Socialist Press no. 101

PRESS

TROOPS

OUT OF

ZAIRE!

The the talk in the strategic value of zaire 1 and the press mass enormous. media of a mission to "rescue" the handful of European technicians, diamonds managers and capitalists also shares in Zaire is no more than nine other states. a flimsy cynical pretext for a far more serious of

T.ITOW

operation by imperialist backed convulse troops.

COELICIL

The 2,000 French and impetus Belgian palanroopers, struggles in southern Africa.

backed up by and Yet

NATO

US aircraft, to were sent were central Africa with one aim in view: to rescue the totter- weak condition. ing Mobutu dictatorship in Zaire from certain defeat.

But instead of calling at strike ollce

IO]N

aCON this intervention dead stop its tracks, social demo- 1n cratic and Stalinist leaders in France did no more than that Giscard had declared 'unconsti- war tutionally' without consult- ing Parliament! New crisis The repressive regime of General now

MODULU

Soas reached a new crisis in its career of instability. Catastrophic economic Mobutu problems have combined The losses gathering Vietnam with populal opposition to the dictator- Cambodia, ship. As a small guerrilla force restored, but compounded.

moved into the south of the country, it sounded a death- knell for Mobutú. The Inefficient and corrupt, imperialist dissident, have been forced to stand cemondsed the army of Zaire was in no aside, powerless, as conflicts rage in the Horn of Africa.

position resist 1E19 advance. Mobutu once more But their intervene in Zaire does not appealed for. help from his reflect international sponsors-the any co The NATO revern

USA,

France, Belgium, Morato and China defence

NATO

were not immediately unti thev mimistcis gathered rebels would conclave plan joint action. Their direct support Soviet dilemma was acute.

SOCIALIST

Weekly paper of the Workers Socialist League * No. 101 * May 24, 1978 * 15p

IMPERIALIST

economic and cracies. The fact that such small forces could such C Catc One of the world's major •anc amosy cac bouccose producers of copper, cobalt, internationally highlights and other of imperialism -

CTISIS

minerals, this vast territory not only its general weak- a border with ness, but specifically its dependence precarious, repressive regimes in those revolutionary over-

CIA-

MODIIIS

seml-corona Slates wilel t social regime would imperialism has no the whole base for its rule. But once assured that the giving

BUCW

to the liberation forces confronting them the tinv in wCIC imperialist ministers goveram clts moved ahead. only too well aware Amid that imperialism is in a very is eMobutu s army that Mobutu's army suffered which has been responsible the Laos and for 'atrocities' and Angloa and 'massacres' Kolwezi, Mozambique have not been further reports that

COLIC

the French •aralooDers have indulged in indiscrim- Powerless inate shootings of anybody in sight. powers The refusal of the French Communist and Socialist Parties to fight these moves unsavoury adds new degișion to episode to their long history to the inter- ot treacherv found new national working class. And their governments response to prepared to act this imperialist aggression echo from the Lib- that the finds its knew Lab coalition in Britain.

receive no David from the Foreign Secretary Cuban bureau- Owen has declared this

TIM

government's commitmenı the "sovereignty Mobutu's dictatorship. Owen mixes this apology for tyranny with pleasantly liberal statements the UIl Cuban and • ot •resence Soviet troops in Atrica: reco anise that they have a right to br in Africa, just as we do" "right" The so-called of imperialism oppress colonial semi-colonial and be contested DcoDies musL all of the by

SOCLIOIS

class internation- working There ally, and those treacherous labour leaders who give their support must be rets case witness removed. Exploitation week. But The barbaric exploitation Peace News, of oppressed nationalities

NUJ

paper also helps to strengthen the £500, imperialist bourgeoisie in its tively for 'contempt'. Widgery LO

CX DIUIL

UW1 working class. despite the as we demand the instruction

UST

immediate withdrawal of all identity British imperialist troops from Northern heland, oben call for international We court's intention" action by workers rulln( every brutal act of imperial- ist aggression, and to force inroad into the withdrawal of all imper- ialist forces from Zaire.

Who are the rebels? Last March an equally Angolan tiny army of guerrillas otallnist alties Like the entered Zaire from Angola.

The core of this force was Tormer by former members relied upon

TƯOI

natand d

• DOTC

ruthlessly any Moise Tshombe, who had fled uulowary to Angola when , their leader was Mobutu of the Stalinist bureaucracies OUSOd cane power in 1965. But neither Shunning the FNLA because Terne nor rs cuoan cre dovid of its links with Mobutu, these up support. Tiontisi Torce Tolnec witu the Angolan MPLA. the As But the Katangese rotained govancer their own base with the aim 01 (renamed 'Shaba' recreating an independent state by Mobutu), of Katanga. aided by the National Front to have prospect the Liberation

HIUSL

considerable attractions for the (the previous name Inside

THE

PALESTINIAN

Page 8 Dromey's role in Grunwick .. p.4 Students in the firing line : • p.5 Unity against Trotskyism .. p.9 Contempt for justice in ABC case court oress. Ano t is a ciear inolcatior was no of the type of 'justice' that can ruling that the press should be expected by Crispin Aubrey, withhold the name of sec- Jonn berrv. ane buncan camo• "Colonel bell, at whose trial "Colonel B" B", Lord Widgery ruled last is a principal witness. CI ne

ADU

DeTenci Committee is holding a march nevertheless he fined the Cheltenham headquarters The Leveller and Signals ot the top-secre Inteli The Journalist this cence network coming Saturday, as part of the £500 and £200 respec to publicise the case and declared that force the aroooine от Ine 01 Secret. Act charges dosenice Uticial revealing fohich irteld pursll three in jail Tne "Colonel B"-dis- fourteen years. covered trom intormation giver I Ne campaion must be suo ported by the whole trade union court-amountec "the deliberate flouting of the and labour movement, and the

ABC

Campaial mUs ores. ahead and call a labour move- extenos Ine powers of court and is another ment delegate conference prior the rights ot the to tne trai in beotember which operated bases government and within Zaire military • dictator- Reeling uncar TnsnoH ship of the Derg in Ethiopia, the attack, Mobutu's the verge te police was last year Natan Bsa bonce

COUIO

suppress collapse wnen Moroccan troops genuine were flown in by the French military. develo omonts wwlle remaining faithful military allies yvItn tnis exoer assistance offensive the was finally the Angolan repulsed Since last year's defeat, the guests have given them direct Katangan secessionists and the anti-imperialist • National Front for the Liberation of the Congo secessionist forces Katanga, IntO nave oainiv entereo into turnel :ie 'Copper agreements, as the same forces their was be involved in the a cal present revolt. the Congo for Zaire),

ITALY'S STALINISTS HELP TO

PSOE DROPS MARXIST LABEL

Page 2

-INTERNATIONAL

DESIGN POLICE

STATE

"If the Italian Christian Democrats why aren't they State turning towards fascists?" "Because they already The main difference is that no have an agreement with the director of the CIA has (yet) Communist Party". been arrested for plotting coup in America itself! quip much the contains In addition, the Italian more than a grain of truth. In Stalinists have voted in Parlia- undignified haste use ment 10 edene czecen political oreatnine soace carte blanche with other means provided to them by the wake of repression. Andreotti's govern- tor Moro, i nere ment are greatly strengthening enable 'information hank the police powers of the state.

various and police military forces to combine their Unprecedented files. What .is unprecedented New powers that this is being done with the and support active cooperallul They have also given TUl ot the Communist rarty, wnose backing to. the parliamentary own militants are destined to be 'Reale -new legislation to laW give the much wider police apparatus of repression they are of and powers arrest busy refurbishing search The Italian Stalinist leader- interroctation, and lo lake d wider range of crimes subject Luciano Lama ship now Tashine oUt. to summary trial. politically, exclusively to their parliamentary The reorganisation follows- • ne Offly opposition law very belatedly-the sacking and Heale Their behaviour through the (which the Stalinists themselves Moro crisis provides clea arrest. first put signal of which the

SID,

General Vito Miceli, for opposed when it was with fascists for a parties conspiring Torware. almost two vears cool 'eurocommunist has come from the small Radical ot western eurooe are oreocrie and the fascists. Party to tread. Efficiency and Socialists The Stalinists The Party's specialist however, Ugo embarrassed o internal security, senator Pecchioli, however, prospect that if the law is Pecchioli concerned not about dangers to presentiv Parliament too long delayed in detailed advice (which he LITe Class,

DUT

Only doubtless well qualified to give reterendum. about efficiency this the which would involve them how the bourgeois torces of reactionary arm of the campaigning for a mass vote for 'order' should best be reorgan- stdle fulfil their ised to attack the left. be WelC must commitment une Christian "The police". he proposes, "rebuilt completely' Democratic government. 'should be immersed in society "All members were the criminals. That they

KNOW

Clearly nOT Taking advantage of the kid- opinion for which there is very and people better able to little evidence). 'We use napping of Moro ov tne ker collaborate with them" Brigade, the they have caperience Pecchioll and rarty acouired support offered by the used to the full. leadership are also right at the The discussions right the The have demon- CP to the extreme DOlC wide and long- strated their reorcan isation Ine interes state dobaratus is truly edented. stanoine sovine and survellanct split to provide It is as though the American of the left and labour movement its help in by thousands upon thousands of CP were to volunteer and repression. CIA and FBI. streamining the arrests are searches. But although the "Marxist" But Gonzalez by claims in Not to be outdone by the only effect was oe insoired Santiago Carrillo his abel thoughts of Marx himself statutes in 1976, it looks as if it abject compromise with the "wouldn't "Marx, may very •ITTICUl Socialist Party bourgeoisie, Gonzalez to get rid of it now.

word Marxism' if hi Hike Ene First reactions in the PSOE were alive today.' Felipe Gonzalez has leader if it , "Marxism" the announced that he intends were un versal Hostie-not "left" of the party Gonzalez practises only in the Felipe way to propose at the next party but also among the leadership it, ne can only be rignt congress the dropping of the Six Socialist MPs have signed Whol Gozalez

TUL

"Marxist" from the bothered consult before making his suggestion. undying loyalty to "Marxism".

In Barcelona, PSOE leaders Gonzalez, One executive member said " Unashamed electoralist" admits that this is that "to drop Marxism at the are describing Gonzalez's state- like dropping ment as "treason". present time was attem to win voles on tre Juan Reventos, the right. the law of oravitv." even Mengistu welcomed by Castro in Havana The Ethiopian military dictatorship has now launched its offensive against the liberation struggles of the Eritrean people. With massive bombing raids across the whole country, Ethiopian troops are attempting towns not controlled by the critrean Popular Liber тооек ouror their deserco bostons in me rew ation Front and the Eritrean Although reports are confused, it seems likely that naration rront. Cuban forces are also involved in this counter-revolutionary war. As the bloody attacks of the Derg meet with the determined resistance of the Eritreans the threat of genocide looms daily closer The vast majority of these have but could ouroose harassment and intimidation Against all this the CP raised not a whisper or grotest. on int contrary they have reacted and violently try suppress anv resistance wizmin ine labou movement They have attacked workers ano students action against the witch-hunts.

