Amidst all the 'internationalism' of the so-called left' at the Labour Party conference, there is one issue which they most decidedly do not want to take up - cana mere are. iris true. a senes orresolu tions calling for the repeal of the Prevention of TerTOTISMACE But there is not one single resolution calling for the withdrawal of troops from Ireland. Apparently, although it is necessary to protest over the problems tne brush working class races, the role of the British army in murdering, destroying and torturing to prop up the puppet sectarian state in the North of Ireland isn't worth a mention.
But Ireland won't leave the Labour left alone. The tecuaques being perrected in Ireland today are meant for the British workers tomorrow. By their be trayals of the Irish people, the Labour left not only fail in their elementary internationalist duty, but they cannot even defend their own working class. the organisations of the working class to Parliament. Which is to be the supreme power: Parliament, or the labour movement and the organisations of working class democracy which already exist and will develop to a much greater extent in the future?
The reformists, of course, claim that there is no contradiction between these two things - that it is possible to stand both for the democracy of the workers' organisations and for the sovereignty of Parliament. But at every stage this view is shown to be false.
Take the elementary demand that Labour Party conference decisions must be carried out by a Labour Government. How is this to be en enforced? According to the parliamentary system, once an MP is elected he is there for five years - quite regardless of what promises he breaks, how he acts on issues which had never even arisen when he was elected, and quite independently of what the people who elected him and worked for his election - think of WORKERS DEMOCRACY This does not mean, of course that it is not worth fighting for the demand that conference decisions should be binding on the Parliamentary Party — or for related demands, such as that the leader should be elected by the whole Party and not just by the Parliamentary Party On the contrary, the winning of these demands would be a vital step in extending the bounds of workers' democracy. Such a fight would make it far harder for Wilson to carry through a an outright betrayal such as occurred over the EEL.
It must be recognised, however, that the real democracy of the workers' movement will only be achieved when the parliamentary system itself is superceded by the mass forms of work ing class democracy and power - the soviets of Russia in 1917, the Councils of Action of the 1926 General Strike, the workers commisQ Won such an umportant issider abortion such an important issue? Aal Abortion Campaign right from the We have been involved in the Nationmart oecause rotor oer cent or our members are women. We know of situations on the shop floor where the problem of abortion is very prevalent. I think we can safely say that we have had insrances were some or our women nave na0 to use tne services or Dack-street aDOrtionIsTs.
We feel this is an issue which should be taken up by trade unions because more and more women are becomme m volved in ine trade union movement and abortion is an Issue vnicn attects women. We feel women should have the right to choose, to decide what to do with their lives. If, in fact, pregnancy to lead a tu tilled me inen to nave inis choice is part of the concept of equality. Q of any changes in the existing legis In your speech you said, 'the victims ration will be working women, the poo and inarticulate. Why is this so? A faced with the problem that in the Because working class women are main they go out to work tnrougn econ omnic necessiv. it must be a tremendous strain if a working class woman finds herself pregnant and, despite the economic problems her family faces, has to give HO NEE OD.
The question is choice. If the working class woman, or any woman for that matter, becomes preonant and sne wants to continue une pregnancy inat is ner choice. but it in tact sne wisnes to term inate that pregnancy because of economic difficulties, stre should have the right to do so.
We see the proposed amendments to in fact putting an added burden on working cass women. we mink unis is a ret rograde step. Previously the on hort refused to take a position on abortion.
A Yes it has, because it claimed it had a responsio itv to take care or di shades or opinion. but Feel tnat were there is an issue which affects the majority of working women in this country then the majority vote should rule and ot te minory Q The National Abortion Campaign has now asked the TUC to budget E5,000 for a campaign on abortion amongst its members. What's your opinion of this? A I think we should.
opinton, bur our exccutive Has consistently supported the NAC campaign, and probably would support this. The probZlem is that the TUC is, like most organisations, very much dependent on affiliaThat's a personal ted membership, and whether they have that type of monev available i don't KnOW. Photo: CHRIS DAVIES (Report)
to une worKing class hit working class women.
most from the cutbacks.
these people? reactionary stances. Last month the TUC Conference voted overwhelmingly to oppose restric tive legislation on abortion. It called on the General Council and all affil iated unions to campaign actively in the labour movement: (a) to defeat the Abortion (Amendment) Bill and any other attempts to introduce restrictive abortion legislation; (b) for the right of all women to adequate produce conditions detrimental to the health and welfare of the women in this country. The motion was moved by TERRY MARSLAND, Deputy General Secretary of the Tobacco Workers Union. On the eve of the abortion debate at the Labour Party Conference, Red Weekly asked her about her unions policy on abortion.
