The National Front received a couple of nasty knocks in the North East of England on 25 October. A meeting of members and supporters organised in u Newcastle horel for NF Chairman Joha ('Hitler was right' Tyndall was swamped by local anti-fascists, resulting in the cancellaton oi the room by the hotel management, On the same day. Alderman Bill Owen, who had swirched his label from the Progressive Pacty to the National Front, polled only 44 votes out of a total poll of 769 in a local by-election in the Biddick Hall ward of South Shelds. Like the rout of Martin Webster in Edinburgh. this was a step forward in the struggle to stop the NF from gaining an implantation in new arcas, and it will be followed up by a demonstraDion against Enoch Powell's meeting in Durham University on 24 November. But vigilance is required in all such areas, for despite the defeat Webster suffered in Edinburgh he went on to carry through a series of meetings with Protes tant sectarian leaders in the West of Scotland during the following week. This included a large meeting for members of the Orange Order in Glasgow.
In the East End of London the racist policies of the Newham Recorder have provoked a picket to be held on Saturday 4 November. This follows un article published on 25 October, which tried to blame Asian immigrants for the shortage of places in local schools. The Regarder has consistently publicised the activities of the local National Front and Powellites, and has tried to make immigrants the scapegoat for sbortages in housing, teachers and school accommodation, In Hove the unti National Front campaigo around the by-election is well under way. On Saturday, 3 November, there will be n demonstration against an NF rally in Hove Town Hall, The aim of the demonstration is to expose the fascist nature of the National Front, and to make it clear that the NF is not "acceptable", or 'respectable" organisation. Furthermore the demonstration will draw attention to the fact that this racist organisation has been quite freely granted the use of Hove Town Hall for its reactionary propaganda. A meeting called to initiate the campaign was marred by the action of the local Labour Party agent, who refused to support the campaign and persuaded the officers of the Trades Council to withhold their support. On hearing this the LPYS and the Million group argued that nothing should be done, but that instead there aust be a fight inside the Labour Party to expose those people who had tried to sabotage the anti-fascist campaign. However other activists are determined to go ahead, since such demonstrations are necessary to alert tie labour movement as a whole to the racist menace. And despite the action by the Hove Labour Party, Newhaven Trades Council, Brighton (Kemp Town) Labour Party, and Haringey Trades Council have pledged their support to the campaign.
The demonstration assembles at 12,30 pm on Saturday, 3 November at Brunswick Lawn, which in on the sca front just inside the Hove! Brighton boundary. For further information phone 0273 682791. local domestic tires. Crlasgow worken should indicute their unwillingnes to work under scab protection, by refusing to work where there is any tine risk.
Support for the Glasgow strike within the Fire Brigades Union is building up. Several areas are working to rule and answer emergency calls only, in protest aguinst the Executive's accions: Manchester arca have set up a strike fund for the Glasgow men who are desperately short of money-condemned the Executive, and sent a tough letter to Len Munay. Initial support has come from the Glasgow Trades Council, which is giving facilities to the strike committee, and messages and resolutions of solidarity are coming in iron other unions in the Glasgow area. Students at Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities have already set up support committees. But backing from the trade union movement all across the country is urgently needed. Send money and messages of support to Strike Committee, Fire Brigades Union, Trade Union Centre, 81 Carlton Place, JOHN KILBANE