And they have used of many trade unior

COULIO

bodies bureaucratic of left purge Lama. Stalinist boss of the CGIL, Italy's biggest trade union federation put it: "Those the WIll

SUPPOSE

slogan state weither with Ine nor with the Red Brigades" cannot be part of a united trade Either they ge or they must be put out". Members of. centrist •Proletarian Democracy' which acootec

TRIS

have been expelled in Trento and Calabria Cudgels The cudaels which the CP are so enthusiastically leaders handing Christian Demo- Crate eadershi wil be used lol their own backs. the was, course, right and the tracitiona centre-the nristial Democrats and Socialists, not the Stalinists, who gained in the recent rouno or locar elections The resignation Interior Minister Cossiga after Moro's the deal was fascists, who nad singled nim out for attack of their as campaign tor a tull police state Une episode reveals the trap into which Italy's 'eurocom- are leading their mem. munists' bers ane Inemselves Shortly after body Moro's found Lama, along with was leading trade union otticias. arrived nottoot at ine Christian Democratic head- quarters in Rome to offer their right wing leader of the Catalo- (shortly to nian socialist rarty fuse with the PSOE) has admit- ted hatest were a party. question party. would undoubtedly Gonzaez Lose rankly expressing his said Revento opportunist, that: "It without doubt a was mistake for the party to define itselt as Marxist. But it would De an even bigger to renou hce ir mistake to want As well as defining itself as "Marxist", the PSOE has made especially

MUCH

weeks. ot its reoublicanism This it has used in an entire- ly opportunistic way to attract votes trom une lett as the PSOE slavishly But, showed last week, its "repub- licanism" is as skin deep as its Marxism. At the end of the constitu- tional discussions in the Cortes Ine monarchy The toye abstained while the right, the Basque and Catalan bourgeois and the Communist natonasts Part voted for the monarchy As it the abstention was not not feeble spokesman Gomez-Lorente everything to monarchism. "If the monarchy is set up ir a democratic way he sale ir the debate, "and if it works in a constitutional will manner, we

GRABOLIL

If the PSOE hopes that these concessions to the will increase its electoral support, i1 SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 24 May 1978 CP leader Berlinguer condolences i the way to the door they booed. Wher were osuica ane thev oot to it the nook. In whic official to sign their lying on respects Wwd. nationa embroidered on "Remember Reggio Emilia, 1955" the was to Tererenc killing of some Christian Demo.

crats in the town in Italy's 'Red Belt' -a Killing which was neve was cleared

• OUT

which blamed the right on the Communist Party. Lemons Thus bureaucrats, just as they knelt at their

HOSU

publicly and arrogantly insuited by the political chiefs of the ruling class. At the moment the Stalinis lemons are being squeezed. But have yielded up all when they Their uice when ine nistorical compromise has served , the purpose to be. tossed aside Iney,

LOO

Will without a 'thank you'. must have been disappointed by Ene results or last week s two by elections the senate tOI Oviedo and Alicante Though the PSOE won both seats. ts snare or the vote tell compared with the elections last June. The gainers were the Manuel hard-line Francoist Fraga's rooula and mos dramatically the Communist Party which roughly doubled its share Ene voTe To Alicante and 23% in Oviedo.

Showing in aling signe or is showing increasing signs impatience wine cannamen- try compromises and manoevres strike wave is hitting A new Spain. Ine mutant stoppage hotel workers South, 800,000 workers • in week on Dartclulld Jasl strike •emane Trace reinstatement workers sacke ane diack stee orution political activities under This was a strike against a leadership which claims, less and less convincingly. that these rights can be gained through the rrancoistoominated cortes These tensions between the working class and its collabora tonst leadersnie can be exec ted to show itself next weekend the 31st Congress of the

UGT,

on which Socialist Press will carry a special on-in-spot report in two weeks' time.

-Jamaica- prices up Jamaican workers are be handed the bill to presented by the Inter- national Monetary Fund to the Jamaican Govern- condition ment as the for granting a three year $240 million loan. Sharp increases in the of petrol, tobacco, and other alcoholic beer drinks, and a 15% devalua. ot the currencv were by Finance announced Eric Bell Minister the In House Representatives OI on May 9th This latest devaluation is the fourth in 15 months and will be followed by further totalling aevaluations 15% another during next year. The government, clearly concerned about the fects of these measures on the "peace" which broke out in Jamaica in January and on the attempts of Manley the *unite nation" behind his drive for more production, delayed the final announcement while they attempted to draw further concessions from the IMF. But the IMF refused to budge. risk the Chao that wol that would have resulted without the loan, the Manley governmea prepared for the worst and accepted the IMF's condi- tions. By this act, Manley once the again gives the lie to myth enthusiastically fos- tered by the right wing that he is somehow directing the Jamaican economy towards Cuban style "socialism" Meanwhile, despite the efforts of the Peace Move- ment led by the two most notorious gangsters murders of Kingston, the the rich and famous con- This week's victim was Jack Anderson, City Editor and leading He sports journalist. was down by unknown shot i gunmen at his home.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC POSES

PROBLEMS FOR U.S.

AMSTERESS

INTERNATIONAL

IMPERIALISM

The chaotic outcome of last supposed week's presidential election in the Dominican Dominican republic has created a major apparently dilemma for American crisis or autority. imperialism. right wing Balaguer This, of • years. there weeks the Carter drop this his challenger any the preluat Garte administration seemed ready to Vietnam Tor Bitner • O1 two candidates These as bent compatible the ally of with lucrative interests of US imperialism in the Dominican republic. SU 00011 Respect results aftermath

TION

0T 1959, And it was partly under US pressure that the two candidates agreement they would respect the result of to revolution. polls whatever it In fact, After this, come was just what Carter and his advisors wanted to avoid.

can exiles. As soon as the count began Kennedy decisive lead

SWOW

158 811 for Guzman against 66,730 for Balaguer a section of group the army moved in to stop the counting and, temporarily least seized power. "There Whether Inis move was with ties approval Balaguer

TNE

remains in doubt. regime There is little doubt that it Trujillo aravely embarassed Carter who retime. wanted to see apparently democratic election evol of a candi- edul WE 1 Biencon like Guzman сате committed, half- heartedly, but we really can't renounce the The military have reportedly second until we are sure that we allowed the can avoid the third" count resume and both and The l Balaguer are claiming victory. this formula for the latter saying that Guzman's tion early Unatelale lead had been reversed-"by late democrats")Trujillo's results from the Ramfis countryside one ot the oldest tricks in the wilost loyalty to the old dicta- election riggers' book. tor had won him the headship The latest round of anti- strike last Shah demonstrations in Iran tained largest of were by far the occupation of the streets of the mounting opposition to Teheran by the dictatorship of the last armoured vehicles. year. move for a general The Shah eventually set process which was help the the im bertalism Republic has turned into a maiot Spectre of 1960s The which both witch, as d climax. Tne full bloody tyrant who, wIth Carter Dominican Tne of state. Trujillo appeares other ideas and street forced Trujillo and adminis- baratue into exite. Right wing The fortes then right wing National Civil Union (UCN) lead by the opportunis Rafael Bonelly Multan Chief). Castroite and nationalist teenth of June three Movement

ASSIO

retormist Dominican Revo lutionary Party (PRD) led by a Juan Bosch, who now of thi returned many vears or Gastro In addition • there tiny "communist" the Formula parties Popular Socialist

•TO-VOSCOW

Party, (the of which majority We ought to aim at the first, later re-adopted the name • Communist Party) vominican and the pro-Peking Dominican Popular Movement. application of counter-revolu- Popular frontist led Kennedy to adopt (in any "decent Both of them have consis pursued popular frontist SUll tentiv Balaguer policies. These parties were used by wing bourgeois Ine week was out on his trip to Hungary Con- "com- onlv by a full scale ana bulgaria whose munist" governments like tanks and that of the Soviet Union have consisterill material aid the Shah's reactionary and brutal and the

USA

politicians evidence of impending Castro- style revolutions which justified all manner or repression.

They were also cynically used by the ant communist warn the retormist bourgeoisie what might happen unless they supportec his brand of reformism American i'he tion backed anti-communist Bonelly

TO TESSION

Tne also prevailed government but upon it to hold elections which took place in early 1963.

Popular majority Bosch, Juan though Catholic hierarchy de. hac Johnson nounced • him as , a "Marxist Leninist maiority,pavolutionary won enormous popular pro. Workers (CONATRAL), 8 arrivis democracy which consisted of UnIOn Ter pration rhetoric for every radical-sounding ting Dominican retorms wast The main reform which went One week ahead was a land reform based overthrow CONTRAL put The distribution advert sement peasants of the vast estates of the Trujillo family. army The Minister OT Agriculture communism who supervised this was none The other las woek's Bosch in September 1963. main sidential US Carolea Silvestre Antonio Guzman.

ad min istratior The Bosch government intro.

duced a few minor tax increases before his on American firms and tried to re-negotiate long term trade restored agreements. The But Bosch was emphatic that there would be expropria supported tions on the Cuban model.

junta. A few Decent democrat again, and began His temporary reward was country with the support the kenned hoped it domisedoni stable form of had found a "decent democrat" rule. But the who had Wassed voted him into office expected much more from Bosch and began to express their impatience Meanwhile capitalists increasingly UN saw danger signs and began made a plot w ruthless campaign of denuncia army tion of the 'communist Bosch.

They were directly aided by government. the American The two trade bureaucracy. and the The union federation, the Movement

AFL-CIO,

Inter April American network known as the •n • Institute American Free rebellion began popular Instant success. gave way After being rebellion named communists wiom were in exile or jail) in order to justify a massive US invasion. US marines Dominican Republic "to of Threat communism". This was the trine so called under publicly awarded unrestricted right to intervene militarily anywhere insisted.

immediately to the replacement of the pro-Bosch government by under General Ibert regime. But he will return in restore a regime of more demo cratic appearance. terror face the round of opposition mobili- Fighting sations which are being planned a month from now.

