myself and Nothing could be further from the truth.
The issue of proportional representation has to be set against realities of British politics which cannot be dodged. Labour's share of the vote has continually declined since 1951. In 1979 it was below 40 per cent for the third time running, including a minority of working class votes. The spectre of a cen trist coalition has been placed on the agenda The question for the ett cannot be reduced to how to scrape a Labour maioritv on a minoritv of votes. It is also how in the longer run . we can build a genuine political majority for change Ill a icilwald direction. Without the acuve suobon o amaonty. Labour will be unable to significant Hioiciicill social change.
At present that potential majority is made up of Labour voters, plus supporters of the Alliance parties, Nationalist parties, the Communist Party and some Tory voters and abstainers who have opted out of party politics.
The key strategic problem facing the left is how to omnla a pontical majonty that includes part of the CeuLIC UBUC N leadership of the left. My argument is that PR wil force Labour to face up to this question sooner and more fully. believe that if only Labour the fights conference policies there wil ne mass swing to the left. But this is a pipe dream. Only by mass politics, of inparliamentary action, politicising trade union affiliations, sanand building broad democratic movements outside the Labour Party will a majority for change be built.
Cases in point are CND March for Jobs. The 'leave it up to the councillor' sort of paternalism will not achieve this kind of mass mobilisation.
increasing their Communist Dave Cook their policy is for a coalition between Labour, Liberals and SDP and Tory wets'.
chances of council and parliamentary representation, PR would give new energy to a whole range of political movements. This would be a major boost to construction of sort of 'active' majority that must be won by a Labour government.
T volinentiv our a strong incentive broaden its concerns, and facilitate electoral colaDoralOI Delweei Labour Communist Party, ending the undemocratic imposition anti-Tory O.IC didate.
secauise of political realities PR would SwenZunel Alliance and Nationalist Dal Lico troduced it would mean If PR were in on issues and circumstances parliamentary collaboration by Labour with parties to its right and to its left. Such a broader based government was a feature of Popular Unity in Chile and of the present Mitterand government Simple class loyalty is proving inadequate for a Labour government com mitted to leftward advance. A lett-led govern ment which will go in that direction requires the kind of which puR mobilisation PR will only encourage.
EDINBURGH. Day school on the struggle in Contral America.
5 March , Societies Centre, The Pleasance.
10am-4pm with speakers Jenny Pearce, Robir Cook MP, video and workshops Food and creche available. Benefit event at same venue from 8.45pm onwards Organised by Edinburgh Latin American Solidarity.
Socialist Challenge 4 March 1983 page 9
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Party argued (SC281) that 'according to EC member