers be removed and prospective parliamentary candidates directly contradicting par- said Grantham, ty secretary Jim Mortimer's claim. backed by Foot, that only the inner circle would go.
Clause 2 After Grantham's speech and the ranting support from John Spellar EETPU and prospective candidate Birmingham Northfield, few constituency delegates felt inclined to trust Michael Foot's assurances. years in Parliament - all the way from Clause 4 to Clause 2 — and it was on Clause 2 that the right established the beachhead.
As Par Wall pointed out to applause, clause 4 seems to and composite inconstitutional activity 'duty to conformity with incompatible hall to its feet. Foot's summing up had less then half this standing, with even a few union delegates refusing to join, Flannery denounced hunt would stop at a few real purpose with chilling clarity. all know the vote will go,' he said. But it should be made clear that there is no unity in the party.
who press this witch-hunt are dividing the party in the face of the cnemv.' Behind the witch-hunt, he said, lay an all-out attack on our policies...Next they will go on to attack unilateral our position on the NEC, and before you know it they will be imposing the five per wage limit that lost us the last election.
Flannery was right. The party is committed to policies like unilateral which are based on gains made mass struggle: delegates' enthusiastic response to the Manchester 'Jobs not Bombs* marchers showed, these will not be given up casily. But the leadership scared stiff of coming to office on these policies They are prepared to risk the next election and the destruction of the rank and file to roll these policies back. Arthur Scargill, Norman Kitson Boateng, EETPU Broad Left candidate John Aitken, Ken Livingstone. Joan Maynard and Tony Benn.
But this response has be organised Throughout the week support has been building for the conference and fr. inge meeting called by "Labour Parties against itiated by Hackney North Labour Party. Speakers now include Joan Maynard, Martin FlanPhil Holt POEU Broad Left, John and support broadening all the time.
But on the road to united fight against expulsions, a political probiem has to be overcome. When Martin Flannery told conTerence that the issue at stake was not confidence Michael Foot, he left delegates confused - just as they felt disoriented and confused by the CLPD's majority emphasis on try ing to secure a 'fall back ammendment in favour of "a democratic register.
The source of this confusion is the belief, fostered by Tony Benn Bishop Stortford, SUCC that socialist policies can be defended and a Labour victory ASSUITC without challenging Foot's leadership of the Party.
Roy Hattersley spelt out the right wing's conbefore conference. "It is all very well for the lion to lie down with the lamb, he said But it is no good if the lion cats the lamb, The problem is that Grantham and Hattersley are the lions and Foot invited us to be the lamb — to be lead to slaughter. Labour delegates - Lambeth witch-hunt meeting ment?' asked Militant sup porter Teresa Wrack. •Conspiring to kick out the left! The against Militant and against the left in general plays into the hands of the Tory government. MP Jo Richardson concurred: "The right has whipped up hysteria small group of people, she said Why are they doing it? To fudge the policy issues ... Some of the right have decided that Militant will be the issue at this year's conterence. The press and the Tory Party must be delighted it takes all eyes away from the evils of Thatcherism!* Joan Maynard MP struck the same clear note:
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