Page 3 Labour Development set up the of fighting between US forces National Confederation of Free (aided by other Latin American countries) and anti-imperialist the exis. fighters, the Johnson union which Wallo! also tried to set up i were part of Bosch's politica "'constitutional" government lec by either • Bosch's former foreigr before Bosch's minister Garcia Goday or by the former agriculture minister Antonio Guzman, the papers urging the people to trust in the defend them Favoured candidate agains military overthrew At one stage Guzman was candidate in the US State Department. connives the coup though for form's sake He was at length rejected a Kennedy (in one of his last acts sufficient authority lacking in because of his identification assasinaton cur ot aid until constitutional rule was with what an Under-secretary of State called that "unclean Bosch Dominican Communist crowd". Party had no such scruples and The US finally rediscovered military Trujillo's old newy trusty, Joaquin Balaguer. weeks later Lyndon In June 1966 Balaguer won Johnson had restored relations (against Bosch) a rigged presi. flood the election. was •ential "aid"', though the 'elected' 1970 again in ditC Us was still searching for a more 1974. pro-imperialist For 12 years with American sure dietatorship in ted Domini- dictatorship in the Domini- can neouoiic 1966 his retime has murdered estimated that since 1965 Bosch 2,000 oppositionists. Rico) had In recent months, however the declining authority of US Colonel has been reflected amberasm in the weakening of Balaguer's position. last "week's election of he June faced other candidates independently though Guzman had any chance 1965 winning the

SINCI

(and Bosch's) PRD remains the and with

NIC

only mass party in the Domini and almost can Republic. Memory of past But the PRD continues to get the votes of workers anc peasants not because of its move was potentially dangerous present programme (which for imperialism and cooked up a hard to distinquish from that o pack of bare-faced lies about the Balaguer's Reformist Party) but led by 53 because of the memory of its (most undeserved reputa past, largely tion as an anti-imperialist party.

remote Guzman went succeed to the electoral victory Crush threat he undoubtedly won last week, would open he in no time at all. would invaded the be shattered crust for this reasor that, international harmless as are Guzman's inten.

tions, Castro still may happier with another few years "Johnson of the ageing dictator Balaguer.

which Whoever the imperialists and the ITSe T their local agents allow to "win' interests of the Dominican Tine workers and peasants will Invasion equally passed over. But the election fiasco and subsequent internecine alctatorsnip bling with LItt Dourceoisie But Johnson still wanted to could, given an authentic revo.

lutionary leadership, the open way to successful indepen dent struggle for power by the oppressed classes During the next few months

LETTER from GRUNWICK

STAND BY OUR POSITION

Page 4 We reply: Dear Comrade, we reply to your letter of May 12 as a newspaper which Grunwick supported the strike Trom The

OUTSEL

which has fought to mobilise behind you at each resource. stage of the strike. We have at the same time set to the policies out point to needed to win the strike.

i ne DOCTOrSI Press to the leadership given to your strike by Jack Dromey and the leadership or brent rade.

Council has been consistent for the last year and a half.

We find it sianificant there- fore that we should receive your the day before you stood fetter Gruntick Contre and pub DaTorm accepted that the strike is effectively finished and that you waiting now for Grantham to officially wind it up.

In our view this leads to the conclusion that in attacking and Press giving Doc/alls. unqualified endorsement Jack Dromey's role in the strike shift of latter signals

WOUL

position by your committee.

Direction The main problem with the crunwick strike was not and is Goorge Ward. Employers with powerful friends have been «ете:тео оетоге. une coolem has always been the direction of and leadership the strike The crucial point was to use the strength of the mass move the Generated strike in order to Torce ArEA, TGWU and the TUC to black all that services-the only action could have won the strike.

We have never questioned the physical efforts and organi- by Jack SiLO contieuted Dromey and the Brent Trades Council in mobili. the mass and strike.

DROMEY: WE

political leadership and the direction they to Have aCTION. is not enough to say as you did at the May 14 Confer.

ence nat ine sarike was col out ov use mont wine. Role of right wing Everyone who has ever been within Stones strike knows that this is always the role of the right wing is always how The question fights the leacershio une rigni wing treachery This cannot done by be general exrortation. right wing to act in this case, to black supplies. It can onlv be done if the strength of the working class is those who directed towards stand as an obstacle to victory.

Yet even at the height of its intluence over a oroad laver ou the trade union movement, the Strike Committee made no calls lass and EEPTU officials or the TUC force them blacking. The question of how this strike in which Dromey played such a kev role remained com pletely the control of under officials has never right wing been answerdo the Even biggest mas picket on July 11, Jack Dromey and Strike Scargill Committee members could De disperse Wistructs picket Ine dates and divert it onto the TUC demon- stration. General call At the Grunwick Conference in the Friends Meeting House prior to the crucial TUC Con- last Теголо:

VOUT

Committee was prepared only to put forward a general call for ine luc to impiement a bladi Dromey Dromes Jack shouted down those-including the TGWU Grunwick drivers- who tried to propose that move: be made to demand Grantham move such a motion and Jone: second it on benalt of tne twc unions in dispute and also that official TGWU and APEX that spokesmen present meeting make a commitment to fight for this. lobby outside Then at the Tom Durkin from shouting Breacon slogans declaring Inal ocarmal means sackings!' He argued that the slogan than more "support the Grunwick strikers" The Theret plan and their meant g

TUC,

their talk of a less resolution did ot course "support" the Grunwick strikers —while doina nothing to win the fight. Hunger strike When the Strike Committee TỤC attempted to force the into action with a hunger strike outside Congress the House. action (though itself inade. quate) offered the possibility of a turn to fight the bureaucracy.

Unto unaev was got ro be so. After APEX officials sus- fined the pended partici- the pants hunger was strike called off, and from then on attempt by the there was Strike Committee to expose and fight the officials. We argued at that point that the suspension of strikers should have been made the basis calling picket of the a mass TUC, to tocus the attention the workers' movement on the bureaucrats who were preven- ting victory. leadership's • ne Strike attitude to the officials was parallelled by their attitude to the state. ablished 21 of Cabinel Sub- Cabinet established SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 24 May 1978

STRIKE COMMITTEE

Friday 12 May, 1978 Dear Brothers and Sisters, larly Jack Dromey, have been our loyal I am writing to you as a result of a allies throughout . our historic dispute Strike They like us can hold their heads up high decision by unanitous because they have done everything Committee. Your attacks For we have been very possible in our support. some time, have been shameful and we regard them concerned at the attacks in your paper We believe on Brent Tràdes Council and its Secre- as attacks upon ourselves.

only aided the tary Brother Jack Dromey. In our view, that your actions have right wing in the strike and we would ask the attacks have been misinformed and print this letter in your next malicious and we can only conclude you to that your motives are sectarian ones.

paper. We wish to make it clear that Brent Yours fraternally, Trades. Council and its Officers, particu- Mahmood Ahmad, Secretary.

Thousands of workers braved police violence to join the Grunwick pickets in sympathetic This body, which union officials. Rees. response tary Socialist Press columns such maintained liaison with was noT with articles critical of Dromey and Socialist chiefs, worker army advisers and The Challenge that helped the right wing.

"uG encers. nad a mandate to This analysis is in our view defuse the action at all costs strike was weakeneo ov the mis leadership by Jack guarantee given the strikers, in struggles, whether basic divert the strike into legal Dromey democrati procedures. spokesman role ot male? and

THULS

OUTB

chief policy maker. issues, risk meeting a similar Failure of the strike leader- tate ship prepare a equate Formality ror though ine

TUC

bureaucracy,

ACAS,

the weapon-the Unlike the

WSL,

both 'Labour' Government and the Scarman Court of Inquiry.

Dromey and the • strike leader and deliberate build Siniste ship now 'Left' & right of police operations which they defeated and its winding up by organised so spired, sabotage The 'left' and right con- A tormalty LItt succes As various obituaries to the

APEX

verged. significant bromev Was ToTa strike begin to be prepared most Grantham pledged their inability of the "left' labour and first and foremos without douor. will take uo Th SU & soda eld voiced at the recent Dromey. Socialist Press alone among theme ne Jack orovide Conference--that Wembley the whole spectrum politi- independent way forward. cal tendencies, argued for it to lesson oredominanc Yours fraternally, the right-wing leaders over the be Dovcotted ' within the trade unions When the Scarman Report Socialist Press was published, Jack Dromey on This argument, The stock-in. trade of the Communist Party Editorial Board behalf of your Committee, went will find a and called for its on television tootbastol implementation would not have secured reinstatement. called it what We alone was a serout ano vou snout have done the same. Your actions gave crediblitt to the very same legal processe!

which were being used to divert have strike into what you "legal belatedly calet morass". 'Glorious defeats' This is our difference with Jack Dromey We are not con- career, his reputation or his ego.

If he feels it is to his advan.

tage GOdS defeats he will no couot con tinue sooner take steps to sure teet would engineers SUCh defeats. concerned therefore We are with exposing the way in wnch his "left' headed off any confrontation between strikers

IN THE FIRING LINE!

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 24 May 1978 The Department of Education and Science published on Monday a series of proposals to impose stringent con- trols on student union activities. These came in the guise of S.U. document financing, which proposed that a new maximum limit of S.U. subscriptions should be imposed. This will be between £15 and f20-about one third of the present level in the and about £5-10 less than the for polytech- average level nics. At present this capitation fee is determined by negoti- individual ation between college authorities and with the

SLUUCIL

Local Education Authority automatically paying it for every student who receives a mandatory grant. Begging Under the new scheme, if student unions want more than the maximum level oi funds, they will have to beg and pre- college aulnorities they cent accolms ow wish to spend the money. The whole scheme is an obvious attempt to prevent unions using their student lunas lor any sort or pouti whether this be cal activity, fighting for better grants to combat rising prices, fight- ing the cuts, or in giving do- nanons to workers mumuus.

like trial disputes Grunwicks. The funds available for clubs and societies will also be severely curtailed. The reaction of the NUS bureaucracy to this vicious S.U. autonomy attack on Television cameras, unable to be present outside the Moscow court where Soviet physicist Yuri sentenced to Oriov was seven years labour and five years exile, contented them- with the selves shots "shadow trial" in London.

John Macdonald, QC, 'defen- cino UriOV Callicid denouncing the Soviet Union in ringing Churchillian tones.

sugges- britIsA Atnieles. ted, who went compete In Moscow Olympic games in 1980 would be giving credibility to a regime ot exactly tne same kind as athletes honoured with their presence in Berlin in 1936.

well Questions-that radio dis- Any seemingly programme

CUSSIOTI

¡ he d in some eterna one de conference. The Orlov case was that kind of a subject. discovered taste for foreign all British capitalist Trials and

STUDENT UNIONS

Funds freedom under attack has been both predictable fee of £1.25, as a great ad- and alarming. vance for the weaker The Broad Left have pro- Coleses abandoned No smaller gressively any aoubt, pretence of defending S.U.

• student unions who the have no regular autonomy over past present automatic will be year. By accepting that stu- slightly better off with some dent unions must be money, • but Slipman is for- "publicly accountable" for getting that NUs's own ori- ginal proposal was for a £15 way they spend their tune money, the Stalinist-led minimum fee. The outright racist Shris Davies, Report being against overseas shows students lengths even one-time like progressives Shirley Williams, Secre- of State for Edu- tary cation, are prepared to go to, to carry through cuts in public spending. Already massive Williams from £270 increase in fees, NUS executive has opened £732 In 1 9 14 |0 In 19/0 the way to these attacks.

£1,500 with for post Instead of preparing graduates, has severely fight those who against these propo- restricted call sals, Slipman,

NUS

apply. figures for President, are welcomed them, claiming that the DES North East London Poly- "does impair technic, where increases im- wish to S.U. the middle of DUscu She seized on the £200 last has courses, yea! "concession" docu- alone, have caused immense in ine hardship and insecurity.