Do you see the present anti-abortion , proposals as part and parcel of the attacks being launched on the working class by the Wilson Government?
A been traditionally an emotive issue No I don't. I think abortion has Torward ano verv mucn eo up witn renaiou. views. I don't see it as part of what I call the retrograde policies in general of the Labour Government in which they have not lived up to their commitment But there are certain aspects of Gov to this?
in the hospital building programme and the social services which will particularly In that context, yes. The whole of A the social programme is being cut bacl out con i see inat as a ceroerate artack on abortion taculues as sucn annougn it will be women workers who will suffer In your speech you strongly criticised Labour MPs who had been campaigning for the James White Bill. What actions do you think should be taken against A the trade unions and Constituency I think supporters of the NAC within Labour Parties must work to demand inat me reactionary poncies being sue ported by certain Labour MPs be stop ped. I think it is only by activating this type of response amongst women and neard! men in the CLPs and trade unions that these people will be forced to drop their The NAC's marvellous demonstration, which 20,000 people attendee. reau snook tne reacuondry forces within the Labour Party.
There are several resolutions down at this week's Labour Party Conference which oppose the James White Bill ane cair on une cabour rary to suppor a woman's right to choose. How do you think delegates and Constituency Labour Parties should take up this issue? U Well, I think they should obviously support any resolution which calls for resisting any meddling around with the Abortion Act. I think possibly our resolution at the TUC will help to streng inen me nand or tne people wno are going to speak to tnese resolutions Britain is the first West European trade union centre that has adopted abortion as part of its policy and this is a •tremendous seo Torward. mink und Ine Labour rarty conterence will go along the same lines now that the TUC has laid down this policy. The women's movement has made a tremendous stride The latest report of the Select Committee, which is dominated 8 to 5 oy anti aportonists, is, in tact unanim ous in its recommendations to the DHSS to introduce certain measures, allegedly to curb abuses, which restrict the avail. ability of abortion. What is your reaction think unis is appalling, a most retre grade step. Anything that weakens the existing abortion legislation is wrong This business about abuses is absolute bloody nonsense. The amount of peopl who have benefited from the abortion act as it is, even in its limited torm, over rides any possible abuses.
Q a week of action around DHSS offices From 13 October NAC is organising to oppose Barbara Castle accepting these recommendations. MPs can 'object' and force a debate on these recommendation: and it is possible for MPs in the new session which peeins in vovember to oo ject to the re-establishment of the Select Committee. If enough objections are heard, the whole matter has to be deb atec on tne toor or the house Are you in favour of forcing all Labour MPs particularly the 'left' MPs to make their voices A there has not been enough weight Yes, 1 am. I'm a little disturbed that put into the campaign by Labour MPs left, Tribune MPs if you like, against the James White Bill. I'm deeply concerned Inat it nas been lert virtudy to tne oro gressive women in the House to carry the whole issue on their shoulders.! feel women in the constituencies must bring pressure to bear on their MPs to stano up and be counted on mis issue The NAC will be calling on Constitwency Labour Parties, trade union branches and trades councils to support various actions against any attempts to moose turner restrictons on exist abortion facilities. Will your union be supporting these?
Obviously that is a decision that has A to be taken by the Executive. Our union is supporting the NAC campaign in any way it can, and speaking for myself, I would absolutely urge support for
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labour must support abortion!
red weekly 2 october 1975 We feel women should have the right to choose, to decide what to do with their lives'
Q A
services for contraception and abortion on request, available free of charge on the NHS, and (c) to resist any changes in the 1967 Act which would
Q, ernment policy, particularly cutbacks A