PRESS GANG

Hanging judges the Soviet papers devotee acres ot soace … to comoa to a description of the scene Union everywhere. What they outside the "sand. care, courthouse for Oriov oi wiched between Housy race nader laos junction and a military barracks any other victim of the Soviet well away from the city centre".

bureaucracy? While their front pages how!

fine times. Why all this interest in the pages about Ineir fate of Orlov? Certainly there is send Scotland winging to Argen no son or a orincioe• detence of him against the Stalinist borrowed patriotism. bureaucracy. oppression in the Soviet Union find dis- ror the cavitalist oress orov Licy property is an object, a stick to beat the tastful-it the fact that though workers' states. relations, the "Look" "You they shriek capitalism has been buried.

deal with the Soviet Govern. ment, you sign Helsinki agree- armaments as fastes a wond That why Trotskyists- ments, you capable of the only people Orlov- like, and now you stand nelpless detendine people like ma raving of see to add it signed on words British ravings numan rents. capitalist Douroolsies Telegraph "Yuri Orlov The we stand for the ceTence oI defies his accusers" boosted the Soviet Union against every the uncon- phyicist to pride of place in their paper. ditional defence. The capitalis Leaders The Telegraph reports of the Orlov trial press recognised as part o ano linked must oe soviet moves in Africa and the that attack Students must now call an emergency national con- ference of NUS to discuss S.U. autonomy in the light of these proposals. They must be thrown out, as must the Broad Left

NUS

leadership, who have indicated that they are more than willing to see the exis.

ting political organisation of students destroyed. Racist quotas bite

DAS. SU

Some of those unable to pay the increase, have, after bureaucratic pleading and wrangles, had the additional tees waived. others have been But

OUT

NOW

MARXIST

Student bulleti of the Workers Socialist

STUDENT

EIGHT THE CUTS

N

GET LIBER

SPREAD

Numble CUPATIONCO Issue No. 1978, as well

NUS

collertled the articles students in 1960s, the ANL, and Revol- utionary Way Forward for Youth. Available from WSL, 31, Dart- Park London mouth postage Page 5

ASSA

FAIR GRANTS

SAYS

NO CUTS

QUOTAS

FoR F, E

A FULL CHANT

FOR ALL

DEMONSTRATE

STUDENTS

FURTHER

PHOTO: Andrew Wiard: Report

EDUCATION

WHY SHOULD WE

CONTINUC TO BE THE

SECOND CLASU CITIZENS

* THE EDUCATTONAA SYSTRA

iGHT TOR DETER GREN Students demonstrate for higher grants

O WE ARE

Students campaigning against discrimination in fees last year summarily issued with quotas. They are hoping that expulsion notices. nationalist prejudice will Revoked gloss over their betrayals.

document received students at NELP has taken this ur such letters this term includ- While expressing "concern, ing 46 about to take their it confirms: finals "Clearly there should be threatened After Joll no case where British union activity and threaten- student is displaced by the ed occupation after and admission of others from hasty consultations with the overseas"

DES

these have been revoked-for the time being.

Nationalist But now the Polytech- nics have been asked to cut This scandalously nation- student numbers by intro- alist argument directly ducing quotas. parallels that of import students, Overseas 'controls. defined as those who have Similarly divisive ways of been in Britain less than cutting higher education are three must be Oakes the proposed reduced to 1975/6 levels- Report on the financing of a cut of 3,587 students in higher education. 30 Polytechnics. whole dep- : Undoubtedly Pay more artments will have to close.

At NELP the cut of 400 This suggests that local students would also mean should pay adores the loss of 40 academic higher contribution, perhaps quite apart Obviously staffing jobs 15% from other staffing. workers in like areas Waltham Newham Not forbidden and Forest, have who never It is not that Poly's are themselves benefited from forbidden to take more higher education, and where students. primary and secondary edu- The local cation is starved of adequate simply not get the funds, are likely to resent will £2,000 per student rate sup- increased local spending on port grant for any student higher education. in excess of their quota.

This is the smokescreen Clearly our Labour polit- that the Labour traitors are icians are relying on local create to conceal trying to hostility paying the future further, rounds these 'extra" to enforce cuts.

The violent events that 'parliamentary traditions Page 6

THE ENGLISH

REVOLUTION

paved the way for PART THREE by Mark Hyde Naturally, the most the tradesmen and free- holders and the middle sort bourgeois prosperous in those of men, especially areas went over to Parlia- corporations and counties ment, providing a strong which depend clothing base in the southern and and such manufactures". Yet while it was easy for eastern regions. socially contemporaries to Not a few country gentle- define the basis of Parlia- men, concerned for

MOSKV

ment's support, the men now deserted their property, ranged against Charles were Parliament when came to a politically by armed conflict. In calls homogeneous grouping. Such men had no stomach for standing the head of Social storm challenging order the rabble, On the one hand the grow- and authority. brought By no means all merchants ing social storm revolutionary fighters- proliferation of innumerable were bulk of the middle sects, the other,

UIL

the bulk of the Parliamentary class rallied. Richard Baxter, who lived feared too decisive a victory through these great events, spelt out the balance over the King! counties leading the

IOTCOS

With the King were: controlled gentry "A very great part of the Parliament's This al lies and gentlemen", essentially conservative layer Knights their tenants and the wanted only a detensive war "rabble" and hoped for a negotiated whom they settlement early manded. Parliament possible. With was of While fighting the King section the country they always looked nervously gentend the greatest part of back over their shoulders at Cromwell the poorer yeomen in their ranks They had no desire to take actions so revolutionary as to that unleash social forces they could not control. Even tried and tested like Pym and leaders Hampden had no notion of the war ending with the death of Charles-they hoped to hịm recognise the torce to of the Commons supremacy over himself in taking state decisions. Yet the small tradesmen, and farmers who the did joined cause not trouble themselves with such niceties. war that They wanted a would redress their grievances and wowa stop al nolding- they would find their spokes- Oliver Cromwell. man Not distinguished The who 01 al was the leader of the become English Revolution had not himself by distinguished 1640. A God-fearing squire from Buckinghamshire he had sat in Parliament once before in 1628-a thing which, in this period, was a fairly common practice country gentlemen and by no means indicative of political ambition. Perhaps this background helped, for Cromwell's mind was cluttered with the consti- tutional and legalistic baggage that obscured the outlook of so many of his associates.

Cromwell had no time for those who justified taking up arms by reference to 'ancient rights' that Claiming they were fighting to save the mis- guided King from bad cour- sellors. He said of Charles: "I would as soon discharge any private man him as upon my pistol upon The within the current side which Parliamentary shared this outlook was to be known as the 'Independents (after the more radical inde congregations); the pendent more hesitant and conserva- tive tendency, eager to main- social control. were known as Presbyterians'. Gulf As the war dragged on, the gulf these two groupings deepened. Not unexpectedly, the Royalists serious adversary and could not be defeated by a half-hearted military and political com- mand. The differences between Presbyterians and Indepen- did dents not the names seem to imply, over religious matters, but over the conduct of the war. Promotion on merit The Independent view was summarised by Cromwell: "I had rather have a plain that russet-coated captain knows what he fights for and what he knows than loves that which you call a gentle- man' and is nothing else Cromwell's Independents wanted an army that knew its job and fought to win-they called for end the to system of local forces (which the controlling gentry kept at to defend their home the pro- property), and

TOT

motion of officers according to merit and talent, not social standing. Cromwell attacked his general, the Earl of in the House oi Commons for his handling of the war. Parliament had actually won its first victory at the battle of Marston had failed to follow through its opportunity. Incompetent It was this experience that gave the impetus to of Cromwell's construction the 'New Model Army, to the exclusion of incompetent from high-ranking gentlemen posts, to the 'Self Denying Ordinance of 1645, forced MPs to resign officers' commissions and make way for better men. These changes led to the Parliamentary military victory the Battle of at Naseby. The conflict between the Presbyterians and Inde- the pendents is of central impor- tance to Marxists, because it underlines of the basic one laws of revolution in general, and bourgeois revolution particular. Engels himself saw the parallel between this split and the split between 'Girondins' France one and Jacobins in and a half centuries later.

In both cases the bour- geoisie, the class which revol- ution will benefit, must mobilise the •of much ala radical and desperate bourgeois forces petty SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesdas 24 May 1978

CHRONOLOGY-

'Charles I forced to call Parliament-ending 1640 'eleven years tyranny'. Dissolves "Short Parlia- ment' after three weeks, aresting leaders. Scottish Peace made at Ripon; enters England. army England pays £850 a day to Scottish army.

Charles forced to call Parliament again.

"Long Parliament' meets November 3.

1641 Strafford executed under an Act of Attainder reluctantly signed by the King. Reforms, inclu- ding abolition of Star Chamber, forced through by Parliament. Rebellion breaks out in Ireland.

Charles fails in Grand Remonstrance adopted.

arrest five MPs. Leaves London.

attempt to Civil War breaks out. After Battle of Edgehill 1642 Charles advances on London but is stopped by Trained Bands. 1643 Parliament makes alliance with Scots.

1644 New Model Army formed. 1645 Self-Denying Ordnance. Charles I's army smashed at Naseby. 1646 Charles surrenders. Laud executed.

London. 1647 Independents use army to occupy Putney debates on tasks of revolution reveal splits in army. 1648 Scots again enter England-this time to support Charles I. Defeated by Cromwell at Preston.

'Presbyterians' in Parliament negotiate with Charles. Pride purges Parliament.

1649 Monarchy and House of Lords abolished with Charles I's execution. It is in this spirit that we attain its ends. Cromwell's look Engels noted simply: "The middle class of the army The New Model Army (of towns brought it on, and the which Cromwell was in com- yeomanry country mand of the cavalry, Fairfax districts fought it out ... the being the overall commander) peasantry furnishes the army after the battle of went on in each the Naseby to 'mop up" the bourgeoisie (which unlike the remaining resistance lower orders has very much Charles gave himself up to the • Scottish allies of Parlia- to lose in a revolutionary up- hold ment, who duly handed him heaval) is inclined to back, and is only victorious over. in the end because it cannot restrain its followers. Disciplined Utopian and In Socialism: Engels draws the Scientific, The rapid victory was conclusion: entirely a consequence of the .. had it not been for the New Model nature With officers selected that yeomanry and Army. the plebeian element in according talent, highly- to towns, the bourgeoisie alone trained and disciplined, it was would never have fought the a modern fighting force that matter out to the bitter end could easily outmatch the • In order to sloppy Royalist forces, based secure ever those conquests of the bour- on men who lacked convic- that were ripe for tion or firm leadership. the time, the Cromwell frightened. his gathering had to be carried Presbyterian allies by select- revolution • This considerably further ing officers purely on the fact, to be one of basis of merit.

SECHIS.

the laws of revolution of Even members of the bourgeois society" feared revolutionary greatly Sir Thomas Fairfax The Earl of Manch Cromwell was ready Anabaptist sect were give leadership to those pre- admitted to responsible posts.

The job of destroying the pared to "fight the matter bitter end" hierarchy and values the old It was this that made him began in the army. great Trotsky observed in attacking Conservatism the Labour bureaucrats of the 1920s: : British workers can accident that twas incomparably Charles I chose to surrender learn more Scots. from Cromwell than from himself to the He MacDonald, Snowden, Webb wisely chose to avoid placing himself in the hands of the and other such compromising Model. (The Scots, by brethren" New

SOCIALISI FRESS

ADoription of His MAJESTIE'S ARMY of Torte and Foor BATTAL. of

SBIE

irtue of their Presbyterian army he had created. ligion, which involved strict The Royalist common ontrol of the lower ciasses enemy having been more closely ere naturally vanquished it was now a ques- igned and identified with tion of where the revolution ocial conservatism). would eno Charles even hoped for a Engels' law' was working ossibie allance with nis eIst- hile Scottish enemies zainst the monster Cromwell ad created. Of describe course, tried a mere we sorce ilitary machine does not do justice. Trotsky called it an irmed party New Model had also The •give the political leadership the revolution which no inger came from the House composed only Commons. This fact was completely terconnected its with ilitary efficiency. Like the oops Trotsky's Red the Roundheads London elieved in the they eleven Presbyterians Cause forced out the House ere actending of Commons August 1647: Class enemies The shown army its power. The army rank and file as gripped with a desire to ring about pollical. cial and economic ruin of • class enemies. the Significantly, with the ing defeated, the Presbyier- back or consolidate. vative been dealt with than a new struggle opened up within the Inde- pendent ranks. Limited monarchy The generals, including Cromwell, were still ready to limited for which monarchy real political power lay with Parliament. A general plan for such a system was contained in the 'Heads of the tamous Proposals'. radicals

LONGOI

(Levellers) and rank and file soldiers drew up an 'Agree- ment of the People'-a demo- cratic constitution. Behind this position lay of course, the desire of the great newly-awakened masses to ter guarantee their political influ- ence and rights for the future.

n leaders proposed the dis- Such inding of the New Model move was too Cromwell who ithout back pay-but offer- much for g the opportunity of service remained-however deter- Ireland!) and forceful-a mined The Presbyterians valued bourgeois revolutionary with establisning concerned army-they feared and defending bourgeois litically. social system. Naturally the New Model Curb discussion resisted this attempt, my id Cromwell, despite the doubted Moves were therefore from the members of his made 'normal' to military discipline, that is, to class, stuck with the encies S* THOMAS June the 14! 1645 curb political discussion.

Even this stage Cromwell may have agreed on a monarchy. Charles I, however, would not be dictated to. He escaped, regrouped some forces and renewed his military campaign for a brief period until defeated Preston and subsequently re- captured. Convinced, like his father, of his 'divine right' to rule, Charles did not give up easily.

Even at this point Presby- terian MPs hoped for a settle- ment. The monarchy would, true, have provided 'legitimacy and 'continuity. Rallying point On the other hand Crom- well now saw the King mainly as a dangerous rallying point for reaction. The army reoccupied London and a Colonel Pride (without Cromwell's know. ledge with subsequent approval), politely but firmly expelled MPs one hundred from the Commons. With the conservatives out of Cromwell the way, set an illegal High Court, to Up which Charles refused to plead-his last act of principle his head fell Delore January 1649. Cromwell, Levellers and Sects The killing of the King inevitably opened the way for conflict a sharp over wildl form of government would take the place on monarchy The remaining 'Rump of the Long Parliament was still seen as the legitimate organ of power, and this body

LOW

came under from pressure both the coencens Cromwell the so-called Leveler lorces in me army and the capital city The latter still hoped to see the adoption their democratic Agreement of the People. Imprisoned Cromwell and the Rump had no intention of taking and such a step soon the Leveller leaders found them- imprisoned; Scaves "Cromwell Trotsky it put ruthlessly put down the luna- ticks" Cromwell did not defend the Rump as the best form of government-his later actions proved this. But consolidation of the bourgeois revolution meant a struggle against the Levellers FAIREFAX: as they were drawn into feveral Bodies at the 4420 who would have burst its so far as it had outlook banks with their actions and conerent and the Leveller demands. programme When the Bolshevik revol- movement reflected the class ution in Russia faced civil war interests of the bour petty and famine, harsh measures geois layers radicalised and had to be taken against all thrown forward by the revol- those who threatened the ution. revolutionary discipline Feared by of men it single-mindedness necessary was accused ot wanting to level' all inequal- for a victory. and social ranks and Illes distinctions. Trotsky himself refers the Levellers 'equalitarians' and Similarly, English 'communists'. bo facing must have looked like misers though malicts th lion with the well-to-do, this is not an the threat an alliance of accurate characterisation the Scots alle the Levellers. and "Free men' of and could stand From their pamphlets, the from the Agreement of the People and from the famous the records of political allily was sufficiently debates held at Putney it is clear that the Levellers sought bid power not but the communism' 1650, defence 'free men'- a category which specifically excluded the propertyless movement wage earning and "servant' classes.

LUSC

Tommence Their main base of support smáll came from among masters and apprentice crafts- Through

WOLLY

HUCH

franchise to such layers Page 7 (probably the entire group which were considered free' amounted to about one-third of the they population, hoped to carry out a radical programme. Abolish monarchy Leveller demands raised at one time or another included the abolition of the House monarchi and of Lords, the election of sheriffs magistrates, the

•ANG

separ- ation of church and state.

is not surprising that a hostile writer accused the Levellers of turning the "poor against the rich' Yet social base of the Levellers did not have this aim FaI from being for the overthrow of private property it stood defence of the property of the 'little men' The democratic revolu- tionary just aemanas mentioned went alongside the fight against land enclosures against the power of trading companies-demands which reflected fears of the small farmers and craftsmen at their big competitors, yet would have made the devel- opment of capitalism imposs- ible. Cavalry Naturally, the Levellers won support from the cavalry (yeomen who provided their own horses). They were bitterly opposed by the army generals who represented the progressive bourgeoisie. Ireton, who took up the cudgels against the Levellers, behalf of the • Indepen dents said: "I would have an eye to property". He feared the implications of radical Leveller doctrine. He represented the future, while the Levellers were only the heroic death-agony of a doomed class. Yet their hopeless inability to take power and create a new social system in no way diminishes the importance of Leveller

MASTE

leaders, or the legacy they lett for democratic political theory. The qualification same apples to one degree or other to the plethora of movements and sects thrown up by the English bourgeois revolution.

The final part of this series will appear in next week's edition of Socialist Press. Cromwell dismisses the Rump Parliament

Page 8 Zaatar, Arab leaders who betrayed you now praise your fight" These words, in song old Palestinian sung man are the only attempt in the film this sum up of the political lessons of slaughter of thousands Lebanese Palestinians by fascists in the camp of Tel-al- Zaatar. Both the film's director- Battersby-and its chief Roy "star" Vanessa Redgrave-are Central Committee members "Trotskyist" Workers of the Revolutionary Party. But in 2½ hours of repetit- ive and rambling footage, the only political insight provided by the film comes unpromp- ted from this old man: "The bourgeoisie afraid. They want to stop the Palestinian revolution" The old man, of course, is Arab bourgeoisie The right. a successtul recognises the Palestinian by people to destroy. the imperialist, racist state of Israel and establish a secular would Palestinian involve and unleash a wave of revolutionary anti-capitalist the throughout" Middle East. While many of them may lip-service Palestinian cause, this fear of own their revoluuor prevents the Arab countries giving full back- bourgeoisie ing to the Palestinian freedom fighters. Liberation organised the present the

J0CC

Yasser ship, appeals for Arafat, support but rulers. essential smooth to of imperialist takeover the troops. poltical are leadership give and The Palestinian makes no different assessment OT political elements contending for leadership within the PLO itself, or the policies fought for by the existing leadership.

Trotskyism, Nor socialism Marxism or even rate so much as a mention from start to finish.

IN REVIEW

"The Palestinian'- no lessons drawn

WRP

policy is to stand of uncritically defence the bourgeois Arafat and

PLO.

leaders of the therefore make no call-in the film or in their daily paper Newsline for the building of a Palestinian Trotskyist party.

Genuine Nobody could doubt the genuine emotion or the revol- utionary conviction of many Palestinians inter- of the viewed in the film. They have lived day by day through the most horrific and testing struggles agalls! the full weight of Zionist and imperialist oppression. They have been deserted by supposed "allies" They friends, have seen Teaves. maimed acquantainces beaten or killed in 30 years of struggle. Their cause demands the full active backing ot the international But it also stands in dire need of principled leadership.

film contains line number of moving scenes. But with no political com- ment to make on the lessons of such experiences, the film can as a whole the level of romanticised at nationalism. Part-playing Worse still, while the of the unfeigned emotion Palestinians obvious, Redgrave seems to regard the film as yet another part to be played. From our first glimpse of her-embarassingly playing the of near-tearful part talking to doctor from Tel-al-Zaatar-to final (posturing before a crowd of holding Palestinians and machine gun above her head) Redgrave hogs virtually every point scene raising a political question or offering a shred of political explanation. Shambles And Battersby, whose ability as m rector doubt, beyond consumed by The grovelling political line of the WRP that he turns out a ridiculously over-length, undisciplined shambles of a film with no coherent structure whatever.

It would indeed be inter- esting to know whether any actually •dis- footage was carded in editing the tim of whole series

SOCC

embarrassing scenes (which had the audience squirming ir their seats) were included the finished version. Whether it Vanessa be desperately pretending understand rapidly spoken Arabic: Arafat seemingly unable to terminate an "inter- view" which he was the only speaker and the cameras kept rolling; or a Palestinian guerrilla leader mockingly Arafat fascists-most vicious section of the Arab bourgeoisie-have for the Palestinians and their stluggie Fascists reviews the Vanessa

JOHN

LISTER

Astonishing interviews with Lebanese fascist leaders film "The Redgrave Productions bring out the same point. But Palestinian", directed by Roy Battersby the film soft-pedalled the showing

WRP

recruitment support Now at military given to these fascists by the meetings. Syrian bourgeoisie. Unless the fascist forces are seen in the context of the of the whole Arab hostility bourgeoisie to the Palestinian these points fail to struggle, connect into any pattern.

Nothing however could WRP's illustrate the belly- crawling to Arafat better than the protracted 'interview" with Redgrave which ends the film

FORWARD

Without being asked Arafat rambles on unchallenged talking about of Palestinian view the nIS to PALESTINE He struggle. suddenl embarks points about theory, general some not BACKLJARD "Without strong platform of theory you can't carry on". to SETTLE ENT Marxism At such a point a Trotsky- immediately have ist probed behind Arafat's state- theory? Marxist What ment. theory? Is Arafat a scientitic socialist? What impact has the WRP- 'International Commit- led tee" had on Arafat and the PLO leadership? Here was a golder

LOU

opportunity to get Arafat to state publicly his position on the Arab bourgeoisie which has so consistently betrayed the Palestinian struggle But even when Arafat ran out of things to say, stoppe and invited her to disagree or ask a question, the most to could Redgrave say "Thank you very much". Embarassed She sat silent while camera whirred on. Arafat, clearly embarassed by such subservience from an talk 'interviewer' began to three key again. There Palestinian militants lobby the Egyptian "an idea, the things, he said: Embassy last November the people in who beneve urging his troops to few bullets in honour of the Published English"-all was grist Battersby mill, and loyally spliced into what became a June 15 157 minute endurance test.

Strengths deals 'Communists' Against Revolution Not that the tlim with the most important aspects of the dev- without its strengths. Certain elopment of Stalinism on a world scale since sequences show 1945. Battersby has not been com- together volume the pletely numbed by the WRP.

brings none until now unobtainable 1964 essay by Tim A riveting opening sequence Wohlforth The Theory of Structural Assimil- the map of Israel, so wille blood, leading into dripping ation with a critical commentary by Adam of brutal pictures the Westoby. dispossession of the Palestin- 166 page book is vital reading for This 1948 ians by Zionism method and those who wish to defend the promise seems to a much principles of Trotskyism against the varied film better than revisionist currents that have challenged the Palestinian turns out to be.

very essence of the Transitional Programme.

A breathtaking prolonged utter devas- pan around the ORDER from WSL, 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, tation of the destroyed Tel- London NW5 1HR. al-Zaatar camp spelis out the bitter hatred of the Lebanese SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 24 May 1978 idea, and the gun" Even this implicit attack and explicit Leninism there which another side-the bourgeoisie with its ideas, its forces and its guns) did not rouse Central Vanessa Committee member to ask so much as a question.

was therefore the Arafat's final word in a film which at attempted point • Trotskyist assessment of the Palestinian struggle Barred at door It is no coincidence there- fore that Trotskyists of the Workers Socialist League have

WRP

barred by • leaders been at the door of each showing of the film in a vain bid to seeing and prevent its political challenging

PLO

the capitulation leadership.

WRP

The leaders have time some been aware for that members and supporters ol iner party in a numoer vi already had have al vau political discussions with th which the WRP's

WSL

1n abandonment of the Trotsky- programme has been the ist central issue discussed succession of frenzied and slanderous articles against the

WSL

published Newsline have signalled a bid

WRP

their by the wall members off from political discussion on these questions.

Abandoned showing of But now the The Palestinian at a series of

WRP

meetings will bring home to even more the WRP the layers within extent to which their leaders have abandoned in practice every principle of the Trans- itional Programme and reduced themselves to for rank of cheerleaders Arafat. The fight for the absolute principle of the political inde- pendence of the working class in Britain and internationally means a struggle against such and the fight methods reconstruct the Fourth Inter- basis of a on the reaffirmation of practical Trotsky's Programme. blution iwo colay ainst SAVE 50p ON YOUR

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UNITY AGAINST

Booth backs print traitors- SOCIALIST PRESS. heiresde: it Me: 19°9 "Unity is an excellent thing. But demarcation on the question of the Marxist precede programme

MUST

unity (fusion of the mass newspapers) in order for that unity to be honest and long lasting". Trotsky "Before can unite, and in order that we can we must first of all unite, draw firm and definite lines of demarcation. Otherwise unity will be purely fictitious, it will conceal the prevailing confusion and hinder radical its elimination". Lenin Flying in the face of this advice from the great revo- lutionaries of our epoch CP Socialist Challenge was launched a year ago by the opportunist International Marxist Group in the hope of finding a programme suf- ficiently minimal to permit of the the

ING

fusion with a wide range of cen- trist and anti-Trotskyist groups. Foremost among these anti- Trotskyists courted by the IMG biggest grouping Workers Socialist left-the Party. Expelled The from the tre were expelled from Trotskyist movement reTUSinO defend the Snviet Union against imperialism in the cold-war period-arguing that it had.beer transformed into a "state capi- talist regime. They still hold this reaction.

ary position-which denies the gains the October 1917 revolution. Bolton and Leigh). in keeping with this But apparently the

ING

superficial method of analysis leaders remain undeterred. They the

SWP

Today consistentIv are convince that yałher thar pull track from str bures agains.

carry through the hard fight to trade bursaucracy, build a movement by recruiting reivine The synecosT Roo workers and others the 'outflanking' them by "rank ot Trotskyist programme, a short. and file" action. found the fact that these

CUT

Cal touch Despite dropping the programme and positior to trots it try swallowing up Trotskyist what have but dise Deen Their oo tica positions. every crushingly reTued event working class history (which demonstrates that can be defeated WOrKers United -by their leadership") the IMG have gone overboard in a bid to adapt to the swP. Toothless major Commons debate on the newspaper IMG backing for the large industry last week took but toothless Anti-Nazi League •class place to the sound of Gove- content excludes essential rnment and opposition demands for socialist boucies leaders tip-toeing on eggs.

and workers detence) is simply the latest shape of this adapta.

Virtual of tion. by Tory expressed was more Tuly elabora- opposition spokesmen, late last year in an IMG ter James Prior, and Labour document "Our Common Employment Minister, Alb- Ground" which was published in Socialist Challenge ert Booth. had been guaran.

The

IMG

teed by this platform the tough state- for 'unitv' threw overboard not ments from managements at only the spacific demands of the both the Observer and the Times. a Se anv cal tor unconoitional Both men recognised the defence of the Soviet Union crucial role being played by against imperialism, an any call the print union leaders. As for unity to take place with the they waited for Joe Wade, context international the NGA General Secretary, The irony is that all of these work out thek.correct used net ted. bait the formula for attacking Obse- sacrifices by

IMG

have rver print members, they WiTh Tine TIsh-the were both extremelv anx- but a bloc with a modest shoal ious to say nothing to emb- worthless small (Big arass him. Workers League Prior set the tone with and a handful of plankton (the Marxist Workers Group some mild criticism of new-

TROTSKYISM

This, together with the con- tinuing inability of the

ING

to analyse the imiereccionicte development the class struggle has produced Socialist Challenge's utter political cor fusion, spiced with occasion: aoventurism ano sencationalism.

From its first appearance its record on key issues has been doysmal Socialist Challenge failed for months to call for blacking of to axe jobs who spaper managements 'quali- lacker some or kre ties' of the old fashioned Press barons, which enabled them to avoid some of the disputes. praised leaders for their responsible attitude' and urged them to if use unem anu they necessary must act together to do so' A joint union manage- ment effort to get accepted the once rejected blueprint fór new (Prog. technology for Action) should oc lliduc His speech could have been Booth. cleared with Almost the only thing that

COLO

find to object to was that Prior had been too explicit about his desire to declare

...SO LET'S CALL IT

"MORNING WORKERS CHALLENGE!

Tra Grunwick, peddled illusions in the Scarman report and carried interviews with 'left' uncritical consistently refused to confront call for a break in the Lib- Coalition; revealing speeches and documents by Leyland bosses Socialist Challenge made no attemot this direct use materia towards a workers programme for action on jobs-and wages union closed shops WIlL lilegal. Booth attacked manage- ments for being too soft. li they gave in to unofficia action they reduced the authority of the print union leaders on whose coopera- tion they depended. Disintegration In reference to the disintegration of the News- paper Publishers Association he called for the strengthe- ning of the employers orga- nisation. Booth backed the threats by Observer and Times managements to cease pub- lication. There 'immutable law' which said that there should be natio- nai papers centred UI London. Page y "How many times have we met a smug centrist, who reckons himself a "realist" merely because he sets out to swim without any ideological baggage whatever and is toss ed by every vagrant current. He is unable to understand that principles are not dead ballast but a life line for a rev.

olutionary swimmer." TrotskyWritings 1935-6, p27.

"The idea of 'parity of formations', that is, of tenden- cies, is inherently absurd and vicious. The tendencies are not equal in numbers; but what is most important is the different ideological and political value of the tendencies.

There are right and wrong tendencies, progressive and reac- tionary ones. Adventurists, who hold nothing sacred, may well accomodate themselves with all the possible tenden- But Marxists are obliged to mercilessly fight the un- cies. principled tendencies and not to make an alliance with them on an equal basis. The parity of tendencies means the parity of Marxism, centrism, adventurism, etc. One could easily find in Marx, Engels, Lenin, a mountain of sarcastic quotations against analogous pretensions from petty-bour- geois formations of the time."

Crisis of the French Section pp 122-3.

and throughout the firemens' StrIKE Socials Cnallenge apec Labour the SWP, in focussing on calls for "solidarity" and picketing when the sharpest political fight centred on the struggle against TUC-policed wage ContrOls leaders In between these wrong and dangerous positions an array of non-Trotskyists anti- i TotskvIsts nave been arven oade after page to display their hos- tility to programmatic clarity mourn and the concept of a Leninis vanguard party. Sucked in dead Socialist Challenge cannot be 'reformed" to produce Trotskyist paper. pouC each issue is tied to that of the anti-Trotskyists that have been sucked into Socialist Unity butchers ine current line of the soc ialist Workers Party. With the SWP moving to the riant in its crovelina to Liberals and bourgeois supporters of the Anti-Nazi Socialist We note, without the League, Challenge • must be drawn in the slightest regret, the un- same arrecton timely passing (several Meanwhile letters from three leading IMG members in recent decades too late) of two issues of Socialist Challenge ind major figures of post- icate a public split in the organ.

war imperialism. isation on the question of Stal. inism. Selwyn Lloyd was. the British Foreign Secretary Orthodox who in 1956 in league with "socialist" government Robin Blackburn and Taria France and with the Israeli Ali both are

WOWING

lowdres Zionist regime, organised Turine! accomocation the the British British Communist Party, , while invasion of John Ross sound Egypt trying in a vain attempt to like a voice of orthodoxv seize the Suez canal which But there can be no prospect had been nationalised (with Trotskyist orthodox compensațion) by Nasser's WIthOU government. scrapping Socialist ot the Lloyd later went on Challenge adventure, an accoun . to ting of the historical origins be, Chancellor of the Exchequer, an architect of Inese revisionist positions, and a thorough break from them in the Tory attack on working • in the fight to recon class living standards in the struct the Fourth International.

1960s. His invention of the six By Terry Smith month "pay pause" in 1961 was later use of by made Harold Wilson's Labour Government in 1966 And last week, of course no one was more unctuous in their praise of this imperi alist and enemy of the working class than Labour Party leaders. They also had nothing The united front of Tory but praise for the other and Labour leaders to boost of belated casualty the week Robert Menzies, their members was former Tory Prime Minister inevitably backed by the of Australia junior of the coali- Aside from his numerous Wally tion, the Liberals. acts of hostility towards the With the Labour left Australian working class, reduced to their habitual Menzies should be impotence the onlv discord bered as the man who along- was introduced by and • Nixon right-wing Tory Jonathan sent troops to Vietnam 1r Aitken, who said newspaper an unsuccessful attempt to workers were 'just about the crush the Vietnamese revo- ill most discipl- grecalest. lution. ined, most selfish and irresp- Though forced in the end onsible group of trade unio- to retreat humiliated, this nists in this country' was not before the Australi- This was the authentic an army had notched up its voice of newspaper owners- share of brutal murders. quickly buried Selwyn Lloyd and The task ahead for Tory Menzies-both these imperi and Labour leaders is not alist butchers lived many down They that road years after their crimes, to and back intend to boost be honoured and revered by their agents-the print unior Australian the British and leaders-to solve their profit state and by those WIll CrISiS Fleet Street, claim to lead the working through the discipline of the class. We are shedding no tears

Page 10

COWARDS INTERNAT LAURA

AWLST REVELITEN

The Workers Socialist League The Workers Socialist League is a Trotskyist organisation fighting to construct a principled revolutionary leadership in the working class in Britain and internationally and for the recon- struction of the Trotskyist Fourth Internation- al on the basis of the Transitional Programme step against the The WSL fights at every of the trade unions and the existing leaders Labour Party-now firmly harnessed to bourgeois politicians of the Liberal Party in an unspoken coalition arrangement.

Against their policies of class collaboration put forward instead a programme which we points to the independent class interests of the its need to organise indepen- working class, capitalism, destroy dently to overthrow machinery and repressive state socialist planned economy.

Only in this way can workers resolve today's problems of tumbling living standards, mass unemployment, slashed social services, racial, national and sexual oppression.

For more details on the WL and its work, fill in the form below. Name. Address Trade Union/Occupation Send to WSL, 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HR Trotskyism Today

TROTSKYISM

TODAY

History of the Fourth International Trotskyism in World War Two Marxism V Socialist Feminism Price 50p plus 12p p&p from WSL, 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HR

SOCIALIST

PRESS

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INDUSTRIAL

As the strike at the Garners Steak Houses the enters its seventeenth and week, support sympathy for the strike has built up to a new level, and the stri- kers are as resolute and determined as ever. its In a week which ended establish a in the 500 strong demons tration of support through Central London on Satur- day May 2 wormers were groups wer the picket on including delegations trom the Southall Trades Coun- cil Fords Chloride allu included one

TGWU

of the member The Regional from delegation Iccular Trades the Wandsworth Council was also there last week, alongwith a new one from Brent Trades Coun- cil. week Earlier the 1n were a number On interesting meetings. blacking Monday the committee (including Jack Dromey), announced the of large dispatching number of letters to supp- liers. Sceptical Strikers were sceptical of much coming out light of past this in the This was espe- experience. cially because Pyke's the who were alleg- butchers, edly blacking, were said to have been seen delivering that very morning. The with will watch see if Pyke' interest to shops in West London and pick- e sew nere promised eted, as by Dromey. strike committee meeting on Tuesday orga- for the Saturday nised mobilisation and discussed a recall support conference to follow it. A third meeting was the press conference on Thur- sday run by full-time offi- cial Abrahams, and Rach- man for the strike comm- attended ittee, 'and most of the capitalist press . £1.10 .£2.20 Edwardes/Ryder The .£5.50 speed-up plan in Leyland is £10.00 continuing with the aid of collaborating convenors and officials. Cowley Body Plant the the right wing leadership of the TGWU is the method of leavin combat individual problems on their own. Ever since 1971 the rank and file has managed using stop watches company Dartmouth industrial engineers the 8n S have had to rely on arguments of effort not being enough.

ago one of the Six months allowed leading ront will old the stop watch onto his section

NEWS

GARNERS TURN

PROMISES

INTO ACTION

together with some work- difficult it all was, despite the £30 obtained at Grunwicks. At the press conference the continuing strength of the Regional portrayed the strike was General Purposes and the extended blacking was described. The repor- ttee met matter ters present were naturally the fact princely sceptical a00ul that if had taken almost as payment. four months to get moving are inclined to throw this on these matters, but duti- back in their faces; they fully took down the rather should press for more than dated figures of profit and loss which had been obt- this derisory sum. ained by the TWU about the Garners operations. Regional Ron Todd's call for 'effec- tive picketing is no answer ques- More sensitive the tions concerned the para- harassment llel with Grunwicks, whose resulted in had been funeral rites Police announced few days amests. allow union earlier. Abrahams said this outside some of the restau- like Grunw- nothing was and and with picketing wicks, would be much easier to when they choose willi Pressure asked about fin- When ancial aid to the strikers- for the are still only getting they the union £6 week properly Abrahams king and repeated the strike pay. excuses about how usual

PRESSED STEEL SPEED UP

were going to force the the stop-watch Princess final lines. isolated reality had ovel when they were Luoy voted by a narrow accept the stop-watch shows on the Marina final-lines.

1 VIS

Since then everywhere over the members the the rest otal opposed company has been quoting this they have been wind continud precedent. But position successfully resisted up until last company's plans. week. SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 24 May 1978

-NUJ —

PICKET

SHUTS

PAPERS

The strike by journalists on three small London sub- papers against victi urban misation had a major succ. ess last week, when printers refused to cross their picket Printers at King and Hut- chings at Uxbridge suppor- ted NUJ members on the Gazette who had Acton organised a mass picket in support of their three week old strike They refused to cross the picket line last Tuesday and on Thursday received the official backing from

NG A

National Council to stay net immediate impact The immediate umpteen to stop WaN publications-including Arab daily, Al Arab and the Chronicle, Jewish Severi local papers and for a time, the International Herald Tribune But after a management the Herald that Tribune would be lost if it published for the was not third night the NGA chapel agreed to send in a skeleton staff to work on it. The Acton Gazette Hendon Times and Watford Times, Westminster three Press papers, are ime last l be refused to the country £7.09 the national wage blatant piece of victimisation. Journalists at the Bucks Free Press have refused to Garner pickets cross a picket line there and some other WP papers are in which had beer a mandatory session. The pickets must now be On that very same day, strengthened and the NGA Finance and should management ignore Commi- ultimations to stop work on consider the King and all in and agreed on the Hutchings. sum of f10 per all once for Some strikers Left turn for CPSA Secretary, Militants in the Civil police increasing which has Services and Public at least Association will have refuse their eyes firmly on the banners left Exec- wing new have reduced utive, expecting them to numbers of pickets, as and coming give a lead in struggles on pay and will continue public spending cuts. strikers for real mass picketing with trade Certainly the heavy delegations, for defeat suffered by Truemid- organised blac- right the wing in Dacker for adequate substatial indication of the Executive elections readiness of CPSA members fight in defence of jobs and conditions But the new Executive with Broad Left, peppered re going to forected shot Communist Party Stalinists

SWP

'Militant' supporters, and IMG members, has to that prove in The right wing successfully represents qualitative section improvement tremendous support that The last left-wing domi- climbed held nated axecutive their given a false position down ignominiously in the of the lack of support and they face of a government lock- malorit out threat. And the new Executive has no coherent policy for resisting the cuts clearly one of leadership. While A principled leadership is remal fight for strike , the right needed their jobs and USe action wherever force through the conditions come under renewed attack.

SOCIALIST PRESS. nesterds:

LEEDS BUS

WORKERS

WIN ROUND

ONE

would Leeds bus workers go strike need for buses, businessmen work today back to were being hard hit by the (Wednesday) after a six spending strike, strike week stopped thousands of cuts in bus services and ferrying Week staff being carried out. work. Shopkeepers week strike The six were ended with the bus workers money. old back the going

ULI

schedules and Leeds Metro strike leaders defeated management shifted from break attempt to

LICI

that agreements over the change

DO I

confined ol services new schedules. is only But the victory. the first round in the cam- how effective united action Union officials, can be. Dalli ACAS and management are basis to start taiks on tne that now schedules will be new schedules in order to introduced on July 2. impose cuts in services and Flight to Leeds Jobs.

TGWU

Smith, Larry National Passenger Officer, flew to Leeds to conduct negotiations. GMWU-who The return to work gives similar cuts. him a dangerous opportun- must the bus deflect ity workers from their cuts. the fight. Already. mined local official, Allison, appeared on TV to say that new schedules will operate from July. But stewards determined to fight all cuts in staff and will have been services this strengthened by victory. more than a week For ACAS had been trying to of selling the find a way doomed deal to the bus workers. Speke, first effort at Their Was votes rejected bv 800 (May 300 last Wednesday finally 17) and they concluded that unless the not due until May 26. company backed down, the strike would continue. Clearly attempt to mobilise An clerks at Leeds Civic Hall to of workers' demonstration hostility to stage against the strike ended in miserable failure when only eight protestors turned up.

an Moves had been building point of closure. up to black petrol to private companies carrying out scab work during the dispute and approaches were planned to other bus companies in the Engineering West Yorkshire Metro area for supporting asking leaders action. Despite a series of vicious in the Yorkshire given to articles Evening Post and the York- shire Post 'proving' that the strated T.U. ofishall

YOUR MAN AT THE TOP

A new element has been brought into the campaign

TGWU

officials to by militant stewards victim ise in British Leyland's Cowley Assembly Plant. Thomas Quinn, a supporter of right wing ex-convenor Reg and District Secretary parsons reduce the David Buckle was aco ulttec Oxford Crown Court Frank maliciously wounding 5/293 the Corti-secretary of tens TGWU branch. pounds each Quinn was found guilty assault and fined €100 people Common with £100 costs Corti received 15 in the city

STITCHES

in his face when, according to losing also Quinn witnesses, a dozen ovel walker over to nim at a union To build on this success organised social the works be shattered a pint must and canteen their concep- mud on his aw Mr Louis Barrett, prosecut- fight the ing said: stopping the no provocation *There was of any kind and notning done to The workers have proved give rise to this very nasty and vicious assault' Coat said ho was standine dance up when Management requires the organiser, approaching him

SAWV

from the bar. "He had won some money that evening and I assumed that This must be brought out as i knew nim quite well ne was clearly by a direct appeal to going to come over and invite workers in the public sector me to have a drink", said Mr.

-in NALGO, NUPE and the Corti. "Then without any warning are facing left I felt his presence on my hand side. I saw the mug and he be joint brought it up and hit me in the strike action to defeat the Speke: bosses Ltake no chances- The majority of the fight the closure. While Leyland manage- workforce at Leyland's ment obviously appreciated Triumph plant such efforts they also took Merseyside own precautions were laid off on full pay floor resis- against shop last week-though total arguing that an early tance, lay-off would give the 3,500 closure of the plant is "to find workers a chance work"! management 30 per job wanted to take no chances smouldering In an area where Lib-Lab the cynical of speed-up and policies bureaucratic sell-out of their sackings, combined with the jobs kindling into the flame of union the collaboration occupation officials, has brought a 13% rate-with unemployment Conspiracy 30 workers chasing each vacancy-this amounts to no more than a cruel joke. Officials of the Confeder- ation of Shipbuilding and The political fight to oust the reactionary union Unions and leaders that have paved the Leyland Combine stewards' way for the Speke sell-out had conspired and to construct a Trotsky- ensure that no direction was Speke ist leadership in the unions militant must now be stepped up. workers who openly demon-

IT'S PERFECTLY SIMPLE, O'FISHALL OLD BOY.

GET YOUR MEMBERS BACK TO WORK OR

WE'LL SHUT DOWN FOREVER!

IF I WERE IN JOE WADES

SHOES, WHAT WOULD I DO!

WITCH-HUNT WINS

COURT ACQUITTAL

''It shattered on my jaw Althouch witness hone. There was bood and glas everywhere and I was in a bit of a state" acquit Quinn Cy Blake, a deputy senior wounding shop steward and a supporter of said he was talking to doubts about te arsons Corti when Quinn approached.

glass The outcome-an "I though ne was coming u to talk to me. He then hit Frank on the with a glass" TacI encouragement "I got splattered with glas said. and blood" wingers defence physical attacks on militants counsel turned The trial into a political witch.

hunt. The first question he asked the courts Alan fascist demonstrators Corti was secretary?'. Alan Nor is there _ nornett s Thornett well Trotskyist, is chairman of the against 5/293 branch. hishysteria defence In that because of the "whipped up by militants in the about to punch him and there- Recional ane ulry. fore he decided to hit first.

infinitely more trivial acts.

MEKSOSI

MATE

FBU FIGHT

Friday in In the wake of the fight there TUC sell-out of the fire- authority strike the county brigade by 30% men's pay emphasis has shifted to the fight to defend and nationally improve manning levels. In London and elsewhere offensive on done employers 1s to be nothing to increase manning 42-hour week secured. preparatory for As of introduction scheduled fight 42-hour week working in for the November. union leaders that Indeed most forces

TUC

undermanned even

TOT

defeat the existing 48-hour week. winter, and Growing awareness that a ready clearly fight is looming on this issue brought 1,000 firemen from brigades all over Britain the employers. through the demonstrate of Lincoln

SLICELS

(...SO I'M SURE MY HONCUKABLE FRIENDS

WILL AGREE —IT$ ABOUT TIME THAT TRADE

UNION LEADERS TOOK A TOUGH LINI

WITH THEIR MEMBERS. SACK EM ISAY.

Ford strike after witnes had testified to the use the judge in his Resistance speed-up tc summing up directed the jury to and company

OICSSUCULI

of manciou floor the brought shop had they about a strike last week bi of the USe Ford's 2,000 workers acquittal Halewood plant in defence of a victimised workmate more serious charge and worker was sacked a fine for assault-is tantamount The right after allegedly assaulting a brutal but strikers pointed out that he had It stands in sharp contrast to conflict with the punitive sentences meted out by bees foreman over the speed of To pickets ano auli operating a machine. sign that the of the A mass meeting transmission plant vote for strike will take any disciplinary action unanimous Quinn for this admitted and action last Thursday, violent attack at a trade union pickets manned the gates of and the plant. eight left wing Cowley workers are currently subject of a TGWU of accused

PERSETSID

Firemen lobby their leaders at the January Conference at Bridlington the support oI

FUND

fire against plans to cut the It is obvious that strike action both in Lincolnshire We're on target this week could well with ii0i.4u arriving over til be necessary if the bosses' last seven days, bringing our manning levels far to £950.67 total defeated and the £2,000 special fund. preparation for this £100 week the minimum firemen must struggle each week if we are to reach removal of those our target on time by the end allowed of July. to isolate and By next week we need pay strike last well over the first £1,000 go don't delay! Send your who are now concede contribution to WSL Special Fund cuts in service and manning 31, Dartmouth Park Hill levels sooner than confront London NW5 1HR

MIDLINE THEIK

HEY JOE..

I'VE JUST HAD

AN INSPIRATION!

Action against the cuts e

EGA CLOSURE

Indefinite strike action-extended onto a national basis-is now essential if the Elizabeth Anderson Garrett hospital is to be saved the from closure at Lib-Lab of the hands government. the message resolutions PHOTO: John Sturrock. Report spelled

EGA

adopted last week by and by health stewards, the stewards South Joint Shop Stewards Committee. Occupation strike Two years ago action in London hospitals, later followed months tenacious workers' by still that occupation the

EGA.

continues Ennals that the off succee Jed be closed on July 21 shows government moves to axe and made the that the hospital, taken to halt the cutbacks, EGA the main focus for the fight against health service 2-veai face defeat. cuts nationally. the announcement But provoked an immediate res- last week in Parliament by David from Health Secretary ponse rally This Saturday (May 27) marks an important forward for the step Nursery Oxford City with the Campaign "Action holding of an Against the Cuts" Rally the

CULA

Oxford Com- in East government munity Centre. attacks on . The Rally seeks to draw class. out the lessons of the cam- in far and paign the six week particular, The Rally occupation of South Oxford clear proof Class which was Nursery forward on ended three weeks ago when workers draw police and bailiffs smashed through their way in whilst the class was in progress. Campaign, generalised

CLASH

bodies like mittees". Speakers will include Colin Kenny, Secretary of on the policies of Committee of London the Area Stewards in the Health tion, local

(CLASH),

and Service committees representatives from ists to reveal Hospital, the Hounslow

EGA,

"Fightback", Bethnal full pay Green, the Youth Service. threatened. Occupation clearly Printed by Anvil Printers, Registered at the Post Office as a Newspaper.

SOCIALIST

PRESS * R

STEWARDS CALL :

STRIKE TO STOP

A WE DEMAND

WORKERS

ENQUIRY

N : Ua PE.

LINERSITY COLES HAPTA

CAL

21 July two years ago - workers strike and demonstrate in support of the EGA and supporters, EGA is to which was strong enough to regional

NUPE

fresh action prompt Mike Taylor official "rotating one day could threaten struggle strikes" among London hos- announcement pitals. also Support was reaffirmed during the week trade

JOCH

Groups fighting partic- cuts must carry the ular fight into the trades council individual unions and provide a base for industrial only effective the going to be an increasingly tactic in combating cuts.

important tactic in fighting The Oxford City Nursery the Lib-Lab is continuing its Campaign up its fight to force local union

SICON

the working, take action to pooles back up their 'left' talk.

week the Occupa- Actual struggles 1 MIs tion Committee is to meet a delegation from the Trades will provide force the issue that' the way Counci to Education with the local cuts is to Committee. into action Next week a special actual struggles, meeting Nursery executive the

NUTE

will consider strike action, through not though Divisional once. Anderson "Anti-cuts Com- George County branch secretary Eric Millar are doing their The cuts must be fought best to wriggle and squirm occupa- apening the books of their way off the hook of members' their own grow- authorities to ing militancy. of trade union- Nursery campaigners planned cut- travelled to Margate to the backs, and work sharing on NUPE Conference last week wherever sackings leaflet delegates when redundancies nursery cuucal onl Was Published by Folrose Ltd for the Workers Socialist Leagüe, 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HR.

The most flagrant attack on union members by their own union Fleet Street has ever seen is being carried out this week.

Observer who oinalua anonica con alaul their union jobs and their future livelihoods stripped from them. body But Tne this assault is not an employer but the National Council of the National Graphical Association!

The machine crime? They doserver thAv made bought the newspaper to restore manning levels witch-hunt ing minders took ago ores. improved manning outstanding beer months and had already stopped production last year. -Atlantic Richfield-bought the Observer more than a year ago were workers accept drastically reduced man- ning levels to 'save' their jobs.

The 25 demanded that made back up to 30. was Secretary would close minders machint Liarantee uninterrupted produc some 20 minutes. tion has Ennals force On Lactics reaffirmed his ation to shut the EGA, but refused to date and at a meeting between of a definite EGA stewards and staff and all-out struggle,

NUPE

representatives and hopes

ASTMS

COHSE

hospital down

NALGO.

resistance On Friday the EGA Cam- unionists. paign Committee organised The situation 300-strong rally which not Road for blocked Euston More for the EGA. The process of running has already been stepped up

EGA.

scheduled on the agenda. Amidst banners

"NUPE

Fights proclaiming cies in the Alan Fisher and the Cuts" will increase drastically.

treacherous bureau- fellow crats hogged the stage unti raise the any A strong lead has occupation had been talked this given

VUL.

Stewards same group as the EGA. resolution indefinite support of the passed last week. leaders gency branch that passed Camden JSSC: the ports the hospital open 2. support Fisher Fleet St.

DEFEND PRINTERS!

The onserver the context close is, circulation, lower increasing leaders that profit waGe Cost. ludicrous. But Wade and 29 out of the 30 National Council other machine minders members were fully prepared to refused to sign a legally act on it pledge never to take the

NGA

were gives a form members stand to i tc their @hserver caros sign by the union pledging tha would not disrupt carrying production refused, Wade they promised the Observer manage.

would provide scab ment hi the work and minders 800U dscipline the members. demanded The ultimatum persuaded 12 management honour a sign they when

INE

Incredibly-given the or essUT they were under-the rest held In an atmosphere of mount- TIrIN The Observer's threat proved the machine to be empty. They ran on two • action two weeks and produced 400,000 claim for Dressed copies • от а small size papor- that hac about half their usual print run.

for several The attack demands immed When the American oil giant solidarity by other print iate workers. It demonstrates the need to persuaded reject all the phony arguments 'viability and the need about TO immediate nautonals ation of Fleet Street under minders machine workers mandeemont Drop disciplinary action at be numbers the Observer and Reveille!

No union scabs! The Observer management's travel workers committees General decide pay and manning levels!

tell Demand to loe Wade that company finances and secrets!

forever the Street did Nationalise Fleet workers manage papers EGA stewards. 3. The branch resolves to But the scale of the reac- take indefinite strike action enough to to change from the montel of the

EGA

Thursday determin- interfered with. The branch calls on 4. the TUC and national union a closure pul leaderships defence This means that instead national action in date for of the EGA." Ennals Only action along these lines can save the EGA and the run most and defuse

CUA

•stewarus whom agree with the above from trade resolution, must give a clear lead in this fight. now less, dangerous Cuts strategy down the hospital rallies and Protest "public for appeals sympathy" are not enough Lib-Lab to stop is now more urgent determined bid coalition's to close this hospital, which they see as an obstacle public their strategy. of workers-in defence of the spending cals Workers must demand If Ennals finally succeeds and that unlon in closing the EGA then the Labour MPs declare support rate of cuts and redundan- for indefinite strike action Health Service in defence of the EGA, and fight to break the axe-wield.

Strong lead anti-socialist Lib-Lab ing coalition Socialist The Workers South has campaigned League Camden District Joint Shop since the very start of the Committee which for clear

EGA

fight includes the hospitals in the programme: *Strike action and occu- calling for pations to stop the cuts strike action in health *Restore service was the

CUA

spending: protect inflation against service is vital that all trade through a sliding scale of unionists, especially hospital spending. workers, demand that their *Open the books of the put out a Health Authorities call for action in defence of the planned cuts. expose the EGA and organise emer- profits made by and the to private suppliers. adopt resolutions similar to the drug *Nationalise by and private толорона medicine without compen- "1. The branch fully sup.

workers sation by struggle management. workers in the EGA to keep *EGA stewards have called a health The branch will give meeting of all London stewards picket line at the EGA on sulle 10 at 1.30 pm. under the direction of the